Elpho Info

Autumn 2024 Volume 101

The Community Newsletter of Elphinstone

Clean Up Elphinstone (Australia) Day

Sunday March 3rd
The Elphinstone Trash Walk this year coincides with Clean Up Australia Day, this coming Sunday the 3rd. Choose your own adventure
with where you’d like to collect rubbish from, just keep your safety first and stay away from busy traffic roads such as the highways. Tim
will be at Sawpit Gully Reserve from 9.30am with fluro jackets. A free BBQ will be provided from 12.30pm for all participants and a
trailer will be there to leave your rubbish in. Please come along, whether you have the time / capacity to clean up a little or a lot.

Inside...
Message from our Councillor
What's happening at
Elphinstone Primary School
Elphinstone Post Office Info
Wildlife Whispers
Elphinstone Facilities Update
CFA Update
EPA Update
Health Corner
Competition
and more...

Trash Crew from 2021

What's On Sunday 3rd March - Trash Walk (above)

Saturday 9th March - Harcourt Apple Fest
Sunday 10th March - Taradale Mineral Springs Festival (see pg15)
Sat/Sun/Mon 9th-11th & 16th-17th March - Arts Open - See Smiley at his Elphinstone Studio & Craig at Garage Art Foundry
Sunday 28th March - Autumn BBQ & Easter Egg Hunt (see pg3)
Saturday 29th March - Elphinstone CFA Good Friday Appeal Door Knock

Thank you to Kyneton

RSL for supporting the
printing of Elpho Info.
 Available from the
Elphinstone General
Store all year round.
Kitchen Door Sales &
Tasting direct to public.
Makers of Traditional & Contemporary Ph 03 5470 6128
Puddings to enjoy all year
Workspace Castlemaine, Room 24, 1 Halford St
Visit the website for full list of products
www.pudforallseasons.com.au
Locals Discount when you mention this advert at our kitchen door.

Water Deliveries & General Cartage

10,000 Litre Water Loads
Grass Slashing
John Growcott 0407 506 666

Central
Goldfield’s
Tree Service
tree removal
tree pruning
stump grinding
chipping
log splitting

Jarrod Archer
Qualified Arborist
0458 955 229
jarrodarcher4@gmail.com
Local to Elphinstone

2 Elpho Info
 Autumn Competition
Colour in the Easter Roo's
Prize includes a range of
chocolates including a giant
Ferrero Rocher ball and all inside
a very stylish cooler bag.
Pick a colouring sheet up
at the Post Office.
Colour in and submit your
colouring sheet to the Post
Office with your name and a
contact by the 15th of March.
to enter
couraged Please note that prize must be picked up
All ages en d chil ren
d at the Elphinstone Post Office.
- adults an

Elphinstone Progress
Association, Inc. (EPA)
Autumn BBQ & Easter Hunt! – 28th March
4.30pm
Following on from the Spring & Summer BBQs, the Elphinstone
Progress Association is planning a BBQ at Sawpit Gully Reserve to
celebrate Easter on Thursday the 28th of March! This is an event for
everyone in the community, and will have the noise and energy of
lots of kids on their last day of the school term. Come along whether the post office. You can also find all of that information on our
you have kids or not and celebrate the changing of the seasons with a community website www.elphinstone.vic.au
social BBQ. Burgers and sausages provided.
Be a part of your Progress Association
Welcome New Residents! EPA memberships are only $5 per family and are greatly
It’s exciting to see new people coming into the community and appreciated to help cover our yearly association fees. See
we have a created a welcome letter for new residents detailing the membership form below or at the post office. Our next meeting is on
different community groups in the area, which is available from May 6th, at 7.30pm, all local residents are welcome to attend.

