Gippsland Times Tuesday 11 July 2023

CELEBRATING NAIDOC WEEK

Times

& MAFFRA SPECTATOR

WOMEN IN WELLINGTON

TENSIONS are growing between the stategovernment and Wellington Shire Council overthe end of native timber harvesting.

In astatement releasedlastThursday

(July 6), council vowed to “hold nothing back” as it sought answers from the government on the industry’s shutdown.

“I still question how any level of governmentisexpectedtoadvocate for their voters if they are not provided with the data and information to inform decision making,” Mayor Ian Bye said in the statement.

“If the state government would provide the evidence, or better yet make it publicly available, we could better support local communities.

PENDLES SETSRECORD

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“What is done is done. Our time is now better spent stepping up our advocacy for genuine support for timberfamilies.

“I encourage you to think of transition investment like acash-o-meter. It goes up with every dollar that the state

government spends in Wellington Shire.

“Since 2019 it has been sitting at zero with no guarantee that any money will even be allocated to our region before the end to native timber harvesting comes into effect at the end of this year.

“We want to see atransition package from the state government that puts arealistic price tag on the skills and economic importance that local timber communities will lose come 1January next year.”

Council says it will be “accepting nothing less” thandirect investment intosmall communities likeHeyfield and Yarram, where the shutdown will impact most. The Gippsland Times contacted the state government regarding Council’s media release,with aspokesperson providing the following response.

“We have been working closely with theWellington Shire Council and will continue to listentotheir needs through the transition out of native timber forestry,” the spokesperson said.

“Six ‘Place Based Coordination Teams’ have been established to support the transition, with relevant council CEOs sitting in these meetings to ensure local issues are addressed.

“To date, Wellington Shire and timber businesses in its region are some of the biggest recipients of funding through Forestry Transition Program.”

According to the government, Wellington Shire and businesses in its regionhave, to date, received$5.9 million in funding under the Forestry Transition Program, including:

 $720,000 awarded to Wellington Shire Council for two Local Development Strategies in Yarram and Heyfield;

 $2.8 million awarded to Australian Sustainable Hardwoods in Heyfield through the Victorian Timber Innovation Fund for two projects;

 $375,000 awarded to Radial Timber in Yarram through the Victorian Timber Innovation Fund for three projects, and;

 $2 million for Spiegel Energy and Radial Timbers for arenewable energy park at the Radial Timber Sawmill.

Council’s statement conceded that “some support”isbeing provided through Local Development Strategy projects, funded through the state government’s Victorian Forestry Plan.

“While Ithank the Victorian government for acknowledging that both Heyfield and Yarram will suffer greatly at the hands of this closure, asking the community to work out how they will live with adecision that was forced on them, destroying an industry that has beenthe lifeblood of generationsjust doesn’t cut it,” Cr Bye said.

“Timber workers need genuine jobs that they can transition into now. Short and long-term job opportunities paired withfinancialinvestment is the only way to ensure these communities will thrive once again.

Continued Page 3

TomParry

Sale-born medic Professor Jane Gunn waspartofthis year’s King’sBirthday honourslist, recognised forher

YarramEarly LearningCentre upgrades project settobegin

CONSTRUCTION is set to begin on the $2 million expansion of the Yarram Early Learning Centre.

The Yarram Early Learning Centre, which operates out of the council-owned Yarram Hub, is funded by a$2million infrastructureinvestment through the stategovernment’s ‘Building Blocks’ grantprogram-helping to expand the centre’s existing infrastructure to provide more kindergarten spaces for local children.

The expandedcentre will include atwo-room modular facility and acentralised playareaatthe rear of the Yarram Hub building.

Upgrades will provide 66 additionalkindergarten spaces to support three and four-year-olds as early as 2024.

The stategovernment is installing the new modular building, with the Victorian School Building Authority overseeing the project.

Wellington Shire Council collaborated with the state government to determine asuitable location for the facility, and one that is connected to the existingYarram Hub and home to the Yarram Early Learning Centre.

Council says the modulardesign boasts aversatile and sustainable approach to construction, with the delivery of ahigh-quality building up to 50 per cent faster than traditional construction methods.

Once assembled, the building will be delivered to site and connected via apathway to the existing building at 156 Grant Street in Yarram.

Construction is expected to be complete by late October 2023,withthe newkindergarten opening for the start of Term 1, 2024.

During the construction phase, there will be minimal disruptiontothe community, however visitors to the Yarram Hub shouldnote that a small section of the rear car park will be closed during building works.

Visitors should use the rear car park for shortterm drop-off and pick-up. Additional parkingwill be available at the front of the building via Grant Street or along Lawler Street.

Accessible car parking will remain available.

Wellington Shire Council Mayor, Ian Bye, welcomed the project and looks forward to expanding on Yarram’s very successful early years program.

“It’s avery exciting time for the Yarram community and infrastructure improvements such as this go along way in supporting the livability of ourregion,” Cr Bye said.

“I look forward to the next phase of early years services in Yarram and surrounds, building on the incredible service thatthe Yarram EarlyLearning Centre has provided for the last eight years.

“We recognise that thereisagrowing demand for more earlyyears places acrossWellington Shire. Council remains committed to investing and sourcing more funding opportunitiestodeliver increasedearly childhood education services within our local communities.”

Yarram Early Learning Centre manager Sarah Gregory welcomed the news.

