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Issue 25, March 2015

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Please redistribute rather than discard this paper - give it to your friends, family or neighbours!

11 18 22page WHAT DOES EASTER

MEAN TO YOU?FAMILY FUN DAY

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Birding is for anyone; however, one thing was apparent at the Green Living Series session, Introduction to Bird Watching, - an unashamed passion for birds. All the participants were enthralled by observing, listening, identifying and being surprised by our feathered friends. Dave Torr, the president of Birdlife Werribee, says he became attracted to birding when his wife encouraged him to find a retirement hobby – “birdwatching is a more productive use of time than sitting at the pub,” he says, laughing, although now his lovebird wishes he’d spend more time in the nest.

It appears birding has that effect as it’s an intensely interesting preoccupation. From the offset there’s a vast array of species or families of birds to be watched and identified; some are endemic to Australia; others are migratory and arrive only for the summer. There are pelagic birds that are ‘found in deep waters - like Albatross and Shearwaters,’ and there are vagrants who just appear; some still fly under the radar and are yet to be identified.

Locally, there are several good sites for birdwatching,

AUSTRALIAN HOBBY FOUND IN WYNDHAMby Kyla-Jayne Rajah

SUMMER GRAFTING & TREE SALES DAY

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Advertising enquiries: Daniel 0408 659 940

aroundsell@gmail.com Will 0449 834 359

will@aroundhopperscrossing.com

Louise 0403 191 084

Advertising: aroundsell@gmail.com will@aroundhopperscrossing.com Contributions: editorhoppers@gmail.com

Publishers:Bill 8307 8872

Will 8360 8598ABN 54 145 436 804 www.aroundhopperscrossing.com

FROM THE EDITORHi all, March is here and there are some exciting things going on.

Firstly, I placed a small ad in each of our papers for volunteer writers for the February issues and we have had ten new volunteers offer to write for us. That is a measurable response to our ads. Our advertising works. Imagine if you were trying to get people to purchase a car….. that’s good bang for the buck. Email aroundsell@gmail.com for further advertising questions or call me on 0408659940.

We subsequently had a great volunteer meet-up which I will write more about in another short article. Thanks everyone for your eagerness to contribute!

Now to the meat in the sandwich - I met up and had a meeting with Alex from Laverton Youth Foundation today. He recently started up a publication in Laverton focused on youth, written by youth, called Point Blank. He uses writing to engage and enhance the lives of young people giving them a sense of purpose and refining their writing skills. He teaches them the skills required to undertake creating a publication. I have a copy, it is an A5 colour (very professional) 40 page publication. It is published quarterly.

The Around Hoppers Crossing has agreed to put in some

articles from his young writers. He has thirty or so writers that he works with and wants to provide more of an outlet for their writing. I am very keen to welcome writers who contribute and I expect these articles to be as fresh and interesting as the people writing them. There are many opportunities here for excellent rich and engaging articles.

On a completely different note, I was spoilt rotten on the weekend, having been taken on a date to an exhibition called Supergraph at the Exhibition Building. This was a collection of artists and designers, showcasing their work and the various ways they have turned that artwork into items that we use every day.

It was filled with art and colour and the experience was very inspirational. To top this off, we had literally the best Souvlaki I have ever eaten. Now that was a great day out. My gorgeous partner Nella will be writing an article about this exhibition so I will keep this short and sweet.

Have a fantastic month and thanks for reading. Please hand the paper around to your family and friends. Never throw it out, recycle, share, redistribute.

Daniel Allen

PUDDLING WITH THE PUBLISHERI’ve written before about my interest in the ABC program “Landline” and the Historical visits made to old cathedrals in the UK, “Songs of Praise”.Recently “Landline” was so impressed with a documentary made by a country lass aged 10 named Ellen who had made this herself to show her school friends what a drought was really like in the country and the effect it had on her family.Congratulations to the family for toughing it out, to Ellen for a really professional job and to the ABC for recognising the skill of a ten year old and playing the whole video.My bet is Sir David Attenborough will soon be in touch when someone brings Ellen to his attention. The filming was great, the script grabbed me, the editing was really good and the continuity was excellent, and to me it was obviously a prize winner.If you can’t find the film on the ABC and you want a copy I’ll try and help find a copy and perhaps get permission to publish it. Just let our editor know you’re interested.An event I I enjoyed was the Annual Car Show at Apex Park on the beach at Altona run by the Car Club at the Hobsons

