http://violettown.org.au/news/index.htm The latest news from Violet Town http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/december/vt-newsdecember2011.htm Benalla Tennis Association; History Group calendars; Christmas breakups; Fire Safety buckets; Horrendo and the Revolvers at Ellen Frances; VicSwim funding restored; We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/december/vt-news13december2011.htCommunity Market; VT Bush Nursing Centre Ladies Auxiliary raised $1500; Entrance signs; History Group 2012 Calendar now available; Carols by Candlelight; Tennis matches; Violet Town Football Netball Club; Cemetery well looked after http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/december/flood-management-scheme.htm Strathbogie Shire Council is proposing to adopt the Violet Town Floodplain Management Plan. The Plan has been summarized in the document Violet Town Floodplain Management Scheme. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/december/vt-news6december2011.htm Entrance signs; Swimming Pool now open; Christmas celebration starting; Ellen Frances celebrates Christmas; Some people honour their bets; Op Shop extremely busy; The tennis; The Jeffrey clan at the Uniting Church; Friendly dog was found; Market again this Saturday http://www.violettown.org.au/market/2011/market-12112011.htm A warm spring day meant many people were out early for our November market with 229 stallholders attending and a record $2,500 raised by the RSL in the tin rattle. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/november/vt-news29november.htmCommunity House Christmas "Meet and Greet; Carols by Candlelight; Christmas trees in the main street; VTAG had a very pleasant evening; CFA Christmas Party; VT White tennis team; Janine and Sue's goodbye; Swimming Pool looking good; Renee Rankin singing with Sempre Cantare http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/november/vt-news21november2011.htm Important Working Bees; Farewell to Janine and Sue; Getting the Swimming Pool ready; CFA celebrated CFA Sunday; Uniting Church to celebrate 10th birthday; Bowling Club chalking up the points; Christmas parties are all starting http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/november/vt-news15november.htm Great day at Community Market; Film Society cancels film; Exciting tennis in Violet Town; New entrance signs; CFA Sunday; Janine Palmer and Sue Taylor to retire; Christmas decorations http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/november/sheep-dog-trials.htm We have Sheep Dog Trials happening this year at the reserve from 7 - 11 December in conjunction with the Community Market. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/november/vt-news8november2011.htm/ Library Upgrade; Australia Day 2012; Uniting Church service; Community Market on Saturday; Vedic Mediation at The Parish; Cathy Butcher honours bet; Lions Club Carols by Candlelight http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/october/vt-news25october.htm Tennis in Violet Town; The Come and Try Bowls; The Community House AGM; The state of the Violet Town Library; New class room at primary school http://www.violettown.org.au/news/ A beautiful spring day ensured another great turn up to October's market with 215 stallholders providing a wonderful variety as usual. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/october/vt-news17october2011.htm Community House AGM; Violet Town Early Childhood Centre; The Navy Tennis team; Jo Jo Smith and friends; GM of the Golf Club; Conversations with My Gardener; HREP group planting; Snakes are on the move http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/october/workshops.htm October is chock a block with exciting sustainable activities, and tomorrow’s Save Energy, Save Money workshop in Euroa from 1-4pm is one of them. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/october/vt-news10october2011.htmAn amazing weekend in Violet Town; Tennis and bowls; The Honeysuckle Creek Festival; Helen Keighery did an amazing job; Legacy ladies travelled to Kyabram http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/october/vt-news3october2011.htmHeavy rain; HREP working bee; Honeysuckle Festival; Parking at the market; Warning for motorists; School holiday activities; Jo Jo Smith and friends at The Parish; Flag raising at police station http://violettown.org.au/news/2011/august/bushland-tender.htm The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) advises landholders in the Violet Town area of a new incentive program - the Bush Returns Woodland Tender. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/august/vt-news18august2011.htm http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/august/vt-news1august2011.htm Football; Violet Town lunch of bread and soup; The Census Collectors; Free hearing tests for Seniors; Spanner in the works; HREP planting and work; VTAG AGM is on Wednesday night; Violet Town History Group calendar; Physiotherapist, Liz Hayes, back in Violet Town http://www.violettown.org.au/market/2011/market-09072011.htm With a record number of 215 stall holders booked in for 9 July the actual number of sites on the day totalled 207. In spite of freezing temperatures and the threat of rain (some drizzle, but it fined) there was still a good crowd from mid-morning. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/july/vt-news26july2011.htm Violet Town Football Club; Walk around Violet Town; HREP project; Vale Jenny Milner; Occasional child care; Raptz Café closes; Minor mistake http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/july/eco-walk.htm Come for a tour of Violet Town sustainability initiatives with local permaculture designer and teacher David Arnold, and see how much even a small rural community can achieve in just a few years. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/july/vt-news12july2011.htm History Group active each month; The Garden Club holding AGM; Cooinda Group meeting; St Dunstan's Hall Film Society screening; St Dunstan's had a wood raffle; The Men's Shed Tin Rattle; The Community House ran the wood fired oven; The football club having a bye - dinners and wood raffle; Willie Nelson tribute a roaring success; Red Cross AGM http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/july/fenton-birthday.htm On Tuesday evening last about 30 persons assembled at the residence of Mr Fenton, Cowslip-street, to celebrate the birthday of Miss Fenton. All those who attended were in the best of spirits and a very pleasant time was spent in dancing, singing and reciting. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/july/history-funding.htm Congratulations to the many Historical Societies and Community Groups in the Benalla Electorate who received grants through the Local History Grants Program. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/june/honeysuckle-exhib.htm The Honeysuckle Festival, Our Creek, is set for October 8th and 9th, 2011. The purpose of this exhibition is to provide an opportunity for us to express, in an artistic way, our enjoyment of the Honeysuckle Creek and the part it plays in our daily lives. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/june/vt-news28june2011.htm VLine country train running at last; Benalla and District Pool Competition; Sub committees of VTAG; Shire repairing walking track; Probus meeting 4 July; VT Red Cross to hold AGM; Seedsavers meeting on 3 July; Avenel Firsts have a decisive win over Violet Town; Friends wish Phil James speedy recovery; Congratulations to Lauren Crocker http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/june/calendar2011.htm Unfortunately an error occurred on the September page of the 2011 calendar - there are / were two 15s. This led to a displacement by one day in the months of October and December. For this the Editor humbly apologies. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/june/vt-news21june2011.htm The football team had a great win; The street tree planting day; Successful Casserole Lunch; Festival Photography and Art Exhibition; Living with Memory Loss http://www.violettown.org.au/news/ Despite steady rain in the week prior to the June long weekend, Saturday dawned crisp and clear- a perfect winter's day with not a breath of wind and a strong crowd. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/june/support.htm The Shire of Strathbogie is looking at improving coordination between services so that it will be easier for both the community and service providers to find out what is available and how to access different programs. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/june/cfa-delegates.htm The use of social media during emergencies and support structures for emergency service volunteers were among a range of topics discussed by 13 CFA volunteers at a national summit in Canberra recently http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/june/grants.htm Community groups around Australia can now apply for grants of between $5000 and $20 000 to help protect and conserve their local environment and natural resources. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/may/burns-newsletter.htm This edition of Stay Safe leads with the Change Your Clock Change Your Smoke Alarm Battery campaign. Working smoke alarms have proven to save lives and prevent horrific burns injuries. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/may/vt-news31may2011.htm Coffee morning; Saturday golf starts; Stringbusters; Over 70s had a day out; The big game; GOTAFE Chainsaw course; Biggest Morning tea; St Dunstans wood raffle http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/may/smoke-alarms.htm A Wodonga family of four survived a house fire on Saturday morning thanks to a working smoke alarm. The Fire started in the kitchen and the working smoke alarm woke the family who alerted CFA. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/may/vigilant.htm Deputy Premier and Minister for Emergency Services, Peter Ryan today joined CFA and MFB representatives to officially launch the Statewide Winter Fire Safety Campaign (100 days of Winter) in regional Victoria. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/may/vt-news24may2011.htm Biggest Morning Tea; Golf Club activities; Community complex outdoor seats; Hurt St logs; Football http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/may/volunteer-awards.htm National Week of the Volunteer was celebrated last weekend in Violet Town with three functions organised by the Violet Town Community House. http://www.violettown.org.au/market/CommunityMarket.htm Despite wet weather in the week leading up to the May market, more than 200 stallholders still offered a great range of products on the day. A solid crowd was in attendance - rugged up in winter woollies - although it died down a bit when the weather turned about midday. The CWA tin rattle raised $1,600.00, while the Football Club offered the first wood raffle of the year just inside the main gates. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/may/workshops.htm This month, Goulburn River Valley Tourism is offering workshops across the region in Public Relations and Promotions and Website and Social Media. These are being held in Yea, Seymour, Shepparton and Nagambie in the last two weeks of May. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/may/mens-shed.htm Open Day was an opportunity for the community to see the re-invigorated activity centre, now known as The Mens Shed. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/may/fire-risk.htm As this weeks cold snap continues, heaters and fire places across Victoria are cranking up for the first time this year, simultaneously increasing the risk of fire. Fire fighters are preparing for what will be their busiest period and local CFA Captains are urging residents to have their heaters and chimneys checked, as well as to be extra vigilant when cooking http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/may/hume-brigade.htm CFA has welcomed a Victorian Government announcement of $65.8 million for stations and equipment for the coming year. The new funding will see CFA replace or upgrade 60 stations and purchase 101 new firefighting vehicles and appliances over the next 12 months. http://www.violettown.org.au/communityhouse/2011/volunteers.htm This year is the 10th anniversary of the United Nations 2001 International Year of Volunteers. To mark this milestone, and to celebrate the great volunteering spirit that is Violet Town, the Community House and Mens Shed are running four special events for volunteers. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/may/vt-news1may2011.htm Motorcycle rally, football and netball, Violet Town Auskick, VTAG meeting, Mothers Day raffle, Ecoliving project, Use it or Lose it http://www.violettown.org.au/market/2011/market-08042011.htm/ With a record 210 stalls booked in to the April market we were virtually at capacity, with an fantastic array of goods on offer for market goers browsing to the dulcet tones of Inka Marka's South American tunes. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/april/jumpcut.htm JUMP CUT is on again. Young people aged 10 - 26 across Australia and overseas are invited to submit short films for screening throughout the Bayside Film Festival. Jump Cut gives young filmmakers an opportunity to screen their works alongside professional filmmakers. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/april/images/mitchell-cruises.pdf Easter school holiday Cruise schedule for the Major Mitchell - departing from Mitchelton Winery on Saturday 16th and 23rd April and Wednesday 20th and Monday 25th April. All bookings will be taken through the Visitor Information Centre. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/april/louise-costa-garden.htm The Eco Living Education Committee and the Violet Town Garden Club are organizing a bus tour to Rushworth to Louise Costa's low water garden and the Rushworth Community House Garden designed by Louise. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/april/chimney.htm It's getting colder, and the fire brigade is starting to respond to chimney fires. In recent autumns and winters we have seen a marked increase in the number of reported chimney fires throughout the district, and many of these fires could have been avoided if householders had taken steps to check and maintain their chimneys. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/april/vt-news5april2011.htm The footballers; Ultra Violet; Sustainable House tour; Men's Shed is going from strength to strength; Bridgewater thank you barbeque; Market next Saturday; Homescape magazine; Garden Club and Eco Living trip; Violet Town Café open again; Community House school holiday program http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/march/change-clock-alarm.htm When you change your clocks back for the end of Daylight Saving, Victoria's fire services together with Duracell are urging all Victorian residents to change their smoke alarm batteries on Sunday, 3 April 2011. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/march/alcohol-workshops.htm The Australian Drug Foundation is coming to regional centres throughout Victoria to discuss alcohol issues in the community. These FREE information forums are a chance to hear from local speakers, as well as learn more about what the Foundation is doing to address alcohol harms. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/march/vt-news21march2011.htm Harvest Festival; The CFA has been busy; Tennis; Cemetery Trust works; St Dunstan's Hall Film Society; Honeysuckle Festival 9 October; VT Bush Nursing Centre Clearing Sale; Ecoliving Project nears completion http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/march/new-film-society.htm Friday night saw the inaugural meeting and committee of management for the St Dunstans Hall Film Society formed. A good size crowd attended this meeting and unanimously adopted the recommendations of the Steering Committee comprised of Darryl and Lynne Parker and Robin Machin. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/march/trains-return.htm At last! Confirmation that V/Line trains will return to the Border in June will be widely welcomed. The 2 l/2-year wait for trains to return while the $524 million rail upgrade was completed between the Border and Melbourne has proved difficult for this community despite the necessity of the rail bypass of Wodonga. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/march/vt-news14march2011.htmCommunity Market; Red Cross Calling; Footy and netball season; Pancake Day; Swimming Pool; Volley Ball; Tennis teams; Retrofit of the Shearing Sheds; Excess Produce Workshop; Major burnoffs; Novel transport; Fox Terrier found; Eco Living Project http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/march/autumn-equinox.htm The Retrofit of the Violet Town Community Buildings is complete. You are invited to view the completed works and join us for a shared meal of local produce at no cost. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/march/cfa-charter.htm As CFA Chairman and volunteer, I was pleased to recently join the Premier and VFBV President to sign the Volunteer Charter, which is to be enshrined in legislation. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/march/fire-danger.htm The Fire Danger Period will finish at 1am on Monday, 7 March, in the following municipal districts http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/march/vt-news1march2011.htm Mens Shed, New bar at Football club, Mens Bowls, Golf Club survey, Excess building materials, Peranbin Primary School Sports, Looking for singers http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/february/food-safety.htm Legislative changes from the Food Amendment (Regulation Reform) Act 2009 are about to take effect on 1 March 2011. Under the changes Councils will have new powers to issue Penalty Infringement Notices under the Food Act 1984. Strathbogie Shire Council will be required under the act to issue infringement notices for certain food safety or hygiene offences. This will include a range of offences regarding http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/february/vt-news21february2011.htm The VT Golf Club, Kindergarten, Footballers 'get to know you' camp, Traffic streams through Violet Town, Belly Dancing Workshop, Zumba and Rosen, Ecoliving Workshops, Homescape magazine to feature Violet Town http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/february/mice.htm Strathbogie Shire Council has recently had an increase in the number of residents contacting them regarding mice getting into their houses. Environmental Health Officer, Fred Pollak said, "There seems to be a large number of mice around due to the fluctuating changes in the weather and the amount of food around." http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/february/stallholders.htm Not sure how to get your product to market? The Victorian Farmers' Market Association is holdng a series of FREE workshops for producers interested in becoming stallholders at farmers' markets. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/february/coxy.htm On Sunday, February 20th at 5.30pm on Channel 7 - popular lifestyle program, Coxy's Big Break will highlight Strathbogie shire. Coxy and his crew visited a number of places and events throughout the shire in October 2010 filming some of our iconic events, our natural tourism attractions and places of interest. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/february/learner-drive.htm Aim: To assist learner drivers achieve the required 120 hours of supervised driving. L2P -the Learner Driver Mentor Project is a partnership program between the Victorian State Government (via Vic Roads) Strathbogie Shire, Berry Street Victoria and local communities. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/february/triplets.htm Ivy, Grace and Charlotte Burden were born on 15 December 2010 to proud parents Dean Burden and Bec Pinda of Violet Town. Bec spent nine weeks at the Mercy Maternity Hospital in Melbourne before they were born by caesarean section on 15 December, nine weeks premature. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/february/vt-news7february2011.htm Peranbin School, Swimming Pool, CFA busy with heavy rain, Ukelele workshop, Excess Home Produce Workshop, Improve the Energy Efficiency Workshop, Febfast campaign http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/february/energy-workshop.htm Sheep Pen Creek Land Management Group Inc. and the Violet Town Eco Living Project present: Improve the Energy Efficiency of Your Shearing Shed and Farm House Workshop http://www.violettown.org.au/communityhouse/2011/ecoliving-workshop.htm Violet Town Ecoliving Project and Violet Town Community House present How to Use your Excess Home Produce Workshop. Do you have excess produce in your garden? Are you interested in preserving fruit and vegetables, sauces, chutney, etc.? http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/february/grad-students.htm >Four teams of University of Melbourne students are helping local government and businesses from Strathbogie to Ballarat make more informed decisions on everything from the analysis of rate income to the economic impact of reusable water in public facilities. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/january/vt-news31january2011.htm Congratulations to Jessica, Harris Cup at Pool, School to start Friday, Community House pro-active, St Dunstan Hall Film Society, Australia Day Breakfast http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/january/streets-flowers.htm Many of Violet Town's streets have flower names. The local story goes that it was a joke by a surveyor in Sydney when the town was laid out in the 1840s that the names were created. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/january/vtbnc-news.htm Violet Town Bush Nursing Centre and Euroa Health have initiated a submission to the Hume Region Department of Health. The submission seeks to address the lack of coordination of community health services and to deliver more mental health support, provide support for self management of chronic disease sufferers and extend outreach services to townships and small rural communities within Strathbogie. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/january/australia-day.htm Another warm and sunny morning greeted residents and others passing through the town, who joined in the celebrations on the lawn at the Community Centre. http://www.violettown.org.au/communityhouse/2011/comm-house-feb2.htm In addition to Annette taking unpaid leave for twelve months (effective December 2010), and Sarah Hamill being appointed Community House Co-ordinator for this period, there have been some other changes as well at the Community House. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/january/fairley-workshop.htm A free grant writing workshop will be held for women from throughout the Goulburn and Murray Region. The day-long workshop, to be held at Benalla on Saturday, 12 February 2011, will provide women with the skills and knowledge to source grants to support their communities and not-for- profit organisations. http://www.violettown.org.au/market/2011/market-08012011.htm Next market - Saturday 12 February 2011 and throughout the year on the 2nd Saturday of every month, 8.30am to 1.00pm, at the Recreation Reserve, Tulip St, Violet Town. For the safety of all concerned we have a dog free policy at the market. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/january/digital-tv.htm The way in which free to air television is transmitted to almost half a million households across regional Victoria and parts of southern New South Wales will change on 5 May 2011. On that day, analog signals that have been used for television since its introduction to Australia in the 1950s will be switched off for good. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/january/african-drumming.htmOn Tuesday January 11th a group of young people gathered at Strathbogie Shire Council's Eclipse Cafe to take part in an African Drumming workshop. Simon Lewis and Nathaniel Combs from Melbourne Djembe were the workshop facilitators. http://www.violettown.org.au/news/2011/january/long-grass.htm CFA is warning communities in the Hume Region to expect an active grass fire season following recent growth promoting rains. CFA Regional Commander Peter O'Keefe said grasslands are starting to dry out with the warmer weather and pose a significant risk.