April 2006 - Chewton.net

CHEWTON CHAT
(a newsletter published by the Chewton Domain Society)
www.chewton.net
(a website supported by the Chewton Domain Society)
Published monthly Issue 86 April, 2006.
CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY 2006
Once again this was a great success, even more so this year thanks to Noel Muller of Parks Vic joining forces with us.
At least 2 tonnes of scrap metal on both sides of Forest Creek and 1 tonne of other assorted rubbish from the Central
Business District of Chewton, the Chewton Cemetery and the CSMP was collected.
We arrived at the Red Hill Hotel at 7.55 a.m. to set up. Volunteers began arriving en masse. Judith and Rich
Thompson from Castlemaine were the first to arrive
closely followed by Veronica and Paul Roberts and
Rachael Perry of Chewton. Stan Munro was also up
at the crack of dawn (which is very unusual for him!).
The Chewton CFA, Peter Elmore and John Stanistreet
were also early risers and were of great assistance
to Noel collecting loads of scrap metal at the Argus
Mine site and along Forest Creek. By 8.20 a.m. 12
people were already registered and out doing their
thing. As it was a very very hot day our 25 volunteers
had finished by 1 p.m. and had successfully beaten
the heat.
Audrey and Keith Richardson worked tirelessly
around the CBD of Chewton as did Margaret
Seedsman of Castlmaine, and Alison and Amelia
Rowe who came all the way from Maldon. The four
members of the Fiddes family (Shelley, Hope , Emily
and Bruce) from Castlemaine filled six clean up bags with rubbish from the CSMP which we picked up later.
Rachael Perry returned again with hot coffee, fruit buns and croissants for us for breakfast which we devoured with
gusto - thanks heaps Rachael. The Red Hill Hotel opened early for lunch
which was great for the thirsty workers as our two skips were overflowing by
11.30 a.m.
Once again a certain gentleman who lives across the road from the Red Hill
Hotel (beside Rhone's) and who works at the local prison and shall remain
nameless was seen doing his “wheelbarrow waltz” in the twilight hours. Three
times he was observed looking around furtively before racing across the
Pyrenees Highway with his wheelbarrow rattling, full of little brown bottles
and green cans. Thanks for the cuppa Acey!!
A great effort by all volunteers and a fine example of community spirit making
our town a cleaner and safer environment for all. Lisa Sargent.
High hopes for a successful collection as Stan Munro, Margaret Seedsman, Lisa Sargent and Brian Sage
get together (above), and the results (below). Where on earth does it all come from?
THE DAY THE MEDIA CAME TO TOWN
It seemed that Chewton was confirmed as the “centre of the universe”
when the media descended on the town a few weeks ago. The presence
of helicopters on the CSMP, photographers and reporters wanting to speak
to anyone they could stop and the constant demand for coffee and donuts
at the shop indicated that something was very different. It was interesting
to note that most local people had no idea what was happening. The
wider media coverage has since told us all - again and again.
And also inside...Fire Fire...Speaking Personally...Assembly Hall Moves...Black White...and much, much more!

THAT FIRE - FOUR PERSPECTIVES...
CFA
NEWS
Chewton CFA got the
call at 1402hrs on
Thursday 9th March.
When we reached the
scene the fire was out
of control, heading to
the hills and towards
Elphinstone. The
Chewton tanker headed up Bubbs Lane into a property
over the hill back towards Chewton, as we needed to stop
the fire getting into the hill. For quite a while we worked
hard on the north flank which soon paid off for us. The
Shire’s graders were working on the roads in the bushland
which was really lucky. They came into the fire ground
and started dozing firebreaks around- and these worked
really well. Meanwhile, more ground support was called
in, along with waterbombers. The fire was eventually
pulled up along the north side of the McKay Reservoir.
As the head of the fire was in a difficult area for the
tankers to get into, it was a great effort by everyone there.
We’d had CFA strike teams come from all over the area
(a strike team is 5 tankers from other groups). I believe
there were 4 to 5 of them there, as were Department of
Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and Parks Victoria
units. We all work very well together. The Police were
there, and so were the Red Cross to feed everyone.
Once the fire was contained the hard work really started.
The mopping up, as we call it, is to make sure that
everything is completely out. We were worried about the
coming Sunday as the temperature was forecast to be 39
degrees! For the next four days and nights crews worked
around the clock to make sure everything was safe. At
0030hrs on Monday morning we all went home at last.
Standing on the front veranda at home I felt the first spot
of rain at 0100hrs. What a relief that was!
Fire restrictions are still in force so no burning off can
be done unless you get a permit from the Council. We
have no idea when the current restrictions will be lifted
because it is still very dry out there.
Captain Jo Willen, Chewton CFA.
GREAT PUB GRUB
now at Chewton's Red Hill Hotel
Wednesdays 6 - 8.30 p.m. for $5 meals
Fridays and Saturdays 6 - 8.30 p.m. for the Full
Menu
Sundays 12 - 2 p.m. for a Roast Lunch
BOOK NOW!
Phone 5472 2541
HOUSE
SAVED
On Thursday 9th March
I received a frantic call
on my mobile from
Captain Jo, “Gary!
Where are you? The
Bushlands are on fire!!
Much too close for comfort...
We need a crew!!”
I now know what they
mean by the expression ‘blood running cold’!
Hoping that I sounded calmer than I was, I replied, “Jo, I
can’t help you. I am in Tasmania”.
Realising that I was totally irrelevant to the crisis (some
would say “nothing new there”), Jo wisely rang off with a
promise to get back to me when it was all over.
Well, Dear Reader, you will by now be aware that Chewton
Brigade - ably supported by other brigades - not only saved
the Bushlands but my home as well. I am very grateful
for this, especially as I had recently applied three coats of
Watermelon Pink paint to it!
When I got back from Tassie and saw just how close a
call it had been I began to have a better understanding of
the prolonged battle. My partner Michael told me that the
view of the (normally black) bushlands from our home
that night resembled a suburb of red street lights!
No property was lost - this time - and nobody was injured
during the fight or in the ensuing mopping up operation. It
could, however, have been a major tragedy.
Had the battle been lost my home would have been only
one of many to burn that night. The fire could very easily
have escaped the Bushlands into surrounding forests and
pine plantations, threatening not only Chewton township
but Castlemaine as well.
I am told that several inhabitants of the Bushlands held a
communal Thanksgiving Dinner the following Monday
evening. It seemed appropriate. I am also told that the
whole kerfuffle was started by a neighbour using an angle
grinder. This seems like a good time to remind everyone
that Victoria in summer is a potentially very dangerous
place! Please, please think about what you have planned
for these hot days and ask yourself, “Do I REALLY need
to do this today?”
Michael and I would like to thank the tireless Captain Jo
and the rest of our wonderful Brigade for a job very well
done - although Jo said to me later that it just would not
have looked too good had the CFA Secretary’s house been
lost! Gary Van den Driesen.
Thanks to Liza and Carol at the Red Hill Hotel who
again supported the brigade by donating ice on the
day of the fire. They have also been running raffles
for us! And we thank the community for supporting
the raffles - thanks everyone. Captain Jo.

BUSHLANDS BLAZE
“The Bushlands are on fire. Do what you think you must do,” Gary Van den Driesen told his partner Michael Kuhle.
Gary is with the Chewton CFA and had just been phoned by Chewton CFA captain Jo Willen to attend a blaze that was
burning out of control in Bubbs Lane – around the corner from Gary and Michael’s home in Miners Hut Road.
Gary was in Tasmania but he immediately rang Michael to raise the alarm. Michael, at work that afternoon at Mount
Alexander Hospital, jumped in his car and sped home. “It was a rally drive home,” he said. “When I got to the Red Hill
pub I could see the smoke.” Michael’s heart was racing. “When I got home I closed all the windows to keep the
embers out. I could see the flames clearly from my window. It was a real shock. I grabbed our documents and left.”
Firetrucks, sirens blaring, poured into the Bushlands from all directions and helicopters and planes with water for
bombing roared overhead as Michael drove out of the area and to safety at the hospital.
But Helen Bichard in Bubbs Lane was far from safe. The fire had caught her five-acre property and raced towards
her wooden house. Helen couldn’t ring for help because she didn’t have a landline telephone and her mobile can’t get
a signal on her property (she’s with Telstra!). She had no transport either, as her car was being repaired after hitting
a kangaroo a few days earlier. There was only one thing to do. Run. “At times like that you realise the most important
thing to do is just get out. So I ran. I didn’t want to get incinerated,” she said.
Helen escaped uninjured but she still had the worry that her house and all her belongings would be destroyed. She
screamed out to nearby CFA volunteers for help and waved frantically for them to “come this way, this way” to her
front gate. The firefighters sped up the road to her house. They arrived just in time, putting out the flames just a few
metres from Helen’s house. Her home and things were saved.
The fire burned out more than 400 acres of private land between the
Bushlands and Elphinstone. It took some 26 firetrucks from local and
surrounding districts and three aircraft - a helicopter water bomber, a plane
water bomber and a surveillance plane – to bring the fire under control and
eventually put it out. They were backed up by staff and vehicles from
Parks Victoria, DSE, police and the Red Cross. Fortunately, no one was
injured and no homes were lost.
“It was pretty bad,” Jo Willen said. “It went into a stage 2 fire. The
Bushlands is pretty hilly and we couldn’t get up to where the flames were.
We had to wait for the fire to come to us. We did well to contain it.”
The CFA stayed on site for the next four days to make sure the fire was
completely out and the area and residents were safe. Helen Bichard had
three firetrucks on her property throughout the first night and served the
firefighters juice and snacks when they weren’t pulling down smouldering
trees, putting out embers and making the site safe.
“They were just fantastic, so skilled,” she said. “I was and am very, very
grateful to them.”
It was the first fire in the Bushlands for at least 40 years. It caught residents
by surprise because it was not a total fire ban day or particularly hot, and it
wasn’t very windy. Michael Gillies Smith.
YOUR INFORMATION SOURCE DURING AN EMERGENCY
For the past three years, ABC Local Radio in Victoria has
been building a close relationship with emergency services
to make sure that any event which threatens life or property
is reported in a timely and accurate way.
Since the 2002 fires in Victoria’s High country, the ABC
has offered its resources to emergency services to meet
that objective. In consultation with the CFA Incident Controller and their team, the ABC will broadcast regular
information about dangerous fires.
During the recent fire in Chewton, this meant broadcasting on Central Victoria’s Local ABC Station, FM 91.1
between 3.00 and 5.00pm.
Information about the location of the fire, the direction it was travelling and advice to property owners in the near
vicinity was broadcast every 15 minutes to ensure that residents were kept up to date, and to ensure that information
was no more than 15 minutes away.
Put simply, in Chewton, ABC Central Victoria FM 91.1 should be seen as an indispensable resource
during an emergency. Jonathan Ridnell, Station Manager, ABC Radio, Central Victoria.

