Elpho Info

Autumn 2025 Volume 105

The Community Newsletter of Elphinstone

A great start to the school year! See page 14-15

Clean Up Elphinstone (Australia) Day – March 3rd

page 3 for more details

Inside...
Message from our Councillor Wildlife Whispers Health Corner
What's happening at Elphinstone Facilities Update Rangers Baseball
Elphinstone Primary School CFA Update Competition
Elphinstone Post Office News EPA Update and more...

Thank you to Kyneton RSL for

supporting the printing of Elpho Info.
 Available from the
Elphinstone General
Store all year round.
Kitchen Door Sales &
Tasting direct to public.
Makers of Traditional & Contemporary Ph 03 5470 6128
Puddings to enjoy all year
Workspace Castlemaine, Room 24, 1 Halford St

Elaine Matheson Celebrant

Visit the website for full list of products
www.pudforallseasons.com.au
Locals Discount when you mention this advert at our kitchen door.

Weddings
Elopements Water Deliveries & General Cartage
Vow Renewals 10,000 Litre Water Loads
Grass Slashing
Baby Naming John Growcott 0407 506 666
My Motto is:
It is your day and your way.
Contact me on:
elainemathesoncelebrant.com
or give me a call 0400 457 606

Central
Goldfield’s
Tree Service
tree removal
tree pruning
stump grinding
chipping
log splitting

Jarrod Archer
Qualified Arborist
0458 955 229
[email protected]
Local to Elphinstone

2 Elpho Info
 Autumn Competition
This issue's Autumn Prize is an Easter treat!
A range of NOMA chocolates, chocolate eggs as
well as a plush Kangaroo toy.
Thanks Nikki from Red Box Wildlife Shelter.
Grab a colouring-in sheet from the Post Office and get started.
Once finished, fill in the details and hand in to the Post Office or
take a photo and email it to [email protected]
Please note that prize must be picked up at the Elphinstone Post Office.
Entries close 15th March 2025
Winner drawn randomly from a Patagonia branded cap with paint spots on it.

Elphinstone Progress
Association, Inc. (EPA)
Clean Up Elphinstone (Australia) Day – March 3rd
The Elphinstone Trash Walk this year coincides with A Good Start to the Year.
Clean Up Australia Day, this coming Sunday the 3rd. Choose Our new representative councillor, Phillip Walker,
your own adventure with where you’d like to collect rubbish attended our first meeting for the year and has since
from, just keep your safety first and stay away from busy submitted some items for the 2025-26 shire council budget
traffic roads such as the highways. Tim will be at Sawpit Gully to help better our town. It’s fabulous to have another council
Reserve from 10am with fluoro jackets. A free BBQ will be representative advocating for our town.
provided from 4pm for all participants and a trailer will be Welcome New Residents!
there to leave your rubbish in. Please come along, whether It’s exciting to see new people coming into the community
you have the time / capacity to clean up a little or a lot. and we have a created a welcome letter for new residents
Autumn BBQ & Easter Hunt! – 4th April 4.30pm detailing the different community groups in the area, which
Following on from the Spring & Summer BBQs, the is available from the post office. You can also find all of that
Elphinstone Progress Association is planning a BBQ at information on our community website www.elphinstone.vic.au
Sawpit Gully Reserve to celebrate Easter on Friday 4th April! Be a part of your Progress Association
This is an event for everyone in the community, and will EPA memberships are only $5 per family and are greatly
have the noise and energy of lots of kids on their last day of appreciated to help cover our yearly association fees. See
the school term. Come along whether you have kids or not membership form below or at the post office. Our next
and celebrate the changing of the seasons with a social BBQ. meeting is on May 5th, at 7.30pm, at the school, all local
Burgers and sausages provided. residents are welcome to attend.

Elphinstone Progress Association, Inc Membership

$5 per household
Date:
Name/s:
Address: Complete and cut
out this form,
Phone:
then return to Post Office
Email: in an envelope with $5.
Thank you for your support
 Home Care Packages
At Dhelkaya Health Home Care Packages, we offer
comprehensive support to residents of Mount Alexander Shire
who are 65 and older, or 50 and older for Aboriginal/Torres Strait
Islander community members. We guide you through every step
of your Home Care Package journey, including navigating
government websites, completing assessments, securing and
managing your package, and coordinating services. Our goal is
to provide you with a variety of services to help you remain
comfortably and safely in your home.

