The Flowerdale Community House services will resume next Tuesday 2nd Feb at the Flowerdale Hall.
* Chaplaincy Australia - All day morning Teas (10am - 2pm)
* Chiropractic Services - RMIT Practictioners (11am - 3.30pm)
* Hands on Health Australia - Massage, Acupunture etc
* Women's Support Group - (9.45am)
Everyone Welcome
For more information please call Odette on 57802664 or 0429012129.
Expressions of interest are needed for a free dental service to commence in Flowerdale.
It is anticipated that a weekly service will commence in March on Saturdays if the demand is there.
Please call the Community House on 57802664 to register your interest.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Australia Day - Another Great Community Event
Australia Day 2010 was a great success with an estimated 400 people attending. Official proceedings kicked off at around midday with speeches from Sally Abbott Smith, local councillor, and Michael Rowland, an Australia Day Ambassador.
Ben Hardman, State MP, explained that this year there was no Citizen of the year Award as so many people in the community had done extraordinary things on Black Saturday and in the time since Black Saturday. Instead all those that attended were presented with a Community of the Year commerorative badge. It was very well received by those attending.
Sally said Flowerdale has become known during the bushfire recovery for putting on great events and today was no exception.
Our Community Development Officer, Sarah, and some local musicians sang the national anthem. Rumours about Sarah's singing ability were more than confirmed with a brilliant rendition. The Flowerdale Children's Choir sang the Australian Classics, "True Blue" and "I am Australian". They have come a long way with plenty of public performances over the last twelve months and were great.
A special moment was the raising of the Flowerdale flag for the first time and the crowd responded with loud applause.
The day then turned to the events which started with the Egg and Spoon Race. Plenty of contestants lined up with two heats and a final.
The Egg Throwing followed where teams of two had to throw a raw egg back and forth in a last man standing affair. There was plenty of egg on people's faces, hair and clothes by the end.
Gum Boot Throwing was next to kick off with a kids and adult division.
Alan Schultz, local horseman, set up the Horseshoe Toss and people young and old threw four horseshoes at a post. Five people managed to get the shoe to wrap around the post to make it into the final. It was very competitive.
The Sack Race had a good field, mainly made up of youngsters, and it was a competitive race although many competitors bit the dust on the way to the finish line.
The highlight of the day was the Flowerdale Gift, the traditional three legged race. There was a massive field and this year the technological innovation of Gaffer Tape was introduced as in previous years ties had become untied during the race. The handicappers taped and lined up the field according to their handicaps. The crowd lined up along the track and they were off. It was a well contested race with more falls than a Grand National and there were great celebrations from the winners at the end.
Afterglow provided the music and were fantastic. They sang a wide range of classic covers and had the crowd up and dancing.
There was plenty of food and drink, horse and cart rides and a raffle of the flag.
It was a brilliant day and made me feel very proud to be an Australian and to have the opportunity to mix in a community as wonderful as Flowerdale. I had never attended an Australia Day celebration of any kind before but I dont think I would find any event that represents what Australia is about better than Australia Day 2010 in Flowerdale.
A massive thanks to the Australia Day committee for organising the event. There are plenty of photos on the photo site and feel free to pass on any you wish to share to Julie Bateman. I will get the official results for the events and hopefully get video footage of the events.
Ben Hardman, State MP, explained that this year there was no Citizen of the year Award as so many people in the community had done extraordinary things on Black Saturday and in the time since Black Saturday. Instead all those that attended were presented with a Community of the Year commerorative badge. It was very well received by those attending.
Sally said Flowerdale has become known during the bushfire recovery for putting on great events and today was no exception.
Our Community Development Officer, Sarah, and some local musicians sang the national anthem. Rumours about Sarah's singing ability were more than confirmed with a brilliant rendition. The Flowerdale Children's Choir sang the Australian Classics, "True Blue" and "I am Australian". They have come a long way with plenty of public performances over the last twelve months and were great.
A special moment was the raising of the Flowerdale flag for the first time and the crowd responded with loud applause.
The day then turned to the events which started with the Egg and Spoon Race. Plenty of contestants lined up with two heats and a final.
The Egg Throwing followed where teams of two had to throw a raw egg back and forth in a last man standing affair. There was plenty of egg on people's faces, hair and clothes by the end.
Gum Boot Throwing was next to kick off with a kids and adult division.
Alan Schultz, local horseman, set up the Horseshoe Toss and people young and old threw four horseshoes at a post. Five people managed to get the shoe to wrap around the post to make it into the final. It was very competitive.
The Sack Race had a good field, mainly made up of youngsters, and it was a competitive race although many competitors bit the dust on the way to the finish line.