BUSINESS(ES) OF CHEWTON
A sign that appeared along the highway at Manchester Street indicated that one of
Chewton's well known heritage buildings was open for business once again. One
of the thirteen butcher's shops that once served Chewton is now the home of
BLACK WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY.
One of Chewton’s newest businesses has opened in the building that began life in the
1860's as Ottery’s Butcher Shop. Libby Hogg launched Black White Photography at the
end of 2005 and for the last few months has been busy changing her dream into reality.
Libby specialises in black and white images; photographing, developing and creating prints.
Family shots, photos of children/babies - and even pets as sometimes requested. Libby
has a passion for costume and dressing up subjects, and loves to film staged sequences
often making the photos appear to be set back in time. Printing from old negatives is
another service offered, this being something very rare in this area now. For special photos, hand printing is an
authentic alternative to the more modern electronic scanning and printing. Libby has greeting and post cards bearing
her black and white images for sale.
Libby’s journey to this business in Chewton is a fascinating one. She was born in New Zealand before Libby’s father
(doctor and history buff) took the family to England where her love of old buildings, castles and historic sites grew.
After nearly 10 years the family relocated to Melbourne before
returning to New Zealand a few years later. Libby worked as a film
and video censor in Wellington for more than seven years, viewing
thousands of films during that time. She’d studied film at university,
and began exploring photography during this time. The photography
interest grew to the extent of wanting to study it seriously. This led to
a relocation back to Melbourne where she enrolled at the Photography
Studies College (PSC) in South Melbourne. This four year course
also involves weekend workshops at the PSC “Country Campus” -
the A-frame in Golden Point Road! Travelling up to the first workshop,
Libby remembers thinking “God, where are we going?” By the end
of the weekend that thought had changed to “I want to live here!”
This seemed impractical so Melbourne remained home for a while
longer. A day trip with a friend to this area rekindled the desire to
move here. Jack Stuart’s gave her three houses to look at , and the
first one inspected was bought. Libby was then able to set up her
dark room in Gingell Street Castlemaine.
Portrait photography can be difficult and confronting as the
photographer learns to engage and be at ease with the people being
photographed. Libby’s daughter proved invaluable by being a very patient subject, even allowing Libby to indulge in her
passion for staged sequences. Her daughter has also settled in this area with her partner, and Libby now enjoys
photographing her new grand daughter as well.
Welcome to Chewton Libby - we look forward to seeing your photographs and prints around. A2.
BLACK WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY Libby Hogg
PO Box 523, Castlemaine, VIC 3450 5472 5399
Corner Main Street and Manchester Street Chewton (open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday).
Although Libby is not on the web yet she has plans to be in the near future.

HAVE YOU MET... Allan and Barbara Dry?
HAVE YOU MET is a new feature in the Chewton Chat. It is a column that concentrates on Chewton's greatest
asset - its people. This month's focus is on the...
DUAL WINNERS OF THIS YEAR’S ‘GOLDEN PEN’ AWARD
This year the Chewton Chat’s ‘Golden Pen’ Award is shared by husband and
wife duo Allan and Barbara Dry, for their efforts in ‘reminding us continually of
Chewton’s rich and unique history and for supporting just about every single
thing going on in Chewton.’
Born in Tallangatta in N.E. Victoria, Allan grew up in inner city Melbourne.
Upon leaving school he joined the then PMG where in 1991 he received a medal
from Telecom/Australia Post for 40 years service. Upon retirement in 1993
Allan and Barbara bought their lovely Chewton house set on a ¾ acre block at
the end of Albert Street’s cul-de-sac. After always living on busy roads Allan
liked the idea of no through traffic. He saw Chewton ‘as a scruffy sort of a
place with lots of open space, full of gorse, spring wildflowers, magnificent native
orchids, and an appealing history.’
Although throwing himself into local community activities, it is the historical aspect that Allan has taken a particular
interest in, becoming quite an expert. He has helped archive a rich collection of invaluable material of the Chewton
area - books, maps, photos, oral history tapes and videos, documents dating from the first land sale in 1855 - all donated
to the Chewton Domain Society and housed mainly in the town hall.
Barbara Dry is Melbourne born and bred. She and Allan have two children, an adult son and daughter, and ‘six
gorgeous grand-children’. Although she worked in the secretarial and admin area, she also trained as a library technician.
A city girl at heart, she was happy to retire to Chewton. ‘I retired on a Friday and we moved on the Saturday as Allan
was so keen to get here.’
One thing she really likes about living here is the friendliness of their neighbours,
and over the years they have helped organize the Albert Street pancake days
and Christmas parties.
During her first few years here Barbara worked voluntarily in the Chewton
primary school’s library, cataloguing the entire library. She later became secretary
of the protest committee that was formed by local people who took up the fight
to save the post office and town hall buildings for the people of Chewton. ‘This
was a great time, where everyone in the community pulled together.’
Barbara is involved with the Chewton Domain Society, the Chewton Biggest
Morning Teas, the Chewton Chat and its current classification project.
The Dry's involvement with the local community is something they have chosen
to share, making it so appropriate that they should also share this year’s dual Award. As Barbara says, ‘we’ve built a
good life here.’ Gloria Meltzer.
Above: Allan (left) with Jack Cocks, accepting Jacks's latest research for the People and Places Display
Below: Barbara (centre) at the afternoon tea celebrating Florance Robinson's presentation to the Display
200 UP!
CDS memberships have
broken the 200 barrier!
The 200th membership for
2005/6 was Cath Mackie.
The 200 milestone was
acknowledged by a visit
from CDS Membership
Secretary Edna Preece,
who presented Cath with a
bunch of flowers and a
Welcome to Chewton Kit.
REAL ESTATE STOP PRESS
The ‘Cornish Arms’ on the corner of Dinah and Fryers Road has just
come on the market. Full details next issue. It’s worth serious
consideration as you get three bedrooms for just $245,000. K.E.R.

THE ASSEMBLY HALL MOVING ON
It is believed that negotiations with an interested
Registered Building Contractor (who has the required
commercial registration) are continuing, with a view to
finalising a price so a contract can be established. Also
being finalised is the structural certification,
taking into account the matters raised by council’s heritage
adviser.
A response from a consultant building surveyor (for private
certification) regarding the building permit is also expected
soon. The owners and architect are very keen to get this
project completed while the current permit is valid. This
would mean completion before the 150th
anniversary of the Assembly Hall’s opening on the 22nd
of December 2006.
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE
OF THE RED HILL'S ASSEMBLY HALL?
In the lead up to the 150th anniversary of the opening of
the Red Hill’s Assembly Hall the Chewton Chat will include
snippets of its history over that time.
The Mount Alexander Mail on the 31st of July 1857 published
an article under the heading “Meeting on the Chinese
Question”.
"According to advertisement a public meeting was held
in the Red Hill Music Hall on Monday evening. The
room was crowded to the door, there being at the lowest
computation not less than 650 present."
The article then detailed the speeches and motions passed,
then finished with
"A collection was then made to defray expenses and
four pounds were gathered in a few minutes. After a
vote of thanks to the Chairman, the meeting, which
was one of the most orderly, and certainly the largest
in door one ever yet held at Forest Creek, very quietly
dispersed."
This meeting followed a disturbance that occurred at
Golden Point between the Chinese and other diggers the
previous Saturday. This was also reported in the same
Mount Alexander Mail.
The spacious stage of the Assembly Hall as it was in
1954 during a production of The Beggar’s Opera by
the Chewton Entertainers. This photo is part of the
People and Places display in the Chewton Town Hall.
It is with a heavy heart that I write to tell all Chewton
residents that our much loved and respected local larrikan,
Finn McCool, is moving back to his native Ireland. Finn
has not taken this decision lightly and has thought long and
hard (how he did this was a miracle by itself) about his
decision. It seems like Finn has been here forever. He is
known for his cheeky sense of humour and quick wit (don’t
know where he got that from) and was an occasional contributor
to the Chewton Chat with articles and letters (some
of which were somewhat questionable when it came to
facts).
I spoke to Finn recently and he said he has many great
memories (I’m surprised he could actually remember anything)
of the many years in his adopted home town of
Chewton. Finn has family commitments in Ireland, and
even though it was a tough decision, family has always
come first with our Finn. Your extended Chewton “family”
will miss you. God speed and good luck! A2.
PS Finn McCool is an alias that was often used by the
one and only Randall Percy. We knew who it was all
along though - who else could think up an alias as bad as
that?
VISITOR'S GUIDE
& HERITAGE BROCHURE
The design work by John Veeken (John Veeken Graphics)
is almost complete, with final proof reading being done.
The draft brochure is most impressive and has attracted
favourable comment from everyone who has seen it. It
will be in circulation soon.

