Mar 22, 2016
Page 30 Diamond Creek News
By 1913 Melbourne busy suburban railnetwork had reached 150 miles of steampowered track. The city was now subject toincreasing air pollution from the fleet of urbanlocos arriving and departing Flinders Streetstation. Their clouds of acidic coal smokewere also causing damage to the Sydneysandstone of St Paul's Cathedral.
The authorities decided it was time for the newtechnology of the day, electric traction, toclean city air and upgrade the suburban railnetwork to cope with increasing passengers.
Studies were made revealing a massiveinfrastructure was required before the firstelectric train could leave Flinders Streetstation. Planners and engineers rolled up theirsleeves and started work.
An electrical workshop was set up at Jolimontrail yards where existing steam age swingdoor carriages were fitted with electric motors.Construction also commenced of the Taitcarriages, specifically designed units forelectric traction with safer sliding doors. TheTaits would run for 70 years.
The Newport Power Station, the biggest inAustralia at the time, was built to power the railsystem with the first current coming on line inJune 1918 to test the system and train crews.In May 1919 rail services started on theEssendon-Sandringham line.
Electrification reached Eltham station in 1924and the platform displayed a sign “Eltham –change here for Hurstbridge”. Passengers tothe Hurstbridge section changed to a steamtrain which ran to the Hurstbridge terminusuntil 1926 when the link to Hurstbridge waselectrified and locally celebrated with the issueof a commemorative badge.
100 Years of ServiceDuring its 100 years of operation which hadstarted with steam trains the line has seenmany operational changes. Prior to 1901coaches connected with trains at theHeidelberg station terminus to takepassengers into the wilds of Nillumbik as faras St Andrews.
As the line expanded and terminated insections the coach services followed until1912 when the last link was completed. The
Weekes family which had provided the coachservices were out of business. As well aspassenger trains, goods trains used theHurstbridge line bringing the various suppliesrequired in a rural area to be stored in stationgoods sheds for clients to collect. A goodsshed still survives at Heidelberg station.Livestock trains also ran to stockyards at theHurstbridge goods siding in the 1930's.Firewood was cut and loaded at Hurstbridgeand trucked down the line to supplyMelbourne's many wood yards.
Our line ran right down to Railway Pier, PortMelbourne carrying export orchard producethat was packed in the Diamond Creek Coolstore and was loaded directly into ships coolrooms. Bagged bare root trees from theAlwood Nursery at Hurstbridge were alsoshipped to Railway Pier bound for NewZealand. Until guards were phased out, thedaily newspapers were carried with the guardto Diamond Creek and Hurstbridge and left onthe platform for the newsagent to collect.
Incidents on the LineDuring Easter 1934 a city bound train hit alocal car at Wattle Glen level crossing withouta fatality but the two carriage swing door trainwas derailed. The accident attracted a largecrowd of Easter motorists (pictured) whowatched the steam powered crane from
Melbourne lift the train back on the tracks.
In 1946 the brakes on a loaded timber jinkerfailed at the Diamond Creek level crossing andcollided with the train killing the truck driver.Logs ripped open the side of one of thecarriages. The crew and the only passengerescaped injury.
Another fatal truck accident occurred inGrimshaw Street, Greensborough, at the Para
Road intersection. The truck from GrimshawStreet over ran Para Road and crashed overthe cutting onto the railway line.
Single Track RunningFor 100 years the Hurstbridge line has beenusing the staff system for single trackoperation and is now the only suburban linewhere it lingers on between Greensboroughand Hurstbridge. It has been reported that thestaff and its station infrastructure will soon bea major exhibit in the proposed rail museumon Eltham station.
The Diamond Creek staff
by KEVIN PATTERSONNillumbik Historical Society
THE ELTHAM/HURSTBRIDGE RAILWAYPart 2: Steam Days 1912 – 1925
Diamond Creek News Page 3Winter 2012 Winter 2012
Commemorative badge forelectrification of line to Hurstbridge
STRADBROKE CUP Easter 2012Bay Park - Mt Martha
240 Scouts from different regions competedfor points on all aspects of scouting. Galeforce storms flattened the campsite on theFriday night but scouts and leaders workedtogether to re-build the camp and continuethe 5 day competition.
We achieved 1 High Silver Award and 1Bronze Award.
MASTERCHEF CAMPIn May we held a Masterchef Camp. Scoutshad to prepare a 2-3 course menu in whichthey had 3 hours to cook and serve theirmeal to a panel of judges. Meals includedcampfire stews, Mexican burritos, chicken
and sweet corn soup. The judges wereimpressed with the quality of the meals. Anindulgent pancake cook-off was a highlightof the weekend.
TROOP COUNCILPatrol Leaders and Assistant PatrolLeaders meet monthly to discuss variousmatters within the scout troop. In May theymet at the Kangaroo Ground Observatory todiscuss coming events, term plans and otherareas of business. The dress code for thismeeting was PJ’s and sleeping bags.
1ST DIAMOND CREEK SCOUT TROOP
DC News Winter 2012:DC News 25/06/2012 9:46 AM Page 1
Page 4 Diamond Creek News Diamond Creek News Page 29
DISCLAIMERThe Diamond Creek News provides the opportunityfor each of the elected Nillumbik Councillors in theWards surrounding Diamond Creek to publish areport to their constituents, as well as reports fromState and Federal Government Members. Theviews expressed in these reports are those of theauthors and not those of the Committee of theDiamond Creek Progress Association. TheDiamond Creek Progress Association reserves theright to edit any articles supplied for any reason theysee fit.
The Diamond Creek NewsThe Diamond Creek NewsP.O. Box 38
Diamond Creek
Phone: 0419 337 933Email: [email protected]
Design & LayoutPeter Clarkson Ph: 0419 337 933 Email: [email protected] Peter Clarkson Ph: 0419 337 933 Email: [email protected] Clarkson Ph: 0439 755 411 Email: [email protected]
Distribution: 3500+
Apollo Parkways Arthurs Creek,Diamond Creek, Doreen,
Eltham North, Greensborough Complex,Hurstbridge, Kangaroo Ground, Panton Hill, Plenty, St Andrews,
St Helena, Smiths Gully, Yarrambat, Wattle Glen.
This issue Printed & Distributed on 28/06/2012Deadline for next Edition
1st August 2012
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The Diamond Creek Progress Association
The Diamond Creek Progress Association has been aroundsince the 1930s. Its main objective is to ensureimprovement of the township of Diamond Creek and theadvancement of the interests of ratepayers and residents.
The Association meets Bi-Monthly at 7.30pm on the secondThursday at the Diamond Creek Scout Hall, 45 ChallengerStreet, Diamond Creek.
Membership is available on application to any resident orratepayer within the township of Diamond Creek, and thosenot within the township at the discretion of the Committee.
Membership enquiries are welcome. Please contact thePeter Clarkson on 0419 337 933, or write to PO Box 38DIAMOND CREEK VIC 3089.
Winter 2012 Winter 2012
Support Your Local Community Paper!
Hall’s Funeral Services15 Station Street, Diamond Creek.
An Australian owned and operatedfamily Funeral business for three generations that understands theneeds of people at a time of grief.
Pre-arranged and Prepaid Funerals
Telephone: 9438 5416
24 Hours a Day7 Days a Week
During May a number of Diamond Creektraders participated in the CancerCouncil’s annual Biggest Morning Teafundraiser. Platters Café and Restaurant,AD Ryans, Ferguson Plarre and PiccoloMeccanico hosted a Biggest Morning Teaand nearly $3,000 was raised. Thecontributions were varied with somebusinesses donating all of their profitsand others a percentage, and some alsowent to the effort of seeking donationsfrom other Diamond Creek businesses toraffle and raise extra funds.
In particular, AD Ryans would like tothank their staff for volunteering their timeto participate, Breadwise for their sconesand bread and AD Ryan’s coffee bean
supplier for their generous donations,which sales of these products on the daywas 100% profit – and in return morefunds for the Cancer Council. Apercentage of the sales from SandraDavies who organizes the DiamondCreek Indoor Market and massages fromlocal Kate also contributed to the fundsthat they raised.
Ferguson Plarre also went the extra mileand called for gifts and donations fromlocal traders, so again 100% profits couldgo back to this wonderful cause.
Thank you to the Diamond Creekcommunity for coming along andsupporting this event.
Diamond Creek Traders and Community Support Cancer Research
DC News Winter 2012:DC News 25/06/2012 9:46 AM Page 2
BLUE LAKEWARD REPORT
Diamond Creek News Page 5
Roadside Management PlanNillumbik’s Roadside Management Plan willbe voted on at the 26 June 2012 CouncilMeeting. The above photo, is one example ofour roadsides. Roadsides are treated ashabitat links for bird and animals and for yearsthe long grass, weeds and shrubs createproblems for driver visibility and pedestriansafety with some roadsides now so narrow it isdifficult to pass another car. I find manyroadsides are not possible to walk along andpedestrians are forced to walk on the road. Ibelieve the draft Policy does not adequatelyaddress the bushfire threat to our shire. DavidPackham, Bushfire expert told the RoyalCommission the roadsides became fire wickson Black Saturday.
Extracts from Nillumbik RatepayersAssociation’s submission to Council (19 April2012):“A Council that willingly accepts a 20%plus loss of habitat/biodiversity, and 41human lives in just a few hours and doesnot change Council Policy can hardly becalled a responsible Council” (Brian Murray).
“In short what, was of concern for thisenquiry was not hindsight: it was a lack offoresight based on a long history offirestorms in Australia, dating back to atleast 1851.” (Maria Doogan, Coroner, “The CanberraFirestorm”, Volume 1).
“Roadside firebreaks are an integral part ofthe Municipal Fire Prevention Plan and anylimitation of effective clearance needs tobe carefully validated against theobjectives set for community protectionunder this plan.” (“Bushfire Planning Issues in theShire of Nillumbik” by Rod Incoll 2003).
I do not support the plan.
Nillumbik Shire Council Budget 2012/13The proposed rate increase is 5.9%. Our debtis around $19 Million. The council proposal to
sell public land is a short term solution to abigger problem. Is this shire financiallysustainable? Our rates are already the highestin the State.
Many residents complain to me that theCouncil focus is the environment. Councilspend one million pa on Nillumbik’s greenwedge. The many expensive studies andPlans, like the Biodiversity Plan and GreenWedge Management Plan, are expensive toprepare and support this claim.
I agree with the former, twice Mayor ofBanyule, where he states in a media articlelast month “…councillors must showleadership and restraint during tough financialtimes”. One can only applaud his leadershipon this issue.
I also note he states “Melbourne City Councilhas led the way by announcing no rateincrease this year”.
I endorse both of these actions and I believethis Council has to confine its expenditure,and must live within its means. I believeNillumbik should be following Melbourne CityCouncil’s lead.
Sale of Civic Drive landPublic consultation a sham.
• Nillumbik Council received a petition, with 1014 signatures, objecting to any sale or development of the Council Civic Drive site.
• Nillumbik Council also received 119 submissions, with only 1 submission supporting Council’s proposal to sell the land.
• The majority of members of Council’s Civic Centre Reference Group, did not support Council’s proposal and did not support the sale of the land.
• The Friends of Apollo Parkways, the Nillumbik Ratepayers Association and the Apollo Parkways Primary School all rejected the Council’s plan to sell any part of the Civic Centre site.
• The Civic Drive site is not in a Major Activity Centre and most Councillors would not support a proposal like this,in Eltham or Diamond Creek Major Activity Centres.
• I understand, some people have been led to believe Council will spend money from the sale of this land, and invest back into the site. I have been informed in writing “There is no specific budget allocation for works atthe Civic Drive site in the draft 2012/13 budget”. If it is not in this
budget, it’s not going to happen in the near future.
Put simply, this is just a land grab designed tomaximise profits for council, to spendelsewhere in the Shire, or to reduce debt.
In relation to the Council Plan the report stated“..strategies that are relevant to this reportare…Strategy 4.1.12 Consult with ourcommunity to help us be informed and makebetter decisions”. Council has received anoverwhelming rejection to this proposal onceagain, by the community of Nillumbik. Theright decision would have been that Councilnot proceed, but instead 6 Councillors votedfor the sale.
This site is a much loved and used,community asset. I voted no to the sale of thisland.
Have your say on the DraftYarrambat Park Masterplan Council is seeking community comment onthe Draft Yarrambat Park Masterplan, whichwill guide the future development of theYarrambat Park Golf Course and parkland.Yarrambat Park incorporates an 18-hole golfcourse, driving range and a number of clubsincluding archery, fly fishing, model aircraftand a horse and pony club.
The key development opportunities identifiedin the Draft Masterplan include theredeveloping the golf clubhouse, upgradingthe golf course and coaching facilities, andpotentially developing a small to mediumscale conference, accommodation andhospitality facility.
View the Draft Masterplan online atwww.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/yarrambatparkor in hardcopy at Yarrambat Park Golf Course.Submissions must be received in writing by5pm, Friday 13 July 2012 and can be madevia Council’s website, by email [email protected] or bypost to Darren Bennett, Manager Communityand Leisure Facilities, Nillumbik Shire Council,PO Box 476, Greensborough 3088. Cr. Belinda Clarkson
Winter 2012
Ironbark Road vegetation hiding an 80 km zone sign.
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Page 6 Diamond Creek News Diamond Creek News Page 27
VanillazHair Studio
“At Vanillaz we love helping you look and feel your best!”
Shop 118 Chute Street, Diamond Creek
9438 2244
Winter 2012 Winter 2012
DISCO DATES
FOR 201210th August 14th September9th November 7th December
7pm - 10pm
$6 admission
NO PASSOUTS
We don’t just dance!
DIAMOND CREEKBRANCH
Greetings to all, hopefully, as you arereading this report you are warm and cosy.
Winter certainly arrived before its due date,therefore stalls outside did not happen.Not to be deterred we had a week April 30-May 4 at Warringal Shopping Centre araised a grand total $2,160. Our next date‘undercover’ is June 25-29 at theGreensborough Shopping Centre. Thiscould be called ‘A Winter Woolathon’ ourtables will be well stocked with lovelyknitted jackets for babies, bright colourfuljumpers for toddlers, warm wooly hats andscarves suitable for 2 year olds to 70+.Must not forget to mention those cosyknitted or crocheted rugs, that are so handyfrom the lounge room to the footy ground.
Famine in West Africa is of ongoingconcern and our branch sent $7,500 to bedirected to this emergency. In a regionspanning 4,000kms and nine countries
from West to Central Africa more than 18million people are at risk of severe acutemalnutrition and some children are alreadydying. We also sent $5,500 to be directedto a new Mobile play bus which is nowoperating in and around the innerMelbourne suburbs. Save the Childrennow have 8 of these very popular Play BusSchemes operating in Victoria.
Born to Knit Campaign is Back…June 1-September 20 2012. Supporters are askedto knit woolen blankets or squares. Throughour programs in Australia and in countrieslike Laos and Cambodia, all knittedblankets will make their way into the armsof caring mothers.
Before we sign off a reminder to mark thecalendar MONDAY SEPTEMBER 3rd 2012for our 50th Birthday Luncheon celebrationat the Uniting Church Hall, Wensley StreetDiamond Creek at 12.30p.m.Till then Take Care and Keep Warm.Jill Pittle
NILLUMBIKUNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGEU3A NILLUMBIK IS EXPANDING!A new campus will open in Eltham. This willcomplement the existing and much-lovedoriginal campus in Hurstbridge. The newcampus will be launched on Thursday 5thJuly, in time to begin classes on Monday 16thJuly.
U3A stands for University of the Third Ageand offers people from all walks of life anopportunity to continue learning and sharingknowledge and skills. The benefits ofkeeping the mind stimulated and active aswe grow older is well known. In joiningothers with similar interests new friendshipsare possible. U3A welcomes members whohave reached 55 years of age and are nolonger working full time. All tutors andcommittee members are volunteers and thecourses offered rely on the willingness ofmembers to share their skills and knowledge. Membership is a very reasonable $40 peryear and any courses can be chosen acrossthe two campuses.
There will be an information booth at theEltham Village Shops on 28th, 29th and 30thJune.
Support Your Local Community Paper!
We receive many complaints about YanYean Road, from Arthurs Creek Road toDiamond Creek Road, about the roadsurface, recent accidents, and congestion.Instead of conducting our own survey onYan Yean Road, and doubling up,Metropolitan North Eastern Road SafeCouncil strongly encourages you tonominate the sections of Yan Yean Roadthat concern you, in the RACV REDSPOT
Survey. The survey forms can be found inthe Leader newspapers, until 6 July 2012.
Metropolitan North Eastern RoadSafeCouncil.
RACV/LEADER REDSPOT SURVEY
DC News Winter 2012:DC News 25/06/2012 9:46 AM Page 4
Diamond Creek News Page 7Page 26 Diamond Creek News
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www.sutherlandchildcare.com
Horror State Budget For DiamondValley FamiliesThe State Budget was bad new for localfamilies, with a number of cuts that willdirectly affect household budgets. TheSchool Start Bonus was abolished and theEducation Maintenance Allowance halved.On top of that are swingeing cuts to TAFEand the school support program, whichoffers psychology, speech therapy and othersupport to children in our schools. Indeedthe cuts to TAFE are likely to see regionalTAFE campuses closed down, with somecourses having their funding cut by up to80%. This will be disastrous for vocationaltraining and comes on top of the cuts toVCAL co-ordination last year.
For the second budget in row there wasexactly nothing for roads and publictransport for the Yan Yean electorate. Thisa disgraceful as Yan Yean is the mostpopulated and fastest growing electorate inthe State.
