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Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong><br />

<strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg<br />

July 2020


Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg 2<br />

GIRGARRE COMMUNITY NEWS<br />

MOOSIC MUSTER WRAP-UP – MUCH TO BE PROUD OF<br />

The Girgarre Moosic Muster is over – done and dusted for another year. Once again, the all-inclusive format<br />

contained the tried and true, plus many new and exciting workshops, open-mic opportunities, and free events to<br />

the delight of festival goers. The muster’s motto of Something for Everyone has seen it grow from a very small<br />

launch nineteen years ago, to the hugely successful five-day camp it is today. It’s a uniquely winning concept in the<br />

world of festivals, attracting more and more campers and day visitors each year. This year online bookings were up<br />

fifteen percent on previous years, plus over four hundred tickets were sold at the muster. The feedback and<br />

accolades from festival goers, many of them attending for the first time, is heart-warming. The program organisers<br />

and the volunteers who made it happen have much to be proud of.<br />

The deluge days before the festival was due to start did not deter the early bird campers, many arriving during the<br />

week prior to the Wednesday bush dance start-up. The grounds on the reserve were soggy for a day or two, but<br />

campers were obliging and respected the volunteer traffic wardens as they tried to find everyone a dry niche<br />

under the trees.<br />

PUT ON YOUR DANCIN’ SHOES<br />

Led by the local Billabong Bushies Band, (pictured below), the kick-up-your-heels bush dance denotes the official<br />

start of the muster each year. It’s the first of the many free events over the five-day festival. No partner? Doesn’t<br />

matter – there are always willing onlookers who’ll get up and have a go. Lively and great fun, the smiles say it all…


Co-ordinator’s Catch-up<br />

Greetings all,<br />

Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg 3<br />

I hope this finds you healthy, happy and enjoying the New Year! Well we are back, by the time you<br />

read this we have been reopened for 4 weeks, making my 4 week break nothing but a distant<br />

memory. Well that's not quite true, I had a lovely break, a beautiful Christmas day, various outings here and there<br />

and worked like a Trojan on my house and farm. Both looking spic and span at the moment despite the rain and<br />

the prolific growth of grass and weeds.<br />

We returned and hit the ground running with Australia Day, what a fabulous day it was. We had 70 in attendance<br />

and very worthy winners. Noel Mattei was the winner of both the Girgarre Community Member award and the<br />

Waranga Ward Citizen of the Year. He was the most deserving winner with his outstanding and continuous dedication<br />

to his community. His acceptance speech was heartfelt and had the attendees including his family very moved.<br />

The Rushworth OpShop and Food Bank won the Waranga Ward Community Group of the Year award and truly deserving<br />

winners they are. The support they offer to their community is outstanding and they have an exceptional<br />

dedicated team of volunteers. Congratulations to all involved.<br />

Finally, a huge shout out to all who volunteered on the day from setting up, cooking, serving and cleaning up.<br />

Thank you.<br />

The Cottage turns 40 in June, we will be marking this occasion with a celebration. Watch this space.<br />

Due to the ongoing pressures of the cost of living increases, our work load has tripled. Because of this we have<br />

made the sad decision that we will need to pull back this year on some community events we have run previously.<br />

We are encouraging other groups or community members to pick up these events and are willing to assist in the<br />

transition and facilitation if needed. The events we are pausing this year are;<br />

May-Biggest Morning Tea & Mother's Day Classic<br />

December-Girgarre Town Christmas Carols.<br />

It is with a heart felt apology that we are doing this but as mentioned our workload and restricted hours has made<br />

this impossible. We need to focus on our core operational activities and the health and welfare of our staff and<br />

volunteers. We thank you for your understanding.<br />

That is all from me, take care Kezia. Below left: Noel Mattei. Right: Rushworth Op Shop & Foodbank .Con’t pg 5


Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg 4<br />

THROW YOUR NAME INTO THE HAT…<br />

GIRGARRE COMMUNITY NEWS<br />

Nothing highlights the uniquely inclusive nature of Girgarre’s Moosic Muster more than the Ed Mahon Memorial<br />

