Around Williamstown 03

1PLEASE DO NOT DISCARD - Give this paper to a friend or neighbour to read.

LAST SHOUT OF THE BRISTOL

WHERE IN WILLIAMSTOWN?

WILLIAMSTOWN’S VERY OWN ‘ANGEL’

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The end of year 12 is an exciting yet nerve breaking time for students in Victoria awaiting VCE results. The wait was a very successful one for some Williamstown High students, who were very well prepared for the VCE exam this year.

Natalia Susnica (second from the left in the photo) with her ATAR score of 96.75 exclaimed in a thrilled voice, “I am so excited. I have worked very hard though I didn’t expect to get such a high mark.” She thinks she would like to get into Melbourne University to study commerce, but is still trying to work out exactly what

she wants. “It could even be art”, she said.

Christina Thope (third from the left in the photo) was still trying to calm herself down with her excellent marks that she scored. She humbly revealed that her ATAR score is above 95. “I thought I screwed up in my exam, but I am surprised to get such high marks. I want to do medicine or surgery.” She mentioned that the high schools in Williamstown are under valued and under rated, they have great teachers and great facilities.

Congratulations to the VCE Top Achievers of Williamstown High

continue page 17

Around Williamstown Community Newspaper Issue 32

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Around Williamstown Community Newspaper, ABN 54 145 436 804.Postal Address: P.O. BOX 389 Williamstown 3016, Stories: [email protected]: 0435 166 576 or [email protected], 0449 834 359 or [email protected]

QUOTES OF THE MONTH:

Mickey Mouse popped out of my mind onto

a drawing pad 20 years ago

on a train

ride from Manhattan to Hollywood at a

time when business fortunes of m

y brother

Roy and myself were at lowest ebb and

disaster seemed right around the corner. -

Walt Disney, 1948

Happy New Year! Hope you have had a great Christmas break last month. It’s a new beginning, a new year with a new hope. No matter what your new year resolutions are, I wish you a great and safe year. May all your dreams and plans come true in good time.

I am pleased to report that this month we have a quite a few interesting articles about the Christmas activities in and around Williamstown, and historical articles among others. For those who have submitted your articles, if you don’t fi nd your piece of writing in this edition, it should appear in the next edition. We also welcome new writers joining us this month, to bring us some fascinating stories! Thank you.

This month we introduce a new column “Where in Williamstown?” Can you guess the location where the picture is taken? Do let me know, the name of the winner will be announced in the next edition. Feel free to take a picture of an interesting thing/place and email it to me for next month’s challenge.

January is always the quiet month, we are grateful to our advertisers who continue to support the paper this month, to make the paper possible, for our community, free of charge. For those who were not able to advertise on time in this edition, we apologies and welcome you in February.

We are excited to learn that the paper has started to serve its purpose to be the medium of conversation in the local community groups. We encourage more community groups to take up this opportunity to spread the word that you want to get out to the community. Any historical stories of Williamstown and all local news or events are welcomed. We are

particularly thankful to the locals who have been very welcoming and supportive to us.

We are still looking for a couple of volunteer writers. You may be a student, a journalist, a freelance writer, or just someone who love to write, or to take photographs. You don’t have to live here, as long as you have a love for Williamstown, this beautiful town, to write about anything in and around Williamstown that might be of interest to the public. Feel free and have the courage to send an email to [email protected]. I would love to hear from you.

Enjoy reading!

Cheers Jasmine Hill

Rambling with the Editor

Around Williamstown Community Newspaper Issue 3 3

On Christmas Eve, publican Tony Verlaan, better known as ‘Bear’, pulled the fi nal beer at the Bristol - one of Williamstown’s last remaining pubs. The popular, super-sized bartender is philosophical. ‘I’ll miss the people, but time moves on,’ said Tony after 25 years behind Bristol’s bar.If only the Bristol’s walls could talk? They have borne witness to conversations about Federation, World Wars, the Great Depression, dropping of the A-bomb and man’s fi rst moonwalk.Williamstown’s population exploded after the Gold Rush, bringing wealth and heralding the heyday of local hotels. In 1870, the Bristol was a six-room timber hotel. The present, brick premises were built in 1889. Bruce Reid writes in Pubs of Williamstown: ‘The elegant appearance of the hotel was said to provide a new trend for the northern part of town’. In 1911, a local stonemason completed extensive underpinning, saving the dame, in danger of falling down.The current, run-down state of the Bristol at the entangled intersection in Ferguson Street betrays its heritage signifi cance. It earned listing as an ‘example of Victorian Boom Style hotel with notable details and decorations rare in Williamstown’. Hotels were once places to vote and hold public meetings - and more. ‘My grandfather was born in the cellar of the Bristol Hotel in 1885,’ says a posting in Lantern Ghost Tour’s blog.

Newspapers reveal colourful run-ins with licensing police as far back as 1871. Last year, Tony was nabbed when a policeman found a customer on the premises at one o’clock in the morning. ‘I got off,’ said, ‘Bear’. ‘Put it down to a misunderstanding.’Workers from the railway yards and meat works once spilled out of the bar into Station Street. In recent times, it has been left to a handful of dedicated locals to make the daily beer-o’clock session. The facade and name - Bristol Apartments - are all that will remain of a grand slice of Williamstown’s history.

