Friday 15 January 2016

Thong throwing training and other preparations for Australia Day 2016

Fun for all at Australia Day celebrations in Wycheproof

The tradition continues with an early start to Australia Day celebrations for the whole community at Centenary Park, Wycheproof and will culminate in an afternoon of family fun and frolics at the Wycheproof Swimming Pool.
The traditional Australia Day breakfast will be served by members of the Lions Club of Wycheproof from 8am.  Local young musicians and singers will entertain. From 9.30am there is an official program that includes local citizen awards and will feature guest speaker Mr Tony Cavanagh―2016 Australia Day Ambassador, thoroughbred racing identity and North Melbourne Football Club supporter.
Mr Cavanagh also has interests in art and music and will share his enthusiasm and views on how he likes to help promote and contribute to everything that is Australian and dear to his heart.

Afternoon fun at Wycheproof Swimming Pool 

From 2pm, the Wycheproof Pool Committee, with Wycheproof Youth Group, will host a free Family Fun Day that includes a free sausage sizzle. This event is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Keilor. 
There will be classic games and some new ones with a Thong Throwing contest, totem tennis, swimming races and other water competitions: something for all age groups. For information contact the Wycheproof Pool Committee on M: 0404 285 802

Caption: Australia Day Ambassador, Tony Cavanagh will speak in Wycheproof during his visit to Buloke Shire this Australia Day (photo courtesy Herald Sun) 

Christmas spirit shines

Well you may not have seen them from space; but the Christmas lights, at Wycheproof, certainly put the town on the map this festive season. Broadway, Wycheproof was also the talk of the district with the iconic peppercorn trees adopted and decorated by individuals and groups.

Wycheproof VISION president Jacinta Miller said she was delighted that so many residents had lit up their houses, making the town glow and so many businesses had joined in adopting a peppercorn tree to decorate, showing a great Christmas spirit.

Awards in all categories were presented during Christmas eve celebrations at Centenary Park to:  
  • Winner 2015 overall all categories, Steve & Di Lang
  • Best Use of a Single Strand Julie Morrison
  • Best use of recycled material, Wayne & Renaye Gretgrix, Wycheproof Tyres  & Batteries
  • Best decorated street, Webster Street
  • Pollard family, Calder Highway, Best decorated rural
  • Kim Shaw & family, Novice (first-time entry)
  • Sam Harrison, Best decorated letter box (town) sponsored by Wycheproof Post Office
  • Lois Goddard Winner Best letter box (rural) sponsored by Wycheproof Post Office.

Thirty-three peppercorn trees were adopted by residents and community groups creating a fabulous avenue of Christmas spirit along Broadway. Wycheproof VISION commends and thanks all who participated. The overall winner was Mary Dillon and family. Participants included:

  • Wycheproof Swimming Pool Committee
  • Jo Cleveland
  • Julie and Graeme Perkins, Wycheproof Motel
  • Terry Mathieson, Royal Mail Hotel
  • Stephanie Hommelhoff and the Art and Craft information shop
  • Sue-Anne Beattie, Wycheproof Newsagency
  • Tracy Pardella, Mt Wycheproof CafĂ©
  • Marlbro House
  • ANZ Bank
  • Chalmers Butchers
  • Terminus Hotel
  • Rayes Family
  • Keltia Lindsay and family
  • Wycheproof Hopital
  • Maggie & Roy Daiken
  • Bernice Harding and family
  • Elders Wycheproof
  • Penelope Grant
  • Ison Family
  • Crockett Family
  • PAG Group and Glenda Bish
  • Wycheproof P-12 students
  • WCRC
  • Wycheproof Op Shop
  • Wycheproof Mens Shed
  • Claire Phyland
  • Bakery on Broadway
  • Steve and Di Lang
  • Buloke Shire staff
  • Carol Jones and Andrea Coatsworth
  • Clare Bloomfield

Grand opening of renovated historic Wycheproof Railway Station


On Friday 25 September, to the acclaim of the residents who crowded onto the station platform, the station building was handed over to the community in the culmination of the Victorian Government’s Community Use of Vacant Rail Buildings Program delivered by VicTrack.
     Community members and Buloke Council Mayor Cr Reid Mather, Cr Stuart McLean, Cr David Pollard Cr Ellen White and Cr Leo Tellefson, Ms Jean Parson Community Building Program Manager, Property Group and Mr Denis Cronin Project Manager VicTrack, architect Mr Fraser Brown of Quadratum and Mr Kerryn Davidson of Onleys Holdings Pty Ltd.  Cr Mather spoke of the mystique of rail and the new proposals to improve rail transport in the Buloke Shire which could mean more trains on the railway line through Broadway. He commended the community for embracing such an important and iconic project for the town.
     Mr Len Storey, representing Wycheproof VISION and Wycheproof Historical Society, said it was only when buildings such as this were loved that projects such as the railway station renovation could be funded and the community had certainly showed its love for the railway station. (Pictured members of the Wycheproof Historical Society with architect Fraser Brown
     Ms Parson, said the Wycheproof community had shown its passion and what the building had meant to the fabric of the town. She presented individuals with a commemorative book ‘Community Use of Vacant Rail Buildings Wycheproof Station 2015’. Her colleague, Jason Murray, Corporate Communications VicTrack, said the current project was completed under the Victorian Government’s Community Use of Vacant Rail Buildings Program and included further renovation and the inclusion of a kitchen area and all abilities toilet. He noted that the station would now be a community hub, with Wycheproof VISION as the lead leaseholder organisation with Wycheproof Community Resource Centre and Wycheproof Youth Group. 
     Wycheproof Station dates from 1887 and the station precinct is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register as the most intact example of the modest standard timber station buildings known as the ‘Pyramid Hill style’. The next project at the precinct is the restoration of the goods shed. That project has received an injection of $150,000 for completion by VicTrack.
The Wycheproof Station buildings are now overseen by Wycheproof VISION and are available for community use and hire. For information email info@wycheproof.vic.au or phone the Wycheproof Community Resource Centre on 54937455