THE LOCAL Toodyay Bakery invariably rises to the occasion when it comes to staff training as apprentice baker Jono Yates steps up for more awards taking out the gold medal for baking in the recent World Skills competition.

He also came out on top in the WA state round for the Baking Association of Australia’s Excellence in Baking Awards for the second year in a row.

This means he will be representing WA in upcoming national competitions in the above awards, jetting across to Brisbane and Sydney in a few months.

Jono said that competing in the competitions will expose him to new areas of the baking industry as well as provide the opportunity to mentor and network with other bakers around Australia.

If he snares the nationals then international competitions may be the next step so he may have to get that passport dusted off.

Jason Marion, Toodyay Bakery owner, is more than chuffed.
“I’m excited to see what Jonathan can achieve in the future as he has a real passion for his craft.”

Adding that he doesn’t have to do much to motivate him as he sees the opportunities in the baking industry.

Baking success is clearly more than just water, yeast and self-raising flour.

As Jason said, he provides the guidance for Jono and it’s “his hard work that has got him the recognition as one of the best apprentices in Australia.”

 

 

The ‘Worst Pace Scenario’ team. Front row: Tony and Rose Murfit, Dani Xuereb. Back row: Kelly-Anne Murray and Emma Thompson.
Saturday February 22 saw three teams swim 788 laps at the Toodyay public swimming pool. Elsewhere in town more than 30 participants
completed the Newcastle Park parkrun. Stirling Terrace was busy with visitors and locals alike. Photo: P.Thompson.

 

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Last month’s Toodyay Shire ordinary council meeting saw a full public gallery.

The meeting now at the new time of5.30pm saw a number of questions from the gallery.

Including a question from Hamish Dobie, a Toodyay resident who asked about the future
of the local library and whether it is safe in the long term.

He prefaced his question by saying that it follows on from rumours in the community
about the library’s closure.

Shire President Cr McKeown said, reading from prepared notes, that council has no
plans to close the library, council has not discussed closing the library nor have
councillors discussed closing the library.

“The Shire doesn’t have any control about misinformation circulating on Facebook
and the rumours are untrue”, he said.

He added that the Shire budget for this year includes expenditure for $25,000 for
drainage, brickwork repairs and painting of the library building.

Cr McKeown said the Executive Manager of Economic Development and Community
Services is actively working on expanding the services provided by the Toodyay library.

Charlie Wroth, local farmer and former Shire President, asked a series of questions
about the roadworks on the Toodyay Bindi Bindi Road, or Bolgart Rd as it is known.

Mr Wroth said the road was virtually ready for sealing in early November as he was
carting grain on it at the time, but in what he believes was an issue with the bituminising,
tender work was halted.

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Julimar Conservation and Forest Alliance
Lynn Phillip

IN THE last two years, at the Environment Matters marquee at the Toodyay Agricultural Show, we have had the wonderful opportunity to talk with our younger generations and hear what they perceive is happening in our natural environment.

Importantly they gave us their perspective of what we should be doing about it.
Since these young people are the ones who will inherit what we leave behind, for better or for worse, it is fitting that we listen to what they have to say.

While engaging with the youngsters, whose ages ranged from 6 months (with much input from Mum) to young teens, it seemed to us that they are more alert to what is happening in our natural world than many adults.

That includes, dare I say it, those in our governments of all levels and persuasions.
One day they will be voters so look out!

In 2023, when asked why they think forests are important, the children gave us some great responses which they wrote on colourful cardboard leaves.

They then illustrated the leaves and hung them on our message tree.

Here are some examples of the children’s contributions:
“The trees give vital protection for animals and oxygen.
We need trees to breath and trees also give habitat to animals.
If we did not have trees we would die because they give us everything.

One response from a young teen stated:
“It’s 2023, we are already facing a global crisis of global warming and now the destruction of forests. We still need forest otherwise our ecosystem will suffer.”

