Gazette - Golden Plains Shire

April 2014 

Golden Plains Shire 

Gazette 

Discover Golden Plains’ Hidden Gems 

As part of the 2014 National Trust Festival, the historical 

groups of Golden Plains have joined together to offer the 

very first Golden Plains Heritage Trail on Saturday 17 May. 

The Heritage Trail will showcase “stories of our hidden 

gems” on a journey through the Golden Plains region. 

The trail will uncover the historic jewels via photographic 

collections and memorabilia displays across the Shire. 

Visitors will be able to take historic town walks, visit grand 

old buildings and cemeteries and take part in activities and 

entertainment in the townships of Linton, Smythesdale, 

Inverleigh, Meredith and Steiglitz. 

Go to visitgoldenplains.com.au to view or download the 

Trail map complete with highlights of the places to visit, 

points of interest as well as a range of venues to enjoy fine 

dining and wine along the way. The Smythesdale Country 

Market (9am to 1pm) offers a great place to start your 

journey through Golden Plains, a region you will find full of 

surprising richness. 

National Youth Week –It’s Time to Celebrate! 

National Youth Week is on 4 to 13 April and the Golden 

Plains community can join the celebrations at the second 

Golden Youth Awards on Thursday 10 April; 7pm at the 

Bannockburn Cultural Centre. 

Young people have been nominated for their positive 

contribution to the arts, music, sport, volunteer community 

involvement and positive work in health and wellbeing. 

Adults were also nominated for their efforts to improve 

the lives of young people in Golden Plains. Finalists will be 

awarded on the night. 

Guest speaker, paralysed pro surfer and wheelchair skater 

Christiaan “Otter” Bailey, will talk about empowering your 

life and pursuing dreams despite the challenges life throws 

your way. 

The following day, a full day skateboard clinic will take place 

at Bannockburn Skate Park from 10am. Christiaan Bailey 

will demonstrate an array of tricks on his wheelchair. The 

day will include skateboard clinics for all abilities as well as 

a mini wheelchair basketball competition. Free transport is 

available. Everyone is welcome, RSVP required. 

National Youth Week and school holiday details are at 

goldenplains.vic.gov.au/youth. For transport information or 

to RSVP, contact Council’s Youth Activities Officer, 

Sarah Dalton 5220 7177 or sdalton@gplains.vic.gov.au.

Your 

Council 

Bannockburn Customer 

Service Centre 

2 Pope Street, 

Bannockburn, 

Victoria, 3331. 

P: 03 5220 7111 

F: 03 5220 7100 

Linton Customer 

Service Centre 

68 Sussex Street, 

Linton, 

Victoria, 3360. 

P: 03 5344 6444 

F: 03 5344 7302 

Postal Address 

Golden Plains Shire 

PO Box 111, 

Bannockburn, 

Victoria 3331. 

Emergency Contacts 

P: 1300 363 036 

P: 03 5220 7111 

(24 Hours) 

From the Mayor 

Welcome to the 

April edition of 

the Gazette. 

Council is 

conducting a 

new Advocacy 

and Lobbying 

initiative 

calling on local 

politicians. Working to build rapport 

with State and Federal members, both 

Government and opposition, to broaden 

their knowledge about Council’s vision for 

future projects helps to shed light on each 

project’s unique significance in Golden 

Plains Shire. 

Project priorities highlighted have 

included; new secondary school provision 

for Golden Plains, Sustainable Water 

Management Strategy for Recreation 

Reserves, Smythesdale Well Upgrade and 

Bannockburn Civic Heart Precinct. During 

the first round of discussions, this initiative 

has been well received by all politicians 

involved and has already provided Council 

with positive funding solutions and valuable 

first-hand information. 

On a more personal note, I urge you all 

to look out for those residents who may 

be challenged mentally or financially as a 

result of the industry based restructure 

in the Geelong region. There are people 

and services that can help. Ballarat Rural 

Financial Counselling Service 1300 735 

578, Diversitat 5221 6044 and Community 

Health Services 5338 4500 all offer excellent 

counselling and support services. 

Buy local and buy your kids a job. 

