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The Waterline News
ISSN 2208-9322 (Print) www.waterlinenews.com.au
Volume 7 #8 Digital JULY 2021
THE WATERLINE NEWS
Publisher - Waterline Publishing
PO Box 324, Wonthaggi, 3995
Editor - Geoff Ellis Copy Editor –Anne Heath Mennell
Website: www.waterlinenews.com.au
ABN 97 336 380 867
ISSN 2208-9330 (Online) ISSN 2208-9322 (Print)
Deadline for August Edition: July 22
Non-advertising contributions Welcome to the July edition of the Waterline News.
should be in Times New Roman font,
Today (July 4th) marks the start of NAIDOC Week.
preferably 10 point font size with no
This year’s theme is ‘Heal Country’ and we have a few simple words
indent . Thank you.
on page 4 that outline the meaning and the history of NAIDOC.
As well as the monthly print and digital Our cover pic is a cake that was shared at the opening of the NAIDOC week
versions of the Waterline News art exhibition at ArtSpace on July 3. The pics on this page were also taken at
this event.
The Waterline News also
As Patrice Mahoney OAM, Bass Coast Shire Council’s Aboriginal Develop-
has three face book pages:
ment Officer said at the Flag Raising and Smoking Ceremony:
Waterline News and Information
Waterline Poetry Place Happy NAIDOC!
Waterline Tales, Stories Books and Writing
All previous editions, as well as the current Advertising rates
on-line edition of the Waterline News can
for
be read or downloaded from:
digital edition:
https://www.waterlinenews.com.au/ Full Page $180
Half page $100
Quarter page $60
For print edition:
advertising rates
P.O.A
DG Nurse Practitioner Enquiries:
Grantville Transaction email
Centre waterlinepublish-
(Cnr Bass Hwy & Pier Rd) ing@gmail.com
(03) 5616 2222 Or call
0467 841 782 0403917746
The Waterline News is produced on the lands of the Bunurong,
Boon-wurrung, members of the Kulin Nation who have lived here for
thousands of years. We offer our respect to Elders, past, present and
emerging and through them, all First Nations People.
Waterline News July 2021 Page 3
Bass Coast Shire Council Bass Coast Reconciliation
has adopted the 2021/22 Annual Network encourages everyone to
Budget. consider this year’s NAIDOC
theme of Heal Country!
Highlights of the Budget include funding – which calls for all of us to continue to
for the planning and/or design of a num- seek greater protections for our lands,
ber of significant, intergenerational pro- waters, our sacred sites and our cultural
jects including: heritage from exploitation, desecration,
• Commencement of the construction and destruction.
of the Cowes Cultural and Commu-
Bass Coast Shire Council is nity Centre NAIDOC Week 2021 runs from Sunday
making kindergarten registration • Works to renew and upgrade a num- 4 July to Sunday 11 July and invites the
easier for local families this year, by ber of marine assets. This includes nation to embrace First Nations’ cultural
introducing central registration. the Grantville boat ramp, jetty and knowledge and understanding of Country
seawall and the Rhyll boat ramp and as part of Australia's national heritage
This provides a single point of contact jetty and equally respect the culture and values
for families to register for their preferred • Cowes East Foreshore rock revet- of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait
kindergarten services within Bass Coast Islanders as they do the cultures and
ment wall and beach access values of all Australians.
and to help them secure a place that
meets their needs. • A number of recreational projects
that will deliver significant lighting Bass Coast Reconciliation Network is
Registrations for three-year-old and four- improvements in Inverloch, Dalyston made up of members from Bass Coast
year-old kindergarten can be completed and Cowes. The budget also pro- Shire Council, Bass Coast Health,
online via Council’s website vides for: Westernport Water, Phillip Island Nature
Parks, Bunurong Land Council, Bass
at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/kinder. • Funding for the major Guy Road to Coast South Gippsland Reconciliation
Tenby Point shared path Group and Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Hard copy registration forms are also • $3 million funding for urban and Islander Community members.
available from Council offices, Bass rural pavement renewal across the
Coast kindergartens and Maternal and shire “During NAIDOC, we are proud to be
local Child Health services.
• Wonthaggi Activity Centre Plan supporting the wonderful Indigenous Art
Exhibition at ArtSpace in Wonthaggi
The first round of registrations closes • Inverloch community hub renewal which runs until Sunday 18 July. The
on Sunday, 1 August and offers will be exhibition is curated and run by Bass
made to families in September. You In response to the submissions received Coast South Gippsland Reconciliation
can still register for kindergarten after from the community, there were a num- Group who are Network members and is
1 August, but these registrations will ber of changes recommended to the final a wonderful showcase of the talent in
be allocated after first round offers 2021/22 Budget. These included the allo- Bass Coast,” said Patrice Mahoney
have been made. cation of funding towards footpaths and OAM, Bass Coast Shire Council
seating in Corinella, solar panels for the Aboriginal Development Officer.
Phillip Island Football and Netball Club,
In 2022, three-year-old children in Bass an upgrade of the San Remo Bowls Club
Coast Shire will have access to five hours and seating for the State Coal Mine. “The Network had also planned to hold
a week in a funded kindergarten program. the Bridge Walk for Reconciliation dur-
Funded kindergarten refers to the subsidy ing NAIDOC, but instead have chosen
that will reduce kindergarten fees. The Council’s adopted Annual the new date of Wednesday 4 August at
five hours of kindergarten will progres- 11am – 2pm which is also National Abo-
2021/22 Budget can be found riginal and Torres Strait Islander Chil-
sively scale up to reach a 15-hour-a-week
program by 2029. at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/ dren’s Day. This date will enable school
and broader community participation,”
budget. Ms Mahoney said.
Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Brett
Tessari said, “The new system will help “Further details of the walk will be
us to plan for the anticipated increase in Bass Coast Shire Council will com-
shared closer to the day and we look
demand for kindergarten places in Bass plete renewal works along a section forward to walking with the community
Coast over coming years.” of open drain, which runs along the in August.”
north side of Alexander Road in
For more information on South Dudley this August. NAIDOC is an opportunity for all
Australians to come together to celebrate
kindergarten or to register For more information contact Council’s the rich history, diverse cultures and
your child go to go Infrastructure Delivery Team on 1300 achievements of Aboriginal and Torres
www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/ BCOAST (226 278) or (03) 5671 2211, Strait Islander peoples as the oldest
continuing cultures on the planet.
kinder or contact the email basscoast@basscoast.vic.gov.au or
Heal Country, heal our nation.
Kindergarten Registration visit www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/projects.