“At Yarram Early Learning, we are very excited to be able to respond to the growing community demand for early years places," she said.

"This initiativewillgive access to 66 kindergarten places in the new buildingand allow us to increase availability across the other rooms in the centre, providing vital support for local families.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood, Katie Hall said the new project would benefit families in the region.

"Every child deserves ahigh-quality local kindergarten in which to learn and play and this partnershipmeans more kinder placesfor the region's families, with more opportunities to give their children the best start in life,” she said.

To find out more about the Yarram Early LearningCentre project, visit schoolbuildings.vic gov.au/yarram-early-learning-centre

To learn more about three and four year old kindergarten for 2024 at Yarram Early Learning Centre phone (03) 5182 5190 or email admin@ yarramelc.com.au

Register for kindergarten in Yarramin2024 through council’s new Kindergarten Central Registration Service, visit wellington.vic.gov.au/ community/early-years or phone council’s Early Years team on 1300 366 244.

Yarram Early Learning Centre is receiving abig redevelopment. Images: Wellington ShireCouncil An artist’s impression of the new centre. Construction is expected to be complete by late-October this year

Council’s call for practical timber transition continues

From Page 1

“THE Local Development Strategy has identified these new opportunities in principle, but communities need to know how they will transition, and who will support them in the meantime.

“We continue to question the government about when thepeoplemost affected will experience the benefits of over $200 million in promised transition support. This money is needed on the ground in these communities tomorrow -not in six months’ time.”

In the same statement, council claimed that it was being ignored by the state government despite “countless” Freedom of Information requests seeking the evidencethat supports the shutdown. That claim has been disputed by the government,

Police Beat

Owen is missing

THE 25-year-oldwas last seen on Blue Water Avenue, Golden Beach at about 9.30am on Friday

July 7.

Owen Townsend is described as Caucasian, around six feet tall, medium to solid build, long dark curly hair, short facial hair, wearing glasses. It is unknownwhathewas last seen wearing, but he is likely to be wearing tracksuit pants, t-shirt and ahoodie and carrying asix-foot walking stick. Thereare concerns for his welfare duetoamedical condition. Police posted about his disappearance on social media on Sunday afternoon, July 9.

Anyone with info on his whereabouts is urged to contact Sale Police Station on (03) 5142 2200.

Investigation ongoing

BAIRNSDALE Sexual Offences and Child Abuse

InvestigationTeamdetectivesare continuing to investigate after aman performed alewd act outside Bairnsdale Primary School last month.

It is understood aman in adarkcoloured Ford Falcon sedan pulled over on Grant Street about 1.50pm on Tuesday, May 16.

Police were told the man made eye-contact with an 11-year-old student before exposinghimself and engaging in sexual activity. He fled the scene in the vehicle towards the Bairnsdale town centre.

The man is described as Caucasian with abald head and blue eyes.

Anyone whorecognises the manorhas information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800333 000 or submit aconfidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au

Arrest made following pursuit

LATROBE Crime Investigation Unit detectives arrested three people following an alleged burglary andpursuit in Yinnar on July7,with a35-year-old Sale man assisting police with their enquiries. Officers were calledfollowing an alleged burglary at aresidential premises on Creamery Road in Yinnar, where they arrested two people at the scene, about 11.10am.

It is believed athird man fled on foot, before confronting acouple and stealingtheir red Toyota Corolla.

The victims were not injured.

Police say the offender was then involved in a collision with apolice vehicle on Creamery Rd before driving away, initiating apursuit Stop stickswere successfully deployed on Creamery Rd, but the man continued driving the car on its rims towards Boolarra.

The offender later lost control, crashed into a ditch on Fishers Rd and was arrestedatthe scene.

which said: “No FOIs have beenlodged with Victorian Government departments by Wellington Shire Council since native timber harvesting was bought forward on 23 May, 2023. All previous enquiries have been managed in line with the Freedom of Information Act 1982.”

The statement and Cr Bye’s remarks come amid criticism that council has not done enough to advocate on the timber industry’s behalf. Rosedale ratepayer VeronicaBarnesused the gallery comment section to ask what council was doing about the shutdown.

“I would like to call upon this council to release astatement to the media condemning the actions of government, and outlining the human pain and suffering nowinflicted upon our local communities,” Ms Barnes said

Cr Bye responded by saying that council did send out amediarelease regarding the issue; the media release in question was made public on May 24, one day after the state government’s announcement. Council’s July 6statement also made note of the Mayor’s attendance at the May 29 Heyfield rally, andhis meetingwith federal representatives in Canberra last month.

More information about the state government’s Local Development Strategy, and the outcomes of the RegionalContext Analysis, can be found at futureofheyfield.com and futureofyarram.com

Timber workers needing mentalhealth support should phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Robotic innovation on display

TomHayes

HILLSIDE Dairiesishosting an open day tomorrow (July12) beforethe production of their new 16 DeLaval Robotic Milking Machinesget underway, inviting people to visit and have alook around.

Farm Owner Alister Clyne will be displaying the automatedroboticmilking machines, as well as the voluntary gatingsystem and the worlds-largest Hanskamp feeding station. Hillside Dairiesisa300-hectare property that is home to 1150 cows.