Cr Jenny Blake - Mayor 

From the CEO’s Desk 

The Golden Plains 

Gazette forms part of 

Council’s commitment 

to strengthening 

communication and 

consultation with 

residents. 

The Golden Plains 

Gazette is produced 

on stock which is FSC 

Certified; 100% recycled 

post consumer waste, 

Process Chlorine Free 

environment, 100% FSC 

certifed fibre and ISO 

14001 EMS accredited. 

As Golden Plains Shire Council’s 20th year 

progresses, it is a good time to reflect on the 

decades that have shaped the community of 

Golden Plains we have today. 

In the 1990s the State Government reduced 

the number of local councils across Victoria 

from 210 to 78. Following the amalgamation, 

a new ‘Southern Rural Shire’ was created 

incorporating Leigh and Bannockburn Shires 

with portions of Grenville and Buninyong 

Shires. 

Mrs Claire Barton Barber was appointed 

sole Commissioner to undertake the duties 

otherwise the responsibility of elected 

councillors, and I was appointed to the 

position of Interim Chief Executive Officer 

(CEO) in May 1994. 

Later that year, with advice from 

Commissioner Barber that she believed 

the Shire was viable in the long term, 

Local Government Minister Roger Hallam 

announced on 23 September that the Shire 

was here to stay, and on 1 October 1994 

the municipality was renamed to Golden 

Plains Shire. 

Personally, I am very proud that Golden 

Plains Shire has remained a strong and 

vibrant community and that it has remained, 

through all of the changes in population, 

climate and the economy, a financially 

viable and sustainable Council. Its success 

is a tribute to the people that live here and 

contribute within their local communities. 

The active participation and engagement 

of community in Golden Plains is envied by 

many other councils. 

Rod Nicholls - Chief Executive Officer 

2 | Golden Plains SHIRE Gazette - APRIL 2014

Arts and 

Culture 

Focus on Art and Culture 

Golden Plains Shire Council’s first Arts and Culture Strategy 

was officially launched along with the 2014 Arts Trail 

in March at Clyde Park Vineyard. The Strategy outlines 

Council’s commitment to art and culture in the Shire for 

the next three years. This represents an exciting step for 

the Shire and will result in more arts and cultural events, 

projects and partnerships. 

The Arts and Culture Strategy is at goldenplains.vic.gov.au 

or at Council’s Customer Service Centres. 

Gorgeous Art for All to See 

The Bannockburn Cultural Centre and Smythesdale Well will 

exhibit the works of local artists throughout the year with 

displays changing on a bi monthly basis. 

Artists exhibiting will also have the opportunity to conduct 

workshops, sharing their skills with the community. This is a 

great opportunity for residents to experience the dynamic 

and varied range of art created by Golden Plains’ artists. 

Be sure to check out the fantastic works on display next 

time you visit the Bannockburn Cultural Centre or the 

Smythesdale Well. 

Artists interested in exhibiting should contact Shannon 

Fielder sfielder@gplains.vic.gov.au or 5220 7212. 

Pictured: Val Gilmore with one of her stunning egg art pieces from a recent exhibition at the Bannockburn Cultural Centre. 

GPArts - All the Latest News in Golden Plains Arts and Culture 

Would you like to be kept up to date with the latest developments and news in arts and culture? Sign up to our newsletter! 

Email sfielder@gplains.vic.gov.au to be put on the database. 

Spotlight - Dwell on Dreams 

Dwell on Dreams, a three-piece all girl rock/punk/folk 

band, has been entertaining Golden Plains’ residents 

with their youthful style and dynamic sound. Lead singer 

Maddy Varcoe of Bannockburn compliments Meredith’s 

Nicki Schrederis on guitar, ukulele and drums and Anet 

McClintock on bass and violin. The 16 year olds have 

performed at the Golden Plains Farmers Market, Turtlebend 

Music Festival, Coco Monkey Café, Bannockburn Twilight 

Fair and the Golden Plains Australia Day Awards. 