Peter Dewar

Last Shout at the Bristol


WILLIAMSTOWN HIGH SCHOOL student Aretha Stewart Brown is to be one of the Victorian student participants in the Gallipoli 2015 ANZAC Day Dawn Service Tour.As part of the Anzac centenary commemoration, 400 places were made available nationally for students and chaperones to attend the Gallipoli ANZAC Day Dawn Service in April 2015. The Victorian Government accepted the offer of 98 places for Victorian students and chaperones to attend. The selection of students and chaperones was made from across Victoria and refl ects a balance of gender, geography and school sector.The aims of attending the Gallipoli Dawn Service 2015 Tour are to enable students and their chaperones the opportunity to represent their family, school,

community and state, at the commemoration of one of Australia’s most important historical events. They have the chance to honour and keep alive the memory of the Anzacs and their contribution to modern Australia. The students will experience and better understand the geography and culture of the area in which the Anzacs fought and died and learn and understand more about that period of Australian history. They can learn more about and consider the realities of war and peace in our history and our world today. Ultimately the students will bring back home the knowledge and experiences and share them with their family, school and community so that they too will benefi t from this experience.In particular Aretha wishes to highlight the experience of her indigenous relatives who served in the Australians armed forces in World War 2.

Williamstown Student to participate in Gallipoli ANZAC Day Tour


A few weeks ago I was helping a friend clean out her never worn clothes, shoes and accessories – some designer label - from her apartment. Three full-size bin bags later she declared it was done and would take them to the markets to sell the next day. Three weeks on, the bags are still sitting in the hallway. Do you, too, have cupboards of stuff you have stored for years? Or perhaps something you received recently? Maybe it’s time to de-clutter; so let’s consider that Eiffel Tower snow globe or the fl uorescent green handbag that didn’t accessorise well with your outfi ts.Were you planning to head to the markets with it, but it never quite made it out of the house? Personally I don’t really like selling my things at a market, but luckily there are other ways to deal with them. And yes, I do mean sell them online! It’s not really that hard.I have a few favourites - gumtree.com.au, ebay.com.au and www.freecycle.org (Hobson Bay group). Personally I believe it’s worth having an account for each as they each suit different things. But let’s keep it simple to start with.If you go to eBay, you can search for your item and see what other people are selling it for. That Eiffel Tower snow globe is worth between $15 and $2500 (Louis Vuitton snow globe). So you might make a tidy profi t and have some fun. The following link will show you how to setup on eBay. http://sellercentre.ebay.com.au/selling-on-ebay/set-up-your-selling-account. If you

want to try gumtree, then, just got to http://www.gumtree.com.au/ and click on ‘sign in’, then register.A few tips: Make sure you use a username and password that you will remember and also something diffi cult for others to work out. A combination of numbers and letters is always sensible for the password. With EBay, I use PayPal because it is the easiest and safest way to pay or accept money online. They also offer you the ability to get a refund if something goes wrong with a purchase you make. If I’m selling on gumtree it tends to be cash, but make sure you have appropriate change at home.Whichever method you use, make the title descriptive as the search works on the title. Use words you might search for yourself, such as, “Decorative, Eiffel Tower snow globe ornament”. Remember people are buying it without actually having seen it, so give as much information in the description as possible; include sizes, dimensions, description of colour, and list special features. Most importantly, provide lots of photos, show every angle.Once you have fi nished listing it… sit back and wait. When someone buys it, you must then promptly help it fi nd its way to the post offi ce and the purchaser. Easy wasn’t it? You don’t even have to speak to a real person or sit at a stall at the markets! Happy selling!

Stephen Bell

Did Santa really give you what you asked for?IT Corner


On Sunday, 30th November, the Williamstown Rotary Club hosted a community event at Seaworks. It was their annual Childrens Christmas Fair, where all children were able to enter and partake in the activities free of charge. About 1800 adults and children attended on a brilliant sunny day to enjoy the event. There was food and craft stalls, plenty of rides for the children, including a petting nursery - Farmer Darryl’s mobile animal farm. Children could have their face painted or a balloon animal made, there was also a Christmas cave to make Christmas cards and novelties. Santa arrived on a vintage fi re truck to the delight of the young children and there was toys and lollies for all ages.The volunteer members of the Rotary club made this event work, which took a full 12 months to organise. On the day it is an early start, but the effort paid off in the form of children’s happy faces. This year we were lucky to have good sponsorship from Seaworks,

Port of Melbourne, Outlets and the Hobsons Bay council and plans are underway for next years Fair. The aim of the Fair is to enable all children from all walks of life to be able to participate in a event that’s affordable and stress free for the parents.The spirit of Rotary is to be involved with the community and provide help to those who needs it. Williamstown Rotary builds raised garden beds for elderly and disabled people in association with Hobsons Bay Council. We also provide heart defi brillators to local schools and support research into ovarian cancer diagnostics. Internationally we send equipment to schools and hospitals in Papua New Guinea with a special emphasis on supporting local midwifes and new born babies. Our baby bundles are very popular and appreciated by mothers and babies in the PNG Highlands!Yours in RotaryKathy Roberts

