Sunday, November 27, 2011

The piano goes to a new home.

Piano to get a new lease of life!

At the top end of the Hazelwood South Hall there is a small purpose built stage.  On the stage is the old out of tune run down piano.

Today this piano has been removed to go to a good home.  The new owners are not paying anything for the Piano.  Instead they are refurbishing the piano, then getting it tuned.  When it is finished the partner will be playing it as she is a professional opera piano player.

We wish them well in their care of the Piano that has basically sat in the corner for nearly fifty years.




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Equipment finding a good home.

The tents are gradually being upgraded.  The old canvas tents and the light weight tents without poles have been given away to a camp facility.  The new owners will be mending, fixing and using these tents.

We are happy that they are doing the refurnishing and treatment needed to keep these tents in good order.  Especially since neither of the leaders here can breath in the chemicals that are used nor have the actual cash themselves to part with in order to do these things as needed.

At a later date the rest of the old equipment in the camp room will be gone through as well. Most not being suitable for the young girls of today to learn and practice with... according to the years that the Guides have been saying this same thing.



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Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Things to keep an eye out for when cleaning the inside of the hall.

Using the Hazelwood South Hall means you leave it better than when you found it.

Using an sanctioned cleaning substance for the floor.
Rubbish lurking in corners
Cigarette butts that have snuck in and are hiding.
Cigarette smoke 
Stale air.
Dishes -was dry then put away.
Keys not returned
Decorations and other rubbish not taken home to your place.
Unflushed toilets, glass pieces outside the hall.
Uninvited guests.
Blue tack and drawing pins not removed.
Rubbish not sorted out and taken to your home.
The earth being burnt or dug up.
Tent pets in the ground.
Sticky substances on the wooden floor.
Someones clothes left behind.
Electrical cords or equipment not being replaced.
Broken windows.
Plants being ripped up.
Bricks having been removed or thrown.
loud Music and neighbors complaints

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Hazelwood South Hall: Hazelwood Honor Roll

Hazelwood South Hall: Hazelwood Honor Roll.

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Saturday, May 7, 2011

Create the meeting with what is at hand

Is the effect what the hall is designed for?
Table setting are a large part of 'creating the atmosphere' .

Intrinsically people behaviour matches the degree of pomp and ceremony that a setting is catering for. The wrong setting effects the atmosphere and thus the outcome.

When I entered a reception hall at Caulfield, Melbourne, I was impressed at the table layouts.  People who came to the gathering did dress 'upwards' to meet the occasion.

When the table settings are average for a higher class of speakers, guests and complimentary meal style the behaviour may tone down but the 'dress' sense carries thought to the behaviour expected.

Although the Hazelwood South Hall has the long tables available the legs are in need of repair. There are chairs and long stools.  The chair numbers are down due to the thief's.   When used in a setting of adults the Long wooden benches are not applicable to adult usage as the adult in the middle has to climb over their seat  or disturb others just to get back to their spot.  Lifting their legs to climb back into the spot vacated is a real lowering of table conversation!

However that said when the setting is for children these social etiquette rules have not been established.  The long wooden benches are

  • designed for the children's usage at the tables.
  • To be placed around the walls of the Hazelwood South Hall.
  • Placed in a herring bone situations for public access at public meetings. 
 Predominately the Hazelwood South Hall is designed for children's use.

Anyone wanting to use the hall for 'other than children' settings must supply their own matching tables and chairs.  Thus the effect that they want to convey will be both effective and efficient. Meeting their needs.





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Friday, May 6, 2011

Seen from the road

Encouraging a more private 'Back Yard" at the hall.

When I am driving along Tramway road [towards Churchill] I glance to my Right and check the shrub growth.  Yes the shrubs appear to be growing.

I have four more shrubs to place along this 'fence' line. Two are Calistomons.  Calistamons apparently draw up more water than the weeping willows.  These two will be idea for this area as it always has been more wet that other areas around.

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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Try again with the shrubs for a fence line

.Where did the shrubs I planted go again?.

I knew the grass was getting long.  I was to mow around the shrubs that I had planted on Thursday.  That is as soon as I had time off work and could also get the lawn mower and clippers down to the Hazelwood South Hall.

however I turned up on Wednesday last week to begin raking under the shrubs next to the gun clubs fence line and noticed that the shrubs and grass had all been mowed down.  There were no sticks, plants or anything except mowed grass.  The Calistamon that was so beautifully flowering was gone as well.

The next night at a Gipp's Guide meeting a discussion took place.  I asked for help in lining a next shrub bed with bricks carried over from the "brickery'  I had noted that the earth area that some party goers had lit a fire in was not mowed over.  Instead this eyesore was carefully mowed around.  The Brickery was left too.  Logically If there are bricks the lawn mower man will not tamper with them.  However if there is obviously long grass in one area strip then by all means mow it over.  There could be something of value there! This time I intend to really well bang in the wooden poles deep into the ground.  Lace the area with read and white warning tape [means do not enter this area].  The new shrubs will have already been planted to make use of this rainy period that we seem to be experiencing.

So in two Thursday's time there will be bricks in place and hopefully time to rake up the leaves from the other shrubs and mulch the new shrub area as well.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Creating a fence line

On a boundary fence line we planted.

Between the Hazelwood South Hall back yard and the Hazelwood South reserve there are young shrubs being transplanted.  Three years ago the Farmer planted small shrubs along her fence line.  These are growing beautifully. 

But the problem of water absorption and over enthusiastic Reserve users inhibits the use of the back of the Hazelwood South Hall for anythings that the users of the Hall would like to do.  Traffic from the arterial road [Tramway Road] can look directly into the area.  No privacy is gained here.

So far there are ten little shrubs planted.  Soon to have more smaller growing but bushier types of shrubs  around the other planted shrubs. 

I think there is also a Gum tree within the plantings to go out.  We will see tomorrow.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

'of the monument' are tricky little words.

Hazelwood Honour Roll custodians . 


With this tactic in mind the last three words in the paragraph ... "of this monument" bear significant meaning.

"Another agenda item of 'historical' interest concerned the Hazelwood Honor Roll.  CDCA sought advice from local stakeholders abs some of our knowledgeable local history sources regarding the location and condition of this item of historic interest.  We are informed that it is in good condition and on view in the Hazelwood South Hall, where our local Guides act as careful custodians of this monument."

The article that this paragraph that this article comes from is printed in The Churchill  and District News of  Issue Number 81 - 11 MARCH  2010 page 4 - paragraph ten.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Where does the waste go?


To the users of the Hazelwood South Hall please be respectful.

After using either the Hazelwood [South] Hall or the Reserve leaving rubbish around the either is just not on. Cleaning it up takes a longer time than not putting it there in the first place.  So remove the dead balloons, tin cans, tent pegs, plastic bags, cigarette butts and anything else that you happen to see along the way.

If you happen to be just there when the rubbish jumps out at you there are rubbish bins that you may place the rubbish in.

When you use the Hazelwood [South] Hall it is requested that you take your own rubbish home.

The yellow rubbish bin goes out every two weeks on a Wednesday evening for a Thursday pick up.

