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Issue 68, September 2015

continued page 3

The Around Point Cook Community Newspaper is distributed in Point Cook

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

FIND US ON Facebook.com/aroundpointcookcommunitynewspaper

9 14 28page IN FOCUS:

SUCCESS IN SMALL BUSINESSES

UP, UP AND AWAY

page page

The Williamstown Literary Festival of 2015, the event that launched hundreds of articles, well, maybe not quite hundreds, but there have been very many, to be expected considering the quality of the event, and the guests.

One such high quality guest was Barrie Cassidy, the face that launched hundreds of Insiders episodes.

Barrie's non-political book - 'Private Bill: In Love and War', is his parents story, and in conversation with Professor Rob Pascoe, Barrie spoke of his book,

as well as answering many questions from a large audience that included former Premier Steve Bracks.

Barrie's father Private Bill Cassidy was captured by the Germans in 1941, he did not see freedom until 1945.

During Bill's imprisonment, at a time when his wife Myra believed him to be dead, Myra had a relationship with another man, giving birth to a son.

Myra gave her son up, and when Bill returned in

BARRIE CASSIDY: IN CONVERSATIONPART 1

WYNDHAM’S NEW CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

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ABN 78 809 543 573

Advertising: will@aroundpointcook.com Contributions: editorpointcook@gmail.comwww.aroundpointcook.com

Will: 0449 834 359Louise: 0403 191 084

FROM THE EDITORAnother month has rolled around and as with every month, it has come with a plethora of experiences and stories.

Sharing these stories is a part of human nature, whether we tell them verbally or share them through visuals and writing. This paper shares stories each month, in hope of connecting to readers.

Recently, the Altona Beach Film Festival took place for the first time at Altona City Theatre. This festival was an opportunity to share stories in a different way to this paper, through images and sound.

Through the theme of flight, filmmakers of all ages created stories to share with their audience, and had the opportunity to receive awards and feedback.

The Altona Beach Film Festival had a successful debut and as a community, we can be hopeful that this new way of telling local stories will continue to grow.

Wishing you a springtime of community conversations and stories.

Daniel Alleneditorpointcook@gmail.com

PUDDLING WITH THE PUBLISHERThank you to all who wrote asking to be placed on our email list to receive our newspaper on the first of each month. Please tell you friends and maybe it might go viral??

It’s the start of a move the worlds population is finally accepting and we hope to join in and increase our circulation over the next few years. The cost saving is tremendous and will help your free community newspaper stay in business particularly in these present tough times.

I had the pleasure to be invited to the first Altona Beach Film Festival and enjoyed seeing another Hobsons Bay success story begin which I have no doubt is now part of the annual agenda for this active and supportive Council. The financial supporters such as the Bendigo Bank were well represented as were the the Altona Traders and the Altona Sports Club.

The house was full and the 20 odd selected entries shown on the night were well worth the evening visit. I’ll bet as the word spreads, each year will see an increase in the number of the entries for the judges to view. I selected one to win that had a terrific ending but I lost my bet.

I want to tell you about an opportunity on Saturday 12th September at 1pm at the Altona Meadows Library at the rear of the Altona Meadows Shopping Center block to hear

Internet marketing guru Fred Gillen give a talk on ‘How to Get Started’ in marketing on the Internet, sponsored by the ‘Future Creation Workshop’, which is a group of young people at the Hobsons Bay Mens Shed.

Fred is the Internet marketing writer for the ‘Around’ newspapers and will build his presentation on a platform of what he thinks can be done by people with some computer skill and a little more knowledge to be financially successful either working for themselves or assisting them to gain employment using these basic skills as a steppingstone.

If you have an unemployed or under-employed member in your family you should bring them along. If you are in business and need to know ‘how to get started’ you should take this free opportunity to hear Fred’s message. No need to book, if we are filled up we will run another program for you. You can email me if you really want to be sure!

Bill McPherson

billmcpherson@optusnet.com.au

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1945 they resumed their life, adding five sons to the family, having already welcomed a daughter prior to Bill's departure for war.

When asked how his dad would have felt about the book, Barrie replied "I think he would have been incredibly proud.

The hardest part of writing this book was knowing mum had held the secret for so long".

Bill did not learn of Myra's relationship until he was 80, a secret Myra kept for so many years.

When asked if there were questions he wanted to ask his dad after writing the book, Barrie answered "Yes definitely, my dad understated things, for example, he told me about Charlie Martin, in a high security prison (castle) a German soldier had a go at Charlie, who told him to get stuffed, the young German

soldier held his gun to Charlie's head and told him to apologize Charlie wouldn’t apologize, but the young soldier couldn’t shoot him, the German had tears in his eyes. Dad had understated this, there were16 other people in the room"

This book is a story a fictional novelist would have difficulty imagining, yet a true story.

A story of war, love and a buried secret.

A conversation with Barrie would never be complete without politics in the mix.

During the Q & A the audience were taken on a fascinating journey through Australian politics that only an Insider could provide.

Check out the next issue for part two of Barrie Cassidy: In Conversation.

Advertise with Around Point Cook/Altona community newspapers

Contact

WillM: 0449 834 359

E: will@aroundpointcook.com

LouiseM: 0403 191 084

PUT THE BUZZZBACK INTO YOUR BIZ!

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The sincere friend whose long suit is telling his acquaintances that they look poorly does more harm than late nights, bad whiskey or the sermons of earnest evangelists.

I had one such friend whom I tried to avoid as much as possible.

Whenever we met, he was inclined to back me up against a post and ask me with great seriousness in a way that sounded more like a prophecy than a question, “How are you feeling?”

Though I would aver that I never felt better, this was actually my way of saying that I felt no worse than usual.

It would never satisfy him and he would tell me about someone we both knew who no longer needed to worry about income tax or global warming.

“You don’t look well,” he would add, “maybe you are working too hard.”

There is probably a word in formal logic for that kind of non sequitur, particularly since he knew I was retired and it put me to the pin of my collar to find some reply that did not cause insult.

The conversation would end with “you should take it easier …” allowing me to silently finish the sentence for myself, “ … for the little time that is left to you.”

You may be expecting that this example would end with my continued teetering on the edge of mortality while my friend has already toppled over, but in fact,

the last I heard he is still passing on his well meant warnings to anyone who will listen.

Still, our meeting would always leave me wondering whether there was a stammer in my heartbeat or a wheeze in my cough or some indeterminate lack of smoothness in my inner workings.