The Rotary Club of Williamstown Children’s Christmas Fair


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We trust you all had a safe and happy Christmas and New Year and are looking forward to a great year ahead here in Hobsons Bay.The New Year brings with it exciting new projects for us in the Strand Ward such as the start to the construction of the Newport Youth Library and Seniors facility which is expected to get underway in the fi rst quarter of 2015. Clay capping and top soil placement at Jack Madigan Reserve has been recently completed with the fi nal remediation works expected to fi nish this month with landscaping to follow. The draft landscaping concept design will be available on Council’s website by mid January. This year, Council will focus on traffi c safety with a number of projects and initiatives aiming to improve traffi c management and pedestrian safety. We are working with Victoria Police as part of our Summer Safety Program and the Williamstown Highway Patrol will be monitoring the Williamstown Beach precinct on a daily basis during the summer months.Traffi c treatments to allow a truck ban in Station Road Williamstown have been designed and are currently out for tender. It is expected that alterations to the roundabout at the corner of Melbourne Road and Ferguson Street will allow large trucks to negotiate the roundabout and a construction of a medium strip in Station Road will commence in February.Concerned residents submitted a petition to Council in

December for the installation of a pedestrian crossing in Maddox Road, adjacent to Newport Gardens Primary School. In response to the residents’ safety concerns, the Council will be conducting further detailed traffi c counts when the school resumes in order to delivering the best possible solution for pedestrian safety in the area.This summer holidays we also have lots to keep kids and parents alike entertained.There is wonderful outdoor family fun with Movies by the Bay featuring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on Friday 16 January and Guardians of the Galaxy on Friday 23 January. Come along and enjoy classic open air cinema at Commonwealth Reserve.Speaking of the great outdoors, make sure you check out the recently completed Power Street Playspace. It will provide you and your kids with hours of fun and can be combined with a picnic or bike ride to make a great day out.Council is proud to partner with Midsumma again for its GOWEST program in support of the GLBTIQ community. GOWEST events will run from 18 January to 8 February including exhibitions, burlesque, live music, ghost tours, author talks, storytelling, roller derby, comedy, sports activities, croquet, sailing and more.Full details can be found at www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/gowest

Cr Angela Altair - 0419 762 267 [email protected]

Deputy Mayor Cr Paul Morgan - 0488 828 880 or [email protected]

Cr Peter Hemphill - 0419 762 266 or [email protected]

Message from the Strand Ward Councillors


Summer celebrationAustralia Day, AltonaBetween 11am and 9pm on 26 January, there’s entertainment for the whole family in Altona. Presented by the Altona Village Traders Association (AVTA), Australia Day in Altona hosts live music that can be enjoyed while dining al fresco from Pier Street’s cafes. Plus, in addition to the beach markets, there’s also the annual triathlon, annual sand castle competition, camel rides, roving entertainment and plenty of activities for the children. A full program is available on the AVTA Facebook page, including information on road closures and fi reworks timing. Also over Australia Day weekend, Seaworks in Williamstown will present a maritime festival to mark the 150thAnniversary of the Shenandoah. A three day event is planned for all ages ranging from commemoration to celebration. To fi nd out more www.seaworks.org.au

Summer moviesMovies by the Bay, at two waterfront locationsMovies by the Bay is back with fi ve family-friendly fi lms at two locations. Bring a rug, chairs and pack a picnic. The movies begin when it gets dark (from about 8.45pm onwards), but we recommend you get there earlier to get a good spot. Over 1000 people attended the fi lms at Logan Reserve earlier this year. There is parking available and plenty of food providers nearby.Friday 2 January (Logan Reserve, Altona) - Rio 2 (PG)Friday 9 January (Logan Reserve, Altona) - Planes: Fire Rescue (PG)Friday 16 January (Commonwealth Reserve, Williamstown) - Teenage Mutant NinjaTurtles (M)Friday 23 January (Commonwealth Reserve, Williamstown) - Guardians of the Galaxy (M)Friday 30 January (Logan Reserve, Altona) - How to Train your Dragon 2 (M)

Summer artHOME public art display, Arts Centre MelbourneDuring November, a number of workshops took place at Louis Joel Community & Arts Centre, Altona and Woods Street Arts Space, Laverton. Over 140 wooden, house-shaped objects have been decorated. The HOME public art project that follows on from the success of the Melbourne-wide Play me I’m yours project.Thousands of diminutive homes, decorated by people from all over Victoria, will be exhibited at Arts Centre Melbourne between 11 and 26 January. The large-scale community installation will take over the centre’s main lawn and culminate with Australia Day celebrations. For more information on any of these events, call the Council on 9932 1000 or visit www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

Summer soundsSummer Sounds 2015, at two waterfront locationsSummer Sounds is also celebrating an anniversary. The ‘backyard’ feel-good music festival returns for its tenth consecutive year in 2015. Each show is free and begins at 2pm. Bring a rug and a picnic and enjoy the entertaining music and easy going community vibe.Saturday 7 February - soul at Logan Reserve, AltonaKylie Auldist & the Glenroy Allstars, Nikita AzzopardiSaturday 14 February – folk and country at Commonwealth Reserve, WilliamstownPierce Brothers, Gena Rose BruceSaturday 21 February – soul and R&B at Logan Reserve, AltonaMs Murphy, Chris Wilson, Alyson Murray Saturday 28 February – alt. country at Commonwealth Reserve, WilliamstownLiz Stringer band, Suzannah Espie & the Last Word, Midnight Hunting Crew Plus, this year there is a special Summer Sounds: In Your Neighbourhood event where you can enjoy a more local, Sunday afternoon vibe. Classics, strings and all things ambient are the musical treats in store from 2pm on a Sunday afternoon in Altona Meadows.Sunday 15 February - Trafalgar Avenue, Altona Meadows Community Park