The talented trio began playing together at Covenant 

College. They shared a passion for music and soon created 

the band. Inspired by artists like Paramore and Short Stack, 

the girls have written some original tracks and also play 

covers. To watch an interview with Dwell on Dreams and to 

hear them play, go to the Golden Plains Shire Council 

Facebook page. 

Golden Plains SHIRE Gazette - APRIL 2014 | 3

Upcoming 

Events 

April 

May 

711 

16 

18 

19 

25 

May 

3 

Bannockburn Film Night 

At the Bannockburn Cultural Centre 

these popular film nights include 

‘something from the vault’ along 

with the main feature ‘Best of 

Enemies’, a little known comedy that 

nonetheless is rated highly and was 

nominated for a swag of awards. 

Contact: Robert Timms 5281 1468 or 

bannockburnmovies@hotmail.com 

Inverleigh Hotel & District’s Good 

Friday Appeal – Family Fun Day 

Everyone is invited! This Day is held 

at Victoria Park Inverleigh with all 

proceeds to the Appeal. A range 

of family activities, stalls and rides 

including a bucking bull, sumo suits, 

obstacle course, “big” jumping castle, 

Easter Bonnet Parade and Easter Bunny. 

Contact via Facebook/ihdgfa or visit 

ihdgfa.wix.com/ihdgfa. 

Smythesdale Country Market 

The Smythesdale Country Market 

is located at the iconic Historic 

Police Precinct and held every third 

Saturday from 9am to 1pm. Enjoy 

locally produced food and crafts, 

and visit the mobile library. For more 

details or to book a stall, contact Lin 

on 5342 8751. 

Shelford ANZAC Day Memorial 

Service & Breakfast 

A remembrance ceremony will be 

held at the Shelford Memorial site, 

7:30am, with a community breakfast 

at the Shelford Hall, catered by the 

Shelford Public Hall Committee of 

Management. $5 per person. 

Golden Plains Farmers’ Market 

Pick up a basket of delicious and 

locally grown produce on the first 

Saturday of every month between 

9am and 1pm. The market offers 

free parking, free entry and 

kids’ activities and is located on 

the corner of High and Milton 

Streets Bannockburn. Enquiries: 

goldenplainsfarmersmarket.com.au. 

4 

17 

17 

24 & 

25 

BAD Ride – Ballarat Bushwalking 

and Outdoors Club 

Everyone is welcome to join this 

annual recreational bike ride, which 

begins and ends in Ballarat. Ride 50 

and 100km routes through Golden 

Plains on some of the region’s most 

picturesque roads. Enquiries: Pat 

Hope 0418 131 545 or 

www.badride.com 

Golden Plains Heritage Trail 

Part of the 2014 National Trust 

Festival, the Golden Plains Heritage 

Trail showcases “stories of our 

hidden gems” on a trail through the 

Golden Plains region. Visitors will be 

able to take historic town walks, visit 

grand old buildings and cemeteries 

and take part in activities. For a map 

and details go to visitgoldenplains. 

com.au. 

Smythesdale Country Market 

This market will coincide with the 

Golden Plains Heritage Trail. Enjoy 

locally produced food, craft and 

Devonshire teas whilst experiencing 

Smythesdale’s historic charm. The 

market is on the 3rd Saturday of 

every month from 9am to 1pm. 

Market enquiries: Lin – 5342 8751. 

Woady Yaloak Horse Trials 

Woady Yaloak Equestrian Centre 

in Smythesdale, hosts the National 

Level Horse Trials to two star level 

on May 24/25. This event attracts 

hundreds of competitors from 

all over Victoria and interstate to 

compete across the three disciplines 

of dressage, cross country and 

showjumping. It promises to be a 

weekend of thrills & excitement 

with free entry for spectators. 

Contact: 0408 585 919 or iizzi77@ 

bigpond.com. 


Your 

Community 

Celebrate Local Women Inspiring Change 

International Women’s Day is celebrated around the world 

officially on 8 March. Golden Plains Shire Council celebrated 

outstanding women from our great Shire at a ceremony on 

Tuesday 25 March. 

In line with this year’s International Women’s Day theme, 

Inspiring Change, Councillors nominated women from 

Golden Plains who they believe inspire change in 

their communities. 

