December2012 - Signpost Magazine

Celebrating the 

Christmas 

story 

Carols by Candlelight

Wishing you the special gifts 

of this holiday season - 

peace, joy and a new home. 

Let us take away the hassle of selling or leasing your home. 

Call the team at Stockdale & Leggo Emerald today. 

Stockdale & Leggo Emerald 

3A Kilvington Drive, Emerald 

Ph: 5968 3933 

emerald@stockdaleleggo.com.au 

stockdaleleggo.com.au

December 2012 Volume 104 - Signpost Community Magazine Inc. 3

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Signpost Inc. Production Team: 

Editor in Chief Peter Crawford; Editor/Writer Jean 

Hayne; Desktop Publishing Ash Jamieson; Proof 

Readers Dianna Mc Mahon, Jeanette Bunn. 

Contributors: 

Published by: 

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a ministry of St. Mark's Church 

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Cover: Koala photo courtesy Glenda DeJager, Carols 

by candlelight courtesy Jean Hayne 

Layout Ash Jamieson. 

Owen Prout, Sandra Smith, Carol Emanuel, Fiona 

Tolmie, Yesha McKenzie, Jackie Pinkster, Bill Clohesy, 

Carey Williams, Linda Vandenburg, Fiona Sewell, 

Graeme Legge, Sharon Merrit, Jarryd Miller, Julian 

Ketskemety, Paul Yandle, Jan Cheshire, Jess Pigg, 

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on-line - www.signpostmagazine.org.au 

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Disclaimer: 

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is made to ensure accuracy of editorial content, 

Signpost Inc. takes no responsibility for errors. 

Signpost Inc. reserves the right to abreviate articles 

without reference to author. 

4 Signpost Community Magazine Inc. - December 2012 Volume 104 

Peter's Pen The Rev. Dr Peter Crawford 

Although I have been 

following Christ for a 

long time I continue to be 

profoundly awed by the 

person of Jesus; and after 

all, Christmas is really all 

about Christ. 

Here are three things that stagger me. Jesus 

proclaimed his pre-existence. He said that he had 

been involved with God’s people for thousands 

of years! 

Also his coming was predicted by prophets. 

Some of those detailed predictions pre-dated 

Christ’s arrival by 800 years! 

More than that, I am stunned by the bigger 

than human dimensions to his personality; his 

power and his intellect. His beyond-normal 

personhood was proved more by his death and 

resurrection than his birth, but nevertheless, at 

Christmas we should all take a closer look at the 

person of Jesus. 

Why not grab a Bible and read Mark’s or John’s 

account of his life. If you haven’t got a modern 

Bible contact me and I will give you one. 

Thoughts from the Dungeon with Jean Hayne

The Answer’s in the 

Formula By Owen Prout 

St. Luke’s Church, Cockatoo 

I 

Owen P:rout 

was never that great at maths during 

my school years. I still have very clear 

memories of frustrating my Year 10 

teacher with questions that she thought 

were irrelevant and misguided. One 

thing I did like about maths though, was 

that there was often a formula. There 

was often something that actually gave 

you an answer. Are there other formulas 

in life that are less mathematical? You 

can probably think of many. 

One that I have been thinking 

about recently is linked to gratitude and 

appreciation. After you’ve been working 

outside in the hot sun, you appreciate a 

cool drink far more than 

when you’ve been sitting 

inside on a cold day. 

Or perhaps when you’ve 

been on your own for a 

few days, you really enjoy 

receiving a phone call from 

your friend. Maybe the 

formula is a bit like this: 

Appreciation levels increase 

in direct comparison to the 

increasing need. 

Christmas time is a great 

time to stop and reflect on 

the year that we are about to 

leave behind and ‘count our 

blessings’. That is an easier 

task for some than others! 

It is healthy for us to look back and 

remind ourselves of those events and 

more importantly, people, that we are 

grateful for. 

It is also a time to be reminded that 

God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, into 

the world to ultimately make peace with 

humankind. In our busy lives we can 

often push this truth to the back of our 

collective minds and just ‘do Christmas’ 

because that’s just what we do. 

The fact is, though, that we are 

celebrating a miracle. God became 

. 

. 

human, even daring to enter our world 

as a baby so that He could experience all 

facets of human existence, relate with us, 

and then ultimately (as a man) take on the 

punishment that we deserved when He 

died on the cross. That is what we are 

celebrating at Christmas time. 

So, how about that formula? All of us 

have the ultimate need to be in relationship 

with God. Maybe it’s time to stop and 

think about our appreciation levels over 

the festive season. 


East Timorese Librarians 

Visit Emerald Library 

By Sandra Smith 

Casey-Cardinia Library Corporation and the Emerald 

library in conjunction with the Friends of Emerald 

Library have hosted a visit by Adalino and Elisabeth, 

two librarians from a newly established library in Emera, East 

Timor. 

Adalino and Elisabeth have recently been based at the 

Endeavour Hills Library experiencing a large library service and 

getting the feel for practices they may be able to take back to East 

Timor. 

In November they visited Emerald Library where they 

discussed outreach methods with the new team leader Sandra 

Smith and enjoyed a tour of the library and Emerald surrounds. 

In East Timor, Elisabeth and Adalino have the challenge of 

outreaching to their communities and teaching families about 

the value of reading to their children, often under difficult 

circumstances. Sometimes they have to walk for three hours 

to reach a village, inaccessible by car or motorbike, and often 

carrying books. They also take along technology in the form of 

a laptop to play DVDs to parents about how to read to children 

and why it is important. 

Their new library, stocked with books from donations from 

Australia, holds two story time sessions a day with 20 to 30 

Building an OPEN Orphanage 

Local Cockatoo woman, Carol Emanuel, spent 

seven weeks in 2006 in a village called 

Munga, Mozambique delivering a family 

health seminar on subjects such as prevention 

of contagious diseases. Her interpreters were 

Sylvia and Chico Nhamauta. She was shocked 

to see so many children made orphans from the 

effects of AIDS and Tuberculosis. 

Chico and Sylvia currently support 25 local 

children (two to 18 years), and their own four 

children, with meals, schooling, health and recreation 

from their home. Most of the children have lost 

both parents and others one, and live with relatives 

who are ill themselves and unable to support them 

adequately. 

In July 2012 Chico and Sylvia shared their vision 

with Carol to build an OPEN orphanage called 

Grace Center, in their community; a AUD $30,000 

undertaking. An OPEN orphanage is a purpose 

built facility for children they care for. 

In support of Grace Center, Carol is raising 

funds to build the vision. Hereis how you can help: 

Purchase 15 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm concrete blocks for 

the building at 0.85 cents each (5,500 are needed.) 

For more information go to www. 

gracecentermozambique@wordpress.com, email 

Carol at gracecentermozambique@gmail.com or 

give her a call 0400 837066. 


Sandra Smith with East Timor visitors Elisabetha and Adalino 

families attending, proving how popular the program is. 

They promote the library at local health centres, markets and 

schools, which they get to on their motorbikes. 

The team at Emerald Library were delighted to share in their 

experiences. 

Chico & Sylvia's family 

Inspiration for Living 

By Helen Steiner Rice 

A better world for all mankind 

Where we are safe and free 

Must start not with 

our fellowmen 

But within the heart of ‘me’. 

From heaven the Lord looks 

down and sees all mankind 

Psalm 33:13 

Today live by the rule that 

‘peace in the world begins with 

me and within me’.

Police Rounds 

With Sergeant Fiona Tolmie Emerald 

Police 

Bushfire Preparedness: 

We live in a high risk bushfire area. 

Do you have a survival and contingency 

plan? Is the vegetation cleared from your 

property? 

The forthcoming bushfire season 

officially starts December 1 and there 

will be high visibility police presence and 

patrols on ‘Severe’, ‘Extreme’ and ‘Code 

Red’ days. 

It is estimated 50 percent of all fires 

are deliberately or recklessly lit. Police 

play a vital role in preventing fire and 

any suspicious activity will see suspects 

apprehended and investigated. 

I STRESS have a plan, utilise your 

plan. Remember there are no safer 

places only one designated place of last 

resort in our area. 

What’s on at 

the Emerald 

Library? 

By Sandra Smith 

Emerald Kinder Choir and 

Storytime: 

Christmas carols from the children 

of Emerald Pre-school. 

When: 4-5pm, Wednesday, 

December 12 

Cost: Free 

All welcome. 

Then join us for Christmas stories 

and songs at our final Storytime for 

2012 

When: 11.15am - 12 noon 

Thursday, December 6 

Cost: Free 

To Book call the Emerald Library 

on 5968 3925 or book online at www. 

cclc.vic.gov.au 

Rhythms from Afar 

Drummer ‘Little Fox’ presents a 

show with rhythm, dance, songs and 

plenty of drums for all to play. 

When: 11am-11.45am, Friday 

January 18 

Ages: 4+ 

Join the Library. Membership and 

borrowing is free! That’s great value. 

Wishing everyone ‘Seasons 

Greetings’ from the team at Emerald 

Library 

Street offences: 

People need to be aware that the 

police have a lot of powers now and can 

give offenders on the spot infringement 

notices for drunk and disorderly behaviour 

in public places. They can move people on 

in a public area when they believe a breach 

of peace is being, or maybe committed, 

arrest and detain in custody and give up 

to a $600 infringement notice. So take 

responsibility for yourself. 

Remember…anti-social behaviour and 

street offences will be at zero tolerance. 

Traffic wise: 

Throughout the summer period 

numerous operations will target drink 

driving. There is currently a state-wide 

traffic operation so expect to be pulled 

over and breath tested at any time day or 

night. 