What I love most about Christmas is during the build up without our knowledge, possibly while we are sleeping, the spirit of giving creeps upon (mostly) all of us. It’s like a contagious yawn that spreads from one soul to another and we begin to think of others outside ourselves, or our immediate networks of family and friends.I’m not discounting the many charity groups and organisations that continuously assist people every day. Rather, I’m referencing the fact that over Christmas an almost divine presence comes into our daily lives, a quiet reminder amongst the overzealous marketers and jolly Santa-clauses that we all are signifi cant and worthy of being considered.This seems to be the spirit behind West Welcome Wagon, a fabulous group who organise Christmas for the children of Asylum Seekers. This year, approximately 300 hampers of presents were donated. Wrapped by volunteers, the gifts were delivered to over 350 Asylum Seeker families – individuals on bridging visas who hold “no rights to work and [live on] a subsidiary income below that of the lowest Centrelink pension.” Marnie, a WWW volunteer says, “The parents are very grateful … it’s so lovely to see how excited the children get to receive the gifts, it really makes their day.” Another kind outpouring of time and gifts is that of Greer Watson, proprietor of Williamstown Chiropractic. On a selected day in December, clients

are asked to bring in a gift for a child in lieu of payment. On Christmas day, Greer takes the parcels to select groups of women and children who are currently living in distress or have been victims of serious abuses. She says next year they will extend the parcel exchange to a whole week allowing for more clients to give with their hearts.From the beginning of December the display window of Replenish begins to fi ll with toys for disadvantaged youth and families. Emma says, “Williamstown Community know it happens. This year Sports Power donated gifts; I saw a family come in with several bags of toys. Some kids wrote Merry Christmas notes on the tags of their gift. It all makes a difference.” By Christmas Eve the window would’ve been fi lled and cleared at least three times by 20th Man Foundation who supports hundreds of children and youth because of the generous spirit within the local communities. I don’t know about you, but all I see is humanity at its best and the spirit of giving at work in us; this is why I love Christmas because that’s when I see God move his creation to think of others the way He thought of us. And if the spirit of giving can enter our hearts while we are sleeping, then perhaps we might consider the same end as that of Dickens’ Scrooge, in A Christmas Carol, who after encountering the three Christmas ghosts, concluded: “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”

Kyla-Jayne Rajah

The Spirit of Christmas


If you are looking for something interesting to do with your Wednesday evenings in Williamstown, you might consider joining the Williamstown Film Society.

The Williamstown Film society has regular monthly screenings at 7.30 pm on the last Wednesday of the month from February to November, i.e. 10 months – at the Mechanics Institute on the corner of Melbourne Rd and Electra St Williamstown .

They screen old and recent fi lms using a DVD projector

on a large screen. There are currently around 40 members, and they welcome members of all ages. At present there are members from Altona, Essendon, Kensington, Yarraville, as well as Williamstown.

They are keen to welcome new members. They not only welcome those who are “fi lm buffs” who can contribute their knowledge and experience of fi lm to help with programming and conversation about the fi lms, but also those who aren’t experts. This includes students, who want to experience and learn more about fi lms, fi lm making, and /or the technology of fi lms – and most importantly to see and enjoy as wide a variety of fi lms as possible.

They publish a monthly newsletter, featuring the fi lm of the month, which is emailed or posted to members. Our 2015 program features fi lms a variety of older and more recent fi lms, a variety of genres, fi lms from Australia, USA, Japan, and an Arabian/German production.

Membership – 10 months is $30 / 45 for two people living at the same addressThree Consecutive Months – $10

For more information contact:Dorothy Page T. 93976000 M. 0419 545 690

Williamstown Film Society / Williamstown Films


The following is a letter of gratitude to West Welcome Wagon from an asylum seeker assisted by them. Sometimes it is easy to forget what other people have been, or are presently, going through. This letter reminded me how incredibly kind humanity can be when we reach out with thoughtfulness. Thank you to the asylum seeker for sharing her generous words with Around Williamstown – they’re beautiful.

Kayla-Jayne Rajah

A Letter of Gratitude

Twenty fi ve years ago in Iran I was born. Iran is such a beautiful country with very rich culture and history. People care about education and wellbeing. But everything changes when it comes to our government. I don’t want to give you a headache by telling you what our people have passed through in the last 35 years. But each Iranian who left the country had political or religious reason. So here I am. An asylum seeker for almost 18 months - being that hasn’t been easy.I stayed in a detention centre being called by just a number. My family and I have passed so many hard days. We left our home and family behind and started from nothing here. At fi rst, we couldn’t rent a good house because we didn’t have any history. The fi rst house was dirty and full of cockroaches. We asked the landlord and painted the house. It wasn’t that bad at the end. Last month, we moved to a much better property and although with the new law, I don’t know when I can meet and hug my mum again I’m moving forward - this was not possible without you and your warm hearts. Thank you all wagons, for all the little things that you do for people like me.You are all in my heart whenever I open my fridge or ride my bike. I can feel your support when I open my pantry and decide what to cook for dinner. You are all so inspirational and awesome. You make these days much easier for us. I want to make sure you know we see your kindness and support and please be sure that kindness isn’t lost, it just comes back to you and your life.You are all simply beautiful and perfect. I hope you all enjoy your holidays and have an amazing 2015.

