This is a new blog to hold our discussion after the 6th of July
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Hello Vicki, I bet you never guessed last February how popular this blog would become. Over 400 postings pre July6.
Congratulations on all your hard work in keeping the blog up and running
Sharon E
I just want to say how good it is to hear that people are starting to rebuild in Marysville. We have only been here for 2 months now but going for a walk with bub yesterday it was good to see some frame work happening. I just wish the workmen would stop using Falls Rd as a speedway.
As for the police we only see them maybe on a Fri or Sat night with the spotlight arond the oval for about 10 mins then there are gone, although they were out last night.
It’s just so lovely to see more and more green appearing every week.
Has discussion dried up with the new blog ! ?
I’ve discovered this concept called passive houses that could be useful in a place like Marysville (ie without a town gas supply for easy heating). It is possible to build houses that need little or no additional heating through very good insulation, triple glazing and special ventilation systems. With toughened glass fixed windows I believe we can also have unobstructed views without shutters/screens under the new bushfire code. Check out http://www.passiv.de/ .. This idea was also illustrated on ‘Grand Designs’ last week although I dont think we need to spend 900K on a house!.
Not dried up Murray, just taking a sanity chill-out! I saw that Grand Designs home too - loved the inside look of the arch - price, hmmm… Thanks for the link. My latest website of choice for layout and look ideas is http://www.stonekithomes.com.au
Madeleine, thanks for the link - we’ve looked at a few kit-homes places but hadn’t found this one. Love the stone look.
We went to the meeting on Wednesday evening, and we came away a bit dazed. Thought there was a bit too much waffle and talk at the start, and thought the three speakers generally repeated the same thing (we really didn’t need to know how many pages of butchers-paper different planning groups used); when we broke into groups no-one in our little group knew what to make of the proposals for the ‘urban’ development of the town and just asked questions about trees.While the posters detailing some proposals were stuck on the walls for perusal before the meeting, I don’t think many people could get a clear understanding of what it was all about. (Forgive me if I’m wrong ).
Will the proposed urban design (strange term to use for a small village) prevent people from re-building before it’s all finalised? Do we have to wait? Will the final outcomes be mandated so that properties in the main street HAVE to comply? What does ’sustainability’ mean? If it refers to environmental sustainability, well, all new homes will have to meet the 5-star energy rating. Is that sustainable enough? If it refers to economic sustainability, then the sooner the businesses can come back, and people can come back the better. Marysville cannot be sustainable without US, its people.
Maybe I’m a bit thick and missing some vital piece of info, but I don’t think things have been made clear to ordinary plebs like me. I ‘m not having a go at anyone, and I do appreciate the great amount of effort that has gone into getting the planning for M’ville
I do appreciate the effort that has gone into getting Marysville back up and running again, but I’m just a bit frustrated. I fully understand that you can’t please all the people all the time, and that rebuilding M’ville will take years, and that everyone is acting in the best interests of the town. I’m just frustrated that it’s taking so long, and I know that I’m not alone. and i know that there’s nothing that can be done to speed up the process.
Is anybody else still waiting for their VBBRA grant monies to be approved - I have been ringing twice weekly for some time now and get the same answer every time “It is still waiting final approval” - I know I am only one in a very large bucket of assessments - but it would be nice to know when “final approval” would be.
We can also not access our winter grant until initial assessement until initial grant is finalised.
Well what do you know I have just had a call back from VBBRA - as our contents were in 5 Hull Rd and our only home was in 11
racecourse Rd (also destroyed) we are not elegible for a destroyed homes payment. I was also questioned that I owned 5 Hull Rd, I do or did that was my business “Allawah Cottages” that has also been destroyed.
I will be called back……….when my assessment is reviewed yet again.
Where do we go for assisstance with these matters?????????????????
Hi all- thought I would share this email from Ron and Marg Jones of Falls Rd
“Just wanted to introduce myself and Marg to you. We have a property on Falls Road and wish to rebuild as soon as possible. We were planning to move our things in on the 14th of Feb this year, but, well that’s just not happening , is it? Anyway, the plan was and still is to retire in Marysville but now we have to keep working for a while yet. Naturally because it was not our primary place of residence we are not entitled to any assistance and that’s OK, we still have our home in Coleraine, which brings me to my point. I’m a Policeman up here and have difficulty getting time to attend meetings some 5 hours from where we live. I have thrown myself into my community as a board member of our health service and also as a volunteer ambulance officer with Ambulance Victoria. When we are able to move up on my retirement I wish to put myself forward to the Marysville community and assist where I can there too, (I’m also a JP) I have been coming up there since I was 4 years old and have a deep attachment to the area and the friendly people I have known over some 50 years. Please convey my thanks to the current residents for all the work they are doing to restore this beautiful place. I don’t think a day goes by when I don’t think of Marysville and I look forward to many years to come as a resident there. I just thought I should send this to reinforce to those who are there that there are still many who will be rebuilding and returning. Thanks for all the updates on the web which is keeping us up with what goes on.
We have started the process of re-building! We have to do it for ‘us’ and also for those who still have to make ‘that’ decision and are looking for Marysville’s vital signs.
Apart from all the normal building issues we have now entered the mysterious world of the BAL. My my point of view here is ‘Everything you need to know about BAL but were afraid to ask!
1. All of Victoria is now classed as a Bushfire Zone
2. Every renovation or building requires a BAL rating
3. So, you are going to add a small room on the back, in Toorak, you will have to calculate the BAL from the lovely rows of roses, agapanthas and don’t forget that Silver birch!
4. YOU can calculate the BAL yourself, you don’t have to search out an expert. BAL calculating is a growth industry ready to seperate some $$ from you.
5. If you tell the surveyor YOU have calculated the BAL as BAL19, or whatever, that is sufficent for the buiding permit
6. 99% of the properties in Marysville don’t have any combustible material left within 100 metres, unless you are worried about an attack from the tree ferns or those dastardly agapanthas, BAL is non existent.
7. BAL is ‘calculated’ on todays vegetation, don’t let anyone say you need to calculate BAL for sometime in the future.
8. Calculating BAL is complicated, expensive, convoluted and all the hype surrounding it appears to be more about keeping the ’sheeple’ happy that all is under control and that they will be able to stay in their home during the next fire.
Alvin, tell us if your BAL logic gets you your building permit with the shire - sounds great!
Ron and Marg - nice to meet you.
Jenny, for VBRRA problems try ringing Megan Lancaster Marysville Community Liaison person: 0400 344 222
Kath, I rang the stone homes people - it’s real sandstone, steel frame, the prices are estimated to double after building, kitchen, bathroom costs. I’d like to see what they’re like inside but their only display homes are in Sydney (Botany, Nepean, Entertainer).
Kath, The Pheonix Workshop weekend summary waffled exactly as you described, as did the Sunday presentation. When I was ‘floating’ between workshops on the Saturday I heard someone from the design team saying to someone “It’s because the government demanded consultation”. Ever seen Yes Minister? ie. Contain ideas to butcher paper and then waffle as much as possible to take up the time. Sort of a redesign to get a few government buildings organised.
The community seemed to accept the kinda and MCHN moving around to the school - mooted several years ago by the shire I think but resisted. Another decision was about acquiring the car museum so ‘essential needs shops’ for residents (eg supermarket) could have a roof. The only other real issues for the govt were the police station (vbrra building?), and ensuring there is one potential conference centre for jobs etc. The designers said the Russell Crow building could fit in easily wherever.
There were other BIG ideas from the community - all sorts of things - but I got the impression the govt would just want to do their bit (govt buildings, services, jobs, basic economy) and get out - the rest being up to the community’s capacity to organise. Correct me if I’ve got it wrong.
‘don’t ask for permission, ask for forgiveness’. Push ahead and start your rebuilding. Go to council and ask for advise In my experience your dealing with council will go smoothly if you have all of the artifacts ready, etc….so ask them. I am a council basher…..but to my surprise they are dealing with our re build really well to date…lets hope the wheels do not fall off this week….our new building is not on the main street, and I have not been stopped, also I have not asked….so just push ahead, you have every right to build your home. Our BAL has been assessed at the second highest…..Kerami Cres…..a good builder and architect will always find ways to assist meeting the requirements without too much damage to the bottom line. there are ways to get around it……above board of course…
Just go for it………if you ave the desire and means to move then go for it..don’t let anyone stand in your way…..
Jenny, have you got a good Case Manager, in my experience, they are worth their weight in gold……..If we have a problem, then our case manager goes in for the fight, and she wins…….phew….so I would go back through that channel, as I believe they have a loud voice when it comes to these matters….
I must be on a role tonight. In the new ‘urban design’ I did not see our police station back. Did I miss something, or is our cops going to sit under the many pergoda’s….or maybe be attached to the Miro Brewery……aside from what I think of some of the new Marysville on paper, we need our police station back. Have we lost it to Buxton….I for one like the presence in town especially with all of our passing trade….
Recently we received a ’supplementary notice’ on the council rates … we now have a cleared block of land .. but the council would like to charge ‘Residential Garbage’ … there is no one there, no bin, therefore no residential garbage. Does this make sense? Can someone help me to understand?
Alvin,
Your letter truly is an excellent insight to the BAL quagmire. Does this mean that how we rebuild is ultimately up to the Shire as long as they approve the BAL rating we have given our property? If so, has the Shire made any comment on this? I wonder, can we get them to? Marysville is in danger of even further deforestation as we remove trees from our property to try and lower our BAL. If your information is accurate this won’t be necessary.
