Gazette June 2024 pg24 Final

Girgarre Gazette 

June 2024 pg 

July 2020

THE HAPPIEST MAN IN TOWN 

Girgarre Gazette June 2024 pg 2 

GIRGARRE COMMUNITY NEWS 

Joe Gadinski (pictured) is surely the happiest man in town 

now that the Gargarro Botanic Gardens has taken 

possession of a new 61” zero-turn mower. Previously, Joe 

has struggled along using smaller borrowed mowers of 

some antiquity. Even the most infrequent visitor to the 

Gargarro Botanic Gardens will have noticed how 

beautifully-kept the lawn area is. Joe takes great pride in 

maintaining a surface that any curator would be proud of. 

D’Angelos. 

So, on Thursday 15 May, when Frank D’Angelo from GFD 

Outdoors and Sports of Kyabram delivered the brand new 

state-of-the-art 

mower, Joe and a 

Friends of the 

Gardens cheer squad 

were there to receive 

it – with huge smiles 

and great deal of 

gratitude to the 

Thanks go to Member for Nicholls, Mr Sam Birrell, too. Without his 

support, Gargarro Botanic Gardens Ltd would not have received a 

$10,000 grant from the Federal government’s Strengthening Rural 

Communities Fund. The hard-working Friends of Gargarro also 

contributed $5,900, towards the acquisition. Doc McDonald


Co-ordinator’s Catch-up 

Greetings all, 

I hope this finds you healthy, happy and enjoying these spectacular Autumn days and I do mean days, 

because the mornings are absolutely freezing. Snapping frozen hoses to wash ice off my windscreen 

as I head into town for my walk is not fun! I am also rearing four calves at 

the moment and washing out their feeders makes me realise how much 

more recognition and gratitude our dairy farmers deserve, definitely not a 

job for the faint hearted and/or anyone who does not like the cold. Thank 

you farmers. 

As you know, we run a food bank to assist those in need of food, ensuring 

people have access to enough fresh, nutritional food to live healthy lives. 

This is called “food security” and has become one of our biggest demands 

of late. As we partner with Bendigo Foodshare and deal with other foodbanks, 

we have decided to ease confusion with the numerous name 

double ups, we will refer to our foodbank as the Cottage Pantry. 

All food we receive from these organisations, we have to pay for from our 

operational funding which does not cover this, hence many, many hours 

are spent on grant writing. Grants we receive help offset costs, but does 

not cover all related expenses such as; power for running fridges, freezes, transport costs, staffing hours and so on. 

I recently put a call out on Facebook for donations of pasta and rice, however the call was not heeded. Difficult 

times for all, so I fully understand and I also realise not everyone is on Facebook and people may not know the full 

impact of the increased cost of living stresses. However, I recently went and purchased pasta and rice for the 

Cottage Pantry and bags of pasta are under a dollar. We are asking if you could donate one or two bags that would 

assist our community members beyond words. We can access tinned tomatoes, passata, tomato paste and cheese 

(thank you Fonterra) but we are struggling for the pasta component to allow people to make filling and satisfying 

meals. 

To give you an idea of the increase in demand in 2022 we assisted 488 families & individuals, 2023 it was 801 and 

in the first 3 months of this year (and remember we were closed for most of January) it was nearly 200 in two 

months. If this continues our number will exceed 1100 people this year. So any assistance you can give us will 

make a huge difference to peoples lives. I thank you for 

considering this request and ask if you can drop a bag 

of pasta in to us, once a fortnight, once a month or 

even just once...it will make a difference. Thank you. 

Open Wednesday to Sunday 7.30am—4pm 

(kitchen closes at 2.30pm) 

On a happier note, as you can see on the back page the 

Cottage turns forty in June. We are having a very low 

key informal lunch with our seniors, many of whom 

have been with us from the beginning. If you would 

like to join us please RSVP on 5854 6482; looking forward 

to seeing 

you. 

That’s all from 

me. Take care, 

Kezia 

Girgarre Community Cottage 

Keep up to date with 

future events and 

local information. 

Join us on Facebook.


GIRGARRE COMMUNITY NEWS 

MORE THAN AN ELEGANT SUFFICIENCY 

Greg Fitzpatrick donning 

his “L’s” 

On Wednesday 22 May, fifty happy folk from as far away as 

Wollongong, Echuca and Kyabram, and former and present 

Girgarre locals including members of the ‘Junkestra’, enjoyed an 

elegant morning tea fit for Melbourne’s Windsor Hotel. 

