STAY CONNECTED – UPPER PLENTY
Supported by Mitchell Shire Council
Ph. 5783-1661
Mail: 175 Clarkes Rd,
Upper Plenty 3756
Email: shack AT upperplenty.com
NOVEMBER 2009
Hi Everyone,
All those people who attended the last recovery meeting will know that fire affected communities have been asked to submit their Recovery Plans by December 3. Not much time. Alison had some posters made up so people could jot down ideas about what they thought would help Upper Plenty.
Those ideas were taken to a meeting with a number of residents, Jo van Dort (our local recovery worker) and Lisa Linton from Mitchell Shire Council on Monday November 11. Jo & Lisa helped us clarify ideas & set priorities (we are asking for lots of things but what do we think is most important?), and very importantly, with the writing of the Recovery Plan.
We talked about a lot of things and came to the following resolutions.
The Shack is the major focal point for our community and our first priority is to make this a better place for the community to use. We all agreed that any plans would focus on new additions to improve the facilities rather than maintenance type activities. We would like a paved, covered outdoor area, a play area for children (sandpit, basketball hoop), a better noticeboard, easy to read from the road, continued social activities with the emphasis on “community”, rather than “bushfires”, a small PA system which could also be used to provide music. Other items requested include improved signage for Upper Plenty, beautification / landscaping for the area on the corner of Mahadys & Whittlesea-Wallan Rd. (Vicroads should have done it when they widened the road). We also are asking for assistance to secure for the community the land on which the Shack stands. It is currently owned by the Education Dept. although the Shack itself is owned by the community.
If you have any strong ideas about any of these proposals or want to suggest other others you need to talk to Alison (5783-1950), Hayley (5783-1141) or Kris (0401 133 400) ASAP – before 30th November.
Rose.
WHO IS WHERE & WHAT ARE THEY DOING?
Christine & Andrew Brown (Cleves Rd North) are delighted to announce the engagement of their daughter, Tamara (currently living in Wallan). Their son, Gavin, & wife Kelly, are expecting their second child.
Dianne & Geoffrey Whitworth (Cleves Rd North) are equally delighted to announce they have a new grand daughter, Ally May, born on October 2nd to daughter Amy Hawking. Amy & husband, Anthony, along with 2 other children, Chloe & Kelsey, are currently living with Dianne & Geoffrey while their new home is being built in Whittlesea. It is a very busy and very happy household. Dianne & Geoffrey have started a new business resurfacing kitchens & bathrooms – a very economical way of giving these areas a facelift. Call Geoff on 1800 073 642 if you have any questions about minor or major repairs to kitchen / bathroom areas. They are working on developing a website www.superiorresurfacing.com.au It will be up & running any time now.
Gail Kendrick (Woodlands Place) has applied for Planning permission to subdivide her property. Gail is working as a real estate agent for Wilson Partners in Wallan. The job must be agreeing with her as she is looking absolutely fabulous these days. Daughter, Jessica, is also working for Wilson Partners in Kilmore.
Deidre & Gerard Payne are moving to their new home in Wallan very soon. They & the children are very excited at the prospect of permanency and more space.
Carmel Douglas (South Mountain Rd) is able to access free rice straw for anyone who wants to use it for erosion control. She can only order in quantities of 48 bales so needs quite a few people to make it worthwhile ordering. The bales are 4x4x8 ft., weighing ½ ton each so need equipment to move. You can contact Carmel on 5787-1436.
Margaret & Chris (Sticks ‘n’ Stones) Whittlesea-Wallan Rd. Margaret’s mother, Beryl, had a fall at their property recently, sustaining a broken arm & back injuries. To complicate things she has had to have surgery to install a plate as the fracture was not healing properly. She will be staying with Margaret & Chris until she is able to return home to Shepparton.
Mary & Greg Hullin & the boys have moved back to their Mahady’s Rd property. Welcome back – hope to see you all at the Christmas party.
Jenny & Les Walton at the top of Lord’s Rd are apparently about to start rebuilding with Rapidwall.
Lee-Anne & Grant Dobbie (Whittlesea-Wallan Rd) Congratulations to you both. Little Max was born early morning on the 13thNovember. 9lb.3oz – no surprise Leanne was keen not to go over term. The local school can rely on you both to keep their numbers up for many years to come!