2014 Golden Plains Shire International Women’s Day 

Community Awardees 

• Judy Dalton of Grenville was Wimbledon singles runnerup 

in 1968 and a semi-finalist in 1971. Judy excelled at 

doubles, winning the Australian Open in 1964, 1967, 

1969 and 1970, and the French Open in 1966. She also 

won Wimbledon in 1969 and the US Open in 1970 and 

1971 (with Margaret Court). Her highest singles ranking 

was No. 7 in 1968 and she helped Australia win the 

Federation Cup in 1965 and 1970. Her record was 6-1 

singles and 12-3 doubles. Further, Judy is President 

of the Red Cup Foundation and was inducted into the 

Australian Tennis Hall of Fame in 2013. 

• Carol Pearl of Bannockburn is a woman of outstanding 

character and is a devoted volunteer in the Golden 

Plains Community. For more than two decades Carol 

has made an outstanding contribution to the Lions Club 

of Bannockburn and has also been involved fundraising 

throughout the community. Carol has a very positive and 

constructive interest in the Leos (Young Lions) producing 

good foundations for their future lifestyles and inspiring 

positive change in the community. 

• Kelly Dine lived in the Teesdale community just two 

weeks when she first offered to help with the local 

catering for a funeral. Since then Kellie has become 

actively involved with Teesdale Preschool, the Turtlebend 

Committee and the Teesdale Primary School PFA. Kellie 

was also instrumental in organising a charity day for a 

local Teesdale mother suffering breast cancer. This event 

raised an amazing $5000. Kellie is now an organiser for 

the Teesdale Christmas Carols and continues to run her 

own business and raise her two children. 

Congratulations to each of these women - our recipients of 

the Golden Plains Shire International Women’s Day Awards 

for 2014. 

May 

25 

Geelong Cross Country Club 

Fun Run 

Commencing at 9am at Lawsons 

Park, Inverleigh, this 8km footrace 

takes place along the picturesque 

tracks alongside the Leigh and 

Moorabool rivers. Runners and 

spectators welcome. Enquires: Jeff 

Walker, jeffkathw@gmail.com. 

31 

Spartan Race 

Spartan Race is the toughest, 

most competitive obstacle 

race series in the world. Competitors 

run, jump, crawl and 

climb over custom-built obstacles 

designed to test their 

overall strength, balance and 

endurance. At Bamganie near 

Meredith. Adult and kid races, 

and plenty for spectators. 

Contact: spartanrace.com.au 


Your 

Community 

Have You Seen Our New Signs? 

Golden Plains Shire is home to many excellent events and 

in order to support safe signage of events in the region, 

Council is installing roadside signage frames to be made 

available for community use. 

The signage frames will be located at strategic locations 

throughout Golden Plains Shire including Bannockburn, 

Smythesdale, Rokewood, Teesdale, Inverleigh and 

Meredith. Each will have space for three 1200 x 1200 

event advertisements. 

Spaces are available for community groups to promote 

their events. For more information about sign locations 

and how to book space for your event, contact Council’s 

Community Events Officer, Elaine Kellett on 5220 221 or 

elaine.kellett@gplains.vic.gov.au. 

April Activities at Bannockburn Library 

Bannockburn Library has a schedule of diverse activities 

throughout April and the school holidays including 

Postcards from Nanna a beautifully crafted and fun story 

concert for children, Shake It, Move It a musical story 

time, an Xbox and Wii session as well as a movie arvo and 

poetry evening. Anyone can come along. 

Residents are also encouraged to sign up for their own 

library card. Your library card can be used at libraries 

through out the Geelong and district region as well as at 

mobile library services. Golden Plains has had the highest 

update of membership (and borrowings) in the Geelong 

Regional Library Corporation area since it first opened to 

the community in 2011! 

To learn about membership, details about programs and 

activities or mobile library timetable, go to grlc.vic.gov.au 

or pop into the Library, High Street, Bannockburn. 

Futsal Soccer Fun In Bannockburn 

A game first developed in Brazil, Futsal is an indoor soccer 

game which has five players per team. Futsal is an excellent 

game for children, aged 5-10 especially, because it teaches 

passing skills, ball handling, teamwork and game sense. 