It was a fun day with learner ‘auctioneer’ Greg Fitzpatrick, 

conducting a pacey auction of beautiful plants and gifts and a 

fabulous black forest cake made by Bernie Ryan – all donated 

towards raising money for the ‘Cuppa for Cancer’ program. 

Combined with donations collected at the door, the proceeds 

from the auction raised $1,277.55 for the cancer cause. At the 

conclusion of the auction, Greg, who we suspect has some 

former experience when it comes to conducting auctions, 

accepted with good grace a provisional ‘P’ auctioneers’ licence 

from Avis Weller – much to the amusement of the audience. 

The food was delectable, donated by the Green Thumbs Nursery 

folk and their friends, including Joel and Leon from the Gargarro 

Café. 

Green Thumbs principal Loraine Warde 

thanked the many sponsors and donors who 

had provided the lucky door prizes and items to 

auction. It was nice to see former residents 

returning to support their hometown, she said. 

Irene Labbett 

Shirley Weeks 

with one of 

the beautiful 

table 

arrangements


Judy-Anne Gadinski with the fabulous 

black forest cake donated by Bernie 

Ryan. 

Patty, Girgarre resident and Lyn Cosham, 

leader of the Girgarre Jukes, ukulele group 

and member of the Junkestra


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

Girgarre Gazette June 2024 pg 7


Group Name Details Contact name Contact number 

The Girgarre Community Group Inc. President Allan Ohlin 0429 130 906 

The Girgarre Community Cottage 

3rd Monday 7pm 

Manager 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) 

Wednesdays 1:30pm 

Girgarre Kindergarten 

Begins 2nd week of term 

Supper Room, Memorial 

Hall $3 

Robyn Swan 5854 6482 

Lyn Cosham 5859 0297 

Girgarre Patchwork Quilters 

Fridays 9:30am 

Quilters and sewing group 

Memorial Hall $3 p/session 

Nola Williams 0438 552 546 

Girgarre Line Dancers 

Thursdays 2pm $7 

Girgarre-Stanhope Landcare 

Protection Group 

Memorial Hall Gloria Atkins 0400 539 778 

Secretary 

Bernadette 

Fitzpatrick 

0458 576 917 

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 

President 

RSL Club Room 

Captain 

CFA Meeting Room 

Gary Kitt 0458 548 224 

kittbagg@hotmail.com 

Shaun Halls 0487 740 001 

LIONS caravan for hire Please contact... Avis Weller 5854 6383 

Girgarre Community Church 

Sundays 9:30am 

Christian Church Ron Gregory 0427 546 382 

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 Memorial Hall 

Girgarre Recreational Reserve 

Memorial Hall (Bookings) 

Recreation Reserve 

Jenny Bassett 

Darren Butler 

0427 522 816 

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 $5 

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 Daniel Arnold 0400 214 693 

Girgarre Cricket Club President Mick Coyne 0488 296 566 

Girgarre Tennis Club 

President 

Secretary 

Jason Saunders 

Fiona Smith 

0400 299 942 

0408 502 274


SERVICES & FACILITIES 


FRIENDS OF GARGAR- 

RO 

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


Girgarre Community 

Kindergarten 

To keep updated on all Kinder information 

Find us on Facebook 

Girgarre Community Kindergarten


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 

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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. www.girgarre.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

SOLAR FARM CLOSE TO COMPLETION 


A group of eight members from the Girgarre Development were given a comprehensive guided tour of the Morrisey 

Road Solar Farm on Wednesday 15 May. 

Explaining the complexities of building a solar farm to a group of interested lay people was the task of Brendan 

Coneely and Ben Ash-Clark. Brendan represents Enel, the Italian company that owns this and many other solar 

farms across Australia. Ben represents BEON Energy Solutions, experts in the deployment of large-scale renewable 

energy and infrastructure projects – the company undertaking the hands-on work of getting the plant up and 

running. 

Ben said the best way to understand the panels installed across the 600 acre (243 hectare) site of the Solar Farm, 

was to see them as leaves on a tree, the high voltage cables linked via branches to the grid. The panels are designed 

to track the sun and are cleaned yearly as required. Over 200 workers were initially employed to prepare and install 

the panels, which are larger and heavier than those used on homes. The current work force of approximately sixty, 

includes electricians engaged in connecting the high voltage electrical cabling. 

The 119,000 panels currently installed across the farm have a thirty-five-year life span and will provide 200 

gigawatts of electricity to power over forty thousand homes. Three sections are now ready to undergo testing 

before the plant goes on-line later this year. 

