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12February2009

Yarra Fire Community Newsletter 20090212

Posted by Mick under: Misc.

Information from the Maroondah/Yarra Complex Fire Community Newsletter from the 12^th of February 2009.

YARRA REGION
Thursday 12th February, 2009

This newsletter, from the Fire Incident Control Centre at Woori Yallock, is to inform the local community regarding the fire activity in the area and the control measures.

Fires continue to burn in the vicinity of the Upper Yarra Dam and east of Big Pats Creek. Residents are advised these fires do not currently pose a threat to communities, but should remain vigilant and aware of localised change in conditions.

Fire also continues to burn in the Bunyip State Park. Residents in the Yarra Valley including communities in the vicinity of Warburton, East Warburton, Reefton, Wesburn, Millgrove, Yarra Junction, Gladysdale, Powelltown, Launching Place, Don Valley, Hoddles Creek, Woori Yallock, Yellingbo, Seville and Wandin may be experiencing increased smoke from this fire.

Control burning has commenced north of Reefton, this strategic control burning will continue into the night. Residents can expect to see increased smoke and fire activity due to the burning which is being undertaken as part of the suppression strategy.

A cluster of fires is now being managed as part of the Maroondah – Yarra Complex of which has burnt a total of 24 624 hectares. These include;

• Upper Yarra – 12 hectares burnt
• O’Shannassy – 15 803 hectares burnt
• Healesville-Chum Creek – 7 500 burnt
• Britannia Range-Platts Creek – 200 hectares burnt
• Maroondah Yarra Complex – 1 109 hectares burnt

Resources committed to complex fire are: 170 fire trucks 500 personnel supported by 6 aircraft and dozers.

Weather Conditions:

• Today Maximum temperature 21 C, winds from south east 20 to 30 kilometres per hour
• Friday Maximum temperature 26 C with east to south easterly winds averaging up to 20 kilometres per hour.
• Saturdy Maximum temperature 28 C with south easterly winds averaging up to 20 kilometres per hour.
• Monday Becoming cloudy with isolated showers and a possible thunderstorm later in the day. East to south easterly winds averaging 20 to 30 kilometres per hour.

Core Advice

• People in the area need to remain alert as there may not be a warning should conditions change unexpectedly. Continue to listen to ABC or local radio for updates on this fire.
• Be prepared to activate your bushfire survival plan if necessary.
• Decide now if you are going to stay or go. Remember that it is very dangerous to leave late with a fire in the area. Road use in the area will be extremely hazardous due to low visibility from smoke. Watch out for fallen trees, power lines, abandoned cars, wildlife and emergency services vehicles.
• If you plan to stay, remember to seek shelter from radiant heat. Should the fire reach your property, close all doors and windows and stay inside the house while the fire passes. Remain alert, extinguish any small fires and if necessary, move outside to burnt ground once the fire has passed.
• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

SHIRE OF YARRA RANGES RECOVERY RESPONSE

The shire of Yarra Ranges is responsible for managing municipal resources and co-ordinating support.

The shire is currently operating a 24 hour-relief centre in Healesville, located at the Healesville Memorial Hall. A second centre at the Yarra Glen Memorial Hall is operating on an as need-basis only.

In the coming weeks and months, the shire will also work to help the communities on the rebuilding and recovery process.

For further information, go to Website: www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au or (T) 1300 368 333.

AFTER THE FIRES
The Department of Human Services offer a range of support services which offer personal, emotional, psychological and financial help to those affected. All Victorian communities have been impacted by this tragic event and together, we can all help each other in some way.
There are a range of support services which offer personal, emotional, psychological and financial help to those affected.
For information go to www.dhs.vic.gov.au

COMMUNITY MEETINGS
There is a community meeting being held in Healesville at the Memorial Hall from 7:00 pm. All are welcome.
Information on community meetings in your area ring the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 or www.cfa.vic.gov.au

USEFUL INFORMATION
Fire Information
Victorian Bushfire Information Line 1800 240 667
www.cfa.vic.gov.au
www.dse.vic.gov.au
ABC Radio 774AM

Family Tracing Assistance
Red Cross [register names] 1800 727 077

Blood Donation
Red Cross 131 495

Cash Donation for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal
www.redcross.org.au
Major bank branches
[Use the Statewide appeal process] 1800 811 700

Clothes/furniture
Nearest Charitable Centre: Red Cross, Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul.

