Axe Creek – Eppalock Newsletter

Incorporating news from the Eppalock Primary School, Axe Creek Fire Brigade & the Axe Creek Landcare Group.

Welcome to the Summer Issue Edition 57. Summer 2018

Here we are at the end of another year. • Welcome

In this issue, you will find the graduation of the 3 grade 6 Eppalock • Community Notice Board
Primary Students who have finished their Primary School Educa-
• CFA News
tion this year and will embark on new adventures next year.
• Eppalock PS Update
This issue includes valuable information from the Axe Creek Fire
Brigade on surviving the summer fire season. Please take the time • Axe Creek Playgroup

to read the suggestions and best ways to keep your family • Landcare’s Latest
(including 4 legged members) safe along with your property. • Church News
As always, if you have something to share with the community, • CWA News
please email us at axecreeknews@gmail.com
• Axe Creek Cricket Club
Wishing you all a very happy and safe Festive Season.
• Community News
Sam Spence • Kids Corner

Advertise your Business AND help the Community Thank you to this issues
Contributors

If you would like some great local exposure for a reasonable price, then
advertise in the next issue of the Axe Creek – Eppalock Newsletter.
John Wells - Axe Creek Fire
Brigade
Full Page $100
Jason O'Neill & Marie Mannes
Half Page $50
- Eppalock PS
Quarter Page $25 Fees charged help cover printing costs.
Chris Kirwan - Axe Creek
Landcare
Advertising deadline for future issues:
Steve Weickhardt - Anglican
Autumn 2018 Mar 2nd
Parish
Winter 2018 June 1st
Bev Sutherland— CWA News
Spring 2018 August 31st

Summer 2019 December 1st Contact us via axecreeknews@gmail.com James O’Bryen—Axe Creek
Cricket Club

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 57 1
 Community Notice Board
Emergency Contact Numbers
Fire, Police & Ambulance 000
(life threatening or time critical emergencies only)

Vic Emergency Hotline 1800 226 226

Information about all emergencies, including bushfires, storms and floods

Burn Off Notifications 1800 668 511

Poisons Information 13 11 26
Wildlife Rescue Service 0419 356 433

Useful Websites Local Churches

CFA www.cfa.vic.gov.au
DSE www.dse.vic.gov.au
Strathfieldsaye Community Church
Vic Roads www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
920 Wellington St, Strathfieldsaye
Combined Service - Sunday Mornings – 9.30am

School Terms St Joseph’s Catholic Church

2018 Cnr Axe Creek & Strathfieldsaye/Eppalock Rds.

Sunday Mornings – 9am

Term 1
30 Jan – 29 Mar All Welcome

Term 2
16 Apr – 29 Jun

Term 3
Axe Creek CFA
16 Jul – 21 Sept

Term 4 Captain Neil Irving-Dusting

8 Oct – 21 Dec 5439 6388

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 57 2
 CFA News From Axe Creek Brigade
IT’S BEEN DIFFERENT SO FAR THIS YEAR
You may recall that at the end of last summer we reported that the brigade had been called out to on-
ly a few fires. Well, this spring we’ve been much busier—in just over two months the brigade attended 11
fires, more than for the whole of the 2016-17 fire season. Four of these were in our own brigade area,
and the other seven were calls to support neighbouring brigades.
Who knows whether this has been the beginning of a bad fire season? We do know there’s plenty of
long grass around, and it’s drying off quickly. Grass fires can spread quickly, particularly if it’s windy, and
they can be hot. Please take care!

OPENING THE FIRE STATION DOOR

The current Axe Creek fire station was built in 1989, to replace the original shed on the corner of Axe
Creek Rd and Patons Rd (diagonally across from Eppalock School). The new shed was much more spa-
cious than the old one, and the lift-up door plenty high enough for the fire trucks of the day. But the
newer trucks are higher—our primary tanker (due for replacement within two or three years) only just fits
under the door, and the more recent models are too big.
Recently the brigade received welcome news that the shed door is to be replaced with an electrically
operated panel door that will run on tracks up into the roof space, giving enough clearance for the
largest fire truck.
A big gain in the short term is that the door will open automatically when the siren sounds, so the truck
can be driven out as soon as crew members arrive at the station. (And yes, it can be opened manually
in the case of a power failure!)