There is still no news of when KangarooGround Primary School, GreensboroughCollege and Montmorency SecondaryCollege are due to get their much needupgrades. Luckily the Government hasheeded the dire warnings about a pendingprimary school overcrowding crisis inDoreen, with funding for a new PrimarySchool. However this does not address theurgent need for a High School. It isabsolutely vital that the Governmentcommits to funding this school, as it is unfairon surrounding communities to have to bearthe brunt of this growth, given many of thesurrounding schools are reaching capacityand the roads are becoming ever morecongested.
Please contact me for more informationabout any of these issues, including howyou can fight these cuts.
Buses Slashed & a Go Slow onMore Services & Stabling onHurstbridge LineThe government has ripped 561 busservices per week out of the DiamondValley, with the cancellation of the 563 busroute and the re-routing of the 562 bus.Despite the popularity of many of theseroutes, the Liberal State Government hasdecided to rob Peter to pay Paul, since theopening of the Labor funded South Morangstation. This will impact most heavily oncommuters making onward journeys fromGreensborough to Northland and Mill Park.On top of this, residents in bushfire affectedcommunities such as Kinglake andWhittlesea can no longer make directjourney’s to Greensborough. We needimproved services in our area, especially toDiamond Creek, not cuts.
Disappointingly, work on new stabling forthe Hurstbridge Line has only just begun.This $50 million project was funded by theprevious Labor Government in 2010, but theBaillieu Government has dithered over itsconstruction. Once it is completed it shouldincrease reliability on the Hurstbridge Line,and allow extra train services. The BaillieuGovernment needs to get on with the joband build it!
To obtain a petition regarding the cuts to busservices, please contact me.
Keen Readers UndertakingPremiers’ Reading ChallengeNow in its 8th year, the Premiers’ ReadingChallenge is going from strength to strength,with lots of keen readers in our localschools! The Challenge was begun byformer Premier Steve Bracks, who wantedto promote the importance and the joy ofreading in our school kids. I have been toalmost all schools in the Diamond Valley
area and most recently enjoyed a funafternoon at Wattle Glen Primary School topromote the challenge. It was great to seesuch a dedicated bunch of kids and theiramazing teachers.
For more information about the ReadingChallenge, please contact me, your child’sschool or visit www.education.vic.gov.au/prc.
Planning Changes Threaten OurNeighbourhoodsIn a highly worrying development, LiberalPlanning Minister, Matthew Guy, hassignalled that he is introducing new planninglaws that will shut out the community fromplanning decisions, with a ‘Code Assess’scheme. Under these laws you won’t benotified about development plans in yourlocal area. There will be no consultation andyou will have no right to appeal. This changewill mean that as long as any proposeddevelopment fits a ‘one-size-fits-all’mandatory planning code, they will get giventhe green light. Indeed the first you mayknow about any proposed development isyour neighbour’s house being demolishedand building work starting on higher densityaccommodation. This new law, riskschanging Diamond Creek’s character,without input from locals. I will be joiningwith my Labor colleagues to oppose thesechanges in Parliament.
For more information and to sign the petitionplease visit www.springst.com.au.
Diamond Valley Community SurveyThanks to everyone who responded to mycommunity survey. I have had an amazingresponse from across the Diamond Valleyand am still getting many responses in themail and online. I am ploughing throughyour responses and will provide an overallreport to the community and also a personalreply to each respondent. It is clear howmuch people enjoy living in the DiamondValley and want to see it protected but dosee a need for improvements to our publictransport, roads and schools.
Danielle Green MPState Member for Yan Yean
Electorate Office:Suite 3, 14 Yan Yean Road, Diamond Creek,3089PO Box 376, Diamond Creek, 3089Ph: 03 9432-9782 Fax: 03 9432-9793E: [email protected]
Danielle Green MP - State Member for Yan Yean
Winter 2012 Winter 2012
DIAMOND CREEKPRIMARY SCHOOLHISTORY RECORDING
The Diamond Creek community is set topave our way in to the future.
Diamond Creek Primary School is aboutto embark on recording some of thepupils and staff names in pavers that willlead from the front gate out to otherbuildings.
Pavers can be stamped with familynames, children’s names and even thedates you attended. There is a limit of 34characters including spaces.
The cost per paver is $50.
We are opening this opportunity up to thecommunity and extending the closingtime until June the 29th. As we are hopingto have the project completed early nextterm the time line has been extended untilthis time so that community memberswishing to get involved are aware of whatis happening. Take advantage of thislimited offer. Contact the school on 9438 -1108.
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The 4C’s – Chicks with Cancer whoCoffee and Chat now meet atdifferent venues.Day venue 2nd Tuesday of the month at StJohn’s Anglican Church Diamond Creek.(opposite AD Ryans on Main Street.) Thegroup gather in the meeting room from 1-3pm. Please bring a small plate to share. Awarm welcome is assured.
Night venue – Degani’s Bakery Café MainStreet Diamond Creek. Last Thursday of themonth. From 7pm – about 9.30pm. Wegather for tea in the private function room;new members welcome. If you would like tocome and have a coffee with us feel free tojoin us a meal is not necessary.
The 4C’s are indebted to our localcommunity for their support through raisingawareness and funds for new members.Recently Contours and Curves of DiamondCreek held candle sales and green teashand wash sales with Sandra Davies fromDominant Home Care. We reallyappreciated your support in raisingawareness particularly throughout May.
We would also like to express thanks toIndustrial Tattoo Co. in Diamond Creek whohelped raise awareness and donate toCancer Research the cost of the tattoosdone on the 3rd of June. Thank you forraising awareness of the need to fundraisefor research into how we can find a cure. 4Cmembers gathered with their families to helpraise funds for research as we know betterthan anyone how very important it is to finda cure. We are all driven to find a cure so asto find a cure and prevent cancer for ourchildren and grandchildren. The 4C’s werereally pleased to be able to give somethingback towards research and helping to find acure. Some of our brave members faced theneedle and had a tattoo done. Good on yougirls and thanks to all of our friends andfamily members who fronted up on the daydespite the difficulties with the railwayclosures.
Some facts that not everyone isaware of ……….4C members are no longer able to receivefree mammography or ultrasounds throughBreast Screen Victoria. This is becauseonce you have had breast cancer in Victoriayou are no longer able to receive freescreening. Pardon my cynicism andsarcasm but I think people who have hadcancer require more diligent follow up andshould be entitled to a free service. Canceris a very costly business for the patient! Ifyou had had breast cancer in Victoria allfuture screening and follow up is at the costof the individual or you are required to wait ata public hospital clinic for perhaps a fewhours therefore loosing time at work.
Fact No 1: If a 4C member lived inWestern Australia they would be able toaccess Free Breast Screen services afterhaving had breast cancer. Breast screen is afederally funded but state administeredservice.
You can help…..Contact your local member and let themknow how you feel about the unfairness ofthis screening for future cancer in womenwho are obviously at a higher risk than theusual population who receives free breastscreening.
Fact No 2: If you are over 50 years of ageyou must pay for breast MRIs they are notcovered by Medicare. You are out of pocketfor the whole procedure. The present out ofcost figures range from $490- $600.UNFAIR! This seems to be totally and utterlyunfair and discriminatory. The message thatthe government is sending women is…..YOU NEED TO PAY FOR THEPRIVELEDGE OF HAVING HADCANCER!!!
You can help…..Contact your local member and let themknow how you feel about the unfairness ofthis MRI screening. We believe that futureMRI cancer screening in women who havealready had cancer is essential. The cut off
age of 50 is ridiculous. Surely our MPsrealise these women who have had cancerneed specialised surveillance and it shouldbe free not at enormous cost. If it is at ahuge cost it will eventually impact on thepublic purse because women who haverecurrences will be a burden on the publicpurse.
Thank you to the Diamond Creek communitywho gather as a community and make adifference to the 4C’s; we thank you for yoursupport and hope you feel able to contactmembers of Federal and State Members ofParliament to let them know what you think.
A day is currently being planned by theCommittee which will enable all 4Cmembers to access the latest on relaxation,alternative therapies and much more. Weare able to hold this day thanks to thegenerosity of our community who has helpedraise funds for us. It is indeed a fortunateposition to be in where top speakers can bebooked because the community hasfundraised so as there are funds to pay fortop quality speakers. We are planning awellness and wellbeing workshop forSunday the 9th of September. If you are apractitioner and would like to join incelebrating wellness please feel free tocontact Linda Hammond, our CommunityHealth Nurse on 9430 9154.
4C’s can be contacted through NillumbikCommunity Health Service on 9430 9154.
Page 8 Diamond Creek News Diamond Creek News Page 25
Support Your Local Community Paper!Winter 2012 Winter 2012
Well we have had a busy start to thekinder year. The children were excitedwith the prospect of being “little artists inthe making” by doing lots of paintings inour easel corner. Our teachers havebeen experimenting with different coloursand the children have also had a “handson experience” with the paints by doingfinger painting.
As part of our extended social activity forAutumn the children enjoyed a gatheringat Skaterz in Eltham for a lesson in rollerskating/blading. It was great to see thelittle ones (and siblings) give skating ago.
The children enjoyed our Easterfestivities before they began the schoolholidays. They had lots of fun with theannual Easter Egg Hunt. The EasterBunny made tracks all around the gardenwhich finally ended in the cubby house.To the children’s surprise the EasterBunny had left a huge basket of EasterEggs.
The Mother’s Day Morning Teaapproached very quickly after settlingback into Term 2. Our mum’s enjoyed abeautiful morning tea being waited onwith cakes, biscuits and drinks served.After the mum’s were fed they weretreated to a bit of pampering includingmassages and manicures with handcreams. Speaking from a personalperspective it appeared that all themum’s thoroughly enjoyed their morningtea and were then presented with theirMother’s Day gifts – necklaces &bracelets that the children made frombeads.
New additions to our Kinder include ourOutdoor sandpit area having a beautifulface-lift with new sand and our newVeggie beds where the children plantedveggies & herbs to watch them grow.
Overall a very busy start to the year, withlots of activities for the children to enjoyand lots more to come.
Diamond Creek East Pre-School
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Page 24 Diamond Creek News Diamond Creek News Page 9Winter 2012 Winter 2012
The Walking School Bus continues togrow and blossom. The walkers are solucky as they have the experience oftwo of our past parents. Both SueSchnaars and David Norden walk withthe Walking School Bus despite thefact that their children have leftDiamond Creek Primary School toattend secondary schools. It is such agood feeling to know that two of ourWalking School Bus leaders who donot have any children in the DiamondCreek Primary School are stilldedicated to seeing the program
continue. Both David and Sue are pastparents of students and both of themare very committed to continuing tohelp out all the Walking School Busroutes and any special events.
We have welcomed many new prepmembers and of course we have ourexiting bunch of constant daily walkers.Keep up your enthusiasm guys we cankeep on walking and making adifference to our environment by usingless greenhouse gasses.
As a community we would like to thankDavid Norden (pictured right) for
continuing to take on the lead role anddaily administration task.
Keep it up keen walkers.
We look forward to seeing you continueto walk throughout winter.
Diamond Creek Primary School Walking School Bus.
Well anything but drab is the way you candescribe the new facilities at DiamondCreek Primary School. There has been agreat deal happening in the buildingsprogram and the general improvement ofour school.
The school is looking fabulous and all of thestudents are very appreciative of their newlearning and playing areas. The cladding tothe underside of the new building hascompleted the works and it lookssensational! From additional computers andinteractive whiteboards, to the newlysurfaced basketball court, right through tothe state of the art automatic ventilationsystem that releases Co2 in the newbuilding, all makes for a fabulously invitingschool environment.
We would like to sincerely thank theDiamond Creek Rotary Club for generouslyproviding funds to us, enabling the largearea between the new and existing buildingto be protected with our magnificent newshade sails. This sail cloth provides shelterfrom the sun and is also an attractive featureof the school. We are indebted to the RotaryClub as a school community, as we wouldnot be able to provide this multi-functionalshaded area without their much appreciatedsupport.
The school’s gardening club, which is run bytwo wonderful parent volunteers andapproximately thirty of our energeticstudents, has been working happily tobeautify the grounds and also have somefun creating sculptures in the garden. Thesesculptures, which were developed inconjunction with the school’s exceptionalVisual Arts program look terrific and providesome cheery winter colour to the gardenbeds.
Our grade 5/6 students have just returnedfrom school camp in Warburton where theyhad many fun adventures and somechildren even found gold in the creek! Theremainder of the school children have beenbusy producing some fine work in all areasof the curriculum. It is wonderful to see themhappily engaged in their learning andachieving at such high levels as they enjoytheir learning experiences.
Recently the whole school participated inour very own Carnivale Spectacular. Thesenior students paraded in their masks andheaddresses that they created as acombined project between their innovativeVisual Arts and Italian Language programs.The junior school studentsmade eye masks and joined inthe fun of this sensationalparade. One of the NorthernRegional Languages ProjectOfficers, Angela Minuzzoattended and was particularlyimpressed with the whole event.The children were very lucky totop the day off with a deliciouslunch that was provided by ourhard working Parents andFriend’s Committee.
Our School websiteis easily accessibleand has lots ofinteresting information about recent andupcoming events.www.diamondcreekps.vic.edu.au
Feel free to contact the school if you wouldlike to learn about our pre-prep program thatenables pre-school children to have a tasteof what school is like. (Bookings areessential). And if you would like to visit ourschool to see our facilities first-hand andlearn about our programs, please contactour Principal Helen Micallef on 9438 1108 toorganise a personal tour.
DIAMOND CREEK PRIMARY SCHOOL
DC News Winter 2012:DC News 25/06/2012 9:46 AM Page 7
Diamond Creek News Diamond Creek News Page 23
Our Joey Scouts have enjoyed our annualSleepover, Campfire and City Visit this term,along with many other activities, with themain themes being Recycling andEnvironment.
In May, our Joey Scouts joined others fromthe surrounding districts for a visit to PollyWoodside as part of our Pirate themedsleepover. A couple of the Joey Scouts werewide eyed as we approached the ship, tellingme that they thought we were going to see achocolate bar!
Our Mob participated in both the ANZACDay ceremony ( and they were such goodJoey Scouts, to be standing during theceremony, proudly wearing their uniforms,which doesn't include a raincoat!), and alsothe "Come and Try Scouting Day" in earlyJune. We met a couple of new friends andlook forward to welcoming them into the mobshortly.
We have invested Nathan and Dylan into theEltham North Group, welcome to you andyour families.
We have a visit to Mudbash planned, the
Rover Section's motorsport event, held eachQueens' birthday weekend, out of Yea.We are also celebrating Queen Elizabeth'sDiamond Jubilee with a tea party andtraditional British games, and we have beeninvited to join the Joey Scouts fromManningham District for their Colours night.End of term will swing around too quickly, I'msure, when we hold our 17th annual JoeyScout/Cub Scout Rollerskating, held atSkaterz, in Eltham.
We have had to say a temporary goodbye toone of our leaders, Blinky, who is taking 12months to explore the world. We lookforward to being able to catch up with herthanks to the miracles of modern technology.
The Mobs continue to meet at the DiamondCreek Scout Hall, each Tuesday duringschool terms, from 6pm -7pm, at 45Challenger St, Diamond Creek. We alsocontinue to offer our "3 for free" trial period,so please, if you have boys or girls (we'dlove to see more girls) aged 6-8 years ofage, no need to book, please come alongand see what Scouting can offer you,Diamond Creek style.
For further information, please contact JoeyScout Leader, Natarsha Jacobs, on0411719812 or [email protected]
Yours in Scouting,
Birrala - Natarsha Jacobs
Scouting Around Diamond Creek
Student Wellbeing Our Student Wellbeing Team supports thespiritual, academic, social and emotionalwellbeing of students through clearcommunication with parents and teachers.
The wellbeing of our students is fosteredthrough School Wide Positive BehaviourProgram, Better Buddy Program, SchoolStudent Leadership Team, Safety HouseProgram, Young Leaders Program, Sun
Smart Policy, Junior School Council,Reading Recovery Class, Meetings,Program Seasons (loss and grief) Program,Circle Time, Social Emotional Learning,Whole School Assemblies, Grade 5/6camps, Weekly School Awards, Individual
needs and integration programs
Earlier this year we had an entire day onleadership with the year 5/6 studentsfollowed by election of the leaders forSemester 1. Better Buddies continues
throughout the term and the buddy systemscontribute to the creation of safe, friendlyand caring environments in which respect isa key value and children learn the skillsassociated with empathy and compassionthrough consciously constructed activitiesand by looking after and caring for otherpeople. Each fortnight our year 5 and prepstudents work together to create arelationship and feeling of safety. At thistime all year 6 students are involved in aleadership role working on various issuesincluding environment, social justice andcreating a year book.
Our greatest success has certainly been ourBuddy Bear Bus Stops around the yard.These are designed to enable students aplace to go when they cannot find someoneto play with and then the older students canhelp manage this situation. They have beenvery popular.
ENROLMENTS for 2013 are now open forall year levels. For further information or toarrange a school tour please contact theoffice on 9438-1590 or visit our websitewww.shdiamondcreek.catholic.edu.au
SACRED HEART
PRIMARY SCHOOL1ST DIAMOND CREEK JOEY SCOUTS
Page 10 Winter 2012 Winter 2012
Yes we are still running this valuableprogram that aims to keep every one in ourcommunity safe. The house holds thatdisplay a yellow Safety House Triangle onthe letter box have been police checked toensure that they are providing the safestpossible house for young children or oldercitizens who may be feeling unsafe whileout and about.
Last month we held a special awarenessday for the Preps and they each received aspecial show bag after completing someSafety House activities. Check the photoout with one of our fantastic Collins StreetSafety House Holders. We would like totake this opportunity to thank ourHouseholders for keeping us all safe.