In regards to alcohol and cigarettes.  Being a Government owned building and reserve there is no cigarettes or alcohol on Crown Land. Therefore why would there be litter? Yeah. Right.

However when you do see these things please dispose of them carefully.  Bottles and tin into the yellow lid bins. Butts into the red bin.





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Recycling the old bricks

The bricks from the external toilet block that  was pulled down at the back of the Hazelwood [South] Hall has had a fair few different uses. Of the uses that we know of the bricks and rubble have been utilized in the making of:-
            BBQ's,
            Pathways,
            Compost holders,
            Garden bed walls, straight ones, round ones.
            Walkways,
            Having under clothes lines so that feet do not get sloshed on while getting in the washing.

Galvanized water pipes.

With very old fragile galvanized water pipes once they are broken there is the major job of finding out where the water pipes go and trying then to find some way of capping them.

Why change the locks occurs

Locked up once again.

Someone/s kept leaving the doors and cupboards open, the toilets a mess and dishes in the sink.

Solution : Change the locks.  So David Ellis went down and did just that.

All keys to the Hazelwood [South] Hall were called in so that a register of keys was taken.  The Small Bore rifle club handed in their key which they had just been issued.  In exchange they received a new key.

The Churchill Soccer Club had their new Pavilion and Club Change rooms.  Both these building had toilets.

Once the locks were changed two things happened.

  1. The first being that the Churchill Soccer Club complained of not having access to the toilets for their visitors.  
  2. The second was that a spare set of keys mysteriously turned up in the District leaders [Marlene Ellis] letter box.  A previous Hazelwood [South ] Hall booking person was seen opening Marlenes letter box and leaving the keys .  Keys being the only things in the letter box when the letter box was subsequently opened.

The story behind the removal of the external brick toilets.

When you enter some where made of brick and there are large cracks enabling you to see right through the double brick layers you just know not to sneeze or the walls may come tumbling down.  Removing the old brick external toilet should have been easy right?

Think again.

There was no money to pay for do anything of the sort. And there were no people left in the Support Group for assistance.  So the Hazelwood District leader had to wait for donations.

A parent paid for, and was subsequently paid back, the removal of the electric light that shone above the toilet block.

Then a plumber friend of a leaders changed minimal price for the capping off of the water pipes.  Which, with no plans available, no one knew where the water pipes were. The water pipes appear underground, from somewhere, and are about 10 cm away from the Gun Club side of the old toilet block slab. Being made of galvanized pipe and also being fifty years plus old these pipes are fragile.  The plumber warned of not disturbing the clay around them in any way.

For those using the Hazelwood [South] Hall  there was now no need as the extension build in the early 1990's meant that.  Allocated people had the keys and were registered. The small bore (22) Rifle club toilets had been given a key when it was realised they had no toilets of their own.  Instead embers used the dingly old external toilets.

The Churchill Soccer club were annoyed with the change of the Hazelwood [South] Hall keys'
It was concluded that the Churchill Soccer Club no longer needed to use these facilities or the Hazelwood [South] Hall internal toilets as they had two operating sets of their own

The external toilets were finally pulled down by two men and their four wheel drive

The farmer lady behind the hall complained as the stack was not to go near her fence line.

Another three men on day then stacked the bricks up.  Mostly into one big pile.  The job was not able to be completed as the temperature was in the over 45 degree Cel.range.

A week or so later two others went down and were stacking the bricks.

These three actions cost over $1,500.00. and the job was still not done.
The District Leader had some wonderful uses for the recycled bricks.  plans were tentatively drawn up to be presented to the Department of Sustainablity and Environment and the Latrobe City Council. There is so much red tape that the brick were being ignores=d and once again were posing an Occupational Health and Safety issue.

Then came the people who threw down the bricks and generally destroyed all the work that was done to the pile.  Once Churchill Soccer mum came up and apologized as her child was one of the ones responsible.  The reason given for the action was that the father had left home.  He was one who stacked the bricks. Were the bricks picked up..."only if you pay us."


Since that time the brick pile has gone gradually down. People have been assisting with the removal of the bricks for a few years now.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Standards for the clean presentation of the Hazelwood ]South] Hall



A general rule of thumb
when having used the Hazelwood [South] Hall.  Leave the area cleaner, and in better shape, than when you took on the keys.




Smoking. 
The hall is a Federal Government Building.  Therefore no smoking in or around the Hazelwood [South}Hall. for at least five (5) meters. Therfore there will be no smoke butt rubbish to pick up will there!

Alcohol
The hall is not a licenced venue. Guides Australia has very specific Guidelines re alcohol and alcohol around minors.  Follow them.

Rubbish bins.



  • There are two rubbish bins one red lid and one yellow lid.  



  • Remember the rubbish your use of the Hazelwood [South] Hall makes YOU take home with you..



  • Should you be passing the Hazelwood [South] Hall on the Wednesday before the Recycle bin [Wednesday Evening] please place the yellow bin out for collection - if it needs emptying.



  • The red bin has it's own collection pick up different from the general collection days. So this red one stays there.

Entrances




  •  Before:
    • Easiest access is from the front.  Depending on the reserve ground there is a access via the Reserve side door.  Either via the pathway or by lifting items up a level from a parked car.  Not recommended.  The back door has steps leading directly to the kitchen.  Be aware of the dampness on the ground both behind the kitchen and especially on the Reserve. be careful -Bogging may occur on the reserve.
  • During
    • All entrances/exits need to be clear of obstructions (litter, bricks, rubbish bins.) at all times.There must a direct easily recognised escape pathway provided.





  • After:
    • All entrances to be cleared of rubbish, rubbish bins unwanted rubbish and items.

Main Hall

  • The Hazelwood [South} Hall's floor is a polished wood surface.  There is to be no scratches or scuff marks made into this floor.
    • so lift furniture, boxes - do not drag it.  If the furniture or container is too heavy then have a large piece of carpet (face down) under the furniture / container and move the item that way.
  • Cleaning of the floor involves sweeping and then mopping the surface.  No other cleaners are to be used except these :  1 tablespoon Metholated spirits mixed into the water in the map bucket..  No soapy substances allowed.  At all.
  • Mop does not have to be wet, wet when going over the wooden floor surface.
    • Bucket in kitchen, Mop should be behind the door, Metholated spirits in the first hallway cupboard.
    • Leave the mop to dry out so that any residule water goes into a bucket.  Not back onto a floor surface.

Windows




  •  Before:
    • .Unlock and position hands on the window frame...Not the Glass. 
    • Open window carefully.
    • C.R.C., or similar, will assist with the window opening ability.
  • After:
    • These are all to be closed and locked. You may have to push the window frames from the outside of the hall while someone else inside locks the window locks.
    • New damage report on any damage straight away.
    • Not on usage report any previous damage.

 Curtains.




  • Before:.
    • Check the condition of these.
  • After:
    • `Pull over the netting curtains.
    • Leave the curtains in a tidy state.
    • Report / note any rips, tears or fair wear and tear on usage report.


Toilets
  •  Before:.
    • Flush all toilets as you check the bathrooms for spare toilet paper availability and hand towels.
    • In the males one turn on the Urinal tap for the usage time as the urinal is designed to keep flushing there is a waste of water when not in use.