In 2024, when we repeated the exercise and asked the children what they wanted to see in Julimar Forest as a National Park, they had an overwhelming desire to see:
“More native animals, wildflowers, places to camp, trails for bush walks, big healthy trees, mushrooms and fungi, lady birds and butterflies, snakes, bobtails and thorny devils.”
One heart felt message simply read “help me please save the forest”.

I think David Attenborough would be proud of our young people, I know I am.

But surely it is not up to our children to take on the burden of changing the world.

As we know, one Swedish teenager did just that, and very successfully I might add, but it is not something we would or should expect of our young people.

They should be able to trust their elders to provide a happy, healthy and safe place to grow up.

As adults, the responsibility lies fairly and squarely on our shoulders.

We are the ones who need to be making the difference, contacting our political representatives and pointing out to them the environmental and social problems.

We need to be telling them what we expect them to do about it.

What better time than the lead up to our State and Federal elections.

As we know, the opinions and actions of voters can be powerful so please Mums and Dads, make the push for a better future for our kids.

As a local organisation based in Toodyay, Julimar Conservation and Forest Alliance is working do just that.

JCAFA has been rallying public support with a movie night, information stalls and creating and submitting a public petition asking our state government to protect Julimar State Forest as a National Park.

Our band of conservation-minded members realises the intrinsic value of this vast local asset and is determined to save it from misuse and neglect.

Not only are we doing this for the sake of the forest and every living thing that depends on it for their very existence.

We are doing it to ensure a healthy future for our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

By Alison Wroth & Karen Dore
AFTER the successful celebration of our 170th Anniversary Toodyay Agricultural Show last year, we hope you’re as excited as we are for another wonderful event – don’t worry, it’s coming up quickly!

The future of agricultural shows, including ours, depends on the passion and commitment of the generations who support them.

The history of the Toodyay Agricultural Society, and the enduring presence of the Show, keeps families – both old and new – returning year after year, along with visitors who come to experience this unique tradition.

The Toodyay Showgrounds themselves are part of the attraction, with their historical exhibition pavilion and purpose-built buildings designed by farmers and Committee members of years long past.

For many locals, the Show holds deep sentimental value, creating cherished memories of fireworks viewed from the oval, thrilling show rides, reunions with friends and the special evening ambience.

These are memories that we know should continue to be created, they are worth preserving and passing on to future generations.

To ensure the continued success of this historic event, we need the support of community members who are willing to lend a hand.

Whether you’re interested in joining the Committee, learning how the Show is organised, or simply helping during Show Week, your involvement will provide invaluable stability, steadiness and energy to our Society.

If you’re interested in being part of Toodyay’s oldest community tradition, we invite you to our “Get Involved Gig!” on Saturday 8 February, from 1pm to 3pm in the Youth Hall at the Toodyay Showgrounds.

Our 2025 AGM will follow shortly after on Monday 10 February, at 7pm, also in the Youth Hall. Join us for a cuppa and nibbles before or after the meeting.

Let’s come together to celebrate our history and build a bright future for the Toodyay Show.

We can’t wait to see you!

By Noongar Kaartdijin Aboriginal Corporation

FOR THOUSANDS of years, Noongar people lived in tune with the land, guided by the six Bonar (Seasons), which span from season of fertility to season of adulthood.

These seasons – Makuru, Djilba, Kambarang, Birak, Bunuru, and Djeran – guided Noongar families in their seasonal movements, food sourcing, and stewardship of the land and each season offers unique insights into life and survival on Country.

As we approach summer, we enter Birak, the ‘Season of the Young’. Birak marked a time of transformation and crucial land management practices, like controlled burns which helped care for the land and ensured its health.

Birak – The Season of the Young (December/January) Colour Symbolism: Red and brown
symbolise Birak, reflecting the warm tones of the drying earth at the start of summer in
the Noongar cycle.

These colours are tied to the season’s Kaarla (fire) practices, which renew the land
and sustain its health.