Congratulations Alvin on making “that” decision, and also to my dear friends Ian and Shelly, who have just bought land in Marysville..
Anyone who has visited the Sunday Market will be aware of the self-titled “Eccentric garden gnome’, not only does he supply quality plants and advice on all things green, he is also an all too modest real life HERO!He saved my life and that of my husband on the day of the fires. He came back once, he came back twice, he came back three times to our place to beg us to get out, telling us that this was a fire too big and too furious to stay and defend.The third entreaty was delivered with such a note of desperation that we were forced to make that gut wrenching decision to abandon our home, the centre of our universe, jump in the car and sail off into the smoky sunset. Thank you again and again ” Ian the eccentric garden gnome.”
We are still having trouble with our insurance policy. They have submitted a deed of release although there is still the unresolved issues of site clearance.
Has anyone else had a confidentiality clause in their deed. I wondered if it was standard.
Yes, my sister and I are weekenders that have recently signed a building contract to start building in Spring 2009. Our family has decided that we are too attached to the Marysville land & environs and town community. We also feel it is appropriate to facilitate the regeneration of Marysville by our actions. We are looking forward to helping with the rebuild in our own way….by building a property that keeps in the early settler / colonial style feel.
We were pleasantly surprised that the BAL level rating for most of the Marysville town is generally low and there is a lot interesting different materials and options to consider. So, don’t dilly dally any longer and act with our hands, hearts and minds. Reliance on government to rebuild towns is not the answer, we need to show the Victorian community and governments that are as resilient as our ancestors and the Australian bush.
“Red Cross Bushfire Relief Fund spokeswoman Elizabeth Tuckey said the advisory panel had finished giving money to individuals and was now focusing on allocating the remaining $70 million to community groups and buildings”
I may not be in the right place but please direct me elsewhere if you can. I’m trying to buy a copy of the book about Marysville called ‘The Highway to Heaven, Marysville and District’ by Mary Kenealy who is a member of the Historical Society I gather. Can anyone help me find where I can get it please? Thank you, Alice
Hi All
Apologies for the slow moderation- I must have been worn out after all the meetings last week! I’ll turn this off for a while and see how it goes. There are still offers for Viagra coming through but not as many!
Hope you’re doing ok.
Your post about a garbage charge on the rates got me thinking and I’ve just had a look at our supplementary rate notice. Yes, there is a garbage charge and a recycling charge adding up to $164.57, but the with the council waivers the total we have to pay is only $119.60, which is less than the waste fees. (I would assume you’ve got a similar amount as we’re neighbours)
I’ve also re-read the covering letter that came with the rate notice, and it says that the “rates, garbage and recycling charges to be waived for this period”. I’ve just gone over the sums again trying to work out what has been waived, and it all works out - we’re not being charged for rubbish collection. Hope all this makes sense to you.
Hi John P,
the HERALDSUN article misquoted, I spoke to someone on the phone, who repeated the same old mantra, more grants will be forthcoming, and the panel are aware of the part-timers,but it is a very complex issue and is still up for discussion.It is all to do with taxation laws, blah blah blah…….
The Royal Commission is seeking submissions in relation to buildings, including fireproofing of housing and other buildings and materials used in construction. If you have already provided a submission on this subject, there is no need to re-submit as your original submission will be considered as part of the Commission’s further work.
If you have not yet made a submission on this topic then we encourage you to provide your submission, with a cover sheet, by Friday, 31 July 2009.
A reminder to all property owners who have lost their Council supplied garbage and / or recycling bins through the bushfires to contact Council’s Alexandra Office on 5772 0333 to arrange the delivery of replacement bins. Please provide your name, property address and a contact number to ensure replacement bins can be delivered to your property as soon as possible.
Madeleine, thanks for the info about the stone houses. They look really good, and it seems like a more aesthetic alternative to ordinary brick, which might be the last resort for us poor mugs with a bal of FZ.
We’ve had a look at their brochure and the inclusions, and it doesn’t look like they include the internal stuff (kitchen bathrooms etc), and that’s a bit of a turn-off. The kit home we were considering comes with everything, down to the toilet roll holder and paint (enough to undercoat the insides). So with a very, very tight budget to work with we might have to consider “one with the lot”.
I must admit though the stone house looks good, and would certainly fit in with the Marysville look.
Hi Kath ,We have been considering some kit homes too for the very reasons you said. (We also have a very tight budget)Do you mind saying which company you are happiest with? Thanks.
Hi, For the people who are considering a Kit home, I have been told reliably that most kits are built to Lock Up Stage, and you have to finish it off. If the house costs you 100K then you have to allow a further 100K to finish, this will provide a medium finish. It is a good rule of thumb, that has been verified by many Kit home Builders. What ever it costs you for the kit, then it will cost that again for the finished product. I hope that helps.
hi Anne, the company we were most impressed with is Paal - they have a display house in Canterbury Rd, Bayswater. The house on display is way, way too big, but they have a range of others from studio cottages up to 5 bedroom homes in their brochure; and the list of internal inclusions is quite impressive. They also have a web site if you want to have a look at their plans.
We spoke to them a few months ago, and I think they have a deal for bush-fire people where they will waive the delivery costs if delivery is by the end of this year(might want to confirm that - I may have mis-heard).
Thanks Simon, we were told that too, so that’s one incentive to consider doing at least some of the construction ourselves.
Another thing that isn’t generally included in the price is the slab, and if you have a sloping block, like most of Marysville, that’s another expense on top. As well as all this, there’s the added cost of fire-rated construction materials, which will vary according to individual bals.
The prices quoted in kit-home brochures are for standard (read ‘flat’)sites and standard materials. It all adds to the cost, but as far as we are concerned it’s still going to be a more economical way to build a home that fits all our criteria, looks ok and fits in with the Marysville feel.
Good point Anne- I’ve just sent an email to Delice saying she has an international following- please send the missing editions!
In relation to the kit homes- I just picked up a magazine at a newsagents yesterday called “BuildHome Victoria”. I bought it as it didn’t cost too much and it advertised Fire resistant design and energy efficient feature! There was some coverage of the home built by Rowan Steele that survived the fire undefended. There are also a lot of kit homes advertised. I liked the look of Hoobler stone.
Also- I’m now putting the MATDG minutes on line. We are currently following up on a few issues where people are having problems with getting planning and/or building permits for various reasons. VBRRA is working with the council to try to expedite permits. So if you have any problems let me know! Next MATDG meeting will be Sunday 26th July at 3 pm, Mville Golf club
Delice does a brilliant job with the ‘Triangle News’. also those who run the Marysville community website. Well done to all those who keep all this going; it means a lot to those who loved Marsville and the surrounding area but who are too far away to be any use in the rebuilding. Our hearts are with you.
Hi Jane, i read your thankyou regarding the day of the fire. We were leaving that day, as we just felt we had to, but on driving out of our driveway a man in a red or maroon car told us we needed to go and now. i have wondered many times who he may have been?
Hi there, Just a heads up about trying to get help in re-building from local subbies, they don’t want to know about your problem. They whinge about not getting work but never respond positively to requests for help. The builder who builds plastic houses is especially bad. Be very careful when listening to these ‘tradesmen’ You are much better off getting professional tradesman from outside marysville
Sam, thats a bit harsh…..Marysville has many good and reliable tradies. In my experience, which I have had many, the local guys always come through with the goods. Take a few deep breaths and try again. If we want Marysville to come back the way it was, then we need to support the locals where it makes sense. What is the problem you are needing solved, maybe we can suggest something for you.
Not sure if any of you need some inspiration for your rebuilding, but here’s a couple of great TV shows to watch:
‘Grand Designs’, ABC1 Tuesday nights 8.30pm. Kevin McLeod takes us on a journey to see how some people start with a great home design concept and see it through to completion. Some really interesting technologies are used in these projects.
And a new on starting this week: ‘World’s Greenest Homes’, ABC1 Thursday nights 6.07pm. Architect and designer Emmanuel Belliveau takes us on a whirlwind global tour of beautiful, one-of-a-kind homes that are also eco-friendly with high-tech green credentials.
Like James, we’re working with a very tight budget, but I think that even though a lot of the whiz-bang-you-beaut architecturally-unique eco-friendly houses are out of the price-range of most people there might be one or two ideas/innovations that could be incorporated into a basic (read ‘cheaper’) design. It could be something very simple that doesn’t cost a lot to implement, so I think it’s worth looking at new designs and concepts. But it does get demoralising when these fantastic homes with all the eco-gizmos have price tags of gazillions of dollars.
Thanks for that Kath. We are trying to stay positive and inspired as well, given the shocked state we were in when we found out that we aren’t insured and don’t really have any capital behind us at the moment to build anything like what we had to start with.
It might be a simple workshop with Hebel walls as a shell to begin with for us, that we do ourselves, yet again.
A bit hard after nearly 7 years of back-breaking work to complete a beautiful renovation to what was an old 1940s property.
We have to try tostay positive given the difficulty of all of our circumstances and challenges in rebuilding, but I believe we will get what we want for ourselves and our new town, in the end through determination.
After all this great discussion on rebuilding, I thought I’d have a look at the VBRRA site to see what the architects came up with
Prices range from $200,000 to $730,000 plus, mostly in the high $200,000-$400,000 range. I think I must be out of touch with building costs (despite watching grand designs!)
What are the views on the VBRRA offers. Is anyone looking at any of them?
