The (f)route breakfast

This Sunday, 7 April 2013 morning, another (f)route breakfast brought

together a group of people who enjoyed the fruit and fruit products for sampling at the Cassilis Recreation Reserve and Cemetery. It was a great way to catch up. Like autumn leaves in a gentle breeze, people moved round, got caught up in a group and then gently disengaged and drifted into another collective of people.

It was possible, even recommended, to go without breakfast and have a breakfast at the gathering, that extended into brunch. Consisting of all the wonderful fruit and fruit based food on offer.

No one had an excuse to go away hungry, it was impossible in fact to go

away hungry with all the delicious temptations available. It's assumed by this scribe that everyone went away sated with all manner of dishes containing fruit, fruit juice or syrup.

The food was engaging to every palate, lovely quince dishes with raisins, or

just quinces that tempted and captured all who ate them. Muffins, flavoured with pineapple, banana and raspberry and such to delight even the most finicky taste buds. Preserved fruit which tasted even better than they looked in the jar. Lemon flavoured sago for which everyone went back for a second helping but found it gone, eaten before they could indulge in greater amounts. There was a delicious apple cake and fruit crepes and so the list of breakfast treats went on. Every new taste texture and sensation guided the sampler to move to the surprise of the next tantalising dish, almost impossible to talk at the same time.

There was cream and home made yoghurt, fruit bread to complement many of the tasty and healthy dishes as well as peppermint tea produced from local peppermint, muesli and of course fresh fruit.

There was a bagpipe recital of Waltzing Matilda that pleased everyone. All in all it was a pleasant Sunday morning with everyone being embraced by the fine weather and a sense of community.

Things Going Ahead Apace?

Everything is finally going ahead. The East Gippsland Shire Council has supported this project with a grant and now it's finally going ahead.

There have been some holdups though none with the council, with them everything went sweetly in the main. But with Christmas and various holidays, the shed people not supplying all the documentation that we required to get a building permit, and a few things like that months have slipped past.

John almost finished screeding

The concrete pour went without any problems today, and as always people from the local community were involved and many hands made light work, so it went well.


The shelter for visitors to the Cassilis recreation reserve is starting to take shape.

The slab looked a treat when finished and then there was a wait while it was permitted to cure and finally the work started once again. The shelter materials had arrived and waited for assembly for weeks strapped together on a trailer.

We'll start the pictures of things happening with John's dog Crikey who loves to play and have a stick thrown that she can chase. She goes with John to the jobs he manages, a good friend of building site and home comfort.

Top dog - wood worker

John started the assembly of the frame of the shelter that had been ordered from JBT Constructions in Bairnsdale, who are agents in this area for Eureka sheds.

Though there was a bit of a problem with not having the specifications for the building permits which tended to hold up the building inspection of the slab preparation and the pouring of same and within that chain of events, the assembly somewhat.

It was ironed out after a few telephone calls to Eureka via JBT Constructions. Nicki being very helpful.
  
The Frame

John putting it all together on the slab as he went along and working mainly on his own.

Without the help of Crikey or anyone else at this stage. Then with a hand just to hold the gable assemblies when they had to be put in place.

Coming together

Things were starting to get up above the level of the concrete slab.

It was starting to look like something and some of the Cassilis Recreation Reserve Committee of Management members came to give a hand when needed for work that required more than one pair of hands.

This was becoming a project that had many hands laid on and it was nice to see. The committee wants people to get involved and know they have a connection to the project.

In the afternoon the frame was up, standing on it's own and looking good.

Standing and John making certain it will remain so

The building was a little different to what the diagram showed. The centre gable assembly not shown in the brochure. Probably added to give greater stability and it wasn't too much of a worry for the purpose for which the shelter would be used.

But was a bit different on the plan. So it did take a moment to work out what these extra sections were and John being a top tradesman wanted it to be correct  in every aspect.

Just to make certain that everything was as it should be, Kane from JBT Constructions, the company from whom the committee had purchased the shed to become shelter, came up from Bairnsdale to check things and he gave John a hand to put the cladding on the walls.

This was good follow up on the product and customer relations from JBT Constructions and it makes all the difference.

John and Kane getting on with the work

It was coming along very well and it was so described by the Treasurer, Marie-Louise and Howard a member of the committee when they came to offer any assistance that might be needed, and to make certain that John and Kane had all they required.

