June 2017 Volume 74

Hall receives facelift

NEXT EDITION INFO

Articles and advertising for the September 2017 edition of the Elpho Info are due by Friday 11 August 2017.
Email contributions to elphoinfo@gmail.com - All contributions welcome. This is your community newsletter!

For advertising prices email elphoinfo@gmail.com and to book an ad, please speak to Gill at the Elphinstone General
Store. Note: Advert prices will be reviewed prior to the next edition when ongoing ad renewals are due.

The Elpho Info is a member of the Community Newspapers Association of Victoria.

The Elpho Info can be read online: http://elphoinfo.blogspot.com.au

Search Elpho Info or visit www.facebook.com/ElphoInfo

Amity Bradford, Editor

News from the Elphinstone Facilities Committee
The EFC is a Section 86 committee
of the Mount Alexander Shire
Council with responsibility for the
Elphinstone Hall and Recreation
reserve and the Sawpit Gully
Reserve.
The Committee last met in February
and is scheduled to meet again on
the 17th May. Since the New Year
the Shire has been working to
upgrade the Hall with some much
needed improvements and most of
this work has now been done. The
work includes repairs in the kitchen,
upgraded lighting and new
switchboard, exterior painting and
new cisterns in the toilets. We have
also got new shutters between the
kitchen and the Hall and external
woodwork repainted. Thanks to the
Shire for doing this! Although the
hall doesnt get used as much as it
could, it is good to know that it is in
good working order.
However, we do have two regular
groups of users with the carpet
bowls and the playgroup, as well as
casual hirers including a textiles
workshop last year. We would
welcome anyone interested in using
it for a community or private
purpose to contact us through Gill
at the Post Office.
The hall can hold 100 people quite
easily and the floor area is about
140 square metres if you are
interested in hiring it for a function.
I have included some photos of the
interior space if you have never
been there (see below and front
page). The committee has tried to
keep costs down to make it
affordable for that special occasion
where the house is just too small. It
is well heated in winter with the gas
wall furnaces and has ceiling fans
for summer.
I would like to thank all our
committee members for their time
over the past 12 months.
Cheers,
Mike Reeves (Chairman EFC)

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 ELPHINSTONE RECREATION HALL

OCT 21ST SHOPPING TOUR FUNDRAISER

The Elphinstone facilities committee are running what hopes to become an annual shop-
ping tour fundraiser. Our little hall is a great asset to the community so please come along
& help raise the funds we need to keep a well-maintained reserve.
Tickets are approx $65 each, for this money you receive a bus driver & hostess, morning /
afternoon tea & a restaurant lunch all included in the ticket price.
A $40 deposit is requested as a seat cannot be reserved unless a deposit has been received.
Itinerary (subject to change)

Outlet Arrive Depart

Castle Books 7:50am 8:20am
Feelgood Australia Pty Ltd 8:40am 9:10am
Road to Home 9:15am 9:45am
Five Star Direct 10:00am 10:45am
Beaches Fashion 10:55am 11:25am
Siriocco Leather 11:45am 12:15pm
TS14+ 12:25pm 12:55 pm
RESTAURANT LUNCH
The Linen Factory 2:10pm 2:40pm
Bambis Homewares 2:50pm 3:30pm
Diana Ferrari 3:40pm 4:10pm
Candy Stripes 4:20pm 4:50pm
Toy Networx 5:05pm 5:45pm

For more information please dont hesitate to contact Erin Downie on

Mob: 0407 401 406 or email: office@bfos.com.au or like us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ElphinstoneCommunityHall/?ref=page_internal

