Gippsland Farmer November 2023 by lvexpress.com

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Phone: (03) 5135 4444

November, 2023

Having Hav ving a ball in in Mallacoota Mallaco Photo: Zoe Askew

The annual Mallacoota Cup was another great success, as clubs from Victoria and New South Wales descended on the coastal town for three days of festive football. MORE - PAGES 38-39

Farmers enjoying dairy dividends Philip HOPKINS

A NEW report has found Victorian dairy farmers enjoyed one of their most profitable 12 months in the past 17 years, with 96 per cent of Gippsland farmers reporting a positive return on assets despite costs reaching their highest level in 17 years. Agriculture Victoria has released the 2022-2023 Dairy Farm Monitor, an annual survey tracking 80 dairy farm businesses statewide. Agriculture Victoria sector development and services executive director, Dougal Purcell, said the report showed that in 2022-2023, milk price increased by 33 per cent to $9.77 per kilogram milk solids - the highest on record in 17 years - helping to offset rising feed costs and overheads including labour. A total of 1027 dairy businesses in Gippsland produced 1.82 billion litres of milk in 2022-23, accounting for 35 per cent of Victoria's milk production and 22 per cent of Australia's milk output.

In Gippsland, the average milk price rose by 35 per cent to $9.63/kg MS. A total of 24 of the 25 Gippsland participants had a positive return on assets. Compared to the previous 2021-22 financial year, average EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) went from $273,000 to $505,000; average net farm income went from $188,000 to $361,000; the average return on total assets went from 4.2 per cent to 6.9 per cent; and the average return on equity went from 6.2 per cent to 12.1 per cent. Average herd size was up seven per cent to 344 cows; milk solids sold were up two per cent to 481 kg MS/cow, but home-grown feed was down four per cent, with 60 per cent of metabolisable energy consumed. However, costs for Gippsland dairy farmers also increased: in herd and shed costs were up 11 per cent to $0.71/kg MS; in total feed costs rose by 25 per cent to $4.19/kg MS; and overhead costs were up nine per cent to $2.83/kg MS. There was a four per cent decrease in homegrown feed (pasture plus conserved)

due to wet conditions; and a 0.2 t DM/cow increase in average supplements feed (rose to 3.0 t DM/cow) at higher unit prices. The highest total ($/kg MS) costs (variable and overhead) were the highest in 17 years. The largest contributors were elevated grain and fodder prices. The main concerns of Gippsland dairy farm businesses were labour (18 per cent), input costs (18 per cent), climate and seasonal conditions (16 per cent) and pasture fodder (16 per cent). However, three quarters of Gippsland farmers expect business returns to stabilise. Mr Purcell said it was pleasing to see Victorian dairy farmers come out on top after a year of higher business inputs, wet conditions and flooding. "We thank the Dairy Farm Monitor project participants for their dedicated support for this initiative, providing such valuable information to industry and government," he said. Agriculture Victoria’s Dairy Farm Monitor project is a partnership with Dairy

Australia, collecting and analysing financial and production data from dryland and irrigated dairy farms in Gippsland, and in south-western and northern Victoria. Dairy Australia General Manager for Research & Innovation, Greg Jarman, said farmers were making multiple operational and tactical decisions on a daily, weekly and seasonal basis. "Some of these decisions can have a lasting impact on the profitability and sustainability of their farm," he said. "The Dairy Farm Monitor Project is a valuable source of independent physical and financial data around a wide range of on-farm practices, equipping farmers with essential insights to inform their decision making. This information also ensures that on-farm consultants and industry stakeholders can use reliable, independent and useful information and resources to provide good advice to farmers." Continued - Page 2

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THE Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has welcomed the state government’s explanation that the Vacant Residential Land Tax to farm properties in regional Victoria does not apply to houses on primary production land. After the government announced it would extend the vacancy tax to regional areas, the VFF queried the possible adverse effects on houses intended for farm workers. The Treasurer’s October policy changed land tax adjustments in all contracts from January 1, 2024, and included an expansion of the vacant residential land tax regime. The new legislation proposes to extend the vacant residential land tax to all vacant residential land in Victoria and extend it to simple vacant residential land. Currently, the vacant residential land tax generally only applies to residential dwellings that are not occupied for six months or more of a calendar year, and it only applies to properties within the 16 inner-metro Melbourne areas. VFF president Emma Germano said the Treasurer responded directly to the VFF’s advocacy by clarifying the extension of the vacant residential land tax will not apply

to houses on primary production land. “It is important the government understands that circumstances in regional areas are often far different to those in Melbourne,” she said. “The application of this tax to vacant farmhouses would be completely unfair, given these houses are used for seasonal workers, or where a vacancy has been forced due to workforce shortages.” Ms Germano said that while the tax would not be applied to houses on primary production land, it could still apply to other properties used by farm businesses for worker accommodation. “Whilst we appreciate the clarification, the VFF remains sceptical about the potential impact and execution of this policy,” she said. “We remain concerned that there may be circumstances where houses used for farm workers are not located on farmland and therefore may be subject to this new tax. “It’s important that we don’t have policy on the run which unfairly treats farmers and leads to perverse outcomes.” Ms Germano said the VFF will closely monitor the implementation of the tax across regional communities.

Positive dairy returns From Page 1

PROJECT participants represent a distribution of farm size, feeding systems and herd sizes. Farmers use the reports for business decision making, tracking performance of their business over time, making large scale changes and assisting with financial management. Valued at $2.5 billion, Victorian dairy

leads the nation’s exports. The gross value of milk produced in Victoria is worth $2.86 billion and the sector supports almost 13,000 jobs almost half of which are in regional Victoria. There were about 2773 dairy farm businesses in Victoria that produced 5.14 billion litres or 63 per cent of Australia’s national milk production in 2022-23.

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

November, 2023

RURAL NEWS

Climate-Smart Agriculture Program PROGRAMS to improve soil quality, investments in on the ground projects and a new network of facilitators to help farmers to improve sustainability on their properties are key parts of the federal government's new plan for a sustainable agriculture system. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Murray Watt, outlined and explained the program in a speech to the Australian Food Institute Agrifood Strategy Roundtable. Senator Watt said building the sustainability of Australian agriculture and helping the sector adapt to climate change was a core priority of the Albanese government. "That’s why we have committed more than $302 million through the Natural Heritage Trust to create the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program," he said. "The Natural Heritage Trust is the government’s key investment platform for achieving its natural resource management, sustainable agriculture and environment protection outcomes." "Programs will also facilitate industry adoption of climate-smart practices to help reduce emissions and build resilience to climate change." Senator Watt said the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program continued the

investment into sustainability and natural resource management. The Climate-Smart Agriculture Program is being delivered through a series of integrated investment streams over five years including:  $45 million for Partnerships and Innovation grants;  $15 million for Capacity Building grants;  $36 million in soil measures;  $13 million for small grants;  $35.7 million toward operational capacity of regional delivery partners and national Landcare organisations;  $85.6 million towards on-ground sustainable agriculture and natural resource management projects lead by our regional delivery partners, and;  $40.7 million for a network of sustainable agriculture facilitators. “Together, this integrated suite of investment represents a clear-sighted and comprehensive response to what we have heard through consultation with agriculture stakeholders up to now,” Minister Watt said. “It positions farmers and landholders to adapt to the emerging and anticipated challenges of climate change, embrace sustainable agriculture practices and develop

their sustainability credentials." In 2020/21, agriculture produced 16.8 per cent of Australia’s net greenhouse gas emissions. In a separate speech to the Australian Farm Institute, Senator Watt said in 2020/21, agriculture produced 16.8 per cent of Australia’s net greenhouse gas emissions. "As our energy sector decarbonises, without further action, agriculture’s share of our national emissions is likely to increase, not fall,” he said. “A warming world is a real threat to Australian agriculture.” Senator Watt said ABARES modelling showed that changing seasonal conditions (2001/2020) had reduced the profitability of Australian farms by an average of 23 per cent, or about $29,200 per farm between 2001 and 2020. "Fear of approaching drought is one factor contributing to the big fall we’ve been seeing in livestock prices," he said. "So addressing the physical and transitional risks of climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing the agriculture sector, but importantly it is also an opportunity for us. "By adapting to climate change, we can lift the sector’s productivity, reduce input costs and maintain and open new markets that demand ever more sustainable production."

For more information on the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program, visit agriculture.gov. au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/ natural-resources/landcare/climate-smart

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Pipelineconsultationcurrentlyunderway INITIAL talks have begun with the first of up to 110 Gippsland landowners who will be directly affected by the proposed underground pipeline under the landmark federal-state CarbonNet project, which will take emissions from the region and sequester them under Bass Strait. The 100 kilometre pipeline - 80km buried onshore with 20km offshore - will take liquefied CO2 from Loy Yang to a carbon capture and storage hub at Golden Beach, creating a connection for multiple carbon capture projects. The pipeline consultation plan (PLP) received regulatory approval in August. The pipeline, buried 1.5 metres below the ground surface, will extend to two drill centres proposed for CarbonNet’s offshore Pelican site, where the CO2 will be stored underground, 1.5km beneath the seabed. The consultation plan aims to introduce the project to landholders, understand if the proposed pipeline corridor is suitably located and request land access for future surveys such as for flora and fauna, and cultural heritage. It covers the onshore pipeline part of the project. Once the pipeline crosses the shoreline, consultation on the remaining estimated 20km offshore will be subject to and regulated by the federal government under the

Onshore, the pipeline will require a 30-metre easement, which will provide access to assess construction and longterm maintenance. Landowners can expect some disruption in the six-to-24 months estimated construction time. Some areas of vegetation on or outside the easement may need to be cleared for construction. CarbonNet says the clearing of vegetation will be avoided where possible. Land will be rehabilitated to its previous condition after construction. Funded by the state and federal governments and begun in 2009, CarbonNet aims to establish a commercial-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) hub in Gippsland. The hub will enable new and existing industries in the region to decarbonise and contribute to Victoria’s 2035 emissions reduction target and net-zero by 2045. The process will start with CO2 customers providing compressed CO2 to CarbonNet for transport and storage. The governments say a successful CarbonNet project will provide sustainable growth for Gippsland, driving jobs and investment. Potential industries include the manufacturing of hydrogen, fertiliser and bioenergy. CarbonNet does not include the capture or processing of carbon facilities and only

The pipeline options are a single pipeline of 400-700mm diameter or dual pipelines 400-500mm in diameter. The number of pipelines, diameter and depth will be confirmed during front end engineering design (FEED). The pipeline will cross the shoreline at Golden Beach and will likely be laid using horizontal directional drilling or similar technique rather than an open trenching method to avoid surface impacts on sensitive coastal features. The offshore pipeline is proposed to extend about 20km where it will meet two drill centres and a number of injection wells above the Pelican storage site. Pelican is a natural offshore geological formation deep under the seabed in the Gippsland Basin. It will have an initial slow injection startup, ramping up to a rate of six million tonnes of CO2 per year when fully operational. Pelican has an expected lifespan of 30 years and a capacity of 168 million tonnes. Application for the pipeline licence is aimed for 2025, with pipeline construction starting in 2026 and completed by 2027. The pipeline is expected to operate from 2027 until 2057. The plan is publicly available at vic.gov. au/CarbonNet

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RURAL NEWS

Feed testing: calculating the benefits Tanya DOBRIJEVIC

FEED is more than just hay or grain, it is the energy and protein content that is most important. It is critical to buy feed that is appropriate for your stock and meets their nutritional requirements. A simple visual assessment of a feed is not sufficient to determine quality. By doing a ‘feed test’, you take the guess work out of feed supplementation and can accurately calculate the suitability of your feed. A feed test will provide an analysis of the nutritional composition of your feed (be it hay, silage, grain or pasture). Metabolisable Energy (ME) is a critical component required by livestock and is one of the primary determinants of feed quality. Different feeds are likely to have variations in energy content, for example hay tends to contain less ME than grains. The energy content between two samples of the same type of feed can also vary. While the difference can appear small on paper, doing some simple calculations suggests otherwise. The attached graph shows a comparison of two similar looking pasture hay samples, fed to a 550kg dry cow to achieve a maintenance energy requirement of 69MJ ME/day. Based on the feed test results, the cow requires 1.5kg more of Hay 1 than Hay 2 to fulfil her maintenance energy requirements. This can be further adjusted to account for herd size, the number of days of supplementary feeding, and even to accommodate a desired weight gain goal. However, an apparently small difference in feed quality can have a large difference on the total amount of supplementary feed required. If you fed the same two hay samples to a

group of 100 cows at maintenance for 30 days, you would be feeding an additional 4.48 tonnes of Hay 1 as opposed to Hay 2. This difference will increase further if the stock you are feeding had a higher daily ME requirement and were being fed for weight gain or lactation as opposed to maintenance. It is important to note these calculations do not include wastage, so the amount fed will need to be higher. Wastage of hay fed on the ground is around 30 per cent to 50 per cent, while using hay feeders can reduce wastage to about 15 per cent. While this example doesn’t consider other factors that contribute to a balanced ration, it does highlight the impact of a higherenergy feed. Importantly, the Crude Protein (CP) in Hay 1 is unlikely to meet the protein requirements of the cow in the above scenario. In this case, you would need to introduce another feed source with a higher protein level to meet this requirement. Additionally, the higher Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF) which is indicative of a higher

roughage and lower quality feed, will limit the amount of feed the animals can physically consume and subsequently lower their energy intake. When feeding this stock class, aim for a CP of 10 or above and a NDF lower than 60 per cent. It’s important to note that nutritional requirements vary between animals and is influenced by a variety of factors including stock class, size, milk production and growth stage. For example, a late pregnant heifer will have a higher energy requirement compared to when she is in early pregnancy, in turn differs from her nutritional needs during lactation. So, the next time you are buying feed, consider a feed test, crunch some numbers, and see for yourself which option will best meet your animal requirements and is more cost-effective in the longer term. For more information on feed testing, visit feedinglivestock.vic.gov.au Tanya Dobrijevic is an Ag Recovery Officer at Agriculture Victoria.

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Example of a feed test, as recommended by Agriculture Victoria.

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RURAL NEWS

ABC Tarps have hay covered THE Australian agricultural sector faces a huge amount of risk when preparing, planting, growing, and harvesting their crops. The risks can include drought, plagues, frost, hail, floods and fire, which can leave farmers exposed. The last thing the agricultural sector needs is the value of harvested crops decreasing or worse, being destroyed, as a result of it not being protected. Covers, tarps or tarpaulins have been widely used to provide a secure and cost effective cover for produce and crops in the event of ‘hard stand covers’ not being available. ABC Tarps have been supplying the agricultural sector for a few decades with heavy duty polyethylene tarps that are designed specifically for the tough Australian climate. Features on their hay tarps include: • Being made from 220 gsm Virgin PE Fabric; • Added protection from an upper and lower scrim; • Providing ultraviolet light and waterproof protection; • Heavy duty rope lined edges; • Brass reinforced eyelets spaced every meter apart, 25mm looped drag handles on the meter interval on all sides to assist in tie-off and securing the tarp once it’s in place, and; • Silver reflective coating. Tips for hay cover installation: • Be prepared - be conscious of the weather, in particular, the wind, work out the orientation of the hay cover;

• Check the weight of the hay cover before lifting and placing on the haystack for health and safety reasons; • Work out the orientation/position of the hay cover to ensure its position is as per the required dimensions when unfurled. The cover will roll out the short side first and then the long side; • When unfurling the cover ensure you are heading “downwind” - do not attempt to unfurl into a prevailing wind as the tarp will form a sail and your crew will end up in a neighbouring suburb, and; • As the cover is positioned, tie the tarp off to ensure it stays in place. ABC Tarps recommend using rope from the eyelet and then tie the lower end of the rope to a spring or hay bolt.