It is probably true that I don’t look well and should probably be taking some tablets, but my doctor refuses to recommend anything stronger than fresh air and temperance.

I persuade myself that looking well is not the same thing as being well, any more than the sheen on the bonnet of a car is any indication of the efficiency of its internal mechanisms.

For most of my life I have lived in cities where survival depended on being patient in queues, keeping out of the way of traffic and avoiding certain suburbs.

City folk are paranoid about looking good. They attend gyms and health studios and tanning clubs; they cycle and jog, swim and do pilates; they pay a fortune to personal trainers, surely the great charlatans of modern life.

And in case we do ourselves any harm, our baristas are not allowed to serve us coffee that is actually hot.

And, as if that is not bad enough, some eejit in parliament wants us to send our young men and women to fight in Syria.

Creative writing by: Mr Frank O’Shea

HOW ARE YOU?

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Calendar of Events – October 2015

Friday 2• Wyndham City –River Walk (P5)

Sunday 4• Iramoo Community Centre – Concert Band and Afternoon Tea (P10)

Monday 5• VU - Living Longer Living Stronger, Group Exercise (P8)• Salts of the Earth – Salt Therapy Session (P11)• St Andrews Tennis Club – Open Day (P13)• Wyndham Community & Education Centre – Keep Healthy & Active in Wyndham (P14)

Tuesday 6• VU - Living Longer Living Stronger (P), Heartmoves, Group Exercise (P8)• Salts of the Earth – Salt Therapy Session (P11)• St Andrews Tennis Club – Open Day (P13)• Wyndham Park Community Centre – Open Day & Morning Tea at the Community Shed (P15)Wednesday 7

• VU - Living Longer Living Stronger, Strutters (P), VU - Group Exercise (P8)• Australian Hearing – The Australian Hearing Bus is Coming (P8)• Heartmoves (P20)• Hotel 520 – Morning Melodies (P10)• Salts of the Earth – Salt Therapy Session (P11)• Salvation Army – Wyndham 1000 (P12)• St Andrews Tennis Club – Open Day (P13)• Werribee Secondary College – Morning Melodies “As Time Goes By” (P14)• Wyndword – A Way With Words (P15)

Thursday 8• VU - Living Longer Living Stronger, Heartmoves, Group Exercise (P8)• Australian Hearing – The Australian Hearing Bus is Coming (P8)• Lifestyle Seasons – Devonshire Teas (P10)• Manor Court – Concert & Afternoon Tea (P11)• Salts of the Earth – Salt Therapy Session (P11)• South West Christian Church Seniors – Concert & Light Lunch (P12)

Friday 9• Wyndham City Libraries – Yoga for Seniors (P6)• VU - Living Longer Living Stronger, Group Exercise (P8)• Australian Hearing – The Australian Hearing Bus is Coming (P8)• Heartmoves (P20)• Salts of the Earth – Salt Therapy Session (P11)• St Andrews Tennis Club – Open Day (P13)• Werribee Bowls Club – Jack Attack Lawn Bowls (P13)• Wyncity Bowl & Entertainment – Come & Try Day (P14)Saturday 10• VU - Group Exercise (P8)

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WYNDHAM SENIORS FESTIVAL 2015

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• Australian Multicultural Community Services & Oromo Community Association – Oromo Elders Festival (P8)• Multicultural Seniors Association – Diwali Festival (P11)• Rose Grange Retirement Village – Open Day (P11)

Monday 12• Wyndham City – Gina Hogan (P5)• The Grange Community Centre – Seniors Lunch (P9)

Tuesday 13• Speakers Bank – Masterclass: Prepare & Tell Your Story (P12)

Wednesday 14• Heartmoves (P20)

Thursday 15• Wyndham City Libraries – Family History for Beginners (P6)• Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria – Celebrate White Cane Day (P9)•Jamieson Way Community Centre – Art Photography Exhibition & Workshop (P10)

Friday 16• Wyndham City – Pizza & Trivia (P5)• Heartmoves (P20)• Wyncity Bowl & Entertainment – Come & Try Day (P14)

Saturday 17• Werribee Jazz Club – Jazz Night (P13)• Werribee Lions – Sausage Sizzle & Info Day (P13)

Sunday 18• Chinese Precinct Chamber of Commerce – Music Afternoon (P9)

Tuesday 20• Wyndham City – Devonshire Teas (P5)

Wednesday 21• Heartmoves (P20)

Friday 23• Heartmoves (P20)

Wednesday 28• Heartmoves (P20)

Friday 30• Heartmoves (P20)

Wyndham City ticketed events go on sale Tuesday 15 September, 9am at the Wyndham Cultural Centre, 177 Watton Street, Werribee or call 8734 6000 weekdays 9am-4.30pm or go online www.wyncc.com.au (booking fee applies to each ticket purchased online).

For Wyndham City River Walk and Trivia, no ticket is required, but RSVP is essential as places are limited.

Contact Amanda Burns at Wyndham City on 9742 0777 or email AgedDisabilityEvents@wyndham.vic.gov.au

Tickets for the community events vary – please check individual listing for dates and times.

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Hobsons Bay City Council Mayor Cr Colleen Gates attended Laverton College fete along with President Elect Steve Medcraft from Laverton Point Cook Rotary.

Both HBCC through their Community Grants program and Rotary paid for life jackets for the College's Sail and Boat Training projects.

Coral Allen

JACKETS A PLENTY

Laverton College students with Principal Mr Richard Jones, Hobsons Bay Mayor Cr Colleen Gates and Rotary President Steve Medcraft

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The region is a-buzz following the recent announcement that Jetstar has signed a ten year agreement to extend their Avalon Airport operations until at least 2025. In addition to the 10 year arrangement, Jetstar has committed to add further destinations and services over the coming months.

Avalon Airport CEO Justin Giddings was very excited by the announcement. “This new deal provides a great opportunity for the region to capitalise on not only great interstate travel opportunities, but also the

significant inbound tourism market. We thank the Victorian Government for their significant assistance in securing the long term arrangement with Jetstar, and more broadly their vision for Avalon Airport.”

Avalon Airport provides businesses and residents within the Wyndham area with cheaper flights and easy access to the airport. A trip to Sydney feels like a simple commute, given the airport is only 25 minutes from Wyndham on a toll-free road, and the passenger terminal is a 2 minute walk from the car park.

