85c May 2020 Merrijig community Newsletter
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<strong>Merrijig</strong> Community <strong>Newsletter</strong> <strong>May</strong> <strong>2020</strong><br />
INDEX<br />
Quote and FYI 2 Calendar 3<br />
Welcome To the World 4 Baby Poetry 6<br />
Hall adapting to change 7 Ordinary Undies (Poetry) 7<br />
CFA & Virtual Gym 8 FYI Self care in Isolation 9<br />
Alex’s Dad Jokes 10 ANZAC Day ideas 11<br />
Donated Soldiers to Memorial 11 We did NOT forget 15<br />
Healthy Snacks 16 Support for Seniors COID-19 17<br />
Tru Blu Rides 16 Ideas while social distancing 16<br />
A Word from the Shire 18 Final Laugh 19<br />
“Alpine Ridge welcomes autumn” Photo by Christine Sheldrick<br />
Please send in some of your beaut photos for future issues<br />
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QuoteS of the month<br />
Back issues of the newsletters can be viewed on the web at http://www.merrijig.com.au/html/local_news.html<br />
Some articles in this newsletter may be picked up by the Mansfield Courier so consider this if you are<br />
submitting stories you could be sensitive about sharing with the <strong>community</strong> wider than <strong>Merrijig</strong>.<br />
If you‟re looking for a Justice of the Peace,<br />
Laurie Jacob, Buttercup Rd 0439 280 333<br />
Catherine McNish, Sawmill Settlement 0429 482 309<br />
<strong>Merrijig</strong> Defibrillators are located at <strong>Merrijig</strong> Motor Inn<br />
& McCormack Park<br />
The procedure in case of an emergency where a person is possibly having a heart<br />
attack is to dial Triple Zero. The call takers at Triple Zero have the location of the<br />
<strong>Merrijig</strong> AED registered and will advise the caller of its location if that is the closest<br />
unit to your location. McCormack Park unit is located in the machinery shed of the<br />
Motorbike Track. If it is the <strong>Merrijig</strong> Motor Inn should be contacted by phone.<br />
The Motor Inn phone number is 5777 5702.<br />
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。◕‿ ◕。 Ive got NO-O-OTHING – Zilch – ZERO to go<br />
on this calendar<br />
except for rubbish days.<br />
◄ April <strong>May</strong> <strong>2020</strong> June ►<br />
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat<br />
1 2<br />
3 4 5 6 7 Rubbish & Recycling<br />
bin night<br />
8 9<br />
10 11 12 13<br />
GVT to begin<br />
planning<br />
unwinding<br />
Virus<br />
restrictions<br />
14 Just Rubbish bin<br />
night<br />
17 18 19 20 21 Rubbish &<br />
Recycling bin night<br />
15 16<br />
22 23<br />
24 25 26 27 28 Just Rubbish bin<br />
night<br />
29 30<br />
31<br />
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Welcome to the world<br />
.<br />
A strange time in the world for your birthday when much of the<br />
world is in stay at home mode and social distancing is the catch cry<br />
to avoid the passing on of the Corona Virus -19 sweeping the world<br />
and killing thousands.<br />
Yet your births remind us all that life is special and full of wonder.<br />
Let‟s hope your life (not so little 4.6kg) Beau, is full of happiness<br />
and great health, so that you can learn all the things you need to in<br />
order to be a <strong>Merrijig</strong> boy, helping daddy with his spotted stud cattle<br />
and mummy with her horses.<br />
Congratulations to Mummy, Tayla Anne Cameron and Daddy, Scott<br />
Purcell on the safe arrival of Beau on April 14 th . .<br />
To all the grandparents on both sides of the family, as well as all the<br />
cousins and Aunts and Uncles, congrats to you too.<br />
☻ ☺웃 유<br />
And Miss Prairie Joyce Swan<br />
Prarie arrived safely on the 22nd of April at<br />
8:02am and everyone is doing well.<br />
Weighing in at 3.64 kg (or 8.3pounds) she is off to<br />
a healthy start. She is the first daughter for Nick<br />
and Adele Swan who are the son and daughter in<br />
law of Tom and Sue Swan of Killarney Lane<br />
Booroolite.<br />
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These poems could have been for Tayla and Scott, Adele and Nick<br />
– or any new parents for matter!<br />
Baby Poems by Leigh-Anne Eldridge<br />
With Blessings on the birth of your baby boy. (Sept.)<br />
Welcome to the wonderful world of sleep deprivation<br />
Poem Number One – (14th October, 2019)<br />
Soft nose,<br />
Little toes,<br />
Knowing eyes,<br />
Hearing lullabies,<br />
Off to sleep, he goes.<br />
Poem No. Two – (Tuesday, 15 th October, 2019)<br />
Pink blush on cheek,<br />
A snuffly breath,<br />
Lying quietly,<br />
What a week?<br />
Inherits tartan and heather,<br />
Already a brave little warrior, strong not weak.<br />
Poem No. Three – (Thursday 24 th October, 2019)<br />
Cry no more my little lad,<br />
Let mummy sleep,<br />
To hear you cry makes me sad,<br />
Let mummy sleep,<br />
My bairn is it a tummy sore?<br />