Elphinstone Progress Association, Inc Membership

$5 per household
Date:
Name/s:
Address: Complete and cut
out this form,
Phone:
then return to Post Office
Email: in an envelope with $5.
Thank you for your support
Elpho Info 3
Elphinstone Post Office and General Store
FAQs and Things You Might Need to Know
Dear Elphinstone and Surrounds Folk,
I’ve been working at the Elphinstone Post Office and General Store for many years now and still you darling
people can baffle me with the stuff you aren’t yet aware of. So I thought I’d mention a few of these here. Gill and
Dave are the proprietors. I work Saturdays and Jim works some weekdays.
• Opening Hours The Shop is open from 7:30-5:30 weekdays. But here’s the kicker, it is also always open on
Saturday 8am-1pm and Sunday 8am-12 noon!
Plus you can pick up your mail and do other Post Office things on these days.
On Public Holidays the Shop is open from 8am-12 noon. Closed only Christmas and Boxing Days.
• Mail gets picked up on weekdays at 4:30. For your mail to go out on that truck it needs to be fully lodged
before this. Please get it here in good time - say 4:10-4:20 if you definitely want it on that truck.
• “Can I get someone else to pick up my mail
for me if I am sick or away?”
Yes, yes you can…but…they cannot just turn
up and ask for someone else’s mail. You need
to arrange this with Gill ahead of time. Phone
her: 5473 3200
• Have Your Newspaper Reserved. Do you
regularly buy a newspaper? You can ask us to put it aside for you so you don’t miss out. There
is a RESERVED shelf near the counter. If it is a one-off just call us and we will put today’s paper
aside, so you don’t miss that photograph of your Cousin’s pet python on a visit to the Harcourt
Bowling Club.
• Metcalfe and Sutton Grange Roadside Delivery Folk. This is a special shout out to you.
Now I love your weird variety of mailboxes and the spiders that live in them, but did you know
the mail run is more that 100km long. What this means is - your mailbox needs to be easily
accessible to save time.
Introducing the: - ‘IS MY MAILBOX ACCESSIBLE’ TEST
Sit in the driver’s seat of your car, wind the window down and reach your arm out to
your mailbox.
If you can easily open and close it, then so can the delivery person.
Phew - test passed
• Prompt Parcel Pick-up Award* Would you mind being fairly prompt in collecting your
parcels? Of course there will be times when this isn’t possible. Again, have a conversation
with Gill if you need your mail held for a period. Mail is held anyway for 30 days then
returned to sender if not collected.
In the month before Christmas there’s a growing Tsunami of parcels coming into the Post
Office, (and there just isn’t the room to act as a secret Christmas stash unfortunately).
• Store Stock. In my opinion Gill is a bit of a genius at stocking just the thing you might
need. Eggs, lunchmeat, frozen meals, icing sugar, tomato paste…those shelves have saved
many a trip into town. I asked Gill her method. She writes down things people ask for, if a
few people ask after the same thing - she stocks it.
• The Local Business Card Collection. A slew of business cards sit on the windowsill to
the right of the door as you enter. You’ll find a card for everything from Tree Lopping to Naturopathy to Computer Repair to Wood Delivery to Jumping Castle
Hire. Have a look through and please drop your own business cards into the shop so others can find you too.
• EFTPOS Note. Due to COVID many shops dropped their EFTPOS limit charge. However a charge still remains for the shops to do an EFT transaction. In
short what this means is that a really small sale could actually cost the shop…. So if possible it would be lovely if you could use cash for those very small sales.

Elphinstone Post Office

and General Store
5473 3200
Weekdays 7:30am - 5:30pm
Saturdays 8:00am - 1:00pm
That’s it. If you have read this to the end come into the shop and say, “Elephants Sunday 8:00am - 12noon
are Toneless” to receive a prize. Public Holidays 8:00am - 12noon
Jenny Nestor - Saturday Shop Person.
* Um, sorry, there is no Prompt Parcel Pickup Award. Well not yet. Gill and Dave
A message from A last example of council’s responsibility is that of advocacy;
speaking to State and Federal Government and their agencies about

our Councillor
Responsibilities
What is an organisation’s responsibility and
what isn’t? The three R’s, Roads, Rates and Rubbish
are traditionally seen as council’s core responsibilities.
Council is also the shire’s planning authority. Town planners employed
by council assess planning permit applications using the local planning
scheme as their guide. Any changes to the planning scheme involve
so-called ‘strategic planning’ involving studies, reports, surveys of the
affected community and must ultimately be approved by the Victorian
Government’s Planning Minister. Two years is a minimum time frame.
Referral authorities have decision-making responsibilities when it
comes to saying whether a planning permit should be granted. For a
house being built or added to in a town without mains sewerage, Coliban
Water has a say over waste-water management arrangements. Goulburn
Murray Water may also be involved in the siting of dwellings in relation
to waterways. In bushfire danger areas the CFA is another referral
authority, determining the siting and building materials of a house.
Recently I’ve come across an interesting partition of responsibilities
in the matter of Forest Fire Management’s planned burn on the eastern
edge of the Fryers Forest. Because the scheduled burn is close to where
I live, I’m very familiar with the terrain that is to be burnt. Recently I
had the opportunity to talk with FFM officers about my concerns, in
particular about the potential for the proliferation of gorse after the
fire. This noxious weed is notorious for strong growth and expansion of
territory after being burnt. I asked what plans were in place to treat the
affected areas, to prevent gorse becoming a dominant plant species in
what is well-known to be an area of rich plant biodiversity. The response
was not reassuring. Weed control is not the responsibility of Forest Fire
Management, who are only responsible for carrying out the controlled
burn. Gorse management is the responsibility of Parks Victoria who
are well known to be under-resourced and over-stretched in their
management of all Victorian State Parks.
A corollary to Parks Victoria’s responsibilities is the phenomenon
issues of concern to our community. Often council receives a petition
from residents pleading, demanding that council take action to support
or oppose events, legislation, movements that are taking place. An
example is the State’s legislation permitting the commercial harvesting
of kangaroos. A large and impassioned group of people wishing to save
kangaroos, successfully lobbied council to write to the State Government
requesting that harvesting cease. We voiced the concerns of a section of
our community to a higher authority. However the reaction from farmers
suffering pasture losses from overgrazing by kangaroos pointed out to us
that to act responsibly it would be better to survey the whole community
first, to gauge overall sentiment. While this can be done, it’s a very
expensive process if done properly. Moreover, the value of the advocacy
has to be weighed against the likelihood of bringing about change. At the
February meeting, council adopted its ‘Establishing Formal Positions of
Council’ policy. A bit of a mouthful, the aim of the policy is to make it
clear when council will take on the role of advocate, and when it won’t.
There’s no shortage of highly charged, desperately important situations
in the world today, both within Australia and in the world at large. Many
people care passionately and are highly distressed by them. The natural
response is to urge authorities, including councils to react, to take action,
to speak out, to advocate for change. The policy sets boundaries. If the
issue affects the lives of our residents, if there’s the expectation that our
advocacy will be listened to, if we can expect to have an influence on a
matter, then we will take action, write letters and emails, request meetings
with those in charge, make our voice heard, once council is reasonably
sure that it’s speaking for the majority of residents. For other matters
beyond its influence, or where opposing views are likely within the
community, council will not establish a formal position. Are we being
uncaring? No. We are saving our council voice for matters where we have
a chance of wielding influence. That’s our responsibility as advocates.