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 Elphinstone Land Management
Association (ELMA) Update
Our Bird & Habitat Walk was held back
in February and was really well
received with many people asking
when we would be holding another
one! ELMA will host another bird walk
down the track but in the meantime
we will host a Flora & Fauna Walk in
Spring to be led by Bonnie
Humphreys, Project Botanist from
Connecting Country with a special
interest in native flora and weed
ecology, so keep an eye out for further
details.
The following article was written by
Tanya Loos, Woodland Bird & Project
Coordinator from Connecting Country,
who led our walk and is passionate
about bird watching and provided us
all with a wealth of information on
birds, their habitat and native
vegetation.
It is not every day you see a Federally
listed rare bird on an outing - we were
all very excited to observe a Square-
tailed Kite perched in a tree, preening
itself after a heavy bout of
rain. Connecting Countrys first Bird
Walk for 2017 was in early February,
and we were kindly hosted by Sue
McLennan and other members of the
Elphinstone Land Management
Association. The walk was along the
old Elphinstone Water Race, through
some really nice forest.
The Kite was photographed by Rob
Simon on a pretty glary day after some
rain. He or she was hard to identify, as
the bird was perched some distance
away through the trees, facing away
from us and preening its wet feathers.
The identifying features are the white
face, and the fact that the wings of the
kite are actually longer than the tail! I
sent Robs pics to Geoff Park who
confirmed Robs photo was of a
Square-tailed Kite, an adult. Square-
tailed kites are listed as Rare nation-
wide, and Near Threatened in Victoria.
They are a migratory raptor which
breeds in the Victorian forests every
summer for more info click here:
square-tailed kite.
The walk at the Elphinstone water
race was well attended and it was
great to have beginner birdwatchers
and children along for our forest walk.
It was a bit quiet at first but about
an hour in, after some rain we saw a
whole host of birds, including our wet
Square-tailed Kite.
Jane Rusden noted the species and
numbers down for us 22 species in
all! Not bad!
2 Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
1 Grey Currawong
3 Grey Fantail
4 Yellow-faced Honeyeater
3 White-throated Treecreeper
15 White-winged Chough
1 White-naped Honeyeater
2 Grey shrike-thrush
8 Red Wattlebird
7 adult + 1 immature Fuscous
Honeyeater
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6 Welcome Swallow
3 Dusky Woodswallow
1 Tree Martin
1 Olive-backed Oriole
6 Crimson rosella
4 Superb Fairy-wren
1 Square-tailed Kite
3 Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
2 Satin Flycatcher
10 Striated Thornbill
1 Weebill
1 Scarlet Robin
For more information on
birdwatching, or our bird program
see Connecting Countrys website
www.connectingcountry.org.au or
contact Tanya Loos, Woodland Bird
Project Coordinator, 5472 1594
tanya@connectingcountry.org.au
Sylvia Reeves has created our very
own Facebook page. Check it out for
many more photos from the walk and
other photos of interest. Its an
excellent reference to ELMAs
activities and a great way to keep up-
to-date on projects. The page is called
Elphinstone Land Management
Association.
Once again ELMA is hosting its annual
Winter Solstice event at the
Arboretum on Friday 23 June. Please
see the poster opposite for details.
Hope to see you there!
Sue McLennan
Secretary
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Whats happening at Elphinstone Primary School?
Term 2 started with ANZAC Day
activities with the students making
word searches, poppies and ANZAC
biscuits to take home.
Last week the school received news
that the Andrews Labor Government
has allocated $221,000 funding for
capital works projects at the school.
This funding will be put to very good
use at the school and the staff and
parents will be having many
discussions as to how best spend
the money to improve the facilities
at the school.
Over the next few weeks, the
students will be extremely busy
attending a variety of sports days in
the area. This commences with the
Photo: Mary-Anne Thomas MP with students and staff following presentation of the cheque for the schools capital works
Regional Cross Country event in
Bendigo on Friday 12 May. We have
over half our school 10 students
representing our school at this event
amazing! The students will also be
participating in Orienteering in
Castlemaine, the Whole School
Sports Day in Redesdale and Junior
Tabloid Sports in Castlemaine. We
have some extremely active and
athletic students at the school.
The parents at the school continue
to work extremely hard and have
been busy building garden beds for
the new vegie garden. It is really
starting to take shape. As you drive
past the school, you might also
notice our very colourful Art Room
which is being painted by the kids