‘Out-Of-The-Hat’ Bands. The ‘come-and-have-a-go attitude is a hallmark of a Girgarre muster, and that friendly attitude<br />

is no more apparent than when one joins a so-called ‘Hat Band’. Lack of musical experience or expertise is no<br />

deterrent to taking part. The randomly-picked members of each six-piece band ensures everyone, from raw beginners<br />

to the more proficient, is equally in the mix.<br />

The Hat Band acts this year offered a variety of styles from old pop and rock to blues and folk. Some were<br />

quite comical, but each band gave it their best as they vied for a sought-after spot onstage at the Friday evening<br />

Soundshell concert. Praise from the participants was unanimous. From Val Rowe: ‘Meg Bundock (Wiltshire, UK)<br />

and I took part in Hat Bands at Girgarre Moosic Muster. Our names were put in a hat along with about another<br />

160 people. Names were pulled out and we were given a leader and a song and told to be ready to perform to the<br />

audience about 2 hrs later (lunch to be fitted in during that time). Loads of fun to do and great to see all the other<br />

groups perform. 29 groups in total...’<br />

Left. The<br />

winning Hat<br />

Band sang<br />

‘Sing C’est La<br />

Vie’.<br />

Below right.<br />

The runnersup<br />

sang<br />

‘Happy<br />

Together’.


Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg 5<br />

Top:: This Hat Band sang ‘Cover of the Rolling Stone’. Above right:<br />

Everyone gets a go...Nathan from Broken Hill, assisted by his Dad,<br />

David. Nathan loves singing... Above left: The appreciative Hat<br />

Band crowd.<br />

Australia Day: Right: Guest speaker Frank Scopelliti & local Councillor<br />

Adrian Weston. Below: Some of the fabulous volunteers.


Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg 6<br />

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS - YOU MADE THE MUSTER MAGIC TOO!<br />

Setting up a Girgarre Moosic Muster is no mean feat. There’s a great deal of preparation going on in the lead up<br />

to a muster. Some of it obvious and much more behind the scenes. It is all about teamwork and could not happen<br />

without the many volunteers – both local and muster regulars – who willingly give time and expertise to have<br />

everything in place well before the activities begin. They bring in and set up the portable loos and showers; set up<br />

rubbish bins; see to it that chairs are in their proper settings for concerts and workshops; provide a minibus to<br />

ferry ukulele players back and forth from the recreation reserve (saving many aching legs); man the information<br />

van, and keep the toilets well stocked and clean.<br />

All the delicious fresh sandwiches and slices for morning teas and lunches are provided by volunteers. The<br />

MCs for open mics, those who offered up their expertise to conduct the workshops as well as the three who<br />

worked on sound and stage management – all stepped up to the mark for free.<br />

And that’s without the downpour that created ‘Lake Girgarre’ over on the reserve for a few days. Finding a<br />

dry camping spot was almost impossible until the sun popped out. One camper with a winch worked overtime,<br />

winching rigs out of bogs and resettling them onto dry land, while local volunteers and campers dug little drains to<br />

keep the water moving. The campers endured the upset with humour and a good grace too, making the<br />

organisers job so much easier. A mere ‘thankyou’ is barely enough to honour everyone for their hard work. I Labbett<br />

Below. Volunteering has its own rewards (photos Ken Stewart)<br />

Below. Di Burgmann, right organises all the workshops and Jan Smith, organises just about everything else.<br />

Below: ‘”a rainy day in paradise” (photos Andrea Shepherd)<br />

will resume on Saturday <strong>Feb</strong>ruary 24 th from 10.30 am until<br />