Horse
of periodic ‘Doof ’ gatherings being held in the forest at Oven Rock
Campground near Railway Dam off the Pyrenees Highway between
Elphinstone and Chewton. The campground itself is a Parks Vic-approved
bush camping spot, used by people throughout the year. However the
large dance parties held there occasionally, sending the loud ‘doof-doof ’

Dentist
resounding through the district from Chewton to Taradale and beyond
are definitely not officially sanctioned. Do they have a permit? Almost
certainly not. Whose responsibility is it to stop them? Good question.
While disturbance of the peace is a police matter, the venue is the
responsibility of Parks Victoria. Let’s hope the Doof organisers at least
have a sense of responsibility for the care of the land and the participants.
Road maintenance is a core responsibility of council. But which
roads? Gravel roads are usually council’s responsibility, unless they’re in
State forests in which case DEECA (Department of Environment, Energy
and Climate Action) are responsible for their maintenance. Most local
sealed roads are also council roads. Major roads like the Calder Freeway
and the Pyrenees Highway are VicRoads’ responsibility. All speed limits
are VicRoads’ responsibility, even on council roads. Council can make
requests to VicRoads for changes, often based on community campaigns. Bob Franze
In recent times VicRoads have been a lot more responsive, granting (Dip Equine Dentistry)
changed speed limits in Fryerstown and Yapeen and most recently on its
own Pyrenees Highway where a strong community campaign, supported Phone 0418 346 830
by council has led to a 50 km/hour speed limit being set between White
Quartz Road before Chewton and the lights in Castlemaine. When we Prompt and reliable
groan at the imposition it’s good to remember that it’ll take all of an extra
60 seconds to make the trip, travelling at the speed limit.
service covering all areas
Wildlife WhispersBy Nikki Medwell
When I was a teenager we visited a family whose cat had just had
kittens. I distinctly remember the unique smell of those kittens. The same
trigger for any baby, regardless of species and I asked my father why the
smell. Which is in no way offensive, in fact it’s quite lovely.
To paraphrase my father; “All babies of all species have that smell
which drives people to want to protect them. It is how humans are wired”
For eons we have been designed to protect; “Woman and children
first” and then of course there was the time of the Christians being fed to
the lions. Adults would huddle placing the children in the centre relying
on the lions being satiated so the children could be spared.
And we are not alone:
“May life treat you the way you treat animals”
As a wildlife Orphan Roodi enjoying a bottle of special formula with volunteer Monica. Roodi is very
shelter we meet shy and gentle by comparison to the others in care that are rambunctious and extroverted.
people regularly that
have gone to the ends go with it. In fact, the ECSM President requested as much confronting
of the earth to save information as possible. We reached out to several large groups that
baby kangaroos and supplied a lot of literature with information and pictures. Every
then there are wildlife attendee over the course of the 3 day conference will receive a folder of
rescuers that will information showing them the brutal truth of what happens after dark
camp out for hours and will be encouraged to write to their Congressman. Even I have a hard
or come back the time looking at the information provided.
next day to locate an Placemats have been made for every attendee to show them the work
orphan. Nothing has we do here. The inspiring photographs are designed to offer hope and
changed, we are still take the edge off the brutality they will be exposed too
wired to protect. “Anything that would reasonably be considered painful in
So how is it some domestic species would definitely be painful and require attention
people don’t or can’t in wild animals”- WIRES
do this? Or others
that are ok with
Any human that is a parent should understand and babies being killed
empathise with other parents, regardless of species. violently? I question
Their love is as deep as yours when it comes to offspring.
this often. Especially
as I feed a hungry youngster and their little hand grips my finger and they
nuzzle into my chest looking for love, safety and security.
It is one of life’s greatest privileges to be on the receiving end of the
love our wildlife offer up when given the chance to do so.
A killer of kangaroos commented in the Bendigo advertiser;
“Anybody professional will destroy the joey in a humane manner. And we
are allowed to shoot, decapitate or blunt force trauma to the head, that’s
under the code”.
Who does that? Who can do that? And who are the people that are
ok with that?
They must be in a very dark place to be able to this and the brutality
The ECSM and RBWS conference placemat
of it shocks members of the public. Most people have no idea it happens.
They are unaware the lifeless body of the next generation of native Major victories for 2024; Nike, Puma, New Balance and Purina pet
animal is tossed into the bush like rubbish which then feeds the non- food have all refused to use any kangaroo products from this year forth
native animals like foxes. Got a fox problem? Remember, kangaroo killers and another small business that sells crystals in small kangaroo skin
contribute to this. bags have removed all kangaroo products from sale and apologised to
How did our priorities get so messed up? customers. Slowly slowly people are waking up and feeling the shame
associated with the largest land based slaughter of a native animal in the
So whilst education is exposing the killing industry here in Australia,
world.
overseas is also watching in horror.
It is these victories and those still to come that keep all wildlife carers
To help drive this knowledge deeper and encourage people
afloat. For without them we would drown from Compassion Fatigue,
everywhere to boycott and protest the cruelty, our shelter’s Ambassador
Moral Injury and Traumatic Stress Responses. And what are these
Dr Mark departs for Gainesville Texas in the US this week to attend
conditions?
the annual conference of the Education and Conservation Society of
Macropodidae. Over the period of a few days, Dr Mark will address the Compassion Fatigue – a form of burnout that can develop as a result
attendees, made up of business owners, veterinarians and as the President of prolonged and extensive caring for animals in distress. Some people
of ECSM put it; “An army of kangaroo lovers”. He will cover the care may feel less care and empathy towards the animals and other people that
required to raise orphans, the nursing required to rehabilitate the injured, they look after. This is very common among animal rescue workers and
surgical procedures and the killing industry and all the horrors that other ‘caring’ professions, and it can be helpful to take time out to recover

