Girgarre Gazette March 2023

Girgarre Gazette 

March 2023 pg 

July 2020

Girgarre Gazette March 2023 pg 2 

GIRGARRE COMMUNITY NEWS 

RSL NEWS – GIRGARRE 

In our February 2023 meeting, the following officers were elected to 

for the next 12 months: 

hold office 

President – Gary Kitt 

Snr Vice President – Robyn Hunt 

Jnr Vice President – Darren Bielby 

Treasurer – Robert Axen 

Secretary – William A Perry 

Welfare – Robyn Hunt 

The sub branch of RSL Girgarre look forward to supporting our community. We appreciate the support 

you give us. 

Again this year we will be holding our golf/bowls day on ANZAC Day 25 th April. Money raised will be 

spent on supporting our local community. More on this in the April edition of the Gazette. 

WANTED: SOUND VOLUNTEERS! 

Volunteers needed to learn to operate 

the Girgarre Memorial Hall 

sound system. No prior experience 

necessary, just a willingness to 

learn. For further information, 

contact the current sound man, 

Ken Stewart, on 58590297 or 

kenlyn23@outlook.com or come to 

Jigarre Jammin’ on the 4 th Saturday 

of the month. 

FREE 

2 x queen size 

mattresses 

good condition 

1 x wooden cot and 

mattress 

contact Helen on 

0429 009 501 

The Gazette can be collected from the 

Girgarre Post Office, Stanhope Supermarket, 

Stanhope Business Centre and 

from the Red Street Library located at 

the front of the Cottage, 27 Olympic 

Carpet Bowls AGM 

14 March 6.30pm 

Girgarre Memorial Hall 

Morgan Crescent, Girgarre 

If anyone wants to play bowls 

please 

come along, we need numbers 

For more info call Leah 

0476302999


Co-ordinator’s Catch-up 

Hello everyone, 

I hope this finds you healthy and happy? Another month gone, my lord time flies. Hetty not 

no subtly informed me I had to change my picture as the previous one was “terrible”. I did 

try to explain that I am not particularly photogenic but alas…. This then led into an impromptu 

session about “Snapchat” and filters the results were hilarious. The following pics 

are of myself, volunteers and the seniors with the “Glam” filter on. From top left; Phyllis & 

Kez, Dale & Debra, Marlene, Buff channelling Bruce Jenner, Joy & Kez. Many giggles were had. 

Hetty thought the results were fabulous 

but I had to explain that I couldn’t use 

the pictures because people would come 

into The Cottage looking for a woman 

that didn’t exist. 

What a fabulous team we have here. On Wednesday we had a working bee in the 

front yard. Stage one of a three stage project has now been completed and the transformation is huge. Yes, it does 

look a tad bare, but it was horribly overgrown, neglected and many plants had died, this combined with the 

spotting of two snakes was enough motivation to get cracking. We are trying to replicate the look, feeling and 

practicality of the backyard, wish us luck. A HUGE thankyou to; Judy, George, Kayelene, Jo and Patti-what a team 

we make. 

PSB3 update. If you have not applied for round three of the $250 Power Saving Bonus, you need to do it before 

March 23. As the next round commences on the 24 and I do not wish anyone to miss out. Bring your latest power 

bill and bank details into The Cottage and we will assist you with your application, it only takes 5 mins. 

After the previous two mammoth editions of The Gazette, this one is a little light on reading material, but take your 

time as there are lots of little nuggets of information and next months is planning to be a bumper issue. 

Take care, Bye for now, Kezia

CLASSIFIEDS & SERVICES 


FRIENDS OF GARGARRO 

CATERING AVAILABLE 

Need catering for a 

function? 

Well, the Gargarro Gardens 

Catering Team will be more 

than happy to cater for your 

needs depending on 

numbers. 

Phone Bernie Ryan for more 

info if you are planning a 

function. 

Ph: 5857 2407 

Mob: 0455 578 722


Girgarre Community 

Kindergarten 

To keep updated on all Kinder information 

Find us on Facebook 

Girgarre Community 

Kindergarten 

Thursday 9-3pm 

Saturday 9-12pm 

Stanhope & District Men’s Shed 

We are open three mornings a week Mon, Wed 

and Fri from 9 to 12 noon. If anyone would like 

to call in and see what is on offer they would be 

most welcome. Membership is $25 which includes 

insurance whilst at the shed. 