Chris & Gordon Ogilvie (Mahady’s Rd) will be moving closer to home in the near future. While still planning to rebuild they have decided to give themselves more time to work on their plans. Meantime, they will be moving to Whittlesea soon. This move will also allow them to be much closer to Chris’s mother who has had major health problems this year. When I spoke with Chris she had just learned that her daughter Cait’s college was one of those that went into receivership, leaving students unable to complete their diplomas & degrees. It’s truly amazing how much stress can hit people over a short period of time. Eldest son, Robert, is planning another overseas trip in the near future.
Peachy’s Trail Rides are continuing to operate with some access to the forest.
Rose King & Francis Payne (Clarkes Rd) Baby Christian & parents are doing very well. Christian is beautiful & the spit of Sam as a baby.
Melinda Hobson & Henry Snowden (South Mountain Rd) are at lock up stage of their new home and are painting & tiling. If we had a prize for most advanced building I think they would be the winners.
Sheena & Laurie Patton (Clarkes Rd) have recently had the distressing news that their youngest grandchild has been diagnosed with a serious illness. This will affect a lot of people as Sheena & Laurie have a large extended family both in Upper Plenty and elsewhere. Best wishes for a speedy & uncomplicated recovery for your granddaughter.
Rita Miller & Teresa Carlin (Clarkes Rd) both went to the Bush to Beach Retreat at Lorne recently and say it was “outstanding”. Anyone who has the opportunity should consider going. There is another planned for later in the year.
Natalie & Royce’s (Clarkes Rd) demountable home has been delivered this week after a frustrating delay.
Anita & China Potter’s (Mahadys Rd) shed is underway.
Glenice & Bill Broderick (Clarkes Rd) are doing well but have spent a lot of time trying to get their BAL assessment down. They have now achieved this (not without huge stress) and can concentrate on building plans. Keep a look out in the local papers for a story about Glenice, Bill & their dogs.
EVENTS AT THE SHACK
Community Christmas Party -Friday, December 11.
PLEASE LET KRIS KNOW BY DECEMBER 4TH IF YOU ARE COMING SO WE CAN MAKE SURE THERE IS ENOUGH FOOD (0401 133 400).
Santa will be making a pre- Christmas visit. He would like to give gifts to all the attending children but due to the GFC (Global Financial Crisis) he is a bit strapped for cash (he has also had to lay off several elves as he can’t afford to pay their wages – blame it on the Elves’ Union – they have got a bit greedy lately). Kris Faltis 0401 133 400 fortunately has a Hotline to Santa so you can contact her about helping Santa out with the presents.
Yoga – Monday & Thursday evenings. Contact Julie 0408 483 876 or 9716-3635
Garden Club – the November meeting will be a dinner out for the Christmas break-up. All past & present members invited. Enquiries Susan – 5783-1456.
Hall Committee of Management Meeting -Wednesday, December9th.
All residents of Upper Plenty are welcome to attend. We would love to see any people who are planning to stay in Upper Plenty to raise their families. The hall is community owned and your children are its future. We are a very efficient Committee of Management and only require 4 meetings per year. How would you like to see the hall managed for you & your family? Enquiries – Rose 5783-1661.
JOKES
A mother was working in the kitchen, listening to her five-year-old son playing with his new electric train set in the living room.
She heard the train stop and her son saying, “All of you b****ds who want off, get off now, ‘cos we’re in a hurry! And all of you b****ds who are getting on, get on now, ‘cos we’re going down the tracks”.
The horrified mother went in and told her son, “We don’t use that that kind of language in this house. Now, I want you to go to your room and stay there for TWO HOURS.
When you come out you may play with your train, but I want you to use nice language”.
Two hours later the son came out of the bedroom and resumed playing with his train. Soon the train stopped and the mother heard her son say, “All passengers disembarking the train please remember to take all of your belongings with you. We thank you for travelling with us today and hope your trip was a pleasant one”.
She hears the little boy continue,
“For those of you just boarding, we ask you to stow all of your hand luggage under you seat. Remember, there is no smoking on the train. We hope you will have a pleasant & relaxing journey with us today”.
As the mother began to smile, the child added…….
“For those of you who are f****d off about the TWO HOUR delay, please see the Fat Controller in the kitchen.
SEND IN YOUR NEWS BEFORE DECEMBER 12TH FOR INCLUSION IN
THE NEXT NEWSLETTER.
Contact details are on the top of this page.