4pm. All are welcome - beginners to the more advanced. Singers<br />

too. Come and join us for a day of musical frolics and friendship.<br />

Entry $5 plus a plate of afternoon tea to share and a BYO lunch<br />

and coffee cup. Tea and coffee supplied.<br />

Contact. Irene Labbett. E: jigarrejammers@bigpond.com. www.girgarre.com.au


Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg 7<br />

As we are now a CDS partner, we will no longer<br />

be collecting lids, as they can be recycled<br />

through the CDS scheme or your yellow bin.<br />

However we are collecting bread tags. So<br />

please bag these up and bring them in.<br />

AGISTMENT AVAILABLE<br />

FOR 30 YEARLINGS ON WELL<br />

GRASSED DRY COUNTRY WITH<br />

GOOD WATER.<br />

IN THE STANHOPE AREA<br />

CONTACT NUMBER:<br />

0455 578 722


Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg 8<br />

Don’t peak, Puzzle on page 22<br />

ANSWERS<br />

BIRD – RAID – DRAW – WAND - SWAN<br />

FLORA – FLAIR – LAIRD – DIARY – YARDS - SHADY<br />

GARDEN – DANGLE – ANGELS – ALIGNS – LOSING<br />

– INGOTS - TOXINS


Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg 9


Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg 10<br />

Group Name Details Contact name Contact number<br />

The Girgarre Community Group Inc. President Duncan Rodrick 0427 391 706<br />

The Girgarre Community Cottage<br />

3rd Monday 7pm<br />

Coordinator Kezia Talbot 5854 6482<br />

0404 686 344<br />

Girgarre Seniors Tuesdays 10:45am Debra Stelzer 5854 6482<br />

Words on Wheels<br />

Girgarre Cottage<br />

Discuss chosen books<br />

3rd Thursdays 6pm<br />

The Cottage 5854 6482<br />

Gargarro Green Thumbs Nursery Nursery Sales Loraine Warde 0438 546 237<br />

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

Girgarre Playgroup 0-5 years<br />

Monday 10-12pm,<br />

Jigarre Ukulele (J-Ukes)<br />

Wednesdays 1:30pm<br />

Girgarre Kindergarten<br />

Begins 2nd week of term<br />

Supper Room, Memorial<br />

Hall $3<br />

Robyn Swan 5854 6482<br />

Lyn Cosham 5859 0297<br />

Girgarre Patchwork Quilters<br />

Fridays 9:30am<br />

Quilters and sewing group<br />

Memorial Hall $3 p/session<br />

Nola Marke 0428 748 226<br />

Girgarre Line Dancers<br />

Thursdays 2pm $7<br />

Carpet Bowls-Thursdays 7:15pm April<br />

to August<br />

Memorial Hall Gloria Atkins 0400 539 778<br />

All ages.<br />

Memorial Hall<br />

Leah (President)<br />

Rob Varcoe<br />

0476302999<br />

0409 975 997<br />

Girgarre Community Kindergarten Lead Educator Robyn Swan 5854 6368<br />

Girgarre Primary School Principal Peter Caldow 5854 6275<br />

Girgarre Returned Services League<br />

1st Tuesdays 7pm. <strong>Feb</strong>-Nov<br />

Girgarre Country Fire Authority<br />

1st Monday 7:30pm<br />

President<br />

RSL Club Room<br />

Captain<br />

CFA Meeting Room<br />

Gary Kitt 0458 548 224<br />

kittbagg@hotmail.com<br />

Shaun Halls 0487 740 001<br />

LIONS caravan for hire Please contact... Avis Weller 5854 6383<br />

Girgarre Community Church<br />

Sundays 9:30am<br />

Christian Church Ron Gregory 5854 6382<br />

Stanhope and District Men’s Shed<br />

Mon, Wed, Fri. 9am-12<br />

Have fun and create.<br />

3 Tivey Rd. Stanhope<br />

Merv Andrew 0457 300 321<br />

Girgarre Facilities Committee<br />

Girgarre Memorial Hall<br />

Girgarre Recreational Reserve<br />

Memorial Hall (Bookings)<br />

Recreation Reserve<br />

Jenny Bassett<br />

Darren Butler<br />

0427 522 816<br />

0427 546 332<br />

Girgarre Development Group (DGD)<br />

Last Tuesday, Jan-Nov 7:30pm<br />

Girgarre Improvements<br />

Memorial Hall<br />

Jan Smith 5854 6283<br />

Gargarro Project Gargarro Botanic Gardens Athol McDonald 5854 6324<br />

Friends of Gargarro Garden -<br />

working Bee 4th Sunday of month<br />

Chairperson Loraine Warde 58546236<br />

0438 546 237<br />

Girgarre Craft Market<br />

2nd Sundays. 8:30-12<br />

Bookings/enquiries Jan Smith 5854 6283<br />

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

Jigarre Jammers. <strong>Feb</strong> to Nov<br />

4th Saturday 10:30-4pm $2<br />

Acoustic Music Irene Labbett 0429 149 246<br />