When completed, farm maintenance will be low, with two or three full-time maintenance staff employed to oversee 

the operation. The five-metre area between each row of panels will be restored with suitable fodder species for live 

-stock. On-site beekeeping will also lessen the impact on the nearby environment. Ben went on to say the company 

had employed local contractors where possible and that the company appreciates the support and on-going 5 

interest of the local Girgarre community. 

Irene Labbett


Girgarre Solar Farm – 

Monthly Project Update 

May 2024 

Construction Update 

Construction works onsite at the Girgarre Solar Farm are progressing well. The mounting and tracking 

structure assembly, PV module installation, AC and DC (electrical) trenching have been completed. Construction 

of power station foundations have also been completed. 

The substation construction works are continuing with all major components installed. Commissioning 

across the solar farm and substation is also ongoing. This involves electrical testing across the site, to ensure 

the installed equipment is working as it should. The Operations & Maintenace building foundation 

works have commenced. 

Light vehicles continue to transit Morrissey Road, Watson Road, Winter Road and Mason Road as personnel 

is transported to site. 

On Wednesday 15 th May 2024, nine representatives from the Girgarre Development Group have visited 

Girgarre Solar Farm. 

The site visit went well, and the Girgarre Development Group has welcomed the opportunity to visit the 

site again in the future. 

For any further queries or feedback about Girgarre Solar Farm please email girgarresolarfarm@enel.com 

or contact Community Engagement and Sustainability Officer Giulia Scataglini on 0419 668 522.


KYABRAM TOWN HALL 

Writers’ Group 


Empty Page 

The chanteuse yawned and squinted against the early morning sunlight streaming in through the chink in the 

curtains. She surveyed the carnage of her latest attempts to ensnare her muse. 

It was a catastrophic scene. An empty bottle of Mumm champagne rolled onto the floor as she sat up and 

stretched. Smoke-haze filled the room. The overflowing ashtray accused her of neglect and its revenge had been to 

leave its indelible mark on her roll top desk – a family heirloom from the last century. Her great-grandfather would 

be turning in his grave. She could almost hear his tombstone creaking in response, expressing his utmost contempt 

for her carelessness. Just how many packets had she burnt through before obliviously resorting to making 

innumerable rollies? 

Her absorption in the mesmerising task had been so deep she was unaware a burning cigarette had melted 

the cheap nylon rug underneath her feet into a sticky black blob. No amount of cleaning would ever restore that. 

Beside the blob lay an empty bottle of Barossa shiraz, nestling against a merlot and cab sav. She examined the 

label dates closely. All the same vintage. Yet another disturbance to the peace of her long-departed ancestor! 

How the hell had these aged selections made their way out of the cellar? She could have sworn they were 

under lock and key down in the basement. URGH! There was the culprit – a sneaky two-litre chateau cardboard of 

blended reds – with the cellar key hung nonchalantly from the plastic tap. That red wine was so nasty she usually 

stashed it in the back of the cupboard so it couldn’t unleash the disaster demon that always followed 

consumption. 

Her glass of inspiration was tilted precariously on top of her collection of antique music books, the wine 

sludge still in its bulbous curve. Somehow, drops of wine had found their way to pool on the polished floorboards 

below. She looked at the puddle for a few moments before deciding that it resembled something out of a 

miniature murder scene. 

And where was her guitar? What on earth was she thinking last night to toss it carelessly onto the bed? It was 

her livelihood and one cherished possession. On closer inspection, she realised that it hadn’t been treated with 

disdain at all – she had actually posed it in that position and if she squinted at it with one eye closed, it seemed to 

be giving her the evil eye instead! 

Her mouth felt like the inside of a cocky’s cage. She needed water and a bloody huge mug of coffee – probably 

followed by a shot of whisky, just to get her started on cleaning up this mess! Then she would calmly review the 

amazing lyrics she had finally conjured up in the wee small hours just before the sun rose – and put them to music. 

Argh! The creative process certainly wreaked havoc on the precarious state of human-beingness! 

She turned to pick up her treasured book of lyrics and eagerly flipped through the pages, searching for last 

night’s inspired scribing … 

All she found was an empty page. 

© Judy Campbell 2024 

Judy is a member of the Kyabram Town Hall Writers’ Group. We have some very interesting and informative discussions 

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 birthday GIFT or SOUVENIR of the area – 

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

Seeking the Elusive Dunnart 


Remember the recent story in April’s 

Gazette about the search for the shy little 

mouse-like creature, the fat-tailed Dunnart 

over at the Axen property? 