Around 60% of Avalon’s existing passengers are from interstate, and its proximity to Werribee, Geelong, Melbourne, the Surf Coast, the Bellarine and other areas of interest means that the commitment by Jetstar will also assist in developing the state’s tourism industries.

For the latest updates and specials follow Avalon Airport on Facebook and Twitter (@AvalonAirportAU).

UP, UP AND AWAY

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An impressive event was organised by Sohni Dharti Australia to celebrate the 69th Independence Day of Pakistan in Victoria on 16th August 2015. The highlights of the event were flag hoisting by Cr. Gautam Gupta on behalf of the Mayor Cr. Peter Maynard and Hon Telmo Languiller MP Speaker Parliament of Victoria. Other Councillors from Wyndham were present on the occasion.

People from various suburbs of Victoria came to attend the event with great fervour and enthusiasm to commemorate the Independence Day. Children presented remarkable performances on national songs and deliver speeches to highlight the sacrifices made by our ancestors. Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal were paid tributes in speeches by children who proudly wore traditional clothes of Pakistan. On the occasion, the children reminded everyone about the sacrifices made by

Army Public School Children and performed on ‘Bara Dushman Bana Phirta Hai Jo Bachon say Larta Hay’. The children also presented ‘Lab Pay Aati Hai Dua’, ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ and ‘Hum Zinda Quom Hain’. A very special especially thanks to Hina Farooq and Nida Azeem for preparing the children to perform on national songs. As mentioned by one of the mothers, ‘It’s the first time they have seen children performing to celebrate our Independence Day in Melbourne. This has certainly invigorated their spirit and love for the country’.

Cr Gautam Gupta while representing the Mayor Wyndham Council congratulated the Pakistani community on the Independence Day. He shared that it is the first time that the Civic Centre at Wyndham has been provided for any national day celebrations including flag hoisting. He said that we are starting the Civic Centre activation program from Pakistan Day. He committed of making all the support available for multicultural events organised by Sohni Dharti in Wyndham. Hon Telmo Languiller MP Speaker Parliament of Victoria while addressing the gathering said that Pakistani community has contributed to Australian and other foreign societies through their capable human resources in the field of science, medicine, engineering and other fields. He said that the event and gathering has been very impressive. He further added that there are many opportunities for Pakistani community to come forward and play a more active role in the development of the country.

PAKISTAN INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATED IN VICTORIA ON 16 AUGUST

2015 AT THE CIVIC CENTRE, WYNDHAM

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The presenters of the day were Jacob Bhatti, Sadia Shafique and Saima Rani who were spectacular in entertaining the people. A brief introduction of Sohni Dharti Australia was given by Asghar Ali Khan, Treasurer Sohni Dharti. He said that Sohni Dharti’s is incorporated in Victoria with the aim to promote and organise multi-cultural events that will highlight the contributions made by Pakistanis in Australia, celebrate events and also to launch other community development initiatives. He introduced the other officials of Sohni Dhart including Khalid Farooq (President), Yaqub Bhatti (Vice President), Farooq Dar (General Secretary) and Sannia Azeemi (Member).

The Sohni Dharti team recognised the support of Wyndham City Council for providing resources, guidance and support to make this event possible. They especially acknowledged the full support of Cr Guatam Gupta.

Lunch was provided by the organisers. Various stalls displayed the traditional clothes and handy crafts. Different variety of food and sweets were also sold on the stalls. Children enjoyed swings and face painting and tricks from a magician. Gifts were also

distributed among the children.

The teams who played the final of Azadi Cup Cricket Tournament organised by Melbourne Smashers and Sohni Dharti during August were presented prizes. The final was played between Melbourne Smashers and Auslink Cricket Club won by the later. The winning team captain Khalid Farooq lifted the trophy given by Mayor Cr Peter Maynard.

The community appreciated the efforts of Sohni Dharti for organising the event and showed their emotions for the love of their country. A huge appreciation was paid to the Wyndham Council for providing Civic Centre for the event and other support services. The sponsors of the event mainly Raine and Horne, The Bank of Melbourne, Daneem Homes, Zaman Homes, ACOT, SK Education Services, Auslink Training, Mindwrap Tutoring and Consulting, Shooting Stars Education, Staging Company, SPL, NSDC, SAARC Travels, Mani Sports, UMATI and Haan Ji Radio were greatly appreciated for their contributions.

Farooq Dar, General Secy, Sohni Dharti Inc. Australia, C-9, 100 Overton Road, Williams Landing Shopping Centre, Williams Landing 3027 Ph: 99390679

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Now in its tenth year, Altona’s Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre is focusing on change and renewal. With a new name (Louis Joel Arts and Community), a new manager (Kim Reilly) a new manager for the Joel Gallery (Neralie Thorp) and a new administration officer (Robert Falzon), the centre is now seeking to boost community engagement even further by looking for community members to contribute more strongly to, and feel a sense of ownership of, the centre.

Accordingly, a new membership programme (Friends of Louis Joel Arts and Community) has just been launched.

The Friends programme seeks to foster the development and presence of the arts in the community.

Costing only $20 per person per year, the scheme allows members to participate in a range of gallery and arts activities, including manning exhibitions,

discussions with exhibiting artists, receiving invitations to event launches and participating in members-only arts-related excursions, events and activities.

In the spirit of community engagement, the centre also seeks to identify issues that affect, and matter to, the community and to develop and host events that foster community discussions about these issues.

To this end, the centre will lead and host a special sixteen-day event to end violence against women in November this year.

‘We pride ourselves on taking an activist role’, says Centre Manager Kim Reilly, who invites members of the community to contact the centre with ideas of community issues that the centre could address through workshops and other activities.

For more information about events,

activities and exhibitions at the Joel Gallery and Joel Arts

and Community Centre or to exhibit work

at the Joel Gallery, visit www.joelgallery.com.au.

To submit ideas of community issues, email the Louis Joel Centre at

admin@louisjlcc.com.au

Fabienne Chevalier

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AT ALTONA’S LOUIS JOEL ARTS AND COMMUNITY CENTRE

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Did you know… that there are around 525,000 small and medium sized enterprises in Victoria?

What’s amazing is that these SMEs are employing around 1.2 million Victorians!

As part of the activities for the month-long Small Business Festival Victoria, a seminar on “Gov4U: Advice, Support and Grants for Small Businesses” was recently hosted by Hobsons Bay City Council to

enable small business owners to learn about what the federal, state and local governments are doing increase economic development in Melbourne’s West.