Team on 1300 BCOAST (226 Keep in touch on Bass Coast
278) or 03 5671 2211, or by event updates
email at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/
to kinder@basscoast.vic.gov.au. reconciliation
Waterline News July2021 Page 4
Waterline News July 2021 Page 5
03 5678 0777
Being able to put food on the table We moved our food pantry into our small Our food pantry provides basic pantry
for yourself and your family is a basic meeting room, which was no longer big staples such as UHT milk, cereal, pasta,
human right. It should not be a privilege enough for small meetings, and we sauce and tinned goods as well as a few
or a challenge. sought funding to furnish this new space. extras. Most of our supplies come from
Bass Coast Shire Council came through FoodBank at a very generous rate. We
We know that from time-to-time people with a community grant for shelving and can only get shelf goods from FoodBank
have financial hardship and difficulty cupboards. The expanded pantry is now no dairy or fresh items, so we do rely on
meeting the most basic of needs. set up and, we believe, provides those local donations for these additional
Corinella and District Community Centre needing this service with a better, more goods.
(CDCC) has operated a food pantry/ respectful, experience. We have already
emergency food relief/foodbank service helped over 100 people from this new We are contacting local suppliers to
for over 10 years. This has helped 100’s expanded space. increase our availability of fresh produce,
of people over the years to meet this something we could not provide during
basic right and to relieve just a bit of the Who uses our food pantry? Well that 2020. La Provincia, a long term support-
pressure in stressful times. changes from time to time. er, has come back on board with a regu-
lar donation of fruit and vegetables.
In 2019 our pantry assisted more than Recently we have seen more people who
355 people. During the lockdown year are underemployed and working in the We would love to hear from other local
of 2020, when we only operated one tourism and hospitality sector. This lastsuppliers of fruit, vegetables, bread or
day per week for most of the year, we lockdown was really hard on that group. any other fresh items who may be able to
still assisted over 225 local people. offer support. We also have great support
We have also seen families whose work from a number of local groups such as
We don’t receive government funding hours have decreased and whose rent has Lions and CWA.
for this service it is all funded through increased excessively. Winter brings us
the activities we run at the centre and those who can afford either food or heat Watersure staff and a number of other
through donations. and use our service only in the coldest individuals are also strong supporters.
months when they must pay for heating. We would love to hear from you.
COVID gave us some new challenges.
For many years our food bank was As it gets colder we have fewer people If you or someone you know needs the
housed in a converted cleaners cupboard. who are living rough or living in their support of this service, simply call into
It was big enough to store a good supply cars. Sometimes we see people only the centre during opening hours with a
of food staples but not big enough, real- once, sometimes for a few months. grocery bag to pack your goods in.
ly, for two people. Density requirements Corinella and District Community Centre
for Covid meant it was not actually usa- is your local not for profit Neighbour-
ble within the restrictions. hood House, ph 5678 0777 or email
reception@cdcc.asn.au
Waterline News July 2021 Page 6
Waterline News July 2021 Page 7
( As per WGRLC)
THE WATERLINE Kathy and Margaret will be pleased to DELIVERED?
LIBRARY SERVICE hear that the plan is for the Book and Many organisations, including the
Chat session to become a regular Satur- West Gippsland Library Service, are
THE Waterline Library Service has taken day morning event, alongside some other well aware of the important roles that
another step in its continuing journey in great events. These events will include a volunteers have in our communities,
and around the Waterline Community, writing workshop, a singing session, and and would like to hear from anyone
with a hugely popular Book Talk and a baby play date, and they will all include who would like to contribute.
Chat Session at the Community Library plenty of opportunity for a good chat and
in the Grantville Transaction Centre. tea and biscuits. Volunteers can carry out a variety of
activities, and this could include a home
The session, led by Waterline Library OUT AND ABOUT delivery service to allow all Waterline
team members Jenny and Sabine, allowed The West Gippsland Library Service residents to continue to be a big part of
everyone to have a good chat about what is really pleased to see the Community their local library.
they were currently reading, and included Library becoming more and more
a very nice morning tea. ‘It went really TIMES
popular and it is great that it can provide
well,’ said Jenny. ‘Everyone seemed to a solid platform from which to reach out The Waterline Community Library,
enjoy themselves, and being in a library into the whole Waterline Community. based in the Grantville Transaction
we can reserve and loan out books as Centre, is open for library members
people become interested in them!’ In the weeks ahead the Waterline team to come in, browse and borrow items
plan to look at holding regular story-time whenever the Transaction Centre is
The Waterline residents who were there sessions, at a venue to be decided upon. open during the week. On weekdays
for the Saturday morning event seemed to They will also contact local schools and there are library staff present on
agree. Kathy Hopkins said that, ‘It was childcare centres to talk about organising Tuesdays (3.00 PM – 6.00 PM) and
really great, and I borrowed a whole lot some story time visits. And they are Thursdays (10.00 AM – 1.00 PM)
of books.’ She then added that, ‘I hope hoping to hold some “grown-up”
we can keep it going.’ events in the months ahead on topics to The library is also open, and staffed, on
be decided upon. Any community Saturday mornings (10.00 AM – 12.00
And fellow Waterline resident Margaret members who have an interesting idea PM).
Boyer, who was similarly pleased with for an event should talk to Jenny or
the event, said that everyone who was Sabine, at the Waterline Community During opening hours people can talk
there was keen for the group to continue. Library. The team wants to remind to the library service about any library
Margaret added that, ‘The librarians were everyone that there are pick up points related matters on 03-5672 1875, and
very helpful and provided us with a most for items ordered from the catalogue at ask to speak to a Waterline team member.
enjoyable morning tea.’ the Corinella General Store and the
Coronet Bay General Store.
Waterline News July 2021 Page 8
( As per WGRLC)
San Remo MORE THAN
JUST ABOUT BORROWING
These are exciting times for libraries
right across Bass Coast and San Remo
Community Library is sure to become a
Community Library The library has also has had community
use outside of its opening hours.
centre for all sorts of activities in 2021
and beyond!
THE first thing that everyone notices
about the San Remo Community Library It has hosted a Maternal Child Health
when they walk through the door is just new parents' information session, with
how bright, airy and cheerful a place it is. another scheduled, and is looking
forward to hosting a kinder registration
And since it opened its doors on 30 session with BCH on 15 July. In term 3,
March, an increasing number of San staff will also be conducting library visits
Remo residents have, indeed, discovered to San Remo kinder.
this. Library Officer Michael Whelan, a
regular and helpful presence in the new While the author talk, with Sharon
library, says, ‘what a joy it is to come to Postlewhite, was unfortunately post-
work when the patrons are so pleased to poned due to Covid restrictions earlier
see us just for being there.’ this month, it will be rescheduled in July
and there are plans for more events and
Mick added that he has found Tuesday groups to be happening in the coming
afternoons a ‘bustle of energy’ and that months.