ON-GOING ISSUES
Several issues have been on-going, and in the interest
of clarifying their current status, the Chat requested a
comment on each of them from Ward Councillor Jim
Norris. We are grateful for the responses so readily
provided.
The location for the children’s playground at the CSMP
has been resolved and we are now waiting for the final
sign off on the design and layout by the various community
groups involved. This is expected shortly. Works will
progress when we have the sign off. This has been a
good process.
The Aquatic Facilities Task Group (AFTG) has been
meeting regularly and is expected to meet with the Council
in the near future.
The body of work done on the Chewton Urban Design
Framework will go to Council at a formal meeting very
soon, after which it will be released for community input.
Council has undertaken all of the approval processes
necessary for the Red Hill Assembly Hall some months
ago. It would be good to get the work done not only for
the 150th anniversary but also to ensure the long term
preservation of the highly significant building. Council will
continue to encourage the owners and architects whenever
possible.
The local community, via the Park and Pool Committees,
has a significant investment in the Shared Facility Project.
We continue to work closely with both representative
groups. There are some difficulties in accommodating all
of the local groups expectations within budget, but we are
working through the options to maximise the outcome.
Cr. Jim Norris.
ALEXANDER RESOURCES
Alexander Resources Expands its
Chewton Exploration Workforce
March has seen a significant expansion at the Alexander
Resources Ltd (AXD) Chewton exploration office, located
at the old Wattle Gully Mine, with 2 new staff being
employed. The extra staff are a welcome addition to the
team as the company recently recommenced drilling at
the Sebastian Project to the north of Bendigo. Research
into the historical records covering the Castlemaine
goldfields is also ongoing.
Wessley Edgar becomes the new Exploration Manager,
following on from Brian Cuffley who moves into a technical
role for the company. A Monash
University graduate, he has 16
years experience as a
exploration and mining geologist
mostly working on gold
resources in Australia. Before
returning to Victoria, Wess
managed a small group of
geologists that successfully
Exploration
Manager
Wessley Edgar
defined gold resources in the
Alentejo region of Portugal, and
before that worked 8 years in
Kalgoorlie, WA. It was there
that he met partner and fellow geologist Brylie who comes
from Amphitheatre near Avoca. Brylie has just given birth
to their first child William, and the family plan to relocate
in the Chewton area during April.
Meagan Andrea is a project geologist who begins work
with Alexander Resources in late March and has spent
considerable time working for Bendigo Mining NL on their
large underground gold resource expansion. Her
experience with the gold styles sought by Alexander will
greatly benefit the company’s exploration efforts.
Casual Field Assistant Labourers Needed
Casual Field Assistant Labourers are needed by Alexander
Resources to work processing diamond core at the
Chewton Coreyard. Workers must be responsible, healthy
and have a current drivers license and able to start
immediately. This would be initially for a period of 3 weeks
but may develop into further casual work dependant on
the company’s work schedule.
Please call Wess 0417 293 472.
Bob Cameron MP
State Member for Bendigo West
Representing Chewton, Fryerstown, Faraday,
Castlemaine and Newstead areas
Electorate Office
8 Panton Street Golden Square 3555
Phone 5444 4125
Fax 5441 8140

FRYERSTOWN
It is often said that those who made most from the gold rush era were not the diggers but those who supplied the
diggers - the storekeepers. Some of the first to see the opportunities were those who had settled land for agriculture
prior to the discovery of gold. If in the right place, they were able to do well out of “farm gate” sales of their products
such as meat, dairy products and even vegetables, to passing travellers to the diggings.
As tent townships grew up there was a big demand for food and for all sorts of goods - picks, boots, blankets, to
mention a few. Some store keepers were there early to supply the demand and many others became store keepers by
making use of trips to Melbourne to collect their own stores and loading up the dray on the return journey with handy
goods to sell. If they found storekeeping easier and more profitable, they stayed with it, became licensed gold buyers
and made their gold that way.
A number of stores that started on the goldfields went on to establish themselves in Melbourne, the names often lasting
well into the 20 th century. Ball and Welch Ltd was founded in Vaughan in 1855 by two women bringing trunks of
haberdashery from England for sale on the goldfields. Ball and Welch became a large department store in Flinders
Street, Melbourne. Mr Godfree had a bakery in Godfree’s Lane Yapeen and also a bakery in Castlemaine. They later
traded in Melbourne as King and Godfree. Their original building in Carlton is still there on the corner of Lygon and
Faraday Streets and still trades as King and Godfree.
In Fryerstown, Hugh and Isaac Moore in 1852 opened the first store in a tent. By 1857 they needed to expand, and
later in 1870 they built a large double fronted sandstone store with storage rooms and stables at the back. In their
heyday they employed about 20 people and became Moore and Reid. Reid later became sole proprietor trading as
Reid and Co. It seems the Moore Bros then went to Melbourne and opened up in Chapel Street, Prahran (remember
Moore’s Corner?). In 1853, the Hallensteins (later of Footscray) were storekeepers at Fryers Creek but presumably
only briefly.
In 1852 William Church opened a store at Churches Flat, Fryerstown. After four years he sold out to Bergin Bros who
established a chain of 8 or 9 stores in the Fryerstown area! According to George Brown, it was reported in 1857 they
were selling 100 tons of general merchandise a week and as licensed gold buyers they were buying 1500 to 2000
pounds worth of gold a week. After a few years when the partnership was dissolved, Mr J D Bergin sold the stores
and bought a sheep station.
St Patrick’s Day on 17 March had me thinking about the Shamrock Hotel in the Irishtown area of Fryerstown. Only
a flattened area now remains, but it was notorious in its day and I am sure there would have been a few wild Irish
ghosts around on St Patrick’s Day!
The next film night is 22 April showing Man’s Favourite Sport (1963) with Rock Hudson. Also Zorro’s Fighting
Legion Ep. 3. 7.30 pm at Fryerstown Mechanics Institute Hall. Bring a chair. Kay Thorne.
Jess is preparing for Easter!
Have a Happy Easter and drive safely.
We will be closed on the 13th April
and re-open on the 19th April.
(Yes we are having a longer break)
Rhone
Mechanical Repairs
Ph. 5472 2546 or 5472 2374
REAL ESTATE GOSSIP
Not a lot to report this month … in fact it is pretty quiet all round.
The only real action is new building, with plenty going on up Adelaide
Street, and action up near the railway line on Steele Street.
Relocatable homes are on the go as well, with lots of nice new
people moving in.
There’s only one house appearing on the market this month.
Cassidy’s have a 50’s house with three bedrooms for sale at 179
Main Road for only $169,000. Spend a few bob and you would
have an ‘up to the minute’ rock solid family home.
If you’re wondering what Stuart’s sign on the corner of O’Hallorans
Road and Golden Point Road is all about, drive up and have a look.
They have a nice 2 acre block on Vineyard Road for just $150,000.
It’s a beauty! Keith Richardson.
FISH IN EXPEDITION PASS
In July 2001 Issue 29 of the Chat reported that a fish survey in
Expedition Pass Reservoir had netted 2 golden perch (yellow belly),
9 red fin and 3 tench. Fish stocking of the res was reported as 1,000
golden perch a year since 1997 and 250 Murray cod a year since
2001.
A reliable source reported a recent sighting of a school of
sizeable fish near the spillway! That should be heartening news
for the many anglers who fish there.