We are undergoing a few changes andtrying to maintain the Committee so that allof our local school have a representative. If
you are interested in joining the Committeeplease call Diamond Creek Primary Schoolon 9438 1108.
Safety House Association Diamond Creek & Wattle Glen.
Support Your Local Community Paper!
DC News Winter 2012:DC News 25/06/2012 9:46 AM Page 8
Diamond Creek News Page 11 Page 22 Diamond Creek News
This year with the expansion of the clubsboundaries to include the Doreen area theclub held ANZAC services at both DiamondCreek War Memorial and Laurimar PrimarySchool.
The ANZAC Day service at the WarMemorial was very well attended particularlyconsidering the weather. I have received
some very good feedback on the service, inparticular the participation of a number ofstudents from the schools especiallyDiamond Creek East Primary this year. It ismy hope to continue and grow theparticipation of our schools in future years.Another lovely moment in the service wasthe young trumpeter from the Moreland CityBand who played the Last Post and Rouse
excellently despite the weather.
The club would like to thank all those thatbraved the elements and attended theservice. We would also like to thank all thosewho assisted the club to hold this serviceand provide refreshments afterwards.
In particular the Scouts, who at the lastminute provided a large amount of shelter forthose attending, the Diamond CreekTraders, who continue to provide ongoingsupport and the Teachers and SchoolStudents. With this support and all the otherpeople who assist I am sure the local servicewill only continue to grow and be animportant event in the life of the community.
The inaugural service at Doreen was held onSunday the 22nd at the Laurimar PrimarySchool proceeded by a march through theLaurimar Town Centre. The service was wellattended and heavily supported by thePrimary School, Ivanhoe Grammar SchoolArmy Cadets and the Montmorency-ElthamRSL.
The club plans for this service to be heldevery year on the Sunday prior to ANZAC
Day and it is hoped that the new WarMemorial will be ready for next year’sservice.
We had an excellent response to the ANZACAppeal and I can announce we raised a total$18,000.400. Once again we would like tothank the local communities ofDiamond Creek and Doreen, for theirsupport of this very worthwhile cause whichallows us to maintain our welfare work forreturned service personnel and their families
The Club would like to record theirappreciation to all those who assisted on theday. We would also like to thank all thosewho so generously sponsored ANZAC day.
On Sunday the 24th June the club isplanning to hold a sausage sizzle at Mitre 10Diamond Creek. If you are involved in DYIthat Sunday and are going to Mitre 10, or ifyou would just like to drop by and have asausage and a chat we would appreciateyour support.
Latter in the year we plan to hold a car bootsale in Diamond Creek and a sausage sizzleat Laurimar.
The Diamond Creek-Doreen Sub Branch ofthe RSL is quite strong and has a very strongsupport group in The Friends of DiamondCreek RSL, but there is always room for newmembers, I would particularly like to seesome new members from Doreen. We meeton the last Monday of the month at theDiamond Creek Bowling Club at 6.45pm.Should you be interested in becoming aMember, please contact our MembershipOfficer and Vice President Mr Rhys ThomasC/O PO Box 365 Diamond Creek 3089.
John LangfordPresident: Diamond Creek - Doreen RSL
R.S.L. DIAMOND CREEK - DOREEN SUB BRANCH NEWS
The Diamond Creek News needs new advertisers.Contact Peter Clarkson on 0419 337 933 for more info
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Winter 2012 Winter 2012
www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au9433 3111
INDIGENOUS PLANTS FOR SALENow is the perfect time to get out into the garden and plant your local indigenous plants.
Edendale Indigenous Nursery has a great range of quality plants at reasonable prices.
Open 7 days a week from 9.30am - 4.30pm.
Where: Edendale Indigenous Nursery, 30 Gastons Road Eltham,
Contact: 9433 3703 or email
CHANGES TO HARD WASTE COLLECTIONAs of 1 July 2012, Council will change its hard waste collection to a booked collection. Residents are entitled to one
pre-booked hard waste collection per financial year. For further hard waste collection information, please contact
WM Waste Management Services on 9721 1915 or visit www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/hardwaste .
FAMILY FRIENDLINESS IN NILLUMBIKThe Family Friendly Places and Spaces project promotes family friendliness across Nillumbik. How family
friendly are our local supermarkets, banks, health services and sporting clubs? We want to hear from
you! Take our online survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/bmmgbfq or phone 9433 3117 for a copy.
ENROL NOW AT LIVING & LEARNING NILLUMBIKEnrolments for Semester 2 courses at Living & Learning Nillumbik open
on 18 June 2012.
Visit www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/livingandlearning for all the course details.
COMMUNITY ARTS OPPORTUNITY! Local artists are invited to design and create small-scale artworks in collaboration with disability groups and local
schools for permanent installation in the Eltham Lower Park Playspace. The Playspace is an inclusive, all abilities
playground, designed around the motif of the Eltham Copper Butterfly and the theme “Working Together”.
Expressions of interest (including proposal for design, fabrication, installation, budget and timeline) close on Friday 29 June. Applicants must hold a Working with Children Check. For further information contact Michelle Zemancheff,
Cultural Development Officer, on 9433 3126.
PRACTICALLY GREEN SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS 2012Nominations are now open for the Practically Green Sustainability Awards in the following categories:
• Sustainable Building • Sustainable Home
• Sustainable Business • Sustainable Community Organisation.
• Sustainable School or Children’s Centre
The Awards promote and celebrate excellence in sustainability within the Nillumbik community. Nominations are
open until 31 July. Entry forms are available from www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au and from the Civic Centre. The
Awards will be presented to winners at this year’s Practically Green Festival at Edendale in October. For further
information, contact Romney Bishop, Sustainability Officer, on 9433 3211.
The wet conditions did not stop hundreds oflocals attending the 2012 ANZAC Day Service
War Veteran Des Vincent withGranddaughter Bianca Vincent
after laying a wreath at the 2012 ANZAC Day Service
DC News Winter 2012:DC News 25/06/2012 9:46 AM Page 9
Diamond Creek News Page 21Page 12 Diamond Creek News
Enrolments for 2013NOW BEING ACCEPTEDThe school is now accepting enrolmentforms for 2013. We have had anoverwhelming response to theadvertisement of a 3rd consecutive year of astraight prep class. Already, there have beenover 15 school tours conducted. To assist inplanning classroom and staffing set up, can Inow please ask for forms to be returned assoon as possible?
If you know of any other families interestedin joining our school, please feel free to passon the school contact details (9438 1259) sothat we can conduct a personalised tour. Anew school brochure will shortly bedistributed to local Kinders. Extra copies willbe available at the front office.
Education Week May 21st to 25th of MayWhat a wonderful week we had a WGPS. Itwas great to see so many families come andvisit our school throughout the week. Ourstaff is very proud of the students, programsand activities at this school and is grateful forthe ongoing support of many families.
Fundraising Committee and the ‘NotQuite’ Winter Solstice PartyThe ‘Not Quite’ Winter Solstice Party wasattended by 36 people. It was fantastic tosee so many new families that have onlyrecently joined the school supporting thisevent. From the great entertainment by theband Ruth and Sam, to the most amazing 5star quality food platters organised by CarolDixon and the fantastic prizes prepared byMichelle Uniacke, a great night was had byall. Thanks also to the families that donateditems.
A huge thank you to the hosts, EmmaWallace (now engaged!!!) and StellKaragiannis – and of course the wonderfulJoan Wallace you did an amazing job! Thank
you for allowing us to utilise such anamazing venue! Initial reports are that thefunction has raised over $1400 – what anachievement!!!
What a wonderful group of fundraisingpeople involved in this committee!
Thank you to the hardworking team ofEmma, Stell, Joan, Kim, Michelle, Carol,Rachel, Meg, all led by Vicki Hunter.
Ultranet CaptainsOur Year 5s attended St. Helena SecondaryCollege to participate in an Ultranet TrainingProgram.
The Ultranet is a program still beingimplemented across Victorian Governmentschools. It is a program that will offerparents, students and teachers moreopportunity to communicate and provideevidence of student progression. TheUltranet will allow networking of studentsbetween class, schools and regions. TheUltranet will also provide a space forstudents to upload their work, have itcorrected by staff and allow for student,parent and teacher feedback to be recorded. Our Year 5s are now known as the schoolUltranet Captains! They have developedskills and knowledge that can then assistother students (and staff) at our school! Welook forward to sharing the knowledge!Thank you to Daniel, Dayne, James andOliver for taking up this opportunity!
Worlds Greatest Shave & RCH Good Friday AppealThe Cash-A-Can cage has been emptiedand our school received a cheque of$125.00 for collecting the cans. The JuniorSchool Council decided that this money (andhalf of the money raised on the Funny HairDay) would be sent to the Cancer Council ofVictoria for their Greatest Shave fundraiser.WGPS students donated $173.70 to thiswonderful cause.
The Royal Children’s Hospital Good FridayAppeal was also sent a cheque of $62.50(half of the money raised on the Funny HairDay). Well done to everyone!
Congratulations to Aley Johnson for all herwork in organising this event.
Special VisitorsBen Reid Collingwood Football ClubBen Reid made a guest appearance to ourschool and coordinated a fantastic footyclinic. Thanks Ben for being such a greatsport!
Looking aheadTerm 3 and 4 are jam-packed with events atWGPS!
July 25th - 2012 Book Fair BeginsAugust 2nd - Magic Flute ExcursionAugust 7th - Family Planning Sessions beginAugust 20th - Book Week Activities beginAugust 27th - Literacy and Numeracy Weekactivities beginSeptember 13th - District Athletics CarnivalDay
A very exiting time ahead!
Bright Start ProgramThe Bright Start Program will run again in2012! Every Monday at the school from 9 amto 11am for 3, 4 and 5 year olds – and itsSTILL FREE. Coordinated by DaniSzymanski – an experienced Prep teacher!Contact the school if you would like moreinfo!
TwitterWattle Glen PS has entered the world ofTwitter!! Follow the latest news @wattlegps
If you would like a personalised tour of the school, please contact Gerard on 9438 1259. For more information, please visit us at - http://www.wattlegps.vic.edu.au/
SMALL SCHOOL ………. BIG OPPORTUNITIES!!Winter 2012 Winter 2012
The Rotary Club of Diamond Creekcelebrated it's 20th Birthday with a party atAshton Manor on Saturday 2nd June. More than 150 members, past members,families and friends attended the party,including Charter President John McCrohan,Charter member Bob Eycken and Past DistrictGovernor Ron Pearce, who cut the birthdaycake with current President Alan Jones.Current District Governor David Andersonassisted President Alan Jones to award a
Paul Harris Fellow to Secretary Eileen Gatt,and Paul Harris Fellow Sapphire pins to LindaGidlund and Ern Wardell, in recognition oftheir services to Rotary. District GovernorDavid also presented the inauguralChangemaker Award to President Alan, Ireturn, Alan presented David with a chequefor $10.000 to g towards David's Project toraise funds to provide equipment to GorokaHospital in PNG for Maternal and Baby care.The club has also pledged our ongoing
support to the project. We were entertained byAmnda and te Jets.But the outstanding hit of the night was the
Birthday Book - a history of the club, it'sprojects, people and presidents, which wasvery ably assembled by Kerry Jones and GregAdams, who contributed many, many hours tobring it al togeher. Copies were given to allwho attended as a special keepsake of thefirst 20 years of the Rotry Club of DiamondCreek.
Rotary Club of Diamond Creek's 20th Birthday
DC News Winter 2012:DC News 25/06/2012 9:46 AM Page 10
Diamond Creek News Page 13Page 20 Diamond Creek News
DIAMONDCREEK EAST
PRIMARYSCHOOL
Winter is here, and the year is half over!Wow, time flies when you are having fun!
Since our last Diamond Creek EastPrimary School report, a lot hashappened! There are always excitingvisitors, events and programs happeningat our school – it’s one of the manyreasons that makes our school a greatplace to be!
Our Prep students recently visitedBundoora Farm, as part of their “FarmAnimals” unit. Our Discovery 2 students(Grades 1 and 2) recently visitedYarrabee Yesterday’s World School, andheld “Grandparents and Special FriendsDay” at the school, which related to their“Now and Then” unit. The Challengestudents (Grades 3 and 4) are learningabout renewable and non-renewableenergy sources this term, and a recentexcursion to CERES Environment Parkallowed them to increase their knowledgeabout this interesting topic. OurEnrichment students visited the “Shrineof Rememberance” to pay their respectsto those who fought and lost their lives inbattle. These students are currentlyworking on their Memory Box” projectwhich involves researching a person whohas been involved in a war. They willpresent their research at a special“Memory Box Night” before the end ofTerm 2. DCE students and teachers were recentlytreated to a visit by the 1992 MelbourneCup winner, Sub Zero. All grades werelucky enough to spend some time withthe great horse, who is now 23 years old!We all learned many interesting factsabout Sub Zero, as well receiving aninsight into the world of professionalhorse training and racing.
Recently, one lucky grade 3/4 class andtheir teacher were very excited to spendsome time with Collingwood Magpies’
superstar, Scott Pendlebury! Scott is aclose friend of one of the DCE teachers,and as an incentive for the class with themost students registered for thePremier’s Active Family Challenge, Scottoffered to come and spend some timewith the winning grade. Grade C3B andMrs McCredden spent over an hour withScott, discussing his football career andplaying the Nintendo Wii on the
interactive whiteboard! Even the non-Collingwood supporters had fun withScott! What a great experience!
A terrific and innovative program hasbeen trialled and developed this year atour school called “DCE Live”, involvingour Grade 6 students. It is a television
show that is broadcast live to the entireschool via the interactive whiteboardsevery Wednesday during lunch eatingtime between 1:30pm and 1:45pm. Thestudents are involved in the planning,writing, rehearsing, performing andproducing of the program. The equipmentthat is used includes: three cameras (oneis wireless for ‘out on the road’ reporting),a green screen and mixing desk (whichcontrols the microphones, cameras andauxiliary equipment including pre-recorded items). Some of the regularitems include: the weather, birthdays ofthe week, sports reports, advertisementsbought to you by our sponsors, reports onexcursions and school activities, liveinterviews, musical performances and asegment called “How Well Do You KnowDCE?”
Our school concert is rapidly approachingand will be held over two nights in week 6of Term 3. The theme of this year’sconcert is “A Cruise Around the World”,with pairs of grades allocated to aparticular country whose music andcostumes will be used for each act. Theperformances are a culmination ofseveral months of hard work by bothstudents and their teachers, and is awonderful showcase of the talent,enthusiasm and confidence of our DCEstudents.
Diamond Creek East Primary School iscertainly a fun and exciting place to be!We are now taking 2013 Prepenrolments, so please contact our schoolprincipal Mr Rob Rostolis at the DCEschool office on 9438-1413 if you wouldlike to arrange a school tour.
Kassandra Papuga
Become a CFA Volunteer today
and make a difference in more ways than one.
Free call 1800 232 636 for more information onhow to join or call into your local CFA Station
Winter 2012 Winter 2012
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DC News Winter 2012:DC News 25/06/2012 9:46 AM Page 11
A local newspaper used the above words intheir first news article about a Court CaseHearing, brought against me by the LocalGovernment Inspectorate (LGI) (News Limited’sDiamond Valley Leader, Online 29 May 2012). Thedefinition of a “witch-hunt” is "...an intenseeffort to discover and expose disloyalty,subversion, dishonesty, or the like, usuallybased on slight, doubtful, or irrelevantevidence" (Macquarie Dictionary).
To explain the background to the CourtCase; in November 2008 I swore an oath toserve my constituents. At the time I wasthinking of the Diamond Creek Stadium andother items of local concern to myconstituents. Then 3 months later BlackSaturday occurred, when 41 of myconstituents died, perhaps another 1000were traumatised, and about a quarter of ourmunicipality was burnt. After visiting thedevastation with the present Minister ofPlanning Matthew Guy, it seemedreasonable to me that my oath to serve myconstituents meant that I would have toconcentrate on preventing a repeat of thisdisaster. I proposed between 20 and 30Motions to Council, mainly on ExtremeBushfire self-help fuel reduction measures.
Almost none of them have been debated.None have been adopted by Council.Indeed, Councillors, or Council Officers, orthe Local Government Inspectorate, havebeen part of about 17 apparently falseallegations made against me, in addition tothe one that led to the Court Case, allcombining to damage me and my family.
Coming back to the Court Case, the localnewspaper termed a “witch hunt”. On 28/29May 2012, the Heidelberg Magistrates Courtheard evidence about me failing to declare aconflict of interest. The Court hearing wasabout a meeting of Council, 4 days beforeChristmas in 2010, following which a formalcomplaint was made that I had breached theLaw. That set off a LGI prosecution, thatspent your money to prosecute, and I wasforced to spend borrowed money to defend.Put simply, my family’s home was at risk ofbeing lost. On 22 March 2011, my lawyerwrote to the LGI and said:
"You do not have material to support theallegations and you ought to give up".
At any time in the last 14 months, I believethis case should have been abandoned bythe relevant Government Agencies.
On 15 June 2012 the Heidelberg MagistratesCourt found that I was right, and the LocalGovernment Inspectorate, VictorianGovernment Solicitors Office and theVictorian Government Attorney General, aswarned by my lawyers, were wrong. So if youare wondering why Extreme Bushfire fuelloads have increased in Nillumbik sinceBlack Saturday, just remember; whileGovernment Agencies are fiddling andwasting your money, on what the localnewspaper termed a “witch hunt”, I believethey are not appropriately planning to makeyou safe from Extreme Bushfire. The oldsaying "Nero fiddled while Rome burned",comes to mind.
The exact amount of your money wasted isstill to be added up, but it appears to me inexcess of $250,000 could have been spentin pursuit of this so called "witch hunt".