TRAINING BOOST FOR THE JUNIORS

The brigade now has a training trailer, complete with pump, hose reel and other fittings, on long-term
loan from Raywood brigade. The trailer, being refurbished by Axe Creek members, means our juniors
can now develop skills in hose and pump work without having to travel to Mandurang, as they have
been doing for the past year. Thanks, Raywood!
After a break for Christmas training will start again in January, ready for the team to compete in
‘twilight’ events after work on the long summer evenings. These are fun for the kids, and good entertain-
ment for the whole family.
If your children between 11 and 16 years of age would like to find out more about the competition
team, contact Brad Knight (5439 6034) or Captain Neil Irving-Dusting (5439 6388). Physical activity, social
contact and learning new skills are some of the rewards. Both girls and boys are welcome—most teams
are mixed.

SEASONAL UPDATE
The November update to the seasonal outlook for
bushfires in southern Australia noted the continuing
drying trend during spring for much of Victoria.
Many areas have had below-average rainfall for
several years. The cumulative effect is dryness in
the soil profile, which affects trees in particular,
making forests more vulnerable to fire.
In September a big bushfire near Buchan burnt
over 8,000 hectares of forest, and fire intensities
were similar to those usually experienced in Janu-
ary. That gives an indication of how dry East
Gippsland was, well before the fire season usually
begins.
Summer rain does reduce the fire risk, but generally only for a few days, because the longer and warm-
er days in summer increase the rate of evaporation. Even with recent rain the potential for fire remains
above average for our part of the state, as shown on the map, which hasn’t changed since the Septem-
ber outlook.

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 WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH YOUR PETS WHEN FIRE THREATENS?
Recent research in the USA, and in Australia among residents of the Blue Mountains in NSW, showed
that the single most important reason why people delayed leaving their homes during a bushfire emer-
gency was that they had not planned what to do with their pets.
Our pets are precious, and we don’t want to abandon them, but this means that we MUST plan ahead
so that we know what we are going to do. Otherwise we could well endanger our own lives as well as
theirs.
Obviously arrangements will be different for cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, budgerigars, snakes, goats
or ponies, but there are some general questions that could help with your planning.
• Where will you take your pet/s? Can they stay there for an ex-
tended period?
• How will you transport them? Do you need a box, cage or re-
straint?
• What other items will you need to take with you? (Food, feed-
ers, bedding, playthings, medications?)
• Will you need time to catch your pet/s before you leave?
• And finally—but equally important—have you made arrange-
ments with somebody else to look after your pet/s if you are
away from home and unable to return?
Prepare an emergency kit with items for your pet/s to be kept along-
side the emergency kit for the family.
On the CFA website (www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/plan-and-prepare)
you can find a couple of useful guides that give further information:
Pets and Bushfires
Horses and Bushfires
Please put the pets in your plan now, before fire threatens.

DON’T RISK DRIVING IN SMOKE!

The tragic fires in California brought back memories of major fires in Australia. One distressing image
showed a number of burnt-out cars that had crashed as the drivers tried desperately to escape from
the flames.

Unfortunately, similar scenes have been seen again and again after bushfires in Australia. If you leave it
too late to evacuate you risk driving in thick smoke, to the extent that you won’t be able to see where
you are going. The smoke might hide trees or powerlines down across the road, or even vehicles com-
ing from the other direction.
Don’t risk it! If you plan to leave home, leave early. There will come a point where it’s too late, and then
the safest action is to shelter in place until the fire has passed. Listen to the emergency messages on the
radio—if the advice is that it’s too late to leave, don’t!
A hot fire can be dangerous at home, but it’s far more dangerous to be caught trying to escape in
smoke. Don’t put your car into a future news story of yet another tragedy on the road.