SOCCER NEWS 1
Soccer is a growth sport - Castlemaine Soccer Club has
grown from around 100 players just a few years ago to
220 players last year! Throughout the Bendigo region,
there is a shortage of suitable fields for this code of football.
The League has a 5 year plan in place to encourage many
clubs to create extra playing spaces.
Last year, some junior games had to be played in Bendigo
on Friday evening and some senior matches were held
under lights on Saturday evenings - these are other options
the league is using.
The Club also has a 5 Year Strategic Plan - and this is
available to members of the community. Here at Chewton
we have the same issue as many clubs - we need more
space. The Mt. Alexander Shire is currently conducting
an audit of all recreation facilities throughout the Shire
and is evaluating the needs of different groups. This may
reveal some new options.
The Wesley Hill Sports Complex Development Group
invited any clubs with an interest in the site to join with
them in their plans to upgrade and expand facilities - the
Soccer Club has had a committee member attend those
meetings, with the intention of keeping all options open.
The preferred outcome (and the one most actively being
pursued by the Club committee) is the expansion on the
current site into the plantation area. The Club works
closely with the Park Committee and the Shire - and also
hopes they have the support of the Chewton community.
Indeed, some locals have indicated that having such a
strong family sporting club here is actually a good thing.
At present the Club has to keep all available options open,
as we urgently need another junior field and another full
size pitch - just to cope with the current playing needs, let
alone future demand. (The Socceroos entry in the World
Cup may help fuel ever more growth!)
The sign reads - “Chewton Soldiers’ Memorial Park -
the home of Castlemaine Soccer Club” and that’s how
we would like to keep it. Bill Burris.
Fact!!!!!!
Chewton gets an average of 112 rainy days a year…
that means that 70% of the time it is fine … usually
sunny! How come it rains when we least want it
to, and how come we never get enough ?
See the back page for all weather details!
SOCCER NEWS 2
Permission has been granted to apply water to the playing
surfaces of the Park - including the use of sprinklers. If
you can spare 3 or 4 (or 5 or 6!) hours of an evening to
shift hoses etc. please contact the Club President - Ray
West. Yes, we agree that it's an obscene use of water,
but its also a matter of safety for all users of the Park.
The historic Avenue of Elms receive a bit of a bonus too.
Congratulations to the CSMP on the successful Water
Fund grant! Thanks to the cooperation of the Shire, the
DSE and Parks Victoria and Alexander Resources, the
grounds will in the future be able to use a couple of
megalitres of catchment water from the ‘big pond’. 300
hours of volunteer effort has been pledged on behalf of
the whole community. If you can help in any way, contact
the CSMP. The project will be of benefit to all users and
future users of the Park - who knows ... perhaps the Aussie
Rules Club will make a come-back!
Meanwhile, the Soccer League season will start on the
weekend of April 9, and we have about 10 teams
competing - including 2 in the Men's Divisions. When we
receive the fixtures, they can be found on our website.
Followers of the round ball code of football may want to
join a contingent of fans heading for the MCG on May 25
to see the Socceroos host Eurpean Champions - Greece.
Or come to the Theatre Royal on April 21 to see the film:
‘Goal’. Be there....or be []. Bill Burris.
NEWS FROM ST. JOHN'S
Palm Sunday - 9 April 9.15 service
Monday 10 April 6 p.m. A special and silent communion
service.
Good Friday - 14 April 8 a.m. Service
Saturday 15 April - A WORKING BEE to get the church
ready for Easter. All help most welcome.
Easter Sunday 16 April - 8 a.m. Easter Communion
Sunday 23 April - 9.15 service as usual
AND THE RED ROSARY RETURNS!!
John Manifold’s marvelous poetry accompanied by stunning
music provided by Deb Capp and friends will be presented
at the Castlemaine Art Gallery on Sunday 30 April 5 p.m.
This is a repeat of the runaway success of the Chewton
Folk Festival with a remarkable cast of readers drawn from
the Chewton community and directed by Pat Milthorpe.

SOLDIERS’ MEMORIAL PARK
Good News about Water: We have finally heard that we will receive
$23,415.94 (GST inclusive) for the project to recycle water from Alexander
Resources’ “big pond” to provide a permanent supply for the Park. The
project was successful “because it is community oriented and involves
practical, on-the-ground works which save or protect water resources”.
We will be looking for volunteers to contribute to the physical work - please
be ready to help.
Thanks to Alexander Resources: We sincerely thank the management
and staff of Alexander Resources for their enthusiastic support of this
water project. They paid for the water tests which demonstrated that the
water to be used is absolutely safe. At the recent Chat Dinner, it was a
privilege and a pleasure to meet Mr Gary Scanlan, their new Managing
Director and CEO who is as glad as we are to hear that their support has
been recognised.
Further Funding Needed: We can only hope that Lincoln Fitzgerald’s
(MASC) application for Community Facility Funding will be successful
and provide the information we need to apply widely for funding to resurface
the oval completely as the first step in the redevelopment of the whole
Chewton Soldiers’ Memorial Park.
State of the Ground: The time-consuming watering program the Soccer
Club parents are carrying out has really made it very clear how thinly
scattered are the blades of green grass in amongst the stones and other
materials laid down in the last “top dressing” of the oval. As the sole
venue in Mount Alexander Shire for Bendigo Soccer League matches,
our oval should be a showpiece, not a cause for shame and red-faced
apology.
Shared Facility: Council officers have advised that the Shared Facility
“has been re-assessed”. Let’s hope this means that the latest idea (to
build on what we already have) has been costed and is possible. The next
step will be a meeting between Mike Kenealy from Council, Patsy
Braybrook (CCS Pool Committee) and me. Let’s hope it happens very
soon!
Our Priorities for 2006 are: Completion of the Shared Facility and the
Children’s Playground; Guttering for the rear of the Pavilion; Roof over
the Public Toilets; Safety fencing at car parks; Painting the interior of the
Pavilion; Installing table and benches at the former Playground site. We
have costings for most of this work to send to Council.
Anzac Day Ceremony 8.30 a.m. Tuesday, April 25 at the Flagpole:
The ceremony will both honour the sacrifices made by those who have
fought for our country at the same time as it will stress the urgency of
promoting peace throughout the world. Ed Wilcock has recovered from
lip surgery and will play his cornet for us. Everybody is welcome to attend.
Pat Milthorpe, President Phone 5470 5050
LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
After months of renovations (far from finished),
we have finally and at last moved in to our house
that was shifted on site in Chewton. During the
past months we have called on various neighbours
and local trades people for assistance and have
been thrilled at the kindness shown us by everyone
we’ve met.
We’d like to say a warm thanks. It’s so good to be
part of the community of Chewton and to have
such lovely, friendly people for neighbours.
Gloria and Vaughan.
CHEWTON
GENERAL STORE
LPG Gas Bottle Swap,
Bread, Milk, Papers
etc. etc. etc.
BOB and AGIE YOUNG
5472 1100
WALKS THROUGH
THE BUSH
Friends of the Box-Ironbark Forest
(FOBIF) have begun their popular walks
program again in 2006. All walks are on
Sundays, meeting at the IGA/Victory Park
carpark at 9.30 a.m. for car pooling.
Visitors are welcome to this free activity,
but should bring water, morning tea and
lunch when appropriate.
The April walk is on the 23rd at
Glenluce. The walk will include the
Glenluce Mineral Springs, Pigeon
Hill, Italian Hill, a billabong on the
Loddon, mining relics - and returning
along a water race. Approx. 4 kms
in length. Details from Cath Ryan and
Daydd Kelly 5473 4407.
Later walks include a Trust for Nature
property, Taradale, Fryers Ranges, Rise
and Shine at Sandon, Happy Valley and
the Fryers Ranges Flora and Fauna
Reserve. These will be included in the
Chat’s calendar of events each month.

WATER WATCH
The Coliban storages were holding 26.1% on 24/3 (down
from 35.6% on the 27/1 and 30.6% on the 24/2). When
the Coliban’s Eppalock share is factored in, the
Coliban storages are down to only 17.3% (from
20.4% last month).
Eppalock is currently at 6.2% (7.5% last month) and
Cairn Curran at 9% (12% last month). Both are holding
much less water than at the same time last year.
DAYLIGHT SAVING AND
WATER RESTRICTIONS
The end of Daylight Saving will see a change in the watering
time allowed with trigger hoses for Coliban Water
customers on Stage 4A restrictions. Water restrictions in
our area will remain at stage 4A, but the hour allowed for
watering with a trigger hose on the odds and evens
system will be 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. from April 2.
“Under Stage 4A water restrictions, customers have been
granted a general exemption to water garden areas using
a hand held hose for one hour. This is on the odds and
evens system which is odd-numbered houses on
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and even-numbered or
un-numbered houses on Wednesday, Friday, Sunday,”
Coliban Water Chief Executive Geoff Michell said.
“It is important to respond to concerns about watering in
the dark for those customers who really do need to water
to keep selected plants alive.” Under Stage 4A restrictions
garden areas, excluding lawns, can also be watered
by bucket or watering can at anytime on the odds and
evens system. Cars cannot be washed, except windows
and lights for safety reasons. Coliban Water.
MORE WATER WORKS
* Coliban Water is undertaking a $500,000 water saving
project through installation of world-class gate technology
along the main water supply channel for Bendigo. 13 gates
are being installed along the 70 kilometres of Coliban Main
Channel from Malmsbury to Sandhurst Reservoir in
Bendigo. This gate technology is claimed to be equal to, if
not better than, any other gate system in the world. The
gates have the ability to “talk” to each other and control
flows without operator input.
These gates will help gain a better understanding of where
water is lost. Currently a lot seeps into the ground and
remains undetected, and this technology will enable identification
of the most inefficient channels.
Potential savings of up to 800 ML per year are estimated.
The ability to monitor 24 hours-a-day will allow the reduction
in the likelihood of undetected spills and blockages,
and allow a far better understanding of efficiency in the
main channel and its off-takes.
The solar powered gates will be immediately operational
when installation of all 13 is completed. Coliban Water.
* Coliban Water have just announced a $60,000,000
project to put 300kms. of inefficient open channels
into underground pipes over the next 15 to 20 years.
This project is expected to save between up to
8,000 Megalitres of water each year. The effect on
Poverty Gully Water Race is unknown at this stage.
* A proposal to boost local water supplies is to be
investigated following State Government funding being
provided to Coliban Water. It is proposed that Coliban
Water will connect the Waranga Western Channel and
the Campaspe Weir by pipe. Indications are that it may
provide up to 20,000 megalitres each year.
April already! Cooler nights, glorious days, Autumn colour, an abundance of fruit and vegetables. Easter.
The Bold Café east meets west menu, responds to the season, offering cakes filled with seasonal fruit, soup made
from deeply flavoured tomatoes and herbs, hand made potted pies flavoured with Asian spices.
The Monk dish (vegetarian) has now become a staple at the café. It is served Fridays and Saturdays.
Curry Laksa on Sundays, and our now famous Berry Flan (Gluten free) is served on Saturdays and Sundays.
Chocolate, raspberry roulade (Gluten free) on Fridays.
Gluten free chocolate, hazelnut and almond cake a must to try.
Come and experience delicious, hand made food at the Bold Café.
146 Duke Street, Castlemaine
Telephone: 54 706038
Your Host: Onn HO
Open: Wednesdays to Sunday 10am - 5pm
Easter hours: Open Easter Saturday, Sunday Monday and Tuesday 10am-5pm. Closed on Good Friday.