‘we are welcoming both old and new
members at the new library.’ If you have are a community group
that would like to meet during opening
The library is currently open on hours or for a special event, please con-
Tuesday afternoons and on tact the San Remo and Phillip Island
Wednesdays mornings and afternoons. branch manager, Jessica Berry, to discuss
possibilities in using the community
It has been noted that the front window library to meet or run an activity.
of the library is a nice quiet spot to sit
and soak up some afternoon winter sun The coming months will see a transition
whilst reading a magazine or book, and of staff and services to San Remo in an-
maybe following a bit of afternoon op- ticipation of the construction of the new
shopping across the road. Cowes Cultural Centre.
San Remo Community Library
Waterline News July 2021 Page 9
( As per WGRLC) Waterline News July 2021 Page 10
PUBLIC ART
The redevelopment of the Boon Wurrung Yorta Yorta Erub de- Darren bought his house in Cape Woola-
Cowes Cultural and Community scendant, Steve is known to many in the mai as a youngster 17 years ago.
district for his youth work, traditional
Centre has presented the perfect performances and advocacy for, and pro-
opportunity for local artists to “I rented it out for a while but I missed it
motion of, Indigenous culture. like a ‘limb’. The ocean, surf and bird
exhibit their works on a grand life of the entire beach is a massive inspi-
scale. Titled ‘Woolamai Warreeny Galen Bar- ration to me,” Darren said.
reen’, his mural is the wareeny (ocean
Bass Coast Shire Council has commis- water) and tidal movements that run in “So my mural is an ode to Woolamai and
sioned five Phillip Island-based artists to and out of Murranbiik (Western Port) Phillip Island, it’s clear, clean ocean and
create murals on plywood boards that and around Millowl (Phillip Island), with the wildlife that inhabits it.”
respond to the theme ‘My Island Home’. a view of Cape Woolamai to Pyramid
As construction work continues at the Rock and the setting sun.
site, these sectional art pieces will be Raised on Wiradjuri land in the town of
assembled at a variety of locations and Condobolin, Graham’s paintings feature
“Many of my works depict the Boon a broad range of native Australian ani-
will showcase the extraordinary artistic Wurrung connection to this land, Millowl mals and reflect the connection of ani-
talent present in and around Cowes. that we live on in Tullagum Birranga-ha mals to their landscapes and often refer-
(Bass Coast country),” Steve said. ence the hunter and gatherer lifestyle
The artists that have been involved in lived by his ancestors.
the project are Marian Quigley, Steve Lynda’s mural pays homage to the mag-
Ulala Parker, Lynda Horsborough, nificent mammals of the sea and the dark “My design concept is based on the idea
Darren Henderson and Graham Gilbert. mysteries of the ancient Island. of Phillip Island being a meeting place
for my people. In the sea, beyond the
Marian’s mural is based on a local “The craggy rocks that emerge from the shoreline, are the many creatures that
artist’s experience of her lived environ- depths of the sea, like strategically poised hunter-gatherers brought home for their
ment. "The image is of a view of Cowes- sculptures, entice us to gaze at the hori- tribe," Graham said.
West beach – seen during my regular zons with awe. Then by chance we see
morning walks. The sea is a constant the wild beasts of the sea poke their
source of inspiration for my work and heads above water. They are looking
For more information about this
painting forms a central part of my life,” back at us mere humans with inquisitive- project, contact Council’s Arts
Marian said. ness and knowing wisdom,” Lynda said. and Culture Team on 1300 226
278 or (03) 5671 2211 or
Bass Coast Shire Council has recently received a $70,000 “Many of our hospitality businesses have suffered greatly over
grant from Sustainability Victoria’s Sustainable Infra- the past 18 months and we are committed to helping our local
structure Fund, to install recycled plastic outdoor dining businesses adjust to the world of outdoor dining.
furniture across the Shire.
“The installation of safe and accessible seating in public
Council will also invest $70,000 in this project, which will see spaces across Bass Coast will create interesting and
seating and other outdoor dining infrastructure installed in San dynamic spaces, perfect for outdoor dining.”
Remo, Inverloch and Cape Paterson and continue Council’s
program of recycled plastic furniture installations.
Cr Tessari said investing in recycled plastic furniture was also
a great way to demonstrate Council’s commitment to sustaina-
Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Brett Tessari said some furniture bility.
has already been installed in San Remo.
“The long-lasting and maintenance free aspects of this furni-
“Installation will continue after winter, with further furniture ture make it the ideal choice for this opportunity to extend
for San Remo, as well as Cape Paterson and Inverloch ready seating and outdoor dining options in Bass Coast,” Cr Tessari
for the busy warmer months,” Cr Tessari said. said.
Waterline News July 2021 Page 11A Cook’s Journal;
Jan Cheshire
Ingredients Method
Just Dessert 125 grams of soft butter 1. Cream the butter and sugar.
1 cup of raw sugar 2. Add the eggs one at a time.
This pumpkin and coconut cake is 3. Add the mashed pumpkin and
very quick and easy to make, and 3 eggs the coconut and mix well.
it uses the last of our uninvited pump- 1½ cups of mashed pumpkin 4. Gently fold in the flour.
kins It might be sunny now but a 1 cup of desiccated coconut 5. Stir in the sultanas (I always
Gippsland downpour is never far 1½ cups of self-raising flour put another handful in).
away, as is the memory of those pow- ½ cup of sultanas 6. Add the orange juice and zest.
er and internet outages. I feel we need 1 tablespoon of orange juice 7. Grease a 14 x 24 cm. loaf tin.
something warming and sweet! Bake at 180 for 1¼ hours.
1 teaspoon of orange zest
Enjoy!
The works will include the use of heavy
plant and machinery, which could be
noisy at times. All works will be con-
ducted during business opening hours.
Council appreciates that these works may
present an inconvenience to nearby busi-
nesses and properties and appreciates
their patience during these times.
The contractor will make every effort
to minimise disruptions during construc-
tion.
Pictured:
During the previous term of Council,
members of self advocacy groups and
disability groups presented Bass Coast
Mayor, Cr BrettTessari with a petition
that called on the Council to level
crossings in the CBD to reduce the risk
of crossing the road in Wonthaggi.
LEVEL CROSSINGS The project will see the construction
For more information,
of new, compliant footpath crossings
IN WONNTHAGGI located on the intersection of Graham visit www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/
Bass Coast Shire Council will upgrade and Billson Streets, near NAB and projects
several footpath crossings on Graham Chill Bill, as well as at the corner of
Street in Wonthaggi, to improve access McKenzie and Graham Streets, near
for all pedestrians. or contact Council’s
South Gippsland Motors.