Financial Assistance
Centrelink 180 2211
Emergency Grants – Eastern Region 9843 6000
Emergency Grants – North West Region 1300 664 977
Emergency Grants – Hume, Seymour Office 5793 6400

Recovery Centres
Healesville Memorial Hall – Maroondah Hwy 5962 6570

Communications
Telstra [emergency loan phones] 13 22 03

General Information
www.abc.net.au
www.redcross.org.au
www.dhs.vic.gov.au

Road Closures
www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

Local Council
Yarra Ranges 1300 368 333

Animal Welfare
35 Killara Road Coldstream,
A specific area for horses has been established at Lilydale Showgrounds

School Closures
www.education.vic.gov.au

Additional Information

Road closures currently in place:
Information on updated road closures is available on the VicRoads website www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

Emergency relief centres are located at:
Healesville Memorial Hall, Maroondah Highway Healesville

Other information:
The Shire of Yarra Ranges had advised Healesville Memorial Hall is not a donation collection centre, for further details please visit www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au

For information on fires in Victoria and general fire safety advice, please contact the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on freecall 1800 240 667. Callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech / communication impairment may call textphone/ telewriter (TTY) on 1800 122 969. Information is also available at www.dse.vic.gov.au/fires or www.cfa.vic.gov.au

12February2009

Fires in the Upper Yarra Valley – 20090212 1500hrs

Posted by Mick under: Misc.

Details as reported on the Victorian Governments Department of Sustainability and Environment fire information website at 3pm on Thursday the 12^th of February.

MAROONDAH/YARRA COMPLEX FIRE

A cluster of fires is now being managed as part of the Maroondah – Yarra complex of which has burnt a total of 24 642 hectares. These include:

• Upper Yarra – 12 hectares burnet
• O’Shannassy – 15 803 hectares burnt
• Healesville-Chum Creek – 7 500 burnt
• Britannia Range-Platts Creek – 200 hectares burnt
• Maroondah Yarra Complex – 1 109 hectares burnt

Maroondah
Alert message as at 11:20pm 12/02/09

Fires continue to burn south east and north of Toolangi and east and north of Healesville. Residents are advised that fire remains active in these areas and need to be vigilant and aware of the localised change in conditions.

Controlled burning is under consideration in the Toolangi area and if conditions are deemed suitable, increased smoke and controlled fire activity should be expected.

Crews continued to work overnight on strategic controlled burning in the Mt Riddell vicinity and burns will continue throughout today. Residents can expect to see increased smoke and fire activity due to the burning being undertaken as part of the suppression strategies.

Communities in Healesville, Chum Creek, Badger Creek, Steels Creek, Dixons Creek, Yarra Glen, Toolangi and Castella are advised to remain alert to fire activity.

Multiple emergency services, including CFA, DSE, DPI, Parks Victoria, Tasmania Fire Services, Melbourne Water, Victoria Police, SES, and the Shire of Yarra Ranges, are continuing to focus on the protection of key community infrastructure, townships and water catchments in the Maroondah Region.

Residents are advised to be aware of emergency vehicles and requested to keep a safe distance from emergency operations.

Community meetings: Thursday 12th February 2009
Healesville – Healesville Memorial Hall, 237 Maroondah Highway, Healesville (Melways 270 D12), from 7:00pm. All are welcome.
Toolangi – Toolangi Community Hall (CJ Dennis Hall), Healesville – Kinglake Road, Toolangi (Melways Page 10 Q2) from 10:00am, All are welcome.

Additional Information

• Tourists are advised to avoid all areas mentioned above
• Emergency relief centres are located at: Healesville Memorial Hall, Maroondah Highway Healesville

Yarra
Awareness message as at 11:20am 12/02/09

Fires continue to burn in the vicinity of the Upper Yarra Dam and east of Big Pats Creek. Residents are advised these fires do not currently pose a threat to communities, but should remain vigilant and aware of localised change in conditions.

Fire also continues to burn in the Bunyip State Park. Residents in the Yarra Valley including communities in the vicinity of Warburton, East Warburton, Reefton, Wesburn, Millgrove, Yarra Junction, Gladysdale, Powelltown, Launching Place, Don Valley, Hoddles Creek, Woori Yallock, Yellingbo, Seville and Wandin may be experiencing increased smoke from this fire.

Controlled burning is under consideration in the Bunyip State Park area and if conditions are deemed suitable, increased smoke and controlled fire activity should be expected.