Speakers from Federal, State and the Local government were at hand to explain the various initiatives, information services, tax incentives, research and development opportunities, loans, subsidies and grant assistance programs available for eligible businesses.

IN FOCUS: SUCCESS IN SMALL BUSINESSES

Hobson’s Bay Mayor Colleen Gates delivering the opening address.

Speakers discuss support available to small businesses.

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Speakers discuss support available to small businesses.

Around 50 business owners that attended also had an opportunity to do a quick networking during the evening.

One of the more interesting innovations offered as support for small businesses is the Small Business Bus – literally an office-cum-bus, a roving consultancy/advice service moving from one area to another with experts ready to attend to a myriad of queries – bookings are essential to ensure that business owners are attended to on the day the bus is in the locality.

Based on all the talks given during the evening, it was clear that the state of Victoria is doing everything it can to ensure that there is a thriving community of small business owners, and that the support available will spell the success of small businesses.

After all, in order to think and be Big, we need to start small!

Mimi Laurilla

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The Caffeine Controversy!

The first coffee shop opened in Constantinople in 1475 and by the 1600s coffee houses had become a Mecca for great thinkers as well as great idlers throughout the Western world.

Today the whole world seems to be addicted to coffee! Germans drink more coffee than beer, Italians consume more than 50 million cups a day.

The world coffee drinking record, however is held by the Finns who drink an average of 10 kilos of fresh coffee a year, per person.

Coffee first came to Italy from the East via Venice and when we think of fresh coffee we usually think Italian.

Even though Italians named cappuccino for its similarity to the colour of the robes of the monks of the Capuchin order, takeaway cappuccinos and cafe lattes in polythene cups and shiny home espresso machines have got little to do with traditional Italian drinking coffee.

Italians consider drinking a cappuccino after midday very strange.

Milk coffee is reserved for early morning.

For the rest of the day and way into the night real Italians drink strong, hot espressos in tiny cups.

A Case for Coffee?

But the question is, are there grounds for a closer look at coffee?

Caffeine, the main substance in coffee and tea, is believed to play a role in setting the body's daily biological clocks.

In the 19th century coffee was used as an asthma

treatment after it was shown to dilate the airways to the lungs.

Coffee increases the secretion of stomach acids and aids digestion and is a known diuretic.

Caffeine elevates mood and decreases fatigue.

It is absorbed into the body very quickly and reaches peek levels within an hour, helping people work harder and think more clearly.

It is known in sports competitions to be an endurance extender, creating an increase in muscle power and encouraging the body to burn fat for energy, thereby preventing muscle fatigue.

Evidence against the Coffee Bean

Although caffeine has been shown to pump up blood pressure, recent research has shown that coffee drinking in moderation will not increase the risk of heart disease.

The feeling today is generally 3 cups of coffee a day is pretty harmless.

Caffeine withdrawal can result in the shakes and severe headaches even in people who consume relatively low doses.

They may develop symptoms such as panic attacks, racing heart and palpitations.

It is one of the reasons people may develop withdrawal headaches, they may then buy over the counter pain killers which can contain caffeine, the very substance whose withdrawal is causing the headache.

People metabolise caffeine at different levels.

For some it may cause insomnia.

Those who are particularly sensitive may need to avoid caffeine after their morning cuppa to ensure a good nights sleep.

Others may drink 6-10 cups a day, and may even have a 'short black' at night and still sleep well.

Research indicates that a high intake of coffee can sap valuable nutrients such as zinc, calcium and vitamin C from the body and prevents iron absorption.

So, if you are concerned about the adverse effects of caffeine you can opt for a decaffeinated product, but it just isn't the same!

Tests carried out by a Swiss scientist Dr Ernst Baettig at Zurich University has confirmed that desire for love making is increased by coffee!!

Cherie de Haas

COFFEE - GROUNDS FOR CONCERN - OR NOT?

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As with most households, I grew up knowing that spring meant three things... warmer weather, hay fever and spring-cleaning!

Now, for the sake of some sunshine, I am willing to sneeze myself silly, but the annual spring clean is a special kind of torture, that I can definitely live without!

The idea that once a year, we should pull out every item we own, in order to determine whether or not it is going to live to see another day is crazy!

We cull and we sort, only to put most of it back, in a mildly neater way. This process results in a house that feels tidier for roughly a week, only to slip back into the cluttered chaos to which we are accustomed.

The reason for this rebound is that we simply own too many things! It is a good problem to have, but it is a problem nonetheless.

When I moved to Point Cook, my living quarters shrunk significantly and this made me acutely aware

of just how many things I owned...I was constantly cleaning up, only to feel completely overwhelmed by my possessions almost instantly.

That is what led me to Marie Kondo! A Japanese guru on de-cluttering, Kondo wrote a book - The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying. After smashing through this insightful little read in only a few days, I felt ready to change my life!

Essentially the idea is simple - we hold each possession in our hands and decide whether it sparks joy - if it does, we are to give it a home, if not, it has to go!

At first, the idea of throwing away items I had clung to for most of my life caused me anxiety - I am a hoarder and I know it! But with each discard, came a feeling of relief and now I am discarding like a pro!

For the first time in my adult life, I can see all that I own at a glance and it is liberating!! I will never have to waste my spring, cleaning again and that truly is a life-changer!

Melissa Longo

SPRING-CLEANING THE KONDO WAY

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Point Cook Community

Garden/Kitchen Swap

4th Sunday of the month at Kingsford

Park (Kingsford Dve) Point Cook from

10.30am

Come and swap your excess plants, seeds,

flowers, fruit, vegetables, garden

items or home baking, magazines and

books.

Enquiries : kimpetcare@gmail.com or

valadamson@hotmail.com

Volunteers for Emergency relief neededLaverton Community Centre need Volunteers forEmergency relief will be trained.

Must be able to use computer.Please contact. Ellen Volunteer

Coordinator PH: 8368 0172

Community Board

LAVERTON COMMUNITY CHOIR

The Laverton Community Choir invites you to attend a rehearsal as a guest before you

decide if you would like to join.

Experienced conductor, different and fun musical arrangements. No experience is

necessary just a love of singing. The choir rehearses every Thursday

7pm – 9pm at P-12 College, Bladin Street, Laverton.