Bay Mens Shed on the 22nd of February.Usually the show is run in conjunction with the Hobsons Bay City Council’s Altona Beach Festival, unfortunately that event got the chop this year due to the current budget restrictions.Thank goodness that the Melbourne Cup, now a National event, and the Gran Prix are funded mainly by business or they too would be likely to get the chop. I wonder without these projects can Investors really find Australia on the map? Perhaps it’s back to Hoges putting another shrimp on the barby?I do know that without advertising support, there wouldn’t be a free paper for you to read right now!

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ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESSIN “AROUND HOPPERS CROSSING”

DON’T HESITATE TO

GIVE US A CALL:

Will 0449 834 359 will@aroundhopperscrossing.com

Daniel 0408 659 940 aroundsell@gmail.com

Louise 0403 191 084

including, but not limited to, Werribee South, You Yangs Regional Park, Newport Lakes, and Point Cook Coastal Park. Binoculars are important as the closer up you can see a bird’s markings, size, shape, and habitat the more accurately it can be distinguished. Field guides are essential and enable birders to classify the birds they’re observing. During the Living Series session an Australian Hobby was sighted and recognised by its size and markings. It is smaller than its Peregrine Falcon relation and has a distinctive creamy half-collar outlining its cheeks.

For those seeking a new hobby birding could be a life-changer. Dave says, “Your own backyard is a good place to become familiar with the birds in your area.” This enables easy detection of unusual birds. Remember to rise early as these creatures often are most active with behaviour and calls early in the morning - after all, ‘it is the early bird who catches the worm.’

Anyone interested is welcome to join a birdwatching walk. The next one will be in March and will explore the banks of Kororoit Creek. Contact werribee@birdlife.org.au for further information, or for general information about birding go to birdlife.org.au or birdsinbackyards.net. If you’re interested in the Green Living Series go to www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/residents/green_living.

Marsh Harrier, by Peter O'Connell

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NEW WOOD STREET ARTS SPACE PROGRAM

Keen to try something new or just get together with like minded people?

The new Woods Street Arts Space program booklet is available now at Woods Street Arts Space, Hobsons Bay Civic Centre, local libraries, arts and community centres or at: www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Arts_Leisure/Arts/Woods_Street_Arts_Space

From life drawing to street art, craft to jewellery

making, kids pottery courses to environmental action through the arts, hip hop dancing or African drumming, professional development in the arts and more. Gain experience and knowledge across a whole range of crafty and fun activities.

Located in the former post office in the Lohse and Woods Street precinct close to the Laverton Train Station, Woods Street Arts Space provides a shop front-style facility well suited to art exhibitions and workshops that supports arts-based activities for the community.

We look forward to seeing you at Woods Street Arts Space, Laverton.

For more information and regular updates visit www.facebook.com/woodsstreetarts

Woods Street Arts Space, 44 Woods Street, Laverton

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REMEMBERING SOPHIA…

Nothing brings a community together like unexpected tragedy. This truth was highlighted beautifully at Presidents Park on Saturday February 14th. A fundraiser was put together in honor of the sudden and tragic passing of 4-year-old, Sophia Walters.

Known affectionately to her loved ones, as Princess Sophia, her passing has understandably left a hole in the lives of her family.

Family friend, Ashlea Ferguson coordinated a special day dedicated to Sophia and her family, in an effort to aid with the grieving process. Community spirits were high, as everyone banded together to celebrate

the beauty of Princess Sophia.

Jumping castles, face painting, petting zoos and special guests, that included the very popular Elsa and Olaf from Frozen, kept everyone entertained for hours. Raffles, auctions and cake stalls pushed the fund-raising efforts along, and the generosity of all who attended, resulted in over $7000 raised so far.

A balloon-releasing ceremony, held at the end of the day, was moving and emotional. Ms. Ferguson said a few words, thanking everyone for their kindness and asked for a moment’s silence, to commemorate the loss of such a special little girl. As the balloons floated off into the heavens, only gentle sobbing broke the silence.

As a mother, I can only imagine how the Walters family must be feeling and pray that this show of unity from those that know them and strangers alike, will aide them in their time of need. If you wish to contribute in anyway, head to the Facebook page, R.I.P Princess Sophia Fundraiser, for details on how to help.