by Anonymous Asylum Seeker


In December 2014, two local authors had their second books published – a novel, The Baker’s Wife, by Vivien Owens, and a collection of short stories, No Tomorrow and Assorted Yesterdays, by Mary Burbidge.1. About The Baker’s Wife:Helen is happily married to Paul, a baker, when he makes the life changing decision to become a minister of religion. Once ordained, he is posted to a surf-coast town, Seahaven, where his total commitment to his parishioners leaves him little time for his family. Helen has considerable diffi culty in adjusting to her new role as a minister’s wife while simultaneously trying to cope with their children’s problems without any help from her husband.When her elderly mother in Melbourne has an accident, Helen fi nds herself under even more pressure when she has to share her time between her family on the coast and her mother in the city. While in Melbourne, she develops a friendship with Andrew, someone from her early school days, who unexpectedly comes into her life again.She fi nds herself faced with a life changing decision.The author, Vivien Owens, has won the Williamstown Literary Festival’s People’s Choice Award twice and been Runner-Up twice; was a fi nalist three times in the Ada Cambridge Prize for biographical short stories (also part of the Williamstown Literary Festival); won the ‘Our Coastal Waters’ writing competition; and was Runner-up in ‘National Water Week’ writing competition sponsored by City West Water in Melbourne. She has also contributed short stories to a number of anthologies.Copies of The Baker’s wife can be purchased or ordered through the Williamstown Newsagency.2. About No Tomorrow and assorted yesterdays:This entertaining and profound collection of 38 short

stories makes the reader consider the world in a new light. Fiction and non-fi ction blend smoothly and the writing pulses with vivid images as the writer explores diverse topics that include relationships, bush fi res, circumcision, bird-watching tours and death (natural and otherwise).From very short pieces to quite long, each story offers a unique character or situation that will surprise, delight or disturb – a blind photographer sets up his camera in the bush at night, a Filipino bride adjusts to life with a brutal husband, sisters compete for a particular piece of jewellery belonging to their late mother, a family experiences the dying of a much-loved mother and grandmother, a mother and son battle over a domestic chore. These topics and more are tackled with such deftness and rich prose, and are so powerful and thought-provoking, that they resonate with the reader for days afterwards. Though No Tomorrow takes us to some dark places, the darkness is leavened by the quirky humour of lighter stories.A bonus is the author’s afterword, which answers the question so often asked of writers: “Where do you get your ideas?”The author, Mary Burbidge, has served on the Guardianship Board and on Williamstown Council. Some of her stories have done well in competitions and a number have been included in each of the seven anthologies published by the Williamstown Writers, but her ‘great Australian novel’ is yet to materialise. Mary is a Life Member of the Fellowship of Australian Writers, a founding member and co-cordinator of the Williamstown Writers, and she judges and sponsors the Jenny Burbidge Short Story Award in the annual FAW Awards. Any profi t from sales of this book will help to maintain this sponsorship.Contact details: Tel. 9391 5758, email: [email protected]

Two Local Authors Publishes Second Books


The massive computer programs (models – or, more specifi cally, General Circulation Models) used to predict the impact of man’s emissions on climate, and thus drive climate change policy, do not seem to be able to reproduce the impact of oceanic oscillations. Moreover, at least some of those models may well have been fi ne-tuned by making them able to reproduce the warming period between 1975 and 2002, without taking into account that at least some of that warming was probably due to natural oceanic cycles. Those observations might go some way towards

explaining why the models predict much more warming over recent years than actually occurred. One illustration of that disparity (shown below) comes from the NoTricksZone website but originated at the University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH). UAH runs one of the projects that use satellites to monitor global temperature changes.

These models provide the predictions upon which climate change policies costing billions of dollars are based. It is clear that almost all of them overestimate the global warming that actually took place by quite a handsome margin.

We can get one more indication that warming due to human emissions is not as great as we might have thought by looking back again at the HadCRUT4 Global graph above. The rate of warming between

1910 and 1945 looks much the same as that between 1975 and 2002 – perhaps a little less steep, but not much. But before 1945 human emissions had not built up signifi cantly in the atmosphere, and man-made climate change was not a problem. The world was simply warming naturally as it recovered from the Little Ice Age, perhaps following another, longer, natural cycle. After 1975 man-made warming was said to be a signifi cant problem. If it was, then surely the graph should climb much more steeply after 1975 than it did before 1945.

John Hill

To be continued… (2 of 4)

The content of the Opinion Piece doesn’t represent the opinion of the newspaper. The public are welcome to submit their opinion piece [email protected]

Climate Change (Continue from the last issue)Opinion Piece


Since fi rst opening in the summer of 2012, Yarraville’s pop-up park has acted as a meeting place for community members. In 2013, the council decided that perhaps the park should be relocated, sparking outrage amongst the locals.

After residents and local business owners staged a lively, musical protest, the decision was overturned, proving people-power still counts for much. A permanent park has now been installed in Ballarat Street and the result is wonderful!

On Friday December 19th, Santa Claus was on hand for the offi cial opening of Ballarat Park; and the community turned out in droves.

Synthetic turf, park benches and gorgeously designed structures, reminiscent of something out of a Dr. Seuss book, now line the street outside of the iconic Sun Theatre.

Jazz music fi lled the street, as children and grown ups alike, reveled in the atmosphere. Makeshift picnics sprawled across the lawn, providing a glimpse of what summer will look like, now that the pop-up park has traded up to a permanent status.

Melissa Longo

People Power leaves a Permanent Park!


