ISSUE 11 – AUTUMN 2015

IN THE CIRCLE WITH RECREATION SERVICES

MESSAGE FROM THE RECREATION TEAMGoodbye summer, hello autumn! Our mild summer has come to an end with pools closing on 9 March at the end of the Labour Day long weekend.

With the change in season comes a change in sporting activities in our Shire. We encourage you to get out, rug up and enjoy a local game of football or a walk through a park.

The Recreation Team have been working on strategies to improve our minor reserves and open spaces. We are also launching the ‘Let’s Play” Play Space Strategy soon. Council’s commitment and vision for play spaces in our Shire is that they are places where children can be spontaneous and just have fun. Stay tuned for more details.

Regards,

The Recreation Team

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

In the Spotlight: Bowling as a sport

Recreation Update

Club news

Funding Opportunities

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TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LIFEGUARDSNewstead Pool’s junior lifeguard squad is proving a popular program for young people in the district.

The program, in its second season, focusses on aquatic skill development, fitness, water safety knowledge and lifesaving techniques.

“The squad provides a unique aquatic alternative for those who want to be challenged in the water and want more than just swimming lessons. Squad members develop their swimming abilities as well as learning skills that could one day save a life,” explained Vanessa Boyack, Newstead Pool’s facility manager.

The Newstead Pool committee introduced the junior lifeguard squad specifically for youth. It offers valuable life skills including CPR, basic first aid and safe rescues through to leadership and teamwork skills. The course also fosters a greater connection to the local pool and community. The best description of the junior lifeguard squad is “serious fun” according to Vanessa Boyack. And the participants agree.

Nathaniel loves doing laps, “so I can get better and faster”. Tilly concurs, “I like becoming a stronger swimmer”. Will joined so he could get “fit and have fun”.

The participants also recognise the importance of the lifeguard training, practising scenarios and rescues.

“It’s good to learn the skills in case of an emergency,” said Scarlet.

“The first aid is helpful because I might be able to use it to rescue or help someone one day”, said Mitch.

The program caters for children aged 10 – 15 years old and participants must be competent swimmers. It operates during school terms (terms 1 and 4).

For further information please contact Vanessa Boyack, Newstead and District Swimming Pool Inc. on; Email: boyacks@southernphone.com.au Phone: 0478 609 625.

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RECREATION PROJECTSSome of the works recently completed... • Replacement of damaged shade sails

at Castlemaine Skate Park, Castlemaine Swimming Pool and Harcourt Swimming Pool.

Some of the works on the go... • Wesley Hill Recreation Reserve project brief• Consultation for the Bill Woodfull pavilion

kitchen renovations• Newstead Recreation Reserve netball tennis

lighting project• Taradale Mineral Springs master plan

development• Dive in and have your say campaign for

Castlemaine Swimming Pool redevelopment• Harcourt Play space design

Some of the strategic moves...• Walking and cycling advisory committee• Play space 2013-2023 Strategy• Recreation Minor Reserves Strategy• Open Space Strategy

RECREATION UPDATEMount Alexander Shire Council outdoor swimming pools will close for the 2014/2015 pool season at 6.00pm on Labour Day 9 March 2015. Whilst the pools will have a well-earned rest during the off season they will be back in operation in time for the warm summer weather. The Recreation Team have been out and about at the pools speaking with users via listening posts held in both January and February. The 2014/2015 Pool Customer Satisfaction Survey is still open, hard copies can be found at pools until the closing day and also available online. Just follow the link on the Your Input section of the Council website. Online submissions will close 23 March 2015.

Jacinta Morrissey, our student placement officer, has been very busy on her holidays from school. Jacinta has been working with committees in order to obtain information on the cost to run a reserve. Jacinta presented a summary of her findings at the recent summer/autumn recreation forum held on 16 February 2015.