Girgarre Living History<br />

Book title “Girgarre”<br />

Record of local history<br />

Athol McDonald<br />

Jenny Wadelton<br />

5854 6324<br />

5852 2301<br />

Girgarre Football/Netball Club President Brendon Nicholson 0413 022 398<br />

Girgarre Cricket Club President Mick Coyne 0488 296 566<br />

Girgarre Tennis Club<br />

President<br />

Secretary<br />

Jason Saunders<br />

Fiona Smith<br />

0400 299 942<br />

0408 502 274


Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg 11


Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg 12<br />

CLASSIFIEDS & SERVICES<br />

Girgarre Community<br />

Kindergarten<br />

To keep updated on all Kinder information<br />

Every Wednesday<br />

Find us on Facebook<br />

Girgarre Community<br />

Kindergarten<br />

11 -<br />

1pm<br />

FRIENDS OF GARGARRO<br />

CATERING AVAILABLE<br />

Need catering for a<br />

function?<br />

Well, the Gargarro Gardens<br />

Catering Team will be more<br />

than happy to cater for your<br />

needs depending on<br />

numbers.<br />

Phone Bernie Ryan for more<br />

info if you are planning a<br />

function.<br />

Ph: 5857 2407<br />

Mob: 0455 578 722


Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg 13<br />

Thursday 9-3pm<br />

Saturday 9-2pm


Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg 14<br />

MARCH <strong>2024</strong><br />

KYABRAM<br />

TOWN HALL GALLERY<br />

OPEN 10-4 Mon-Sat<br />

58521546 0490371641<br />

www.kyabramtownhall.com.au<br />

info@kyabramtownhall.com.au<br />

EXHIBITIONS IN MARCH<br />

YOUTH TEXTILE AND ART EXHIBITION.<br />

This exhibition features work from<br />

young artists of kyabram<br />

paintings & textiles<br />

A IS FOR ANIMAL<br />

Splinter Contemporary Artists<br />

Opens 5 FEB<br />

www.kyabramtownhall.com.au 0490 371 641 5852 1546<br />

BASKETRY & BEYOND. Opens 5th FEB<br />

Work by Northern Plains Basket Makers<br />

LESLIE EDWARDS—Textile Artist -<br />

Colour & Form Ends 5 APRIL<br />

Experiments in Fabric Dyeing


KYABRAM TOWN HALL<br />

Writers’ Group<br />

Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg 15<br />

A Bob for Bob<br />

One time when I was six, my father gave me a shilling and said, “Go over to Mr Brown and say you have a bob for<br />

Bob.” A mysterious request to be sure, but running errands usually meant new experiences and whys and wherefores<br />

were not to get in the way.<br />

Mr Brown across the road was leaning on his gate. “I have a bob for Bob,” I said, and he took me out to the<br />

back yard where he kept his dogs. One was a happy-faced smooth-haired golden labrador bitch, and the dog was a<br />

gruff and wiry Irish terrier. They were a pair and running around them were some gorgeous blonde pups. Mr Brown<br />

picked one up and held his cute little face right in mine and spoke.<br />

“This is Bob. He’s yours.” Well, the delight was all mine. One of my great desires was to own a dog though I<br />

had never been game enough to ask. Begging for a cat had been hard enough.<br />

Mr Brown was not quite ready to hand over my beautiful Bob. In a few minutes he would deliver the little<br />

bundle to our house himself, he said. He must have thought I would drop him and then maybe the pup might run<br />

away. I was very impatient about it all.<br />

My dad and I waited at our front fence. At last Mr Brown came over and those two blokes got to talking and<br />

talking and Mr Brown kept on holding the pup. Gee whizz. My mother always said men gossip as much as women.<br />

Couldn’t he see I was ready?<br />

“Here,” said Mr Brown, and gave Bobby to me. Finally! Oh, the joy! Bobby had his mother’s sweet face and<br />

some of his pa’s rough hair. He liked me, too. Tried to lick my face. I accepted him like you would a baby, his tummy<br />

on my chest, one arm around him and one hand under his bottom.<br />

Mr Brown eventually left, by which time I became aware that my hand was wet. Had the pup piddled on me?<br />

There are natural reactions to such sensations: I looked.<br />

I can’t describe what happened next. All I remember is the crying and the panic. My hand was all bloody.<br />

