Gippsland Times Tuesday 1 November 2022

Twoyears later, showgoeson

Zoe Askew

AFTER atwo-year hiatus, Gippsland’s oldest agricultural show, the Sale Agricultural Show, made awelcomed return over the weekend, as thousands of show-goers inundated the Sale showgrounds despite the inclement weather.

Strong winds ripped across the Sale and District Agricultural Society showgrounds on Fridaymorning as the 157th SaleShow got underway, but that didn’t stop crowds from filing through the gates to see what the 157th Sale Show had to offer.

Groups of schoolchildren donning their respective school colours moved through the Pavillions gawking at the incredible artistic creations, stunning locally grown plants and produce and the large variety of poultry.

The national carrot cake competition was one of the most sought-after exhibitions at the 2022 Sale show, with masses of entrants conjuring their best carrot cake for judges Debra Tadday and Valerie Georgopoulos.

What constitutesa good carrot cake you may ask? Ms Tadday and Ms Georgopoulos evaluate avariety of elements when deciding the prestigious title of best carrot cake, from texture, ingredientsand flavourtoicing and presentation.

With so manyentries, one wouldn’tbe surprised if the 2022 Sale Show judges passed on carrot cake for dessert at their next dinner party.

Antoinette Demaria was awarded firstprize in the national carrot cake competition professional class, with MirandaFriendplacing secondand Helena Palmer third.

The 2022 Sale Show also featured thereturn of the carrotmarmalade competition, judged by local business owner Annette Guyatt of Larder and Spade.

“We are pleased with the entries this year and will build on next year,” Ms Guyatt said.

“Carrot marmalade started in World War One as it became harder and harder to get oranges.”

Shelly Hortonwas awardedfirstprize in this year’s carrot marmaladecompeti tion, taking home $100 in prize money.

“Thetaste was light and sharp like agood marmalade,” Ms Guyatt said.

“It had agreat set, gooddispersion, and the lemon gave it the pectin.”

In the next room of the Nicholls Pavillion, tables were covered in myriad exquisite flowers and impressive fresh produce.

The name Irene Askew was aregular

occurrence on the blue first prize place cards, takinghome thehonour in several flower and produce categories.

Among her multifarious awards, Ms Askewwas named exhibit of flowers champion, cabbage exhibit champion andhighest aggregateinthe flowers class.

Sale Turf Club groundskeeper Peter

Wylie was named the 2022 Sale Show rose champion with his single tequila sunrise rose, boasting decadent crimsoncoloured petals.

What is Mr Wylie’s secret to growing an award-winning rose?

“I prunethe first week of July to have them ready and flower now,” Mr Wylie said.

“100 days before you want them ready is when you do your prune.”

Throughout his youthMrWyile, aMrtylbank local,spent hours upon hours gardening with his grandmother, learning the tricks of the green thumb trade.

Having won the Sale Show champion rose competition for the third time in a row, suffice to say Mr Wyile has been taught well.

The Fridaynight carnival drew thousands of guests, parents clutching little hands as they waded through thicksticky mud and groups of teens congregated in the shadows as if they were waiting for the nightsky’s dark ness to move freely among the crowd.

Neon lights from the carnival inundated the sky with glowingrainbow colours, and music from the rides blended together, forming aconsistent thud felt beneath one’s feet even at the opposite end of the park.

As the sky turned black, crowds flocked to the outskirts of the Sale Show arena, the littlest of guests cupping their ears as the thundering rumble of Sam Xurebs monster truck show began.

Fitzpatrick fireworksconcluded Friday’s arena eventswith eyesofall ages glued to the sky as bursts of vibrant colour sprayed across the black canvas above.

Sale and District Agricultural Society president Ross Jonescouldn’t be happier with the turnout for the 157th annual Sale Show.

“It’s been good; we had areal good turnoutlastnight even with the ordinary weather,” Mr Jones said.

“We had areal good turnout for the fireworks and monstertrucks last night, and today is building; there are quite a few around for aSaturday.

“Usually,Saturday is abit less but there is alot still coming in; we’ve had areal good turnout,” he said.

“It has been really good.”

Aria ScoutChanning, 3, is delighted with hertoy,scored at the Sale Show.

Consolidation plans move along

Zoe Askew

SALE College was the focal point of major announcements last week, with Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien declaring an initial $10-million allocation to consolidate the Guthridge and Macalister campuses onto anew site on Cobains Road, Sale.

Last Tuesday, Mr O’Brien was joined by The Nationals leader Peter Walsh, Wellington Shire Council Mayor Ian Bye, and Committee for Wellingtonchair David Anderson to announcethe second multi-million-dollar investmenttodevelop anew Sale College on Cobains Road.

In 2017, The NationalsMember for Gippsland South began acampaign to consolidate Sale College campuses onto one site to improve educational resources for public secondary school students, working closely with the Sale College community, the Committee of Wellington and the Wellington Shire Council.

Last year’s budgetsecured$3million for early works and master planning for anew Sale College.

On Tuesday,October 25,MrO’BriensaidThe Nationals in governmentwould begin construction of anew site on Cobains Road with an initial $10-million allocation to purchase land and begin early works on stage one of the new school build.

“It is greattobehere with leaderofThe Nationals, Peter Walsh, to announceThe Nationalswill build anew Sale College here on this site on Cobains Road,” Mr O’Brien said.

“This has been acampaign we have been fighting for along time to consolidate the two campuses of Sale College. It has beenanissue of makingeducation difficult for the school, having two different campuses, but also those campuses are pretty old and run down.

“We were pleased to get $3 million in last year’s budget to begin the master planning, and now we are going to deliver anew school,” he said.

“This will be great for the education of secondary students in theSaleregion, we’ve seen some great developments in the private schools here in town, butthe Sale College needstobekeptuptoscratch too.”

Sale College wasformed in 1996 with the merger of two of Victoria’s oldest country secondaryschools, Macalister Secondary College,established in 1885 and Sale High School, established in 1907, today,

educatingmore than 800 students from years7 through 12.

Mr O’Brien says the consolidation of Sale College’s Macalister and Guthridge campusesallows for the school’s future expansion and gives local students the opportunities they deserve.

“I am very proud to announcethis funding today. $10 million to get it started that will purchase the land here, whichiscurrentlyowned by council and do the early works,” Mr O’Brien said.

“We look forward to delivering abrand new school in the next few years for the students and families of Sale and district.”

Whilethe final master plan has yet to be finalised, Mr O’Brien anticipates that the earliest stages of the Sale Collegeconsolidation would see the senior campus relocated from the Macalister site in Sale’s CBD to the new site on Cobains Road.

“Once we get the final master plan, we will have more clarity on that [the first stages of the consollidation], but my understanding is that likely we would be moving the senior campus out sooner rather thanlater,soclosing theMacalister campus

in the middle of the CBD,” Mr O’Brien said.

“That provides some great opportunities for the township of Saleaswell,and Iamsure Council will be keen to look at what alternative uses there arefor that site; then we will follow on with the junior campus and stage that over time.”

Wellington Shire Mayor Ian Bye said the Wellington Shire had long advocated with the state government for upgrading and merging the two Sale College sites.

“What it means moving to agreenfield site is it will help with one of our major problems, which is traffic management; we can do that alot better by moving to anew site and providing anew campus for the students,” Cr Bye said.

“Havingthe greenfieldsite, if theychoosethis site,next to GRSC (Gippsland Regional Sporting Complex), there is alreadygreat sportinginfrastructure, it makes alot of sense to have the site here.

“We can use the land better for education and utilise the great sporting precinct.”

Member forGippsland South, DannyO’Brien withleader of TheNationals, Peter Walsh, Committee for Wellington chairDavid Anderson and Wellington Shire MayorIan Bye at the site for anew Sale College campus. Photo: Zoe Askew

View of greenfield site from GRSC.

Selling it: Freemasons

By STEFAN BRADLEY

ROYAL Freemasons will sell all of its aged-care facilities,including its Saleproperty, which is currently home to 78 residents.

TheRoyal Freemasons management board said governmentreformsmeantcontinuing to operate the homes wasnolonger sustainable and had prompted the decision to sell.

Some of the facilitiesalready have interested buyers, while others are still on the market.

“As aresult of this strategic refocus, the board is exploring options to transfer some of its assets to other quality providers,” Royal Freemasons said in amedia statement.

This month, anew fundingmodel came into effect, which Royal Freemasons said it could not operate within.TheCommonwealthhas increased expectedstaffinglevels and pay ratestoattract governmentfunding. The Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) care funding model replaced the Aged Care FundingInstrument (ACFI) on October 1.

The AN-ACC was introduced after theRoyal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recommendedanew funding model for residential aged care.

Royal Freemasons said that “any course of action the board decides to take will be in the interests of securing the long-termsustainability of our community and aged-care services”.

“Any net capital realised in the process will be directedtocontinuingour vision to support the communities of Victoria,” they said.

Health Workers Union (HWU) secretary Diana Asmar told the Gippsland Times they would be consulting with members at the Sale and Moe facilities in “meetings plannedthis coming week”.

“Aged care providers, whilst not common, do on occasion seek to sell their facilities,” she said.

“When this does occur, the priority for the Health Workers Unionisour members, including the protection of their rights and entitlements.

“The Health Workers Union wantstoensure that staff in these facilities that are sold will be transferred with their entitlementsintact and their length of service uninterrupted.

“We will work to ensure workers in any closed down facilities, should that arise, will be offered redeployment opportunities or redundancy.

“We will continuetohave an openchannelof communication with Royal Freemasons in the coming weeks to ensure the interests and rights of our members are upheld.”

Royal Freemasons chiefexecutive, John Fogarty, told ABC Gippsland the changes made operating aged-care homes unviable for smaller companies.

“You’ll find there’s fewer but larger providers withmany, manyhomes who are the ones that are going to be able to, Iguess,survive the increasing pressure that’s coming in the new funding arrangement which started on October 1,” he said.

“The requirement to have acertain number of care minutes and registered-nurse care minutes coming in October next year is going to be very, very challenging for the industry.”

Royal Freemasonshas aged care facilitiesacross the state, with multiple in Melbourne, and more located in regional areas such as Benalla, Bendigo, Mildura and Ballarat.

In April, the Sale facility was sanctioned by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission for “not providing care to consumers that meets the Aged Care Quality Standard.”

It found the Sale aged-carehome was significantly understaffed, which led to residentsmissing showers and other general care.

The sanctionsmeant the Sale centre would not receive any Commonwealth funding for new residents for three months.

The sanctions expired on Monday, July 11.

Royal Freemasons confirmed to the Gippsland Times the Sale facility was now bringing in new residents.

“We recommenced admissionson24August 2022,” Mr Fogarty said.

“Royal Freemasonshas been working hard to

recruit and fill shifts to ensure there are adequate staff to meet the residents’ care and needs, pausing admissions until we knew we couldsafely maintain high quality care for the existing residents.”

Mr Fogarty told the ABC the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission had complimented the Royal Freemason in itsefforts to improve the situation at Sale.