Let mummy sleep.<br />
Daddy too would like to snore!<br />
Let mummy sleep,<br />
Your sweet head upon her chest,<br />
Let mummy sleep,<br />
My darling wife has had no rest,<br />
Let mummy sleep,<br />
Your tiny hands with dimples sweet,<br />
Let mummy sleep.<br />
You‟ve changed our lives for ever more,<br />
Let mummy sleep,<br />
To keep you well and safe we‟ll endeavour,<br />
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But please, please Dear God let mummy and daddy sleep!<br />
☾♒✮ ☄☁☄☼☁☼☄☁☄✮ ♒☽<br />
Adapting to change<br />
<strong>Merrijig</strong> Public Hall committee held its monthly meeting via video conferencing last week with<br />
10 members connecting using Zoom.<br />
Hall secretary, Louise Jacob, said the process was seamless and worked really well with<br />
everyone participating.<br />
It was a short meeting, only 40 minutes, as the agenda was very light. All fund raising events<br />
for the year had previously been cancelled at the March meeting, including the <strong>community</strong><br />
service usually held on ANZAC Day, which was very regretful but necessary in the current<br />
circumstances.<br />
Top left, Kaye Dyson, Laurie and Louise Jacob, Georgie Deyell.<br />
Middle row from left Noel Willaton, Adrian Lawrence, Des and Mary Dunn.<br />
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Bottom row, Robert Reeve and Kerrie Purcell.<br />
のあ 。◕‿ ◕。 あの<br />
Ocker‟s Ordinary Undies<br />
By L.Eldridge 13.12.2019 for H.M.V.<br />
What? A change from me usual jocks,<br />
Reliable „Y‟ fronted, white cotton daggies,<br />
This comes as a shock!<br />
You must be joking; I‟m not a some artistic clot.<br />
So what, if there‟s holes and raggedy bits,<br />
I‟ve had „em for years, and no not really smelly!<br />
I like me undies accessible, comfy and not too loose,<br />
Gawd, in those slippery boxers, I‟d feel like a goose.<br />
They are so dark, silky, loose and wide,<br />
What‟s going to hold the jellies inside?<br />
And look at that other colour, hot pink,<br />
Geez I‟d look like a skater or a jockey on a rink,<br />
Be adventurous take a risk, you say,<br />
They look expensive, what did you pay?<br />
Real silk? What the hell are you thinking?<br />
So soft, slippery, me eyes open wide, nervously blinking,<br />
Put „em on? The things we do for our Sheilas!<br />
Next thing you‟ll ask me, is to wear black tights,<br />
Not bloody likely, even the horse would take fright!<br />
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Become Par t Of<br />
THE MERRIJIG FIRE BRIGADE.<br />
Local s At Work As CFA Vol unt eers<br />
to be included on the new facebook page and instagram.<br />
New members are always welcome at Glenroy-<strong>Merrijig</strong> CFA. Ring our Captain, Pete Bowker, on 0407 305<br />
480, or Brigade Secretary Ross <strong>May</strong> on 0400 868 456.<br />
-`ღ´-<br />
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Corona Virus -19<br />
Restrictions Relief to be considered in two weeks<br />
More likely the "two person rule" will be the removed first when National Cabinet meets in the middle<br />
of <strong>May</strong> to consider what restrictions can be eased. In states that have been more successful than<br />
others, it is a slowly, slowly approach. The feeling among the nation's leaders is that you've got to<br />
crawl before you can walk.<br />
When cafes and restaurants reopen it will likely be in a socially-distanced manner, with one person<br />
per four square metres, before they are able to resume regular operations. "The greatest danger is<br />
giving people false hope" that their lives can return to normal sooner than the Chief Medical Officers<br />
advise.<br />
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Alex’s Dad Jokes … Groan !!!<br />
I burnt my Hawaiian pizza today<br />
Should have cooked it at aloha temperature<br />
Did you hear about the two guys who stole a calendar?<br />
They each got six months.<br />
As an immigration officer, I may not<br />
always agree with your point of view..<br />
But I can see where you are coming from.<br />
How many introverts does it take to change a lightbulb?<br />
Why does it have to be a group activity<br />
What’s Grey and not very heavy?<br />
Light grey.<br />
Dad: "Knock, knock!"<br />
Kid: "Who's there?"<br />
Dad: Spell!<br />
Kid: Spell who?<br />
Dad: W... H... O...<br />
I tell a lot of dad jokes, but I don't have kids.<br />
I guess that makes me a faux pas.<br />
Mum said I would never be able to make a bicycle<br />
out of spaghetti . Well I did, and you should’ve seen<br />
her face when I rode pasta.<br />
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‟S For remembering our service personnel<br />
on ANZAC Day<br />
Davies Rd<br />
<strong>Merrijig</strong><br />
Jacquie and<br />
Brian Pollard<br />
rode at Dawn<br />
as they usually<br />
do on ANZAC<br />