Get local support For more information call

to help you live Susan Andrews, Home Care
Packages Coordinator
better at home.
Phone: 5479 1000 or Email:
“Healthier Together” [email protected]

www.dhelkayahealth.org.au/home-care-packages/

Healthier Together

News Events Opportunities

Dhelkaya Health runs regular monthly Maldon Monthly Walking Tour at Volunteering Opportunities
walks in various locations in our shire. Maldon Vintage Machinery Museum • Companion Walker Volunteer
Often supported by volunteers, these Accompany local people on a
Explore the treasures the museum has to
walks are free and offer a great way to gentle one-to-one walk
offer while enjoying meeting new people
connect with others and explore our • Footy Tipping Volunteer
beautiful region. or reconnecting with old friends. Meet at
the museum. Visit our aged care residents
Our Parenting in the Modern World weekly to help manage the
series kicks off this month. These free Time: 9.30-10.30am
residents' footy tips
talks are designed to help parents and Date: Thursday, 27 March
T. 5471 3565
carers support the health and wellbeing Cost: Free
of the young people they care for. TAC L2P Program
Parenting in the Modern World -
Friendships, Relationships & Big This program is looking for learner
Programs Emotions in Young People drivers who want to gain the 120 hours
• Cancer Rehab & Survivorship Service of driving experience required for a
Free talk about parenting young people
Helping cancer survivors and their Probationary Licence.
with changing emotions and behaviours.
carers to regain strength, health and You must be: 16-20 years; have your
Information and tips on communicating
quality of life after cancer treatment. Learner's Permit; be without access to
well, negotiating boundaries, and talking
T: 5471 3575 a vehicle, supervising driver, or both.
about healthy relationships.
• First Aid & CPR Training T. 5479 1000
Time: 5.30-7pm
Nationally-recognised training in first
Date: Thursday, 27 March
aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Venue: Castlemaine Library
(CPR) for community members.
T: 5479 1000 dhelkayahealth.org.au | (03) 5471 3555

4 Elpho Info
What's happening @ the Post Office
If you’re thinking of sending a parcel overseas, it will downloading the app this way and every little bit helps us,
need a customs declaration form. as a business stay viable into the future.
Simply go to auspost.com.au/customs form and fill it We have a number of Post Office Boxes available for
out online. lease at the moment, if you’re interested or want to know a
It’s a lot easier and quicker for people to do them at price, see Gill. If you live in town you may be eligible for a
home and simply bring in the QR code on their phone for reduced rate! There’s always the convenience of being able
us to scan. All the information is then transferred to our to collect your mail 24/7 (parcels excluded) and you can
system, and we print the completed customs form for you elect to have notifications sent to your phone to say you
to sign and attach it to the parcel. have “mail today”. You don’t even need to check!
Worried about scams? There are new ones all the time,
especially regarding parcels and deliveries.

Elphinstone Post Office

Get secure real-time notifications on the AusPost app.
You can download the QR code in store and that will link

and General Store

to the Elphinstone LPO. We get a small payment for anyone
Print design and Printing
Business cards and flyers to 5473 3200
Print brochures
design andandbooks.
Printing Weekdays
Saturdays
7:30am - 5:30pm
8:00am - 1:00pm
Business cards and flyers to
[email protected]
Sunday 8:00am - 12noon
brochures and books. Public Holidays 8:00am - 12noon
Matt 0448 747 277
Gill and Dave
[email protected]
Matt 0448 747 277

Horse
Dentist

Bob Franze solar power | battery storage | insulation |

(Dip Equine Dentistry)
heat pump hot water, heating and cooling|
Phone 0418 346 830 insulating blinds | ceiling fans | EV charging
Prompt and reliable 49 Lyons Street, Newstead 3462 Tues to Sat from 10am
t: 5472 4160 e: [email protected]
service covering all areas www.enviroshopnewstead.au