In May, Royal FreemasonsSaletold the Gippsland Times that three COVID-19 surgeworkforce staff began workatthe facility on Monday, May 9.

The COVID-19 surge-workforce staff were from the Department of Health.

Mr Fogarty,who was appointed CEO in May, replacing KerriRivett, said staffinglevels con tinued to be an issue for Royal Freemasons, Sale.

“Prior to COVID-19, finding suitably qualified aged-care staff in regional areas has been difficult; now it’s become extremely challenging,” he said in May.

“We are still unable to fillsomeshifts at times. At RoyalFreemasons Sale, we have some limitations on admissions to ensure we have adequate staffing ratios to provide care.”

Mr Forgarty had also outlined what the new Ministerfor Aged Care Anika Wells should do to address staff challenges at aged-care homes.

“Trainingincentives/subsidies for nursing and care students; return to immigration or 401 visas and; additionalfunding to support wage increases for the lowest-paid workers in aged care,” he said.

AnumberofCOVID-19 outbreaksthis year had also contributed to alower level of fourth-dose vaccination levels compared withsome other aged care providers in Wellington Shire.

“Peoplewho have contracted COVID-19 are required to wait three months before they can receive an additional vaccination,” Mr Fogarty said in August.

“Changing resident numbers and the fact it is not mandatoryare additional factors contributing to the low percentage.”

Abrochure sent to familiesofresidents by Royal Freemasons said that “the AN-ACC will provide carefunding to providers that(meet) the costs of delivering care to aresident, enabling amore efficient, transparent and sustainable system.

“The current process of ongoing comprehensive reviews and completion of charting, assessments and care planning will continue at Royal Freemasons

“AN-ACC supports (a) care-planning approach based on the care needs and preferences of each resident,” the brochure said.

Co-investment keyfor Indigenous homeowners

INDIGENOUS Business Australia (IBA) has partnered with the Victorian government to give extraassistance to Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islanderpeople in Victoria looking to buy their own homes through the Victorian Homebuyer Fund scheme.

Through the scheme, the Victorian government co-invests with participants in residential property in exchange for an equivalent equity share.

Eligible Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander participants can receive a35-per-cent government contributiontowards their home.Aminimal 3.5-per-cent deposit is required, and participants must be able to cover any acquisition costs, such as stamp duty and conveyancing costs.

The rest of the purchase price is done through partner lenders, such as IBA. The Victorian government doesnot receive interest fromits investment but will share in any capital gains or losses proportionate to its share in the property.

This meansthe value of its sharegoes up or down proportionate to changes in the property’s value.

Participantsare required to buy backthe government’s share in their property through refinancing, using savings, or upon sale of the property.

IBA’sexecutivedirector, governmentand public Relations, Sean Armistead, said the partnership with the Victorian government supported more Aboriginaland Torres StraitIslander peoplein Victoria to become homeowners.

“We’re always looking for new ways to support our First Nations customers to become an integral part of the Australian economy –whether that be owninga home, starting or growing abusiness, or investing in their future,” Mr Armistead said.

“Homeownership can be positive in one’s life in many ways, including health,stability and general wellbeing. But the current housingmarketis affected by the added uncertainty of rising interest rates and housing stock availability, which makes

the opportunity more difficult.

“This new fundprovides supportfor First Nations home buyers who might not otherwise be able to access their first home,” he said.

“We’re deeply invested in the financial success of FirstNationspeople and providingviable opportunities for home ownership, and welcome the partnership with the Victorian governmentto further those opportunities.”

Victoria Treasurer Tim Pallas says thereisa reason the Victorian Homebuyer Fund has been popular.

“It helps people get into their own homes quicker with help from asecure partner,” Mr Pallas said.

“Thousands more Victorians will now be able to realisetheir dreams with this new injection; combined with the First Home Owner Grant and first home buyer stamp duty relief, it can make a massive difference.”

Royal Freemasons Sale.

photo.

Grammar school’s new leaders

GIPPSLAND Grammar has announced its student leadersfor nextyear, with 14 senior students named as the school’s captains, vice-captains and prefects for 2023.

Current Year 11 students EmilyThai and Ed Courtier will be the 2023 school captains, supported by vice captainsSophieAlexander and Monty Richardson.

Another 10 students werenamedasprefects across specific areas, including ‘communityand culture’, ‘wellbeing and care’, ‘curriculumand learning’, ‘creativity and expression’ and ‘sport and experience’.

The students will spend the remainder of this year preparing for their new leadership roles, which come into effect from the start of term one next year when they begin their final year of schooling as Year 12 students.

Acting principal Michele Wakeham said opportunitiesfor student leadership were offeredacross all yearlevels at the VCE independentSchools; however, these seniorroles werethe highest-profile and sought after.

“We were very excited that we have so many passionate students who weresopassionate in stepping up to learn, live and lead within our school community,” Mrs Wakeham said.

“The decisions certainly weren’teasy, and we sincerelythankthese student leaders in accepting their titles andresponsibilities.Weare confident these studentswill model the leadership qualities we aimtoinstil in allstudents who attend Gippsland Grammar.”

Head of Garnsey Rohan Jayatilake said astrong fieldofabout 40 students was vying for the positions

of leadership, which for the first time this year included prefects spread across five key areas rather than general prefects.

“By focusing on specific areas of learning, our new captains and prefects will be leading change in areasofthe school that they are truly passionate about,” Mr Jayatilake said.

“We believethis willencourage deeperand more meaningful conversationsbetween students,

staff and families, furthering our achievement of student, school and community goals.” Each student submittedaformal application, sat an interview with membersofthe school’sown leadership team and presented to their peers at a campus assembly.

During the applicationprocess, successful school captain candidate Ed Courtier spoke of the traits he considers important for all leaders.

“A leader must be selfless, with the interest of the community at heart, while maintaining honesty and perseverance,” he said.

“I encourage that all of us strive to be leaders in our own lives, to make our own decisions while thinkingfirstofhow they impact those aroundus.”

Fellow 2023 Captain Emily Thai spoke of her leadership values, saying she valued people’s opinions and their ideas.

“I also value feedback because it allows us to progress further in our goals and succeed. To be agood leader, you havetobeprepared to fail, prepared to learn, and prepared to work on ideas anddosomething for the benefit of everyone else.”

Starting educationearly afundamentalway to begin

PARTICIPATION in early childhood education is increasing in Australia with more than 1.3 million children attending approved early childhood education services last year, an increase of 67 per cent over the past decade.

Gippsland Grammar Early Learning Centre (ELC)director Lisa Burgesssaidthisincrease reflected agreaterunderstanding of the importance of early childhood education.

“Studies show these early years are crucial for intellectual, social, emotionaland physical growth,” Mrs Burgess said.

“In fact, 90 per cent of brain development occurs in the first five years of achild’s life so the opportuni ties and experiences we provide for achild really do matter.”

During October Gippsland Grammar’s two ELC’s celebratedEarly Learning Matters Week, which is anational celebration of the importance of high-quality, play-based early learning. This year’s theme is ‘learning through play’, which helps children to both learn and thrive, and is acentral focus of Gippsland Grammar’s ELC programs.

“At theELC thechildren are immersed in an environmentwhichprovides plenty of experiential early literacy and numeracyexperiences, amix of adult and child-directed learning,aswell as opportunities for open-ended,interest-based exploration,” Mrs Burgess said.

Mrs Burgess said the two distinct ELC programs were targeted specifically to eitherthe three or four-year-old age groups.

“At the ELC we know the needs of athree year old arevery differenttothoseoffour and five-year olds, which is why we run age-specific groupsthat cater for each child’s unique levelofdevelopment,” Mrs Burgess said.

“Highly-skilled teachers and educators and our small group sizes ensures that each child’s needs are supported right from the beginning.

“And there are key thingsthat children need to learn when they are three years old and just starting their educational journey, as opposed to when they are four years old and are preparing for starting school,” Mrs Burgess said.

“For example, children in our three-year-old reception program are learningindependence, gaining confidence, developing key social skills, developing speech and language and establishing thekey fundamentals of literacyand numeracy. We know that, guided by educators who are experts withthis agegroup,our three-year-olds thrive without being overwhelmed by older children in

the same group. Gippsland Grammar Bairnsdale campus’s three-year-old program teacher SommerLea Collinssaidterm four was asatisfyingtime to reflect on how far the school’s youngest students had come throughout the year.

“This year has been challenging for some of our three-year-old students as they have had limited access to socialactivities due to the pandemic,” Mrs Collins said. “But the children have shown remarkable resilience in learning to become independent and it is adelight to seethemexcitedtounpack their bags, ready to participate in aday full of stories, songs, creative and physical play.”

Daily programs at GippslandGrammar ELC integratethe arts, science, mathematics and language, thedevelopment of thinking skills, growth mindset precepts and education about sustainability. The three-year-old program is enriched with weekly music lessons and the ‘need to read’ early literacy program. Thefour-year-old program also includes music, Japanese, library, aperceptual-motor program (PMP) and ‘buddies’ programwith Year 5.

Gippsland Grammarhas limited placesremaining for next year in the school’s three-year-old reception programsatboth St Anne’s (Sale) and Bairnsdale ELCs and the four-year-old transition program at the Bairnsdale ELC.

Families wanting to know more about what a Gippsland Grammar early childhood education can offer are invited to phone ELC director Lisa Burgess at 5143 7123 during business hours.

Gippsland Grammar’s 2023 school leadershipteam, vice captain SophieAlexander,school captains Ed Courtierand Emily Thai andvice captain Monty Richardson.

Gippsland Grammar Bairnsdale campus Early Learning Centreeducator Sommer-Lea Collins with three-year-old kinder students Henry,Xavier and Hannah. Photos: Contributed

Xavier and Henry learn through play while pretending to be firefighters.

Gippsland Grammar’s 2023 student leaders are:

CulturePrefect

Shelton

and

:Chris Kelsey

and CarePrefect:Isabel Rush Lestrange

and Learning Prefect:Samithri Kaluarachchi

and Learning Prefect:Jonathon DeKock

and Expression Prefect:Georgia Shell Creativity and Expression Prefect:Leah Brutovic Sport and Experience Prefect:Austin Bauer Sport and Experience Prefect:Ella O’Doherty

ROD McLaughlin spent over 30 years of his life working corporate jobs overseas.

But after returning to Stratford, he switched careers by opening ahealthy food truck business.

Many Gippslanders who drive through Stratford on the Princes Highway from Sale will be familiar with the lot of land near the entrance to the town, where the Grill-em kebab truck sits in its shed. Next to it is the Gippsland Jersey van providing milkshakes.

Now the spacehas atrifectaoffood truck options after McBrick Salads &Sangas opened in September. Theyprovide healthy andfresh cuisine options to the public,includinggourmet sandwiches, salads, soups, fusionfoods such as banhmiand fresh rice paperrolls, cold pressed juices and smoothies.

In aconversation with the Gippsland Times in April, Rod described the McBrick Health Foods business as “a dream and an idea”.

Rod knew he wanted to set-up shop in Stratford, where he was born.

