To celebrate the 20 year anniversary of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, the award winning Golden Plains Farmers’ Market is to host a Market Day Picnic on Saturday 3 March 2012.

Players of all levels are invited for 
Weekly Social Round Robin Mornings

The Bannockburn Aged Care Facility is in need of volunteers keen to assist in a range of areas within the Activities Program.

On a hot Tuesday afternoon members of Bannockburn and District Gardening Club Inc drove to the home of Michelle Bishop in Winchelsea to see a beautiful garden that had been planted over the past three years.

Seka Powell, Dawn McDonald, David Beath and the Bamganie World War I Soldiers Re-Dedication Ceremony are the recipients of Golden Plains Shire Council’s 2012 Australia Day Awards.

Golden Plains Shire Council is encouraging local businesses to learn more about doing business with Council by hosting two information sessions about how to tender and quote for the provision of Council's requirements.

On the 24^th of March 2012 the TWILIGHT AT TURTLE BEND celebration will host Grammy Award winning Peter Rowan and his internationally acclaimed Bluegrass band.

Community groups from across Golden Plains Shire are invited to submit funding applications for community projects through Council’s 2012 Community Grants Program.

Golden Plains Shire Council has welcomed the confirmation of $2,184,572 funding for vital infrastructure works over the next four years in the first allocation from the State Government's Local Government Infrastructure Program (LGIP).

Golden Plains Shire Council has secured $120,000 in State Government funding to deliver its youth engagement program over the next three years.

Do you want to meet a challenge in your life? Meet new people and participate in the fellowship that is only offered through a Fraternal Order.

Residents are invited to provide feedback on the strategy by 10 February 2012.

Golden Plains Shire Council’s waste disposal arrangements are set to change after the closure of the Corio landfill in the City of Greater Geelong on 31 December 2011.

Golden Plains Shire Council awarded the two year Community Planning Facilitator contract to Axford Olszewski Strategies (AOS) at its December Council Meeting.

Bannockburn Fire Brigade is very thankful for a Grant from the Bannockburn and District Community Enterprise which will enable the it to purchase a CFA approved Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for installation on one its Fire Fighting Appliances.

The Bannockburn Loop Trial Bus Service was established in 2009 following community feedback.

YMCA Geelong  Bannockburn Recreation Centre.
Throughout the month of November the crew at the YMCA have been busy setting up and implementing a new program for the Bannockburn community called Rookie Sports.

The Bannockburn & District Golf club are hosting their second annual Australian Day activities. The day commencing around 10.30am is packed full of activities and great Aussie food.

Australian Hearing’s new bus is bringing hearing services to regional Victoria offering hearing checks in Bannockburn and other rural areas. The bus brings hearing health to the doorstep of local communities.

The silly season is once again upon us. I was amused the other day to see a couple of very fat geese crossing the road just near the Primary School.

The Bannockburn and District Community Enterprise has increased its contribution to community projects by more than $32,500 after allocating its latest round of grants.

Water quality testing is being undertaken at two sites in the Brisbane Ranges National Park: At Lower Stony Creek dam and at Sutherlands Creek gorge.

ARE YOU FIRE READY?
On Sunday, November 6th a  number of local folk gathered at the Maude Tennis Pavilion for the Maude Fire Brigade district Bushfire Safety Session.

Our next rabbit baiting campaign will be held on February 10^th, 13^th and 16^th 2012.

A lot of work has been done by the committee and friends over the last few weeks and the Reserve is looking spic and span for the holiday season.

Social bowls notes:

The Craft Group had its final meeting for this year which was our Christmas lunch on 21st November. We will resume our activities on Monday 16th January 2012 in the Family Services Center.

The Gardening Club enjoyed their Christmas Break up at the lovely home of Ruth and Wayne Mibus

Summer Safety

On Monday 21 November a meeting was held to nominate interested persons to the inaugural committee of the Golden Plains Soccer Club.

Barwon Medical Imaging McKellar Centre
X-ray & Ultrasound services now open to the public

Pope Street
Reconstruction of Pope St will commence in January between High Street and Burnside Road.

BGC volunteers came together once again at the start of the month to organise, run and support the annual Melbourne Cup Calcutta night.

Pilates - What is it all about?
Pilates is a safe and effective form of exercise designed to improve core muscle control, build strength and coordination, enhance posture and balance, and improve the efficiency of our daily movements.

Are you doing the right thing the wrong way - for example, trying to eliminate the fire hazards around your home and in the process starting a bushfire?

Fair
We were all very happy to have had such a wonderful day for the fair. The weather was spectacular and the crowd was fantastic.