Elpho Info 5
News from Elphinstone Facilities Committee
Welcome to 2025. The months have passed quickly already.
Christmas Party
In December we had the Elphinstone Christmas Party at our
Community Hall. The Elphinstone Progress Association and
the Elphinstone Facilities Committees join forces to present the
Christmas Party. Perfect weather and around 60 locals joined in
the fun. Santa took time out of his busy pre-Christmas schedule to
visit us, thank you Santa. Our local councillor Phillip Walker came
along to meet some locals as well which was greatly appreciated.
He is interested in our hopes and concerns for Elphinstone and
surrounds. Thanks to those that helped set up, BBQ and pack up.
Always a fun evening.
Saw Pit Gully BBQ
At the end of the school term saw both committees put on the
end of year BBQ. The park had been decorated including a great
Christmas tree and lights. Some of the local kids made Paper
Mache baubles and painted them. They did a terrific job and
they looked wonderful. Another enjoyable evening and thanks
to those that helped out.
New Flooring
We took advantage of the Christmas break and had the floors
sanded and polished in the hall. Looks wonderful and ready for
use.
Hall Hire
The hall is available for hire. Book in your next function with
us. Plenty of parking, big kitchen and tables and chairs available.
Please see ad on following page.
Elphinstone Play Group
Play Group happens every Tuesday of the school term from
9.15-11.15am. Cost $3 per family.
Upcoming events
Elphinstone Town Garage Sale and Car Boot Sale
Have you been meaning to get rid of those books, bikes and
knick knacks? Start sorting out your things as we are going to have
a Town Garage Sale and Car Boot Sale around October/November.
There will be a Town Map for those wanting to host from their own
home or if you prefer, come to a stall at the hall. There will be a fee
for hosting/stall and we will charge for a map. All funds raised will
go towards Air conditioning in the Hall. We will let you know a
date asap.
Central Vic Rangers Baseball
The Rangers are back for another Baseball season. Training
will start in March for Juniors and Seniors. Are you interested
in playing? Contact: Rhiana 0439 739 851 or email cvrangers@
outlook.com. Website: centralvicrangers.com.au
We are very lucky to have a sporting club based in Elphinstone.
Join the fun.
Until next time,
Nikki - Elphinstone Facilities Committee

6 Elpho Info
A message from our Councillor
Yippee Doo!! In Council we have hit the exciting budget implementation.
preparation time. I’m not a financial person so this is a It was wonderful to
monstrous learning curve. I do have confidence in the attend the Christmas Party
team, both Councillors and Officers, that we will make at Elphinstone Recreation
sound priority selections and balance the budget. Currently Hall, and my appreciation
budget requests are more than double available finances, so a that I could leave early
sensitive cutting act is required. due to a family issue.
After discussion with Elphinstone Progress Association Unfortunately, I was double
my primary request is for a feasibility study and design to booked for the recent Hall
upgrade Sawpit Gully Reserve with facilities for teenagers. Committee meeting but
The study/design is the prerequisite to seeking funds for promise to get to the next
one. Prior to Christmas I accepted an invitation to visit the
Red Box Wildlife Shelter and I’m stunned by the amount of
work they do.
Across the country Australia Day generates debate
between those who I shall crudely, and no doubt unfairly, be
described as nationalists versus anti-colonists. Irrespective
of personal opinions, the Shire has responsibility for all
its residents and has adopted an innovative approach
which balances formal Australia Day commitments with
recognition of redressing the colonisation impact.
Opening with a Welcome To Country by Uncle Rick
Nelson, the first part of the day fits within a traditional
Australia Day format with music by the Castlemaine
Highland Pipe Band, citizenship ceremony, citizens of the
FOR HIRE year awards, and the national anthem. It is a rewarding
experience. The day then shifts into Survival Day reflections,
ELPHINSTONE RECREATION HALL the crowd numbers surge and the Union Jack is swamped by
Always Was T-shirts. This year’s highlight was a performance
2 Olivers Lane, Elphinstone, 3448 by Uncle Kutcha Edwards and Friends, and there were also
performances from the likes of Castlemaine Peace Choir
and a Nalderun Women’s Cleansing Ceremony giving cause
for reflection. It makes for a day that is both profound and
celebratory.
It is important to state how I will approach decision
Features making, as while the voices of my community are essential,
Main Hall 20 X 40 metres with two gas heaters I will not pander to voting bases or vested interests. Simply
Renovated kitchen with oven cooktop, dishwasher,
put, I have responsibility to gather as much information as
two refrigerators, pie warmer and wall urn
Crockery and cutlery for 80 possible and then vote in accordance with what I ethically
Modern sound system and intellectually consider the best option, and that I can
Children’s playground and cricket oval publicly justify. Of course, subsequent information can
Fees and Charges: Equipment Hire: cause a person to reflect on their decision and being human,
Daily hire $120 Trestle Tables $10 nobody’s perfect.
Half day hire $60 Chairs $1
Two hours $30 Crockery & Cutlery per setting $1 Listening Posts! It is overdue that I got them in place.
Grounds $60 Pie warmer $30 I will be at Elphinstone Post Office from 9 to 11am on
Kids party $25 BBQ trailer $55 Thursday 28 March, Thursday 24 April and Thursday 29
Plus council insurance $22.70 Bond for trailer $50
May. A reminder that I can be contacted on
Bond $100
Contact us for Commercial Rates
[email protected] or 0466 004 628.
Approaches from community organisations are
Bookings Contact: [email protected]
Elphinstone Hall Facebook Page www.facebook.com/elphrechall/
particularly welcome. Phillip Walker