“I’ve seen how Stratford has grown over the years. The block where Grill-em stands is agreat location,” Rod said.

“I knew nothingabout this type of business when Istarted.Inmyprevious career, Igained a substantial amount of experience in marketing, business management and strategic development on alarge,corporate scale. Ithen called people I trustedinthis type of industrytogive me good advice, and then there was no turning back.

“If you never believe in your dream and idea you will never do it, and ultimately you’ll never know.”

Rod had been looking for acareer change that wouldbenefit the communityafter seeing the food truck revolution take off in the United States.

“Travelling around the world, Inoticed that the health-food side wasn’trepresented in food trucks as much as they should, which helped bolster my vision for the business,” Rod said.

“I was inspired by Primanti Bros in the US, who produced large fresh sandwiches and burgers which had good quality meats and produce.

“Although theywere not as healthy as you would hope, it still provided the inspiration and vision I strived to create, only in ahealthy form.

“I lived in Honolulu for 22 years, and Ialmost had asort of vision that if Iwasn’t flying around the world doing my corporate job, I’d be doing the food truck.

“After Covid happened and Icouldn’t return to the US and Asia, Iresigned from my job and took on this new venture of doing health food cuisines through afood trailer.”

For26years, Rodwas employed as vice president of development for DCK Worldwide, alarge American construction and development company located on the east coast of the US mainland.

The ‘McBrick’ name is very personal for Rod.

“McBrick Health Foods is dedicated to my father Ronnie McLaughlin, who was known throughout the Gippsland region as ‘the bricklayer you need to have’,” Rod said.

“He was known as ‘Bricky’ or ‘Brick’ to many and will always be remembered as such. He was inspirational not only for what he had done and given to Stratford and surrounding regions, but through his enormous will, patience, and energy he demonstrated daily throughout his entire life.

“Dad builtover 98 brick veneer houses, numerous tiling and feature slate jobs as well as 120-plus chimneys in Stratford, Maffra, Sale and surrounding areas.

“InJanuaryhepassed away,aged 98. Ididn’t want an ordinaryhealth food name, and Iwanted atribute to him. He always lived ahealthy and pure life.”

Whilethe openingofthe foodtruck wasdelayed several times, things movedquicklyonceRod found his business partners -RachelHooftand her husband Rich -justafew months ago.

Rachaelsaidthat she and Rich were themselves planning to do afood van serving hot meals, before she noticed Rod in someone’s backyard,and decided to investigate.

“I saw Rod’s car there.Halfanhour later he offeredmeajob, and now we’re businesspartners. It pays to snoop,” she said with alaugh.

Rod says he thought Rachaelwas from acompetitor when he spoke to her.

“I thought she was acovert spy for an opposition just by the nature of the questions. Andthen I soon realised that she and Rich wanted to create somethinglikethis. So then Imade an offer,” Rod said

“I am so thankful that Rachael, Rich and their family came into my life. If Ihadn’t found them, I would have had to find ahealthy food chef instead, or not even opened.

Rachael had her owndreamand an idea“healthy yummy meals for the community”.

“I just absolutely love creating big healthy meals. Ilove big family get-togethers. Ijust love cooking. I’ve worked in cafes, restaurants, bakeries, all that kind of thing,” Rachael said.

“I thought it would be good to serve food to the community …families who get home from work completely stuffed and can’t be bothered cooking, they know they can go to Rachael.

“It’s incredible that Ican do my dream and Rod can do his.”

Afew nights aweek, McBrick stops its daytime menu and instead does hot dinner meals from 5-7pm.

“We’ve been doing healthy versions of butter chicken, Mongolian beef,pasta dishes–and it has sold out on afew occasions. The feedback from that has been absolutely awesome,” Rod said.

He has been encouraged by others to open another McBrick’s food truck in another location, but doesn’t want to get ahead of himself.

“This is abig operation for afood van, so we’re goingtostayhere until we get things to perfection,” he said.

“Then we’re going to move around and do some big events.

“We’re tweaking the menu right now, seeing what sells, what doesn’t.

“I’ve gotta give (Grill-em co-owner) Taylan Çetin

much thanks and credit for allowing us here and also for all the wonderful advice.He’s always helping us with his comments and input that he has learnt from his successful journey, and Irespect that alot.”

Rod loves being part of the Stratford patchof land next to Grill-em and Gippsland Jersey. The businesses complement each other when they’re all open, he says, but also when one or two are closed.

“It’s great when we’re all open and you see this block come alive. We open when Grill-em is closed so there’s not too much overlap, but there’s acommonSaturdaywhen we are all open and youdrag alot of people out,” Rod said.

“Andit’swonderful to givepeople an environment where they can come in with their children and take their pick of whatever they want. We’ve had carspull up and acouple will go to Grill-em, a couple will go to Gippsland Jersey and acouple will come to us. That’s the most satisfying part of this.”

When Rod first sat down with the Gippsland Times earlier this year to discuss“adream and an idea”, alarge amount of work had been done, but it was still months away from its opening.Now that McBrick has finally come to fruition,this correspondent wanted to know if Rod felt fulfilled.

“I feel like I’ve done my job. Ifeel very proud thatwhatI setout to do with justadream and an idea,” Rod said.

“I’m very fortunate to be helped by Rachael and Rich to get here. Rachael is agreat organiserand cook who helped come up with amazing healthy ideas to offer to the customers.

“I’d be happy to just make one dollar over zero when we started.We’ve done well beyond that, but we’re so happy with the feedback we’re getting with the (portion sizes), the freshness and the value for money.”

It was adream and an idea that had lurked around Rod’s head for years across the world.

His father will always be apart of it.

“I wish he could have seen it,” he said.

Stefan Bradley

Rich and Rachel Hooft,withRod McLaughlin inside the food truck.

Photo: Stefan Bradley.

McBrickSalads&SangasinStratford.

Photo: Stefan Bradley. Rod’s parents Ronnie and Mardie McLaughlin.

No.0130

‘Kitten season’ at Animal Aid

IT’S ‘kitten season’ at Animal Aid Gippsland.

It’s that time of year again when foster families have an amazing opportunity to adopt acutekitten for their household during atime where many feline friends are coming in.

In the next five months acouple of hundred kittens will come into the Fulham animal aid shelter, both with their mothers and on their own.

Some will be in need of veterinary care, others will just need aplace to rest and grow before they can be desexed and put up for adoption.

Animal Aid Sale animal attendant Laura Ryrie says the shelter is looking for alarge number of foster families to help cope with the influx.

“It gets very busy this time of year. It’s starting to pick up -we’re seeing alot of babies being born and pregnant mums coming in,” she said.

“I think (the cats) like to breed in the warmer months of spring and summer.”

Animal Aid is always looking for more donations and volunteers to keep their operations running smoothly.

“It costs alot to desex, vaccinate and microchip, and all of that. The adoption fee is not much compared to all that. So monetary donations are always appreciated.”

“One thing we need, especially during kitten season, is donations of wet cat food, such as Whiskas loaf.”

The cats go through health checks from the vet before they go through the adoption process.

For dog lovers, there are also canines available at Animal Aid for adoption.

“It doesn’t get busier this time of year, it stays pretty consistent with dogs,” Ms Ryrie said.

For questionsabout the adoption process, phone 5144 5940 or email aag@animalaid.org.au

Stefan Bradley

Chester the catwithLaura Ryrie, enjoyingHalloween celebra tions at theshelter.Photo: StefanBradley.

AnimalAid Sale animal attendantLauraRyrie says five-monthold Zara is full of energy.Photo: StefanBradley.

Siblings Bob andLilacelebrating Halloweenat Animal Aid.Photo:Stefan Bradley

Five-month-old Zaraisfullofenergy onceshe getsout of her shell and is very playful.

Photo: Stefan Bradley.

Chester, acat at Animal Aid.

Photo:Stefan Bradley.

Nasha the cat, trick or treating for Halloween. Photo: Stefan Bradley.

Animal Aiddescribe four-year-old Romeoas‘sweet and smoochy’.

Photo: Stefan Bradley.

Help turn this to this

Iron sculptureunveiled

TomParry

VISITORS to Heart Morass Wildlife Reserve will now be greeted by astriking sculpture when they enter its gates.

The 1.5-tonne structure was officially unveiled on Wednesday, October 26 at an event hosted by Dr John Caldow.

Made by local artist Gavin Roberts, the commemorative sculpture recognises the contribution of the inaugural Trustees of the Hugh D. T. Williamson Foundation -one of the five organisations that assisted with the reserve’s redevelopment.

DONATE avirtual bauble and help the Newborn Intensive Care Foundation (NICF) support Sale Hospital’s special care nursery. This Christmas, the NICF is runninga special fundraiser ‘Baubles for Babies’ to help raise funds for lifesaving equipment for Sale Hospital’s special care nursery.

How does it work?

Baubles for Babies is an online fundraiser that offers the chance to buy avirtual bauble to add to avirtual Christmas tree. Baubles rangefrom $20 to $2000, and every bauble purchasedcomes with the option for you to upload aphotograph and write aChristmas message to aloved one.

Every purchase of avirtual bauble will come with atax-deductible receipt, plus you will be helping us raise funds necessary to buy an Isolette crib to help keep sick babies warm and away from germs in acocoon-like environment.

The NICFisaskingthe Wellington Shire community to give back this Christmas and help support Sale Hospital staff as they care for the youngest lives of the community.

To giveyour gift of giving this Christmas, go to https://visufund.com/sale-hospitals-specialcare-nursery, then click on the donate heart at the top right to select your bauble.

Coffee and carsinMaffra

GIPPSLAND Vehicle Collection welcomes all enthusiasts to jointhem for coffee, cars and bikes.

Now that Covid is hopefully behind us, it’s time to clear the redbacks out of that classic car or motorbike and join us for aquick run to Maffra for acoffee and achat. It’s early, but that is so you can still do whatever else you had on that day.

So,onthe First Sunday of every monthfrom 8am to 10am, join us in the main street (Foster St)closetothe Rotunda.Park anywhere along the service road.

The next event is scheduled for November 6. For further information pleasecontact Mark on 0419 515 606

Current Chair of the Foundation, Stephen Newton AO was among those to speak at the event, and explained to the Gippsland Times how the idea for the sculpture came about.

“It stemmed from the decision by our founding Chair, Denis Tricks to make it possible to recognise the four founding trustees, and he asked me and one of the other current trustees to take the project on-board,” Mr Newton said.

“The other trustee and Idiscussed it; we decided thatwewouldtry and recognise the trustees in different parts of Victoria, and given the great interestthe trusteestakeinGippsland and in the Heart Morass, Icontacted John Caldow and askedwhether Icould talk with him about how we might recognise them here.

“The idea of the sculpture came from that conversation.”

Other parties, includingField&Game Australia (FGA) and the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA) were consulted in the creation of the artwork, their representatives present for the unveiling.

FGA Hunting &Conservation Manager, Glenn

Falla spoke about the difficulties in designing Mr Roberts’sculpture: “tryingtounderstand how a hunting organisationthat ownsa propertycan be so heavily involved with conservation,how the twofit,and how (Mr Roberts) wasgoing to represent that.”