        • Have you lined the rubbish bins.
  • After:
    • Turn off the urinal in the male toilets.
    • Flush all touilets before leaving.
    • Wash out hand basins and down bench tops.
    •  Tip contents of rubbish bin into appropriate bags so that you take the rubbish home to be disposed off.
    • Replace toilet paper and hand towels before during and as event requires.
    •  Note in usage report the need / quantity of toilet paper and hand towels used.
    • Clean walls where necessary.
    • Clean floors by first sweeping the mopping them
    •  Refer to Floor care section.

Toilet Hallway




  •  Before:.
    • Sweep and mop down as needed.
  • After:
    • If cupboard opened and contents used tidy cupboard shelves.
    • Not what needs replacing. Put this in usage report.
    • Close and lock cupboards.
    • Sweep and mop floor.  Refer to floor care section.
Kitchen
  • Before
    • Are the fridges clean and aired.  Turned on at wall socket ( in hall way) and in kitchen (Above the head level on the Churchill and Morwell side of the Kitchen)
    • The urn has been filled turned on and water boiled in preparation for use.
    • Have you lined the rubbish bins.
    • Benches and table tops clean and presentable.
  • During
    • Open the swing doors and leave them open.
    • As you go along clean, wash and put away the dishes.
    • Hot water is in the Urn...when you refill it up.
    • All tea towels must be supplied by you.  Take them home please.


  • After
    • Remove all of your rubbish for disposal away from the Hall.
    • Cleaning of rubbish bins should be easy as you have used liners for the bins.
    • Benches and table tops to be clean.
    • Hot Urn water to be used for mopping of the floor.
    • Empty the dirty water away from the kitchen area. 
    • Leave no dishes, dirty or otherwise, on any surface.  
    • Place all equipment cleaned and away ...where it came from.

Cleaning equipment.
  • The cleaning equipment is found in two places.  The kitchen behind the door has the long handled items, bucket and brush and shovel.
  • The first cupboard in the hallway has the cleaning supplies, toilet paper and hand towels.




Switch Box/ meter box


  • Before:.
    • Check the electrical switch box is on. located in the front foyer for easy access.  Keep children away.
  • After:
    • Turning the switch box off at the end of use.  Turn only the bottom set of switches into the off position.

Cleaning on the outside

  • Check all around the hall and on the reserve area that your party of people may have used.
    • pick up all stray bottles, cans, smoke butts, balloon and ribbon pieces, pieces of paper, tinscell, decorations and other odd items. Throw these out.
    • Is there any thing around the Hall and on the Reserve that may tempt someone to damage or destroy the hall and surrounding area.  Your responsibility to clean it away too.
          • THANK YOU FOR THIS 



Return of the keys.

  • The keys are not to be copied at all.
  • Return and sign for the keys.


Sunday, March 7, 2010

Keeping the Hazelwood South Halls exterior maintained.

Hazelwood [South] Hall will always need to be maintained. Maintenance costs both in time and cash. So every little bit of maintenance - both inside and out- has always been aprechiated over the years. So to are the donations, gifts and fundraising done with the Hazelwood [South] Hall in mind.

Raising the publics awareness of this Hall is a major concern. The public need to be aware of where this hall is, the significance of the Hall to the Hazelwood, Yinnar and Morwell Community, (now also the Churchill Community), and of course how to join into the Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District membership enabling them the use of the Hazelwood [South] Hall as per lease agreement.

Orginially Hazelwood [South} Hall was a Community Hall. There was a Committee of Management that had all the users of the premises on board. Over the fifty plus years people have moved on from the area or interest has wained in what they have organised. During the 1990's the lease was altered by the then District Leaader.

General maintenance was completed with regular 'days' allotted. In todays society family members have difficulty allotting more time to external service unless there is something in it for them. This is not being selfish in out look, just reasonable for todays 'singular family Unit' life style.

Combating this should members of the Girl Guides wish to utilize the Hazelwood [South] Hall they must follow the District Guide lines relating to the lease and cleanliness agreements.

During the late 2000's a General Risk Analysis was created for the Hazelwood [South] Hall.

The Latrobe City Council and the Department of Sustainability would like yearly building reports submitted.

Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District Guide lines relating to the lease agreement.


There has been trouble with maintanence and cleaning of the Hazelwood Hall Standards.
  • A resolution of intended use must be noted in the Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District minutes.
    • Through District Team members reports and meetings.
    • Through the Gipps Guides minutes.
    • through the Leaders attending the District Leaders monthly Meetings.
  • A booking must be made through the Booking person.
    • If keys are needed for the Hall use they must be signed in and out for.
  • A Risk Analysis must be made for that event.
    • available to all using the hall.
      • on line
      • in folder at time of use.
    • must be counter singed by Hazelwood and Churchill District Leader.
  • A cleaning check list is to be used.  
    • Emu bobs will be necessary both in and around the Hall.
  • Any news releases to go via the Hazelwood and Churchill District leader before they are released.
  • All photos of youth members at a Girl Guide activity are to be checked by Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District Leader for current registration of that Girl Guide or a signed photo release form to be signed by parent/s or carer before releasing them.
  • That when the intended use of the Hall is to raise funds for the Hazelwood [South] Hall all minutes, reports and money matters are to be through the auspisis of the Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District. Therefore all corespondance must be handed to the Hazelwood and Churchill District Leader.

Why change the lease arrangements?

No records are easily found.

No one actually knows why the lease agreement was changed from a management committee to having the lease only under the Hazelwood Girl Guide District. Now known as the Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District on the lease.

It is remembered that the Department of Sustainability and Environment was just one Government Department that had big changes occurring during this time.

Hazelwood District Guide Support Group



What support came through.


Before January 2009 this group was disbanded.  The incoming Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District leader preferred to work with a different method of support.  Having a District team meant that the members were not perceived as only friends and family of the current Girl Guides. The scope of membership being a larger base.  Monitored by size through the Melbourne office of Girl Guides.

 Girl Guide Australia Guide lines any president or treasurer also requires a police check.  No one wanted a police check ... nor these positions. Under these conditions no Support Group could operate.

The Hazelwood [South] markets.

Fundraising through markets.

Hazelwood [South] Hall has been the basis of the fundraising Markets. These markets were run over several years using both the Hazelwood South Reserve and the Hazelwood [South] Hall.

An organising committee was set up through the then Hazelwood Guide Support Group The committee comprised of the the Hazelwood Guide Support Group.

A lot was learned by the organising for and of and the running of the markets. Some money was fundraised which was the primary objective.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Septic smell stinks

Old smell still lingers.
For as long as two of the current Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide Leaders have been utilizing the Hazelwood [South] Hall there has been a septic smell that has gradually got worse. the simple deduction being where there was an ongoing smell that bad their had to be at least one Health and Safety issue soon to arise.

The smell is sometimes bad enough that Girls, Parents and visitors have not wanted to come into the Hazelwood [South] Hall. Note that when a female is ovulating in the menstrual cycle the olfactory area is very susceptible to smells. Girl Guide are femoral from the age of five and continuing all their lives. People who do not inhale strong smells [such as smoke, chemicals, alcohol, perfumes] were also susceptible to the septic smell.