We offer woodwork, metal work, welding, 

leatherwork, a large range of books to read and 

a friendly cuppa at around 10am. 

Girgarre Community Cottage 

Keep up to date with future events and 

local information. 

Join us on Facebook. 

HALL BOOKINGS 

As you know, our well appointed and well used 


and Supper Room 

are available for hire. 

Contact 

Girgarre Post Office 

Ph: 5854 6200 

Open Monday –Friday 9am - 5pm


Waiting for the sound of the moving van slowing into the drive … Fiona sat in the chair with her head in her hands – 

fed up and tired, surrounded by boxes and cases, disarray everywhere, the kids asleep on the lounge floor. All the important 

things – food, drinks, the bags with the kids’ toys and clothes – were in the boot of the old car, all ready to 

go. The rest, the detritus of the past two years, would be left for someone else to deal with. This will be the last 

time, she reasoned. It’s not fair on the kids. 

Her thoughts wandered back to the mothers’ club who met for coffee on Fridays while the kids were at school. 

They were just a bunch of cliquey money-grabbers as far as she was concerned, full of phony friendliness. Did they 

really want to get to know her? Or did they just think they should? Good manners or something? They were happy to 

put her down, sending her off to do the menial tasks. 

“Oh, did you walk here, love?” … as if they didn’t know what petrol costs. 

“Oh, well – in that case, since you walk past the Tattslotto shop, would you mind buying our QuickPick? Here’s 

the money for this week. Everyone puts in their five dollars – you’ve got it, haven’t you?” … delivered in a casual 

tone, but making sure everyone could hear. 

Fiona had turned and swallowed, hiding the discomfort she felt. Patronising bitch! Why do I come? If it wasn’t 

for the kids I wouldn’t … they need other kids to play with. I’m not dumb … smarter than they think. They’ll find out. 

Their husbands had good jobs, no worries with money. They didn’t know what it was like to be in and out of 

work, always behind in the rent. Anyway, she had let them know leaving Melbourne was on the cards eventually. 

Family? … All interstate, she’d told them. It was her standard fall-back line whenever there was a new group to 

join. Queensland was far enough away to throw them off the scent — if they ever had to work it out. 

The quick getaway was now built into her DNA. After ten years of marriage, mostly on the run, the signs that let 

her know it was time to start packing up, ready to sneak off in the dead of night, were a regular occurrence. As 

for the prevarication, when it came to fitting in with this group or that, no-one was more expert. Best to keep family 

secrets to yourself, as her mother always said. Anyway, this time it was more good luck than anything. Things had just 

fallen into place. An opportunity for a new start, too good to miss. 

Closing her eyes, she slid back in the chair and let her mind drift. It was always Gray’s fault. He was the one who 

gambled – every penny he could get his hands on. That’s what kept them on the run. He couldn’t seem to help himself 

– or didn’t want to. Maybe this time things would be different. Maybe this time they could buy a house, get steady 

jobs, settle the kids where they could make lasting friends. No more joining groups where they didn’t fit in. Money, 

and plenty of it! Makes a difference, doesn’t it? A new start. Somewhere – somewhere no-one could find them. 

Enough of this packing up and moving, the money hounds howling not far behind … 

Where the hell was he anyway? Still at the club? He must have had a win and think he was on a roll. She 

sighed. She knew in her heart he wouldn’t turn up until the money ran out. Damn him to hell and back – it was four in 

the morning. He knew they had to pack the truck and be on the road before daylight. It was cutting it too fine, there’d 

be a rush now to get loaded and on their way. They didn’t want to be seen. 

Suddenly overwhelmed and close to tears, Fiona wondered what excuses he would come up with this time. More 

empty promises to change, telling her he loved her and the kids, telling her she couldn’t manage without him. The 

same mantra time and time again. She felt cornered, weak – self-loathing and revulsion rising in her throat. Why do I 

give in all the time. Why do I believe him? 

Fiona sat up, surprisingly clear-headed. The misery of the past few days disappeared. Wake up to yourself. Why in 

the name of God am I always doing this? – considering his feelings, always solving his problems, being taken for 

granted. I am better than this. The kids deserve more than this. As for those snobby rich bitches – they don’t deserve 

me either. Well – they’ve done me a favour treating me as their slave. More fool them leaving me to buy their ticket. 