Plan your day. If going to an event 

have a nominated driver because your 

chance of being intercepted and given 

a preliminary breath test is very high. 

Consequences of drink driving are 

extremely serious. 

In this particular terrain there are 

many single vehicle accidents so speed 

offences will also be targeted. Research 

shows that an extra five kilometres over 

the speed limit can make the difference 

between minor injuries and a fatality. So if 

you are over the designated speed limit at 

all, even three or five kilometres, the law 

will be enforced and you will either receive 

an infringement notice or depending on 

the offence or speed, the vehicle maybe 

impounded. 

Sgt. Fiona Tolmie 

House and vehicle safety: 

The holiday season gives a lot of 

opportunities to those wanting to break 

into a house or car. In this particular 

area residents are becoming complacent 

at times because they live in a semi-rural 

area. Many of our thefts from, and theft 

of vehicles, are because people leave their 

cars unlocked. This provides opportunity 

for offenders to gain easy access. 

House safety: 

• If you intend to go away there are 

several things you can do so as not to 

make it obvious. 

• Have your mail stopped or collected by 

a neighbour 

• Have junk mail collected by a neighbour 

• Organise a timing devise for a light to 

come on at various times 

• Leave an old pair of shoes by the door 

or clothes on the line 

• Ask someone to call around to check 

the place out occasionally 

• Fill in an Absence from Residence form 

at your local police station. The police 

will then be aware and do patrols. 

Have a very safe and wonderful 

holiday season. 

Say it straight from the horse’s mouth 

Cardinia Shire residents have 

until Tuesday, December 18 to 

have their say on local equestrian 

activities and issues. 

Cardinia Shire Council is gathering 

information on: 

• where residents and visitors ride 

their horses 

• issues relating to existing trails and 

facilities 

• formal equestrian activities 

• participation opportunities. 

The feedback will help Council 

prepare an equestrian strategy which 

will guide the provision of local 

equestrian facilities and trails. 

Council’s Recreation Project Officer 

Emma Michie said community feedback 

was important to the strategy’s success. 

“Whether you ride a horse in the 

shire or have an opinion about local 

horse riding activities, we would love to 

hear from you,” Ms Michie said. 

A feedback form is available online 

through the ‘Have your say’ section of 

the shire website or in hard copy from 

council offices, and Emerald, Pakenham 

and mobile libraries. Written submissions 

are accepted and can be sent to Cardinia 

Shire Council, PO Box 7, Pakenham 

3810. 

For more information contact Council’s 

Recreation team on 1300 787 624 or 

email. 


Street Beat 

Around Our Towns at Christmas 

By Roving Reporter Jackie Pinkster 

This month the question asked was 

‘What do you like to do in our 

community leading up to Christmas?’ 

Here are your responses. 

Avonsleigh 

• ‘We go to the Emerald Twilight Market 

and the carols at St. Mark’s.’ (Alex) 

• ‘We help support our church’s Carols 

service at Macclesfield Community 

Church, it’s a great night.’ (Ken and Trudy) 

• ‘Last year, we went to a couple’s house in 

Macclesfield, that showcased miniature 

Christmas village displays and outside 

decorations. They open their house up to 

visitors to raise money for the Macclesfield 

CFA. We will definitely be doing that again 

this year.’ (Jay) 

• ‘We go to our Carols service at our church 

‘Hope in the Hills’ in Tecoma, we also 

check out the local houses decorated 

opposite Woollies in Emerald, and we 

have a big extended family visit into the 

city to see Myer windows and Fed square.’ 

(Yolanda) 

Clematis 

• ‘We go to the Twilight Market in Emerald.’ 

(Engelana) 

• ‘I love how the CFA and Santa come 

around on the truck and hand out lollies 

to the kids.’ (Zoe) 

• ‘We’re involved in the Emerald Scout’s 

Christmas tree sale fundraiser each year, we 

also go to Carols by Candlelight in Kallista, 

and there is a wonderfully decorated street 

in Kallista that we look at also, but I can’t 

remember the name of it right now.’ (Kat) 

Cockatoo 

• ‘We love taking the kids to the Seville 

Water Park.’ (Sarah) 

• ‘The CFA truck and Santa coming around 

is great. I really miss the Emerald carols 

on the oval though. I also wish we had 

more decorations around the towns, like 

the ones that hang from streetlights down 

towards the city. I also think it would be 

great to have somewhere local to take kids 

to have their photos taken with Santa.’ 

(Tara) 

• ‘We’ve only been here for three months so 

I don’t know what there is to do yet’ (Lisa) 

• ‘We don’t do anything.’ (Matt) 

• ‘We go to the Carols in Emerald and buy 


our Christmas tree from the scouts. We 

actually spend Christmas day in Rye with 

the kids.’ (Di) 

• ‘I love the CFA’s Christmas Eve Icy-pole 

run with Santa.’ (Donna) 

• ‘I shop locally.’ (Brian) 

• ‘We go to the Emerald Carols, and 

sometimes the Cockatoo one as well’. 

(Gill) 

Emerald 

• ‘We love to go for picnics.’ (Raylene) 

• ‘To be honest we don’t do much around 

here, we go down to the city to be with my 

family, it just feels more festive, there are 

more lights and decorations and things to 

do.’ (Maja) 

• ‘We go take our six kids to the community 

Carols service at St. Marks.’ (Lucinda) 

• ‘Oh, I’m as dull as dishwater. I’m so 

obsessed with my genealogy studies that 

Christmas is an interruption. We did more 

of the community events when our kids 

were young.’ (Diane) 

• ‘I love being paid to stand out the front 

of Emerald chemist and talk to people. It 

started when I was heavily pregnant and 

the only thing I could do at work was sit 

out the front and man a table of sales 

merchandise. It’s now a tradition. It’s so 

great at work leading up to Christmas, 

by Christmas Eve the staff start dancing 

to the CDs playing, Mariah Carey is our 

favourite. If you’re not rostered on 

Christmas Eve, then you come in any way 

to enjoy the fun.’ (Belinda, Cockatoo). 

• ‘We make visits to Melbourne for the 

special Christmas things.’ (Joan) 

• ‘I garden. I’m a volunteer at the Emerald 

Lake Park. We garden up until mid- 

December and then start again in January. 

We are trying to grow a bit of grass.’ (Bill) 

• ‘I try to work as much as possible so that 

I don’t get so homesick. In Germany we 

celebrate Christmas on the 24th. Also, 

there is too much of a focus on presents 

in Australia.’ (Suzie) 

• ‘We love picking out a tree at the scout 

hall. We go to St. Mark’s Community 

Carols too’. (Debbie) 

• ‘I go to the markets’. (Terry)

Gembrook 

• ‘We drive around looking for decorated houses 

in Gembrook and Cockatoo.’ (Saskia) 

• ‘We go to the Christmas production at our 

church, Knox City Life, which is amazing. We 

are also carols junkies in our family so we tend 

to go to as many carol singing events that we 

can.’ (Naara) 

• ‘We have the Christmas party for the Gembrook 

Joey’s (cubs) and we have Santa come on the 

back of the CFA to that.’(Andrea) 

Macclesfield 

• ‘We always go to the St. Mark’s fete and are 

involved in the St. Mark’s carols. (Krys) 

• Sometimes we go to the Macclesfield 

Community Church carols 

service’. (Narelle) 

Upper Beaconsfield 

• ‘We go to the Carols at 

Beaconsfield.’ (Roanna) 

• ‘I love the kinder kids singing 

carols at the Emerald Library 

Christmas story time.’ (Sandra) 

• ‘We go to the Upper Beaconsfield 

Community Carols by Candlelight 

on Christmas Eve, and we love 

it when the CFA truck drives 

around the streets with Santa giving 

out lollies and then finishing up at the 

Carols.’ (Kate) 

And Beyond 

• ‘We drive around looking for Christmas lights 

(Charleen, Launching Place), yes, we do the 

same (Melissa, Woori Yallock) 

Local Carols by 

Candlelight and Activities 

Upper Beaconsfield Carols by Candlelight 

Keith Ewenson Reserve 

Salisbury Road, Upper Beaconsfield 

Monday December 24 

Sausage Sizzle, children’s activities, Santa 7-8pm 

Carols start at 8pm 

Macclesfield Community Church 

Traditional Service - Sunday December 23 - 7.30pm 

Gembrook Primary School Christmas Concert 

Gembrook Primary School 

Thursday December 13 - 6pm 

Clematis Fire Brigade Santa Run 

Every street will be visited by the fire truck and lots of 

lucky children will receive lollies from Santa 

• ‘The Emerald Library Christmas 

programs (Wendy, Menzies Creek) 

• ‘We go to the Monbulk Carols.’ (Jayden, 

Monbulk, Emerald library patron) 

• ‘I stress over writing out my 

80 Christmas cards.’ (Janine, Croydon, 

Staff member at Emerald Pharmacy) 

• ‘Last year, we moved to Mt 

Burnett and attended the picnic at 

Bimbimbie for all the Mt Burnett 

residents. You can do that because 

Mt Burnett is so small. (Lucy, Mt 

Burnett) 

For more information on any of these 

events, please contact the local community 

involved. ‘Merry Christmas’ 

Seasons Greetings 

to all our CBA 

customers and a 

Prosperous New 

Year ahead 

Emerald 

(03) 5968 4355 

sinclair.thomas@cba.com.au 


Bill's Musings By Bill Clohesy 

When 

I 

was first asked 

to write a 

column for 

Signpost under 

the banner 

of 'Woorilla 

Words' I was somewhat humbled and 

never for a moment thought that I would 

still be doing it some six years later; but 

here I am. 

I don’t recall exactly when I started 

because I lost a few years of my writing 

when lightning hit our house and blew 

the you know what out of my computer. 