Children’s Program Four Year Old Group
Children’s week is a time to celebrate childhood and have fun, so a community Teddy Bears Picnic in the park at Teesdale was arranged on Friday October 28th 2011.

The end of the year is fast approaching and what a busy and rewarding year it has been at Teesdale Primary School.

Our final term has been action packed and we look forward to a number of exciting events to come.

Ecological values. What do you value?
Some months ago I coined the term ‘ecological maturity’ in relation to sports, meaning sports that provided plenty of fun, challenge and excitement for the participants but that do little if any harm to the environment.

Our last entry for 2011, the end of a season with mixed results, and anticipation for the up coming 2012!

Each year at the Geelong Show, firefighters from various brigades compete agains each other in a live fire event called the Bale of Straw.

YMCA Geelong is a not for profit incorporated association providing programs and services to the greater Geelong region. We are part of an International, National, State and Local network of YMCA’s operating in over 120 countries worldwide.

Four Year old Groups
Welcome back to all our families to Term 4. This is the busiest time of year for staff and children and parents.

Are You Fire Ready?
Sunday, November 6th at 11.30am at the Maude Tennis Pavilion is the time and place for the Maude Fire Brigade district Bushfire Safety Session.

The recent triennial meeting of the Reserve Committee of Management was very well attended, and the elections resulted in a new committee of 13 members being nominated, and accepted by the minister.

The next meeting of the Maude Landcare Group will be held at the Maude Tennis Pavilion on Tuesday, December 6th  2011 at 8pm.

For those residents unaware and for those who do utilise this service, this message is very important for you all.

Sunday 23rd October, 2011
What a wonderful day was had by all at the 5th Annual Disability Family Day last weekend for families and Carers of children with disabilities from across Victoria.

Hamish the border terrier had red eyes. He was rubbing them with his paws and woke each morning with a watery discharge, he was not his happy self

Sewerage Farm Upgrade
For some time treated water has been discharged into Bruces Creek from the Bannockburn sewerage treatment plant.

On Tuesday 27th Sept our members boarded a bus for a lovely day looking at gardens.

Saturday October the 1st was a rotten day for golf but a few hardy members ventured out in the morning so that they would be back in time to watch the Grand Final.

Dry Needling for Musculoskeletal Pain - Getting to the Point of the Problem

2012 School Year
It is time to confirm our plans for staffing and grade structures for 2012.

Children’s Program Four Year Old Group
At the end of last term as part of our learning about spring Pippa brought in her 3 baby lambs for the children to bottle feed and Chloe M brought in her baby rabbits.

So quickly the year runs away! Cricket takes sway, but the footy season doesn’t stop.

Golden Plains Shire Council is seeking volunteer drivers to assist the community, mainly older people and people with disabilities, who receive support from the Golden Connections Transport program.

Don’t pinch the wood.
The Sugar Gum logging operations in the NE corner along Mason’s Road are almost complete.

Bush Logging Update
Thank you to those concerned citizens who have rung or emailed, to ask what is going on in the bush.

The following items were stolen from a property on the corner of Robertson and Perdrisat Roads in Lethbridge on the 8th or 9th September 2011.

Bannockburn & District Arts Inc. is making preparation for the next Golden Plains Art Exhibition - 2011, to be held at the Bannockburn Community Stadium.

On September 20th Jeanette Powell, Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal Affairs is to be guest speaker at a non fundraising dinner to be hosted by the Golden Plains Rural Women's Network.

Teesdale was one of the first towns surveyed and gazetted in Victoria way back in 1851. At this time it was a bustling stopover on the way to the goldfields and boasted several pubs and wine saloons as well as churches of most Christian denominations.

Four Year old Groups
And all the children say “Hello Mr Whiskers....”

A large gathering of CFA members and community friends met for a delicious meal at the Maude Tennis Pavilion on Sunday, August 21st to say thank you to John and Judy Schulze for their input into the local area, particularly the Maude Fire Brigade.

The annual meeting of the Maude Landcare Group was held at the Maude Tennis Pavilion on Tuesday, August 16th.

The triennial meeting of the Committee of Management was held at the Maude Tennis Pavilion on 23rd August. There was an excellent turnout of 14, with a further four apologies.

The August meeting was held at the home of Ken and Loris Mason in Point Lonsdale.

Social bowls results:

The article on Bruce’s Creek, Bannockburn, in the August edition of the Bannockburn and District Community Newsletter needs clarification.

High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) is something that most people associate with humans. It is also described as ‘the silent killer’ as often high blood pressure may be present for a long time without any symptoms, and the problem may only be discovered when a doctor or veterinarian check the blood pressure.

Municipal Fire Management Plan
Council has considered a draft Municipal Fire Management Plan. This plan aims to improve the level of co-operation and understanding between all the agencies involved in planning and responding to bushfires across Golden Plains.