Multiple emergency services, including CFA, DSE, DPI, Parks Victoria, Tasmania Fire Services, Melbourne Water, Victoria Police, SES, and the Shire of Yarra Ranges, are continuing to focus on the protection of key community infrastructure, townships and water catchment in the Maroondah/Yarra Complex.

Residents are advised to be aware of emergency vehicles and requested to keep a safe distance from emergency operations.

Community meetings: Thursday 12th February 2009
Healesville – Healesville Memorial Hall, 237 Maroondah Highway, Healesville (Melways 270 D12), from 7:00pm. All are welcome.
Toolangi – Toolangi Community Hall (CJ Dennis Hall), Healesville – Kinglake Road, Toolangi (Melways Page 10 Q2) from 10:00am, All are welcome.

Additional Information

• Tourists are advised to avoid all areas mentioned above
• Emergency relief centres are located at: Healesville Memorial Hall, Maroondah Highway Healesville

BRITTANIA RIDGE – PLATTS CREEK
As at 8:00pm 11/02/09

A fire is burning 5kms east of Big Patts Creek.

Fire crews are establishing new containment lines due to very difficult terrain.

BRITTANIA RANGE – OAT PATCH
As at 8:00pm 11/02/09

A fire is burning 8 kms south east of East Warburton.

Crews are patrolling and blacking out tonight.

2February2009

Upper Yarra Arts Centre events for February 2009

Posted by Mick under: Upper Yarra Arts Centre.

Jed Rowe Band

DATE: Saturday the 7^th of February 2009
TIME: 8pm
TICKETS: $20/$17.
Bookings: (03) 5966 5040

Critics and audiences alike heard much promise in Jed Rowe’s early EP release “LIFE,” his emotive lap slide guitar and intelligent lyrics combining to create a unique song writing voice and serving notice of a richly talented artist in the making.

“It is not an exaggeration to say that Jed Rowe has a rare talent for song writing… His songs have a diversity that reaches beyond the easy genre categorisation of ‘roots music’.” THE GOODTIMES.

“Jed Rowe…infuses his lap-steel guitar and soulful vocals with elements of funk, rock and world music to produce a sound that is both fresh and distinctive.” HOBART MERCURY.

Now, with a newly expanded band line-up and the debut album “MIDNIGHT SUN” due for release early in 2009, The Jed Rowe Band is poised for a big year. Rowe’s lap steel guitar honed by three years of national touring and live performance, still features heavily in the band’s sound, which could be described as a melting pot of blues, funk, folk and world music influences. Swirling Middle-eastern melodies give way to dirty blues licks and upbeat funk riffs; lyrics and melodies take on the air of timeless folk songs.

A group of talented multi-instrumentalists bring a diverse palette to the arrangements, from subtle accompaniment to full-colour sounds capes: Michael Arvanitakis on double bass, keyboards and backing vocals, Simon Wade on guitars, bass and keyboards and Mark Grunden on drums and percussion.
Meandering improvised sections flow into soaring slide guitar lines and dynamic crescendos, charging the bands live performance with energy and excitement.

Recorded over a 12 month period and mixed by renowned engineer Robin Mai (Joe Camilleri, John Butler, Augie March) and featuring sublime string arrangements by Rob John (The Cat Empire, Jimi Page and Robert Plant), The Jed Rowe Band’s forthcoming album “MIDNIGHT SUN” showcases the talent and passion of an exciting new songwriter and performer.

St Valentines Community Dance

DATE: Saturday the 14^th of February 2009
TIME: 7.30 pm
TICKETS: $25
Bookings: (03) 5966 5040

What better way to spend St Valentines Day than to dance the night away. So dust off those dancing shoes and “Dress to Impress”!

Enjoy great swing and jazz dance music featuring music by “Society Four”, this Community dance is set to get Warburton buzzing.

BYO Supper or order a romantic platter for two ($20). Drinks available at the bar.

Movies

MOVIE: The Italian
DATE: Saturday the 21^st of February 2009
TIME: 8.00 pm
TICKETS: $11/$9
BOOKINGS: (03) 5966 5040

The official Russian entry for Best Foreign Film at the 2006 Academy Awards, “The Italian” has won 8 grand prizes and 28 awards worldwide. A heart warming story of six year old Vanya who is about to be adopted and settle into a serene life under the Mediterranean sun. Yet Vanya longs to find his own mother, so embarks on a mysterious and amazing journey.

