W I N T E R N E W S L E T T E R

Welcoming SpringAs the long awaited summer rays begin to fend off the frosty mornings, I have settled well into the Mittagundi Director role. I feel supported by a strong staff team made up of Program Manager (Toby), Business Manager (Colleen) and the Mittagundi Leaders (Bec B, Bec W, Raku, Jane & Jacinta) as well as the many members on the council and the countless community members that continue their endless support.

There have been many morning’s where the taps had to be de-frosted by the first morning kettle to boil. Yet all the challenges that faced the team throughout the winter period were met and dealt with in a professional manner. The spring flowers are blooming and the native animals waking up, the staff team have emerged from a busy winter schedule and are looking forward to getting back into the swing of spring, summer and follow up programs.

As I sit writing this article I think back to how times have changed since Ian Stapleton set up Mittagundi with a paddock of busses some with engines, and some without. Young people were the key focus of Mittagundi then and are still today.

Mittagundi has a responsibility to every parent that sends their child on one of our courses, and it is this responsibility that has resulted in the best and safest practices being adopted. Risk analysis and safety chats are now a regular component of Mittagundi life. We continue to operate where the young people still help us to split the wood for a dozen stoves but it’s now necessary to ensure that this is always done with steel-toe boots, safety glasses, and with adequate briefings, demonstrations and supervision from a leader. We haven’t changed, just thought about safety a little more thoroughly.

We continue to use pack-horses (Samson and Phil) on the High Plains, operate without electricity, broadband, mobile phones and clocks. Operating on the tummy grumble to tell

us when it’s time for a meal and moo of the cow, asking to be milked, as our alarm clock.

Whilst focusing on young people we uphold pioneer principles, and maintain the Mittagundi values of Fairness, Respect, Responsibility and Safety which are key to the operation of Mittagundi. They are good values to remind young people who may get lost in the world of Facebook, and iPhones. As Ian Stapleton originally set it up, I hope to maintain Mittagundi as he envisioned.

Sam Walmsley, Director

Mittagundi

✴ Program dates • Girls 390 30th December

ENTERPRISE: 25th november - 1st december

WOODCHOP 11th - 17th december

Follow up programsSee the website for follow up courses for young people to

return to Mittagundi having done a 10 day program

CALENDAR 2011

CHECK PLACES

AND

BOOK ONLINE AT

WWW.MITTAGUNDI.ORG.AU

M I T T A G U N D I

I

Winter: a word from the Program ManagerTrapyard Gap on the High Plains Road was carrying a foot of snow when we jumped from the vehicles. There is something pretty wonderful about winter in the High Plains. The snow lies everywhere, on the ground of course, but also weighing down the branches of the trees; covering also the unsightly mess of bitumen, gravel, steel barrier and signage that winds through the bush. Jane and I had been up a day or two previously to drag branches and litter off the road: beyond that yellow gate I could see some snow-covered trees fallen like pick-up-sticks.

The first course of winter is usually a follow up, and we had fifteen or so young people as well as most of the staff team on our first journey to McNamara’s Hut. One of my favourite things is being up in the mountains in winter. The feeling always reminds me of my childhood in London, that rare excitement when the city ground to a standstill and the weather gave us a day off from everything quotidian – school, work, time, schedule, ordinariness. Going to play in the snow with friends has an enduring meaning for me.

We’d already had an exciting time. The Omeo Highway over Mt Wills had been closed for a day by trees and snow, just when we were bringing the young people over from Albury. Leaders are qualified to use chainsaws, but we value the safest choice round here, and there’s always a choice. An unscheduled night’s stay in Mt Beauty did not dampen the enthusiasm from Mittagundians young and old(er) for an adventure to Mac’s Hut.

Skiing with packs on can be a challenge, as I’m sure all of you who have been there will remember. After a bit of a practice at the Gap, as a group we picked our way along the road, enjoying the quiet and the white of the bush. There were uphill sections and a few exciting runs down the inclines, often ending in stacks, hilarity, the struggle to get up again. Then a mountain hut covered in snow, tents pitched on snow, the creek covered over with snow, hot dinner round the fire, biting cold outside, the twang of guitar strings, singing, chatter, laughter, stars in the night and heavy frost in the morning … and away we went into winter, course after course and two hundred young people into and out of the mountains.