Cr. Belinda Clarkson
Diamond Creek News Page 19Page 14 Diamond Creek News Winter 2012 Winter 2012
DIAMONDVALLEYCOLLEGEYear 9 1:1 Netbook ProgramThe Year 9 1:1 Netbook Program is animportant step in our provision of learningexperiences and opportunities that willincreasingly enable our students toactively engage in their learning. Ourteachers are planning for the effective useof the netbook devices which will be one ofthe resources, but not the only resource,students now have ready access to. Withthe use of technology such as this,students will increasingly be supportedand developed in their learning throughcollaboration and networking and the useof more individualized and/ or self pacedprograms. The goal is, of course, toresult in better learning outcomes for ourstudents.
Presentation BallThe 2012 Presentation Ball held on the19th May was great success. Our Year11 participants presented themselves asyoung adults who are genuinely ready tobe contributing members of theircommunity and wider society. In thestatements they made about themselvesand their hopes for the future we can seenot only a wide range of interests andfuture pathways but also genuinely highaspirations. This is encouraging to see inyoung people of today. Furthermore,their hard work in preparing for theevening clearly paid off as they lookedfantastic and carried off their dancesextremely well. Of course, it wasimportant to have so many family andfriends supporting them and enjoying thenights’ formalities as well as the meal andentertainment. Congratulations to you all!
Year 12 Motivational DinnerOn Wednesday 9th May, the annual Year12 Motivational Dinner was highly
successful night. It was great to have paststudents – Dylan Grimes, James Horne,Lauren Gell and Michelle O’Brien – join usand speak to our students about theirexperiences since leaving DVC. It is sopleasing that students keep in contact withus and are willing to come back. Thepresentation from our keynote speaker,Tim Witford, was a most inspiring one.Well done to our College Captains for theextra effort they put in to preparing andhosting the night.
Bogong Leadership CampA select group of 24 Year 9 and 10students from Diamond Valley Collegetogether with a group of 24 students fromEpping Secondary College participated ina one week camp in the Bogong High
Plains. The students participated in avariety of outdoor activities to meet theneeds of the school’s leadershipaspirations for students at our school.Activities included developing confidence,independence and the ability to beadaptive in shaping the future, developing
connections with the alpine environmentand its relationship to our homecommunity, extending students in bothmind and body, developing the social skillsand knowledge to successfully work andlearn in team. A great time was had by all.Diamond Valley College students enjoyeda positive learning experience and wereable to make new friends with studentsfrom Epping Secondary College.
Physical Education with JetsGymnasticsYear 7 and 8 students and some Seniorclasses have been enjoying participatingin three, one hour sessions at JetsGymnastics, as part of the new Stadium.Jets Gymnastics, directed by Ross
Bouskill, have built one of the very bestcentres in Australia and the studentshave enjoyed the sprung floor,trampolines, vault, foam pit, high ropeand uneven bars. Special thanks toSarah and Val who are coachingsecondary students for the very firsttime.
Think Outside the Book This year the theme for Library andInformation week was THINK OUTSIDETHE BOOK. To celebrate this the libraryran a talent competition. We wereamazed at the singing ability of the twostudents who got up and performedorally for us. Congratulations to JemmaHollway and Hannah Evans (both in Yr7.7) who came first and second. Bothgirls sang like angels. Third in thecompetition was Aaron 'The HumanPretzel' Thuys who did his amazingcontortionist act. Comedians HaydnMurphy-Atkinson and Murphy Meilak(both in 7.4) were joint fourth. Well doneto everyone who competed and
entertained us all so thoroughly. Thanksalso to teachers Serene Tresidder andLynsey Betts and Yr 12 student KellieWhite for being such wonderful judges.
Greg WilliamsPrincipal
“WITCH HUNT VICTIM”
DC News Winter 2012:DC News 25/06/2012 9:46 AM Page 12
Diamond Creek News Page 15Page 18 Diamond Creek News
Hurstbridge Saddlery942 Main Rd, Hurstbridge, 3099
Phone: (03) 9718 1988
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Winter 2012 Winter 2012
Now we are in winter, take your dog for a walk toHurstbridge. Visit us at Hurstbridge Saddlery to have yourdog measured for a new coat which will be made on site(within the week) or choose one already made in manystyles and colours.
‘Life in the Green Wedge’This years theme for the Diamond CreekTown Fair is ‘Life in the Green Wedge’.
Start planning now for your school, communitygroup, service club or as a neighbouringcommunity to take part in the Diamond CreekRotary Town Fair. Begin by taking part in theparade, have a stall, ask your friends andrelatives to come out for a couple hours or theday.
Parade with PrizesThe parade is offering prizes for the BestSchool, Best Primary School, Best
Community Organisation, BestCommercial/Social Entry and Best OverallEntry.
If your organisation would like to enter theParade for 2012 please contact Alan White,M: 0419 774 838 or 9438 4207 and [email protected]
Diamond Creek – ideas for the fair! Planningis underway so make sure you go to thewebsite: www.diamondcreektownfair.org.au toadd your ideas to the plan. How aboutdecorating cupcakes, being part of aGuinness World Record event or joining theScouts on the rope bridge?
“Its your Diamond Creek Town Fair”. Thecommittee is working very hard already on thenext fair. Please put the Saturday, 8September in your diary, and join us for a dayof fun and enjoyment with hopefully a veryfine, sunny day.
Please send your suggestions to Email:[email protected] andFacebook.
Defibrillator for Diamond Creek Force Netball ClubFollowng a request from Roger Pike of theDiamondCreek Force Netball Club, the RotaryClub of Diamond Creek purchased a portabledefibrillator which was recently presentedRoger by President Alan Jones (pictured left).
The Rotary Club aso facilitated a trainingsession on the use of the defibrillator at theNetball clubrooms in the week of thepresentation. As a result of the presentation, asecond unit was purchased to be used by theRotary Club.
Vale Past District Governor Brian BowenThe Rotary Club of Diamond Creek sadlyannounces the sudden passing of one of ourmembers, PDG Brian Bowen. Brian (picturedbelow) suffered a heart attack at a recent clubmeeting and sadly passed away two dayslater. Or deepest sympahies are extended toBrian's wife Betty and their family. We will allmiss Brian very much.
The Rotary Club of Diamond Creek
DC News Winter 2012:DC News 25/06/2012 9:46 AM Page 13
Diamond Creek News Page 17Page 16 Diamond Creek News Winter 2012 Winter 2012
The Wurundjeri Willam people of the KulinNation camped for over 30,000 years on whatwas called Smyth’s Creek in Caledonia Gully,with discovery of gold in 1854.
The rush to the ‘Diggings,’ resulted in a tentcity named ‘Market Square’ andestablishment of Queenstown, (present daySmiths Gully and St.Andrews).
The site of the Queenstown Cemetery on astony hill, (free of miners encampments andclaims for alluvial gold) became the burialplace of the Caledonia Diggers.
Death Certificates, from 1854, record the deathand place of burial as ‘Market Square’ prior tothe first archival record in 1861 and the officialdeclaration of ‘Queenstown CemeteryReserve’ in 1866.
To date, over 400 burials are recorded. Amongthe earliest are Chinese miners. ManyChinese, other itinerants and paupers areburied in unmarked and unrecorded graves.
After the rush of the 1850s, remaining familiesmainly German and English, settled the districtincluding Kinglake, they retained and wereburied in the Cemetery. Descendants of thesepioneers live throughout the community. Theirfamily names are recorded on the MemorialCairn and remaining headstones inQueenstown Cemetery and on Roads,Bridges, Reserves and in other Cemeteriesthroughout Nillumbik and adjoining Shires.
In 1962 a bushfire burned through theCemetery, destroying picket fencing, gravemarkers and the Cypress boundary planting ofthe early 1900’s. The box/stringybarkwoodland and forest in the 1.7ha reserve (andsapling cypress trees) are regrowth from thistime. Heritage plants on graves and remnantindigenous vegetation of the reserve isprotected and includes many significantspecies.
� 1861 Marked the year of the first recorded burial but we know there were
burials from the time of the gold rush. There is no original survey plan of the cemetery.
� 1866 The Cemetery was officially declared a Cemetery Reserve.
� 1948 Trusteeship was taken on by Eltham Shire.
� 1951 The Cemetery closed for burials.� 1960-1964 Burials allowed in existing
family plots. � 1981 The last burial took place.� 1999 Under Nillumbik Shire Council
Trusteeship reverted to the community.An appointment of six local residents as Trustees, (all volunteers) was gazetted by the Department of Human Services.Launch of Friends & Relations of Queenstown Cemetery Inc.
Over the years the appointments as membersof the Cemetery Trust have comprised six orseven local residents, approved by theDepartment of Human Services, for a period ofup to 5 years. Resignations, replacements andre-appointments have taken place during thistime. The ‘Friends & Rellies’ Committee areappointed at AGM’s.
The Trustees manage the Cemetery with thesupport of the local community and the‘Friends & Relations’ group, who aim to � Maintain and preserve the vegetation.� Maintain and where practical restore the
grave structures and headstones. � Research and Record the History of the
Burials and Families buried in the Cemetery.
� Publish a series of Booklets from researched, documented and donated materials.
QUEENSTOWN CEMETERY 1861-198160 Smiths Gully Road, Smiths Gully, 3760
IN RESTORING THE ATKINS FAMILY GRAVEThe Atkins grave is a unique memorialstructure in Queenstown Cemetery. It is a‘Body Stone’ coffin-shaped and in perfectcondition – except the original hand-engravedinscriptions on three faces of the memorial areillegible.
From years without maintenance this granitestructure is now encased with lichen thatcompletely obliterates the engravedinscriptions and requires a Memorial StoneMason to work On-Site at the Cemetery tocarry out Hand-engraving restoration.
Fortunately, we know what is under the lichenand have extensive records of Emily Margaretand Joseph ATKINS, Pioneers of Queenstown.– Emily Margaret was buried in 1901. Josephnot till 1924 - he reared his seven children onhis own, after the death of his wife.
A memorial to a son Herbert Joseph - killed atLone Pine, Gallipoli is recorded on his parent’sgrave.
A younger son, Charles served with distinctionat Gallipoli, where he sustained a head wound.After convalescence in England he served twoyears in France where he was gassed andhaemoraged in the chest. On returning homein very poor health, Charlie took up farmingand contracting. He inherited and lived in thehome in Salter’s Rush Road, Smith’s Gully hisfather had built and reared his large family.These seven children attended the St.Andrews Primary School. A daughter, AdelineIsobel Anderson is buried in an unmarked andunidentified grave plot in the Cemetery.
The Atkins story will be published in a Series ofBooklets entitled ‘A Link to the Past’ to belaunched at an Unveiling of the Restored
Grave as a cemetery fund-raiser. .
A warm welcome id extended to all of thecommunity to join us at Mitre 10, DiamondCreek for a Sausage Sizzle Fundraiser. Thefundraiser will be on Sunday July 15th 2012between 8.30am till 3.00pm. We are promotinga Raffle with Generous Prizes & SellingDonated Jams, Chutneys and Cakes
Promote the event to your family and friends tojoin us for a ‘snag. Mitre 10 will provide under-cover seating to sit around and chat withFriend’s & Rellies of Queenstown Cemetery.Soft Drinks will be available on the Stall. Youare welcome to bring a Thermos of yourfavoured hot drink.
Contact Maryanne on 9710 1458 for more onthe Sausage Sizzles or availability to assist orElizabeth on 9718 1245 for information onHistoric Queenstown Cemetery.
You are Invited To Support ‘The Friends & Relations of Queenstown Cemetery’ Community Fundraiser 2012
Triple Premiership player, BrownlowMedallist and Media personality, Jason"Aker" Akermanis pulled on his boots andplayed for Hurstbridge in Rnd 8 againstDiamond Creek and what a day it was.Hurstbridge didn't win the game but werecompetitive for much of the day - apart froma serious lapse in the second quarter whichallowed Diamond Creek to create ascoreboard buffer that we couldn't pull back.
Off field however, we were kicking goalseverywhere with records being broken onthe gate, in the canteen and across the bars.Ben Frilay oval looked picture perfect in theunseasonably warm sunshine and playedhost to a well behaved crowd the size ofwhich has never been seen before atHurstbridge. From the Boag's pavilion at thecreek end to the clubrooms the crowd waspacked from boundary fence to perimeter
fence. The club wishes to express thanks toall those who attended as the crowdbehaviour was exemplary and we certainlyhope everyone had a fantastic day.
Jason from the moment he arrived at theground until the moment he left was theconsummate professional, making himselftotally available to our football departmentbefore, during and after the game while atthe same time somehow managing to stillaccommodate all of the fans and childrenwho wanted their moment with "Aker".
Our thanks also to Ray Shaw and TerryDaniher, the Boag's girls, Barry the Bull, theJunior Committee and the non committeepeople who were pressed into service andwho all worked so hard for us to make theday a success. Your efforts were muchappreciated as were those of Ian Mason
from Mason White McDougall who workedtirelessly auctioning off our Memorabiliaitems.
ACKER PULLS THE BOOTSON FOR HURSTBRIDGE
Mitre 10 celebrated its successfulpartnership with Channel Nine’s The Block2012 with the Mighty Aussie Road Trip andby bringing the contestants to visit over 100Mitre 10 stores across Australia, including 21in Victoria, over just seven weeks.
On Saturday 9th June at 10am The Block’sDan & Dani came to Diamond Valley Mitre10 where they were asked many questionsabout how they created their winning rooms,which products they used and how they didit.
Frank Benton from Diamond Valley Mitre 10said “The Mighty Aussie Road Trip will allow
the Block contestants an opportunity to meetthe Diamond Creek community and offer ourlocal DIY-ers and junior designers first-hand
knowledge from their experience on theBlock”. Major suppliers Dulux, HPM, Abscoand Bailey Hills also partnered with theshow, and the large local crowd young andold were showered with prizes andgiveaways.
The BlockComes toDiamond
CreekTHE MIGHTY AUSSIE ROAD TRIP BRINGS
THE BLOCK TO DIAMOND VALLEY MITRE 10
DC News Winter 2012:DC News 25/06/2012 9:46 AM Page 14
Diamond Creek News Page 17Page 16 Diamond Creek News Winter 2012 Winter 2012
The Wurundjeri Willam people of the KulinNation camped for over 30,000 years on whatwas called Smyth’s Creek in Caledonia Gully,with discovery of gold in 1854.
The rush to the ‘Diggings,’ resulted in a tentcity named ‘Market Square’ andestablishment of Queenstown, (present daySmiths Gully and St.Andrews).
The site of the Queenstown Cemetery on astony hill, (free of miners encampments andclaims for alluvial gold) became the burialplace of the Caledonia Diggers.
Death Certificates, from 1854, record the deathand place of burial as ‘Market Square’ prior tothe first archival record in 1861 and the officialdeclaration of ‘Queenstown CemeteryReserve’ in 1866.
To date, over 400 burials are recorded. Amongthe earliest are Chinese miners. ManyChinese, other itinerants and paupers areburied in unmarked and unrecorded graves.
After the rush of the 1850s, remaining familiesmainly German and English, settled the districtincluding Kinglake, they retained and wereburied in the Cemetery. Descendants of thesepioneers live throughout the community. Theirfamily names are recorded on the MemorialCairn and remaining headstones inQueenstown Cemetery and on Roads,Bridges, Reserves and in other Cemeteriesthroughout Nillumbik and adjoining Shires.
In 1962 a bushfire burned through theCemetery, destroying picket fencing, gravemarkers and the Cypress boundary planting ofthe early 1900’s. The box/stringybarkwoodland and forest in the 1.7ha reserve (andsapling cypress trees) are regrowth from thistime. Heritage plants on graves and remnantindigenous vegetation of the reserve isprotected and includes many significantspecies.
� 1861 Marked the year of the first recorded burial but we know there were
burials from the time of the gold rush. There is no original survey plan of the cemetery.
� 1866 The Cemetery was officially declared a Cemetery Reserve.
� 1948 Trusteeship was taken on by Eltham Shire.
� 1951 The Cemetery closed for burials.� 1960-1964 Burials allowed in existing
family plots. � 1981 The last burial took place.� 1999 Under Nillumbik Shire Council
Trusteeship reverted to the community.An appointment of six local residents as Trustees, (all volunteers) was gazetted by the Department of Human Services.Launch of Friends & Relations of Queenstown Cemetery Inc.
Over the years the appointments as membersof the Cemetery Trust have comprised six orseven local residents, approved by theDepartment of Human Services, for a period ofup to 5 years. Resignations, replacements andre-appointments have taken place during thistime. The ‘Friends & Rellies’ Committee areappointed at AGM’s.
The Trustees manage the Cemetery with thesupport of the local community and the‘Friends & Relations’ group, who aim to � Maintain and preserve the vegetation.� Maintain and where practical restore the
grave structures and headstones. � Research and Record the History of the
Burials and Families buried in the Cemetery.
� Publish a series of Booklets from researched, documented and donated materials.
QUEENSTOWN CEMETERY 1861-198160 Smiths Gully Road, Smiths Gully, 3760
IN RESTORING THE ATKINS FAMILY GRAVEThe Atkins grave is a unique memorialstructure in Queenstown Cemetery. It is a‘Body Stone’ coffin-shaped and in perfectcondition – except the original hand-engravedinscriptions on three faces of the memorial areillegible.
From years without maintenance this granitestructure is now encased with lichen thatcompletely obliterates the engravedinscriptions and requires a Memorial StoneMason to work On-Site at the Cemetery tocarry out Hand-engraving restoration.
Fortunately, we know what is under the lichenand have extensive records of Emily Margaretand Joseph ATKINS, Pioneers of Queenstown.– Emily Margaret was buried in 1901. Josephnot till 1924 - he reared his seven children onhis own, after the death of his wife.
