Gunsmoke 75...Gunsmoke 75...June / July 2003
Growing with Gungahlin
(Gungahlin Uniting Church)If you imagined a community where you were able to worship God, what might it be like? A community that welcomes your noisy children even on their bad days? A place of gentle quietness with time to reflect? Joyful music led by a good band? A place where you can sit in silence in the presence of God and among friends? A place where great grandparents and toddlers worship happily (and loudly!) together? A place to hear thoughtful and challenging teaching about God? We residents of Gungahlin are all different. So it makes sense that no one kind of church service will suit us all, even if we hold much the same beliefs and values.
Gungahlin Uniting Church, which meets at Ngunnawal Primary school, has added another 'module' to their Sunday service. This is an attempt to meet the needs of more people, offering both a quieter, more reflective time as well as a lively, interactive contemporary worship time. "We have modified our service style to accommodate the needs of the Gungahlin community. This new worship style, which will comprise of three modules, will attempt to offer a church service that a variety of ages and lifestyles can identify with, and relate to", says Reverend Mark Greenlees. 'We will commence our Sunday morning service at 9.00am with a period we are calling 'Lacuna - a space for God'. This will be designed for those who find a more gentle, "traditional" time of worship helps them. At 9.45am the rest of the congregation will join in so that we will all be together for the next 'module' - lots of babies, young children, mums and dads and other grown-ups and a few grandparents. Morning tea (10.15am) is shared by everyone as a crucial part of our community life. After that, the children will go to their own programmes - Puddles (for pre-schoolers), Oasis (kindergarten to year 5) and Billabong (years 6 - 8) - and the 'second sitting' part of the congregation will continue with contemporary worship.' Gungahlin Uniting Church meets at the Ngunnawal Primary School hall, Unaipon Ave, Ngunnawal. Anyone wanting further information about the services, or additional activities offered by the Gungahlin Uniting Church, should contact Rev. Mark Greenlees on 6242 5001, or gunguc@gungahlinuniting.org or go to our website: www.gungahlinuniting.org [Return to top]
Gungahlin Region Community ServicesGungahlin Community Network - receives arts funding !! The Gungahlin Community Network has been successful in obtaining a community arts grant under the ACT Department of Urban Services' Social Policy Initiatives Community Partnership Program, to design and install a community mosaic mural at the Gungahlin Community Resource Centre. If you would like to participate in this project and meet new friends, call Amanda on 6242 6077. Low-cost childcare available. Venue Hire Gungahlin Regional Community Service currently operates three community facilities in Gungahlin: - Gungahlin Community Resource Centre
- Gungahlin Youth Centre
- Ngunnawal Neighbourhood Centre
with 2 function rooms and 3 meeting rooms available for hire by individuals, community groups, and local businesses. For venue hire contact Reception on 6228 9200 or via email at grcs@gungahlin.org WE NEED YOU !! Would you like to assist fellow Gungahlin Residents ? Do you have a few hours to spare each week? Are you patient, reliable, a good listener? Then why not VOLUNTEER with Gungahlin Regional Community Service. We are urgently seeking volunteers to assist in the following areas:- - DRIVER: Provide transport to eligible clients to medical appointments & centre-based activities. Mileage reimbursed. Commitment of 2-4 hours per week.
- GROUP HELPER: Provide regular support & companionship for clients who attend centre based activities & programs. Commitment of 1-5 hours per week.
- SHOPPING: Provide regular shopping assistance to families, isolated people, frail aged & individuals in the Gungahlin area. Commitment of 1-3 hours per week.
- ADMINISTRATIVE: Assist with general office duties & possess basic knowledge of computer applications. Commitment of 2-4 hours per week. For more details phone Gayl on 6242 6077.