The early snow did not last lower down, and in August we began to travel to Fitzgerald Hut right on the edge of the highest plains. On the first of September, on the last snow day of the last winter programme, with twenty young people, a couple of leaders, volunteers and a teacher, I stood next to a solitary snow gum on top of Holland’s Knob in bright spring sunshine, looking round and round over towards Hotham, Mt Nelse, the Long Spur coming down from Bogong, out to Wills, down into the Mitta valley, far away to the Main Range. I saw everyone there looking out too, and I thought about all the plain old hard yakka it had taken all of us alike to get there, one way or another, and in the silence I had a smile to myself. Then we all skied home.

Toby

Do you have a magic Mittagundi photo? Send or email them in to the

team with a name, a date and a story, for the 2011

photo album!P

M I T T A G U N D I

On the farmAs the last days of our winter course came to a close, we had some gorgeous sunny days arrive with spring on our doorstep. In that time, we had a moment to reflect upon what we had achieved as a whole: young people, staff, helpers and school staff alike. Working farm days were a massive part of our program and some tasks required little preparation, whilst others were time consuming and took commitment and personal time from staff.

One of our initial farm day jobs was 'The Great Sheep Poo Mission', which would provide the garden and orchard with some highly nutritious fertilizer that we hope will give our soil that extra BOOST, so we'd have delicious produce down the track. Becc had organised with local neighbour Gordy to borrow his trailer and to construct four walls made from timber and corrugated iron sheets, so as to collect as much as possible. Now this is the effort I'm talking about to make things happen! They worked after hours late into the night and devised the perfect poo charriot. Anyway...in our first week we took this fabulous creation along with a wonderful group of young people across to Benambra for the mission. Dressed accordingly in their overalls they happily scraped, scooped, shovelled, and wheelbarrowed until the afternoon light was fading. With such a load we decided to call it a day and return proudly with the sheep load of poo, along with tired smelly bodies and beaming grins from ear to ear. What satisfaction to complete the mission and return home to chat with others, to hear and exchange stories of their farm day. Top effort everyone.

We achieved so much that day, as we did every farm day and from all of us here at Mittagundi we wish to thank every single young person for their commitment to having a go and for

participating in all of the jobs that needed to be done to support the running of our property. Without you we wouldn't have gotten through the winter list of: pruning the orchard and repairing nets; garden weeding, seed planting, collecting horse and cow poo, hay, and netting the garden beds using recycled skis as domes; endless wood splitting, kindling collection and burning stacks of the stuff too; tonnes of baking, cooking, bread and munchie making; we got the horses walking to get them fit for spring and summer courses; fencing; digging holes and preping poles at the pig pen; an arty ski fence at the newer loo; chicken coop door repair; and at the very end of all that...we sorted and tidied the gear shed, plus restocked the pantry and gave the diningroom a spruse up. And we are pleased to say that the trailer used in the sheep poo mission, is soon heading off to pick up a load of hay that has been donated to us!

M I T T A G U N D I

Thank You CaretakersThe month of June: certainly dark, usually cold, often wet, and sometimes snowy. Mittagundi is a quiet place at this time, while we the team go off for a break. Some of us chose the warmer climes of Queensland and New South Wales, others the harsher red centre. Bob Vincent chose Glen Valley.

Bob took care of Mittagundi in June 2010 too, and arrived this year with an enormous box of carrots amongst other winter staples. While he was here, Bob got stuck in to the specialist task of sorting out some of our loos. He was aided for part of the time by Noel and Amir from Queensland, who demonstrated their goodwill by moving dunnies about, digging holes, filling them in, and looking after our animals at a time when perhaps they need the care the most. Noel donated some fencing wire and clouts, and the closely-written notes in our daily diary reveal the many jobs done for us: Bob spotted numerous other jobs and did repairs that helped keep the buildings going well. I happened to be around for a night or two and enjoyed some winter evenings in the kitchen, a tarp hung over the door and servery to keep the warmth in.

So thank you Bob, from all of us, for looking after this place while we were away. Caretakers an essential part of the Mittagundi year: for the Christmas break (21st – 27th Dec) we are still after some kind care takers.

