Gippsland Farmer June 2024

TTI GETTING

S G SOIL RIGHT

Gippy dairy leads national rebound

Philip HOPKINS

GIPPSLAND dairy farmers' confidence in theirindustry has rebounded strongly, with theirpositive sentimentthe highest of all regions in Australia, according to Dairy Australia's May 2024 Situation and Outlook.

Since 2022, the report found agrowing proportion of GippsDairy respondents positive about the futureoftheir businesses, with this year's result "the highest nationally".The Gippsland average was 73 per cent compared to the national average of 68 per cent.

"Similarly, almost three quarters of GippsDairy respondents arepositive

towards the futureoftheir industry and this result is the highest since 2015," the outlook said.

"Despitethe optimism, only one in five farmers is the region is currently expanding their enterprise. Agrowing proportionof residents areconcerned with challenges due to seasonal conditions and futuremilk prices over the next year

"However, only three per cent expect to leave the industry in the next three years and among thosenot winding down, three in ten expect to grow their business over the next five to ten years."

Gippsland, along with NSW and northern Victoria,had been hardest hit by challenging weatherinrecent years, but they made

up the lion's share(about 85 per cent) of the increase in milk volumes, the May outlook said.

After the lows of 2022/23, Australian milk production is likely to end the 2023/24 season between two to three per cent above 8.13 billion litres.

Gippsland had rebounded strongly this season due to morebenign weather conditions.

"The region has certainly experienced dry spells,but well-timed rainfall events have made adifference at key points in the season; notably extendingthe spring flush andprovidinganearly autumn break," the report said.

"Water allocations reached 100 per cent

for High Reliability Water Shares and 100 per cent for Low Reliability Water Shares in the Macalister Irrigation District.

"Assuming that such fortuitous conditions do not reoccur and that marginstighten in the new season, aslight retreat is expected in 2024/25."

Profiling the'average' GippsDairy farmer, the report found that 54 per cent were affected by extreme weather,nine per cent changed milk factory supplier, 17 per cent intend or desiretochange their milk factory, the averagefeed given to each cow was 1.6 tonnes, and the average herdsize was 398.

Continued -Page4

Photo: Katrina Brandon

Landcarenetworkinbiodiversitydrive

THE South Gippsland LandcareNetwork is developing abiodiversity protection plan in abid to forge acoordinated response to improve the natural environment.

The chair of South Gippsland Landcare, Jillian Staton, said protecting biodiversity had never beenmorecrucial. "South Gippsland is famous for its natural environment. It is home to unique threatened species like the Strzelecki Gum and it provides habitat for amyriadofwildlife including the Giant Gippsland Earthworm, found nowhereelse on Earth," she said.

"However,South Gippsland faces significant environmental challenges, with only a thirdofthe region’s former native vegetation intact, and 10 per cent of flora and fauna species under threat."

SGLN has brought together agroup of regional stakeholders including South Gippsland ShireCouncil, West Gippsland CatchmentManagementAuthority, Department of Environment Energy and Climate Action along with many other important organisations that manage land or workwithlandholderstoprotect

natural values. These organisations have contributed to the BPP development and will be forming acommittee to implement the plan.

"We’vetaken acollaborativeapproach

to developing the BPP because we want everyonein the communitytobeable to play apart in protecting our natural assets, and to ensureweare all working towards the same goals," said Ms Staton.

“We’ve engaged with abroad cross-section of the community, from large organisations to small community groups and individuals to discover what can and needs to be done toprotect South Gippsland’s natural environment. This final consultation phase is to make surewe have developed arobust and easy-to-use framework for identifying, carrying out and measuring actions to achieve that goal."

The draft BPP is nearing completion, and acommunity consultation period will start this month (June).

Established in 1995, the South Gippsland LandcareNetwork (SGLN) is acollective of 15- member Landcaregroups with more than 500 families dedicated to land management and conservation. The network is driven by passionate individuals and volunteers.

For further informationabout the Biodiversity Protection Plan and opportunities to get involved, visit sgln.net.au or contact cassie@sgln.net.au

Learnmoreabout our work at sgln.net.au

Foodies to line up for Mould Festival

Katrina BRANDON

COMINGsoon is Melbourne's annual Mould Festival which features cheese, wine and food from Gippsland and around Australia. Local cheesemakers andmilkproducers such as Gippsland Jersey and Berry's Creek will be at the festival, which is being held at the Royal Exhibition Buildings. The festival has been going since 2017,

withmoreand morebuild-up over the years;manyGippslandbusinesses have joined in the cheesy adventure.

The company REVEL founded the festival, which was broughtonbycheese and wine loversDan Simsand Nick Haddowfrom Bruny Island Cheese. The festival travels through Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney over acourse of aweek and then goes later in the year to Perth.

Within thefestival,cheesemakers and other foodies can shareexperiences and notes on how to make the best, also to find things thatyou wouldn't necessarily know about. In an interview last year,MrSims told the GippslandFarmer that until he started to talk with other cheesemakers and venturemoreinto the world of food, that he didn't really know much. He also said

that most people don't grow up with large variety of knowledge around food, so that whenthey gotothe festival,itbroadens their knowledge field and find unexpected surprises. It also gives achance for great networkingwithin the cheese community. Formoreinformation, go to the MOULD Facebook or mouldcheesefestival.com/ pages/melbourne-2024

Members of Arawata LandcareGroup working to protect and restoretheir local area. Photograph: Contributed

New Ag centrea triumph

THE official opening of Gippsland Agricultural Group’s new Gippsland Agricultural Centre at the East Gippsland Field Days was asignificant achievement for the group.

GAgG chief executive, TrevorCaithness, said the Ag Centrewas an amazing complex for the practical application of bringing farmers together for educational events.

“The centre has the added advantage of being situated alongside the Gippsland Research Farm, which will allow events to cover both on the ground and indoor-based learning,” Mr Caithness said.

“Weare very fortunate to have such a purpose-built complex for our community to use. We need to acknowledge the huge number of volunteerhours that have gone into creating this concept and building by the GAgG team.”

GAgG administration officer,NicoleWhite, was one of the drivers behind the project, along with her husband Ken, general manager Jen Smith and Mr Caithness. Nicole said witnessing the cutting of the ribbon to open the centresymbolised a

massiveachievement by asmall volunteer group.

“I am immensely proud of the team for what wehaveachievedinthe last three years,” Ms White said.

“Watching the four kids cut the ribbon, representingfuturegenerations and being so excited to be involved in aproject they have watched their parents be so passionate about for the last three years was very special.”

Jen Smith said the project had been a “complete team effort”.“Whilewehad four key people driving the project we had about 20 enablers and it would not have been possible without the support of that team,” she said. “It was overwhelming, the amount of support and accolades for this project.

“Our local businessesand community made this possible and it was really about partners,people and purpose.

“Our partners supported the project, but it was our people who believed in the purpose who made it happen.”

The first few events to take place at the new Ag Centre wereasmall property owners

workshop run by Landcare, aFederation University event on farmforestry and the Gippsland ResearchFarmautumn sowing.

The Gippsland AgricultureCentre was athree-year project."We received $984k from the BlackSummer BushfireRecovery Program.GAgGapplied for agrantin late 2021 and weresuccessfulin2022 Unfortunatelywewerecaughtwith the increase in price of steel thanks to COVID (inflationoncostswas 30-35 per cent) Hence the delay inbuilding,"saidMs Smith.

"The grant funds wereno longer enough to cover the cost of the initial plans, so we had to go back to the drawing boardand make adjustments. We also got caught out with afee for fireservices, whichwehadn’t allowed for.Westill don’thave enough funds to complete the internal finishesbut that is something we areworking towards.

"Therehas been an immenseamount of communityand volunteereffortthat has gone into this building. Without their support we would not have been able to accomplish as much as we have."

Rick Blackshawand Al Micallef.

Photo: Contributed

Gippydairyleadsnationalrebound

From Page 1

KEY Gippsland highlights were: 88 per cent made aprofit in 2022/23, 81 per cent expect aprofit in 2023/24, 47 per cent have aprofit higher than the five-year average, 38 per believe or wereunsurethat profit isabout the same, 14 per cent think that profit is lower than the five-year average, 96 per cent invested in 2022-24,90per cent plan to invest in 2024-26, 30 per cent plan minor investment, 37 per cent plan moderate investment and 22 per cent plan major investment.

Gippsland dairy farmers had avariety of challenges in thenext six months. In 2024, 44 per cent cited climate compared with 40 per cent and 32 per cent in the previous two years, while input costs fell to 29 per cent after 39 per cent and 62 per cent in the previous two years.

The herdsizesvaried.A total of38per cent had aherdsize of 151-300; only 17

per cent had aherdsize smaller than 150 head, whereas only 10 per cent had aherd of morethan 700 cattle. Atotal of 10 per cent had 501-700 head.

Nationally, thereport saidAustralian dairy farmers had been largely insulated from global dairymarket pressures this season, with astrong milk price, improved weather and overall stable input costs.

Confidence is the most stableinadecade, business confidence is at arelatively steady 68%, and 80% of farmers arefeeling positive about their business.

Lookingahead,like lower farmgate prices may lead to moreconservative production, "especially in the southernexport-focussed regions".

Challengesaround labourand farm exists limit growth; Dairy Australia expects milk volumes to dropslightlyover2024-25 by between 0-1per cent,maintaininga national pool of about 8.3 billion litres.

Rainfall in easternAustralia has subdued demand for feed and water -and their respective prices -with hay and grain values below last year in most regions.

Thevolumesold of cheese, dairy spreads and yoghurts continues to grow, each increasing between 0.8 to 2per cent in the 12 months to March 24.

"Australian households continue to gravitate towards private label products," the report said, buying fewer itemsto lowergrocery bills and avoid food waste, or even increasing in-home consumption. Despite international and local competition, the report said imports of overseas dairy products slowed; from July to February 2024, 7.4 per cent less productarrived compared to the same period last season.

Over this time, much less overseas butter was bought (minus 23.1 per cent) as local milkfat availability strengthened. However volumes of imported whole milkpowder (10.9 per cent), ice cream(2.0 percent) and cheese (1.6 per cent) all increased.

"Australian buyers have imported similar volumes from New Zealand this season (+0.2 per cent)," the report said, but shipping challenges around the Red Sea (from MiddleEast violence) and inflated costshad deterred buying from northernhemisphere exporters.US importsand imports from Europe weredown respectively 28.6 per cent and 10.8 per cent,the Mayoutlook said.

Best milk in the country

GIPPSLAND Jersey, adairycompany based in Lakes Entrance, is celebrating aremarkable achievement after being crowned the best milk producer in Australia by the Dairy Industry Association of Australia (DIAA).

Aco-founder,Sallie Jones, expressed her excitement, stating: "Weare thrilled to be recognised as notonlythe top milk in Victoriabut also the best in the entire country!"

The award-winning product, Gippsland Jerseyfull cream milk,was lauded by the DIAA as the finest non-modified milk in Australia, adistinction that the company proudly refers to as 'real' milk. Ms Jones credited the dedicated farmers who work so hardtoproduce the exceptional raw milk, as well as the hard-working factory

staffwho put the milk into bottles.

In additiontothe prestigious title, Gippsland Jersey's fullcream, light, and unhomogenised milk varieties, as well as their golden ghee, wereawarded gold medals in the DIAA Product Competition.

The brand also received silver medals for their cultured sour cream and unsalted butter,further solidifying their reputation for excellence in dairy production.

As the backbone of many communities, the dairyindustry playsavital role in Gippsland contributing nearly $3 billion dollars to the economy.

Gippsland Jersey is encouraging everyone to buy abottle of milk and be the judge. Jersey milk is rich and creamy!

Photo: File

RURAL NEWS

Cartoons spark career

NOT many people can claim 1990s Saturday morning cartoons as the inspiration for asuccessful career in genetics… but Rick Schmidt can.

Mr Schmidt has been appointed as Genetics Australia’s Gippsland sales representative. He comes from adiverse background insalesand industrial sciences, most recently as akey account manager for achemical engineering company in the paper industry. His experiences alsocoverretail, hospitality, industrial laboratories, genetic research, and alittle graphic design.

And it all stems fromthose oddball cartoons.

“Genetics has been apassionofmine since the early 90s, watching Saturday morningcartoons where every show was mixing thiswiththat’ tocreatea super-whatever,” he said.

“That latertranslated into videogames doingmuch of the same and then into a passion for biology and how things work.”

Mr Schmidt started his career in groceries as atrolley pusher and worked his way up to duty manager while at high school and university beforegetting ataste of aworking lab environment in awater chemistry lab.

He leftuniversity at age 20 when his father died, and focused on getting acareer without adegree. This included managing aGoodGuysstore in Traralgonfor five years, developinghis customer serviceand sales skills.

Mr Schmidt later returned to Federation University to study aBachelor of Science –Biotechnology while finding workinlocal laboratories,including aresearchlab and industrial labs in the dairy industry and later the paper industry.

Mr Schmidt says he’s up for the challenge of bridging the gap in his knowledge about farming.

“I don’t have any real farming experience,” he said.

“My grandparents had abeef farmin Hazelwood Estate for several years but have since retired and sold up. Iwas too busy studying and working in my teenage years and missed out on the farming experience.

But he’s keen to learn.

“I have already learned so much about the industry and have only just started, but I have asolid foundation to build offand I look forwardtothe learning experience,” he said.

“I get to use my skillsets in anew and interesting way whileexploring the Gippsland region andget to helppeople do what they love in afield Ihave alot of passion for

“I am heretohelp farmers and retailers with their unique needs from Genetics Australia. Ihave agreat team behind me with decades of experience who Ican rely on for whatever may come up and I’m most looking forward to working with farmers and seeing the next generationoftheir herds.”

Genetics Australia’schief executive Anthony Shelly saidMrSchmidt would bring ahigh level of sales and account management skills to the role.

“Rick has sold everything from groceries, fridges, beer,chooks andchemicals, so his sales skillsare vast with some great achievements,” Mr Shelly said.

“He obtained aBachelor of Science –Biotechnology and spent several years as a quality technician and lab supervisor in the dairy industryand as avisiting researcher in aGenomics Research Laboratory.

“He nowhas thestimulus todevelop adeep understanding of the cattle breeding industry.”

Mr SchmidtisbasedinChurchill and will cover the broader Gippsland region.

New Genetics Australia Gippsland sales representative, Rick Schmidt is from Churchill.

Photo: Contributed

Helping hand for GERF

GIPPSLANDWater is supporting the Gippsland Emergency ReliefFund (GERF) by donating 100 per cent of funds raised through the sale of premium reusable water bottles at community events.



Gippsland Water for its support, and said the funds would make areal difference to help locals who suddenly find themselves in need.

The initiative waslaunched at Moe Earth Market on Sunday, May 12, where marketgoers had the first opportunity to buy aone litreceramic ‘Drink Gippy Tap’ water bottle.

Gippsland Water Managing Director, Sarah Cumming, saidGippslandWater was passionate about supportingthe community during hardtimes.

“As Gippslanders, we’reno strangers to natural disasters, and neither areour customers,” she said.

“One of our roles during natural disasters is to makesuresafe drinking water is available and sewer services continue.

“We’repleased to be ableto extend our support for those in our community affected by natural disasters by supporting GERF.”

GERF’s president, Andy Tegart, thanked

“We’retherefor the communitywhen natural disaster strikes,” Mr Tegart said.

“Themoney raisedfromthe Drink Gippy Tapwater bottles will go into our fund, ready to support Gippslanders come fire, flood or storm.”

The Drink Gippy Tapcharity water bottle initiative will run as apilot and if successful, local charities will be able to apply to be arecipient of the funds in the future.

The drink bottles are$30 each and are available in three colours: white, coral and olive green.The premium water bottles are double walled and designed to keep water cool for hours.

For moreinformation about the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund visit, gerf.org.au To find out moreaboutsponsorship opportunities with Gippsland Water,visit gippswater.com.au/sponsorship

Gippsland Water Communications and Engagement Advisor Jessica Hotchkin, Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund vicepresident Nigel Browne and Gippsland Water General Manager of People and Customer Michael Crane withthe new water bottles. Photo: Contributed

Check your devices ahead of 3G closures

MEMBERfor Gippsland East,Tim Bull, is encouraging residents to check if their devices will still work, as Telstra prepares to shutdown its 3G networkinAugust this year

Telstrawasinitiallyscheduledtocloseits3G network and migrate over to 4G coverage at the end of June 2024, however,ithas extended the network closurebytwo months to allow households extra time to preparefor the transition.