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 57 4
 SOURCES OF FIRE INFORMATION
Here are several ways you can stay informed about threats from fire:
• The VicEmergency app on your smartphone or PC gives information and warnings about emer-
gencies, including fire, flood, storm, weather and more. You can select the types of emergencies
for which you will receive notifications, and set up one or more watch zones, so that you are alert-
ed to emergencies when you are away from the area.
• Download from the App Store or Google Play.
• Social media, including the VicEmergency app.
• Radio and TV. A number of radio and TV stations provide up-to-date information about fires and
other emergencies. Local radio stations with formal agreements with the Victoria Government to
broadcast updates and warnings include ABC Local (91.1 FM), 3BO (93.5 FM), Gold Central Victo-
ria (71 AM, 98.3 FM), Star (91.9 FM), and Radio KLFM. Sky News TV will also broadcast updates and
warnings.
• The VicEmergency Hotline (1800 226 226) is a source of information about current events. For ex-
ample if you see smoke you can call the hotline to find out whether it is from a known fire, and if
so whether it is threatening your area.
• Telephone Alerts (voice calls to landlines or SMS messages to mobiles) may be used to alert peo-
ple who may be in potential danger from fire.
• Don’t forget to use your own senses. On hot windy days you may want to stay indoors with the
blinds drawn and the air conditioner running, but be sure to stick your face outside the door from
time to time and use your eyes and nose to check for smoke. While emergency services will do
their best to warn you of impending danger, don’t rely on technology!

EMERGENCY PLUS APP

Another useful (and official) app for your phone is called Emergency+. Use it call
Triple Zero, SES or other emergency services. It activates your handsfree speaker so
you don’t have to hold the phone, and uses GPS data from your phone to relay
your exact location to the call taker.
Download the app from the App Store, Google Play or Windows Store.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Just about two years after the formation of Axe Creek Fire Brigade, members were faced with a large
fire that started at Junortoun, which in those days was known as Homebush. Here is an edited version of
a much longer report from the Bendigo Independent. The second, shorter, report describes ‘blacking
out’, which is still an essential part of the brigade’s work.
Bendigo Independent, Tuesday 18 December 1917
FIRST OF THE SEASON. FROM HOMEBUSH TO THE AXE CREEK.
VALUABLE LAND DEVASTATED.
After the afternoon train from Wallan, due in Bendigo about ten to 2 p.m., had passed Homebush yes-
terday afternoon, a fire occurred in a good grass paddock of Mr. S. Lazarus', and it swept until dusk
through a fine tract of valuable country, doing damage to fences, to grassed land on which sheep
were grazing, to growing crops, and to newly cut hay in stooks. At one time it threatened some spring
lambs, and a few perished. It raged hard, but the strenuous work of a grand band of firefighters kept it
from going further afield, and in the end they narrowed it to the Axe Creek, where the green banks pre-
vented it leaping into even more valuable cropped land...
There follows a detailed description of the firefight near Homebush (now Junortoun), and speculation
that the fire was started by embers from the locomotive. It was the third fire that had started near the
train line about 1:30 pm. The report then continues...
The fire was seen coming over the hill towards Axe Creek about 2 p.m. at a great pace through tim-
bered country along which there was plenty of scrub and long dry grass. The cry quickly went out, and
the response was a big muster of the Axe Creek fire fighters, of which Mr. J. Dunn is the president, and
Mr. W. J. Lowndes the secretary. The smoke was dense and the heat terrific. This smoke attracted the
attention of many farmers and orchardists from afar, prominent amongst these being Messrs. P. Green,

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 57 5
P. Houlahan, from Upper Axe Creek; Cr J. S. Hargreaves and W. Hargreaves, from Mandurang; Cr. Orr, Mr.
J. Ord the forest officer, who was at the time near Pieper's Hill, J. Young and W. Barbour, Axe Creek. Many
of these are experienced in the bush, and, have seen several fires. They were by far not all who were pre-
sent, for it is estimated that at one time fully two hundred men were fighting against the flames in this sec-
tor. They were succored from the Somerville and other homesteads, and the women folk of the house-
holds did a noble share. Too much praise can not be given the men who, leaving their own farms, fought
in the heat of the day and against the heat and smoke of the fire to help save their neighbor's place...
At first it rushed through one hundred acres of grassed land at the back paddock of Cr. T Somerville's
holding. Grass, posts and fencing were levelled. Leaving the grassed paddocks it was not checked, and
the recently harvested hay was attacked. Between three and four tons of this in the stooks were de-
stroyed before the course of the fire was changed by the burning of breaks and the free use of fruit tree
sprays drawn by panting horses. It was at this period, about 4 o'clock, that the fight was a desperate one.
These breaks also kept the fire from the yet umnown crop of wheat which in places was even scorched.
For a time it burned back into Mr. Allen's paddock, but a sudden but light change of wind fanned it, and
into Mr. A. Mannes' it ran. Quickly fences and grassed lands went and then the cry was raised that the
house and buildings were in danger. And so they were. But with ail hands concentrated in one direction
for a time the fire was beaten out in this part within 20 yards of the stables. Once there it would have been
practically impossible to have saved the rest of the buildings at this old settler's up-to-date and homely
farm. On one side a road that runs past Cr. T. Somerville's farm to Mr. Mannes' saved the situation, and
when near this the fire practically burnt itself out. After doing damage in fully one hundred acres of Mr.
Mannes', the fire came to a road in Mr. Mannes' place, and here, too, it was checked. The front was by
now much more limited than when it started in the back paddock of Cr. Somerville's. lt gradually nar-
rowed itself down until at evening time it reached the green banks of the Axe Creek. Here it burnt itself
out and never reached the thickly grassed paddocks of Mr. J. Somerville. While it was in the Somerville
and Mannes' paddocks the women had to cease for a while the carrying of water and drinks to the men
to rescue sheep from one of the bottom paddocks, that is, the paddocks on the northern side of the Emu
Creek. They were very successful, but three or so sheep were lost, and later the charred remains were
found...
It was 9 p.m. before the fighters ware all able to return home, and then with horses tired, tanks dry, sprays
a little out of gear, and themselves worn out, but pleased that the fire had been confined to a strip of
land about seven miles in length, they sat down to good refreshing meals...

