Yea Thursday 2nd July 6.10pm

What’s on at the YEA LIBRARY

What’s on @ YEA LIBRARY! July 2009

Open 9-5 Monday – Friday & 10-12 Saturday.

• Back by popular demand! Friday 10 July @ 7pm. John & Jennifer and the beautiful TURKISH scarves, shawls & wraps return to Yea. Enjoy a night traveling to ALBANIA and indulge in some retail therapy with the wonderfully crafted work direct from Turkey. Warming soup, tea & coffee provided, byo drinks.

• Tuesdays@YeaLibrary2009! Tuesday 14 July @ 11am, A morning with Sally Fischmann Feng Shui Workshop Have you ever wondered what Feng Shui is all about? Learn the basic principles of this ancient art. Presented by Feng Shui consultant Sally Fischmann, this workshop teaches you about Chi energy, the five elements, and cures and remedies that you can use in your home, business, and everyday life to promote health, happiness, and wellbeing. Calming food to follow.

• Childrens’ Book Week. The short list has been announced and the Yea Library has a number of the books that have made the “finals” of this prestigious award. All available to borrow and read.

• Storytime! Every Wednesday at 11 am sharp for all pre-schoolers. Stories, songs, rhyme, and a great social time with friends. Taking a break through the holidays.

• French Conversation group with Yolande Palumbo, every 1st & 3rd Wednesday @ 1pm. Bring your lunch, and explore the delights of the French, lots of fun, no pressure. This is going very well.

• Friends of the Yea Library Bookshop: 92 High Street, for lots of book bargains. Open Thursday – Friday 10am – 4pm. Saturday 10am – 1pm. Help always needed, if you are interested don’t hesitate to contact the Library for details.

• Baby Bounce & Rhyme: Thursday 10.00 – 10.30am Share music and fun with your baby (0-2years) Rhymes, Singing, Music and stay for a cuppa. Every 2nd & 4th Thursdays.

• Books on the Couch 2009! Tuesday 21 July @ 7 pm. Be the first to see the new books in the Murrindindi Library Service and enjoy a drink and nibbles at the same time.

• Cork Drop Plus! Don’t throw your corks, plastic wine stoppers or aluminium screw tops, recycle them at the Library, a Friends of the Zoo (FOTZ) fundraiser.

• Drop in and read the Yea Chronicle or the Weekly Times. Yea Library has current issues of these popular newspapers, and look out for The Age, coming soon daily to your library.

• Stamp Drop! Recycle those used stamps.

• Kids’ corner: a special place for young people, reading, games, and more.

• Friends of the Yea Library: 2nd Tuesday of the month at 2pm

• U3A (University of the Third Age) Genealogy Group: 1st Friday at 10am

• Yea & District Historical Society: 1st Monday (of every second month) at 7.30pm

• Find it hard to read the newspaper? The Friends of the Yea Library produce a “large print” version of the Yea Chronicle each week.

• Find it hard to get to the library? We would be happy to organize a monthly house-bound delivery service of books tailored to your taste.

• The Yea Library offers free internet access, wireless internet, and also has photocopying and fax services available at reasonable rates.

• Dates for the diary: coming up in August

Tuesdays@YeaLibrary2009 Tuesday August 11 @11 am. A morning with Doug McArthur Sounds from Space. Doug McArthur, will speak, (in layman’s terms), about Radio Astronomy. Hear the sounds of Outer Space and learn what that big dish on the hill actually does! (That’s the 10 metre diameter one near Glenburn!)

Are you missing your glasses? We have several pairs of prescription glasses that have been left in the Library by mistake, you never know, they might be your’s


Phone: 57972209 yeaoffice@murrindindi.vic.gov.au

www.murrindindi.vic.gov.au Online library www.yprl.vic.gov.au

Yea Wednesday 1st July 9.20pm

FUNDING BOOST FAST TRACKS RURAL CFA STATIONS

A $26 million State Government funding package will fast track the construction and upgrade of 60 rural Country Fire Authority stations across Victoria, including four stations in Murrindindi Shire.

The Member for Seymour, Ben Hardman, said the funding boost over the next two years would significantly bring forward building schedules for CFA stations in Yea & Limestone, Strath Creek/Reedy Creek, Murrindindi & Woodbourne and Thornton.

“This is fantastic news for these communities who have worked extremely hard to improve these facilities which are so vital to their community and the region,” Mr Hardman said.