TF

It is hard to aptly capture the experience of a Mittagundi leader but

this is how this years team describe it:‘Genuine and so fulfilling’ - Thomas

‘An experience of extremes in every direction’ - Caz‘Rich, real and a laugh a minute’ - Lizzy

‘An amazing experience shared with a team and young people’ - Daniel

‘You wont regret it’ - Cindy‘Sharing a life of real purpose and growth’ Jac

Chr is tmas at M i t t a g u n d i Each year Mittagundi needs care takers to look after Mittagundi while the team undertakes training, community events away from the Valley and well earned rest. Caretakers look after the animals, answer the phone and enjoy a break away to Mittagundi. No skills or experience required. Friends and family welcome. Make this Christmas one to remember up in the beautiful Glen Valley. We are looking for someone from the 21st- 22nd of December

Please call us at Mittagundi on (03) 5159 7238 for more info or to book in

M I T T A G U N D I

Mittagundi LeaderJan 2012 to Jan 2013

Each year Mittagundi Outdoor Education Centre has unique opportunities for people join our team as leaders and have the experience of a life time.

It is rare chance to be a valued part of a professional team delivering unique

opportunities for young people on our classic outdoor programs. The atmosphere at

Mittagundi is simple, honest and happy. For young people there are no watches, no

timetables and no money. Instead there is a chance to live and work together in an

environment where people matter more than anything else. Leaders are an active part

in running this unique pioneer style property and organisation alongside young people.

Leaders are at the heart of Mittagundi’s large community, share a purposeful life and

experience a year of professional development and personal learning through training,

skills and group work. Positions are voluntary in nature with a great remuneration

package. It can be both meaningful and challenging.

It is hard to aptly capture the experience of being a Mittagundi leader but this is how

past leaders have described it:

‘Genuine and so fulfilling’ - Thomas, MG Leader

‘An experience of extremes in every direction’ - Caz, MG Leader

‘Rich, real and a laugh a minute’ - Lizzy, MG Leader

‘An amazing experience shared with a team and young people’ - Daniel, MG Leader

‘You wont regret it!’ - Cindy, MG Leader

Interested?Visit Mittagundi to check it out for yourself or call Sam Walmsley (Director) for a chat

and info (03) 5159 7238. Position description available from the Mittagundi website.

APPLICATIONS N O W O P E N !

We're excited to open the applications

for Team 2012. Read more below and

as always we appreciate your help

in spreading the word.

SkiingI’d never been skiing before so I was a little nervous about it, and about the cold. I’d heard the stories of cleaning porridge pots and putting up tents with freezing fingers and about the colour and texture of feet after three days in cold wet boots. I’d been given advice about not standing too close to the stoves to get warm in case you get chill blains on your bum (it’s true!). But I’d also heard about the beauty of the sunrises over the snow-covered High Plains and of crowded joyful nights in the huts and epic snow-fights.Despite the stories, I was still pretty excited about skiing. We’d picked out our boots and skis before the June break and I had mine proudly displayed next to my cabin door. Skiing was something I’d always wanted to do but not yet found the chance. I figured for some reason that it should be easy enough and that I’d get the hang of it without

too much trouble. How wrong I was. I think I fell over every 100 metres or so of that first journey up to Macs Hut and back! How weird it felt to have strange long things attached to my feet that stopped me from doing all the things I normally do with my feet like walk and turn or even just stand still! One kind Young Person sent a series of photos of me upside down tangled in a pile of skis and stocks after that first trip! I came home rather miserable. I couldn’t ski, my hands had hurt with cold for a lot of the trip and my feet got wet after the first five minutes and stayed wet for the whole time. I had no idea how I was ever going to make it through all of winter, and started thinking up ways of breaking my legs so I could spend the winter back at Mittagundi!But Liz, our awesome winter leader gave me some tips about keeping warm in the snow and encouraged me not to give up so easily. The next time I went up the hill I managed a few nice long

stretches without falling over, and on the way back down Sam even pointed out that I had improved so much I could have a conversation as I skied along. The third time, I got the snowplough down and learnt to turn to the left (turning to the right was a different story!). From then on, skiing and me were new best friends and I couldn’t wait to get back out there on my skis to conquer new unmarked territory around Fitzy’s hut!So it was a challenging Mittagundi winter for me, but also very beautiful. It was wonderful to see the faces of those Young People who had never seen snow before let alone been skiing, and to watch them whoosh down slopes with big wide grins. Many of them could ski better on their first day than I could at the end of winter, but some also found it just as challenging as I did. Everyone though, gave it a red hot go and had ‘stacks’ of fun along the way!