Elpho Info 7
Wildlife WhispersBy Nikki Medwell
Did you know that 41 new flora and fauna species have been added
to Australia’s threatened list?
I think it is sad that we might be the last generation to see certain
One of the perks of raising and rehabilitating the Elphinstone wildlife living free on our watch.
kangaroos is seeing them when they come back to visit. They never
Did you know that giant kangaroo fossils have been found in
forget us, “home” or the kindness they were shown.
Lancefield swamp? Only 40 minutes from here. Oh how I would’ve loved
Many locals that have “their” kangaroo returned to them after to have seen those. But they are long gone. Time to concentrate on the
treatment often share photos with us for years to come. It’s rewarding here and now.
from both ends.
Nullah was rescued by neighbours a few blocks over back in 2020.
Running in blind fear, mum clipped the fence and dropped Nullah. He
was a tiny little chap that was still wobbly on his feet.
Our neighbours knew that (normally) mum would return but she
never did. Adrenalin may have kept her running despite a possible injury
that turned fatal once she stopped.
Hours later Nullah was tenderly scooped up by this family and
arrived here to be raised until he was released. His human family think
of him often so I was thrilled to be able to send this photo to them when
Nullah returned to say hello.
We actually nicknamed him “The Noy” when he was in care as he
annoyed all the other joeys with his constant desire to play and limitless
energy. He is a darling man and still as kind and as loving as he was all
those years ago. Whilst we do not
encourage people to approach
the wildlings and we ourselves
are cautious and respectful Artwork by Dr. Anne Musser
around them, Nullah has always
enjoyed giving us bear hugs. Our Fencing is one of the largest human made problems for our wildlife.
volunteers give this a wide berth Bat carers struggle to release our bat population from barbed wire
and smartly so, but Scott and I without tearing and causing permanent damage to their wings. The
cannot help but be lured into the same things happens to our sugar gliders, owls and even our beautiful
feeling of love and the power that eagles. Kangaroos and wallabies arrive into care with their feet shredded,
is given during these moments. tendons stretched and nerves severely damaged. Some can be saved,
Never once has he hurt us. He many cannot.
knows his strength and his love
Small ways to help are:
for us ensures he remains gentle.
But again, please never attempt • Remove the top rung to your fences
this. No matter how appealing. • Place white tape along the top wrung to give the fence height and
Nikki and “The Noy” 2025 visibility
Even we pick our moments.
• Allow gaps for small marsupials to crawl under fences
Last month our onsite wildlife veterinary clinic was able to save and
• Remove and/or replace the cruellest of all; barbed wire
rehabilitate many species of wildlife, all free of charge thanks to our
• Be a true animal lover
donors, sponsors and volunteer veterinary staff.
Headed by our shelter
ambassador Dr Mark,
accompanied by visiting
veterinarian Dr Holly from
Castlemaine and assisted by
our regular vet student Tom,
kangaroos, wallabies, corellas,
wombats, goannas and many
others got a second chance
on life. A life that was given
to them for purposes known
only to them. A bit like us
really.
With all the efforts being
made to save our wildlife from
human intervention, whether
that be from developers
razoring the landscape
without considering green
Left to right: Dr Holly, Tom and Dr Mark
corridors or simply human
cruelty, the battle to save them
See how the fence blends into the surroundings? This white tape brings visibility to
feels tireless. the fences existence.
 “The fact I that no species has ever had such wholesale control
over everything on earth, living or dead, as we have now. Wildlife Emergency Contacts:
That lays upon is, whether we like it or not, an awesome Rescue - Wildlife Rescue and Rehab: 0434 714 104
responsibility. In our hands now lies not only our own future, but Rescue - Warriors for Wildlife: 1300 352 923
that of all other living creatures with whom we share the earth.” – Rescue - WRIN (Central Vic): 0419 356 433
David Attenborough Rescue - Wildlife Victoria: (03) 8400 7300
We’d like to send a huge thank you to our donors and Cruelty - Castlemaine Police: (03) 5470 4100 or 000
sponsors for making our FREE wildlife treatment days possible. Cruelty - DEECA Epson branch: (03) 5430 4444
It’s because of you we have caught of eye of Humane Society ask for Snr Wildlife Officer
International and Animals Australia that have come onboard to Report shooting and/or dog attacks via email to:
help us grow even more. So wonderful news ahead. See you all conservationregulator.vic.gov.au
next addition! copy in
[email protected]
From Scott, Nikki and the El-Roos – thanks for caring. The world
Roaming and menacing dogs - contact the
is watching.
council on: (03) 5471 1700 BH and AH service
Red Box Wildlife Shelter, Elphinstone VIC
Snake catchers: (fees apply)
Contact: [email protected]
Lee: 0409 541 972 (30 minutes away)
Visit our FREE online educational program: www. Greater Bendigo Snake Control: 0481 587 637
kangaroorangers.com Hodgsons Snake Removal: 0490 415 734 (1hr away)
Kangaroo A Love Hate Story is now available FREE online.
Please watch this award-winning documentary which exposes
Australia’s own wildlife trade. Or contact us to watch a screening
here in our education and training room.
Visit: https://tubitv.com/movies/569707?utm_
source=justwatch-feed&tracking=justwatch-feed