morning<br />
bearing flags<br />
to honour the<br />
Australians and New Zealanders who protected our nation - to<br />
a Brazier lit at their gateway.<br />
Lynn and Andy Elder welcomed<br />
the Dawn in Boorolite, while they<br />
remembered and thanked those<br />
who fought for our freedom.<br />
While at Dave Lovick‟s on Buller Rd <strong>Merrijig</strong> a brazier and well lit<br />
remembrance poppy lit up the early morning.<br />
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The Beautyman family on Mt Buller Rd near<br />
Sheep yard Flat turnoff welcomed the Anzac<br />
dawn too.<br />
While at<br />
the<br />
<strong>Merrijig</strong> 5<br />
Pines War<br />
and<br />
Service<br />
Memorial<br />
a few<br />
people<br />
gathered<br />
Piper<br />
Stuart<br />
McLauchlin<br />
and bugler<br />
Paul<br />
Jackson.<br />
Maureen Prendergast<br />
with Paul Jackson<br />
Where flowers and rocks had been left by other <strong>Merrijig</strong> people<br />
visiting the memorial site early on the ANZAC Day morning.<br />
Our Unique <strong>Merrijig</strong> Memorial was not neglected or abandoned this year from the example above but<br />
also this story below.<br />
Of course it goes without saying that we have all been disappointed that Corvid-19 restrictions prevented our<br />
Service on ANZAC Day at the <strong>Merrijig</strong> War and Service Memorial this year however the Memorial Committee<br />
of your Hall was delighted to receive yet another great contribution toward development of our Place of<br />
Remembrance.<br />
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Chris and Sherrie Jones of Caos Concepts, which is their local steel signage and artwork firm, offered to donate<br />
plasma-cut silhouettes of military figures to enhance the memorial surrounds, mark the service of their family<br />
members and lift our spirits in a testing time.<br />
Within a 48 hour period, after discussions with the memorial sub-committee co-ordinator, Peter Howarth, and<br />
with the approval of the memorial sub-committee team, Chris emplaced three works of art on Friday, April 24:<br />
Two soldiers in front of the rock walls in the „Rest on Arms Reversed‟ position, leaning on their rifles pointed<br />
down, which has been a mark of respect and mourning for centuries.<br />
A lone soldier with bayonet fixed, in the „At Ease‟ position, guarding our Remembrance Walk.<br />
Peter encourages everyone: “Do go and see the result. The <strong>Merrijig</strong> Public Hall Committee, which manages the<br />
memorial on your behalf, is most grateful to Chris and Sherrie who join the many members of our <strong>community</strong><br />
who have contributed to the development and maintenance of this important place in our <strong>community</strong> life.”<br />
Chris‟s interest in steel fabrication started years ago when he was younger and completed an apprenticeship as a<br />
boiler maker. Always with an artistic leaning, Chris has amalgamated both loves to produce works of art like<br />
this. He custom makes gate signage and other works in his and Sherrie‟s business, Caos being the family‟s<br />
initials, Chris, Angus, Oscar and Sherrie.<br />
Photos<br />
From left - The soldiers flank the front of the memorial, one either side. In time they will take on the beautiful<br />
rust coloured finish of the entrance signs. (The flag was lowered to half-mast early to pay respects for the four<br />
police personnel killed on the Eastern Freeway on Wednesday.)<br />
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The third soldier is located at the end of the Remembrance<br />
Walk - a moving walk dedicated to each conflict Australians<br />
have been involved in. This photo by Peter Howarth has the<br />
third soldier looking like the Spirit of the Anzac rising from the<br />
Aussie soil<br />
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Pictured right is Chris Jones (son of Craig and Barb Jones) and his<br />
companion Gypsy, with the newly installed ANZAC soldier at the<br />
memorial.<br />
What a wonderful contribution to the Community developed<br />
Memorial Park. Your work CAOS is brilliant.<br />
From 1919 when the first of the old 5 pines was planted, <strong>Merrijig</strong><br />
has had this special area which has now turned into a lovely<br />
Memorial Park. <strong>May</strong>be one day there will be picnic tables for<br />
visitors to relax and enjoy the space while they commune with the<br />
people who served our nation in so many fields of war and peace<br />
keeping service.<br />
CAOS - your contribution is the latest in the respect the <strong>Merrijig</strong><br />
Community shows, by constantly improving and maintaining this<br />
site - and please feel proud to share in its growth.<br />
Early on Anzac morning Jody Galway lit this special brazier as her token of respect for those who served.<br />