A memorial to a son Herbert Joseph - killed atLone Pine, Gallipoli is recorded on his parent’sgrave.
A younger son, Charles served with distinctionat Gallipoli, where he sustained a head wound.After convalescence in England he served twoyears in France where he was gassed andhaemoraged in the chest. On returning homein very poor health, Charlie took up farmingand contracting. He inherited and lived in thehome in Salter’s Rush Road, Smith’s Gully hisfather had built and reared his large family.These seven children attended the St.Andrews Primary School. A daughter, AdelineIsobel Anderson is buried in an unmarked andunidentified grave plot in the Cemetery.
The Atkins story will be published in a Series ofBooklets entitled ‘A Link to the Past’ to belaunched at an Unveiling of the Restored
Grave as a cemetery fund-raiser. .
A warm welcome id extended to all of thecommunity to join us at Mitre 10, DiamondCreek for a Sausage Sizzle Fundraiser. Thefundraiser will be on Sunday July 15th 2012between 8.30am till 3.00pm. We are promotinga Raffle with Generous Prizes & SellingDonated Jams, Chutneys and Cakes
Promote the event to your family and friends tojoin us for a ‘snag. Mitre 10 will provide under-cover seating to sit around and chat withFriend’s & Rellies of Queenstown Cemetery.Soft Drinks will be available on the Stall. Youare welcome to bring a Thermos of yourfavoured hot drink.
Contact Maryanne on 9710 1458 for more onthe Sausage Sizzles or availability to assist orElizabeth on 9718 1245 for information onHistoric Queenstown Cemetery.
You are Invited To Support ‘The Friends & Relations of Queenstown Cemetery’ Community Fundraiser 2012
Triple Premiership player, BrownlowMedallist and Media personality, Jason"Aker" Akermanis pulled on his boots andplayed for Hurstbridge in Rnd 8 againstDiamond Creek and what a day it was.Hurstbridge didn't win the game but werecompetitive for much of the day - apart froma serious lapse in the second quarter whichallowed Diamond Creek to create ascoreboard buffer that we couldn't pull back.
Off field however, we were kicking goalseverywhere with records being broken onthe gate, in the canteen and across the bars.Ben Frilay oval looked picture perfect in theunseasonably warm sunshine and playedhost to a well behaved crowd the size ofwhich has never been seen before atHurstbridge. From the Boag's pavilion at thecreek end to the clubrooms the crowd waspacked from boundary fence to perimeter
fence. The club wishes to express thanks toall those who attended as the crowdbehaviour was exemplary and we certainlyhope everyone had a fantastic day.
Jason from the moment he arrived at theground until the moment he left was theconsummate professional, making himselftotally available to our football departmentbefore, during and after the game while atthe same time somehow managing to stillaccommodate all of the fans and childrenwho wanted their moment with "Aker".
Our thanks also to Ray Shaw and TerryDaniher, the Boag's girls, Barry the Bull, theJunior Committee and the non committeepeople who were pressed into service andwho all worked so hard for us to make theday a success. Your efforts were muchappreciated as were those of Ian Mason
from Mason White McDougall who workedtirelessly auctioning off our Memorabiliaitems.
ACKER PULLS THE BOOTSON FOR HURSTBRIDGE
Mitre 10 celebrated its successfulpartnership with Channel Nine’s The Block2012 with the Mighty Aussie Road Trip andby bringing the contestants to visit over 100Mitre 10 stores across Australia, including 21in Victoria, over just seven weeks.
On Saturday 9th June at 10am The Block’sDan & Dani came to Diamond Valley Mitre10 where they were asked many questionsabout how they created their winning rooms,which products they used and how they didit.
Frank Benton from Diamond Valley Mitre 10said “The Mighty Aussie Road Trip will allow
the Block contestants an opportunity to meetthe Diamond Creek community and offer ourlocal DIY-ers and junior designers first-hand
knowledge from their experience on theBlock”. Major suppliers Dulux, HPM, Abscoand Bailey Hills also partnered with theshow, and the large local crowd young andold were showered with prizes andgiveaways.
The BlockComes toDiamond
CreekTHE MIGHTY AUSSIE ROAD TRIP BRINGS
THE BLOCK TO DIAMOND VALLEY MITRE 10
DC News Winter 2012:DC News 25/06/2012 9:46 AM Page 14
Diamond Creek News Page 15Page 18 Diamond Creek News
Hurstbridge Saddlery942 Main Rd, Hurstbridge, 3099
Phone: (03) 9718 1988
� Caring for Horse & Rider � Australian made Horse wear & Dog wear
� Rug Repairs � A.C. Equine Herbs & Chia Seeds
� Beautiful Jodphurs & Breeches � Summer & Spring Horse Rugs
� Extensive range of Veterinary products � ‘Easyboots’ for your horse.
� AND SO MUCH MORE � HEAPS OF GIFT IDEAS FOR ANY OCCASION!
Winter 2012 Winter 2012
Now we are in winter, take your dog for a walk toHurstbridge. Visit us at Hurstbridge Saddlery to have yourdog measured for a new coat which will be made on site(within the week) or choose one already made in manystyles and colours.
‘Life in the Green Wedge’This years theme for the Diamond CreekTown Fair is ‘Life in the Green Wedge’.
Start planning now for your school, communitygroup, service club or as a neighbouringcommunity to take part in the Diamond CreekRotary Town Fair. Begin by taking part in theparade, have a stall, ask your friends andrelatives to come out for a couple hours or theday.
Parade with PrizesThe parade is offering prizes for the BestSchool, Best Primary School, Best
Community Organisation, BestCommercial/Social Entry and Best OverallEntry.
If your organisation would like to enter theParade for 2012 please contact Alan White,M: 0419 774 838 or 9438 4207 and [email protected]
Diamond Creek – ideas for the fair! Planningis underway so make sure you go to thewebsite: www.diamondcreektownfair.org.au toadd your ideas to the plan. How aboutdecorating cupcakes, being part of aGuinness World Record event or joining theScouts on the rope bridge?
“Its your Diamond Creek Town Fair”. Thecommittee is working very hard already on thenext fair. Please put the Saturday, 8September in your diary, and join us for a dayof fun and enjoyment with hopefully a veryfine, sunny day.
Please send your suggestions to Email:[email protected] andFacebook.
Defibrillator for Diamond Creek Force Netball ClubFollowng a request from Roger Pike of theDiamondCreek Force Netball Club, the RotaryClub of Diamond Creek purchased a portabledefibrillator which was recently presentedRoger by President Alan Jones (pictured left).
The Rotary Club aso facilitated a trainingsession on the use of the defibrillator at theNetball clubrooms in the week of thepresentation. As a result of the presentation, asecond unit was purchased to be used by theRotary Club.
Vale Past District Governor Brian BowenThe Rotary Club of Diamond Creek sadlyannounces the sudden passing of one of ourmembers, PDG Brian Bowen. Brian (picturedbelow) suffered a heart attack at a recent clubmeeting and sadly passed away two dayslater. Or deepest sympahies are extended toBrian's wife Betty and their family. We will allmiss Brian very much.
The Rotary Club of Diamond Creek
DC News Winter 2012:DC News 25/06/2012 9:46 AM Page 13
A local newspaper used the above words intheir first news article about a Court CaseHearing, brought against me by the LocalGovernment Inspectorate (LGI) (News Limited’sDiamond Valley Leader, Online 29 May 2012). Thedefinition of a “witch-hunt” is "...an intenseeffort to discover and expose disloyalty,subversion, dishonesty, or the like, usuallybased on slight, doubtful, or irrelevantevidence" (Macquarie Dictionary).
To explain the background to the CourtCase; in November 2008 I swore an oath toserve my constituents. At the time I wasthinking of the Diamond Creek Stadium andother items of local concern to myconstituents. Then 3 months later BlackSaturday occurred, when 41 of myconstituents died, perhaps another 1000were traumatised, and about a quarter of ourmunicipality was burnt. After visiting thedevastation with the present Minister ofPlanning Matthew Guy, it seemedreasonable to me that my oath to serve myconstituents meant that I would have toconcentrate on preventing a repeat of thisdisaster. I proposed between 20 and 30Motions to Council, mainly on ExtremeBushfire self-help fuel reduction measures.
Almost none of them have been debated.None have been adopted by Council.Indeed, Councillors, or Council Officers, orthe Local Government Inspectorate, havebeen part of about 17 apparently falseallegations made against me, in addition tothe one that led to the Court Case, allcombining to damage me and my family.
Coming back to the Court Case, the localnewspaper termed a “witch hunt”. On 28/29May 2012, the Heidelberg Magistrates Courtheard evidence about me failing to declare aconflict of interest. The Court hearing wasabout a meeting of Council, 4 days beforeChristmas in 2010, following which a formalcomplaint was made that I had breached theLaw. That set off a LGI prosecution, thatspent your money to prosecute, and I wasforced to spend borrowed money to defend.Put simply, my family’s home was at risk ofbeing lost. On 22 March 2011, my lawyerwrote to the LGI and said:
"You do not have material to support theallegations and you ought to give up".
At any time in the last 14 months, I believethis case should have been abandoned bythe relevant Government Agencies.
On 15 June 2012 the Heidelberg MagistratesCourt found that I was right, and the LocalGovernment Inspectorate, VictorianGovernment Solicitors Office and theVictorian Government Attorney General, aswarned by my lawyers, were wrong. So if youare wondering why Extreme Bushfire fuelloads have increased in Nillumbik sinceBlack Saturday, just remember; whileGovernment Agencies are fiddling andwasting your money, on what the localnewspaper termed a “witch hunt”, I believethey are not appropriately planning to makeyou safe from Extreme Bushfire. The oldsaying "Nero fiddled while Rome burned",comes to mind.
The exact amount of your money wasted isstill to be added up, but it appears to me inexcess of $250,000 could have been spentin pursuit of this so called "witch hunt".
Cr. Belinda Clarkson
Diamond Creek News Page 19Page 14 Diamond Creek News Winter 2012 Winter 2012
DIAMONDVALLEYCOLLEGEYear 9 1:1 Netbook ProgramThe Year 9 1:1 Netbook Program is animportant step in our provision of learningexperiences and opportunities that willincreasingly enable our students toactively engage in their learning. Ourteachers are planning for the effective useof the netbook devices which will be one ofthe resources, but not the only resource,students now have ready access to. Withthe use of technology such as this,students will increasingly be supportedand developed in their learning throughcollaboration and networking and the useof more individualized and/ or self pacedprograms. The goal is, of course, toresult in better learning outcomes for ourstudents.
Presentation BallThe 2012 Presentation Ball held on the19th May was great success. Our Year11 participants presented themselves asyoung adults who are genuinely ready tobe contributing members of theircommunity and wider society. In thestatements they made about themselvesand their hopes for the future we can seenot only a wide range of interests andfuture pathways but also genuinely highaspirations. This is encouraging to see inyoung people of today. Furthermore,their hard work in preparing for theevening clearly paid off as they lookedfantastic and carried off their dancesextremely well. Of course, it wasimportant to have so many family andfriends supporting them and enjoying thenights’ formalities as well as the meal andentertainment. Congratulations to you all!
Year 12 Motivational DinnerOn Wednesday 9th May, the annual Year12 Motivational Dinner was highly
successful night. It was great to have paststudents – Dylan Grimes, James Horne,Lauren Gell and Michelle O’Brien – join usand speak to our students about theirexperiences since leaving DVC. It is sopleasing that students keep in contact withus and are willing to come back. Thepresentation from our keynote speaker,Tim Witford, was a most inspiring one.Well done to our College Captains for theextra effort they put in to preparing andhosting the night.
Bogong Leadership CampA select group of 24 Year 9 and 10students from Diamond Valley Collegetogether with a group of 24 students fromEpping Secondary College participated ina one week camp in the Bogong High
Plains. The students participated in avariety of outdoor activities to meet theneeds of the school’s leadershipaspirations for students at our school.Activities included developing confidence,independence and the ability to beadaptive in shaping the future, developing
connections with the alpine environmentand its relationship to our homecommunity, extending students in bothmind and body, developing the social skillsand knowledge to successfully work andlearn in team. A great time was had by all.Diamond Valley College students enjoyeda positive learning experience and wereable to make new friends with studentsfrom Epping Secondary College.
Physical Education with JetsGymnasticsYear 7 and 8 students and some Seniorclasses have been enjoying participatingin three, one hour sessions at JetsGymnastics, as part of the new Stadium.Jets Gymnastics, directed by Ross
Bouskill, have built one of the very bestcentres in Australia and the studentshave enjoyed the sprung floor,trampolines, vault, foam pit, high ropeand uneven bars. Special thanks toSarah and Val who are coachingsecondary students for the very firsttime.
Think Outside the Book This year the theme for Library andInformation week was THINK OUTSIDETHE BOOK. To celebrate this the libraryran a talent competition. We wereamazed at the singing ability of the twostudents who got up and performedorally for us. Congratulations to JemmaHollway and Hannah Evans (both in Yr7.7) who came first and second. Bothgirls sang like angels. Third in thecompetition was Aaron 'The HumanPretzel' Thuys who did his amazingcontortionist act. Comedians HaydnMurphy-Atkinson and Murphy Meilak(both in 7.4) were joint fourth. Well doneto everyone who competed and
entertained us all so thoroughly. Thanksalso to teachers Serene Tresidder andLynsey Betts and Yr 12 student KellieWhite for being such wonderful judges.
Greg WilliamsPrincipal
“WITCH HUNT VICTIM”
DC News Winter 2012:DC News 25/06/2012 9:46 AM Page 12
Diamond Creek News Page 13Page 20 Diamond Creek News
DIAMONDCREEK EAST
PRIMARYSCHOOL
Winter is here, and the year is half over!Wow, time flies when you are having fun!
Since our last Diamond Creek EastPrimary School report, a lot hashappened! There are always excitingvisitors, events and programs happeningat our school – it’s one of the manyreasons that makes our school a greatplace to be!
Our Prep students recently visitedBundoora Farm, as part of their “FarmAnimals” unit. Our Discovery 2 students(Grades 1 and 2) recently visitedYarrabee Yesterday’s World School, andheld “Grandparents and Special FriendsDay” at the school, which related to their“Now and Then” unit. The Challengestudents (Grades 3 and 4) are learningabout renewable and non-renewableenergy sources this term, and a recentexcursion to CERES Environment Parkallowed them to increase their knowledgeabout this interesting topic. OurEnrichment students visited the “Shrineof Rememberance” to pay their respectsto those who fought and lost their lives inbattle. These students are currentlyworking on their Memory Box” projectwhich involves researching a person whohas been involved in a war. They willpresent their research at a special“Memory Box Night” before the end ofTerm 2. DCE students and teachers were recentlytreated to a visit by the 1992 MelbourneCup winner, Sub Zero. All grades werelucky enough to spend some time withthe great horse, who is now 23 years old!We all learned many interesting factsabout Sub Zero, as well receiving aninsight into the world of professionalhorse training and racing.
Recently, one lucky grade 3/4 class andtheir teacher were very excited to spendsome time with Collingwood Magpies’
superstar, Scott Pendlebury! Scott is aclose friend of one of the DCE teachers,and as an incentive for the class with themost students registered for thePremier’s Active Family Challenge, Scottoffered to come and spend some timewith the winning grade. Grade C3B andMrs McCredden spent over an hour withScott, discussing his football career andplaying the Nintendo Wii on the
interactive whiteboard! Even the non-Collingwood supporters had fun withScott! What a great experience!
A terrific and innovative program hasbeen trialled and developed this year atour school called “DCE Live”, involvingour Grade 6 students. It is a television
show that is broadcast live to the entireschool via the interactive whiteboardsevery Wednesday during lunch eatingtime between 1:30pm and 1:45pm. Thestudents are involved in the planning,writing, rehearsing, performing andproducing of the program. The equipmentthat is used includes: three cameras (oneis wireless for ‘out on the road’ reporting),a green screen and mixing desk (whichcontrols the microphones, cameras andauxiliary equipment including pre-recorded items). Some of the regularitems include: the weather, birthdays ofthe week, sports reports, advertisementsbought to you by our sponsors, reports onexcursions and school activities, liveinterviews, musical performances and asegment called “How Well Do You KnowDCE?”
Our school concert is rapidly approachingand will be held over two nights in week 6of Term 3. The theme of this year’sconcert is “A Cruise Around the World”,with pairs of grades allocated to aparticular country whose music andcostumes will be used for each act. Theperformances are a culmination ofseveral months of hard work by bothstudents and their teachers, and is awonderful showcase of the talent,enthusiasm and confidence of our DCEstudents.
Diamond Creek East Primary School iscertainly a fun and exciting place to be!We are now taking 2013 Prepenrolments, so please contact our schoolprincipal Mr Rob Rostolis at the DCEschool office on 9438-1413 if you wouldlike to arrange a school tour.
Kassandra Papuga
Become a CFA Volunteer today
and make a difference in more ways than one.
Free call 1800 232 636 for more information onhow to join or call into your local CFA Station
Winter 2012 Winter 2012
Eltham GlassPty Ltd
� Mirrors � Laminated Safety Glass� Tabletops � Shower Screen Repairs� Shop Fronts � Broken Windows Repaired� Insurance Work � Leadlights made to Order� Splashbacks � Leadlight Supplies
� 7 Days a Week �� All Areas�
� Same Day Service�Trevor & Sue Constance
49 Chute StreetDiamond Creek
Phone: 9438 1970Mobile: 0419 354 858
DIAMOND CREEK OSTEOPATHIC CLINIC
27 BLACKGULLY ROAD, DIAMOND CREEK
SPORTS INJURIES, MUSCULAR, SKELETAL PROBLEMS, NECK & SHOULDER, STRESS AND HEADACHE ETC.