Whatever time it took to calm me down and how that was done I can no longer tell. The problem, dear reader,<br />

was the result of a cruel and unnecessary practice that humans once believed – and some still do – that in some<br />

way it enhanced nature to dock a dog’s tail.<br />

My mother put mercurochrome on the pup’s stump wound and in time it healed over. Bobby was a great dog,<br />

a beaut companion who would sit right up next to me, and regardless of how I was feeling, would make me feel<br />

better with just his smiling face. He lived till he was fourteen. I think he had a happy life with us.<br />

The fact that it did not seem to leave psychological scars on the dog has never justified the act – a brutality not<br />

outlawed in Australia till half a century later in 2004. Nevertheless, to mitigate my lingering revulsion when I think<br />

of our first meeting, PETA does receive the occasional donation from me – in honour of a top dog that cost only a<br />

shilling.<br />

© Maria Radanov 2022<br />

Maria is a member of the Kyabram Town Hall Writers’ Group. We have some very interesting and informative discussions while sharing<br />

stories, poetry, and the problems of the writer’s craft. The KTHWs’G has produced a book – Celebrating Women – a collection of original written<br />

works and art from the community – a great birthday GIFT or SOUVENIR of the area – for sale at $20 from the Kyabram Town Hall and online from<br />

the writers’ group link on Facebook and the KTH website: kyabramtownhall.com.au Direct contact: kyabramwritersgroup@gmail.com


Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg 16<br />

Kyabram<br />

Bakery<br />

135 Allan St<br />

Girgarre Community<br />

Cottage<br />

Keep up to date with<br />

future events and<br />

local information.<br />

5852 1208<br />

SHEPPARTON WORKWEAR & SAFETY<br />

189 – 197 High Street SHEPPARTON VIC 3630<br />

FOR ALL YOUR WORKWEAR CORPORATE WEAR<br />

AND EMBROIDERY<br />

Ph.: 5831 4838<br />

Fax: 5831 1696<br />

Email: sales@sheppartonworkwear.com.au<br />

Website: www.sheppartonworkwear.com.au


Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg 17<br />

CONTACT THE COTTAGE<br />

Girgarre Community Group Inc.<br />

(The Cottage)<br />

A1601 ABN: 66 944 230 131.<br />

27 Olympic St. (P.O. Box 35), Girgarre, 3624<br />

Phone: (03) 5854 6482 Fax: (03) 5854 6484<br />

http://girgarre.com.au/girgarre-community-cottage<br />

E-mail: girgarrenh@bigpond.com<br />

Coordinator: Kezia Talbot<br />

Connect with us on Facebook. Girgarre Community Cottage<br />

www.girgarre.com.au<br />

The Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong><br />

Do you have something you would like us to share?<br />

Deadline for publication is the 20th of the month<br />

Email: girgarregazette@yahoo.com.au<br />

Proudly sponsored by<br />

ADVERTISE WITH US<br />

The Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> is published and distributed<br />

electronically as well as in print to over 400 people via the<br />

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

228 Allan St Kyabram; Nanneella Store, Rushworth & District<br />

Community Bank; Stanhope and is published on the Girgarre<br />

Website. www.girgarre.com.au<br />

The <strong>Gazette</strong> is produced for the benefit of the wider<br />

Girgarre community by the Girgarre Community Group Inc.<br />

(The Cottage).<br />

Join our email list! Drop us a line<br />

EMAIL: girgarregazette@yahoo.com.au<br />

Advertising<br />

Advertising space is available.<br />

Contact the Cottage or the<br />

<strong>Gazette</strong> for details.<br />

The items published and the views expressed in this publication are those<br />

of the contributors, and not necessarily those of the Editor or the<br />

publisher of the <strong>Gazette</strong>


Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg 18<br />

Girgarre Solar Farm – Monthly Project Update<br />

January <strong>2024</strong><br />

Construction Update<br />

Construction works onsite at the Girgarre Solar Farm<br />

are progressing well. Piling, which forms part of the<br />

mounting structure is progressing. Construction of<br />

foundations for power stations and substation are continuing,<br />

and the project will be working towards<br />

installing the solar PV modules in the next few months.<br />

Light and heavy vehicles continue to transit Morrissey<br />

Road, Watson Road, Winter Road, Mason Road as<br />

goods and personnel are transported to site.<br />

During the upcoming weeks, Heavy Rigid trucks with<br />

containers of solar PV modules will be transiting to and<br />

from site on the Girgarre-Rushworth Road (C348) and<br />

the Midland Highway (A300).<br />

About Enel Green Power<br />

You can learn more information on Enel Green Power by visiting the website: www.enelgreenpower.com<br />

