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FROM THE (NEW) EDITOR

The editor Christmas seems a dream now as school starts again and January has whizzed past us! Hoping it will be a great year ahead with many positives for us all. The Little White Church project has been humming along quietly with all construction completed and painting and fit out on the go...... Look out for a bit of action on the roadside as Bill Harvey installs a new driveway, kerbing and asphalt. Keep cool! Ken & Helen

Quiet Achiever for Boisdale & District for 2017

We congratulate

Elizabeth Kovco,

who has been

awarded the Quiet

Achiever

Award for 2017.

Elizabeth has

contributed to and

promoted our local

communities and encouraged people from neighbouring

communities to be involved and participate. Elizabeth, a

Valencia Creek resident, undertook a major initiative

with young children and their parents, as well as being

involved with local community projects.

As the out-going President of the Boisdale Community

Playgroup held at the Boisdale Consolidated School,

she with her committee, worked incredibly hard to

provide children and parents with a play space that’s

fun, educational, welcoming and inviting.

Elizabeth was awarded Community Playgroup Leader

of the Year in November 2016 by Playgroup Victoria in

recognition of her significant contribution to delivering

high quality playgroups for parents, children and the

community and was again nominated in 2017. The

Playgroup was also a finalist in Community Playgroup

of the Year for 2016 and 2107 (regional / rural) and

received a special mention from the Playgroup Victoria

CEO for their use of social media to engage and

communicate with the community.

She has recently secured funding to complete a major

upgrade of the play space, including a fully secure,

outdoor play area.

The Playgroup recently celebrated their 3rd birthday wth

45 children in attendance as well as community

members. Children and parents attend sessions from as

far away as Longford, travelling to Boisdale for the

activities and social support. The Playgroup has held

138 sessions and seen over 2000 children through the

doors.The Playgroup has also supported the Boisdale

Consolidated School, promoting and showcasing what

the school has to offer, leading to increased enrolments

in the Prep areas.

Elizabeth is also an active and enthusiastic member of

the Boisdale & District Progress Assoc., recently taking

on the role of Minute Secretary and being involved with

community projects.

Thank you Elizabeth for your contribution to our

communities.

Taken from the Citation presented to Elizabeth by

Progress members at the Valencia Creek

Christmas Breakup.

Support our local CFA Brigades Longford Lion's Club will hold a Cent Night at the

Boisdale Hall on Friday 16th February, starting at

7pm, with proceeds to the Boisdale & Valencia Creek

CFA. $5 per person, includes tickets and a door prize.

A plate for supper or a cake to use as a prize would be appreciated. Everyone most welcome.

THE BRIDGE FEBRUARY 2018

LINKING THE COMMUNITIES OF BOISDALE, BUSHY PARK AND VALENCIA CREEK

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Boisdale Garden Club

Welcome to 2018.

We plan to have another great year so come along and

join us enjoy gardening activities with fun and

friendship. Our first meeting will be on SATURDAY 10TH

FEBRUARY at Judy Traill’s home in the Main Street of

Boisdale at 2 p.m. Please note this is the SECOND

Saturday of the month instead of our usual third.

Bring along all your ideas for activities, outings,

speakers etc. so we can work out a program for the

year. Also your best/favourite flower for a display of

summer colour.

For further details contact Joy 5145 4225

Boisdale & District Progress Association

CHRISTMAS BREAKUPS It was a busy time over the Christmas period with local Christmas Get Togethers. The Progress Assoc.sponsored the Christmas Celebration at the Boisdale Stables and Hall, especially as a thankyou to all involved with the Stables restoration project. Lots of Christmas cheer and great food made for a lovely night. A raffle on the night was won by Trish Sinnott.

Christmas Breakups The Progress Association also sponsored the Community Christmas Breakup at Valencia Creek on 22 December,w ith lots of children, families catching up and Santa arriving on the fire tanker. The community Christmas Hamper Raffle was won by Sharon Willox from Valencia Creek. The Progress Assoc. donated part of the raffle funds to the local halls and Stables. Thanks to the Valencia Creek "Girls" for their organising and decorating of the hall.

Our two "Elves" , alias Velta & Ian Fellowes, were keen to get their Christmas lollies from Santa!

Next meeting of the Boisdale & District Progress Assoc.is on Wednesday 28 February 2018, 7.30pm at the Boisdale Hall. Everyone most welcome.

Contact Judy Traill (Chair) 0400 443 167 or Helen

Montague (Sec.) 0448 349 420.

