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CONGRATULATIONS! YES! The Forrest Hall Committee has finally been given the go-ahead to build a unisex accessible toilet.A much-awaited grant from Colac Otway Shire of $25,000 was finally approved at the end of June, meaning the project is now fully funded. The Committee was especially grateful for a donation of $10,000 from the Western District Employment Agency last year, without which they would have given up. It was this, together with donations from local groups such as the Forrest and District Lions Club, the Community Group and the Neighbourhood House, which made the building possible at a final cost of $58,000.While many people may have laughed and dismissed the venture as trivial, the team – Susan Langridge and Rose McAlpin in particular – pushed on, spending many hours writing submissions and attending meetings, outlining the difficulty for the disabled and elderly people who presently need personal assistance to use a toilet at the hall and asking for support for the project. They also stressed the need for a town to recognise the accessibility needs of everyone to public buildings such as the hall, to make it a welcoming place for all, not just able-bodied people. Another recent success for the hall has been the funding of a new ceiling, complete

with insulation, for an outlay from the Hall Committee of only $2277. This was made possible with the help of a $5000 capital works grant from the Department of Environment and Primary Industry and an insurance payout for water damage to the old ceiling. This means that the hall will be closed for two weeks in early July while the ceiling installation is underway.And finally, a small but not insignificant contribution came from the raffle for the new toilet. Congratulations to the prize winners: first prize – Ros Upson; second prize – Leila Day; and third prize – Michelle Perry.

Finally – a unisex accessible toilet for the Forrest Hall

Event funding support

JULY 2014

Several events held in Forrest have been given financial support through Colac Otway Shire’s annual Festival and Events Support Scheme. Grants of $2000 were awarded to the three major mountain bike events, the Otway Odyssey, Forrest Festival and the Forrest 6-hour Enduro.

Next year’s Soup Fest and Run Forrest Half Marathon have been given a kick start with grants of $4000 and $2500 respectively.‘Each of these events offers extensive social and economic benefits to our shire; it’s very important we support them as they continue forward,’ said Mayor, Cr Lyn Russell.

Get connected!

Welcome Pauline!

Catch up online

Be part of an online community, keep in touch with what’s happening in the region and connect with local services at colacotwaysconnect.com.au.The website is designed to be a community portal, showcasing the region and creating connections between people across the district. Ask a question, share an idea and plug into events and opportunities in Colac and the Otways.

The Forrest Post welcomes Pauline Rostos to our editorial team. Pauline is keen to get to know the people of Forrest and their stories and to use her writing talents to share them with the rest of us. You can meet Pauline in Who’s New this month. Welcome aboard Pauline!

Current and past issues of the Forrest Post are now available electronically at issuu.com. You can also find Otway Life and other district publications. Just type the titles in the search box or search ‘Otways’.Winter weather is perfect for a good read!

Soup Fest boosted by $4000 grant

Susan Langridge and Rose McAlpin of the Forrest Hall Committee review

the renovation plans

July 2014

July 20142

What does on Aussie exchange student do during school holidays? Tour Europe of course! Jasmine Walsh has joined other exchange students on a 3 week trip taking in sights such as the Eiffel Tower, the Italian Alps and the site of the Berlin Wall. In this photo, Jasmine (right) shares her flag with Mexican exchange student, Valeira.‘From the first day to last day I couldn’t of asked for it to be any better,’ writes Jasmine on her blog. ‘Some days on the trip we would have breakfast in 1 country, lunch in another and dinner in the third country!’‘I still have 1 month of summer holidays so I’m going to travel around Finland and visit other exchange students. My exchange has already been going for 5 months and I only have 6 left and they are going too fast!’

Finnish line!

Jasmine Walsh is a local schoolgirl on a 12-month Rotary exchange in Finland.