For any further queries or feedback about Girgarre Solar Farm please email girgarresolarfarm@enel.com or contact<br />

Community Engagement and Sustainability Officer Giulia Scataglini on 0419 668 522.<br />

Project updates can also be found on our website: https://www.enelgreenpower.com/our-projects/indevelopment/girgarre-solar-farm<br />

MUSIC FOR MENTAL HEALTH<br />

One of the things that most helped many of us cope with the stress of the recent pandemic, was music. It is a wellknown<br />

fact that music can have a positive effect over your thoughts and feelings. If you’ve ever been moved by a piece<br />

of music or felt joy singing along to your favourite artiste, you will understand the power of music to relieve stress and<br />

bring about a sense of well-being. The growth in community music in recent years is a testament to the potential of music<br />

to connect people and bring healing to those who suffer mental or physical health issues.<br />

There is a wonderful example of this right here, on home-turf, with two of our regular muster and Jigarre Jammin’<br />

attendees writing of their experiences of healing through their connection with the musical family in Girgarre. Irene Labbett<br />

Voksy Daesche writes: My psychologist said that coming to Girgarre is the best thing that has happened<br />

to me. Because of my involvement here, and the friendships I’ve made, I am now able to feel at<br />

peace with the world. I’ve come a long way. Since my first muster I have not had a PNES episode. I’ve<br />

pursued as much music as I can possibly fit into my life, and everyone who has asked me to perform<br />

or jam with them has been responsible for my recovery. I’d also like to thank everyone who helped<br />

step forward and make this muster as stress free as possible for me, you’ve all made a very measurable<br />

impact on my wellbeing, and that is something I never forget and wish I could repay.<br />

And Tracy Roberts: The muster this year was a different experience for me. Last year, it was all new, I<br />

sang at a walk-up for the first time …and I spent a lot of time hovering around the folk club tent near<br />

my van, trying to join in. This year it was hours spent walking around, catching up with friends that I<br />

see every month at the Jigarre Jammin’, or at camping weekends and making newcomers feel as welcome<br />

as I was in 2023. I did parking-attendant duties, acted as tour guide and as a general purveyor<br />

of (probable mis)information. A few years ago I had a bad accident, leaving me with an acquired<br />

brain injury. Since recovering, I have memory loss and anxiety issues. Learning the Ukulele, and singing<br />

in two choirs, plus my involvement in the Girgarre music community, has given me confidence and<br />

improved my mental wellbeing considerably.


Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg 19<br />

Girgarre Community Cottage<br />

can help casuals access sick and<br />

carer’s pay. The Victorian Government<br />

is partnering with<br />

Neighbourhood Houses Victoria<br />

to make it easier to access the<br />

Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee.<br />

The Sick Pay Guarantee provides<br />

up to 38 hours a year of sick and<br />

carer's pay to eligible casual and<br />

contract workers in certain jobs.<br />

If you need help to sign up for<br />

the Sick Pay Guarantee – or if<br />

you know someone who needs<br />

help – get in touch with Girgarre<br />

Community Cottage on (03)<br />

5854 6482.<br />

Workers can also sign up and<br />

claim the Sick Pay Guarantee<br />

online at vic.gov.au/<br />

sickpayguarantee or on the<br />

Service Victoria<br />

app.