“I think he’s donethatperfectlybyusinga sculpture that includes awaterbird, but is also shared on our WET logo at the Wetlands Environmental Taskforce, (which is) part of Field &Game’s conservation,” Mr Falla said.

WGCMA chief executive Martin Fuller also offered his approval of Mr Roberts’ work.

“I really like it -it’sinspiring, it’s symbolic, and like all great sculptures, you can look at it from a number of different anglesand probablyinterpret it in anumberofdifferent ways,” Mr Fuller said.

“So, as afeature at the entrance of Heart Morass, it is absolutely perfect.”

In his speech to attendees, Gavin Roberts said the sculpture was meant to evoke “a stylisedwaterbird coming out of the Morass”.

He also noted that his time spentworking on the sculpture and visiting the reserve “definitely changed my perspective on what Field &Game do”. Mr Newton thanked Dr Caldow for making the day possible, and Mr Roberts for his vision and skillincreatingthe artwork: “it is even better than what Ithought it would be.”

He hoped that the sculpture would be “an example to others to see what adifference individuals can make.”

Stephenson Park redevelopment gets the nod

SALE’S Stephenson Park has been upgraded with modern facilities as part of a$2.54 million redevelopment.

The new facilities were officially openedby Wellington Shire Council Mayor Ian Bye on Wednesday, October 26.

Cr Bye said the project wouldallow greatersports participation by people of all abilities in avariety of sports.

“The wellbeingofour community is akey priority for Council, and we want to encourage everyone to be able to play or participate in sports,”CrBye said.

“It’snot only agreat way to stay fit both physically and mentally,but also afantastic socialoutlet which getpeople involved in their local communities.

“Unfortunately, the old facilities here did not cater very well to women and were long overdue to be brought into the 21st Century.

“These new, modern facilitiesare alot more inviting and welcoming to all people and will allow for better participation by players, umpires, officials and spectators.”

As part of the redevelopment, Stephenson Park Recreation Reserve has been provided with new female-friendly changerooms, umpires rooms, social rooms,first aid facilities, acanteen and toilets.

The reserveisthe home to Sale CityFootball Netball Club,SaleBaseballClub, Sale and District Touch Football,and Longford Cricket Club,aswell as the Sale Umpires Association.

Wellington Shire Council provided $1.4 million

for the project and Sport and Recreation Victoria $800,000.

Additionally, agenerous contribution of $250,000 was made by the John Leslie Foundation, and a $50,000 community contribution from the user groups.

Kevin Arbuthnot from Sale Rangers Baseball Club, Pete Perilloand Keith PritchardfromSale UmpiresAssociation, Brian Castles from the John Leslie Foundation, TomMcIntoshMLC for EasternVictoria, Wellington ShireCouncil Mayor Ian Bye, Laurie SmythfromSale TouchFootball Association, LachlanFloyd from LongfordCricket Cluband Michael and Louise Clapton from Sale City Football/NetballClub.

Photo: Contributed

The iron sculpturestands at the entrance to HeartMorass.

Photo: TomParry

Heyfield Hospital lives

THE Victorian Liberals and Nationals have committed to arecurrent funding boost to fund the future of Heyfield Hospital and important infrastructure upgrades at Maffra Hospital.

GippslandEastNationals MP, Tim Bull said these announcements come on the back of a$230 million commitment to build anew Bairnsdale Hospital.

“Weare able to do this because we are reallocatingmoney from the Box Hill-to-Cheltenham rail project (SuburbanRailLoop Stage One) to fix the health crisis and much of this is occurring in regional Victoria,” Mr Bull said.

“Heyfield Hospital is one of the five remaining Victorian Community (formally Bush Nursing) Hospitals, which needs critical funding in order to keep the doors open and the lights on.

“There used to be 40 of these facilities in the state and now there are only five left at Heyfield, Euroa, Nagambie, Neerim and Cobden and each are important to their local communities but will

wither without support.

“The community hospitals have put their case to thegovernment for some time now to no avail.

“We will answer their calland meetthe recurrent funding shortfalls of each.

“The Heyfield Hospital plays acriticalrole in the region, providing medical services seven days aweek, not only for Heyfield residents, but for Glenmaggie, Coongulla, Nambrok, Cowwarr and surrounds as well.”

Mr Bull said that in addition to this, he was pleased to announce majorupgradestothe Maffra hospital.

“A detailedcostsummary amounting to $6.1 millionwas provided to me earlier this year by the Central Gippsland Health Service (CGHS), and Iampleasedtomakethis commitment to ensure the health care facility keeps pace with a growing population.

“Having been in discussions with CGHS throughout this year in relation to this project, they have

providedmewith an accurate understanding of what is required at Maffra Hospital. That is why Irecentlyqueried Labor’s announcement of ‘up to’ $70m, an announcement that was made without prior contact with CGHS and the first they knew of it was when Icalled them several hours after it was announced in Wantirna, more than200 kilometres away.”

“That in itself is staggeringly reckless.

“Unlike Labor, we communicate openly with our health services, ask what is needed, receive the costings and make announcements accordingly.

“Labor never set foot in the town or spoke with locals to understand the need and just plucked a figure from the sky.

“We will providethe fundingthat has been asked for by our health servicestoupgrade the infrastructure at Bairnsdaleand Maffra and ensure the required recurrent funding is provided to Heyfield,” Mr Bull said.

Snapshot of local health

HIGH rates of family violence, avoidable cancer and chronic obstructivepulmonary disease deaths, and unnecessary presentations to emergencydepartments, defineWellington’s health and wellbeing snapshot.

The snapshots of Gippsland’s six local government areas(LGA)showhow each municipality’s community compares to the whole of Gippsland and Victoria.

Information for the snapshotsistaken from the Gippsland PHN Health Needs Assessment 2022-2025, highlighting multipleand complex priorities for the region’sprimary health system.

Gippsland PHN chief executive officer, Amanda Proposch, said the Health Needs Assessment helped work towards the organisation’s visionfor a‘measurably healthier Gippsland’.

“Individual PHNs are responsible for identifying and addressing the primaryhealth needs in their region,” Ms Proposch said.

“We do this through strategic planning, commissioning services, supporting general practice and other health care providers in continuousimprovement,and designing programs to facilitate seamless care.

“We are also focusing on driving positive change in health behaviours through the adoption and use digital healthtoolsand technologies by healthcare providers in Gippsland.

“Building an integratedsystem of health that considers multiple, interconnected factors across the lifespan inclusive of community, carers and consumers is critical.”

Notableaspects of theWellington LGA are:

 High rate of family violence.

 High rates of avoidable deaths due to cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.



High rate of presentations to Emergency Departments that could be treated in primary care.

Member forGippsland East,Tim Bull, pictured at Heyfield Hospital. The Liberals and Nationals have committed to increase recurrent funding if elected this November. Photo: supplied.

Sale Camera Club back after Zoom

THE Sale CameraClub hasbeen backface-to-face for alittle while after along time presenting their meetings viaZoom.

The club has been inviting some fantastic photographer guests in to their monthly club meetings.

Last month, the club was visited by VAPS (Victorian Association of Photographic Societies) judge and Warragul Camera Club member Nigel Beresford.

Beresford had judged the club’s ‘Architecture’ competition prints and was able to add alot of additional content to his judging. He motivated members with his constructive feedback and ideas.

In the Novice group it was Marg Gwyther who took away the honours with her stunning image of aJapanese Goyakama Grassho.

Margalsotook second place with avery colourful image ‘Tokyo Station’.

New member Rhonda Carlin came third with her image depicting a‘Widow’s Walk’.

John Gwyther took first place in theOpen section with yet another Japanese image, called ‘Kyoto Station’.

It was Adele Bronts who scored with all of her threesubmittedimages;second placed ‘Beach Abode’,thirdplaced ‘Orient Hotel’ and highly commended ‘Windows and Walls’.

Very important in architecture and most if not all photographic subjects is composition.

Committeemember Greg Meldrum’s slide show on this subject fitted in perfectly following Nigel’s presentation.

The club meetinginNovember will host Melbourne’sMulti AwardWinning Street Photographer Adrian Whear.

Whearwill showmembers andguestshis latest presentation on how to shoot street photography just about anywhere, including Sale.

His enthusiasm is inspiring and his images are colourful,abstract, engaging, and mostofall, well timed.

Whear often uses shadows, reflections, bold colours, juxtaposition and unusual angles to attract viewers. His aim is to capture an ordinary everyday scene but to interpret it in an extraordinary way.

This weekend club members will participate in the popular annual photo treasure hunt. Alistof 10 photographic challenges will be given to each member.

Thesubmitted imagescan only be taken during the weekend.

Avoting system is in place to select the winner of each challenge as well as an ‘overall’ winner.

All submitted images willbeshowninaslide show at the December meeting.

Winning images will be displayed on the club’s Facebook page and website.

The Sale Camera Club meetings are always on the first Thursday of the month, with no meeting in January.

The meetings start at 7.30pm at the Girl Guides Hall, 118-120 Market St in Sale.

The club is encouraging new members and/or guests to join or visit.

For more information go to www.salecameraclub.com.auorphone the club’s secretary,Lotje McDonald, on 0402 963 443 or email info@ salecameraclub.com.au.

 MAFFRA Neighbourhood House is offering three different ways to relax and prepare for the summer holidays. Gentle Exercise on Wednesdays from 11am and Pilates on Mondays from 9.15am. The cost is $15 for each 45 minute session.

Yoga classes will begin Tuesday, November 22, from 1pm until 2pm. The cost for the course is $60 for the four weeks. Bookings for these classes are essential on 0422 335 155.



THE Maffra Cancer Council volunteer unit’s next meeting willbeheldon Monday, November 7, at the Maffra Bowling club, Princess St, Maffra beginning at 2pm. Any new members would be most welcome.

 ST Vincent de Paul monthly garage sale will be held on Saturday, November 5, at the Jack Kelly store, 28 Laura St, Maffra from 9amuntil 10.30am.



THE Rotary Club of Maffra Community market will be held on Sunday, November 6, at the Island Reserve, McMahon Drive, Maffra (back of Woolworths car park) from 9am until 12.30pm. Everyone welcome.

Tokyo Station.

Photo: MargGwyther

Orient Hotel.

Photo: Adele Bronts

2022 Sale Show in pictures

Sale Showgoers brave thefastest ride in the park

Jojo the clownaka Pam.

Milla,18, 2022SaleShowhandler competitionwinner,with Spring ValleyPompei.

Alice, Jemmaand Erin, entrants of the 2022SaleShowbest-dressed carrot competition.

Little Elijah Morris enjoys the teacup ride withdad Jye.

Four-year-old Sabrina Bradyfrom StratfordPony Club. Photos: Zoe Askew

2022Sale Show dairy cattle entrant.

2022 SaleShowchampionrose.

Showjumping wasthe first of thearena events on dayone of the Sale Show

Sale’s Peter Wyliewithhis 2022 Sale Show champion rose

Tayla from BlackSnake Productions withasnake.