“The Brumby Government is committed to providing modern, updated facilities to help our CFA volunteers in doing their important work.

“These new stations will be determined by local needs and will include bigger areas to house vehicles, environmental design features and meeting rooms which could be used by the broader community.”

Mr Hardman said the funding was part of a state-wide Government priority of supporting and upgrading Victoria’s emergency services.

“Our CFA volunteers embody the spirit of what it means to be a part of a community and display the qualities we all value – courage, commitment, compassion, self-sacrifice,” he said.

Local volunteer agencies are the backbone of Victoria’s emergency service response and the Brumby Government is proud to support the dedicated men and women who give up so much to help keep our community safe.

“These new fire stations will also stimulate the local economy through providing work to local builders and other trades.”

Mr Hardman said the recent 2009/10 State Budget delivered a significant boost to Victoria’s emergency services including:

• $21.1 million to replace 87 CFA appliances over the next year;

• $10.3 million to replace 15 heavy rescue vehicles, 7 four wheel drive vehicles, 9 rescue boats and 11 road crash rescue kits at VICSES Units across Victoria; and

• $10.3 million for 42 ultra light tankers.

Further to this, an investment of $20.7 million is being made to improve communication blackspots across the state, plus enhancements to the bushfire information line.

“Since Labor came to power in 1999, the combined emergency services core budget has more than doubled, and we continue to invest heavily in this area,” Mr Hardman said.

“Victoria’s expenditure per person on fire services is the highest in the nation.”

There are 30 rural stations announced this year with the CFA to determine another 30 for next year.

Yea Tuesday 30th June 6.40pm

2 New Listings in "For Sale"

See them here.

Yea Tuesday 30th June 6.20pm

Region 12 is hosting Royal Commission Briefings over the next 2 weeks

The Briefings will be attended by DCO Greg Esnouf, CFA 2009 Fires Taskforce Leader and a CFA Board Member from the Board Royal Commission Sub Committee. The purpose of the Briefings is to explain the royal commission process, CFA’s role in the process and to answer questions about the process.

All Brigades and members in Region 12 have been invited to attend one of the Briefings. All CFA Members are welcome.

The following dates and venues have been confirmed for the briefings.

Monday 29th June – 1930hrs – Seymour Community Arts Centre (Anglesey St - at Seymour High School)

Tuesday 30th June – 1930hrs – Tooborac Hall – Northern Highway Tooborac

Tuesday 7th July – 1930hrs – Alexandra Shire Hall – Grant St Alexandra

Wednesday 8th July - 1930hrs – Yea Shire Hall – High St Yea

All Region 12 staff members are also invited to attend one of the Briefings. Please RSVP to Bob Potts about which briefing you would like to attend.

AMT Members – You are also invited to attend one of the Briefings. Please feel free to pass on the invitation to members of your team that may benefit from attending a session.

RPC Delegates – This is for information. You may be aware of CFA Members that haven’t already received the information via Pager.

If you have any questions or would like to RSVP, please contact Bob Potts.

Regards,

Peter Creak
Operations Manager
Region 12 - North East Area
CFA
54 Tallarook St
Seymour Vic 3660
P: (03) 5799 1517
F: (03) 5792 3266
M: 0407 861 062
E: p.creak@cfa.vic.gov.au

Yea Monday 29th June 1.45pm

Open Letter

Dear Sir,

On Friday I finally received a copy of the transcript of the interview of Tuesday morning (23-06-09) on ABC 774 Melbourne with the Minister for Water, Tim Holding.

I refute in the strongest possible terms the claims Tim Holding has made against me.

Also, I believe that Minister Holding has tried to defame my character in that interview.

As a result of this, I have commenced a legal process with the intention to take action against the Minister.

From my point of view, I believe, the Minister’s actions were tactics to distract people from the real issue; the policy to build the North-South Pipeline is seriously flawed as exposed in the article; “North-South Pipeline Figures All At Sea“, in last week’s Sunday Age (21-06-09) by Melissa Fyfe.

However, I do not believe this is a just reason for a Minister of the Brumby Government to try to defame a person.

I strongly believe the whole process of the North-South Pipeline, driven by the Brumby Government, has denigrated our democracy and the rights of the individual and this incident is just another example to add to the list.