I do recall the topic of my first article 

though – it was to do with today’s lack of 

handwriting skills. Since then the topics 

have become varied and have dealt with a 

myriad of subjects: books, songs, the order 

of life, trust, grandchildren, nostalgia to 

name but a few. 

Last month I told Jean that this will be 

my last article for Signpost. (I also said that 


it would be ‘huge’, possibly two pages, but 

she rightly put me back in my box). But 

now it is time for me to move on and let 

someone else take over. 

As many of you might know, Paula 

and I now live in Perth. There was never 

intent to stay in Western Australia but now 

we have sold our home in Emerald – the 

longest stay in one house I ever had in my 

life – and we have settled in a place called 

Secret Harbour. At age 62 I have been 

lucky enough to find a new career with 

The City of Perth which has given me a 

new lease in life. 

In many ways Emerald will probably 

be called home to Paula and me. We have 

made so many friends there and have 

over the years, been involved in so many 

community activities – The Emerald 

Arts Society, The Emerald Museum, and 

Woorilla Magazine. 

I am enthused to see the Arts Society 

grow and continue to promote local art 

after I once threatened to close it down 

through lack of interest. I am extremely 

Gems from Gembrook By Carey Williams 

Summer at Last 

School holidays, festivity, romance, 

ocean beaches, barbecues, heat 

waves, bushfires, snakes, swimming 

pools; many images come to mind. I 

don’t mind a dunk on a hot day, not 

that we’ve had a pool since the kids 

grew up and our above grounder 

was dismantled and put out for hard 

waste years ago. It was well used for 

a decade or more, as was one of the 

local potato farmer’s dams where 

many local kids gathered to escape 

the heat. 

We’ve not had a public pool in 

Gembrook in my time here, although it 

was pointed out there used to be a pool 

in the garden at the hotel for the use of 

patrons. It was filled in 30 or so years 

ago. And there was a community pool 

on the Cockatoo Creek, built by locals 

in the 1950s I think, a little way upstream 

from where the Pakenham Road crosses. 

A real pool I’m told, a popular summer 

gathering spot. In the end it reverted to 

creek bed as it silted up in heavy rains 

and maintenance discontinued. 

There is an Olympic sized pool 

in Gembrook, heated too, at the 

Helios Naturist Club, although it is 

for club members, not public use. The 

Helios Club, founded in 1958, is the 

biggest naturist club in Australia and 

demonstrates what people power can do. 

It has 400 or more members, from 

all over Victoria mostly. It has some 

50 cabins, 150 powered caravan sites, 

its own sewage system and two tennis 

courts lighted for night use, a commercial 

kitchen and a dining room that can cater 

for 200 people at a sitting. Before the 

Gembrook community centre was built 

the club made their facilities available 

to town groups, and has always had a 

harmonious relationship with the locals. 

As for me, I’ll stick to shorts, shirt 

and hat, and I prefer shade to sunscreen 

when the sun is hot. 

Have a happy and safe Christmas and 

New Year! 

pleased that the museum has prospered 

and developed into one of the best local 

museums in the country. (And for those 

of you who have never been there – do 

yourselves a favour and visit – soon). 

There are many people who have 

influenced my time in Emerald and apart 

from one I will not name them (they know 

who they are). But Maria Millars, the 

grand lady who really awakened me to so 

many things about life, can’t go without a 

mention. The founding editor, publisher 

and all things that was, sadly now, can I say, 

‘on hold’, Woorilla Magazine, Maria gave 

and still does so much to foster writing in 

the hills. 

Magazines like Signpost are special. Not 

only do they offer local communities a 

small connection to the events and news 

that are otherwise unreported, but they 

leave a footprint of the past for our future 

generations. 

To Signpost, Jean and your team and to 

all the readers of Signpost, I say thanks. 

It has been a great journey. 

Cockatoo 

Post Office 

Bill Pay, Bank@Post 

Recharge Vouchers 

Mobile Phones 

Haberdashery, Cards, Gifts 

Passport Interviews 

Passport Photos 

Australiana and much more 

Ph: 5968 8109 

Fax: 5968 9812 

Fax and Photocopying Available 

A001035

A Horrible Disease – We Need a Cure 

By Carey Williams 

In December last year Ian 

Alford’s wife Robyn was 

diagnosed with Motor 

Neuron Disease (MND). 

Robyn’s father died of this 

disease, so did a sister. A 

contributing inherited gene 

can be a factor in about 10 

percent of MND incidence, but 

it can strike anyone, anytime. 

The life expectancy of those 

diagnosed is usually two to five 

years. 

Ian said, “The neurologist 

took me aside and told me, 

‘There’s no cure, no treatment, she’s going 

to die.’ It really is very confronting.” 

Robyn died this year on the 10th of 

May, six months after the diagnosis, aged 

57. Ian feels that symptoms had been 

present for a couple of years but Robyn 

would not entertain going to the doctor, 

believing that she just needed more 

exercise. Finally she conceded a visit to a 

physiotherapist to help her with a leg that 

wasn’t quite working properly. The physios 

picked up on it quickly and prompt action 

saw Robyn diagnosed not only with MND 

but also Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), 

a disease of the nerve cells in sections of 

the brain which sometimes is associated 

with MND, and which is also incurable 

and terminal. 

Ian and Robyn met as teenagers in 

Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and were 

married in January 1975, when Ian was 

23 and Robyn 21. Ian had finished a 

plumbing apprenticeship and was now 

self-employed, Robyn was a nurse. After 

renting a unit at first, they bought a house 

in Mooroolbark before buying land off 

Majestic Drive in Emerald in 1982 and 

building a house. In 1983, they nearly 

lost their home and lives as the 1983 Ash 

Wednesday fire swept through the Wright 

Forest and towards their property. 

Ian remembers, “It was just 

unbelievable. Robyn left with the three 

kids, toddlers Catherine and Jane, and 

Adrian six months old. The bush on the 

roadside was on fire. If it happened again 

I wouldn’t let her go, it was too dangerous 

and I didn’t know if they made it out or 

not. Robyn went to my parent’s place in 

Mitcham. They didn’t know if I died in the 

fire, there were no mobile phones. 

“I stayed to stop our house burning, 

putting out embers with a wet blanket 

Robyn and Ian Alford 

and tank water, which was all we had. 

The noise was like a dozen trains and 

smoke made it hard to see anything. The 

fire crossed Paternoster Road and the 

wind changed with gale force and blew it 

through Cockatoo. I drove to Mitcham 

after midnight and came back with my 

father about 5.00am. The devastation was 

incredible. Escaping with the kids was a 

huge thing for Robyn.” 

In 1994, the family, now with the 

addition of fourth child Tom, moved to 

Nangana to a rural retreat of seven acres. 

Robyn was in her element looking after the 

animals and planting trees as well as caring 

for the children. They even bred pigs for a 

time, till a boar - in a hurry to reach a sow - 

crashed into her and broke her leg. 

Another move to Gembrook in 2002 

saw the family on a property 

of 20 acres with better soil 

and ample water. Ten years 

of work and happiness saw 

the house and sheds built, 

a rhododendron plantation, 

and again Robyn delighted 

in the rural setting tending 

sheep, chickens, growing 

vegies and sowing. She was a 

devoted mother and adored 

her grandchildren. She lived 

for her family. 

“The last time she smiled 

was when she held Jane’s 

baby daughter Holly for the 

last time before her condition 

deteriorated too much. It was 

beautiful. She loved Holly so 

much.” 

Ian says his view of life has 

changed totally. “When Robyn 

was admitted to Bethlehem 

Hospital in Caulfield, where 

MND patients go when their 

C 

condition deteriorates to needing 

full time care, I often fed her 

with a spoon, as did the kids, and 

the nurses too. It’s life changing, 

feeding your wife of 36 years with 

a spoon. 

“I no longer care much about 

anything, especially money. Every 

day you wake up you have to jam 

it full of things because you don’t 

know what’s going to happen. It’s 

only a matter of time before it’s 

your turn. You must grab hold of 

every day and make the most of it.” 

Statistically, every day in Australia 

someone dies of MND. Ian and his family 

have had a horror year. Ian’s mother died 

almost a month to the day before Robyn 

did. 

Ian hopes to raise awareness and money 

for MND Victoria to fund research. 

He says, “The doctor who looked 

after Robyn, Dr Howe, an Irishman, a 

wonderful man, says they’re getting closer, 

they will find a cure one day. If you could 

go down to Bethlehem Hospital and see 

the misery of these poor people who can’t 

move, or breathe without an oxygen mask, 

honestly, it’s like a horror movie. I hope I 

can help.” 

MND Victoria can be contacted on 

1800 806 632 

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December 2012 Volume 104 - Signpost Community Magazine Inc. 11 

A001235

Tuesday 

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Emerald 3782 

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a at 

Merry 

Christmas 

Mystery Goings-On 

By Linda Vandenburg 

You may have noticed some mysterious goings-on at 

Nobelius Station, a short distance east of the Packing 

Shed in Emerald. 

Someone has revamped the shelter shed, planted a large 

number of garden beds and the grass is manicured. 

That someone is now revealed: John Michell, volunteer 

basketball coach, volunteer Puffing Billy conductor and history 

enthusiast. 

“Every time I came past it, I noticed the station was so 

overgrown,” says Mr Michell. 

Eighteen months ago, with the blessing of Puffing Billy 

management, Mr Michell started to revamp the station. 

Friends and residents have donated plants for the garden 

beds, and a friend of Mr Michell volunteered to paint the shelter 

shed, which was almost destroyed in a fire several years ago. 

“It’s a beautiful little station, so peaceful and quiet. People 

even come here now to have lunch.” 

