Which two colours adorn the Scottish flag (one point for each correct answer)?

from Gippsland Times Tuesday 23 November 2021

Name the second man to walk on the moon?

www.gippslandtimes.com.au Sandhill Road Reserve protects rare landscape near Stratford

A PROJECT to restore land at Stratford once used for cattle grazing to a nature reserve is now ready for the public to enjoy, thanks to a collaboration between Wellington Shire Council and Avon Landcare Group. Sandhill Road Flora and Fauna Reserve protects remnants of critically endangered Gippsland Red Gum Grassy Woodland vegetation, which used to stretch from the Latrobe Valley to east Gippsland. Sadly today, it is believed less than one per cent still exists, and only in small fragments. While it is difficult to believe now, the reserve used to form part of the old Stratford tip, and was also historically used at different times for burying night soil, holding cattle and grazing. On about 7.6 hectares of land owned by Wellington Shire Council, it has been managed on behalf of the community by Avon Landcare Group volunteers since 2007, who embarked on a project to clear and re-vegetate it. The result is now open to the public via a walking track which loops around the reserve. Avon Landcare Group member Deb Ray said the Sandhill Rd site was part of a vital wildlife corridor and habitat refuge for many insects, birds, marsupials and reptiles. “It is also a significant seedbank for many of the now threatened and vulnerable species that make up this community,” she said. “Having the site classified as a reserve will now provide this small remnant protection into the future.” Native vegetation in the reserve includes flowers and grasses like common everlasting and kangaroo grass, alongside Gippsland red gum and sweet Bursaria trees. Ms Ray said the walking track would help people appreciate the beauty and significance of the area. “As the soils are very sandy and vulnerable to disturbance and erosion, we ask that people stick to the track which has been specially made throughout the area,” she said. “Keep dogs on leads to protect the variety of wildlife that lives there and restrict access to foot and pedal power only. “Anything more risks disturbing and destroying the many wildflowers, grasses and ancient trees that are throughout this reserve.” Signs and entrance fencing has recently been erected and the walking track is maintained with regular mowing and weed control. Wellington Shire Council mayor Ian Bye said the reserve was a result of a collaboration between council and the community to ensure the protection of fragile vegetation and wildlife. “These are important assets to the community, and I congratulate and thank Avon Landcare members for the many hours spent in getting this reserve to a state that we can all enjoy and be proud of,” Cr Bye said. Avon Landcare welcomes members of the public interested in taking part in some of the group’s projects. For more information, visit Avon Landcare’s Facebook page.

Avon Landcare president Beth Ripper, group members Brian and Deb Ray, and Wellington Shire Council mayor Cr Ian Bye at the entrance to Sandhill Road Flora and Fauna Reserve.

MP says action is needed on new Winnindoo fire station

GIPPSLAND South MLA Danny O’Brien has called on the state government to “fess up” about a fire station budget commitment which he says has “gone nowhere in 12 months”. Mr O’Brien said the 2020-2021 State Budget announced funding for a badly needed new fire station at Winnindoo, between Rosedale and Heyfield. However, despite several attempts, Mr O’Brien said the government had refused to confirm how much money it had set aside for the new station, no construction had begun and there is no indication of when the station would be built. “I had campaigned previously for a new station for the small band of hard-working volunteers at Winnindoo as they had an old tin shed with no toilet facilities, change rooms or anything expected by modern volunteers,” Mr O’Brien said. “So I was pleasantly surprised when there was literally six words in a generic press release last November from the Premier that indicated a new station would be built at Winnindoo. “Given the station wasn’t specifically listed in the budget papers, I wrote to the then Emergency Services Minister who also failed to say how much money had been allocated or when construction will start. “This is now getting a bit beyond a joke and the volunteers at Winnindoo are starting to wonder

Gippsland South MLA Danny O’Brien, with Winnnindoo brigade captain Manaia O’Donnell and former captain John Hooper, during a previous visit to the outdated fire shed.

whether the project will ever happen.” Mr O’Brien said it was “highly unusual” for the government to announce a project in the budget but fail to give any indication of how much money would be spent. “... this seemed to be some sort of bright light on the horizon for the small community of Winnindoo. “We are now all wondering just actually what has happened and whether this commitment was a figment of the Premier’s imagination. “The reality is that a generous local volunteer has already provided land on which the new station can be built — and all we need is the money and a start date from the state government.”