Most importantly it’s a good time for all! 

The Term 2 Futsal Competition starts in Bannockburn on 

Tuesday 29 April and will take place each Tuesday. There 

are competitions for Under 7s from 4.15pm, Under 9s from 

5pm and Under 11s from 5.45pm. 

Call Bannockburn Recreation Centre on 5281 2316 to learn 

all the details and about how to get a team together. 

Free Disability Support 

Do you, or someone you know, have a disability and need 

some help talking to services, knowing their rights, getting 

information or making a complaint? 

Assert 4 All is a free advocacy service operating in Golden 

Plains and works with people of all abilities, ages and 

backgrounds. 

If you or a family member has a disability, and a complaint 

or problem, Assert 4 All staff will listen to what you need 

and then agree on a plan to work towards your outcome 

with you. 

An Assert 4 All client recently said “Since coming to your 

service, we have a lot better understanding of our rights 

and needs.” 

Call Assert 4 All on1300 942 773 or email info@bdrc.org.au. 


Your 

Community 

Let’s Get Active in April! 

Premier’s Active April is part of the Victorian Government’s 

commitment to promote healthy and active lifestyles and 

get Victorians more active, more often. 

Active April is a 30 x 30 challenge where all Victorians are 

encouraged to do 30 minutes of physical activity each day 

during April. 

As a participant, you can log your daily activity with the 

new Active April app and chart your progress. You can also 

create and join teams and discover events that are taking 

place in your local area. 

Golden Plains Shire is hosting a number of Active April 

events, visit ‘Latest News’ at goldenplains.vic.gov.au for 

more information. 

Playgroup PLUS May Be For You 

Would you like to meet other local families? 

Need some new parenting strategies & ideas to use with 

your children? 

Playgroup PLUS (for ages 0-5 years) aims to provide 

families in small rural communities with access to group 

information sessions, individual and group consultations, 

health promotion activities and playgroup support. 

Playgroup PLUS is delivered by a health professional and 

two early childhood educators at local playgroups. 

The program provides families with information and advice 

to build parental capacity, and the opportunity to develop 

links with Council’s early childhood services and other 

health and wellbeing programs and services. 

All families are encouraged to attend Playgroup PLUS 

sessions but registration is essential. You do not have to be 

a member of the playgroup to come along. 

For more information, download the Playgroup PLUS flyer 

form from goldenplains.vic.gov.au or to register contact the 

Bannockburn Family Services Centre on 5220 7230. 

New Early Childhood Vision ‘Together We Grow…’ 

The Bannockburn Children’s Service (formerly Bannockburn 

Kindergarten and Bannockburn Long Day Care) commenced 

in January 2014. A new ‘vision’ has been developed to 

guide the service: Together we grow through friendship 

and play. 

The new vision represents the aspirations staff have for the 

service. 

The staff team identified the following nine key themes 

that are included in the vision: 

• Celebrate 

• Communicate 

• Build 

• Support 

• Learning 

• Respect 

• Appreciate 

• Fun 

• Imagination 

The team worked with artists to develop an artwork 

that will be a visual representation of the vision and nine 

themes. The artwork is made up of nine separate canvas 

tiles that join together to form the image of a tree. Each of 

the nine tiles also includes an image that represents one of 

the nine themes. 

The artwork will be on display at the Bannockburn Cultural 

Centre as part of the Arts Trail and then be on permanent 

display in the foyer of the Bannockburn Family 

Services Centre. 


News 

Economic Development 

EXPO to Shine Spotlight on Golden Plains 

Golden Plains Shire Council will for the third year, be 

attending the Regional Victoria Living Expo which is set to 

take place from 11 to 13 April at the Melbourne Convention 

and Exhibition Centre. 

The Expo is an excellent opportunity for rural and regional 

Councils to showcase the benefits of living in the regions of 

Victoria outside metropolitan Melbourne. It is anticipated 

that over 10,000 visitors will attend. The Expo is taking 

place over the same weekend as the Home Show with the 

aim to target people interested in relocating and building 

their forever homes. 