6 Elpho Info
and shift perspective about your role as a caregiver.
Moral Injury – can arise from a difficult decision to care for some
animals and not others, or to euthanize animals after months of care. If
after caring for an animal, the animal does not survive, it is reasonable
to be upset and to question what has happened. Open communication is
one of the most effective techniques to minimise moral injury. Share your
story with others and ask for their thoughts and opinion on your situation
– this can help you balance out negative thoughts and feelings.
Traumatic Stress Responses – everyone responds differently to
trauma, and for some people their experiences of caring for sick and
injured wildlife, especially those injured in bushfires, can lead to post-
traumatic stress disorder, grief, depression or anxiety – your brain’s
reaction to feeling overloaded by a stressful experience.
(The above information is courtesy of the Black Dog Institute:
https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/national-emergency-worker-support-
service/resources/strategies-for-long-term-health-and-wellbeing/ )
Anyone affected by cruelty to our wildlife is welcomed and
encouraged to phone WILDTALK, an organisation that provides FREE
24/7 counselling and debriefing through a network of counselling
professional: 1300 945 382 W: https://wildtalk.org.au/about/
• Recently two Mount Alexander Greens (Cate Sinclair the State and
Federal representative and Lynne Waddington the branch chair) visited
RBWS to discuss environmental issues and the need to protect what we
have in our backyards yet take for granted.
• A Dja Dja Wurrung woman has reached out about teaching Djaara
members in modern wildlife care practices to complement their
traditional methods. This is a collaboration we
are excited about.
• Wild Wisdoms, a local group that values bush
play and encourages young people to spend
more time outside will be visiting RBWS in the
near future to discuss how we can help facilitate
the learning of their target participants; 0-8
years old on protecting wildlife: https://www.
wildwisdom.net.au/home
• RBWS has been nominated by the Animal
Justice Foundation for the Voiceless award for
Animal Protection Education. We have been
shortlisted alongside 6 other great organisations
that come from all over Australia. This is a
National Award. I’ll tell you all about that in the
next edition.
#
Wildlife Emergency numbers:
Rescue - Wildlife Victoria: (03) 8400 7300 Free 24/7 service
Rescue - WRIN: 0419 356 433 Central Vic Region
Free 24/7 Service
Cruelty - Castlemaine Police: (03) 5470 4100 or 000
Cruelty - DECCA Epson branch: (03) 5430 4444
– ask for the Snr Wildlife Officer
Report shooting and/or dog attacks via email to:
ocr@delwp.vic.gov.au and copy in:
lily.dambrosio@parliament.vic.gov.au
Roaming and menacing dogs - contact the council on: (03)
5471 1700 (AH) 0418 807 859
Snake catcher – Adam Leslie from Castlemaine
0431 874 523 (Fee applicable)
I also look forward to telling you all about Dr Mark’s Texan
adventures in the next edition. So much happening!
Until then, remain kind to our wildlife that do it tough out there. The
wildlife and its habitat cannot speak, so we must and we will.
From Scott, Nikki and the El-Roos – thanks for caring.
The world is watching.
Red Box Wildlife Shelter, Elphinstone VIC
Contact: elroos3448@gmail.com
Visit our FREE online educational program:
www.kangaroorangers.com
Kangaroo A Love Hate Story is now available
FREE online. Please watch this award-winning
documentary which exposes Australia’s
own wildlife trade. Or contact us to watch a
screening here in our education and training
room.
Visit: https://tubitv.com/movies/569707?utm_
source=justwatch-feed&tracking=justwatch-feed