Recent additions include possum nesting boxes and the 

‘caretaker’, a model owl who sits on the shed roof. Mr Michell 

has also branched out into installation art, with colourful bicycle 

rims decorating a tree trunk. 

“I saw that on a property in Menzies Creek and I thought, I’ve 

got a plain old gum tree that could do with something like that. I 

call it ‘Nobelius art’.” 

Mr Michell is also interested in the history of the Puffing Billy 

Railway and its associated buildings. According to his research, 

Nobelius was originally used as a commuter station for local 

residents. 

He is keen for visitors to come and see his handiwork; 

donations of plants are most welcome. The station can be 

accessed from either the walking track east of the Packing Shed, 

or via Station Avenue. 

Future plans include more seating for picnics. Mr Michell is 

also planning to renovate the ‘Dog Grave’ between Lakeside and 

Cockatoo, where Jerry the Railway Dog is commemorated. 

John Mitchell hard at it

Celebrating Young People 

“…. a great time of 

celebration – relaxed and 

allowing the young people 

to shine” was one comment 

made on Tuesday 13th 

November. 

Helium balloons, family and 

friends, young people and 

members of the community, 

school and Echo staff all made for 

a happy gathering to CELEBRATE 

great achievements by the young 

people in the Impact Mentoring 

Program – Linkz (juniors) and Beyond 

(seniors). 

Brodi, Jayden, Jade, Kayla, Grace, 

Adam, Mikaela, Natasha, Kiralee, 

Breannan, Brock, Josh, Imy, Liyan, 

Danielle, Simon, Jacqui, Jack, 

Alice and Rachael all received 

Graduation Certificates for 

achieving their goals; meeting 

with a mentor weekly for six 

months and producing some 

really great projects. Tyrone 

and Jared were also part of 

the program for a short time. 

The six 

young people in Beyond also 

achieved Certificate 1 training, 

a community project, 

volunteering, experienced 

leadership opportunities 

and attended group 

mentoring one day per 

week during the program. 

What do the young 

people say? 

“I like the program 

because we learn in a different 

way to school.” “Beyond has 

been a very positive thing in my 

life.” 

“it’s a reason to get out of the 

house.” 

“Something I’ll remember for 

ever.” 

One parent commented that 

Impact Mentoring had been a 

fantastic experience for their child, 

with old fashioned quality you don’t 

very often experience these days. 

HUGE thanks to the 22 devoted and 

caring mentors from the Emerald area 

and the Victorian Government for 

funding. 

Impact Mentoring is designed to support, 

encourage and build self-esteem in 

young people through a mentoring 

friendship; they experience one on one time, learn 

new skills and connect with their community. 

Please ring Kyria Perry, Echo Youth and 

Family Services, if you would like to be 

involved in Mentoring in 2013. 

Office: 5968 4460 


Award Finalists! By Fiona Sewell 

Cardinia Hills Youth Fire Readiness Project is delighted 

to announce that we have been selected as finalists 

for the Fire Awareness Awards 2012 in the Community 

-Youth category. Good luck to all involved and we await the 

judge’s final decision to be announced on December 3. 

Our trial group from the Beyond Mentoring program have 

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produced some exciting campaigns and our Grade 6 Fire Warden 

auditor exercise has identified areas in which we can improve our 

workplace fire drill. 

Thanks to our young auditors and fantastic local brigade 

members we will be moving faster, making sure our fire warden 

can be seen by all and endeavouring to practice our drill more 

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What's in a name... 

Clematis Hotel…in Emerald!! By Graeme Legge 

A 

resident in Edenmont Road lives 

near the end of the road that 

is closer to the Clematis Hotel. 

Naturally, you’d think that this would 

be a Clematis address! But, no, not 

nowadays! 

The resident had Council rates notice 

come addressed to Edenmont Road, 

Emerald (once they went to Edenmont 

Road, Clematis). But then accounts also 

started coming addressed in like manner. 

If asked to produce identification 

which address should she produce? 

This question was raised recently with 

the writer as to township boundaries. 

Investigation established that in the late 

1990s the State Government decided 

to define township boundaries. Until 

that time, common usage seems to have 

prevailed and was generally effective. 

Formerly, the Clematis–Emerald 

township boundary was defined by 

Clematis Park Road and, by extension (of 

a straight line on a map) so did Telopia 

Road. 

But now has arisen a community 

awareness of change which will doubtless 

become more and more widely known 

as time passes. Inspection of a map of 

Clematis shows that it is identified as 

being an area that is south of Belgrave- 

Gembrook Road from Edzell Road to 

beyond Ogilvy Road. 

The matter of name-changing has 

been around for a long time. Way back in 

1858 the gold diggings were known as the 

‘Dandenong Goldfield’ which is consistent 

with local features often being identified 

in relation to a significant locality. After 

all, Dandenong Township was not far 

away and the hills became known as the 

‘Dandenong Ranges’ and the highest peak 

became ‘Mt Dandenong’. 

In September 1859 the name changed 

from ‘Dandenong Goldfield’ to ‘Emerald 

Goldfield’ and later ‘Emerald Diggings’. 

Government Surveyor, M. Callanan 

battled his way to the Diggings in May 

1859 and on his way through the district 

he defined an area on his map as a site 

suitable for a township. It was one mile 

square (or one square mile) in size and he 

designated it as ‘Township of Main Range’. 

Indeed, this is precisely where the 

township of Emerald now stands – aloft 

on its hilly base 

and above much 

of its surrounding 

countryside. 

That Emerald 

sits astride a ridge/ 

range is evident by: 

• the downwards 

slope of 

Emerald- 

Monbulk Road 

(past Knorr’s Gallery) and ultimately 

to the Menzies Creek a little beyond 

‘Fernlea House’ (formerly ‘Fernlee 

House’) 

• the downhill slope towards Avonsleigh 

and on to Cockatoo along Belgrave- 

Gembrook Road 

• the gentler downhill slope along 

Beaconsfield –Emerald Road towards 

Upper Beaconsfield, especially noting 

the land sloping down into the valley 

below Cloverleigh Avenue 

• the downhill slope towards Emerald 

Lake Park and finally 

• the downhill slope towards Clematis 

and down Wellington Road. 

A view from the main street in Emerald 

down across the amphitheatre also reflects 

the undulating topography of the district. 

So name-changing has been going on 

in the area for over 150 years. 

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Fleas From 

Fleas can be year-round problems 

for pet owners. Fortunately, you 

can identify the problem and take 

simple steps to treat or even prevent 

them. 

What are fleas? 

Fleas are small, brown, wingless, 

parasitic insects that feed on blood. Adult 

fleas thrive in warm, wet, humid conditions 

and use their powerful hind legs to jump 

onto pets. 

Although there are more than 2,000 

species of fleas, the most common today is 

the cat flea. Despite its name, the cat flea is 

adaptable and found on both cats and dogs. 

Fleas pose the following risks: 

• Transmit diseases as well as other 

parasites to pets 

• Cause skin irritation and itching 

• Can cause anaemia if present in large 

numbers 

• Can cause an allergic reaction on your 

pet’s skin 

• Can bite you and your family! 

• Fleas are only 1mm to 2mm long yet they 

can irritate both people and their pets. 


Kylie Johnson Emerald Veterinary Clinic 

Early detection and preventive care can 

help keep your home from becoming 

infested. 

Does your pet have fleas? 

Often pet owners that have pets with 

fleas are totally unaware of the problem. 

The fact is, fleas are common. If you have 

cats or dogs, chances are you’ll experience a 

flea infestation in your home at some point 

in time. 

How do you recognise if your pet 

has fleas? 

Waiting until your pet starts scratching 

could mean an infestation in your home 

that’s hard to resolve. Simply checking 

your pet regularly for fleas is the first step 

to preventing the whole flea problem. The 

best way to check is to look for ‘flea dirt’– 

small black specks in your pet’s coat, which 

are actually dried blood excreted by the 

fleas. 

Comb through your pet’s coat and 

collect any debris onto a wet piece of white 

paper or cotton wool. If the specks that fall 

onto the wet surface dissolve to give red/ 

brown swirls or patches, then your pet likely 

has fleas. 

It may not be home sweet home! 

Did you know that if your pet has fleas, 

your home is harbouring most of the flea 

problem? Adult fleas on your pet are just the 

tip of the iceberg. In fact, they are usually 

only five percent of the whole infestation 

problem. The other 95 percent consists 

of flea eggs, larvae and pupae that can be 

spread throughout your home by your pets 

and will develop into new adult fleas within 

weeks – or remain dormant for months 

until conditions allow eggs to hatch. 

What should you do? 

Whether you want to prevent fleas or 

stop an infestation, a three step treatment 

and prevention process is recommended, 

which includes treating your pet, taking 

preventative maintenance measures and 

treating your home. Ask the friendly staff 

at Emerald Vet clinic which product would 

be right for your pet. 

For more information call Emerald 

Veterinary Clinic 5968 6600

Gone 

Caravanning! 

By Jean Hayne 

For someone who professes to enjoy 

stability and the permanence of 

house ownership, the decision to 

retire, sell up and take to the open road 

in a caravan was a huge turnaround for 

James McConnachie from Emerald & 

District Co-Op. 

James McConnachie 

James has been with the Co-Op for 

32 years steering it through many changes 

including extensions in hardware, joining 

the Mitre10 group in 1983 and the Barry 

Plant group in 

2001; taking on 

the Bendigo Bank 

agency in 1998 and 

the Garden Centre 

in 2008. 

“We wanted to 

make sure there were 

some really good services 

in town for the people and 

the community and the 

shareholders supported 

us in that. 