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

November, 2023

RURAL NEWS

Honouring the late Kevin Tolhurst John CAMERON AND David PACKHAM OAM

KEVIN Tolhurst AM died on October 5, 2023 after delivering an address to a community forum on bushfire mitigation at Mallacoota. Against a misguided political scene, Kevin continued to deliver real science and practical management options, and will be greatly missed. One of his last key messages to a community forum at Mallacoota on October 5, was, that if appropriate fuel reduction had been applied before the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfire, Mallacoota would not have burned. Kevin was an expert in predicting wildfire behaviour, prescribed burning techniques and guidelines, ecological management of landscapes, fire risk management and ecological impacts of fire. Victorian bushfire policy and practise is hopelessly misguided, and based on ‘shonky’ science steeped in ideology. Against this misguided political scene, Kevin continued to deliver real science and practical management options, and not political ideology masquerading as science. Below are just three examples of Kevin’s contribution to bushfire mitigation that should resonate for a long time: -Commentary on factors contributing to the Black Summer Bushfires; -Critique of the Climate Council fact sheet on fire relying on an inappropriate study, and; -Abstract from joint contribution towards enhanced bushfire mitigation. Factors contributing to the Black Summer Bushfires (THE Conversation 10.06.2020) THE Black Summer bushfires of 2019/20 directly killed 34 people and devastated more than eight million hectares of land along the south-eastern fringe of Australia. A further 445 people are estimated to have died from smoke-induced respiratory problems. The burned landscape may take decades to recover, if it recovers at all. The fires were so severe because they incorporated five energy sources. The most obvious is fuel: live and dead plant material. The other sources bushfires get their energy from include the terrain, weather, atmospheric instability and a lack of moisture in the environment such as in soil and woody debris. The Indian Ocean Dipole in positive mode, (and El Niño) brought drought. The dryer fuel meant the fire used less of its own energy to spread. As fires grew to several thousand hectares in size, high atmospheric instability (fire storms) increased winds and dryness at ground level, rapidly escalated the damaging power and size of the fires. Fuel levels were high because of a lack of low intensity prescribed fires over the past couple of decades. This allowed fuel levels to build up.

If we simply try to suppress bushfires, we will fail. We need a concerted effort to manage the bushfire risk. This should involve carefully planned and implemented prescribed fires, as well as planning and preparing for bushfires.

Climate Council Fact Sheet relying on an inappropriate 2015 study (THE Conversation 20.02.2020) THE Climate Council published a fact sheet titled Setting The Record Straight On Hazard Education. It concluded that, while important, in future “no amount of hazard reduction will protect human lives, animals and properties from catastrophic fires”. They concluded hazard-reduction burning has a statistically significant effect on the extent of wildfires, but only in forested areas with distinct annual drought periods (this is ironic as drought periods are when wild fires are worse and when fuel reduction is most needed). The 2015 study is at odds with empirical studies in Victoria and Western Australia, which found otherwise, after taking a wider view on the issues. The researchers of the 2015 study used a metric called “leverage” (the ratio between the area burnt by wildfires and the area burnt by prescribed burning) to evaluate the effect of hazard-reduction burning on reducing the extent of wildfires. By using the leverage measure, they implied that prescribed burning only increases the total area burnt, and is therefore ineffective in reducing fire extent. Like all scientific papers, while the conclusions are valid for the researchers’ narrow focus, several assumptions don’t work in a land management context. For instance, it’s assumed only the extent of the area burnt is important, rather than the severity of the fire (it is the severe wildfires that do the damage). The recovery of the plants, animals, nutrients and habitat after low-intensity fire is much quicker than after high-intensity wildfire, according to a long-term Victorian study. Other assumptions in the 2015 study lead to conflicting conclusions with other studies, and the conclusions the Climate Council draws from it are not supported. A 2009 study looking at 52 years of fire history in southwest Western Australia identified that hazard-reduction burns lead to fewer fires starting and a greater ability to suppress fires in prescribed burnt areas (after 62 years south-west WA have had no megafires). A big reason for the different findings is because, unlike the 2009 study, the 2015 study didn’t explicitly consider how past prescribed burns lower the severity of new high-intensity fires when they move in. As these wildfires move into fuel reduced areas, the fire intensity reduces, which helps fire suppression efforts and helps reduce the spread of wildfires.

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The 2009 study showed prescribed burning less than about four per cent of the forested landscape per year wasn’t enough to show trends in reducing wildfires. The 2015 study the Climate Council used, only included two per cent of prescribed burning in the forested landscape of southeast Australia. Not enough of the landscape was prescribed burnt to have a measureable effect, so it cannot be concluded that prescribed burning is ineffective at reducing the impact of bushfires from this 2015 analysis. The Climate Council should have taken a broader view of the available scientific studies before drawing its conclusions. Before we decide whether hazard-reduction burning for land management is a good thing, we need to consider all the variables. This includes increased ecosystem resilience, mitigation of wildfire number, impact on human health, economic value, social impact, Traditional Owner culture, and more. The Climate Council’s conclusions are drawn only from the consideration of reduced wildfire extent (and not fire intensity). In debating the value of prescribed burning, we need to use good scientific evidence, but our decisions must be based on the whole picture, not just a selective part of it. History and future direction of prescribed burning (AUSTRALIAN Forestry Journal article 2020) FIRE has been part of the natural environment of south-eastern Australia for tens of millions of years. Aboriginal people used fire selectively, with skill, for many reasons. The removal of Aboriginal people from most of the region after European settlement changed fire regimes and the composition and structure of vegetation. This study draws on published and unpublished literature and data held by the Forest Fire Management Committee of the Institute of Foresters of Australia. The study finds that the use of prescribed burning in south-eastern Australia in the past 100 years has been driven primarily by political and legal factors. Since 1939, more than 50 public inquiries, reviews and royal commissions have been held into matters concerning the management of fire in landscapes, including prescribed burning. Prescribed burning has been used for wildfire mitigation, agricultural practices (such as stubble reduction and grazing land management), property protection, the maintenance of ecological processes and biodiversity conservation. Prescribed burning in the region has only ever been practised on a small percentage of forest and land each year. The study finds that a substantial body of fire and ecosystem science has been generated in the past 50 years, with rapid technological developments to support

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prescribed burning and fire management. Research has provided tools and methods for broad-scale prescribed burning, but negative public perceptions of fire has prevented the development of comprehensive fire management programs in the region. Although much has been achieved, considerable changes are still required in fire management for it to be sustainable and optimal in protecting economic, social and environmental values. The risks to human lives, property, biodiversity and the environment associated with wildfire are increasing in south-eastern

Kevin Tolhurst AM, who died suddenly last month after delivering an address in Mallacoota, is being remembered as one of the greatest bushfire mitigation minds in the country. Photo: Contributed

Australia due to climate change, and the wider use of prescribed burning is essential for managing these. The increasing extent and occurrence of wildfire disasters in the region indicates that current fire management will not sustain the full range of ecosystem processes and biodiversity, nor reduce to an acceptable level the impact of wildfires on human lives and property. There is compelling evidence for the greater use of prescribed burning to reduce wildfire risks and impacts, rather than committing increasing resources to wildfire suppression. The potentially negative impacts of prescribed burning can be managed effectively using existing knowledge and tools. Clear communication of the benefits of prescribed burning can influence political and public opinion in its favour. More investment in training, human capacity and supporting resources is required to safely and effectively deploy prescribed burning more widely to reduce future wildfire risks. John Cameron is a forestry consultant and David Packham is a former CSIRO bushfire scientist. Both live in the Latrobe Valley.

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November, 2023

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

RURAL NEWS

Helping those in the justice system Katrina BRANDON

IN recent events, bees have been the topic of interest due to the recent Varroa mite scare in Australia. At GippsDairy's annual farmer dinner on October 19 at Korumburra's Austral Hotel, Sweet Justice chief executive Claire Moore shared what her bee enterprise is. Ms Moore, past UBS stockbroker in Traralgon and Rural Woman of The Year, works with correction facilities to help create future beekeepers in Australia. According to Ms Moore, 60 per cent of the people leaving the justice system will fail due to lack of housing availability and abilities to get jobs due to lack of housing. "People leaving the justice system are being paroled into homelessness which makes it hard for them to access jobs," Ms Moore said. Within Sweet Justice, Ms Moore has worked with more than 180 students who are within the justice system and has found that most are in due to one bad day, one wrong move or bad situation. Ms Moore said that the hardest part of the job is not being in the prisons but not getting attached to those she is teaching how to bee keep, who are those who are close to the end of their sentence and in need of a transition back into society. Sweet Justice allows people to get a leg up, where they can receive the opportunity for full employment. Now, why is a beekeeper speaking at a dairy event? GippsDairy's Public Officer and Deputy Chair, Sarah O'Brien, is working towards a

dairy program for inmates to working with correctional failities where they are creating opportunities and pathways with housing, so that people aren't being released back into homelessness. The program will be based on GippsDairy's 'Cows Create Careers' program, where agriculture is promoted to students and Ms Moore's business, Sweet Justice. With 'Cows Create Careers,' GippsDairy has visited 23 secondary schools within the last year and hopes to get to more, as well as keep up their numbers at other events. "Our GippsDairy team has managed to deliver 110 extension events this year. We have managed to attract 2100 attendees over the last 12 months, (a) 95 per cent increase on the year before," Ms O'Brien said. The night started by introducing the evening's master of ceremonies, Ben Vagg, who is a third-generation dairy farmer from South Gippsland and helps contribute to Gippsland’s Young Dairy Network, employing apprentices, taking calves to local schools for Dairy Australia’s ‘Cows Create Careers’ program. Mr Vagg expressed that the night was about leadership and partnerships within the farming industry and introduced guests such as Paul van Heerwaarden, director of Dairy Australia, president of Dairy Farmers Australia Mark Billing, and Aubrey Pellett, from the Gardiner Foundation. Next was Ms O'Brien, then Korumburra farmer Michelle Axford came forward. "Leaders see something that needs to be done, and it's not necessarily the lead person," Ms Axford said.

This was followed once again with GippsDairy's Chair, Lauren Finger who announced that GippsDairy's values included collaboration, integrity, responsiveness and leadership. After the speakers finished, Ms Moore explained what Sweet Justice is. Ms Moore works all around Australia but mostly in Victoria and New South Wales with 1500 hives spread throughout both states. "Pollination is a very big part of our budget and income. We rely on almond pollination every year in August, which is the biggest livestock in Australia," she said. "Victoria holds 68 per cent of Australia’s almonds. So bees will be sent as far as four hours north of Brisbane down to Victoria just in time for the almond to open and pollinate, where they will stay for four weeks and they go back to where they need to go." The training program, Sweet Justice, has become popular with correction facilities with many doing transfers to a Sweet Justice facility closest to them. According to Ms Moore, the program helps quite a bit with the mental health in her students and has seen quite a difference. She said that she has also noticed that 95 per cent of people within the justice system are neurodivergent or have ADHD. The increase and popularity has made it hard for Ms Moore as she has too many wanting long-term positions where there is no available cost for more employees due to the infestation of Varroa mite in NSW, brought in by illegal bee imports. According to Ms Moore, Varroa mite has

a mortality rate of 90 per cent. She said that, “We need to find that 10 per cent and work from them.” A total of 40 million dollars has been put into the fight against Varroa mite and now, according to Ms Moore, the fight is now up to beekeepers to contain with no compensation for losses or expenses. This will not stop Ms Moore with Sweet Justice though. She hopes to keep the program going well into the future and GippsDairy hopes that 'Cows Create Careers' in corrections follows in her footsteps.

GippsDairy Public Officer and Deputy Chair Sarah O’Brien, keynote speaker Claire Moore and MC Ben Vagg. Photos: Katrina Brandon

GippsDairy’s Annual Farmers’ Dinner was held at Korumburra’s Austral Hotel.

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November, 2023

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

RURAL NEWS

The worst of both worlds STEFAN BRADLEY, ZOE ASKEW, BEN MCARTHUR and LIAM DURKIN

THERE was no let-off for residents around Sale, Maffra and the Wellington Shire early last month, as both ends of extreme weather events hit the region. Bushfire season came early, with blazes starting in Briagolong and Loch Sport over the weekend of Saturday, September 30 and Sunday, October 1. Floods swept through on the Tuesday, leaving most of the region inundated.

Rain was persistent on Wednesday, October 4, leaving roads closed and damaged. An emergency warning was issued on the Wednesday evening for parts of Tinamba, Tinamba West and Newry to evacuate immediately. The SEC reported major flooding was occurring along the Macalister River downstream of Lake Glenmaggie. The Macalister River downstream of Lake Glenmaggie peaked at 6.96 metres around 1.30am on Thursday, October 5. Locals experienced the full force, and full

The Sale area experienced both extremes last month, with fire and floods hitting the region. Photos: Contributed

diversity, of Gippsland weather, with some areas recording up to 100 millimetres of rainfall in just one day. Sale set a new October record for rain, receiving 100mm of rain between 10am on Tuesday, October 3 and 9am Wednesday, October 4 with 58mm overnight alone. From 10am Wednesday to 9am Thursday, 27mm was recorded. This surpassed the previous record of 75.7mm in 1950. Things started to clear up on Thursday, October 5. Bureau of Meteorology Senior Meteorologist Michael Efron said the worst of the weather was over for now. Mr Efron also said the Tuesday to Wednesday downpour broke multiple Gippsland October records, with data dating back 81 years. Latrobe Valley also experienced its wettest October day on Tuesday, October 3, recording 97mm of rainfall, breaking the previous 2021 record of 42 millimetres. The flooding has seriously deteriorated roads between Traralgon and Sale, with some potholes on the Princes Highway resembling craters. In Sale, local sporting grounds look more like lakes. The heavy, widespread rainfall provided relief for firefighters, with the change in weather significantly slowing the spread of the Briagolong fire; however, there was still burning logs and trees in the area. Residents who evacuated were able to obtain permits to access private property from the Briagolong Police Station. Wellington Shire set up an Emergency Relief Centre at the Gippsland Sports Regional Sports Complex.

Stay safe and leave early DRIVING during a bushfire is extremely dangerous and leaving early is the best way to avoid this situation. If visibility deteriorates and it becomes unsafe to continue driving, motorists should pull over. The use of hazard lights and parking off the roadway will help avoid collisions, which are common during bushfires. If encountering a fire where turning around is not possible, drivers should park away from dense bush and position the vehicle to minimise exposure to radiant heat. A wall or rocky outcrop may provide a good barrier from the oncoming fire front. The car should ideally face towards the fire. Occupants should stay in the car, with windows and doors closed tightly, covered with woollen blankets and positioned below window level. As soon as the fire front is close-by, vents should be closed, and the engine turned off. Never drive on flooded roads. Driving on flooded roads is dangerous, and it doesn’t take much to make your car become unstable, lose traction or wash away. The Department of Transport and Planning have thanked passengers for their patience during this time. Advice around the current fire and severe weather situations across the state is available at emergency.vic. gov.au Real-time traffic conditions are available at traffic.vicroads.vic.gov. au The latest public transport information and network status is available at ptv.vic. gov.au or in the PTV mobile app.