BOARD MEMBERS REQUIRED Gungahlin Regional Community Service would like to invite residents and/or people with an interest in Gungahlin to volunteer for positions on the Board of Management. Enquiries to Jenny on 6228 9200. Looking for Work !! Ineligible for Job Network Assistance ? For free assistance with resumes, computer training, Jobsearch training, job matching and referral to community programs and other training, ring and book an appointment with CREEDA on 6228 9200. Available at the Gungahlin Community Resource Centre every Monday (except school holidays). [Return to top]
What's Happening in Your Town Centre
(Gungahlin Development Authority)Aldi Comes to Town The Gungahlin Development Authority is pleased to announce that Section 10 in the Town Centre, on the corner of Gungahlin Place and Hibberson St, has been bought by a local consortium as a mixed use development. The development will incorporate an Aldi Discount Supermarket, speciality retail, office space and residential apartments. This development will greatly complement the Big W and Coles Supermarket developments that were recently announced. Residential Releases A number of releases are planned for this year including: - Harrison 1 Estate - 500 blocks to be sold by auction to a developer in June 2003. The estate is between Anthony Rolfe Ave, Horse Park Drive and Flemington Road.
- Harrison 2 Estate - 350 blocks to be developed by the government and sold directly to the public this calendar year. The estate is near the Gungaderra Homestead off Flemington Road.
- Horse Park 2 Estate comprising 319 blocks was sold to Canberra Land Developments in March this year. Blocks are now selling "off the plan".
- Stages 5 and 6 of Yerrabi 2 comprising some 50 terrace blocks will come onto the market in the next month.
- Community Housing Canberra will commence construction of a 28 unit apartment building in the Town Centre in the next month.
Please contact the Authority on 62075639 for further details.
Community Open Days Recent Town Centre Community Open Days held on 29 March 2003 at the Gungahlin Marketplace and 17 May 2003 at Magnet Mart have been a huge success. Over 700 people who have benefited from getting a better understanding of how the Town Centre is developing attended the days. Many important issues have also been raised by the community which will assist with future planning. At the Open Days some issues came up on a number of occasions. These included: - Child Care Centres - The Centre on the Valley Avenue is currently scheduled to open in November 2003. A management body has not been appointed for the Centre as yet, but you can leave your details with the Office of Child Care who will contact you when the appointment is finalised. The number to call is 62071114. The Authority is also to release a site for a 90 place commercial child care centre on Gundaroo Drive later this year.
- Schools - The next school to open is a government primary school in Amaroo in 2004 (K-5). The school will expand in 2005 to years 6 to 8 and will include years 9 and 10 the year after. A secondary college will open in the Town Centre in 2008. A primary school is also being planned for Gungaderra (off Flemington Road between the Town Centre and Mitchell) for 2008.
- Roads - The Hibberson St extension from the Raiders Club to Magnet Mart has commenced construction and will be complete by October 2003. Horse Park Drive from the Town Centre to the Federal Highway has also commenced construction and will be complete by December 2003. Funds were committed in the Budget for the extension of the Valley Ave from Gozzard St to Hibberson St. A number of roads will also be constructed as part of the Big W, Coles and Aldi developments.
For further information please contact the Gungahlin Development Authority on 62075639 or visit the Authority's website at www.act.gov.au/gungahlin [Return to top]
Sleep Tight, Sleep Right
(Peter Garbutt - Enhance)In the last couple of issues we have dealt with some of the physical factors of looking after your body whilst asleep. In this issue we will deal with some of the ways in which you can get a good night's sleep. Sleep is an important part of our life and health. It is a time for our bodies and minds to rest and recuperate and a time when a lot of healing is carried out within our bodies. I have included below some tips from Sleep Disorders Australia on developing good sleep habits.