The forum was well attended by a large range of sports including, tennis, Australian Rules football, soccer, cricket, lawn bowls, carpet bowls, trotting and a selection of major and minor reserves. Topics over the night included a presentation by Gaynor Atkin Council’s Engagement Team Leader who discussed Youth Awards, the Youth Card “Buzz It” and the Youth and Community Grants. Jacinta presented her reserve costing findings and the night finished with Sargent Rowe of Castlemaine Police and a robust discussion on Liquor Licensing guidelines and responsibilities.

The Recreation Team would like to acknowledge Ian Garsed as being a finalist for Sports Focus Administrator of the Year. Fingers crossed for Ian and we wish him luck.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT.... BOWLINGBowls or lawn bowls is where players roll biased balls to stop close to a smaller ball called a “jack” or “kitty”. It is played on a pitch which may be flat, convex or uneven and is normally played outdoors on natural grass or artificial turf. Bowls is one of the “core sports” that must be included at each edition of the Commonwealth Games. Gold Coast, Australia will hold the next 2018 Commonwealth Games. Different formats of the current game are: • Pennant ( Competition)• Jack Attack (Competition & Social)• Jnr Jack AttackBelow is a list of Bowling clubs within Mount Alexander Shire, please contact clubs for their Social Bowls times.

Campbells Creek Bowling Club100 Main Road, Campbells Creek Phone – 03 5472 1309campbellscreekbowlingclub@gmail.comCastlemaine Bowling Club27 Berkeley Street, CastlemainePhone – 03 5472 1235castlemainebowls@gmail.comHarcourt Bowling Club1 Warren Street, HarcourtPhone - 03 5474 2494harcourtbowls@outlook.comMaldon Bowling ClubHigh Street, MaldonPhone - 03 5475 1724heatherkeig@westnet.com.auNewstead Bowling Club6 Hilliers Street, NewsteadPhone – 03 5472 2508dook@netconnect.com.auBowls Victoriawww.bowlsvic.org.auBowls Australiawww.bowlsaustralia.com.au

Photos: Harcourt Swimming Pool toddlers shade sail. Recreation Forum.

Castlemaine Skate Park shade sail

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CASTLEMAINE BOWLING CLUB

Castlemaine Bowling Club has recently embarked on a recruitment drive and as a result of this has organised some exciting events over the past few months. “Girls on the Green” specifically targeted females who had never played bowls before and it was a resounding success with over 80 participants attending over a four week period.

Two subsequent events, a Barefoot Corporate Challenge and a follow up to “Girls” are now in operation for six weeks in Feb and March. Look out for the next events later in the year.

For further information please contact Rod and Maureen Fletcher on 5472 2539 or email maureenefletcher@gmail.com

FUNDING AND GRANTSDTPLI Country Football & Netball Program www.dpcd.vic.gov.auTo provide funding to assist grass roots country football and netball clubs, associations and umpiring organisations to develop facilities in rural, regional and outer metropolitan locations.Max per grant: $100,000 Closing date: on-going

DTPLI Elite Travel Grants www.dpcd.vic.gov.auTo provide assistance to elite Victorian athletes to travel to compete at national championships or international events.Max per grant: $2000 Closing date: 3 Rounds 5 Aug 2014, 2 Dec 2014 & Round 3 - 1 Apr 2015

Elite Indigenous Travel and Accommodation Assistance Program (EITAAP) www.ausport.gov.auEITAAP funding is available to assist with travel costs in the form of petrol costs or air travel and accommodation expenses only.Max per grant: $1500 national championships or $4000 international competitionsClosing date: On-going

Local Sporting Champions www.ausport.gov.au Designed to provide financial assistance for young people aged 12-18 towards the cost of travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment when competing, coaching or officiating at official sporting competitions.Max per grant: $500Round 1Open date: 1 March 2015Closing date: 30 June 2015Round 2Open date: 1 July 2015Closing date: 31 Oct 2015

Significant Sporting Events www.dtpli.vic.gov.au The Significant Sporting Events Program will help sporting, community and event organisations to deliver significant sporting events in Victoria.Event Assistance Grants: Up to $20,000Event Development Grants: Up to $300,000Closing date: 28 March 2018

Please also refer to Useful Links section on Page 4 for additional information.

