WoT #106 Sept 2015: New drinking water fountain

GWM’s Water Refill Station

GWM Water has installed a Water Refill Station at Wycheproof’s Centenary Park. This gives travellers the opportunity to fill up their own water bottles instead of creating more waste by buying disposable bottles. A great initiative, and another valuable asset for the park.

WoT #106 Sept 2015 News with Amanda

This month we celebrate the beginning of spring, and some wonderful happenings around town.  There are two engagements, that I know of; congratulations to James Coatsworth who popped the question to Casey Tonkin and to Tessa Allan and Jason Coles.  We wish you all many years' happiness.

Often we don’t take the time to appreciate what we have in this community, and sometimes it takes outsiders to remind us of what we do have. This month I was reminded of this after receiving an email forwarded to me from Mark Remnant at the Buloke Shire from some people travelling through town. They were so impressed they felt compelled to write to the Shire, see letter below:

“To the CEO of the Wycheproof Shire Council (Buloke Shire Council), 

As my husband and I pulled into Wycheproof I was blown away by the innovation and creativity I saw on the corner opposite the shops, an amazing installation of creativity and imagination and a high degree of skill! As a practising artist myself I investigated and had the pleasure of meeting Jimmy Johnson!

What talent this retired welder has! He was so friendly, informative and his work inspirational. After admiring I bought two walking sticks but plan to return to look at his more serious sculptures to purchase! They are incredible in concept skill and structure. I could only admire them and dream of purchasing one, one day. 

My further thoughts were what an asset to this town this creative man is. It adds a most interesting dimension and installation to the streetscape, which we also found neat and tidy. Well done local community. 

I also met a very nice woman selling tickets for a trailer of red gum  competition for  your Agricultural and Pastural Show. We are so excited as we now know when your Agricultural Show is on.

Thank you Wycheproof community we will return with pleasure.         Celia & Greg”

Footnote:

I emailed Celia and Greg to thank them for their kind words and to ask permission to publish their story, and I am pleased to report that they are planning to return to Wycheproof for The A&P Society Show in October.

WOT #105 August 2015: Waterless fountain update

It was around 10 years ago that local residents and community groups around Wycheproof delved into the archives and the back of cupboards and drawers to find treasures and mementos that were to be preserved in the Wycheproof Waterless Fountain. The unveiling of the 'fountain' in 2006 was marked by an article in the Bendigo Advertiser (here).

Created by Bendigo artist Carlo Rolfe, the 'fountain' started out fulfilling the community's brief ...to preserve our proud history and to mark our resilience in time of drought. The 'fountain' was proudly placed in front of the rotunda at the corner of Broadway and O'Connor St. However, the vagaries of our climate, particularly over 40 degree summer days, quickly took their toll on the 'fountain' made of resin and it soon discoloured and cracked in the full force of the summer sun.

Over many years there have been attempts to repair the sculpture and find it a new home. Unfortunately repairs have failed and the discolouration can't be reversed. The fountain is currently at the Wycheproof Mens Shed where the volunteers are trialing ways to retrieve the objects and memorabilia intact to return to community groups and individuals. However, it is likely that not all items will be able to be retrieved.

Anyone who donated an item to the Waterless Fountain sculpture project and who wants that item returned is invited to inspect the 'fountain' at the Mens Shed to see if that is feasible, please contact the Wycheproof Community Resource Centre on 54937455 to arrange a time.      

WOT #105 August 2015: Youth report

Wycheproof Youth Report

For the past month, the Youth Group has been busy renovating our youth room. From cleaning, to painting and making plans for the space we have created. 

We met on two separate occasions to prepare our room with sweeping, dusting and scrubbing and preparing walls  it for the base coat of paint. Then the next working bee we finally got to paint after a quick wash to take the remainder of dust and dirt off. The base coat we achieved by the end of the afternoon and we are excited to start planning for pops of colour. 

Our vision for the room, once completed, is for it to become a fun environment fit for many different events from Disco’s, movie nights and bonfires.                                                      by  Mackenzie and Hannah

                             ... here we are hard at working preparing for painting of the Youth Room

WOT #105 August 2015: Chamber Chatter with Tracy

Chamber Chatter with Tracy

Well I think all would agree it was a very successful market day once again in July.

