Issue 122 Wyche On Track News

Since our last edition, the 2016 Christmas Lights competition awards were presented and the Chamber of Commerce Christmas Promotion winners announced. We are very grateful for the advice and expertise of the children from Wycheproof Preschool  who ably assisted us in judging the lights. The main award went to Brett, Amanda and Eliza MacDonald for their fabulous display which included Santa on a tractor. Thanks to all who lit up their houses, the 30 who adopted peppercorn trees to decorate and the businesses who decorated shop fronts to create such a happy buzz around town during the Christmas season.

One of the community activities in January in Wycheproof is the Australia Day Breakfast at Centenary Park hosted by the Lions Club of Wycheproof. Kitty-Ann Carrigg led a moving rendition of  the national anthem. Guest speaker was Nikki Coatsworth whose insightful talk showed us a new way of looking at our town and community. Nikki eloquently explained why she has come to love Wycheproof. 

Corey Harrison and Laura Bish each received the Wycheproof Citizen of the Year Award. Corey and Laura each epitomise the volunteering ethos of our community and  their charity and compassion is renown.

Congratulations to Mary-Anne Pollard awarded both the Buloke Shire Young Citizen of the Year and the Wycheproof Young Citizen. Mary-Anne’s  nomination was a two page, closely typed summary of her leadership and volunteer activities including but not limited to the Loddon Murray Youth Leadership Program, Wycheproof Tennis Club, Wycheproof A&P Society and Teddywaddy CFA, just to name a few.

Other awards on Australia Day were the Event of the Year, awarded to the 2016 Mother’s Day Classic hosted by the Wycheproof Community Resource Centre and the Ambassador Award to Harry Coffey due to his support of and positive publicity of Wycheproof and the Mt Wycheproof Cup meeting.

Australia Day Pool Party at Wycheproof Swimming Pool was well attended and great fun. The 2nd Annual Wycheproof Thong Throw silver thong trophy was awarded to Brett MacDonald (open division) and the junior trophy to Ollie Daykin.

 During February we welcome Ms Lucy Roffey, who begins as Chief Executive Officer of Buloke Shire Council on 4 February 2017 (see page 2). A warm welcome is extended to Averyll Loft, manager of the Wycheproof Community Resource Centre. We congratulate out-going manager Jenna McNicol for her great work on initiatives in 2016 such as the community car. There is a lot happening at the WCRC including a redesign of the reception area.

Many groups are seeking volunteers to help to continue their work in 2017. For more information about what’s on in February and how you can be involved in the Wycheproof community, see inside this newsletter or see www.wycheproof.vic.au and subscribe to WoT newsletter to received updates via email.

#119 Wycheproof on Track October 2016

News with Jacinta

We are entering one of the busiest months for creativity and crafts on the Wycheproof calendar with major events the annual A&P Society Agricultural Show on Wednesday 19 October, the Races Arts and Crafts exhibition on Thursday 27 October and the Mt Wycheproof Cup—Derby Day in the Country on Saturday 29 October. Each of these great events relies on the community to come together and support them. Another major event on the calendar in October is the Friends of East Wimmera Health Service-Wycheproof Open Garden Day on Sunday 23 October.

Each of these events require the dedication of volunteers in planning and assistance on the day. As said before, volunteering is vital for our community and is a great way  for new residents to learn more about our town and meet new friends. Several groups―Wycheproof Op Shop, Wycheproof Cancer Support Group, Friends of EWHS: Wycheproof, Wycheproof VISION and Wycheproof Community Museum―need to boost their membership and welcome new volunteers. If you can help, call in to WCRC and be put in contact with organisations.

Wycheproof VISION held its AGM on Tuesday 27 September. Guest speaker was Matt Bennett who provided an interesting insight into the Buloke-Loddon L2P program for young drivers. The program is urgently seeking volunteer driver mentors from Wycheproof.  Committee members for 2016-2017 are: President, Jacinta Miller; Vice-President, Caroline Sullivan; Treasurer, Lee-Anne White; and committee members Andrea Coatsworth and Tracy Pardella. As several of the sub-committee are currently in recess, those projects will be overseen by members taking on portfolios. Caroline Sullivan has the Wycheproof Swimming Pool group portfolio and Tracy Pardella has the Chamber of Commerce portfolio. We are waiting on the Friends of Mt Wycheproof to hold a meeting to confirm convenor for that group. The town forum is an important central point for contact in Wycheproof and we ask all clubs, organisations and individuals to support Wycheproof VISION by providing information to the newsletter, social media and website and attend meetings which are held on the third Tuesday of each month. 

