Sunday 13 March 2016

Save our Bank public meeting Wycheproof


MEETING
All residents of Wycheproof & District are invited to a Community Meeting to discuss the closure of the ANZ Bank branch.
Tuesday 22 March at 7pm at Wycheproof Senior Citizens Rooms, Broadway
Wycheproof VISION  meeting is at 6pm 

Bank set to bolt on Wycheproof

The Wycheproof community has received information that the ANZ Bank, Wycheproof Branch will close on 1 June 2016.
This is a major blow for the Wycheproof community which is in a period of revitalisation with new businesses opening and young business people choosing to settle in Wycheproof.
The news has created anxiety for both residents and business owners, including farmers, who rely on face-to-face banking. It also means the loss of two part-time jobs in our small community and employment training opportunities.
So far the ANZ Bank has not provided any information about the closure to Wycheproof Branch account holders.
Wycheproof VISION (town forum) has invited representatives of the ANZ Bank to a community meeting on Tuesday 22 March 2016, 7pm, at the Senior Citizens Rooms, Broadway, Wycheproof.
“The meeting is an opportunity for ANZ Bank personnel to explain the reasons for the pending closure of the Wycheproof Branch and provide information regarding future ANZ banking for account holders in our community”, Wycheproof VISION President, Jacinta Miller said.
“The meeting will canvass options for the community to lobby for the retention of the branch, to maintain an ANZ Bank presence in our town, or seek alternative banking solutions. We believe the Wycheproof community has a good business case to put for the retention of face-to-face banking in Wycheproof.

“While the community has not been told of the bank’s reason for closing the branch, it is presumed that the emphasis now in banking, for customers to use internet or electronic banking is behind this decision. The bank has not taken into account the fact that most of our rural residents rely on face-to-face banking due to limited or non-existent access to the internet. The action of the bank makes little sense in the face of this”, Ms Miller said.

WOT March 2016 CFA News

Wycheproof Urban 
Fire Brigade

We wish to thank everyone for the great start to 2016. With a number of fire ban days and extreme conditions experienced the volunteers have only had to attend several 'false alarm' call outs.

Even with the end of summer approaching, we encourage all residents to continue to be aware of all fire risks and to approach the brigade for help in removing fire dangers. Members are present at the station every Sunday and can assist with any enquiries or concerns.

March will be a busy month for the brigade as we begin our first of three months of Fire Equipment maintenance with local businesses. Most are familiar with our FEM Officer, Bill Matheson and we thank him for his dedication to ensure the community has appropriate equipment for their protection in the event of a fire.

Brigade volunteers will also be out and about on Sunday 20 March collecting donations for the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal. Donations over $2 are tax deductible so please give generously to the cause that has supported not only my family, but many others in this town.

As a reminder to all residents that as daylight savings ends on 3 April, we encourage everyone to change their smoke alarm batteries at this time of the year. Brigade members will be assisting those in the community who need help to change their batteries during April. If you or know of someone who may need assistance please get in contact with myself to be placed on brigades' list.

Remember in the event of a fire or emergency always dial 000.
Captain Corey Harrison
0423 355 256


Controlling Fruit Fly and how to make a Fruit Fly trap


Bactrocera tryoni or Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF) may attack a range of fruits and fruiting vegetables, leaving them inedible If sufficiently warm weather persists into autumn or winter, fruit flies can continue through their life cycle providing that a suitable host fruit or fruiting vegetable is available.

Below are photos of fruit fly and lavae. 
The following information is from the Commonwealth Government's Advice for Home Gardeners in Australia website www.preventfruitfly.com.au . To report to DEPI Victoria call the Queensland fruit fly hotline (Mildura) 50 514 618 or email plant.standards@dpi.vic.gov.au  

The tiny thrip-like flies that can be often seen on overripe fruit are Vinegar Flies and usually don’t do extensive harm.

To eradicate and manage fruit fly the following is recommended:

Exclusion, the use of physical barriers to stop female QFF from reaching your fruit. Barriers include:

Nets: mosquito nets, over PVC tubes or stakes, over and around the trees or vegetables. An outdoor gazebo could be used as the zipper allows easy access to regularly inspect trees and harvest fruit as it ripens. Whatever you use, all nets must be either secured around the trunk base or to the ground.

Bags and sleeves: Place bags and sleeves over the fruit you want to keep. Remove any flowers or developing fruit from the plant that are not covered by a barrier. Secure bags and sleeves to the plant with tie wire, clothes pegs or string. Nets, bags and sleeves are generally available from your local chemical or home garden retailer.

Garden hygiene: Pick and use any fruit as it ripens, don't leave it on the plant for fruit flies to attack. Collect and destroy any rotting or unwanted host fruit, whether it is on the ground or still on the plant.

Unwanted fruit can be microwaved to kill any maggots inside prior to being disposed of. Alternatively, place the fruit in a plastic bag, seal the bag and leave it in the sun for 5­7 days, or place it in a freezer for two days. The bagged fruit can then be discarded in your rubbish bin. Do not add unwanted fruit to your compost or worm farm, or put it directly into your rubbish.

Traps and attractants are designed to lure and kill fruit flies. They can be bought from hardware, nursery and on-line suppliers. Place traps on host trees and other sites around the garden to draw fruit flies away from your fruit and vegetables.

Make your own traps
Using an empty soft­drink bottle (with lid). Please note that these traps may attract all insects ­ both pests and beneficials. Cut three holes in the bottle about the size of a 10 cent piece, 10 centimetres from the top. Add the bait mixture: one cup of 100 per cent fruit juice (including pulp) and one tablespoon of cloudy ammonia (or wheelie bin cleaner) available from supermarkets and hardware stores. Tie a string around the neck of the bottle and hang it from the tree in the shade 1­1.5 metres from ground. The mixture can last up to three weeks but should be changed weekly for best effect.


Fruit fly help for seniors. If you need help cleaning up around your garden put your name into the WCRC before the end of March. Volunteers are available.