On Wednesday,July 12,from11amto3pm, hundreds of people are expected to flock into Tinamba to see equipment, ask questionsand see demonstrations of the system. Fellow dairy farmers will be in attendance, includingDeLaval staffwho will be able to answer any questions you may need, joining the attendancewillbethe Dairy Australia chief executive. Hillside Dairies can be found at 575 HeyfieldUpper Maffra Road, Tinamba West. Afull story on the robotics dairy will feature in Friday's Gippsland Times

Local receives OAMrecognition

TomParry

LAST month, more than 900 Australians were awarded an Order of Australia as part of the King’s Birthday honours; among those many recipients was arenowned academic with links to Sale.

Professor Jane Gunn received the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for “distinguished service to medical administration in leadership roles, to tertiary education and research, and to the community”.

Speaking to the Gippsland Times,Prof Gunn said she was “really quite surprised” by the recognition, having been informed of the accolade via email.

“When I did see that email arrive I was like, ‘Whoa, gee, wasn’t expecting that!’ So it was quite asurprise, and Ithink it’s an amazing honour,” Prof Gunn said.

The proud AO recipient was born in Sale in 1964 as the eldest daughter of local residents Alf and Vi Chown.

She was educated at Airly Primary School, Our Lady of Sion College and Catholic College Sale, earningthe Julian Casey Award for Academic Excellence at the latter.

Though an interest in medicine was “really encouraged”byher science teacher at high school, there was no one moment or source of inspiration whichdrewher to the field:“Ithink it was something that developed gradually.”

“I remember that we had two very good GPs there that had been big figures in my life growing up -DrJoe Crosbie, who was the family doctor, and thenDrPhillip Mein,” Prof Gunn said.

Her interaction with bothdoctors would subsequently inform her decision to study Medicine at the University of Melbourne.

Throughout the course of hercareer,Prof Gunn has authored more than 215 peerreviewed publications, and her research has attracted nearly $70 million in funding.

She has attended the University of Oxford andthe University of Hong Kong as avisiting academic, and wasappointedasthe inaugural VisitingProfessor to the Scottish School of Primary Care -avirtual school comprising nine Scottish universities -between 2009 and 2012.

In 2017, she was appointed as Deputy Dean of the Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, prior to being promoted to Dean in 2021 -the first woman to assume the role in the university’s 170-year history.

Prof Gunn sees the AO honour as recognition of “a mixture of all of those things”.

“I’m always focused, or trying to (focus), on makingacontribution to how we can improve

thingsfor the lives of everyone, and their health and wellbeing,” she said.

“And that’s been something that I’ve done in various ways …It’s not given for any one thing, it’sreally about your wider contribution to the community…”

Her contributions and achievements are particularly impressive when one considers how male-dominatedthe field of scienceis -uponstartingher undergraduatedegree, women made up lessthan45per cent of medical students at the University of Melbourne. Today, academics and government are striving to have more women and girls in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM.

Sale-born medicProfessor Jane Gunn received an Order of Australia forher services to medicine. Photo: Contributed

Whenasked whether she had seen an uptick in women applying for such roles, Prof Gunn replied: “unfortunately not.”

“It’s mixed across differentdisciplinesof STEM, and when you look, you do see that we have alot of women with amedical degree, for example; we have more women students than male students entering into first year (studies), which is very different from when I started,” Prof Gunn said.

“But if we look at areas like physics or mathematics,wefind thatthe numberofwomen is much lower than it should be, or if we look at engineering.

“If we look at psychology,wehave avery, very high proportion of female students, so there’s definitely differences across different STEM areas.

“It is avery male-dominated field,and there’s alot of work to be done.”

withStefan Bradley

Celebrating NAIDOC Week at

Zoe Askew

We acknowledge the Gunaikurnai People as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live and work. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging

NAIDOC Week - an annual commemoration and celebration of the histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Hosted during the first week of July, NAIDOC Week is a momentous event for Indigenous people and a highlight on the Blak calendar, with local events hosted across the nation to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culture, survival, resistance and more than 65,000 years of history

Family Day, an annual NAIDOC Week event hosted by Ramahyuck - a community-controlled, member-based health and wellbeing organisation that delivers high-quality services aligned with the aspirations of Aboriginal families living on Gunai Kurnai Peoples' lands - was among the many local NAIDOC Week celebrations this year

For the first time since the local NAIDOC Week event began, Ramahyuck hosted Family Day at Nakunbalook Environmental and Cultural Education Centre amid the towering gum trees between Sale's Lake Guthridge and Lake Guyatt, having previously hosted the event at Ramahyuck head office on Foster Street

"It's really nice that Wellington Shire has supported the event, and we're using the cultural centre and this surrounding outdoor area," Ramahyuck

CEO Nancy Binotto said

"It is just lovely to have some grass for the

children to run around and play on as well "

The relocation of Family Day to Nakunbalook Environmental and Cultural Education Centre this year was in response to the ever-increasing popularity of the local NAIDOC Week event, which has well outgrown its former hosting venue

With a particularly wet, cold and windy weekly weather forecast, it was much to the relief of Ms Binotto and Ramahyuck General Manager of Corporate Services Andrew Dimarco, that grizzly grey clouds and sporadic showers of rain dissipated before Family Day began on Wednesday

"We are so grateful the rain held off," Ms Binotto said Ramahyuck's 2023 Family Day was the largest and most well-attended Family Day event to date, with more stalls, activities, and visitors than ever before, attributable to the ongoing expansion of community support, enthusiasm, and attendance

"We've been amazed," Ms Binotto said

"Monday's (July 3) flag raising was so well supported and attended, and it's great to see that