CHEWTON CHAT'S NIGHT OUT
Part of the Chat team Passing the Parcel
On March 16 th a group of people with a common purpose
gathered at the Red Hill hotel for Dinner. Ages ranged
widely, interests and occupations varied, some knew almost
everyone, others knew almost no one by sight but were
familiar with the names through the Chat. Indeed that
was the purpose of the evening - to get to know each
other and put faces to names. We had come together
because we all are part of the effort and enthusiasm that
gets the Chewton Chat out each month.
Chat volunteers Keith, Jillian, Agie and Bob
There were some 36 of us there on the night. The editors,
writers, reporters, photographers, advertisers, cataloguers
and the hardworking production and circulation people,
and all "Chatting"! We took over the upstairs dining area
for drinks, and then sat at tables of about 6 - 8 for the
lovely meals and good service provided by the hotel, still
chatting as we did. I was amazed at the number of people
there and the wide involvement as volunteers in an
important community project. That is impressive!
After the dinner "Pass the Parcel" was introduced. This
immediately took us back to childhood parties. Used as a
way of introducing people with wonderful, funny and
informative clues it was a great ice breaker and a fun
way of getting to know who is who.
The evening was great success, good fun and it very well
served its purpose of getting us to know each other better.
Thanks to the Chewton Chat for organising it.
Kay Thorne.
CHEWTON'S
COMMONWEALTH GAMES
Chewton Primary School conducted its very own
Commonwealth games in the last week of term. The senior
students were responsible for most aspects of the
organization which included dividing the school population
into ‘countries’ and designing flags and mascots.
Each group then devised their own sports activity which
consisted of a Frisbee target throw, mini-golf, obstacle
course, footy target kicking and bowls.
Mrs T represented Her Majesty at the games, and Mr
Mac represented the Prime Minister. The Commonwealth
Games Flag was raised and the games began.
All countries rotated through each activity and ribbons were
awarded to individual athletes. Her Majesty then
announced that these games ‘were the best ever’!
Congratulations to all the senior students for their
outstanding sportsmanship and organization of this event!
Riley gained 4 points at the Frisbee throwing and
Courtney gave her fellow Jamaicans a few hints at
mini golf!

GOLDEN POINT LANDCARE
We are lucky enough to have Castlemaine Field Naturalist
member Ern Perkins available to lead a bird watching
session. This will be at Chinamans Point on Wednesday
the 11th of April starting at a very quiet 8.30 a.m. This is
a session open to anyone interested in learning more about
the bird species of this area. For more detail please phone
Marie on 5472 2892.
Amazing!! This was the feeling of the members of GPL
members who did a tidy up and a tally of the July 05
planting site on Forest Creek. The general feeling was
that about 80% of the plants not only survived but are
doing remarkably well! Credit goes to Frances Cincotta
for the quality of the seedlings provided and to the 40
volunteer planters who gave these plants an excellent start.
Kathi’s grasses look great (110% survival rate?). The
guards collected will be recycled for the next community
planting day on July the 9th.
We learnt a lot about this site from the last planting and
will use this knowledge to improve our success rate yet
again. Congratulations to everyone who helped!
Funding from the Bundaberg Rum Bush Fund has paid
for the contractor to do the site preparation by spraying
gorse and blackberry and landcare members will further
contribute to this preparation with brush cutting the area.
The next meeting will be on April 30th at Golden Point
Orchard starting at 10.30 a.m. After a brief meeting
members will work on propagating indigenous plants.
IS CHEWTON SEWERED?
An update on the sewerage systm was requested from
Coliban water. Thanks to Lauren Clark for
providing these answers.
· 84% of properties are now connected to the sewerage
system.
· 16% of properties are still to connect.
· All properties were required to connect within 2 years
of completion of the sewerage system project. That 2
year period expired on 30 June 2004.
· Coliban Water, together with the local Mount
Alexander Shire, will actively pursue any customers who
have not yet connected to the system.
· The connection process requires customers to engage
a registered plumber for the works and then complete
an Application to Connect form, which is available at
the Chewton Post Office. This form is then faxed
through to Coliban Water and approval will then be
returned faxed to the PO.
· If a property has an existing septic tank system, the
septic tank must be pumped out (desludged) and filled
with sand to remove any odours.
Why try optimism?
It probably won't work!
GOOD FRIDAY CONCERT
Chewton’s Michael Gillies Smith will sing the tenor role in
English composer John Stainer’s
The Crucifixion on Good Friday,
April 14, at the Christ Church in
Mostyn Street, Castlemaine.
Michael will perform the work
with Melbourne baritone Derek
Welton and the Victoria Chorale
conducted by Val J Pyres.
Victoria’s leading organist Calvin
Bowman, from St Michael’s
Church in Collins Street,
Melbourne, will accompany on
the Christ Church’s magnificently restored organ.
The piece tells the story of the last days of Jesus’s life, his
arrest, condemnation by Pilate and, finally, his agonising
crucifixion.
“It’s a magnificent story and a magnificent work,” said
Michael. “Whatever your religious beliefs you can’t help
but be deeply moved by the music and the words.”
The piece is slightly different in style to works such as
Handel’s Messiah in that it includes hymns for choir and
the congregation. “It’s interactive,” said Michael. “The
audience gets to stand up and sing. They become part of
the performance.”
There are two performances, 4 pm and 6.30 pm.
Tickets are $20 pre-purchased or pre-ordered, or $25 at
the door. They are available from Fergus Frog, Barker
St, Castlemaine or by phoning Daphne on 5472 3770, Betty
on 5472 2139 or Annie on 5348 1723.
Profits from the concert will go to charity.
LOCAL PLUMBERS FOR LOCAL WORK
For all your plumbing requirements contact
Printz Plumbing for fast, reliable, efficient service.
3.5kw
SPLIT SYSTEMS
SUPPLIED
&
INSTALLED
FROM
$1570*
*Conditions apply
PRINTZ PLUMBING
supporting the community
81 Mostyn Street, Castlemaine
Phone 5472 2533 Fax 5470 6362
printzplumbing@castlemaine.net

DARTS
Well another Season is well underway with the first half almost completed. With just one round to go, the 2 Divisions
have been sorted out.
Division 1 will consist of Elpho 1, Harcourt, Northern Hotel and Kangaroo Hotel.
Division 2 will be Red Hill 1, Elpho 2, Red Hill 2 and 5 Flags Hotel.
Very, very pleasing to see Life Member Eric West make a return to playing a game of
‘Singles’ last week (after quietly practicing in the Teams Games so far this season). Eric is
pictured left, receiving one of the many trophies (and not that long ago either) he has
won over the years in his beloved sport - Darts! Less than 12 months and he’s back
giving it a shot in competition, after his untimely stroke. I might add that during that 12
months Eric has never given up and has always been a regular visitor to our monthly visits to
Loddon prison - and what a great day out that is for all concerned.
Already this season, after only 6 weeks, a total of 15 x 180s have been thrown - with 5 of
them being thrown at the one venue last week when Elpho 1 played Northern. What a great standard of darts by both
teams at that game! Tim May has a season low of a 14 dart game (the minimum is 9) - well done Tim.
New blood has entered our local competition mainly in the form of Elpho 2 which is acquitting itself quite well with the
help of a local. Phil Mune is still trying to get the dust off his darts after being in retirement for about 4 years!
The Drawn Doubles is being played at the Elphinstone Hotel in 2 weeks. All are welcome to come along and have a
look at what the game and night is all about.
Mention must also be made of our youngest competitor, Jessica McMahon. Although new this season, she is proving
to be a bit of a handful already. Only 6 weeks into the game and she already has a victory to her credit - well done
Jessica.
Again I cannot help but say it - what a great fun night out darts is for both the young and old alike. All you locals out
there - join in and help keep a ‘local’ competition going. We oldies are getting just a little ‘long in the tooth’. Gadget.
THE POST OFFICE IN TIMES GONE BY
This photo of the post office taken by John Collins on December the 4th 1976
shows the improvements that have happened in the last 30 years! Australia
Post is about to install an historic styled mail box to complement the 1879 building.
Chewton Post Office is one of the few heritage listed post offices that has had
the post office business operating continually since it was opened.
In the meantime, the improvements continue. CDS has just had Craig Milton
replace the paling fence along the Church and Cribbes Street boundaries.
BUSHY TALES
The Parks Victoria (PV) in
house magazine for January
2006 has an article on the
December Monster Meeting
celebration held in Chewton
in December. Under a
headline about “monsters
meeting”, PV Ranger Noel
Muller has provided the
article which includes a
photograph of PV Central
Regional Manager Trevor
Miles presenting Professor
Weston Bate with a Monster
Meeting flag.
The Chewton Chat relies
on ads. and donations for
its continued existence!
Help keep extinction
at bay!