If you only take your kidlets to see one movie this holiday season, it absolutely must be Paddington. The production team behind Harry Potter has turned their magic to the young Peruvian bear we all know and love, and it is truly special.The live-action feature, based on the popular Michael Bond children’s books, opens in darkest Peru and it is a glorious visual to behold. A natural disaster leaves our young adventurer homeless, so he sets off for London and is soon discovered by the Brown family. What follows is a hilarious and heartwarming tale; fi lled with plenty of action to keep your young ones entertained.The real message at the heart of this story, tells of how diffi cult it can be for our young hero to fi nd a new home, in a country where he is clearly different. We can only imagine how hard it is for refugees to be accepted, and Paddington Bear does a wonderful job of illustrating a refugee’s journey.The cinematography is second to none, seamlessly mixing motion-capture animation with live-action. Hugh Bonneville leads a stellar cast brilliantly; Nicole Kidman does an exceptional job of bringing a little extra evil, to her bad guy. The whole fi lm pays respect to an era of movie long past and the spirit of it all is just a real pleasure to see. Embrace Paddington, and allow your children to learn the lessons this movie has to teach us all.

Melissa Longo

How well do you know your local area? This is a photo taken in a secret location. Write to the Editor and tell us if you know the location of this place. Email your answer to [email protected] or write to P.O. Box 389, Williamstown 3016 VIC. The winner’s name will be published in the next edition.

Paddington Review Where in Williamstown?


Since we moved to Melbourne we’ve either gone overseas or interstate to celebrate Christmas with family. Last year, however, we buked the trend – admittedly, we’d done it before back in 2005 when we came to Melbourne and drove The Great Ocean Road to Adelaide. It was a freeing experience, but kind of isolating at the same time, which is why last Christmas, knowing I wouldn’t be with extended family, I choose to burrow into my community. It began on the 29th November with a visit to Willy Church’s Community Christmas and Craft with Heart. There was a real sense of family, and after making a decoration with my daughter and buying a handmade Christmas stocking, I thought why not spend the Christmas season as a partaker of community events. So, I dragged my family to the Williamstown Christmas Night Market to be thrilled by the angelic carollers and with Santa arriving in a red fi re engine. I watched West Pointe Ballet’s fabulous end of year production, and later that week took my daughter to the humorous librarian styled concert, Santa and the Bookends. We queued for an hour in Bourke Street Mall so we could marvel at Myer’s magical window display for 10 minutes, and we delighted in Santa’s Story Time at one of Hobson’s Bay libraries. We raised our spirits at Hillsong’s Christmas Carol service and rung the

bells in Christmas Square. We admired the light show projected on to Melbourne’s Town Hall and sung Christmas Carols along with Hobsons Bay Churches in Commonwealth Reserve. We saw houses lit up and gave gifts to families in need. And by the time Christmas day arrived, I felt such a strong sense of belonging to my own community that I didn’t feel that far from my extended family after all.

Kyla-Jayne Rajah

Christmas Just Past

Santa and the Bookends at Logan Reserve Altona

Christmas Carols at Commonwealth Reserve Williamstown


Hobsons Bay City Council has endorsed the 2015 Community Grants Program, allocating $270,068 across 145 community projects.

Mayor of Hobsons Bay Councillor Colleen Gates said this year’s community grants program guidelines were broadened to enable a greater range of groups to apply.

“This year’s program includes additional funding boosts comprising $75,068 redirected from the 2014-15 ward funds, $20,000 contribution from Toyota’s corporate citizenship program and $10,000 from Council’s Environment and Sustainability department,” Cr Gates said.

“The community responded well to the increase in the overall funding pool with Council receiving a noticeable increase in the number of applications this year, with a total of 180 applications across fi ve grant categories,” said the Mayor.

“The expanded program highlights the Council’s ongoing commitment to support community activities and initiatives that contribute towards building a more productive, socially connected, inclusive and resilient municipality.”

The applications were assessed on the capability of groups or organisations to deliver the project, their capacity to meet community needs, while also

aligning with Council’s priorities and the objectives defi ned within the Community Health and Wellbeing Plan 2013-17.

“The program is always diverse and this year is no exception, with projects that focus on supporting sustainable environments; connecting young people and seniors in learning opportunities and projects that promote engagement of local cultural groups,” said the Mayor.

“Several projects also provide focus on recognised high need areas including addressing issues of youth disengagement and poor mental health.”

“Council really values the contribution community groups make to the wellbeing of the City of Hobsons Bay and we’re proud to support community groups and organisations through this year’s grants program.”

To celebrate the achievements of the 2014 funded projects and congratulate the 2015 grant recipients, the Council is holding a Community Grants Program celebratory event on Friday 5 December from 5.30pm at The Mechanics Institute, Electra Street, Williamstown.

For more information, visit www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

145 Projects To Benefi t From Community Grants Program

Steven To (in the middle), scored 91.95 was pleased with himself. “With the hard work that I did, in both exams and my coursework, I’m a proud of myself. I would like to get a double degree in commerce and arts at Monash.”

A humorous and cool student, Michael Gibbon (third from the right) achieved an ATAR score of 92.00, said that he felt good about the results. He intends to do a Bachelor of Film and Television at Swinburne. “We have fun and good teachers in this school”, he added with a grateful tone.

Monika Scally (second from the right), who scored just below 90, confi dently said that “I only needed 78 marks and I’ll go into law in La Trobe University as part of their Aspire program, doing Law and International Relations.”

Mathilda Walley, ATAR score 92.65, was surprised and pleased with her results. “I am pleasantly surprised. I hope I can go into Bachelor of Arts in Melbourne Uni.”