Effects of the smell
Events, activities and service times became minimal due to the unpleasantness of the odor. Overnight stays were hard to tolerate, meeting times were worse. Things like the running of Jota /i was dicey for the Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guides to organise as the smell was foremost on the organisers minds. Inviting visitors and team members to assist was becoming more and more difficult. No one wanted to be around the septic smell.

The Hazelwood [South] Hall is owned by the Department of Sustainability and Environment - leased by the Hazelwood Girl guide District. The Hazelwood Reserve goes through the Latrobe City Council partially leased by the Churchill Soccer Club. The open land from that divides the Churchill Soccer Club from the Hazelwood [South] Hall is open public ground..

Risk Annalysis
Girl Guides Australia has trained its Leaders in developing a Risk Analysis with any event, service, activity a being done. Evaluations on these Risk Analysis's are reported on. A simple overall Risk Analysis encouraged by the Latrobe City Council for any event, service or activity being conducted on their grounds or in their buildings was brought to the Churchill Soccer Club, the Latrobe City Council, The Gippsland Water Board, other promenant shareholders like Tom Lawless, and is on record with the Hazelwood and Churchill District Girl Guide Minutes as an ongoing issue that is negatively impacting on the use of the Hazelwood [South] Hall.

Many people thought that the Hazelwood [South] Hall just had bad plumbing - after all the Hall was opened in 1959. Indeed these same people, and organisations, denied any smell at all being in the vicinity. The adverse publicity that the Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide community was hearing back did little for the Girl Guide membership drives. In fact the smell and another factor was the reason why the Hazelwood [South] Hall has minimal usage currently from the both the Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guides.

Duck its coming your way
Duck shoving like this the problem back onto those leasing the Hazelwood [South] Hall was not tolerated by the Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District Leader and Leaders who had by now had enough. The Department of Sustainability and Environment were happy to abide with what the Latrobe City Council believed in the overall professional assessment being conducted. After all the boundaries were blurred as to who smell was the smell. The opinion is still held that as the Hazelwood and Churchill District Girl Guides are the holders of the Lease on the Hazelwood [South] Hall then it was up to the leases to sort this matter out.

A registered Septic Tank Plumber was approached and for nearly four years was asked to come and find the Hazelwood [South] Hall old septic tank. Turns out this plumber was the same plumber who years before was the contractor who did the plumbing when the extension to the Hazelwood [South] Hall internal toilet block was built!

On the planning table
A major difficulty was that the Latrobe city Council and the Gippsland Water Board had experienced similar problems during some of their moves. Plans went missing. The Hazelwood District Girl Guides supplied both these organisations with what inguinal drawings and plans we had available. So that problem of no plans was fixed.

Early in the 2000's a previous Hazelwood Girl Guide Support Member, also a father of a couple of Girls [a Girl Guide and Brownie Guide], who was a plumber by trade at the time when the indoor toilets were being built, told the current (2008 - >) Hazelwood and Churchill District Leader that it had been discovered/ known that the septic tank was dismembered at the time of the addition. He could not be sure where the old septic actually was though as he had not seen it exposed.

However in an original drawing that was probably as old as the Hazelwood [South] Hall there was a dotted line going from the Churchill Soccer Clubs buildings that until 2007 were the change and the catering rooms for all members to the back of the internal toilet extension. Then the dotted lines appeared to be connected to the additions external waste system.

The Septic smell reactions reached their peak after the building of the Churchill Soccer Clubs new Pavilion. The Hazelwood Reserve was dug up to accommodate what we thought were pipes which interconnected with the Hazelwood [Souths] Hall pipes leading then under the Tramway Road. The Contracted plumber apparently being the same one who had done the Internal toilet Block on the Hazelwood [South] Hall. Actually the was the same one who on several times over the years was asked to find where the old Septic tank was. How much would he charge? etc.

The initial plans for the sewage outlet were in the hands of the Gippsland Water Board. The final sewage inspection was not competed. Turns out that if a qualified septic tank plumber lays a septic waste disposal line there is no need for the final sewer inspection to be completed.

This mess of paperwork avoidance was brought to new Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District Leaders attention when a person in authority made the comment that he 'did not know why you let the girls play in 'shit"' .At this point the District Leader then remembered as a Leader calling into the Hazelwood [South] Hall one day on other business and seeing the equipment laying a strange pipe in gravel that was going into the dug up Reserve ground. Knowing that a leak from the frontage pipes had been fixed through a combined Gippsland Water Board and the Latrobe City Council effort The complaints re this leak had been going on for more than a year at the time of fixing the frontage leak] The Leader was curious. Also the plumber was near the Hazelwood [South[] Hall the finance was available as a donation would this Septic qualified plumber please find the old Septic tank?


Plumber on the run
While the Leader was approaching to ask the questions of the plumber [what was happening, was the area going to be safely cordoned off etc the Leader noted that the attitude of the plumber was aggressively evasive]
strength. Since this lesson was learned through personal injury being sustained the observations of what was actually going on were detailed and remembered.

Were the trenches deep enough to counter the lye of the land re the carriage of effluent?. The reserve was known to retain excess water as the gradient was lowest in the middle of the reserve. It was common knowledge that trapped water had to evaporate as there was no other means of escape. Having remembered finding out that something similar to skinny 'agg' pipe was being laid, that the pipes did not apparently go all the was to the Tramway Road effluent town pipes what was actually happening to the waste water of the Churchill Soccer Clubs Pavilion, change room facilities and canteen? At the most the septic line passed within a few meters of the Hazelwood [South] Hall toilet extension and also the frontage of the Hall..

Increased smell effect
The original septic smell now had increased in potency and strength. The soil around the pipes was caving in. What Aggi pipes were there were seen to be less than 20 cm from the Reserve grounds surface. The Reserve being crown land looked after by the Latrobe City Council was open to the Public entry. The smallest Churchill Soccer children practised in the lowest areas of the Reserve often. The Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guides used the upper area [highest part of] the reserve for their activities.

The Latrobe City Council eventually sent out their officers. Which resulted in the ground being filled in around the pipes. Their contractual plumbers came out and did something to the pipes. The contactual plumbers also checked the Haelwood [South] Halls plumbing re the smell. The conclusion was that the smell that the Girl Guides were still reporting did not come from the Hazelwood [South] Hall.

Eventually the Hazelwood [South] Halls old septic tank was discovered. The concrete top was sticking out of the top of the ground. One of the Hazelwood District Teams members came down and the dry top soil was lifted away. Terrific news not only was the septic tank filled with sand but the position was on the Latrobe City Councils Hazelwood South Reserve.

The Hazelwood South Hall's booking person made initial phone calls to the Latrobe City Council reporting this find and the condition of the area. The District Leader of the Girl Guides followed up an initial call from a leader to the Latrobe City Council. When it was explained that the concrete both a Risk Analysis and an Occupational Health and Safety issue to both the general Public along with their equipment and to those who were mowing the reserve the appropriate action was quickly taken. The top was covered in top soil.

