GUEST SPEAKER Ross Vaughan - Friends of the Great Victorian Rail Trail
Ross is a charter member of the Friends of the Great Victorian Rail Trail, based at Mansfield, and a passionate bike rider.
The GVRT opened in 2012, thanks to a $14mill project grant, covering the length of the train line from Tallarook to Mansfield, within the Shires of Mansfield, Murrindindi and Mitchell. An all weather trail, suitable for bicycles, walkers and horse riders, was established with 39 bridges replaced/restored and facilities installed along the trail, taking 3 years to complete the works.
The Friends of GVRT was established in 2017 in response to a need for further development of the rail trail and undertake some volunteer activities for sustainability and promotion of the facility, although no formal arrangement has been made with the councils. Friends group is affiliated with Mansfield Land-care for vegetation protection and revegetation.
Currently there is a 4 panel photograph display of the development of the GVRT circulating public areas within the shires, which can be viewed at the Yea Information Centre at the moment. Friends also promote the GVRT through Bicycle Network events and local markets in the Mansfield area. Work is currently being done on signage, with heritage style name boards being installed at sta
tion sites. The Friends group run a Tour De Trail ride from Mansfield to Bonnie Doon, with 110 riders participating this year.
Vote of thanks from Glenda W, noting Ross’s passion for the GVRT, which is a great asset for us all.
Ross is a charter member of the Friends of the Great Victorian Rail Trail, based at Mansfield, and a passionate bike rider.The GVRT opened in 2012, thanks to a $14mill project grant, covering the length of the train line from Tallarook to Mansfield, within the Shires of Mansfield, Murrindindi and Mitchell. An all weather trail, suitable for bicycles, walkers and horse riders, was established with 39 bridges replaced/restored and facilities installed along the trail, taking 3 years to complete the works.
The Friends of GVRT was established in 2017 in response to a need for further development of the rail trail and undertake some volunteer activities for sustainability and promotion of the facility, although no formal arrangement has been made with the councils. Friends group is affiliated with Mansfield Land-care for vegetation protection and revegetation.
Currently there is a 4 panel photograph display of the development of the GVRT circulating public areas within the shires, which can be viewed at the Yea Information Centre at the moment. Friends also promote the GVRT through Bicycle Network events and local markets in the Mansfield area. Work is currently being done on signage, with heritage style name boards being installed at sta
tion sites. The Friends group run a Tour De Trail ride from Mansfield to Bonnie Doon, with 110 riders participating this year.Vote of thanks from Glenda W, noting Ross’s passion for the GVRT, which is a great asset for us all.
3 minute speaker—Ian Tobin.
Ian is actively involved with the Neighbourhood Battery Yea project, which is currently putting forward a business case for the installation of batteries to capture the solar power generated locally. It is a joint venture with Indigo Power and RMIT, carrying out detailed grid analysis and studying power consumed and solar output in Yea. The aim of the project is for the batteries to as-sist with lowering emissions and power costs to households.
Ian is actively involved with the Neighbourhood Battery Yea project, which is currently putting forward a business case for the installation of batteries to capture the solar power generated locally. It is a joint venture with Indigo Power and RMIT, carrying out detailed grid analysis and studying power consumed and solar output in Yea. The aim of the project is for the batteries to as-sist with lowering emissions and power costs to households.
Visiting tonight is Come Thevenet, brother of our previous French exchange student Louis.
Come is on Rotary exchange, hosted by the Clermont Rotary Club, living in Moranbah, central Queensland, and has taken the opportunity to visit Gary C, who hosted Louis over the covid times. He is enjoying his exchange, loves touring and is attending school. Come will join Fabio on the Paying It Forward visit to Vanuata.
Come is on Rotary exchange, hosted by the Clermont Rotary Club, living in Moranbah, central Queensland, and has taken the opportunity to visit Gary C, who hosted Louis over the covid times. He is enjoying his exchange, loves touring and is attending school. Come will join Fabio on the Paying It Forward visit to Vanuata.Cycle Dindi - Julie Lynch Julie gave a brief report on Cycle Dindi, thanking Rotarians for their support, the wonderful hospitality and to all who assisted on the day and in the lead up to Saturday, which was a perfect day weatherwise! Raffle was drawn on the day, thank you to the generous donors of prizes.
Three generations of the Sinclair family worked hard in preparing the lunch site at Cremona and the shearing shed at Nutfield, which is always a popular stop for the riders. Thanks to Glenda for the media and photos. 150 riders joined the day, including Glenn and his son, Ian Tobin, Fabio (riding 78 kms) and Kyla (72 kms) and Ross with friends of the GVRT from Mansfield. Thank you to all, it was a great day.
Three generations of the Sinclair family worked hard in preparing the lunch site at Cremona and the shearing shed at Nutfield, which is always a popular stop for the riders. Thanks to Glenda for the media and photos. 150 riders joined the day, including Glenn and his son, Ian Tobin, Fabio (riding 78 kms) and Kyla (72 kms) and Ross with friends of the GVRT from Mansfield. Thank you to all, it was a great day.
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| Kyle and Fabio | Caterers - Flowerdale Primary School, with Narelle leading the team. |