Walpole Weekly

.from page 7Push for Better Mental HealthThere are 26 RUCs in the country and only 3 are inWA. There are nearly 600 individuals in our regionwho engage in online study, but without muchsupport.The current students, director and learning supportcoordinator invites you to share this info and registerwith the Centre to get the support you deserve.UniCentre can be contacted via 08 – 9823 8500 Iinfo@gsunicentre.edu.au I www.gsunicentre.edu.auWalpole CRC staff members Nicole and Nathan arechallenging themselves to raise awareness aboutmental health for the month of June, joininghundreds of thousands of people across Australia inthe push for better mental health. They have joinedother friends in the Walpole community also takingon the challenge. What a great way to start winter!!If you see someone out in the community doing theirdaily push-ups, lunges, squats or sit-ups on the parkbench or at the beach cheer them on. It’s a reminderto check on your mental health and people aroundyou.ClassifiedsFor SaleScientific evidence suggests that three 45-minuteexercise sessions per week (135 minutes total) isenough to provide anti-depressant benefits to mentalhealth.Firewood.Dry, mature plantation blue gum.Delivery or pickup.Please call Steve:9840 8524or Ambrose on:0476 762 613Each day we are challenged to do a set amount ofpush-ups of whatever variation, sit ups, squats,lunges etc. You can join in by downloading the PushUp Challenge app and then you are on your way.It’s a great way to exercise and learn more aboutmental health.For Sale2005 Mitsubishi Magna 3650One owner, garaged, 4 brand new tyres,well serviced.Original factory tint, roof rack, tow hitch.Rosemarie (08) 9840 1155ClassifiedsPersonal/household classifieds, this size andformat 6 when paid by noon Tuesdays, 8.50when on account. If not sold the first week, get oneweek free! EFT and EFTPOS available8 - 9th June,2021Every day of the challenge there is a Mental Healthtip. So far we have had:Day 2 - 105 push-upsIt’s possible that getting 15 minutes of brightsunlight each morning could reduce levels ofdistress. Fifteen minutes, seven days that’s 105minutes of sunshine per week!There are a lot of factors that could be at work hereto make sunlight a mood booster, including effectson your circadian rhythm, vitamin D, or just beingoutside.continued page 9.Walpole Weekly

.from page 8Are you OK?Kristin HaefnerandLorna HirschGetting into nature for a few hours per week can alsohelp out your mental health. Whatever the reason just be sensible! Sunburn doesn’t improve anything.Day 3 – 142 push-upsDeep breathing has long been a part of practicessuch as yoga, Tai Chi, martial arts, and meditation. Ithas been studied in scientific trials for its positivebenefits on our heart rates, blood pressure, and stresslevels.Day 4 – 180 push-upsLoneliness affects health: Around 1.8 millionAustralians over the age of 15 feel they haveinsufficient social support, and one in four of us arefeeling lonely three or more times per week. At thepeak of pandemic restrictions in 2020, lonelinesswas the most commonly reported social stressor inthe country. The impact of loneliness and socialisolation can stretch beyond the short term and leadto increased risks of developing mental and physicalill health. Some experts suggest volunteering orjoining a local club to create opportunities forbuilding meaningful relationships.As you know at the Walpole CRC we are supportingthe community in a myriad of ways includingworkshops, community lunches, community issues,programmes etc which all contribute to the mentalhealth of our community! So get involved, keep aneye out for useful workshops, come and have a freelunch on Thursday or just pop in for a chat.Suicide Alertness Training - It’s something that wehope to never need but would be invaluable if wehad the skills.safeTALK is such a training and was delivered onFriday, 28th of May at the Walpole CRC.Community members who joined the traininglearned how to identify people with thoughts ofsuicide and connect them to suicide first-aidresources. The workshop also helped participants tounderstand and relate to people who are at risk ofsuicide.“Most people with thoughts of suicide don’t trulywant to die but are struggling with the pain in theirlives”, said Kristin Haefner, facilitator of thesafeTALK who guided participants through a varietyof scenarios, audio-visuals, group work and roleplay, that equipped them with the knowledge andskills they need to keep people safe from suicide.Inspired and encouraged by the workshop,participants started to look into possibilities forWalpole to become a suicide-safe community andexplored the possibility of hosting a Suicide FirstAid Training at the CRC on Tuesday 31st August2021 for two days. If you are interested in thistraining please contact the Walpole CRC on9840 1395 to confirm your interest as this coursewill need a minimum of 8 people for it to go ahead.A 20 deposit will be required which will bereturned on the day of the course or if the course iscancelled due to low numbers.If by reading this, you feel you need support pleasephone Lifeline on 13 11 44 or Suicide Call Back on1300 659 467.June 9th, 2021 - 9