The Open Tournament commenced on Thursday August 4 with a good field for the Ladies Irish 3 ball stableford.

VISIT FROM THE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION
We were visited by the Minister of Education the Hon. Martin Dixon. Minister Dixon was joined by our local member of parliament the Hon. Terry Mulder and our regional director, Mr. Malcolm Millar.

With Springtime approaching the school grounds are looking in pristine condition. Newly painted lines and drawings have been completed on the asphalt surface, allowing more options for games during the childrens’ playtime.

Season is rushing to its conclusion! Our next challenge is prelim finals for our U/18 footballers, 15&U and “D” netballers.

With so many people suffering long term illnesses due to  increased weight problems it is important to take stock of your life and find a solution sooner than later.  Everyone wants to see their children/grandchildren grow up.

Four year old Group Program
Our cooking activities were making spring rolls, Jocelyn Grigsby came in and helped the children to make  the spring rolls.

What price our Creeks and their flora and fauna?
Barwon Water is currently releasing effluent (aka Class C recycled water) into Bruce’s Creek about 2km upstream of the town.

Christine Middleton wrote the play “Memoirs of a Scottish War Bride” as a tribute to her mother and thousands of other brave young women who left their lands for a country unknown and untried post WW11 to become War Brides.

The Bannockburn and District Community Enterprise allocated grants worth more than $6700 to local projects at its August meeting.

Is a voluntary group of residents whose aim is to help provide improved community and sporting facilities for the region.

Golden Plains Shire is calling all young people across the Shire to attend a community consultation session to discuss the potential upgrade of the current skate park in Victoria Park, Bannockburn.

My, how time gets away. This is my 10th year bashing on the run for the needy.

The Golden Plains Farmers’ Market has won a prestigious Geelong Advertiser Business Excellence Award.

Feeling frustrated with work or society and want to let off some steam?

On Tuesday 21st June, the Sutherlands Creek ladies midweek team won the Section One Premiership of the Bellarine Tennis Association.

GOLDEN PLAINS SHIRE COUNCIL SECURES $30,000
TO BOOST YOUTH INCLUSION
Local MP, Terry Mulder has announced that Golden Plains Shire Council has secured $30,000 in State Government funding to increase young people’s participation in council decision making.

Lismore and District Garden Club
ART, CRAFT and GARDEN 7th ANNUAL EVENT

Four Year old Groups
Welcome back to everyone for term 3.

The next meeting of the Maude Fire Brigade Sub Committee will be held at the Maude Tennis Pavilion on Monday, 8th August at 7.30pm.

The annual meeting of the Maude Landcare Group will be held at the Maude Tennis Pavilion on Tuesday, August 16th  2011 at 8pm.

The Footscray Cycling Club held their final local race day for the year last month. Their crowd of racers and supporters seems to grow bigger with every event, and they do their best to be good neighbours.

The July meeting was held in the Barrabool hills at the Country Cottage Nursery owned by Chris Tournier.

Social bowls results:

Pope St Upgrade
As many Bannockburn readers know, Pope St has been a maintenance problem for many years, especially between Moore St and the High St.

Welcome to our newsletter, we have been getting great feed back from the web site and we love hearing your comments and ideas.

Congratulations to Matthew Bagley, our new Club Champion.

Term 3 promises to be a busy one. A group of 5/6 girls have represented the school at footy against teams from across Geelong. The grade 1/2 classes have been to Sciencworks for their excursion. We have District Aths, Tournament of Minds, Debating, MVA Challenge Day and of course the 3/4 Camp.

Welcome back to term 3. We trust everybody had a safe and enjoyable break.

Four Year Old Group  Program
A huge thankyou to Mandy and Jas who creatively rearranged the room in the holidays and made a big change.

The future of fuel
With the current debate on the carbon tax raging, the focus on the power generated by fossil fuels has been intense.

Into the last couple of weeks of the home and aways; for some, finals are just around the corner, for others time to take stock and make the commitment to season 2012.

Tragedy in the Bush
We were shocked to hear last week of the death of a trail bike rider in the Bannockburn Bush and wish to convey our sympathy to the rider’s family and friends.

Community Enterprise grants top $85,000

The Golden Plains Farmers’ Market has won a prestigious Geelong Advertiser Business Excellence Award.

At its August 2010 meeting, Golden Plains Shire Council determined to close the Teesdale Landfill site to further waste disposal from 1 July 2011.

Bannockburn & District Arts Inc. is making preparation for the next Golden Plains Art Exhibition - 2011, to be held at the Bannockburn Community Stadium.