Ryan Sauermann, research assistant from 

the University of Melbourne, acompanied 

by Eva, a volunteer on the program, 

(pictured), returned to the Axen property 

in May to see if the dunnarts had made a 

home there. They haven’t as yet, but Lyn 

Axen reports that the tiles, laid as habitat 

for the dunnarts are doing their job by 

attracting skaters, centipedes and mealy 

bugs -all the favourite food of the dunnart. 

Ryan and the team will continue to 

monitor the site at regular intervals. In the 

meantime, keep puss locked up a night to 

give all our nocturnal, native creatures a 

fighting chance.


Community Bank Rushworth & District and You 

Have you seen the tag lines “the better big bank” or “most trusted bank” around. You may have also noticed 

that some signs refer to “Bendigo Bank” where others mention the “Community Bank”. But what does it all 

mean? And more importantly, what does it all mean to you? 

Across Australia, Bendigo Bank is a considered Australia’s fifth biggest retail bank, with countless full-service 

branches throughout cities, suburbs and, more importantly, regional areas. Some of these branches are managed 

by Bendigo Bank themselves – but not Rushworth! 

Community Bank Rushworth & District, like many Community Banks, is a franchise of Bendigo Bank. This means 

that while they can offer all the products and services of a big bank, they are owned and operated locally – 

shareholders are often members of your community, staff are employed locally, and the volunteer Board Directors 

are all locals. 

But that isn’t where the community focus stops. The Board at Community Bank Rushworth & District don’t view 

themselves as a bank – they view themselves as a social enterprise that happens to have a retail bank as their 

means of income. What that means is that they, like all Community Banks, reinvest up to 80% of their profits 

back into the local community through grants, sponsorships and scholarships to local community groups and 

facilities, sporting clubs and grounds, community events, youth, welfare, schools, aged care programs and facilities 

and so much more in between. 

At Community Bank Rushworth & District, that reinvestment so far has reached $1.7 million! That is $1.7 million 

given to first year university and TAFE students, to youth for driving lessons, to health services to open a medical 

centre in town, to kindergartens and schools to purchase equipment, shade sails, or upgrade grounds or 

equipment, to community groups to put on events, to football clubs for new scoreboards, to netball clubs for 

lighting, and so very much more! 

So while we may not all have the means to help others out finacially, we can do one simple thing to help our 

community – chose to bank with a bank that gives back to the community. 

Stanhope Bowls Club upgrade possible thanks to Community Bank Rushworth & District 

Stanhope Bowls Club are in set to receive a big overhaul of their bowling greens to make them safer for bowler 

use. A massive $20,000 sponsorship was awarded to the Stanhopes Bowls Club at the end of May by Community 

Bank Rushworth & District, without which the project was going to take a number of years to achieve. 

The works, which includes repairing and renewing the surrounds of the bowling greens, will ensure that the 

playing surface is safe for players for many more years to come. Some of the infrastructure being repaired has 

been in place for over 70 years and proving dangerous for patrons of the club. 

Stanhope Bowls Club Treasurer, Greg Fitzpatrick, said that the club is extremely grateful to receive this sponsorship 

and support from Community Bank Rushworth and District. “The size of the project is quite large and when 

we approached the contractors for a quote we asked them to break it up into 3-4 different stages so we could 

fund it ourselves over a period of several years. By obtaining this sponsorship we will be able to undertake the 

whole project in one go and allow us to do preparatory works without worrying about leaving bits undone and 

or trying to match up the new works for a playing season. Most importantly it will help avoid cost blowout and 

price rises that would occur if it took us 3-4 years to complete the whole project.” 

Branch Manager Alek Stokes said “we are committed to supporting all of our local community groups and couldn’t 

be happier to support the Stanhope Bowls Club. Their willingness to invest in improving their grounds for 

everyone to enjoy is admirable. Hopefully these 

upgrades will ensure that the club remains active 

for another 75 years and the grounds remain safe 

and enjoyable for all our community.” 

Community Bank Rushworth & District return up 

to 80% of their profits to the local community 

through grants, sponsorships and scholarships. 

Enquires about grants and sponsorships can be 

made to Charleen Warburton, Marketing and 

Local Engagement Manager, on 0408 572 808 

during business hours. Applications can be made at https://communitybankrushworth.smartygrants.com.au/

Gazette June 2024 pg24 Final

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