Harcourt Happenings Feb 2011

Hi all,

Current Harcourt Outdoor Swimming Pool Closure

As you may be aware since the Rains and flooding in the middle of January, the Harcourt Swimming pool has been closed.  Our Local Councillor Brook has been getting onto Council on our behalf, below in the email he frowarded onto me so that I can pass in this information



"Dear Garry,

I have today received updated information on the status of the Harcourt Pool.

As you are aware the pool suffered mud inundation due to the recent floods, requiring extensive cleaning.

In addition the water had to be tested to ensure no bacteria was present which could represent a danger to swimmers.

The following is the statement I received today (Mon. 31 January):

"The water samples taken on Friday were sent to Melbourne.  They allow 5 days for growing cultures on the samples to see if the water is clear of contaminants.  We will see some results tomorrow.  If they are ok we may be able to open the pool as early as Wednesday.  Otherwise the pool will need further treatment and testing to ensure that it is safe for use.  When the results come back tomorrow I will let you know where we are at. Information about the processes underway are at the pool and the general store."


If I receive any further information I shall of course advise you as promptly as possible.

Regards,

Brook


Cr. Brook Acklom
Calder Ward - Mount Alexander Shire Council
Tel: 0466 004 629"

Thanks to Brook for chasing this up for the community, and hopefully the pool will be open on Wednesday for the rest of the week. 

I went past the pool late Monday evening and unfortunately the information posted last Friday had not been updated, and no new information had been passed onto the general store as yet.  Although I understand the need to ensure the water is safe to swim in, communication with the community on the Shire's and YMCA's side could have been better. The only notification seems to be on Council's website in the pools section, this information is not reflected on the Bendigo YMCA website.

Brook Has just informed me that he has heard from the Council and the results were satisfactory and he has been told that the pool should be open Wednesday 2nd Feb

Australia Day In Harcourt

There was a great turnout for Australia Day Breakfast at Harcourt:

Magpies by George Milford (George produced a Magpie's nest and gave a talk acceptance)

Best Place - Nancy Curtis (original poem)

From the book Spirit of Australia - The Kitchen Table ( Read by Ray Rice)

And music and entertainment by the Teed family

This year's recipient has been around long time, he has had his passion for 44 years and over that time has had involvement in footy, cycling and fundraising, Harcourt Applefest, and has been a blood donor 25 years,
Harcourt Citizen of the Year 2011 is Ken Mc Dougall.

The Lions club thanked the following sponsors for supporting and enabling the breakfast to be run:
Hot and Crusty castlemaine
Chaplin's orchards
blackjack
Harcourt Newsagency and General Store
Harcourt Lions Club
Barkers Creek Auto Repair

Applefest Raffle

The Harcourt Applefest Raffle was drawn by Ken McDougall at the Australia Day Breakfast in Harcourt.

1st  Prize $3000 Grocery Voucher form Maddern's IGA -  Winner - Neil Charter
2nd Prize $1000 Voucher for Bikes from the Bike Vault Castlemaine - Winner - Meryl Adams
3rd Prize $650 32" LCD HD TV From Cassidy's Retravision - Winner - Alan Mills

The Harcourt Applefest Committee would like to congratulate the winners and thank, the sponsors of the Raffle and those who purchased tickets and the Harcourt Lions Club for allowing the raffle draw to be part of the day's event.

Garry Holmes