Melissa Longo

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FINDING OUR ANZACS - GEORGE THOMAS DAVISGeorge was born in Werribee in 1890 to a farming family, who at the time of his enlistment had a farm at Balliang East. George himself worked as an engine driver and was 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a red complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair.

In March 1915 George enlisted in the AIF for the usual period of the duration of the war, plus four months. After only a few weeks of training he embarked aboard the HMAT Euripides and sailed for Egypt. Once in Egypt he and the rest of his battalion, the 24th, received additional training to bring them up to standard, and in late August 1915 they were sent to Gallipoli. The 24th battalion occupied the trenches at Lone Pine, where the fighting was so arduous that the battalion was rotated daily with another battalion, the 23rd. After surviving for nearly two months George was evacuated in late October, suffering from enteric fever, a disease caused by the unsanitary conditions the soldiers had to live in. By early December he was in England, at the Addington Park War Hospital, Croydon.

It was June 1916 before George’s health issues were sorted out, and he did not rejoin his unit in France

until the 31st July. Although the army was involved in the fighting around Pozieres at the time, the 24th battalion’s diary records that they were resting in Sausage Valley on the day George re-joined them, with only some members being given the job of carrying supplies up to the front line. This was a sometimes dangerous job as the Germans shelled the communication trenches leading up to the front line to prevent supplies from being carried up.

I would guess that George was put on one of these carrying parties, as being straight from 7 months in England he would be fresher than soldiers who had been fighting only days before. Whatever happened to him, after being back for only 1 day, George was wounded and taken to the 5th Field Ambulance, where he died from his wounds the same day. He was buried in the Military Cemetery at Becourt, a little over a mile east of Albert.

His belongings were eventually returned to his family, and included typical soldier’s possessions of the time- Smoking gear, shaving gear, photos and souvenirs.

Greg Milne

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THIS MONTH IN 1905 AND 1916.

Below are two separate fishing stories I noticed concerning Altona Bay. The second fish I am sure is a sunfish, which has been known to appear in the bay from time to time, and can grow to 3.3 metres (11 foot). The first fish is a mystery, perhaps a reader can help??

EXCITING EXPERIENCE AT ALTONA. A REMARKABLE FISH. (The Independent, Footscray, Saturday 25th March 1905)

Late on Thursday afternoon, two gentlemen, who had been fishing in deep water near the end of Altona Bay pier, were thinking of retiring home when Mr John Short, one of them who had hooked a good sized mullet, complained that the tail had been stripped off as he was landing it, by a supposed shark. Mr Short went on fishing, but Mr J Christie, his companion, turned away to get his things together, prior to moving off, leaving his rod, stuck in the pier, with the line in water, properly baited. Suddenly, the rod bade fair to snap through a violent haul upon it. Mr. Short turned at the commotion, and only saved Mr Christie’s rod from disappearing by entangling his own tackle quickly on to it. He and Mr Christie then

hauled up a fish three feet long, whose viciousness and activity on the pier for a moment or two, unnerved them. It was shaped like a shark even to the mouth, but had a sharp sword nose about nine inches long, differing from that of the ordinary sword fish by the fact that it protruded horizontally instead of vertically. Underneath the sword and just above the mouth were two antennae, or feelers. They killed the creature, after some trouble, and Mr Short elected to stay on fishing, using the flesh of it as bait. Mr Christie took the sword part to his home at Braybrook, for mural adornment.

A STRANGE FISH. (Geelong Advertiser, Monday 3rd April 1916)

The following is a description supplied by the Ports and Harbors Department of a fish caught at Altona Bay by Mr J Robinson: Length 9 feet, no tail, no side fins, but a fin on top, and a fin underneath. The fish resembles a propeller blade. Bay fishermen who have examined the fish state that, a similar specimen has not been seen before.

Greg Milne

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TEA TREE OILThere is new evidence that tea tree oil may be the answer to help kill antibiotic resistant bacteria such as the super bug.

The Australian tea tree plant is proving to be more than a useful all round addition to the bathroom medicine cupboard. Researches at the microbiology department at the University of East London have confirmed findings of an earlier study at the University of Western Australia, that it can be effective against various strains of MRSA.