Bendigo Independent, Wednesday 19 December 1917

OUTBREAK AT AXE CREEK SUBDUED.
At an early hour yesterday morning it was seen that the bush fire in the Homebush-Axe Creek district, as
detailed in yesterday's Independent, had not again broken out, despite that many of the stumps burnt
brightly all night...To make doubly sure that even should the wind suddenly veer with the prospective
change residents were up as soon as the sun, and after a hurried breakfast they set out with horses, sprays
and tanks to extinguish the
stumps that might be in the
danger zone should the wind
rise. This was a hot job, but it
was carried on by a willing
band of workers and during
the afternoon it was consid-
ered that all was reasonably
safe, and further, that the
fears of another outbreak
were not seriously enter-
tained.

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 Eppalock Primary School

A NOTE FROM OUR NEW GRADE 4/5/6 TEACHER FOR 2018

Hello and thank you for welcoming me into the Eppalock Primary
School community. I both grew up and completed all of my schooling
in Bendigo before undertaking a Bachelor of Outdoor and Environmen-
tal Education at La Trobe University in 2012. After completing my degree
in 2015, I then undertook a Post-Graduate degree in a Masters of
Teaching. During Term 2 of this year I began work at Eaglehawk North
Primary School as an Integration Aide across the schools prep rooms. At
the beginning of Term 4 I was offered the opportunity to grade share a
3/4 classroom. I am incredibly excited to be joining your school commu-
nity and cannot wait for 2018 to start. If you see me around the school
please feel free to come and say hello as I look forward to meeting you
all! Hope everybody has a safe and happy Christmas/New Year period.
Hamish McCartney.

Prep-Grade 3 students – self-watering pot plants

Early in the term our Prep to Grade 3 students were involved in a fantastic activity to make self-
watering pot plants. Our thanks to Bunnings Epsom for their help and resources.

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 57 7
2017 Premier’s Sustainability Awards

Our Living Green teacher, Lydia Fehring, took

four students to Melbourne for the finals of the
sustainability awards. Eppalock Primary was
nominated for two awards which is an amaz-
ing achievement. We didn’t come away with
a win on the day but it is fantastic to be even
considered for these awards. Well done to
Lydia, our students and families for the way
you all approach learning about environmen-
tal issues.

Scarlet, Banjo, Pippa and Tilly with Costa and Lydia

SCHOOL SPORTS
A great day was had at the combined school sports with Axedale PS. The event provides a fantastic
opportunity for our students and families to mix with another school. We thank Ms Hartney for her work
in organizing the sports from the Eppalock PS side of things, and Mr Steve Christensen for overseeing the
organization from the Axedale side. The behavior of students as fantastic on the day and it was a bonus
that Eppalock PS won the annual shield which is now proudly displayed in the school foyer.