“If you currently have 3G only devices,they willnolongerworkaftertheAugustdeadline,” Mr Bull said.

“This could impact your phone, tablet, medical devices,securitysystems, and more, so it is important that you are prepared beforehand.

“It may also impact your ability to make emergency calls on older mobile phones, so Iurge East Gippsland residentsto make suretheir devices arecompatible beforethe migration occurs. It is also important to check up on elderly family and neighbours,who mayneedassistance with accessing this information.”

If you’reaTelstra customer, or if you have adevicethat uses Telstra’s mobile network,

you can find out if your mobile phone is impacted by texting ‘3’ to 3498.

Telstrawillthenrespondtoletyouknowthe status of the device you’remessaging from, and whether you need to take any action.

If you’reusingadevice to monitor health such as medical alarms, security, or other remotesafety situations, and they’recurrently using the 3G 2100 MHz layer,they’llstopworking as the network is closed.

Information regarding the device’s compatibility with the new signal can be found on accompanying paperworkfromthe manufacturer,orbyphoningthe provider

Mr Bull said thereare anumber of areas withinthe electoratethataccessthe 3G signalexclusively, andhas raised these concerns with Telstra directly about future connectivity in these regions.

“Telstra has committed to providing 4G coverage to around 95 per cent of the areas that currently receive 3G beforethe August closure,however I’ve requested thatin bush fireprone areas like East Gippsland thisneeds to be 100 percent ofareas,” Mr Bull said.

Photo: Contributed

Business booming for Icon Morwell

Zaida GLIBANOVIC AND Philip HOPKINS

LAND at Morwell’s enormous 100 hectare commercial development, Icon Industrial Park, hasbeenselling strongly,with 24 properties valued at $28 million already undercontract. Having sold 90 per cent and 80 per cent of the stage one and two land release respectively, stage three has already garnered much interest.

Icon Park, launched in August last year is the largest commercial development in the LatrobeValleysince theMid Valley shopping centre 50 years ago. The estate is tipped to have afinal economic value up to $800 million and provide morethan 3250 direct and indirect jobs.

Icon is being developed by aformer Hazelwood power station electrical engineer

John Alom, through Homeington Building Group, and marketed by Morwell’s First NationalReal Estate CentralKW, which has taken over theproject from Rennie Property Sales and nationalcommercial group Colliers.

The managing director of First National Real Estate, Central KW,Frank Palermo, said his company hadsold 24 blocks of land at Icon.

“They range from high three (hundred thousands) up to one under contractfor $3.5 million,” he told the Express.

“The locals don’t know they’rebeing sold because everyone comes up to us and tell

us nothing is happening, so we thoughtwe better tell them thereis.”

Mr Palermo said the commercial market in Morwellhad picked up, having been hit by the closureofthe Hazelwood power station, which had hit confidence in the town.

“Now interest is returning,” he said.

The estate, still empty paddocks, is bordered by the Princes Highway, Alexanders Road and the Bega dairy plant, and is next to the Australian Paper railway line.

The land was previously designated for a Morwell food manufacturing precinct, but has now been rebadged as Icon.

The 100ha estate consists of 80 subdivision lots that will be releasedinsix stages.

The lots vary in sizefrom1000 square

metres to 20,000 per squaremetre. The estate is aimed at warehousing, storage and logisticscompanies, manufacturers and big commercial players such as Costco.

“Thereisalot of interest from Melbourne,” Mr Palermo said.The estate’s proximity to the Princes Freeway and the Gippsland Logistics Precinct was ahuge advantage, he said.

Stage 1consists of 10-hectares, targeted as amixed-usecommercialand retail centre. The estate also includes two acres set aside for apetrol station and expansive parkland.

“We’relooking at the moment to develop apetrol station and fast food outlet for that area out there,” Mr Palermo said.

Aproposed BusinessPark is akey element of the estate. Mr Palermo said it was aimed at big retailers and company head offices.

While theestate hasbeen divided into blocksofvarioussizes,MrPalermo said blocks could be consolidated or broken up according to the buyer’s wishes.

Latrobe City Council is asupporter of the development.

“As outlinedinOur TransitionPlan, Council is focused on attracting new investment andjobs to Latrobe City,”council said in astatement..

“One way we aredoing this is through the Gippsland Logisticsand Manufacturing Precinct. Like Icon Park, this Precinct will provide servicedindustrialland in the coming months.”

Warehouses areonthe agenda

Photo: Contributed

DriverjailedfordeathofMoewomaninhit-and-run

ErikaALLEN

BRENTON Brown, the driver responsible for ahit-and-run that killed Moe woman Carol-Anne Jones, will spend at least threeand-a-half years in jail.

Mr Brown was sentenced to five years and seven months jail in Melbourne’s County Court on Friday, May 10 with anon-parole period of three years and six months.

The chargeslaid against Mr Brown, which he pleaded guilty to on April 30 in the Latrobe Valley County Court, werefor dangerous driving causingdeath, failing to stop after an accident, failing to render assistance, committing an offencewhile on bail, driving while disqualified and driving an unregistered vehicle.

Beforedelivering the sentence, Judge Robyn Harper told the court: “Members of the community must be protected from you and your irresponsible drivingbehaviour”.

“With adriving history as poor as yours, other road users have been repeatedly placedatrisk,a risk thathas nowbeen realised in the most tragic way.”

The 31-year-old Morwell man was on bail and an unlicensed driver at the time he hit Ms Jones’ car on May 2last year

The unregistered Nissan Patrol he was driving veered onto the wrong side of Purvis Road,inTanjil South, struck the front right side of Ms Jones’ Hyundai Accent hatch, and trapped her inside.

After hitting her car,MrBrown left Ms Jones for dead -twice.

Thecourt was told thatMrBrown had exited the vehicle and run west, past Ms Jones in her car.Hedid not report the incident. Instead, Mr Brown fled to anearby property beforecallingthe ownerofthe Nissan Patrol, who immediately called police to report the car had been stolen.

Mr Brown ran to another property and informed thehomeowner of the crash,

AUSNET hasextended the application deadlinefor financial hardship grants for Victorians affected byFebruary’s catastrophic storms that hit areas such as Mirboo North and caused unprecedented damage to the energy network.

After the storms, AusNet established a $10 million Energy Resilience Community Fund, which has subsequentlybeen increased to $12 million.

The fundwas created to support communities impacted by the storms, with a focus in the shorttermto supportlocal recovery efforts, helping communities become moreenergy resilient.

AusNet ChiefExecutive, David Smales, saidAusNet had beenworking closely with local government and the community to identifyopportunities to strengthen infrastructureand ensurethey arebetter prepared to withstand futureevents.

The Community Fund has provided immediatesupport to individualsand small businesses mostaffectedby the storm-related power outages who were

whom he also asked to call 000. However, the person could not find their phone. The property owner drove MrBrown back to the collision scene, wherehesearched the Nissan Patrol for his identification cards beforeleaving again.

Passers-by cameto Ms Jones’aid,and she was treated at the scene beforebeing taken to the Latrobe Valley Hospital. She died of complications on May 18, 2023 in the Alfred Hospital.

Judge Robyn Harper describedMr Brown’s driving as an accident waiting to happen.

Her Honour toldthe court that what could not be foreseen,however, was the “cowardly” and “unfathomable”actions Mr Brown took by leaving aseriously injured person trappedinsideavehicle -first as he fled the scene and second as he returned to retrieve ID. After failing to assist Ms Jones in the second instance, Mr Brown left the scene again.

“At no stage immediately after the collision or on your returntothe scene did you try to assist Ms Jones, despite her being obviously trapped in her vehicle,” Judge Harpersaid.

Judge Harper told the court that Ms Jones

More AusNetstormhelp

not eligible for other relief payments.

“The fund has already provided morethan halfa milliondollars inhardship grants to over 1000 residents and businesses most impacted by these stormevents,”

Mr Smales said.

“Weknowmany ofour customers are struggling with cost-of-living pressures, so we’ve extended the timeframe to apply for financialhardship grants until June 30, 2024, to givehouseholds and businesses moretime to apply.”

AusNet is also establishing an advisory panel for the Community Fund, which will help guide themanagement of the fund ahead of the first community grants round that AusNet expects to open in July.

“The Community Fund has an important role to play investing in local resilience infrastructuretohelp communities better manage the challenges of severestorms, fires and flood,whichoften cause extended interruptions to local power supplies,” Mr Andrew Dillon said.

was abeloved sister,daughter,and friend, as detailed by five victim impact statements read to the court at the hearing on Tuesday, April 30.

“Nothing this court can say or do can in any way adequately address the loss felt by Ms Jones’ family and friends.They have been forever impacted and will continue to miss herterribly as aresult of your offending.”

As Her Honour read the victim impact, familyand friends of Ms Jones who attended the sentencing dabbed wet cheeks, memoriesof their sister,daughter,and friend resurfacing as Judge Harper summarised the statements.

The court heardthatAmanda LawrieJones recounted theimpact of her sister Carol-Anne’s death in court, reflecting on the profound loss and unanswered questions that haunt her

“What if he stayed at the scene andcalled for help, would she have lived?” lamented Ms Lawrie-Jones, in the County Court in the Latrobe Valley on April 30.

Judge Harper said the sistersshared a bond rooted in shared interests like arts, fashion, and fine dining. They wereplanning atrip to Paris to celebrate Carol-Anne’s 60th birthday later this year

Her Honoursummarised Ms Jones’ parent’s impact statement, noting that her mother,Isobel, wearsCarol-Anne’s perfume, the scent summoning the memory

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of her daughter.MsJones’ latefather John had lost interest in his “beloved garden” after his daughter’s death.

Mr Brown sat in the dock, elbows resting overhis knees, rubbing one hand over the other as he listened.

The Age reported that Mr Brown apologised to the Jones family for failing to help her as she was trapped in her car and told them he had acted like acoward.

“I’m so sorry for your loss and Ican only imagine how you all feel,” Mr Brown said in the letter read outbyhis lawyer, Jonathan Miller,inlate April.

“I think about and regret that every day, and dream about it every night. Idon’t expect your forgiveness because I’ll never forgivemyselffor the accidentwhich killed an innocent woman,” the letter said.

Mr Brown had adysfunctional upbringing, the court heard, was exposed to family violenceand sexualabuse, and hadan extensive criminal history that included driving offences.

Her Honour described Charges 2and 3, failing to stop after an accident and failing to render assistance, as ranking especially high on the scale of seriousness.

“You sayyou panicked. Thismay have beenthe case, but it is reprehensible conduct,” Her Honour said,referring to Mr Brown failingtorender Ms Jones assistance.

FORDSON SUPER MAJOR Runs well, drives, PTO and linkage working

FELLARAKE TS671 6.7mtr Working width, all run up ready to go FORDSON SUPER MAJOR Cranvelloader Runs and drives well, very strong unit,sold forparts or restoration. SUPASWIFT 25TLOG SPLITTER Brand new, timetogo.

BrentonBrown wassentenced to at least three-and-a-half years jail for his involvement in the death of aMoe woman last year. Photo: File

Petition launched following tragedy

Liam DURKIN

THE family of late local doctor, Ashley (Ash) Gordon is calling on the state government to strengthen police powers and crack down on reoffendingcriminals on bail.Dr Ash died earlier this year aged just 33, following an alleged violent stabbing. His death was reported nation-wide after chasing two burglars in Melbourne after his home was broken into by suspected youths aged 16. His deathrocked the Latrobe Valley community, and was felt by the morethan 500 mourners who came to Kernot Hall to pay their respects at his funeral.

The Gordon family gathered in Kay Street Gardens, Traralgon last month to formally launch a Parliamentary Petition calling on three changes:

 Amend legislation to affordpolice greater stop and search powers;

 Reinstate Section 30B of the Bail Act, and;

 Cancel plans to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 to 14.

The petition has received the backing of Member for Morwell,MartinCameron, who said no family should have to suffer what the Hazelwood North family has.

“With talking to the family in things that we can do, (they are) very, very passionate about starting apetition that Iwill be able to table in Parliament on the family’sbehalf and in memory of Ash,” he said.

“Wehave to do our bit to make surethat this doesn’t happen again, it is an ongoing daily occurrence unfortunately,and the family want to present this petition so no other family has to go through what they’ve been through with the loss of their son, their brother and their uncle.”

The petition hopes to attract 10,000 signatures over the next six months.

Speaking of theproposed changes,Mr Cameron saidtheywereall ultimately aimed at making the community safer

“Police need greater powers,” he said.

“I have childrenmyselfand Iwill feel safer if the police can walk up to aknown perpetratoror someone who looks to be doing the wrongthingand actually asks them to stop and search them if they think they have aconcealed weapon.”

With the petition seeking to keep the current age of criminal responsibility at 10 years of age, Mr Cameron moved to reassurethe stancewas notwithout alevel of support for troubled youths.

“Weneed areas for the kidsthat arebeing coerced, we need them to be ableto go to places, as down here in Latrobe Valley Youth Space, that we canget them in these programs that gets them offthe street,”

he said.

“It is aterrible cycle that we arein, we cannot arrest our way out of it, we need the wrap-around services to go with it.”

The Gordon family stood in solidarity at the petition launch,wearingt-shirts depicting Dr Ash.

OldersisterNataliespoke onbehalf of the family.

“We just hope to see everyone get behind this petition and support some change so that no one else ever has to feel the pain that we’refeeling,”she said fighting through tears.

“Thereisnowords todescribe howmuch we miss him, you find yourself going through moments‘oh I’ll just textthis to Ash’,or‘Iwonder what Ash would think about that’, and it hits you all over again.

“It’s a sad world when we lose someone

who wasinthe positionmybrother was in. He was agreat doctor,sought after by so many of his patients, this has affected morethan just our family, it has affected his patients, his friends,it’sreachedour entirecommunity.”

Natalie hoped the petition would make those in positions of powersit up and take notice

“This is asmall step in what is hopefully the right direction,” she said.

“If we can get as many people, if not everybody, it shows the government that we mean business.

“Weare sick of being scared, we aresick of having houses broken into on the daily. It’s not fair,it’s spreading from elderly to the young people, it’s just not fair,people need to be safe in their homes, in their towns, we need to show them (thegovernment) that as acommunity, as astate, we mean business.”

Remembering her brother,Natalie said he left behind an indelible mark on all those who knew him.

“He was alwaysjustthat cheekypersonality that would have fun banter with everyone,” she said.

“Today that shows with his patients, they all describe him as a cheeky, bright smile, happy personwho cared deeply about each and every one.

“He made them all feel like they were the most important person in his life when they walked into his office.”

Fittingly, Natalie andAsh’s mum Catherine wereamong the first to sign the petition.

Ahardcopy of thepetition is available throughout the region, and online via Martin Cameron’s office.

For petition locations, ring Martin Cameron’s office on 03 5133 9088 or call into 12-14 George Street, Morwell.

Natalie and Catherine Gordon sign the Parliamentary Petition, established last month in honour of their late brother and son Doctor AshleyGordon.

Photo:Liam Durkin

Showing theway on organicfarming

Katrina BRANDON

ORGANIC produce and fertilisersare becomingmorepopular -and Hallston local, GerhardGrasser,isone farmer who is part of the movement.

On May 1, about 20 farmers returned to learning the basics of organic farming and composting at Mr Grasser’sfarm.

When thefarmwas first purchasedin 2006, Grasser’s son milked up to 160cows for 10 years. While running free-range pigs on thefarm, Mr Grasser has continued using biologics since day one, means that no conventional fertilisers have been used on his property.

The groupdiscussed testing soils, the process, care, andingredientsofcomposting, garden alternatives, fungi, and more. For those grazinglivestock, Mr Grassersaid farmers must oversee their grazing methods to ensurethey aren’t depleting recourses.

“Thereare alot of thingshappeninginthe soil that we just don’t either careabout or aren’t awareof. Thereare alot of band-aids that can be applied,” Mr Grasser said.

“The long-standing ones are the biology that we generate when we make compost and getting that compost delivered out there in away thatwill benefit the soil’s microbiology and the following plant growth.”