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Boisdale Hall & Recreation Reserve Meeting

To be held on Tuesday 13 February, 7.30pm at the Boisdale Hall. Come along and support our great local facilities. Tai Chi has recommenced at the hall every Wednesday 10.30 - 11.30am, followed by morning tea. Enquiries to Elsie (Hall) 51245 4226 or Duncan (Rec. Res.) 5145 4230

Boisdale Consolidated School

The School is delighted to be starting the new school year with an enrolment of 39 Preps, nine classes and three new teachers. Welcome back to Alison Robertson and to new teachers Meagan Gibbs and Megan deWys. A Welcome BBQ at the school will take place on Tuesday 13th February at 6pm, with all parents and students encouraged to attend. The House Sports are planned for 23 February. The Parents & Friends Room has been painted over the holidays and fencing erected on the new outdoor play area. Contributed by David Keil, Principal

Boisdale Community Playgroup

Over the school holiday break the Boisdale Community Playgroup have been busy with construction on their outside play area that is now fully enclosed. There have been changes inside with the addition of shelves and bag racks for better storage and new toy shelving. The chages have been made possible through a community assistance grant from the Wellington Shire Council and fundraising by the playgroup. Many hours of volunteer work has gone into the area. The cubby house and sand pit will be completed in the coming weeks for the start of the 2018 playgroup year on Monday 5th February with works to continue throughout February.

Boisdale - Briagolong Red Cross

Fifteen members enjoyed a Christmas lunch at the Briagolong Hotel in December. The Annual Christmas Hamper Raffles were drawn on Friday 15 December. 1st Prize was won by Freda Peel (Newry), 2nd by Beth Lanigan (Maffra) and the Fruit & Vegetable Voucher from Boisdale Best by Dawn Freeman (Valencia Creek). The first catch up for 2018 will be 6th March to organise for Red Cross Calling. Contact Katherine 5147 1876, Helen 5145 4207 or Cathy A. 0429 454 400 for further information.

Boisdale Stables

The Stables building is looking wonderful following all the hard work from members and volunteers. The Christmas celebration was a great tribute to all involved and the community. Maffra & District Landcare & Maffra Rotary Club have both used the building for their meetings and were very impressed with the facilities. A plaque has been mounted on the donations board recognising the work of our Project Manager Peter Brown.

Elsie Allen seen here thanking Peter for all his work. A Stables Sub-Committee meeting was held on 5th Feb. to plan for the next stages. Judy Traill (Chair of Progress Assoc.) updated members on the status of the Planning Permit currently with Wellington Shire Council (to change the use of the building). Until this is resolved we cannot take large event bookings. Other plans include:

Happy Hour at the Stables the second Friday of each month from 5-7pm. BYO drinks & nibbles. Starts this Friday 9 Feb. Everyone welcome.

Planning and costing of the construction of toilet facilities.

Working bee on Sunday 18 February from 9am - 12md. General clean up and jobs to be done.

We are also looking for two old gates, preferably wooden (in keeping with the building) to section off the laneway between the Stables and the Blacksmiths.

If you can help or need further information contact Nick (V/Chair) 0438 454 207 or Helen (Sec.) 0448 349 420.

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Valencia Creek Hall Committee THREE GREAT ACTS COMING UP AT THE VALENCIA HALL.

I. "MC SHERRY, O’CONNOR, HANNA” Top Irish Band, Thursday 8th March, 8.00pm $ 25

(Uilleann pipes , Fiddle , Guitar and Vocals)

II. THE GOOD LOVELIES are coming back! Special concert Sunday 8 APRIL @ 8.00pm.

III. ROYAL HIGH JINKS - one of the hottest bands around the folk scene at the moment on Saturday 19 May at 8.00pm

Contact Garry on 5145 4428 for bookings.

Boisdale & District History Group Will host the Wellington Shire Heritage Network Meeting at the Boisdale Stables on Saturday 17 February at 12md. History Group members and locals interested in local history are invited to attend. Boisdale & District History Group has a wealth of local Historical material in the Archive area at the Boisdale Hall. Contact Helen 0448 349 420 for further information.

St Georges Anglican Church, Boisdale Services recommence on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of

the month at 2pm. Communion Service this Sunday 11

February at 2pm and Evensong on Sunday 25

February, followed by afternoon tea. All most welcome.

Contact Wardens; Helen 51454207 or Joy 5145 4225

for enquiries.

Maffra Mardi Gras - Local Entrant Maffra Rotary Club launched the Mardi Gras for 2018 at Duart last week and of the five entrants only one is from Maffra and that entrant is our own Kelly-ann Drumm from the Boisdale Post Office. Kelly is representing the Maffra Scout Group, of which Kelly is a Group Leader. So keep an eye out for their events, raffles etc and support this worthwhile local Group. Leaflets of their activities are available at the Boisdale Post Office. Good luck Kelly.

CONTACT DETAILS EDITOR

Email Ken Roberts at mik212@hotmail.com or phone on 0437109 562 If you would like an email copy in colour just email Helen at dhmontague@bigpond.com

Boisdale Consolidated School Reunion - 1968 Grade 6 Class! A school reunion for the 1968 Grade 6 Class at BSC is on the Long Weekend in March. See contact details in flyer.

Boisdale Best is back to normal opening times after Christmas.

Wednesday and Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings until 12md. Just look for the sign on Boisdale-Valencia Creek Road. Lots of fresh fruit & vegetables.

And Debbie Walkey is still supplying eggs to the community, call in at Malcolm's Lane or contact her on 5145 4425.

Appreciation to Wellington Shire Council for approving our newsletter grant for this year. This funding enables us to produce, print and distribuuteThe Bridge.