RECRUIT & RETAIN VOLUNTEERSDoes your club need more volunteers?

Recruiting and retaining volunteers has been identified as the biggest issue facing regional sport and recreation clubs. To help clubs address this challenge, Sports Focus will be running two (2) workshops that will focus on effective volunteer management.

The workshops will provide clubs with innovative strategies to support their volunteers, so that existing volunteers stay involved and prospective volunteers want to join.

Volunteers are the lifeblood of any regional sporting club, this workshop will aim to provide clubs with the tools required to manage a healthy and effective volunteer workforce.

Maryborough  Bendigo Monday 16th March 2015 Monday 23rd March 2015                                                    

If you are interested or for more information please contact Sports Focus Phone: (03) 5442 3101 Email: admin@sportsfocus.com.au Website: www.sportsfocus.com.au.

Photo: Jack Attack, Girls On The Green participants

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JOIN OUR MAILING LISTTo subscribe and unsubscribe from the mailing list please email your details to: recreation@mountalexander.vic.gov.au

USEFUL LINKSMount Alexander Shire Council: www.mountalexander.vic.gov.auDTPLI Sport and Recreation: www.dtpli.vic.gov.au/sportLoddon Campaspe Sport Assembly Focus: www.loddoncampaspe.sportslink.org.auRegional Development Victoria: www.rdv.vic.gov.auParks and Leisure Australia: www.parksleisure.com.au/pla/homeAquatics and Recreation Victoria: www.aquaticsandrecreation.org.auOur Community: www.ourcommunity.com.auDepartment of Transport, Planning and Local Infrastructure: www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/homeVic Sport: www.vicsport.asn.au/HomeVic Health: www.vichealth.vic.gov.auSports Focus: www.sportsfocus.com.auSports Community: www.sportscommunity.com.auPlease also search the national or state organising body of your specific sport or activity for further information such as funding opportunities, development ideas and event details.

DID YOU KNOW?At the 1912 Olympics, a marathon runner quit and went home to Japan without telling officials and was considered a missing person in Sweden for 50 years. In 1966, he was invited to complete the marathon. His time: 54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 5 hours, 32 minutes and 20.379 seconds.

DISCLAIMERCouncil has made all efforts to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the above information but does not endorse any of the above mentioned businesses or events and will not be held liable for any loss resulting from involvement in advertised events or services.

CONTACT USrecreation@mountalexander.vic.gov.au

Sue Jones – Manager Liveable Communities, 5471 1711

Brian Anderson – Acting Recreation Services Team Leader, 5471 1844

Tamara Fawcett – Recreation Officer, 5471 1741

Melissa Fowler – Business Support Officer, 5471 1786

Jacinta Morrissey – Recreation Services, 5471 1787

UPCOMING EVENTS

Castlemaine State festival 13 March to 22

March Multi arts festival

Grants Writing

Workshop

28 May 2015. For

further information please contact Gaynor Atkin on

5471 1700.

For a full listing of events in the Shire please visit Council’s Tourism website www.maldoncastlemaine.com.auIf you would like your event to feature in our autumn issue of Arena, please send information to recreation@mountalexander.vic.gov.au or click to download Council’s Event Kit.

LIVEABLE COMMUNITIESNominations are now open for the Mount Alexander 2015 Youth Awards, which celebrate and acknowledge the accomplishments of anyone aged between 12 and 25 who live, work, study or play in the Shire.

The Youth Awards aim to recognise outstanding achievements in the following categories:

Young Sports Person Award                       Young Performing Artist Award

Young Business Person Award                   Young Apprentice/Trainee Award

Young Volunteer Award                               Young Carer Award

Sustainability Champion Award                Young Visual Artist Award                           

Youth Award nomination forms are available at the Civic Centre or online at www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au under Youth. Nominations close at 5pm on Friday 27 March 2015.

For further information please contact Gaynor Atkin, Community Engagement Team Leader on 5471 1700

Sports Focus ‘Safer Sport

Courses’ Bendigo, March

2015. For further info please visit.

sportsfocus.com.au