Yours truly,

Mike Dalmau

Yea Thursday 25th June 7.00pm

DSE Exposes "The Great Brumby Pipeline Lie"

From the very beginning, Plug the Pipe has always maintained the 'irrigation savings don't exist’ to supply 75 billion litres of water to Melbourne through the North South Pipeline. DSE's acknowledgement of this fact under present conditions in yesterdays AGE article by Melissa Fyfe simply confirms The Great Brumby Pipeline Lie. Also in that article, DSE claimed that conditions have only recently changed which is blatantly false and is a thinly veiled attempt to cover up the enormity of their deception or blunder. The water lost from the irrigation districts has not significantly changed since the announcement of the project. Equally offensive is DSE's defence in blaming the errors in water saving calculations on junior staff, a cowardly statement of low credibility considering the magnitude and complexity of the multi-billion dollar water plan.

The Brumby Government has acted with either unfathomable incompetence or with extreme dishonesty by its unwavering line that irrigation water savings will be achieved to supply 'new water' for Melbourne, the Murray Darling Basin crisis and Victoria's drought affected food producers.

The North South Pipeline was painted as the saviour through the Premiers 'New Water' for all but has turn out to be just a cruel deceptive trick that even the originally misguided can now see through.

The question remains, how many lies and blunders can a Government make on water before it damages their credibility and electability?

The North South Pipeline will be a major election issue in the minds of the average Victorian as they head to the polls next year. They will be thinking the promise of water nirvana and the reality of water hell as the pay more for water they did not receive from a dry pipe. Farmers and environmentalists will be thinking the same thing and we will be there to remind them all not to forget.

Jan Beer

0407 144777

Yea Wednesday 24th June 2.00pm

3rd Term Community House Program

Yea Community House has released its 3rd term program. It is available for viewing or download from the "community house" link on the left menu or from here.

Yea Tuesday 23rd June 6.35pm

Business Recovery Information Sessions Provide Helping Hand

Murrindindi Shire Council in conjunction with the Rural Financial Counselling Service recently conducted a series of business recovery information sessions throughout the shire. More than 100 businesses attended the sessions and were provided with a wealth of information to assist in the wake of the bushfires.

The sessions included presentations from many government and aid agencies. Topics covered included financial counselling, legal issues, accountancy, and insurance matters. Participants also learned how agencies such as Centre Link, Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Murrindindi Shire Council can be of help.

Key messages included:

Financial Advice  -The Rural Financial Counselling Service offers free financial advice call 5735 4342

Legal Matters - contact Victoria Legal Aid to find out about all your rights. For any matter relating to the bushfires including insurance matters their free legal help line is 1800 113 432

Insurance - The Insurance Council of Australia can give advice on the most effective dispute resolution procedure. They also provided details on how to insure for the future. 1300 728 228

Accounting -  CPA Australia can help with getting financial accounts back in order together with how to wind up an existing business and understanding what financial options are available. 1300 737 373

Small Business Mentoring Services - The Small Business Mentoring Service is a free service available for everyone affected by the February Bushfires. They can help with applying for grants and can assist with marketing, sales and websites 9879 4476

Centrelink  - welfare support services and a gateway to other government agencies. Many affected by the fires may be unaware of their entitlements and it’s worthwhile visiting one of the Centrelink hubs set up for bushfire affected resident to discuss your individual situation. Call 1800 050 004

Taxation - The ATO are being very lenient with BAS and tax returns for those affected by the fires. The ATO can help get your tax affairs back in order Call1300 304 975

Murrindindi Shire Council can assist in sorting through many complex issues. Call the Council’s Economic Development Department on 5772 0318

Yea Monday 22nd June 7.55pm

Mayor’s Chair

It has been a busy week for the Shire – and a cold one too! We hope you have all managed to stay warm and, at the same time, enjoy the change of seasons. Time marches on…

Last week in Marysville, Parliamentary Secretary Bill Shorten announced a state government allocation of almost $630,000 for our Shire to establish appropriate memorials for the family and friends we lost on February 7. We as a shire believe it is an important part of the healing process to decide how best to acknowledge our losses and to dedicate the future to them. Given the widespread nature of the fires determining the best way to allocate such funds will be a community issue with consultation and discussion.

On a more local basis, the future Kinglake Men’s Shed also received a government grant of $50,000 to help fund the project. It is a great show of faith by the government that our local men can have a place to meet, chat, swap practical ideas and even tools and also develop and cement new friendships along the way. Our thanks for this allocation.