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Co

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ity

Ca

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r Football & NetballJuly 5July 12July 13July 19July 26

ByeOtway Districts (Home)Reverse Raffle Fundraiser Apollo Bay (Away)Alvie (Away)

Church ServicesApril 13 Anglican Services, 11.15amApril 18 Uniting Services,10.30am

St James Church, Grant Street, Forrest

CyclingThursdays Brew Crew Social Rides

Departs 6.15pm from Forrest Brewery

October 11 ‘Chase the dog’event in support of Beyond Bluechasethedog.com.au

Community GroupAugust 3 AGM 3pm at Forrest Hall

All welcome

July 2014 3

A recent injection of funds has rejuvenated Forrest’s famous mountain bike trails.

The Victorian Government recently funded $20,000 of works through the Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) and contracted trail expert Adrian Marriner to upgrade signature trails and the broader 66km network.

‘The trails are probably in the best condition I’ve seen them in the years I’ve been here,’ said Norm Douglas, Forrest Mountain Bike Club member and owner of the Corner Store.

DEPI’s Summer Crew spent at least 8 weeks undertaking ‘outsloping’ works to improve water runoff before winter rains.

‘All trails need to slope to the outside by around 5%,’ explained Norm. ‘This is labourious and time consuming work which needs to be done regularly. The Summer Crew had 5 or 6 staff full time to do the job properly and the results speak for themselves.’

The Bike Club Trail Crew, led by Jeff Fox, identified significant repairs and improvements required on Yaugher trails Foxtail, Grass Trees and the iconic Marriner’s Run. Adrian Marriner, who built many of the trails, was engaged to complete the works under DEPI funding.

‘It’s going to be a great trail experience here now,’ said Adrian with a grin. ‘I

can’t wait to ride it myself.’

‘The trails have become a world-wide recognised mountain bike destination,’ said Norm. ‘This is precisely the type of investment that is needed on this huge asset, and which will be required into the future to sustain the trail infrastructure and to keep Forrest’s place on the national and international tourist map.’

‘Marriner’s’ gets a makeover

Adrian Marriner reshapes the Forrest trails

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4 July 2014

Who’s who: Ken Widdowson

How long have you lived in Forrest?

In 1970, I saw an ad. that asked ‘Want to get away from it all? How about 8 acres in the Otways with the parrots, and a stream running through the property’. I wanted to give my children an experience of farm life so I bought it. That was ‘Ponderossa’, just below Frizon Street.

Later we bought a 40-acre dairy farm at the head of Kings Creek,

surrounded by State Forest, and within a couple of years the remainder of the valley became available. I was lucky to meet Frank Whitehead, who has managed the farm, making it possible for me to pursue my career in Melbourne.

Can you tell us about your career?

I produced educational films for Australian and New Zealand schools for over 30 years from the late 1960s. We produced over 60 films and 200 educational slide kits. We also took on the Australian distribution of

hundreds of productions from Canada, the UK and the US, and had offices in London and in the US.

In the eighties, we ran Learning Network on the ABC, and created the Horizon Learning Channel. We also produced educational pay TV channels in New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong – and in the Middle East, in Arabic!

Are you now permanent in Forrest?

I sold the business in 1998 and settled full-time in Forrest, but I still like to go to Melbourne every week to keep in touch with music, theatre and art exhibitions.

I gravitated towards Forrest history and invited local pioneers to help create the Forrest History Walk. The Forrest and District Historical Society grew out of that, as a way to share stories and create an archive of photos and records. We are fortunate now to be able to store these in the Barwon Water weirkeeper’s cottage.

It has been very exciting to see the way in which Forrest has progressed in recent years, and to be part of its future.

Who’s

Who

Ken W

iddo

wso

n

5July 2014

Who’s new: Pauline Rostos

What did you do before you came Forrest and why did you come here?

I was a literature teacher in one of my past lives! I was living in North Carlton and wanted to get away from the city for all the obvious reasons. I’d always loved the Otways and thought Forrest was quaint and beautiful, so I made the big move to come here, all alone, in 2011 and bought a house.

What do you like about living here?

I’m five minutes from the forest, I can’t express how wonderful that is to me. I walk in the forest every day if I can, I love the river and the birds. I love the proximity to the beach, and the beautiful rainforest drive to Apollo Bay. I also love the fact that people aren’t pulling down old buildings to build new ones. There’s still the sense of history here. I think the character of Forrest depends on this as well as the peace, the quiet and the

unspoilt environment, and I hope it remains this way.