"[For Family Day], we just needed more space and it's great to have Community coming back, especially after the COVID restrictions we've all had "

There were a plethora of activities to keep one entertained at this year's Family Day, with sports games run by GippSport, a face painting stall, an arts and crafts station, a baby animal petting zoo, bug demonstrations by Bug Blitz, and the chance to get up close and personal with Australian animals of all shapes and sizes at the Animals of Oz stall

Local organisations and groups were well represented through the likes of Ambulance Victoria paramedics Tom King and Tim Handley, Victoria Police police officers Sarah Reggardo and Cory

Zidarich, Parks Victoria rangers Camila Castellanos and Roxy Stocker, Maxima Job Link, Ramahyuck dental and medical services, Headspace, Bunnings, Forest Fire Management Victoria, Gippsland First Custodians Network, Wellington Shire Council and Country Needs People

"Family Day is a lovely opportunity for all families to come along and just enjoy the day," Ms Binotto said

"There's no formality to it; it's just a day of fun "

While NAIDOC Week and its events are a celebration of the histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it is also an opportunity for the wider non-Indigenous community to learn and better understand the oldest living culture in the world, who have walked the land for upwards of 65,000 years

"NAIDOC Week in itself is a really good opportunity for the wider community to show support and increase their understanding of the cultural significance for the local Aboriginal community," Ms Binotto said

"It is great to have their support and to see so many people interested in learning, and this year's theme, For Our Elders, has been really nice to mark the significance of the Elders and their contribution to the community "

Across every generation, Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in Indigenous communities and families

Elders are cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers and loved ones who have guided and continue to guide generations through years of advocacy and activism and in everyday life

Amy Rust, the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria's head of engagement and media, said this year's theme is to honour, appreciate and recognise Elders and their accomplishments

"The theme this year is about recognising and respecting our Elders and all they've done to stand up for our rights and keep our culture strong,

Local emergency services representatives at Ramahyuck family day, paramedics Tim Handley and Tom King, alongside police officers Sarah Reggardo and Cory Zidarich

Creative juices were flowing for four-year-old Stevie Dimarco and five-year-old Janarlee Nelson as the pair got crafty at the art table

Electra Greene from Bug Blitz with her huntsman spider friend Photos: Zoe Askew

Ramahyuck Family Day 2023

but obviously NAIDOC has always been about celebrating and taking pride in our wonderful culture," Ms Rust said

"It's the oldest living culture in the world, and it has so much to give Whether you've always had that connection or you're reconnecting And it's great to also give our culture and achievements visibility to newer Australians; they can also deepen their understanding of our history, both the old history and the living history right here today "

NAIDOC Week is about coming together and commemorating several millennia of continuous culture, and is the most significant celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culture, history, and their survival

"It's important to have a dedicated time for our people to celebrate," Ms Rust said

"What we choose to celebrate as a society says a lot

"When you think about it, we have public holidays for things like the King and a horse race and the football, but we don't have any public holiday about

to celebrate the oldest living culture in the world

"So it's good to have NAIDOC week to have some time to celebrate us mob

"Maybe that's something the elected Assembly Members will want to push along with Treaty, a NAIDOC public holiday Why not?"

Ms Rush said the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria's engagement team attended events across the state of all shapes and sizes this NAIDOC Week

"We have a great time at all the deadly events, big and small, and it's a great way to have a yarn with the mob about the shared journey to Treaty in Victoria," she said

"NAIDOC celebrations have been popular with community for a long time, but it does feel like this year there's also a lot of allies coming out to show their support, probably because people want to get behind the YES vote for the referendum

"It's good There's always a lot that people can learn, and it brings everyone together "

Maffra

College

For any further details, please contact the College on 51471790 or email: maffra sc@education vic gov au

Indi from Animals of Oz shows off her froggy friend

Ramahyuck dental team Alysse Murray, Neva Castro, Hannah Clancy, Nikita Batra, Satthya Sivalingam.

Ababy goat- one of the many animals that could be spotted at Ramahyuck’sfamily daylastweek.

Parks Victoria representatives Camila Castellanos and Roxy Stocker

Students get ataste of journalism

Zoe Askew

ON Wednesday,May 31, Itravelled to Boisdale Consolidated School as arepresentative of the Gippsland Times to share my journalistic knowledge with local studentsaspartoftheir Year 5 and 6English studies.

Drawing on my previous experience in the education sector and my personal preferredstylesof learning, kinesthetic learningand project-based learning, with the help of teachers Fluer Stone and Michael Roberts, Iconstructedafake news storyfor the Grade 5/6 BoisdaleConsolidated School students to investigateand write about. The story -afire at the Boisdale Consolidated School. Beforestudents put their journalist capson, they listened attentively to abrief lecture about journalism, news, and media and completedashort activity.

They learnt that news is information about current events that may be provided through many different media: word of mouth, printing, postal systems, broadcasting, electronic communication, or through the testimony of observers and witnesses to events. They also learnt that not all information is news; information becomes news when news values are added to the story.

News values include timeliness, impact, prominence, proximity,conflict, currency, novelty/oddity.

Students were tasked with identifyingnews values in astory from the most recent Gippsland Times issue (Tuesday, May 30) to put their newly acquired journalisticexpertisetothe testbefore heading out in groups to investigate the breaking newsstory unfolding at BoisdaleConsolidated School.

