The Gorse
While we might not have the huge clumps of gorse that feature in the surrounding paddocks, the low plants that we do have will need ongoing control. It was initially thought that plants could be grubbed out, roots and all, but advice was received that this would most likely worsen the situation. Instead the gorse will be slashed and left lying which, we were advised, should eventually bring it under control. Assistance was sought from the City of Dandenong regarding the NW-SE track to our east where the gorse is allowed to run rampant. However doubt about whether they or VicRoads is responsible meant they were not able to help. Thought was given to seeking a grant from the Victorian Gorse Taskforce, but the difficulty of doing so and the limited funding likely to be available meant that this was not pursued. As it stands MX are responsible for the area south of the Dam and SEMAC for the northern area, which appears to be working out well.
LITTLE TASKS KEEP COMING
Even though the contractor’s work was finished, there was still plenty to keep the committee and volunteers busy.
The boundary fence is completed
Working in the rain in late March, a group of volunteers ran out, strained and attached barbed wire to complete our North - South boundary fence. Building the fence was a big exercise, but saved the club about $4.5k over the cost of paying to have it done.
But the working bees keep coming
Topsoil removed during the runway construction was spread by the contractor over what will be our pits. This was good in that it saved the club some money, but not so good in that it contained a lot of rock particles. Ten or so members turned out on Sunday 18 April to rake out rocks from the surface layer and pile them up for use elsewhere.
The containers are in place
With Mx’s Glen handling the machinery in March 21, David, Rob, Chris and Bill moved our containers to their final positions - well up off the ground on concrete pavers. The white container will serve as our club “cookhouse”, while the larger yellow one will be used to store plant and equipment.
Seeding the runways
Advice was sought from businesses specialising in seed sowing and spraying. We were advised that spray seeding would provide us with the best coverage and the best chance of success in getting grass on the run-ways with minimal seed loss, and we were at the best time for the seeding as the ground was just right for the seeding to be successful. Accordingly, the Committee decided to have the two runways spray seeded. But first, some preparation was needed, including weed spraying followed by runway harrowing. Spray seeding of the runways worked out extra well and, with some good rain, by mid Autumn 2021 the runways had come up a treat.
MOre infrastructure goes in
From early 2022, a small group of dedicated volunteers put in great deal of time and effort into setting up more required infrastructure. First on the list was to get our mowing equipment properly garaged. The dismantled mower shed from our old field was reassembled up against our big container. The shed was set up well above ground level as it can get pretty damp around that area. As well as the mowing gear, something was needed to us people out of the sun (and I’m sure at some time rain). After Len kicked off the project, the volunteers got to work building a large and very solid sun shelter, which will do the job nicely. While we’ve had a designated flying area for a good while, up until now it hasn’t been fenced. So our hard working team set to and built one. We also needed a fence along our flight line so, to tide us over until a permanent one can be built, a temporary picket and web one went in. And just to top it all off, the guys spread crushed rock where ever it was needed.
About There at Last
By April 2022 SEMAC had a fully functional flying field in use for all of our members and guests to enjoy. But it had been a long, hard, haul. From September 2019 onwards, when our Committee started the search for a new field, the project was dogged by a combination of COVID and bad weather. Never the less, the Committee and other club members were able to reach many vital milestones as listed above. Setting up a new facility like ours will always be an ongoing job so, while our field is fully operational, there will still be tasks to complete over the coming months and perhaps years, including setting up our water tanks and constructing permanent toilet facilities - and no doubt plenty of other things! We were so lucky to have the use of a marvellous flying field for really good 16 years but, as usual, all good things must come to an end. Now we are at the beginning of a new era for SEMAC and I reckon that, 16 years from now, people will look back and say “our time at MX has been truly “a Golden Age”.
John Andrews April 2022
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This move history was based largely on information taken from relevant Committee Minutes and from SEMAC President Simon Bole-Brown’s “Simon’s Sermons” newsletters. Various club members also provided a good deal of information, as well most of the photographs used. The input provided by Simon plus committee and other members is gratefully acknowledged.