On the farm, Mr Grasser has a couple of compost piles of woodchip, coffee grounds, and fish fertiliser.Hebelieves adding coffee grounds contributestothe pile's fungal load, nitrogen adds to it, and fish fertiliser aids the pile’s microbiology. He discussed the different composting types,suchas thermophilic, and how it must be at a specific temperature. During the ageing process, part of it is getting the carbon to nitrogen levels right, which is 25 to 31.

The compost cycle needs many things,

but one thing is that people turntheir piles too often. Mr Grasser says acompost pile must only be turned three times.

“Manypeopleinthe earlydayswould turntheircompostpile, withsomeone saying they turned it 15 times. They don’t understand that the moreyou disturb the pile, the moreyou will destroy the fungi you have thereatthe end of the day,” he said.

Other things include watering the compost pile as you turnitand monitoring its temperaturealong the edge and in the centre, trying to keep it between 65 and 72 degrees. Hay and straw should also be saturated before goingintothe compost, as the waterwillhelppenetrate any wax coatings.

The processcan takeupto five or six weeks, becoming active once it reaches 35 degrees -the maturation phase before takingittothe paddock for use. When

something goes wrong in the process, Mr Grassersaystogoback to basicssuch as food, water,and oxygen to see what is missing and encouragesadiverse amount of materials and food stocks in apile.

He said that beforestocking the paddocks and pastures with compost, you need to assess the soil to determine its needs.

“Graham Shepardhas done some work, and it’s soil assessment tools that he has been used. He has assembled the sensory perception of what we have -touch, smell, vision and taste. Those senses that we have all been bornwith should be used out in the paddock as well and not to rely on technology,” Mr Grasser said.

Whenbuyingcompost, MrGrasser encourages people to question the buyers aboutwhatis within what theyare buying and other things, such as the process of making it.

GerhardGrasser testing the temperatureofthe compost heap to ensurethatitisatthe right stageinthe process. Photos: Katrina Brandon

Coffee grounds areusedtohelp with the health of the compost heap, adding acidic nutrients.

GerhardGrasser entertained about 20 farmers who wanted to engage and learn about the organic natures at his farm.

Brandt:APillar of Excellence in EquipmentSolutions

IN an age where efficiency and dependability are paramount, Brandt has solidified itsposition as an indispensable partnerfor businessesacross various sectors.

From agriculturetoconstruction,Brandt’scomprehensive suite of products and services empowerscustomers to achievepeakperformance and sustainability

Tailored to meet theuniquedemands of different industries, Brandt’s extensive rangeofproducts is a testament to itscommitment to excellence

In agriculture, Brandt offers aline-up of John Deere equipmentalongsideprecision technology,equipping farmerswithcutting-edgetools to optimise their operations.

Meanwhile, in construction, JohnDeere’s robust equipment such as compactexcavatorsand loaders stand as reliable solutionsfor the toughesttasks.

Brandt’s dedication to enhancing customer operations throughthe integration of John Deere’sprecision agriculturetechnologyispalpable.

By harnessing advanced tools likeGPS,sensors, and dataanalytics,Brandt and John Deereare reshaping modernfarming practices, empoweringfarmers to achieve higher efficiency and sustainability.

The impactofBrandt’spartnershipwith JohnDeereis evidentinthe significant improvements experiencedby customers

Through theadoption of precision agriculture technology, customersminimise overlap duringfield operations, leading to notable costsavingsand improved resource management.

However,the benefitsextend beyondmerecost reduction.

Precisiontechnology plays apivotal role in maximising

yields by ensuring optimal planting,fertilising,and harvesting conditions.

Through data-drivendecision-making, farmerscan enhance crop performance and foster better client relationships throughtangibleevidence of efficiency and productivityimprovements.

Yet, Brandt’sroletranscends technologyprovision. Theircomprehensive support andexpertise enable farmers to fully utilise these advanced tools, offering essentialtechnicalassistance and backup WithBrandt, farmershave theresources andsupport necessaryfor continual improvementintheir operations. Recognisingthatsupport extends beyond the point

of sale, Brandt offersanarray of services to ensure thelongevityand optimal performance of JohnDeere products.

From regular equipment maintenance to proactive machine monitoringsolutions, Brandt’sinitiatives reduce downtimeand enhanceproductivity,bolstering customer success.

Moreover, understanding thefinancial hurdlesassociated withlarge equipmentpurchases, Brandtprovides flexiblefinancing optionstailoredtodiverse customer needs.

This ensures businesses can invest in thebest equipmentwithout financialstrain,facilitating growthand innovation in their operations.

Brandt’s commitmentextends beyond business transactionstocommunity engagement.

Throughvarious initiatives and events, Brandt supports local development projects, demonstrating corporate social responsibility andreinforcingtheirdedicationto broader community welfare

In essence, Brandt’sholistic approach, spanning diverse products,comprehensive services, flexible financing, cutting-edgetechnology, and community engagement, positions them as morethanmeresuppliers

They standastrusted allies, dedicated to helping businessesand individuals achievebetter outcomes and drive progress in their respective fields.

Choosing Brandt meansleveraging superior technology,comprehensive support,and expertguidanceto achieve higherproductivity,cost efficiency,reliability and sustainability in operations.

With Brandt,customersare well-equipped to succeed and thriveintheir endeavours

Revving up for their annual ToyRun

MEMBER for EasternVictoria, Melina Bath hosted Gippsland Motorcyclists ToyRun volunteers, Alf and Stella Vella, at State Parliament to launch the 25th Gippsland Motorcyclists ToyRun andcelebrate National Volunteer Week 2024.

Speaking in State Parliament, Ms Bath, who is the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Volunteers, described Alf and Stella Vella as Gippsland royalty, paying tribute to their tireless and dedicated contribution to disadvantaged children in Gippsland.

“Each year over 2000 children benefit from Alf and Stella’s volunteerism, receiving aChristmasgiftgenerously donated by local industries, businesses, sporting clubs and individuals,” Ms Bath said.

“Alf and Stellarepresent everything thatis great in Gippsland –theyare warm, empathetic, motivated, highlyrespected,and much-loved members of our community.

“Coordinating the Gippsland Motorcyclists

ToyRun keeps this YallournNorth couple busy for nine months of the year,but with cost-of-livingpressuresimpacting many families, the need is growing.

“On behalf of thousands of Gippsland children, Isay ‘Thank you’. The theme for National VolunteerWeek this yearis ‘Something for Everyone’ and Alf and Stella

truly embody this mantra.”

Ms Bath saideach andeveryday,volunteers generously donate their time and talents,making apositive differencein communities.

“Whether it’s delivering emergency services, caring for our environment, fundraising, coaching, or providing social support, our volunteers arethe heart and soul of community,” Ms Bath said.

“Our volunteers help keep us connected –and their combined efforts make us all happierand healthier

“The State of Volunteering report tells us in 2019 ourhardworking volunteers contributed an incredible$58.1 billion worth of benefits across Victoria –that’s an impressive record!

“National Volunteer Week is traditionally atimewherewecollectively say thank you and publicly recognise volunteerswho often fly under the radar.”

Learning with LandcareatWillowGrovePrimary

LATROBE Catchment LandcareNetwork

held it’s first Learning with Landcareproject with Year 5/6 students at Willow Grove Primary School recently.

The project involved planting what was onceatraditionalstyle vegiepatch with anew range of native bush food species.

Specialists in native bush foods, Julie and Anthony Hooper from Peppermint Ridge Farmweretheretoteach students.

Starting with alesson on how to plant the differentvarieties,the local Tanjil Valley Landcarevolunteerswerealso thereto lend ahand.

Their involvement in the school program will be ongoing as Willow Grove Primary

aims to connect students not only with nature, but to their community of nature loving folk as well. This connection is an important step in ensuring the school has support to continue to use and maintain the garden, ensuring the success of the planting.

“A garden needs to be used and appreciated,” says Latrobe CatchmentLandcare Network facilitator and projectofficer Caroline Hammond.

“And these plants will thrive when being harvested (pruned) regularly. Iwas so impressed to see the students at Willow Grove really enjoying tasting and smelling the variety of plants we have planted and

also coming up with ideas of how they can use them in cooking.”

Thereare five schoolsinvolved inthe Learning with Landcareproject this year Tanjil South Primary School areplanting to increase habitat for native birds and bees around their school grounds, and the CommunityCollege Gippsland areplanting out an area of natural bushland to create a gathering space for students and teachers to relax and immerse themselves in nature. This project is made possible with funding from the state government’s National LandcareProgram.

If you would like to now more, get in touch with Caroline at caroline@lcln.com.au

Member for Eastern Victoria Melina Bath with Gippsland Motorcyclist ToyRun volunteers, Stella and Alf Vella. Photo: Contributed

WillowGrove Primary School students learn about land care. Photo: Contributed

New triple-combinationmowers float like abutterfly

WITHavariable working widthof8.8 to 9.5metres,tried-and-testedMAX

CUT mowerbeds, ACTIVE FLOAT suspension technology anda range of optionalconditioningand auto swathing functions, CLAAS DISCO 9700 triple-combination mowers set new benchmarks in throughput, efficiency and forage quality

CLAAS Harvest CentreProductManager –Greenline,Daniel Cornelius, says “The mower features swinging arms that can be hydraulically pivoted outwards by 30cm and inwards by 5cm

“This allows theworkingwidth to be adjusted on-the-go up to 70cm.”

“For example, thedriver can choose between maximumoverlap on headlandstoavoidstripsormaximum working widthonstraight lines

“This featuremakesthe 9700ideal for mowingirregularly-shaped or undulating fields where ahigher degree of flexibility is required to maintain cutting qualityand protecting thepasture.”

This new series expands the CLAAS product offer forlarge-scale mowers and closes thegap between the DISCO 9200/9300and theDISCO1100.

The new rangecomprises five models: DISCO 9700 COMFORT,9700 C BUSINESS (tine conditioner), 9700 RC BUSINESS (roller conditioner), 9700 C AUTO SWATHER (tineconditioner and swath grouping) and9700 RC AUTO SWATHER (roller conditioner and swath grouping)

On theCOMFORT model, the ACTIVE FLOATground pressure control, swing armtravel and protective cover folding arecontrolled viaISOBUS andloadsensing, while thearmsare lifted and lowered by operation of thehydraulic spool valves.

Thisenablesthe drivertoeasily integrate lifting and lowering functionsintothe tractor’sheadland managementsystem

On BUSINESS machines,all functions can be controlled using the continuous load-sensinghydraulic systemvia the ISOBUS terminal,function keysorthe tractor’sheadlandmanagementsystem

RC modelsfeature twocounter-rotating polyurethane rollers that areboth actively driven andsynchronised withaspeciallydeveloped scissor gearbox formaximum throughput andprocessingquality.

Therollers extend right across thewidth of themower bed and gently crushthe harvested crop andoptimisecropflow

The RC modelsare specifically developed for gentlyprocessing large volumes of lucerne,forage cropsand

whole-crop silage

TheAUTOSWATHER modelsincorporate two newly-designed 1100mm wide Kevlar-reinforced conveyor belts that consolidate harvestedcropfromthe left and righthandmowers into asingle, perfectly-shaped swath, readyfor processing bya silage harvester

CLAAS claims thesystemcan easily handle crop yieldsofupto60t/ha.

The two belts can be independently disengaged and fold up if swath groupingisnot required

One or bothofthe belt unitscan be folded up hydraulically when working without swath groupingorusingthe ‘19 to 12’ method,where aworking width of 19misconsolidatedinto12m forthe next pass with a12.7m wide standard quad-rotorswather.

The belt is automatically switched on or offaccordingtothe working/ parking position.

AUTOSWATHER models canalso be ordered withanoptional central lubricationsystem,on-boardhydraulics or an oilcooler

DISCO 9700 incorporates awardwinningMAX CUT mower bedsthat deliver exceptional cutting quality and operationalefficiency

In lightcropthe mower beds canbe operatedwithaPTO speeddownto850 rpm, which can reduce fuel consumption by up to 20 percent.

Pressed from asingle pieceof5mm thick steel, the uniquewave-shaped design enablesthe cuttingdiscs to be positioned furtherforwards, improving cutting quality in allconditions.

The specialshape of theskidsand

thelarge channelbetween the discs providesa highdegreeofself-cleaning.

Theoptional new wear skids provide another 15mm morecutting height, helping to reduce the amount of crude ash contamination introduced into the swathand promoting fasterpasture regrowth.

The SAFETY LINKmoduleensures each cutting disc is protected by apredetermined breaking point, isolating it from the drive train in the event of contact with aforeign body

An axialbolt holdsthe cutting discfirmly in place to prevent it flying offifitbreaks.

The specially-hardenedintermediate piecesare shaped differently forthe mowerdiscs that convergeand diverge for aclean cutand maximum overlap

MAX CUT mower beds also incorporate CLAAS’ rapidblade-changesystem.

“The capsand mower blades of the clockwise andanti-clockwise rotating mowerdiscs arepainted black andred, respectively,”Danielsays.

“This meansreplacement bladescan be immediatelyassigned to theappropriate mower discs

“The new bladebox is divided into three compartmentsfor redand black replacementblades and usedblades.”

“ACTIVEFLOAT regularly and automatically continually adjusts the ground pressure, ensuring themowers adapt perfecttogroundcontours.

“Thissystemhas been triedand tested for almost two decadesand hasbeen proven to reduceforage contamination fuel consumption and wear,” Daniel says.

“The contact pressure, which canbe independently adjusted on either sidefor

mowing borders andslopes, is displayed in the terminalorontwo gaugesonthe headstock.

“The mower units aredrivenby newtriple telescopicdriveshafts with toughened large-diameter steelprofiles that enables theenormousadjustment rangeofthe mowerarms.

“The newhigher capacity K-90 friction clutch is bolteddirectly to the universal jointshaft, making it quick and easy to service,” he says.

“Theinnovative hitch framewith angled arms ensures optimumcentreofgravity duringoperation, turningand road transport.

“Thearmsare equipped with individual non-stopcollisionprotection.

“When themowerencounters an obstacle, the armswings back andover, moving the mowerunitasfar from the dangerzoneaspossible,” Daniel says

“Machines arefitted withhydraulic collision protection. Oil is pressed from thecollisionprotection into therelief cylinder,which means that the mower bed is additionally relieved, protecting the mower bedfromserious damage.

“The mower bed then automatically swings back into its workingposition due to theoil pressure.”

When operatingonslopes,anoptional tilt sensor individually adjusts ground pressure, the telescopic travelofthe arms to counteract drift and thebelt speed (onAUTO SWATHER models) to reduce thedriver’sworkload andprotect pastures.

Folded into transportposition, thearms automatically retract to aheight of less than 4m.

Hydraulic hoses– fitted with Kennfixx couplers as standard– andelectric cables aresafely stowedina new parking bracket when themower is unhitched.

ISOBUS integration allowing full control through tractor function keys

New hydraulically pivoting swing arm providing 35 cm of travel on each side unit

CLAAS DISCO 9700 Mower grouping

Scholarship winner’s personal Kokoda connection

THE astonishing story of the inaugural winner of the Marsh/Tierney Scholarship will serve as added motivation for acontingent of trekkers takingon the Kokoda Track with Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, next month.

Kurnai Collegestudent Amelia van Vliet has been awarded the Marsh/ Tierney Scholarship, whichprovides the youngergenerationwithaninsight into the Gippslandconnectiontothe Kokoda Track, and the sacrifices made by soldiers from the local area.

Amelia will join Mr Cameron, and other Victorian Members ofParliamentand scholarship winners on atrekofthe Kokoda Track with AdventureKokoda during the July school holidays.

“Amelia’s story and her motivationfor

wanting to take on this challenge is truly amazing, and Iwas touched by her essay which described her deeply personal connection to the Kokoda Track,” Mr Cameron said.

When Amelia was just one-and-a-half years old, her father Euan Comrie wanted to honour hisgreat grandfather-who served in Commando Double Black - and walk the Kokoda Track.

Tragically, on the flight to Kokoda the aeroplane carrying Amelia’s dad and nine other Australians crashed into amountain and therewerenosurvivors.

“I would like tocontinuethe dreams of my father, and honour him and my great grandfather, and walk the track so many beforemehave walked,” Amelia wrote in her essay.

“My mum honoured by dad’s memory by walking the trackonthe 12-month anniversary of his death -myolder brother and sister wereable to attend the memorial service that occurred on the anniversary, however Iwas only one-and-a-half years old and my mum made the decision that Iwas too young at the time to make the journey.