Students set out acrossthe school grounds in search of information pertaining to the fire, meeting Ms Stone, the acting fire captain; Mr Roberts, the lead police detective and the front office administrator, acting as the Boisdale ConsolidatedSchool principal.

Each actor was given alistofinformation about the incident, which they relayed to the students and provided direct quotes for the student journalists, mimicking aformal press release.

After gathering information and compiling statements from the fire captain, lead police detective and Boisdale Consolidated School principal, Grade 5/6 students began constructing their very own news article.

Following my visit to Boisdale Consolidated School,whichwas reportedly wellreceived by students, Ms Stoneand Mr Roberts shared two

Boisdale Consolidated School students’ journalist writing task

Suspicious fireat Boisdale School

raining down," she said.

One teacher who arrived at the school as emergency services worked to extinguish the blaze, said he heard cracks and bangs before the roof of the building caved in.

"Thefireradiatedheatonto the street, and thesmokewas so thick it was almost choking," he said.

Police are searching for two young individuals who were seen fleeing the scene at about5.50am wearing black hoodies.

By RiddickJohnson

EARLY morning on Wednesday, May 31, aserious fire broke out at BoisdaleSchool. Whilenoone was injured, it is being treated as suspicious.

Fifteen firefightersarrivedat the scene at about 6am after neighbours called emergencyservices around 5.50am when they saw black smoke coming from the school. The fire burned half of the school.Four fire trucks and five police cars attended to the fire.

Parts of the school building collapsed, and flames spread to nearby trees and bushes.

Policeconfirmed nobody was inside the building.

Aneighbouring resident said she was woken by loud sirens whizzing past her house.

"There was ash falling everywhere, and the embers were

Detectives brought in two sniffer dogs at about 10am to assist the investigation. The sniffer dogs went all around the school but did not find anything.

There was no video footage as the fire destroyed the school's security cameras. Police have yet to identify any offenders.

Catastrophic fireat Boisdale Primary School

By EvieDierickx

ON Wednesday, May 31, at 6am, acatastrophic fire broke out in suspicious circumstances and burnt halfofBoisdale

Consolidated School, destroying years of progress.

Luckily, the fire happened outside school hours and no students or teachers were injured.

Five policecars and four fire trucks attended the scene followinga call fromneighbours to emergency services,who reported smokebillowing from the building.

As explained by the lead investigator,DrRoberts, the school garden shed had its lock picked at and opened, petrol was missingfrom the school lawn mower, and asuspect in ablack hoodie was videoed fleeing from the school.

The blaze allegedly started in the student kitchen, destroying the toilet, officeand kitchen building and the 'Ber' building. Police urgeanyone with evidence or video footage to call crime stoppers.

*Please note, these arestudent writing examples notreporting on real events

stand-out pieces from the news story writing activity -'Suspicious fire at BoisdaleSchool' by Riddick Johnson and 'Catastrophicfire' at BoisdalePrimary School by Evie Dierickx.

As afull-time employed journalist with aBachelor

of Communication and Media majoring in journalism, it is my professional opinion that Boisdale Consolidated School may just have two future journalists on itshands in one,Riddick Johnson andEvie Dierickx.

Youth MPsset out agenda

THE YMCA Victoria Youth Parliament, a program that enables young people to develop their leadership and decision-making skills and participate in the democratic process, concluded its sitting week with an impressive list of Bills debated and passed.

The culmination of the week was marked by the closing ceremony held on Thursday, June 29. YMCA was pleased to announce the appointment of the 2024 VictorianYouth Governor, Kaitlin Woolford, and the new Program Director for 2024, Georgia Cutajar.

The role of the Youth Governor is to act as an advocate for the voices of the young people of Victoria,tobealiaison betweenthe Youth Parliament, media and the public, and an ambassador for the program.

In attendance at theclosing ceremony was Mathew HilakariMP, actingfor the Minister for Youth Affairs and The Hon Natalie Suleyman MP.

Mr Hilakarireceivedand acceptedthe Bills that passed this year’s Victorian Youth Parliament.

This included bills such as ‘Lowering the VictorianVoting Age Bill 2023’, ‘Animal Welfare in Shelters Bill 2023’, and ‘Increased Policing

of Child Pornography Bill 2023’.

Each year,the Bills that pass Youth Parliament are presented to the Minister for Youth and given to therelevant government ministers for their consideration.

Youth Parliament bills have called for legislative change in Victoria, with at least 68 Bills that have passed Youth Parliament later turned into legislation, government initiativesorincentives. This has included topics such as: Voluntary Assisted Dying with six Bills passing Youth Parliament since 1988, and this being legislated on through the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017 (Vic).

Introduction of mandatory wearingofbike helmets passed in the 2007 Youth Parliament and passed Victorian legislation in the Road Safety Rules 2017 (Vic) in section 256.

Equal Marriage with four Bills have passed YouthParliament since 2004, and this was legislatedinthe MarriageAct 1961 (Cth) -2017 Amendment.

Wellington Shire Youth Council was involved in this years teams and topics,passing the Bullying Interventionand Prevention in Schools 2023 Bill.

The GippslandTimes’ ownZoe Askew speaking with students at Boisdale Consolidated School.

Photos: Contributed

Never too old to enjoythe circus

Zoe Askew

YOU didn't have to close your eyes and visualise being at acircus at Ashleigh House on Friday, June 30, as the residential aged care facilities Lifestyle team pulled out all the stops for this year's theme week.