Tea tree oil is a complex substance which has been found to contain at least 48 known organic compounds, four of which have not been found anywhere else in nature.

The original knowledge of the tea tree’s healing properties came from among the Bundjalung aboriginal tribe of Northern New South Wales. These people lived alongside the ancient trees and their stories tell of the healing properties of the waters of the lagoons where tea tree leaves had fallen and decayed for long periods. The aboriginals crushed the leaves into a poultice to treat an infected part of the body and inhaled them to relieve congestion.

The oil is produced by distilling the leaves of a small paper barked Australian native tree, melaleuca alternifolia. There are more than 300 varieties of tea tree, but only this one is known to produce high quality medicinal oil.

Tea tree oil research has shown the following.

ACNE

The oil has a special ability to break down and disperse pimples, sores or other infections. It has properties which allow it to penetrate into skin tissue, to the source of many minor skin problems.

ATHLETE’S FOOT

Tea tree oil is an effective broad spectrum fungicide and researchers at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown NSW have confirmed it to be as effective as standard anti-fungal products in the treatment of athlete’s foot.

THRUSH

Tea tree effectively kills the Candida albicans yeast that causes thrush. A study published in the Journal of Anti-Microbial Chemotherapy showed a concentration as low as 25 percent killed 90 percent of the samples tested in a laboratory.

ORAL HYGIENE

Researchers at Zurich University have shown that brushing teeth. With a toothpaste containing tea tree oil is effective against the oral bacteria which cause tooth decay and mouth infections.

WOUNDS

Natural therapists have known for a long time that tea tree oil is a powerful natural antiseptic. It’s ability to disinfect wounds and to penetrate the skin to the source of the infection, which other antiseptics cannot, has been backed up by studies at the University of West Australia’s Department of Microbiology. It has been shown that the oil increases the blood flow in the capillaries, thereby encourages healing. It can be used to soothe burns and prevent blistering. It has some anaesthetic quality and can relieve the itch of insect bites and rashes.

What a magical oil this is!

Good health always,

Cherie de Haas

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SKILLSHARE IN WYNDHAMCome share and learn new skills with your community in Wyndham. There is an activity on every Saturday between 10am – 12noon commencing Saturday 7th February, with these being suitable for the whole family. All activities are low cost, pay by donation, say $5.

The first Saturday of the month Skillsahre is located at Iramoo Community Centre and explores an art theme: ranging from bush carpentry to working with tiles, wire, mosaics and textile art.

The 2nd Saturday of the month Skillshare is located at Werribee Men’s Shed, where you can bring in broken items and learn how to fix and mend. Basically if it can be glued, screwed or welded, bring it down and we will help you to fix it. If it is a bit different or too big to fit in the car, ring the Shed first.

The 3rd Saturday of the month explores food themes, and is co-located with the Foodswap at Iramoo Community Centre. If you have a skill and you want to share, please get involved and call Lisa on 8742 3688.

The 4th Saturday of the month Skillshare is located at the Eco-Living Centre with Shoestring Gardening running a great series of gardening workshops.

For the full schedule of Skillshares, please call Iramoo Community Centre on 8742 3688 or email lisa@iramoocc.com.au to receive the schedule with all the contact details. Hope to see you there.

Bob makes gnocchi

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YOU ARE INVITED TO WILLY HIGH SCHOOL …

Birthdays and wedding anniversaries come around every year. Centenary celebrations only happen every 100 years. You wouldn’t want to miss that!

Williamstown High School is celebrating its centenary as a state high school this year. As part of those year-long celebrations the WHS Ex-Students and Staff Association is hosting the “Back to WHS” weekend on 28-29 March 2015 at the Pasco St campus. All former students, staff and friends of WHS are welcome.

Come and take a walk through the school, see what has changed and what has stayed the same, catch up with your old friends and look through the collections of old photos and memorabilia.

The school will be open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm each day but the centenary assembly will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday 28th.

WHSESSA has recently published “HOLDING FAST - Williamstown High School 1867-2014”.

This outstanding book details the history of education at the Pasco St campus.

It is our gift to WHS on its centenary. The book will be on sale for $40 at the event.

WHSESSA is always on the lookout for photos and memorabilia relating to the history of WHS. If you have any old items of school uniform, report cards, photos, needlework or woodwork project items from your days at WHS we would love to hear from you. Or bring them along on the day.