Just had another look at the VBRRA designs on offer, and was a bit disappointed that the architects have not designed homes that most of us could afford to build. Even the cheapest, at low 200K is out of our price range. It’s a shame that the architects didn’t provide a good design that was affordable, and that looked as if it would fit in with Marysville. For us I think the most affordable option is to build a kit home, and do some of the construction ourselves.
I reckon the VBRRA homes look like ‘concept’ designs with little thought as to how families will use the space, rather than real homes for real people with realistic budgets.
I haven’t looked at all the designs yet - they take a long time to download, and even then I can’t see them very well. The ones I saw didn’t look at all “Marysville”. Almost all I looked at had flat rooves - is this a BAL thing? Most of us are on sloping blocks - we have a house site already where we can put a slab, but it’s not that large - the designs didn’t have measurements.
And on the prices! If one was going to consider withdrawing all the super to put into the house, it would be one of our own design that we thought looked pretty. Otherwise we’d build an inexpensive pretty house.
Note to self: Need to negotiate the term ‘pretty’ with husband’s ‘manly’ house ideas.
Thanks Veronica for the reminder, we watched, with interest the TV program on ABC 2 tonight on eco designed houses. Although they involved high end designs (and budgets) they embodied many principles that we can all adopt even if we rebuild with more moderately priced kit homes.
It is now mandatory in Victoria that all new homes now must be built with at least a 5 star energy efficiency rating. This is to ensure that all new homes meet minimum energy efficiency requirements. Some of the principles adopted include orientating the house to maximise solar access by positioning windows to maximise winter sun and shading windows in summer. Others include allowing for cross ventilation for cooling in summer as well as minimising air leakage by sealing gaps. Our old house had windows that provided cross ventilation and it was brilliant for cooling the house down in the early evening on hot summer days.
It is worthwhile going beyond the minimum 5 star energy rating as it will make for a more pleasant living environment and reduced utility bills for your house. i.e. cheaper to heat and cool the house, and cheaper hot water. Some possibilities involve facing living areas to the north, providing eaves for summer shading but allowing winter sun to penetrate, installing higher rating insulation than the minimum standard, sealing cracks and leaks, providing high thermal mass materials inside the house to moderate the temperature in winter and summer. Other possibilities include solar power, solar hot water and green plumbing solutions such as recycling cold water until the required temperature is reached and plumbing water tanks into the laundry and toilets. Many of these are much cheaper to incorporate in a new house than to try to retro fit later.
Improving building sustainability is not just for those with mega budgets.
In case you hadn’t heard, Ashraf and Christine opened their Marysville Patisserie on Wed 22 July. I dropped in and saw them yesterday and they looked so happy to be back doing what they love.
Their new location is 55 Glenferrie Rd. malvern (Near Spotlight and towards the Dandenong Rd end).
I note in this blog that there are some people being dismayed with the VBRRA offer of home designs - which are are of touch with the Marysville that we know and love.
Home designs with a Marysville look and feel? If you are looking at kit homes within a budget, I note there are a few that are in sync with the Marysville country charm - try “Alternate Dwellings” and “Country Lane” homes for starters…. These are what my sister and I have been researching recently. They are both worth a look and consideration.
hi, were we the only people who had a very basic 3 bedroom ,one bathroom timber home worth and insured for about $130,000? Are we wasting our time even considering rebuilding? i was very hopeful …but now i realise i was dreaming
ann,
you’re not dreaming, stay hopeful. We had an old 4 bedroom house, and over the past 2 years we re-did the kitchen and bathroom, and had new carpets and blinds, but we hadn’t up-dated our insurance, and so our payout was less than yours. We’re going to rebuild, it won’t be easy and we’ll have to dip into our retirement nestegg a bit. We’re hopeful of going the kit-home route which is less expensive, especially if we do some of the labouring ourselves. There’s all sorts of affordable homes out there - they just take a bit of searching until you find what is ok for you.
Don’t give up hope - there’s lots of us in the same boat, trying to rebuild of a shoestring budget, and I’m sure we can do it. Stay positive
thankyou kath for your reply and encouragement. i dont mind even if we just rebuild a ‘unit’ at this stage and happy to do some of the work if we can. i am on leave from next week so i will begin my quest !!!!
Hi everyone
A very special person in my family’s life introduced us to Marsyville and Narbethong many years ago. Although not a “regular” we have visited, stayed, nearly bought land and built, and continue to be part of the wider community that truly feels the soul of Marysville district and residents. Last Christmas / New Year my son and his friends rented a house in Marysville and have wonderful memories. Thank you to anyone that was part of their lovely experience.
My family have household items that could be used by others. What would be the best way of passing these on?
Keep your goals written down, read twice/day at least, keep moving forward (even if it means going back a few steps, then forward again - that’s normal, that’s a dance), and don’t give up hope. You CAN do it! J
marysville relief centre is now located at crystal journey on the buxton rd. i think this is the best spot for donations to the community jill. also thank you for the kind and thoughtful words of encouragement. many more people read this site than write on it, and the generosity and encouragement of people goes far. many thanks.
I spent a lovely relaxing 4 days at The Cumberland last Oct 2008 with a group of carers (me being one of them) everyone was so friendly. I just would like to wish everyone all the best in rebuilding and would love to give best wishes to Ashraf and Christine in their new venture. The fudge is out of this world, would love to order some to be delivered as I could not get to the shop.
Also pleased to hear the lolly shop has reopened, our grandies enjoyed all the lollies I brought them back. Looking forward one day in coming back for a visit and to visit Bruno’s garden again.
Marysville will be a beautiful relaxing place again.
Please look into country lane & alternate dwellings, we are & we thought we would struggle to build at all. It meant a small loan but that’s ok for us. We were renting before the fires, so thanks to insurance & grant money we can now have the great marysville dream for ourselves.
Jane, thanks for your glowing comments about my wonderful husband,you put a tear in my eye. He is such a wonderful sensitive soul & I love him so for being that way. We look forward to having you & chris come visit when we finish building!!!
Yipee the windows for our shed have arrived in Marysville. I think I do now believe that we will be GOING HOME.
Fancy being excited about moving into our caravan in a shed.
I do have visions about our new home though - quite different from what we had - much better than our previous one, however, I will miss our old homes history.
There will soon be 5 homes in Racecourse Rd, quite a little community.
There’s a very moving interactive article/presentation about Marysville on The Age website this morning. (Click the link in my name. Caution: footage from the fires and interviews/details of the day)
Six months ago I don’t think there was much hope that our beautiful little town would bounce back: it’s a tremdous tribute to the community and how much we all love Marysville that so much progress has been made in such a relatively short period of time.
Well done to everyone who resolved and worked so hard to come back.
This morning, I saw the AGE multimedia presentation and the newspaper article and I was dismayed that it brings us all back to relive the Feb 09 tragedy with little discussion about what is occuring now and the medium term future. Note: Wasn’t the reflection about “the recovery”?! Like many
I found Ms Milovanovic’s commentary within the multimedia presentation and in written form not objective or sensitive and in a way disturbing and negative. This constrasted with the article and presentation “editorial” headings: Marysville - the hope, renewal, the Faithful and the Recovery.
In the 21st century, the media can have a significant role in either facilitating community recovery or damaging it by what “spin” it decides to create for the general public’s reading & viewing. What happened to media sensitivity and objective journalism? I hope that the AGE reads this blog & takes note.
Overall, I wish the Marysville community progressive and optimistic momentum to become a beautiful and cohesive community.
I agree that the focus of the Age article was less sympathetic than it could have been, but I think in their defense Joe Public needs to reminded of how terrible things were in order to understand just what a hard road you have all travelled. Six months is ancient history to some. I, for one, am simply happy that Marysville has not been forgotten now that the intense focus has drifted away to other stories. As you say, the media has the power to make or break communities: hopefully the media coverage will equate to more visitors and more income for the town.
On a more positive note, the HeraldSun presentation, which I saw after my previous post, included much more about rebuilding and the future of Marysville.
Good news, good news. There are lots of new trees planted along the river - manna gums, myrtle beeches, elderberry panax, and lots of other things John knew that I can’t remember. It’s a Marysville planting - thank you to the Shire and the Friends of the Marysville Walks (?) for getting it so right.
Apologies everyone…
Someone from 3aw rang me not long ago for grabs on the royal commission report.
I wasn’t living in Marysville at the time of the fire and I told the reporter but realised afterwards that I said in the grabs “…that’s why we live there…”
I don’t know why I did this - I suspect it’s where I psychologically live (we kept the house when we left and I’m just waiting to return) - but it may be misleading. I sent an email asking them not to include the grab.
Ron, so pleased re your slab, ours went well. Yes we are employing locals, Graeme (Hubby) has picked up the tools again (actually whatever was donated, plus some - ours were lost in the fire). Got a great price on shed from Dinkum Sheds & Barns (Alexandra), great job on the slab by Acheron Valley Concrete. Great job on the retaining wall by Graeme, pitty it will be covered up by shed.
What a mess……I have just watched the 7.30 report special on Marysville from last night. Can someone tell me, does any of the people who were interviewed actually live, own or operate a business in Marysville….Too many people looking after the interests of a few…..I understand the need for collaboration, and coordination, but what an embarassement for us all, we look like brats, blaming everyone for the mess. Let people get on with it, in the manner they know best, and in their own time frame. The fastest and easiest way is to have one committee, and have community reps on it with Public Sessions for Q&A each week. Be open and accountable. From the Report I saw 3 groups, Council, VBRRA and MATDG. it’s not too late to collapse them into one unified and dignified group with the right level of representation, VBRRA has been designed to do this, so lets get behind them and stop fighting them, then they will have no choice but to operate efficiently. After all they have the ultimate power and the cash to help us….