Infrastructure Delivery Team
Improving and prioritising pedestrian on
At each location, new drainage
safety at crossings in the town centre was
infrastructure and paved areas will 1300 BCOAST (226 278)
highlighted in the Wonthaggi Activity or
be constructed to achieve appropriate
Centre Plan and the recently completed (03) 5671 2211
and compliant grades for all footpath
Wonthaggi Access and Movement Study.
This project also forms part of Council’s
users. or email
Wonthaggi Opportunity Unlocked cam- basscoast@basscoast.vic.gov.au.
paign, designed to support new jobs and Traffic and pedestrian management will
attract continued investment in the town be in place throughout the duration of the
and region. works.
Waterline News July2021 Page 1275th ANNIVERSARY In my small, mainly female work-place,
there were wives with husbands abroad, a
Paradoxically, many girls found life with
their mothers-in-laws proved easier than
by E,E, Caldwell young lass her father languishing in a with their own mothers. On enlistment,
On that fateful September night in 1939
Japanese POW camp, a girl shoes sailor the men had been promised that their jobs
my sister came home from church with
boy-friend had not yet set out to sea, and I would be waiting for them on their return.
the news. Mostly, I remember the horror
with a brother still in Borneo, all having Old men and women of all ages stepped
on Mother’s face. Having lost friends and
to exercise a new brand of patience. into the breach and worked sometimes
family in the previous war, she alone of
outrageous hours to keep the wheels of
us, knew the terror awaiting the world. The prisoners were the highest priority
industry turning. But many resented hav-
for repatriation. Their state of health was
Next morning I set off for school as usual ing to step down into lower paid, inferior
precarious and many died on the naval
and being 10 years old, fully expected to positions without any recognition of their
vessels hurriedly despatched to reach
see armed forces engaged in hand-to- sterling service. Many years passed be-
them. Those who did make it back were
hand combat in the streets. Gradually, fore equal pay for equal work was ad-
facing long periods of convalescence;
uniformed men began appearing in the dressed as a truly important issue.
unfortunately not all survived. For some
town and shortages of various goods and
servicemen, returning to their homes, life Despite the twelve months after the
chattels crept in.
was difficult. With shrunken stomachs, declaration of piece having been spent
Six years later I had been at work for 12 sunken eyes, skin of discoloured leather, in mopping-up operations, the Asian war
months in City Road and like everyone these battle-hardened men bore little re- trials and subsequent executions, the ser-
else was overjoyed on this day, 75 years semblance to the youths who had vicemen’s nerves were still stretched as
ago, to hear of the cessation of hostilities. marched off so eagerly to war. Wives taut as violin strings.
Running out on to Princes Bridge, it was used to being the sole decision maker and
Months, maybe years, passed before the
obvious that the whole of Melbourne had children who had grown up without a
slamming of a door or snapping of a twig
cast aside daily labour and all were in a father’s supervision found it extremely
underfoot could be tolerated without giv-
state of euphoria. It was mass hysteria at troublesome to conform to the new cir-
ing way to instinctive reactions. But that
its highest level. There was probably not cumstances. With building having been at
was still in the future on 15 August 1945.
a single person wo did not have a family a complete standstill for six years and
It was by far the happiest communal day
member, friend or neighbour either en- seasoned timber unavailable for ages to
of our lives.
gaged or lost in one of the theatres of war. come, the women’s dreams of moving out
As things settled down, we resumed our from the family home were dashed, so So wonderful to enjoy – so marvellous to
duties and quietly awaited the return of cramped conditions continued and in remember.
loved ones. some cases worsened.
ANCIENT SURVIVOR
After decades of rock-girdling
and severe pruning
your gnarled trunk and branches
are twisted into an exotic form
Swirls and whorls fuse
become one intricate body
From all imperfections
comes a rugged beauty
Patterns oppose, yet dovetail
shouting survival.
© Maree Silver
Waterline News July 2021 Page 13FOOTBALL NOTE The successful money makers An unfortunate consequence become aware Of a tough and thrilling game their multi eyed carnivore is in season Are inevitable concussions and needs feeding, Caused by the disinterest in the so adopt more talented children Expenditure of helmets for promising them the world. Players’ unprotected heads. And train the new stepsons Who counts the cost into a psychic team Of that merged psychic team with close knit bonds thickened brutally fragmented and strengthened into a weapon Into separated individuals unbreakable and implacable isolated and alone for the winter battles. linked only by memories? The new gladiators As the bloated carnivore are amply rewarded with leaking cash is again in season indigestible goodies the successful money makers of fame, riches and self-esteem. adopt more talented children to hoard or waste in a reckless orgy of to be merged and trained into endless abandonment. another implacable team. The avuncular money makers And believing past legends encourage the talented children’s The newly adopted step sons addiction to charismatic charged Compete for fame and fortune adulation and fame and return Uncaring that their youth and energy to the profitable milking Feeds that multi eyed carnivore of unsated carnivores. Known as fans and followers. Early past their use by date oooOooo Their gladiators fatigued gifts Now worthless and tawdry Their value unmarketable ©Margaret Pearce With unrepairable injuries Email: mpearceau@gmail.com And so many concussions.
Motoring with the Bass Coast Post cars accelerated at full throttle as part of
their durability schedule. Much of this
area was dense bush. It was hard going
on steep gradients in which we saw nu-
merous grey kangaroos, wallabies and
prolific bird-life – mostly parrots, honey
eaters and kookaburras and others that I
was unable to identify at the time. Soon
after, I bought a book on Australian birds
so I could.
In the summer of 1957, while some of
the first roads at the Proving Ground
were being laid out and graded, I was
one of about 100 Holden employees
from Fishermans Bend who volunteered
for a ‘kangaroo drive’ in an attempt to
drive as many of the resident kangaroos
and wallabies from the property as we
could before construction of the security
By Hugh Videion at Holden. I learned much from him in fence was completed. We saw dozens of
my early career and over time he became them that day including a large number
I’D BEEN an engineer at Holden for 24 a great mentor and a very good friend. hopping back the other way because
years when I was appointed manager of there were too few ‘beaters’ and too
the Proving Ground at Lang Lang. It Holden’s 877 hectare Proving Ground many ‘roos’!
proved to be one of the best jobs I ever facility commenced operation in 1957
had in my 43-year career with Holden! with the first Holden under test being Years later, as Manager, I would at
prototypes of the new 1958 FC model. It times accompany one of the security
Every new Holden since the 48/215 mod- was widely accepted that Australia had guards in a four-wheel drive vehicle
el was subjected to a rigorous and exten- some of the toughest driving conditions during one of their surveillance patrols
sive testing program before its release to in the world and the roads constructed on as they drove around the entire perimeter
the public. In the early 1950s, General the Holden Proving Ground were de- inside the fence. Their job was to check
Motors - Holden recognised that using signed to replicate the worst of them – the fence daily once per shift for any sign
public roads to test vehicles under con- but under controlled and repeatable con- of intruders or injured wildlife caught up
trolled conditions was unsustainable in ditions. in the fence.