MOOSIC MUSTER Con’t<br />

Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg 20<br />

MEANWHILE – OVER IN THE REC RESERVE – UKULELES RULE!<br />

Look over your shoulder at a monthly Jigarre Jammin’ session or a muster, you will find<br />

someone plucking away at a ukulele! Ukuleles have become so popular in recent years that<br />

we’ve given them their own designated ‘mini-festival’ over at the Girgarre recreation<br />

reserve. It works beautifully, thanks to co-ordinators like Sue Kidd, Brendan Canty, Kim<br />

Burns and the specialty workshop leaders they source each muster, this year welcoming<br />

them from South Australia and New Zealand. Everything ukulele is on the table, from<br />

beginner classes to a ukulele jazz session. The turnout for the workshops is huge, over eighty participants and<br />

growing each year.<br />

The finer points of ukulele playing are eagerly absorbed by the uke-loving folk attending the various workshops.<br />

At the conclusion of the day, they all get together for a huge ‘Ukestra Madness’ session, where all jump into<br />

the fray to learn a four-part harmony piece. As things muster wind down on Sunday, the ukulele players showcase<br />

their growing expertise to the non-uke musicians at an afternoon concert in the Memorial Hall. It’s great fun and<br />

one of the most popular additions to a muster. Di Burgmann<br />

MUSTER CONCERTS<br />

OVER IN GLORYLAND…<br />

Each muster, the sound of voices raised in joyful song rings out across the<br />

street and market. Tony, Riki, Bruce and Kristen of the band ‘Dancin’ With<br />

Angels’(pictured), have been leading old-time gospel- bluegrass style - for this<br />

popular Sunday morning session since it’s inception nineteen years ago. It’s<br />

not only festival campers who fill the supper room to capacity, but members<br />

of the Girgarre Community and other district churches. Occasionally visitors<br />

to the market pop in too, attracted by the sound of the singing.<br />

The Friday and Saturday free concerts at the beautiful Soundshell are a highlight of a Girgarre Moosic Muster. This<br />

year, the large crowd of festival attendees and visitors enjoyed a warm Friday evening of wonderful music, keeping<br />

one eye on the weather as distant thunder rattled around the heavens. Saturday night provided a contrast due to a<br />

chillier than expected wind making jackets and knee rugs the order of the evening. The style of music at both concerts<br />

was broad, ranging from the lively sounds of NQR (Not Quite Right), a lively Jazz band to Australiana by Drongo<br />

and the Crow, (pictured below) to bluesy rock and folk. A relaxing way to wind up a busy day.


Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg 21


Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg 22<br />

WORD PUZZLES<br />

Change one letter & rearrange letters at each step to get to the <strong>final</strong> word<br />

(the first step is done for you J)<br />

B I R D<br />

R A I D<br />

Attack<br />

Make a picture using pens or pencils<br />

Magical baton<br />

S W A N<br />

F L O R A<br />

Panache<br />

Scottish lord<br />

Book of private thoughts<br />

Old units of measurement<br />

S H A D Y<br />

G A R D E N<br />

Hang<br />

Seraphs<br />

Brings into line<br />

Misplacing<br />

Rectangular blocks of metal<br />

T O X I N S


Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg 23<br />

GIRGARRE COMMUNITY NEWS<br />

We have a vibrant seniors group, who meet every Tuesday at The Cottage at 10.30am. W are always looking for new<br />

people to join us. Please find below the list of activities for the first six months of this year. Minimum cost is in-house $5<br />

p/p, meal supplied. Outings transport $5p/p and meal at own cost.<br />

January<br />

16 Outing-Shepparton Club Anthony<br />

23 In house<br />

30 Outing-Colbinnabin Pub<br />

<strong>Feb</strong>ruary<br />

6 In house WOW<br />

13 Outing-Timmering-sunflowers & lunch-Rochester<br />

20 In house<br />

27 Shepparton Club Anthony<br />

March<br />

5 In house WOW<br />

12 Outing-Echuca Taras Hall lunch<br />

19 In house<br />

26 Shepparton Club Anthony<br />

April<br />

2 In house WOW<br />

9 Outing-Lockington museum & pub lunch<br />

16 In house<br />

23 In house<br />

30 Shepparton Club Anthony<br />

May<br />

7 In house WOW<br />

14 Outing-Shepparton Chinese lunch<br />

21 In house Biggest Morning Tea<br />

28 Shepparton Club Anthony<br />

June<br />

4 In house WOW<br />

11 Outing_Barmah pub & cultural heritage<br />

Centre (Nathalia)<br />

18 In house<br />

25 Shepparton Club Anthony<br />

Please contact The Cottage on 5854 6482, if you have any questions.


Girgarre <strong>Gazette</strong> <strong>Feb</strong>ruary <strong>2024</strong> pg 24

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