TAC & WORKCOVER
For Appointment Phone 9438 1404 or 0412 403 293 The Diamond Creek News needs new advertisers.
Contact Peter Clarkson on 0419 337 933 for more info
Support your local Community Paper!
DC News Winter 2012:DC News 25/06/2012 9:46 AM Page 11
Diamond Creek News Page 21Page 12 Diamond Creek News
Enrolments for 2013NOW BEING ACCEPTEDThe school is now accepting enrolmentforms for 2013. We have had anoverwhelming response to theadvertisement of a 3rd consecutive year of astraight prep class. Already, there have beenover 15 school tours conducted. To assist inplanning classroom and staffing set up, can Inow please ask for forms to be returned assoon as possible?
If you know of any other families interestedin joining our school, please feel free to passon the school contact details (9438 1259) sothat we can conduct a personalised tour. Anew school brochure will shortly bedistributed to local Kinders. Extra copies willbe available at the front office.
Education Week May 21st to 25th of MayWhat a wonderful week we had a WGPS. Itwas great to see so many families come andvisit our school throughout the week. Ourstaff is very proud of the students, programsand activities at this school and is grateful forthe ongoing support of many families.
Fundraising Committee and the ‘NotQuite’ Winter Solstice PartyThe ‘Not Quite’ Winter Solstice Party wasattended by 36 people. It was fantastic tosee so many new families that have onlyrecently joined the school supporting thisevent. From the great entertainment by theband Ruth and Sam, to the most amazing 5star quality food platters organised by CarolDixon and the fantastic prizes prepared byMichelle Uniacke, a great night was had byall. Thanks also to the families that donateditems.
A huge thank you to the hosts, EmmaWallace (now engaged!!!) and StellKaragiannis – and of course the wonderfulJoan Wallace you did an amazing job! Thank
you for allowing us to utilise such anamazing venue! Initial reports are that thefunction has raised over $1400 – what anachievement!!!
What a wonderful group of fundraisingpeople involved in this committee!
Thank you to the hardworking team ofEmma, Stell, Joan, Kim, Michelle, Carol,Rachel, Meg, all led by Vicki Hunter.
Ultranet CaptainsOur Year 5s attended St. Helena SecondaryCollege to participate in an Ultranet TrainingProgram.
The Ultranet is a program still beingimplemented across Victorian Governmentschools. It is a program that will offerparents, students and teachers moreopportunity to communicate and provideevidence of student progression. TheUltranet will allow networking of studentsbetween class, schools and regions. TheUltranet will also provide a space forstudents to upload their work, have itcorrected by staff and allow for student,parent and teacher feedback to be recorded. Our Year 5s are now known as the schoolUltranet Captains! They have developedskills and knowledge that can then assistother students (and staff) at our school! Welook forward to sharing the knowledge!Thank you to Daniel, Dayne, James andOliver for taking up this opportunity!
Worlds Greatest Shave & RCH Good Friday AppealThe Cash-A-Can cage has been emptiedand our school received a cheque of$125.00 for collecting the cans. The JuniorSchool Council decided that this money (andhalf of the money raised on the Funny HairDay) would be sent to the Cancer Council ofVictoria for their Greatest Shave fundraiser.WGPS students donated $173.70 to thiswonderful cause.
The Royal Children’s Hospital Good FridayAppeal was also sent a cheque of $62.50(half of the money raised on the Funny HairDay). Well done to everyone!
Congratulations to Aley Johnson for all herwork in organising this event.
Special VisitorsBen Reid Collingwood Football ClubBen Reid made a guest appearance to ourschool and coordinated a fantastic footyclinic. Thanks Ben for being such a greatsport!
Looking aheadTerm 3 and 4 are jam-packed with events atWGPS!
July 25th - 2012 Book Fair BeginsAugust 2nd - Magic Flute ExcursionAugust 7th - Family Planning Sessions beginAugust 20th - Book Week Activities beginAugust 27th - Literacy and Numeracy Weekactivities beginSeptember 13th - District Athletics CarnivalDay
A very exiting time ahead!
Bright Start ProgramThe Bright Start Program will run again in2012! Every Monday at the school from 9 amto 11am for 3, 4 and 5 year olds – and itsSTILL FREE. Coordinated by DaniSzymanski – an experienced Prep teacher!Contact the school if you would like moreinfo!
TwitterWattle Glen PS has entered the world ofTwitter!! Follow the latest news @wattlegps
If you would like a personalised tour of the school, please contact Gerard on 9438 1259. For more information, please visit us at - http://www.wattlegps.vic.edu.au/
SMALL SCHOOL ………. BIG OPPORTUNITIES!!Winter 2012 Winter 2012
The Rotary Club of Diamond Creekcelebrated it's 20th Birthday with a party atAshton Manor on Saturday 2nd June. More than 150 members, past members,families and friends attended the party,including Charter President John McCrohan,Charter member Bob Eycken and Past DistrictGovernor Ron Pearce, who cut the birthdaycake with current President Alan Jones.Current District Governor David Andersonassisted President Alan Jones to award a
Paul Harris Fellow to Secretary Eileen Gatt,and Paul Harris Fellow Sapphire pins to LindaGidlund and Ern Wardell, in recognition oftheir services to Rotary. District GovernorDavid also presented the inauguralChangemaker Award to President Alan, Ireturn, Alan presented David with a chequefor $10.000 to g towards David's Project toraise funds to provide equipment to GorokaHospital in PNG for Maternal and Baby care.The club has also pledged our ongoing
support to the project. We were entertained byAmnda and te Jets.But the outstanding hit of the night was the
Birthday Book - a history of the club, it'sprojects, people and presidents, which wasvery ably assembled by Kerry Jones and GregAdams, who contributed many, many hours tobring it al togeher. Copies were given to allwho attended as a special keepsake of thefirst 20 years of the Rotry Club of DiamondCreek.
Rotary Club of Diamond Creek's 20th Birthday
DC News Winter 2012:DC News 25/06/2012 9:46 AM Page 10
Diamond Creek News Page 11 Page 22 Diamond Creek News
This year with the expansion of the clubsboundaries to include the Doreen area theclub held ANZAC services at both DiamondCreek War Memorial and Laurimar PrimarySchool.
The ANZAC Day service at the WarMemorial was very well attended particularlyconsidering the weather. I have received
some very good feedback on the service, inparticular the participation of a number ofstudents from the schools especiallyDiamond Creek East Primary this year. It ismy hope to continue and grow theparticipation of our schools in future years.Another lovely moment in the service wasthe young trumpeter from the Moreland CityBand who played the Last Post and Rouse
excellently despite the weather.
The club would like to thank all those thatbraved the elements and attended theservice. We would also like to thank all thosewho assisted the club to hold this serviceand provide refreshments afterwards.
In particular the Scouts, who at the lastminute provided a large amount of shelter forthose attending, the Diamond CreekTraders, who continue to provide ongoingsupport and the Teachers and SchoolStudents. With this support and all the otherpeople who assist I am sure the local servicewill only continue to grow and be animportant event in the life of the community.
The inaugural service at Doreen was held onSunday the 22nd at the Laurimar PrimarySchool proceeded by a march through theLaurimar Town Centre. The service was wellattended and heavily supported by thePrimary School, Ivanhoe Grammar SchoolArmy Cadets and the Montmorency-ElthamRSL.
The club plans for this service to be heldevery year on the Sunday prior to ANZAC
Day and it is hoped that the new WarMemorial will be ready for next year’sservice.
We had an excellent response to the ANZACAppeal and I can announce we raised a total$18,000.400. Once again we would like tothank the local communities ofDiamond Creek and Doreen, for theirsupport of this very worthwhile cause whichallows us to maintain our welfare work forreturned service personnel and their families
The Club would like to record theirappreciation to all those who assisted on theday. We would also like to thank all thosewho so generously sponsored ANZAC day.
On Sunday the 24th June the club isplanning to hold a sausage sizzle at Mitre 10Diamond Creek. If you are involved in DYIthat Sunday and are going to Mitre 10, or ifyou would just like to drop by and have asausage and a chat we would appreciateyour support.
Latter in the year we plan to hold a car bootsale in Diamond Creek and a sausage sizzleat Laurimar.
The Diamond Creek-Doreen Sub Branch ofthe RSL is quite strong and has a very strongsupport group in The Friends of DiamondCreek RSL, but there is always room for newmembers, I would particularly like to seesome new members from Doreen. We meeton the last Monday of the month at theDiamond Creek Bowling Club at 6.45pm.Should you be interested in becoming aMember, please contact our MembershipOfficer and Vice President Mr Rhys ThomasC/O PO Box 365 Diamond Creek 3089.
John LangfordPresident: Diamond Creek - Doreen RSL
R.S.L. DIAMOND CREEK - DOREEN SUB BRANCH NEWS
The Diamond Creek News needs new advertisers.Contact Peter Clarkson on 0419 337 933 for more info
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Winter 2012 Winter 2012
www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au9433 3111
INDIGENOUS PLANTS FOR SALENow is the perfect time to get out into the garden and plant your local indigenous plants.
Edendale Indigenous Nursery has a great range of quality plants at reasonable prices.
Open 7 days a week from 9.30am - 4.30pm.
Where: Edendale Indigenous Nursery, 30 Gastons Road Eltham,
Contact: 9433 3703 or email
CHANGES TO HARD WASTE COLLECTIONAs of 1 July 2012, Council will change its hard waste collection to a booked collection. Residents are entitled to one
pre-booked hard waste collection per financial year. For further hard waste collection information, please contact
WM Waste Management Services on 9721 1915 or visit www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/hardwaste .
FAMILY FRIENDLINESS IN NILLUMBIKThe Family Friendly Places and Spaces project promotes family friendliness across Nillumbik. How family
friendly are our local supermarkets, banks, health services and sporting clubs? We want to hear from
you! Take our online survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/bmmgbfq or phone 9433 3117 for a copy.
ENROL NOW AT LIVING & LEARNING NILLUMBIKEnrolments for Semester 2 courses at Living & Learning Nillumbik open
on 18 June 2012.
Visit www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/livingandlearning for all the course details.
COMMUNITY ARTS OPPORTUNITY! Local artists are invited to design and create small-scale artworks in collaboration with disability groups and local
schools for permanent installation in the Eltham Lower Park Playspace. The Playspace is an inclusive, all abilities
playground, designed around the motif of the Eltham Copper Butterfly and the theme “Working Together”.
Expressions of interest (including proposal for design, fabrication, installation, budget and timeline) close on Friday 29 June. Applicants must hold a Working with Children Check. For further information contact Michelle Zemancheff,
Cultural Development Officer, on 9433 3126.
PRACTICALLY GREEN SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS 2012Nominations are now open for the Practically Green Sustainability Awards in the following categories:
• Sustainable Building • Sustainable Home
• Sustainable Business • Sustainable Community Organisation.
• Sustainable School or Children’s Centre
The Awards promote and celebrate excellence in sustainability within the Nillumbik community. Nominations are
open until 31 July. Entry forms are available from www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au and from the Civic Centre. The
Awards will be presented to winners at this year’s Practically Green Festival at Edendale in October. For further
information, contact Romney Bishop, Sustainability Officer, on 9433 3211.
The wet conditions did not stop hundreds oflocals attending the 2012 ANZAC Day Service
War Veteran Des Vincent withGranddaughter Bianca Vincent
after laying a wreath at the 2012 ANZAC Day Service
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Diamond Creek News Diamond Creek News Page 23
Our Joey Scouts have enjoyed our annualSleepover, Campfire and City Visit this term,along with many other activities, with themain themes being Recycling andEnvironment.
In May, our Joey Scouts joined others fromthe surrounding districts for a visit to PollyWoodside as part of our Pirate themedsleepover. A couple of the Joey Scouts werewide eyed as we approached the ship, tellingme that they thought we were going to see achocolate bar!
Our Mob participated in both the ANZACDay ceremony ( and they were such goodJoey Scouts, to be standing during theceremony, proudly wearing their uniforms,which doesn't include a raincoat!), and alsothe "Come and Try Scouting Day" in earlyJune. We met a couple of new friends andlook forward to welcoming them into the mobshortly.
We have invested Nathan and Dylan into theEltham North Group, welcome to you andyour families.
We have a visit to Mudbash planned, the
Rover Section's motorsport event, held eachQueens' birthday weekend, out of Yea.We are also celebrating Queen Elizabeth'sDiamond Jubilee with a tea party andtraditional British games, and we have beeninvited to join the Joey Scouts fromManningham District for their Colours night.End of term will swing around too quickly, I'msure, when we hold our 17th annual JoeyScout/Cub Scout Rollerskating, held atSkaterz, in Eltham.
We have had to say a temporary goodbye toone of our leaders, Blinky, who is taking 12months to explore the world. We lookforward to being able to catch up with herthanks to the miracles of modern technology.
The Mobs continue to meet at the DiamondCreek Scout Hall, each Tuesday duringschool terms, from 6pm -7pm, at 45Challenger St, Diamond Creek. We alsocontinue to offer our "3 for free" trial period,so please, if you have boys or girls (we'dlove to see more girls) aged 6-8 years ofage, no need to book, please come alongand see what Scouting can offer you,Diamond Creek style.
For further information, please contact JoeyScout Leader, Natarsha Jacobs, on0411719812 or [email protected]
Yours in Scouting,
Birrala - Natarsha Jacobs
Scouting Around Diamond Creek
Student Wellbeing Our Student Wellbeing Team supports thespiritual, academic, social and emotionalwellbeing of students through clearcommunication with parents and teachers.
The wellbeing of our students is fosteredthrough School Wide Positive BehaviourProgram, Better Buddy Program, SchoolStudent Leadership Team, Safety HouseProgram, Young Leaders Program, Sun
Smart Policy, Junior School Council,Reading Recovery Class, Meetings,Program Seasons (loss and grief) Program,Circle Time, Social Emotional Learning,Whole School Assemblies, Grade 5/6camps, Weekly School Awards, Individual
needs and integration programs
Earlier this year we had an entire day onleadership with the year 5/6 studentsfollowed by election of the leaders forSemester 1. Better Buddies continues
throughout the term and the buddy systemscontribute to the creation of safe, friendlyand caring environments in which respect isa key value and children learn the skillsassociated with empathy and compassionthrough consciously constructed activitiesand by looking after and caring for otherpeople. Each fortnight our year 5 and prepstudents work together to create arelationship and feeling of safety. At thistime all year 6 students are involved in aleadership role working on various issuesincluding environment, social justice andcreating a year book.
Our greatest success has certainly been ourBuddy Bear Bus Stops around the yard.These are designed to enable students aplace to go when they cannot find someoneto play with and then the older students canhelp manage this situation. They have beenvery popular.
ENROLMENTS for 2013 are now open forall year levels. For further information or toarrange a school tour please contact theoffice on 9438-1590 or visit our websitewww.shdiamondcreek.catholic.edu.au
SACRED HEART
PRIMARY SCHOOL1ST DIAMOND CREEK JOEY SCOUTS
Page 10 Winter 2012 Winter 2012
Yes we are still running this valuableprogram that aims to keep every one in ourcommunity safe. The house holds thatdisplay a yellow Safety House Triangle onthe letter box have been police checked toensure that they are providing the safestpossible house for young children or oldercitizens who may be feeling unsafe whileout and about.
Last month we held a special awarenessday for the Preps and they each received aspecial show bag after completing someSafety House activities. Check the photoout with one of our fantastic Collins StreetSafety House Holders. We would like totake this opportunity to thank ourHouseholders for keeping us all safe.
We are undergoing a few changes andtrying to maintain the Committee so that allof our local school have a representative. If
you are interested in joining the Committeeplease call Diamond Creek Primary Schoolon 9438 1108.
Safety House Association Diamond Creek & Wattle Glen.
Support Your Local Community Paper!
DC News Winter 2012:DC News 25/06/2012 9:46 AM Page 8
Page 24 Diamond Creek News Diamond Creek News Page 9Winter 2012 Winter 2012
The Walking School Bus continues togrow and blossom. The walkers are solucky as they have the experience oftwo of our past parents. Both SueSchnaars and David Norden walk withthe Walking School Bus despite thefact that their children have leftDiamond Creek Primary School toattend secondary schools. It is such agood feeling to know that two of ourWalking School Bus leaders who donot have any children in the DiamondCreek Primary School are stilldedicated to seeing the program
continue. Both David and Sue are pastparents of students and both of themare very committed to continuing tohelp out all the Walking School Busroutes and any special events.
We have welcomed many new prepmembers and of course we have ourexiting bunch of constant daily walkers.Keep up your enthusiasm guys we cankeep on walking and making adifference to our environment by usingless greenhouse gasses.
As a community we would like to thankDavid Norden (pictured right) for
continuing to take on the lead role anddaily administration task.
Keep it up keen walkers.
We look forward to seeing you continueto walk throughout winter.
Diamond Creek Primary School Walking School Bus.
Well anything but drab is the way you candescribe the new facilities at DiamondCreek Primary School. There has been agreat deal happening in the buildingsprogram and the general improvement ofour school.
The school is looking fabulous and all of thestudents are very appreciative of their newlearning and playing areas. The cladding tothe underside of the new building hascompleted the works and it lookssensational! From additional computers andinteractive whiteboards, to the newlysurfaced basketball court, right through tothe state of the art automatic ventilationsystem that releases Co2 in the newbuilding, all makes for a fabulously invitingschool environment.
We would like to sincerely thank theDiamond Creek Rotary Club for generouslyproviding funds to us, enabling the largearea between the new and existing buildingto be protected with our magnificent newshade sails. This sail cloth provides shelterfrom the sun and is also an attractive featureof the school. We are indebted to the RotaryClub as a school community, as we wouldnot be able to provide this multi-functionalshaded area without their much appreciatedsupport.