As mentioned last week, 350 well deserving women from our Shire and surrounds will be heading down to Lorne on the weekend of July 10, 11 and 12 in a co-sponsored ‘get away’ Bush to Beach Retreat held at the Cumberland Resort in Lorne. For the minimal cost of $80 all transport, food and accommodation is provided. Registration is essential by contacting 0414 255 384 or email at bush2beachretreat@hotmail.com. This wonderful weekend is being coordinated by KANDO, VBRAA and the Cumberland 5 Star resort. (If more than 350 women apply, another weekend may be planned for later in the year).

If you know of a community group that improves the health and wellbeing of our children and general local communities you may be interested in the Commonwealth Bank’s $10,000 community grant where the bank, with criteria, will allocate Bank Staff Funds to eligible groups who have done ‘their bit’ for their community.

Have a look at the website at www.commbank.com.au/communitygrants - or contact them on (02) 9378 7120 for further information.

It’s a great boom for the shire – and we would encourage you to apply where applicable.

This week I am representing the Shire and the community in Canberra at two conferences – the National General Assembly of Local Government and also the Australian Council of Local Government. I will be reporting all relevant details in next week’s Mayor’s Chair.

It is an interesting week with a number of relevant points and meetings for our community.

Last week, Councillors attended the following events focusing on local matters: meeting with the Moonee Valley City Council regarding ongoing fund raising matters and youth support; an Open forum and briefing session at Alexandra; a number of radio spots on UGFM and ABC Kinglake; a Victorian Bushfire Appeal and Advisory Panel meeting.

Thought for the week – ‘Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars’, Les Brown.

Yea Sunday 21st June 6.15pm

Funds For Bushfire Memorials

RESIDENTS of Murrindindi will have the chance to reflect and remember the impact of this year’s devastating bushfires with the area to share in $2.5 million to create memorials.

The Member for Seymour, Ben Hardman said Murrindindi Shire would receive $628,588 for memorials for the Kinglake Ranges, the Marysville Triangle, Flowerdale and the Melba group.

“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to help Victoria communities recover from the devastating bushfires,” he said.

“Communities across the Murrindindi Shire were hurt by this year’s bushfires and these memorials will be an important part of the recovery process.

"This funding will provide residents in Kinglake, Flowerdale, Marysville and the Murrindindi area the chance to reflect and remember the impact of the devastating bushfires and is an important part of the recovery process.”

Community Development Minister Peter Batchelor said memorials could be physical monuments, gardens, open spaces for reflection, landscaping, sculptures, or a commemorative event.

“Funding can be used to create community memorials to remember the bushfire events, to support communities to acknowledge the scale, impact and loss as well as to acknowledge their pride and resilience during recovery,” Mr Batchelor said.

“Murrindindi Shire will work together with resident groups to determine what sort of memorials might be appropriate and where they might be.”

Mr Hardman said Nillumbik Shire would receive $159,556 for memorials at St.Andrrews and Arthurs Creek/Strathewenthe Shire of Yarra Ranges

The Victorian and Commonwealth Governments jointly established the Community Recovery Fund in February for communities affected by the bushfires, each committing $5 million.

The Community Recovery Fund has already allocated $3 million for a Community Sports Recovery Fund.

Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Bushfire Recovery Reconstruction Bill Shorten said 19 councils would receive funding and remembering the devastation caused by the fires was an important part of the recovery process.

“How a community chooses to remember is up to them. We want the final decision on how many memorials there are and what form they take to be made by local communities,” Mr Shorten said.

“The courage and commitment to rebuilding of bushfire affected towns across Victoria is inspirational.

“We will continue to support these towns recover and I believe these memorials will be a fitting and necessary commemoration of the events of February.”

Yea Sunday 21st June 6.10pm

2 New Listings in "For Sale"

See them here.

Yea Thursday 18th June 8.15pm

Credit Card Scams

SCENE 1:
This is a new one.

People sure stay busy trying to cheat us, don't they?

A friend went to the local gym and placed his belongings in the locker.

After the workout and a shower, he came out, saw the locker open, and thought to himself, 'Funny, I thought I locked the locker.

Hmm, 'He dressed and just flipped the wallet to make sure all was in order. Everything looked okay - all cards were in place.

A few weeks later his credit card bill came - a whooping bill of $14,000!

He called the credit card company and started yelling at them, saying that he did not make the transactions.