Contact Ann on 0401 411 297 or Caroline 0449 507 873

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

CENTREINFORMATION ADVICE

AND REFERRAL SERVICE

MONDAY TO FRIDAY

10AM – 3PM

LEGAL SERVICE

THURSDAY FORTNIGHTLY

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

PHONE NO: 9398 5207

Featherbrook Walking Group

Make new friends and improve your fitness by joining the Featherbrook Walking Group for a 45 minute stroll every Wednesday at 10am. Meet at

Featherbrook Community Centre, 33-35 Windorah Drive Point Cook. It’s free to join in and mums with prams are welcome. For more information call the

community centre on 8353 4000.

For more information phone Wyndham City’s Healthy Communities Team on 9742 0777, visit

www.wyndham.vic.gov.au or like our Healthy and Active in Wyndham page on Facebook.

VIEW

VIEW (Voice, Interests, Education for Women) provides a low cost social outlet for women. Meets first Wed of every month 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm start. Pt Cook Community Learning

Centre, Cheetham Road, Pt Cook. Light supper provided. New members always welcome. Come and make new friends

and enjoy social outings. Contact Helen on 0425 803 965 for details or just

come along.

LEARN MALTESE

The Maltese Language Teachers Associations of Victoria are organising Maltese language classes at different levels in Werribee, Sydenham and Mill Park. Interested? Registrations for Terms 3 & 4 adult classes are now open. Hurry, limited seats available. For more information email learnmaltesevic@gmail.com or call Mark on 0400307945

Hobsons Bay Mens Shed Gen Y Support Group

wish to contact Gen Y persons seeking employment without success with a view to assisting reducing the current high level of 25.2% - email billmcpherson@optusnet.com.au with ‘Gen Y interest’ in the subject line for details

Wyndham Scottish Social Dance

Featherbrook Community Centre

33-35 Windorah Drive, Point Cook

7:30 pm until 9:30 pm Every 2nd and 4th

Friday of the Month

Come along and have fun, meet new friends.

Healthy exercise for mind and body.

You need soft shoes. No rubber ridged soles.

No partner necessary.

We do Celidh dance which is a mixture of

Waltz, Set and Barn dances.

For information phone Deryck 0415 250 284

or Alison 0413 295 133

Sponsored by the Bendigo Bank.

Wyndham Little

Buddies TOY LIBRARY

Children learn through play.

Borrow different toys every 2 weeks.

For children aged 0 - 5 years.

New members welcome.

Open hours:

Point Cook Community Centre:

Tue 9.30-11 Fri 12-1.30 Sat 9.30-11.30

Wyndham Park Community Centre:

Mon & Fri 9.30-11, Sat 10-11.30.

For more info:

Website: www.littlebuddiestoylibrary.com.au

Email: wlbtoylibrary@bigpond.com

Phone: 8353 1196 / 9741 1366

Community Café Weekly

12noon-1pm

Wednesday

Laverton Community Centre

The Laverton Hub

95-105 Railway Ave

Laverton

Friday

Altona Meadows

Community Centre

28 Trafalgar

Altona Meadows

Booking Essential

8368 0177

Spring at Seabrook Community

Centre -Try Something NewTax Help :ATO approved free appointments a

Wednesday for low income earners to assist in

lodging your tax return. Phone the centre for

eligibility and to make an appointment.

Spring Into Fitness: Come and try a 30 minute

taster session of one or more of our fitness and

well being programs throughout the morning

on Tuesday 22nd September . Try metafit, low

impact cardio, pilates or yoga or try all four and

join us for lunch afterwards. Also free spinal

checks, mini massage and reflexology through

the morning. Bookings essential. 9932 3010

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Help support you local community

group and join as a member at

www.pointcookactiongroup.org.au

Community Board

POINT COOK TOASTMASTERS CLUB

IMPROVE YOUR COMMUNICATION AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS

IN A MUTUALLY SUPPORTIVE AND FUN ENVIRONMENT

EVERY 1ST AND 3RD THURSDAY @ 7.30pm

****New Venue!!!****Laverton Community Hub

95-105 Railway Ave, LavertonEmail: toastmasterspointcook@

gmail.com for more info

AMESBecome an AMES Volunteer Tutor

AMES Werribee requires volunteers

for 1 to 2 hours a week to help new

arrivals learn English. Free training

program provided.

Details: Katherine: 8744 0011

email: coccolik@ames.net.au

CHINESEFor all ages interested in Saturday

Chinese (Mandarin) classes at

Suzanne Cory High School

conducted by Victorian School of

Languages (governm

ent funded), express your interest

contact Marjory Palmer 03-5277

9833/email marjoryp@

vsl.vic.edu.au

Ex Service men/women

The VVAA Melb West Sub Branch has moved. We now oper

ate from "The Lodge"Altona RSL on Mondays and

Tuesdays.For pensions and welfare enquiries call 9398 2865 or leave a message

at Werribee/Altona RSL

Point Cook WalkingGroup

Women and Men of all Ages Welcome.

• Discover Point Cook

• Meet New Friends

• Keep Fit and Healthy

• Friendly and Relaxed

Every week day at 9.00am

Leaving from Point Cook Town Centre at the Dry

Cleaners- Coles Precinct EVERY week day

at 9.00am

9395 1953

FAITH LIFE CHURCH

Are you or someone you know in need of physical healing?

Join us at our Healing Service.

Details @ www.faithlifechurch.com.au or 9393 2333

LIGHTPOINT CHURCH

A contemporary Christian Church Meets Sundays 9:30 & 11:15am

Point Cook Senior Secondary School Cnr Boardwalk Blvd & Bergamot Drive,

Point Cook Youth Group meets Fridays during term 7-9:15pm at the same venue

More info call 0425 722 868 www.lightpointchurch.com

Would Enjoy Some Social Walking?We are Sanctuary Lakes Social Walking Group. We walk Tues and Wed from Jamison Way Community Centre and Thurs and Fri from Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club car park. Each walk is different and lasts approx an hour. We meet at 9am. All speeds and ages catered to. We also meet for lunch on a monthly basis.

Contact:Tracy 0438 607850

Sian 9395 1182

Are you interested in:• Meeting People• Crafts ( Thursdays 1-3pm)• Playing Cards or Board Games (Mondays 1-4pm)• Train TripsJoin the Point Cook Social Seniors Group at Janieson Way Community Centre, 59 Jamieson Way, Point Cook (Mondays 1-4pm)Contacts:Bev: 9395 1953 or 0417 324 489Maree: 9395 4120 or 0408 526 897

Seniors – Point Cook

Werribee and Districts Cancer Support GroupWe are a positive, uplifting, supportive group for all cancer patients, carers, family and friends. All welcome for a cuppa and chat on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at Wayaperri House, 106 Duncans Road, Werribee. Monthly meetings occasionally include guest speakers, or are held over dinner and creative and therapeutic activities can be arranged upon interest shown.Contact Steve Marburg (Convenor) on 0418 587 086 or by email on smarbie@bigpond.com or by post at PO Box 4405 Hoppers Crossing 3029or you can contact Koula on 9734 6498.