 Looking forward,  we seek nominations for Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Event and Ambassador awards. Nominations close 31 October and can be left at the WCRC, emailed to info@wycheproof.vic.au or posted to PO Box 8 Wycheproof.

Wyche On Track September 2016 News with Jacinta

Ahh...September! The magpies are swooping, the days are longer, the sunshine warmer, the crops are growing, the annual golf tournament is nigh, and the winter sports are in finals mode. There’s a lot to look forward to during Spring in Wycheproof.

For many of us it is annual general meeting (AGM) season, and clubs and organisations are looking for committee members. Wycheproof VISION is one of them, with the AGM scheduled for 6.30pm Tuesday 27 September at the Wycheproof Railway Station. All positions are vacant and nominations must be received by 19 September. Another organisation holding an AGM this month is the Wycheproof Lawn Tennis Club, Monday 12 August at 7pm at the Royal Mail Hotel. A committee position in a volunteer organisation is something to be seriously considered by young volunteers; it looks great on a resume and you can learn valuable skills that can be used in the workplace.

Volunteering is vital for our community. Volunteering is a great way for new residents to learn more about our town and meet new friends. Several groups are urgently seeking volunteers including: Wycheproof Op Shop, Wycheproof Cancer Support Group, Friends of EWHS– Wycheproof, and Wycheproof Community Museum. If you can help call in to WCRC.

Speaking of volunteers, one of our most prominent volunteers who has served the community over many years is Cr Stuart McLean. He and Nuccia, who served as president of Wyche 2010 for two years 2007-2009, will be guests of honour at a community farewell on Friday 9 September from 6.30pm at the Royal Mail Hotel. All are welcome.

Take some time this month to prepare for the 125th annual Wycheproof A&P Society Show on Wednesday 19 October. Schedules are out and there are many great events to enter. Wycheproof VISION is again hosting the Scarecrow Competition and we hope to see many creative and colourful entries from individuals, families and community organisations.

Congratulations to all the football, netball and hockey teams on a competitive 2016 season. All the best for Wycheproof teams in finals over coming weeks. 

Wycheproof On Track June 2015

Issue 103 June 2015

At recent Wyche VISION meetings we have discussed the importance of community forums, especially for small communities. 

Wycheproof VISION Inc., as a community forum, is an overarching group for volunteers providing such things as indemnity insurance, governance, banking and financial management and postal address for groups that are members or subcommittees. We aim to assist groups and residents via liaison with Buloke Shire, grant applications and project management.  

Members of the forum are passionate about out town and community and we welcome the ideas and vision of all residents. Meetings are on the third Tuesday of each month. If you have a great idea or concern about anything in Wycheproof and can't attend a meeting, then please talk to a member of Wyche VISION, write in so that your idea or concern can be discussed at a meeting or call me on 0407 844 904 to chat about how you can participate.

The work of Wycheproof VISION covers five areas:

• Community connectedness--including production of the Wyche On Track newsletter, managing the community website, social media on Facebook, Locals who Lunch group, Swimming Pool Committee, Youth Group support, and projects such as the BMX track, walking tack around the mount, condom vending machine.
• Heritage -- the Railway precinct, working with Wycheproof Historical Society, heritage streetscape and trees
• Sustainability-- Chamber of Commerce, Friends of Mt Wycheproof, aviaries Centenary Park, Broadway retail precinct streetscape, Buloke Tourism, supporting Landcare initiatives, bindii walks
• Fundraising-- grant submission to enable events, publications and projects
• Liaison -- Buloke Council, East Wimmera Health Service, regional authorities, Victorian Government departments.

While not everyone is interested in every aspect of the work of Wyche VISION, there is probably something that is of interest.  I am interested in community connectedness and this is my focus. By breaking down the work of Wycheproof VISION into the above categories we hope that residents will see an area or project they are interested in or have skills to offer. 

For Wycheproof to keep growing we need to have a TEAM presence ...