This year Council will be using the Expo as a platform to 

promote Golden Plains Shire Council as a great place to live 

and also to encourage people to visit and explore the fine 

food, wine and art trails available throughout the Shire. 

Natural Gas For Bannockburn 

State Government has committed to spend $9M for the 

delivery of natural gas supply to Bannockburn. More than 

38km of pipe work will be installed providing approximately 

1,490 household and business connections. 

SP AusNet has been contracted by the State Government 

for the delivery and plans are for works to commence in 

July/August 2014. This delivery of natural gas supply to 

Bannockburn is expected to be completed by October 2016. 

As the commencement of works draws closer, SP AusNet 

will be running a community event to provide information 

and answer questions relating to the new natural gas 

supply. Details of this event will be posted on Council’s 

website when they become available. 

Residents and business owners within the proposed area 

will bear zero cost in having natural gas supply installed to 

their property (up to 50m within their property boundary). 

It will be up to each recipient to privately engage a plumber 

for connection of appliances. 

Council is working proactively with SP AusNet and the State 

Government to support this roll out of natural gas supply. 

The delivery of natural gas to Bannockburn is part of the 

State Government’s Energy For The Regions program. 

EDQ - Latest News 

Would you like to be kept up to date with the latest developments and business and economic development in Golden 

Plains Shire? Sign up to our newsletter EDQ! Email: mcosgriff@gplains.vic.gov.au to be put on the database. 

2014 Chamber Business and Services Directory Now Available 

The Bannockburn Chamber of Commerce is pleased to 

announce the re-printing of the popular Bannockburn 

Chamber Business and Services directory. 

The directory, proudly supported by VECCI, is your easy access 

to the Chamber members that can provide you with a 

host of services, and gives you the peace of mind that you 

are shopping locally and supporting businesses and jobs 

within Golden Plains Shire. 

Copies of the directory will be mailed to residents in 

Bannockburn and surrounds in early April. Further copies 

can be obtained from the Chamber directly who can be 

contacted at info@bannockburnchamber.org.au or you 

can contact Mick Cosgriff, Economic Development Officer 

on 5220 7201. 


Sustainability & 

Environment 

Do You Feed a Community Cat? 

In Victoria, it’s believed there are 500,000 unowned stray 

and feral cats. Stray cats are known to kill native wildlife and 

are a nuisance in the community. However the typical image 

of the stray or feral cat may not be the one people think of 

when they talk about the growing cat problem. 

Do you have a friendly and sociable cat that comes around 

often for a feed and to socialise? Chances are you may be 

feeding a community cat. 

The problem with community cats is that with no one taking 

responsibility for them they are never de-sexed, vaccinated, 

properly cared for or registered. Just one unspayed female 

cat and her offspring can produce up to 420,000 cats in 

seven years. 

A survey undertaken by Monash University found that up to 

a quarter of Victorians said they might be feeding a cat that 

they do not own or take any responsibility for. 

Sadly in the Golden Plains Shire only 2% of cats found are 

returned to their owner. Out of the majority only another 

34% are rehomed and a staggering 64% of impounded 

unregistered cats are put down each year because Council 

cannot locate their owners. Tragically, thousands of cats 

are euthanased each year in Australian shelters. There are 

simply not enough people to adopt them. 

So if you believe that you may be feeding a community cat, 

it is time to take some action. Firstly, you need to establish 

if the cat is owned. You could do this by asking neighbours 

or by catching the cat and having it scanned for a microchip. 

Cat traps are available at Council. 

Once established that the cat is unowned, you then have the 

choice to care for the cat by having it registered, vaccinated 

and desexed or send it to the pound to be rehomed. 

For more information on being a responsible cat owner visit 

http://www.whosforcats.com.au/ 

Protect Your Pets - Registrations Are Now Due 

Pet registration is not just a legal requirement; it is a 

fundamental part of responsible pet ownership which helps 

to ensure lost or wandering pets are returned home safely. 

All registrations for cats and dogs over three months are 

due on 10 April. 