the long term, and that a purpose built
test facility was essential for the develop- By 1978, test vehicles on the Proving Because of its remoteness, the Proving
ment of its future models. Ground had accumulated nearly 45 mil- Ground was often the target of ‘spy’
lion kilometres in 8-hour shifts, 3 shifts/ photographers – mostly employed by
The Holden Proving Ground at Lang day over 6-days/week of continual accel- the car magazines, who attempted to
Lang was the brainchild of the experi- erated testing. This was equivalent to photograph Holden prototypes under
mental test engineer Charles A. Paterson, about 180 million kilometres of normal testing to obtain ‘scoops’ before the car
known as ‘CAP’ or ‘Charlie’ to those driving on Australian roads. On average, was released to the public.
who knew him well. In 1946, as one of a a typical durability test car covered
small group of Holden engineers who 40,000 kilometres in 13 weeks, the This became somewhat of a game –
were assigned to the original Holden equivalent of about 160,000 kilometres sometimes the photographer got his
48/215 project within General Motors on normal roads. ‘scoop’, at other times they were appre-
Corporation in the USA, his role was to hended and the film in the camera
supervise the durability test program on My first experience with the Proving ‘accidentally’ ruined by exposure to
the first two prototypes at the GM Prov- Ground occurred not long after Holden light.
ing Ground in Milford, Michigan. purchased the property in 1956. As a
young engineer-in-training in the experi- The first Holden Commodore - the VB
His experience there produced a long- mental engineering section, I spent a model, was released to the public in Oc-
term vision to create a dedicated Holden very pleasant although strenuous week- tober 1978.
proving ground, based on the features of end with a small group of other young
the Milford PG but one that replicated engineers surveying the south boundary The Commodore represented a major
Australian driving road conditions which to determine the fence-line for what change in design direction by Holden
were much more severe than those in the eventually became a section of a 3-metre brought on by the international fuel crisis
USA or Europe. He convinced Holden high cyclone wire security fence 18 kilo- in 1973-74 when the world price of oil
management that this was less expensive metres in length around the entire perim- almost doubled.
and much safer than using public roads eter of the property.
in Australia or transporting future model GMH’s response was to design and
prototypes to the USA for durability test- We also surveyed the line of a hill close develop a smaller, lighter and more
ing. He was far-thinking and more to the to the south boundary line. It featured a fuel-efficient car compared with the
point – he was right. measured slope of 1:17 which later be- Holdens that had gone before.
came one of the sections of the durability
CAP was my first boss at Holden. He’d test route – the 5.8% hill approximately Continued page 16
hired me in 1954 when I applied for a job 800 metres in length over which the test
Waterline News July 2021 Page 15After a loud ‘oops!’ and apologies
from Peter, the three of us walked back
down the road and eventually found the
mangled remains of the camera.
Fortunately, the photographer had
brought a spare camera with him so the
whole exercise was repeated – this time
without a hitch. I don’t know how the
photographer ever explained to his
boss how he came to destroy the $9000
camera but the footage he recorded on
the second camera was terrific!
As a matter of interest, the winning
Commodore is now held in the National
Motor Racing Museum at Mount
Panorama in Bathurst as part of the Peter
The Commodore combined a German There was one caveat – the TV crew Brock display.
body with Holden’s engine, drivetrain wanted footage taken from inside the car,
components, suspension and steering with Peter Brock driving at speed! The It is now over 40 years since I moved
systems developed for Australian Director of Engineering had given his on from my job at the Proving Ground,
conditions. blessing so it was game on. and 23 years since I retired from Holden,
but I still remember with fondness the
Prototype testing was carried out The next day, Peter Brock and the crew 130 wonderful people who worked there
between 1976-78 at the Proving Ground, arrived with his winning Commodore – at that time – engineers, technicians,
including mandatory Australian Design in the same condition in which it had mechanics, administrative assistants, test
Rules (ADR) crash barrier, exhaust finished the trial. The car was refuelled, drivers (including a married couple),
emissions, noise and brake performance the Channel 9 photographer fitted a video grader operators, stores people, the
tests, as well as ride and handling camera mounted on a frame bolted to the canteen staff – a highly skilled team
development, all of which the car outside of the left-hand front door, and dedicated to the Proving Ground and
passed with flying colours. sat in the front passenger seat with his proud of the end product they helped
remote control. Peter Brock in his racing create. I thoroughly enjoyed my two
The year 1979 provided me an gear climbed into the driver’s seat and I years at Lang Lang and the good
experience at the Proving Ground I settled into the rear seat of the car. We fellowship of the wonderful people who
shall always fondly remember. buckled up our safety harnesses, put on worked there at the time.
our driving helmets and away we went.
This was the year in which legendary I am immensely relieved that the Holden
Australian racing driver Peter Brock, I’d previously surveyed most of the 18 Proving Ground (in my view, the jewel
together with co-driver Matt Philip and kilometres of unsealed durability test in the crown of the Holden Lion in
navigator Noel Richards, drove 20,000 roads on the Proving Ground and had Australia, and regarded by many as one
kilometres in two weeks, sometimes for picked out a particular winding section of the best vehicle test centres in the
up to two days at a stretch on some of that featured deep, sandy wheel ruts and world), will continue to be operated as an
the most inhospitable Australian roads, considerable bulldust, as CH9 advised on-going automotive test facility by its
taking first place in the Repco Round me that they wanted to photograph the new owners VinFast.
Australia Reliability Trial that started car’s wheels churning up the sand and
and finished in Melbourne. Second and creating clouds of dust to simulate typical Additionally, I understand the sale
third placed cars were also Commodores outback driving conditions. document lists VinFast’s obligations at
- all prepared by the Holden Dealer Lang Lang to include the maintenance
Team, which gave Commodores a 1-2-3 It turned out to be an exciting ride. and protection of the local environment,
finish in that most gruelling trial. Peter Brock was in great form, throwing vegetation and natural landscapes.
the car around corners at speeds I would
A day after the event, Holden never had attempted, sliding through the
Corporate Affairs were approached tight corners and creating lots of dust.
by television Channel 9, who were He was in his element, while the photog-
interested in filming the winning car rapher and I just hung on. The fun came
driven by Peter Brock on typical to an abrupt halt when we heard a sharp
Australian outback roads for viewing on crack and the TV camera just fell off its
the next evening’s news telecast. mounting!
A television crew had followed the trial For a split second Peter had forgotten
cars from start to finish but their film there was a camera fitted to the outside of
(35mm) was still being processed for the car and had driven just a fraction too
showing as a documentary later that year. close to one of the white posts that
Channel 9 sought assistance from marked the edge of the road.