GP1662718

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

November, 2023

RURAL NEWS

Emergency bushfire shelter at the GRSC Zoe ASKEW

AS bushfires in Loch Sport and Briagolong wreaked havoc, threatening homes and lives, local authorities established an Emergency Relief Centre (ERC) at the Gippsland Regional Sports Complex (GRSC). The ERC at the GRSC was activated just before 3am on Tuesday, October 3, providing a safe space for those impacted by the bushfires. ERC doors opened to arrivals before 6.30am, with residents mostly from Golden Beach, Paradise Beach, Stratford and Briagolong filtering in across the day, many bringing their pets with them. Paradise Beach resident Bronwen Rowlands was among the first to arrive at the ERC on Tuesday morning. “We arrived about 6am-ish,” Ms Rowlands said. “We’ve brought our dog, and we’ve also got our cat; she’s in the car.” As dark clouds rolled over the GRSC just before noon and a cool breeze whipped through the car park, Ms Rowlands was far more hopeful than when she first arrived. While Ms Rowlands wasn’t completely without worry for the house she left behind, the choice to leave was an easy one to make. “I am [worried], but like I said to my

son, I’d rather we go, material things you can replace, lives you can’t,” she said. “Us and the animals, that’s the most important thing.”

Community feedback after

They discussed concerns around power supply, water and evacuation plans. Mr O’Brien said the day was constructive and that he will raise concerns to the state government. “It’s a good opportunity for the community to give me clear feedback. It’s great to listen to the community and it was great that so many turned up,” he said. “Loch Sport is a community that is very passionate about its fire protection.” About 50 people attended, including the president of the 18-hole Loch Sport Golf Club, Shaun Casley. Mr Casley was part of a five-person spotter group set up at the golf course to locate fires and provide food to CFA personnel on Tuesday, October 3. “They (CFA) came because we made sure they had a place they could set up and fight the fires,” he said. “We took them around the golf course and showed where it was safe to go and where it wasn’t. There are a few spots where they can’t drive trucks otherwise it would get stuck in sand. ” Mr Casley said the CFA volunteers came from around Victoria. The outer edges of the golf course are the closest the fires got to the town before the rain started. Although the surrounding trees have been burnt, little of the course itself was damaged. “The fire stopped where it did because the golf course acts as a fire break and if we didn’t have that or the rain, it could have been the end for Loch Sport,” he said. After the meeting at Lochy Coffee, Mr O’Brien visited other areas around Loch Sport.

Ben MCARTHUR

MEMBER for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien visited Loch Sport on Friday October 6, to speak with locals about their concerns of the recent bushfires.

Wellington Shire Council and GRSC staff operated the ERC. “In Wellington, we take pride in our ability to respond efficiently to any emergency situation where people could be at risk,” Wellington Shire Council Mayor Ian Bye said. “It’s unusual for fires like this to occur so early in October, so we need to stay prepared and on alert in the coming months. The recent events have shown that we are ready to assist and make sure vulnerable people get the help they need during emergencies.” Wellington Shire Council said their customer service line received a number of calls enquiring about assistance and support options in the day’s Loch Sport and Briagolong fires posed a threat. Council reminded the public that physical donations cannot be accepted by dropping them off at any ERC. Individuals can, however, contribute money, items, and their time through the trusted donation managing platform GIVIT. Photo: File

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

RURAL NEWS

Fires caused damage extensive in Loch Sport on October 1.

Photo: Ausnet

Need to improve warning systems Stefan BRADLEY

Yes Optus, Bairnsdale, Sale, Traralgon and Warragul

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CONFUSION about emergency warnings sent during the Loch Sport fires on October 1 has prompted demands for improved warning communication in the future. Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull, wants improvements in how warnings are relayed to the public before summer comes. "There was considerable confusion on Sunday (October 1), when warnings with very different advice were received in short proximity," Mr Bull said. "At 1.31pm on October 1, an emergency warning was issued for Loch Sport, which stated, 'Shelter indoors now. You are in danger, act now to protect yourself. It is too late to leave. The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately'. "However, at 1.38pm, seven minutes later, a new alert was issued for Loch Sport which stated, 'Leave Now. Don't wait - if you are not prepared to stay, leaving now is the safest option.' "You really could not get two more contradictory messages so close together and, while I am full of praise for our firefighters, we cannot have this confusing messaging being put out to the public from Emergency Management Victorian (EMV) head office in what can literally be a matter of life and death." Mr Bull said Finding 6.3 in the InspectorGeneral for Emergency Management (IGEM) inquiry following the 2019/20 fires read: 'The community received mixed messages around staying or leaving following the Code Red declaration and as a result they were not clear on evacuation requirements and it recommended this be addressed.' During both the fire and floods, residents sheltered and received assistance at Loch Sport Marina Hotel. Discussing the October 1 fires, hotel manager David Armstrong said confusion was rife after the two aforementioned warnings were given. "We were getting a few calls, especially from (the elderly) who were not sure what to do," Mr Armstrong said. "Do we evacuate or do we stay off the road? "There's that panic as well. We can only give the advice given in the Vic Emergency app. "We didn't want to give any advice that was (contrary) to the advice on the app." EMV told the Gippsland Farmer that the warnings issued were correct.

"Victoria uses the Australia Warning System (AWS) which provides information and warnings to the community through a range of channels," an EMV spokesperson said. "There was no error in the information provided to Loch Sport. The two warnings were referring to two separate areas of the same town, which was separately mapped in the areas for each warning. "All channels in Victoria's integrated warning system were used to inform communities of risks and advise them of appropriate action to protect lives and minimise impacts. "An important part of preparedness and planning ahead of emergencies is to know how to stay informed and never rely on one single source for emergency information." Mr Armstrong said in response that both warnings affected all Loch Sport residents. "In Loch Sport there's one road in, one road out. It's going to affect everyone in Loch Sport," he said. "When they see Loch Sport, they don't assume it's for one part of Loch Sport, it's all of Loch Sport." But Mr Armstrong said that after a couple of hours, the "mixed messaging" became clear. "Around 3pm, it became 'if you want to evacuate, you can evacuate'," he said. "We had a pretty good response afterwards. The next day, emergency services came in to talk to locals about what we can do (next time) for the emergency response. "So it's good they came in to see what can be improved." EMV warnings are authorised by the Incident Controller in an Incident Control Centre (ICC) at local level, in this case, Bairnsdale. According to EMV, significant enhancements have been made to national coordination and communications before, during and after emergencies, with Victoria leading the implementation of the AWS in December 2021. This involved significant cross-border collaboration with NSW and South Australia, each of which implemented the AWS last year. EMV said the AWS is a national approach to information and warnings during emergencies like bushfires, flood, storm, extreme heat and severe weather, meaning no matter where you are in Australia, emergency warnings and information will be consistent.

November, 2023

A D V E R T I S I N G

F E A T U R E

Scholarships at Xavier College A VITAL facet of a Xavier College education is their focus on ensuring that boys are connecting with a welcoming and caring community. Xavier College is proud of its rich heritage in scholarships. Accessibility to a Jesuit education is important to Xavier College. They celebrate the diversity of interests and abilities in all of their students, and understand that every child is different. Within their unique being lies their capacity to be discovered, challenged and enhanced. Scholarships range from academic scholarships to music scholarships, as well as boarding scholarships and bursary opportunities (means-based). Xavier boarders appreciate the opportunity to live, work and play with their best mates. As 2023 Boarding Captain Mitch Loughnan proudly explained at a whole school assembly earlier this year, “Boarders come from all parts of Australia and the world. From Inverloch all the way to Hong Kong and everywhere in between. [The Boarding House] is more than just a place to eat and sleep. At the heart of the walls are relationships. So many of them, if not all of them, are bonds and experiences made for a lifetime. We are a bunch of best mates who get to live with each other and learn the ins and outs of each person.” Xavier College is entering into an exciting period of growth.

This includes a new, Year 7 and 8, building which commenced construction in May last year, with a completion date of December this year. This new building means that the Senior Campus will be, for the first time, Years 7-12. The famous Burke Hall campus will be one of the nation’s leading primary schools. Xavier prides itself on delivering a unique Jesuit

education, and 2028 will mark 150 years of developing exceptional graduates through inspiring learning experiences. Buoyed by strong recent VCE results and APS sporting success, the College now looks ahead with excitement and anticipation. Xavier College is very much on the move.

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November, 2023

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

RURAL NEWS

Canine snake avoidance training She stayed there for a second, inspecting the snake with her snout - the reptile turned around, and POW. Maple yelped twice, jumped high in the air and retreated to her owner. Maple had investigated a Tiger Snake, whose venom would kill a dog of her size in less than an hour. But Maple was not bitten. Her reaction was from the shock collar the strange man put on her, with permission from her owner, Stratford's Lachie Nikolajew. "I'd much rather see her get a few zaps than spend a few nights in intensive care or dead," Mr Nikolajew said. Maple is taking part in a program called Snake Avoidance Training. It is run by the Victorian Dog Training Academy based in Melbourne, but most of its customers are from rural areas with high snake populations. "She's gonna become a hunting dog soon, and so this is for general safety in the bush, which has heaps of blacks and browns Maple and owner Lachie Nikolajew from [snakes]," he said. "You hear stories here and there of snakes Stratford. The Hungarian vizsla recently took biting dogs, but you sort of just hope that part in snake avoidance training. Photos: Ben McArthur it doesn't happen to you." The program aims to teach dogs to avoid "So they came out and liked the property, snakes using an electric collar. The trainers encourage dogs to get curious and it was perfectly suitable. We have plenty about a deadly snake, and when it walks of parking and all that." She said there have been many snake up to the snake, program supervisor Daniel sightings over her 100-acre property Mannix will shock it. recently. This process repeats four times. "I've actually seen four since (AFL) Grand "We use different species to cover off the different odours that snakes have," Mr Final Day, one eastern brown and three red-belly black snakes," Ms Miles said. Mannix said. There are other snake avoidance train"The dogs get stimulated with the collar and think, 'Okay, the snakes caused the ing programs in Australia, but this one is shock, and now I have a bad association unique because it uses actual live Victorian with that animal and will not approach it'." snakes and not snake scent items. The snakes are provided by Raymond According to Mannix, most dog deaths from snakes happen when a dog approaches Hoser, owner of Australia's only surgically de-venomised snakes, a practice the state the snake. The event was hosted in collaboration government outlawed in 2007, citing animal with dog training service Unified Canines. welfare concerns. "The de-venomised snakes, people talk In total, 20 dogs attended the training. The event was hosted on farmland owned about whether or not it's ethical to do this by former client Jennifer Miles, who [the surgery] to a snake," Ms Mannix said. attended the program when Mannix first "The way I see it is they already exist, and came to the Wellington Shire. from the dog training perspective, it makes "When it came time for the refresher, I said more sense to use them than not use them. to Daniel, "If you want to use our place, The dog gets a more similar type of smell. then have a look because I'd be happy for So they remember the event more and are, you to use it"," Ms Miles said. therefore, safer.

Ben MCARTHUR

MAPLE liked nothing more than being a passenger in the car. She loved putting her head out the window and feeling the cool air rushing on her snout. The curious pup was on a journey. She was taken through the forests, then over the mountains, along dirt roads and then stopped on a farm overlooking Lake Glenmaggie. Maple hopped out of the car and stood in an area where she saw other dogs waiting. She was standing in a beautiful unexplored green area, a perfect place to be curious. Maple waited there with her dad until a strange man came and put a collar on her. The six-month-old didn't understand what was happening, but at least she could start walking. The stranger led her up the hill and around the shed, with her owner trailing behind. Suddenly, Maple saw something curious: a long, thin reptile slithering across the field. So she did what a dog does and went up to it.

Snake handler Adelyn, working with the Victorian Dog Training Academy.

"We mutilate dogs' genitals for our own convenience; why don't we take venom out?" Mr Hoser has up to 50 de-venomised snakes, all operations done before the ban. Mr Hoser's daughter, Adelyn, joined Mannix on the weekend as a snake handler. She experienced mixed reactions to de-venomised snakes after a video of her went viral in 2011 - her father had an act that got him into a little trouble. He gave wildlife demonstrations of his de-venomised snakes in shopping malls, birthday parties and schools, allowing adults and kids to marvel at Victoria's dangerous snakes. But Mr Hoser, being a showman, understood that the event had to be memorable, so he would let the de-venomised snakes bite him to prove it's safe, but when the opportunity came, he would go bigger. In 2011, in front of a large crowd at a Melbourne shopping centre, he let a taipan and death adder bite his 12-year-old daughter seven times. "Dad asked me and my sister, and basically said no pressure, but if you could do this, it would be great," Ms Hoser said. "Originally, I was like, "Nah', but I'd seen dad get bitten a million times when he'd just be cleaning the cage, so I think I just thought 'stuff it' and did it." Of course, the regulators weren't so casual. The Department of Sustainability and Environment stripped Hoser's wildlife demonstrator and handler licence (which was overruled in 2015 by VCAT.) But Adelyn Hoser is no longer a child; she is 24 and still gets bitten by deadly snakes. "The best comparison I can give is when you walk past a tree, and the branch scratches you, and there's a little bit of blood," she said. Ms Hoser works in the family business but sees her unique role as nothing more than just work. "It's a good part-time job, but it's not my passion," she said. "Like it's more my dad's passion, and I'm happy doing this for the time being. "But I know I've had a weird upbringing." For more information about the program, visit vdta.com.au

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

November, 2023

RURAL NEWS

Moorunga wins at Melbourne Show Moorunga Angus from Dromana won last month’s Junior Interbreed Bull competition at the Melbourne Show. Photo: Contributed

TAKING out first prize in any event at the Melbourne Show is a great achievement, but doing it on your first 'go' is something special. That's what happened to Moorunga Angus Stud from Dromana on the Mornington Peninsula, which exhibited for the first time at this year's Melbourne Royal Show and came away with the Junior and Grand Champion Angus Bull ribbon. Moorunga Raindance T25 then went on to win the strongly contested Junior Champion Interbreed Bull trophy. It was a triumph for stud owners, John and Sue Matthies, but also for stud managers Glenn and Susie Trout, who have both been involved in agriculture for more than 35 years having been involved in the industry since their late teens. They have been stud managers at Moorunga since 2021. The 18-month-old SAV Raindance son was 850 kilograms with an exponential moving average (EMA) of 134cm2, with Rump Fat 15mm and Rib Fat 14mm. The Angus judge, Miss Aimee Bolton, commented on his sound structure, muscle pattern and softness. John and Sue Matthies established the Angus Stud after buying the property in 2013. Moorunga is highly productive; the Matthies' raise fat lambs for personal use and sells excess produce from their orchard at a local retailer. The stud herd has been put together with purchases from the Anvil, Ireland and Stoney Point Angus Stud dispersals combined with judicious acquisitions of females from Texas, Little Meadows, Fox River and Banquet Angus Studs. “We use artificial insemination and embryo transfer programs to maximise our top donor cows as well as using some of the best Angus sires available,” Mr Matthies said. "This is a combination of Australian, New Zealand and USA genetics to produce moderate, easy doing, functional cattle. “We’re excited about some of the progeny that will be available in our 2024 sale as we’ll be offering bulls from some of our top cows, by sires such as Brown Double Decker.” Genetics from this American sire was bought in partnership with Summit Livestock from NSW and at this stage has remained exclusive to the two studs. “Raindance is a good representative of the type of bull that we offer in our August onproperty bull sale each year” Mr Matthies said. Mr Matthies previously founded Looragoo Murray Grey stud almost 50 years ago, but this stud was later sold off.