CHEWTON DOMAIN SOCIETY
At the March Management Committee Meeting ongoing
items included a report on the very successful afternoon
of Florance Robinson’s presentation of a water cooler to
the CDS. A letter of appreciation (including a further
donation) from Florance was received. Ashpalting by
MAS at the side of the PO in Church St. has been
completed, and council staff are monitoring the car parking
situation. Craig Milton is preparing a quote for drainage/
landscaping work at the rear of the PO.
The Treasurer’s report showed a balance of $10,908 in
the General account, and of this $4000 is committed
because of specific grants received ($2,500 for the
drainage/landscaping works at the PO, and $1,500 for the
Heritage Brochure currently being worked on). Insurance
is due in April and will be approx. $2,000. This will leave
approx. $5,000 in the General Account, and a similar figure
in the Term deposit.
A meeting of People and Places Subcommittee is to be
held to look at placement of pieces recently donated to
the collection, and to develop a future policy about
collection and storage. Michael is to approach the National
Gallery for advice re storage and display of the collection.
The Chat report included mention of the successful dinner
at the Red Hill. March Chats had been quickly run down,
and donations received are about double the usual. It
was suggested that the CDS help in publicising the 150th
anniversary of the Assembly Hall opening in December
this year. Research and a display should be possible. Regal
Joinery are to be approached re fixing the roller door in
front of computer. Negotiations have begun with Boltons
Fist National regarding the future of the photocopier once
the initial contract with them ends in July. The Heritage
Tourist Brochure and Visitor’s Guide is nearing completion.
Membership is now at 201 with a prize for the 200th
member being organised (see separate article).
Property Management reported on a meeting with MAS
Heritage Adviser Mandy Jean who passed on her
compliments to the CDS for the improvements to the
appearance of the post office and town hall. It was decided
to recommend that the heritage styled post box being
provided by Australia Post be located in the same position
as the one it’s replacing. It was also decided that we act
on Mandy’s recommendation that we approach Telstra
regarding a more suitable style and location of the public
payphone, into the post office foyer on the west wing wall
where it originally was. This would mean relocating one
seat in front of the picket fence between the post office
and town hall. It was also decided that we formally request
Australia Post provide a heritage style POST sign to
replace the current modern one (Australia Post reps. had
suggested this at a meeting with CDS and LPO reps),
and it was further decided that the permit application for
the additional post boxes structure (that has been prepared
by the CDS and signed by Andrea and Sandy) be
forwarded to Heritage Victoria for approval.
Work on the application for Heritage Registration of the
Pyrenees Highway as a heritage landscape is being made
through the National Trust. J&B Roofing had contractors
working on the town hall roof to improve the vermin
barriers that prevent birds from accessing the roof cavity.
The executive reported on the current status of the
Chewton Post Office lease situation. A letter from CDS
solicitor has been forwarded formally advising that Waller’s
have been appointed as the agent to manage the post office
tenancy. Community concerns about misleading
information in Postal Notes 3 were raised, and a response
to this was discussed. The new fence at the PO requires
oiling, advice is to be sought regarding this.
In general business the possibility of a bus shelter now the
bus stop site has altered was raised and this is to be referred
to the Chewton Urban Design Framework. There were
several general business items which Michael will table at
the next meeting. The meeting closed at 10.10. The next
meeting is on Tuesday 18th April, 7.30 p.m., in the Chewton
Town Hall.
BBQ SIGN WORKING!
Thanks to Craig
Milton who
volunteered to
place the anti
litter sign on the
BBQ in the
park. It seems
to have made a
difference
already.
C. A. Milton
Property Services
5472 2298
Lawn mowing, farm fencing,
rubbish removal, handyman.
Quality efficient service
Free quotes
Phone Craig!

APRIL - 150 YEARS AGO
Some of the advertisements in the Mount Alexander
Mail (MAM ) during April 1856 were:
* For sale, Messrs Hodgens Bros. stock in trade
(groceries, draperies, ironmongery etc.) of the Red Hill
store, Forest Creek. Also their newly built commodious
weatherboard store with shingle roof.
* Notice. The upset price of suburban lots on the main
road, Castlemaine to Elphinstone, is £30 ($60) an acre, not
£10 ($20) as previously advertised.
* Francis Brady (MAM agent ) asks that all accounts for
the Age and MAM be paid before he leaves on temporary
absence. Mr Dunne to conduct the agency in his absence.
* For sale in aid of the Castlemaine Hospital, portrait of
Lola Montes which is in the possession of a gentleman of
the neighbourhood.
* Notice for the registration of voters for the Legislative
Council and Assembly.
* Wanted, 100 pick and shovel men to form water tables
by the piece. Apply to Fitzgerald and McLaren, contractors,
Junction of Fryer’s and Forest Creek Roads.
* Wanted, 100 stonebreakers, at 9 shillings per yard. Apply
Fitzgerald and McLaren as above.
* Notice to Carters
Wanted at the Junction of the Fryer’s and Forest Creek
roads, horses and drays to cart stone. Apply to Fitzgerald
and McLaren, contractors. N.B. Also, wanted to purchase
Tip-up Carts.
* Ellis and Hutchison, the proprietors of the Coliban Flour
Mill, wish farmers of Coliban, Kyneton, and Loddon to
know they will commence milling next June.
* To bakers and others, to be let immediately, premises in
which good business carried on for above 3 years at
OPOH, Forest Creek, comprising good bakehouse, partial
use of large yard and stable. Apply J.A. Parkin on
premises.
* Wanted 30 dray horses. Apply at the British American
Hotel to Mr Byrne, or at Elphinstone.
Other Happenings
* Many reminders about coming elections for Legislative
Council and the Assembly. Both candidates and voters to
urged check qualifications and be sure to register.
* Hours of Labour Committee set up at a Melbourne
meeting to work for ‘8 hour days’
* Contracts accepted by Government::
- George Holmes for plank road (wood) between Carlsruhe
and Woodend.
- Archibald Oughton for timber bridge over Forest Creek
at Aberdeen’s Hill.
- Thomas Miles for bridge at Golden Point.
- Michael Byrne for portions of the Taradale to Elphinstone
road.
* The MAM suggests that the road passing the Golden
Hope Hotel needs to be marked with buoys and at
Aberdeen’s Hill a lighthouse is needed. (It sounds as though,
the contract for the bridge might be a bit late).
* 13 Crown allotments along the main road (in the area
which was to become the Municipal District of Chewton)
sold, mainly, to Storekeepers and Publicans who had
substanial improvements on them. For example, Thomas
Meredith purchased C/A 13, Section E , Parish of Chewton
for £14/12/6 but his British and American Hotel had been
valued at £1,500.
* Funds for public works. £18,000 ($36,000) for extension
of telegraph to Castlemaine, Bendigo and Ballarat.
£110,000 for construction and maintenance of road to
Castlemaine and Bendigo.
* Lola Montes has been in town and given several
performances at the Castlemaine Hall and also at the
Manchester Hotel (which stood opposite where the Pet
Food shop is today). The MAM commented, "Spider
Dance the chief point of curiosity."
* Tea meeting held at Congregational Church, Forest
Creek, to celebrate the first anniversary of Mr Pitman’s
ministry. 80 attended. Mr Pitman deplored the unsettled
state of Congregations on the diggings and said he had,
"Preached to them the Gospel of Christ,and trusted he
had warned and saved many from the irretrievable ruin
that was hanging over them." Albar.
Maltby’s Nursery
Orders taken now for Fruit &
Ornamental Trees
Flower and vegetable seedlings
Citrus Trees, Daphnes, Climbers
Roses, Camelias, Water lilies, Natives etc.
Hanging Baskets and Liners
Stakes, Hessian Bags (50c. each)
And Our Special Gardening Gloves!
1 Baird St. (Off Murphy St) 5472 3925
Wesley Hill. Castlemaine.
TOWN HALL EXHIBITION ROSTER
SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS (& most Public Holidays) 1pm to 4pm
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS WEEKDAYS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
April 2006
Saturday 1 Allan
Sunday 2 Jack
Saturday 8 Joyce
Sunday 9 Elaine
Good Friday 14 Closed
Saturday 15 Frank
Sunday 16 Allan
Easter Monday 17 Closed
Saturday 22 Jack
Sunday 23 Joyce
Anzac Day 25 Closed
Saturday 29 Frank
Sunday 30 Elaine
VOLUNTEERS
WANTED
We need friendly people with an appreciation of Chewton’s
history, who are prepared to give 3 hours one Saturday or
Sunday each month. Training and support given.
Please ring Allan Dry 54723385 or Elaine Appleton 54722498 if
you would like to help.