Corporate Affairs who called me to
suggest that the Proving Ground may These 1.5 metre high posts were never
provide just the road conditions that designed to be hit by a TV camera at over
replicated what the trial cars had 100km/h.
experienced.
Waterline News July 2021 Page 16Your Western Port Ward Councillors
Cr Rochelle Halstead Cr Bruce Kent Cr Clare Le Serve
Committees: Committees: Committees:
Phillip Island Nature Bass Coast Community The Chief Executive Officer
Park Community Road Safety Committee Employment Matters
Advisory Committee & Committee,
& Emergency Management Rural Engagement Group,
Arts and Culture Planning Committee Gippsland Local Government
Advisory Committee Email: Waste Forum, Western Port
Email: bruce.kent@basscoast.vic.gov.au Biosphere Reserve &
Rochelle.Halstead Mobile: Bass Coast Events Advisory
@basscoast.vic.gov.au
0428 741 843 Committee
Mobile: Phone: Email:
0439 623 511 (03) 5671 2156 clare.leserve@basscoast.vic.gov.au
Phone: Mobile:
(03) 5671 2157 0448 083 286
Phone:
(03) 5671 2155
San Remo SES is recruiting.
There is a role for everyone in our
friendly crew. Learn new skills. Help
your community.
We train Thursday 6.30pm
at 14 Davis Point road, San Remo.
Contact sanremo@ses.vic.gov.au
Some important contact details:
Wonthaggi Hospital. 235 Graham Street
Wonthaggi VIC 3995
t: 03 5671 3333
Cowes: Urgent Care Centre LOCAL POLICE NETWORK
Open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week 50 - 54 Church Street
t: 03 5951 2101 San Remo phone:
Bass Coast Health, San Remo: 1 Back Beach Road San Remo
5678 5500
Kernot-Grantville CFA emergency Dial 000
Email:
kernotcfa@dcsi.net.au
Website:
http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au
Waterline News July 2021 Page 17Corinella
Probus Club
celebrates
200th meeting
From left President Graeme So, to put the proverbial icing on yet an- and to the team of Margaret Stewart and
Combridge with members: other cake, Michelle from Australian De- Judy Pitcon, who went to tender
fibrillators, supplier of the HeartSine Sa- and identified the best unit for our club.
Margaret Hoy, Thelma maritan 500P defibrillator, gave a very
Churchill, Heather Reid and instructive and literally hands-on talk on Below, from left:
Rosalie Oldham. the use and care of the device. Australian Defibrillators Representative
Members of the Probus club of Corinella The club would like to thank the follow- Michelle watches committee member,
and district celebrated their 200th meeting ing local businesses for their most gener- Margaret Stewart demonstrate CPR tech-
on 5 May. ous donations of fund-raising raffle priz- nique, watched by fellow committee
es: From Wonthaggi, Harvey Norman, member Judy Pitcon holding the defibril-
Always on the lookout for an excuse to lator.
Townsend Nursery, Dan Mur-
celebrate with cake and the odd libation,
phy, Autopro, Bunnings Warehouse, Kai-
the Committee of Management purchased
ser Craft, Revive Beauty Spa, K Mart
the splendid commemorative sponge cake
pictured. For some time now, that same From Cowes, Coles, Woolworths,
committee has been working towards Autopro
obtaining a fully portable automatic de-
fibrillator. and The George Bass Hotel
With the most suitable device identified Thanks are also due to the following
and available, it seemed most appropriate committee members who were
to present the potential life-saver at this instrumental in making our club meetings
celebration – who knows what medical safer – Rob Parsons, who first identified
repercussions might have resulted from the need for such a device and carried out
such excitement? the initial feasibility study.
1. What is the northern most country in Continental South
America? 2. What superstar porcine character is in love with
a frog? 3. What kind of animal is a brumby? 4. How many
balls are used in a game of billiards? 5. Who discovered New
Zealand in 1642? 6. What month were you born if your birth
stone is sardonyx? 7. What country are you in if you woo in
the Wu dialect? 8. What’s the most frequently-broken bone
in the human body? 9. How many tusks does an Indian
rhinoceros have? 10. What could Roman Catholics do in good
conscience for the first time on December 5, 1966? 11. Where
does Ray Bradbury’s Chronicles take place? 12. What did
Lewis E. Waterman invent? 13. What is the official language
of Nigeria? 14. What war was waged in 57 countries?15.
What did Dame Nellie honour with her choice of the stage
name Melba? 16. What is the nearest star to Earth? 17. How
many days does a typical Mayfly live? 18. How many points
are there on a Backgammon board? 19. What name is given to
a cow’s stomach lining , when it is prepared as a food? 20.
What sport do more Australians participate in than any other?
Waterline News July 2021 Page 18The slow, yearning, melody coupled
with Handy’s perfectly pitched tenor “Fables Of Faubus” is the other Mingus
solo create a beautiful and memorable standard from this album, and is one of
tribute to one of the great tenor players the many political statements that
(and tragic figures) in jazz history, while Mingus made through music in his
retaining the unmistakeable Mingus career. This is typical Mingus –
sound. unorthodox, satirical; playing with time
yet swinging throughout, with fine en-
And as if the first two blues weren’t semble playing and soloing from every-
enough already, track three, “Boogie one, including from Mingus himself –
Stop Shuffle” is yet another take on this finally!
seemingly inexhaustible set of chord
changes, and is played by the regular “Pussy Cat Dues” is yet another blues
quintet members. The piece contains four that features Knepper’s only solo on the
separate themes that are all stated, before album, which is worth the wait, Handy’s
Ervin, Parlan, Handy (on alto) and Rich- only clarinet work with Mingus, and
mond all solo respectively. thankfully, another solo from the great
man himself.
Jazz with Jason Adams “Self-Portrait in Three Colours” comes
Charles Mingus: Mingus Ah Um next, and while it has no solos, the The final track on the original album is
melody is repeated three times from “Jelly Roll”. (In 1979, the full versions
Very few musicians hold such an the impeccable horns, each rendition of tracks 1-9 were released, with three
esteemed place in jazz history as different from the previous one, which additional tracks from the recording
Charles Mingus. maintains interest throughout and brings dates: “Pedal Point Blues”, “GG Train”
to life Mingus’ search for beauty and and “Girl Of My Dreams”.)