Meet the honorary El-Roo 'Woody'

This Great Man is on a visitor’s visa :-) (Not from this region)
A Park Ranger noticed Woody wasn’t hopping all that well so phoned Wildlife Victoria (03) 8400 7300
Woody arrived with a badly swollen ankle and after being vet checked by Dr Mark needed to be contained
and kept off his ankle as much as possible.
After three weeks in an ICU hut and yard he has progressed to a large yard where he can now strengthen his
ankle. He did some major damage to his ligaments so he’s checked into our hospital for some time.
The swelling has gone down considerably and he is starting to hop around his yard.
He is a lovely man with kind eyes. Knowing I am helping him he allows me access to his yards and hut
whenever I need to clean or replenish food. I am no threat to him and treat him with respect, therefore, he
reciprocates.
With several youngsters currently in care at RBWS, we place them in Woody’s yards during the day for
company. He is very protective over his little charges. Something he was born to do. Just like human parents
– protect the young.
And like all the Great Men that pass through here, his presence will be missed when he goes home. They
carry such a magnificent energy and power about them. An ancient one that humbles us.

Elpho Info 7
Elphinstone CFA Update
The fire season
This fire season started slowly with mild conditions, however
in February there have been major fires in western Victoria. The
Bayindeen bushfire near Beaufort is still ongoing. This fire has seen
over 20,000 hectares of agricultural pastures, farmland, native bush
and plantation being involved and there are many sheds, fences,
livestock, homes and businesses which remain under threat and will
do so until the fire is fully contained. Six homes have been destroyed.
There have been more than 1,000 fire fighters, comprising CFA
volunteers, FFMVic and FRV fire fighters, working hard to secure the
edges of the fire and prevent any further loss of property and protect
critical assets in the area.
The Elphinstone brigade has assisted with this fire through
participation in strike teams that have undertaken overnight
monitoring and firefighting in the Elmhurst area.
Turnouts in 2023
Last year the local station siren activated 73 times for emergency
turnouts by the brigade (not including the Sunday morning siren
test). CFA captures the details of all incidents and the following
chart shows a count of the summarised type of emergency by month:
The main emergency type last year was grass and scrub fires with
29 taking place (40% of turnouts).
The second most frequent emergency type was vehicle accidents
with 19 (26% of turnouts) during the year. These incidents can also
include vehicle fires and in some cases trapped occupants.
There were 5 structure related fires (7% of turnouts). The brigade
is also called out for a range of other incidents that do not fit into
8 Elpho Info
the main category types. These can include investigations, alarms
sounding and participation in controlled burning activities.
Some incidents are called off when the brigade is enroute after
a neighbouring brigade has investigated and the incident has been
found to be a false alarm or small in size and not requiring an
additional tanker.
Fire Plan
On days when you and your family are not at home, what is your
fire plan?
Have you thought about what you might do if you are travelling,
separated from your family or pets and out of your comfort zone?
Plan for all circumstances and have a backup plan.
https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/before-and-during-a-fire/
your-bushfire-plan
All Victorians should be prepared and ready to act during the fire
season, but some people may need extra help during the warmer
weather, to prepare their fire plan and to leave early. Who do you
need to help or check up on?
If you would like to know more about your local CFA, please
contact Secretary Gerard Kelly on 0402 456 758.
The brigade will be collecting for the
Royal Childrens Hospital
Door knock will take place on
Friday 29 March 2024
Or you can make a donation at the Post Office
solar power | battery storage | insulation |
heat pump hot water, heating and cooling|
insulating blinds | ceiling fans | EV charging
49 Lyons Street, Newstead 3462 Tues to Sat from 10am
t: 5472 4160 e: energy@enviroshopnewstead.au
www.enviroshopnewstead.au
 Council
news
Hello from Mayor Driscoll
It’s the beginning of autumn, and there’s no better
place to be than our shire.
We’ve got beautiful weather, and there are so
many opportunities to get out and see live music,
art, film, enjoy nature and much more.
We’ve had some fantastic local events of late,
many of which Council have supported through
our Event Grants program, which is now open –
hurry, applications close soon!
On other matters, we’re often looking for your
input to guide our decision-making so visit
shape.mountalexander.vic.gov.au, sign up for
updates, and have your say.
Keep reading at mountalexander.vic.gov.au/News.
Jan
Sign up for Council updates on
affordable housing
Find out what actions we’re taking to address
affordable housing in a bi-monthly enewsletter.
Sign up for updates at shape.mountalexander.vic.
gov.au/affordable-housing.
Thanks for a great summer!
Our outdoor pool season is wrapping up, and
we’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who
visited over the summer.
We’d love to hear about your experience at our
pools so we can improve what we do next year.Elphinstone Ra
Have your say at shape.mountalexander.vic.gov.au.
Feb Mar Apr May Jun