I knew there was a reason why I didn’t join one the the many lobby groups……this mess speaks for it’s self.
P/S anyone rebuilding their business, be careful of the building commission have to have’s, they cost a fortune, much more of an issue than the BAL stuff
Simon, I totally agree - lets get on with what has to be done to bring OUR beautiful town back.
We only have nine days to go and we will be back despite all grant hassles, permits etc. etc.
Nobody and nothing will keep us from returning.
I also think that many have forgotten the amazing job that the Shire did in the very beginning - I for one am most humbled by the time/effort/love/understanding etc. was given - without them I would certainly still be under my big black cloud.
SO TO ALL FROM THE SHIRE AND ALEXANDRA & SURROUNDS - THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR THE WAY YOU HAVE OPENED YOUR HEARTS/WALLETS/HOMES/PANTRIES/WARDROBES (whatever you needed just appeared without question or favour).
AND
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE EMERGENCY SERVICES INCLUDING DSE EMPLOYEES (OFTEN FORGOTTEN), CFA, POLICE, AMBULANCE, ARMY ETC ETC. for continually putting yourselves in danger again without question or favour.
THANK YOU THANL YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
and thank you whover reads this for letting me get this off my chest.
I agree with your comments regarding the ‘have to haves’. I had to have soil tests which are completed, engineering comps ($6500) which I haven’t had done and am not sure if they are really required. Surely if the designer in his plan follows the Aust Standards then it is up to the Shire to approve or not approve them?
The 7:30 Report quite depressed me as well although I knew it was coming. (Someone used the word shambles to me) The problem with the recovery is getting people to come back in my opinion. My case manager told me there were only 70 applications for permits with the Shire - I suppose many are holding back until some serious activity becomes apparent in the main street. All this talk about the demographic changing and Marysville becoming a young town really is premised on there being jobs.
Does anyone know who is buying land? In talking to people it seems that there will be many more blocks for sale in the future when the dust settles and if there is an influx of non-permanents and speculators then I’m afraid that does not bode well for the future of Marysville.
I am confident that Marysville will once again be great. I know of a few purchases around and surprisingly they are some locals and Melbournites, doing the Holiday Cottage thing, which is also great. I know of a few other people currently looking at land, and their reason for the purchase is that they believe it will be a great investment, as the Country has invested heavily in it’s return, and the spot light will be on us for a few years to come, that s why we need to be grown up and not create whirlpools of crap.
I am very confident of our tourism, it will come back……My own customers are lining up to come back when we open again early in 2010. That fills me with confidence for s successful future
John, I also know of many more than 70 - I wonder where your case manager got her information from.
I for one have not been well enough to make major business decisions - still not - however we are taking baby steps - first the shed (somewhere to live) in our beautiful town then………………..I will let you know……..
Also we are not eligible for “destroyed homes” grant , and were way underinsured for the new regs. ” this will not stop us from coming home”, when you are ready why don’t you also join the “coming home club”.
Lets put the 7.30 report behind us and work as one for Marysville, or Granton, or Narbethong, or Taggerty, or Buxton (wherever your heart is).
marysville will be back don’t worry. james and carol and michael and co. in the marquee (whether it be howling wind or pouring rain) are evidence of this. the marysville and buxton kids have made a giant mosaic rainbow serpent from the aboriginal creation myth, for the new playground, and we have a fantastic play ground designer ready to go.
FRAGA’S CAFE NOW HAVE ELECTRICITY!!! HOORAY! we’ll be back as soon as we’ve painted the walls and floor. watch this space. keep on.
all strength to you jenny with the shed!
stay strong everyone.
hello everyone! hope your shed went in ok jenny? things are slowly coming back.
anyone who wants to keep up with kinder playground activity, go to www.kinplayspace.ning.com and check it out! you can view photos of the kids’ mosaic artwork and add your comments. many thanks go out to all involved.
Thanks “amber-ally” .
I wondered what Treavogmarrig was saying- I had been deleting it, clearly spam. We are getting a lot of spam coming through again- for everyone you see there are 10 more in the moderation queue that I get rid of (John is back!!). I may need to move the blog to another site, so don’t be surprised if this happens
Great to see everyone talking about slabs etc and seeing frames up around town. Go Sharon- moved in by now I expect. There are a number of building companies that are either building in the area or have modular homes that are worth having a look at. Storybook cottages look good (www.storybook.com.au), country lane homes look good as well (countrylanehomes.com.au). Envirowise are doing some work around town- they prefab and deliver, but put lots of work into sustainable design. There is another company in Ballarat doing prefab sustainable homes “environmental villages worldwide” at www.environmentalvillages.com. I’m sure there are others as well, do share your experiences!
On a personal note we will be sleeping in Marysville tomorrow night (Friday) for the first time since the night on the oval on 7th Feb. We’ll be sleeping on the floor, but I’m really looking forward to it…
Vicki
I am missing reading the Triangle Newslletter, it keepsn me up to date what is going on in the beautiful town that i once knew as MARYSVILLE. i MISS that part of my life so much. can you please continue with the newsletter so i can know what is going on in the community that i love, I hope to return one day! My Heart goes out to you all!
Well we made it shed finished, toilet & shower installed by grocon, only the floor to paint tomorrow - a nice terracotta colour to match the marysville mud.
Congratulations Vicki on your first sleep back in Marysville again! I hope you are settling in well.
I hope we can make it too by Easter 2010 too! My sister and I are starting to build again soon too. We’ve decided to go with “alternate dwellings” kit homes in the early settler style with the 5 star green rating.
Thankyou Barry Thomas for providing the latest video news on the Marysville website.
For all of us not living in the temporary village or nearby, it’s a boost to flagging spirits,as we sit in suburban lounge rooms far from where our hearts long to be.
Jenny, Graham has given me the grand tour of your luxury outdoor dunny and shower, and the shed with a terracotta floor too perfect to walk on.It’s worth the wait!
Thank you Fragga’s for the detemiation you have shown to rebiuld the cafe. Ian & I had lunch there today & I have to admit to a few tears. It was wonderful to be doing something so normal in Marysville. It was just like old times.
We will be HOME at the end of the month & we can’t wait. The time has just flown by but it seems like forever. It will be great when we don’t have to just visit.
July 7th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Hello Vicki, I bet you never guessed last February how popular this blog would become. Over 400 postings pre July6.
Congratulations on all your hard work in keeping the blog up and running
Sharon E
July 8th, 2009 at 10:19 am
I just want to say how good it is to hear that people are starting to rebuild in Marysville. We have only been here for 2 months now but going for a walk with bub yesterday it was good to see some frame work happening. I just wish the workmen would stop using Falls Rd as a speedway.
As for the police we only see them maybe on a Fri or Sat night with the spotlight arond the oval for about 10 mins then there are gone, although they were out last night.
It’s just so lovely to see more and more green appearing every week.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:17 am
Has discussion dried up with the new blog ! ?
I’ve discovered this concept called passive houses that could be useful in a place like Marysville (ie without a town gas supply for easy heating). It is possible to build houses that need little or no additional heating through very good insulation, triple glazing and special ventilation systems. With toughened glass fixed windows I believe we can also have unobstructed views without shutters/screens under the new bushfire code. Check out http://www.passiv.de/ .. This idea was also illustrated on ‘Grand Designs’ last week although I dont think we need to spend 900K on a house!.
July 10th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Not dried up Murray, just taking a sanity chill-out! I saw that Grand Designs home too - loved the inside look of the arch - price, hmmm… Thanks for the link. My latest website of choice for layout and look ideas is http://www.stonekithomes.com.au
July 10th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Madeleine, thanks for the link - we’ve looked at a few kit-homes places but hadn’t found this one. Love the stone look.
We went to the meeting on Wednesday evening, and we came away a bit dazed. Thought there was a bit too much waffle and talk at the start, and thought the three speakers generally repeated the same thing (we really didn’t need to know how many pages of butchers-paper different planning groups used); when we broke into groups no-one in our little group knew what to make of the proposals for the ‘urban’ development of the town and just asked questions about trees.While the posters detailing some proposals were stuck on the walls for perusal before the meeting, I don’t think many people could get a clear understanding of what it was all about. (Forgive me if I’m wrong ).
Will the proposed urban design (strange term to use for a small village) prevent people from re-building before it’s all finalised? Do we have to wait? Will the final outcomes be mandated so that properties in the main street HAVE to comply? What does ’sustainability’ mean? If it refers to environmental sustainability, well, all new homes will have to meet the 5-star energy rating. Is that sustainable enough? If it refers to economic sustainability, then the sooner the businesses can come back, and people can come back the better. Marysville cannot be sustainable without US, its people.
Maybe I’m a bit thick and missing some vital piece of info, but I don’t think things have been made clear to ordinary plebs like me. I ‘m not having a go at anyone, and I do appreciate the great amount of effort that has gone into getting the planning for M’ville
July 10th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
opps, pushed the wrong button.
continuing….
I do appreciate the effort that has gone into getting Marysville back up and running again, but I’m just a bit frustrated. I fully understand that you can’t please all the people all the time, and that rebuilding M’ville will take years, and that everyone is acting in the best interests of the town. I’m just frustrated that it’s taking so long, and I know that I’m not alone. and i know that there’s nothing that can be done to speed up the process.