“But now it’s time 

for a new adventure for 

me and to ensure the 

longevity of the Co-Op 

Len O’Donnell will be 

taking over my position. 

Len brings with him 

the experience of seven 

years with Mitre10 and in 

excess of 30 years in real 

estate and family owned 

businesses.” 

James said it has been 

wonderful to work locally 

and he will miss the many 

good customers and friends made along 

the way, in particular his mentor Peter 

Marshall. 

“And, of course, thanks to my wife 

315-317 Main Road Emerald 

Phone 5968 4222 

5968 6855 

Shop 2, 361 Main Street 

Emerald 

Louise for the support she’s given. There was 

a time when the Co-Op was going through 

a rough period that she volunteered as my 

secretary, minutes taker and bookkeeper. A 

slower pace of life is looking good to both 

of us.” 

A001434 


Top Christmas Tree Tips: 

1. Make sure its fresh 

2. Don’t let it dry out 

3. Don’t over decorate 

4. Put lots of presents underneath. 


MACCLESFIELD 

FIRE BRIGADE 

By Sharon Merritt Captain Macclesfield Fire Brigade 

Macclesfield fire brigade have had one of their busiest 

years so far and attended a record number of calls 

ranging from house fires to burn offs out of control, 

to horse rescues. 

It is great to see so much pasture around this year after the 

long drought. This may however cause us some issues in the next 

few months. The pasture is currently about 20-30 percent cured 

but it is curing at a fast rate and once it gets above 50 percent 

will pose a fire risk. This will still be too early to bale so please be 

vigilant when working near grassland over the next few months. 

Especially slashing and grinding as well as any open fires. 

The brigade has been working with the CFA to produce 

Community Information Guides which are specifically designed to 

provide pertinent information for the community of Macclesfield 

in the event of an emergency. These should be available shortly. 

We will also be making a display garden at the fire station as an 

example of a suitable landscaped garden for bushfire prone areas 

as well as installing a community notice board. 

Justice of the Peace Not in attendance 

during December - Returning January 

Tuesdays at Emerald Library - 1pm to 3pm

Clematis CFA 

Prepare for Summer 

By First Lieutenant Jarryd Miller 

With summer almost upon us, the brigade has been busy 

refreshing their skills to prepare for the upcoming fire 

season, mainly focusing on vehicle and equipment 

familiarisation, emergency entrapment procedures as well as 

different attack methods and techniques. 

Up and coming events: A reminder to the residents of Clematis 

with young children, the brigade will be doing their annual Santa run 

on Christmas Eve. Just after 5pm the brigade will be driving around 

the streets with Santa on the back handing out lollies to all the local 

kids. 

Along with every other brigade we are currently looking for new 

members, especially people who live in the Clematis area. We train 

every Wednesday night from 7.30pm or the first Sunday of every 

month from 9.30am, so feel free to pop down and have a chat to our 

volunteers and see if joining the CFA is for you. 

Clematis Fire Brigade has also joined Facebook, head over 

to http://www.facebook.com/clematiscfa and ‘like’ our page for 

information and upcoming brigade activities. 

M E RY CHRISTM AS 

Christmas at St. Mark’s 

Christmas Eve Church Service 

‘A celebration for families’ 

Date: Monday, December 24 

Time: 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm 

Christmas Eve Midnight Service 

‘A service for all ages finishing just after midnight’ 

Date: Monday, December 24 

Time: 11:00 pm - 12:00 am 

Christmas Morning Service 

‘The best way to start Christmas Day with a traditional service’ 

Date: Tuesday, December 25 

Time: 8:00 am - 9:00 am 

Christmas Morning Service 

‘This celebration includes communion’ 

Date: Tuesday, December 25 

Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am 

Location:1-3 Church Street Emerald 

Contact Name: Peter Crawford 

Phone: 5968 4046 

Email: info@stmarksemerald.org.au 

A001436 

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• Year 11 and Year 12 subjects 

• Tailored programs for students returning to study 

• Study support to help you achieve success 

Subjects offered include: English, Maths, Business 

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Kids... 

Bikes and 

Christmas! 

There will be many squeals of 

delight on Christmas morning 

from children receiving bikes. The 

temptation, of course, is for them to rush 

straight out onto the road to learn how 

to ride. Here are a few handy tips to 

follow: 

Once your child is ready for their own 

two-wheeler, make sure you avoid the 

common mistake of buying a bike they’ll 

‘grow into’. Doing so can set your child 

back a couple of years. When shopping, 

be aware that children’s bikes are measured 

by their wheel size (not frame size). The 

most common sizes are 16”, 20” and 24”. 

The right size is one where your child can 

comfortably get on the bike and stand 

with his or her feet on the ground. 

A Modern Child’s Christmas Wishlist 

Gone are the days when little girls mainly dreamed of 

dolls for Christmas and boys a matchbox car. Now toys 

are far more high tech. According to christmasgiftsforkids. 

com’s ‘Top Christmas Gift Reviews’ these are the ones in high 

demand. 

• Vtech InnoTab 2/2S Interactive Learning Tablet 

• LeapFrog LeapPad2 Explorer Learning Tablet 

• Easy Bake Ultimate Oven 

• Mega Bloks Play ‘n Go Table 

• LEGO 2012 City Advent Calendar 4428 

• VTech Switch & Go Dinos – Brok the Brachiosaurus Dinosaur 

• Little Mommy Doctor Mommy Doll 

• Fisher-Price Master Moves Mickey 

• Crayola Light Designer 

• Playskool Sesame Street LOL Elmo 

• Monster High High School Playset 

• LEGO Friends Olivia’s House 

• Fisher-Price Little People Animal Sounds Farm 

• LEGO Friends Adventure Camper 

• Vtech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker 

• Barbie Fashionista Ultimate Closet 

• Nerf N-Strike Elite Hail-Fire Blaster 

• Monster High Venus McFlytrap Doll 

• Little People Disney Princess Songs Palace 

• Just Dance 4 

• LEGO Ninjago Epic Dragon Battle 

• Hot Wheels RC Terrain Twister Vehicle 

• Gelarti Designer Studio 

• Furby 

• Lalaloopsy Harmony B Sharp 

Now which part of this don’t you understand!! 


Ride Safely 

To teach basic biking skills, take your 

child to a bike trail, empty parking lot, 

unused basketball court or someplace 

where there’s not much traffic. Some 

points to discuss are: 

• Always wearing a helmet 

• Avoiding hazards 

such as curbs, 

vehicles, stationary 

objects, pedestrians, 

broken glass, 

railroad tracks and 

other riders 

• Obeying traffic signs 

• Always stopping 

to look both ways 

when in traffic 

• Riding with the 

direction of traffic 

rather than against it 

• Getting off your 

bike to walk it across 

roads 

Until your child is 

used to shifting gears, 

choose routes that are as flat as possible. 

A good rule of thumb: If you would feel 

comfortable riding the route on a heavy, 

single-speed cruiser, your child shouldn’t 

have much of a problem on his or her 

bike.

Emerald 

Secondary 

College 

Upcoming Events in December 

Wednesday 6th Art and Technology Exhibition opens 

Thursday 6th Valedictory Dinner 

Monday 10th 2013 Year 7 Information Night 

Emerald Performing Arts Centre 

Tuesday 11th 2013 Year 7 Orientation Day 

Tuesday 11th Presentation Night 

Emerald Performing Arts Centre 7.00pm 

For enrolments or tours, contact Carrie Wallis, Transition Coordinator, for Year 7 or 

Kylie Wenzel, Assistant Principal, for other Year Levels on 5968 5388 


Cockatoo Fire Brigade 

With summer just about to start 

residents should already 

have been clearing around 

their properties, taking particular care 

to clean the gutters on houses. 

Last summer the Cockatoo Fire Brigade 

and surrounding brigades experienced 

a high volume of callouts to reports of 

burn-offs that had, or was going to get out 

of control. 

Could I ask anyone who is going to 

burn off to keep the area around the piles 

of leaves and wood clear and even damp 

down around the edges as a precaution? 

Also try not to burn off directly under 

trees as the potential for a small fire to turn 

into a large fire is very evident. 

Should CFA fire restrictions come 

into force be aware that you cannot burn 

off unless you have a permit. Check the 

weekly local newspapers and also the CFA 

website for details of any restrictions. 

(cfa.vic.gov.au) 

Also please check the two 


By Julian Ketskemety - Captain Cockatoo Fire Brigade 

‘Fire Danger Rating’ signs in Cockatoo 

daily. One is located outside the Cockatoo 

Fire Station and the other is at the top of 

Bailey Road. 

Cockatoo is located in the Central 

Fire District. 

In October the brigade attended six 

calls, two vehicle accidents, two burn offs, 

one power pole fire and one specialist 

support to assist Pakenham. Four of the 

incidents were supporting other brigades. 

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Emerald 

CFA 

By Paul Yandle - Captain Emerald CFA 

The weather is certainly starting to 

warm up and all residents should 

have by now, started their fire 

season preparations. As well as having 

a good clean up around the home, you 

should have your fire plan ready and 

practised by the whole family. 

If you need assistance with creating 

your fire plan, we can provide literature, 

brochures and advice to local residents; 

drop in while we are at the station or come 

along to one of the community fire safety 

meetings the brigade is holding over the 

next few months (listed below). 

Did you know you can also organise a 

FREE ‘home bushfire advice’ visit to you 

property? CFA’s Home Bushfire Advice 

Service offers personalised, tailored advice 

delivered at your property by trained fire 

safety officers. This can be booked 

online at the CFA website at cfa.vic. 

gov.au 

Community Warning Sirens 

All local brigades have been selected 

in a trial for community alerting sirens for 

fires, flood or storms that could impact on 

the wider community. Existing CFA sirens 

are being trialled for community alerting 

over the next few months. 

