First aid training at New Norfolk

Click image to enlarge. More at stjohntas.org.au

Fire brigade expo this Sunday

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THREE local fire brigades will host a bushfire-ready and volunteer recruitment expo at New Norfolk this Sunday.

Crews from the Lachlan, Magra and New Norfolk fire brigades will be on hand at Woolworths superrmarket, 51 George St, from 10am-5pm.

This will be a great opportunity to find out more about the local fire brigades and obtain information about preparing your home or property for the bushfire season.

Anyone interested in joining the fire brigade as a volunteer will be welcome to make themselves known.

There will also be children's activities and a free barbecue.

 

Community market this Sunday

Derwent Valley
Community Market

Sunday, October 15, 2017

10am-2pm

at Derwent Valley Community House

The Avenue, Willow Court, New Norfolk

Inquiries: 0458 649 379 / 0427 612 327

(Next market on November 19)

Get in2Cricket in the Derwent Valley this term

REGISTRATIONS for this summer's junior cricket programs are now open. The Milo-sponsored in2Cricket and T20 Blast programs give children a fun and fast-paced introduction to cricket, with more than 40,000 boys and girls around Australia taking part in the programs last year alone.

The in2Cricket program is designed for boys and girls aged from five to eight years old,  emphasising participation, basic motor skills and teaching the basics of cricket in one-hour sessions.

T20 Blast gives kids aged seven to 12 with basic cricket skills their first experience of playing games of cricket in a fun, safe and social setting. The program has a maximum playing time of 90 minutes, an exciting atmosphere complete with music and dancing, and everyone gets a chance to bat, bowl and field.

The Glenora in2Cricket program and New Norfolk T20 Blast Program hit off in early Term 4. To find out more and register, simply visit playcricket.com.au and type in your postcode.

Beanstalk banishes building's blank wall

A BLANK space at New Norfolk Primary School was turned into a welcoming wall under Arts Tasmania's public art program. A recent issue of the Public Arts Newsletter featured the completed Beanstalk work by Alex Miles, which transformed the front wall of the school's new Kindergarten building.

The newest classroom at the school was redeveloped early last year to provide a home for the school's Kindergarten following the closure of the Blair St campus. Beanstalk is one of the first things seen by students and families visiting the new building.

"It plays with the idea of growth, nurture and imagination with the design appropriating an existing downpipe and turning it into the stem of a beanstalk," the newsletter said. "The top leaves sprout out and above the roofline suggesting onward growth beyond the early years rooms."

"A friendly bird and grasshopper perch on the wall while a garden bed in front of the wall provides a place for young gardeners to plant their own beans and explore nature. Incorporated on the cladding above the wall Alex reproduced images from students in a monochrome paint."

Much to celebrate as hockey club looks back

Younger members of the team celebrating the club's 50th birthday.

MORE than 70 people met at the football clubrooms to join in the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the New Norfolk Old Scholars Hockey Club recently. The club was honoured to host the event and see the reunion of so many past players and supporters.

Five women from the founding team and club were in attendance and enjoyed mixing and reminiscing with the current team. Club stalwart Brian Eccles was unable to attend due to ill health but sent his congratulations and a few memories via club patron Carol Collins. A moment was taken during the evening to remember those players and supporters who have passed away.

700-gamer Lee Smith

A legend of the men’s team, Larry Hills, provided an entertaining rendition of the team songs, The Tynwald Terriers and The Tynwald Tarts. Those present also enjoyed looking through the wealth of memorabilia that had, in the main, been kept and recorded by Brian and the late Marion Eccles. The club is privileged to have had such a comprehensive account of its history.

During the evening it was announced that Lee Smith was about to make club history by being the first player to reach the grand milestone of 700 games in the final roster game of the 2017 season. Lee has been an inspirational leader and player for nearly 40 years. Her enthusiasm and commitment has been immeasurable. Lee has taken on numerous roles throughout the club including coaching and serving as president. A special highlight of Lee’s hockey career has been that she has played half of that time with her daughter, Sally. Finishing her final season with the best and fairest award for 2017 capped off Lee’s wonderful career prior to her retirement.

Although the club’s future is in limbo at present, there were positive signs that the evening had sparked some interest from past players to rejoin for the 2018 season. As a result of the organisational effort given by Amy and Helen Bannister, everyone had a fantastic night with lots of hugs and laughter.

Five original members, left, with the current team.

Maydena pool to remain closed

The Maydena Swimming Pool.

THE Maydena swimming pool will remain closed for a second summer after two safety audits returned unsatisfactory results. Maydena Community Association acting president Tim Parkes said the group, as the owner of the pool, had voted unanimously to close the pool at its meeting on Monday night.

"It is a sad duty to have to report to residents that the pool will not be opening this year or any time in the near future," Mr Parkes said. "We have had two separate safety audits done, sponsored by Derwent Valley Council, from the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia and JMG Engineering and Planning from which we received a safety rating of 15 per cent," he said.

Mr Parkes said the association would need to spend about $20,000 to meet basic requirements. "A further large allocation of funds would be required to meet the full compliance costs, money which we do not have," he said.

"There are some 87 safety notifications in the audit which we are required to meet. Even if we had the money and could afford compliance this year, there is no guarantee that we could meet costs in the future. Swimming pools are extremely expensive to run, and it has become evident as the years pass that meeting rising costs is beyond our resources."

Mr Parkes said only a small number of people used the pool and it would never be financially viable on that basis. "It is unfortunate that the pool has to close. We know the children particularly are going to be disappointed, but we just do not have a choice."

A copy of the two safety audits will be available for inspection at the Maydena post office and the community association is looking for alternative activities for the town's young people, such as possibly providing a free bus to another swimming pool.