“This leavesmewitha feeling that it is now my turn, that this is an opportunity formetocommemoratemydad andfinish what he started.

“When my mum walked the track, she placed aplaque in my dad’s honour at the hospitalinKokoda and Iwould love the opportunity to see this for myself and follow in their footsteps.”

Amelia and Mr Cameron will now ramp-up preparations for the gruelling Kokoda Track

Traf High students learnthe ropes at Yallourn mine

STUDENTS from Trafalgar HighSchool recently spent the day touring the operational Yallournmine as part of their VCE Environmental Studies.

The 10 VCE students had the opportunity to see the operations of aworkingmine and talk to mine rehabilitationexperts from the Yallournmine and Mine Land Rehabilitation Authority (MLRA).

Part of the fieldtripwas identifying the role that vegetation playsinstabilising soilsand its longer-termsuitability in a rehabilitated site.

Thesuccessful trip finished with avisit to Habitat Creations at Yarragon to learn about seed banking and plant selection for futureuse at mine sites.

All these elements will feed into the students’ assessment tasks, an advantage to

local students when studying this type of environmental topic.

The opportunity for the Trafalgar High

School students to explorea working mine sitewas coordinatedby theMLRAwith Energy Australia.

MLRA’s chief executive, DrJen Brereton, labelled the day asuccess.

“It wasgreat to see budding scientists learnfirst-hand about the process of mine planning, construction and rehabilitation from engineers,ecologists and geologists,” she said.

The Yallournmine is owned and operated by Energy Australia.

The Mine Land Rehabilitation Authority is an independent authority working with community, industry, and government to facilitatethe rehabilitation of declared mine sites to collaboratively work towards asafe, stable, and sustainableoutcome for the beneficial use of futuregenerations.

by tackling some local hiking trails under the guidance of Amelia’s mum, Annemieke.

Local student Ameliavan Vliet will take on the Kokoda Track, honouring her late father.Amelia will be joined by Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron on the journey. Photo: Contributed

The Yallourn Mine stretchesfar as the eyecan see.

Trafalgar High School students on tour of Yallourn. Photos: Contributed

My School, My Home Sch

Boarding at Xavier

The Xavier Boarding House prides itself on creating acommunity based on Catholic values, wherestudents and staffforge lasting bonds and where everystudent experiences abroad and challenging programinasmall Boarding House setting.

At Xavier College they willstrive to engender alove of learning that will last long after graduation from the College. They do this by providing acaringcommunity within whichboysfromYears 9to 12 areencouragedtodevelop personal leadership skills, to becomeresponsible members of the community,tostrive for excellence and to become ‘men for others’.

Avital facet of aXavier College education is their focus on ensuring that boys are connecting witha welcoming and caring community

Xavier boarders appreciate the opportunity to live, workand play with their best mates.

Current Year 12 Boarder and Captain of Boats, HarryGlass, summarises this idea perfectly: “Becoming aboarder at

Xavierisone of the best decisions Ihave made in my life thus far

It has exposed me to avariety of opportunities that Iwould not have found elsewhere.

Many of these friendships Ihavefound within our boarding family

Being partofsuch atight knit boarding community made the transition to living in the city veryenjoyable and easy

It has given me thechance to build such strong connections with people that I will carrywith me beyond my time at the college.

“Oneofthe mostuniquethings that sets Xavierapartfromall theother schools is when one of our Year 12 students voluntarily makesthemselves vulnerable in front of their peers. It is asafe timefor themtoshare generalwellbeing difficulties or reflect on how they have navigated throughdifficulttime of their life. This vulnerability and trust explains some of the incrediblebonds and lifelong friendships that areforgedduring your timehere. It recognisesthe need for young males to sharetheir feelings and

demonstrates howwesupporteachother on our journey throughout life.

“TheXavier experience has been life changing for not only me, but also my family and Ithoroughly encourage anyoneconsideringboarding to seize the opportunities at Xavier.”

The Boarding House seeks to enhance each boy’ssense of respect for the members of his community

The relatively small size of the house ensures that students know one another well and aretherefore in aposition to contribute positively to the learning and development of their fellow boarders.

The key entrypoint of Year 7isnow accommodated in an exceptional, new state-of-the-artYear 7-8 learning precinct on the Senior Campus, opened at the beginning of the 2024 school year Precedingthiswill be aseven-year journey throughanamazing, brand-new P-6 Junior School.

Xavierprides itself on delivering aunique Jesuit education, and 2028 will mark 150 years of developing exceptional graduates throughinspiring learning experiences.

University begins at home for Dookie campus agriculturestudents

GROWING up on thefamilyfarm, Zoe Wilson experienced first-handthe importance of sustainable agriculture

That is whyshe enrolledinthe UniversityofMelbourne’sDiploma in General Studies (DiGS) after high school.

“I was originally enrolledinthe Bachelor of Agriculture at theUniversity’sParkvillecampusbut didn’tfeelready to make themovetothe city,”Zoe said.

“A friend suggested the DiGS program, which is basedinDookie and leads into theBachelor of Agriculture

It wasthe perfect solution.”

TheDiGS program is aone-year full-time courseatthe University of Melbourne’s Dookie campus in northern Victoria that can be used as aguaranteed pathway to UniversityofMelbourne bachelor degrees in Agriculture, Arts, Commerce,Design,orScience

Ididn’tnecessarily needtocomplete DiGS as a pathway,but it was an opportunity to startmyuniversity journey closer to home in an environment Iwas more comfortable in,”Zoe said.

“As acountrykid, theprogram reallyresonated with me

It offers ahuge range of practicalskill buildingthat comes with studying at afully functioningagricultural facility such as Dookie.”

One of the extra skills Zoedevelopedwhile studying the DiGS program was woolclassing, which hastaken her to Sydneytocompete nationally

“At Dookie, you have theoption to gain extra certificatessuch as the CertificateIVinwoolclassing, which

was incredible.

I’ve competed in national competitions, andit’sgiven me the opportunity to work as awoolhandler and wool classer during the holidays,” Zoesaid

While the hands-onexperience andplentifulstudy optionswereempowering,Zoe said thebest thing about studyingthe DiGS program wasthe people

“It wasawesome to meet other countrykids, but also kidsthat didn’thave anyprevious experience in agriculture.

We allhad similar interests and became likea big family,”she said.

After completingthe DiGS program, Zoe transitioned intothe Bachelor of Agriculture –including amove to the city –and is now in her final year

“Now Ican look at farming practicesand really understand what’sgoingonata physiologicalscale, not justa physicalscale,” Zoesaid.

Zoe saysshe looks forward to applyingher skills in an industryrole one daybut theremay be sometravel on the cardsfirst

“I would love to travel theworld andgainexperience in different agriculturalsectors

The worldislimitless in agriculture –it’shardto pinpointanexact career path just yet, but Iamexcited toapply my skills in an industry I’m passionate about,”

Zoe said

“I grew up immersed in agricultureand animals and want to seeitprogress into thefuture with sustainability at itsheart

Iwanttobe part of this journey.”

Zoe’s advice to current andfuturestudents interested in studying agriculture?

“Open every doorthat’s presented to you and take aholdofevery opportunity –I’ve learntthatthe agricultural sectorvalues students who makethe most of what’soffered to them.

For me, studyingatDookiewas one of those doors, and it’s setmeupfor an incredible future.”

Moreinformationregarding the Diploma in General Studies can be foundonthe University of Melbourne’s website:go.unimelb.edu.au/e3is

Melbourne Girls Grammar

Hailing from Swan Hill in north-west Victoria, GeorgieCameronbeganher boardingjourneyatMelbourneGirls GrammarinYear 10, whenher sister wasinYear 12 andthe Boarding House Co-Captain.

Now,it’sGeorgie’s turn to be in her final year of school, followinginher sister’s footstepsasone of MGGS’sBoarding House Captains.

“Being named as one of the2024 BoardingHouse Co-Captains is such an honour and Icould notbemoregrateful to be apartofleadership in the house!

Iget along really well with the Head of Boarding, Amanda Haggie and Assistant DirectorofBoarding, KerryBacon which makesthe role much easier as they both fostersuchapositive and supportive environment.”

Thisleadershippositionfeelslikea privilege forGeorgie and she’sreally lovingthe chance to work with other student leaders as amember of the MGGSStudentExecutive Council (SEC)

“Being apartofthe SEC is more than just ashiny badge andgolden embroidery.

It allows us to provide avoicefor our peers andleadour school as we tryour besttoprovideapositive andinspiring culture.”

The MGGS student grew up playing netballand basketball, and now

representsthe Schoolinboth.

She trainsmultipletimes aweek on top of gym sessions in theArtemis Fitness

Hub

Thisisinadditiontoher study, which she admitshas improved immensely since beginning boarding at MGGS

“Up to Year 10 in the Boarding House youdo‘prep’,which is two hours of compulsorystudy after school

In Years11and 12,wedon’t have to do prep,but we allworkinour rooms anyway from 6.30pm to 8pm.

“Asboarders,we’re strongly encouraged to be studying after school, especially aroundexamtime, andthe staffare really helpfulwhenitcomes to preparation.

Georgie sayshomesickness hasn’t been an issuefor herand she’sverycontent with her boardingfamily

“I feed offother people’senergy,and I lovecompany,”she says, adding that herparents “are justaphone call away”.

Georgie really enjoys meetingnew boarders and helping them transitionin theBoardingHouse.

Shesays, “Weall come from somewhere different,but we have so muchincommonwhich makeshaving conversations withpeople you have nevermet before reallyeasy.”

At the startofeach year,boarders are assigned anew studentand become their buddy,helping them transition smoothly into the house

Thereare many activities Georgie enjoys in her downtime, including walking around theBotanicalGardens,catching an AFLgameatthe MCG or shopping withher friends on Chapel Street.

She is finding Year 12 to be alot of work butisfeelinggoodaboutthe months ahead,adding “I find that when Iapply myself,and with thesupportofteachers, residential staff, academic coaches, classmates and friends, IknowI am able to achieve amazing results!”

The Melbourne GirlsGrammar Boarding House is an environment where boarders feel comfortable tryingnew things and challengingthemselves in asupportive community

Theyare bold, dynamicand readyto takeonanything.

For more information andtoarrangea tour,visithttps://www.mggs.vic.edu.au/ boarding

AThriving Boarding Community

“Morcom House is ahome away from home for 90 girls andboysfromyears nine to 12,” saysTim Gallop, Caulfield Grammar’sHeadofBoarding.

“Welove that we arenestled in theheart of ourCaulfield Campus, and only nine kilometresfromMelbourne’sCBD,soour students have an opportunity to experience all thefantastic thingsthat ourgreat city has to offer.”

Caulfield Grammarhas oneofthe longest-runningand most experienced boardingprogramsinAustralia, and is one of thefew schoolstooffer boarding for both girls andboys.

It provides boarders withthe best of both worlds– an exceptional educationand a nurturing familyenvironment in one of the world’s most liveable cities.

Siblings canboard at thesameschool and enjoyhomely accommodation that ranges from three-bed to single-bed optionswhich complement thelearning program

Allyear12students areaccommodated in single-bed rooms.

Girlsand boys reside in separate houses, and sharecommonrecreational facilities includingone of themost important locations —the dining room

“Wewant ourboarders to feel as supported and comfortable as possible in our ‘homeawayfromhome’,” Tim says

“The diningroom is thecentralhub of focus forour boarders, withhigh-quality, nutritionally balancedmeals on the menu.”

Boarding students make the most of livingon-campus andthe myriadofopportunities available to them –including

access to theschool’s extensive facilities such as the olympic-sized indoor swimmingpool, gymnasium, basketball courts, weightsroom and outstanding visual arts andperforming arts spaces.

“Weguide eachstudent to take responsibility for their ownpersonal wellbeing,

provide programs to facilitate self-care duringtimes of stress, and encourage everyone to seek waystheycan support the wellbeing of others,”saysTim.

“It keeps on coming back to connectednessand care which includes in-house tutors,counsellors anda 24/7 onsite healthcentre.”

Caulfield Grammar’sco-curricular programsalsobuild astrongspirit of camaraderieand community

Students stayconnected through extensivebroad and balanced experiences –fromHouse Sports, BBQs, movie nights and weekend excursions, to dedicated real-worldlearning experiences such as theYear 9Café Business Program,the KakaduYear9 Program, Year 10 Odyssey naturalenvironment experiences,and theYarraJunction Campus.

“Each student is different, coming from adifferent ruraloroverseas home, and with uniqueaspirations,”explains Tim Gallop, Head of Boarding at Caulfield GrammarSchool

“We’re notabout mouldingtheminto ourways, rather moulding our approach around eachstudenttoguide them in followingtheir ownindividual pathways and passions –beitacademic, sport, music,performingorvisual arts.”

Morcom House is nestled in the heartofCaulfield Campus

Thereare many co-curricular activities on offer for boarding students.

QUICK CROSSWO

ACROSS 1 Uncovered(7) 5 Toolsusedtohold awood or metal workpiece (1,6) 9 Amply(11) 10 Angrycrowd (3) 11 Votary (6) 12 Comfort(7) 14 Directs(4) 15 Uneducated(10) 17 Rival(10) 19 Book ID (1,1,1,1)

20 Induct(7) 22 Resolve(6) 25 Pester (3) 26 Offender (11) 28 Raffle(7) 29 Forest workers(7)

DOWN

1 See (4)

2 Alias, pen-name (9)

3 Lecher (5)

4 Submissive (11)

9-LETTER WORD

Using the nine letters in the grid,how many words of four lettersormorecan you list? Thecentrelettermust be included and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural nounsendingin“s”.

Today’sAim:

Excellent

The Gippsland Farmer newspaper has played apivotal role in the success of TTMI across Gippsland. As atrusted dealer of tractors and farm machinery, we have come to rely on the newspaper’s extensive reach, professional services, and exceptional customer careto effectively promote our products and connect with the Gippsland farming community.

The Gippsland Farmer hasbeeninstrumental in helping us showcase ourofferingsinto our key market demographic. With their comprehensive coverage of all things agricultural, the newspaperhas provided us with apowerful platform to reach farmers, growers, and industry professionals throughout the region. Their commitment to delivering high-qualitycontent and relevantnews has created areceptive and informed readership, giving our advertising efforts even more impact

Paula, our advertising consultant and remarkable member of The Gippsland Farmer team, has been an invaluable asset in our advertising journey.Paula’s exceptional professionalism, attention to detail, and regular reminders about advertising deadlineshave ensured all our promotional campaigns run seamlessly.Her dedication to providing a personalised experience and exceptional customer service has made everyinteraction with The Gippsland Farmer an absolute pleasure

Moreover,I am grateful for Paula’s consideration of TTMI for special advertising features and promotions. Shehas gone aboveand beyond to provide us with opportunities to highlight our business and offerings in unique and creative ways. Her keen understanding of ourindustry and unwaveringsupport have truly made a difference in the visibilityand success of our advertising efforts.

Iwould highly recommend The Gippsland Farmer newspaper to any business in the agricultural sector seeking effective advertising solutions. The newspaper’s wide readership, informative content,and exceptional customer caremakeitanideal platform to connect with the farming communitythroughout Gippsland.

We look forwardtoacontinued partnership p p with The Gippsland Farmer,confident in the knowledge that our advertising needsare in the best of hands.

ORD

18 Instance (7) 21 Spectacle (5) 23 CapitalofItaly’s Piedmont region (5) 24 Advantages (4) 27 Narrow beam (3) To

5 Hairproduct(3)

Hair product (3) No.187

6 Launch atiradeat(3,4)

7 Latin American dance (5)

8 Sectiontitle (10) 12 Aficionado(11) 13 Partial(10) 16 Christmasplant (9)

Livestock emissions down: CSIRO

ACSIRO research report released by Meat &Livestock Australia has shown that the Australian redmeat and livestock industry has reduced its net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 78 per cent since 2005.

The report by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, provides an updated estimate of emissions attributable to the production and processing of beef, sheep and goats basedonthe 2021Australian National Greenhouse Gas Inventory.

In 2021, net greenhouse gas emissions from the redmeat industry were31million tonnes (Mt) CO2-equivalent, representing a78pc decrease compared to the reference year of 2005.

Last year MLA released the same study of the beef industry GHG footprint from 2005 to 2020, which showed a65pc decrease –meaning the industry reduced its footprint by afurther 13 per cent.