The highlight of the day was the Flowerdale Gift, the traditional three legged race. There was a massive field and this year the technological innovation of Gaffer Tape was introduced as in previous years ties had become untied during the race. The handicappers taped and lined up the field according to their handicaps. The crowd lined up along the track and they were off. It was a well contested race with more falls than a Grand National and there were great celebrations from the winners at the end.
Afterglow provided the music and were fantastic. They sang a wide range of classic covers and had the crowd up and dancing.
There was plenty of food and drink, horse and cart rides and a raffle of the flag.
It was a brilliant day and made me feel very proud to be an Australian and to have the opportunity to mix in a community as wonderful as Flowerdale. I had never attended an Australia Day celebration of any kind before but I dont think I would find any event that represents what Australia is about better than Australia Day 2010 in Flowerdale.
A massive thanks to the Australia Day committee for organising the event. There are plenty of photos on the photo site and feel free to pass on any you wish to share to Julie Bateman. I will get the official results for the events and hopefully get video footage of the events.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Prince William & Cricketers Pics on Flickr
We have now got a few photos up on our Flickr Photostream site of Prince William & the Cricketers who came to Flowerdale on 21st January.
Follow the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerdale/
If you do have photos or video footage of the day could you please email either Pete Williams pewilliams@deloitte.com.au or Julie Bateman jbateman@y7mail.com or contact me on 0418589072 to arrange to collect pictures/video.
We would like to have as many as possible for our Flowerdale Internet Sites and for later to put in the history of Flowerdale for future generations.
Follow the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/flowerdale/
If you do have photos or video footage of the day could you please email either Pete Williams pewilliams@deloitte.com.au or Julie Bateman jbateman@y7mail.com or contact me on 0418589072 to arrange to collect pictures/video.
We would like to have as many as possible for our Flowerdale Internet Sites and for later to put in the history of Flowerdale for future generations.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Community Hall Renovation on the move
Things are now moving on the Community Hall Renovation project funded in the Statewide Recovery Plan. In addition to the renovation to the existing building DHS are looking to extend the hall so they can remove the portable buildings and operate from the extension. This will provide the community with additional facilities when the relief services finish some time in the future.
The Department of Human Services and the Office of Housing have appointed an architect/project manager and the project kick off meeting was held on 20th January.
The renovation to the existing hall includes:
Designs for the extension will be drawn up in the next few weeks and we will provide more details about the proposed design and timing as they come to hand.
Once finished it will be a vastly improved community facility. It is great to see another recovery project getting traction.
The Department of Human Services and the Office of Housing have appointed an architect/project manager and the project kick off meeting was held on 20th January.
The renovation to the existing hall includes:
- Air Conditioning
- New Blinds and Curtains
- New Toilets
- Interior and Exterior painting
- Children's Playground
- Undercover BBQ Area
- Landscaping
- Sound System, Lighting and Data projector
- New Tables and Chairs
- Fence
- Signage
- Upgrade the driveway and turning lane
- General repairs to the stage and interior
Designs for the extension will be drawn up in the next few weeks and we will provide more details about the proposed design and timing as they come to hand.
Once finished it will be a vastly improved community facility. It is great to see another recovery project getting traction.
Prince William given a Flowerdale T Shirt
With the Flowerdale T Shirts becoming fairly popular around town they are now an international fashion item, with one being given to Prince William by the Flowerdale Recovery Committee when he came to visit. I just got the photo below from Ric Stubbings
The TShirts are available at the Hazeldene Store and all proceeds go to the Flowerdale Relief Fund to fund community projects.
The TShirts are available at the Hazeldene Store and all proceeds go to the Flowerdale Relief Fund to fund community projects.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Prince William visit a massive boost to Flowerdale Community
Prince William visited Flowerdale today for a community barbeque where about 400 residents turned out to welcome him. It is hard to describe what was an amazing day, there were smiles everywhere as Prince William mixed with locals, cooked the barbeque, played cricket with the kids (as well as Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee and Brad Hodge) and planted a commemorative tree.
Prince William is greeted by Recovery Committee Chair John Burgess as he arrives in Flowerdale
The Prince won everyone over with his humility, genuine interest in the people and willingness to participate and mix with us all. He was more than happy to meet the hundreds of requests for photos and seemed almost embarrassed when people thanked him for coming, saying it was his privilege to be invited.
Prince William gets the local kids together for a photo
Everyone who met him commented on his down to earth manner, his friendly smile and in typical Aussie fashion they said he was a great bloke. There have been many dignitaries and celebrities visit Flowerdale since Black Saturday but none have matched the inspiration provided by Prince William. I suppose the best way to describe it is that he brought joy to the people of Flowerdale.
The day started with the broadcast of the Sunrise breakfast show from the Flowerdale Primary School. As the visit was supposed to be "secret" the show just said they were broadcasting from the bushfire areas although a resident who will go unnamed and was interviewed let it slip that it was happening in Flowerdale. There will also be extensive coverage on Channel 9 Today Show, tomorrow morning.