‘21 92 15 86 9 48
Working together for a healthy, connected shire
‘22 100 0 60 86 44
mountalexander.vic.gov.au (03) 5471 1700
‘23 6 15 46 68 38
‘24 121 4

Rainfall
Elphinstone Rainfall in mm’s - Comparing 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024
300

243
240
180

146
116
120

106
92100 121 86 86 94
80 82
60 68 67 76 69 67 72
48 4438 52 44 55
46 46
60

37 38
23 27
15 15 9 12
6 0 4
0

‘21
‘22
‘23
‘24
‘21
‘22
‘23
‘24
‘21
‘22
‘23
‘24
‘21
‘22
‘23
‘24
‘21
‘22
‘23
‘24
‘21
‘22
‘23
‘24
‘21
‘22
‘23
‘24
‘21
‘22
‘23
‘24
‘21
‘22
‘23
‘24
‘21
‘22
‘23
‘24
‘21
‘22
‘23
‘24
‘21
‘22
‘23
‘24
Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

10 Elpho Info
Health Corner By Naturopath
Summer Health Susan Lintott
This month (March) is endometriosis awareness month, so let’s
take at the what and why of this condition that has been poorly
understand for SO long.
It may surprise you to learn that endometriosis is an
inflammatory disease that’s affected by hormones but is not caused
by hormones. Instead, endometriosis is, at least in part, a disease of
immune dysfunction.
As you may know, endometriosis is a disease in which tissue that
is similar to endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus and can
cause pain and other symptoms. While the cause remains uncertain, the immune system for sufferers is being understood; nutrients such
widely accepted theories include retrograde menstruation, genetic as zinc, vitamin C, Vitamin A (or retinol) and alpha-lipoic acid are
predisposition, and immune system involvement. The disease can fundamental here.
be improved by surgery, especially excision surgery, which is the Anti-inflammatory foods and supplements to reduce
strategy of trying to excise or remove all the lesions. inflammation become really important and some of the supplements
Estrogen strongly stimulates endometriosis lesions, and is even here include vitamin D, selenium, N-acetyl cysteine, curcumin
made by endometriosis lesions which is why standard conventional and resveratrol. The clinical trials supporting the use of these
medical treatment often uses medication to switch off oestrogen, supplements are increasing, with some showing to not only halt the
however this has its trade-offs because estrogen is important for growth of endometrial lesions but actually reduce their size!
general health. Depending on the severity, the naturopathic approach I don’t have space to list the anti-inflammatory foods that I would
of supporting the liver to metabolise and detoxify oestrogen may be recommend, if you would like that list or support with your health
a better option, and is often a backbone treatment for naturopaths in you can me email me at:
reducing endometriosis. info@susanlintott.com
There are more than a thousand papers about the immune Yours in good health,
dysfunction of endometriosis and increasingly the need to support Susan.

Need help with repairs,

upgrades, advice, purchases
& troubleshooting with Apple
Laptops, iMacs and MacMini’s? Susan Lintott
...Call Tim! Naturopathy
Nutritional and herbal medicine
Tim can also help with networking, Dietary and lifestyle advice
Relaxation and deep tissue massage
0401 764 050
info@susanlintott.com
backup and internet setups. Located in Elphinstone www.susanlintott.com

Local Painter
Ph 5474 3109

Tim Ratcliffe 0412 333 835

Elpho Info 11
 Councillor Listening Post at the Elphinstone Post Office
Come and have a chat outside the Elphinstone Post Office
on the first Thursday of the month, 8.30 am to 10.30 am
Local ward councillor Christine Henderson is available at
the Post Office to meet with residents, hear about any
council-related concerns and answer questions.
Come and have a chat.