Meet the El-Roo's 'Pyrn'

Pyrn (pronounced Pirin) arrived at the shelter in July 2024.
His mother had been hit by a car and left where she lay. The
driver failed to stop and give assistance.
Thankfully a couple of lovely Elphinstone ladies stopped to
help. Seeing mum was in a bad way and with a baby onboard
they reached out and Scott was able to go and assist them.
Arriving at the shelter and still in the back of the car, mum
was given pain relief and Pyrn was gently removed from her
pouch by holding the base of his tail and his chest. The little man
was wide eyed with fear and confusion.
Almost as if mum knew her son was then safe she passed
away, leaving us holding her baby and mourning his loss. The
bond between mother and child is unbreakable and whilst there
are accidents that make this happen, we as humans should never
facilitate it.
Pyrn is a real “Mumma’s boy” and loves his pouch. Whilst his little buddy Cash enjoys the outdoors with the others,
Pyrn will always opt to being inside, asleep and close by. We often wonder if the fear of losing a second mum causes them
to keep a vigilant eye on us?
This local lad is happy and healthy and about to be spoilt by an English backpacker that will be joining the team of
volunteers here at RBWS for the month of March and the start of April. We just know he’s going to break a heart. I mean,
look at that face.

Elpho Info 9
 Council
news
Local artworks rolls out across Event Grants now open
waste collection trucks Our Event Grants program supports groups and
individuals who are running public events. The last
We’re excited to roll out a series of local artworks round supported 16 groups including Newstead
printed on our waste collection trucks. Live, The Maine Game and Taradale Mineral
The project features works by Kirsten Moegerlein, Springs Festival.
Joe Pratt and Thea Sydes that explore the Applications close on Friday 14 March.
sustainability theme ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’.
Find out more and submit your application at
Keep an eye out for our Cleanaway trucks, they’ll mountalexander.vic.gov.au/EventGrants.
be on their regular routes around the shire.
Read more at mountalexander.vic.gov.au/news. Stay in the loop on Council news
Are you interested in what events are on around
the shire? What about sustainability updates, local
business opportunities or arts news? Elphinstone Ra
We have something for everyone! Sign up at
Jan Feb Mar Apr May
mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Connect-with-us. Jun

‘22 100 0 60 86 44
Working together for a healthy, connected shire
‘23 6 15 46 68 38
mountalexander.vic.gov.au (03) 5471 1700
‘24 121 4 0 87 41
‘25 28 8