On Friday, we went to the school sports. It was so fun there was high jump, long jump, triple jump, shot
put, discus, sprints and long distance. After lunch there were relays and the 800m.
Firstly we had a break and then we went onto long distance. I cam second and got a 2. I was really
tired afterwards. After that we went onto discus, then shot put and then sprints. Sprints were harder than
last year because the distance was longer. Then we had long jump and finally tripe jump.
After lunch we did the ream relays and they were fun and easy. This was followed by the 800m. I ran the
12/13 year olds and came second out of all and first in boys.
The adults also had a race and they were quite fast for old people.
At the end of the events, it was announced we had won the shield and we were very happy.
We had a great day at the sports. Banjo Costello.

At school sports there were 7 events. There was high jump, shotput, discus, sprint, long distance, long
jump and triple jump. The 9 year olds got a break fist. Our first event was long distance. It was our first
time racing around the whole track. Then we did discus. It was hard but fun. After that we had sprints.
Most people tried until they got a three. Then we had high jump and I tried very hard. Then we had shot
put and most people got a 2 or a 1 because it was difficult. It was my first time using a metal ball. After
that we had triple jump, which hop, step and jump. I had a lot of fun and it was my favourite event.
In the afternoon we had relays and some of the kids had to race in the adult’s race.
Eppalock won the sports and we were soooo happy and wee are the most marvelous school in the
whole world! Pippa Symes

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 Jessica, William and Baylee with their class teachers Di Riepsamen and Jason O’Neill

We would like to take this opportunity to farewell our three Grade 6 students as they finish their primary ed-
ucation and move onto secondary school.

We wish them all the best for their future.

Jessica, William and Baylee will formally celebrate with their parents, school councillors and school staff at
a Gradation Dinner on Tuesday 19th December.

RACV Energy Breakthrough

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 57 9
When Mondays 1.30 pm – 3.15 pm
Thursdays 1.30 pm – 3.15 pm
Where Eppalock PS – Old School Building.149 Patons Road Axe Creek
(just a few minutes from Strathfieldsaye)

Come along and join other families for a cuppa and chat whilst your pre-school children enjoy lots of fun
activities. Fresh fruit is provided.

Morning Tea & activities provided.

Gold Coin Donation per child.

For further information please

phone (03) 5439 6366
email: eppalock.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au
http://www.eppalockps.vic.edu.au
All Welcome

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 57 10
 Axe Creek Landcare
The Axe Creek Landcare Committee meets at Eppalock Primary School
in the Community Room
on the first Monday of each month
at 8.00 pm during the daylight saving months
or at 7.30 when we are on EST.

Meetings and activities of interest to the general public are advertised on the notice
board in the Strathfieldsaye Shopping Centre.

Members of the community are always welcome to attend any meeting!

WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN LANDCARE SINCE WE LAST MET?

“Spring at Pilchers Bridge” – Open Day

We wondered who would come. Would there be early risers for the bird walk at 8.00 am? There were! In
fact, bird watching tour guide, Sally Dearricott, was almost overwhelmed when over 30 people assembled
to be taken for a stroll among the wattles and around the dam. (We should have asked people to register
so we knew to have another guide or two.) The pancakes to follow were popular too.

All told, the best part of a hundred people turned up to Chris Kirwan’s place on Saturday 7 th October. And
the feedback they gave indicated that they were pleased with what they found.

All the presentations were well attended and appreciation of the extensive knowledge of all the speakers
was a common theme of audience feedback. One particular presentation – Julie Radford-Whitfield’s talk
about the Orchids of the Box Ironbark Forest – had the audience rapt (perhaps to its surprise!). Several
people commented that they had attended that particular talk more because it followed the one before
than because they were vitally interested in orchids but that they were captivated by Julie’s account of
how she discovered the complicated inter-relations of micro-organisms, insects and plants that are neces-
sary for the survival of each member of the species.

For many folk, the welcome to country and the very moving smoking ceremony that was presented by
Trent Nelson assisted by Mick Bourke, was the highlight of the day. By all reports this was a very positive ex-
perience and stimulated greater understanding and appreciation of Indigenous issues and beliefs.

Feedback received also noted that the event was well organised and some attendees expressed surprise
that there was no entrance fee. In fact, some attendees contributed unsolicited donations which was
very heart-warming for those doing the hard work of organising.

Chris Kirwan, we thank you very much!

Poo Pile!
Need manure for your garden? Bags available from out the front of 125 Axe
Creek Rd at $2.00 each or phone
54393144 for a trailer load at $10-$15.00 per load.