Each year, Sale's Ashleigh House Lifestyle team facilitates atheme week to deliver an exciting, immersive, activity-filled experience for residents to take part in,providingahighly anticipatedweek of fun while supporting the residential community by encouragingsociability andfostering an environment for meaningful interactions.

Did youknow thatsocialising not only staves off feelings of loneliness but also helps sharpen memory and cognitive skills, increases your sense of happiness and well-being, and may even help youlive longer?

The Ashleigh House Lifestyle team converted the residential facility into acruiseship for last year's annual theme week -cruiseship being the theme, in case that needed any clarification.

This year the LifestyleteamofAnn Cunningham, Liza Pendlebury, Jenni Murphy, Daniel Parker Estoppey,Lauren Ryan, GeoffCutts and Jayne Davis went above and beyond to createafully immersive circusexperience for the 2023Ashleigh House theme week.

Did you know that circuses have been apopular form of entertainment for centuries?

Philip Astley (1742-1814), asix-foot-tall

ex-calvary man, is often regarded as the 'Father of theModern Circus'.

In 1768, he and his wife Patty, who were both expert riders, established Astley's Riding Schoolin London, where Philip would teach in the morning and perform equestrian tricks in the afternoon.

Philip's most renowned act, widely considered the first circus clown act, was 'The Tailor of Brentford or 'Tailor's RidetoBrentford', in whichheacted out acomic journey on horseback.

Employing Ashleigh House maintenance employees to construct wooden circus-theme decorations fromcolourful pointer signs, ared and white pin-striped painted-ticket booth and acircus tent entrance equippedwith red curtains to wagons containing ferocious stuffed leopards, alemonade stand and streams of red and white fabric falling from the ceiling perfectly replicating the inside of aclassic circus tent -walking into the library was like Alice walking into Wonderland.

"Dear, dear! How queer everything is to-day! And yesterday things went on just as usual. Iwonder if I've been changed in the night?"

Before descending upon the circus wonderland hidden within the Ashleigh House library, Jenni Murphy, LaurenRyan and Jayne Davistreated residents to ataste of things to come, the three Lifestyle team members theatrically performing their own magic show in the invariably warm lounge.

Clown Lauren, clown Jenni, who was also riding avery well-behaved elephant, andJayne,a not-so-silent mime, catapulted to the front of the roombringing with themanarray of intriguing articles -atrolley,acake withared haired woman through the middle, achainsawand ablack star patterned blanket.

It's worth noting thatthe well-behaved elephant, red-hairedwoman lying through the middle of the cake,and chainsaw were allprops -plastic props.

Residents watchedfascinatinglyasLauren, Jenni and Jayne fumbled around the trolley, attempting to cut the young red-haired woman in half.

"Just", "Ah", "Yep", "Ta-da", the three performers cried, lifting both halves of the cake in the air, a perfect cut straight through the middle, asilently smiling red-haired assistant also perfectly cut straight through the middle.

"Oh, the poor girl," one resident gasped.

Taking both halves of the cake and both ends of the assistant back to the trolley, clown Lauren, clownJenniand not-so-silent mime, Jayne fumbled around yet again. Clown Lauren waved the black star-patterned blanket in the air one, two, three, four times, revealing the trolley, an uncut cake on top of which stood ared-haired lady with arms held out.

Ashleigh House residentsdutifully showered the performerswithapplause before migrating to the library-turned-circustent to watchareal

magic performance, collecting tickets from ticket masterGeoff Cutts before passing through the red entrance curtains.

Comingall the wayfromBrunswick,Melbourne, magician Ben Hutton dazzled Ashleigh House residents, staff and miscellaneous guests with his magic tricks, the routine topped off afantastic week of circus-based performances.

AshleighHouse residents had been privy to adog trick routine, gymnastic performances by Maffra Gymnastics Club and aTaeKwondo demonstration in the lead-up to last Friday's circus finale.

Ashleigh House Lifestylestaff held nothingback for the final day of circus week, assuming the role of well-known circus characters, painting faces vibrant colours, flaunting large accessories and colourful wigs and donning clothing to match.

Clown Lauren said circus week received agreat response from residents.

"They've loved it," she said.

"They've come and attended most of the activities we've put on; it's been great."

Circus week was months in the making, with the Lifestyle teamworkinghard to transform theresident's home into afully-fledgedcircus wonderland.

The Ashleigh House Lifestyle team now turn to next year's theme week, leaving the question, what on earth could it be?

AshleighHouse Lifestyle team members Jenni Murphy,Ann Cunningham (leader), Jayne Davis, Lauren Ryan, Liza Pendlebury and Geoff Cutts.

Photos: Zoe Askew

Ashleigh House residents Hilary andBill Wakely enjoying circus week

Clown Lauren andClown Jenni reveal an uncut cake and red-haired assistant. Stewart Drew and Helmet Althaus waiting patiently forthe magicshowtobegin.

The Ashleigh Spectacular Circus ticket master Geoff Cutts.

Clinicalplacement for Monash

MONASH University’s School of Rural Health

recently welcomed more Monash medical students starting their clinical placements in Sale this semester.

Amongthe incoming groupare nine students in theirfourth year of their medical degree.Students Tiffany and Ben will be based at Central Gippsland Health Service, where they will complete aseries of rotations in paediatrics,psychiatry and obstetrics and gynaecology.