Rainfall
Elphinstone Rainfall in mm’s - Comparing 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025
300

243
240
180

146
121 116
120

100 106
86 87 82
68 76 75 72
60 52 44 59 55
46 50 46 48
60

44 3841 39 38
24 23
15 12 13
6 28 0 4 8 0
0

‘22
‘23
‘24
‘25
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‘25
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Health Corner By Naturopath
Sparking up your cognition Susan Lintott
If you feel like your brain isn’t firing the way it once was, of neurological
you’re not alone, with many people in Australia experiencing a and cognitive
significant drop in cognitive ability as they age, but also many deficiency.
suffering at a younger age. • Coeliac Disease.
In the list of causes for cognitive decline are some usual Brain fog is often
suspects such as age, head injuries, illnesses that effect heart reported by people
function and circulation and use of alcohol and other drugs. with coeliac
Some reasons that you might not think of straight away disease prior to
include: their diagnosis and
• Hydration! Keep your water consumption up along with eliminating gluten.
electrolytes to increase water absorption into the cells of your • Hormonal
body. Carrying a not plastic water bottle with you and having a Changes during the menstrual cycle and in perimenopause.
glass of water before meals can be good ways to increase your Research has established that hormones exhibit activity
water consumption. outside of the reproductive organs with both oestrogen and
• Anxiety can significantly impact cognition by causing progesterone having a significant impact within the CNS and
difficulties with concentration, attention, memory retrieval, in the brain. Oestrogen and progesterone have been shown
and decision-making, primarily due to an increased focus on to regulate areas within the brain involved in mood, memory,
potential threats which consumes mental resources, leading to a behaviour, decision making, emotion recognition, and cognition!
bias towards interpreting information negatively and making it A Reminder to Exercise
harder to process new information effectively. Many studies have suggested that the parts of the brain that
• Vitamin B12 Deficiency is associated with cognitive decline control thinking are larger in volume in people who exercise than
and what’s more, for good brain health you’ll be wanting in people who don't. One finding is that engaging in a program of
good levels of the vitamin rather than “normal” or low within regular exercise of moderate intensity over six months or a year
the accepted range. A new study, led by UC San Francisco is association with an increase in the volume of selected brain
researchers, found that older, healthy volunteers, with lower regions.
concentrations of B12, but still in the normal range, showed signs Exercise can also boot memory and thinking indirectly
and by improving mood and sleep, and by reducing stress and
anxiety. Problems in these areas frequently cause or contribute to
Elphinstone cognitive impairment.
Naturopaths aim to treat the root cause of health conditions
PLAYGROUP

2023
and will always look to why a condition has come about. In

2024 addition, we have a large array of supplements and medicines

on hand to help improve brain health, including nutritional
supplements, herbal medicines, phytonutrients and amino acids.
Tuesdays
NEW DAY: TUESDAYS 9.30 - 11.30
Some of my personal favourites are the medicinal mushrooms
and herbal medicines such as bacopa and the ginsengs.
Follow us on Facebook for more information
9:15 - 11:15am Get in touch if you would like to explore how naturopathic
medicine might be able to help you, all enquiries are welcome.
[email protected]
During school terms Ph 0401 764 050

at the Elphinstone Recreation Hall

Olivers Lane
Please bring $3 and a piece of fruit to share
For more information contact Susan Lintott
Tara 0478 809 621 Naturopathy
or join the 'Elphinstone Playgroup' Nutritional and herbal medicine
Facebook group Dietary and lifestyle advice 0401 764 050
Relaxation and deep tissue massage [email protected]
Located in Elphinstone www.susanlintott.com
 The next Elpho Info is the
Winter/June edition 2025 AJ CHAPMAN
Articles and advertising for the Winter 2025 edition
of the Elpho Info are due by Friday May 23rd 2025 to EARTHMOVING
[email protected] or via the Post Office. Andy & Kath Chapman & Girls
All community contributions are welcome. Calder Hwy, Elphinstone, 3448