After Sunrise there was a cricket clinic at the Rec Reserve where Cricket Victoria had organised for Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee, Brad Hodge and Callum Ferguson to play with the local kids. The cricketers also mixed with the locals and spent a lot of time learning about what happened on Black Saturday and how things are rebuilding.
Prince William and Brett Lee talk bowling tactics
A huge international media pack came into town in buses and they also mixed with locals listening to the stories of Black Saturday. Articles have already appeared in The Guardian, Daily Telegraph, New York Times talking about the Royal visit. Many of the media commented on the positive attitude and community spirit they encountered when talking to people.
Bill Shorten, who has been a tireless supporter of bushfire affected communities and a very regular visitor to Flowerdale, was also on hand early and as always was talking to community members about where things were at. He also donned an apron and cooked the barbeque. A special thanks goes to Bill for his support and willingness to help make things happen.
Prince William and Bill Shorten have a chat while cooking the barbie
Christine Nixon, Ben Hubbard and many VBRRA staff also attended, the fact that they now know so many locals is a testament to the work they have been doing.
When Prince William arrived he had a briefing from the Flowerdale Recovery Committee and was presented with a Flowerdale TShirt. John Burgess was asked to show Prince William around and he recounted the details of how the recovery and rebuilding was taking place.
Prince William planted a gum tree with Erin and Skylah from the Primary School, and there is a memorial plaque to commerorate the tree planting and visit.
It was a real honour and privilege to have Prince William visit and for all who attended it was an unforgettable day. Many people took photos and videos so if you have some you would like to share please send them to me petfwill@gmail.com and I will put them on the blog and the photo site.
Prince William is greeted by Recovery Committee Chair John Burgess as he arrives in Flowerdale
The Prince won everyone over with his humility, genuine interest in the people and willingness to participate and mix with us all. He was more than happy to meet the hundreds of requests for photos and seemed almost embarrassed when people thanked him for coming, saying it was his privilege to be invited.
Prince William gets the local kids together for a photo
Everyone who met him commented on his down to earth manner, his friendly smile and in typical Aussie fashion they said he was a great bloke. There have been many dignitaries and celebrities visit Flowerdale since Black Saturday but none have matched the inspiration provided by Prince William. I suppose the best way to describe it is that he brought joy to the people of Flowerdale.
The day started with the broadcast of the Sunrise breakfast show from the Flowerdale Primary School. As the visit was supposed to be "secret" the show just said they were broadcasting from the bushfire areas although a resident who will go unnamed and was interviewed let it slip that it was happening in Flowerdale. There will also be extensive coverage on Channel 9 Today Show, tomorrow morning.
After Sunrise there was a cricket clinic at the Rec Reserve where Cricket Victoria had organised for Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee, Brad Hodge and Callum Ferguson to play with the local kids. The cricketers also mixed with the locals and spent a lot of time learning about what happened on Black Saturday and how things are rebuilding.
Prince William and Brett Lee talk bowling tactics
A huge international media pack came into town in buses and they also mixed with locals listening to the stories of Black Saturday. Articles have already appeared in The Guardian, Daily Telegraph, New York Times talking about the Royal visit. Many of the media commented on the positive attitude and community spirit they encountered when talking to people.
Bill Shorten, who has been a tireless supporter of bushfire affected communities and a very regular visitor to Flowerdale, was also on hand early and as always was talking to community members about where things were at. He also donned an apron and cooked the barbeque. A special thanks goes to Bill for his support and willingness to help make things happen.
Prince William and Bill Shorten have a chat while cooking the barbie
Christine Nixon, Ben Hubbard and many VBRRA staff also attended, the fact that they now know so many locals is a testament to the work they have been doing.
When Prince William arrived he had a briefing from the Flowerdale Recovery Committee and was presented with a Flowerdale TShirt. John Burgess was asked to show Prince William around and he recounted the details of how the recovery and rebuilding was taking place.
Prince William planted a gum tree with Erin and Skylah from the Primary School, and there is a memorial plaque to commerorate the tree planting and visit.
It was a real honour and privilege to have Prince William visit and for all who attended it was an unforgettable day. Many people took photos and videos so if you have some you would like to share please send them to me petfwill@gmail.com and I will put them on the blog and the photo site.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Flowerdale Australia Day Event
Flowerdale is holding its Annual Australia Event at Recreation Reserve on 26th January 2010.
Everyone Welcome there will be lots to entertain both Adults & Children come & Join in the Fun.
Flowerdale Australia Event Jan 26th 2010
Everyone Welcome there will be lots to entertain both Adults & Children come & Join in the Fun.
Flowerdale Australia Event Jan 26th 2010
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