November, 2023

GP165748

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

RURAL NEWS

Meerlieu dairy farmer’s success story GIPPSLAND Jersey’s 2023 ‘Farming Conversations’ calendar includes the stories of 12 Gippsland farmers, who speak with Gippsland Jersey co-founder and director, Sallie Jones, about rural mental health. September’s story featured a chat with Craig Fletcher, a dairy farmer from Meerlieu.

Sallie Jones: How long have you guys (Craig and partner Cindy) been in the dairy industry?

Craig Fletcher: I was born into it, but I did have 15 years out of it as an agricultural consultant and orchard developer, at the same time a beef and sheep farmer. I’m originally from Princetown, in south-west Victoria.

Tell me about your farm.

We have been certified organic for some time and we're hoping to be certified biodynamic very soon.

that happening and now, we have managed to get back on track financially. Four years after the Murray Goulburn collapse, we were in a position to buy the farm and that’s all to do with us changing the way we farmed. I'd been slowly transitioning the farm since I arrived here, not always in agreement with John, but, given that we're on sheep country, the organic practices have allowed us to continue to make milk. We milk 600 cows with virtually no inputs. Most farmers want to be good stewards of their land and do the right thing by the grass, and the cows, and everybody wants to treat their calves well. For us, that's not using all the poisons that every salesperson is out to sell you. In our first year of being certified organic, we had the collapse of Organic Dairy Farmers of Australia, and we lost even more money than we did with the Murray Goulburn collapse. At one stage, when we lost $450,000, we kind of got up like nothdidn t have the ing happened because we didn't input costs coming in, piling up the bills. We just knuckled down and got on with it. We lost $1,000,000 in milk payments in five years overall. However,

What was the decision for going biodynamic?

So, I already had the desire. I was an organic farmer, even though we weren't certified, it was our farming practices. At the time of the Murray Goulburn collapse we were share-farming with John Vardy on this farm for eight years. The crash affected u us a all and we were in ttrouble. I still to this day don't know how we negotiated out of the debt and everything g that we were in at the time, but between

despite this, we really have made our business sustainable and profitable by farming this way.

That's such a success story, isn't it?

Well, we think it is. You know, it's maybe not everyone’s cup of tea but it works for us. Every farm is different. We take pride knowing we provide premium milk for Australians and we stand by what we do as being environmentally friendly and sustainable. I just want to say Sallie, that one of the biggest motivations for this was that we would spend up to $700,000 in fertiliser every year, but we didn't want to put future financial stress on our children. If it won't grow here, we won't try and grow it. As a farmer you work with what you've got. You work with the soil. We try out different seeds and different pastures and we're always experimenting. When you find something that works, you go with it. We survived losing millions in milk payments, and we've stuck it out through the worst drought in recorded history. And we survived it too. Without any inputs!

You think other farmers would be really wanting to know how you did it?

Well, they don't tend to believe in it. Unless you've got the right mindset, you can't see it. There’s a lot of great salesmen out there all promising results from many products. I've had people tell me that they like my farming model and they want to pick the eyes out of it, and that's fine, but they don't have the balls to implement it and have faith in themselves that they can do it. And not many people in a bad financial situation have been prepared to go against the grain because they can't afford to; they can't afford to lose. We go organic for the higher milk money, we decided that we would like to get paid for what it is that we do.

What was your flick-theswitch moment?

Meerlieu farmer Craig Fletcher forms part of Farming Conversations with Gippsland Jersey’s Sallie Jones. Photo: Contributed

For me it was when I was milking 1600 cows and every Monday a salesman/ agronomist would call into my dairy demanding 10 minutes of my time, which I didn't have, so they could work out what they were going to make for the day or the month. One Monday morning I'd worked all weekend, and he decided to tell me all about his fabulous long weekend of holidaying with his all-expenses paid work car, and with his family (I don't begrudge this). When he drove out, I had a light-switch moment that no one cared about my farm or me, they just wanted to make a profit. So, that was when I decided that if it didn't grow here, I wouldn’t grow it.

Wow. That is a defining moment for you.

When he was talking to me it was painful to hear. Basically, I wasn't prepared to be in his pocket any longer. So, I decided that I needed to do something for my own mental health and my own well-being, and to make sure that this job was sustainable for the future of my family, because I couldn't continue as it was. I was told by Dairy Australia that we're not represented by them if we are organic dairy farmers in any way, shape or form. They asked me why it would be important for me to go organic, and I said ‘Well, because if things go bad, people are going to be looking to people like myself, to find out alternative ways to farm their country with no inputs’. There needs to be support and having a knowledge group would be recommended.

How do you keep your own mental health in check when you've been stretched and challenged?

I actually have to say that I personally don't feel as if I've had a mental illness day in my life. I mean, we've had stress for sure. We've got a son who's been affected with mental illness. That's been hard, and it’s really tested our mettle. During farm challenges I understand it's my created reality. I have put myself in this position, so I don't blame anybody else for me being here. It's what I wanted to do. There are always options, so, you know, the challenge to me is part of the experience of what farming is about. We've actually been plagued by suicide here. It happened to one of my best friends who we’d been helping out, a farm manager who lived here in the house with his family, and other close friends in the district who have done the same, all over a five-year period. It affects the community, and it affects the children, and it affects everybody. But we certainly feel blessed that we've had this opportunity to help people as best we could.

Craig, you were saying you've got a daughter that might want to be a cheese maker one day?

She has a double science degree, so she is in the running. All our children have been employed on the farm. All have milked and all are capable of bringing something to the farm. Time will tell. Lifeline is available 24 hours a day: 13 11 14.

Next available Bulls 40 Tops of their drop Bulls Available March 2024 Innesdale Angus,

718 Rosedale Road, Heyfield 3858

Geoff 0412 958 168 AH 5148 6371 E geoff@innesdale.com 18

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

T13 from the first crop of Millah Murrah Rembrandt to be offered

GP1662418

FOR DETAILS CONTACT

November, 2023

National Agriculture Day Friday 17 November 2023

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Grow you good thing!

Aussies called on to get behind farmers on National Agriculture Day “GROW you good thing!” is the catch cry for this year’s National Agriculture Day as the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) rallies all Australians to get behind farmers on Friday, 17 November. NFF president Fiona Simson said the annual shout-out to farmers, and the incredible food and fibre they grow could not come at a better time. “We have an El Nino on our hands, and some farmers are facing a very poor outlook for the season ahead,” Ms Simson said. “That being said, Aussie farmers work hard to ensure the impact of dry times is barely felt at dinner tables. “Our farmers are the best in the business. A vast amount of planning and careful management goes into making sure food and fibre still gets grown despite difficult times.”

Australian Climate Outlook

A HOT and dry spring in 2023 is expected. Below median spring rainfall is likely to be

very likely (60 per cent to greater than 80 per cent chance) for much of Australia. There is a 75 per cent chance of spring

rainfall being less than 25 millimetres across large central and northern Australian areas.

Parts of the tropical north, southwest Western Australia, and much of eastern Australia will likely receive up to 200 millimetres. Western Tasmania is expected to receive in excess of 300 millimetres of rainfall. There is also an over 60 per cent chance of daytime and night time temperatures exceeding the spring median across Australia. In addition to moisture availability, spring temperatures are an important determining factor in final crop yield outcomes for winter crops. This is due to crops being highly sensitive during flowering and grain-filling growth stages if they experience high temperatures (> 35°C) or low temperatures (< 2°C). Both heat stress and frost can negatively impact crop yield. A later-than-normal northern rainfall onset across cropping regions of eastern Australia is likely to allow uninterrupted harvesting of winter crops but impede the early sowing of summer crops, especially in areas that have already received belowaverage rainfall throughout winter.

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November, 2023

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

November, 2023

NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DAY

Agricultural overview The gross value of agricultural production is forecast to fall by $13 billion to $80 billion in 2023–24 ($86 billion including fisheries and forestry production), still the third highest result on record. The fall in agricultural production is driven by lower crop production values ($11 billion lower). This mainly reflects lower crop production volumes due to reduced crop yields as a result of expected drier conditions from the developing El Niño and forecast positive Indian Ocean Dipole. In addition, prices for most agricultural commodities are forecast to fall as global prices ease from recent highs. The forecast for total farm production values in 2023–24 has been revised up by around $900 million from the June 2023 Agricultural Commodities Report. Crop production values have been revised up by around $1.6 billion reflecting better-thanexpected rainfall in June and July which has boosted production volume estimates in some regions. By contrast, livestock and livestock products have been revised down by around $700 million largely reflecting recent price data.

Lower crop production and prices to drive lower production values

In 2023–24 Australian crop production volumes are forecast to fall by 19% from record highs in 2022–23 as expected drier conditions reduce soil moisture and crop yields. At the same time, domestic prices for most crops are expected to fall in 2023–24. Domestic crop prices

expected to fall in 2023–24 as lower prices outweigh higher production volumes. Livestock production volumes are expected to rise as the drier weather and resulting lower pasture availability increase livestock turn-off rates. Beef and veal production is forecast to rise by 14% and sheep meat production by 6%. A small increase in milk production is also expected despite lower dairy cow numbers, as good pasture quality and falling fodder prices increase milk yields and drier conditions support better dairy cow health. Despite higher production volumes, the value of livestock production is expected to fall by

largely follow global prices, which are expected to fall because of higher global crop production and lower price volatility compared to last year. As a result, the gross value of crop production is expected to fall by $11 billion to $46 billion in 2023–24. Lower production and prices for a few key crops are driving the expected fall in production value. Wheat is driving around half of the decrease in value, falling by $6.2 billion. The values of canola ($2.7 billion lower) and barley ($1.3 billion lower) have also fallen. Pulses, sorghum, and cotton (part of industrial crops) values are also all forecast

to fall, down by $1.6 billion collectively. Horticulture is expected to increase by $1 billion to reach a record $18 billion, reflecting higher production and increasing domestic fruit and vegetable consumption. Sugar production values are expected to rise by $300 million reflecting strong global prices. Wine grape values are expected to rise by around $100 million to $1 billion as drier conditions are expected to boost production by reducing diseases such as powdery mildew which affected the 2022–23 crop. The value of livestock production is also

$1.6 billion to $34 billion in 2023–24 because of lower prices. Livestock prices are forecast to fall because of lower domestic restocking demand and higher global beef and sheep meat supply in 2023–24. Milk prices are also expected to fall as an oversupply of milk in China is lowering Chinese demand at the same time as world milk production increases. The forecast decrease in the value of livestock production is mainly driven by: Beef and veal production values falling by $600 million to $14.3 billion. Sheep meat production value by around $700 million to $3.9 billion. Milk production value declining by around $200 million to $5.9 billion. Pigs, poultry and eggs and wool production values, both down slightly to $6.3 billion and $3.1 billion respectively.

Maximising Pasture Productivity with Omnia’s Humates

IN the ever-evolving world of agriculture, optimising resources and reducing costs are paramount concerns for farmers. Fertilisers, a staple of modern farming, can be a significant expense, and their efficient use is vital for both economic and environmental sustainability. Omnia’s Humates are made in Gippsland, Victoria out of the purest source of Leonardite in the world, allowing them to produce the most concentrated humic solution worldwide, marketed under K humate 26®. One of the most significant attributes of Omnia’s Humates is their ability to breathe the life back into unresponsive soils. Soil degradation is a pressing concern, and Omnia’s concentrated Humates have shown results in revitalising such soils. By promoting microbial activity, enhancing nutrient availability, and restoring soil structure, Omnia’s Suite of Humic based products can improve the biology of your soil environment, facilitating improved root penetration and access to available minerals and nutrients. Humates fuel the soil health by enhancing the cycle of biology, increasing and feeding the soil microbes and fungi, which play a pivotal role in unlocking nutrients for plant roots. Harnessing the synergy of nature, Omnia offers Bacstim® (a highly beneficial

November, 2023

5 strain bacillus in spore form) and Rhizovator®.

Rhizovator is the perfect partner, enhancing root development, feeding biology whilst still capturing the power of humates. Fertilisers are a substantial investment for any farm, but much of their value can be lost due to volatility, tie-up, and leaching. Omnia’s FertiCoat, when applied to granular fertilisers, provides an invaluable shield, ensuring that your investment remains where it matters most - the root zone. The benefits are particularly evident with Urea, reducing volatility and leaching, and DAP and MAP, minimising nutrient tie-up, all translating to more efficient nutrient uptake and enhanced pasture growth. By protecting fertiliser investments, improving soil structure and stimulating soil microbes, growers can look forward to not only increased productivity but also reduced environmental impact, making the adoption of Omnia’s Humates a win-win proposition for sustainable agriculture. The path to healthier, more productive pastures lies in harnessing the power of Humates, and Omnia Specialities Australia are leading the way.

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DAY

Dairy Beef: Profit or Pitfall? DESCRIBING the beef market over the last three years as volatile would be an understatement. From all-time high prices just over a year ago to the current rates we see now, it might seem like an entirely different market to many producers. Adding to the complexity, dairy farmers are being encouraged to expand their beef production with surplus calves, but they are now witnessing the value of those calves’ plummet. This begs the question: Is Dairy Beef a viable long-term option, or merely an opportunity that existed during the pricing boom, and now consigned to the past? Dairy Beef presents a compelling argument. There’s the ethical aspect, in that every farm-born animal can lead a purposeful life and contribute to the food chain. The environmental argument, in that with traditional beef, the calf carries not only its carbon (methane), but also that of the mother, whereas in dairy-beef, the mother’s carbon load is carried by milk production, with the calf only responsible for its own emissions. And finally, the economic argument comes into play when we examine Dairy Farm Monitor Data over many years, which reveals that the most profitable farms typically have a higher proportion of livestock sales, although the data doesn’t distinguish between beef and other sales. Technology has also made dairy beef a more viable option as by using sexed semen for replacement stock, followed by

the purposefully selected beef semen for the balance of the herd, we can develop genetics tailored to our specific end goals. This approach consistently results in animals being raised with a clear purpose, aiming for a target market with exceptionally high carcass grades that are on par with premium beef cuts, consequently qualifying for the premium pricing grids accordingly. Despite all of that, the recent fall in prices has made dairy beef look like an opportunity that is no longer viable…Buts let’s look at a slightly more mature dairy beef market such as the US. Successful dairy farmers in the United States, much like their counterparts in Australia, view livestock sales as a

significant aspect of their business, and a more diverse revenue source. More importantly, they acknowledge that the market is volatile, so they take a long view. During a panel discussion at the recent World Dairy Expo, Wisconsin dairy farmers all saw dairy beef as an important component of their business. Nevertheless, they also acknowledged that some years it will bring its challenge, but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. “Two years out of three I know my beef sales will be an important contributor to the overall profitability of our business” quoted one. Others agreed, adding “The key is to understand your costs in the poor years,

accept that profits might be small or even non-existent in the poor years, and make sure you minimise the pain, but keep the system running, so you more than capitalise on the good years”. So what can Australian dairy farmers learn from this? The first lesson is having purpose in your system. Know what your target market is and grow animals with that target market in mind. Where possible grow animals on a contract…they protect both party’s interests. Nutrition is important but shouldn’t be overly expensive. One lesson from the US is to be cautious around high protein forage, as it tends to bring out the dairy traits more than the beef traits. Basic calf milk replacers are also fine, with some now being designed specifically for dairy beef calves (eg: ProfeLAC BEEF). The key is to understand that dairy beef, when done well, can be an important contributor to farm profitability as a longterm strategy. We can no longer just chuck a few on an out-block and hope prices survive. Breed with purpose, and grow them beside, but not with your replacements, on purpose designed programs, with the long view in mind, and dairy beef can remain a meaningful, long term contributor to farm profit. Hugh Archibald Technical & Development Manager ProviCo Rural