And the proof is here
So now the Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District team had substantial proof to go back to the Latrobe City Council and again state the septic smell was still coming from not only the Reserve field but also as previously stated from the area near the older Churchill Soccer Ground cafeteria and Change Room facilities. An additional point was made that behind the old Soccer club rooms the ground was constantly wet. Mosquitoes were seen to swarm in the clear pine tree filtering sunset rays. Mosquitoes liked their living conditions to be damp and nutritious.

re were substancial Thankfully this has been followed up by a responsible remember of the Latrobe City Council. Who, having sort further professional advise, made certain conditions to be implemented to eliminate wafting over the Reserve field and lodging under the Hazelwood [South] Hall and thus, it is thought, causing the smelly problem.

In summary
We, The Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District will be very appreciative to finally have this smelly problem under wraps.

The Amateur Radio Club helps with Jota / Joti 2009

Positive news.

Early in 2009 the Local Amateur Radio Club was approached and asked if they would help with the 2009 Jota / Joti.  To be held at the Hazelwood [South] Hall. Third weekend in October.  The Hazelwood and Churchill Girl guide District would be supplying the food [BBQ] and refreshments on the day as a thank you.

Evaluation: 2009 Jota/ Joti

Evaluation of the 2009 Jota/i at the Hazelwood [South] Hall:
  • One helpful thing was isssuing an invitation to the Baw Baw Region to come to the Hazelwood [South] Hall on the Sunday of October the 17th.  
  • The Local Amateur Radio Club will be invited again to be there.[ formal invitation] 
  • Information to be shared easily with all sharehiolders of the event.  These include " Parents, Guides, Olave Program members, Region Guides attending, Radio Club Members and Hazelwood and Churchill District Team members.
  • Location map to be published.
  • Transport to be arranged from up to three local drop off and pick up points to Hazelwood [South] Hall.
  •  This time the Badges will not be put down somewhere and misfiled.
  • At the end of 2010 when the Hazelwood and Churchill District Girl guides have the annual Formal Dinner [ Decemeber 4th 2010] everyone who has been a Volunteer helping the Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District and members will be invited to attend.
  • Emergency exit plan to be displayed.
  • Risk Analysis to be on hand.
  • Report forms from Joti/Jota Guide leaison to be filled out an the day by the Radio Club member in charge.
  • More activities through out the day.  
  • Display activities through out the year in preperation for Jota/ Joti.
  • Entrances / exits to be easily accessable.
  • Thank you BBQ for Radio Club members and Guides appreciated.  Do again Yes.  
  • Vary menu.
  • Check with Latrobe City Council re the off road car parking facilities as major redevelopment of frontage may be occurring at the time of Jota/i.
  • Septic smell to be eliminated?
  • ? overnight indoor stay available for Guides of Hazelwood and Churchill District.
  • Write up in newspapers.  District to do it self  and put into the Latrobe Express - Not Churchill News. 
  • Copy [ our orginial newspaper submission] to go to the Baw Baw Region Girl Guide Public Relations person.  Original Submission to be followed up by hard copy of Latrobe Express's newspaper article.


Jota/i at Hazelwood [South] Hall in 2009

Some of the Guides came down to the Hazelwood [South] Hall in October 2009 for the Jamboree on the Air [Jota] and the Jamboree on the Internet.[Joti]

The local Amateur Radio Club members were there to help the Guides talk through both the Radio and over the internet.  Some of the Guides had good reception others lucked out....  but thats the way things go.
Throughout the year there werwe different things done during the Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide meeting times.  These things 
were  things like working together, seeing life through another persons eyes, morse code, semaphore, working the key board on the office computer. There were different times that the Girl Guides helped planning and running different events.  The things that they learned doing this included preperation, and then after the event clean up and putting away, hosting and looking after visitors, how to share food in stead of scoffing it down.

After the evaluation of this 2009 Jota/ Joti event there are still things that we have to work on for the Jota / Joti of 2010.  


Thursday, March 4, 2010

Smell from Reserve Septic Tanks.

Copy of email

Hi Susan,

Thank you for your advice dated 12 May 2009 regarding open holes in the reserve 
area between the Guide Hall and the new Soccer Pavilion.
I have recently had the water supply upgraded. You will notice a trench running 
from the front of the property to the old change rooms located towards the rear of the property. The aim of the upgrade is to eliminate the ongoing leaks coming from the original poor quality water line. I have inspected the excavation and back fill and agree that it needs more soil and seed.

In regard to the holes barricaded off with tape, I have approach Steve Breheny from
Churchill United Soccer Club and asked him to organise the backfilling of any holes opened by the club.
I have organised to fill all remaining depressions this week (25 - 29 May 2009).

In regard to the septic smell, I have approached the Churchill United 
Soccer Club who effectively lease the land from Council.  They are 
responsible for all maintenance on the new Pavilion plus any services 
associated with the new pavilion.  I have been advised by sewerage experts that a 
probable cause of the smell is the size of the sewerage pump pit adjacent to the new pavilion. The pit is possibly too large which allows the sewerage time to ferment prior to being pumped to the sewer main. Churchill United Soccer Club have been asked to reduce the holding capacity of the pit which will lead to the sewerage being pumped more frequently eliminating the odour.

If you have any ongoing problems with the sewerage smell once the 
alteration works are complete please contact Churchill United Soccer Club direct 
or advise me by Email and I will follow up with the club.


regards
Bruce Chewe
Coordinator Building & Playground Maintenance 
Latrobe City Council

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

In response to alterations proposed for the Hazelwood South Reserve.



Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District dynamics constantly evolve through active participation of the Guiding members and the communities input and evaluations. Throughout all levels within the Guides the Guiding Elements and Fundamentals are challenged, explored, covered and evaluated.   The Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District strongly has a Guiding influenced structure and follows the Guide Lines of the Girl Guide Association. Guiding aim for the Youth members is ‘to make girls into worthwhile citizens’. This aspect of Guiding takes time and is influenced strongly by many factors from world issues right down to family issues that impact on the daily life of the Guiding and family members along with community members. Therefore, utilizing and working with both the service expectations of Guides, as well as building ‘Community Development through interaction and inclusion of the community” is of importance as a stabilizing primary influence. The Hazelwood South Community Hall and adjoining land infrastructure and use is important long term influences on these young members of the community. What are considered negative alterations to the Hazelwood South Reserve have a profound effect on the members of the community? Basically these effects are what the following pages are about. Interactive creative positive ideas offering alternative legitimate queries and suggestion are interspersed among the community responses.
Having a long twenty (20) year plan to a short term plan six (6) month makes good business sense.  The Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District have been developing one since September 2007 when as explained the Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District management restructuring began. Resulting in both community and Guiding ‘inactions’ being acted up and reactivated. These positive developments are seeing the Hazelwood South Community Hall usage by both the community and the Guiding fraternity further developing and becoming reactive, rather than proactive, to community demands.  Under this flexible management system a different attitude towards the Hazelwood South Community Hall, its place in the local community and what it represents is accommodated. The various chosen community management teams involved are reflective of these developments. Thus memberships of all utilizing the Hazelwood South Community Hall facilities’ are increasing.  Including the Hazelwood Girl Guide District - its Youth and Adult membership.
Those now involved with the Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District find security, a sense of identity and belonging  emerging with their participation in the many various wide ranging activities from meetings (main course and stream lined), events, activities, social occasions, service, trainings and leadership components.  Social, community interaction, economic viability and the effectiveness of team support that involves recognitions levels (individual and team cross generational recognitions) have been evolving through what appears a relaxed, flexible management arrangement. 
Now is the time to let it be known that from September 2009 Girl Guides and Girl Scouts of this organisation will be one hundred (100) years old.   Over the last centenary Guiding has helped open people up to making choices [Fifty –two (52) years in then Hazelwood and now Hazelwood and Churchill District]. Moving along with the times informed choices that are offered, promoting independence, the ability to recognise our feminie multi-skilling tendencies, that through the gathering of information open communication channels are developing, networking provides strengths and reliance.  Bullying and standover tactics will not be tolerated nor kept quiet about.
Over the last fifteen (15) years a number of disturbing conversations with members of the public were engaged in and reported to the other Guide Leaders.  Those who are now in a position to act on the information presented were then not in a position to ‘do anything about these’ other than make tentative enquiries and file the responses. Two major things have changed. The first is that as of September 2007 when a new Hazelwood and Churchill District Leader had undergone training. The second - that as from the 1st January 2008 when the Hazelwood and Churchill took over the management of the Hazelwood South Community Hall. Things are now changing for the better. Leaders, members of guiding (Including parents) and members of the community organisations, clubs and bands are able to have a wider degree of autonomy to develop and grow.  Sometimes their needs outgrow what the Hazelwood South Community Hall can provide i.e. there is not a licence to sell alcohol.  There is no smoking on and around the premises as the land is Government land – Department of Sustainability and Environment.  The land out the front of the buildings of both the Hazelwood Rifle Club and the Hazelwood South Community Hall (that is approximately eight (8) meters from the front doors) is the Latrobe City Councils. Currently the users of these facilities park there.
Remember that there has to be a safety area between the Arterial Road (Tramway Road) and the usable car parking space which effectively cuts out more car parks and manoeuvring space.
The Hazelwood South Reserve incorporates the Churchill Soccer Club fields and facilities which are on the North, East and Southern side of dirt drive way. The field to the North, West and South of the dirt road is what is under discussion. The dirt one way track is known to the Churchill Soccer Club members as Soccer Road to others the dirt road that the soccer people use.
A special meeting was called by Susan Connor, the Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District Leader.  This meeting was run in a forum of open discussion where challenges, choices and conclusions were to be placed ‘on the table’.  Following this meeting community members were approached.  Their ideas and conclusions are also included in this paper.   The following is a paper on what has occurred, been concluded and actions to be taken.