Dogs and cats being registered with Council for the first 

time must be microchipped. This means anyone who has 

failed to renew an existing registration last year will be 

required to have their pet microchipped before Council will 

accept the re-registration. 

Owners of unregistered pets can expect significant costs 

should their pet be found wandering. Not only will they be 

required to pay pound release fees, but will also be issued 

with a fine. Issuing a fine to owners of unregistered dogs 

and cats is standard Council procedure. 

Sadly, many unregistered pets are put down every year 

because Council cannot locate owners. Registering your 

pet not only shows you care, it may save its life and will 

definitely save you money should your pet be found 

wandering. 



Environment 

Weeds in Focus – Horehound (Marrubium Vulgare) 

Horehound (Marrubium Vulgare) is a bushy perennial plant, 

30 to 80 cm high covered with dense whitish hairs. It emits 

a strong, distinctive, aromatic odour when crushed. 

Horehound is a weed of pastures and crops in southern 

Australia where it thrives on poor soil and in waste places. 

It invades poor pastures which provide little competition. 

Horehound contains a bitter alkaloid which makes it 

unpalatable for grazing livestock. Horehound burrs 

contaminate wool, reducing the value of the fleece. The 

meat of animals which are forced to eat horehound is 

tainted by the plant’s strong flavour. 

Seeds are primarily dispersed by stock, as the fruit or burr 

readily attaches to wool, fur, clothing and similar materials. 

Water is also an effective dispersal agent, and horses 

are known to pass the seeds, after ingestion, in a viable 

condition. 

The species is declared a Regionally Controlled Weed 

in Golden Plains Shire and landholders have a legal 

responsibility to control the weed. Horehound can be 

controlled by physical removal, ploughing and pasture 

improvement and by spraying with a chemical registered 

for use on the species. 

If you think you may have Horehound on your property 

and would like assistance in identifying the species, contact 

Councils Natural Resources Officer on 5220 7111. 

For more information about Horehound and its control, 

visit www.depi.vic.gov.au and type ‘Horehound’ into the 

search. 

Bunnies in the Spotlight 

Recent excellent seasonal conditions will see a rapid 

increase in Rabbit (Oryctolagus Cuniculus) numbers across 

Golden Plains Shire in coming months. It is important that 

landholders act to control this pest to reduce its impact on 

agriculture and the environment. 

Rabbits are prolific breeders producing several litters a 

year, particularly in wet summers. They can be controlled 

through shooting (not in township areas), poisoning, 

fumigation, blasting, ripping and other methods of harbour 

destruction. 

Poisoning is usually very effective in quickly reducing rabbit 

numbers, but must be done in conjunction with fumigation 

and harbour destruction. The poison “1080” is a restricted 

Schedule 7 poisons and can only be used by authorised 

persons and should not be used in township areas. Pindone 

is more suitable for urbanised areas and has an antidote 

(vitamin K1). The product label provides specific directions 

for use and must be understood prior to its use. 

Council carries out rabbit control on its land in February/ 

March each year using a combination of fumigation and 

warren blasting. Council’s weed control program also 

focuses on removal of woody weeds which provide harbour 

to rabbits. 

For more information on rabbit control, visit the 

Department of Environment and Primary Industries 

website at www.depi.vic.gov.au or contact Councils Natural 

Resources Officer on 5220 7111. 



Environment 

Smoke Free for Our Kids 

To protect everyone from the dangers of second-hand 

smoke, especially children and young people, smoking has 

been banned at outdoor venues where children play. There 

is no safe level of exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke. 

From 1 April 2014, smoking is banned outdoors within 10 

metres of: 

• Playgrounds and skate parks 

• Sporting venues during under 18s events 

• Within public swimming pool grounds. 

Under the Tobacco Act 1987 smoking is now unlawful 

within these areas and could result in an infringement 

penalty of $144. 

For more information visit health.vic.gov.au/ 

tobaccoreforms or call Tobacco Information Line on 1300 

136 775. Council’s Environmental Health Unit is also 

available to provide assistance and information on the new 

regulations and the implementation within the Golden 

Plains Shire and can be contacted on 5220 7111. 

QUIT NOW. WE CAN HELP 

For help to quit smoking, call Quitline on 13 78 48 or visit 

quit.org.au. 