I’ve started Tai Chi and yoga classes here, which are important for my health and balance. I’ve found a very lovely, diverse group of people in Forrest who have been welcoming and supportive. I was in the art class for two years. That was quite terrifying at first, but with Salvina’s expert tuition, I managed to put my artwork in two exhibitions. I finally decided I wasn’t an artist, but it was really good to meet all the women.

What plans do you have for the future?

I wanted to make an indigenous garden the minute I got here, but it’s taken me three years just to replace the kikuyu in the front with native grasses. I inherited a rich, exotic garden with 15 varieties of roses, so I figure I probably won’t be alive long enough to see it completely transformed. I really want to make it as self-sustaining as possible. I would also like to find my way into the school and be of some use there, hopefully drawing on some of my teaching experience and love of children.

Who’s New

Pau

line Rostos

Owner: Jen Farthing, Station Street

Name: Charlie Barker - named after the musician Charlie Parker

Beginnings: A tiny dog with an unknowable mixture except for some chihuahua and maybe fox terrier, Jen fell in love with him when a vet friend asked if she’d take him. He

was transferred to her in a supermarket from a handbag to her shopping bag.

Best trick: Charlie wasn’t a ‘trick’ type dog, his mouth was too small to hold a ball and he wasn’t interested in chasing sticks, but he did have some endearing qualities. He was a little ‘squirt’ of a dog but could take on any size dog, including a Staffie, to defend Jen. Chihuahuas were originally bred as bed

warmers and this was one of Charlie’s most endearing qualities. He curled up in her bed without Jen even knowing he was there.

Favourite pastimes: He loved to walk, especially with Flo, Sharon Bradshaw’s dog, and would accompany Jen to the

tennis court on cold early mornings and sit quietly rugged up watching her do Tai Chi; sometimes he strayed to sniff out a barbecued sausage from a camper’s breakfast! Otherwise he was a totally loyal, courageous and devoted dog – Jen’s ‘shadow dog’ and constant companion, who taught her that love doesn’t hurt!

Misadventure: Charlie’s only misadventure was his death, but being the mighty age of 14, it was a perfectly natural one. He passed away on the 1st of June (first day of Winter) 2014, lying on Jen’s chest. It was an ‘intensely intimate experience to be with my best friend when he took his last little breath … I miss my darling shadow dog!’

R.I.P Brave little Charlie

Pauline Rostos

Four-legged locals: Charlie Barker

6 July 2014

The ninth Otway Soupfest at the Forrest hall on the Queen’s birthday long weekend was a huge success. Around 2000 people came to sample soup, browse the market stalls, catch up with friends and enjoy the entertainment.

The Forrest and Colac Lions ladled out more than 1000 cups of soup, as well as hundreds of hamburgers, sausages and buckets of chips. At the same time, the Forrest School and Barwon Downs Tennis Club were kept busy serving coffee and Devonshire teas. Many thousands of dollars were raised for the Forrest and district community as a result of their efforts.

The festival complemented the Run Forrest mini-marathon, held on the same day, as runners and support people were able to warm up with a soup after

their event, and experience some of the variety of Otways produce on sale in the market before heading home.

Competition for the soup prizes was hot, with Belinda Matheson taking the first and second prizes in the traditional pumpkin soup category. Luke Portman’s cream of cauliflower soup won the open soup category; and Braeden

Kurzman and Hunter Scott shared the children’s soup first prize.

James Olver scooped several prizes for his homemade wine, conserves and sauces/relishes/pickles; and Georgie Seebeck

won the largest vegetable prize with an enormous pumpkin.

Festival convenor Delwyn Seebeck said the Forrest and District Lions Club saw the festival as an opportunity for the community of Forrest and district to showcase itself. She said the Lions were thrilled that the tennis club and school were also able to take this opportunity to raise funds.