According to MLA’s Carbon Neutral 2030 Project Manager, Julia Waite, this reduction in the net emissions position was primarily due to impacts in the land use sector

“Low rates of clearing and greater volumes of regrowth have contributed to alarger pool of carbon on land associated with livestock management, bringing down the collective position of the sector,” Ms Waite said.

“The contribution from land use change was particularly significant between 2020 and 2021 due to high rainfall, which was 9 per cent above the historical average, and conditions favourable for vegetation growth during La-Niña.

“Thecontrast is especiallystark given the previous two reporting years were marred by drought and bushfires. Given the variabilityofthe Australianclimate, we anticipate sequestration volumes will retract when conditions trend back towards drier El Nino.”

Further detail on the industry’s progress in reducingemissions against CN30, including emissions data from 2021, will be published in the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework Annual update, which will be launched at Beef Australia in Rockhampton this week.

Ms Waite said the annualemissions reports by MLA continued to be informed by the best available science and nationally maintained data. The latest report revises historicalemissions, as moreaccurate data and methods had been adopted into the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory.

Emissions areattributed to the redmeat industry based on animal numbers, feed intake, livestock processed, and resource use. It is part of the industry’s work in annually benchmarking its GHG footprint, which has been occurring since 2015.

The largest proportionofdirect emissions from redmeat is enteric methane produced by grazing beef cattle. These emissions have remained stable in recent years.

Sequestration attributabletothe red meat sector is estimated from FullCAM which uses satellite imagery to account for change in Australia’s landscape.She said

that while thetrajectory was positive since 2005, MLA recognised the broader expectationfor direct emissions reduction while maintainingproduction of high-quality protein.

Thisis supportedbyinvestmentin research and development, and initiatives to support Australian redmeat producers to adopt practices that provide awin-win for business and the environment.

“In the short to medium term, sequestration helps to balancethe ledger while the private and public sector continues to invest in options for direct emissions reduction,” Ms Waite said.“Increasingproduction and resource efficiency, use of renewable energy, and manuremanagement arethe primary tools at our disposal today to lower emissions of livestock production.

“Novelinterventions likelow methane pastures, supplements,and genetic indexes arelikely to play abigger role in the later part of the decade, provided they arecommercially viablewithco-benefits for the whole farm business.Over timethis can reduce the reliance on sequestration.”

Since 2017, Meat and Livestock Australia has co-invested $152 million in research, development andextension to support net emissions reduction of the redmeat supply chain.In 2017 the Australian redmeat industry committedto achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 (CN30).

The CN30 target definition is Net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.Storage of carbon in grazing landscapes is sensitive to climatic conditions, and continued progress towards net zerogoals will requirea reduction in animal emissions, particularly enteric CH4.

Feds cautious on Ag carbon target

THE Federal Government will not make a specific emissions target for agriculturein its pursuit of net zeroemissions by 2050.

Emissions regulation was amajor topic at the Beef 2024 eventinRockhampton, with several speakers showing concernor supportfor what lies ahead.With this in the background, Government representatives werekeentoemphasisethatnospecific emissionstargetwillbe se inthe overall plantoreach the company’stargetto become net zeroby2050.

Agricultureisthe first cab offthe rank in aseries of sectoralplanstoreachnet zero, with details of that plan yet to be released. In aspeech made the annual update for the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework, the federal Agriculture Minister, Murray Watt, saidthere would be no targets set for specific sectors.

“Weare notgoing tobesetting an emissions reduction target, just for the agriculturesector,” Minister Watt said.“But we aresaying that every sector has arole to play in making surewecan reach those economy-wide emissionsreduction targets.

“Thereiswork to be done on things like measurement of carbon, thereare lots of differentcalculators out there and there is lots to be done to build capacity for the industry, with reliable partners to make the changes that aregoing to be needed.”

The plan was also addressed in asession with Federal DepartmentofAgriculture

secretary Adam Fennessy, Mel Brown from the Division of FarmResilience and Nadia Bouhafs from the Department of Climate Change and the Environment.

Ms Bouhafs said the agricultureindustry had set alot of its own targets and the

government was keen to work out whereit can assist.“Peopleare worried we aregoing to come in and regulate. But we arekeen to lean in, not supplicate and invest where it is necessary,” she said.

“Wehave asector wherethe majority of people don’t know their emissions profile and thereare limitedoptions to address that emissions profile. Thereis also a shortage of trusted advisers for producers and that is whereweare looking to direct our attention.”

Manybeefindustry organisations have made written submissions to the net zero plan, calling for the government to focus the industry’s targets on warming, rather than numbers of emissions and to recognise recentresearch suggesting the industry could be “climate neutral” in the next few years.

The panel was asked if “climate neutrality would be part of the Government’s emissions plan going forward. Ms Bouhafs said the governmentwas awareofthe industry’s push to make separate regulation for methane and that metrics to reflect that should be investigated.

“Wecan’t simply say no,it is entirely appropriate for us to do an assessment,” shesaid.“Thatbroader conversation around the role of methane is something thatwe will be doing. We havehad alot of comments from the cattle industry and others outside the industry to separate out methane and Ithink it is appropriate for us to look at it.”

-BeefCentral

Photo: File

Carbonmarketa puzzle forfarmers

Erik BARKER

AS thousands ofbeefindustry delegates descended on Rockhampton last month to learnabout the latest trends and information, therewas aclear sense of frustration at the confusingnature of Australia’s carbon market.

The federal government has clearly stated it will need the carbon market to reach its goals of a43pc reduction in emissions by 2030 and net zeroby2050. It conducted and backed the findings of an independent review of the market, which largely gave it aclean bill of health.

While many werehoping the findings of that report weregoing to give the industry some direction, it appears confusion is still one of the overwhelming sentiments on carbon.

Producers who spoke to AgCarbon Central appeared to be engaged, with many of them talking aboutthe short-livednatureof methaneand the potential for agricultural land to sequestercarbon–particularly in the soil.

Manyremarked that they did not know wheretostart or who to believe, with some saying they could see an opportunity and others saying they could not.

Thesoilcarbonindustry had some green shoots appearing atthe end of lastyear with ahandful of producersreceiving large amounts ofcredits.But the response to the issuanceswas not what many of the industry participants had predicted.

“Weall thought when the floodgates weregoing to open when we had some runs on the boardbut it hasn’t been that

straightforward,” one participant told AgCarbon Central.

One of the main issuesthe industry is facing is aseries of highly publicised concerns from scientists about the integrity of the creditsthat have beenissued.University of Melbourne professor RichardEckard has been leading the criticism of thesoil carbon market –raising concerns about a lack of transparency from the regulator and saying some projects arebeing recognised for soil carbon gains that have likely come from increased rainfall.

He addressed aQueensland Department of Agricultureforum, wherehespoke about some of his carbon accounting research and concerns about soil carbon. Prof Eckard and others on the panel spoke on the potential for soil carbon to go backwards in drought years, making producersliable.

ABC landline’s Pip Courtney was hosting the session and asked if he had come across any producers who had signed up to soil carbon projects and had regretted it.“Unfortunately,Ihave had afew, not just one,” Prof Eckardsaid.

The discussion was challenged by carbon developer Natalie Hick, from Natural Capital Co, who said she felt carbon developers werebeing unfairlyundermined.“Any carbonprojectdeveloper worth their salt would do their due diligence and make surethe project is viable beforestarting,” Ms Hick said.

“I agree that moreresearch is needed and Iagree that rainfall has ahuge bearing on it, but Idon’t knowwhatthe solutionis if thereisthis continued undermining of what has come beforeus.”

Prof Eckardsaid he was not trying to undermine carbon aggregators and that he was mainlyconcerned about thesoil carbon projects and how they wererolling out.“If Iwas to re-writing the soil carbon methodology, Iwould be factoring out rainfallspecificallybecause the current method doesn’t overtly separate it out.”

It must be saidthereare measuresin place to protect from soil carbon reversal in dry years,with projectsrequired to keep carbon in the ground for 25 years and the Clean Energy Regulator holding 25pc of the credits in the case of rainfall dominating the result.

The soil carbon industry was asignificant presence at Beef 2024, with soil carbon service providers taking up many trade stalls in the Tech Yards.Many of them told AgCarbonCentraltheywerereceiving a steadystream of inquiry from producers keen to sign up to projects, but they were having tough discussions about contracts –with who owns what and succession planning being two of the main factors.

Dr Terry McCosker from Carbon Link, which has generated the most Australian Carbon Credit Units through soil, said there werealot of costs developers incur.“Ithink producers look at the amount acarbon developer makes at the end of the day and Ican tell you from bitter experience that you aremaking alot moremoney out of it than we are,” he said.“In our organisation we have over 20 skill sets that areinvolved in running aproject for seven years before thereisany income back to us.”

Dr McCosker was keen to make the point that soil carbon projectswereworking in a

complex regulatory environment, with his projects that werecredited lastyearaudited multiple times over morethan ayear.He was keen to make the point that thorough measurement that may involve morecapital upfront decreased risk at auditing time. While the soil carbon projects have been the source of public debate, the regulator has shown no signs of stopping it. It is a different story to vegetationprojects, which arefacing uncertainty at aregulatory level.

The main issueappears tobewith amethodologycalled humaninduced regeneration, which focuses on changes of practice to encourage vegetationgrowth HIR has received repeated criticism from a group of ANU scientists, which has given the Department of Environment cold feet in re-writing it into anew methodology.

Carbon project developers working on the vegetation projects have been put on hold in anticipation for the new methodology, with one of them saying it is costing alot of money.

HIR has driven alot of property transactions in the north and some of the corporates have eitherstarted or lookedatstarting new projects under the methodology.

At thispoint, the department says it is tracking towards having adraft of the Integrated Farmand Land Management methodology later this year,which will include are-written version of HIR.

While HIR is being debated, the rubber is starting to hit the road on deforestationrelated regulation –which was asignificant topic in Rockhampton.

-BeefCentral

Research shows impact of heat on cows

NEW research into climate impacts on extensive grazing suggests that cows start feeling the heat at much lower temperatures than expected.

Data captured from on-animal sensors shows cows have asignificant decrease in rumination at maximum daily temperatures of 31oC or more. At this point, rumination time has dropped by around 20% which translatestoreduced feed intake and impacts on production.

The preliminary data is from trials conducted by CQUniversity, in partnership withthe UniversityofQueensland and funded by Meat &Livestock Australia,over the summersof 2022/23 and 2023/24 at AgForce’s Belmont Research Station outside of Rockhampton.

ProfessorMark Trotter, headofCQU’s precision livestockmanagement team, said the impacts of high temperatures in pasturesand rangelands,and howcows change their behaviour to cope, were not well understood.

“This is one of the first studiesinthe world to explore heat stress in extensively grazed beef cattle, with most of the research to date carried out in feedlotsand the dairyindustry,” Prof. Trotter said.“We are continuing

to analyse this data to understand how breeders areresponding to increasing temperatures and the subsequent impact on this may have production.

“This may challenge the way the industry

thinks about the true costs of heat stress in grazingcattle, and if predictions of increasing temperatures come to fruition, we will have to start thinking about how we manage heat stress in our breeding cattle.

“While the big heat wavesare likely to have obvious impacts, it’s the moresubtle changes in coping behaviour at moremoderate temperatures that could really start to eat into production,” Prof Trotter said.

The CQU researchteam is also exploring how heat stress affects calves, at Belmont Research Station by usingGPS tracking and accelerometer sensors to detect impacts on survival and growth through to weaning.

“By understanding individual animal variability in heat stress response, there may be an opportunity in future for genetic selection of moretolerantcattle,” Prof. Trotter said.

-BeefCentral

Heataffects the milk output of cows.

Photo: Contributed

AUSSIE GOLD DEALERS PRIMED TO ASSIST

Thisstory is contributed by Davy Schrijvers,Aussie Pumps Victorian DistributorManager

Davyrecently did atourofAussie Pumps Gold Distributors in Victoriawho represent theAussie Pump rangefor the region’s keyindustries.

HereDavy takes us throughhis tripand whathelearned.

Spending timewith our dealers on the shopfloor and listeningtotheir feedback is an importantpartofmyrolehereat Aussie.

Iwas impressed by theprofessionalism of theirteams,the investmentinAussie Pump stock and thepridethey took in representing our brand

FIRST WORLD GEAR

Aussie use only first world components in our production

We make that differentiation point because we know that manyinthe pump industry,evengreat companies like Grundfos, getproductout of thirdworld countriesbecause of price

Our philosophy is completely different.

We design andproduce robust, reliable machines for Australian farmers.

Our Chief engineer,John Hales,has a sign in his officethatsays,“We design and build machines as if we aregoing to usethemourselves!”

He comesfromafarming family, as do several of our staff hereatAussiePumps. That’s why we aresocountryorientated and supportVictorianFarmers through theirregional tabloids.

PUMPS THAT PERFORM

Iwas also veryimpressed by the quality of thepumpdisplays in the distributor showrooms.

Most have really goodstocks of ourQP fireand transfer pumps.

Eventhough someare Davey dealers, they appreciatethe qualityand performance of our QP range and recommendour firepumps.

For example, theAussie Fire Chief delivers 25 percentmoreflow, 25 percent more headand has arobust 7” impeller that delivers seriousperformance. Best of allthe pumps comewith afive year warranty!

Allthisata value packed list price that is fair forcustomers.

We knowthese pumps playa vitalrole during the bushfire seasonand areused as utility pumps on hardworking farms. The AussieQPrange of pumps covers more thanjustfirepumps

We have high flow transferpumpswith ports up to 6” in diameter, andtrash pumps formoving solidcontaminated water

Our traineddealers, likeBrownwiggin Maffra, can assist with pump selection, because even agreat pump misapplied willfailprematurely

It paystoget good advice before purchasing yourAussie pump.

RIGHTTOREPAIR

Our dealers really value selling products that canbeserviced and that are repairable.

Aussie Pump productsare backedup with sparesand kits on hand that make servicingand maintaining themsimple.

An Aussie QP pumpwilllastfor decades when looked after with regular maintenance and althoughwekeep stocks of replacementimpellers, we sell veryfew BrownwigginSaleoffer exceptional servicing of allAussiemachinesand can also assist withtroubleshooting installations.

SUPPORTING THE DAIRY INDUSTRY

Aussiehas developed greathigh pressurewashers that do well in the Dairy Industry

Although we areonly30years old, we’ve got ahugerange of cold water pressure cleanersinelectric, Honda petrol and even diesel engine configurations. We use afully welded, stainless steel

frame as the basefor all our cold water pressure cleaners.

With four steelwheelsand flatfreetyres, they areeasytomoveand turn around on site.

Thestrong,ergonomic design stands out from otherplayersina crowded market. The performance andlongevity they deliver is aresult of carefuldesign choices.

They all featureItalianmade Bertolini heavy dutytriplex pumps backedwith a four year warranty

They comecompletewith professional qualityaccessoriesincluding double wire braid hose andspray guns with quick couplers forconvenience.

Thedesignalso makes it simple to fit astainlesssteelhosereel, supplied with long lengthhose, foroperator convenience and safety HOTWASHHEROES

Aussie offers acomplete rangeofhot water machines thatare available in both single and 3phase electric configuration or,eveninengine drive

Yes, we can supply engine drive, portable4,000 psihot washmachines deliveringsteam up to 130°C.

Called the ‘Aussie Heatwave, it can be mountedonthe back of aute with atank of watertomake aself-containedmobile steamcleaning unit

The electric driveAussie Sizzler is a hot wash unitthatisa big hitwith Dairy farmers around Australia

The AussieSizzler is afirst world

machine witha steelchassis,four wheels forease of movement and astainless steelcover

Insideitfeaturesaslow speed top quality

Italian triplex pump, witha slow speed motorcoupling drivenbya four pole motorand it’s abargain!

It’ssingle phase, so youcan just plug it in and startefficientcleaning with hot water up to 80°C.

The Aussie Sizzler is reasonably priced for all Australian farmers as we know you areall doing it tough

It is great quality,better value formoney and hasloads of safety modules built in. Call Aussie direct to discussyour cleaning application.

We arehappy to guide youwithproduct selectionand will arrange fordelivery andhandoverfromone of ourdealers in your area

STAY SAFE

AussiePumpsbelieves in sharing our experienceand knowledge on products with usersespecially when it comes to safety.