'LEST WE FORGET'
Laurence Binyon (Poet, Scholar of East and
West).
But for four memorable lines in an otherwise
unremarkable poem, the name of Laurence Binyon,
poet, dramatist, art historian, museum curator, editor,
critic, biographer, translater, lecturer and essayist, in
short the complete man of letters, would barely have
survived his age outside the admiring world of academe.
Unassuming for all his distinction, he was the first to
admit that “For the Fallen”, his war elegy written in
1914, was by no means his best work. At its heart,
however, lay a stanza of breathtaking luminosity:
They shall grow not old, as we
That are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the
Years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and
In the morning
We will remember them.
Moving, defiant, inspirational, full of hope and grace,
they are among the best remembered, most often quoted
words in the English language. Yet even here, their
creator remains almost anonymous. Asked who wrote
them, most people would be hard put to say.
It is in an effort to bring Binyon out of the shadows and
illuminate his reputation as one of the most distinguished
figures in British cultural history that this first critical
biography has been written, and it succeeds in opening
eyes and subtly altering conceptions.
John Hatcher, an Associate Professor of English at a
Japanese University, has produced a study that manages
to be both warm and detached (whilst detailing
Binyon's life, interests and achievements). It also
goes a long way to ensuring that the writer of lines
which will survive as long as men draw breath will, like
the fallen of whom he speaks, also be remembered.
(This is an edited review of the book, “Laurence
Binyon, Poet, Scholar of East and West “ by John
Hatcher, published in the Autumn, 1996 issue of ‘This
England’ magazine.) Albar.
Our advertisers support the Chat...
Please support them!
WHO (OR WHAT) WAS IT??
While walking my dogs through the bush behind the original
old tip I always get angry and disappointed at people who
still leave rubbish there. On some occasions I have driven
back up there and taken away what I can, but there are
always pieces of rusty old cars etc. that would need a
truck to take them away. There are washing machines,
chairs and all sorts of things.
Imagine how surprised I was when I went up there this
week and found three pieces of sculpture. The rusted old
bits of machines, cars, wire and anything else lying around
had been transformed. While there is still a lot of rubbish
there it’s a lot more pleasing to walk along the track now.
These strange but somehow beautiful pieces standing in
the bush are a reminder that someone has made the effort
to make the environment a lot more pleasurable for us
walkers. Thanks to whoever or whatever put in this effort.
Maybe it was Randall’s shamoggie, maybe it was the
elusive panther, maybe it was aliens or maybe we are not
meant to know who it was ever! Go for a wander up
there and have a look for yourself and let us know what
you think. Who knows, maybe more of these will appear
before you get there. A2.
CHEWTON PET FOOD
77 Pyrenees Highway Chewton
Phone/fax 5472 4983
Open Tuesday to Friday 8.30 - 5.30 pm
and Saturday 8 - 12.30 pm
Wide selection of fresh pet meats,
dried foods and smoked goodies.
Local honey now available.
Red Hill Hotel
Call Liza
or Carol
on
5472 2541

GOLD PART 2
Lack of space prevented the publication of Glenn's
entire GOLD article last month. This is Part 2.
When the news of this find at Forest Creek made its way
to Ballarat, it had at that time a population on its field of
about 3000 diggers. The news that gold was to be found
everywhere on the surface at Forest Creek almost emptied
Ballarat. Some of the first party’s overlanding from Ballarat
got lost in the bush, some taking the wrong fork at the
junction of Barkers and Forest Creeks near where Major
Mitchell’s line crossed the creek. They ended up at
Harcourt which was even in those early times a small
township. Others stopped and tried their luck after getting
lost on their journey from Ballarat. At Fryers Creek, one
party tried their luck and gold was found there by mid
October 1851 as well. One party stopped before reaching
Golden Point on the hill near where Castlemaine Auto
Electrics are today and tried their luck and found gold
there too. They soon moved on to the main area of activity
which was by that time the centre of what was later called
Chewton. Gold was found all over the surrounding hills,
the ones taking their rise from Forest Creek to the south,
later called Post Office Hill and Red Hill were proclaimed
the richest patches of shallow alluvial ground ever found,
this claim still holds true to this day. In fact there is a
distinct line of these hills that run into Castlemaine. The
hills were once the bed of a river, approx. 8 to 10 million
years ago. This river was the forerunner to Forest Creek
and took its course in the same westerly direction as Forest
Creek does today. Most historians agree the discovery of
gold at Forest Creek, was the trigger for the largest mass
migration in history. In April 1852, 7 tons of Forest Creek
gold arrived in several ships on the river Thames in London,
proof positive the big finds in Victoria were no hoax. The
huge alluvial deposit of gold, its close proximity to the
surface and the fact anybody with luck on their side could
find a fortune with little or no mining experience was so
attractive to the poor people of Europe that they left their
homelands in droves for the new world. Glenn Braybrook.
A WALK BACK IN HISTORY
A guided walk at Tunnel Hill
around the historic Junction/Railway Dam area
Thursday 11th May - 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
MAS Heritage Festival May 2006
DOWN MEMORY LANE...
...IN EUREKA STREET
Well known local eccentric
and collector of
local history Elaine
Appleton is not writing
her life story. Oh no!
Elaine has decided to
do her story using the
fabulous photos she has
collected since child-
hood. Elaine explained
that in her
younger days the Jury
and Schultz kids all
Elaine, Val, Merle,
Bill and Lorna on
the old stone wall.
played together and they often ended up walking along
the double stoned, earth filled wall on either side of the
railway line toward what is now Loddon Prison (and yes,
it’s still there!). The photo shown is a re-enactment taken
recently. Elaine was about 7 or 8 when they played in this
area and every year they would drag bushes, branches
and old stumps and pile them together for their annual
bonfire (sorry Noel!). On one occasion Val Schultz was
standing up a tree, legs apart for balance, and was passing
branches down to Elaine when she got the giggles.
Elaine, was standing directly underneath her piling up
branches when she felt a warm wet sensation on her shoulder.
Yep, you guessed it! Val had laughed so much she
couldn’t contain herself.
Elaine has since taken Val to the People and Places Display
in the Chewton Town Hall where they met up with
another well known local Frank Benbow. Val was delighted
to find her name and photo in the old school records.
Needless to say the three of them spent quite a few hours
in the hall remembering and catching up on the latest goss.
Val’s father, Fred Schultz, worked at Wattle Gully Mine
and he always took two bottles of cold tea in his crib to
work and Val and Elaine would be excited if he came
home with any left. They were allowed to have the left
overs out of the two screw topped bottles.
A lot has changed in childhood behaviour over the years,
but I know I would still prefer ours. Out in the bush, riding
bikes for miles, swimming in the res and the only time you
went home was for meals.
Memories, memories - how precious they are. A2.

COUNCIL NEWS
$250,000 for Castlemaine to Change Use of Energy
Castlemaine has been selected as the location for the
Household Energy Behaviour Change Pilot by the Central
Victorian Greenhouse Alliance. The project will test ways
of encouraging households to modify their energy use by
changing behaviour.
The pilot was targeted at municipalities in Central Victoria
with a population between 5,000 and 10,000. Castlemaine
won from strong competition by other towns because of
the support its bid received from Council and the
community.
The lessons learned in Castlemaine over the period of the
trial, which will run from July 2006 to June 2007, will form
the basis of a Solar Cities bid on behalf of the Central
Victorian Greenhouse Alliance (CVGA). As part of its
Energy White Paper, the Commonwealth Government has
provided $75 million to develop Solar Cities trials in typical
urban settings. CVGA hopes to attract some of that
funding for projects in this region.
Shire News
The April/May edition of Council’s newsletter for residents,
Shire News, has gone to the printer and will be distributed
in the second week of April. All households should receive
a copy through Australia Post, so if yours doesn’t arrive,
please contact Chewton Post Office or the Council offices
on 54711700.
Speed Alert Trailer
Council has just been advised they have been fortunate
to again have the use of a speed alert trailer (similar to
the one that was in Golden Point Road last year). MAS
will have the use of it for the next four weeks.
A number of locations have been identified to be
targeted. One of those is Main Street Chewton.
Traffic Count in Fryers Road
A summary of these figures should be available for
the May Chat.
SPONSORS WANTED
Melissa Wade and
Liz Denniston are
back on their bikes
and riding again in
this years Murray
to Moyne. Liz is
an Occupational
Therapist at Mt
Alexander
Hospital and is looking forward to her 2 nd Murray to
Moyne. Melissa is a Physiotherapist at the hospital and
is preparing for her 4 th attempt at the 520km relay event.
As part of their work both Liz and Melissa spend time
promoting the benefits of regular exercise and they are
enjoying “practicing what they preach” and hope that
the community will get behind them in their effort to
raise funds for the hospital.
CASTLEMAINE EVENING VIEW CLUB
meets on the 4 th Tuesday of every month
at the Chewton Community Centre.
EVENTS HAPPENING IN APRIL:
4 TH April - Cricket Willow
20 th April - Afternoon Tea at Butterfly House
3.00 p.m.
25 th April - Monthly Dinner - Guest Speaker
is David Demant from Melbourne Museum.
David will be talking to us about his visit to his
homeland in Europe.
If you would like to join us please
contract our secretary Marian Williams on
5472 4345, on or before the Friday
preceding our meeting.
COMMUNITY GRANTS PROJECT
The Mount Alexander Community Grants Project was
launched in December. It has initially targeted pre-driver
education and the redevelopment of the Wesley Hill Sports
Complex as long term projects, and other local projects
may be looked at for funding. This project is an initiative
of the Mount Alexander community using the resources
of the Bendigo Bank and Bendigo Community Telco
(BCT). It is based on the community bank’s profit sharing
model, however this project uses telco. Every account
linked to this project through BCT profit shares 50% with
our community. What we are seeking is local people to
link their telecommunication services with BCT. Every
account will provide a benefit within the Mount Alexander
community. Contact Robyn Lewis 5472 4024 A poster is
on the PO Noticeboard.