Open forum discussion held at:  Debbie Gallaher’s,
18 Churinga Drive
Churchill.
Date and time: 06/06/08 began at 10.30am to 1.30pm
Present; Chantelle, Nadine, Meagan, Debbie, Susan.
Unable to contact: Sadie.
Approximately six (6) weeks ago whilst at the Latrobe City Council front desk it was found that the Latrobe Valley Soccer Clubs certain proposals have been presented. One was a better place for the adults to train, the second - wind brakes.
A meeting with Paul Buckley (the Latrobe City Councils Executive Officer) was held at the Hazelwood South Reserve. Mentioned was the publication of the combined Latrobe Valley Soccer Clubs proposals. Two of these proposals were discussed include the wish for the Churchill Soccer Club to have the use of better ground facilities, and the need for wind brakes.
Also discussed was
a) where the best place to have a public play area,
b) Bollards from the East of the Hazelwood South Community Hall to the dirt entrance between the Churchill Soccer ground and the reserve field,  then turning in a North - North West direction along this unnamed dirt entrance. Terminating at the fenced in play ground. 
c)  Tan barking the around the edges of the Hazelwood South Reserve from the dirt road down to the area just North – North West of the water pipers running along the front of the Hazelwood South Community Hall.
Where the land on the reserve was its highest (near the current main Soccer Hall but on the Hazelwood Reserve side of the dirt road.) a public play ground could be accommodated.  Thus parents and care givers from the community (whilst walking a dog, running and gaining fitness, riding bikes, and even those who may have an interest in the Soccer Club activities, to Soccer Club Members and to those using the Hazelwood South Community Hall.
Over the past years, up until this weekend, different conversations have items been reported. Cumulating with an emergency meeting on Saturday.  The following have been brought to our attention:
The Soccer Clubs of the Latrobe Valley have a ‘grand master plan’.  Each relevant bit being released -when they are made aware of the appropriate time to push / lobby various Councillors and other relevant authorities.
·         Whispers of this master plan have been about for at least twelve (12) years when other enquires began to surface with regard to the Hazelwood South Reserve. Unfortunately nothing could be located and all was denied.
·         It was just before this time that the appropriate Latrobe Shire officer brought out seedlings for the Girl Guides to plant around the Hazelwood South Reserve - with some left over in case we needed spare, or we could put these around the Hazelwood South Community Hall area.  This planting was done along the front of the reserve ground and down about half way long the reserve. The Latrobe Shire even banged in the wooden pickets indicating where the Girl Guides should plant these seedlings. Over the next few months the seedlings were removed, broken, run over or killed off.  Both members of the public and then members of the Churchill Soccer Club reported that it was encouraged by members of the Soccer Club for the younger members to remove the seedlings as the car park was to go there. 
·         Over the last few years available areas for the Churchill Soccer Club to have available to release and develop for their cars to park have been mulched and planted in native trees.  These areas are to the South of the soccer fields and the West of the old change rooms.
·         Note the area that lies between Tramway Road and the Eastern side of the Soccer oval has ample parking space available. This is where cars used to park when thirteen to fifteen (13 to 15) years ago were playing soccer. The entrance and exits would be along ides each other.  This entrance possibility may be covered up as there are two very badly diseased trees near the current unnamed dirt drive entrance. On the current Exit side (Morwell side of the unnamed dirt drive).  The first twenty (20) meters should have speed bumps to slow speeding vehicles down. This area fenced in as it butts up against the arterial road (Tramway Road) and children safety being paramount trees encourage playing in and running about.  Currently there is no fence along the arterial road.  However there are significant sized sections that enable shade when the planted trees have matured, and parking for family members who want to be near their cars during the game time.
The ‘Soccer Club / s’ have approached the four out of the nine local Latrobe City Council members.  The fifth one out of the nine they (the Soccer Clubs) feel they do not need to approach as that ‘council-man’ plays Soccer therefore the Soccer Clubs presume this councillor  will vote for the following anyway. Another, I understand, is a local member of the Churchill Soccer Club. Others have family members benefiting from the soccer games through out the Latrobe Valley.
With two hundred and seventy five members (275) members, sixty six (66) youth being girls and twenty two (22) adult females playing soccer the Soccer Club feels that they have a greater use of the Hazelwood South Reserve as a car park facility than the rest of the greater general public who visit the Soccer ground, the Hazelwood South Reserve or the Hazelwood South Community Hall.
Literally in the next breath the latest person  (a member of the Churchill Soccer Club)  then informed me that “Girl Guides is a sexist organisation and should be meeting in the Scout hall where they belong.”, that we never pay our bills, that the Churchill Soccer Club is going to manage the Hazelwood South Community hall. I take it that the Soccer Club view this hall as an ideal place for their youth members to ‘rest’ whilst the weather is inclement, or their parents are busy with the club activities.
·         A previous District Leader had asked for the Hazelwood South Community Hall keys back that the Churchill Soccer Club had in their position.  When the locks on the Hazelwood South Community Hall were changed (as someone was getting into the hall and ‘playing’, opening doors, etc.) other keys turned up and the Soccer Public had no where to go to defecate and urinate away from an alcohol venue or the change rooms.  The Hazelwood South Community Hall cleaners no longer had to clean up mysterious faecal and urine mess that appeared anywhere.
What really was surprising was the outspoken belief that “the Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District bills are not paid and that the Hazelwood South Community Hall bills are also in arrears”. 
·         To correct this mistaken view.  All bills are paid – there are no outstanding bills that any member of the Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District is aware of.
·         The lease on the Hazelwood South Community Hall is also paid in full - being in fact one (1) year in advance.
·         Two and a half years ago a family left the Hazelwood Girl Guide District (as it was known then) without banking chocolate/ biscuit fun raising monies, belly dancing, camp and sub monies.  This family went to the Churchill Soccer Club and when last known were active participants here.
 That the unnamed dirt road presents a danger as it is only one way and not able to cope with two way traffic flow.
That parking along the side of unnamed dirt road presents a problem. Small people cannot be seen by on coming traffic – either entering or exiting the Soccer ground.  Therefore the native trees along the unnamed dirt road will be cut down to accommodate this expansion. 
Further to this a new entrance way to the unnamed dirt road will be made.  Complete with a turning lane on the approaching side of the left hand side of the arterial road, namely, Tramway Road.
·         Using rough measurements this left turning lane (four (4) meter wide) will beginning from just under the rise of the hill along Tramway Road.  Effectively cutting off the entrance that leads to the Hazelwood South Community Hall and the Hazelwood Small Bore (.22) Rifle Club.  Both of these buildings are not on the Latrobe Council Land.  The Hazelwood South Community Hall and the Hazelwood Small Bore (.22) Rifle Club are both based on the Department of Sustainability and Environment land. 
·         Once the water pipes (see attachment) and main water pipes and the safe distance to park from an arterial Road, complete with separating bank, and safe arterial bank area, have been taken into account the current actual car park area in front of the Hazelwood South Community Hall building is approximately thirteen (13) meters.  In front of the Hazelwood Small Bore (.22) Rifle Club the car park depth is approximately seventeen (17) meters.  The main problem is that a second light pole would have to be taken out so that and moved South West to allow for a new entrance way.  There now are three more problems. The difference between the height of the bank and the south western hill approach.  The new cross road ‘x’ intersection that will adjoin Matta Drive, a private home drive way and the new entrance to the Department of Sustainability and Environment land and buildings. (seer attachment) And of course most of the car parking available out the front of the Department of Sustainability and Environmental building will just be entrance and drive way approach.  Very small amount of parking will be available in front of these buildings.  There will not be enough room for any thing other than emergency vehicle parking, disability parking and mothers with small children parking.  Where will the Hazelwood Small Bore (.22) Rifle Club park their vehicles that have a possibility of having their equipment under lock and key where members can keep a very close eye of vehicles and property ?. When the Radio Club uses the Hazelwood South Reserve Hall where will they be privileged to park.  At the last meeting the cars took up half the current car parks out side the Hazelwood Small Bore (.22) Rifle Club  and along in front of the Hazelwood South Community Hall?
·         Between the moving of the light, the electrical wires overhead, the main water pipe connections and the left lane digging into the bank along the Tramway Road, repositioning a ‘t’ intersection /drive way facility the ergonomics and safety aspects to the cars that park in the car parking area available out the front of the Hazelwood Small Bore (.22) Rifle Club and the Hazelwood South Community Hall have been eliminated.
·         Changing the Soccer Road entrance will involve moving a street light back from its’ current position accommodating the feed off proposed lane. Closing of the combined entrance into the exit area North East of this car park
That the Churchill Soccer Clubs adults now have practice times in the best soccer fields the Latrobe Valley has to offer.  Namely - those at Monash University
·         Monash has loads of next to Soccer Field car parking available over the weekends and after 4pm week days, especially when the home games are played.
·         Shops offering a variety of foods and drinks are equal distance away from this field as from the actual Churchill Soccer Club.
·         Monash University has a cafeteria.
·         Toilets are available in the university complex too, or they can be hired as portable facilities.
·         What Monash University does not have are the toilet and shower facilities (rent portable ones) and a private bar facility for alcohol consumption within seven (7) meters of the actual Soccer Field.
That the actual Churchill Soccer fields are in’ bad’ shape.  They need to be drained and re-seeded- but they are good enough for the juniors to ‘play and hurt themselves’ on.
·         This would be in the long term plan. 
·         Years ago Glendonald Park had drainage problems on the ball games field.  The drainage problems were ‘finally solved’ were finally drained using a herring bone system which finally drained into lots of wide open drains that kids play in, ride their bikes on etc.  Kids being Kids.  After all these years the ground above the herring bone laid out drainage pipes still is ‘soft’ and sinks down creating an uneven top surface during the wet seasons.  Is this okay for the junior Soccer players to practice and play upon once the Soccer Field ground has been drained?
The Tar sealing of the exit / entrance, the Soccer Road, all around the Soccer Ovals.
·         Like the rest of Churchill, Gaskin Park Footy oval has similar drainage problems to the Churchill Soccer Clubs soccer fields. Resulting in problems with Gaskin Parks tar sealed road entrance and around the oval itself constantly needing to be upgraded, fixed and retarred in patches. It is understood that this is only done when financing is available that the resealing has been requested for years and still needs to be overhauled. Churchill Soccer Ground is on a lower topographical map gradient than Gaskin Park.  There is a flood water way about one (100) hundred meters north east of the Churchill Soccer Field. As seen during the 2007 and 1994 to 1996 floods.
·         Any one of the following vehicle flow and parking systems will allow more spectators to watch the game without the old false perception that vehicles travelling slowly past posing no direct danger. By removing the vehicle flow from the actual oval pedestrian and viewer safety would be more easily assured. Staggered seating arrangements would make this viewing easier as with out vehicles present people could easily see the games. While any type of sport is having a winning streak the public will follow, memberships are more easily ‘sold’.  Home grounds are used at a greater level and of course booking for other facilities offered on the grounds more frequently used. Where people are cars are
·         Churchill Soccer Ground has always had too many cars parked on the oval.  Between games the entry and exit of vehicles and people is unsafe.  Even if the oval is fixed further.  People park along side the oval, over the oval and then others try to manoeuvre their vehicle around the people obstacle factors as well. Removing vehicle access to the oval eliminates accidents waiting to happen with pedestrians and prams, inattentive drivers who are ‘rubber necking’ to see the game in progress while trying to control passengers.
·         The oval is one way.  So cars come in along entrance, to the west of the Churchill Club rooms, proceed along past the old club rooms (now the change rooms and food selling canteen) around the oval in front and behind parked cars until they bottle neck one hundred and fifty (150) meters (approximately) from the entrance.  At this point the one way road has car bottle necking and this is a further traffic danger. If this exit can be changed so that instead of finishing the oval car can turn left and approach the arterial road before turn the last right hand bend of the oval.  That is remove the mature trees that are diseased and /.or dead. Diverting the flow of traffic out to Tramway Road from here. Also, on the South Eastern side of the oval instead of car proceeding around the second half of the oval why not have a car park in the unplanted area under the North – North Western curve of Tramway road as it heads toward Morwell.
·         Another suggestion is to have both an entrance and an exit off Tramway Road.  The Entrance where it is currently but being divided into
o       A) The road leading along the South West of the Churchill Soccer Oval becoming a ‘no through road’. The Churchill Soccer Club rooms providing facilities for Emergency vehicle parking, loading and unloading area, and bus and taxi pick up and drop offs area, mothers with children parking, and a disabled parking area.
o       B) The second entry road leading directly into the car park between the south side of the oval and Tramway Road. With extended safety road fences, the trees already planted growing and speed humps this car park will be very safe for pedestrians. 
o       There is ample room for a safe North Eastern exit onto the Tramway Road as the approach is flatter from the Churchill Soccer Ground and onto the Road.  Effectively the brow of the hill has been reached before the current turn off onto the unnamed dirt road.  A feeder lane to the North East of the safe entrance leading back towards Morwell and before the turn in a South Eastern direction will assist both oncoming and exiting cars as this approach has clearer vision aspect.
o       Speed limits and signage needs to be displayed.  The Soccer Club members and supporters believe this dirt road is an official road.  Roads recognised by the Road Transport Authority have signs, are on all available maps as a road, have safety aspects built in them.  A very clear example of this are the roads and car parks around Monash University.
o       The mature trees currently ‘growing’ where this entry / exit area would be are either badly diseased or dead.  Necessitating their removal.  The general public has been doing this service free.
·         Why not go between the raised oval on the North West path and lay another road.  Bring the road along the north east area and then directly into the car parking available area between the established south western oval and Tramway Road.
·         The pine trees that are the current wind brake are nearing their cut down date.  Over the years these trees have suffered major damage and some have uprooted with the high wind velocity storms. With care the small trees behind the old change rooms could be replanted as a replacement windbreak between the farm house and the Soccer ground. A car park the length of the oval (two soccer fields deep) and half the Soccer fields breath would be then available and would cater easily for the members and the players of the day.
The proposed Hazelwood South Reserve field, between the dirt road and the Hazelwood South Community Hall, becoming a car park facility for the Churchill Soccer Club members and their supporters. The intonation of the underlying comments was that might is right “after all they (the combined Latrobe Valley Soccer Clubs) have the numbers and the five council men in their pockets”.
·         The Churchill Soccer field would have to be drained, filled and covered.  Again the same problems as happen to other drained areas are the subsiding of the dirt / the braking of the tar seal over the drains. And the subsequent years of maintained and rebuilding upkeep that will be needed.
·         Other reserves are being allocated playgrounds for the general public to come, enjoy and relax within them.  Experience and participate in the outdoors.  Playgrounds need high lying ground.  The slightly higher  area near the dirt road, between the Churchill Soccer Club and the Hazelwood South Community Hall, is  the best facilitated to become a fenced playground.  Both for child watching and safety issues.  Especially if bollards, road humps and low lying tan bark native gardens are in place to cut down the speed of the vehicles utilizing this dirt road.
·         As around other playgrounds a ‘?’ total of only thirty (30) car parks may be present within a certain area. Thirty car park spaces are what is available currently with parallel parking along the western edge of the dirt road, the vertical parking facing the Soccer fields (These cars usually park three in depth here when ever an event is on that includes either the youth games or the Soccer Club Rooms) from the Churchill Soccer Club Rooms along the South of the Oval.
·         If this area of running, jumping, hiding and general play is eliminated unsupervised behaviour will occur again.  Children will keep playing where the trees and no vehicles are.  Bearing this in mind there are two places currently that this play will be happening.  The pine tree area on the North Western side of the soccer field. And on the South Eastern side of the soccer field.  Between the oval and the unfenced arterial road (Tramway Road)
With the proposed car park (South Western side of the unnamed dirt road) what will the dividing area between the Hazelwood South Community Hall and the proposed car park be? Threes that cause foundation problems, have flammable oils and easily have braches falling, or bark shedding (i.e. gum trees) will not be appreciated will not be appreciated.
What has been proposed is to have a ‘time away’ or ‘time out’ play area encouraged.  Made available and aesthetically pleasing in a safe environment to the public in general.  Small scrubs surrounding the boundaries of the ‘time out’ park. An area where ‘kids can have kids fun’. Parents and care givers can have fixed seating arrangements while supervising their charges.  The area would be tan barked and bollard off.  Using native trees like the Callistemon (known to be more absorbent of water than even the English Willow trees) environmentally friendly drainage facilities and carbon emission reducing / oxygen producing facilities being available for all to enjoy.
·         It was pointed out that Reserve land is crown land looked after by local Council for all the public to enjoy.  As such Reserve land should be protected. Having large slabs of car parking available is not an aesthetically pleasing when there are still other options available.