If you went to WHS, or know any-one who did, please pass on this invitation.

None of us are likely to be here for the next centenary celebrations so we don’t want you to miss out!!

For more information please contact Fred Cumming at whsessa@gmail.com or Iris Whitehurst by phone on 9397-7695.

WHS Official Opening Ceremony - 1921

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WHAT DOES EASTER MEAN TO YOU?

No sooner are the Christmas decorations gone from the shelves then up pops the chocolate eggs and hot cross buns. Easter is coming! For many it is a time to have an extra-long weekend, watch some footy and spend time with family and friends. To my family, and the more than 2 billion Christians in the world today, it means much more. So what is Easter all about?

The Gospel of John sums it up this way: On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among

them and said, “Peace be with you!” (John 20:19)

We can hardly imagine what the disciples must have been feeling that evening – after the dismay of Jesus’ death on the cross and the dashing of all their hopes, they were fearful for their own lives. It is into the midst of this fearful confusion that the resurrected Jesus appears and says ‘Peace be with you’. In these words lie the true meaning of Easter: the love of God reaching into our hearts to give us peace, no matter the circumstances around us.

In our fear-filled world today, the message of Easter still offers us the gift of divine, supernatural peace from God which sustains us no matter what we are facing. Want to know more? Then join us at our Easter services, Sunday April 5th 9:30 & 11:15am at Point Cook Senior School.

Pastors Phil & Tracy Shandwww.lightpointchurch.com

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BE DETERMINED. IT’S GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH.

“The black hole of depression is not a place to be” said a close friend of mine. “Being scared of everything, always negative, and having no appetite for food or life makes you realize you have to do something .” So, with a resolve that never wavered, she pulled herself out of those dark feelings. Her triumph showed me how it’s possible to be determined, and that it’s good for your health.

TIP: - Be determined. Cultivate happiness. Listen to positive messages. Be encouraged by them.

- Celebrate the little victories in life –finding lost keys, getting up on time, succeeding at something.

- Take notice of the things that go right.

Break open the gloom. Persevere.

Dark thoughts can appear to be unbreakable - as solid as a rock. Yet constant blows of optimistic, positive, and yes, even spiritual thinking, can crack apart those negative feelings through determined perseverance.

A man tried to break up a large rock in his garden. He struck it 100 times. Nothing happened. A neighbour had a go. Instantly it fell apart. “How come I couldn’t do that?” said the man. “Well”, replied the neighbour,

“if you’d just persevered and given it one last blow, you’d have cracked it open yourself.”

TIP: - Persevere. Be determined to succeed. Enact the proverb, “If at first you don’t succeed try, try again.”

- Don’t be defeatist. Keep going. Stay mentally active. Keep your mental eye on the high goal. Don’t count your footsteps in getting there.

Be tortoise-like. Succeed

Sometimes slow progress can lead to discouragement. However, not feeling fast enough on one’s mental feet, doesn’t mean failure. It’s possible to take up the challenge and beat the blues.

A tortoise and a fast-running hare, had a race. The hare, who was sure he’d win, stopped for breakfast, then fell asleep. He woke up just in time to see the tortoise cross the finish line. - Aesop’s fables

TIP: - Employ the prize-winning combination of steadfast determination and calm persistence.

- Be one of those individuals who either, “gain good rapidly and hold their position, or attain slowly and yield not to discouragement.” (Science and Health p. 254, Mary Baker Eddy)

- Be determined to beat depressing thoughts, and win the prize of health and happiness.

Health writer Beverly Goldsmith, is a practitioner/teacher of Christian Science healing.

Twitter: @GoldsmithBev www.spiritualityandhealthconnect.com

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HOW TO REINVENT YOUR OLD JEANS INTO SOMETHING NEWThe Green Living Series on Upcycling Workshop run by the Wyndham City was held on the 7th of February. It was about reinventing your baggy jeans to become a new product like: - jean skirt for summer - shoulder bag - cute little handbag - set of coasters - square bag etc

The talented Gaye Naismith from Gaye Abandon

showed the participants endless ideas on how to turn your jeans into new products thus converting potential textile waste from ending up in landfill. She taught them how to measure, cut, and sew.