The bassist, composer, sometime pianist creativity in simplicity.
and “singer” burst out of the bebop era “Jelly Roll” is obviously another tribute,
and carved out a unique place in jazz By contrast, track five, “Open Letter To with Mingus again avoiding direct refer-
history with original music that managed Duke” is the most complex piece on the encing and producing his own inimitable
to look backwards and forwards yet be so album, which reworks some of Mingus’s take on the New Orleans jazz great.
much in the moment. His corpus over a own material into a mini-suite with solos Handy, Parlan, Ervin and Mingus solo
twenty-plus year period from the late by Ervin and Handy. effortlessly.
fifties to late seventies is difficult to rival,
as he produced so many great recordings. Referencing Ellington-like sounds Mingus Ah Um shows Mingus in full
Mingus Ah Um is one of the best. throughout, but taking the harmonies to flower, both compositionally and as a
places Ellington never went, this is one of bassist, and with one of his finest ensem-
The album features Mingus’ working a number of tribute pieces. bles.
quintet from the time: John Handy (alto
and tenor saxophones, clarinet), Booker “Bird Calls” is track six and is one of If this were his only great album it
Ervin (tenor saxophone), Horace Parlan a number of tribute pieces to Parker. would be a mighty achievement, but the
(piano) and Dannie Richmond (drums). Rather than look back to the time of fact that it is one of many recordings of
Willie Dennis and Jimmy Knepper the man Mingus felt was the greatest this calibre made throughout his career,
(trombones) and Shafi Hadi (alto & tenor improviser of all, it actually sounds more is true testament to the abilities of one
saxophones) joined the group for the like Mingus continuing the bebop titan’s of the true giants of jazz, and American
recording. never-ending search for new sounds. music.
“Better Git It In Your Soul” is the first
track, and the title references the music
of the church, that was so influential on
Mingus (along with the music of Duke
Ellington, Parker and Monk). It is based
on the twelve-bar blues and features solos
by Handy and Ervin respectively on tenor
saxophone. Mingus and Richmond
provide the driving six-to-the-bar beat,
Mingus the evangelical vocalising, and
the group the hand-clapping, that all
combine to create a church-like feel to the
piece. This was the first recording of this
piece, which would become a Mingus
classic.
Track two, “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat” is a
tribute to Lester Young, who had died
only two months earlier. Also based on a
twelve-bar blues structure, this shows, in
its contrast to track one, Mingus’ com-
mand over the blues and his creativity in
using the blues in such varied ways.
Waterline News July 2021 Page 19Local writer, Joy Herring, launched her book, Letters
from a little black cat, at La Provincia in Corinella last
week.
Joy has spent many years working in cat rescue and welfare and is
passionate about these issues. Her book builds on her experiences
and memories by sharing stories based on individual kittens and
cats. We get to know them by name and from their portraits, which
add so much to the text. Through these stories, Joy provides many
insights into the realities of cat welfare and cat rescue, especially
here in Australia. There is heartbreak at times, but also many positive
and even humorous elements in the stories, to engage readers of all
ages. Joy hopes that, through these stories, readers will gain a wider
understanding of the plight of cats, the changes needed to improve
the current situation and a greater appreciation of the dedicated work
undertaken by volunteers in this field.
You can purchase your copy of Letters from a Little
Black Cat through http://www.bookstore.bookpod.com.au
amazon.com.au/lettersfromalittleblackcat or Google Joy Herring Author for more
outlets.
With John Coldebella The shallots and garlic planted in winter Just when you think it's all over, manda-
can be harvested and stored. Plums ripen rins and oranges advertise their presence
IN geographic terms, Bass Coast Shire along with the first apples, and hazelnuts with their colour. These can last until
lies in what is called a temperate cli- begin to fall at the end of the month as do September. The last of the Granny Smith
mate. The good news for gardeners is almonds and nectarines. Grapes are al- apples will remain on the tree well into
that this means a long growing season – most ready. June. In July, the almond blossom and
virtually all year round. daffodils give some hope of better times
Hazelnuts fall through February until ahead.
Even through our cold winters, cabbage, early March when the first walnuts begin
cauliflower, swedes and many others to fall. During this time, beans, beetroot, Potatoes can be planted in August and
continue to grow. Fruit, berries and nuts lettuce and the other summer vegetables most summer vegetables in September
can also be produced as the pages of the continue to be available. Pears are ready during which time the stone fruit blossom
calendar are turned. There is not a month to pick. Cling peaches and more apples brings the bees. As mentioned earlier, by
when something can't be picked, even if also ripen in March. One of my favour- October, we're down to lemons. It may
it is only a lemon at the most meagre ites, Chilean guavas, ripen in March- still be cold and wet but, with the days
time of the year, which is around Octo- April. being noticeably longer, there's light at
ber. the end of the tunnel. What's more, red
By the time the walnuts have all fallen in currants and raspberries are only a month
Based on the last sentence, I consider my mid-April, the chestnuts start to appear away. So ends and begins the cycle.
own harvesting to begin in November on the ground and more apples are
with the arrival of red currants and rasp- ready. What I've outlined above represents a
berries. Both crops last well into Decem- significant amount of self-sufficiency in
ber with almost daily pickings. Cherry guavas, yellow guavas and feijoas the way of food and nutrition as well as
are now on the grazing menu and all gratified taste buds. I forgot to mention
December also brings blueberries which three produced until mid-June this leeks, gooseberries and black currants,
last through January. In the same month year. These fruit also make a delicious and celery that can be added to winter
there are peaches, cherries and apricots, jam if your tastes are so inclined. soups. These soups can be made almost
along with the first beans. January is full entirely from what's in the back
of the vegetables normally associated May is for macadamia nuts and persim- yard. Then there are all the fruit and veg-
with summer such as tomatoes, carrots mons. Both of these extend into June. etables that I have yet to hear about
and lettuce. which would be happy residents of our
Bass Coast climate.
Waterline News July2021 Page 20( As per Bass Coast Adult Learning) Waterline News July 2021 Page 21
( As per Bass Coast Adult Learning)
Bass Coast Shire Councillor and Chair of
the Bass Coast Access and Advisory
Committee, Cr Les Larke, said he is
proud of Council’s ongoing commitment
to ensuring access and inclusion for all in
Bass Coast.
“Our Committee is comprised of diverse
group of people with disability and family
members/carers of people, disability
service providers and Council’s access
Bass Coast Shire Council The Forum was structured around officers,” Cr Larke said.