What does this mean for you?? – CFA 

sirens will still be used for their intended 

purpose of alerting fire fighters of a fire 

call. The siren will 

ring, as usual, for 

90 seconds for a 

normal brigade call 

out. 

In the event of 

a major incident 

(fire, flood or 

storm) the siren 

will be sounded 

continuously for 

a period of five 

minutes. The 

community warning 

siren is not an 

evacuation siren; 

it is simply to alert 

you to an incident 

in the local area 

that may impact 

on you, and to 

prompt you to seek 

further information 

from existing 

sources such as 

radio stations, 

the CFA website 

and the bushfire 

information line, 

(1800 240 667). 

More information on this subject will 

be in the local media in the near future. 

Please ensure you make yourself aware 

of what it all means and how you should 

respond. 

Community Fire Safety Meetings 

will be held at Emerald Fire Station on the 

following dates: 

7.30pm, Thursday, December 6, 2012 

7.30pm, Thursday, January 31, 2013 

Please try to attend one of 

these important meetings. 

Fire calls attended in October: 

The brigade responded to a total 

of six calls 

Summary of Calls: 

• Grass and scrub fire x 1 

• Motor vehicle accident, possible 

persons trapped x 1 

• Structure/chimney fire x 1 

• Power pole fire x 1 

• Alarm premises call x 1 

• Explosions heard in area x 1 

Training during October 

Practical fire ground drills and 

hose lying 

Structure fire, practical exercises 

and ladder and roof work 

Brigade’s annual section 29 

inspection from our Regional 

Operations Officer, including a 

practical skills demonstration. 

Check our brigade website for 

further details and lots more at: 

www.emeraldfirebrigade.org.au 

Or on Facebook 


BEACONSFIELD 

PODIATRY 

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Steven Hainsworth 

B. App Sci (Pod), M.A. Pod. A. 

9707 4922 

www.beaconsfieldpodiatry.com.au 

SERVICES 

General Care, Foot Orthotics and Insoles 

Sports Podiatry, Children’s Problems, Rehabilitation, 

Veteran Affairs, Diabetic, Work Cover 

Spring is Here 

Time to get into the garden! 

The new outdoor power equipment specialists 

in Emerald are ready to help you with your 

servicing and parts requirements. 

Drop in and check out our new showroom! 

Bushranger Heavy Duty Straight 

Shaft Brush Cutter $299 

Petrol Hedge Trimmer $389 

Craftsman LT 1500 42 inch cut ride 

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Introducing for hire 

The new Greenmech Arborist 1523 6 inch 

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A001432 

A001422 

Season's 

Eatings By Jan Cheshire 

It’s that time of the year again, when 

we seem to do a lot of entertaining. 

It must be the warmer weather that brings people out 

and about. I do love entertaining, but am often stuck for 

ideas about desserts and for me, the simpler the better. This 

very easy dessert was absolutely delicious and I got many 

compliments and pleas for more! You can buy the shop 

bought lemon curd, or make your own as I did, the easy way 

in the microwave!! Recipe follows. 

‘Lemon Meringue Fool’ 

(This serves four people in small dessert dishes but you can 

always double the quantities for extra people) 

Ingredients: 

• 150grams of good quality lemon curd 

• 1-2 teaspoons of Limoncello* or lemon juice + brandy mixed 

(or if you prefer, just lemon juice) 

• 250ml of double cream 

• A packet of meringues from the supermarket, I used the white 

star-shaped variety 

• Pared lemon zest to serve. 

Method: 

• Put lemon curd into a bowl and stir in Limoncello or lemon 

juice and brandy 

• Whip the cream until it holds its shape 

• Drizzle half the lemon curd over and fold in gently, swirling 

through the cream 

• Crumble the meringues and fold in gently 

• Spoon into four small dishes, add a drizzle of lemon curd and 

some lemon zest 

• Refrigerate until ready to serve. 

• This can be put together up to an hour before serving. 

• Limoncello is a mix of vodka and lemons and is available at 

bottle shops. 

This recipe is by Nigella Lawson from ‘Recipes from the Heart 

of Home’ 

Microwave Lemon Curd 

Ingredients: 

• 75 grams of butter 

• 1 ¼ cups of sugar 

• ½ cup lemon juice 

• 1 tablespoon of lemon rind 

• 2 tablespoon of cornflour 

• 2 eggs 

Method: 

• Mix butter, sugar, juice and rind in a suitable microwave bowl 

• Microwave uncovered on high for two minutes until melted, 

stir once during this time 

• Beat cornflour and eggs together 

• Gradually beat in ¾ cup of water 

• Whisk into the lemon and sugar mix 

• Microwave uncovered for 5-8 minutes, stirring three times 

during cooking 

• Pour into sterilised jars and seal while hot 

This keeps for two months or so in the ‘fridge (and is 

absolutely yummy!)

A Creative Force at GEMCO 

Evie Housham of Cockatoo was 

the creative force behind Gemco 

Players’ production of Terry 

Pratchett’s Guards! Guards! 

A fan of Pratchett for years, Evie said 

she really enjoys stories that poke fun at 

human nature and Pratchett’s clever turns 

of phrase. 

“I love the dry, challenging lead 

character of Captain Vimes (played by 

Paul Holmes of Upwey) who commands 

the guards of the City Night Watch as they 

defend their city of Ankh-Morpork from 

a fire-breathing dragon.” 

The show was a great success and on 

opening night Gemco Players raised $1,000 

towards saving Leadbeater’s possum - 

Victoria’s endangered state animal. 

Evie is passionate about community 

theatre, saying it has helped her to develop 

more confidence dealing with people and 

to understand herself better. 

“Community theatre is a fantastic 

opportunity for people to create stories - 

whether they deal with serious issues or 

bits of fun. I have met some wonderful, 

intelligent, thoughtful and fun people 

through the theatre. My son Adam has 

been involved with Gemco Players since 

he was eight and I have watched him grow 

in confidence over the years. 

“Gem Community Arts in Emerald is 

a fantastic focal point for the community 

as a social hub for groups, families and 

young people. It is also a wonderful space 

for exhibiting art.” 

Evie’s directorial debut was two years 

ago when she directed Caught In The Act 

- a one act play featuring local actors Mat 

Greenaway and Cathlin Gemmell. 

“I really enjoy directing - it’s a sort of 

organic process. You have an idea to start 

with and then find it starts to have a life 

of its own and you just flow until you can 

say ‘Yes, that works’. I find it best not to 

get too stuck on an idea but to listen to 

the actors. 

“After two months of solid rehearsals 

with Guards, Guards I still love the whole 

play and laugh at all the jokes - that’s pretty 

Red and Black 

Gym 

Evie Housham 

special.” 

Evie has been involved with Gemco 

since performing in ugly duckling musical 

Honk in 2009 - where she got her first taste 

of running a theatre as stage manager. 

Her first on-stage role was playing a stage 

manager in the play Remain Seated. She’s 

since been involved backstage and in 

costume and prop design and would love 

to direct another Pratchett play. 

Find out more about Gemco Players at 

gemcoplayers.org 

The Red and Black Gym in Emerald would have to be one of Emerald’s best kept secrets. Nestled underneath Emerald 

Junior Football Club, the gym has been in operation since 1996. These days the gym is community run and has been since 

2007. Community run means we are not for profit and that every cent made is ploughed back into the gym. It also means 

we can keep our prices down and be very competitive. 

Full Memberships $400.00 p.a. (incl. spouse) 

Concession Memberships $300.00 p.a. (incl. spouse) 

Family Memberships $600.00 p.a. 

● Access 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week (with personalised swipe card) ● Latest Equipment 

● Big Screen and Audio ● Personal Training Advice - by arrangement 

● GET MOTIVATED ● GET FIT 

REMEMBER: IF IT IS TO BE, IT IS UP TO ME 

By Jess Pigg 

JUST DO IT FOR YOURSELF 

Ring Chris 0424 963624 A001416 


It's a Great Cause! 

Macclesfield Miniature Village 

and Christmas Display 

515 Macclesfield Road, Macclesfield - Melway 

Map 309 D2 

In September this year I left with 19 

Ghostriders to complete our first trip 

to Turkey. Over the next three weeks 

we trekked, cycled, sailed, swam, 

bussed (and even hot air ballooned) our 

way around that amazing country. It is 

hard to believe that this was actually 


our 16th overseas adventure since our 

first China Ride in 2006. 

One of the outstanding highlights 

of the trip was our visit to the Gallipoli 

Peninsula. It is now almost a hundred years 

since the ill-fated invasion that cost so 

many thousands of young lives. Standing 

at Anzac Cove and 

looking out at the 

crystal clear waters 

it is impossible not 

to be struck by the 

sheer beauty of the 

place, and yet this 

was the very spot 

where thousands 

of Australians and 

New Zealanders 

were cut down in 

their tracks by the 

barrage of Turkish 

machine gunfire. 

On the day we 

Model train display - Stalls - Biggest 

Gingerwood House - Snowmen - Fire Truck and 

heaps more 

Admission $5 per adult - Children under 7 gold 

coin donation 

All proceeds benefit Macclesfield CFA 

Check out www.macclesfieldcfa.org.au for details 

Confessions of a Ghost Rider 

Ghostriders in Turkey 

By Dennis Dawson 

were there, the beach was quiet and still 

with the waves gently lapping the shore. We 

stood by the water’s edge and conducted 

our own short memorial service. That 

moment proved to be highly emotional for 

all of us, especially for those who had a 

direct family connection to the battle. 