Then they left because it was obvious that anyone else on site would be in the road.

There will be more photographs of progress to follow.

Remember if you wish to see the photographs enlarged a little just click on them.

The shelter is all but finished, just a few final touches and the job is done. Now the work really begins.

Almost done

John has almost finished the shelter, and being the top tradesman that he is, he will make certain that the work is to his satisfaction.

He is much valued around the district for his attention to detail in his excellent work. The Cassilis Recreation Reserve Committee of Management are pleased to have been able to engage him to do, and with the work he has done.

More about the Cassilis Cemetery

Recommemoration of Cassilis Cemetery
Sunday 28 February 1999

Click on the picture to see a larger view and possibly find people you recognise.

Cassilis historic pioneer cemetery re-dedication

Introduction

Prayers

Hymn - For all the saints

For all the saints who from their labour rest, who thee by faith before the world confessed,

Thy name, 0 Jesus, be for ever blest. Hallelujah, hallelujah.

But lo! There breaks a yet more glorious day; the saints in triumph rise in bright array;

the king of glory passes on his way,

From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast, through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,

singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost,

Scripture readings

Joshua 4:1-7,l9-24 Israel builds a monument

Mark 922-8 Disciples build a monument

Address

Monuments Celebrations of the past

Lessons for the present

Signposts for the future

Another (f)route Breakfast on Sunday 7 April 2013

There is another (f)route breakfast scheduled at the Cassilis Recreation Reserve and Cemetery on this coming Sunday.

It is the hope of the organisers that many will come and those who can will bring fruit and fruit products. So everyone can get together round some tasty fresh fruit and catch up. It should be a pleasant morning. So see you there at 9:00 am, earlier if you want to enjoy the peace, quiet and tranquillity which awaits the visitor to this small haven.

From Howard:

Over the years, Cassilis has had a number of precedents and unique features that have added considerable wealth to the history of Gippsland.

Gippslands first reef gold was discovered here on the Cassilis road.

Historic Cassilis Cemetery and Recreation Reserve 

An ideal scenic spot for a picnic and a bit of relaxation whilst the kids run about in a safe and picturesque environment.

Mount Hepburn - King Cassilis Mine 1888

Rich superfine nuggety gold was mined with a “state of the art” gold recovery process that has been described recently by mining consultant/historian Dr Sandra Close as “world significant”

In its heyday employing 200 people, the remnants of this amazing mine are still in good condition and can still be observed.

The Cassilis Gold Mining Company (CGMC) 1897

The principal mine of Cassilis, rising to a height of 3300 feet above sea level this rich reef was discovered by Robert Howard and Ed. McLaren in 1890.

Water for the works was piped from ” The Springs” a natural watercourse in the head of a gully heading up onto the Great Dividing Range a short distance from the mine.

Between 1898 and 1916, the CGMC produced approx. 3.5 tons of gold, today worth about $50 million

The Springs

The Springs later became a small mining community made famous by Eddie Clements and Keith Shepherd in their book “Around The Campfire Ashes” recollections and stories of their life in the bush as kids.

Jirnkee Water Race 1899

Construction started in 1899 and commenced operations in 1901 the race was cut with a fall of 1 inch in the mile for a length of over 50 miles to service the sluicing company operating at Tongio West.

Tongio West State School 3419 1903

When the Cassilis School (1890-1903) prematurely closed a great deal of debate took place as to where a replacement might be built. It was decided it would be situated midway between Tongio West and Cassilis.

In 1911, the school was put firmly on the map when under the leadership of teacher Mr. Ronald MacDonald it was awarded a massive 11 scholarships out of Victoria’s possible 40. Only two schools in the State where awarded scholarships that year and Tongio West had a record number.

Hydro Electric Scheme 1905

Victoria’s first Hydro Electric Scheme was constructed for the King Cassilis Mining Company to overcome the rapid loss of timber used in the furnaces for gold recovery.

It covered almost 16 miles of country from the Victoria River north of the divide to terminate at Tongio West.

Markey Line Gold Reef

Mt. Markey Winery & Micro Brewery Est. 1992

Almost exactly 100 years after the first official pub was opened at Cassilis, the regions first winery 

Was granted a license on the same premises.