The school’s gardening club, which is run bytwo wonderful parent volunteers andapproximately thirty of our energeticstudents, has been working happily tobeautify the grounds and also have somefun creating sculptures in the garden. Thesesculptures, which were developed inconjunction with the school’s exceptionalVisual Arts program look terrific and providesome cheery winter colour to the gardenbeds.
Our grade 5/6 students have just returnedfrom school camp in Warburton where theyhad many fun adventures and somechildren even found gold in the creek! Theremainder of the school children have beenbusy producing some fine work in all areasof the curriculum. It is wonderful to see themhappily engaged in their learning andachieving at such high levels as they enjoytheir learning experiences.
Recently the whole school participated inour very own Carnivale Spectacular. Thesenior students paraded in their masks andheaddresses that they created as acombined project between their innovativeVisual Arts and Italian Language programs.The junior school studentsmade eye masks and joined inthe fun of this sensationalparade. One of the NorthernRegional Languages ProjectOfficers, Angela Minuzzoattended and was particularlyimpressed with the whole event.The children were very lucky totop the day off with a deliciouslunch that was provided by ourhard working Parents andFriend’s Committee.
Our School websiteis easily accessibleand has lots ofinteresting information about recent andupcoming events.www.diamondcreekps.vic.edu.au
Feel free to contact the school if you wouldlike to learn about our pre-prep program thatenables pre-school children to have a tasteof what school is like. (Bookings areessential). And if you would like to visit ourschool to see our facilities first-hand andlearn about our programs, please contactour Principal Helen Micallef on 9438 1108 toorganise a personal tour.
DIAMOND CREEK PRIMARY SCHOOL
DC News Winter 2012:DC News 25/06/2012 9:46 AM Page 7
The 4C’s – Chicks with Cancer whoCoffee and Chat now meet atdifferent venues.Day venue 2nd Tuesday of the month at StJohn’s Anglican Church Diamond Creek.(opposite AD Ryans on Main Street.) Thegroup gather in the meeting room from 1-3pm. Please bring a small plate to share. Awarm welcome is assured.
Night venue – Degani’s Bakery Café MainStreet Diamond Creek. Last Thursday of themonth. From 7pm – about 9.30pm. Wegather for tea in the private function room;new members welcome. If you would like tocome and have a coffee with us feel free tojoin us a meal is not necessary.
The 4C’s are indebted to our localcommunity for their support through raisingawareness and funds for new members.Recently Contours and Curves of DiamondCreek held candle sales and green teashand wash sales with Sandra Davies fromDominant Home Care. We reallyappreciated your support in raisingawareness particularly throughout May.
We would also like to express thanks toIndustrial Tattoo Co. in Diamond Creek whohelped raise awareness and donate toCancer Research the cost of the tattoosdone on the 3rd of June. Thank you forraising awareness of the need to fundraisefor research into how we can find a cure. 4Cmembers gathered with their families to helpraise funds for research as we know betterthan anyone how very important it is to finda cure. We are all driven to find a cure so asto find a cure and prevent cancer for ourchildren and grandchildren. The 4C’s werereally pleased to be able to give somethingback towards research and helping to find acure. Some of our brave members faced theneedle and had a tattoo done. Good on yougirls and thanks to all of our friends andfamily members who fronted up on the daydespite the difficulties with the railwayclosures.
Some facts that not everyone isaware of ……….4C members are no longer able to receivefree mammography or ultrasounds throughBreast Screen Victoria. This is becauseonce you have had breast cancer in Victoriayou are no longer able to receive freescreening. Pardon my cynicism andsarcasm but I think people who have hadcancer require more diligent follow up andshould be entitled to a free service. Canceris a very costly business for the patient! Ifyou had had breast cancer in Victoria allfuture screening and follow up is at the costof the individual or you are required to wait ata public hospital clinic for perhaps a fewhours therefore loosing time at work.
Fact No 1: If a 4C member lived inWestern Australia they would be able toaccess Free Breast Screen services afterhaving had breast cancer. Breast screen is afederally funded but state administeredservice.
You can help…..Contact your local member and let themknow how you feel about the unfairness ofthis screening for future cancer in womenwho are obviously at a higher risk than theusual population who receives free breastscreening.
Fact No 2: If you are over 50 years of ageyou must pay for breast MRIs they are notcovered by Medicare. You are out of pocketfor the whole procedure. The present out ofcost figures range from $490- $600.UNFAIR! This seems to be totally and utterlyunfair and discriminatory. The message thatthe government is sending women is…..YOU NEED TO PAY FOR THEPRIVELEDGE OF HAVING HADCANCER!!!
You can help…..Contact your local member and let themknow how you feel about the unfairness ofthis MRI screening. We believe that futureMRI cancer screening in women who havealready had cancer is essential. The cut off
age of 50 is ridiculous. Surely our MPsrealise these women who have had cancerneed specialised surveillance and it shouldbe free not at enormous cost. If it is at ahuge cost it will eventually impact on thepublic purse because women who haverecurrences will be a burden on the publicpurse.
Thank you to the Diamond Creek communitywho gather as a community and make adifference to the 4C’s; we thank you for yoursupport and hope you feel able to contactmembers of Federal and State Members ofParliament to let them know what you think.
A day is currently being planned by theCommittee which will enable all 4Cmembers to access the latest on relaxation,alternative therapies and much more. Weare able to hold this day thanks to thegenerosity of our community who has helpedraise funds for us. It is indeed a fortunateposition to be in where top speakers can bebooked because the community hasfundraised so as there are funds to pay fortop quality speakers. We are planning awellness and wellbeing workshop forSunday the 9th of September. If you are apractitioner and would like to join incelebrating wellness please feel free tocontact Linda Hammond, our CommunityHealth Nurse on 9430 9154.
4C’s can be contacted through NillumbikCommunity Health Service on 9430 9154.
Page 8 Diamond Creek News Diamond Creek News Page 25
Support Your Local Community Paper!Winter 2012 Winter 2012
Well we have had a busy start to thekinder year. The children were excitedwith the prospect of being “little artists inthe making” by doing lots of paintings inour easel corner. Our teachers havebeen experimenting with different coloursand the children have also had a “handson experience” with the paints by doingfinger painting.
As part of our extended social activity forAutumn the children enjoyed a gatheringat Skaterz in Eltham for a lesson in rollerskating/blading. It was great to see thelittle ones (and siblings) give skating ago.
The children enjoyed our Easterfestivities before they began the schoolholidays. They had lots of fun with theannual Easter Egg Hunt. The EasterBunny made tracks all around the gardenwhich finally ended in the cubby house.To the children’s surprise the EasterBunny had left a huge basket of EasterEggs.
The Mother’s Day Morning Teaapproached very quickly after settlingback into Term 2. Our mum’s enjoyed abeautiful morning tea being waited onwith cakes, biscuits and drinks served.After the mum’s were fed they weretreated to a bit of pampering includingmassages and manicures with handcreams. Speaking from a personalperspective it appeared that all themum’s thoroughly enjoyed their morningtea and were then presented with theirMother’s Day gifts – necklaces &bracelets that the children made frombeads.
New additions to our Kinder include ourOutdoor sandpit area having a beautifulface-lift with new sand and our newVeggie beds where the children plantedveggies & herbs to watch them grow.
Overall a very busy start to the year, withlots of activities for the children to enjoyand lots more to come.
Diamond Creek East Pre-School
DC News Winter 2012:DC News 25/06/2012 9:46 AM Page 6
Diamond Creek News Page 7Page 26 Diamond Creek News
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www.sutherlandchildcare.com
Horror State Budget For DiamondValley FamiliesThe State Budget was bad new for localfamilies, with a number of cuts that willdirectly affect household budgets. TheSchool Start Bonus was abolished and theEducation Maintenance Allowance halved.On top of that are swingeing cuts to TAFEand the school support program, whichoffers psychology, speech therapy and othersupport to children in our schools. Indeedthe cuts to TAFE are likely to see regionalTAFE campuses closed down, with somecourses having their funding cut by up to80%. This will be disastrous for vocationaltraining and comes on top of the cuts toVCAL co-ordination last year.
For the second budget in row there wasexactly nothing for roads and publictransport for the Yan Yean electorate. Thisa disgraceful as Yan Yean is the mostpopulated and fastest growing electorate inthe State.
There is still no news of when KangarooGround Primary School, GreensboroughCollege and Montmorency SecondaryCollege are due to get their much needupgrades. Luckily the Government hasheeded the dire warnings about a pendingprimary school overcrowding crisis inDoreen, with funding for a new PrimarySchool. However this does not address theurgent need for a High School. It isabsolutely vital that the Governmentcommits to funding this school, as it is unfairon surrounding communities to have to bearthe brunt of this growth, given many of thesurrounding schools are reaching capacityand the roads are becoming ever morecongested.
Please contact me for more informationabout any of these issues, including howyou can fight these cuts.
Buses Slashed & a Go Slow onMore Services & Stabling onHurstbridge LineThe government has ripped 561 busservices per week out of the DiamondValley, with the cancellation of the 563 busroute and the re-routing of the 562 bus.Despite the popularity of many of theseroutes, the Liberal State Government hasdecided to rob Peter to pay Paul, since theopening of the Labor funded South Morangstation. This will impact most heavily oncommuters making onward journeys fromGreensborough to Northland and Mill Park.On top of this, residents in bushfire affectedcommunities such as Kinglake andWhittlesea can no longer make directjourney’s to Greensborough. We needimproved services in our area, especially toDiamond Creek, not cuts.
Disappointingly, work on new stabling forthe Hurstbridge Line has only just begun.This $50 million project was funded by theprevious Labor Government in 2010, but theBaillieu Government has dithered over itsconstruction. Once it is completed it shouldincrease reliability on the Hurstbridge Line,and allow extra train services. The BaillieuGovernment needs to get on with the joband build it!
To obtain a petition regarding the cuts to busservices, please contact me.
Keen Readers UndertakingPremiers’ Reading ChallengeNow in its 8th year, the Premiers’ ReadingChallenge is going from strength to strength,with lots of keen readers in our localschools! The Challenge was begun byformer Premier Steve Bracks, who wantedto promote the importance and the joy ofreading in our school kids. I have been toalmost all schools in the Diamond Valley
area and most recently enjoyed a funafternoon at Wattle Glen Primary School topromote the challenge. It was great to seesuch a dedicated bunch of kids and theiramazing teachers.
For more information about the ReadingChallenge, please contact me, your child’sschool or visit www.education.vic.gov.au/prc.
Planning Changes Threaten OurNeighbourhoodsIn a highly worrying development, LiberalPlanning Minister, Matthew Guy, hassignalled that he is introducing new planninglaws that will shut out the community fromplanning decisions, with a ‘Code Assess’scheme. Under these laws you won’t benotified about development plans in yourlocal area. There will be no consultation andyou will have no right to appeal. This changewill mean that as long as any proposeddevelopment fits a ‘one-size-fits-all’mandatory planning code, they will get giventhe green light. Indeed the first you mayknow about any proposed development isyour neighbour’s house being demolishedand building work starting on higher densityaccommodation. This new law, riskschanging Diamond Creek’s character,without input from locals. I will be joiningwith my Labor colleagues to oppose thesechanges in Parliament.
For more information and to sign the petitionplease visit www.springst.com.au.
Diamond Valley Community SurveyThanks to everyone who responded to mycommunity survey. I have had an amazingresponse from across the Diamond Valleyand am still getting many responses in themail and online. I am ploughing throughyour responses and will provide an overallreport to the community and also a personalreply to each respondent. It is clear howmuch people enjoy living in the DiamondValley and want to see it protected but dosee a need for improvements to our publictransport, roads and schools.
Danielle Green MPState Member for Yan Yean
Electorate Office:Suite 3, 14 Yan Yean Road, Diamond Creek,3089PO Box 376, Diamond Creek, 3089Ph: 03 9432-9782 Fax: 03 9432-9793E: [email protected]
Danielle Green MP - State Member for Yan Yean
Winter 2012 Winter 2012
DIAMOND CREEKPRIMARY SCHOOLHISTORY RECORDING
The Diamond Creek community is set topave our way in to the future.
Diamond Creek Primary School is aboutto embark on recording some of thepupils and staff names in pavers that willlead from the front gate out to otherbuildings.
Pavers can be stamped with familynames, children’s names and even thedates you attended. There is a limit of 34characters including spaces.
The cost per paver is $50.
We are opening this opportunity up to thecommunity and extending the closingtime until June the 29th. As we are hopingto have the project completed early nextterm the time line has been extended untilthis time so that community memberswishing to get involved are aware of whatis happening. Take advantage of thislimited offer. Contact the school on 9438 -1108.
DC News Winter 2012:DC News 25/06/2012 9:46 AM Page 5
Page 6 Diamond Creek News Diamond Creek News Page 27
VanillazHair Studio
“At Vanillaz we love helping you look and feel your best!”
Shop 118 Chute Street, Diamond Creek
9438 2244
Winter 2012 Winter 2012
DISCO DATES
FOR 201210th August 14th September9th November 7th December
7pm - 10pm
$6 admission
NO PASSOUTS
We don’t just dance!
DIAMOND CREEKBRANCH
Greetings to all, hopefully, as you arereading this report you are warm and cosy.
Winter certainly arrived before its due date,therefore stalls outside did not happen.Not to be deterred we had a week April 30-May 4 at Warringal Shopping Centre araised a grand total $2,160. Our next date‘undercover’ is June 25-29 at theGreensborough Shopping Centre. Thiscould be called ‘A Winter Woolathon’ ourtables will be well stocked with lovelyknitted jackets for babies, bright colourfuljumpers for toddlers, warm wooly hats andscarves suitable for 2 year olds to 70+.Must not forget to mention those cosyknitted or crocheted rugs, that are so handyfrom the lounge room to the footy ground.
Famine in West Africa is of ongoingconcern and our branch sent $7,500 to bedirected to this emergency. In a regionspanning 4,000kms and nine countries
from West to Central Africa more than 18million people are at risk of severe acutemalnutrition and some children are alreadydying. We also sent $5,500 to be directedto a new Mobile play bus which is nowoperating in and around the innerMelbourne suburbs. Save the Childrennow have 8 of these very popular Play BusSchemes operating in Victoria.
Born to Knit Campaign is Back…June 1-September 20 2012. Supporters are askedto knit woolen blankets or squares. Throughour programs in Australia and in countrieslike Laos and Cambodia, all knittedblankets will make their way into the armsof caring mothers.
Before we sign off a reminder to mark thecalendar MONDAY SEPTEMBER 3rd 2012for our 50th Birthday Luncheon celebrationat the Uniting Church Hall, Wensley StreetDiamond Creek at 12.30p.m.Till then Take Care and Keep Warm.Jill Pittle
NILLUMBIKUNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGEU3A NILLUMBIK IS EXPANDING!A new campus will open in Eltham. This willcomplement the existing and much-lovedoriginal campus in Hurstbridge. The newcampus will be launched on Thursday 5thJuly, in time to begin classes on Monday 16thJuly.
U3A stands for University of the Third Ageand offers people from all walks of life anopportunity to continue learning and sharingknowledge and skills. The benefits ofkeeping the mind stimulated and active aswe grow older is well known. In joiningothers with similar interests new friendshipsare possible. U3A welcomes members whohave reached 55 years of age and are nolonger working full time. All tutors andcommittee members are volunteers and thecourses offered rely on the willingness ofmembers to share their skills and knowledge. Membership is a very reasonable $40 peryear and any courses can be chosen acrossthe two campuses.
There will be an information booth at theEltham Village Shops on 28th, 29th and 30thJune.
Support Your Local Community Paper!
We receive many complaints about YanYean Road, from Arthurs Creek Road toDiamond Creek Road, about the roadsurface, recent accidents, and congestion.Instead of conducting our own survey onYan Yean Road, and doubling up,Metropolitan North Eastern Road SafeCouncil strongly encourages you tonominate the sections of Yan Yean Roadthat concern you, in the RACV REDSPOT
Survey. The survey forms can be found inthe Leader newspapers, until 6 July 2012.
Metropolitan North Eastern RoadSafeCouncil.
RACV/LEADER REDSPOT SURVEY
DC News Winter 2012:DC News 25/06/2012 9:46 AM Page 4
BLUELA
KEW
ARD
REPO
RT
Dia
mon
d C
reek
New
sP
age
5
Road
side M
anag
emen
t Plan
Nillu
mbik’
s Ro
adsid
e Ma
nage
ment
Plan
will
be v
oted
on a
t the
26
June
201
2 Co
uncil
Meeti
ng. T
he a
bove
pho
to, is
one
exa
mple
ofou
r ro
adsid
es.
Roa
dside
s ar
e tre
ated
asha
bitat
links
for b
ird an
d anim
als an
d for
year
sthe
lon
g gr
ass,
weed
s an
d sh
rubs
cre
atepr
oblem
s for
driv
er v
isibil
ity a
nd p
edes
trian
safet
y with
some
road
sides
now
so na
rrow
it is
diffic
ult t
o pa
ss a
nothe
r ca
r. I
find
many
road
sides
are
not
poss
ible
to wa
lk alo
ng a
ndpe
destr
ians
are
force
d to
walk
on th
e ro
ad. I
belie
ve th
e dr
aft P
olicy
doe
s no
t ade
quate
lyad
dres
s the
bush
fire th
reat
to ou
r shir
e. Da
vidPa
ckha
m, B
ushf
ire e
xper
t to
ld th
e Ro
yal
Comm
ission
the
road
sides
bec
ame
fire w
icks
on B
lack S
aturd
ay.