For advertising prices and enquiries email For all your Backhoe &
[email protected] or grab a form at the Post Office. Tip Truck requirements
Quarry and Road Supplies
The Elpho Info is a member of the Community Grader hire
Newspapers Association of Victoria Driveway & House Sites
and can be read online at: Winching service
https://elphinstone.vic.au/news/ Skidsteer service
Find us on Facebook | search Elpho Info or visit Bobcat on tracks (good for wet areas)
www.facebook.com/ElphoInfo Float hire
Elpho Info is published by the Elphinstone Progress Association and is
produced by volunteers.
Andy has 30 years local
Contributions of news items, articles, photos, ideas and letters are welcome knowledge & experience
as are advertisements which help to cover production costs.
Circulation is currently 300. Thank you to Mount Alexander Shire Council For Further information phone:
for their continued support in the form of advertising.
Elphinstone Info wishes to advise that the views or remarks expressed
in this publication are not necessarily the views of the editor or of the 0408 507 770
or 5473 3294
Elphinstone Progress Association. No endorsement is implied by the listing
of advertisers, sponsors or contributors. We are not liable if there are any
mistakes or inaccuracy.

Need help with repairs,

Veterinary Surgeon upgrades, advice, purchases
Mobile:
Mobile: Metcalfe:
Metcalfe: Malmsbury:
Malmsbury: Mia Mia & troubleshooting with Apple
Mia Mia: Elphinstone Laptops, iMacs and MacMini’s?
...Call Tim!

Tim can also help with networking,

Small animal backup and internet setups.
veterinary
work by
appointment

Dr Julie Kendall m: 0447 573 247

e: [email protected] Tim Ratcliffe 0412 333 835

12 Elpho Info
Elphinstone CFA Update
When autumn rolls around, there is often a welcome
relief from the intense heat of the summer. The community The Elphinstone Hotel recently decided to conduct a
should be aware, however, that the Fire Danger Period is raffle to raise funds for the brigade, and we thank the hotel
still active, and the fire restrictions that have been in place and those who donated and assisted with the raffle, and for
since November 2024 still apply. the generous community for participating. Your support is
very much appreciated.
Our volunteer brigade members have been kept very
busy over Summer, with 15 emergency callouts at the time You may have seen a notice recently from Forest Fire
of writing, which occurred as early as 1am, right up to Management, who supplied information on planned burns
9pm. We have conducted maintenance, attended training to be conducted in our area during Autumn in parks and
and meetings. We have been very lucky this summer, not forests to reduce bushfire risks. No doubt, smoke will be
to have had any large fires in our district, such as those present, so keep informed as to whether it is from the
recently occurring in the Grampians. We deployed one of burns, or from an unplanned fire.
our tankers and several volunteer firefighters to assist in the Did you know that the Elphinstone Fire Brigade has a
Mallee district, and a number of our firefighters were also Facebook page? It may have information you need. Make
on standby to deploy to other areas, if required. sure you are up to date on information, alerts and warnings,
There have been a number of changes recently within and check if it is a Total Fire Ban and what the Fire Danger
the fire brigade, with several members leaving, and a long- Rating is before you undertake certain activities.
serving member returned to active duty. Stay safe everyone.
Another change that you might have noticed if you
happen to live close enough to town, is that the regular Helen Gramberg
siren testing has changed to only occur on the first Sunday Secretary
of the month, rather than every Sunday. Elphinstone Fire Brigade
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Elpho Info 13
What’s happening at Elphinstone Primary School
A great start to the school year! of home reading! Our integrated topic this term is ‘In our
We have had a fantastic start to the year and have grown to Community’ and we have been talking about the different
30 students with 6 new Preps starting their schooling journey. communities we belong to, including our school and
We also welcome Jess Leehane, formally teaching at MEC, classroom communities. In writing, we have been working on
who is taking the P/2 class, and welcome back Pam, Jamie-lee, descriptive pieces. To start us off, the students worked on a
Nicole, Katie, Trinity and Scott from their summer break. descriptive piece about Mr Stewart and I think you can agree
Our school is in the process of a department review, that they have done a great job of his portraits! Here is one
something that all schools undergo every four years. A new from Ren and writing by Charlie:
Strategic Plan will be formulated, but before that process, we “Mr Stewart umpire
are going to celebrate our achievements over the past 4 years! us in football at school.
Our staff work tirelessly to deliver an amazing program, we He wears glasses and has
should be very proud, as a school community, for what we brown hair. He is funny
have in our small town. There has certainly been some major and likes to tell jokes. Mr
obstacles that we’ve had to navigate over the past four years Stewart is nice and likes
and hope that the next period will be a little smoother! to help people” by Charlie
The Resilience Project
We are so excited to embed The Resilience Project into Mrs Rollinsons
our school. It has been wonderful to have students engaging 3-5 Class
in the mindful activities in their journal and students In class, students
remembering to bring their journals in. The workbooks have got off to flying
have been well received by students. The past few weeks we start in Maths reconnecting to place value and writing some
have been looking at the first key component of Gratitude. interesting recounts of what they did, or wish they did on
It has been wonderful to see students take on the lingo of the holidays. One student wrote a letter about visiting a
Stanzin, a young student from a village in northern India, shop that had everything and all of it was free! We’ve had
who is grateful for everything in his life. He constantly says so much fun on Fridays. We’ve painted chameleons and
in broken English ‘Dis!’ (this) as he points to things he is written a description of what our imaginary pet pup would
grateful for. Even though his shoes were old and worn, look like. Students also started getting used to Scratch on
he would point and say with a smile ‘Dis’, grateful he had our computers and iPads. We also had a look at patterns and
something to wear. In our society, we can tend to think we made a very long one across the two classrooms! Not to
we need the next big thing or want what others have but mention Lego and dance during clubs!
demonstrating Gratitude is recognising what we do have and
being grateful for it. We all have so much to be grateful for. Miss Saunders Grade 6 Class
Four weeks into term one and so much has already
happened in grade 6. Students have settled into their new
classroom up in the big room and are enjoying the new setup.
In reading, students have looked at making predictions in
their novels and during guided reading. Our focus was on
making predictions after the text finished or was close to
finishing reading. In Writing, students have been engaged
in learning about factual Historical Recounts. Students have
shown a number of historical recounts so that they can
understand the structure of the language features needed and
how to note-take instead of plagiarising when using facts.
Using the material in the Resilience Project, the
Miss Leehane’s Prep/2 Class students have had strong conversations about how they can
We have had the most wonderful start to the school year understand what emotions are and being able to connect and
in the Prep-2 classroom. Students have been settling into feel these emotions. It is fantastic to see students using their
routines well and have been remembering to bring their Student Planner to complete their mood tracker after lessons
diaries and book bags to school each day. It’s great to see are completed.
that we already have some students approaching 25 nights