Nature Notes:Spongesdependent on the creature having at least twodifferent types of cells. Some sponges form survivalpods. These will remain dormant until conditionsimprove and when the shells break open they canform new sponges or even colonise old skeletons.Sponges are important members of a reef they filterwater, control bacteria and process carbon, nitrogenand phosphorus. In nutrient deficient coral reefssome sponge species are thought to make carbonbiologically available through their waste productswhich become food for other creatures.Although sponges often get bad press because theyappear to sit there and do nothing, they are in factsimple aquatic animals with important roles in thehealth of their eco systems.The animal may be simple but the science iscomplex. The 8,550 living sponge species areclassified in the phylum Porifera (these are the oneswe know about but there may be more). A sponge isa colony of living organisms. It consists of cells in anexo-skeleton or matrix. The cells within the spongecan take on different roles in their lifetime. Somecells on the outside may migrate to the middle.Sponges are vulnerable to invasion by bacteria due totheir porous bodies. They have grey cells whichsurround the bacteria and may even be able to kill itby giving off toxins. Scientists think that somesponges may be a source of new drugs to fightinfections.Man has always used soft sponges for their skeletonsto use for cleaning or padding. Because of this, manysponges were over-fished and almost became extinct.Dolphins have been observed using sponges as tools. Alison KenworthyHumans think we use these things fortools ,but it’s really just for playing!The sponge does not have organs or tissues in theconventional sense but the function of the sponge isto filter the water through the structure extractingfood, which is usually bacteria. They filter water byusing cilia in the inner parts of the sponge. They alsouse this water flow for reproduction and wastemanagement and extraction of oxygen.Some sponges are symmetrical but most formasymmetrical surfaces according to the currents ofwater and the surface on which they are anchored.Juvenile sponges are mobile while adults tend to stayin one place. It is possible for some sponges to movealong the sea floor. All corals are salt water creaturesbut some sponges are fresh water varieties. Spongesgrow in shallow water and in the depths of the oceanwhere people could not survive. Some spongesco-exist with algae colonies and produce more foodthan they need while other sponges in poor nutrientenvironments have become carnivorous and absorbcrustaceans.Reproduction is by sperm and ovoid but sponges cansometimes re-form if parts break off; this is10 - 9th June,2021The Big Hair Shop will beclosed for a short familyholiday so ring now foran appointment before Igo Closed 25th of JuneBack on the 19th July2021Thank you!Walpole Weekly

UR Walpolevisit to the Tree Top WalkLast week the Walpole Primary School studentswere delighted to visit the Valley of the GiantsTree Top Walk as part of the UR Walpoleprogramme.UR Walpole is a community-based programmewhich began in 1996, and links students with thenatural environment, their cultural heritage, andtheir role in the future of the local area. Throughcollaboration and cooperation, teachers togetherwith community members select a focus study inrelation to the community’s current natural andcultural assets and future issues. This year’s themeis ‘2021 - 41 Future Proofing Walpole,’ and looksat what we can do now to make Walpole a betterplace in the future.The students participated in an Eco-Educationalprogramme offered by the Tree Top Walk, wherethey had the chance to become forensic detectivesfor the day and conduct an ‘Autopsy of a Tree’,which is a hands-on activity to demonstrate theimpact of humans on the natural environment.Using various practical techniques and criticalthinking the students hypothesise on what causedthe death of a forest tree.The older students (years 4 – 6) also took theopportunity to survey visitors to the Tree TopWalk about their experience as well as theirholiday plans within the region, finding out wherepeople had travelled from, how big their groupwas, where they chose to find accommodation inthe region and getting a sense of where they hadcontributed into local economies with things likebuying fuel, groceries, souvenirs etc.The younger students (pp – year 3) got to go on awonderful Nature Discovery Walk with theirexpert guide, learning fun facts about the forest.They learnt how sword grass can be used to makea damper flour, woven to make baskets or rope andthat the young shoots are a type of bush-tucker.They also learnt that she-oak seeds have littlewings to help them propagate by spreading in thewind, and they got to try washing their hands withthe soap bush.The Nature Discovery Walk took place on theBibbulmun Track and the kids learnt all about theWaugul dreamtime story.A big thanks to teachers Lorelle Flett and SarahWalker, and expert guides (and former teachersthemselves) Helen Nash and Pauline Pollard forputting on a wonderful educational day for thestudents. Ryan SmithJune 9th, 2021 - 11