30January2009

Warburton Up & Running 2009

Posted by Mick under: Events.

Sunday the 15^th of March is the day slotted for the 2009 Warburton Up & Running event.

From the website:

The crisp autumn air of Sunday morning will see competitors head east from Warburton Recreation Reserve on our 10km and 5km Fun Runs, proudly sponsored by local businesses.

Most of the flat to undulating 10 kilometre course will be on sealed roads while the last few kilometres will be on gravel paths following the Yarra River..

The 5km run shares part of this course, following a delightful gravel path along the river.

As in past years there will be a 2km Fun Run for Children (under 14) and a 5km Walk (open to all).

Local primary school running and challenge events will be held after the Fun Runs.

A range of hot food and refreshments will be available. Displays by the local CFA and other organisations will also feature.

And don’t forget the Spot Prizes!

16January2009

The Acheron Way turns 80

Posted by Mick under: Local History.

From the Healesville Guardian on the 5^th of January 1929

A NEW TOURIST ROAD
The official opening of the Acheron Way, which will make available a wonderful scenic round trip from Healesville to Ben Cairn, along the Cement Creek to Narbethong and return to Healesville by the Black’s Spur, will be performed by His Excellency the Governor, Lord Somers, on Wednesday January 16^th.

9January2009

Summer Nights Jan ‘09 at the Upper Yarra Arts Centre

Posted by Mick under: Events.

During the month of January, the Upper Yarra Arts Centre in Warburton is hosting a mixture of movies and music on Thursday’s, Friday’s and Saturday’s.

Thursday’s : Classic Comedy Movies : free
8^th of January – The Castle (MA 15+)
15^th of January – Kenny (M)
22^nd of January – Dirty Deeds (MA 15+)

Friday’s : Latest Movie Releases : $11/$9
9^th of January – The Women (PG)
16^th of January – Nights in Rodanthe (PG)
23^rd of January – Australia (M)

Saturday’s : Great Live Music : $5
3^rd of January – Want me a Mule
10^th of January – Pretty Penny
17^th of January – Dave Walker & the Blue Moon Lodge
24^th of January – The Comedy Road Trip ($2)

5January2009

Hop Under a Tree starts tomorrow

Posted by Mick under: Events.

Starting tomorrow and running every on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between the 6^th and the 23rd of January 2009, the Upper Yarra Arts Centre is providing entertainment and activites for families with children between the ages of 5-12.

Check out this page for more info :)

1January2009

2009

Posted by Mick under: Misc.

Whatever you’re doing in the Upper Yarra Valley in 2009, may the year be good to you.

25December2008

Merry Christmas

Posted by Mick under: Misc.

Have a great Christmas :)

24December2008

Hop Under a Tree at the Upper Yarra Arts Centre

Posted by Mick under: Events.

Running on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between the 6^th and the 23rd of January 2009, the Upper Yarra Arts Centre is providing entertainment and activites for families with children between the ages of 5-12.

From the “Press Release”:

Hop out of the sun and get creative this January in Warburton. Keep the kids and kids-at-heart entertained with classic family films and creative arts workshops.

Enjoy your favourite films on the big screen. Titles include Mary Poppins, Finding Nemo, Babe and Toy Story. Films screen at 11.30am daily. You can purchase a weekly pass for $12 – that’s four films for just $12! Day trippers can buy a single session for $7.

Why not have a picnic lunch by the river, then pop back in for a creative arts workshop with local arts personality Sioux Dollman!

Take home your own creation to hang, wear or play with. Workshops include Magic Tree painting, Mask decorating, Hat decorating and Puppet making. The cost is $12 per person. Each participant will receive their own canvas, mask, hat or puppet to decorate using top quality art materials and a range of recycled goodies.

The program has been carefully selected to suit families with children aged 5-12; all films are rated G and the workshops are suitable for all ages.

Never before has the Upper Yarra Arts Centre been open daily in January and we hope to attract locals and visitors alike. For your copy of the calendar of events contact the Upper Yarra Arts Centre on 5966 5040 or email uyac@yarraranges.vic.gov.au

Between 11 & 3 Hop Under a Tree
Upper Yarra Arts Centre
Films 11.30am – $12 per week or $7 per session
Workshops 1.30pm – $12 per person
Tuesdays – Fridays 6th – 23rd January 2009
Bookings: 5966 5040