14 Elpho Info
Katie Jacobs Visual Art Class
Term 1 is off to a flying start in art! So far we have looked
at some abstract work and made our own experimental art
using oil pastel resists and watercolour. One of our young
artists in Prep, Sylvia, defined abstract as “something that is
a little bit weird, it might not look like anything at all,” which
is a great description. We have also made Dada poems by
cutting out letters and words from magazines and sticking
them over the abstract paintings we have made, or found
magazine images.

Follow Elphinstone Primary School on

Facebook to keep up to date.
@elphinstoneprimaryschool

‘Untitled' – by Sylvia Runnalls

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program

Our students have already started harvesting and making
meals with our own produce in Nicole’s Kitchen Garden class
held each Friday. A huge thanks to the parents and staff who
volunteered to water over the summer holidays to keep our
vegetables and fruit thriving. Students have harvested our
Lynden Bookkeeping
ABN 98943174455
potatoes, tomatoes and herbs to make amazing gnocchi for
their lunch!
Lastly we’d like to thank Bunnings Bendigo for donating
Certified Bookkeepers
the barbeque and shelving for our garden shed. We used it for
our welcome breakfast and it did a mighty fine job. Registered BAS Agent 26019166
Brendan Stewart - Principal
Local to Elphinstone Area

Lindsay Matheson 0422 711 758

Elaine Matheson 0400 457 606

[email protected]

‘students understanding equivalent

fractions using post it notes and a
number line’

Elpho Info 15
Central Vic
Rangers Baseball
club news
Elphinstone recreation reserve is home to
the Central Vic Rangers Baseball club.
We train on Wednesdays and Fridays
from 4.30pm for juniors and from 5pm
for seniors (14+). All information can be
found on our website
https://www.centralvicrangers.com.au/
Come on down and see what we are all
about! We have another 'Come and Try
Baseball' session on Sunday 2nd March
from 10am.
For more information
contact us on 0439739851 or
[email protected]

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