Sale’s youngRubygot up close and personal with the 2022 Sale Show’s legless guests.

Sale Library’s Jasmine at the 2022 Sale Show

2022 SaleShowbull handling winner

Tucker atreat for auto fans

THE Gippsland Vehicle Collection (GVC) will feature avery rare Tucker automobile as part of its upcoming ‘Rarities and Replicas’ display at the Maffra Motor Museum.

GVC president Vanessa Noble said this was an exciting opportunity to showcase such arare and prestigious car locally.

“We’re proud and privileged to be able to put this car on display at the museum, alongside many other amazing vehicles,” Ms Noble said.

“This one is particularly special -with only 51 Tucker cars ever produced, each one slightly different, as Preston Tucker’s company kept improving and innovating until bankruptcy stopped production in 1949.”

Preston Tucker was an American entrepreneur with plans for aradical new automobile that he believed would revolutionise and shake up the dominance of the ‘Big Three’: Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler.

In 1948, he produced acar unlike anything available at that time which he named the ‘Tucker 48’, but it was soon known as the ‘Tucker Torpedo’ due to its striking streamlined shape.

Featuring rear-wheel drive via ahorizontally opposed six-cylinder engine mounted in the rear, the cars had various other innovations.

These included apadded dash -unusual for the time -ahandbrake that could be locked with akey, an integrated rollover bar for occupants’ protection, and three headlamps.

The middle headlamp swivelled in the direction the car was cornering to better guide the driver.

This large car was expensive for the time at US$4000, when many of its competitors were selling for US$1000.

Preston Tucker’s company relied heavily on loans and this, plus the opposition of the ‘Big Three’ and their conniving political allies, eventually led to bankruptcy in 1949.

These events were later chronicled in the Francis Ford Coppola film Tucker: The Man and His Dream starring Jeff Bridges.

Ms Noble said that today, Tucker 48s are much sought after and extremely valuable collector’s cars.

“We’re excited to be able to share such arare vehicle with the public, and encourage everyone to come and see it and other unique and remarkable cars at the museum,” she said.

The Maffra Motor Museum is at 2A Sale Road, Maffra and is open each Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 10am till 4pm, plus all school and public holidays except Christmas Day.

The ‘Rarities and Replicas’ display will be showing at the venue from November 13.

For more information, visit www.gippslandvehiclecollection.org.au or call 03 5147 3223.

Art show returns

GIPPSLAND Southern Health Service’s annual art show will return this year as a live event and extend to both Leongatha and Korumburra hospital campuses. The fifth annual art show will follow the theme `Everyone Matters’ and will be displayed from November 7till December 31.

This year the community can also contribute by adding their artistic expressions to acanvas mural.

Last year the event was moved online due to COVID-19 restrictions, but this year it will returntothe main entrance and halls of the Leongatha campus and, for the first time, about 30 pieces of art will be displayed in Korumburra.

There will also bean online presence with avirtual display on the GSHS website and Facebook page.

The exhibitions will showcase the creative works of people with disability and chronic illnesses and will include drawings, ceramics, book illustrations, sculptures and poems.

GSHS Allied Health Manager Vivian Carroll said about 40 artists across all mediums are expected to contribute to the show.

“This year, we’re trying to highlight the works of people from arange of different backgrounds,” Ms Carroll said.

“The theme is `everyone matters’ and if anyone says they like art, we try to hook them into this show. It’s not about the disability or the condition; the first thing people should see is the art.”

About 50 pieces are ready to display and Ms Carroll expects a“rolling display” with new pieces being added during the life of the show.

“If someone wants to buy apiece in the run-up to Christmas, we want to have another piece ready to take its place,” she said.

“Because of COVID-19, we haven’t had any art on the wall of the hospitals for the past two years except for our permanent display, so this will really brighten the hallways.”

Local artists will also do presentations during the displays and the show encourages communityparticipation with visitors asked to contribute to an art canvas.

The art show will be formally launched with amorning tea on International Day of People with Disability on December 2.

Here’s to 151years

TomParry

THIS weekend alocal institution will commemorate its 150th anniversary in style. Sale City Band is the institution to have reached the milestone, with an afternoon tea and matinee concert scheduled to celebrate.

In the lead-up to the grand occasion, members have been reflecting on their time with the band and the integral role it has played in their lives.

Arguably, none have benefitted from their participation more than musical director Caroline Monck, who has spent two decades with the band.

“I joined because I’d just moved to the area as an instrumental teacher at some of the schools, and Ithought it would be areally good way to meet people and keep playing my instrument, and just have fun, really,” Ms Monck said.

And meet people she did -itwas through the band that Caroline met her husband Matthew, afellow trombone player.

By Ms Monck’s own admission, the two “didn’t say much to each other” in their first couple of years performing together.

“Then afew other forces that be helped us get together and, as they say, the rest is history,” she said.

She recalls her wedding day as one of her highlights with the band, which saw them not only attend, but perform at the ceremony, then forming aguard of honour as husband-and-wife exited the church.

These days, Ms Monck is more likely to be found conducting Sale City rather than playing in it.

Her current role as musical director was bequeathed in 2016, and she leads the band on stage, select the music it performs and organise upcoming gigs.

But her main aim is to make the band sound professional.

“My big thing is sound -how abandsounds, and how they work together to create that sound, and that’s my aim with anything we could be playing –ahymn, amarch or apop song,” she said.

While Ms Monck used the band as an opportunity to connect and play her instrument of choice, for other members, it has served as a chance to rekindle their love of music.

Such was the case for secretary-treasurer and percussionist, Sharon Barnes.

“I taught music for awhile, and Irealised that Iwasn’t actually doing much playing –I was teaching kids, and didn’t have the chance to actually perform,” Ms Barnes said.

“So Icame along to the band one night, 20-odd years ago, and that first night got thrown-in at the deep end, and it was great. And I’ve been playing with the band ever since.”

It’s asimilar story for cornet player Graham Patrick, who moved to Sale 11 years ago with his wife Sandra, arelief teacher. He became involved after telling one of Ms Patrick’s colleagues in-passing that he would

love to play in aband.

“Next thing Iknow, this instrument from Sale City Band appears when Sandra came home from doing her day at work,” Mr Patrick explained.

“I fiddled for aweek or two, wasn’t sure, went back when they had arehearsal on, said ‘Look, I’m here to return to instrument’ and they said, ‘Nah, sit down,’ and that was it.

“They were very encouraging… and basically, Inow play professionally with the band, which is something Ialways dreamt about…

“Probably wouldn’t have happened if Istayed in the city.”

Others still have come to participate in the band through family members, old and young.

Ms Monck’s father-in-law, Reg –who recently retired as the band’s Drum Major –became involved after his son first joined the band in the 1980s.

Likewise, sitting president Mike Riley was convinced to join after spending many years of driving his own son to and from band.

All members are now eagerly awaiting this weekend’s 150th anniversary celebration, which actually takes place in the band’s 151st year of being -commemorations were scheduled to occur last year, but had to be postponed owing to the pandemic.

The earliest records of the band date back to 1871, when it was known as the Sale Drum and Fife Band.

In 1872, the Sale Brass Band was formed as an addition, and by 1876, it was formally constituted as the Sale Borough Band.

Its name was changed to Sale Town Band in 1948, and then changed again in 1951 following the official proclamation of Sale as acity.

It has been known as the Sale City Band ever since.

The group in its 151st year of existence has presided over events from bridge openings to Anzac Day parades and, of course, Queen Elizabeth’s visit in 1953.

Among its proudest achievements is winning

the DGrade competition at the 2012 National Band Championships, amoment nominated by both Ms Monck and Ms Barnes as one of their fondest memories.

For Mr Riley, amemory that sticks out for him is the band’s visit to the Pacific island nation of Kiribati in July 2017.

“We went out there to help outthe local police band who wanted sometutoring, and also to participate in their Independence Day celebrations,” Mr Riley explained.

“We were invited to playatthe (Kiribati) President’s residenceon their commemorative day, (on) which allofthe island basically stops and they allgotothe President’s for lunch!”

To keep abrass band operating across one-and-a-half centuries, through two global pandemics, two World Wars and multiple financial crises is no mean feat.

Mr Riley puts Sale City’s longevity downto thefamily connections, as well as the encouragement of junior players through programs like the Sale Brass Academy.

But can the band survive for another 150 years?

“I don’t see why not,” Mr Riley said.

“So long as they keep adapting to the musical tastes of the people, there will always be aplace for atraditional band.”

Celebrations begin Saturday, November 5.

Blue Light disco needs members

WELLINGTON Blue Light is looking for members of the community to join their Blue Light Committee.

The committee meets about five times a year to organise upcoming discos, with the aim to holding about four ayear.

It is holding an annual general meeting this Thursday, November 3atthe Sale Police Station from 6.30pm. Currently, all positions of the committee are open and up for nomination.

Members have missed holding discos the past two years and are looking forward to getting them up andrunning again, as the feedback from the children in Grade 3–6 who attend the discos is“fantastic and they really enjoy it!”

Thefunds from each disco that is held go straight into funding of the next one. The committee is anot-for-profit organisation, and needs help to keep these events going.

For further enquiries, contact Leading Senior Constable Kim Kell on 5142 2200.

Wellington BlueLightDisco is appealing for organising committee members, it’s a not-for-profitorganisation.

Photo: Contributed

GrahamPatrick, Caroline Monck, Mike Riley, Sharon Barnes, Carol Morris and TomCousin outside the KenGarnerBandHall.

Photo: TomParry

This

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Floods to increase food prices

RABOBANK commentary: Latest CPI shows annual food price inflation reaches nine per cent The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, released on Wednesday, shows annualfood priceinflation reached nine per cent in the September quarter, the highest annual rise in food prices seen since 2006.

Rabobanksenior food retail analyst Michael Harvey said the rise in prices had been “largely expected”–driven by high input costs for food production (suchasenergy, labour, transport and fertiliser), as well as the impact of wet weather damage on agricultural production. He cautioned there was further “upside” in food prices likely to come.

“Further risesare expected in foodpricesinquarter

Surge funds for regions

VICTORIA is amidst another natural disaster; waters have inundated homes, displacing residents, and businesses have been lost, adversely affecting the mental health and wellbeing of those involved.

A$4.4-million initial package will support any extramental healthcare flood-affected Victorians need.

The Victorian government’s mental health and wellbeing hubs, which were used during the pandemic to support extra mental health demand,will see $1.5 million in surge funding in the worst-affected areas acrossregional Victoria and Melbourne’s west.

Afurther $2 million will support trusted communitymentalhealthorganisationsto deliver care when it’sneededmost, while NeighbourhoodHouses and Aboriginal community-controlledorganisations in affected areas will receive $400,000 to run local events, connecting flood-affected residents across communities.

Primary producers whose properties, livestock or crops were lost in the floods will getthe dedicated mental health support they need, with $500,000 for specialist agriculture organisations, includingthe National Centre forFarmerHealth.