Unregistered Pet Amnesty
Council is offering residents with unregistered pets an amnesty with ‘no questions asked’ during the month of July in an effort to encourage responsible pet ownership.

My father Geoff Goldsworthy was the Manager of the old Commercial Bank of Australia in the main street of Bannockburn from 1942- 1949.

Work has commenced on the replacement of Lowndes Bridge on Parkers Road in Russell's Bridge.

Shopping Centre Redevelopment

At its May meeting Council resolved to issue a planning permit for the redevelopment and expansion of the Bannockburn shopping centre.

In 2011, The World’s Greatest Shave was officially held over the dates 17th – 19th of March. Many people participated in this event.

Most of us don't need reminding that there are plenty of people out there who prey on others for their money.

The Meredith and District SVDP Conference is seeking volunteers to help us assist people in need within our local community.

ABA's breastfeeding counsellors help thousands of mothers every year. As breastfeeding mothers themselves, they know that breastfeeding may not always seem easy.

Golden Plains Parent Support Group are proud recipients of the ‘Community Event of the Year’ 2011  Australia Day Award for Golden Plains Shire for the running of the Annual Disability Family Day at Lethbridge.

The Meredith and District St Vincent de Paul Conference is seeking volunteers to help us assist people in need within our local community.

Red Frogs is a volunteer schoolies support organisation, and is most well known for its service at end of year Schoolies and Leavers festivals around Australia. This year, volunteers will distribute over 10 tonne of Allens Red Frog lollies to school leavers, with the lolly now serving as their familiar calling card.

Bannockburn residents are enjoying their new open space corridor, which was officially opened by Parliamentary Secretary for Planning Jenny Mikakos in October.

(Take Off Weight Naturally)
Many of you may have already heard about T.O.W.N  Clubs or have been a member of one of the more than 120 clubs across Victoria.

There were smiles for miles at the 4th Annual Disability Family Day held at Lethbridge on Sunday 24th October, 2010.  Families from across Victoria came along to enjoy the array of good food, entertainment, rides and activities put on by the Golden Plains Parent Support Group.

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a disease in which the nerves controlling the voluntary muscles gradually fail causing muscle weakness, wasting and paralysis.

During the last weekend of September the Bannockburn and District Arts celebrated its 10th Art Exhibition with 320 entries.

The Inaugural Inverleigh Rivers Fun Run / Walk will be held on Sunday 10th October 2010.

Sunday, August 22nd 2010 was a sad day in the long life of the Lethbridge Uniting Church, when the final worship service was held and the Church was officially closed due to lack of support.

On the 28th of August 2010 Teesdale’s TWILIGHT AT TURTLE BEND 2010 celebration will host Shane Howard and his band as they perform work from their new album ‘Goanna Dreaming’.

Glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye diseases in which the optic nerve at the back of the eye is slowly destroyed.

A group of field naturalists and Barwon Water employees were treated to a rare sighting of the endangered Swift parrot at the Stephens Road Bushland Reserve, west of Bannockburn, last weekend.

On Thursday 3rd June a group of shearers, rousies and woolhandlers from the local area  headed off the Tocumwal to participate in the re-enactment of ‘Tom Roberts’ painting ‘The Shearing of the Rams’.

We had grown our first crop of trees, a total of 7,000, seven different varieties and all tall eucalypts.

More than 130 runners, joggers and walkers participated in the Bannockburn and District Community’s Enterprise’s inaugural free fun run at the Bannockburn Golf Club on Sunday, May 23.

Bannockburn and District Community Enterprise board members are urging residents of the district to get their walking or running shoes on to participate in a free fun run this month.

All landholders are warmly invited to talks on Serrated Tussock and controlling its spread.

Golden Plains Shire Council encourages you to make your curtain and blind cords safe by requesting a free safety kit from Consumer Affairs Victoria.

Bannockburn residents can now enjoy the benefits from the completion of a $212,500 Urban Improvement Project along the Bruce’s Creek Corridor.

Too often, native grasses such as native or silver tussock (Poa labillardieri) are killed by landholders who mistake them for serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma).

Wabdahalla  Bush Reserve is managed by Parks Victoria and has many native plants in flower at the moment.

Once again the Bannockburn Art Group held a very successful Art Show this month in the Bannockburn Hall.

Golden Plains Shire Council will be offering a free Public Immunisation Service at the Bannockburn Family Services Centre.

“Do I have to?” 
“I’ve got a sore leg!” 
“I want to finish this computer game!”
“I don’t want to!”

The delivery of our mail is something that we take for granted in Australia. But where does the postie put our mail?

Fellowship … good times … meeting people … building lasting friendships … service to the community … learning new skills … leadership and personal development –