The next Elpho Info is the Winter/June edition 2024

Articles and advertising for the Autumn 2024 edition of the Elpho Info are due by Friday May 21st 2024 to
elphoinfo@gmail.com or via the Post Office.
All community contributions are welcome.
For advertising prices and enquiries email elphoinfo@gmail.com or grab a form at the Post Office.
The Elpho Info is a member of the Community Newspapers Association of Victoria and can be read
online at: https://elphinstone.vic.au/news/ Find us on Facebook | search Elpho Info or visit www.facebook.com/ElphoInfo
Elpho Info is published by the Elphinstone Progress Association and is produced by volunteers. Elpho Info is printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper.
Contributions of news items, articles, photos, ideas and letters are welcome as are advertisements which help to cover production costs.
Circulation is currently 300. Thank you to Mount Alexander Shire Council for their continued support in the form of advertising.
Elphinstone Info wishes to advise that the views or remarks expressed in this publication are not necessarily the views of the editor or of the Elphinstone Progress
Association. No endorsement is implied by the listing of advertisers, sponsors or contributors. We are not liable if there are any mistakes or inaccuracy.

Like to see your ad in Elpho Info?

Contact elphoinfo@gmail.com for prices and details.

Elphinstone
PLAYGROUP
FOR HIRE
ELPHINSTONE RECREATION HALL
2023 2 Olivers Lane, Elphinstone, 3448

New Day: Tuesdays

NEW DAY: TUESDAYS 9.30 - 11.30
Follow us on Facebook for more information
9:15 - 11:15am
Features
During school terms Main Hall 20 X 40 metres with two gas heaters
Renovated kitchen with oven cooktop, dishwasher,
at the Elphinstone Recreation Hall two refrigerators, pie warmer and wall urn
Crockery and cutlery for 80
Olivers Lane Modern sound system
Children’s playground and cricket oval
Please bring $3 and a piece of fruit to share Fees and Charges: Equipment Hire:
Daily hire $100 Trestle Tables $10
For more information contact Half day hire $50 Chairs $1
Two hours $20 Crockery & Cutlery per setting $1
Tara 0478 809 621 Grounds (day) $50 Pie warmer $30
Kids party (4 hours) $20 BBQ trailer $55
or join the 'Elphinstone Playgroup' Bond $100 Bond $50
Facebook group Bookings Contact: elphrechall@gmail.com
Elphinstone Hall Facebook Page www.facebook.com/elphrechall/

12 Elpho Info
News from Elphinstone were used to bring some
Christmas cheer at Sawpit

Facilities Committee
Gully. They looked
amazing.
The Taradale
The most notable event for Summer at the hall was the fabulous cricketers played their last
Christmas party. Despite the most unseasonable Summer weather, game at the Elphinstone
everyone had a wonderful time. The food was spectacular, the cooking Oval on the 9th of
crew were amazing in the adverse conditions and Santa arrived in style. December, unfortunately
The Santa mobile was an orange 1959 Plymouth, Belvedere bedecked it was washed out. They
with Christmas tinsel. Santa was very impressed with his vehicle. The are apparently very happy
kids were entertained early on with a disco, and later with a visit from to be back at their beloved
Santa and some craft activities. home-ground.
The Hall was looking extra special with beautifully handmade The Elphinstone
decorations courtesy of Nikki and her talented daughter, Merinda. I Cricket ground was used
did hear Wayne was on ‘cutting out’ duties. These beautiful decorations by Castlemaine Football
And Netball club for
some preseason training
on the ninth and 10th of
February.
Sadly, on 6th of
February, Tara found the Hall had been burgled. The glass in the
storeroom door was broken and the sound system stolen. The store
cupboard was also broken into and two sets of newly purchased
Christmas lights were taken. Luckily, they had very poor taste and left
our beautifully handmade Christmas decorations alone.
This years Christmas party will be held on Saturday the seventh of
December. Don’t forget to pop it in your diary.