Customer care personnel verified that there was no Mistake in the system and asked if his card had been stolen.

'No,' he said, but then took out his wallet, pulled out the credit card, and yep - you guessed it - a switch had been made.

An expired similar credit card from the same bank was in the wallet.

The thief broke into his locker at the gym and switched cards.

Verdict:
The credit card issuer said since he did not report the card missing earlier, he would have to pay the amount owed to them.

How much did he have to pay for items he did not buy?

$9,000!

Why were there no calls made to verify the amount swiped?

Small amounts rarely trigger a 'warning bell' with 20 some credit card companies.

It just so happens that all the small amounts added up to big one!


SCENE 2:
A man at a local restaurant paid for his meal with his credit card.

The bill for the meal came, he signed it,and the waitress folded the receipt and passed the credit card along.

Usually, he would just take it and place it in his wallet or pocket.

Funny enough, though, he actually took a look at the card and, lo and behold, it was the expired card of another person.

He called the waitress and she looked perplexed.

She took it back, apologized, and hurried back to the counter under the watchful eye of the man.

All the waitress did while walking to the counter was wave the wrong expired card to the counter cashier, and the counter cashier immediately looked down and took out the real card.

No exchange of words --- nothing!

She took it and came back to the man with an apology.

Verdict:

Make sure the credit cards in your wallet are yours.

Check the name on the card every time you sign for something and/or the card is taken away for even a short period of time.

Many people just take back the credit card without even looking at it, 'assuming' that it has to be theirs.

FOR YOUR OWN SAKE, DEVELOP THE HABIT OF CHECKING YOUR CREDIT CARD EACH TIME IT IS RETURNED TO YOU AFTER A TRANSACTION!

SCENE 3:

Yesterday I went into a pizza restaurant to pick up an order that I had phoned in.

I paid by using my Visa Card which, of course, is linked directly to my cheque account.

The young man behind the counter took my card, swiped it, then laid it on the counter as he waited for the approval, which is pretty standard procedure.

While he waited, he picked up his cell phone and started dialing..

I noticed the phone because it is the same model I have, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Then I heard a click that sounded like my phone sounds when I take a picture.

He then gave me back my card but kept the phone in his hand as if he was still pressing buttons.

Meanwhile, I'm thinking:

I wonder what he is taking a picture of, oblivious to what was really going on.

It then dawned on me: the only thing there, was my credit card, so now I'm paying close attention to what he is doing.

He set his phone on the counter, leaving it open.

About five seconds later, I heard the chime that tells you that the picture has been saved.

Now I'm standing there struggling with the fact that this boy just took a picture of my credit card.

Yes, he played it off well, because had we not had the same kind of phone, I probably would never have known what happened.

Needless to say, I immediately canceled that card as I was walking out of the pizza parlor.

All I am saying is, be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Whenever you are using your credit card take caution and don't be careless.

Notice who is standing near you and what they are doing when you use your card..

Be aware of phones, because many have a camera phone these days.

thanks Ken

Yea Wednesday 17th June 6.40pm

This is a very good illustration of the stimulus plan…

It is August, on the shores of the Black Sea. It is raining, and the little town looks totally deserted. It is tough times, everybody is in debt, and everybody lives on credit.

A rich tourist comes to town. He enters the only hotel, lays a 100 Euro note on the reception counter, and goes to inspect the rooms upstairs in order to pick one.

The hotel proprietor takes the 100 Euro note and runs to pay his debt to the butcher.

The Butcher takes the 100 Euro note, and runs to pay his debt to the pig rancher.

The pig rancher takes the 100 Euro note, and runs to pay his debt to the supplier of his feed and fuel.

The supplier of feed and fuel takes the 100 Euro note and runs to pay his debt to the town's prostitute that in these hard times, gave her "services" on credit.

The hooker runs to the hotel, and pays off her debt with the 100 Euro note to the hotel proprietor to pay for the rooms that she rented when she brought her clients there.

The hotel proprietor then lays the 100 Euro note back on the counter so that the rich tourist will not suspect anything.

At that moment, the rich tourist comes down after inspecting the rooms, says that he did not like any of them, picks up his 100 Euro note, and leaves town.