HOBSONS BAY LIFE

ACTIVITIES CLUB

If you're 50 plus and enjoy Dining Out, Movies,

BBQ's, Coffee Morning etc then we are just what

you are looking for.

Meet new people, make new friends, and join

like minded people in a variety of activities, both

week days and weekends.

Try us out by attending a couple of functions

of your choice, without obligation, before you

decide.

For further information and a copy of our Club

Newsletter please contact:

hobsonsbay@life.org

or Liz 9397 1043

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R.A.A.F. Dance at Point Cook- The C.O and Officers Were Jovial Hosts

The officers mess at Point Cook was the setting on Friday evening last for a jolly and informal dance when

the commanding officer and officers of No. 1 Squadron. R.A.A.F. were most jovial and attentive hosts.

There was much to interest the fair guests of the gallant airmen, who were resplendent in their decorative mess dresses, with lapels and stripes of pale blue, and the majority of the senior men with their breasts covered with rows of miniature medals gained for distinctive service. The mess room made a splendid ballroom. Suspended over the heads of dancers, and reaching from end to end, was the model of a giant airship, R39, brilliantly lit by a flood light, its lighted gondolas looking most realistic with their propellers revolving.

Over the orchestra was suspended an exact model of SE5, and the lights round the room were shaded with actual photographs of various planes in formation with wonderful cloud backgrounds.

During one of the dances a shower of model parachutes with kewpies attached was released, and eagerly sought by the dancers.

Squadron Leader Cole, the C.O. of the station, welcomed the guests of the officers, and in the absence of Mrs Cole, was assisted by Mrs De La Hue, who was handsomely gowned in black crepe romaine beautifully embroidered in jet.

Group Captain Williams motored down for the dance with Mrs Williams, an elegant figure in peacock green terry velvet, through which gleamed a gold foundation.

THIS MONTH IN 1926TABLE TALK, Thursday 2nd September 1926

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Who Was There- Dainty Frocking

Mrs McBain, in cherry red crepe ro-maine, lightly beaded in crystal; Mrs Cob-by, who wore apple green georgette made with plisse skirt and beaded in silver; Mrs Brownell, whose charming gown of per-riwinkle blue crepe georgette had sprays of hand-made rib-bon flowers forming garlands half way up the skirt, from which bunches of ribbons fell to the hem;

Mrs Burgess, in black satin royale, caught to the right hip with a brilliant buckle, a pink rose shoulder posy giving a touch of colour; Mrs Wilson's frock of apricot georgette was

beaded in crystal, and picked out in turquoises;

Miss Isla Edwards wore a smart frock of oxidised frosted lame, banded round the hem with graduated bands of old gold; Miss E. Cross wore a charming little frock of silver lace, the tunic being bordered with blue velvet;

Miss Margaret Cumming's lovely ivory marocain was beaded in pearls and crystal; Miss Iris Connelly wore black lace under a silver lame coatee; Miss Myrtle Manson was in peacock blue velvet, weighted with handmade flowers of the material round the hem;

Miss Cameron was in cosmos pink georgette, made with apron and corsage drapery of gold lace; Miss Ina West was in black crepe georgette, beaded in jet; her sister wore ivory marocain, glistening with traceries of crystal.

Miss Gwen Dove looked well in blue and pink woven lace, made over pink; Miss Simpson's Indian pink crepe romaine was turned over a woven gold and pink tunic.

Greg Milne

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© Glow Images. Model used for illustrative purposes.

Oh, to sleep like a baby, without a care in the world! Do you remember what that was like?

You didn’t have to yearn for a restful night.

You’d simply snuggle down, get comfortable, and fall off to sleep.

It was so, so easy.

It still can be easy, if you know how.

What’s more, it’s good for your health.

SLEEP LIKE A BABY

Wanting a good night’s sleep, but not always getting it, is apparently quite common in our fast-paced life.

At one time, I didn’t sleep well.

I blamed my bed.

But three new mattresses and umpteen pillows later, I was still sleepless.

I didn’t want to buy yet another bed, or take sleeping-pills, so I decided to try a new style of “bed-time thinking”.

And it worked! Now, years later, I still have the same bed and pillows, and finally, contented, restful, nights.

So here are tips and ideas to help you get a good night’s sleep, and to wake feeling refreshed.

PRE-BEDTIME TIPS:

- Before retiring, check your mental state. There’s a connection between what you think and experience.

- Don’t go to bed full of stressful, unsettled thoughts. It doesn’t lead to a restful sleep.

- Prior to bedtime, prepare yourself for a good night’s sleep. Slow your thinking down. Relax.

- Switch off the technology. Take a break. Completely stop what you’re doing, before getting into bed.

- Spend 5 minutes sitting quietly. Gently reflect on the day, pray, or meditate.

- Firmly believe “You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.” Proverbs 3:24

DURING-THE-NIGHT TIPS:

- Don’t lie there worrying about tomorrow. You haven’t got there yet! Calm thought down. Stay in the ‘now’. Feel satisfied that you did what you needed to do in balancing work and family commitments.

- Don’t obsess over sleep. It’s not the number of hours you sleep, but the quality of rest you get.

- Don’t get angry or frustrated about not sleeping. Be calm. Reject the thought that you “don’t sleep well”.

- If you do wake during the night, think of three good things that happened during the day, and silently give thanks for them. Gratitude is rest-giving. It stills anxiety, and restores both mind and spirit.

- Think about a caring, universal, divine Love tenderly enfolding you - like a baby’s soft blanket.

- Expect to sleep like a baby. Contented rest is within your mental grasp. You can be comfortable right through the night, and wake-up full of sparkling energy. Why not give this “bed-time thinking” a go!

Health writer, Beverly Goldsmith, is a practitioner and teacher of

Christian Science healing.

Twitter: @GoldsmithBev

Blog: www.spiritualityandhealthconnect.com

SLEEP LIKE A BABY! IT’S GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH

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24

Congratulations to a number of local organisations who have recently received extra funding to help them continue their fantastic work serving our local community.