Regular bedtimes and wake up times are important as they help to establish a regular sleep/wake cycle and reinforce the body's internal clock. This should happen 7 days a week. Sleep-ins can actually be harmful to your cycle. Exposure to sunlight upon waking has been proven to be beneficial to establishing the sleep/wake cycle. Your bedroom setting should be conducive to sleep and rest. The room should be dark, quiet, safe, comfortable and well ventilated. Any activities that may be mentally stimulating should be avoided in the bedroom: eg watching TV, studying intensely in bed. Also make sure the room is well aired through the day to reduce moisture or dampness and hence dust mites that might cause respiratory disturbances at night. The mattress and bedding should be aired and cleaned regularly. If you are not asleep within about 20 min of going to bed, or when you wake at night, do not lie in bed tossing and turning. Get up and do something relaxing. For most people this means reading or listening to music. Do not do housework, bills, work or anything that is too stimulating before bed or during nighttime awakening. A warm bath helps us go to sleep as the body is more likely to sleep when our body temperature is falling, which is what happens about 1-1.5 hours after you have a warm bath. It has also been proven that you are more likely to sleep for a longer period if sleep occurs as the body temperature is falling. A warm bath is also a good method of relaxing, whereas a shower tends to stimulate. Avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, cola drinks and chocolate) after noon. Even if it doesn't prevent you from falling asleep it can effect the quality of your sleep by causing shallow sleep or nighttime awakenings. Avoid nicotine. It has similar effects to caffeine. Avoid alcohol within 5 hours of going to bed. It is a poor hypnotic and causes nighttime awakenings. Regular meals are important in establishing a sleep/wake cycle. Do not go to bed on either a full or empty stomach. A light snack might be beneficial about 1 hour before bedtime.
Daily exercise will improve sleep but don't exercise immediately before bedtime as you will increase the body's core temperature and it will need to come down to establish sleep. Scheduling "worry" time is beneficial to many people. Schedule it well before bedtime and use it to consider the day's problems and find some resolutions. Also writing "To do" lists can be beneficial because you will not need to worry about trying to remember to do something tomorrow as you have written it down. Also getting ready for tomorrow before you go to bed will help to put your mind at rest as you will know you are ready and will not need to be looking for things.
If you are still having trouble with your sleep after this, feel free to discuss it with your chiropractor, or call Sleep Disorders Australia on (02) 9990 3514 [Return to top]
A City Like No Other (PALM)YOUR CANBERRA FUTURE DIRECTIONS SUMMIT - Help shape Canberra’s future, share your views WEDNESDAY - June 11 a framework for sustainable transport
THURSDAY - June 12 achieving the vision: debating the concepts
@ THE NATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE BALLROOM The Summit is the third stage of community consultation towards the development of the Canberra Spatial Plan, a plan for the city’s next 25-30 years. Planning and Land Management will outline the results of technical analysis of transport and land use options for the future of Canberra. The focus of the summit will be workshops where you debate the relative benefits of a range of future directions for Canberra. RSVP to PALM ~ by 5 June 2003 TEL 6207 5127 or EMAIL yourcanberra@act.gov.au [Return to top]
Gungahlin - Copland College School Bus Service
(Gai Beecher - Copland College)Copland College students who reside in Gungahlin have a school bus service that delivers students directly to and from Copland College. The school service operated by Transborder, runs directly to Copland College providing a faster and easier transportation alternative for the residents of Gungahin. The route for the service was devised to suite the individual students with the bus passing close to their homes. The students were involved in the process of determining the route that passes through Gungahlin suburbs suiting individual needs of the students stopping close to their homes. The bus runs directly between Copland College and the suburbs of Gungahlin without students having to pass through the interchange. This proves to be a much quicker trip for the students, reducing travel time and eliminating waiting times. The school bus service fits well with the Copland College timetable delivering students each morning in time for the start of the day. The return trip in the afternoon departs the college five minutes after classes finish at the end of the day. The school bus service is being well supported by the students who reside in Gungahlin who are pleased with the time saved by travelling a direct route to and from Copland College. Gai Beecher Deputy Principal 31 March 2003 [Return to top]
Preschool 2004Gungahlin parents, of children who turn years of age before 1st may 2004, are urged to register their children NOW for preschool in 2004. To register your children for preschool please go to the one in your area between 1pm and 3.30pm any day except Wednesday and the staff will be happy to help you with the registration. If you have proof of birth for your child take it along too. For those unsure of your area preschool or unable to get there between 1pm and 3.30pm (everyday except Wednesday), please ring: - Amaroo - 6205 1071
- Ngunnawal - 6205 8308
- Nicholls - 6205 2979
- Palmerston - 6205 8361
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Site plan for Nicholls shopping and housing complex Site plan for Nicholls shopping and housing complex under construction on Kelleway Avenue, Nicholls. There are about 7 shopping spaces and about 50 car parks as shown on right of map, above. Retailers, including a supermarket are now being invited to take up leases. The shops are expected to commence operating around October. There are 23 one and two storey townhouses.