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

November, 2023

TELEHANDLER SPRING PROMOTION

MICHAELS MOAMA 480 Cobb Hwy, Moama Phone 03 5480 0731 MICHAELS OF DONALD 13-15 McCulloch St, Donald Phone 03 5497 1203

JCB BALLARAT 29 Ballarat-Carngham Rd, Delacombe Phone 03 5336 4145 JCB GIPPSLAND 26 Stirloch Circuit,Traralgon East Phone 03 5174 5594

www.michaelsgroup.net.au GP1662924

November, 2023

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DAY

New triple-combination mowers float like a butterfly

WITH a variable working width of 8.8 to 9.5 metres, tried-and-tested MAX CUT mower beds and ACTIVE FLOAT suspension technology and a range of optional conditioning and auto swathing functions, CLAAS DISCO 9700 triplecombination mowers set new benchmarks in throughput, efficiency and forage quality. CLAAS Harvest Centre Product Manager – Greenline, Daniel Cornelius, says the mower features swinging arms that can be hydraulically pivoted outwards by 30cm and inwards by 5cm. “This allows the working width to be adjusted on-the-go up to 70cm,” he says. “For example, the driver can choose between maximum overlap on headlands to avoid strips or maximum working width on straight lines. This feature makes the 9700 ideal for mowing irregularly-shaped or undulating fields where a higher degree of flexibility is required to maintain cutting quality and protect the pasture.” This new series expands the CLAAS product offer for large-scale mowers and closes the gap between the DISCO 9200/9300 and the DISCO 1100. The new range comprises five models: DISCO 9700 COMFORT, 9700 C BUSINESS (tine conditioner), 9700 RC BUSINESS (roller conditioner), 9700 C AUTO SWATHER (tine conditioner and swath grouping) and 9700 RC AUTO SWATHER (roller conditioner and swath grouping). On the COMFORT model, the ACTIVE FLOAT ground pressure control, swing arm travel and protective cover folding are controlled via ISOBUS and load-sensing, while the arms are lifted and lowered by operation of the hydraulic spool valves. This enables the driver to easily integrate lifting and lowering functions into the tractor’s headland management system. On BUSINESS machines, all functions can be controlled using the continuous loadsensing hydraulic system via the ISOBUS terminal, function keys or the tractor’s headland management system. RC models feature two counter-rotating polyurethane rollers that are both actively driven and synchronised with a speciallydeveloped scissor gearbox for maximum throughput and processing quality. The rollers extend right across the width of the mower bed and gently crush the harvested crop and optimise crop flow. The RC models are specifically developed for gently processing large volumes of lucerne, forage crops and whole-crop silage. The AUTO SWATHER models incorporate two newly-designed 1100mm wide Kevlarreinforced conveyor belts that consolidate harvested crop from the left and right hand mowers into a single, perfectly-shaped swath, ready for processing by a silage harvester. CLAAS claims the system can easily handle crop yields of up to 60 t/ha. The two belts can be independently disengaged and folded up if swath grouping is not required. One or both of the belt units can be folded up hydraulically when working without swath grouping or using the ‘19 to 12’ method, where a working width of 19m is consolidated into 12m for the next pass with a 12.7m wide standard quad-rotor swather.

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

For maximum flexibility between overlap and working width the mower units can be shifted to cover a working width range from 8.80 up to 9.50m.

The DISCO 9700 RC AUTO SWATHER has been designed specifically for harvesting high to very high forage volumes up to 60 t/ha combined with gentle conditioning and swath grouping.

Optimised crop transfer with 1100 mm wide, extremely robust Kevlar-reinforced cross conveyor belts ensures uniform filling of the belt units on RC AUTO SWATHER machines. The belt is automatically switched on or off according to the working/ parking position. AUTO SWATHER models can also be ordered with an optional central lubrication system, on-board hydraulics or an oil cooler. DISCO 9700 incorporates award-winning MAX CUT mower beds that deliver exceptional cutting quality and operational efficiency. In light crop the mower beds can be operated with a PTO speed down to 850

rpm, which can reduce fuel consumption by up to 20 percent. Pressed from a single piece of 5mm thick steel, the unique wave-shaped design enables the cutting discs to be positioned further forwards, improving cutting quality in all conditions. The special shape of the skids and the large channel between the discs provides a high degree of self-cleaning. The optional new wear skids provide another 15mm more cutting height,

helping to reduce the amount of crude ash contamination introduced into the swath and promoting faster pasture regrowth. The SAFETY LINK module ensures each cutting disc is protected by a predetermined breaking point, isolating it from the drive train in the event of contact with a foreign body. An axial bolt holds the cutting disc firmly in place to prevent it flying off if it breaks. The specially-hardened intermediate pieces are shaped differently for the mower discs that converge and diverge for a clean cut and maximum overlap. MAX CUT mower beds also incorporate CLAAS’ rapid blade-change system. “The caps and mower blades of the clockwise and anti-clockwise rotating mower discs are painted black and red, respectively,” Daniel says. “This means replacement blades can be immediately assigned to the appropriate mower discs. The new blade box is divided into three compartments for red and black replacement blades and used blades.” ACTIVE FLOAT regularly and automatically continually adjusts the ground pressure, ensuring the mowers adapt perfect to ground contours. “This system has been tried and tested for almost two decades and has been proven to reduce forage contamination, fuel consumption and wear,” Daniel says. “The contact pressure, which can be independently adjusted on either side for mowing borders and slopes, is displayed in the terminal or on two gauges on the headstock. The mower units are driven by new triple telescopic drive shafts with toughened large-diameter steel profiles that enables the enormous adjustment range of the mower arms. The new higher capacity K-90 friction clutch is bolted directly to the universal joint shaft, making it quick and easy to service,” he says. The innovative hitch frame with angled arms ensures optimum centre of gravity during operation, turning and road transport. The arms are equipped with individual non-stop collision protection. “When the mower encounters an obstacle, the arm swings back and over, moving the mower unit as far from the danger zone as possible,” Daniel says. “Machines fitted with hydraulic collision protection, oil is pressed from the collision protection into the relief cylinder, which means that the mower bed is additionally relieved, protecting the mower bed from serious damage. The mower bed then automatically swings back into its working position due to the oil pressure.” When operating on slopes, an optional tilt sensor individually adjusts ground pressure, the telescopic travel of the arms to counteract drift and the belt speed (on AUTO SWATHER models) to reduce the driver’s workload and protect pastures. Folded into transport position, the arms automatically retract to a height of less than 4m. Hydraulic hoses – fitted with Kennfixx couplers as standard – and electric cables are safely stowed in a new parking bracket when the mower is unhitched.

November, 2023

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November, 2023

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DAY

Farms in space - the new agricultural frontier

Farmbot with an E-nose monitors plants at the University of Melbourne test site.

Researchers Dr Claudia Gonzalez Viejo Duran and Associate Professor Sigfredo Fuentes.

Agriculture researchers are growing plants that could provide delicious meals for astronauts on Moon and Mars missions. University of Melbourne agriculturalists are taking “paddock to plate” to a whole new level with plans to grow mini-farms in space. Leafy greens like beetroot, coriander, kale, mixed lettuce, sweet basil and Thai basil are test plants for a project investigating how to feed astronauts fresh and nutritious meals as they explore the Moon and Mars. NASA plans to send humans back to the Moon in the 2030s and Mars in the 2040s. But before these journeys can happen, a monumental challenge must be addressed: how to feed the astronauts during their extended crossing through the cosmos. Associate Professor Sigfredo Fuentes from the School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences said the challenge was to reduce weight loss and menu fatigue caused by eating the same meals all the time in space. “This happens on relatively short journeys orbiting Earth, let alone the months or years for Lunar, Martian and beyond missions,” Associate Professor Fuentes said. “In long-term missions you won’t be able to take stores of potatoes, lettuce, strawberries and food like that.

providing fertiliser and killing weeds. The E-nose was developed by the Digital Agriculture, Food and Wine Research group and Associate Professor Ranjith Unnithan and Bryce Widdicombe from the University of Melbourne’s Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Next, the team tested how these foods might smell and taste in space, using special chairs to simulate the effect of zero gravity on human senses. Test subjects enjoy the leafy greens in front of a 180-degree screen projecting breathtaking views of Earth from space while researchers measure facial expressions and physical changes such as heart rate, blood pressure and posture. “In zero gravity your middle ear changes because there is liquid in there, and your smell and taste changes. So we test how foods from our Farmbot farms taste and smell in zero gravity,” Associate Professor Fuentes said. This data, combined with the E-noses and humans’ zero gravity responses to the leafy greens, will be used to create computer models of the plants, known as ‘digital twins’. “Digital twins mean we can assess the flavour, aroma and acceptability of these plants and their food and beverage products without needing to use humans,” Associate Professor Fuente said. “This research is one giant leap towards making long-term space exploration a delicious and nutritious reality. We are excited to be at the forefront of this cosmic culinary adventure, bringing us one step closer to reaching for the stars by having a stellar menu.” Associate Professor Fuente said studying Agricultural Sciences at The University of Melbourne gives students the knowledge to influence agriculture and food production significantly, both here on Earth and in space. “It empowers students with the expertise and competencies necessary to influence agriculture and food production significantly, both here on Earth and in the context of pioneering applications

It is not sustainable to rely on resupply missions from Earth. So astronauts will need to produce their own food, materials and pharmaceuticals,” he said. One way to do this is to supply a fresh and nutritious variety of food to astronauts in space. For its Earth-based research, Associate Professor Fuentes’ Digital Agriculture, Food and Wine Group investigates new ways to monitor crops, assess produce quality, and study how consumers perceive different foods and drink. “We investigate how machine learning, robotics and artificial intelligence can revolutionise modern farming and develop practical tools to help farmers,” Associate Professor Fuentes said. But the team are also expanding small robotic farming systems, called “Farmbots”, for use on long-haul space missions and extra-terrestrial settlements. The Farmbots are made from open-source hardware and software and use digital sensors, including a low-cost electronic nose or E-nose, to monitor the growth of leafy green vegetables. Farmbot sensors detect when the plants need water or other nutrients. Moving robotic arms with cameras tend to every plant and irrigate automatically,

Food taste and experience are tested on subjects in ‘zero-gravity chairs’ combined with a space-immersive environment. 26 THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

for extra-terrestrial settings such as the long-term missions to the Moon and Mars planned by 2030 and 2040 respectively by NASA,” he said. The Farmbots project is the team’s contribution to the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Space, which promises to play a pivotal role in using plants grown in space to feed future astronauts. The ARC initiative - a collaboration between five Australian Universities - is set to revolutionise space food production, with 38 national and international partners, including NASA, also involved. The Digital Agriculture, Food and Wine Research group is led by Associate Professor Sigfredo Fuentes and postdoctoral researchers Dr Claudia Gonzalez Viejo and Dr Eden Tongson. The University of Melbourne’s contribution to the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Space is led by Professor Sally Gras, Professor Michelle Watt, and Associate Professor Fuentes, with expertise in plant biology, food engineering and processing, digital agriculture and sensory analysis of food and beverages.

Associate Professor Sigfredo Fuentes at the test site. November, 2023

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November, 2023

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DAY

Outstanding results recorded for drumMUSTER in Gippsland

GIPPSLAND farmers, community groups and councils working in teams to clear farms of used plastic chemical containers have achieved some notable results. Around 360,000 drums have been collected in the Gippsland region since the start of the drumMUSTER program in 1999, resulting in around 308 tonnes of materials recycled into new products. Since the program commenced, 43 different collection sites across Gippsland’s six local council regions were used at various times to collect drums. Collections were organised through local council waste facilities managed by councils or their contractors as well as six community groups offering services. East Gippsland drumMUSTER consultant Leigh Mitchell said the shire councils were really engaged and very proactive with the drumMUSTER program. “They are looking at new opportunities to engage with farmers and staff are active

and engaged around the six council regions,” he said. With intensive horticulture using more chemicals, some fruit and veggie farms had large numbers of containers for collection. “The farmers who have drums, with drumMUSTER have options. They just have to get in contact.” Allan McGann, manager of the now wellestablished national product stewardship program, said that Gippsland was a good area for drumMUSTER, highlighting their consistent record. As an intensive horticulture area, farmers had to meet their quality assurance requirements and provide evidence they had safely disposed of their containers. He said the CFA were the longest serving community group for drumMUSTER in the Gippsland region. They were engaged in March 2008 and have been active since then.

For example, Lindenow CFA who manage collections at the Lindenow Transfer Station collected around 75,000 drums, raising about $15,000 for the community.

Asked to comment on their experience with the program, John Douglas of Lindenow CFS said the locals had found drumMUSTER “very, very good”. The fact that drumMUSTER was an earning from outside the region meant that they were not asking local community groups to dip into their pockets.

Also, because the collections were out of hours, it enabled the teams to organise a work around, making it more convenient. “Therefore we are getting better results and not so many people are burning,” he said. “With drumMUSTER we are able to say, listen here mate, the community gets the money back. “I believe we’ve taken in some of the farmers who used to burn every so often.”

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A well-stacked drumMUSTER collection site for AgVet chemical containers in Gippsland.

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

November, 2023

NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DAY

Brandt:

Your trusted partner for John Deere compact construction equipment and compact tractors

IN the world of heavy machinery and agricultural equipment, the name John Deere stands as a beacon of reliability, innovation, and performance. For over a century, John Deere has been synonymous with quality in the fields and construction sites. When it comes to offering sales, parts, and after-sales support for John Deere’s compact construction equipment and compact tractors, one company that truly stands out is Brandt. Brandt, a well-established leader in the industry, has been a trusted partner for customers seeking top-notch solutions in agriculture and compact construction for decades. Their commitment to providing the very best in John Deere’s machinery, as well as comprehensive support services, has made them a go-to destination for individuals and businesses alike. Brandt’s offering of John Deere compact construction equipment and compact tractors is extensive, catering to a wide variety of applications. Whether you are a construction professional looking for a dependable skid

John Deere’s range of compact equipment caters for a wide variety of applications.

Brandt has all agriculturists needs covered with their extensive range of compact utility tractors.

steer loader or an agriculturist in need of a versatile compact utility tractor, Brandt has you covered. Their diverse product range ensures that customers can find the perfect equipment

to suit their specific needs, regardless of the industry or task at hand. When you invest in John Deere compact construction equipment or compact tractors through Brandt, you will be

investing in quality and performance. Brandt’s sales team is highly knowledgeable and dedicated to helping customers choose the right equipment for their projects. They understand that the success of your work relies on the reliability and capabilities of the machinery you use, and they are there to provide expert guidance throughout the sales process. This level of personalised service ensures that customers make informed decisions and receive the machinery that best serves their requirements. When you choose Brandt as your partner, you are choosing more than just a provider of equipment and services; you are choosing a relationship built on trust, quality, and expertise. The reliability and performance of John Deere equipment, combined with Brandt’s unwavering support, ensure that you have everything you need to succeed in your projects. Contact your local Brandt branch on 1800 237 887 today to find out more, and to secure a demo of the compact construction equipment and compact utility tractors.

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November, 2023

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

It’s OKAY to NOT BE OKAY

Stress or depression?