(BCSC) is developing a new three key themes:
Disability Action Plan. “These members advise Council about
Physical Environment – improving access barriers experienced by people with
and safety for people with disability, their disability in our Shire. They work with
The Council recently held an families and carers;
Access and Inclusion Forum to us to develop appropriate solutions to
address these barriers.”
help shape the plan. Services and Support – identifying
service gaps and priorities for people
The day long forum had 65 attendees with disability, their families and carers; Cr Larke said that the Forum provided a
great opportunity to hear about Council’s
including people with lived experience previous access and inclusion actions and
of disability, their carers and people and
learn more about the current issues facing
with expertise in working with people people with disability, their families and
with a disability. Community Environment – identifying
issues, opportunities and priorities to im- carers in Bass Coast.
prove community connection for people
Bass Coast Adult Learning (BCAL) was
with disability, their families and carers. For more information on accessibility in
well represented by Melissa Harrison and
Areas covered included; social connec- Bass Coast, contact BCSC’s
Geoff Ellis, BCAL Capacity Building
tion and engagement (reducing isolation), Healthy Ageing Officer on
Coordinators, who contributed to the
recreational opportunities, carer support 1300 2267 278 or (03) 5671 2211 or
workshops that will form the basis of
and emergency management. email basscoast@basscoast.vic.gov.au.
the new plan.
People from BCAL’s NDIS Capacity Building programs celebrated the end of Term 2 with a BBQ.
Term 3 commences July 12. More info about courses and sessions at www.bcal.vic.edu.au
Enrolment Enquiries welcome at 03 5672 3115
Waterline News July 2021 Page 22( As per Bass Coast Adult Learning) Waterline News July 2021 Page 23
MMatters of Faith . . .
I learned a little bit about God’s side of the
relationship by discovering that He is actually
quite needy.
After all, we were made in His image, and
we’re pretty needy, so should that surprise us?
Let me explain, if I can. In the story of Job, it
becomes obvious that God needs real friends .
. . that is, real relationships that He can
depend on. When Satan came to the heavenly
council (Job 1:6–12) and made accusations
against God concerning His relationship with
Job, God needed the council and the entire
universe to see that Satan’s accusations were,
in fact, a test of God’s character.
When photographs were first invented, Should I have been surprised, then, that my God’s relationship with Job was intended to
everyone could see the difference that “being life was less than satisfying, my relationships show everyone what true love is really based
in focus” made upon our appreciation of the with others sometimes shaky and my health a on. Although Satan proved he is an insane,
final product. wreck? When I had an opportunity to re-focus cruel, despicable character by sending horrific
my attention on God, what an adorable Dad I catastrophes upon Job and his family, Job
Even in the current age of computers and have discovered Him to be; and it has dramat- remained true to the God he had come to
with the increased technology at our ically changed my relationship with Him. know and love by refusing to reject Him. God
fingertips, we can generally tell the difference needed Job to show a high level of trust and
between a photo or image that is in focus, and What made me re-focus though? obedience to Himself, and he came through.
one that is blurry. But then you get some Like most “kids”, I sadly had to learn from
bright spark come along and say that it de- my mistakes. It took threats to my marriage, Could Job have endured all that if he didn’t
pends on how clear your vision is; that even a a loss of self-respect and several near-death already know and trust God? No. It followed
sharp photo can look blurry to someone who health crises to stop me in my tracks and years of connecting with God, on a daily
is sight-impaired. This reminds me, poignant- cause me to reach out to God for the help I basis, before the bonds of trust between
ly, of how our appreciation of Jesus—and the obviously needed. He says in Jeremiah 29:13, them enabled Job to show us and the whole
relationship He longs to have with us—can “You will seek Me and find Me, when you universe that God is worthy of our loyalty,
be spoiled by our blurry vision; that is, by seek Me with all your heart.” adoration and love. Job was a friend to God
how clearly we perceive Him. when God needed one. Truth is, God still
To be truthful, I’m still learning to do just needs friends! Since Job’s time, many have
After all, I think it would be fair to say that that, decades later. But what a wonderful been martyred for their faith in God. Some
everyone, in their heart of hearts, longs to difference He has made in all these areas even had the luxury, like us, of knowing about
have clear vision so they can appreciate the of my life in the meantime; and without me the wonderful life, death and resurrection of
difference between right and wrong, truth being able to brag about any effort put in on Jesus.
and error, best and worst, healthiness and my part. In a series of ongoing mini-miracles,
self-destruction. This is the message God has He has shared insights, resources and Not all of the martyrs had a truly clear picture
made available to the world, but which has experiences that have completely changed my of the God they loved and served, but they
been blurred in so many ways throughout life and made me see, with increasing clarity, loved Him enough to die for Him, rather than
time. just how adorable He is! betray Him. Can you begin to see the level of
love and trust that a real relationship with God
As I began to think of my own perceptiveness Sadly, I am not some great paragon of virtue, requires?
to the Saviour’s love for me, and His desire accomplished authority-figure or charismatic
for a personal, wholesome, growing life-coach who can bring the love of God into Can this be accomplished in a human
relationship with Him, I became sadly aware focus for you. Like me, you will need to have relationship without seeing or speaking
of the many ways in which my perceptions a change of heart in how you perceive the love to the other party? No way! Neither can it
had been warped and blurred by the social, of God. The great news is that He is eager to happen in our lives today without some
cultural, philosophical and technological open your eyes and heart. You just have to ask investment of time and effort towards getting
deceptions that surround me. Him and seek Him with all your weak, to know the other party. I’d highly recom-
pathetic, damaged heart—you may be quite mend getting to know the one and only, true
Although raised to know the general story tentative at first—and He will then pour out heavenly Father of us all . . . as soon, and as
of the Bible, and having accepted that “God His love and resources in such abundance, deeply and as sincerely as possible.
is love”, it shocked me to realise that for most you will know that He is truly adorable; you’ll
of my life I had been tricked into focusing on increasingly want to spend more and more of He’s sure worth it!
myself; on my desires, my aspirations, my your time and thoughts on being with Him
needs. and doing things His way . . . this will lead By Rouvea Talty,
you to realise something truly amazing! Community volunteer, retired teacher
I just didn’t get that in order for any
and nurse who attends Leongatha church,
relationship to work, the main focus needs His way is the absolute best way possible. It Victoria, with her husband.
to be on the needs of the other person. So I is the way you would unhesitatingly choose
began to ask myself, if God is the other for yourself if you knew all the facts. Getting This article was originally published in the
person in this most important of relationships, this focus right in your life can make a huge
then what are His needs? In shock, I realised impact, and will truly be the single most Adventist Record.
I hadn’t even focused my attention correctly important outcome, relationship and success https://record.adventistchurch.com/
in the first place. you’ll ever have in your whole life.
I’d blurred my perceptions of relationships to It all starts with wanting to have a genuine,
the same extent that the rest of society had one-on-one relationship with our
shown me: to habitually put myself first, oth- Creator-God, His Son, Jesus, and the Holy
ers second and God last (or not at all, for most Spirit; and the place to start is by asking Him
of society!). to help you seek Him. Prayer, Bible study and
a willingness to listen to Him, as He gently
begins to touch your heart and mind with His
love, is the first baby-step in that process.
Waterline News July 2021 Page 24You can also read