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Designing the Eco-Friendly Way
(Lisa Kaveney - Dog Trap Design)Designers are increasingly turning to hard surfaces and structures and using plants at the end as infill; with this in mind we must consider what effect using different materials has on the environment. Opportunities for innovative design are rare. Urban backyards offer opportunities to address environmental issues.
To create the least environmental impact a compromise must be found between the site requirements and the client's taste and budget. Choice is often led by the cost of materials, but environmental costs should also be considered. Also the cost of and demand for drinking water will carry on increasingly. So-called grey water can be collected from roofs into tanks and used for irrigation, washing cars and so on. Many people agree that you should only water your garden if you have collected it yourself. At present, irrigation systems are set up to over water to reduce the risk of under watering. This is such a contradiction of terms and will have to be addressed.
Careful plant selection can make a huge difference to sustainable gardening. Selecting the right plant will ensure good, strong plant growth and increased pest and disease resistance, which in turn will reduce the need for control as well as irrigation. Selecting plants for their wildlife value will help to increase biodiversity. As garden owners it's our duty to give consideration to which materials we use. More thought and careful planning can go a long way towards creating a healthier environment. JOBS FOR JUNE/JULY - Cut down chrysanthemums.
- Divide, replant herbaceous perennials, apply compost to beds.
- Begin pruning roses.
- Prune grapevines and ornamental trees and shrubs.
- Move cymbidium orchids into light position as flower spikes develop.
- Replant healthy layered pieces of herbs that have died off in the centre.
- Plant perennials, roses and bare-rooted (deciduous) trees and shrubs.
- Plant strawberries.
- This is a great time to re-assess the garden to consider which plants need to be moved, altered or improved.
- Prune wisteria for better flowering.
- Prune topiary plants to maintain shape and style.
- Prune hydrangeas.
- Potted cyclamen should be placed outdoors overnight.
- Thin climbing roses as needed.
- Take stock of your garden equipment. Clean, oil and sharpen garden tools and rub handles with linseed oil. Service the lawnmower.
- Cut back spent banksia, epacris blooms.
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Letters to the EditorDisclaimer: Unless explicitly advised otherwise “Letters to the Editor” published may include views, opinions and/or recommendations of individuals that do not necessarily reflect the views and/or opinions of the Gungahlin Community Council Inc. as a whole. Additionally publishing of received letters does not necessarily indicate the commitment or endorsement of the council to any particular course of action. Ongoing issues with the Barton Highway roundabout Much mention has been made about the Gungahlin Drive extension, the light rail link to Civic and so on. What about access to the south? I live in Ngunnawal and work in Deakin. I use Gundaroo Drive and William Slim Drive to get to work.
The roundabout at Barton highway does not work in the morning. By 7:45am , the traffic is banked up for a kilometre, and then gets worse as time goes by. Too much traffic is heading from west to east on Barton Highway, or south to east from William Slim to Barton Highway. As a resort, we drive past Gold Creek high school and through Nicholls to get to Barton Highway, to avoid the congestion. This is hardly satisfactory for the people of Nicholls who have to put up with high volumes of peak hour traffic in order to avoid one congested roundabout. The Barton Highway roundabout should be augmented with traffic lights. This would improve traffic flow and enable Gungahlin residents travelling to the south to be able to use the main road without taking an extra 10 minutes or so to travel a few hundred metres. Mark Morey – Ngunnawal Gungahlin Drive Extension This seems as though it is the tale of the never-ending story, having been the subject of discussion at Community Council meetings and articles in this Newsletter for ten years. At the May meeting of GCC, Ian Ruecroft reported that the Save the Ridge group had passed a motion to oppose the building of the GDE. Gungahlin residents are adamant that building the road must not be delayed. For this reason the GCC has chosen not to enter into discussion about which route, even though over the years many speakers have addressed the pros and cons of West or East.