The government’s ‘School Mental Health Fund’ hasnow rolled outtoeverygovern ment school in regional Victoria, offering an evidence-based menu of wellbeing optionsfor schools to choose the mental health support that suits their unique cohort.

Children and their families who have been affected by the floods are strongly encouraged to contact their trusted school leaders, who can help them access care quickly.

Victorians are reminded they can contribute to flood recovery efforts at givit.org.au/ storms-and-flooding.

four and into 2023 as the impact of current and recent flooding in agricultural regions weighs on food supply volumes,” he said.

Mr Harveysaid thelast timefood prices had experienced such high annual growth was 16 years ago, in 2006, when Cyclone Larry had devastated Australia’s banana crop, causing ahugespike in prices.

The September 2022 CPI showed food prices had increased by 3.2 per cent on the previous quarter. Headline overall inflation rose 7.3 per cent annually and 1.8 per cent on the previous quarter.

Mr Harvey said the “food price inflationstory was once again broad-based, with increases across all food and beverage categories”.

“It has been led by double-digit increases in fresh produce overall, dairy, eggs, coffee and cooking oils,” he said.

“Fruit prices specifically also rose this quarter, after falling in the July CPI. Milk and cooking oil recorded the highest year-on-year price inflation since recording began.”

The September 2022 CPI showed the biggest category contributors to the annual riseinfood prices were Fruitand Vegetables (up 16.2 per cent) and Meals out and Takeaway (up 6.1 per cent).

Mr Harvey said food price inflation was clearly putting significant pressure on households and there was “evidence of weaker consumer demand already emerging and adifficult 2023 to come for households with aslowing economy, higher interest rates and energy bills all on the horizon”.

Image: contributed.

Dowlings wins harness prize

THE inaugural Bill and Hazel McMahon Supreme Harness Exhibit was made possible by Bill (Junior) and Vicki McMahon in memory of parents Bill and Hazel McMahon from Maffra, who both loved horsesall theirlives,particularly with harness horses.

ShowingHarness horses was their passion. They began their successfulshowing at local agricultural shows like Maffra, which progressed to Championships at many Royal Shows, where they were highly respected and admired.

Driving Thorpeville Splash,local Stratford resident Cheryl Dowling, assisted by her husband, Tom won the supreme harness exhibit. Until this year, Cheryl has been committed to the role of Ring Master at the Maffra shows Harness events; however, she was taken over by Nicky Hair this year,enabling Cheryl to be able to drive at the Maffra Show for the very first time.

Aside from the very damp weather, which possibly deterred some entrants, the day ran smoothly andwas enjoyed by spectators availing themselves of the under-cover area of the main pavilion. Both the Light and Heavy Harness rings were generously supported by the Maffra Sports Club along with Saddleworld in Sale, who kindly

ThorpevilleSplashanine-year-old 11.3hh Welsh mare, being presented with the supreme har ness exhibitsashbybothlight harness judge Mr LesJudd (from YeaVictoria)& HeavyHarness JudgeMatthew Thompson(from Maldon Victoria).

Maffra Showbackwithflourish

Stefan Bradley

THE return of the Maffra &District Agricultural Show was ahugesuccess with equestrian events, livestock judging,livemusic, food trucks, rides, competitions, and countless more to see and do for families andchildren overthe weekendof October 21-23.

For the School Friday Program, more than 250 students enjoyed activitieswiththe localambulance, Wellington Shire Sustainability, Auskick, Gippsland Woodcraft Group,Gippsland Water, MacMillan Rockhounds, the local poultry club, Fire Brigade’sSmokehouseand the Gippsland Climate ChangeNetwork and its Renewable Energy Trailer.

Kids and their parents ponied-up for the fancy dress to see who could win ribbons for their pony’s home-made costumes.

In the Pet Parade on Saturday pet owners aged under 17 brought their treasured animal to earn sashes.

There was 16 categories and, with first, second and third ribbons on offer, dozens of chances to win prizes.

The ShelterDome Pavilionwas officially launched by Maffra Show president Tim Dwyer and Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull on the Saturday.

Located at the northern end of Maffra Recreation Reserve, the structure was built with grant money secured by the committee for the Maffra Show. Maffra Show committee member Michael Coggan said it was great to see the show return.

“We’re alittle bit rusty, but after three years it’s come together really well,” Mr Coggan said. By the end of the weekend, fellowcommittee member Kath Coggansaidthe committee was extremely happy with the entire event across all three days.

“We’re getting very good feedback on our Facebook (page),” she said.

After spending an exhausting amount of time for the Maffra Show’s grand return in 2022, soon the committee will have to consider next year’s event. Further Maffra Show coverage can be found in last Friday’s Gippsland Times (October 28).

Maffra Showpresident,Tim Dwyer,(with fake mullet) and Memberfor Gippsland East Tim Bull opening thenew ShelterDome.

Photo: Stefan Bradley.

Fancy dress at the Maffra Show.

Photo: Stefan Bradley.

Henry andSteph Tyler’s greyhound

at the PetParade.

Photo: Stefan Bradley.

Fancy dress at the Maffra Show.

Photo: Stefan Bradley.

Located at the northern end of Maffra Recreation Reserve, theShelterDome structurewas built with grant money secured by the committee for the Maffra Show. Photo: contributed.

Representing Briag &DistrictPony Club Dimity Hagne, 17,donnsachampionribbon next to BlackMagic. Photo: Stefan Bradley.

65

Unit 8/51

Maffra Football Netball Club will be holding its annual general meeting on Tuesday, November 22 commencing at 7pm upstairs at the Maffra Community Sport Club. All life members, members and supporters are invited to attend.

Paul Bourke, Secretary MFNC 0428 451 366

PAPER

●

●

and

with young people, create asafe and welcoming environment.

development, we want to help you become the best worker possible through building your own skills and capacity.

● Networking and relationship building with our

to learn what each community wants.

● Work with young people in helping shape our programs for each location.

Key roles varyasthe project grows. No two days are the same.

What is the project?

Gippsland East Youth Project (GEYP) isa Youth led, Adult guided project. In support of the communities of Wellington and East Gippsland that have been harshly impacted by Bushfire's, and Covid, over the past few years. We're on a mission to help the young people build their capacity and connection to the community they live. We will provide opportunities for youth to learn new skills, build relationships and connect with professional services.

Where do Iwork?

Positions available for both Wellington or East Gippsland. Work in aflexible and mobile capacity meaning, you will be out and about on our fully equipped buses going into communities running arange of programs. You will be equipped with a work computer allowing you to work remotely and from home when necessary.

Training provided. We are achild safe organisation. Usual checks apply.

For more information, the PD or an application visit:

www.latrobeyouthspace.org.au/positions-vacant

Members of the Gippsland Forestry Hub are pleased to announce their Annual General

to take place on Friday 18th November 2022 at Gippsland Enterprise Centre, 50 Northways Road, Churchill. All are welcome

confirmyour attendance

emailing admin

@gippslandforestryhub .com.au by Friday 11th November 2022

The

Diocese

will have a

wellbeing

arichand

education

to

and willembrace a

approach

teaching, learning and student

The successful teaching applicants will hold

Victorian Institute of Teaching Registration and LSO applicants will hold a minimum Cert 3Education Support Certificate.

For further information regarding this position

Employment form please

reception@sttsale.catholic.edu.au

Applications and resumes can be forwarded to Mrs Anita Little Email: principal@sttsale.catholic.edu.au Applications close Monday, November 8th 2022 at 4.00pm.

This is aremunerated position.

Apprentice Chef

Looking

into 192

St, Sale 3850.

AGrade Electrician

AKMarshall Electrical Pty Ltd is seeking an experienced and licenced AGrade Electrician to join our team for an immediate start. The successful candidate will need to be aself starter, reliable, with excellent time management skills.

As aminimum, you will need to demonstrate extensive experience in wiring and fitting off new homes, residential renovations, underground/overhead power connections, switchboard upgrades and wiring sheds. 4th year apprentices are encouraged to apply. Address all enquiries to: Recruitment Officer at akmarshall89@bigpond.com

Closing Date: Written applications, with at least 2 referees, to be received by COB Friday 18 November 2022.

Forestry Opportunities

Available

AAGIM, as manager of the Kiland Estate, is harvesting 14,500 hectares of bluegum and pine on Kangaroo Island. Anumber of long-term, stable employment opportunities are now available.

Available Roles (full-time)

Harvest Operator -Feller-buncher, single-grip harvester, forwarder &skidder operators to harvest and stack forestry resource. Experience driving forestry machinery is required.

Base Salary: $80,000 -$95,000 p.a. ($305 $365 p/d* )+ Super, OT &Bonus.

Accommodation (incl. family) +services provided.

Stump Grinder &Tractor Operators -Operator to be responsible for grinding of harvested blue gum and pine stumps and/or driving high HP tractors for heavy cultivation. Experience driving machinery is preferred but not necessary.

Base Salary: $75,000 -$95,000 p.a. ($290 $365 p/d* )+ Super, OT &Bonus.

Accommodation (incl. family) +services provided.

What we offer

● Competitive basic salary and benefits +O/T + Bonus Scheme.

● Accommodation (incl. family) and services provided at no cost.

● Ongoing training and development.

● Long term employment, based at asingle location.

Applications

If you have the experience and skills required, please submit acurrent cv or email us at acrawford@aagc.com.au

*Pre-tax

New Job Vacancies

Residential Aged Care Homes

Sale &Moe

● Personal Care Assistants

● Enrolled Nurses (Endorsed)

● Registered Nurses (Division 1)

● Hospitality Assistants

● Housekeeping/Laundry Assistants

● Lifestyle support staff

Royal Freemasons Sale and Moe are seeking dedicated staff that have passion and drive to support older Australians to continue enjoying the life they choose. We have permanent part time and casual vacancies with avariety of shifts and days across a24hour, 7day aweek roster.

● State-of-the-art homes, built to unite families and friends.

● Leading not-for-profit organisation where you are truly valued.

● Generous salary packaging options to increase income.

Requirements:

● Must have covid-19 vaccine (mandatory in industry).

● Police Check Clearance/NDIS Workers Screening Check.

● Be available at least 3days per week.

To apply for these roles please go to our Careers Page on our Website: www.royalfreemasons.org.au oremail recruitment@royalfreemasons.org.au alternatively drop off your resume to 28 Surkitt Blvd, Sale or 1C Haigh St, Moe. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Registered Nurse (Stretton Park)

Various Tenure -Part Time/Full Time/Casual

We are seeking aqualified and experienced Registered Nurse to join our Aged Care team at Stretton Park facility in Maffra. The purpose of the role is to assist the nursing leadership team to operationalise the core values of the organisation in support of effective management and professional leadership as part of an integrated health service.

About You

● Registered Nurse holding current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

● Experience leading small teams.

● Afocus on patient centred care.

To apply for the role or for further information, go to https://centralgippslandhealth.mercury.com.au or contact Belinda Mafrici, Nurse Unit Manager Stretton Park on (03) 5147 2331.