Altona Life Saving Club will share in $12.5 million to purchase much-needed equipment through the 2015-16 Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program.

These grants go towards operational equipment such as trucks, tankers, watercraft, trailers and minor facility improvements for volunteer groups.

Altona Life Saving Club will receive a grant of $13,139 to replace a rusted and unsafe all-terrain vehicle, which is used by the club’s volunteers to patrol Altona Beach and the surrounding foreshore.

Under the program, the Andrews Labor Government contributed $2 for every $1 contributed by local volunteer groups, and Altona Life Saving Club raised over $6,000 in their local fundraising campaign,

which included a very generous donation from Altona Sports Club.

Altona Life Saving Club has been protecting our community since 1927, and this grant will help give their volunteers the equipment they need to continue to save lives, and will help the club to continue to recruit and train new patrollees.

Two community health organisations in Altona District have also received doing extra funding as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s investment in public dental services.

ISIS Primary Care and Cohealth West will receive funds for new and upgraded dental equipment, helping them to provide better and safer public dental services.

Good oral health is the foundation for good overall health, and ISIS Primary Care and Cohealth West support so many people in our community who otherwise would not have access to dental care.

If you have any questions about these organisations or other constituent

matters, please contact me on 03 9395 0221

or jill.hennessy@parliament.vic.gov.au.

Visit my website www.jillhennessy.com.au

for updates and news throughout the month.

A WORD FROM HON. JILL HENNESSY MP

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Pet overpopulation has become a major concern; the RSPCA reports that thousands of animals are being put down each year.

Pets that aren’t de-sexed contribute to unwanted litters and animal abandonment.

De-sexing not only helps with the overpopulation issue, but it also has many positive health benefits.

RSPCA has shown that de-sexed pets, generally, live longer and healthier lives.

With decreased risks of cancer and other diseases involving the reproductive organs, such as testicular cancer, prostate cancer, cystic ovaries, ovarian tumors, uterine infections and breast cancer in females.

De-sexed pets are less likely to wander or engage in destructive behaviours such as urine marking and fighting, particularly when in search for a mate.

The result is less injuries and mortalities, especially if the pets are wandering at night reducing the chance of being hit by motorists.

Many pet owners tend to worry that once their pet has been de-sexed, it will change their personality or make them less active and gain weight.

DESEXING YOUR PET

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There are however, few to no proven negative impacts related to de-sexing, if anything, pets experience improvements in behaviour, overall health and general wellbeing.

Another concern for pet owners is the cost of the de-sexing procedure. Initiatives such as ‘National De-sexing Month’ beginning in July each year can help to make costs more affordable.

Other options include enquiring at animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA, Lost Dog’s Home

and Lort Smith Animal Hospital, as well as local councils, as they my have some more affordable options for pensioners and health care cardholders.

As has been shown de-sexing provides a wide range of benefits for pets, owners and the community.

It promotes the overall health and wellbeing of our pets, while also reducing the tragically high number of preventable animal deaths every year.

Cindy Bremner

Natural Pawfection - Animal Naturopath

Email- cindy.bree@gmail.com

Phone- 0421-446-764

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Walter Villagonzalo, president of The Migrant HUB and Community Engagement Volunteer Award winner, has been honoured as Wyndham’s 2015 Citizen of the Year.

Walter was presented with the award at the Wyndham Community Volunteer Gala Awards Presentation Evening held on Friday 14th August.

Five other volunteers were also awarded for their contributions to the community with Khurram Jahangir Kahn winning the Young Volunteer category.

Wyndham’s Volunteer Awards span a broad range of categories from Culture, Arts and Tourism, to Environment and Sustainability, to Sport and Recreation.

In total, there are seven volunteer awards, including a new category introduced this year - The Community Group Award, which The Migrant HUB was the recipient of.

Beginning in 2013, the awards recognise and celebrate achievements from individuals and groups

WYNDHAM’S NEW CITIZEN OF THE YEARthat provide outstanding contributions to the local community.

“Volunteers are often the unsung heroes in our community, and these awards are an opportunity to recognise and celebrate their skills, hard work and achievements,” said Wyndham City Mayor, Cr Maynard.

For well over 20 years, Walter has volunteered in the Wyndham community in several roles and capacities since migrating to Australia from the Philippines in 1986 with his family.

His valuable contributions, advocacy and initiatives have assisted numerous individuals, with The Migrant HUB becoming a core example of his passion to support migrant and refugee integration – To inspire them to use their skills, gain employment, or begin small-business enterprises.

Walter’s passion for inclusion and helping others makes him a role-model for not only the migrant community, but us all.

Of the Award, Walter says, “The Citizen of the Year award this year is given to me, a resident born overseas.

I hope I can become an effective example to the migrant community; demonstrating that it is not important where you were born or the colour of your skin.

You are part of the community in Wyndham, be out there, integrate, contribute and help build a better Wyndham for your children and future generations.”

Kyla-Jayne Rajah

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Planning is well underway for Weerama's 2016 festival. More entertainment, more music, more family friendly festivities, the Weerama committee is committed to ensuring the 2016 festival has something for everyone.

While holding onto traditional elements the event organising committee is determined to make next years Weerama vibrant and fresh.

At the recent AGM a new committee was sworn is with Marcel Mahfoud taking over the role of President. Also joining the committee are some experienced community leaders including some former youth leaders from Wyndham's Youth Task Force and Freeza. With a mix of event management and project management experience, the 2015/16 Weerama committee is confident we have the right mix of expertise to ensure the 2016 festival is organised with detailed planning and in fact planning is already underway.

Traditional elements such as the parade will take place with many new activities added to the list.

Weerama has had to constantly evolve as our community grows but traditionally Weerama has been held in Werribee. Weerama is an event for the whole of Wyndham and will be held across the municipality across several weeks. Smaller events will take place in Point Cook, Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit, Truganina, Wyndham Vale and we are canvassing options for Little River and Mount Cottrell.

Weerama is all about celebrating the Wyndham community and communities within Wyndham, today we launch our new slogan; Celebrating Wyndham.

We invite all community groups and business to contact us to seek how they can be involved. The more people that are involved, the bigger our festival can grow. Together, we celebrate.

Please contact info@weerama.org.au

WEERAMA FESTIVAL - CELEBRATING WYNDHAM

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Mt St Joseph Girls’ College, very own Stephanie Kelly (Year 11) had an outstanding U 19 Women's Lacrosse World Championship representing Australia in Edinburgh, Scotland recently.