COMPUTER CHAT CHEWTON FLOOD
Computer Chat covers questions from the Chewton
Community to do with their computers that are running
Windows 98 through to Windows XP. Feel free to send
your questions today, either through the Chewton Chat
or email me at webmaster@chewton.net
A number of factors have conspired to prevent the
publication of a new Computer Chat Column this month.
To date Blade has published:
* Emailing Digital Photos June 05
* Understanding MP3s July 05
* Broadband Choice August 05
* Making Desktop Wallpaper September 05
* Split Screen/Tiling October 05
* Understanding VOIP November 05
* Cleaning up Your Computer Pt.1 December 05
* Cleaning up Your Computer Pt.2 January 06
* Computer Shortcuts February 06
* Making Your own Screensaver March 06
These topics are are also available on
www.chewton.net
Send questions to the Computer Chat section on
Chewton.net or pop your question in the Chewton Chat
box at the Chewton Post Office or Chewton General Store.
No warranties are expressed or implied. All above help is written
in good faith that it will not harm you or your computer if carried
out as instructed, however any modifications to computer
hardware or software are at the complete onus of the computer
owner/operator. Respective copyright owners reserve all
product names, copyrights and trademarks. All rights reserved.
This photo was recently dropped into the Chewton Town
Hall. It has “1960’s” written on the back. Can anyone
identify the area under flood where this photo was taken?
ABANDONED CARS
Parks Victoria (PV) has concerns about two cars
abandoned in a Chewton section of the Castlemaine
Diggings National Heritage Park . One vehicle still has
its registration plates. PV intend to remove these at the
end of June if the owners haven’t claimed and taken them
before then.

CHEWTON CHAT CROSSWORD 25
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10
11 12
13 14 15
16
17 18
19 20
21 22
23 24 25
26 27
28 29 30
Across
1 Chewton Images (Abbr)
(2)
2 The season (6)
7 Expresses a position (2)
8 Short sleep (3)
11 Female sheep (3)
12 Bendigo Hall (Abbr) (2)
13 Computer jargon (11)
16 Of higher order or level
(4)
17 The tree of oil (5)
18 Beryl Leavesley (Abbr)
(2)
19 Heavy raindrops (4)
21 Chewton is not a ——
town (5)
22 Bent Ironwork (Abbr) (2)
23 Old female name (3)
25 On Tap (Abbr) (2)
26 The Chewton ———
House (6)
27 On one occasion (4)
28 Release, liberate (4)
29 — and Yang (3)
30 Atomic No. 19 (2)
Down
1 www.————
online.com.au (8)
3 —— Frogmouth (5)
4 Utilities (Abbr) (4)
5 Newstead Natives
(Abbr) (2)
6 Cause to run off the
track (6)
9 Assist or encourage
(4)
10 Tall, woody perennial
water plants (10)
11 East Elphinstone
(Abbr) (2)
14 Aspiration, desire (8)
15 A rennet bag (4)
19 Bees make this (5)
20 On account of (2)
21 Nerd, dweeb (4)
22 A very strong beer (4)
23 Make imperfect (3)
24 The wheelbarrow man
(3)
26 Crusher Foundations
(Abbr) (2)
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW CHEWTON?
Mount Alexander Shire Community Services Directory 2006
Available Now:
Community Information Centre
Faulder Watson Hall, Barker Street, Castlemaine
Ph: 5472 2688
cic@netcon.net.au
CROSSWORD 24 SOLUTION
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
C R I N O L I N E
8 9
C U M A R I N E
10 11 12
C O T T A G E S W O
13 14 15
O D E G T N N
16 17 18 19 20
R P P O D S I V Y
21 22
23
N I I A F L A X
W E S L E Y R U
24 25
A C A A G E
26 27 28
Chewton Chat
Crosswords
courtesy of
Lisa Sargent
FIELD NATS
L E N T F A I T H
29 30
L E V E L A
31
S I Z Z L I N G
VISITORS ARE WELCOME AT CLUB
MEETINGS AND EXCURSIONS
APRIL
Fri Apr 7. Revegetation Techniques. John
Anthony (Environmental Officer, MASC).
UCA Hall, 8pm.
Sat Apr 8. Revegetation Sites on
theGuildford Plateau. Depart from carpark
opposite the motel in Duke St at 1.30pm sharp.
BYO afternoon tea. Leader: Maurie Dynon,
Project Manager, Guildford/ Upper Loddon
Landcare Group, ph 5473 4457.
There are NO excursions on total fire ban days.
CASTLEMAINE FIELD NATURALISTS,
PO BOX 324, CASTLEMAINE, 3450.
Geraldine Harris 5474 2244.
Website: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~cfnc

The Fountain of Youth!
A recent French study came to the conclusion that a
glass or two of red wine a day will do wonderful things
for your health, and longevity. Sounds good to me!
In fact, the French had it worked out years ago. Louis
Pasteur said, “Wine is the most healthful of all beverages’.
Whilst I would like to believe that he thought it was the
‘fountain of youth’, he was really trying to say that the
alcohol content of wine would kill any pathogenic
organisms that stray into it. You cannot get sick from
drinking wine … unless, of course, you drink too much.
What has this to do with the weather? Well, if it
ever rains, and it will eventually, and you have a dead
possum in your tank, then toss in some wine. That’s
what the Romans did. It’ll kill the nasties before they
get to you. Seems an awful waste to me!
Here are the facts about the weather up to 9AM
on the 25 th March.
RAINFALL FEB MAR
Total 18.5mm 19mm
Total days rain 4 2
Heaviest fall 13.5mm 18.5mm
(26 th ) (13 th )
Median Rainfall* Jan - Mar 74.1mm
Actual Rainfall
Jan - Mar’06 76.5mm
Jan - Mar’05 119mm
Jan - Mar‘04 31.5mm
Jan - Mar‘03 72mm
Jan - Mar‘02 106.5mm
Jan - Mar‘01 105.5mm
TEMPERATURE FEB MAR
Average Daytime 30c 28.8c
Highest Daytime 36c 37.5c
(17 th ) (12 th )
Average Overnight 10.3c 9.5c
Keith Richardson.
The Chewton Chat is a newsletter published by the Chewton Domain Society. A subcommittee of Glenn Braybrook, John Ellis (Ed.),Bettie Exon,
Gloria Meltzer, Stan Munro, Audrey Richardson, Keith Richardson and Lisa Sargent is responsible for the publication. Regular volunteers Judy,
Wendy, Ian, Barbara, Allan, Richard and Don amongst others, also help with production. It is circulated on the first of each month, necessitating
a deadline of the 25th of the month before. Material can be left at the Chewton Post Office or Chewton General Store, with any of the subcommittee
members, sent by e-mail to goldenpoint@aanet.com.au or call 5472 2892.
Contributions of ideas, news items, articles, and letters are always welcome; as are advertisements that help meet monthly production costs.
Circulation is via the Chewton Post Office, Chewton General Store, Chewton Pet Supplies, Castle Auto-Electrics, The Bold Cafe, Castlemaine
Office Supplies, at the Tourist Information Board, and Chewton's Red Hill Hotel. Limited numbers of copies are also available in Castlemaine at
the Market Building, CHIRP and Citizens Advice Bureau. Whilst copies are free, there are donation tins at most collection points. Subscriptions
for mailed copies can be arranged. Circulation is now 560. The Chewton Chat can also be downloaded each month from www.chewton.net
Chewton Domain Society can be contacted through PO Box 85, Chewton, 3451; or the Chewton Town Hall on 5470 6131 or chewton@gcom.net.au
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Apr 4th Senior Citizens (SC) Pokie Trip to Rich River, 8.30 a.m., C’maine Market Building.
Apr 6th SC Band (Social Support Group), 11.30 a.m., Chewton Community Centre.
Apr 6th SC Bingo, 1.30 p.m., Chewton Community Centre.
Apr 9th Palm Sunday Service, 9.15 a.m., St John’s Anglican Church Chewton.
Apr 10th Silent Communion Service, 6 p.m., St John’s Anglican Church Chewton.
Apr 11th MAS Council Meeting, 7.30 p.m., Maldon Community Centre.
Apr 12th Bird watching at Chinamans Point, 8.30 a.m., off Golden Point Road.
Apr 12th CSMP M/Com. Mtg., 7.30 p.m., George Archer Pavilion. All welcome.
Apr 13th SC Sebastopol Seniors’ Visit, 12 noon (BYO Lunch) Chewton Community Centre.
Apr 14th Good Friday Service, 8 a.m., St John’s Anglican Church Chewton.
Apr.15th Working Bee, St John’s Anglican Church Chewton.
Apr 15th SC Easter Saturday Dance, Chewton Community Centre.
Apr 16th Easter Sunday Communion, 8 a.m., St John’s Anglican Church Chewton.
Apr 17th Easter Monday.
Apr 18th Recycling Day.
Apr 18th CDS M/com. Mtg., 7.30 p.m., Chewton Town Hall.
Apr 20th SC Hoy Day, 1.30 p.m., Chewton Community Centre.
Apr 22nd Fryerstown Film Night “Man’s Favourite Sport” 1963, 7.30 p.m., Fryerstown Mechanics Institute.
Apr 23rd Eucharist Service, 9.15 a.m., St John’s Anglican Church Chewton.
Apr 23rd FOBIF Walk, 9.30 a.m. IGA Carpark. Glenluce Mineral Springs. 5473 4407
Apr 25th ANZAC Day Service, 8.30 a.m., CSMP War Memorial Gate.
Apr 25th View Club Dinner, (Book by the 21st on 5472 4345) Chewton Community Centre.
Apr 26th MAS Council Meeting, 7.30 p.m., Castlemaine Senior Citizens.
Apr 27th SC Lunch 12 noon, meeting 1.15 p.m., Chewton Community Centre.
Apr 30th Golden Point Landcare Meeting, 10.30 a.m., Golden Point Orchard (5472 2892).
Apr 30th Chewton Chat folding, 2.30 p.m., Chewton Town Hall (Sunday).