We asked the students what advice they have for future students doing VCE.

“You can actually do the subjects that you like a year earlier, thus reducing the stress of taking all the VCE subjects in Year 12.”

“Let yourself have a break, don’t feel bad for having a break, you need to have a break.”

“Try not to be afraid of asking questions, just go to see the teacher. Feedback from the teachers is important, especially for written subjects,” commented Natalia.

“Keep your eyes focused and try your best in the exam”.

“The day before the exam, go to sleep early, do not study anymore.” Monika said. “Half an hour before the exam, brief through everything in your notes.” added Michael and Mathilda, agreeing with each other.

Most students are stressed about getting into a good university or a course that they want, Monica gave her cool advice, “It doesn’t really matter that much, you’ll become someone and do something one day”.

Congratulations to all the year 12 students and all the best for your future undertakings!

from page 1


From The Past

The more things changed, the more they stayed the same. 100 Years ago today, Williamstown was attempting to get a consumer electricity supply.

“With the New Year, ratepayers will begin again to consider municipal prospects for 1915. It will interest them to know that the council has fully determined to install electrical supply as soon as possible. The mayor (Cr. Herlot) has determined that this work shall be pushed on without any unncessary delay. Certainly there would appear to be rather more obstacles to impede progress than were at fi rst anticipated.

... The route the electric main will follow is that of the main sewer, running through Fisherman’s Bend to the river Yarra. It will then be taken across the river on its bed. This necessitated application to the Harbor Trust for permission so to carry the main. The Commissioners have consented to the request, but stipulate that it must be 30 feet below low water, and 100 feet above the sewer channel crossing the

river. It is also necessary to obtain the consent of the Metropolitan Board to carry the electric main along the line of the main sewer. Commissioner Treganowan will take steps to push this phase of the matter through, and when the Board’s consent is obtained the necessary application will be made for the Order-in-Council. Before the order is granted a number of preliminary measures will, however, have to be taken. It is not possible to obtain the Order-in-Council under a period of three months. Having obtained the order, the council will proceed to borrow £18,000 to carry out the undertaking. It will be at least six months before the town will be enabled to obtain an electric supply.

So that private residents will be able to become participators at the same time as the council: When the street lamp current is turned on, it is proposed that a canvass of the town shall be made for consumers. ...”

( Williamstown Chronicle, 9th Jan 1915)


The founder and coordinator of Williamstown’s Helping Hand Cafe, Robert Adams, wouldn’t call himself an angel - but he was recently awarded an Honourable Mention in the inaugural Father Bob Angels of the Street awards, in a ceremony at the St Kilda Town Hall.

Robert was given the community award for his efforts coordinating a weekly meal for disadvantaged people in Williamstown, which has run for the last nine years for local people who are homeless, living on the streets, pensioners living on their own or anyone who can’t afford a decent meal. Helping Hand Cafe is not just about the food, though - many people come because they enjoy the sense of belonging and friendship at the Cafe. One regular says that Helping

Hand Cafe is “just like family”.

Robert, 60, said people helped him out when he was on the streets at the age of 14, and so he wants to do something for others who fi nd themselves in similar situations.

The awards were created by the well-known Catholic priest and community worker Father Bob Maguire in recognition of community heroes whose good works often go unnoticed. Father Bob says, “These ‘angels’ are selfl ess in what they do and about the people they do it for. They make a difference (to the community) in a very real sense.”

Megan JungMinister, Christ Church Williamstown

Williamstown’s Very Own ‘Angel’

Robert with Hobsons Bay Councillor Sandra Wilson on her visit to Helping Hand cafe in 2014


Adam graduated with a B.A in Performing Arts from the University of Ballarat in 1993. Since then he has worked professionally as an Actor in Film, TV and Theatre. Adam has had roles on ‘Comedy Inc’, ‘Frontline’, ‘Neighbours’ & ‘A Country Practice’ to name a few and most recently playing different crazy characters pranking kids on ABC3’s ‘Prank Patrol’. Adam has been teaching Acting & Drama since 1999 and opened his own business in 2011. He holds classes for Children, Teens & Adults and caters for Beginners to Advanced. Past students have had great success, scoring lead roles in Feature Films and TV shows such as “Neighbours”, “The Elephant Princess”, “The INXS

Story”, “As the Bell Rings” & “Underbelly” to name a few.Classes will place emphasis on self-development whilst building professional Acting skills.Subjects include: Audition Preparation, Acting Technique, Creating a Character, Improvisation Intensive, Stage & Screen Technique, Industry Classes and much more!Class Locations include: Altona Meadows – MondaysYarraville - TuesdaysHoppers Crossing – WednesdaysEssendon – ThursdaysWilliamstown - SaturdaysClasses are from 5pm weekdays & from 10am on Saturday in Williamstown. Each term runs parallel to the school term FREE TRIAL CLASS for New StudentsWeb: www.adamturnbull.comEmail: [email protected] Adam on 0419 593 257 for all Bookings & Enquiries

HBLAC is part of the Life Activities Clubs of Victoria which is a not-for-profi t community organisation recognised by Government and the community as a valuable contributor to the well being of the members of our community who are in their second stage of life. There are 23 Life Activities Clubs around Victoria .The aim of a Life Activities Club is to form a network to assist people in retirement or approaching retirement to enjoy a full, healthy, satisfying and connected community life, and to foster and maintain the lifelong well being of all club members through the provision of a range of social and recreational opportunities.