Just what had prompted the decision to buy two tickets this time? The irony of it! It was a crazy punt that had taken 

every cent she could find. Now the winnings were in her personal account, not the joint one plastered in red stickers 

month after month. But how could she stop Gray sucking hers dry at the first opportunity? 

The solution was like a breath of fresh air. 

Quickly rousing the children, she herded them into the car. Picking up her phone she rang the removalists. 

“Change of plan!” she announced. Ruth Kirkham © 2023 

Ruth is a member of the Kyabram Town Hall Writers’ Group. Members are diverse in interests, ages and backgrounds. This makes 

for some very interesting and informative discussion while sharing stories, poetry, and the problems of the writer’s craft. The 

KTHWs’G has produced a book – Celebrating Women, a collection of original written works and art from the community – a great 

GIFT Or SOUVENIR of the area – and is for sale at $20 from the Kyabram Town Hall and online from the writers’ group link on Facebook 

and the KTH website: kyabramtownhall.com.au Direct contact: kyabramwritersgroup@gmail.com


Scams, Tactics and avoiding them. 

Maybe you’ve learned not to click on suspect email links, or perhaps you’ve stopped answering 

the phone to numbers that you don’t know, but scams evolve constantly, making it difficult to 

keep up. One recent example is the “hi, Mum” scam, where a text message is sent 

impersonating a member of your household. It’s quite convincing. 

So, if scams are constantly evolving, how do we protect ourselves? 

Scammer Tactics 

In many instances, scammers will still use the same psychological tactics to “sell” their scams. Being aware of this can really 

help. 

In an attempt to make you feel as though you will miss out on something, the scammer may tell you something like: the 

majority of people in your age bracket have signed up for this investment. 

Scammers may also attempt to elicit feelings of familiarity with victims, so they will try to gather personal information – kids, 

pets, religion – and use that information because we are more likely to trust someone that we feel knows us and shares our 

values. 

Another tactic used in scams is invoking fear. Framing the situation as though you will be in legal trouble if you do not comply 

with their instructions, this will often be combined with a use of overly official (often forced) language. 

Scammers may ask for incrementally more from you. Romance scams can begin with an easy-to-comply-with request and 

then ask for increasingly more (usually money) from the victim. 

How to protect yourself The best approach, when you are feeling uncertain of the legitimacy of an interaction, is to step 

away from the situation to gain perspective. Take a break from the interaction and look at the steps that occurred. Attempt to 

verify the claimed identity of the person/company; In the instance of the “Hi, Mum” scam, you can try calling the number of 

the person they are claiming to be. If you are interacting with a “service provider”, find their real number and call them. Do 

online research; Most scams are not unique and are repeated many times, so there will likely be information about it online if 

it is a scam. Ask yourself: What proof do I have that they are who they say they are? 

To learn more, go to scamwatch.gov.au

Girgarre Gazette March 2023 pg 8



Group Name Details Contact name Contact number 

The Girgarre Community Group Inc. President Duncan Rodrick 0427 391 706 

The Girgarre Community Cottage 

3rd Monday 7pm 

Coordinator Kezia Talbot 5854 6482 

0404 686 344 

Girgarre Seniors Tuesdays 10:45am Debra Stelzer 5854 6482 

Words on Wheels 

Girgarre Cottage 

Discuss chosen books 

3rd Thursdays 6pm 

The Cottage 5854 6482 

Gargarro Green Thumbs Nursery Nursery Sales Loraine Warde 0438 546 237 

Girgarre Open Garden Committee Open Garden Festival Loraine Warde 58546236/0438 546 237 

Girgarre Playgroup 0-5 years 

Monday 10-12pm, 

Jigarre Ukulele (J-Ukes) 

1st & 3rd Wed (5th) 1:30pm 

Girgarre Kindergarten 

Begins 2nd week of term 

Play/learn with others 

Girgarre Cottage 

Robyn Swan 5854 6482 

Lyn Cosham 5859 0297 

Girgarre Patchwork Quilters 

Fridays 9:30am 

Quilters and sewing group 

Memorial Hall 

Nola Marke 5854 8226 

Girgarre Line Dancers 

Thursdays 2pm $7 

Carpet Bowls-Thursdays 7:15pm April 

to August 

Memorial Hall Gloria Atkins 0400 539 778 

All ages. 