And to all who held or went to the garage sale weekend a big thank you for making that a great day, also to the many businesses that opened on the day ,and lets not forget the Resource Centre for their great work.

A REMINDER for ALL businesses; if in need of special flyers, or other printing for your business, please use the resource centre, as we are very lucky to have the service. 

Some businesses are still working on their shop front makeovers and looking good. 

Hope to see you out and about shopping in the local businesses. 

Mt Wyche Cafe

We’re adding a bit of fun to the workplace and end of the working week by introducing...

 Fancy Dress Fridays.

Come in and see the staff,  have a laugh and put your vote in for best dressed.

A special a makeover.

Wycheproof VISION would like to congratulate Tony, the owner of the building that is home to the Art/Craft Shop, for his efforts in renovating the inside of the shop. The creation of an ‘office’ area and the other work completed makes it a comfortable and inviting environment for both workers and customers alike. 

With the winter chill continuing, call into the Art & Craft shop for warm knitted children's clothing, beanies and scarves.  

Volunteers WANTED: Call in to the Art & Craft Shop or Wycheproof Community Resource Centre for more information.

Thinking of Christmas!!!

Christmas Decorating on Broadway

Well Wycheproof, Christmas is not far away and suggestions are welcome for this year's Christmas Tree Competition for Broadway. The competition was well supported by local businesses and groups who adopted a tree to decorate. 

Wycheproof VISION is keen to host another ‘Decorate a Peppercorn

Competition’, but need to decide whether it should have a theme or just open, like last year?

We would like to aim to have all trees decorated by the

1 December 2015 to maximise the publicity for our community.

So, put on your thinking hats. All suggestions are welcome.

WOT #105 August 2015: On the Wyche police beat

On the beat report with Leading Senior Constable Leigh Johnstone

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) is warning the public to be aware of a phone scam, that is again circulating, where fraudsters are intimidating people into paying a fake tax debt over the phone.

The aggressive scam attempts to force people to pay a fake tax debt over the phone by threatening arrest if they don’t comply. Assistant Commissioner Thomas Ryan said, the ATO makes thousands of calls to taxpayers a week, but would never contact taxpayers about a debt in this threatening manner and urges people to protect their personal details.

“We take your privacy seriously. We urge you to be alert to these types of scams and never send money or give your financial details to someone you don’t know and trust,” Mr Ryan said.

“Generally the ATO would send an SMS or letter to remind you that a payment was due. If we don't get a response from this we would then call you to discuss payment. If you do have a tax debt we encourage you to contact us early on 13 11 42 so we can discuss your circumstances,” Mr Ryan said.

If people receive a call from the ATO and are concerned about providing their personal information over the phone, they should ask for the caller’s name and phone them back through the ATO’s switchboard on 13 28 69.

If you think you may have fallen victim to a phone scam, contact the ATO on 13 28 61 (8.00 am–6.00 pm Mon to Fri).  Any scam using the internet or email can be reported at the following website: www.acorn.gov.au

WOT #105 August 2015: Wycheproof Community Garden

Wycheproof Community Garden Sproutings

With the coming of July and our shortest day behind us, it’s time to consider the on coming spring growing season. Thanks to a small band of members who have maintained the gardens and surrounds, the vast majority of our garden beds, vines and fruit trees have survived the past summer in good health. 

With the Spring growing season not too far away members are now planning what they would like to plant and nurture through to harvest. The recent welcome rainfall has done our property a lot of good and hopes are high for a successful growing season.

Membership for the full season commencing July 1 2015 until June 30 2016 is only $10. The cost per garden bed is $5 for the full year. 

Two or three working bees are normally held during the year in order to keep the garden in top shape. If you would like to be a part of the fun, contact any of the following: Ian Wheelhouse, Prof Milburn or Russ Bedggood to secure your spot. For anyone not familiar with our location in Park St, we are situated next to the hospital and directly behind Dr Ken’s residence.

Garden beds planted out with winter veges.