No one earned anything. However, the whole town is now without debt, and looks to the future with a lot of optimism.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how the Australian Government is doing business today.

thanks Ken

Yea Tuesday 16th June 6.40pm

Mayor’s Chair

The Premier John Brumby and the Chair of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction & Recovery Authority (VBRRA), Christine Nixon were in Kinglake last Friday to announce the provision of three new dedicated rebuilding services. Rebuilding Advisory Centres will be built in Marysville and Kinglake and the third (as a visiting/mobile service) will take in the communities of other bushfire impacted areas.

Basically, these complexes will be a “one-stop-shop” for almost all your needs in the rebuilding process – planning, architects, finances and legal services. Once we are way down the recovery track and the use of the Rebuilding Advisory Centres’ services have been exhausted the buildings will be handed over to the local communities. This is a wonderful idea and a sure sign of further commitment from the State Government and VBRRA.

Last weekend, we were all delighted to hear that Russ James, from Eildon was a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to the community. A well deserved award and congratulations from us all at the council Russ. We are all proud of you and share the rest of the community’s best wishes.

More good news with the announcement that the Department of Sustainability and Environment is on track to reopen its damaged offices in Marysville by the end of October. Many staff, a number of who lost homes, have been working out of the Alexandra office since 7 February. We look forward to welcoming this office back as soon as possible.

With winter biting in harder and harder these days, it’s a good idea to be vigilante with open fires and outdoor fires. Also, it’s a good idea to set up some sort of routine to check on elderly, or frail neighbours - not too hard to do. Stay warm.

Three hundred and fifty well deserving women from our shire and surrounds will be heading down to Lorne on the weekend of 10, 11 and 12 July in a co-sponsored “get away” Bush to Beach Retreat. Held at the Cumberland Resort in Lorne at the minimal cost of $80, transport, food and accommodation are being provided. Registration is essential – telephone enquiries to 0414 255 384 or email bush2beachretreat@hotmail.com. This wonderful weekend is being coordinated by KANDO, VBRAA and The Cumberland 5 Star resort. (If more than 350 women apply, don’t worry we’ll probably hold another weekend later in the year!)

A “Did you Know” fact! Eighty-one percent of murrindindi shire women are Australian born and those who are born overseas mainly come from England, New Zealand, Germany and the Netherlands.

During the fires, eight major and sixteen minor bridges suffered damage. The Hazeldene Bridge has possibly been the bridge receiving the most attention and I am pleases to say that council and the community are looking at various ways or repairing/rebuilding or possibly upgrading this historical asset.

Councillor activity this past week included MBRRC meetings, ATTA meeting, Killingworth Road Community Consultation meeting; number ABC Kinglake and UGFM radio appearances, meeting with Christine Nixon and Premier John Brumby.

“We should not let our fears hold us back from pursuing our hopes” John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

Yea Monday 15th June 5.50pm

BEST OF BRITISH AT MURRINDINDI REEL FILMS

Laughter ….. a great antidote to winter blues!

Murrindindi Film Society’s next screening on Friday 19th June will be a British Comedy Night featuring two classics from the 1950s. Doors open at the Yea Shire Chambers at 6.45 p.m. for drinks and nibbles. The first film at 7.00 p.m. will be the Alec Guinness classic “The Man in the White Suit” in which an eccentric inventor falls foul of both wealthy capitalists and trades unions alike when he discovers an indestructible fabric. The comedy is gentle with some quite perceptive social comments. Joan Greenwood and Cecil Parker also feature.

After supper the St Trinians’s style romp “The Happiest Days of Your Life” will be screened. With Alistair Sim and Margaret Rutherford in one of their rare appearances together on screen, it revolves around the chaos created by the accidental billeting of female pupils at an all male school. Old favourites such as Joyce Grenfell and Richard Wattis contribute to the ensuing hilarity.

“Best of British Comedy” nights have proved very popular with our members and others in the community who would like to join in the fun will be made most welcome.

Enquiries to Jill Dwyer on 5797 2480 or jilldwyer@dodo.com.au.

Yea Monday 15th June 5.45pm

Council Rate Waiver for Bushfire Victims

Murrindindi Shire Council will waive five months of rate charges for ratepayers directly impacted by the Black Saturday bushfires.

The council has acted swiftly to pass on the benefits following revisions to the State Government’s natural disaster funding arrangements.

The decision, ratified at Council’s meeting on 27 May 2009, sees a reduction, on a pro rata basis, for five months of rates, garbage and recycling charges covering 7 February to 30 June 2009.