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and parents under the wonderful
leadership of Deita!
On Thursday 25 May, the school will
host an Open Morning from 9am-
11am for any parents thinking of
sending their child to Elphinstone PS
next year. This is the perfect
opportunity to have a look around
the school, meet the teachers,
students and learn more about the
great programs offered at the
school. We hope to see some
families on that day!
Katrina Victor-Gordon,
Acting Principal
Elphinstone Primary School
Wright Street Elphinstone
(03) 5473 3285
elphinstone.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
www.elphinstone.vic.edu.au
 A message from our Councillor
Its good to see that people have been
taking copies of the council
information sheet from the post office
counter. Thanks to Gill and Dave for
making them available to customers.
The hand out has the highlights of the
proposed 2017-2018 council budget
on one side. On the other is a
summary of the objectives in the draft
council plan, with a request that
people look through the plan and give
feedback. Tell us whats missing, what
you like and dont like. The draft plan
is on the council website and there
are a few hard copies at the post
office. Take one if youre interested.
The budget is also up for comment.
Every year council budgets to replace
a couple of our old bridges. Next year
Bubbs Lane, north of Elphinstone, is
slated for a new bridge. Bubbs Lane
might not be the busiest of roads, but
that doesnt mean we can ignore a
bridge that is approaching the stage
of no longer being safe. The lifetime
of a bridge is usually 100 years or
more. One of the legacies of being a
goldrush shire is a lot of very old
bridges, some well in excess of 100
years old.
With the exceptional rains that
occurred last month, the country
around Elphinstone is looking very
attractive, with plenty of grass in the
paddocks and deciduous trees
showing off their autumn colours. The
stand of claret ashes planted recently
in Wright Street by the Elphinstone
Land Management Association
(ELMA) benefited from last years wet
winter and are starting to make their
presence felt along the roadside.
What a beautiful addition to the town
streetscape and a great legacy to
future generations of Elphinstonians.
Mature ash trees are tall and stately
and the claret ashes are a sight to
behold in spring, summer and
especially autumn.
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As your local ward councillor, Ive
been making myself available to
residents on the first Friday of each
month outside the Elphinstone post
office, from 8:30am to 10:30am. The
invitation to everyone is to use this
opportunity to talk to me about any
council-related concerns you may
have, whether its a road or drain that
needs attention, a planning
application that seems to have
stalled, an idea for Elphinstone
improvements, a project that you
think council should be undertaking or
anything else that comes under the
broad heading of council business. If
this time is not suitable for you, Im
always happy to talk on the phone, or
meet if thats more appropriate.
Please call me on 0466 004 628 or
email
Coliban@mountalexander.vic.gov.au
if you wish to arrange a meeting.
Christine Henderson
Coliban ward councillor
Elphinstone Fire Brigade
Elphinstone CFA at the Police &
Emergency Services Games 2017 - A
Horses Tale
Written by Tracey Franze, Brigade
Secretary
Recently, as part of the Police and
Emergency Services games,
Elphinstone Brigade Firefighter and
Treasurer, Mark Ware, competed
and was awarded a bronze medal in
two Equestrian Events one for
dressage and one for combined
training (includes dressage & show
jumping in the same event) on his
trusty steed, a 10yo thoroughbred
gelding named Teddy.
Teddy (the horse) takes
up the story from here:
On the first day of competition, as a
crisp Elphinstone autumn dawn was
barely breaking, I knew something
was up when I received my
breakfast earlier than usual. Mark
arrived looking sharp in new
jodhpurs which caught my eye
under his weathered coat no
doubt trying to keep himself clean
for whatever was in store for the
day.
A bit about myself, as a former
racehorse - I took up residence at
the Ware farm some 15 months
ago, and I must say it is a very happy
partnership. Mark is very busy,
working a hectic job whilst raising a
family of three gorgeous kids in
partnership with Justine. He is a
pony club Dad and in his spare
time he also drops everything at a
moments notice to bravely head off
to fight fires and attend car
accidents with the CFA. It is not
unusual to see him coming and
going at all hours of the day and
night when that siren goes, using his
vast experience and qualifications
including Lieutenant (could have
made a Light Horseman in war
times), Breathing Apparatus (funny
looking scuba-type gear for smoke),
driving accreditations and
firefighting accomplishments at an
advanced level. He also keeps the
books and balances the Fire Brigade
budget. His dedication and