We offer afreeonline SafeOperator training coursefor allusers of high pressurecleaningequipment

The video-based course explains how themachineswork, identifiespotential hazards andcovers basic maintenance checks to keepthemintop condition

Thiscourseisopentoanyone using a high pressurewasher,regardlessofthe brand beingused

The course can be found in theTraining Academy on theAussie Pumpswebsite. We believe in local support for our products andour dealernetworkare loyal, professionaland keentoassist. If you requireany furtherassistance, please contact me directlyon 02 8865 3500 or email your enquiry to info@aussiepumps.com.au

Aussie Pumps Davy Schrijvers is working with Aussie Gold Dealers in the Victoria to give farmers the best possible products at greatprices.

The Aussie Sizzler hot wash is perfect for cleaning farm gear efficiently

Darcy Simpson form Brownwigg in Maffra shows off their impressive in storedisplayofAussie Firepumps

Good food is amust

Animal nutrient requirements vary according to age, sex and production level (lactating, pregnant or growing).

Colostrum, the dam’sfirst milk, is critical for the health and survival of newborn animals.

This first milk has immunoglobulins and memorycells for ahealthy immune system throughout life.

After that, young animals need milk from the dam or powdered milk appropriate for their particular species.

The rumen slowly becomes functional and the young animal can switch to aforagebased diet after about one month of age.

Young, fast growing and finishing animals requiremoreprotein and energy than older,slow growing animals.

Fresh, vegetative (young) pastureisa good source of protein, energy,fibre, vitamins and minerals for livestock.

Old, maturepasture(seed heads

expressed) is lower in protein and energy, as well as some minerals and vitamins.

Hay,ifcut when plants areinthe

Photo: File

vegetative state, can be veryhigh in protein and energy,and retains much of its vitamin and mineral content.

AnimalHealth &Wellbeing

Keeping livestock healthystarts with the basics

The exception is that vitamin Aislost over the winter as it is stored.

Towardthe end of the finishing period for harvest, the animals requirealot of energy but less protein than at the start.

Very lush pastureand/or lots of grain can take careofthat, but keep at least 10 percent forage (hay) in the diet to keep the rumen functioning properly

Changes in the diet should be done slowly so the animals can adjust.

When turning animals out to anew pasture(or after being on dryhay), make surethe animals arefull of feed (old pastureordry hay) so they do not engorge themselves on too much fresh grass at one time or eat toxic weeds while on a‘feeding frenzy’.

Never feed mouldy hay

Use caution when feeding ryegrass screening pellets or grass-seed straw

Know the weeds that areinyour pasture and bewareoftoxic ones.

WMI Feeders W s

WMI Feeders have been supplying Gippsland farmers with their Australian made Bale Feeders for well over 15 years, through Donalda Motors in Maffra and Bairnsdale, Massaro Motors Morwell, Chapman MachineryService Leongatha and Snowy River Machinery Orbost.

WMI Feeders is abrand well recognised for building models that have revolutionised bale feeding, incorporating valuable feedback from farmers into their designs.

WMI’srange include the Elite Round Bale Feeder,the Pa-Mick Squareand Round Bale Feeder, the Champion 6Round Bale Feeder,and the largest machine in the range, the Albybone, that can feed out six squarebales or five round bales

Larger machines arealso built to order

Their high-quality range of feeders arebuilt tough to withstand harsh farmconditions, with asimplistic design for easy operation and minimal maintenance.

They include models able to handle both hay and silage, and squareand round bales.

All WMI Feeder models are Australian made for local conditions and arecompetitively priced.

Farmers areencouraged to comparethe quality and strength

of WMI’sfeeders as they pass the test everytime.

Elite

The Elite is around bale feeder capable of carrying up to two bales at atime.

It feeds out hay and silage and can handle large round bales.

It has astrong, robust design, user-friendly maintenance, and a high ground clearance.

It also has aversatile loading system with collapsible forks for safety,and rippers that travel over the top of the chassis to reduce component damage.

Champion

This round bale feeder can carry up to six bales and feeds out hay and silage.

Asmaller 4bale machines is also an option.

The Champion has an independent tandem rocker system, plus aversatile loading system with collapsible forks for safety

Like all their feeders, it also has astrong, robust design, plus user-friendly maintenance.

Pa-Mick

The Pa-Mick is ahay and silage feeder,which can carryuptotwo bales at atime, one of each type (round or square), and in any order

It also features high ground clearance, astrong robust design, and acurved chamber

for pad feeding and extendable chamber to accommodate all bales.

Albybone

The Albybone is amulti-bale feeder,capable of handling both round and squarebales of hay It features high ground clearance, astrong robust design, and acurved chamber for pad feeding.

The machine also has an independent tandem rock system, an extendable chamber to accommodate all bales, and can be used for carting in.

Donalda MotorsMaffraand

Bairnsdale -Jarrod

“It’sbeen an absolute pleasure working with WMI from startto finish.

Their unwavering commitment to quality and dedication to supporting Australian manufacturing shines through in everyaspect of their business.

The bale feeders they supply are not only expertly crafted but also proudly Australian-made, which is something we value greatly We highly recommend WMI to anyone in need of atop-quality feeder.”

MassaroMotors-Ray

“MassaroMotors, serving the Gippsland farming community for the past 50 years with Kubota tractors and machinery arenow ‘proud’ distributors for our Australian made WMI Hay

Feeders.

Talk to any of our many owners for their recommendation for WMI feeders for their tick of approval.

Well made, strong solid construction, trouble free and easy to maintain.”

Chapman Machinery

-Cameron

“Chapman MachineryService is a30-year-old family-owned business based in Leongatha dealing with Massey Ferguson, Fendt, Valtra and Kubota.

It has been great to pair our tractors up with Australian owned and engineered feeders from WMI.

Their heavy-duty builds stand up to our conditions.

With the use of common parts areeasy to maintain and repair expanding the life of their products.”

Snowy River-Tony

“Snowy River Machineryhas been adealer for WMI Feeders for almost 15 years.

They have been the best feeders to sell and we never hear back from customers complaining that something is wrong or broken.

Just on the occasion the farmer wants to upgrade to anew machine.

Youreally can’tlook past aWMI Feeder with being Australian made and built to last.”

BALE FEEDER MANUFACTURERS

Local dealersRay and LukeMassarowitha4Bale Champion

Drone Handchangingthe faceoffarming

“If that could check the sheep for me, I could stay on the farmlonger”.

My father,83year old sheep grazier,said as he looked over my shoulder as Iwas taking some photos with my drone at the end of along day

This simple comment sparked an idea that became “Drone-Hand”. Said Edward Barraclough.

“At the time Iwas working as an aerial photographer using drones, helicopters, and light aircraft.

Iknew that thereweredrone softwarefor many things from mapping and surveying to crop monitoring, however therewasn’t anything commercially for livestock.

This led to months of research, customer interviews, co-founding with aleading machine learning engineer,and learning about the “startup” process via Farmers2Founders accelerator programs.

“Being the son of an aging livestock farmer and aprofessional commercial drone services provider,Ihave personally seen the struggles that Australian farmers encounter

The creation of Drone-Hand stemmed from recognising the importance of addressing the welfareofboth farmers and livestock, while supporting an industryfacing growing challenges.

“Staffing and time costs arean extraordinarydrain on livestock farmers in maintaining and protecting their livelihood, which is often exacerbated by unpredictable climate events and other

issues out of their control, such as staffing availability,illness and injury.

“By embracing the current developments in automation, drones and advanced machine learning, Drone-Hand increases sustainability and food security in livestock farming while fundamentally improving efficiency in broadacrelivestock farming.

Reducing staffing costs, reducing vehicle usage and carbon creation, reducing time spent, and reducing livestock mortality by providing real-time aerial property and livestock management through amachine learning driven, autonomous drone flight-app.

“By co-founding with aworld-renowned machine learning engineer,weare changing the face of AgTech and automation by providing an affordable, user-friendly tool. This innovation helps to sustainably increase efficiency,increase accuracy in their livestock and total property management, improve the health and well-being of both animals and farmers, and ultimately increase the farmers’ profits.

“We’ve undergone significant customer validation via morethan 350 customer interviews, exhibitions at many key Ag events including EvokeA in Perth and Beef ’24 in Rockhampton.

Media appearances including ABC CountryHour and morehave resulted in alarge EOI list, of invitations to join pilot programs including the PIRSA Kangaroo Island AgTech Demonstration program and others.

“In 2024 we’ve been awarded $77,000 in grants from LaunchVic, StartSpace and Farmers2Founders, and have been an active member of the startup community

“In the coming months, we will be the first Australian product of its kind to market, with an autonomous drone livestock and total property monitoring system.

“Tocoincide with our launch in June/July, we areopening our first funding round and areopen to expressions of interest of those wanting to join us on our journey to take Australian agricultureinto the future.

“Farmautomation is poised to lead us towards amorestable, sustainable and food securefuture.

“I hope to see you in the skies soon.”

Drone-Hand identifies livestockwith Machine Learning

Edward Barraclough, founder of Drone-Hand

Brown Wigg’sexciting news

With ninestores throughout Gippsland, Brown Wigg is your One StopShopfor all your farming requirements.

The staffhavea wealth of knowledge to assist with your queriesand their rural storesare renowned forbeing the ‘First to Open, Last to Close’ outlet.

ThisJune, BrownWigghave some exciting newstoshare.

From thismonth,they aregiving customers the opportunity to prepay for goods

Thiswillallowfor accounts to be in creditbefore the EOFY,enabling businesses to claim purchasesfor the next12months

By simply prepaying before30 June customers may be entitledto an upfront tax deduction and earn 5percent p.a. on closing monthly balances which arecalculatedatthe endofthe month.

These prepaid balancescan be usedtopurchase itemsfromany of the Brown Wigg Stores throughout Gippsland.

As withany financialagreement thereare anumberoffeatures and conditions.

Thefunds cannotbewithdrawn, once deposited.

All prepaidand bonus funds must be fully redeemed within12months the initial pre-payment and the prepayments amounts must be between$5,000 and $100,000 or otheramount as agreed.

If you have any questionsregarding this fantastic new initiative,pleasecall into your local BrownWiggstorefor more information.

In addition, don’t forget their June EOFY sales activities, all stores willbehaving daily BBQ and super specialsfromthe 17th through to the 29th. Brownwiggisyourone stop shop, anddon’t forget,they arefirst to open, last to close.

ACCURATE, RELIABLE READYTOWORK

ROBOTIC TEAT SPRAYER

Automation Solutions

With Mastitis being awell-known problem within the farming industry, Inionba Pastoral in Kyabram Victoria installed a robot to handle the process of spraying cow teats to prevent infections in their herd.

implementation, it makes it just as suitable for smaller platforms and herds.

Implementing the robot into this process frees up available labour to complete other varying day to day activities and eliminates the numerous OHS risks associated with the task.

The industrial robot was selected for the task due to its robust construction, compact size and generous reach. As well as giving fully synchronized movement with the rotaryplatformitgives areliable and repeatable measured application each and everytime.

The robotic teat spraying system has been designed with easy maintenance in mind, and utilises smart, robust, industrial sensors to identify when and what spray path to follow,making it far moresuitable for Australian milking parlours.

The installation is on a100 stall rotary platform, and the robot comfortably performs its function with spray time of ~2 seconds and total stall speed of ~4 seconds.

With its relative low cost of

If you arealso looking for an intelligent cost effective automated solution to spray cow teats or other dairyprocesses, then Automation Solutions has asolution for you.

Contact us today!

Archbold-Alltech research alliance results confirm environmental benefits of grazing ruminants

Anew six-part video series explores the cattle-grazing carbon cycle andthe role of cattle in mitigating climate change [LEXINGTON, Ky.] –Alltechand Archbold formeda strategic researchalliance in 2019 to jointly develop beef management approaches,specifically to increase the qualityand quantity of beefproducedin subtropical regions whilemaintainingand enhancing theenvironment.

The Archbold–Alltech Alliance brought together scientists from two different disciplines— ecologistsfromArchbold and ruminant nutritionistsfromAlltech —to understand the impact that cattle productionatArchbold’s BuckIslandRanch has on the ecosystem and the ability to sequester carbon.

Over the past five years, the research alliance has created amodel for estimating the ranch’s carbon footprint —and the results have been astounding.

On average, Buck Island Ranch sequesters morecarbon each year than it emits. It is anet-carbon sink.

This research shows that grazing ruminant animals on land benefits the environment and improves carbon cycling.

The results confirm thatcarbon-neutral —and even net-positive —beef production is possibleat BuckIslandRanch, a 10,500-acreranch in Lake Placid, Florida, and that samepotential likely extends to environments around the world.

To showcase the work taking place atthe Buck Island Ranch, the Archbold-Alltech Alliance havereleasedasix-part Planet of Plenty™ video series that explores the cattle grazing carbon cycle, the role of carbon sequestrationinmitigating climate change and other insights the collaborative research alliance has unveiled.

“This research alliance brings together scientists from several disciplines to collaborate on climate-change solutionsand demonstrate agriculture’sgreat potential to positively shape the futureofour planet,” said Dr.Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech.

“These exciting findings at Archbold’s Buck Island Ranch prove that we capturemore carbon when cows aregrazing the land. That is profoundly powerful.”

“Every year,we sequester 1,201tons of

CO2 equivalent at Archbold’sBuck Island Ranch and all of this work is scalable to other parts of the world,” said Dr.Betsey Boughton, Director of Agroecology at Archbold.

“Thenarrative people have heardisthat cowsare bad for theenvironment, but grazing animals can actually change the function of grasslands.

Cows areeating the grass and not allowing as much decomposition to happen on the ground.

Without cows, we actually see morecarbon emitted.”

“We’re trying to let people know that it is not just this black-and-white answer,” she added. “It is complicated, and we need to thinkabout the whole story.”

Though it is acomplex issue, the research has shown that agriculturecan be one of

the most powerful weapons in the fight against climate change.

This collaboration has discovered adeeper understanding of the grazing-cattle carbon cycle, one that is not solely focused on greenhousegas (GHG) emissions from the animal but also on natural GHG emissions from the land and the sequestration of carbon in the soil.

DiscussionsaroundGHGsand global warming often centreonagricultureemissions, but it is important to think beyond emissions and look at the full cycle.

The soil’sability to sequester carbon is a critical partofthe story.

Alltech Crop Science and Ideagro, which joined the Alltech family of companies in 2023, arestudying how microbial populations can enrich soil chemistryand nutrient density,leading to increasedcarbon sequestration in the soil.

The potential to capturecarbon in the soil presents asignificant opportunity for the agri-food community to embrace its critical role in combatting climate change while simultaneously improving soil health, boosting crop yields and promoting biodiversity

For moreinformation and to watch the six-partPlanet of Plenty™ video series, visit https://www.alltech. com/planet-of-plenty/stories/video/ can-cattle-combat-climate-change.

Daviesway did SO much more than find products…

One company did something no-one else considered –itcreated Australia’s most comprehensive calf rearing division.

That company is Daviesway,and this Australian family-owned business, took everything astep further

Not only does it offer everything from meaningful supplements, calf feeders, and colostrum management through to hygiene and housing –sourced from around the world –ormanufactured at its DASCO plant at Heidelberg, in Melbourne, it regularly hosts popular networking luncheons, and it handpicked two staffmembers who live and breathe helping Australian farmers’ rear healthy and happy calves.

Customer supportona newlevel

It’sone thing to have great products.

It’squite another to have the team to help customers get the most from those products.

Brendan Johnson is DASCO’sGeneral Manager (the manufacturing side of Daviesway’sbusiness).

Reared on adairyfarm, he has

spent morethan 20 years in rural merchandise –many of them focussing on calf-rearing.

He is the name behind Daviesway’s decision to become the first business in Australia to manufacturedried colostrum.

Kwik Startistoday an important staple on many Australian farms.

Other heroproducts include Daviesway DASCO’sbestselling probiotic paste, BioBoost, ZorbiFreshTM Active (a bedding conditioner that absorbs up to 199 percent of its weight in moisture), and BioCalf (a probiotic daily powder in-milk supplement with an industryleading 15.5 billion Colony Forming Units).

Heretohelp

The heartofthe calf rearing team includes Cindy Lucas who used to rear up to 500 calves ayear

She continues to run “Calm Calf Contract Calf Rearing” in northern Victoria.