Nature thriving and new beginnings: Birakbrings warmth as the Boorong (rains) ease
and the land begins to dry out.

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Coondle – Nunile Volunteer
Bush Fire Brigade
By Aurelie Zimmermann, Secretary
SUMMER is here which means callouts; that so far have mainly been tree and grass fires, however we expect the number of turnouts will increase as we move deeper into the fire season.

In excellent news we welcomed a new member this past month and he has completed
all the foundation courses and is now ready to join the crews on the fireground.

Welcome aboard, Sebastiaan.

Our last training session saw us driving around the Coondle area to familiarise
ourselves with emergency egress.

 

It is vital no one interferes with any egress locks or gates as those can be a tremendous
asset in emergency response.

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Sean Hefferon
LAST month Toodyay Shire confirmed it was unable to manage the public swimming pool for the 2024/25 season.

Reasons for this decision include thelack of qualified staff and professional management.

According to a recent public notice by Shire President Cr McKeown the shire had been faced with the immediate closure of the public swimming pool last month – “due to legacy issues inherited from the previous contractor operator”.

Clublinks, a national company that manages fitness and aquatic centres exited their contract with the shire on June 30, five months before the contract end date.

Their departure came several months after a new council leadership team was voted in
with a focus on a shire managed recreation centre including the public swimming pool.

The shire also confirmed that Clublinks had not been contacted regarding the matter, before the public notice was issued.

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Toodyay Community Garden
Rosemary Madacsi, Secretary
THE TOODYAY Community Garden has been busy since first meeting on May 28 and membership continues to grow.

Professional concept designs have been completed, money pledged and alternative sites considered by the membership.

The last hurdle is to find a site with location central to meet our objectives – To create a harmonious environment in which to bring community together, to garden and share knowledge and skills of sustainable food production.

A central location with level and disabled community access and basic amenities is critical to achieve inclusion of children and our seniors.

The aim of this project is not just gardening but a place to socialise, support physical activity and community connections

The garden will provide opportunities to learn sustainable living skills and acquire local knowledge and lived experiences by being accessible and inclusive.

The vacated Fiennes Street tennis courts are the first choice due to its central location and existing infrastructure.

The group submitted an interest in this site on May 30 following council’s April resolution to seek expressions of interest.

The resolution to consider the site use and any expressions of interest at the August 28 council meeting was delayed until a Facilities and Building review was completed.

Huge thanks to Fiona and Rory Davin of Stirling House for their generosity in providing the rear of their property as a place to store needed resources.

We also thank others who have offered help.

Unfortunately, the delay in finding a site has meant the winter and spring opportunity to start the gardens was lost as was community garden funding on offer.

Our focus is now on moving forward and how to provide activities and a range of learning opportunities for the community, while we wait for a home.

Concept design

Noongar Kaartdijin Aboriginal Corporation

THIS month we highlight some bush foods traditionally used by Noongar moort (families) across the Toodyay Valley.

Contrary to colonial misconceptions that Noongar people relied mainly on large djaat (game), about 80 per cent of their traditional diet came from mereny (plant foods) and small djaat (small game).

Including vegetable roots like yanget (bulrush), warrany (yam), and djubak (orchid tuber), as well as yerenburt (fruits/berries), kwolak (grains/seeds).

Included also were animals like yerderap (duck), djidong (small lizards), kaarda (goanna), noorn (snakes), kwenda (bandicoot), and minga (insects/larvae).

KAARDA (Goanna)
Kaarda is valued for its taste and nutritional benefits and after removing the internal organs and cleaning, it is cooked in the ashes of a kaarla (campfire).
The oil from kaarda is also used to treat skin ailments and though difficult to catch kaarda are often found in burrows.
Noongar people have used rock slabs on granite outcrops to create kaarda-mia (goanna shelters) designed to trap them.
Many of these shelters once common across Noongar country, have been removed or damaged due to various factors, including land development and the use of granite slabs for gardens and construction.