Don’t Mix Up Your Mushrooms! 

Foraging for wild mushrooms is becoming more popular 

in Victoria. With their earthy fragrances of wet forest, 

mushrooms truly capture the essence of autumn. 

However, those who fancy collecting a few mushies for 

dinner need to take heed. Among the tasty edible species, 

lurk dangerously poisonous species that could land you in 

hospital or even the grave. 

The Haddon Neighbourhood House will be holding a 

workshop on Sunday 11 April to help participants correctly 

identify fungi and also learn about their important roles 

in ecosystems. 

Further information and bookings: Haddon Community 

House: 5342 7050 or manager@haddoncommunityhouse. 

org.au. 

Property Numbers Aid Emergency Services 

Emergency Services are encouraging householders and 

property owners to ensure they have very visible numbers 

and property names on front fences, trees, telegraph posts 

and letter boxes. 

In an emergency, response units are often unable to find 

houses or properties due to lack of numbers. Lack of 

numbers can cause delays in time critical situations. 

Snake Valley CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) 

recently had this situation where there was not a single 

number on any property for the length of a dirt roadway 

that held over a dozen homes. 

If residents find themselves reporting an incident to any 

of the emergency services, they are asked to provide 

property numbers and cross-street references. Don’t give a 

cross street that is over 3/4km from your home. If you do 

not have a cross street or property number, provide a very 

noticeable point of reference. 


Community 

Noticeboard 

Gazette Alternative 

Formats 

If you are interested in 

receiving a copy of the 

Gazette in large print or 

on audio tape please 

contact Customer 

Service on 

5220 7111 or 

1300 363 036. 

Time to Change Our Clocks 

Victoria’s period of daylight saving will end on Sunday, 6 April 2014. At the end of daylight 

saving period, move your clocks back one hour from 3:00am summer time to 2:00am 

standard time. 

Smoke Alarms 

As daylight savings draws to an end for another year, it is timely to remind our residents 

to look at their smoke alarms. Golden Plains Shire Council endorses the Change your clock; 

change your smoke alarm battery campaign as we encourage the community to maintain 

the smoke alarms located in their homes. 

The Golden Plains Gazette 

is published six times 

per year and is delivered 

to all households and 

mail collection centres 

and is also available on 

Council’s website. 

Gymnastics Come to You 

Emilie McPhee Gymnastics offers a wide 

variety of gymnastics programs, including 

preschool, parent assisted and non parent 

assisted programs as well as after school 

and mother’s group programs. For more 

information or bookings contact Emilie on 

0488 158 210 or emiliemcpheegymnastics@ 

gmail.com. 

June Gazette Deadline 

Please note, the deadline 

for the June edition is 

Thursday 1 May 2014. 

Send your copy with 

“Gazette News” in the 

subject line (max 100 

words) to Felicity Bolitho 

Email: 

fbolitho@gplains.vic.gov.au 

Fax: 5220 7100 or post 

PO Box 111, 

Bannockburn 3331. 

Rokewood Tip Times 

Friday 2pm to 5pm 

Sunday 9am to 12pm 

2014 Mobile Library Timetable 

The 2014 mobile library timetable allows 

for longer stops at busy locations, more 

frequent visits and the introduction of a stop 

at the popular monthly Smythesdale Country 

Market. To view the timetable visit grlc.vic. 

gov.au/branch/mobile-libraries. 

Youth Services 

With school holidays around the corner, visit 

our website to find out about the fun programs, 

activities and events planned for April. 

goldenplains.vic.gov.au/youth. 

Gem of an Idea Grants 

Grants of up to $500 are available to community groups to undertake small health and 

wellbeing projects in communities within Golden Plains Shire. Grants are open all year round 

and are assessed on a monthly basis. To find out if your project could be eligible, view the 

Gem of An Idea guidelines at goldenplains.vic.gov.au. 

Find Us on Twitter, Facebook, App Store and Online... 

@GPSCouncilNews 

@VisitGoldenPlains 

Golden Plains Shire Council 

goldenplains.vic.gov.au 

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