Her role is to offer support, afresh perspective, and solutions when they areneeded.

Keryn Nunan is aformer farmer, who has held several TerritorySales Manager roles in Ag Retail.

She operates across Victoria, Tasmania, and into southernNSW from her northernVictorian base. She still rears calves.

Cindy predominantly operates on-farm.

Keryn focusses on supporting the retail stores, but both women can easily move between the two.

Practical connection

Brendan says Cindy and Keryn offer practical experience, they relate to the pressure-points all calf rearers face, and they bring an important aftersales connection that is changing outcomes and elevating results.

“Calf rearing can be alonely job when things aren’tgoing well,” Brendan said.

“Tobeable to bounce ideas off someone who understands exactly what those challenges are, can be reassuring.

“Cindy and Keryn thoroughly understand the products, how to use them, and they areveryfocussed on

making sureour farmers have local access to the products they need, when they need them.”

Daviesway’s products are available in respected ag retail stores throughout the country.

Services Daviesway’s calf-rearing team offers:

 Calf-rearing audit –agreat way to identify wheretostart.

 Calf-shed design, pen layout, and bedding options/protocols.

 Hygiene and sanitising procedures.

 Colostrum management.

 Feeding programmes.

 Milk-feeding equipment options.

 Calf-health assessment checklist and StandardOperating Protocols.

CINDY LUCAS –0427 192 421 or email: cindy.lucas@daviesway.com.au

KERYN NUNAN –0461 349 371 or email: keryn.nunan@daviesway.com.au

CindyLucas is in her happyplace on-farmhelping her customersrear their best calves.

KerynNunan supports the ag retail stores whichstock Daviesway DASCO’sextensive calf rearing range.

Gippsland Veterinary Hospital

Gippsland VeterinaryHospitals, at Maffra and Sale, and Gippsland Equine Hospital encompass teams of highly skilled professionals and staffwho arecommitted to the health and welfareoftheir patients and the prosperity of their clients.

Constantly rising to the challenge of a continually changing environment, they careabout you, your animals and your future.

Their teams arehighly trained and regularly attend continuing education courses and conferences, ensuring their advice and treatments arebased on the latest scientifically accepted evidence. Their professional skills arebacked by the excellent facilities and equipment at all of their clinics.

Equine Veterinary Services

Gippsland Equine Hospital has purpose built surgeryfacilities, and two

experienced equine surgeons available for both emergency and elective surgery.

The digital x-ray equipment is portable allowing for on farmand in clinic diagnosis.

Thereare five stables, all lined with padded rubber to make acomfortable stay for patients. Thereisalso adouble sized stable perfect for amareand foal.

Equine AmbulatoryServices

The veterinaryteam offer a comprehensive range of equine health services from vaccinations, general health checks, gelding, and nutrition advice, routine and emergency care.

Equine Dentals

Equine dental services areperformed by experienced vets with Powerfloat for optimum assessment, diagnosis and treatment including sedation and pain

relief as required.

They also performadvanced dental procedures such as tooth extractions and x-rays.

Gastroscopyand Endoscopy

State of the artdiagnostics for assessment of upper respiratoryconditions and inflammatoryconditions as well as gastroscopy for assessment of gastric ulcers areavailable.

Reproduction

The facility includes adummy for training and collecting stallions for fresh, chilled and frozen Artificial Insemination (AI). Mares can be prepared and inseminated with fresh, chilled and frozen semen. They also offer embryo transfer and have arecipient mareherd.

ProDairy

Gippsland veterinaryhospital is now

enrolling clients in this innovative program. Designed for dairyfarmers and delivered by dairyvets, ProDairypromotes cow health, welfareand production.

Their proactive approach to dairysystems with afocus on preventative health allows monitoring of disease status within aherd.

Early identification of animal health issues provides the best opportunity for treatment with minimal impact on profitability

ProDairytreatment protocols guide the usage of all prescription medicines under the supervision of your herdveterinarian.

ProDairycan provide you with competitively priced products due to the scale of the business and national network of clinics.

Finally,the service programs have been designed with farmers in mind. They have been extensively road-tested to deliver value and improved efficiency on-farm.

GIPPSLAND VETERINARY HOSPITAL —BEEF CATTLE SERVICES

Gippsland Veterinary Hospital’s experienced team of cattle vets provide ambulatoryemergency care 24 hoursa day for beef cattle farmers across Gippsland. We pride ourselves on our preventativemedicine focus. Our vets are encouraged to developanindepth understanding of ourclients’ farming operations so that they become an integral part of the farm’s management team.

BULL TESTING

Comprehensive assessments for bulls to ensure they are in optimum condition for service.

BIOSECURITY

Guidance and assistancewith implementing sound biosecurity measures to protectbeef farms from the spread of disease andpests

HERD HEALTH

Extensive range of herd health services with a focus on welfare, preventativehealth and productivity.

WEANING

Advice on methods of weaning, feed options and thebest time to wean beef calves to bring cows back in condition and maximise conception rates.

Ex-Vic Governor to head Beyond Blue

THE BeyondBlueBoard has appointed

The Honourable Linda Dessau AC CVO as Beyond Blue Chair

Ms Dessau– awidely respectedformer Governor,celebrated community leader and pioneering legal figure–was unanimously endorsedfor the role by Beyond Blue directors at ameeting last week.

She will take up the role immediately.

“I’m delighted to accept this role with an organisation that plays such avital role in the community,” Ms Dessau said.

“Over morethan two decades, Beyond Blue has established itself as one of the nation’s most trusted and recognised mentalhealth organisations,and Ishare its vision that all people in Australiaachievetheirbest possible mental health.”

Ms Dessau served eight years as Governor of Victoria until last June. Prior to that, she had adistinguished career as afederal Family Court judge and as amagistrate serving with the Children’s Court, Magistrates’ Court and Coroners Court. Ms Dessau led and participatedinseveral reformist national projects, including those involving family violence and childabuse, to support legal aid, and modernising the system.

Ms Dessau has also been active in supporting adiverse range of community-based causes and organisations. She has served on the boardofTurning Point Drug and Alcohol Centre, been anAFL Commissioner, was President of the Melbourne International Arts Festival, aTrustee of the National GalleryofVictoriaand member of theRoyal Children’s Hospital Ethics Committee.

“Over my career,Ihave seen how the cards we’redealt in life can shift and shape our mental health and wellbeing,” she said. “I often reflectonpeople’s remarkable

resilience and capacity for growth through adversitywhen they have the right supports at the right time.

“I join Beyond Blue at atime when so many people in Australia from all walks of life aredealing everyday withsignificant upheaval, uncertainty and pressures, and amental health crisis that is disproportionately affecting our young people, First Nations communities, people who live in regional Australia and the bush, andmany other groups.

“I look forwardtoworking with my Board colleaguesand supporting the team to deliver Beyond Blue’s strategy and focus on prevention and earlier intervention,” Ms Dessau added.

The announcement follows the appointment in April of BeyondBlue’s previous Chair, Sam Mostyn AO, as Australia’s next Governor-General.

BeyondBlue’s ChiefExecutive, Georgie Harman, said the organisation was fortunate to have aleaderofMsDessau’s calibre, connections, and influence.

“Ms Dessau is impeccably credentialled and has decades of involvement in progressive governance,legal, business and community endeavours,” Ms Harmansaid

“She is ideally placed to assume the Chair for Beyond Blue as we continue our work helping all Australians to feel better earlier, to get well and to stay well.”

If youorsomeone youknow needshelp, phone Beyond Blue Support Service on 1300 22 4636 or visit beyondblue. org.au/getsupport

New Chair of Beyond Blue, The Honourable Linda Dessau.

Photo: Contributed

Petition to stop proposed national park

BUSHusers haverampeduptheir fight against the state government, launching aparliamentary e-petition opposing any potential closureofpublic access in Victoria’s state forests.

The petition is in responsetoLabor’s review into the futureofVictorian state forests and calls on it to guarantee no new nationalsparkswillbeestablished and the continuation of traditional recreational activities in state forests.

Miners and prospectors also fear that the forest study will lock up swathes of forest and shacklemining as adriveroflocal economic growth and jobs.

ShadowParliamentary Secretary for PublicLand Use and The Nationals Memberfor Eastern Victoria, MelinaBath, is sponsoring the petition and will table it in parliament later this year

Echoingcommunityconcern, Ms Bath maintains goodforest management practice does not have to mean theexclusionof traditional pursuits.

“The actions of Labor’s misguided green ideologyhas inflicted significant ecological damage on our public land -The Nationals strongly supportactivemanagement of state forests and that includes supportingbush users and public access to public land," she said. “Victoria’s treasured national parks arealready neglected, addingmorewill not improve environmental outcomes.

Ms Bath said 60 per cent of Department of Energy, Environmentand Climate Action staffoperated out of metropolitan Melbourne. "Labor fails to comprehend that public land is best managed with boots, not suits," she said.

"The Allan Government’s appalling environmentalpolicies have failed and led to overgrown tracks, increased bushfirerisk and aboom in invasive weeds and feral animals. Locking up public land is not a conservation strategy, it’s neglect.”

Ms Bath said activities such as prospecting, free camping, horse riding, four-wheel driving, trail bike riding, dog walking and huntingwould all be banned in any new national park.

“Bush users overwhelmingly respect and preserve public land, their activities stimulatejobs in regional communities and have apositive impactonmental wellbeing. Following Labor’s recent public consultations, many community members areadamant that their opinions arebeing ignored by Labor and the outcome of its consultation is predetermined."

Ms Bath said the petition had been launched to help bush users reclaim their

voice fromaLabor governmentwhich doesn’t want them to be heard.“Their message is clear,nomorenew national parks and public land belongs to the people -as an avid bush user Iwill continue to support them and be theirvoice in the parliament.” The e-petitioncan be signed online at parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/ petitions/stop-the-creation-of-any-newnational-parks/

Study awardfor youngbeef leaders

APPLICATIONS for the Matthew George Young Stockman Award for 2024 are now open.

The award,facilitated by the Ballarat Foundation, provides an opportunity for young breeders,aged 21 to 30 years, to undertake astudy tour of beef cattle breeding programs, developments and practices As well, theyact as ambassadors for the beef cattle industry in Australia.

Sixteen young industry leaders have been rewarded with the awardsince 2009, creating alegacy of positive impact in the agricultural industry.

This awardisoffered nationally, with the winner being announced at the Royal Melbourne Show.

Mr George livedin the StockyardHill area in Victoria and at age 19 he bought a property about seven kilometres from his parents’ farm. Mr Georgedied in November 2007, aged 21, as aresult of amotor vehicle crash close to home.

From the time Mr George could walk, he was his father’s shadow; he embraced farm life from that point on. He was a natural at handling stock whetherit be sheep or cattle but as he grew older,cattle (and Black Angus cattle in particular)became his passion. He loved to preparehis animals for the show ring and the sale ring and provided the same service to other leading cattle studs in Victoria.

Mr George was like asponge when it came to genetics. He would study every stud sale catalogue, American and Canadian Angus Journals and kept them as aready reference.

When Mr George went to aStud cattle sale he would already have chosen the cattle he would like to buy. He wasn’t successful in buying all the cattle he liked because the ones he had selected usually went for the highest prices.

Mr George’s dream was to travel to Canada on a working holiday. He wanted

to stay at some of the Stud ranches where they welcomed the help and in exchange gave you afirst-hand experience on how their operation worked.

Mr George really wantedtosee the Angus genetics in Canada as he believedthis was wherehis own Angus Stud would benefit the most. His quest was to find the magic genetics that would elevate his Stud Stock to bethe breeding stock that other cattle breeders wanted to place in their breeding herds.

After Mr George’s death, the Angus cattle family of Australia rallied together, alongwithlocal business fromBeaufort and Ballarat area in Victoria, to formThe Matthew George Young Stockman Award in his memory.

Awardrecipients have used money from the awardtoparticipate in overseas study tours.

Lilli Stewart, the2019 awardwinner, who travelled in 2023due to pandemic

restrictions, said Mathew George’s dream had inspired many people to travel outside their comfort zones to embrace the opportunity of alifetime.

“As I'm shaping my futureinthe Australian beef industry, this experience is invaluable; therehave been no better people to learn from than those living and breathing our industry daily,” she said.

Ballarat Foundation’s Chief Executive, AndrewEales, said the foundationwas proud to continue to honour the memory of Matthew.

“This is agreat opportunitytoexplore and understand how the Australian cattle industry is becoming aworld leader in breeding program,” he said.

Awardcriteria and information on how to enter is available at ballaratfoundation. org.au

Entries are nowopenand close on July 5, 2024.

Bush users don’twanttolose their rights.

Photo: Contributed

Help to improve pastureproductivity

Katrina BRANDON

PASTURE Smarts,aninnovative pasture management app for farmers to make their farms moreproductiveand sustainable, was releasedatthe Dairy Innovation Open Day at Ellinbank SmartFarmonMay 9.

Pasture Smarts is an app thatfarmerscan access -the result of six years of consultation and research from the AVRteam and DairyFeedbase program, who spent the years on farms, with farmers, seeing what worked best for measuring pasture and then developing auser-friendly app.

The head of Agriculture Victoria Research (AVR), Dr Simone Warner,said PastureSmarts was just oneexample

of thetranslationofresearch fromthe DairyFeedbase program into afarmer-ready product.

"This app delivers pasturemeasurement technology into an easy-to-use app that we hope will assist farmers in saving time and optimising their feed-base planning and use,” Dr Warner said.

“PastureSmartsisagroundbreaking, personalised dairy pasturemanagement system designed to assist farmers on the farmtomaximise productionand utilise pasturebyoptimising the daily pasture allocation.

"It also assists farmers to provide supplementary feeding requirements tailored

for eachherd, to forecastfuturepasture growth, which enables advance feed base planning, and to keep records of pasture management in one convenient place.”

Theapp caterstoall that graze perennial ryegrass pastures, and brings in soil and climate data that arespecific to howthings areonthe farm.

The Pasture Smarts App was built with farmer consultation and significant funding from the AgTech Regional Innovation Network and AgricultureVictoria Services

Allan Cameron, chairperson of the Victorian Dairy Innovation Agreement and chief executive of the Gardiner Foundation, said he was excited to attend the launch.

He said: “With thelaunchofPasture Smarts,wewill witness firsthandthe output of the incredible research made by world-leading scientists. We areonthe cusp of producing on-farminnovation.”

The research and back-end pasture measurement technology was ateam effort between DairyAustralia,Gardiner Dairy Foundation, and AgricultureVictoria via their DairyFeedbase joint venture.

The web application and front-end were delivered via the AgTech Regional Innovation Network andAgricultureVictoria Services

For moreinformation on signing up with PastureSmarts, go to app.pasturesmarts. com

Cattlechiefurgesmethanechanges

CATTLE Australia (CA) has urged regulators to update their greenhouse gas emission calculations to reflect the science on beef cattle emissions and fully realise the potential for the industry to be part of the solution to climate change.

CA Chief Executive, Dr Chris Parker, said unlike the burning of fossil fuels, the beef industry was not an exhaust pipe into the atmosphere.

“The beef industry is unique, in that methane is the largest attributable greenhouse gas to our sector,not carbon dioxide,” Dr Parker said.

“It is important to recognise thatnotwithstanding their warming effect, methane emissions arepart of a12-year,short-lived biogenic cycle and thereforehave adifferent impact on global warming than emissions from fossil fuels, which areadditional to

the atmosphereand persist for thousands of years, if not millennia.”

A2023 report from the CSIRO, 'Pathways to climate neutrality for the Australian red meatindustry', recognisedthatdifferent targets were needed for different types of emissions in order to measure the industry’sprogress towards achieving astate climate neutrality.

“Cattle Australia supports atarget to be climate neutral, apoint at which emissions from the beef industry will have no additional impact on globaltemperature rise,” Dr Parker said.

“The Australian beef supplychain has shown its commitment with significant contributions towards mitigating its emissions and will continueto do so, with large sections of the industry already sequestering moreCO2 than they produce.

“Giventhe scale of Australiangrazing land, beef producers also have the ability to sequester carbon in vegetation and soil like no other sector

“These risks will potentially involve costly interventions and greater difficulty accessing financialservices, which would have directimplications on productioncosts and asset values,” Dr Parker said.