Memorial Hall 

Leah (President) 

Rob Varcoe 

0476302999 

0409 975 997 

Girgarre Community Kindergarten Lead Educator Robyn Swan 5854 6368 

Girgarre Primary School Principal Peter Caldow 5854 6275 

Girgarre Returned Services League 

1st Tuesdays 7pm. Feb-Nov 

Girgarre Country Fire Authority 

1st Monday 7:30pm 

Stanhope/Girgarre Lions Club 

2nd Wednesday 7pm 

President 

RSL Club Room 

Captain 

CFA Meeting Room 

President 

Stanhope Hotel 

Gary Kitt 0458 548 224 

kittbagg@hotmail.com 

Shaun Halls 0487 740 001 

Avis Weller 5854 6383 

Girgarre Community Church 

Sundays 9:30am 

Christian Church Ron Gregory 5854 6382 

Stanhope and District Men’s Shed 

Mon, Wed, Fri. 9am-12 

Have fun and create. 

3 Tivey Rd. Stanhope 

Merv Andrew 0457 300 321 

Girgarre Facilities Committee 


Girgarre Recreational Reserve 

Memorial Hall (Bookings) 

Recreation Reserve 

Sandy & Barry 

Darren Butler 

5854 6200 

0427 546 332 

Girgarre Development Group (DGD) 

Last Tuesday, Jan-Nov 7:30pm 

Girgarre Improvements 

Memorial Hall 

Jan Smith 5854 6283 

Gargarro Project Gargarro Botanic Gardens Athol McDonald 5854 6324 

Friends of Gargarro Garden - 

working Bee 4th Sunday of month 

Chairperson Loraine Warde 58546236 

0438 546 237 

Girgarre Craft Market 

2nd Sundays. 8:30-12 

Bookings/enquiries Jan Smith 5854 6283 

Girgarre Farmer’s Market Bookings/enquiries Jan Smith 5854 6283 

Jigarre Jammers. Feb to Nov 

4th Saturday 10:30-4pm $2 

Acoustic Music Irene Labbett 0429 149 246 

Girgarre Living History 

Book title “Girgarre” 

Record of local history 

Athol McDonald 

Jenny Wadelton 

5854 6324 

5852 2301 

Girgarre Football/Netball Club President Brendon Nicholson 0413 022 398 

Girgarre Cricket Club President Mick Coyne 0488 296 566 

Girgarre Tennis Club 

President 

Secretary 

Josh Maudsley 

Fiona Smith 

0400 299 942 

0408 502 274


OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK LUNCH AND DINNER 

MONDAY – FRIDAY $10.00 LUNCHES AVAILABLE 

Come in, relax and enjoy our fabulous 

modern facilities 

QUALITY BISTRO DINING, SUN SHADED PLAYGROUND, 

FOXTEL, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, OFF STREET PARKING, 

SPORTS BAR, LANDSCAPED COURTYARD WITH 

BARBEQUE FACILITIES, CONFERENCE ROOMS, TAB, 

82 ALLAN STREET KYABRAM Ph: 5852 2431 

www.kyabramclub.com.au 

KENO AND EFTPOS FACILITIES. 

office@kyabramclub.com.au Kyabram Club Keep up to date on FaceBook


Kyabram 

Bakery 

135 Allan St 

5852 1208 

SHEPPARTON WORKWEAR & SAFETY 

189 – 197 High Street SHEPPARTON VIC 3630 

FOR ALL YOUR WORKWEAR CORPORATE WEAR 

AND EMBROIDERY 

Ph.: 5831 4838 

Fax: 5831 1696 

Email: sales@sheppartonworkwear.com.au 

Website: www.sheppartonworkwear.com.au


CONTACT THE COTTAGE 

Girgarre Community Group Inc. 

(The Cottage) 

A1601 ABN: 66 944 230 131. 

27 Olympic St. (P.O. Box 35), Girgarre, 3624 

Phone: (03) 5854 6482 Fax: (03) 5854 6484 

http://girgarre.com.au/girgarre-community-cottage 

E-mail: girgarrenh@bigpond.com 

Coordinator: Kezia Talbot 

Connect with us on Facebook. Girgarre Community Cottage 

www.girgarre.com.au 

The Girgarre Gazette 

Do you have something you would like us to share? 