I just want to get back . (apologies for venting.
July 10th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Is anybody else still waiting for their VBBRA grant monies to be approved - I have been ringing twice weekly for some time now and get the same answer every time “It is still waiting final approval” - I know I am only one in a very large bucket of assessments - but it would be nice to know when “final approval” would be.
We can also not access our winter grant until initial assessement until initial grant is finalised.
Well what do you know I have just had a call back from VBBRA - as our contents were in 5 Hull Rd and our only home was in 11
racecourse Rd (also destroyed) we are not elegible for a destroyed homes payment. I was also questioned that I owned 5 Hull Rd, I do or did that was my business “Allawah Cottages” that has also been destroyed.
I will be called back……….when my assessment is reviewed yet again.
Where do we go for assisstance with these matters?????????????????
July 10th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Hi all- thought I would share this email from Ron and Marg Jones of Falls Rd
“Just wanted to introduce myself and Marg to you. We have a property on Falls Road and wish to rebuild as soon as possible. We were planning to move our things in on the 14th of Feb this year, but, well that’s just not happening , is it? Anyway, the plan was and still is to retire in Marysville but now we have to keep working for a while yet. Naturally because it was not our primary place of residence we are not entitled to any assistance and that’s OK, we still have our home in Coleraine, which brings me to my point. I’m a Policeman up here and have difficulty getting time to attend meetings some 5 hours from where we live. I have thrown myself into my community as a board member of our health service and also as a volunteer ambulance officer with Ambulance Victoria. When we are able to move up on my retirement I wish to put myself forward to the Marysville community and assist where I can there too, (I’m also a JP) I have been coming up there since I was 4 years old and have a deep attachment to the area and the friendly people I have known over some 50 years. Please convey my thanks to the current residents for all the work they are doing to restore this beautiful place. I don’t think a day goes by when I don’t think of Marysville and I look forward to many years to come as a resident there. I just thought I should send this to reinforce to those who are there that there are still many who will be rebuilding and returning. Thanks for all the updates on the web which is keeping us up with what goes on.
Regards
Ron and Marg JONES “
July 10th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
We have started the process of re-building! We have to do it for ‘us’ and also for those who still have to make ‘that’ decision and are looking for Marysville’s vital signs.
Apart from all the normal building issues we have now entered the mysterious world of the BAL. My my point of view here is ‘Everything you need to know about BAL but were afraid to ask!
1. All of Victoria is now classed as a Bushfire Zone
2. Every renovation or building requires a BAL rating
3. So, you are going to add a small room on the back, in Toorak, you will have to calculate the BAL from the lovely rows of roses, agapanthas and don’t forget that Silver birch!
4. YOU can calculate the BAL yourself, you don’t have to search out an expert. BAL calculating is a growth industry ready to seperate some $$ from you.
5. If you tell the surveyor YOU have calculated the BAL as BAL19, or whatever, that is sufficent for the buiding permit
6. 99% of the properties in Marysville don’t have any combustible material left within 100 metres, unless you are worried about an attack from the tree ferns or those dastardly agapanthas, BAL is non existent.
7. BAL is ‘calculated’ on todays vegetation, don’t let anyone say you need to calculate BAL for sometime in the future.
8. Calculating BAL is complicated, expensive, convoluted and all the hype surrounding it appears to be more about keeping the ’sheeple’ happy that all is under control and that they will be able to stay in their home during the next fire.
July 11th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Alvin, tell us if your BAL logic gets you your building permit with the shire - sounds great!
Ron and Marg - nice to meet you.
Jenny, for VBRRA problems try ringing Megan Lancaster Marysville Community Liaison person: 0400 344 222
Kath, I rang the stone homes people - it’s real sandstone, steel frame, the prices are estimated to double after building, kitchen, bathroom costs. I’d like to see what they’re like inside but their only display homes are in Sydney (Botany, Nepean, Entertainer).
Kath, The Pheonix Workshop weekend summary waffled exactly as you described, as did the Sunday presentation. When I was ‘floating’ between workshops on the Saturday I heard someone from the design team saying to someone “It’s because the government demanded consultation”. Ever seen Yes Minister? ie. Contain ideas to butcher paper and then waffle as much as possible to take up the time. Sort of a redesign to get a few government buildings organised.
The community seemed to accept the kinda and MCHN moving around to the school - mooted several years ago by the shire I think but resisted. Another decision was about acquiring the car museum so ‘essential needs shops’ for residents (eg supermarket) could have a roof. The only other real issues for the govt were the police station (vbrra building?), and ensuring there is one potential conference centre for jobs etc. The designers said the Russell Crow building could fit in easily wherever.
There were other BIG ideas from the community - all sorts of things - but I got the impression the govt would just want to do their bit (govt buildings, services, jobs, basic economy) and get out - the rest being up to the community’s capacity to organise. Correct me if I’ve got it wrong.
July 11th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
‘don’t ask for permission, ask for forgiveness’. Push ahead and start your rebuilding. Go to council and ask for advise In my experience your dealing with council will go smoothly if you have all of the artifacts ready, etc….so ask them. I am a council basher…..but to my surprise they are dealing with our re build really well to date…lets hope the wheels do not fall off this week….our new building is not on the main street, and I have not been stopped, also I have not asked….so just push ahead, you have every right to build your home. Our BAL has been assessed at the second highest…..Kerami Cres…..a good builder and architect will always find ways to assist meeting the requirements without too much damage to the bottom line. there are ways to get around it……above board of course…
Just go for it………if you ave the desire and means to move then go for it..don’t let anyone stand in your way…..
July 11th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Jenny, have you got a good Case Manager, in my experience, they are worth their weight in gold……..If we have a problem, then our case manager goes in for the fight, and she wins…….phew….so I would go back through that channel, as I believe they have a loud voice when it comes to these matters….
July 11th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
I must be on a role tonight. In the new ‘urban design’ I did not see our police station back. Did I miss something, or is our cops going to sit under the many pergoda’s….or maybe be attached to the Miro Brewery……aside from what I think of some of the new Marysville on paper, we need our police station back. Have we lost it to Buxton….I for one like the presence in town especially with all of our passing trade….
July 12th, 2009 at 8:46 am
hi alvin
thanks for the laughs. sent your report to the newspaper yet?
good on you and all the best with the rebuild.
July 12th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Recently we received a ’supplementary notice’ on the council rates … we now have a cleared block of land .. but the council would like to charge ‘Residential Garbage’ … there is no one there, no bin, therefore no residential garbage. Does this make sense? Can someone help me to understand?
July 12th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Alvin,
Your letter truly is an excellent insight to the BAL quagmire. Does this mean that how we rebuild is ultimately up to the Shire as long as they approve the BAL rating we have given our property? If so, has the Shire made any comment on this? I wonder, can we get them to? Marysville is in danger of even further deforestation as we remove trees from our property to try and lower our BAL. If your information is accurate this won’t be necessary.
July 13th, 2009 at 10:16 am
Congratulations Alvin on making “that” decision, and also to my dear friends Ian and Shelly, who have just bought land in Marysville..
Anyone who has visited the Sunday Market will be aware of the self-titled “Eccentric garden gnome’, not only does he supply quality plants and advice on all things green, he is also an all too modest real life HERO!He saved my life and that of my husband on the day of the fires. He came back once, he came back twice, he came back three times to our place to beg us to get out, telling us that this was a fire too big and too furious to stay and defend.The third entreaty was delivered with such a note of desperation that we were forced to make that gut wrenching decision to abandon our home, the centre of our universe, jump in the car and sail off into the smoky sunset. Thank you again and again ” Ian the eccentric garden gnome.”
July 13th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Hi
We are still having trouble with our insurance policy. They have submitted a deed of release although there is still the unresolved issues of site clearance.
Has anyone else had a confidentiality clause in their deed. I wondered if it was standard.
Jacky
July 14th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Hi everyone!
Yes, my sister and I are weekenders that have recently signed a building contract to start building in Spring 2009. Our family has decided that we are too attached to the Marysville land & environs and town community. We also feel it is appropriate to facilitate the regeneration of Marysville by our actions. We are looking forward to helping with the rebuild in our own way….by building a property that keeps in the early settler / colonial style feel.
We were pleasantly surprised that the BAL level rating for most of the Marysville town is generally low and there is a lot interesting different materials and options to consider. So, don’t dilly dally any longer and act with our hands, hearts and minds. Reliance on government to rebuild towns is not the answer, we need to show the Victorian community and governments that are as resilient as our ancestors and the Australian bush.
Looking forward to returning….
Carol
July 14th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Have I read this correctly??
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25783735-661,00.html
“Red Cross Bushfire Relief Fund spokeswoman Elizabeth Tuckey said the advisory panel had finished giving money to individuals and was now focusing on allocating the remaining $70 million to community groups and buildings”
July 15th, 2009 at 10:44 am
The HEART OF MARYSVILLE is beating once again….The LOLLY SHOP is open!!
Well done Julia, Diane and Willa.
July 15th, 2009 at 11:27 am
I may not be in the right place but please direct me elsewhere if you can. I’m trying to buy a copy of the book about Marysville called ‘The Highway to Heaven, Marysville and District’ by Mary Kenealy who is a member of the Historical Society I gather. Can anyone help me find where I can get it please? Thank you, Alice
July 15th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Hi All
Apologies for the slow moderation- I must have been worn out after all the meetings last week! I’ll turn this off for a while and see how it goes. There are still offers for Viagra coming through but not as many!