commitment to the Elphinstone CFA
is actually a bonus for me, as he
doesnt have time to work me too
hard - not like the hard slog of my
former racing days meaning when
he is busy doing other things, I can
laze around the well-manicured and
fenced paddock in my spare time,
chatting to other members of the
herd, and basking my glorious
chestnut coat in the sun.
Following breakfast, a smooth float
ride, heading north, ensued. I
always feel safe with Mark driving
as I know that he has driven in some
very daring firefighting situations, so
a float trip is like a walk in the park
for a driver like him. On arrival at
the Elmore Equestrian Park (quite a
flash looking place in a broad acre
setting) and on exiting my float I
received an acknowledgement
neigh and request for reassurance
from a couple of fellow competitors,
looking slightly edgy tethered to
their respective trailers. Quite
nervous myself but trying to look
brave, I gave them my deepest
confident-sounding murmur in
reply. Mark settled me with a hay
net and made sure I was
comfortable, whilst he went to
register me for whatever lay
ahead.
Looking around I could see the area
abuzz with activity, and quickly
realised that I was here to compete,
as a horse and rider combination as
part of the Police and Emergency
Services Games 2017. Wow! Thats
why we have been doing those
arena drills this past week. My old
racing day butterflies started to
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jangle around in my tummy, but
when I saw Mark heading back
towards me from the Secretarys
office with my number, I felt a lot
better with his calm approach and
steady hand, as he wiped any
travelling dust from my shiny coat,
looking a burnished copper-bronze.
My bridle and saddle, with sparkling
bit and stirrup irons, had been
cleaned of any signs of sweat and
hair, and the clean saddle cloth
slipped easily across the hair on my
slick coat as my saddle was put
neatly into place. Much care was
taken by Mark in adjusting my gear
(even more so than usual, to ensure
that we were as safe as possible).
Instinctively I knew this was going to
be a big occasion.
Mark mounted with ease despite
me dancing around in excitement.
It felt good to be on the move and
breathe the cool air into my lungs as
we trotted off to the warm-up arena
with anticipation. The arena was full
of a mixture of horses doing
seemingly perfect circles, including
some very impressive types. The
riders represented the various
facets of the Emergency Services
not only Police but Ambulance,
Corrections Victoria, SES, to name
just a few, and our favourite of
course, the CFA. Mark and I met
quite a few of the competitors and I
was impressed with the level of
respect and sportsmanship amongst
them all. I felt that it was great for
Mark to have interaction and build
camaraderie with these fellow,
dedicated, brave service personnel
in a completely different
environment, rather than at an
emergency event.
Continued next page...
Elphinstone Fire Brigade continued...
The mounted branch Police horses (I of the final placings, I was not really improved and I now feel like a
call them the Mounties) looked very expecting too much, due to the winner.
impressive with their uniformed quality and high standard of the
riders and service-issued event. I was very pleasantly I hope that the Elphinstone Fire
saddlecloths bearing embroidered surprised to hear Marks name Brigade would be very proud with
logos very fancy. Mark and I also announced for a Bronze medal for how we represented them. I had
made a handsome pair Mark is both the dressage, and the fire in my belly, thats for sure (ha
tall, lean and beautifully poised I combined training. Double bronze ha!) One small confession when
like to think that I saw the judge at my first Games in Grade 5! I held the applause sounded for the
nudge the penciller as we entered my head up with pride at the placegetters it was quite
the arena, so impressed she was. thought of our achievements. I felt unsettling as the sound of the
so happy at this positive change in people clapping actually gave me a
When it came to my turn to do the my life. You see, back in my racing fright (embarrassing I know!) In
dressage test, after a lot of waiting days, I was considered an also ran. the future, I am sure I could get
around and even yawning (which In Equestrian events, maybe Ive used to it. Bring on the Games of
was actually good for my nerves) I found my niche. My confidence has 2018 and go Elphinstone!
put my best hoof forward resulting
in an impressive display. I could feel
that Mark was trying hard to use the
subtle aids of communication
required in dressage, and I
responded accordingly, giving him
my very best efforts in each stride.
The tests were judged on the best
of two for each event. The longer I
was there, the more settled I
became. I felt exhilarated at the
standard of my tests and walked out
of the arena effortlessly, like I was
walking on air. I secretly hoped that
Mark was pleased with me.