M I T T A G U N D I

Winter Volunteers – Thanks For Coming!The ‘Gundi has been running on the smell of an oilskin rag for 3 decades now and it’s the short-term helpers who come through for just a week or two who do as much as anyone to keep the dream afloat.

This year has seen a phenomenal bunch of volunteers passing through the Glen Valley, and while they’ve all been awesome in their own individual ways, it’s all the lovely folks who made the time to come up in the depths of winter who really saved the day. The picture is something like this – it’s hovering a few degrees above freezing and the sun hasn’t been sighted for days. The nights are long and bitter, and the working hours for the Mittagundi Staff team are even longer, as the place does its level best to cope with running two-at-a-time back-to-back winter programs. After milking amid the glittering ice of dawn frosts, issuing gear with gas-lamps under a tarp lashed by frigid gusts and sudden downpours, and ski-touring with heavy packs in fresh powder, every muscle is aching around the dinner-table in the dining room with gappy walls.

Amidst the constant tendencies towards chaos and panic, the calm and level-headed presences of prior staff returning to help out for a course or two has been immensely reassuring and massively valued. The generous sharing of knowledge, skills and enthusiasm from members of staff teams of previous years has done a great deal to sustain this year’s crew. In addition, all of the overwhelmingly positive feedback from these more experienced winter helpers has helped keep morale up in many of the more stressful moments along the way.

All of the fantastic first-time winter helpers have also played a crucial role, by bringing a great range of outside perspectives on the place and the programs, and keeping our own attitudes fresher in the process. It’s always a pleasure sharing one’s home with new friends, and getting to appreciate all of its charms and wonders anew through their eyes. For the core staff crew who have to keep working and living together so closely for the year, having these outsiders around, weather old mates or brand-new, has helped to keep us happy and sane.

M I T T G U N D I

Meeting Ian Well I served him a slice of beef and a slice of pork at pioneer skills at the start of the year but I’m not sure if he remembers that because it was all so busy I didn’t get to chat to him that day. So I was quite looking forward to putting on my best blunstones and meeting Ian Stapleton for real. It all started off over meat, similar to the first time I meet him but this time we were turning over rissoles together on a barby in his backyard and having a chat. It was awesome to share stories of Mittagundi’s most memorable moments and characters and I thought it was cool to share similar satisfactions and happiness in our memories, including memories of calamity and miscalculations only funny on reflection. What’s that saying “life can only be understood backwards but must be lived forwards” it seems true to most people’s journeys at Mittagundi no matter how long or short your stay.

Well we also got to hang out with Liv, who had plenty of details to stories as well and she and Raku both had a play of their piano accordions while we lay in the cosy lounge room and searched through photo albums which held colourful history of Mittagundi and Wollangarra and I’m sure we all wondered what it must have been like to work here 20 or 30 years ago along side Ian and all these characters labelled in his photo

albums, and wished a little that we could go back to these times and help build the first cabins.Eventually we headed to bed full of icecream, and story telling. Perfect!

Thanks very much Liv and Ian for having us all. It was a homely day and night and I’ll be sure to drop in for a cuppa if I’m passing by again. – Little Bec

Wine BottlingThanks to Pizzini Wines for another very generous donation of red and white wine, and a big cheers to all the crew who helped to bottle and cork the wine. A job well done! All the bottles were sold and money raised will help Mittagundi to keep living the simple life.Ah and the Mittagundi crew would like to especially thank Helen and Kev for hosting the wine bottling and having us in their home, and completing the day with a giant wheel of brie Mmmm.

HI Save a tree?Get this newsletter via

email and save a tree or two. Simply email

tom@mittagundi.org.au and let him know.

You can see the newsletter online at

www.mittagundi.org.au

M I T T A G U N D I

✴Wangaratta Lions Club – Funding to purchase new hiking boots

✴Footbridge Camping and Disposals (Lakes Entrance) - Discount on hiking boots purchase

✴Chris Hall, David Linke and David Gibbs - Supporting the process and doing the work for end of financial year records

✴Arby – For his last minute hospitality in housing the whole winter follow up course

✴Jen Ruper – Hiking boots

✴Anne & Jim U’ren – Generous donation of ski and other gear

✴Suz – Lovely clean wool socks

✴Pizzini Winery – On going generous donation of wine and bottling equipment for Mittagundi fundraising

✴Coffee Basics – Monthly coffee supply

✴Kev & Helen – Wine bottling, accommodation and hospitality including the biggest wheel of brie we’ve ever seen!