UR Walpole visit to the Tree Top Walk12 - 9th June,2021Walpole Weekly

Community Well-being andResilience in a Changing Climate Communities Taking Actionthe Shire needs to be taking and to share what theyare already doing as individuals and in groups andbusinesses.We have initiated these conversation cafés to shareboth our concerns as a community but then to focuson good actions already underway and what could bedone in our communities and by the Shire on ourbehalf. Examples from other local governments andcommunities across WA and Australia will be sharedduring the workshops.It is great to see our Shire starting to tackle climatechange. They need community feedback and input tohelp create a safe and resilient future for ourcommunity and the environment that we love.We want the community to hop into the driving seatwith the Shire to see how we can increase ourresilience and well-being for our communities,environment, businesses and lifestyles in 5 yearstime, 20 years time and 50 years time. We have tothink long term and work on positive opportunitiesnow, to have the future we want to see.”Southern Forests Community Landcare and GreenSkills invite you to come along to the last of three‘conversation cafés’ coming up on Saturday 12thJune in Walpole. Share your views about the effectsof the changing climate and positive stories aboutindividuals and communities taking action.Conversation cafés give people a chance to askquestions and discuss ideas.Chairperson of Southern Forests CommunityLandcare, Julian Sharp, is keen to hear from thecommunity and to encourage action.“We are pleased that the Shire of Manjimup hasidentified that they need to step up and take actionon climate change and protection of the environmentin the recently released Draft Community StrategicPlan.The general commitment in the draft plan is a goodfirst step but needs to be strengthened with specificactions and targets to be meaningful. Through theManjimup and Pemberton workshops communitymembers let us know a range of actions they thinkDo you have concerns regarding the potential effectsof climate change on where you live and your ownlifestyle? What else would you like to know? Whatdo you think are the priority actions to address theeffects of climate change from different levels ofgovernment and local businesses? Is our Shire doingenough, what else could they do? Come along for adiscussion, pose your own questions and have yourinput recorded and provided to the Shire. Conversations Café, with afternoon teaprovided:Walpole Saturday 12th June 1.30 - 3.45pmat the Community Hall.For further information call Julian Sharp on 0427372 215RSVP to Louise Duxburylduxbury@greenskills.org.au or text 0429 409 231Thought for the dayBe the person yourdog thinks you are.J.W StephensJune 9th, 2021 - 13