Those benefiting from the decision include ratepayers whose primary residence or business was destroyed or rendered uninhabitable as a direct consequence of the Black Saturday bushfires.

Ratepayers who meet the new criteria, set by the Department of Treasury and Finance, and who have not yet paid their rates will be sent a revised notice whilst those who have already paid will be given a refund.

Properties affected by the fires but not meeting the criteria are also subject to a supplementary valuation. A revised rate notice based on the amended property valuation will be issued.

The new rate charges and a detailed explanation of criteria will be sent to all relevant ratepayers shortly.

Yea Sunday 14th June 5.55pm

Bow Hunter looking for Hunting Area

Email received:

Hello. I was wondering if you would know of any properties or property owners who would welcome me to their property to hunt with my Bow. I'm a mature & experienced Bow Hunter looking for properties to hunt Rabbits, Fox, Cat, All rules obeyed & willing to pay for the privilege. I am also an experienced Computer Technician & can help with any PC needs the property owner may have

Kind Regards

Jon Hawkins

To contact John you can email him here.

Yea Sunday 14th June 5.45pm

Community Advisory Groups Formed for Bushfire Recovery

The Murrindindi Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Committee (MBRRC) has moved swiftly to establish a number of community advisory groups representing fire affected areas within the Shire of Murrindindi.

The role of the Community Advisory Groups is to provide advice to MBRRC on the planning and rebuilding of their communities.

Membership of the Kinglake Ranges and Marysville District is complete, with further members required for the Melba Highway and King Parrot Valley.

The groups comprise community members who submitted an expression of interest to Council together with representatives selected from a number of community groups formed in the weeks immediately after the fires and in some instances community elections.

Commenting on the formation of the advisory groups, Deputy Mayor and MBRRC member Kevin Bellingham said ‘thorough community consultation is a vital ingredient in the recovery process”. “The advisory groups ensure a broad representation of people in local communities and create a proper and effective forum where their input can be channelled.”

Local advisory groups will also have the ability to recruit additional members when a need for a particular skill is required or if representation from a specific section of the community is identified.

Names and further details of those accepting the invitation to join an advisory group will be announced shortly.

Yea Saturday 13th June 11.00pm

New Listing in "For Sale"

See it here.

Yea Thursday 11th June 3.30pm

Help Wanted with Volunteer DVD

Damien Leith, acclaimed singer, song writer and winner of Network Ten’s 2006 Australian Idol, has agreed to support a project that celebrates the efforts of volunteers during the Black Saturday fires. Damien and Sony Music have approved and donated the use of Damien’s song “Come To Me”.

Lisa Rudd, who assisted at the Yea Relief Centre during the fires, is creating a DVD set to the song. The DVD will be a creative representation set to music; it will feature the amazing efforts of volunteers and others during the fires. The focus of the piece will be on the Yea Relief Centre however it aims to also represents and reflect on what was taking place across Victoria.

The Song “Come To Me” truly captures the essence of what volunteers were aiming to achieve when they assisted those affected by the fires; the chorus is poignant and relevant when it states:

And I see you feel you’re walking on your own
Won’t you come to me
Maybe then you’ll see
What I can do
And when you’re falling on your own
I’ll help you to your feet
I’ll help you carry on
And I’ll go there with you

Lisa took many photos during the events of Black Saturday and beyond but is seeking to also include other images in the DVD. The type of photos and footage Lisa is looking for are ones that represents the many varied roles that volunteers took on during the fires: people reaching out to people, to animals, acts of kindness and similar photos or video footage.

In return for the use of these images people, who have their contributions selected for use, will be acknowledged on the DVD and receive a free copy of the final results. Lisa is donating her time to create this DVD but is seeking funding to cover the costs of editing, burning and printing of the DVD along with a community launch to celebrate and acknowledge the inspiring efforts of those at Yea Relief Centre.

If you have photos or film that you would like to submit for consideration of use in the DVD please forward them in digital (disc) format to Lisa Rudd at 27 Killingworth Rd Yea. Please ensure you include your name, address, email details and short description of what the images depict. Please note that discs cannot be returned. Single images in JPEG format, or similar, can be forwarded to Lisa at grangeworth@bigpond.com

This project is aimed at celebrating volunteers and all that they do for our communities; for more information or to become involved email Lisa Rudd or phone 0428 887 009.

Murrindindi Bus Services

Murrindindi Council has created this timtable for all bus services in the Murrindindi area. You can get the timetable here.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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