Mrs Seebeck said the Lions especially wanted to thank Carol Brooks for making the patchwork quilt that was raffled during the festival. It was won by Heath Wilson

from Heatherton.

Souper dooper festival

Pretty Butterfly Philippa Morris

farm

animal fun!

7July 2014

Clockwise from left: Conserves winner Irene Gardiner; the crowds enjoy soup and festivities; heart warming soup served up by the Lions Club; Georgie Seebeck with her winning pumpkin.

Junior soup joint-winner Braeden Kurzman; delicious devonshire tea for dessert; Eleanor Deppeler has fun with a little lamb in the animal nursery.

giant

pumpkins!

delicious

soups!

farm

animal fun!

8 July 2014

The Forrest Post is an initiative of the Forrest and District Community Group. Every effort is made to remain current, accurate and non-partisan. Feedback, submissions and advertising input are encouraged. Submissions may be edited. You may request an electronic version by email delivery.

Contact theforrestpost@gmail.com Editors Mandy Bishop, Mary Dracup

Layout/design Laura McKinnon

Contributor Pauline Rostos © Forrest and District Community Group

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19July 2014

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The simple answer is that the town developed around the railhead that had been established to transport the seemingly endless Otways timber and local produce to market. Fittingly, Charles Forrest, the parliamentarian who pushed hardest for this rail link, has been memorialised in the naming of the town. However, local history could easily have gone in another direction. The townships of Yaugher, Gerangamete and Barramunga all existed before Forrest came into being. They each had a general store, post office, church, school and sometimes

a community hall. However, the roads linking these towns to rail links at Colac and Birregurra were often impassable in winter.Settlers occupying the fertile Barwon River flats, growing extensive crops

as well as running sheep and dairy and beef cattle, had grave difficulties getting their products to market.The 1880s was the great era for rail construction in Victoria and the member for Polwarth in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, Charles Forrest, took up the cause of our region. Fired by the prospect of accessing the huge timber stands of the Otways, a rail link from Birregurra was included in the Railway Construction Act of 1884.The railway was surveyed to Barramunga, going south along the valley of the Barwon River, but residents of Lorne complained that it was too far away to allow a connection for them. Therefore, an alternative route was planned via Deans Marsh. As this loop greatly increased the cost, and as the terrain towards Barramunga was more difficult, it was decided to terminate the line on a flat area of Bartlett’s property before entering the foothills.Despite a large protest at the Barramunga Hotel, railway construction began in 1889. Developers presented a subdivision

plan and sale of land adjacent to the new railhead in 1890, laying the foundation for the town as it exists today. Developers originally proposed the name of Yaugher for the subdivision, but it was soon decided to name the town after Charles Forrest, the local parliamentarian who had worked so hard for the rail link to the Otways.A definitive publication on Forrest’s history is Norman Houghton’s By the Barwon, available from the Forrest Historical Society.

Ken Widdowson, Forrest and District Historical Society

Ever wonder how Forrest came to be?

Geotechnical RepoRtsRisk assessmentscomputeR DesiGnslope stabilityWateR supplyFaRm Damsbush FiRe assessmentsite classiFications

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ph 0428 141 441Fax 03 5233 4608

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Charles L. Forrest MP

Charles L. Forrest MP Forrest subdivision

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Couples ACCoMModAtion

While most people were inside sheltering from the wild weather in the last week of June, Colac Otway Shire workers efficiently removed around a dozen diseased, mis-shapen and wrongly positioned trees in Grant Street and refreshed the streetscape with lines of maples and scarlet oaks.

The replanting works were the final part of the Grant Street redevelopment program that included the concrete

footpath and the kerbing and sealing near the shop and Brewery.

The trees were chosen to complement the existing theme of deciduous trees in the Henry Street to Blundy Street section. In summer they will eventually provide shade, and come autumn they will paint Grant Street red.