The show jumping phase was held

in a very large indoor arena. I had
never been accustomed to indoor
arenas in the past, so I found it all to
be quite daunting at first. Chewing
on my bit nervously and feeling a
slight prickle of sweat behind my
ears whilst entering the huge,
echoing, indoor space, Mark kept
his cool throughout and he gave me
such confidence that I was able to
jump a couple of very respectable
rounds. Thank you Mark for getting
me around safely oh what a team
we make!

There were around 12 or 13 riders

for each class so there was plenty of
competition. At the announcement

Photo: Elphinstone Brigade Member, Mark Ware riding Teddy

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Register Your Burnoff
Information from http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/contact/register-your-burn-off/

How do I notify emergency services of a planned burn?

Before you carry out and notify your planned burn, make sure you check and follow local regulations or laws set
down by CFA or your local council.

More information about burning off

To ensure that the fire services are aware of your planned burn, please give the Emergency Services
Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) prior notification. You can do this is four ways:
1. Phone 1800 668 511 and provide the required information OR
2. Complete the Burn off Notification Form (DOC 127k) and email the form to burnoffs@esta.vic.gov.au (form
available on CFA website)
3. Send the form to ESTA by fax: 1300 674 428 or
4. National Relay Service Users can ring 1300 555 727 and ask for Information to be relayed to ESTA via
1800 668 511.

Notifying ESTA about planned burns prevents unnecessary fire brigade response. Callers reporting an actual fire
can then verify that the fire is a planned burn. If this can't be verified a fire brigade will be asked to respond.

Some information that you provide may be displayed on CFA's website. This may include the street name and area
where the planned burn you are registering will take place. This information may be shared on
the VicEmergency website, as well as the VicEmergency app and internal incident management systems.

CFA also recommends you inform your neighbours.

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 Would you like to see your ad
here?
Email elphoinfo@gmail.com for
advertising prices.

LOCAL HORSE DENTIST

Bob Franze (Dip Equine Dentistry)

Phone 0418 346 830
Prompt and reliable service covering all areas

11
Warm Up at Goldfields Libraries this Winter!
A range of heart-warming activities
will be available at Goldfields
Libraries this Winter! Special guest
speakers, hands on technology
workshops and a holiday program
for the kids are just a few of the
activities that will ensure all age
groups find something of interest.

As a program highlight Australian

television and theatre star Jack
Charles will speak about his
experiences as a 22 time convicted
felon and heroin addict. A great
contributor to the community, Jack
will share how his experiences have
made him more resilient.

The Immigration Museums Talking

Difference project will be visiting
with special workshops and an
interactive portable studio display.
The project aims to help the
community learn about other
cultures and what Australian life is
like for newcomers.

The Winter program will have a

strong focus on making technology
accessible to the community,
including a showcase of Oculus Rift
virtual reality, Tech Savvy Seniors
and a range of other IT sessions with
digital experts, said Tammy Higgs,
Goldfields Library Corporation
Programs and Events Coordinator.
The fourth Write on the Fringe
Festival will also be a major
highlight, and as always promises to
bring together the best of
community arts and participation
with an exciting line up of events,
said Ms Higgs.
Music will be a great feature this
Winter, with the Australian Girls
Choir and Orchestra Victoria lined
up for multiple performances.
Family History enthusiasts will be best-selling author/illustrator Trace
well catered for with a local Balla and performances by Team
program of National Family History Henderson of Bong Bong Hat Band
Month events coming up in August, fame.
including book launches, talks,
workshops and beginner sessions. Most events are free and many
There will be presentations from a require bookings.
range of authors and writers,
including Nadine Williams, Sally For more information, visit:
Abbott, Jennifer Ackerman, Lauren www.goldfieldslibraries.com
Mitchell, Brendan McCarthy,
Katherine McKinnon, Jannyse
Williams, Dee White and Tegan
Gigante.
The kids will be spoilt for choice in
the July holidays with activities
galore to keep them busy. Highlights
will include a collaborative Captain
Underpants display, science and
technology sessions, movie
screenings, special sessions with

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