Cape Newsletter – Apr 2025

capeocc@ourcapelife.org

Community Bike Ride

On Sunday 27 April we had a fabulous community bike ride from Koonwarra to Meeniyan. We had about 27 people on the ride, and then a few others joined us for lunch at Trulli’s afterwards.

Many thanks to Kim Hauser for organising.

[Picture credit: John Godfrey]

[Picture credit: Brendan Condon]

Sourdough Workshop

On Saturday 26 April, Robyn Shallard ran a workshop on baking sourdough bread. This was run for the Cape Community Farm and was held at the display home. There were 14 participants enrolled in the class, who all went home with notes, recipes, a jar of starter and a sourdough dough to finish at home, bake then enjoy.

[Picture credit: Robyn Shallard]

Ecovillage Conference

On the ANZAC Day weekend, Cape resident Phil Bourne represented The Cape at the Australian Intentional Communities Conference. It was held at the Moora Moora community, outside Healesville.

Other groups represented included:

Phil is interested in pursuing discussion about whether The Cape is interested in creating links with other like-minded groups. If you have thoughts about this, please reach out to Phil.

Sustainable House Day

Once again there will be homes here at Cape open for Sustainable House Day. This year it is being held on Sunday 4 May. Sustainable House Day is run by Renew, a great membership-based organisation supporting and promoting sustainable living in Australia.

As always this is a great opportunity to showcase the way we do sustainable living. Four homes are open at Cape this year, including the developer’s display.

More broadly there are over 230 open homes, including homes in all states. If you have friends or family interested in sustainable homes, you might want to direct them to Sustainable House Day 2025.

Removing Builder Signs

Thanks to those who removed inappropriate signs since the matter was raised in the last newsletter. If you still still have long-standing builder/designer/landscaper signs and would like help removing and/or disposing of the signs, please contact the committee.

Vermin Control

We live an area with sensitive native wildlife that is at risk from inappropriate use of poisons used to control vermin. Please take a look at this advice from Birdlife Australia about what to buy, and what to avoid when it comes to controlling rats and mice around our homes.

Cape Chatter

We’d like to recognise and congratulate David Hartney on five years, and 130 editions of his wonderful ‘Cape Chatter‘ wildlife-focussed newsletter and blog. If you have interesting wildlife observations around Cape Paterson, report them to David.

Wildlife Rescue Training

In our February newsletter we recognised the work of our wildlife rescue volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a wildlife rescue volunteer, the OC will be supporting the training of more volunteers.

Training will be conducted in June in Bairnsdale. The OC will cover the cost of the training course, with an emphasis on supporting volunteers from stages 3, 4 and 5 of the estate.

If you are interested, please contact the committee via email.

AGM

Another reminder that this year we are planning to hold the AGM of the Owners’ Corporation on Friday 18 July at 4pm at the Cape Paterson SLSC. Please put this in your calendar.

Pruning of street trees

Recently the question arose, why are the street banksias pruned the way they are, with the lower branches removed? This practice is for safety of pedestrians and cyclists around the estate. By removing the lower branches, it opens up sight lines so that drivers can more easily see pedestrians and cyclists, reducing the risk of accidents.

Honouring Bron

[Tribute by Kate Lewer]

Sadly, one of our dearly loved community residents died from cancer on good Friday. Bron died peacefully in her glorious home overlooking the wetlands at The Cape.

Bron was a generous loving and adventurous woman who lived an extraordinary life. If you didn’t get to meet Bron you may have seen her walking around The Cape with her adored dog Pippa who always invited you to give her attention and extra pats. Or you may have witnessed Bron ‘mermaiding’ on one of the many beaches she loved to frolic in.

In 2023 The Cape OCC sponsored Bron to complete the Wildlife Victoria Rescue training with myself and two other Cape Residents. Bron quickly became my Wildlife buddy. We supported one another and did our first ever pouch check of a dead wombat on Cape Paterson Road. Our signature was a pink heart with BK in the middle.

“Bron’s Helping Hands” evolved in October 2024 by a group of residents. We surrounded Bron and her family with love & support including meals, transport, chats & tears, massage, muscles and whatever else Bron needed. One of the many benefits that draws us to living in community.

Bron was a positive and uplifting presence in our community. Her easy smile and engaging personality (and cheeky sense of humour) will be missed deeply. We cherish the precious times we had.

Bron was farewelled at a fitting celebratory wake at SLSC. She had planned a living wake, but it was just a bit too late!

Thinking of you as you grieve Mark & Pippa (who still wants pats)

[Picture credit: Mark Steadman]

Regular social events

  • Men’s breakfast is the fourth Friday of the month at 8am, at the (place formerly known as the) Channel Store;
  • Women’s catch up is the second Friday of the month at 9:45 am, at Zeal & Flow.
  • Sunset Sippers. Every Thursday evening the Cape Paterson Surf Club is open from about 4pm. This is open to the public, not just surf club members. Drinks and light meals available.