All proceeds to Riding for the Disabled Association.

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 57 11
AN OPINION PIECE ON THE QUESTION OF MANAGING THE RISKS OF CATASTROPHIC BUSHFIRES
David Gallagher

A couple of years ago, the Axe Creek Landcare group was invited to put in a response to the Fire Opera-
tion Plan put out by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. At that stage they were
working to the Royal Commission recommendation that 5% of public land should be burnt each year to
reduce the risk of damage from bushfire. (The current FOP no longer has this goal I am happy to say.)
I was interested in the issue and developed some ideas of my own. I considered that an effective fire oper-
ation plan should be tailored to each local area and their unique conditions.
In Central Victoria we have very low rainfall, slow-growing re-vegetation and frequent drought. The local
wildlife population is stressed by drought and climate change. To add a systematic large area blanket
bushland burn-off program on top of this would be devastating to our wildlife, fauna and flora.
I think the focus of our Fire Operation Plan should be on reducing the fire risk immediately around areas
occupied by people or travelled through by people and reducing loss of lives and livestock. In my opinion,
we should focus on the borders between bushland and where people live.
I have some suggestions for the Government to think about…
Use mechanical means to remove vegetation around townships and rural properties where homes, roads
and tracks meet bushland. Turn it into firewood for heating and mulch for gardens and landscaping!
Don’t burn millions of hectares of bushland but create a fuel reduction industry to keep flammable vege-
tation down and use it where it is needed.
Place more stringent controls on what vegetation is and is not appropriate on private property in areas
near bushland.
Any planned burns should be very strategic (which is what the current Fire Operation Plan stipulates) and
should be kept to a minimum.
Around Bendigo the forests are mostly regrowth with high tree density and low canopies. This landscape
has developed because of white settlement, with gold mining using huge amounts of timber and quick
population growth in a dry climate. The re-growth has been much more dense than the original tree cover.
Thinning regrowth back to what it was before white settlement and allowing the larger trees to grow taller
and stronger, especially in areas fringing townships, roads and rural properties would reduce the risk of cat-
astrophic bushfires.
I have been reading a book called “The Biggest Estate On Earth” by Bill Gammage. I always thought that
pre white settlement, the Australian landscape would have been a massive jungle of woodlands, native
flora and fauna from coast to coast, Tasmania to Cape York – and somewhat hard to travel through.
Apparently I was totally wrong. To quote from Gammage’s book, In 1770 Captain James Cook summed
up the east coast of Australia being “cloathed with woods, long grass, shrubs and plants. The mountains or
hills are chequered with woods and lawns. Some of the hills are wholly covered with flourishing trees; others
but thinly” and “ the woods are free from underwood of every kind and the trees are at such a distance
from one another that the whole country or at least a great part of it might be cultivated without being
obliged to cut down a single tree”. Sydney Parkinson (Joseph Bank’s draughtsman) said “The country
looked very pleasant and fertile, and the trees quite free from underwood, appeared like plantations in a
gentleman’s park”.
Gammage talks about the Aborigines’ custom of burning with low temperature fires, small patchwork or
mosaic burnings to create grassland and green belt areas for them to hunt and live in. He attributes the
landscape the first white settlers found to the land management practices of the Aborigines.
It would be impossible to return the Bendigo region to its pre-white settlement condition, but I favour some
indigenous-type burning mixed with mechanical removal of trees to provide some degree of protection
against wild-fire.
Maybe you don’t agree with me (not everybody does!) but I would like to hear some other readers’ opin-
ions. Have your say! Address your opinions to: axecreeknews@gmail.com

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 57 12
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO MANAGE THE FUTURE? – INDIGENOUS BURNING STRATEGY
The indigenous people of Australia have a well-deserved reputation for caring for country in a sustaina-
ble way.

Among their admired practices were methods of using fire in the landscape. Cool burns creating a mo-
saic of burnt and unburnt patches were used for various purposes – to encourage new growth of food
plants or grass to attract kangaroos for hunting, to reduce some vegetation to make for easier access, or
for spiritual reasons.

The coming of whites, the establishment of enclosed farms with crops and stock, the great increase in
population and the increasing prevalence of wildfire has led to the completely different type of con-
trolled burning that we are familiar with, where the aim is to burn out a patch of vegetation with a fairly
hot fire in an effort to reduce the impact of potential future wildfire.