July 15th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Hi Johnny and Tina,
Hope you’re doing ok.
Your post about a garbage charge on the rates got me thinking and I’ve just had a look at our supplementary rate notice. Yes, there is a garbage charge and a recycling charge adding up to $164.57, but the with the council waivers the total we have to pay is only $119.60, which is less than the waste fees. (I would assume you’ve got a similar amount as we’re neighbours)
I’ve also re-read the covering letter that came with the rate notice, and it says that the “rates, garbage and recycling charges to be waived for this period”. I’ve just gone over the sums again trying to work out what has been waived, and it all works out - we’re not being charged for rubbish collection. Hope all this makes sense to you.
Hope to catch up with you, keep in touch
Kathy
July 15th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Thanks Vicki
I realise you put a lot of time into the site. I am sure we can all put up with the occasional viagra ad and lot of CHEEPs
Jacky
July 15th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Hi Alice,
Last time I was there the information centre in the Marysville Central marquee had the Highway to Heaven book.
Cheers
Sue
July 16th, 2009 at 7:48 am
Hi John P,
the HERALDSUN article misquoted, I spoke to someone on the phone, who repeated the same old mantra, more grants will be forthcoming, and the panel are aware of the part-timers,but it is a very complex issue and is still up for discussion.It is all to do with taxation laws, blah blah blah…….
July 16th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
The Royal Commission has called for submissions relating to building materials etc…
Call for Building Submissions
http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/
The Royal Commission is seeking submissions in relation to buildings, including fireproofing of housing and other buildings and materials used in construction. If you have already provided a submission on this subject, there is no need to re-submit as your original submission will be considered as part of the Commission’s further work.
If you have not yet made a submission on this topic then we encourage you to provide your submission, with a cover sheet, by Friday, 31 July 2009.
July 16th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
We can get rubbish bins…
http://www.murrindindi.vic.gov.au/page/page.asp?page_id=1007
A reminder to all property owners who have lost their Council supplied garbage and / or recycling bins through the bushfires to contact Council’s Alexandra Office on 5772 0333 to arrange the delivery of replacement bins. Please provide your name, property address and a contact number to ensure replacement bins can be delivered to your property as soon as possible.
July 16th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
I was worrying about you Vicki!! - I thought the spam must’ve morphed into swine flu.
July 16th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
It looks like spam-a-lot is back!
July 16th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Madeleine, thanks for the info about the stone houses. They look really good, and it seems like a more aesthetic alternative to ordinary brick, which might be the last resort for us poor mugs with a bal of FZ.
We’ve had a look at their brochure and the inclusions, and it doesn’t look like they include the internal stuff (kitchen bathrooms etc), and that’s a bit of a turn-off. The kit home we were considering comes with everything, down to the toilet roll holder and paint (enough to undercoat the insides). So with a very, very tight budget to work with we might have to consider “one with the lot”.
I must admit though the stone house looks good, and would certainly fit in with the Marysville look.
July 16th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Hi Kath ,We have been considering some kit homes too for the very reasons you said. (We also have a very tight budget)Do you mind saying which company you are happiest with? Thanks.
July 16th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Hi, For the people who are considering a Kit home, I have been told reliably that most kits are built to Lock Up Stage, and you have to finish it off. If the house costs you 100K then you have to allow a further 100K to finish, this will provide a medium finish. It is a good rule of thumb, that has been verified by many Kit home Builders. What ever it costs you for the kit, then it will cost that again for the finished product. I hope that helps.
July 16th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
hi Anne, the company we were most impressed with is Paal - they have a display house in Canterbury Rd, Bayswater. The house on display is way, way too big, but they have a range of others from studio cottages up to 5 bedroom homes in their brochure; and the list of internal inclusions is quite impressive. They also have a web site if you want to have a look at their plans.
We spoke to them a few months ago, and I think they have a deal for bush-fire people where they will waive the delivery costs if delivery is by the end of this year(might want to confirm that - I may have mis-heard).
July 16th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Thanks Simon, we were told that too, so that’s one incentive to consider doing at least some of the construction ourselves.
Another thing that isn’t generally included in the price is the slab, and if you have a sloping block, like most of Marysville, that’s another expense on top. As well as all this, there’s the added cost of fire-rated construction materials, which will vary according to individual bals.
The prices quoted in kit-home brochures are for standard (read ‘flat’)sites and standard materials. It all adds to the cost, but as far as we are concerned it’s still going to be a more economical way to build a home that fits all our criteria, looks ok and fits in with the Marysville feel.
July 16th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Vicki yell out if you need help with the moderation. I am at home all the time and would be happy to help when you have a full on week.
July 17th, 2009 at 5:58 am
Does anyone have a link for the ‘Triangle News’ for last week, or this week? I can’t seem to see one. Or was it not published?
July 17th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Good point Anne- I’ve just sent an email to Delice saying she has an international following- please send the missing editions!
In relation to the kit homes- I just picked up a magazine at a newsagents yesterday called “BuildHome Victoria”. I bought it as it didn’t cost too much and it advertised Fire resistant design and energy efficient feature! There was some coverage of the home built by Rowan Steele that survived the fire undefended. There are also a lot of kit homes advertised. I liked the look of Hoobler stone.
Also- I’m now putting the MATDG minutes on line. We are currently following up on a few issues where people are having problems with getting planning and/or building permits for various reasons. VBRRA is working with the council to try to expedite permits. So if you have any problems let me know! Next MATDG meeting will be Sunday 26th July at 3 pm, Mville Golf club
July 17th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Delice does a brilliant job with the ‘Triangle News’. also those who run the Marysville community website. Well done to all those who keep all this going; it means a lot to those who loved Marsville and the surrounding area but who are too far away to be any use in the rebuilding. Our hearts are with you.
We look forward to returning one day.
July 18th, 2009 at 10:41 am
Thank you Sue - I’ll try to follow that up. Sorry I did not get to reply sooner. Alice
July 18th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Hi Jane, i read your thankyou regarding the day of the fire. We were leaving that day, as we just felt we had to, but on driving out of our driveway a man in a red or maroon car told us we needed to go and now. i have wondered many times who he may have been?
July 21st, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Hi there, Just a heads up about trying to get help in re-building from local subbies, they don’t want to know about your problem. They whinge about not getting work but never respond positively to requests for help. The builder who builds plastic houses is especially bad. Be very careful when listening to these ‘tradesmen’ You are much better off getting professional tradesman from outside marysville
July 21st, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Sam, thats a bit harsh…..Marysville has many good and reliable tradies. In my experience, which I have had many, the local guys always come through with the goods. Take a few deep breaths and try again. If we want Marysville to come back the way it was, then we need to support the locals where it makes sense. What is the problem you are needing solved, maybe we can suggest something for you.
July 22nd, 2009 at 8:32 am
Not sure if any of you need some inspiration for your rebuilding, but here’s a couple of great TV shows to watch:
‘Grand Designs’, ABC1 Tuesday nights 8.30pm. Kevin McLeod takes us on a journey to see how some people start with a great home design concept and see it through to completion. Some really interesting technologies are used in these projects.
And a new on starting this week: ‘World’s Greenest Homes’, ABC1 Thursday nights 6.07pm. Architect and designer Emmanuel Belliveau takes us on a whirlwind global tour of beautiful, one-of-a-kind homes that are also eco-friendly with high-tech green credentials.
July 22nd, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Thanks for all the rebuilding ideas and suggestions but a lot sound very expensive. We have a very limited budget, do you think it can still be done?
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Like James, we’re working with a very tight budget, but I think that even though a lot of the whiz-bang-you-beaut architecturally-unique eco-friendly houses are out of the price-range of most people there might be one or two ideas/innovations that could be incorporated into a basic (read ‘cheaper’) design. It could be something very simple that doesn’t cost a lot to implement, so I think it’s worth looking at new designs and concepts. But it does get demoralising when these fantastic homes with all the eco-gizmos have price tags of gazillions of dollars.
July 22nd, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Thanks for that Kath. We are trying to stay positive and inspired as well, given the shocked state we were in when we found out that we aren’t insured and don’t really have any capital behind us at the moment to build anything like what we had to start with.
It might be a simple workshop with Hebel walls as a shell to begin with for us, that we do ourselves, yet again.
A bit hard after nearly 7 years of back-breaking work to complete a beautiful renovation to what was an old 1940s property.
We have to try tostay positive given the difficulty of all of our circumstances and challenges in rebuilding, but I believe we will get what we want for ourselves and our new town, in the end through determination.
July 22nd, 2009 at 5:27 pm
After all this great discussion on rebuilding, I thought I’d have a look at the VBRRA site to see what the architects came up with
Prices range from $200,000 to $730,000 plus, mostly in the high $200,000-$400,000 range. I think I must be out of touch with building costs (despite watching grand designs!)
What are the views on the VBRRA offers. Is anyone looking at any of them?
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Just had another look at the VBRRA designs on offer, and was a bit disappointed that the architects have not designed homes that most of us could afford to build. Even the cheapest, at low 200K is out of our price range. It’s a shame that the architects didn’t provide a good design that was affordable, and that looked as if it would fit in with Marysville. For us I think the most affordable option is to build a kit home, and do some of the construction ourselves.
I reckon the VBRRA homes look like ‘concept’ designs with little thought as to how families will use the space, rather than real homes for real people with realistic budgets.