STUDIES suggest that farmers who are depressed don’t tend to use the word ‘depression’ to describe their state of mind, but may describe it as ‘stress’ instead. However, stress and depression are not the same and require different approaches to treatment. Stress is a response to a challenging or dangerous situation. It occurs when there is an imbalance between the demands being made of you and your resources to cope with those demands. Sometimes stress can be a positive thing that helps you to get things done, but if it is causing you discomfort and distress, it can lead to other mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression. Depression is more than feeling stressed or ‘down in the dumps’. A diagnosis of depression requires at least five of the following symptoms, almost every day, over a two-week period: • Feeling sad or flat • Losing interest and pleasure in normal activities

• Lack of motivation to socialise or exercise • Feeling that life isn’t worth living

Getting help for mental illness

• Appetite or weight loss (also binge or comfort eating and weight gain) • Sleep problems, such as an inability to fall asleep, or early waking

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

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• Feeling tired all the time • Concentration problems • Feelings of restlessness, agitation, worthlessness or guilt

Sometimes it can be hard to ask for help or tell others how you feel. You might feel embarrassed or worried that someone will judge you. At other times, you might not know where to start. There are a lot of different ways of getting support for mental health issues and, to make it worthwhile, it is important you choose a method that works for you. These include: • Consulting with your doctor or community health professional for information and advice. • Letting close friends or family know that you are not okay which can give you a lot of comfort and support. • Discussing your anxieties, worries and feelings with a counsellor. They are trained to help you come up with practical solutions.

Farming families are doing it tough, but they don’t have to do it alone RELATIONSHIPS Australia Victoria (RAV) is a safe and confidential place for when things get hard. For 75 years the not-for-profit, communitybased organisation has supported Victorian communities, including Gippsland farming families. RAV provides a broad range of services in Gippsland to meet local needs, including bushfire and drought support; counselling for individuals, couples and families, including children and young people, and mediation for separating families. Having worked in Gippsland for over four decades, the organisation knows that rural and regional living has its unique difficulties. They understand how farming challenges, including workloads, financial pressures, unpredictable weather and natural disasters, crop and produce yields, and other unplanned events, can impact families and relationships. “All too often farmers have told us that they don’t have time to stop and think about what’s going on around them, to take care of themselves or spend the time they want to with their families,” said Cate Noy, Assistant Manager at RAV’s Traralgon Centre. “They just carry on and cope as best they can.”

Many of the farming clients RAV works with, however, have said that making time for themselves away from their farm and family responsibilities and accessing support has been a positive experience. “Simply being able to talk confidentially to a trained counsellor and find some coping strategies, without worrying about being judged, can make a world of difference, and not only in the tough times,” Ms Noy said. “Talking with someone has helped me to be more proactive in managing my mental health. I now feel stronger and more capable [of coping] with the everyday challenges I’m faced with,” one of RAV’s counselling clients said. RAV’s centre in Traralgon provides a range of flexible services for busy farmers as well as other families. Face-to-face and telehealth services are available, with after-hours appointments available. RAV is committed to providing affordable services, so fees are based on income and clients’ ability to pay. If you’re a farmer doing it tough, or simply wanting help to improve your relationships, RAV is here to support you and your family.

November, 2023

It’s OKAY to NOT BE OKAY Royal Flying DoctorsWellbeing Service FOR Black Summer bushfire victim, Mick Harper, knowing he has the continued support of Royal Flying Doctor Service Victoria’s Bushfire Recovery Counselling and Support service has brought great comfort throughout a tumultuous few years. In late December 2019, after several sleepless nights tracking the erratically moving bushfires, Mick Harper and his father Maurice fled their property, seeking shelter in the nearby township of Buchan some 20 kilometres away. Days later, they were told their property was one of the 1.5 million hectares of East Gippsland country burnt between the summer of 2019 and 2020. Most structures on the property, including the home and shed, were destroyed. What followed was a period of displacement, as Mick had to contend with trying to rebuild his life, all the while battling serious health issues, hospital stays, trying to get his 92-year-old father into care in Bairnsdale, endless challenges with the rebuild of his house and then, of course, there was the COVID-19 pandemic to contend with. Mick says he could, “see the end of my tether”. It was during this time Mick came into contact with Flying Doctor Wellbeing, a free service offering confidential face-toface and telehealth consultations to rural Victorian communities. Following the Black Summer bushfires, RFDS Victoria launched its dedicated Bushfire Recovery Counselling and Support service to provide people affected by the fires in East Gippsland access to locally based clinical mental health and wellbeing support. This service is delivered in partnership with Relationships Australia Victoria (RAV) with funding from the Gippsland Primary Heath Network (PHN), and more recently, the East Gippsland Shire Council. He says the work of mental health clinician, Robyn Smith, has sustained him beyond the impact of the bushfires. “Particularly the last time when I was in hospital for well over a month. [Robyn] really helped me get through that,” says Mick. “There’s been support all the way through, which has been wonderful. I’m very, very, very grateful. “Otherwise... I don’t think I would’ve made it to be honest. [Robyn shared] little tools that I could use to basically almost distract myself from the thoughts that were going on and then which gives you the time to just stop and then go maybe it’s not so bad, we can work through that one.” He says he’s not the only one to have benefited from Flying Doctor Wellbeing. “I know a couple of people who have utilised the service, and all of us are just blown away by it,” says Mick. “As a community, I think it’s really helped.

November, 2023

It’s so important for these services to have a presence in the places where people have been affected... MICK HARPER

The Flying Doctor has made a real difference.” Three years on and with the support of Robyn, Mick says he, “can see the light at the end of the tunnel”. He still regularly catches up with Robyn, particularly as he prepares to move back onto the property in a re-built house. It’s an opportunity to work through the complex emotions that come with returning home. Especially with the added grief of recently losing his father. The only issue on the horizon is what will happen if the service doesn’t receive additional funding. “It’s so important for these services to have a presence in the places where people have been affected. It’s so good to know that there’s somebody to ring if you need a chat,” says Mick. “I’m out of the woods now, but I know it wouldn’t take much to tip me over the edge again – not that I ever fell off the edge, but at least now I’ve got a few little tools that I can apply to things like panic attacks and when I’m really stressed out or concerned. So that’s really important.”

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Email wellbeing@rfdsvic.com.au for any enquires.

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

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Plan & Prepare CFA is ready for fire season - but are you?

VICTORIA is expecting a warmer spring and an earlier start to the fire season this year and we’re asking those living in high-risk areas to take action to prepare their family and property. The new Spring Seasonal Outlook predicts the fire risk in the coming months to be normal across the state, as well as strong drying patterns in Gippsland’s forested areas and elevated grass fuel loads in central, western and northern Victoria. While La Niña conditions have subdued Victoria’s fire risk the past three years, our state is one of the most bush-fire prone areas in the world and we need people to be prepared as we approach warmer conditions. CFA crews have been protecting lives and property in this environment for decades – some for more than a century. They’re highly trained, professional firefighters that have made every effort to prepare their communities ahead of this fire season, as they do every year. We’re constantly working with our Victorian emergency service partners throughout the cooler months to prepare for fire season and this year is no exception. However, while we continue our work, our crews implore people to understand

Chief: Jason Heffernan.

Photo: Supplied

that fire safety is a shared responsibility between fire services and the community. We’re asking all Victorians in high-risk

areas to take simple actions to prepare their family and property as the weather begins to warm.

If you live near areas with bush, forest, long grass or coastal scrub, these actions and decisions may well save your life and property in the event of a bushfire. Find some time to sit down with your family or household and make a Bushfire Survival Plan, and if you already have one, it’s a great time to review it. It’s also the perfect time to tidy up your property, this can include clearing your gutters, pruning branches away from your roof or walls, keeping grass shorter than 10cm and removing leaves and twigs from around your property. Landowners should also consider private burn offs to remove green waste ahead of Fire Danger Period (FDP) declarations. All burn-offs must be registered, which can be done online at www.firepermits.vic.gov. au. Stay informed by downloading the VicEmergency app to stay across incidents and fire danger ratings in your area. I urge all Victorians to visit the CFA website to learn more about how they can prepare themselves ahead of this bushfire season at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/prepare. Stay safe, Jason Heffernan CFA Chief Officer

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

November, 2023

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November, 2023

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

Plan & Prepare Data shows Victorians won’t leave early... AN alarming number of Victorians living in high-risk bushfire areas say they would stay at their properties until they felt threatened by a bushfire, or would wait for an official warning, a CFA survey revealed. CFA’s annual Bushfire Community Survey, undertaken since 2009-10, showed 30.9% would wait for emergency authorities to tell them what to do, 28.6% would stay until they felt threatened and 13.8% would stay and defend their property. Victoria has experienced many damaging fire seasons in recent memory such as the February 2009 bushfires and the 2019-20 fires, and with the prediction of a warmer spring and earlier start to this year’s season. CFA is concerned that not enough people are preparing themselves for fire season and heeding CFA’s advice. CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said it’s concerning knowing around half of all Victorians in high-risk bushfire areas are risking their lives if a bushfire was to occur. “Victoria has had quieter fire seasons the

last few years but now is not the time for the community to become complacent,” CO Heffernan said. “And while our firefighters are always well prepared and your safety during fire season is a shared responsibility, so it’s vital that you understand your local risks and take actions to prepare your family and property. We’ve seen in the recent release of the spring seasonal outlook that weather patterns are changing and we’re expecting warmer and drier conditions across the state leading up to summer. Fires spread quickly and they threaten lives and properties. The community needs to be prepared and they need to know their triggers to act. Please don’t rely on one source of information, utilise the multiple channels available to you. Use common sense and protect yourself and your loved ones.” The AFAC Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for

DON’T

leave it too late GET READY

NOW!

spring released on 23 August, outlined that fire risk in the coming months is expected to be normal across most parts of Victoria. The predicted development of an El Niño weather pattern will contribute to higher fire risk in some parts of Victoria this season compared to the last three years. The survey also showed 44.4% believe CFA is responsible for protecting them during a bushfire, and 43.8% say CFA is responsible for protecting their home. “We simply can’t get a truck to every house during a major bushfire. Fire safety is a joint effort and the community need to also take on this responsibility when living in a bushfire prone area,” CO Heffernan said. “Our promise is to continue with our mission to protect lives and property and we are lucky to have some of the best firefighters in the world to do this.” Victoria’s integrated warning system includes the Vic Emergency website, app and social media channels, VicEmergency

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

November, 2023

A D V E R T I S I N G

F E A T U R E

FLOODS AND FIRES …

GET SET FOR MORE Last month we saw Gippsland farmers rocked by devastating bushfires followed immediately by major floods. Both had a direct and dire effect on livestock but left homes and buildings, infrastructure, and machinery severely damaged and even destroyed. Climate change experts tell us this fluctuation is the new world order and that scorching high temperatures will come with this package! Fire authorities around the country are already bracing for what looks like a devastating fire season this summer all due to climate change.

AUSSIE IS THERE

Aussie Fire Chief is a versatile, high performance pump for fire protection duties.

One Australian manufacturer, Australian Pump Industries understands what regional Australia goes through when racked by fires and floods. They conceive and design pump products that are built to tackle the results of these destructive weather events.

THE URBAN INTERFACE

Aussie Pumps’ high pressure fire pumps are an everyday tool for a wide range of applications around the farm. They can be used for plant washdown, high pressure water transfer and of course fire protection. They can run sprinklers, be used in irrigation and can clear a messy dairy yard fast and efficiently. However, their primary task is for the fire protection of outbuildings, homes, and sheds, in what fire authorities call the “Urban Interface”. That is over a million houses that are built on the outskirts of cities and towns in a rural or semi-rural environment. Many of those locations are scattered around capital cities with the owners having not just a few pets but also serious livestock from cattle to horses, sheep and other animals. Protecting those assets, in terms of buildings and

livestock is a massive issue in the event of a fire, bearing in mind the horrific fires, and the speed at which they travelled, during the Black Summer of 2019/20. Aussie Pumps believes there are practical steps that can be taken to prepare for bushfires.

GET READY NOW

The huge build-up of fuel over the winter months means tremendous danger for the Urban Interface dwellers. Living amongst the gum trees and enjoying that environment can bring its own dangers and responsibilities.

AUSSIE’S BUSHFIRE SURVIVAL GUIDE

Every year, Australian Pump produce a revised version of their free Bushfire Survival Guide. It gets better each year with more input from not just the fire authorities but also from people who have had practical experience in protecting their homes and assets. The guide is a terrific document that shows a wide range of actions that need to be taken to protect property and livestock. The guides are distributed through Aussie Pump shops around Australia. The guide covers the basics on how to fill gutters with water and move debris from around the house. However, there are a score of other practical ideas that can be easily achieved. For example, the guide covers instructions on how to set up sprinklers for a roof mounted reticulation system. The “halo” effect of water sprayed over the building can be a lifesaver. The purpose of the guide ultimately is to inform those million or so properties located in harm’s way. There are real risks involved and people living in the “Urban Interface” need to be prepared.

BE PREPARED

The first essential is to have an adequate water source in the form of either a swimming pool, water tank, dam or well. That source should have a minimum capacity of at least 20,000 litres. The Aussie Pump team believe that if you intend to fight the fire and protect your property, which may be your most valuable asset, it’s worth doing the research to make sure you have the right equipment. After water, the next thing is having the right product in the form of a firefighting pump that will give you the best chance. The company has a movie that illustrates the benefits of the Aussie Fire Chief, their flagship product. They claim the Fire Chief is the world’s best and most effective lightweight, portable fire pump. The movie shows exactly why The Aussie Fire Chief is better than competitor products. Those advantages include more heavy duty components that deliver true reliability and increased performance. In some cases it’s 25% more than of other products. The Aussie Fire Chief will deliver a maximum pressure of around 100 psi and flows up to 450 lpm. Best of all, in its standard configuration with genuine Honda 5.5 or 6.5 hp engine, the pump will deliver 150 lpm at 60 metres head. Delivering that much water at that pressure provides a degree of competence not found with third world products or other brands. So bushfires are covered but what about preparing for floods?

Flooded quarry using an Aussie 4” transfer pump to move water fast.

There are huge costs involved but also an awful lot of heartbreak as well. We’re all waiting to see governments start planning flood mitigation work designed to protect low lying towns. Those major projects will involve the building of new dams to retain and control water levels, as well as dykes, levees and similar infrastructure to protect vulnerable locations.

AFTER THE DELUGE On a practical level, moving surplus water from flooded basements and carparks in an emergency can be done with a high pressure fire pump like an Aussie Fire Chief. However, these pumps are designed with closed impellers that can be subject to clogging if used for moving dirty water. This risk can be reduced by fitting a suitably sized strainer. A better option for moving contaminated water is a specialist self-priming trash pump. These feature open vane impellers that will move larger volumes more efficiently and can handle solids in suspension. Aussie’s range of QP trash pumps ranges includes 2”, 3” and 4” Honda petrol or Yanmar diesel pumps. Self-priming means these pumps can be set up fast and are easy to maintain. They are ideal for use in quarries, construction sites and clearing stagnant water from low lying areas. Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that the versatile Aussie Fire Chief doubles as a terrific tool for moving mud with a “wash and flush” effect. Those high pressure fire pumps running up to 100 psi, with flows of 150 lpm, can clear a lot of mud, slime, and mess from inside buildings, patios and general wash down duties. Aussie Pumps has a large national distributor network that offer advice and service of their pump product range. Check the full page advert for your local distributors.

PREPARING FOR FLOODS

Homes in the urban interface and rural areas under threat.

November, 2023

We’ve all seen the misery people go through when their homes are wrecked, livestock drowned, outhouses and fences destroyed.

Moving dirty water efficiently with an Aussie 3” trash pump.