In the local Dja Dja Wurrung country there have been some exciting developments in reviving traditional
burning practices this year. Chairman of the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, Trent Nelson,
fascinated the Axe Creek Landcare Group describing them at a meeting a few months ago. Later he
explained a bit more to me.

For roughly 170 years, since the disruption of Aboriginal society and culture, indigenous burning of coun-
try has not been practised here. However some of the younger locals have been talking to their Elders to
glean what traditional knowledge has survived. They have studied what has been written by early settlers
about indigenous fires. And they have experimented in their own efforts to burn patches of country in the
old way.

The results have been more far-reaching than just burning a patch of ground. Trent said that it has been
a significant spiritual and cultural experience for the participants. It has brought back to country some of
the older folk who’d lost their connection to the land. He explained “It has also been a healing experi-
ence – healing people and supporting healing country.”

Trent explained some of the cultural protocols to me; When all the participants get together the initial fire
is started ceremonially in the traditional way with a cherry ballart or acacia stick being rubbed rapidly
inside a grass tree stalk until it smoulders and is built into a little fire. They use this to make a lot of smoke
with leafy green twigs. This serves to warn animals to get out of the way.

Then everyone lights their own torch – grass tree stalks wrapped in paperbark or stringy bark – from the
initial fire. Taking account of the weather and wind direction and where they want to burn, everyone
spreads out and lights bark and grass on the ground making lots of little spot fires spread well apart.

This creates a cool burn with low flame height. The little fires trickle along, being driven by the light wind.
Some fires might join up, others smoulder out. When the grass tree stem torches are used up, people take
burning branches from the fire near where they are tending and use them to start more little spot fires.
The result is a mosaic pattern with burnt and unburnt bits of land. It’s a much slower and more labour in-
tensive way to burn country than Forest Fire Victoria’s fuel reduction burns to reduce wildfire risk. “We
might burn only 2 hectares in a day” Trent said.

Because of the complete change in land use and settlement – with houses, fences, penned stock and
crops, he sees a need for conventional fuel reduction hot burns to continue but he looks forward to in-
digenous burning methods being used as well.

In fact Forest Fire Management Victoria’s Bendigo-based Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Scott Falconer, has
said that traditional indigenous burns would have a legitimate place in fuel management. Scott has
been awarded a Churchill Fellowship to travel to the US to explore the involvement of indigenous people
in land and fire management. A Dja Dja Wurrung man, Mick Bourke, FFM Victoria district fire planner, is to
go with him on the study tour.

Trent Nelson and Mick Bourke, who have been burning on State land so far, are keen to further their
burning practice on private properties with some open woodland and some grassland. There would be a
cost to the landholder for this, Trent said, to cover the labour costs.
axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 57 13
 Church News
A couple of my Facebook ‘friends’ insist on posting Christmas Countdowns every other day. Forget the old
-fashioned Advent calendars, they digitally record every second until Santa squeezes down the very nar-
row flue in my lounge room to drop off ridiculously large boxes. Perhaps my children are sick of seeing
huge boxes under the tree and finding a small present inside…

I reckon this Christmas hype seems to be getting bigger every year. What was an occasion to provide nec-
essary gifts of everyday items (shoes, education materials, household maintenance equipment) has turned
into a competition to give objects of desire for an emotional response. Sometimes the emotion is joy.
Sometimes not so much, if you happen to give a ‘useful’ gift.* And no, I have never given my wife a house-
hold appliance for Christmas.

This can lead to some cynicism about the commercialisation of Christmas, and make us jaded. We might
just want it all over and done with. But I still believe it is a beautiful season because of the reminder that
“God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…”. And even greater is that this holds for eve-
ry other day of the year too. It’s true on December 26, recovery day. And on January 7 th, just about when
the new AA batteries start wearing out, and on May 3 rd when the new toys are left out in the wet weather,
and on July 25 when the occasional ‘Christmas in July’ activities happen.

The reason for the season is still the reason every day and outlasts the presents that come and go, even
that “perfect present”. Christ’s birth outlasts the family activities that are remembered and those that are
not, and the feuds that might go with them, and in fact can bring a deeper peace that is greater than
bitterness that consumes.