Extra
cts
from
Ni
llum
bik
Rate
paye
rsAs
socia
tion’s
sub
miss
ion to
Cou
ncil
(19
April
2012
):“A
Cou
ncil
that
willi
ngly
acce
pts
a 20
%pl
us l
oss
of h
abita
t/bio
dive
rsity
, an
d 41
hum
an li
ves
in ju
st a
few
hour
s an
d do
esno
t cha
nge
Coun
cil P
olicy
can
har
dly
beca
lled
a res
pons
ible
Coun
cil” (
Brian
Mur
ray).
“In s
hort
what
, was
of
conc
ern
for
this
enqu
iry w
as n
ot h
inds
ight
: it w
as a
lack
of
fore
sigh
t ba
sed
on a
lon
g hi
stor
y of
fires
torm
s in
Aus
tralia
, dat
ing
back
to a
tlea
st 1
851.”
(Mar
ia Do
ogan
, Cor
oner,
“The
Can
berra
Fires
torm”
, Volu
me 1
).
“Roa
dsid
e fire
brea
ks ar
e an i
nteg
ral p
art o
fth
e Mun
icipa
l Fire
Pre
vent
ion
Plan
and
any
limita
tion
of e
ffect
ive c
leara
nce
need
s to
be
care
fully
va
lidat
ed
agai
nst
the
objec
tives
set
for
com
mun
ity p
rote
ctio
nun
der t
his
plan
.” (“B
ushfi
re P
lannin
g Iss
ues
in the
Shire
of N
illumb
ik” b
y Rod
Inco
ll 200
3).
I do
not s
uppo
rt the
plan
.
Nillu
mbi
k Shi
re C
ounc
il Bu
dget
2012
/13Th
e pro
pose
d rate
incre
ase i
s 5.9%
. Our
debt
is ar
ound
$19
Milli
on. T
he co
uncil
pro
posa
l to
sell
publi
c lan
d is
a sh
ort t
erm
solut
ion to
abig
ger
prob
lem.
Is th
is sh
ire f
inanc
ially
susta
inable
? Our
rates
are a
lread
y the
high
est
in the
Stat
e.
Many
res
ident
s co
mplai
n to
me
that
the
Coun
cil f
ocus
is
the e
nviro
nmen
t. Co
uncil
spen
d on
e mi
llion
pa o
n Ni
llumb
ik’s
gree
nwe
dge.
The
many
exp
ensiv
e stu
dies
and
Plan
s, lik
e the
Biod
iversi
ty Pl
an a
nd G
reen
Wed
ge M
anag
emen
t Plan
, are
exp
ensiv
e to
prep
are
and
supp
ort t
his cl
aim.
I ag
ree
with
the
for
mer,
twice
May
or o
fBa
nyule
, whe
re h
e sta
tes in
a m
edia
artic
lelas
t m
onth
“…
coun
cillor
s m
ust
show
leade
rship
and
restr
aint d
uring
toug
h fin
ancia
ltim
es”.
One
can
only
appla
ud h
is lea
dersh
ipon
this
issue
.
I also
note
he
states
“Melb
ourn
e Ci
ty Co
uncil
has
led t
he w
ay b
y an
noun
cing
no r
ate
incre
ase
this
year
”.
I end
orse
both
of t
hese
acti
ons
and
I beli
eve
this
Coun
cil h
as to
con
fine
its e
xpen
ditur
e,an
d mu
st liv
e wi
thin
its m
eans
. I
belie
veNi
llumb
ik sh
ould
be fo
llowi
ng M
elbou
rne
City
Coun
cil’s
lead.
Sale
of C
ivic D
rive l
and
Publi
c con
sulta
tion
a sh
am.
•Ni
llum
bik C
ounc
il rec
eived
a pe
titio
n,
with
1014
sign
atur
es, o
bjec
ting
to an
y sa
le or
dev
elopm
ent o
f the
Cou
ncil
Civic
Driv
e site
. •
Nillu
mbi
k Cou
ncil a
lso re
ceive
d 11
9 su
bmiss
ions
, with
onl
y 1 su
bmiss
ion
supp
ortin
g Co
uncil
’s pr
opos
al to
sell
the l
and.
•Th
e majo
rity o
f mem
bers
of C
ounc
il’s
Civic
Cen
tre R
efer
ence
Gro
up, d
id n
ot
supp
ort C
ounc
il’s p
ropo
sal a
nd d
id
not s
uppo
rt th
e sale
of t
he la
nd.
•Th
e Frie
nds o
f Apo
llo P
arkw
ays,
the
Nillu
mbi
k Rat
epay
ers A
ssoc
iatio
n an
d th
e Apo
llo P
arkw
ays P
rimar
y Sch
ool
all re
jecte
d th
e Cou
ncil’s
plan
to se
ll an
y par
t of t
he C
ivic C
entre
site
.•
The C
ivic D
rive s
ite is
not
in a
Majo
r Ac
tivity
Cen
tre an
d m
ost C
ounc
illors
wo
uld
not s
uppo
rt a p
ropo
sal li
ke th
is,in
Elth
am o
r Diam
ond
Cree
k Majo
r Ac
tivity
Cen
tres.
•I u
nder
stan
d, so
me p
eopl
e hav
e bee
n led
to b
eliev
e Cou
ncil w
ill sp
end
mon
ey fr
om th
e sale
of t
his l
and,
and
inve
st b
ack i
nto
the s
ite. I
have
bee
n in
form
ed in
writ
ing
“The
re is
no
spec
ific b
udge
t allo
catio
n fo
r wor
ks at
the C
ivic D
rive s
ite in
the d
raft
2012
/13 b
udge
t”.If
it is
not i
n th
is
budg
et, it
’s no
t goi
ng to
hap
pen
in
the n
ear f
utur
e.
Put s
imply
, this
is jus
t a la
nd gr
ab de
signe
d to
max
imise
pr
ofits
fo
r co
uncil
, to
sp
end
elsew
here
in th
e Sh
ire, o
r to
redu
ce d
ebt.
In re
lation
to th
e Cou
ncil P
lan th
e rep
ort s
tated
“..str
ateg
ies t
hat
are
relev
ant
to t
his r
epor
tar
e…St
rate
gy
4.1.
12
Cons
ult
with
ou
rco
mm
unity
to h
elp u
s be
info
rmed
and
mak
ebe
tter
decis
ions”
.Co
uncil
has
rec
eived
an
over
whelm
ing re
jectio
n to
this
prop
osal
once
again
, by
the
com
munit
y of
Nillu
mbik.
The
right
decis
ion w
ould
have
bee
n tha
t Cou
ncil
not p
roce
ed, b
ut ins
tead
6 Co
uncil
lors
voted
for th
e sa
le.
This
site
is a
muc
h lov
ed
and
used
,co
mmun
ity as
set. I
voted
no to
the s
ale of
this
land.
Have
your
say o
n th
e Dra
ftYa
rram
bat P
ark M
aste
rplan
Co
uncil
is s
eekin
g co
mmun
ity c
omme
nt on
the D
raft
Yarra
mbat
Park
Maste
rplan
, whic
hwi
ll gu
ide t
he f
utur
e de
velop
ment
of
the
Yarra
mbat
Park
Golf
Cour
se a
nd p
arkla
nd.
Yarra
mbat
Park
incor
pora
tes a
n 18
-hole
golf
cour
se, d
riving
rang
e an
d a
numb
er o
f club
sinc
luding
arch
ery,
fly f
ishing
, mo
del a
ircra
ftan
d a
horse
and
pon
y club
.
The
key
deve
lopme
nt op
portu
nities
iden
tified
in th
e Dr
aft
Mas
terp
lan
includ
e th
ere
deve
loping
the
golf
club
hous
e, up
grad
ingthe
golf
cou
rse a
nd c
oach
ing fa
cilitie
s, an
dpo
tentia
lly d
evelo
ping
a sm
all t
o me
dium
scale
co
nfer
ence
, ac
com
mod
ation
an
dho
spita
lity fa
cility
.
View
the
Draft
Mas
terpla
n on
line
atww
w.ni
llum
bik.
vic.
gov.a
u/ya
rram
batp
ark
or in
hard
copy
at Ya
rramb
at Pa
rk Go
lf Cou
rse.
Subm
ission
s mu
st be
rece
ived
in wr
iting
by5p
m, F
riday
13
July
2012
and
can
be m
ade
via
Coun
cil’s
webs
ite,
by
to
yarra
mba
t.par
k@ni
llum
bik.v
ic.go
v.au
or b
ypo
st to
Darre
n Be
nnett
, Man
ager
Com
munit
yan
d Leis
ure F
acilit
ies, N
illumb
ik Sh
ire C
ounc
il,PO
Box
476
, Gre
ensb
orou
gh 3
088.
Cr. B
elind
a Clar
kson
Win
ter
2012
Iron
bark
Roa
d ve
geta
tion
hidi
ng a
n 80
km
zon
e si
gn.
DCNe
wsWi
nter
2012
:DC
News
25/0
6/20
129:
46AM
Page
3
Page 4 Diamond Creek News Diamond Creek News Page 29
DISCLAIMERThe Diamond Creek News provides the opportunityfor each of the elected Nillumbik Councillors in theWards surrounding Diamond Creek to publish areport to their constituents, as well as reports fromState and Federal Government Members. Theviews expressed in these reports are those of theauthors and not those of the Committee of theDiamond Creek Progress Association. TheDiamond Creek Progress Association reserves theright to edit any articles supplied for any reason theysee fit.
The Diamond Creek NewsThe Diamond Creek NewsP.O. Box 38
Diamond Creek
Phone: 0419 337 933Email: [email protected]
Design & LayoutPeter Clarkson Ph: 0419 337 933 Email: [email protected] Peter Clarkson Ph: 0419 337 933 Email: [email protected] Clarkson Ph: 0439 755 411 Email: [email protected]
Distribution: 3500+
Apollo Parkways Arthurs Creek,Diamond Creek, Doreen,
Eltham North, Greensborough Complex,Hurstbridge, Kangaroo Ground, Panton Hill, Plenty, St Andrews,
St Helena, Smiths Gully, Yarrambat, Wattle Glen.
This issue Printed & Distributed on 28/06/2012Deadline for next Edition
1st August 2012
Advertising Rates for Diamond Creek News
Advertising Rates¼ page B/W $75 (pre paid)½ page B/W $120Full page B/W $230Colour Full page $460
Artwork for Adverts¼ page B/W $15 (pre paid)½ page B/W $20Full page B/W $30Colour Full page P.O.A
Alterations for Adverts¼ page B/W $10 (pre paid)½ page B/W $15Full page B/W $20Colour Full page P.O.A
Colour Full page adverts are only available if room permitsin that edition.
The Diamond Creek Progress Association
The Diamond Creek Progress Association has been aroundsince the 1930s. Its main objective is to ensureimprovement of the township of Diamond Creek and theadvancement of the interests of ratepayers and residents.
The Association meets Bi-Monthly at 7.30pm on the secondThursday at the Diamond Creek Scout Hall, 45 ChallengerStreet, Diamond Creek.
Membership is available on application to any resident orratepayer within the township of Diamond Creek, and thosenot within the township at the discretion of the Committee.
Membership enquiries are welcome. Please contact thePeter Clarkson on 0419 337 933, or write to PO Box 38DIAMOND CREEK VIC 3089.
Winter 2012 Winter 2012
Support Your Local Community Paper!
Hall’s Funeral Services15 Station Street, Diamond Creek.
An Australian owned and operatedfamily Funeral business for three generations that understands theneeds of people at a time of grief.
Pre-arranged and Prepaid Funerals
Telephone: 9438 5416
24 Hours a Day7 Days a Week
During May a number of Diamond Creektraders participated in the CancerCouncil’s annual Biggest Morning Teafundraiser. Platters Café and Restaurant,AD Ryans, Ferguson Plarre and PiccoloMeccanico hosted a Biggest Morning Teaand nearly $3,000 was raised. Thecontributions were varied with somebusinesses donating all of their profitsand others a percentage, and some alsowent to the effort of seeking donationsfrom other Diamond Creek businesses toraffle and raise extra funds.
In particular, AD Ryans would like tothank their staff for volunteering their timeto participate, Breadwise for their sconesand bread and AD Ryan’s coffee bean
supplier for their generous donations,which sales of these products on the daywas 100% profit – and in return morefunds for the Cancer Council. Apercentage of the sales from SandraDavies who organizes the DiamondCreek Indoor Market and massages fromlocal Kate also contributed to the fundsthat they raised.
Ferguson Plarre also went the extra mileand called for gifts and donations fromlocal traders, so again 100% profits couldgo back to this wonderful cause.
Thank you to the Diamond Creekcommunity for coming along andsupporting this event.
Diamond Creek Traders and Community Support Cancer Research
DC News Winter 2012:DC News 25/06/2012 9:46 AM Page 2
Page 30 Diamond Creek News
By 1913 Melbourne busy suburban railnetwork had reached 150 miles of steampowered track. The city was now subject toincreasing air pollution from the fleet of urbanlocos arriving and departing Flinders Streetstation. Their clouds of acidic coal smokewere also causing damage to the Sydneysandstone of St Paul's Cathedral.
The authorities decided it was time for the newtechnology of the day, electric traction, toclean city air and upgrade the suburban railnetwork to cope with increasing passengers.
Studies were made revealing a massiveinfrastructure was required before the firstelectric train could leave Flinders Streetstation. Planners and engineers rolled up theirsleeves and started work.
An electrical workshop was set up at Jolimontrail yards where existing steam age swingdoor carriages were fitted with electric motors.Construction also commenced of the Taitcarriages, specifically designed units forelectric traction with safer sliding doors. TheTaits would run for 70 years.
The Newport Power Station, the biggest inAustralia at the time, was built to power the railsystem with the first current coming on line inJune 1918 to test the system and train crews.In May 1919 rail services started on theEssendon-Sandringham line.
Electrification reached Eltham station in 1924and the platform displayed a sign “Eltham –change here for Hurstbridge”. Passengers tothe Hurstbridge section changed to a steamtrain which ran to the Hurstbridge terminusuntil 1926 when the link to Hurstbridge waselectrified and locally celebrated with the issueof a commemorative badge.
100 Years of ServiceDuring its 100 years of operation which hadstarted with steam trains the line has seenmany operational changes. Prior to 1901coaches connected with trains at theHeidelberg station terminus to takepassengers into the wilds of Nillumbik as faras St Andrews.
As the line expanded and terminated insections the coach services followed until1912 when the last link was completed. The
Weekes family which had provided the coachservices were out of business. As well aspassenger trains, goods trains used theHurstbridge line bringing the various suppliesrequired in a rural area to be stored in stationgoods sheds for clients to collect. A goodsshed still survives at Heidelberg station.Livestock trains also ran to stockyards at theHurstbridge goods siding in the 1930's.Firewood was cut and loaded at Hurstbridgeand trucked down the line to supplyMelbourne's many wood yards.
Our line ran right down to Railway Pier, PortMelbourne carrying export orchard producethat was packed in the Diamond Creek Coolstore and was loaded directly into ships coolrooms. Bagged bare root trees from theAlwood Nursery at Hurstbridge were alsoshipped to Railway Pier bound for NewZealand. Until guards were phased out, thedaily newspapers were carried with the guardto Diamond Creek and Hurstbridge and left onthe platform for the newsagent to collect.
Incidents on the LineDuring Easter 1934 a city bound train hit alocal car at Wattle Glen level crossing withouta fatality but the two carriage swing door trainwas derailed. The accident attracted a largecrowd of Easter motorists (pictured) whowatched the steam powered crane from
Melbourne lift the train back on the tracks.
In 1946 the brakes on a loaded timber jinkerfailed at the Diamond Creek level crossing andcollided with the train killing the truck driver.Logs ripped open the side of one of thecarriages. The crew and the only passengerescaped injury.
Another fatal truck accident occurred inGrimshaw Street, Greensborough, at the Para
Road intersection. The truck from GrimshawStreet over ran Para Road and crashed overthe cutting onto the railway line.
Single Track RunningFor 100 years the Hurstbridge line has beenusing the staff system for single trackoperation and is now the only suburban linewhere it lingers on between Greensboroughand Hurstbridge. It has been reported that thestaff and its station infrastructure will soon bea major exhibit in the proposed rail museumon Eltham station.
The Diamond Creek staff
by KEVIN PATTERSONNillumbik Historical Society
THE ELTHAM/HURSTBRIDGE RAILWAYPart 2: Steam Days 1912 – 1925
Diamond Creek News Page 3Winter 2012 Winter 2012
Commemorative badge forelectrification of line to Hurstbridge
STRADBROKE CUP Easter 2012Bay Park - Mt Martha
240 Scouts from different regions competedfor points on all aspects of scouting. Galeforce storms flattened the campsite on theFriday night but scouts and leaders workedtogether to re-build the camp and continuethe 5 day competition.
We achieved 1 High Silver Award and 1Bronze Award.
MASTERCHEF CAMPIn May we held a Masterchef Camp. Scoutshad to prepare a 2-3 course menu in whichthey had 3 hours to cook and serve theirmeal to a panel of judges. Meals includedcampfire stews, Mexican burritos, chicken
and sweet corn soup. The judges wereimpressed with the quality of the meals. Anindulgent pancake cook-off was a highlightof the weekend.
TROOP COUNCILPatrol Leaders and Assistant PatrolLeaders meet monthly to discuss variousmatters within the scout troop. In May theymet at the Kangaroo Ground Observatory todiscuss coming events, term plans and otherareas of business. The dress code for thismeeting was PJ’s and sleeping bags.
1ST DIAMOND CREEK SCOUT TROOP
DC News Winter 2012:DC News 25/06/2012 9:46 AM Page 1