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

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THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

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November, 2023

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

GIPPSLAND SPORT

Exclusive Mallacoota annual cup Zoe ASKEW

FOR 51 years, soccer teams across New South Wales and Victoria have descended upon the tiny coastal town of Mallacoota for the annual Mallacoota Cup. The Mallacoota Cup, hosted on the first weekend of October, has become somewhat of an exclusive competition since its inauguration in 1972, with participant attendance via invitation only. Just nine teams are invited to the longrunning independent soccer tournament each year, with Mallacoota United, a conglomerate of former Mallacoota Soccer Club players and their guests, completing the 10-team draw. Sale United Football Club was among this year's Mallacoota Cup participants, returning for a second consecutive year - Sale having also attended on several occasions before the two years the tournament was cancelled owing to COVID. The Swans joined the likes of longstanding invitee Hornsby RSL Football Club, returning for the 40th year in 2023, Kissing Point Football Club, Casey Panthers Football Club, Cooma Tigers Football Club, South Coast United, Sparrows Football Club and Goodboys Football Club. Knox City Football Club were a last-minute pull out, making this year's tournament a nine-team draw. Mallacoota Cup is an enigma by the way of soccer tournaments. While it boasts talented competition with some players among the highest leagues in the country, the Coota Cup is a fun and social event to conclude the soccer season. Relaxed guidelines bolster the weekend's

merriment, with many teams taking the field in outlandish uniforms. Point and case - Kissing Point. Hailing from the northeast Sydney suburb of Turramurra, the defending champions, Kissing Point, took to the field sporting colourful swimming caps and goggles, with many flaunting sparkly disco shorts. Eighteen games of 40 minutes, two 20-minute halves, were hosted across Saturday and Sunday morning, with top teams progressing to the 2023 Mallacoota Cup finals series on Sunday afternoon. After a far more successful tournament than 2022, having lost every game and scoring just one goal, Sale United landed in the tournament's first elimination final, up against South Coast United. With scores remaining level at the end of 40 minutes, the winner would be decided by a penalty shootout. Sale United defeated South Coast United 4-3 on penalties to progress to the semifinal, where the Swans faced Kissing Point. Mallacoota United defeated Cooma Tigers 2-1 in the second elimination final, advancing to the semi final against Canberra side Good Boys FC. While Sale put forth a spirited effort against Kissing Point, their efforts fell short, with the Swans going down to their Northern Suburbs Football Association Premier League opponents 3-0. Mallacoota United kept their search for their first Mallacoota Cup win since 2012 alive after defeating Good Boys FC 1-0 in a nail-biting semi-final. With Kissing Point out to defend the title, it wouldn wouldn'tt be easy y for the ho ome side. h

Mallacoota United was supported by almost the entire town who had converged around the field's edge for the final meaning it wouldn't be easy for the defending champions. After two suspenseful halves, with chances at both ends, neither team was able to steal an advantage, taking the Mallacoota Cup Grand Final into overtime. While Kissing Point and Mallacoota United both looked like scoring; neither side managed to find the back of the net with scores remaining levelled at the end of overtime. A penalty shootout would decide the 2023 Mallacoota Cup victors. Big misses and big saves kept onlookers on the edge of their seats. Spectators expressed playful disdain for Kissing Point, hollering mischievous remarks in hopes of distracting the visitors as they lined up to take their penalty kicks. With every penalty scored, with every penalty saved, the crowd grew more boisterous. Sale United's loudest, most colourful characters sent surrounding knockedout teams into fits of laughter, with Sale's senior men's head coach Anouk Meereboer surely thinking to herself, "If only my team were as good at soccer as they are funny." A silence fell as Mallacoota United approached the spot. Scores levelled 2-all; scoring this penalty would secure Mallacotta United's victory. Deafening cheers cracked through the silence as the ball collected the back of the net. Every spectator rose to their feet. Hooting and hollering echoed across the ground ground. g

Mallacoota United had defeated Kissing Point FC 3-2 on penalties to claim their first Mallacoota Cup victory in 11 years. Daniel Marsden has been facilitating the Mallacoota Cup for the past 18 years, taking over the role in 2005 after a lengthy career playing in the tournament himself. For Marsden, whose two sons donned the blue Mallacoota United guernsey, defeating Kissing Point and reclaiming the Mallacoota Cup was a highlight of a "brilliant" weekendlong tournament. "I thought [this year's Mallacoota Cup] was brilliant, particularly with Mallacoota winning it again; it's been a few years between drinks there," Marsden laughed. "I thought it went down really well; I think having Mallacoota in the finals draws a lot of the locals that don't normally come; it was a big crowd. "But a highlight, I think, the way Mallacoota grounded out, like those last few games under the pump, and we had a lot of young players, that was our thing this year, we really wanted to bring in youth, we had a lot of youth sitting on the bench last year, and they really grounded out. "We'd lost a bit of a heart breaking one to Kisso (Kissing Point) earlier in the group stage 1-nil and you know young kids can get down about that stuff, but they really grounded out and got us through in the end. "Kissing Point are always a highlight, just the way they play; they're a very good team. Good Boys are a good side too; most of them play in the NPL (National Premier League) in Canberra, so they are always a good challenge. “I thought the way Sale did, I thought

Kieran Horgan shows the spirit of the Mallacoota Cup, playing g a game in a bucket hat.

Sale United’s Isaak Jondahl looks to win the ball ba ack k.

Photos: Zoe Askew

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GIPPSLAND SPORT that was brilliant; they just got better and better." After a successful 2023 Mallacoota Cup, Marsden is already looking to next year, with the facilitator confirming Sale's reinvitation to the exclusive tournament. "I think we will pretty much run with the same teams," Marsden said. "Knox really wants to come back, but having sort of let us down, I think I'll look elsewhere. A State League 1 team from Melbourne has been pestering me for a couple of years now, so getting them in would even out the Victoria, New South Wales balance. "A lot of my contacts are New South Wales based because that's where we (Mallacoota Soccer Club) play, we play in a league up there, and I've got a lot of contacts in Sydney because that's where I used to play and now where my kids are with the NPL (National Premier League).

"So I think getting another Victorian team in would be great, especially a good team. We are always looking at level, other than Hornsby, and I will forgive Casey Panthers for their level this year, but I know they have a decent squad when they do get it together; it was just that they had some dramas, miscommunication with a few things but they made sure they got here. "It's like Sale. I knew Sale didn't do too well last year, but I was keen to get them back because of their participation in the whole tournament because it's not just about how good you play; it's about getting involved with the whole weekend and the community, and Sale did that really well - they're a really good bunch, really happy with Sale, the way they've embraced it." While the Mallacoota Cup benefits participating teams, delivering an opportunity to play against opposition they wouldn't usually play, and the Mallacoota Soccer

Club providing an opportunity to showcase their best homegrown talent, it also benefits the Mallacoota township. Mallacoota is a well-known holiday destination, with the coast town's population of 1183 skyrocketing to about 8000 at holiday times, particularly Easter and Christmas. The annual Mallacoota Cup is a welcomed tourism boost that has evolved as locals' marker of the commencement of the holiday season. "I was talking to one of the sponsors at IGA, and they said 'oh, here we go, this is the start of our season', which is why they are always happy to sponsor it (Mallacoota Cup), they get good business through it," Marsden said. "You are exposing Mallacoota and East Gippsland to people from Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra; it's great because that's the main industry in Mallacoota,

S l United’s U it d’ Mitch Mit h Lummis L i takes t k the th Sale throw-in.

Th Mallacoota M ll t Cup C welcomed l d teams t f Vi t i and d New N S th Wales. W l The from across Victoria South

tourism, so I think it all helps." Following Mallacoota United's dramatic Grand Final victory, participating teams congregated at the Mallacoota Hotel for the official 2023 Mallacoota Cup presentations. Sale United Football Club's Xavier Boughton was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament, taking home the Mike Gaut Perpetual Trophy for a second consecutive year. Laurence Redmond from Cooma Tigers Football Club was awarded the 2023 Alf Bowerman Perpetual Trophy as the Player of the Tournament. The referees awarded the Zeke Bourke Perpetual Trophy to Matt Morgan of Sparrows FC for the most spectacular goal of the tournament. The Gerry and Mary Menke Perpetual Trophy, awarded to the Mallacoota Cup Grand Final referee, went to Daniel Ilievski.

S l United’s U it d’ Alan Al Harris H i ((right) i ht) competing ti in i Sale t Mallacoota Cup. the

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November, 2023

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

RURAL NEWS

Paige Barr rowing her way to the top Zoe ASKEW

BAIRNSDALE'S Paige Barr was among the Australian Rowing Team (ART) athletes to qualify for berths for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the World Rowing Championships 2023 in Belgrade, Serbia. The former Gippsland Grammar student represented the nation as part of the ART Women’s Eight, who placed third in the A Final, qualifying the boat for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Barr joined Hayley Verbunt, Lily Alton, Georgie Gleeson, Olympia Aldersey, Georgina Rowe, Jacqueline Swick, Molly Goodman and Bronwyn Cox in the ART Women’s Eight. “We were confident but obviously quite nervous because it was World Champs and Olympic qualification,” Barr said. “We knew there was a lot on the line. “Our goal was to win or podium, but then also in the back of our mind was to qualify. “The crew that came last in the A Final, we knew they wouldn’t qualify, so it was like a Plan A, Plan B, win, but if that doesn’t happen, don’t come last.” Following successful performances at Rowing World Cup 2 and 3, the ART Women’s Eight knew there was still much more they had to do if they were to

repeat their success at the World Rowing Championships. “I think we had a really good regatta working on from World Cup 2 and 3, but we knew that we had a lot to do coming into World Champs,” Barr said. “We had a really good first half of the race in our heat, but it’s only the top one that goes straight to the A Final from the heat, and we came second, so we had to do the repechage (repechage in rowing is a contest where the best of those who fail to win heats compete for a place in the final) to get into the A Final. “It was kind of good for us to have another race. “It gave us another chance to put together a good plan and hopefully do a bit better, which we did. We had a really good second half of the race, which meant we won the repechage, and that also gave us a good lane for the final. “Going into the A Final, we wanted to take the first half of our heat, the second half of our repechage and kind of try and put them together.” The ART Women’s Eight successfully combined their first-half heat performance and second-half repechage performance in the A Final, steaming home to claim Bronze.

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Barr vividly remembers sitting on the floor in the Gippsland Grammar rowing shed as a 15-year-old beginner rower under coach Peter Campbell, being inspired by talks given by VIS organisers. Having chased her dreams, producing a successful rowing resume in the infancy of her career, including a Bronze medal in the Women’s Eight at World Cup 2 and a Gold medal at World Cup 3, Barr hopes to be an inspirational role model for today’s rowing students. When asked what advice she would give to young local rowers aspiring to make the big leagues, Barr said that while living in regional Victoria is a barrier, you can overcome it. “Just because we are from the country, it is a bit of a barrier; you can definitely overcome it,” she said. “If you want to keep going, you can. I think being from the country makes it all that more special. “Because you don’t have quite as much support as the people in Melbourne who are on the Yarra every day with heaps of people rowing around them, it kinda makes it more special that we can still get there and prove that you can do a bit more on your own; although it is hard sometimes, it definitely is achievable.” Gippsland Grammar director of rowing Nick Bartlett said Barr demonstrated excellent progress and determined commitment to achieve throughout the two years he coached the young rower, and is confident she will don the green and gold for Australia at the next Olympics. “Generally, if you were in the boat at the world championships, you will more than likely be in the boat at the Olympics,” Bartlett said. “However, there’s always the need for a bit of luck to avoid illness and injury, and you’ve got a target on your back for other rowers to try and break into the boat. “I think Paige’s chances are really good, and I know she’ll do her very best and leave nothing out there. ”Bartlett said Gippsland Grammar is fortunate to have someone like Barr as an old scholar, with the rowing prodigy’s recent visit well received by current rowing students. “For someone in a national team to continue to show interest in the school program she came for is fantastic, and it really gives the current rowers a huge boost to have her pop down,” he said. “IT also gives them exposure to a fantastic role model and shows them that they can succeed.”

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“It was really good; it all came together in the end, which was nice,” Barr said. “We were all pretty excited; it’s always great to stand on the podium and especially to do it after this season. We’ve had some injuries, and stuff hasn’t always gone our way, but we’ve really put in the effort this season to try and stick together and do what we can, always get out on the boats, so it was quite exciting to get out there and get on the podium. “Also, being on the podium meant that we got an automatic invitation to the NTC (National Training Centre), so I know for me that was a big thing, having not been to the NTC yet. “Most of the other girls had already been there, so I think getting that invitation and not having to do the testing camp to get in was definitely one of the highlights; it was really exciting.” While the ART’s Women’s Eight berth may have qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Barr and her teammates still need to secure a place on the ART Olympic team. Barr is now training full-time at the NTC in Sydney, with Olympic team selection trials scheduled for early next year. “We are full-time training at the NTC in small boats, mostly in pairs and sometimes skulls,” Barr said. “So, training three times a day. We get to come back for Christmas but head straight back up to Sydney, and we go through trials late February or early March, and that’s when they will select the Olympic team. So until then, it’s kind of just get yourself as good as you can, as fit as you can and hope that you’ve done enough to make it.” While Paige feels confident in being named as part of the 2024 Paris Olympics ART, the former Gippsland Grammar student knows individual qualifications will be hotly contested. “There are a group of girls who were close to making the (World Championships) team, who are obviously going to be training very hard, which keeps you pushing to be the best you can be,” Barr said. “Like you can’t just take a few days off because there are always going to be people ready to take your seat. Hopefully, they don’t, but they will be there waiting.” Following her podium finish at the World Championships, Barr returned to her roots, visiting the next generation of Gippsland Grammar rowing students. Scarlette Tavasci, Camden Beyer, Ruby Lindrea, Ella Gerrand, Evan Lewis and Lucy Hodges eagerly awaited Barr’s arrival, upon which they unveiled their newest boat named “Paige Barr” after the local rowing prodigy.

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

Paige Barr kneels alongside Gippsland Grammar’s newest boat, named after the former student. Photo: Zoe Askew

November, 2023

RURAL NEWS

Faltum signs on with Stars Tom HAYES

TRAFALGAR cricketer Nicole Faltum recently penned a new two-year deal with Women’s Big Bash League side Melbourne Stars, ahead of WBBL09. At just 23-years-old, Faltum is now entering her sixth season with the Melbourne Stars. In 2019, Faltum committed to the Stars for an added three years. Her new contract could see her on the green side of Melbourne until the end of the 2024/25 season. “Having played together for a number of seasons now, our squad has grown and learnt some tough lessons, but we feel like we’re ready to play finals,” Faltum said. “We’ve got some of the most exiting youngsters in Australian cricket and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve this year and beyond.” Faltum grew up playing cricket with the boys at Trafalgar Cricket Club and played a part in Morwell’s women’s side, winning three Gippsland Cricket League premierships between 2012 and 2015. Last season, Faltum was named captain of the Melbourne Stars after Australian skipper Meg Lanning withdrew from WBBL08, taking an indefinite break from the sport. Faltum became the fifth captain of the Melbourne Stars, returning one of the best win rates of any of the Stars’ leaders. Faltum’s WBBL08 Melbourne Stars recorded five wins and six losses, with a win rate of 45.45 per cent - the second-best in their history.