Sympathies are sent to Jody, as she also lost 4 colleagues in the Police car smash only days prior.<br />
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We all missed this unique display (picture below by Tom Swan) of <strong>Merrijig</strong>‟s people but no doubt it will be just as<br />
spectacular next year.<br />
We Did NOT Forget. We WILL not Forget.<br />
Many <strong>Merrijig</strong> people<br />
chose to come at<br />
their own time to<br />
place flowers and<br />
rocks as suggested<br />
in last newsletter.<br />
The memorial looks<br />
amazing with its one<br />
1916 survivor pine<br />
tree. The 5 young<br />
Lone Pines grow<br />
strong and tall,<br />
parallel to the walk<br />
on the road side of<br />
the fence.<br />
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๏ ๏﴿ ๏ ๏﴿ ๏ ๏﴿<br />
There will very soon be a PDF posted on either the Mansfield Hospital web Page or the Shire Web<br />
Page of in depth details of healthy ideal ways to snack. Unfortunately it‟s not up and ready for alink to<br />
be provided with this edition.<br />
*•.¸(*•.¸♥¸.•*´)¸ .•*´ ✿´*• .¸(*•.¸♥¸.•*´)¸.•*´<br />
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COVID-19 support line opens for seniors<br />
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Monday, 27 April, <strong>2020</strong><br />
A free dedicated support line is now available to address the mental health of senior Australians, their families<br />
and carers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.<br />
Established by the federal government in conjunction with the Council on the Ageing Australia, National<br />
Seniors Australia, the Older Persons Advocacy Network and Dementia Australia, the phone line will be staffed<br />
with advisers who can offer practical help and advice.<br />
Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck said talking to someone who understands and<br />
listens was an important outlet for anybody struggling to cope as the spread of the virus creates additional<br />
pressure on individuals and communities.<br />
“Each of these long-standing organisations is well regarded, passionate and very experienced in supporting<br />
Senior Australians and their loved ones,” Minister Colbeck said.<br />
Minister Colbeck said the COVID-19 phone line is a great initiative that reinforces the message of support for<br />
those in isolation, particularly if contact with family or friends is limited. “I urge people to call this support line<br />
if they are feeling lonely or distressed, troubled or confused, or need to talk to someone about their concerns<br />
caring for a vulnerable person during the COVID-19 outbreak,” he said.<br />
Call the COVID-19 support line on 1800 171 866.<br />
The support line will operate Monday to Friday, except public holidays, from 8.30 am to 6 pm.<br />
✌⊂(✰‿✰)つ✌<br />
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Cr Marg Attley:-Your local representative on<br />
Mansfield Shire Council. Available to be contacted on:<br />
5776 2231 or marg.attley@mansfield.vic.gov.au<br />
On ANZACDay As per usual our <strong>May</strong>or Marg Attley<br />
made a special visit to the <strong>Merrijig</strong> Five Pines War<br />
and Service Memorial to lay the wreath on behalf of<br />
the Mansfield Shire.<br />
You can keep up with the latest from the shire even<br />
while social distancing is in operation Check out the<br />
web link<br />
https://www.mansfield.vic.gov.au/news<br />
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The English (use an upper-class accent when you read of the English) are feeling the pinch in relation<br />
to recent virus threat and have therefore raised their security level from “Miffed” to “Peeved.”<br />
Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to “Irritated” or even “A Bit Cross.”<br />
The English have not been “A Bit Cross” since The Blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out.<br />
Terrorists have been re-categorized from “Tiresome” to “A Bloody Nuisance.”<br />
The last time the British issued a “Bloody Nuisance” warning level was in 1588, when threatened by<br />
the Spanish Armada.<br />
The Scots have raised their threat level from “Pissed Off” to “Let‟s get the Bastards.”<br />
They don‟t have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the<br />
British army for the last 300 years.<br />
Australia, meanwhile, has raised its security level from “No worries” to “She‟ll be alright, Mate.”<br />
Two more escalation levels remain: “Crikey! I think we‟ll need to cancel the barbie this weekend!” and<br />
“The barbie is cancelled.”<br />
So far no situation has ever warranted use of the last final escalation level.<br />
Submitted by Graham Godber<br />
Bye for now Adele<br />
Adele McCormack<br />
67 MacPherson-Smith Dve<br />
Mansfield 3722 ☏ 0409 600 655<br />
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