Seven students will be working within the community at general practice clinics in Sale, Maffra and Heyfield,experiencing what aregional medical career in aprimary care setting is like.

Fourth year Monash medical students.

Photo: Contributed

DRIVERS are being put on notice that new hightech road safety cameras trialled by the state government are now enforcing fines -and drivers will be caught. The mobiledeviceand seatbelt detection camerasbegan operation in April this year, using AI technology to capture high-resolution images of vehicles and detect offences.

Drivers will face penalties of four demerit points anda$577 fine when caught using amobile phone while driving, and three demeritpoints, and a $385 fine for drivers and passengers not wearing aseatbelt.

During April and May this year, the cameras detected 7160 offences, including 3523 drivers and 767 passengersnot wearingseatbelts and 2870 drivers using mobile phones.

Up until Saturday, drivers are being issued with an advisory letter throughout athree-month graceperiodtoensure they have an opportunity to heed safety warnings andadjusttheir behaviour before enforcement begins. There are currentlyfour camera trailersystems in operation. Afurther two camera trailer systems willbeoperationalinthe coming months.

Distracted driving is amajor contributor to serious and fatal collisions. In 2022,nearly aquarter of vehicle occupants who died (and their seatbelt

status wasknown) were not wearingaseatbelt

Drivers are also 10 times more at risk of crashing if they are on their mobile phones.

Minister for Police, Anthony Carbines said "Drivers have aresponsibility of not just keeping themselves and others in their car safe, but everyone else using the road too."

Thestate government has invested $33.7million in the new cameras as part of the Victorian Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, which aims to save lives and reduce trauma on Victorian roads.

Additionally, the state government has invested $49.4 million towards 35 new Fixed Digital Road Safety Cameras and two new Point-to-Point networks. The next phase of these cameras will begin enforcement on July 11, 2023, with two new cameras in operation in Coolaroo and Narre Warren The rollout of the remaining road safety cameras will take aphased approach, with 20 intersection sites to be completed by the end of the year and the entire program to be completed by 2026.

Upgrading road safety camera sites along the HumeFreeway is underway, including works at 10 existing road safety camera sites and installing additional road safety cameras at four new sites, extending the existing Hume Freeway point-to-point network from Broadford to Euroa.

THE state government is givingmore Victorians the chance to start the family they dream ofwith access to donor sperm and eggs through Australia’s first ever public eggand spermbank.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Acting Minister for Health Gabrielle Williams recently visited the bank at the Royal Women’s Hospital, which is now acceptingegg and sperm donationsfrom the Victorian community.

Featuring state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and staffed with highly-qualified fertility experts, the egg and sperm bank is the first of its kindinAustralia.

Theservice is currently focused on recruiting donors to grow the bank’s stocks.

Eligible Victorians seeking to access Victoria’s public fertility care service -including the use of donated eggs or sperm -will need to be referred by their GP or specialist.

The bank willaccept altruisticdonationsfrom Victorians who meet certain criteria and want to givesomeone the chance at startingafamily.

It forms part of the state government’s landmark initiative to establish apublicfertility service. The service will make it not only fairer and easierbut also more accessible for hopeful

These students will have an opportunityto participate in parallel consulting, allowing them to see their own patients -and then consolidating their learning and patient management plans with an experienced GP supervisor.

Head of Monash Rural Health, Professor Shane Bullock, welcomed the studentstoSale and thanked the local community for their continued support.

“I know the community in Sale will make our students feel welcome," Professor Bullock said.

"There are great opportunitiestoexplore the region, which has much to offer.Some of these studentshave returned to Saleafter such apositive experience during their third year.

"We are thankful to our local GP supervisors and staffatCentral GippslandHealth Service for being able to support our students’ learning."

parents to start afamily of their own.

The initiative is makingthe joy of starting afamily arealityfor singleparents, couples with fertility challenges and LGBTIQ+ families -aswell as supporting Victorianscurrently undergoing treatment for medicalconditions that compromise fertility, likecancer, to freeze their eggs or sperm.

In addition to the egg and sperm bank, the delivery of Victoria’s public fertility services is being co-led by the Royal Women’s Hospital and Monash Health, offering arange of services including IVFtreatments, fertility consultations, diagnostic tests and procedures, ultrasounds, counselling, information and support.

Anumberofsatellite fertility services are also beingestablishedacrossthe statetohelp people access fertility care closer to home.

Once fully operational, this almost $120 million program will help up to 5000 Victorians every year to start afamily.

People interested in helping Victorians start their family can visit thewomens.org.au/ egg-and-sperm-donate

Gamblingaddiction arealharm

StefanBradley

POOR lonely soulsstare silently at machines in frontofus. No interaction with real people, just machines.

It's the whirring of screens and tinny music, all designed to make us even more distressed, knowing another machine had paid, when ours had sucked us dry.

No doubt Iwas not the only person gambling on credit or the last of my pay -orworse, the savings from the sale of my house.

Before YallournNorth resident Libby Mitchell developed adevastating gambling addiction, it seemed like she had it all.

The year 1993 was just another year for the normal, happy and hard-working youngmum and business woman.

After selling her successful recycling business, she had bothtimeand money to spare, and oneday she decided to play agame of 'Keno' at a'Tabaret' venue. She lost the first time, but had another go, winning $200. It was from there she became addicted to gambling before she even knew she was using apoker machine.