In her maiden season as captain, Faltum spent most of her time behind the stumps, claiming the fourth-most dismissals for a wicket keeper. She had her hand in nine wickets; eight catches and a stumping from her 14 games throughout the campaign. Featuring regularly as a batter, Faltum accumulated 83 runs from 11 innings throughout the tournament, striking at just under 100 with 97.64 per cent. Outside of the Stars, Faltum elevated her game while playing for Victoria and Australia A. She captained the Victorian side in the Women’s National Cricket League due to the absence of fellow Gippslander Sophie Molineaux (from Bairnsdale), scoring a ton alongside superstar Ellyse Perry in January. Faltum toured the United Kingdom with the Australia A squad last June and July, featuring in a three-day tour match, three T20s and three one-dayers against England. Faltum captained the Aussies in all T20s and the first one-dayer, adding another string to her leadership bow. During the three T20s, Faltum averaged 22 runs, claiming two stumpings and a run out. Australia A whitewashed England 3-0 in the one dayers. Faltum got her piece in the first game, scoring 57 with the bat. She managed 15 runs in her only other innings of the series, but left with an average of 36, adding an outfield catch in the second game to her stat line.

McQualter in search of new club after departing Tigers Tom HAYES

TRARALGON’S Andrew McQualter departed the Richmond Football Club last month after failing to land the top coaching role. McQualter formally put his hand up for the top job toward the end of the season but was ultimately unsuccessful. Melbourne assistant Adam Yze was the successful applicant and will become the 42nd person to coach the Tigers in their history. Richmond confirmed the departure of McQualter, after he steered the ship home from Round 11 in the 2023 home-and-away season, after triple premiership winning coach Damien Hardwick stood down. Hardwick left as Richmond’s longest serving coach, leading the Tigers in 307 games between 2010 and 2023. Yze was an assistant coach for the Demons under premiership coach Simon Goodwin, which is where McQualter is speculated to land in a swap deal of sorts. McQualter joined the Tigers in 2014 playing and coaching in the VFL, before becoming a midfield coach, then an assistant coach. “Stepping up to be interim coach was a selfless decision by Andrew, and he did a brilliant job leading the team for 13 weeks,” Richmond’s General Manager of Football Performance, Tim Livingstone said.

Throughout the 13 games coached, McQualter impressed with a seven win, six-loss record, momentarily boosting the Tigers up the ladder. Before McQualter took the interim coaching role, Richmond had a record of just three wins, six losses and a draw to start the opening 10 games of the season. “Andrew moves on to further enhance his coaching credentials, which we respect,” Livingstone added. “He is an excellent coach with a long future in the game, and we wish him and his family all the best.”

Traralgon’s Andrew McQualter has opted to depart Richmond, after failing to land the senior coaching job. McQualter was the interim coach of the Tigers this season. Photo: Contributed

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November, 2023

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

GIPPSLAND SPORT

‘Life complete’ as Magpies win sweet sixteenth Comment Zaida GLIBANOVIC

IT was the best day of my entire life. After 13 years of shortcomings and 'almosts', the mighty Collingwood Magpies were crowned premiers of the AFL, and I was there to witness it. With some calling it one of the greatest Grand Finals this century - highlights galore, lead changes and a game that went down to the last minute, the Pies brought it home in epic fashion, winning 12.18 (90) to Brisbane 13.8 (86). Being a part of that 100,024-strong crown at the MCG on Saturday was incredible. I was fortunate enough to have been gifted a guest MCC pass from fellow Gippsland Farmer journalist Philip Hopkins. All I had to do was get to the MCG at 4am on the morning of the Grand Final and queue with all the other members who were trying to secure an unreserved seat for AFL's biggest day of the year. I did not, however, have to camp out for days like some die-hard footy fans did. In the early hours of Saturday, September 30, with around two hours of sleep under my belt thanks to the nerves, I secured a spot in the line that went from the MCG concourse all the way up the hill and almost to the street. By 8am, the MCG doors opened and there was a mad rush inside - I wasn't sure if I was hallucinating or in shock but it was like the pearly white gates opened and I was in heaven. Securing a spot on the 50-metre mark at the City End of the MCC reserve a few rows from the front - I was in for a good day. And, yes, the wake-up was absolutely worth it. KISS was insane performing and yes, the national anthem gave me chills, and yes I was a nervous wreck. It was the two best teams in the competition going hard at it, and with our recent six-game losing streak against the Lions, I had reason to be nervous. But at the end of the day, the Magpies were triumphant, claiming their 16th flag and breaking that 13-year-old drought to join Essendon and Carlton as the most decorated clubs in the competition. With just five minutes left on the clock, Brisbane all-star small forward Charlie Cameron booted a goal for the Lions to go four points ahead of the Pies, and my heart was in my mouth. Replying instantly at just the next centre

The scene was set for the AFL Grand Final.

bounce, Collingwood's Jordan De Goey received a stunning handball from Nick Daicos, booting the goal from 50 metres out and the crowd erupted. The game was back out to four points but not for long as the hallowing Collingwood chant rocked the stands, Steele Sidebottom was awarded a 50-metre penalty to also shoot from the 50 mark. As a senior player with perhaps older legs, not many expected him to sink the shot, but he did and once again, the Collingwood faithful shook the entire MCG. The Pies were 10 points up with less than four-and-a-half minutes left, but with the quality of the game, things weren't really over until they were over. Right in front of my eyes, Lion Hugh

Photos: Author’s Collection

McCluggage showed his skills, serving up Joe Daniher's goal to bring the margin back to four points with 90 seconds to go. Just over a minute to go - with bated breath, every single Pies fan was on the AFL app, counting down the seconds until the final siren. As the Magpies tried to lock the ball in, they gained possession and sent it down the line, the clock ticked down - three, two, one. They did it; the magic Magpies held on once more to win the 2023 premiership. Someone should record the decibels of the crowd at that final siren because I'm sure my cheers alone could have broken some kind of record. After the gut-wrenching heartbreak of the 2018 Grand Final loss to West Coast,

Spectators queued for hours trying to get best MCC seats for the AFL Grand Final.

Local journalist and Collingwood tragic Zaida Glibanovic (pictured with Will Hoskin-Elliott) had the thrill of being at the MCG on Grand Final day.

fans rejoiced in the record equalling win. You had to turn to the next person in black and white with a hug or a high five as the entire MCG sang the theme song together. Among the many highlights of the day, I will never forget seeing the epic work of the likes of Norm Smith Medallist Bobby 'Dazzler' Hill taking a hanger and kicking four snags. Nor will I forget cheering the house down as Sale's Scott Pendlebury booted his first goal in any of the five Grand Finals he has played to put us in front at three quarter time. Never could I forget Nick Daicos' huge influence, kicking the opening goal and finishing with 29 touches. Never will I forget Collingwood's 'Believe' mantra as coach Craig McRae led us to a flag with that positive philosophy. It was so very special. As the black and white confetti rained over me, as the presentation concluded and the players made their rounds over to thank their fans (their 19th man) - it still didn't feel real. Collingwood is the 2023 premiers and champions, and I was there to see it all. Certainly, a story to tell the future Magpie-mad grandkids.

Sale’s Pendlebury adds to trophy cabinet Zaida GLIBANOVIC

Gippsland’s own Scott Pendlebury received the biggest cheer when he received his premiership medal. Photo: Contributed

THE GIPPSLAND FARMER

SALE'S Scott Pendlebury has done it again. The former Collingwood captain can do no wrong, and was instrumental in the AFL Grand Final win, as the Magpies edged out the Lions, 12.18 (90) to 13.8 (86). In his 383rd game, Pendlebury was outstanding, which isn't unusual for the one of the most consistent players to have ever played the game. Finishing the match with 24 disposals at 75 per cent efficiency, a goal, seven score involvements, four inside-50s and six clearances, the club legend was among the Magpies best. The 35-year-old midfielder had a second half like no other. Essendon great Matthew Lloyd gave praise to the Collingwood star. "There are probably many people who could lay claim to being once-in-a-generation type of player, and 'Pendles' is one of those," he said. "But very, very few could be called generational leaders. And he is definitely in that category." With lots of comments of reviving the on field coach, discussion that hasn’t occurred since the likes of Ron Barassi - Pendlebury like always, directed the play, positioned

players and set up the ball to help the Magpies win. Despite his 18-year tenure, Pendlebury still outclassed his opposition, kicking a crucial goal just before three quarter time to hand the Magpies a four-point lead going into the final term. The goal was Pendlebury's first in an AFL Grand Final from five deciders - he also had the most career games before kicking a goal in any VFL/AFL Grand Final. With the record of biggest gaps in years from one VFL/AFL premiership to another, Pendlebury and fellow Magpie Steele Sidebottom were tied at a 13-year drought since their 2010 premiership triumph. In Pendlebury's last quarter alone he had 11 touches, three marks and three tackles and got the ball rolling out of the centre for Jordan De Goey's all-important final quarter goal to give the Magpies the lead. Just shy of 36-years-of-age now, the star Magpie will soon be knocking at the 400game milestone. Currently sixth on the all-time games record, once he gets to 400 games (seemingly a mere formality), Pendlebury will tie with Dustin Fletcher, but perhaps we will continue to see that Pendlebury magic until he reaches Brent Harvey's record of 432 games played.

The 2010 Norm Smith Medallist received the loudest cheer after he accepted his premiership medal on the stage, a crowd favourite aging like fine wine, Pendlebury guided his side to their 16th premiership. Very deservingly, Pendlebury was recognised for his elite efforts, polling a Norm Smith Medal vote - not bad for a bloke in his 18th season. In other strange instances that should feature on Fox Footy's Bounce segment ‘Numerology’, it was 2010 when Collingwood last won a premiership and Pendlebury wore the number 10 guernsey when awarded the Norm Smith Medal. And in a strange coincidence the 2023 Norm Smith Medal was recipient was Ian 'Bobby' Hill, number 23 for the Magpies. Sale and Yarram's Josh Dunkley did what he could in the Grand Final loss, finishing with 21 touches, six marks, four score involvements and five huge clearances. Dunkley's finger dislocated late in the first quarter, showing his grit, the doctors merely popped it back into place on the field and the midfielder kept soldiering on. The ex-Bulldogs premiership player could not enjoy another premiership celebration despite offering his past Grand Final experience to the playing group, as Brisbane just fell short at the last hurdle.

November, 2023

GIPPSLAND SPORT

Suizuro lengths ahead of the field Tom HAYES AND Liam DURKIN

THERE must be something about the Moe track Suizuro fancies. The four-year-old gelding took out this year’s Moe Cup after a determined performance across 2050 metres. Trailing favourite Claidheamh Mor for most of the race, Suizuro and jockey Craig Newitt found something extra in the last 400 metres, eventually powering away to win by three lengths. That extra something may well have come from Suizuro’s fanatical connections, who were absolutely beside themselves as their horse crossed the line first. Newitt stood up as he rode home, surely in acknowledgement of the work that had gone in behind the scenes from all involved. Topping off the win for the connections was the fact some of them were also celebrating their birthday. Shouts of “on ya Froggy!” as Newitt entered the mounting yard rang out, in what was described as a “typically Froggy win” by some. The Race 8 Ladbrokes Moe Cup on Friday, October 20, featured a nine-horse-strong field. While the field may have been small, it ended up being a case of quality over quantity as spectators were treated to a competitive run all the way around. Claidheamh Mor took control in the early stages, up until when it mattered, but soon found himself in trouble with oncoming horses in his vicinity. It soon became apparent who would challenge for the lead, with off-pace runner Suizuro for Cranbourne’s Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young making its move. Also in the mix was Convener and Blazerro - who was priced at $21. But as they made the turn and ran a couple of hundred metres down the straight, there was only going to be one winner, and that was Suizuro, who smoked the field and stretched out to win the Moe Cup.

Winning Moe Cup trainer Trent Busuttin. Photo: Zoe Askew

Suizuro returns to the mounting yard after winning the 2023 Moe Cup. Photo: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos

The win made it consecutive victories for Suizuro at Moe - albeit eight months apart. Busuttin has experienced reasonable form with Suizuro since then, gaining four placings from 10 starts. With the connections soaking up their victory, Busuttin was quick to play credit to Newitt for steering the horse home. “Good ride by our bloke ... a good tough win,” he said. “The horse is naturally a front running horse, but Froggy, he’s a noted good frontrunning rider, he box-seated, worked out perfectly for him, so he got the job done.” Having shown its ability to win on wet and dry tracks, Busuttin said there was reason to be confident heading in.

“We knew he was a genuine each-way chance, our blokes a decent horse; we’d be disappointed if he wasn’t top-three luckily it was first,” he said. “Either either, wet/dry track he’s won on both. It’s good with a horse like that you don’t have to worry about it.” Suizuro will get to soak up his Moe Cup victory just like his owners, as Busuttin is unsure exactly where he will next race at this point in time. The only local in the running for the cup, Not A Problem for Moe’s Allison Bennett, finished sixth, collecting $2600 of the purse.

Craig Newitt holds the Moe Cup aloft after storming home to win onboard Suizuro. Photo: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos

Better viewing at Traralgon Greyhounds LATROBE Valley Racing Club is stepping it up. Literally, the LVRC have finally finished an initiative instigated by the completion of the new Traralgon Greyhound Track. As a consequence of the new greyhound track, which was slightly elevated compared to the old track, the result was the impairment of the horseracing view to the far side at Glenview Park. In partnership with Greyhound Racing Victoria, LVRC received some funding to build a viewing mound in the straight of the horseracing track spectator area. LVRC contributed funding to include many power outlets for future use for major carnivals and expos. Lighting was included to make the venue more userfriendly for evening events. The result is amazing, and is expected to be well-received by patrons. This is one of many projects that have

been completed in the past two years, much to the delight of the Traralgonbased club. Finally, all jockey’s and stewards rooms have full climate control air conditioners/ heaters for their comfort. As well as this, the roofing at the stable, gutter upgrade, winners room upgrade, Glenview Bar flooring upgrade and the race callers and camera towers are all getting or in the process of being upgraded. All these areas need attention as the facility almost reaches 50 years since first being built. All the audio/visual cabling and equipment have been upgraded, and at long last, Traralgon is all digital, which helps all Racing Victoria television and race day technicians. The new system is compatible with the industry satellite trucks and telecommunication equipment.

Latrobe Valley Racing Club Chairperson Frank Bezzina at the club’s new viewing mound. Photos: Liam Durkin

November, 2023

LVRC Chairperson Frank Bezzina said he was so pleased with the new, reinvigorated committee, all lending a hand to do many of the voluntary hours required to run such a club. Latrobe Valley Racing Club is run solely by volunteers, and all these upgrades are achievable because of this, as it saves many dollars. The club is in full swing and preparing for their two major meets: Morwell Bowling Club Derby Day on Saturday, November 4, and Bet365 Traralgon Cup on Sunday, December 3. The Latrobe Valley Racing Club has also stepped up the role it plays with Racing Victoria, as it has become a major player in official trials for trainers and owners who have horses preparing to race. The track holds up really well in the winter and is perfect for these kinds of trials.

So, along with the racing and trialling, the facility is becoming a great location for other organisation to meet and use for themselves. The latest partnership the LVRC has ventured into is a wonderful friendship with the Cowwarr FootballNetball Club. Cowwarr FNC organises bingo every Saturday evening, and the turnout has been amazing. LVRC has wished Cowwarr well for the next football/netball season and hopes the joint venture continues well into the future. Bezzina said running the club has been lots of hard work, with many hands-on hours for both him and his faithful committee, but the fruits of their efforts are really starting to show. “Let’s hope the weather turns out great for our race days so everyone can enjoy the day out,” he said.

The mound offers spectators a great view along the Latrobe Valley Racing Club straight.

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