Advertising Consultant

Sales

The

Aposition

We

●

●

mfitzgerald@gippslandtimes.com.au

Applications

mfitzgerald@gippslandtimes.com.au

Enrolled Nurse (Stretton Park)

Various Tenure -Part Time/Full Time/Casual

We are currently looking for an Enrolled Nurses who are committed to best practice the needs of our clients, delivering high quality care, maintaining an optimal level of dignity, respect, comfort and quality of life for clients living at Stretton Park. This role will require you to develop individual care plans together with the Registered Nurse and ensure that ahigh level of care is delivered to our clients.

The successful candidate should display:

Flexibility and availability to work across rotating rosters.

● Strong interpersonal, organisational and communication skills.

● Ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams.

● Basic understanding of computer operations including Microsoft Suite.

To apply for the role or for further information, go to https://centralgippslandhealth.mercury.com.au or contact Belinda Mafrici, Nurse Unit Manager Stretton Park on (03) 5147 2331.

Personal Care Assistant (Stretton Park)

Various Tenure -Part Time/Full Time/Casual

CGH is looking for caring and kind PCAs to join a new and innovative team, changing the way we deliver care and support within our RAC facilities. Our PCA's are responsible for the provision of effective personal care services to Stretton Park residents which meets the individual needs and preferences to achieve maximum quality of life and independence.

About You

● Minimum Certificate III in Individual Care or equivalent.

● Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

● Afriendly and positive attitude and the ability to demonstrate client-focused behaviour.

● Empathy and the ability totreat others with dignity and respect.

● Endorsed to administer medication (desirable).

To apply for the role or for further information, go to https://centralgippslandhealth.mercury.com.au or contact Belinda Mafrici, Nurse Unit Manager Stretton Park on (03) 5147 2331.

Forall classifieds please telephone: 5143 9333

into our office:

Macalister St., Sale or email: classifieds@gippslandtimes.com.au

Diversional Therapist (Stretton Park)

Permanent Part-Time

Park is currently seeking applicants for a

therapist to join our team! We have

for those that possess

in team focused work and strive to

high quality person-centred care working

awell-established team in asupportive environment.

residents and families.

CHILDCARE 2023

● Show empathy

● Willing to achieve your personal/career goals.

● Current drivers' license. Proof of this endorsement must be provided before commencement of duty.

● First Aid Certificate in Basic Emergency Life Support.

● Certificate IV in Lifestyle and Health or similar is advantageous.

apply for the role

for further information, go

https://centralgippslandhealth.mercury.com.au

contact Belinda Mafrici, Nurse Unit Manager

Park on (03) 5147 2331.

Dominant displays in SMCA

to Collegians.

MIXED fortunes abound at the conclusion of SaleMaffra Cricket Association’s fourth round.

Three teams will be feeling pleased following their emphaticwins, three more licking their wounds and theremaining twowondering what could have been. Strong winds and intermittent showers proved ahassle for all, which may have explained the underperformance of one or two clubs; others still took the conditions in their stride and managed to build upon their totals from last weekend.

StratfordvLongford

TOP-PLACED Stratford continued with their dominant form, triumphing at home by an innings and 12 runs over Longford.

Proceedings beganwith theRedbacks’ Lachlan Channingand openerChris Aurisch opting to continue on with last week’s innings, adding another 61 runs to the scoreboard without losing awicket. Aurisch went on to makehis first century in seven seasons of SMCA, aknock that included nine fours and three sixes.

The milestone came off 96 balls in the 30th –and subsequently final –over of the innings, when a declaration was made

His score of 103 was, quite ominously, the same score by which Stratford led the visiting Lizards. In their second innings, Longford’s openers again failed to fire,Sam Dean departingfor three runs and AdamVogt for two; Jake Wyndwas also lost early with one run.

Aspirited fightback from Liam Knight and Jordan Price followed, the pair adding 53 runs in their fourth-wicketpartnership, ending when Knight was caught on 13.

Pricecouldn’t find apartner of equal calibre in the overs that followed, with captain Lachlan Floyd, Jack Heywood and Rupinder Sidhu all dismissed cheaply. Eventually, the determined Price went out too in the 29th over having contributed 62, including eight fours and asix.

Longford were all-out two overs later on 95. JackTattersonwas the pickofStratford’s bowlers on this occasion, taking 3/25 off eleven overs.

Maffra vCollegians

THERE wasanother decisive win at Cameron SportingComplex,where Maffra lostonfirst innings

Adrian Burgiel and Charlie Morrison returned to the crease, the former departing in the second over of the day’s playafter adding five to his score; Morrisonput on another12runsbeforehewas stumped by Nathan Hibbins.

Tim Dessent and Henry Anderson then combined for aquickfire 42-run stand off six overs, ending when Dessent was caught on 40.

It was then Noah Hurley’s turn to support Anderson, their sixth-wicket partnership adding 57 runsuntil Hibbins garnered histhirdstumping of the match, Hurley being the victim.

At this point, Hurley’s brother Zac, the captain declared the innings, leaving Anderson not out on arespectable 54 off 40 balls.

Maffra now had 270 to chase down by the evening.

Brad Harrington took to the middle with anew opening partner in Benjamin Sly, apairing which lasted for just four overs –Harrington the one to fall for two runs.

Theninthe ninthover,NoahHurleytore through the Eagles’ batsmen, picking up three wickets in thespace of four balls and sending both wicketkeeper Hibbins and Miller Eastham back to the pavilion for nought.

Affairssettled for the next ten overs until Lee Hopkins was out for 19, leaving the home side at 5/39; Nick Wozniakfollowednine overs later for 14.

Danny Butcher and Dylan Freitag gave some

hopetoMaffra, adding 39 runs throughtheir partnership before they too departed, ironically for the same score of 28.

This left tail-enders Jake Pendrick and Mitch Bennett to salvage the innings, the pair making 38 runs before the latter was caught-and-bowled by Jonty McGuiness.

Andrew McKenzie was the last to fall with a solitary boundary to his name, the Eagles all-out for 142.

NoahHurleywas thestandout with the ball, finishing with figures of 5/23.

Collegians remain in second place on the firstgrade ladder.

Boisdale-BriagvSale

VICTORY was afforded to Sale after their opponents failedtochase down their first innings total.

The Swansbegan theday at 4/72, Nathan Massey scoring immediatelywitha singleoff BoisdaleBriagolong’s Nick Pang.

Massey (27runs),Michael O’Brien (16),and Matt Raidal (19) all made respectable contributions to Sale’stotal of 125, acollapse of the lower order being their ultimate downfall.

Captain Dean Bolton did much of the heavy lifting for Boisdale-Briagolong, taking six wickets off23overs at theexpense of 56 runs.

Still, Sale were now ahead of their opponents by 51 runs.

In reply the Saints struggled with the bat, thanks

SMCA

ABurgiel CWozniak bFreitag .37 CMorrison st HibbinsbMcKenzie 25 TDessent. cFreitag bPendrick. 40 HAnderson .not out 54 NHurley. st HibbinsbPendrick .24 Extras. (nb0,w 2, b0,lb0). .2

in no small part to Garreth Wolmarans –anew addition to the Swans’ bowling attack.

Wolmarans made his presence feltalmost immediately, removing opener Michael Roberts for aduck in the third over of the innings; Stephen Noble followed suit, his wicket coming at the hand of Hayden Glover.

Bolton, Nick Pang,Toby Leeds,Liam Hurstand Jonathon Outhart –who againtop-scored for the Saints -alsofell to the might of Wolmarans, who finished the day with figures of 6/14 off 18 overs, 10 of them being maidens.

The other wicket-taker for Sale was Tyson Dobsonwith just two overs bowled, both maidens. Despite their best efforts, Boisdale-Briagolong ended the day 12 runs shy of matching Sale’s score.

R-K vBundalaguah

THE promised showdown at Rosedale Recreation Reserveneverwent ahead.

Bundalaguah were to spend last Saturdaychasing down Rosedale-Kilmany’sfirstinnings total of 157; instead,the matchwas abandoned due to “ground conditions” -the previous week’s wet weather obviously having impacted the playing surface.

On amore positive note for Bundy, all-rounder Steve Spoljaric was last week awarded Player of the Week for his bowling efforts on October 22, in which he achieved figures of 6/20 across 23 overs.

Longford, 2ndinnings

.lbw

JPrice .b

bJones

TLeeds. c&b Glover.

NPang. c&b Jones.

DBolton. lbw bNel

LHurst bRaidal.

JOuthart. c&bJones

MLobley. cMassey bJones.

KRandle. c&bNel

RMarshall .c&b BDobson. .14 CStewart not out. .2 Extras.

Overs. .38.4 Total. .74

Sale bowling:B Jones12-3-5-36,H Glover7-2-1-7, MRaidal 7-4-1-6,C Nel6-2-2-12, MO’Brien 3-1-0-5, TDobson 3-1-0-4, BDobson 0.4-0-1-4

Sale, 1st innings MJackson. .c Hurst bBolton .22 WMcKenzie lbw bBolton

BJones. cOuthartbPang.

CNel lbw bPang 15 MO’Brien. .c Outhart bHurst 16 NMassey. .c OuthartbBolton. .27 MRaidal .b Pang 19 HGlover. cLobleyb Bolton 8 GWolmarans lbw bBolton 1 DPadula not out. .0 BDobson bBolton. 0 Extras. (nb 1, w0,b3,lb2). 6 Overs. 45.4 Total. 125

Boisdale-Briagolong bowling: LHurst 14-4-1-44,DBolton 22.4-1-6-56, NPang 9-1-3-20.

Boisdale-Briagolong, 2nd innings MRoberts lbwb Wolmarans. 0 SNoble .c Raidal bGlover. 0 TLeeds. bWolmarans 4 NPang. cPadula bWolmarans. 3 DBolton. .b Wolmarans 0 LHurst bWolmarans.

JOuthart. bWolmarans .12 MLobley. not out.

KRandle lbw bT Dobson

RMarshall not out.

Extras (nb 0, w2,b1,lb1).

Sale bowling:G Wolmarans 18-10-6-14, HGlover4-1-1-3, CNel 15-11-0-7, MRaidal 9-4-0-4, BDobson 6-2-0-8,T Dobson 2-2-1-0, NMassey1-0-0-1.

COLLEGIANS DEFEATED MAFFRA Collegians, 1st innings ZHurley. cHibbins bBennett

(dec)

Maffra bowling: DFreitag 11-2-1-36, AMcKenzie 13-2-1-52, MBennett4-0-1-27,L Hopkins15-0-0-62,J Beaumont 9-0-1-54, JPendrick 4.5-0-2-38.