To book for some Wyndham City’s Free Green Living Series (a great variety of sustainability workshops, environmental tours and other green living events) go to: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/greenlivingseries

Maria Pugunsan

Photos show the participants in action. Gaye (fourth from right) taught the participants the technique in cutting. Time to sew.

Happy participants. Time to show off the finished product!!!

From left to right - Mercedes, Gloria, Helen, Hayley from Wyndham City and Gaye (standing).

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JUNIOR BOOM @ SANCTUARY LAKES GOLF CLUB

Junior golf at Sanctuary Lakes Club is booming.

In the last few months the number of youngsters taking to the course has increased considerably.

The rise has been underpinned by the Tuesday afternoon Cadet program which was started by SLC member Andrew Wesley late last year.

For many years, junior golfers had been taking lessons with the resident teaching professional.

But they’d been restricted to the driving range.

“Many of the kids had the basics with golf but really needed to get out on the golf course,” Sanctuary Lakes Junior Golf Committee Chair Helen Frost said.

“Being able to actually hit the golf course is a natural progression. So we really needed to set something up that could cater for their needs.

“All of these kids are just starting out. So they need to feel comfortable and more importantly, playing with kids their own age and ability.”

And so the Cadet program was born.

On a Tuesday at 5pm over the last few months, a number of juniors have teed up in a six-hole modified course competition.

Each group is accompanied by an adult and someone is assigned to mentor the juniors to ensure they’re taught the rules and etiquette of the game.

The entry fee of $5 covers a drink and also prizes.

“The number of kids taking part has just gone up and up. It’s fantastic.

“We started out with a handful and we’re now up to 22 registered for the program. On average we get around four groups.”

The Cadet program is open to any budding golfer between the age of seven and 12.

SLC membership isn’t required, just a basic knowledge of the game and their own clubs so they can be a part of the competition.

The club actively encourages all kids in the Western suburbs and Wyndham Shire to take part.

And it’s great to see parents also coming along, either out on the course or enjoying the surrounds of the clubhouse.

Further inquiries email shzhughes@gmail.com or contact the Sanctuary Lakes Club Office.

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IN PRAISE OF GOLFGolf is a game supposedly developed by earnest Protestants as an alternative to discussing with their wives some explanation of an obscure passage in Kings or Deuteronomy.

That is probably a reference to the origins of the game in Scotland, a place noted for fierce preachers and put-upon wives.

But then the whole world got hooked and while the former biblical scholars had found congenial 19th hole men-only company, America finally discovered the game and decided that it was a wonderful way of not mixing with people with whom one would not normally associate.

It worked well too, until a Mexican named Lee Trevino and a Fijian named Vijay Singh spoiled their party. It got worse, as we know, and before they could do anything about it, the fairways were lined with people shouting encouragement for a young man with a given name not found anywhere in a Scottish bible and skin hue that would have barred him from many golf locker rooms.

The other thing that Americans have added to golf is the belief that they can influence the path of a golf ball by shouting at it.

This could be a good excuse to introduce a discussion on Newton’s First Law, the basis of much of what makes the world the kind of place it is; suffice to say that if shouting “IN DA HOLE” were to have any effect on the path of a material object, it would reduce physics to the airiness of theology or economics.

Golf at all levels is the most democratic of games.

The ball is the same size for everyone; the laws of physics are as immutable for a US President as for a Sanctuary Lakes veteran; muscle is of secondary importance to the ability to do 25 different things correctly in 1.43 seconds.

The stars of the game seem to be genuinely nice people able to carry on an interview without saying “out there today” or “hopefully” or referring to “the boys.”

And, unlike many other sports, it is not likely to provide a living for those who work on broken bones, concussion, shattered knees or public drunkenness.

Anyway, that’s what I think.

Frank O’Shea

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SUMMER GRAFTING & TREE SALES DAY AT WERRIBEE PARK HERITAGE ORCHARD

Celebrating horticulture in all its forms, the Summer Grafting & Tree Sales Day that was held on Sunday February 15th, was an event any avid gardener would have enjoyed and learned from! An event to eat, learn and be merry, the Summer Grafting & Tree Sales Day is held annually at Werribee Park Heritage Orchard.

The day attracted both enthusiast and professional gardeners alike, who could participate in numerous activities including the Orchard and Edible Weed

Walks, as well as the chance to talk to experts in gardening and fruit growing, and purchasing heritage fruit trees and bud wood.