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:59 am
I haven’t looked at all the designs yet - they take a long time to download, and even then I can’t see them very well. The ones I saw didn’t look at all “Marysville”. Almost all I looked at had flat rooves - is this a BAL thing? Most of us are on sloping blocks - we have a house site already where we can put a slab, but it’s not that large - the designs didn’t have measurements.
And on the prices! If one was going to consider withdrawing all the super to put into the house, it would be one of our own design that we thought looked pretty. Otherwise we’d build an inexpensive pretty house.
Note to self: Need to negotiate the term ‘pretty’ with husband’s ‘manly’ house ideas.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Thanks Veronica for the reminder, we watched, with interest the TV program on ABC 2 tonight on eco designed houses. Although they involved high end designs (and budgets) they embodied many principles that we can all adopt even if we rebuild with more moderately priced kit homes.
It is now mandatory in Victoria that all new homes now must be built with at least a 5 star energy efficiency rating. This is to ensure that all new homes meet minimum energy efficiency requirements. Some of the principles adopted include orientating the house to maximise solar access by positioning windows to maximise winter sun and shading windows in summer. Others include allowing for cross ventilation for cooling in summer as well as minimising air leakage by sealing gaps. Our old house had windows that provided cross ventilation and it was brilliant for cooling the house down in the early evening on hot summer days.
It is worthwhile going beyond the minimum 5 star energy rating as it will make for a more pleasant living environment and reduced utility bills for your house. i.e. cheaper to heat and cool the house, and cheaper hot water. Some possibilities involve facing living areas to the north, providing eaves for summer shading but allowing winter sun to penetrate, installing higher rating insulation than the minimum standard, sealing cracks and leaks, providing high thermal mass materials inside the house to moderate the temperature in winter and summer. Other possibilities include solar power, solar hot water and green plumbing solutions such as recycling cold water until the required temperature is reached and plumbing water tanks into the laundry and toilets. Many of these are much cheaper to incorporate in a new house than to try to retro fit later.
Improving building sustainability is not just for those with mega budgets.
July 24th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
In case you hadn’t heard, Ashraf and Christine opened their Marysville Patisserie on Wed 22 July. I dropped in and saw them yesterday and they looked so happy to be back doing what they love.
Their new location is 55 Glenferrie Rd. malvern (Near Spotlight and towards the Dandenong Rd end).
They would love to see all of you!
July 24th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
We visited Christine and Ashraf in Glenferrie Road last week before they opened and had the grand tour - certainly very swishy!!
July 25th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Hi everyone,
I note in this blog that there are some people being dismayed with the VBRRA offer of home designs - which are are of touch with the Marysville that we know and love.
Home designs with a Marysville look and feel? If you are looking at kit homes within a budget, I note there are a few that are in sync with the Marysville country charm - try “Alternate Dwellings” and “Country Lane” homes for starters…. These are what my sister and I have been researching recently. They are both worth a look and consideration.
Happy home design hunting!
July 25th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
hi, were we the only people who had a very basic 3 bedroom ,one bathroom timber home worth and insured for about $130,000? Are we wasting our time even considering rebuilding? i was very hopeful …but now i realise i was dreaming
July 26th, 2009 at 12:37 am
ann,
you’re not dreaming, stay hopeful. We had an old 4 bedroom house, and over the past 2 years we re-did the kitchen and bathroom, and had new carpets and blinds, but we hadn’t up-dated our insurance, and so our payout was less than yours. We’re going to rebuild, it won’t be easy and we’ll have to dip into our retirement nestegg a bit. We’re hopeful of going the kit-home route which is less expensive, especially if we do some of the labouring ourselves. There’s all sorts of affordable homes out there - they just take a bit of searching until you find what is ok for you.
Don’t give up hope - there’s lots of us in the same boat, trying to rebuild of a shoestring budget, and I’m sure we can do it. Stay positive
July 26th, 2009 at 10:35 am
thankyou kath for your reply and encouragement. i dont mind even if we just rebuild a ‘unit’ at this stage and happy to do some of the work if we can. i am on leave from next week so i will begin my quest !!!!
July 27th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Hi everyone
A very special person in my family’s life introduced us to Marsyville and Narbethong many years ago. Although not a “regular” we have visited, stayed, nearly bought land and built, and continue to be part of the wider community that truly feels the soul of Marysville district and residents. Last Christmas / New Year my son and his friends rented a house in Marysville and have wonderful memories. Thank you to anyone that was part of their lovely experience.
My family have household items that could be used by others. What would be the best way of passing these on?
Keep your goals written down, read twice/day at least, keep moving forward (even if it means going back a few steps, then forward again - that’s normal, that’s a dance), and don’t give up hope. You CAN do it! J
July 28th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
marysville relief centre is now located at crystal journey on the buxton rd. i think this is the best spot for donations to the community jill. also thank you for the kind and thoughtful words of encouragement. many more people read this site than write on it, and the generosity and encouragement of people goes far. many thanks.
July 29th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
I spent a lovely relaxing 4 days at The Cumberland last Oct 2008 with a group of carers (me being one of them) everyone was so friendly. I just would like to wish everyone all the best in rebuilding and would love to give best wishes to Ashraf and Christine in their new venture. The fudge is out of this world, would love to order some to be delivered as I could not get to the shop.
Also pleased to hear the lolly shop has reopened, our grandies enjoyed all the lollies I brought them back. Looking forward one day in coming back for a visit and to visit Bruno’s garden again.
Marysville will be a beautiful relaxing place again.
July 30th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Kath & Anne,
Please look into country lane & alternate dwellings, we are & we thought we would struggle to build at all. It meant a small loan but that’s ok for us. We were renting before the fires, so thanks to insurance & grant money we can now have the great marysville dream for ourselves.
Jane, thanks for your glowing comments about my wonderful husband,you put a tear in my eye. He is such a wonderful sensitive soul & I love him so for being that way. We look forward to having you & chris come visit when we finish building!!!
July 30th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Yipee the windows for our shed have arrived in Marysville. I think I do now believe that we will be GOING HOME.
Fancy being excited about moving into our caravan in a shed.
I do have visions about our new home though - quite different from what we had - much better than our previous one, however, I will miss our old homes history.
There will soon be 5 homes in Racecourse Rd, quite a little community.
July 31st, 2009 at 4:06 am
jenny that is excellent!
July 31st, 2009 at 10:03 am
Jenny,
it’s not about how you live, it’s about where you live & now you can see some light at the end of the tunnel, we are so happy for you!!
July 31st, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Well now I really am excited - we are getting a shower and toilet cubicle gratis from VBBRA/Grocon.
If anyone else is thinking about going back to their land either in a shed or caravan or garage contact grocon re the toilet/shower cubicle.
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Hi Jenny , I am SO THRILLED to hear of the progress you are making!!!
August 3rd, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Good to hear the news about the purchase of the car museum!! Another step forward in the rebuilding process for Marysville.
Well done to all those who worked so hard to make it happen
August 5th, 2009 at 6:41 am
I wish all you spammers would go away. You are spoiling a good and important site. Leave it alone.
August 7th, 2009 at 9:46 am
There’s a very moving interactive article/presentation about Marysville on The Age website this morning. (Click the link in my name. Caution: footage from the fires and interviews/details of the day)
Six months ago I don’t think there was much hope that our beautiful little town would bounce back: it’s a tremdous tribute to the community and how much we all love Marysville that so much progress has been made in such a relatively short period of time.
Well done to everyone who resolved and worked so hard to come back.
August 7th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
I can get the three brief interviews, but from what is indicated there is a lot more. How do I get it?
All best wishes to all who are working so hard to get Marysville going again.
August 7th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
I’ve finally seen the buttons to work it…brain not doing too well. I’ve watched Part 1; so moving. We are with you in heart and prayers.
August 8th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Fer,
This morning, I saw the AGE multimedia presentation and the newspaper article and I was dismayed that it brings us all back to relive the Feb 09 tragedy with little discussion about what is occuring now and the medium term future. Note: Wasn’t the reflection about “the recovery”?! Like many
I found Ms Milovanovic’s commentary within the multimedia presentation and in written form not objective or sensitive and in a way disturbing and negative. This constrasted with the article and presentation “editorial” headings: Marysville - the hope, renewal, the Faithful and the Recovery.
In the 21st century, the media can have a significant role in either facilitating community recovery or damaging it by what “spin” it decides to create for the general public’s reading & viewing. What happened to media sensitivity and objective journalism? I hope that the AGE reads this blog & takes note.
Overall, I wish the Marysville community progressive and optimistic momentum to become a beautiful and cohesive community.
August 8th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Hi Carol,
I agree that the focus of the Age article was less sympathetic than it could have been, but I think in their defense Joe Public needs to reminded of how terrible things were in order to understand just what a hard road you have all travelled. Six months is ancient history to some. I, for one, am simply happy that Marysville has not been forgotten now that the intense focus has drifted away to other stories. As you say, the media has the power to make or break communities: hopefully the media coverage will equate to more visitors and more income for the town.
On a more positive note, the HeraldSun presentation, which I saw after my previous post, included much more about rebuilding and the future of Marysville.
August 10th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Hi, been checking out kit homes and come across RAL Homes in Ararat - www.ralhomes.com.au. These kit homes look great!
August 12th, 2009 at 7:57 am
Hi Kath - thanks for the encouraging post; kit homes - yes that is perhaps what we can afford as well. Will start the search soon!