Maffra,1st innings

BHarrington cMorrison bN Hurley 2 BSly .c DessentbHurley. 6 LHopkins. cMcGuinessb Durnell 19 NHibbins .b NHurley. 0 MEastham bNHurley. 0 NWozniak. bN Hurley. 14 DFreitag bWhitford. 28 DButcher .c McGuiness bNicholls. 28 JPendrick .not out 9 MBennett. c&b McGuiness. .29 AMcKenzie. bMcGuiness .4 Extras (nb 1, w1,b0,lb1). 3 Overs. 54.4 Total. 142

Collegians bowling: NHurley11-3-5-23, NWhitford 10-2 1-30, HAnderson 4-0-0-6, JDurnell 11-1-1-39, SAnderson 8-1-0-17, MNicholls 8-4-1-11,JMcGuiness 2.4-0-2-15

STRATFORD DEFEATED LONGFORD Longford, 1stinnings ATyson .c Albrechtb JRietschel 0 LKnight .b Rietschel 1 JWynd lbw bChanning 19 AVogt .b Channing .20 LFloyd .c Walker bRietschel .1 SDean st Dinning bChanning 0 JHeywood c&bWaixel. .5 RSidhu lbw bWaixel. 3 MMurphy. bRietschel. .1 JTaylor. .b Waixel 0 MMcMaster not out. 0 Extras. (nb 0, w2,b1,lb1). 4 Overs. 28.1 Total. 54

Stratfordbowling: JRietschel 10-5-4-17, JTatterson 12-4-0-25, LChanning4-3-3-6, ZWaixel2.1-1-3-4. Stratford, 1st innings,in-progress CAurisch not out. .103 BWalker .b Murphy

LChanning. .not

Extras. (nb 1, w2,b 6,

Longfordbowling:M Murphy10-1-1-40,RSidhu

LFloyd 7-0-0-42,J

3-0-0-27

5-1-0-22,ATyson

LFloyd .c

JHeywood .b

RSidhu

(Dinning)

JTaylor. bJ Tatterson

MMcMaster. not out 1 MMurphy. timedout 0 Extras. .(nb 0, w0,b 3, lb 2) .5 Overs. .30.2 Total. 91

R-K DREW WITHBUNDALAGUAH Rosedale-Kilmany, 1stinnings AWright. cH Wrigglesworthb Spoljaric. 0 BMcDonald CSharmab Munasinghe 0 BScott .lbw bSpoljaric. 8 RDiamond. .c Langshawb Spoljaric. 27 NHangan bSpoljaric 0 JDiamond .c LWrigglesworthb Spoljaric 9 CFreshwater lbw bAponso. .12 ILove. cL Wrigglesworth bSpoljaric. 2 SFox not out. 45 MWalters. notout .52 Extras (nb 0, w1,b1,lb0). 2 Overs. 71 Total. 8/157 Bundalaguah bowling: SSpoljaric 23-14-6-20,G Munasinghe8.4-4-1-13, KSharma 14-3-0-35,E Aponso 10-1-1-32,H Wrigglesworth4-0-0-13,T O’Reilly2.2-0-0-11, NNikolajew3-0-0-11, CLay 6-1-0-21

Second Grade: Allmatchesabandoned. ThirdGrade: Bundalaguah145 (B Bailey43, MMurphy 5/34) defBoisdale-Briagolong(DMurphy29, STilley5/34); Stratford3/205(dec)(DDevisser 120, NThomas 49) def Heyfield(RSmith47, MPendergast 4/30); Sale 9/93 (P Padula 32, LRowley2/12, KHahn2/12) d/w Rosedale Kilmany 2/17; Longford 95 (W Sutton29, BMcMaster20, L Adams5/26)d/w Nambrok(did notbat);MaffraBye Fourth Grade: Wurruk Windies 8/116(cc) (G Davies51, J Reid 4/18)def Rosedale-Kilmany (G Sebire49, LMassey 3/8);BundalaguahYaks 5/40 (J Hickey 14,E Patterson 2/4, BVan derVelden2/17) defWurrukToads (K Dehmel13, J Hickey 6/5);Collegians8/150 (B Hurley 44, VVb3/15) def Maffra 7/149(cc) (J Pataki 37*);Bundalaguah Bulls 4/126 (M Templeton54, OShaw2/5)def Stratford(RAllred50, J Sellings 2/11,M Templeton2/18);Heyfield def Sale Black by forfeit.

TomParry

Setting out to Lake Orr

GIPPSLAND’S best Dragon Boaters are all-set to participate in the Pan Pacific Masters Games.

Atotal of 25 men and women fromthe Gippsland Water Dragons will fly to Queensland’s Gold Coast to participate in the international competition; for some, it will be their first time at amasters event.

They will be up against more than 30 clubs in the dragon boat events at Lake Orr, which range from sprints of 200 and 500 metres to an “Around the Island” race about 4.8 kilometres in length.

The club is hoping for good weather, and to bring home “lots of memories and achievements”.

The Pan Pacific Masters Games features athletes from across Oceania, Asia and North America contesting in avariety of sports, including track &field, swimming, soccer and rugby. Entries are open to athletes aged 40 and over.

Competition begins this Friday, November 4, with the Dragon Boat events across three days from November 10.

The participating Water Dragons will fly to the Gold Coast on November 8.

Wetstart for summer soccer

Zoe Askew

IT was wet, it was cold, it was muddy, it was slippery; it was perfect football playing conditions, for some at least, for the opening round of Sale United Football Club’s Go Sevens summer soccer competition on Thursday evening.

SaleUnited’sGoSevens teamnumbers have doubled from lastyear’s eight -this year, totalling 16. The considerable increase in participation is awelcomed delight by organiser Anouk Meereboer.

“This year we have 16 teams, the most teams we have ever had in the competition,” Meereboer said, before the opening games of the competition.

In Group AofSaleUnited’s Go Sevens competition, Purple Cobras defeated Divines, Pink Bits defeated My Little Morty’s, Tekkerslovakia defeated GreenGrubs and BaysideAstronauts drew with The Special Ones.

In GroupB,the Misfits defeated Raglan StreetBlues, Occasionally United defeated the Ringins, Mac Rappers defeated Dico’s Demons and TheDavid’s drew with the Mighty Cornflakes.

Round Two of Go Sevens kicks off at 6.30pm this Thursday, November 3, at the Sale United Football Club grounds.

ANOTE on this issue: The sport section of this issuehas been severely reduced because of limitationsonresources.

Itested positive for COVID on Friday, which meant Iwas physically unable to dedicate the time needed to put together afull Gippsland Times sport.

Ordinarily, sport stories are filed Sunday evening ready to send to press Monday night. My thanks to staffZoe Askew, Stefan Bradley, Tom Parry, Dan Pedersen, Phil Hopkins, Michelle Slater andPaulGrant for their adaptability to make sure apaper got out.

Kind regards Liam Durkin, Gippsland Times Editor

East Gippygirls wintenniscup

THE East Gippsland 13 &Under Girls regional team, made up of players from the Wellington and East GippslandShires,was successful in winning the Judy Dalton Cup last weekend. The event was held at the Sale Tennis Club.

It was East Gippsland’s first overall victoryin the Judy Dalton Cup since 2006, atime when none of the four girls who made up the 2022 team were even born!

The team was made up of Mia Goold (Sale) Anna Banson (Bairnsdale)Paige Hosford (Heyfield) and Bella Prince (Bairnsdale).

Following the flooding alongthe Murray,the John Fitzgerald Cupfor 13 &Under boys was moved from Tatura Lawn Tennis Club to Sale to run alongsidethe Judy Dalton Cup. Unfortunately, ongoing road closures and the change of location caused several teams to withdraw, leaving the East Gippsland team as the sole boys’ team.

Ratherthan disappoint the four 13 &Under East Gippsland boys, they were instead allowed to join the 13 &UnderGirls and play in the JudyDalton Cup, making history in the process.Itwas acredit to the Tennis Victoria organisers Andy and Shelly thatthey were able to pivotatthe criticalmoment

The East Gippsland Boysteamconsisted of Ethan Sutherland (Bairnsdale), Louis Lazzaro (Sale) CampbellScott (Bairnsdale) and Josiah Levchenko (Sale).

Other competing teamstravelled from the Wimmera, South West and Central Highlands.

After five rounds of both singles and doubles, the East Gippsland girls’ team was undefeated. All players thrived in the team environment and the banterbothonand off thecourt wasfantastic.

East Gippsland team leader Mia Goold did not drop aset in either singles or doubles for the whole weekendand inspired her teammates to some exceptional tennis to take out the Cup.

Central Highlandswerethe runners-up,with South West rounding out the placings in third.

The next event in the Tennis Victoria Regional Teams Events for the 11 country regions and metropolitan associations is the Alicia Molik Cup, which will be held at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club on December 3and 4. Teams consist of two boys and two girls who must be 12 years of age or under as at December 31 of this year.

This is then followed by the 2023 Inter-Regional Country Championships at Yarrawonga.

The winning Judy Dalton Cup team: Bella Prince, PaigeHosford, AnnaBanson and Mia Goold, with East Gippsland Team manager Masami Goold.

Photo: Contributed

The crew of Connewarrepreparefor their training session.

The crew of Shui Loong traininginpreparation forthe PanPacs.

Photos: TomParry

Heather Wattsacts as drummer on Shui Loong.

Dragons off to PanPacs

Photo: Tom Parry

THE final fieldfor the 2022 Lexus MelbourneCup Tour national sweep has been locked-in following the official barrier drawatFlemington Racecourse last week.

The draw had 24 ruraland regional Lexus Melbourne Cup Tourdestinations-including Maffra and Seaspray -allocated abarrier for this year’s Cup, with Victoria Racing Club (VRC) ChairmanNeil Wilson overseeingthe proceedings.

Maffra, represented by the Maffra RSL SubBranch, drew Barrier 17 and will be supporting Irish gelding Camorra, piloted by Ben Melham, come 3pm this afternoon.

Seaspray, represented by the SeaspraySurf

Life Saving Club, drew Barrier 7and will be cheering on another Irish horse, Numerian, ridden by Tommy Berry.

At the time of print, Camorra is currently tipped at $51 for the win, while Numerian is an outside chance at $71.

The race favourite is Deauville Legend, yet another geldingfrom Ireland, with odds at $3.70 starting from Barrier 9.

Mr Wilson said the VRC was looking forward to welcoming the 24 national sweep representatives to Flemington on Cup Day, being today, to watch their horse compete.

“The VRC is extremely proud of the Lexus

Melbourne Cup Tour and all it represents when taking the People’s Cup back to the people of Australia,” Mr Wilson said.

“The Lexus Melbourne CupTour national sweep is an important addition to the tour.

“We look forward to welcoming all 24 town representatives to Flemington to be part of the magic of Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, aonce in a lifetime experience.

“This is the fourth year of the national sweep and we are delighted to see the $50,000 prize go to meaningful community programs in the past three years, such as the Royal Flying Doctors in Kangaroo Island and various local initiatives in

Bunyip.” The town that draws the barrier of the eventual LexusMelbourne Cup-winning horse will be presented with acash prize of $50,000 to put towards aregistered charity for alocal community initiative.

Bendigo, in central Victoria,took home the $50,000 donationlastyear, with the winnings put towards local charity Sunshine Bendigo. Said charity aims to provide practical support to local families experiencing challenging times through collecting, sorting, and redistributingnew and pre-lovedbabygoods and nurseryequipment to families in need.