He said the beef industry was important to the solution to stabilise global warming, but was beingstymied by an accounting method that didn’t reflect the complexity of grass-fed enteric methane.

“Thereisalack of understanding regarding the net position of grass-fed enteric methane emissions, and we areonly partially measuring the emissions versus sequestration equation (CO2 capture through biomass).”

Dr Parkersaid the beef industry had specificnuances whenitcomes toGHG emission, and thereneeded to be morework done to understand the biogenic natureof methane emissions from grass-fed cattle and the manner in which this contributes both to net GHG emissions and to atmospheric warming.

“It is crucial governmentand industry research efforts areinsync, and producers have access to accurate data onthe net effect of both their CO2 and their methane emissions -something which is currently missing," Dr Parker said.

“Thereisareal opportunity heretofurther display the benefit of redmeat production in Australia to the environment while considering the importance of food security, nutritional security, and the societal role of meat.”

LIV Golf Adelaide: loud and dangerous

Ian WHITEHEAD

THE LIV golf circuit or circus, depending on your perspective, rolled into Adelaide’s Grange golf course recently.

Chief executive Greg Norman oversees 52 golfers with astrong international contingent.The players aresplit into 13 teams of four.Upbeat names, such as the Rippers, Stingers, and Fireballs arethe roadmap to attract ayounger,funkier,louder following.

Atotalof $5 million of the $25 million prize money is dedicated to the winning team.

The idea is that you follow not just an indivfidual but awhole team. The Rippers, an all-Aussie team led by Cameron Smith won the Adelaide team event at the second play-offhole, defeating the South African Stingers.Thisisthe LIV vision; for The Rippers to become the Collingwood of golf. Rope haired UK golfer,Tommy Fleetwood, falsely linked to LIV golf because he happened to drop in for alook, reports, “The players seem to enjoy it… everyone seems chilled andrelaxed.” The serious grimaces on the PGA tour is past tense at LIV golf wherethe lastplaceinthe no cut field pockets $120,000.

Fleetwood, along withdozens of world ranked golfers,have rejected handsomeLIV offers. Max Homa says he didn’t even open the letter.(eventually his partner insisted; maybe she shops on 5th Avenue )Will Zalatoris says, if money was life’s highpoint, he would be an investment banker

The current LIV contingent is an eccentric mix.

John Rahm, the newly acquired former World No.1, heads the star power,with a sign on fee reported at $450 million. Rahm would expect to go toe-to-toe with Aussie champ, Cameron Smith, the feisty Patrick Reid, chip on the shoulder multi major winner,BrooksKoepka, and the cheerfully charismatic Bryce DeChambeau. Down the quality rung areex-journeymen suchasSouth AfricanDeanBurmester and US trundler,Brendan Steele. Tailing most fields, we findaging stalwarts, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter,and Phil Mickelson.

LIV Golf Australia is the rebel circuit’s Bethlehem Star.Due to the tyranny of distance and the disinterest of the US PGA in golf beyond its immediate borders, 94,000 fans, starved of world class internationals, flock to the event. The quality of golf was outstanding, with chip ins, long putts and poundeddrivesproducingmuch whooping and hollering.

LIV delivered on its “Golf but Louder” mantra.

Atiny percentage of thegallery will rememberlastyear’swinner. Butthey remember the party hole 12th when Chase Koepka’s hole in one, prompted ashower of beer cups onto the tee.

But this year’s non highlight was astep too far when Lucas Herbert’s caddy was struck at the samehole with awater bottle In aweirdtwist, Herbert has said areason for joining LIV Golf (beyond the obvious) was the underwhelming media coverage,whenhewon the 2023ISPSHanda Championship in Japan.

The winners of LIV golf events arerarely household names. Playing predominantly on holiday style resort courses, the easeof the conditions doesn’t allow, as it does in major championships, for the cream to rise to the top. So it was in Adelaide, with US player Brendan Steele averaging abirdie everythree holes,finishing the 54-hole event at 18 under par.Itwas Steele’s first win in seven years. Fifty of the 54 competitors finished under par with the median field scoreat-10.

Steele collects $4 million US. In comparison, run away World Number1,Scottie Scheffler wins $3.6 million for his recent tour win at Harbor Town, South Carolina. It’s hardto escape the conclusion that LIV golf… first, second and thirdis about money. No current tour can compete with the bottomless Saudi money pit. Something soon needs to give.

Thereis an historicTraralgon connection with Greg Norman. As a23-year-old, Norman won the Traralgon ProClassic in 1978 and again in 1979.

So, as Gippsland advocates, and particularly Traralgon GolfClub members,should we doublyadmirearguably Australia’s greatest ever golfer? Should he indeed be lauded for gate crashing the US PGA exclusive brethren comfort zone? In astellar career,GregNorman won two British Opens,won 20 times on the US tour and in past decadeshas overseen the development of golf courses around the world.

Or do golfloversalign with the likes of NickFaldo, claimingthatwhatever

accoladesare directed at Greg Norman, by splitting world golf as never before, he has well and truly trashed his legacy. Do local golfers identify with Australian 1990 US PGAwinner, Wayne Grady,who in a Facebook post says, “From someone who has known Greg for 50 years, Greg is only about Greg. Hehas been trying to take down the PGA Tour for 30 years.”

At Traralgon Golf Club,the answerto such questions depends on who you ask.

Great show of support at meeting

Liam DURKIN

THE SCG might have had Yabba, but on the local football scene, thereare few that could rival the parochialism of one-club support much like John Johnson. No, that’s not atypo, that’s actually his name -John Johnson, moreover,‘Johno’ as he is known to the hundreds who come to home games involving the Moe FootballNetballClubinthe GippslandLeagueto watch from the famed ‘Can Bar’. With the bar overseeing the forwardpocket at TedSummerton Reserve from an elevated position,barely adeedgoesunnoticed without Johno’s critique. His passion is unquestioned, while his numerous throwaways areoften recalled andevenrecorded under the category of ‘Johno’s one liners’.

Over the years, he has been the unofficial

leaderofthe Can Bar,who in turnhave sponsored player awards.

Aplayer capturing the interest of Johno is often presented the ‘Can Bar Award’, which has become highly sought after

Such is his love for the Lions, his house is only ashort walk from Moe’s home ground.

At thathouse is ‘Johno’s Shed’, which became the namesake for arace at Moe Racing Club’s most recent meeting.

Johno, along with agroup of mates, got together to enjoy the thrill of having their own race at the club’s Tuesday, May 14 midweek meeting.

As the race program read, Race 6Johnno’s Shed0-64 Handicap, the group watched on as MarbleNine for the Leon and Troy Corstens stable won the 1000 metresprint by close to three lengths.

Perhaps fittingly givenJohno’smates’

liking for agood time, the winning jockey in their race wasBen Allen, who also spins some tunes as aDJwhen not in the saddle.

The mates were joinedinthe mounting yardbyMoe Racing Club Chairman Mike Vanderfeen, and enjoyed hospitality in the Hillside Pavilion and in the winning connections circle.

The group hadstrongconnectionsto Moe FNC extendingfar beyond supporting.

Among the group was Jim Kielty, father of current Lions senior-playing coach Declan, and Moe FNC life member Greg Fox. ‘Foxy’ can be found at home games fulfilling the role of interchangesteward for the reserves.

The eight-race cardatMoe saw local successinRace3, with Shamrock Bay winning the Bottlemart Moe Maiden Plate (1000m) for Moe trainers Paul and Tracey Templeton.

Traralgon local Ian Whiteheadhas penned his thoughts on the LIV golfcircuit,overseen by the legendary Greg Norman, atwo-time winner of the Traralgon Golf Club Pro-Am Classic. Photo: Contributed

The Johno’s Shed crew in the Moe Racing Club mounting yardwith racing club chairman Mike Vanderfeen (left). Pictured is PeterHopkins, Jim Kielty,John ‘Johno’ Johnson, Shannon Fox, Greg Fox, KenGallagher and Steve Evans.

Photo: Liam Durkin

Winning connections from the Trafalagr/Moe-based Templeton stable celebrate Shamrock Bay’s win at Moe Racing Club.

Photo: Racing Photos

Umpiring stalwart ticks past 900 games

IN his 36th year of umpiring country football, umpiring stalwart Barry Lawrence ticked offhis 900th game with the Latrobe Valley Umpires Association last month.

Lawrence stepped out for the occasion when Morwell played Warragul in Round 7of the Gippsland League at Morwell Recreation Reserve. Lawrencecan still remember how things werewhen he started.

“When Ibeganumpiring in 1989, the VFL werebanishing umpires to the bush and we would have one of their umpires and one of ours in all Latrobe Valley senior games each weekend,” he said.

“Wehad alarge compliment of umpires and if you didn’t have agame, you had to ring the secretary on Saturday morning to see if therewereany changes.

“I, likemost, trained fourorfive days a week and if we didn’t turnuptotraining to learnour craft, we didn’t get agame.”

On the field, Lawrence has been involved in anumber of senior Grand Finals in the Gippsland andMid Gippsland FootballNetballLeague, as wella VFL Under 16 carnival, and anumber of marquee and umpiremilestone games.

However,he believed his biggest role has been offthe field.

“I’ve taken on anumber of roles inan

off-field capacity over the years, president, director of umpiring, junior development, committee and social committee,and (I) have been the boundary umpirecoach for 18 years,” he said.

“ThemainreasonIhavekeptinvolved has been the people you meet in football, my love for thepanel,its membersand country football, and the massive support Ihave had from my family.”

The work Lawrence has put into off-field work has been recognised with life membership to the LVUA in 1998, outstanding servicestothe LVUA,and he even has a perpetual shield named in his honour

“As acoach Ihave enjoyed mentoring and training many young girls and boys taking to the field for their first game and watching local lads I’ve had the pleasureofworking with and helping to develop runningonthe big stage with the VFL or AFL,” he said.

The level of football in the Latrobe Valley grew in Lawrence’s early days, with clubs opting to recruit VFL stars to increase the level of competition.

From an umpiring perspective too, Lawrence has worked with anumber of big names in Latrobe Valley umpiring circles.

“I have been fortunate enough to work with some very talented and committed people

in umpiring, Les Ponton, Peter Box, Tim Pianta, Rex McGowan andBryan Sultana, in an off-field capacity. Darren Fletcher, Ian Green, Steve Buhagiar,Sean Maxwell, James Heland andthe long-servingDon Wight andPeterNorth, and manyother umpiringfriends in an on-fieldcapacity, and (I)have the blessing of my family to keep going,” he said.

Umpiring panels arecurrently struggling to cover their full list of games each week, and the LVUA welcome anyone,male or female, that wants to take on umpiring.

“It’s not as dauntingasitlooks, thereare a lot of supportprograms, very friendly people and panels provide great coaching and on and offfield support,” Lawrence said.

“Teams and leagues are very supportive. Every time we cross that white line it’s all about the game, and the players there won’t get agame without umpires, so I urge people to support their clubs by being positive towards the players and umpires, takingonroles to supportcountry football and netball,and seriouslylookatgiving umpiring ago.

“You meet great people, learnnew skills, earnmoney and itlooks goodonyour resume.”

PendleburyisCollingwood’s greatest: Buckley

Blake METCALF-HOLT

COLLINGWOOD legend NathanBuckley

has stamped Sale’s Scott Pendlebury with the labelasthe Magpies’ greatest-ever player Buckley, himself in the conversation as Collingwood’s greatest, made the assertion during arecent editionofthe Fox Footy program On theCouch (airedMonday, May 20).

“I went to the MCG on (last) Saturday afternoon, and Iwatched the best player to everpull on aCollingwood guernsey go about his business and that’sScott Pendlebury,” the 2003 Brownlow medallist firmly stated.

“There’s no one that goes close to this bloke.”

There’s alot to choose from in the club’s 132-year history. As well as Buckley, there is Gordon Coventry, who sits secondon

the all time AFL/VFLgoal-kicking list, premiership skipper Tony Shaw,and 2011 Brownlow medallist Dane Swan, just to name afew.

Manyhaveflirtedwiththe notionof Pendlebury being number one, as he continuesto defy history in his 19thseason at the top level.

Buckley coachedPendlebury in 207 games and 12 finals over 10 seasons.

Pendlebury has no questioncarved out ahistoriccareer,captainingthe Magpies in 214 matches (club record), attracting 221 Brownlowvotes (fifth all-time), and this year,became the first player to record 10,000 career disposals.

The icing on that cake will arrive individually, assuming Pendlebury cracks the 400-game mark thisyear(only reached by five other players in V/AFL history), which appearsamereformality.

Despite hitting age 36, who knows when

Lions settofreeze MND

MOE Football-NetballClubispreparing to host another bumper event in support of the Fight MND campaign.

The Lions have set aside their home game against Wonthaggi on Saturday, June 8 (Round 9ofthe Gippsland League) to hold its Fight MND day.

Another hugecrowd is expected,and the Lions areinviting all neighbouring football-netball clubs to join in festivities at TedSummerton Reserve.

The usual festivities synonymouswith the AFL Big Freeze event will take part, as the community rallies to help ‘freeze MND’. Anumber of local celebrities have agreed to go under the water

Last year’s event attracted afinals-like crowd to TedSummerton Reserve, which was highlighted by the great Neale Daniher the face of the Fight MND campaign, attending in person.

His son, Ben is acurrent Moe player

The Freeze events areslated to take place around 2pm, although patrons areadvised to arrive early as parking is expectedto fill very fast.

Those attending areencouraged to wear the blue Fight MND beanies,available from Coles supermarkets.

that ticker grinds to ahalt completely.

That must be what Buckley was referring to when he spokein-depthabout Pendleburythe playerduringthe shows airing.

“He’s not the fastest, he’s not the strongest,he’snot the fittest,but Ireckon he might be the smartest player that’s ever played,” Buckley said.

‘Bucks’ wasstill dominatingwhen Pendlebury entered the competition as the heralded Pick5 out ofGippsland Power

The iconic Number 5inthe black and white had 29 disposals and kickedsix goals in Pendlebury’s debut in 2006.

Pendlebury was therefor Buckley’s last game -the 2007 Preliminary Final loss to Geelong.

Pendlebury and the Magpies would reap in success only afew years later,inthe historic two-leg 2010 Grand Final against St Kilda where‘Pendles’ was named Norm

Smith Medallist in the replay.

Buckleywas still seated quite closely during this period as an assistant coach, and eventually took over from Mick Malthouse for the 2012 season.

Fast forwardtonow,and Pendlebury still stands as oneofCollingwood’smost important players as Collingwood hunts a record17th premiership.

Apractical on-field coach directing traffic hasled to speculation Pendlebury will take on someformofcoaching followinghis playing career

“It’s not what he does with (the) ball in hand that necessarily sets him apart… it’s what he does when he’s, basically, setting up his teammates,” Buckley said Pendlebury is stillaveraging morethan 20 disposals agame.

However,statistics do notdojustice to the influence he has on his side, and as Buckley said “his impact on the total game”.

Risking head and spin

last month.

The photoinquestion showed thepair posing in front of ared Jeep Rubicon. The photo was posted to the closed Facebook group ‘Loch Sport Notice Board’, with the caption:“Nice to see Dusty at the lake for the photo shootdespite yesterday’s thumping”.

Thepost went live on Monday, May 13 following Richmond’s 91-point loss to the WesternBulldogsthe previousSaturday

night. The false alarmisbelieved to be aphoto of the pair at theentrance of the 2020 Brownlow Medal, which was hosted on the Gold Coast.

It is believed that Martin and Cotchin werenot in Loch Sport orthe surrounding region despite the false claims. The photo sparked speculation the pair werelooking at propertyin the popular Gippsland holiday destination. Loch Sport real estate agents confirmed to GippslandFarmer they hadnot spotted the AFL megastars.

Latrobe Valley umpiring legend Barry Lawrence reached the incredible mark of 900 games last month. Photo: File

Moe Football-Netball Club will again host its Big Freeze event,insupport of the Fight MND campaign. Pictured at last year’s event is the greatNeale Daniher (extreme right) and popular AFL past player Sam Kekovich (blue jacket).

Photo: Julie Sim

This photo caught the attention of locals in aclosed Loch Sport group, who believed Richmond superstars Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin wereintown. Photo: Contributed OF course it was too good to be true. Aresurfaced photo of Richmond legends Dustin Martinand Trent Cotchin sent some locals into aspin