Despite Australia losing a tight Bronze medal semi final to England on Saturday,10-9, Steph scored 3 goals and 1 assist in the game.

Steph was Australia's leading point scorer and ranked 5th in the Tournament with 23 points.

Steph also lead the Aussies in goals and was ranked 5th in the Tournament with 17goals.

Congratulations Steph on your achievements and representing your school, family and country with pride. What a fantastic achievement!

Another star on the rise is Ashleigh Zibell in Year 8 at MSJ. Ashleigh is currently playing in the Club Championships, playing up to 3 games each Tuesday night, in Essendon's under 16, under 18, state league.

She trains 4 or 5 times a week, often in the early hours of the morning, often with Australian team players and coached by Australian Olympians.

Last year Ashleigh was invited by Water Polo Victoria to join the Athlete Development Program, which is the pathway into the VIS.

Ashleigh was selected for the Victorian 14 and under state team in April and competed at the East Coast Challenge in Brisbane in the June/July holidays.

The competition runs in the second week of the Term 2 holidays and is attended by teams from Queensland, NSW, South Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand and of course Victoria.

Ashleigh and the girls played well beating the South Australian team twice and having very hard fought close games with the second Queensland team and New Zealand.

A highlight for her last year was playing in the 16 and under nationals in Canberra at the AIS and being the youngest goal scorer of the tournament.

Kelly Sexton

Mount St Joseph Girls' College

STAR ATHLETESMount St Joseph Girls' College

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As a Flick chic, I am often left disappointed by the chic flick... these movies have a tendency to be formulaic and generally portray women in a fairly pathetic light. Enter Amy Schumer.

As the writer and star of Trainwreck, Schumer has flipped the script on this particular chic flick and the results are hilarious.

Schumer has risen to fame, off the back of her sketch show Inside Amy Schumer, and is notorious for being sharp, on point and unapologetically female.

The premise for Trainwreck is a reversal of stereotypes, with

Schumer's lead character a total man-eating, commitment-phobe. Enter Bill Hader as the guy Amy is willing to change for, and there is your film.

With Judd Apatow directing, the film does tend to run a little long, but a strong support cast and some great chemistry between the two leads, makes the lengthy running time tolerable.

Overall, the film managed to make me laugh and cry, and that is always the measure of a successful chic flick for this Flick chic.

3.5 starsMelissa Longo

FLICK CHICK REVIEWS: TRAINWRECK

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Laugh Out Loud

A young doctor...

... moved out to Victoria to replace a doctor who was retiring.

The older doctor suggested that the young one accompany him on his rounds, so the community could become used to a new doctor.

At the first house a woman complains, "I've been a little sick to my stomach."

The older doctor says, "Well, you've probably been overdoing the fresh

fruit. Cut back on the amount you've been eating and see if that does the trick."

As they left, the younger man said, "You didn't even examine that woman.

How'd you come to the diagnosis so quickly?"

"I didn't have to. You noticed I dropped my stethoscope on the floor in there? When I bent over to pick it up, I noticed a half dozen banana peels in the trash. That was what probably what was making her sick."

The younger doctor said, "Pretty clever. If you don't mind, I think I'll try that at the next house."

Arriving at the next house, they spent several minutes talking with a younger woman.

She said that she just didn't have the energy she once did and said, "I'm feeling terribly run down lately."

"You've probably been doing too much for the Church," the younger doctor told her. "Perhaps you should cut back a bit and see if that helps."

As they left, the elder doctor said, "I know that woman well. Your diagnosis is most certainly correct, she's very active in the church, but how did you arrive at it?"

"I did what you did at the last house. I dropped my stethoscope and, when I bent down to retrieve it, I noticed the priest under the bed."

There I was...... sitting at the bar staring at my drink when a large, trouble-making biker steps up next to me, grabs my drink and gulps it down in one swig.

"Well, whatcha gonna do about it?" he said, menacingly, as I burst into tears.

"Come on, man," the biker said, "I didn't think you'd CRY. I can`t stand to see a man crying."

"This is the worst day of my life," I said. "I'm a complete failure. I was late to a meeting and my boss fired me. When I went to the parking lot, I found my car had been stolen and I don't have any insurance. I left my wallet in the cab I took home. I found my old lady in bed with the gardener, and then my dog bit me."

"So I came to this bar to work up the courage to put an end to it all, I buy a drink, I drop a capsule in and sit here watching the poison dissolve. Then you, you jack-ass, show up and drink the whole thing!" "But enough about me, how's your day going?"

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BANJO’S SWAGMAN

(With due homage to A.B.’Banjo’ Paterson and his iconic poem, “Waltzing Matilda”, Australia’s unofficial anthem)

The Banjo told of this swagman,A bloke who’s described as ‘jolly’,Who was drowned because of a lamb:This was surely an act of folly.

Without this needless tragedy,Australia would not have this legend.What I offer here is a theoryTo explain what might have happened.

In life this man may have done his best;What he did here was not all that wrong.He’d walked all day and needed a rest,So he camped by that billabong.

He was hungry, needing a meal:A wallaby would have been dandy.The thing of which they made a big dealWas this wee woolly that was handy.

Right at the end of his tether,And being right down on his luck,He was looking to bag a wether,When up sprang this thirsty jumbuck.

I reckon that angry squatterOf a small matter made a great fuss:No poor man’s friend, a real rotter;And those three ‘Jacks’ were too officious.

When the troopers tried to capture him,He jumped into that oxbow lake.It’s possible that he could swim,And so his demise he did fake.

There has been lots of palaver,Which still carries on to this day.They never found his cadaver,So it could be he got away.

Jack Nystrom, 7.8.2014

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Calling on Point Cook Schools and Parents to share photos, art, stories, writing for this page.

Email your contributions to editorpointcook@gmail.com or post to the PO Box 1145 Altona Meadows 3028

Point Cook Kids Hi Kids, Spring has arrived, along with a fantastic Father’s Day.

Did you know some sources say that more than one third of Father's Day cards are funny in nature? Mmm... Is that a joke? Nope; it's a fact. Now I know why Dad always joked around in front of my pals. Talk about embarrassing!

To honour our Dads this Father's Day, there's an appropriate 'Dad-style' joke beneath this great colouring page from DTKLkids.com

Why not colour it in, tear it out and give it to your Dad - he might just love it.

- KJ

36 Please redistribute rather than discard.