Deadline for publication is the 20th of the month 

Email: girgarregazette@yahoo.com.au 

Proudly sponsored by 

ADVERTISE WITH US 

The Girgarre Gazette is published and distributed 

electronically as well as in print to over 400 people via the 

Girgarre Post Office. It is also available at: Rob Varcoe’s shop, 

228 Allan St Kyabram; Nanneella Store, Rushworth & District 

Community Bank; Stanhope and is published on the Girgarre 

Website. wwwgirgarre.com.au 

The Gazette is produced for the benefit of the wider 

Girgarre community by the Girgarre Community Group Inc. 

(The Cottage). 

Join our email list! Drop us a line 

EMAIL: girgarregazette@yahoo.com.au 

Advertising 

Advertising space is available. 

Contact the Cottage or the 

Gazette for details. 

The items published and the views expressed in this publication are those 

of the contributors, and not necessarily those of the Editor or the 

publisher of the Gazette


RITCHIES COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROGRAM 

Girgarre Community Group Inc (‘The Cottage’) provide many services to the local community including; food parcels, 

community meals, library, tech help, the community car and many, many more 

cost. 

programs - all at little or no 

The Cottage needs funds to be able to continue to provide these services and we are appealing for your help via the 

Ritchies Community Benefit Program. 

Ritchies IGA & Liquor stores will give a percentage of the amount spent (excluding tobacco, gift cards & phone recharges) 

by all 

All you need to do is: 

members who nominate Girgarre Community Group Inc to receive the funds. 

Download the Ritchies App, or pick up a Ritchies Card in store and register it online (we can help you with this… ) 

Nominate Girgarre Community Group Inc as the beneficiary Shop at Ritchies and 0.5% of your purchases will go 

to The Cottage.



Respect for: | 

self | others | learning | environment 

It has been a productive start to 2023 for students at Girgarre Primary School. We’ve welcomed Emily Gezun as P-2 teacher 

and she will be with us for the best part of Term 1. Jess Nelson has also joined the team as a music therapist, providing 1:1, 

small group and whole-class sessions. 

There are 23 students enrolled this year and we think that these children are the luckiest – they have fantastic resources, both 

inside and outside the classroom, and have opportunities that are rare to see in larger schools – such as riding bicycles at 

recess and lunch times, taking trips to the theatre (we’re off to see Mary Poppins in Melbourne next month!) and developing 

strong friendships with other children, regardless of their age and year level. 

Our school captains for the year and Holly O’Neill and Adele Seabrook. We know that they will be fantastic role models and 

leaders for the rest of our student population. Destinie Clark and Ruby Marjoribanks have been elected sports captains while 

Mayley Patten-Boers will lead the Junior School Council (in her role as President), supporting the other members (Lilly Taylor, 

Maddy Taylor, Evie Patten-Boers and Ollie Schwarze). 

We hosted our Welcome Night on 15 February and it was fantastic to see everyone again and to welcome the families of our 

new Prep students. We have three Prep students in 2023: Flynn Withall, Vitani Summers and Amelia James. 

On 21 February, the P-2 class are off to Girgarre Kindergarten for Shrove Tuesday. The 3-6s will stay at school and have their 

own fun cooking (and eating) the delicious pancakes. 

Flynn Withall, one of our new Prep students.


The Summers family

Girgarre Football Netball Club 


The football and netball season officially start NEXT MONTH!!! 

Not too much news since last report, with training continuing with good numbers 

for football and netball. We are still looking for thirds footballers; come 

along on a Monday or Wednesday night (will change to Tuesday/Thursday in 

the next week or two) or contact Brock 0407 236 940 or Bill 0427 956 005. 

Our B grade netball coach position is still unfilled, so we are looking for someone enthusiastic to take 

on this role. 

If you have an hour or two spare on a weekend, we’d love to see you around the ground, especially if 

you have an interest in volunteering and helping out with a diverse range of roles available, including 

administration, umpires (football and netball), team managers, canteen helpers, gatekeepers, 

interchange steward etc. If you are new to the area, this is a great way to get involved in your local 

community. 

If you are interested in playing or volunteering at the club, please contact President Mathew Graetz on 

0429 181 269. We welcome all new members and volunteers. 

Keep up to date with everything that is happening on our Facebook page 

Girgarre Football Netball Club.

Girgarre Gazette March 2023

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