Take a moment to consider God’s love from Creation to the Cross, from Bethlehem to Jesus’ resurrection,
and until He returns, it never diminishes. God is still God, Creator of light, life and love – the greatest gifts we
can receive.

May you have a very merry Christmas, and a happy new year. And may you remember that although the
hype around Christmas may get bigger each year, the reason for it stands now as it has for two millennia,
all around the world, and will not change any time soon.

Your local Rev,

Steve.

*For ‘really useful gifts’, check out www.usefulgifts.org and make a big differ-

Our Christmas Service are:

9.30am Christmas Eve: Holy Communion, 4th Sunday of
Advent.

7.30pm Christmas Eve: Holy Communion Christmas Eve service with kids activities.

9am Christmas Day: Christmas Celebration (reflective style).

The Strathfieldsaye Community Church has a hall available for hire for small to medium
size groups with heating, kitchen facilities and toilets all under the same roof, and plenty
of parking.
Contact details are on the sign on the front of our Church at 920 Wellington Street,
Strathfieldsaye. Please note that no alcohol is permitted.

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 57 14
 CWA Bendigo Northern Group
This Association is vibrant in Bendigo and Suburbs. All Branches are having their AGM’s this month and
everyone is welcome to come and see what we have done for the year and you may like to join us
next year.
Last year, around $14,000 in food and money was raised for the dairy farmers. A few weeks ago the
Farmers Initiative was finalised with another Food Collection at the Marketplace and a raffle.
The Dingee & District CWA Branch were the driving force of the Library project at the Dingee Station
with Dianna Linton at the helm.
CWA State President starring alongside celebrity chef Curtis
Stone in the National Coles Christmas Campaign. Several
members from across the State are involved in the new ad-
vertisements.
There are daytime Meetings or night time Meetings once a
month. Our doors are always open at meetings for you to
come and have ‘a cuppa and a chat’ with us to see what
we are doing in the local community. For information on
Meetings in your area please go to our CWA Bendigo Northern Group Facebook page or ring Group
President Sue on 0414 877 888.

Axe Creek Cricket Club

Axe Creek cricket club made a great start to the season by winning their first three games of the sea-
son. This was followed by three loses and the a washout. Axe creek are currently in sixth place in the
Emu Valley Cricket Association Division 2.
Highlights of the season have been centuries to Charles Ready (108), new recruit Jayson Trenfield (100)
and Captain Ashley Dixon with 96 not out. Ash also has the best bowling performance so far with 4/26
against Marong. The all abilities teams are currently in second place in the MAACA Division 1 West and
fifth in MAACA Division 2.

New Training Net

The cricket nets have been given a much needed uplift with new carpet, concrete slab and soft net-
ting.

Multicultural Day
On Sunday December 3rd, Axe Creek hosted a Multicultural day at Champions IGA Oval, Longlea. This
included a T20 match between Axe Creek and the Indian team Bendigo Strikers. The quality of the
cricket was very high and a nother match is planned for January.

White Ribbon Day

November 24th was White Ribbon Day at Axe Creek. This was a day when all players showed their sup-
port towards preventing men's violence against women.
"'We have taken the oath to stand up, speak out and act to prevent men's violence against women"
New players Welcome

New players are still required for this season. Please contact James O’Bryen on 0408 405 640 for further
details.

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 57 15
 Community News

email us at axecreeknews@gmail.com

Community Gamelan group

Mugi Rahayu is your local gamelan (Javanese music and dance) group. We are from
Eppalock and we practice weekly and perform at various cultural events and fund-
raisers around the district. No experience required and it’s free.
New members Welcome
Practice every Saturday 2:00 pm at 101 Carneys Rd, Eppalock.
Contact Nita or Aaron phone: 54392678
email: aaronita94@gmail.com

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axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 57 17
 Kids Corner

Christmas Jokes

Q: Where do you find reindeer?

A: It depends on where you leave them!

Q: What do reindeer say before they tell a joke?

A: This will sleigh you.

Q: How do you lift a frozen car?

A: With a Jack Frost.

Q: What would you call an elf who just has won the lottery?
A: Welfy.

Q: How did the ornament get addicted to Christmas?

A; He was hooked on trees his whole life.

Q: What do you call an elf who sings?

A: A wrapper!

Q: Who is Santa’s favourite singer?

A: Elf-is Presley.

axecreeknews@gmail.com Issue 57 18