Approval Requirements for HolidayAccommodationShire cannot support an application unless it is ahosted accommodation e.g. Bed and Breakfast.”Planning approval is required prior to thecommencement of any short-stay accommodationuse of a property. Landowners should always speakwith the Shire’s Statutory Planning Services forinformation on the requirements and restrictionsbefore advertising a property for touristaccommodation.In some instances, additional permits may berequired for Environmental Health and/or BuildingServices.Are you hosting on AirBnB?The Shire of Manjimup is regularly finding thatlandowners have advertised their property for shortstay accommodation without first obtaining thenecessary planning, building and/or environmentalhealth approvals from the Shire of Manjimup.You won’t need planning approval if you own theproperty but have a primary residence elsewhere andwish to use the dwelling for holiday accommodationfor you and your family.You may also allow friends to stay there providedthere is no fee charged.“Holiday homes are a legitimate part of the touristaccommodation industry in the South West anddesirable in areas of high tourism amenity. Over thepast few decades a growing number of holidayhomes have been made commercially available,resulting in an increasing trend to purchase or buildhomes for holiday home use, commented ShirePresident Paul Omodei.For accommodation that caters for more than sixpeople an application for registration as a lodginghouse can be made on this form.If your property is not on reticulated sewer (deepsewer) you will be required to provide informationwith the application to demonstrate that the existingon-site wastewater management system can copewith the proposed number of guests.The availability of safe drinking water on propertiesthat are not connected to reticulated water will needto be demonstrated.Conflicting land uses can severely impact on aperson’s enjoyment and use of their own property.The Shire needs to consider applications forshort-stay accommodation with regard to thepotential impact on neighbouring properties andexisting activities on the proposed land use.For further information on this or to makeapplication for planning approval, please contact theShire’s Statutory Planning Services on 9771 7777.“A key concern with respect to the occupation ofdwellings as holiday homes is to ensure that anysuch uses will not adversely impact on residentialamenity currently enjoyed by residents insurrounding properties. Any activities that result in aloss of enjoyment by neighbouring properties, forinstance, unacceptable levels of noise, will beconsidered a breach of approval.”He added that “bushfire is a serious consideration forthe Shire when assessing proposals for short stayaccommodation.Where a property is located within an areadesignated as bushfire prone, unless a BushfireAttack Level (BAL) of 29 or less is achieved, the14 - 9th June,2021Walpole Weekly

LettersDear Editor,Recently some very harmful comments have beenposted on Social Media regarding the Op Shop.In the past 15 years the Op Shop has contributedapproximately 100,000.00 to the community ingrants to the NFP organisations. Eg: Primary School,CDG, Rec Centre, Visitors Centre, CommunityGardens, MensShed, CRC etc.This has been done by our older volunteers givingtime and energy for the only reward of giving backto the Community.We have cleaned, stored, culled, paid rent, rates andinsurances to keep the Op Shop viable.Over the years we have been the cheapest Op Shop.Occasionally we make pricing mistakes!We are only human, so if someone has beenovercharged, think of all the times you have had itcheap!IT ALL GOES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY andthink of it as a donation.Please. If you would like a say in how the Op Shopis run, get involved. We are desperate for volunteers.Need even two hours per week or fortnight. Jenny Skele. On behalf of all the Op Shopvolunteerswww.comWe welcome your opinionThe Walpole Weekly values freedom of expression andwelcomes contributions and feedback from readers vialetter or email on any topic of community interest:1) All content submitted for publication must providefull name and contact details.2) If the writer wishes to remain anonymous, thewords “Name withheld by request” will be used inthe byline.3) Any content published may be edited to enhanceflow, clarity, spelling, and grammar—not facts ormeaning—therefore the writer should carefullycheck facts and consider their choice of words.4) Should content be deemed by the Editor to be toolong (should be no more than 250 words),incomprehensible, libelous, illegal, or incite asensitive issue, then it will not be published.5) In the case of content being rejected, the writer/swill be notified of the decision by the Editor.6) Should the writer dispute the Editor’s decision theyshould take it up in writing with the ManagementCommittee of Walpole CRC.7) The Management Committee will make the finaldecision on whether or not to publish the content inthe next available edition of the Weekly.Email weekly@walpole.org.au.Your 24/7 365 Community DirectoryEmail: communications@Walpole.org.auJune 9th, 2021 - 15

WeeklysportLadies Golf Results:3rd June 2021Marlene Bidwell Trophy - Stroke - Points DayWinner: Sharyn Burton - 75 netR/Up: Rhonda Perpoli - 81 netBest Putter: Lee Edwards - 25 puttsNoveltiesLong Putt : 9, Rhonda PerpoliNearest the Pin: 13, Carol DumbrellFerrets:Carol Dumbrell 14, Viv Tippett 8, Lee Edwards 15Next Games:10th June - Patty Burton Trophy - Stableford17th June - Ros Hatfield Trophy - Stableford.Scroungers Golf Results:1st June 2021Centre Facilities include; Fully Serviced Offices/Conference/Training Rooms Walpole Weekly Production and Printing Internet services: WIFI/Computer

by heart-breaking stories of harm from the minority . 655 566 or email rights@advocare.org.au). 6 - 9th June, 2021 Walpole Weekly Walpole Weekly . Lions following the recent success of Jaxon Prior and Deven Rob