Later in the morning we walked along 

the long lines of graves at the Lone Pine 

War Cemetery and were struck by the 

young ages of those who had died there. 

This region is also of special 

significance to the Turkish people and 

we met large groups of young Turkish 

National Servicemen who had come to 

learn more about their country’s history. 

When they realised we were Australians 

they embraced us warmly and asked to 

have their pictures taken with us. It is 

ironic that the battles of so long ago have 

actually served to build a strong friendship 

between our nations. 

AVONSLEIGH VETERINARY CLINIC 

24 Hour Animal Care 

Grooming Services with J. Ray 

441 Belgrave-Gembrook Road Avonsleigh Vic 3782 

For appointments call 5968 3957 (24 hours) 

Dr J. A. Hamilton and Associates 

A000689

Meet Your New Ranges Ward Councillors 

In the recent Cardinia Shire elections, 

three fresh councillors were elected to 

the newly restructured Ranges Ward. 

"We look forward to listening to your 

issues and advocating your concerns for 

you. We feel very excited for the future 

of the ward. Thank you for entrusting 

us with your representation at council 

level." 

Councillor Leticia Wilmot 

My family and I moved to Cockatoo 21 

years ago. My children attended the local 

kindergarten and primary school and then 

completed their secondary education at 

Emerald Secondary College. 

I retired from full time employment 

in 1999 and have spent the years since 

working as a volunteer for the community. 

I joined the township committee 

in 2001 and have been a member of 

many community committees such as 

the Mayfair committee, the newsletter 

committee and I was the convenor of the 

organising committee for the Community 

Strengthening forum held in 2002. 

I have also been part of consultative 

groups such as the Alma Treloar Master 

Plan and the McBride Street Renewal 

committee. I am currently involved with 

the Ready 2 Go committee looking at 

the issues of bushfire preparedness and 

have recently joined a new committee 

with representatives from across the shire 

which will be organising the first ‘Relay for 

Life’ event to be held in the shire in March 

of 2013. 

I am extremely honoured to have 

been elected as councillor for the Ranges 

Ward and I’m looking forward to meeting 

residents and working with all the 

communities within the ward. 

I can be contacted via email at 

l.wilmot@cardinia.vic.gov.au or by 

phone on 0427 135 879. If you are 

interested in hearing my latest ideas 

and feeding your thoughts back to 

me, you can ‘Like’ my page at www. 

facebook.com/LeticiaWilmot.Ranges 

Councillor Tania Baxter 

I am a wife of 15 years and mother 

of two primary school aged children who 

attend Beaconhills College in Pakenham. 

My family and I live in Beaconsfield and my 

husband and I run a small, but successful 

business that employs local tradesmen. 

I am originally from the other side of 

the Dandenong Ranges area and grew 

up in a family of lawyers. At University 

I achieved an Arts degree, majoring in 

Educational Psychology (and minoring in 

Accountancy) as well as a Post-Graduate 

Diploma in Special Education. 

At work, I was the principal consultant 

at The Special Education Consultancy 

before I had my children. Further to this, I 

have been on many committees including 

the local kindergarten and township 

committee and I have been secretary of 

the Beaconsfield Progress Association for 

the last few years. 

I am a keen reader and a member of 

a book club. I passively barrack for the 

Richmond Tigers but don’t hold that 

against me. 

I am very excited about being elected to 

Cardinia Shire Council and we are already 

working on getting a mobile councillor 

office underway so we can come to you, to 

hear your priorities for Ranges Ward and 

feedback information, as well as focusing 

on being more accessible through the 

social media tools. Thank you for your 

support. 


t.baxter@cardinia.vic.gov.au or by 

phone on 0427 528 358. If you are 

interested in hearing my latest ideas and 

feeding your thoughts back to me, you 

can ‘Like’ my page at www.facebook. 

com/TaniaBaxter.CardiniaRanges 

Mayor - Councillor Brett Owen 

I would like to thank the people of 

Ranges Ward who have entrusted me to 

represent them over the next four years. 

I have lived in the shire all my life and 

have chosen to raise my family here. I live 

in Beaconsfield. I am married to Jackie 

and we have a 16 month old son, Max. 

Jackie and I are expecting our second child 

in May. I am a serving police officer with 

16 years’ service. My current role with 

Victoria Police is Youth Resource Officer 

in the Casey area, specialising in child and 

youth related issues. 

As one of your councillors for Ranges 

Ward, I will work hard to represent 

residents and provide support for 

community groups, sporting clubs and 

individuals from all towns from across 

Ranges Ward. I will advocate strongly to 

represent views of residents in all aspects 

of council. 

I understand there is resident 

dissatisfaction of council from some parts 

of Ranges Ward. I want to work towards 

changing that. I want to improve resident 

opinion of council. 

I am looking forward to working with 

my ward colleagues Leticia Wilmot and 

Tania Baxter. I am extremely confident 

that the three of us will work together 

positively as a team for the betterment of 

Ranges Ward. The three of us want to do 

things differently by being more accessible 

to the community. 


b.owen@cardinia.vic.gov.au or by 

phone on 0418 99 33 70. If you are 

interested in hearing my latest ideas and 

feeding your thoughts back to me, you 

can ‘Like’ my page at www.facebook. 

com/BrettOwen.CardiniaShire 


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Health & Wellbeing 

A00883 

A000838 

Travel Health 

By Louisa Lammers 

Emerald Village Pharmacy 

Travelling is great fun but 

two major factors can 

impact on your health: 

the actual travel (long haul 

flights can be very taxing on 

the body) and also coping 

with a new environment when 

you reach your destination. 

Being seated and inactive 

for long periods on long 

haul flights is a risk factor 

for developing the serious 

condition of Deep Vein 

Thrombosis (DVT) which is 

blood clots in the legs. Moving 

about and doing exercises, 

including foot pumps and ankle 

circles can help, but for those 

at extra risk using compression 

stockings is a must. 

Air pressure changes with 

flights can cause discomfort 

in the ears and sinuses, so 

using nasal sprays with a 

decongestant can help open 

up the ear and nasal passages. 

Alternatively relief can be 

found with a product called 

Ear Planes. Chewing and 

yawning during the take-off 

and landing can also help. 

Anyone who travels has a 

50 percent chance of suffering 

from a travel-related illness 

with the dreaded traveller’s 

diarrhoea (TD) being the most 

common. This can involve 

tummy cramps, nausea, fever, 

vomiting and diarrhoea. 

To avoid TD, use bottled 

water or purifying tablets and 

don’t have ice in drinks. Wash 

hands regularly, use hand 

sanitisers such as Aquim Gel 

and avoid eating any foods 

that have not been thoroughly 

cooked. 

If you still get TD, use an 

oral rehydration therapy such 

as Hydralyte which comes 

in easy to mix sachets. If 

symptoms persist beyond 48 

hours an anti-diarrhoea tablet 

like Imodium or Lomotil may 

be useful. Taking a probiotic 

like Ethical Nutrient’s Travel 

Bug will boost immunity and 

help to prevent TD. 

By taking these simple 

precautions, you can relax and 

enjoy your fantastic holiday. 

Happy travels!

Surviving the Silly Season – Tips for Eating at Christmas 

The silly season can be a 

wonderful time, so enjoy yourself 

without obsessing over food and 

your weight. You are doing this out of 

respect not punishment so use these 

tips and enjoy the new you with all the 

All Dues Have 

Been Paid 

In the last couple of years of my drinking, I started to 

realise it wasn’t ‘normal’ for a mother of two pre-schoolers 

to race home after kinder to get to my wine cask. 

The first couple of drinks didn’t even touch the sides. I was 

desperate to settle my nerves/craving/desire. But when the 

anxiety started to wear off, I continued to 

drink and operated the rest of the night 

on ‘auto pilot’. Kids were bathed, fed and 

put to bed before I was ‘past it’, and often 

before my husband got home. Then it was 

my time to relax and enjoy myself – alone 

with my cask. 

As a teenager alcohol did something 

for me that nothing else could. It gave me 

confidence and sometimes a ‘don’t care’ 

attitude. I often drank much more than 

I had planned, or my friends did, and my 

behaviour changed. 

I did achieve many things during my 

teens and twenties, but alcohol was always 

by my side. I can’t remember periods 

of my life due to ‘blackouts’. As time 

went on I experienced mood swings and 

unpredictable flashes of anger. My family 

never knew what I would be like at the end 

of the day. 

Yet even up to my last week of drinking, 

most people saw me as a typical woman/ 

mum who had just had recurring bouts 

of illness and become a bit distant. They 

couldn’t see the turmoil in my head and 

realise the constant obsession with alcohol 

– alternatively my saviour and my demon – 

whether I was drinking or not. 

I was introduced to AA through a rehab 

and started to learn about alcoholism and 

how I could live a happier, healthier life 

without it. I wasn’t a bad person after all 

......I had an illness. I have continued to 

attend AA meetings and become part of 

this great fellowship. It costs nothing to 

join – all our dues have been paid..... 

rewards it brings. 

• Exercise the morning of the Christmas 

party and Christmas day: Wake up 

early and go for a lovely 30 minute trot 

around the block 

• Drink like a fish: water not alcohol 

• Don’t eat unless you are sitting down 

and the food is on a plate 

• No more meat than the size of your 

palm: and fill your plate with salad. 

Is Alcohol Costing you more than money? 

Do you want to stop drinking? 

Alcoholics Anonymous may be able to help you. 

There are several AA groups in the outer east and the 

hills including Emerald (which meets 8 pm Fridays at 

Emerald Uniting Church, 3-5 Emerald-Monbulk Road, 

opposite supermarket). 

Call 9429 1833 or 

visit www.aavictoria.com.au for more 

information including meeting times and venues. 