HBLAC was formed in Nov 2005 and since then

the club has held theatre nights, movie nights, dine outs during the week and at weekends. We also occasionally enjoy Sunday Lunch in a country pub, BBQ’s in parks as well as beach walks and cycling activities.

Since the club was formed many new friendships have been formed. The HBLAC is a club run by members for the members.

HBLAC events are held around Altona, Williamstown and Werribee.

For further info contact [email protected] or 9397 1043.

Hobson Bay Life Activities Club (HBLAC)


CSS Shenandoah

‘Twas Confederate raider ShenandoahThat sailed into Port Phillip Bay.In our southern clime, it was high summerWhen that sea wolf came seeking prey.

Americans were at war with each other,A civil war in its fourth year:North versus South, and brother ‘gainst brother,Fighting for things they both held dear.

Captain Waddell’s orders were specifi c;That’s to attack Northern shipping,Including whalers, in the Pacifi c.The South was copping a whipping.

He could without fear engage in these sportsAs Union warships were elsewhere,Busy blockading Confederacy ports;But his ship was needing repair.

She was hauled up at Williamstown’s slipwayWhere they scraped barnacles and rust.As soon as could be she was on her way,But while here there’d been lots of fuss.

Repaired, resupplied, with fi fty more crew,Shenandoah put out to sea.With vigour her mission she did pursue,Writing a page in history.

Shenandoah would have a merry ride,Taking or sinking forty ships.Of a vanquished nation she was the prideDue to work done on “Willie”’s slips.

This re-equip led to controversyThat would cost Great Britain a lot.Her colony had breached neutrality:A combatant Britain was not.

This sea wolf’s war ended in Bering StraitMonths after the South’s surrender.There the Captain learned of his country’s fate:Their dreams had been dashed asunder.

Now they were all in a predicament:The Captain was declared pirate.To Liverpool England was where they went;On the Mersey they’d learn their fate.

To the British the Captain surrendered.He and his crew were all set free.No more of the piracy charge was heardAfter that day on the Mersey.

A successful campaign this ship did wage:For that ‘twas the Brits who would payMillions of dollars for all that damage,Because of the Williamstown stay.

Jack Nystrom, 30.11.2014

Editor’s Note

In his article “Historic Williamstown” (December issue), Jack Nystrom mentions the controversial visit in 1865 of the American Confederate States warship, “CSS Shenandoah”. She docked at Williamstown on 25 January, 1865.

After undergoing repairs and taking on supplies, she sailed on 8 February with an extra 40 crew enlisted here (19 of the original crew had deserted at Williamstown). She sailed into the Pacifi c where she attacked the Union (Northern) whaling fl eets as far north as the Bering Strait.

By 28 June, 1865, when her captain was informed of the South’s defeat, the Shenandoah captured or burned 29 whalers. For allowing the Shenandoah to use port facilities at Williamstown, a breach of neutrality, the International Court at Geneva, Switzerland, in 1871, awarded the US government damages against Britain of 820,000 pounds. That would be many millions of dollars in today’s values.


Williamstown has had a long connection with the game of croquet. It is thought the original lawns were in a private residence along Esplanade. But the formation of the Williamstown Croquet Club started at a meeting held in the Williamstown Town Hall held October 16, 1926. The meeting of ladies was held for the “purpose of forming a croquet club in Williamstown”.

The original site was intended to be on the hospital site in Stewart Street. The Council decided on the current site in Victoria Street at a meeting on 1st December 1926. Subsequently two lawns were laid and the plans for the clubhouse were prepared. The clubhouse was erected in 1929 and opened on 19th December in that year. The fi rst President was Mrs J. J. Liston - wife of Williamstown legend and Mayor John Liston. Originally the club catered for women only. Presumably the men played bowls!!

The beautiful clubhouse stands as testimony to the

foresight of the council and original club members. We welcome visitors to call in and see the wonderful legacy for our city.

Williamstown Croquet Club has had many highs and lows in terms of membership. Currently around 55 members play both Association Croquet and Golf Croquet. The two games are very different and offer members a variety of strategies and challenges. Both pennant teams were very successful this season.We provide coaching and will ensure a pathway to the highest levels of state, national and international play if that is sought. The club is always looking for new members to enjoy the social and/or competitive elements of their sporting wishes.

Visit the club’s site at williamstowncroquet.org.au or contact John Grieve on 0424 362 9 35 for further information.

Croquet in Williamstown


Williamstown Kids

Dear children, I hope Santa has treated you well during Christmas. This month we are going to introduce to you something fun!Have you ever been to the Altona Miniature Railway club? There are many miniature trains that you can ride! These trains are powered either by diesel or steam. They are lovingly cared for by volunteers, who seem to delight in poring over them, heating their boilers and making sure they were in good working order. So don’t forget to smile at them and say a “thank you”.You can take your parents or your grandparents to the ride as well. It’s fun sitting behind a model engine and enjoying a ride around one and half kilometres of rack, hearing the clickety-clack of the rails.The track winds around away from a little station, through some trees, and even through a tunnel. The journey is surprisingly green and relaxing. You even get to have a sticky beak at the building of the new mosque, which is going up next door.Open to the public every third Sunday of the month. The next opening will be on January 24th. Rides aren’t expensive, at $2.50 each.We hope you take the opportunity to go for the ride before school starts again. Have fun!

Jasmine Hill

Around Williamstown 03

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