✴Ian & Liz Stapleton – Looking after us and telling

us many inspiring and hilarious yarns

✴Harriett – Cow drenching, animal info and all her other help

✴Eve Archibald – Hamper of treats

✴Bob Vincent – Looking after the farm for June, moving the toilet and all the other hard work

✴Dave Evans – thermals, splitter handles and wetsuits?

✴Eliza & Lucy – Musical treats (playing at the hop!)

✴Gordy and Mick – Driveway help

✴Gail Smith - Gardening gloves

✴Peter Faithful – Hay for garden mulch

✴Peter Begs – Hay for garden mulch

✴Mel Turnbull – For helping out and being a great friend

✴Simon Higgins – Lucerne hay

✴Jack Skermer – The beautiful kitchen/pantry

✴Mr & Mrs Huegill – Soap

✴Robert & Jenny Tully – Apples

✴Queenie Smith – Kitchenware

✴Dan & Lizzie – Collecting and looking after box of shirts for Mittagundi and for looking after the leaders when they’re in Albury

✴Unknown lady who spoke about Mittagundi on the radio - it was heard by many in Melbourne and has resulted in course bookings and increased interest in our programs.

GENEROUS DONATION

✴Neilma Gantner

DONATIONS

✴Mrs M Reid

✴Gwenda Alder

SPONSORSHIPS

✴Don and Rosie Webb

✴Arthur Charles

✴Liz Quin

✴Ms P. Griffiths

WINTER HELPERS

✴Claire Bookless

✴Rachael Lahiff

✴Heath Wallace

✴Jarrod Johnston

✴Anthony Davidson

✴Emma Bartlett

✴Hamish Hueneke

✴Stacey Gill

✴Sophie Van Doorn

✴Gilli (Mark Gilligan)

✴Sarah

✴Claire Bishop & Tina

✴Lachlan Dougherty

✴Jimmy O’Hagan

✴Daniel O’Brien

✴Flynn Jackman

✴Campbell Sinclair Park

✴David Finlay

✴Lucie Whitten

✴Rolli (Roland) Greenwood

✴Lita Vickers

✴Big thanks to our winter backups – Scotty Forster and Liz Leyshan– we love you guys!

Thank you!To all the wonderful people out there who keep Mittagundi going!

C O N T A C T U S :www.mittagundi.org.au

(03) 5159 7238 snail mail : Mittagundi, Omeo Highway, C/- Omeo Post Office,

Omeo 3898

M I T T A G U N D I

MITTAGUNDI WINTER 2011

Mittagundi4385 Omeo HwyGlen Valley, Vic 3898

Wish ListSplitter and Axe handles (we have plenty of mattock handles!)

1.5 inch Clear cello tape &Masking tape

Screen printing squeegee

Sheets of acetate or stencil film

String

Rope

Tent pegs

Thick wool socks

Hand held UHF Radios

4 season tents

Gas fridge or freezer

Gaiters

Thermals (wool or polypropylene only)

Large size Gortex pants

Sleeping mats

Good garden hose

Sprinkler heads

Brush and dust pan

Batteries (AA & AAA)

Fishing Rods!

Kitchen funnels

Steel cap boots

Copper basins for water heaters

Long sleeve wetsuits (especially small sizes)

Paint in various colours (ideally weatherproof)

Charcoal green roofing paint

Jump leads

Tarps

Wheelbarrows

If you have any spare wool from winter and have any knitting energy left, a knitted beanie or scarf for the market stall would be awesome!

D O N A T E T O M I T T A G U N D I

Mittagundi will always work very hard to maintain our simple operations and running in a world of increasing costs. If you can offer any financial assistance for Mittagundi’s operations or to sponsor a young person it would be greatly appreciated ($375 for a full sponsorship or partial). All donations contribute greatly to the experiences of young people who come to Mittagundi. If you require a tax receipt please let us know.

Name: ______________________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________Postcode: ____________State: _______________

I would like to donate money for a sponsorship for a young person

I would like to contribute to the important operations and ongoing projects for young people at Mittagundi