Contracts are due to be signed very soon for construction to begin so time is running short for those who wish to block the road. However, Senator Bob Brown (Greens) has proposed a Disallowance Motion (A41) which may come before the senate in the next sitting beginning 16 June. If this Disallowance Motion is supported by the senate the road will certainly be delayed, who knows for how long? This is an opportunity for Gungahlin residents to urge Senators NOT to support the Disallowance Motion. Write or Email senators now so they know how you feel before the sitting commences. ACT senators are: Gary Humphries - Senator.humphries@aph.gov.au and Kate Lundy -Senator.lundy@aph.gov.au) (be sure to put the capital 'S' for Senator). There is a list of Senators on Parliament House website: www.aph.gov.au Please address Parliamentarians by their correct title and keep letters courteous for the best results. Ordinary mail may be sent to Parliament House, Canberra. 2600. Remember numbers count in a democracy! Roma Hosking [Return to top]
Understanding English, or not, as the case may beThe bandage was wound around the wound.
The farm was used to produce produce.
The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
We must polish the Polish furniture.
He could lead if he would get the lead out.
The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
I did not object to the object.
I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
They were too close to the door to close it.
The buck does funny things when the does are present.
A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
After a number of injections my jaw got number.
Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear. [Return to top]
Gungahlin Communication Services Meeting with Senator Lundy and Bob McMullan MPOptus have installed a mobile phone tower at the corner of Gundaroo Drive, Mirrabei Drive & Anthony Rolfe Ave. Telstra said they will be making an announcement by the end of June, but did not give any indication as to the nature of the announcement. [Return to top]
Gold Creek Homestead: The Next Steps?
(Gold Creek Homestead Community Working Group)Public Meeting: 7:45 pm 24 June 2003 at the Gungahlin Regional Services Centre, Gungahlin Town Centre on Ernst Cavanagh Street in the Gungahlin town Centre. The purpose of this meeting is to: - To find out what may happen with Gold Creek Homestead now that the "Final Condition Audit Report and Costs of the Upgrades" documentation is now available
- Inform Totalcare of the urgency of doing the repair work to the guttering to prevent further water damage and request Government funding for the urgent repair works
- Find out how the property will be protected once the present caretakers leave · Receive an update report on activities of the Gold Creek Homestead Community Working Group committee
- Refresh people's memories as to the uses that were suggested at previous public meetings. From this list evaluate future use or plans.
- Any other concern raised by the participants
The Minister for Planning - Mr Simon Corbell has been invited to attend this meeting but as of date of going to print a reply had not yet been received. [Return to top]
www.fasfind.com/gungahlin - a service for Gungahlin business
(Kevin Cox - Fasfind)The directory/ecommerce/customer contact system FasFind has been established to allow small local businesses to take advantage of the Internet - at a reasonable price and effort. If you go to www.fasfind.com/gungahlin you will find entries for most businesses in the Gungahlin area.
Check to see if your business is in the directory. If not put in your own free entry. The key to a successful Internet presence is for people to have a reason to visit your website so you can tell them what you offer. With FasFind you can have a useful Internet presence without the expense of setting up your own website. If you have your own website then FasFind gives another way for people to find you. FasFind has been designed to provide reasons for consumers to use the Internet and as a way for a group of local businesses to support each other. FasFind provides an Internet "yellow pages" service for local businesses. A business can take orders and accept payments through a FasFind entry. FasFind provides a way for people to pay you with credit cards, PAYbySNAP and cheques. FasFind provides you with a webpage and your own URL. It also includes a newsletter/subscription system for you to keep in contact with your customers. Local businesses can support each other through the FasFind advertising service where you can be paid to include other ads in your newsletters. Similarly you can buy ad space in other people's newsletters.
If you want to use FasFind and get your business established on the Internet then send an email to Kevin Cox at kcox@fasfind.com and he will come to your place and help you make use of the Internet. How much does it cost? Community organisations have free entries and installations. A FasFind extended directory entry is a low $25 per year. The ecommerce and newsletter system has a one time installation cost of $100. Small charges are levied for credit card payments and for sending out advertisements. [Return to top] | 