That the cars [especially the four wheel drives] when turning off the road should be able to cut across the Hazelwood South Reserve (whilst speeding) and park anywhere they want.  When told that those who meet at the Hazelwood South Hall use the car park and the Reserve The Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District has a primary interest in both the development and the participation of community and personal development.  As such the following either currently meet at the Hazelwood South Community hall are have tentative interests in doing so.
o       Sunday          Day                 Band Practice.
o       Monday          Night               Car Club        (tentative inquiry)
o       Tuesday  Afternoon             Girl Guide meeting (11 to 14 years)
o       Tuesday evening                 Girl guides meeting (7 to 11 years)
o       Wednesday Afternoon         Girl guides meeting  (5 to 8 years)
o       Thursday day                        Craft Club
o       Thursday       Evening                    Radio Club
o       Friday                         Small groups Available for Hire - Not permanent
o       Saturday                                Available for Hire- Not permanent
·         Other meetings and activities that occur at the Hazelwood South Community Hall when necessary are:
o       Trefoil Guild meetings.
o       Gipps Guides meetings.
o       Overnight camps.
o       Training days – both adult and youth within Guiding, or open to public training days
o       Family BBQ’s                        (Once a term)
o       Presentation evenings        (Once a term)
o       Art                               (For healing, work shops,  expos and other related areas)
o       Community garden group to form at a later date.
o       Car boot markets (in planning)
o       Those who hire the hall are asked to once a year open their doors to the public. Usually occurring over a weekend.
Under the auspices of, and as members of ‘Girl Guides Australia,’ it is expected that we live by, and include the Promise and Laws in our daily lives. With these standards as benchmarks hearing a members of the predominant clubs abusing their public and fans perceptions of either themselves, other members or their club as individuals or the organisation / club as a whole, is a disappointment.

In conclusion the people who use the Hazelwood South Community Hall are not agreeable to the changes that have been put before the Latrobe Council.  The one sided proposals, as they stand, can be foreseen to have long term major problems that will be unresolved for all the general public to have prolonged continued benefit.



Susan Connor






Written by : Susan Connor
Post Graduate Certificate : Rural and Community Development.