Time Effectiveness 

In last month’s article, I discussed how 

many people (especially CEOs and 

business owners) frequently claim 

that they don’t have sufficient time and 

this may often be due to the fact that 

they are working on the wrong things. 

Our perceived lack of time is driven 

by what we focus on and what we focus 

on is driven by our own priorities. As the 

great Mahatma Gandhi once said: ‘Action 

expresses priorities’, so in order to become 


‘Business as Usual’ 

By Ian Ash, AInstIB, President of the Emerald Business Group 

more (time) efficient in our actions, we 

need to take a closer look at our own 

priorities. 

One particularly effective way to do 

this is to simply list down the six to 12 

tasks that you do each week and estimate 

on average how much time you spend on 

each. Sum up the total hours to ensure that 

this corresponds to the typical number of 

hours you work each week. 

Next copy this same list and also 

consider what other tasks you should 

be working on 

but typically never 

have any time for 

(for CEOs and 

owners, this is often 

items like business 

strategy, planning 

and budgeting). 

For this second 

list, allocate the 

hours you would 

like to be working 

for each and try 

to ensure that the 

total equals a ‘reasonable’ working week 

(usually less than the first list total). 

What I usually find is that there are 

two to three tasks that take the bulk of 

the time and you should aim to minimise 

these through delegation, systemisation or 

simply applying the 80/20 principle over 

time. 

Here’s wishing all readers a relaxing 

and Merry Christmas and a healthy and 

Happy New Year! 

Emerald Business Group… 

A Look Back at 2012 

By Ian Ash 

President Emerald Business Group 

2012 has been a busy but rewarding year for the Emerald 

Business Group. This time last year we had 35 members, 

but have now increased this to 40 with increasing attendance 

at both the EBG meetings and Breakfast Forums as well. 

There have been a number of significant achievements this 

year including: 

• Establishment of the http://www.emeraldandranges. 

com.au/ web-site containing the Business Director, Professional 

Directory, Retail Directory and Trade Directory as well as a 

'Special Offers' section to promote special business deals 

• Retail Passport initiative to promote local shopping 

within Emerald amongst participating businesses and the 

opportunity to win prizes totalling $1000 

• Support from the Rotary Club of Emerald & District, 

the Emerald Village Committee and Cardinia Shire Council for 

Bali Flags to be brought out for festive occasions over the coming 

years 

• Publicity through 3MDR radio advertising to encourage 

residents to shop local in the run up to Christmas. 

In addition, in June this year a number of Business Group 

members took the opportunity to raise our profile with Federal 

Ministers of Parliament through a lunch at Elevation with Laura 

Smythe (MP for La Trobe) and Brendan O’Connor (Minister for 

Small Business). 

If you would like more information on the Emerald Business 

Group or are interested in joining, please contact Lynne Trensky 

(Marketing and Publicity Officer for the EBG) in person at the 

Emerald Community House (356-358Belgrave-Gembrook Road 

Emerald), phone: 5968-3881 or email: emhouse@iinet.net.au 

On behalf of the Emerald Business Group, I would like to wish 

everyone a safe and Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

Merry Christmas 

from all at Signpost Magazine 

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The Orchard Family in Cockatoo 

By Arthur Wintle 

John Orchard selected 151 

acres (61 hectares) on Cockatoo 

Creek in the centre of what later 

became the town of Cockatoo, and 

moved his family there in 1883. Not 

until 1903 was John able to pay off 

the land at one pound ($2) an acre 

and obtain title. 

Much of what follows is from the 

recollections of Myrtle Grayson, who 

was John and Sarah’s granddaughter. 

After the backbreaking work of 

clearing, John planted raspberries and 

red and black currants, which grew well. 

He supplemented his income by 

catching birds. Able to mimic birdcalls, 

he trapped finches and other small 

birds by putting birdlime on twigs. 

(See also Helen Coulson, Story of the 

Dandenongs, 1959, p. 240). 

John had a draught horse and a 

covered wagon, which he used to 

transport berries and birds to the 

Eastern Market at the top end of 

Bourke Street. 

The house was wattle and daub, 

saplings plastered with mud, with a 

rammed earth floor. 

The fireplace took up one end of 

the house and the doors were arranged 

so that the bullock could pull a large 

log in one door and continue out the 

other, leaving the log to be rolled onto 

the fire. The fire was kept burning day 

and night and Sarah did all the cooking 

on it. 

Sarah was midwife to the district. 

(Also Coulson, p. 44). According to 

Myrtle, she did not lose a mother or 

child. She continued to perform this 

letters 

I 

have made a number of 

requests in recent years for 

a footpath to be installed 

between the main entrance to 

Worrell Reserve, Emerald and 

the bus stop/U3A building. 

A gravel path meandering 

through the garden that fronts 

onto the main road would be 

okay. 

Forced to walk behind parked 

cars and dodge traffic on the 

roadway in and out of the reserve, 

I was bumped by a reversing car 


service even when she lost all the fingers 

on her right hand except the thumb and 

first finger in a sausage machine. 

Sarah died at Cockatoo in 1909, 

aged 64. It is unlikely that she fell in 

the fire and burned to death, as Myrtle 

believed. A doctor certified that she 

died of ‘cerebral haemorrhage and 

heart failure.’ 

The 1909 electoral roll lists John 

and his sons David, John Samuel and 

Richmond as farmers at Cockatoo 

Creek. Charles was a sawmiller. 

By 1914 the three youngest sons, 

Charles, Richmond and David had 

married three of the McBride sisters, 

daughters of James and Caroline, 

who kept a store, post office and 

guesthouse in Cockatoo. All but John 

and Richmond had left town. 

When the narrow gauge railway 

came through in 1900, John lost his 

frontage on the Cockatoo Creek. At 

some time in his declining years, the 

property was subdivided and sold off. 

John died in 1915 at Cockatoo. 

As Myrtle told it, John liked fishing 

and was found sitting with his back 

against a tree, his line still in the water. 

The vague death certificate does not 

contradict this romantic story. The 

doctor certified that he died of ‘old 

age and syncope’, which is the medical 

term for fainting! 

John had no real estate, but a tidy 

sum, 384 pounds, to distribute among 

his children. 

Richmond’s wife Caroline died in 

1921 and within a few years the last of 

the Orchards had left Cockatoo. 

Letter to our new councillors 

and have seen school kids and 

mums with little children and 

prams scramble out of the way. 

This problem has escalated since 

the recent development of that 

end of town. A pedestrian having 

right of way in a carpark/road 

is of little comfort when you 

have been knocked over unless, 

of course, we have to wait until 

someone is killed to qualify for a 

path. 

Concerned Emerald resident 

NiBB 

John and Sarah Orchard 

& QuilL 

The carpark/road area in question

Inspirational giftware 

for all occasions including 

Cards, Boxed Cards and 

Gift Bags. 

Supporting the Christian 

Community by offering 

a great range of... 

Books • Bibles • Giftware 

Music • DVDs and Much More 

Monday - Friday 9am-5:30pm 

Saturday 9am-5pm 

Take your time and browse 

through our store or meet a 

friend for coffee and cake at 

the Cafe. 

Shop 5, 426 Princes Hwy, Narre Warren. 

Phone 9704 2099 

An experienced, highly 

SPRING INTO motivated, ACTION! 

versatile sales 

The sunshine is out of & performance we have in real sold estate, a property a day 

Verica comes to the Barry 

this week alone! 

How do we do it? 

An experienced, highly 

motivated, versatile sales 

agent with a solid track record 

of performance in real estate, 

Verica comes to the Barry 

Plant team with a wealth of 

local knowledge and expertise. 

Having previously established 

herself as a major force in the 

Emerald area in real estate, 

marked by winning the Rookie 

of the Year award and 

establishing a loyal list of repeat clients, her key 

strengths include the ability to meet and exceed 

client's expectations, excellent communication, 

negotiation skills and diligent follow up methods. 

Verica's aim in real estate is to build strong honest 

relationships with her clients while working hard to 

achieve successful outcomes for vendors and buyers 

alike. 

To arrange a viewing or appraisal with 

Verica call the Barry Plant Emerald office today 

5968 4522 or 0402 012 499 

agent with a solid track record 

Plant team with a wealth of 

local knowledge and expertise. 

· We have a large database Having of previously potential established purchasers looking for 

herself as a major force in the 

local property Emerald area in real estate, 

marked by winning the Rookie 

· We possess a strong local knowledge 

of the Year award and 

· We are strong negotiators establishing & a loyal list of repeat clients, her key 

strengths include the ability to meet and exceed 

· We proudly support and client's promote expectations, our local excellent community 

communication, 

negotiation skills and diligent follow up methods. 

Call for a Market Appraisal or to enquire about our up & coming 

Property Listings today! 

Bell Real Estate Emerald 5968 6222 

barryplant.com.au/emerald 

barryplant.com.au/emerald 

Verica's aim in real estate is to build strong honest 

relationships with her clients while working hard to 

achieve successful outcomes for vendors and buyers 

alike. 

To arrange a viewing or appraisal with 

Verica call the Barry Plant Emerald office today 

5968 4522 or 0402 012 499

Wishing everyone 

Season’s Greetings 

Your support has been 

welcomed over the year 

Thank you! 

New ranges now instore: 

POTS - PLANTS - MULCH - SOIL - ORNAMENTS 

EMERALD MITRE 10 Garden Centre 

277 - 287 Main Rd, Emerald VIC 

Ph: 03 59 683 800 

Mon - Fri: 8am - 5pm Sat: 8am - 4pm Sun: 9am - 2pm 

EMERALD 1/321 Main Road 

5968 4522

December2012 - Signpost Magazine

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