The highly informative Weed Walk educated people on the fundamentals of weeds and why they are not just ‘green waste’.

Those who embarked on the walk learned about which weeds are edible, how they can be used in

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cooking and their medicinal properties.

Vasili from C31’s Vasili's Garden to Kitchen also made an exciting appearance on the day!

Both meeting fans and filming segments for his show, Vasili offered plenty of gardening tips and photo opportunities with his fans as well.

The Country Women’s Association also participated in the event, providing delectable scones and tea.

Gardeners could also watch grafting demonstrations conducted by Craig Castree.

The Summer Grafting & Tree Sales Day was a delightful event any gardener would have enjoyed! Those interested several weekly workshops organised by Werribee Park Heritage Orchard.

http://www.werribeeparkheritageorchard.org.au/news-and-events/

ERIC MOTOSKA

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Laugh Out LoudLaugh Out Loud

QUOTABLE QUOTES

He who controls the past controls the future. He

who controls the present controls the past.

George ORWELL

oo---O---oo

All our words, from loose using, have lost their edge.

Ernest HEMINGWAY

oo---O---oo

Laugh, and the world laughs with you;

Weep, and you weep alone.

Ella Wheeler WILCOX

oo---O---oo

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.

Muhammad ALI

oo---O---oo

DULCE ET DECORUM PRO PATRIA MORI.

It is sweet and fitting to die for your country.

Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus (65 – 8 BC)

Roman poet

oo---O---oo

Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.

Winston CHURCHILL

oo---O---oo

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FAMILY DINNERSI recall a time long ago

When families sat down to dinner.The pace of life was rather slow,

But conversation was winner.

There was no TV, just radio;Mobile phones had not been invented.

Movies and dancing were the go;With simple pleasures we were contented.

Summoned to table by Mother,We’d sit in our usual place,

Absorbed in the meal and each other:In some families, Dad would say “Grace”.

The meal would be two or three course.There was no noisy distraction,Just friendly family discourse;That’s to say vocal interaction.

We’d discuss events of the day,Politics, sport or whatever.

Everyone got to have their say.There were jokes, some dumb, some clever.

Afterwards some of us might playMonopoly, Crib, Draughts or Canasta.

You played to win, I’ll not gainsay,But there was also lots of laughter.

Family life started to changeWhen TV came into the home.

The above scene would now seem strangeIn this age of the mobile phone.

Anywhere you go, far or near,People are texting and tweeting;

Or have the darn thing up to their ear;Or there’s some stupid game they’re playing.

I-pads and I-phones are the rage;The art of conversation’s dying,

Soon to be gone like Thebes and Carthage:We’ll be poorer, there’s no denying.

Jack Nystrom, 9.12.2014

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Hoppers Xing kids

Calling on Hoppers Crossing Schools and Parents to share photos, art, stories, writing for this page.Email your contributions to will@aroundpointcook.com or post to the PO Box 1145 Altona Meadows 3028

Hi KidsDo you love having hobbies? My latest one is called birding and all you do is watch birds and identify them. The large birds in this photo are pelicans. Did you know there are over 600 species of bird that live in Australia? Not including migratory waterbirds

who fly up to 26,000 kilometres from Alaska to Australia for their summer holidays. You’d have to be a super fit adventurer to fly that far!

KJ Rajah ;)

Standout story writing competitionSpeaking of adventures, here is the Around Hoppers first ever Standout Story Writing Competition. I hope you’re as excited about writing as we are about reading your stories.

THE BRIEF: Write a short story up to 350 words about your favourite hobby.

You can choose a ‘writing prompt’ from below, change one to suit your idea, or start from scratch. It doesn’t matter if it’s fiction or non-fiction. Just write it!

WRITING PROMPTS:• Amelie loved taking pictures of shells, driftwood, and …• What I like most about my hobby is …• My favourite hobby is …

INSTRUCTIONS: Type your story into the body of an email – include your name, age, address, and story title.

In the subject box type Standout Story Writing Competition – Hoppers Crossing.

Send your story to editorhoppers@gmail.com by 07th April 2015.

Standout stories from Hoppers Crossing will be published in the Paper. We’ll keep you updated. Good Luck!

24 Please redistribute rather than discard.