Maples and oaks are planted

July 2014

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Check out our lovely new winter menu and our winter beer release - the Blocksplitter

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July 2014

Bruce Jackson has been sharing the secret lives of the Lake Elizabeth platypuses for 14 years now. After so many cold starts before dawn in winter and late evenings after sunset in summer he still says he thanks his lucky stars that this is his work.Bruce, who has a degree in zoology and botany, took over the platypus tours from Mark and Mandy Delawarr, who had been running the business for six years. Since then, word has spread far and wide about the tranquil, unique experience, and in summer Bruce fills his tours most days, with clients from all over the world.The ‘paddle with platypus’ experience takes around 3 hours, with a pre-dawn or pre-dusk start and a one-kilometre bushwalk to Lake Elizabeth before boarding a canoe and quietly gliding across the lake to places where platypus can usually be found. Bruce provides a quiet commentary about the habits of these elusive creatures, and serves a simple morning or afternoon tea as he answers clients’ questions, but often the group sits in silence, each lost in their thoughts and the peaceful beauty of the scene as they wait for a silver ripple indicating a platypus hunting nearby.

Six to eight platypus live in the lake, and 95 percent of the time Bruce’s clients will see them. As platypus are notoriously difficult to spot in the wild, the experience is extra special for many travellers and wildlife enthusiasts. Even if platypus aren’t spotted, the opportunity to float quietly and wait for kingfishers, cormorants, goshawks, eagles, swans and a variety of other water and scrub birds to enter the scene is for many a moving and memorable experience. The platypus tours have featured on travel programs such as Getaway, Postcards and Discover in Australia, the UK and in Japan. A long list of positive reviews now appears on the TripAdvisor social media site – meaning marketing now takes care of itself.Bruce says the water level in Lake Elizabeth

is slowly dropping as the landslide that formed the lake in 1952 slowly wears away and silt builds up. When the lake formed it was 10 metres deep, but it is now only half that, and in theory it could one day become a river again – but that will probably not be in Bruce’s lifetime. ‘It hasn’t changed a lot since I’ve been here – I like that.’

14 years of paddling quietly with platypuses

Lake Elizabeth

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Adventure challenges are increasingly popular among those who want to test themselves and try something a little different. Enter the Forrest half marathon – a tough run up the famous Red Carpet trail and around beautiful Lake Elizabeth before a long and welcome downhill to the finish line. The terrain may be rougher and narrower than the city jogger is used to, but the sights, sounds and bush scents make this a total experience of exertion and exhilaration. 29-year-old Laurynda Giles from Geelong completed the 10k run last year, but tackled the full half marathon last month.‘Run Forrest is an absolute pleasure to run. It was a perfect day, freezing but perfect!’ said Laurynda. ‘The

run itself was just stunning, but definitely tough. The wet weather had us sliding around and keeping us wary - all a part of trail running fun!’An event like this takes a lot of coordination. ‘The event staff were incredibly helpful, parking was plentiful and the volunteers … what can I say – the volunteers just make the day!’ said Laurynda. ‘They were encouraging on the uphills (of which there were PLENTY) and cheered us on through the downhills.’Laurynda’s verdict: ‘I’ll definitely be back again next year: great event, great organisation and great little town!’

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The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a uniquely Australian animal. Platypus are most well known for being an egg-laying mammal – the echidna is the only other.Lake Elizabeth platypus live in burrows around the lake, with the entrance under water. They breed in late winter and the female lays her eggs

after about a month. She incubates the eggs for about two weeks in the burrow. When the babies hatch they are around two centimetres long. They then feed on milk for about six months.Platypus feed under water, where they look for insect larvae, worms and yabbies, digging around in the mud at the bottom of the lake. They close

their eyes underwater and use electro receptors in their bill to detect their food when it moves.The males are venomous and have a spur on their back legs through which they can deliver their venom. The venom is not fatal, it just causes enough pain to discourage the other males in the area around

breeding season.Platypus were originally hunted for their fur but were protected in about 1890. They are listed as ‘common but vulnerable’.

Bruce Jackson

(Image source: Aff photography, https://flic.kr/p/e32CSV)

Platypus

Tough fun in the Forrest mini-marathon

Runners take on the mountain bike trails

Muddy but triumphant runners recover and warm up by the fire at the finish line

July 2014