ISSUE 120 – November 2016 NEWS briefs

2016 Rabbit Buster Roadshow

North Central CMA brings Dr Tarnya Cox (Invasive Animals CRC) to present the 2016 Rabbit Buster Roadshow. Dr Cox leads the national scientific research campaign to reduce the devastating impact of rabbits and is joined by Agriculture Victoria Invasive Animals Biosecurity manager John Matthews to present the roadshow at Wycheproof Shire Hall, Monday 14 November at 6pm. Bookings: www.eventbrite.com and search ‘rabbit buster’.

 Buloke Council election Lower Avoca Ward results

Congratulations to candidates: David Pollard (1st successful) and John Shaw (2nd successful), who will now represent Lower Avoca Ward at Buloke Shire Council.

First preference results: David Pollard 642 votes; John Shaw   308; Alan Getley 306 votes; and Bronwyn Simpson 176.

For more information see the Victorian Electoral Commission website: www.vec.vic.gov.au/Results/Council2016/BulokeResult.html

Congratulations to Cr Pollard on being elected for his second term as Mayor of Buloke Shire Council.

 125th A&P Society Show

Congratulations to the committee and community exhibitors who made the 125th annual Wycheproof Show another great day. The day could not happen without groups providing a delicious lunch, face painting, stalwart exhibitors and some new ones, local businesses, classic cars and machinery exhibitors and A&P Society members coordinating the event. Thank you to all who cooked, preserved, grew fabulous flowers fruit and vegies, stitched and found interesting old wares to display.

Street numbering to raise funds for community car

To help emergency services find your property the WCRC is offering Wycheproof town residents fluro street numbers painted on the kerb. The funds raised will go toward building a garage for the community car. The FLO program volunteers kicked off the project door knocking Wycheproof residents during October. It you missed the FLO volunteers and would like to have your house number painted on the kerb in front of your house, call in to the WCRC and make payment by 14 November. Cost is $10 per house or $15 to have your number painted in two different spots (for those on corners, or with wide street frontage).

Achievements 

During October, Brett Thompson received a 2016 Feed Central National Hay Quality competition award. Brett won the title for his cereal crop. There were more than 650 lots competing nationally with a total, 188,258 tonnes inspected. Cereal crops accounted for more than half the entries.  

Mosquitoes

The recent rain and floods have provided an environment conducive to mosquitos and breeding. In Victoria, mosquitos can carry diseases such as Ross River virus or Barmah Forest virus  Buloke Council has provided the following advice to  avoid mosquito bites and prevent them breeding in and around your home.

To avoid being bitten:

Wear long pants, socks and long-sleeved shirts and apply an insect repellent. Many repellents contain strong chemicals  DEET or pircaridin so users must follow the directions on the repellent’s product label and take care when using repellents on small children. Avoid parts of children’s hands that may touch their eyes or mouth.

Household hints:

· Clean up around your house and dispose of tins, tyres, bottles, buckets and other rubbish which may hold water

· Keep drains and roof guttering free of leaves and debris.

· Empty children's wading pools weekly.

· Install and maintain fly wire screens on all windows and doors.

· Exclude mosquitoes from water tanks and septic systems by ensuring that they have close fitting tops, lids, covers and that all inlet and outlet pipes are screened.

· Regularly change the water in vases, bird baths and pets bowls.

· Place sand in pot-plant saucers to absorb excess water.

If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact Council’s Environmental Health Officer on 1300 520 520.

  

ISSUE 120 – November 2016 Wycheproof on Track News with Jacinta

We are seeing both the benefits and the results of our wet Spring; among them the swarms of mosquitoes. Now nearly everyone you talk to has a different, but great, tried and true mosquito repellent that really works. However, while we wait for the shops to restock repellents, one of the best ways to reduce mosquitoes in the home garden is to clear out areas where they can breed including getting rid of any water, or containers of water, and reduce weeds. There is more information on page 3.

This month we congratulate the Wycheproof Kindergarten on its 50th anniversary at the current site in High St. There will be an open day on Sunday 6 November from 12 noon to 3pm and includes a barbecue and display. Organisers are seeking memorabilia for display. For information call in to the Wycheproof Community Resource Centre.

As we begin November we look forward to some warmer days spent at the Wycheproof swimming pool which opens for the season on Friday 11 November. The pool will be open between 3pm and 7pm weekdays and 2pm and 7pm weekends, school holidays and public holidays.

Lobbying to have Broadway made safer for pedestrians continues and there has been interest from VicRoads to learn more about our traffic issues. VicRoads manager Planning Mr Daya Govender attended a site inspection with representatives from Buloke Council, Wycheproof VISION, Broadway retailers and the P-12 College. Wycheproof VISION is putting together a further submission with photographs to send to Mr Govender.

Community comment is being sought by Buloke Council about library services. In Wycheproof, we have the mobile library from Swan Hill Library visit fortnightly for four hours. It is likely that this service will cease towards the end of 2017 as the mobile library vehicle is due to be replaced. There are two options being considered. The first is for Buloke Council to invest in and provide all library services and book stock and the second option is for Buloke Council, as a member of the Wimmera Regional Library Corporation which already provides a static library service in Birchip, to have the corporation provide book stock and library services. The Wycheproof Community Resource Centre has been earmarked as a central point to have a library/reading room and the library project includes a grant to upgrade existing buildings. Under the project there is also an opportunity to offer part-time employment and training for a library technician.

Finally thank you to Bianca Orr who was confirmed as Wycheproof VISION Secretary and Kendall Phyland confirmed as Youth Liaison. I am sure we will keep both very busy over the coming year.