August 17th, 2009 at 12:52 am
Good news, good news. There are lots of new trees planted along the river - manna gums, myrtle beeches, elderberry panax, and lots of other things John knew that I can’t remember. It’s a Marysville planting - thank you to the Shire and the Friends of the Marysville Walks (?) for getting it so right.
August 17th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Apologies everyone…
Someone from 3aw rang me not long ago for grabs on the royal commission report.
I wasn’t living in Marysville at the time of the fire and I told the reporter but realised afterwards that I said in the grabs “…that’s why we live there…”
I don’t know why I did this - I suspect it’s where I psychologically live (we kept the house when we left and I’m just waiting to return) - but it may be misleading. I sent an email asking them not to include the grab.
August 17th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Slab is being poured tomorrow only 12 days to go now………….till I am home…………..
August 18th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Jenny, hope the slab pour goes well.
August 18th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Great to hear people rebuilding. I think we have to have a slab on our place as well. Are locals being employed where available?
August 18th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Ron, so pleased re your slab, ours went well. Yes we are employing locals, Graeme (Hubby) has picked up the tools again (actually whatever was donated, plus some - ours were lost in the fire). Got a great price on shed from Dinkum Sheds & Barns (Alexandra), great job on the slab by Acheron Valley Concrete. Great job on the retaining wall by Graeme, pitty it will be covered up by shed.
August 19th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
What a mess……I have just watched the 7.30 report special on Marysville from last night. Can someone tell me, does any of the people who were interviewed actually live, own or operate a business in Marysville….Too many people looking after the interests of a few…..I understand the need for collaboration, and coordination, but what an embarassement for us all, we look like brats, blaming everyone for the mess. Let people get on with it, in the manner they know best, and in their own time frame. The fastest and easiest way is to have one committee, and have community reps on it with Public Sessions for Q&A each week. Be open and accountable. From the Report I saw 3 groups, Council, VBRRA and MATDG. it’s not too late to collapse them into one unified and dignified group with the right level of representation, VBRRA has been designed to do this, so lets get behind them and stop fighting them, then they will have no choice but to operate efficiently. After all they have the ultimate power and the cash to help us….
I knew there was a reason why I didn’t join one the the many lobby groups……this mess speaks for it’s self.
P/S anyone rebuilding their business, be careful of the building commission have to have’s, they cost a fortune, much more of an issue than the BAL stuff
August 20th, 2009 at 7:42 am
Simon, I totally agree - lets get on with what has to be done to bring OUR beautiful town back.
We only have nine days to go and we will be back despite all grant hassles, permits etc. etc.
Nobody and nothing will keep us from returning.
I also think that many have forgotten the amazing job that the Shire did in the very beginning - I for one am most humbled by the time/effort/love/understanding etc. was given - without them I would certainly still be under my big black cloud.
SO TO ALL FROM THE SHIRE AND ALEXANDRA & SURROUNDS - THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR THE WAY YOU HAVE OPENED YOUR HEARTS/WALLETS/HOMES/PANTRIES/WARDROBES (whatever you needed just appeared without question or favour).
AND
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE EMERGENCY SERVICES INCLUDING DSE EMPLOYEES (OFTEN FORGOTTEN), CFA, POLICE, AMBULANCE, ARMY ETC ETC. for continually putting yourselves in danger again without question or favour.
THANK YOU THANL YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
and thank you whover reads this for letting me get this off my chest.
August 20th, 2009 at 8:06 am
Simon, I think the answer to your question is no.
I agree with your comments regarding the ‘have to haves’. I had to have soil tests which are completed, engineering comps ($6500) which I haven’t had done and am not sure if they are really required. Surely if the designer in his plan follows the Aust Standards then it is up to the Shire to approve or not approve them?
The 7:30 Report quite depressed me as well although I knew it was coming. (Someone used the word shambles to me) The problem with the recovery is getting people to come back in my opinion. My case manager told me there were only 70 applications for permits with the Shire - I suppose many are holding back until some serious activity becomes apparent in the main street. All this talk about the demographic changing and Marysville becoming a young town really is premised on there being jobs.
Does anyone know who is buying land? In talking to people it seems that there will be many more blocks for sale in the future when the dust settles and if there is an influx of non-permanents and speculators then I’m afraid that does not bode well for the future of Marysville.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:01 am
I am confident that Marysville will once again be great. I know of a few purchases around and surprisingly they are some locals and Melbournites, doing the Holiday Cottage thing, which is also great. I know of a few other people currently looking at land, and their reason for the purchase is that they believe it will be a great investment, as the Country has invested heavily in it’s return, and the spot light will be on us for a few years to come, that s why we need to be grown up and not create whirlpools of crap.
I am very confident of our tourism, it will come back……My own customers are lining up to come back when we open again early in 2010. That fills me with confidence for s successful future
August 20th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
John, I know of four more permits that will be going in as soon as the insurers agree to our requests. Stay positive.
August 20th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
John, I also know of many more than 70 - I wonder where your case manager got her information from.
I for one have not been well enough to make major business decisions - still not - however we are taking baby steps - first the shed (somewhere to live) in our beautiful town then………………..I will let you know……..
Also we are not eligible for “destroyed homes” grant , and were way underinsured for the new regs. ” this will not stop us from coming home”, when you are ready why don’t you also join the “coming home club”.
Lets put the 7.30 report behind us and work as one for Marysville, or Granton, or Narbethong, or Taggerty, or Buxton (wherever your heart is).
August 20th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Jenny, well said.
August 21st, 2009 at 7:55 pm
marysville will be back don’t worry. james and carol and michael and co. in the marquee (whether it be howling wind or pouring rain) are evidence of this. the marysville and buxton kids have made a giant mosaic rainbow serpent from the aboriginal creation myth, for the new playground, and we have a fantastic play ground designer ready to go.
FRAGA’S CAFE NOW HAVE ELECTRICITY!!! HOORAY! we’ll be back as soon as we’ve painted the walls and floor. watch this space. keep on.
all strength to you jenny with the shed!
stay strong everyone.
August 23rd, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Shed going up tomorrow - one step closer to “going home”.
August 25th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
hello everyone! hope your shed went in ok jenny? things are slowly coming back.
anyone who wants to keep up with kinder playground activity, go to www.kinplayspace.ning.com and check it out! you can view photos of the kids’ mosaic artwork and add your comments. many thanks go out to all involved.
August 27th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Thanks “amber-ally” .
I wondered what Treavogmarrig was saying- I had been deleting it, clearly spam. We are getting a lot of spam coming through again- for everyone you see there are 10 more in the moderation queue that I get rid of (John is back!!). I may need to move the blog to another site, so don’t be surprised if this happens
Great to see everyone talking about slabs etc and seeing frames up around town. Go Sharon- moved in by now I expect. There are a number of building companies that are either building in the area or have modular homes that are worth having a look at. Storybook cottages look good (www.storybook.com.au), country lane homes look good as well (countrylanehomes.com.au). Envirowise are doing some work around town- they prefab and deliver, but put lots of work into sustainable design. There is another company in Ballarat doing prefab sustainable homes “environmental villages worldwide” at www.environmentalvillages.com. I’m sure there are others as well, do share your experiences!
On a personal note we will be sleeping in Marysville tomorrow night (Friday) for the first time since the night on the oval on 7th Feb. We’ll be sleeping on the floor, but I’m really looking forward to it…
Vicki
August 27th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
I am missing reading the Triangle Newslletter, it keepsn me up to date what is going on in the beautiful town that i once knew as MARYSVILLE. i MISS that part of my life so much. can you please continue with the newsletter so i can know what is going on in the community that i love, I hope to return one day! My Heart goes out to you all!
August 27th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
It’s good to read your news Vicki. Marysville is in our hearts and prayers.
August 28th, 2009 at 10:39 am
CONGRATULATIONS VICKI !!!
I hope you, Russell and the new puppy will settle in and feel like you have all come home.
August 28th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Well we made it shed finished, toilet & shower installed by grocon, only the floor to paint tomorrow - a nice terracotta colour to match the marysville mud.
Hope you will all come for a visit.
August 28th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Congratulations Vicki on your first sleep back in Marysville again! I hope you are settling in well.
I hope we can make it too by Easter 2010 too! My sister and I are starting to build again soon too. We’ve decided to go with “alternate dwellings” kit homes in the early settler style with the 5 star green rating.
All the best….
August 28th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Marysville mud. Sounds fantastic. Seeing a builder this coming week, rteally hope to be up to my armpits in it myself.
September 3rd, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Well we made it back to Marysville though not quite home yet - still waiting for elec to be connected and terracotta floor to dry.
September 10th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Thankyou Barry Thomas for providing the latest video news on the Marysville website.
For all of us not living in the temporary village or nearby, it’s a boost to flagging spirits,as we sit in suburban lounge rooms far from where our hearts long to be.
Jenny, Graham has given me the grand tour of your luxury outdoor dunny and shower, and the shed with a terracotta floor too perfect to walk on.It’s worth the wait!
September 17th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Thank you Fragga’s for the detemiation you have shown to rebiuld the cafe. Ian & I had lunch there today & I have to admit to a few tears. It was wonderful to be doing something so normal in Marysville. It was just like old times.
We will be HOME at the end of the month & we can’t wait. The time has just flown by but it seems like forever. It will be great when we don’t have to just visit.
September 17th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
shelley board you are so welcome. thank you for supporting us. xox
September 27th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Hi all
New blog site at http://marysvillecomm.blogspot.com/ to get away from the multiple drug offers and other spam!