Veterinary Surgeon AJ CHAPMAN

Mobile:
Mobile: Metcalfe:
Metcalfe: Malmsbury:
Malmsbury:
Mia Mia: Elphinstone
Mia Mia EARTHMOVING
Andy & Kath Chapman & Girls
Calder Hwy, Elphinstone, 3448
For all your Backhoe &
Tip Truck requirements
Small animal Quarry and Road Supplies
veterinary Grader hire
Driveway & House Sites
work by Winching service
Skidsteer service
appointment Bobcat on tracks (good for wet areas)
Andy has 30 years local
knowledge & experience

For Further information phone:

Dr Julie Kendall m: 0447 573 247 0408 507 770
or 5473 3294
e: metcalfe.vet@gmail.com

Elpho Info 13
What’s happening at Elphinstone Primary School
What’s new in 2024!
We have had a fantastic start to the
year, all students have come in each
day enthusiastically and eager to learn.
Our students and staff welcome Jamie-
lee Saunders taking the P/2 class, Katie
Jacobs—Visual Art Specialist and Scott
Sanders—Music Specialist and private
instrumental tutor.
The Outdoor Learning Space has
finally been completed, with Stahlyscapes
putting their finishing touches on the
landscaping in the first week back, and
Dave Millard refurbishing our outdoor
tables and seats over the holiday break.
We’ve also had CV Flooring lay a new
carpet in the classrooms and everything Show and Tell goes to
looks and feels amazing. Lastly, we welcome our two new chickens,
Nugget and Drumstick (I didn’t name them!) and we desperately hope another level!
we don’t see another fox enter the school in the middle of the day ever We had a surprise visit from Riley
again! Our students sincerely thank the Paldi-Johnson’s for donating two and Lucy’s grandpa, Lionel, who
laying hens from their flock. showed off his race car to the students.
It competed in a race the weekend
Junior School Council before, and Riley helped clean all of
Our new Junior School council has been formed which has been the dirt off! The students had to block
an integral part of the decision-making process at the school, with the their ears when the engine started
student’s voice heard loud and clear when it comes to initiating change and they asked some great questions
and improvement! Towards the end of last year, the students suggested to both Lionel and Riley, who usually
new carpet for the classroom and it was duly installed over the holiday helps on race day.
period! Students also requested a change to our library area which was
noted and improved ready to start the new school year. The group meet Welcome Breakfast
with all students twice per term and a new suggestions and ideas are Our annual Welcome Breakfast was held on a chilly Thursday
always welcomed. morning, but that didn’t stop the enthusiasm of our hungry students
as they lapped up the fair on offer. The key word of the morning was
‘improvise’ because just as we were getting set up we had one problem
after another but with all hands on deck and some creative thinking,
everyone was fed and looked
very happy. Especially the
‘Baconators’! Thank you
to Katie Mawson for the
scrumptious pancakes, they
were a huge hit, especially
Our Junior School Council for 2024—Seren, Adele, Riley, Lucy, Luna and Greta with the Nutella you brought
in as there were chocolatey
Assembly Values Awards face everywhere.
Congratulations to Eva for demonstrating Care for Self when she
persevered with a challenge until she completed it and applying her new
skills to create her descriptive writing independently. Also, to Charlie for
Caring for Others and Environment when he stayed behind to return
chairs to their spot. These students are upholding our school values of
Care for Self, Others and the Environment and received their awards
last assembly. Our next Assembly will be held on Monday 18th March
at 3pm which is the beginning of week 8. Assemblies are be planned on
weeks 4 an 8 of each term for the rest of the school year.

Follow Elphinstone Primary School on Facebook to keep up to date.

@elphinstoneprimaryschool
 KYNETON
RSL
37-39 Mollison St, Kyneton
Open 7 days a week for
lunch and dinner.
Bookings are essential.
Please phone 5422 6735 Elaine Matheson Celebrant
We offer Veteran Support and Pension Assistance Weddings
Home help and assistance for veterans and dependants
Welfare Contact Number: 03 5422 6735 Elopements
Welfare Email: secretary@kynetonrsl.com.au
The welfare office is open every Tuesday and by appointment
Vow Renewals
Print design and Printing
https://www.kynetonrsl.com.au
Baby Naming
Business cards and flyers to My Motto is:
Print brochures
design andandbooks.
Printing It is your day and your way.
Contact me on:
Business cards and flyers to
greenkombi@rocketmail.com elainemathesoncelebrant.com
brochures and books.
Matt 0448 747 277 or give me a call 0400 457 606

greenkombi@rocketmail.com
Bowen Therapist
Matt 0448 747 277

Carole Kernohan
Qualified practitioner since 2004
Member of BAA & BTAA
Lynden Bookkeeping
ABN 98943174455
I have assisted to relieve back pain,
chronic fatigue, improved general wellbeing & more.
Suitable for all age groups. Certified Bookkeepers
Near centre of Taradale & a homebased practice.
Phone 0407 372426 to make an appointment.
www.bowenalternativetherapy.com.au Registered BAS Agent 26019166
NOTE: I prefer a mask to be worn

Local to Elphinstone Area

Lindsay Matheson 0422 711 758

Elaine Matheson 0400 457 606

lynden.bookkeeping@gmail.com

Elpho Info 15
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