“Would my life be different if Ihadn’t won that money that day?” Libby ponders.

Libby had once worked as ahome economics teacher, only for her own home life to turn on its head. She had also worked in real estate, before goinginto business.

By 1998, when she was running social events forher singlesnetworkingbusiness, shefinally realised she was powerless to fight.

“I would finish asocial networking event at 11 or 12 o’clock at night. Iwould go to the pokies because they were open and Ihad cash in my pocket. Up until 2000, Iwas hittingthe pokies every night.

“At that time of night it was like the beginning of my day, so Iwould be at the pokies all night and allofthe next day. Icould go there 30 hours at a time like it was nothing. My worst was 52 hours at Crown Casino.”

Afterlosingeverything she owned, and almost taking her own life, Libby finally was able to rid herself of her gambling habit for good.

Shehas not touched apoker machine since 2015, and now gives talks to warn others about problem gambling. She worries aboutthe effectthat pokies have on jobs, families and the community.

“Living in Yallourn North and living in the Latrobe Valley, it really concernsmefor this particular area. It’s avery fragile economic area. It’s already got lots of issues,” Libby said.

“Our mental health is not good, our economic healthisnot good. We havealot of welfare, we have alot more people who are under stress.”

Libby says much of this stress -aswell as domestic violence, suicide and lack of employment -is connected to problem gambling.

“With the(energy) transition that’s coming up in the next few years, we need to be in amuch better financial state in our locality to withstand the changes. We need to ensure young people are educated and can get jobs, because when people don’t know what to do, that’s when they go to the pokies or sports betting on their phones.

“They don’t realise they’regoingtoget so addicted, at first it just seems like something to do.”

Libby saysregional towns can’tafford the job losses caused by problem gambling.

"Latrobe Valley already loses an estimated 522 jobs per year directlybecause of pokies, alone. We’ve got to do something about it,” she said.

“And the government is not doing enough because hugegamblingindustrydonations are goingtothe political parties. Taxpayers don’t benefit.

“Although the government earns revenue from taxes on pokies, taxpayers are actually worse off.

“The government loses billions every year from pokies. People think that the taxpayers are winning, but the tax from poker machines is only about abillion dollars ayear, and the losses are three-to-four-times that.”

Data from the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission shows that Latrobe residents lost $39,035,646 to poker machines in 2021-22 These numbersmay havebeenaffectedbythe Covid restrictions at the time.

In 2022-23, it has increased to $46,035,265, and will go up further once June figures are in.

In the Wellington Shire, residents lost $20,999,867 in 2021-22.In2022-23, residentslost$23,723,740, with June numbers not yet available.

Libby’s own losses came exclusively from pokies, but throughout her advocacy she’sexpressedalarm about online gambling.

“Young blokes, especially with sports gambling, all the advertising …they’re all made to feel like to be popular you gamble. You have got to know who’s likely to win, you have got to talk aboutyour wins. It’s becoming aculturalthing,” she said.

“People say that Australians grew up on gambling, but we actually grew up on Two-Up, and that was very safe compared to pokies gambling. It was an absolutely random chance -50per cent either way over so many times. Or when Iused to play cards with girlfriends. I'd win one week and they'd win another.

“Now we're talking about thesemodern gambling products like pokies and the online apps. They are allhighly addictive and really dangerous. They're so fast and every hit is adopamine hit to the brain. And that's what causes the addiction.

“And that's why people can't stay away. They don't know they're addicted until they're addicted.”

Ashamed of herself for years, Libby did what most others do -hide the habit instead of seeking help. She urges others to seek treatment.

“I did it for seven years. Ididn't want anyone to know. By 2000 Ilost hundreds of thousands of dollars -mymindriddled by apokies addiction that Icould not understand, let alone stop,” she said.

In the 1980s,Libby ownedacouple of investment properties. By the 1990s she lostall of it,including her own house.

“I lost the lot. Iabsolutelylost thelot.Iwas evicted. Iwas no longer that personwho had beenorganised, had great jobs, and gotinvolved in community events,” she said.

"I had to go and liveathomewithmyfather, becauseIhad nothing left. My kids had gone to him to seek help.”

Libby’s father essentially puther under house arrest for six weeks in 2000toensure she wouldn’t go out and continue gambling. She has almost no memory of that time.

“My father toldmethatfor three weeks Ijust lay on the bed. And then Iwas jumping like asausage, completely detoxing. Iwas completelyoff my face. I still have poetry Iwrote from that time,” she said.

Libby’s father waspretty‘switched on’ with technology and showed her how to use email and asearch engine. He told her to type in ‘problem gambling’.For the first time, Libby was able to truly comprehend what was happening to her. For anew start in life, andaspartofher journey to quit gambling,Libbymoved awaytothe Western Australian town of Kunawarritji in 2005. WA has no pokies anywhere, except in casinos, and her

move was aturning point.Libby reduced her gambling to once or twice ayear and saved for a house deposit.

Returning to Victoria in 2007, Libby had learned to manage her gambling addiction. Her final spin at the pokies was in 2015.

“I had along-term addiction,” she said.

“You are not an idiotfor becomingaddicted to gambling. The poker machines and other products are designed to make you addicted. People don’t understand how dangerous thoseproducts are.

There’s nothing to be ashamed of. When you have an addiction, that rational choice is just not possible.

“I have afriend whose husband left $80,000 in gamblingdebtafterhedied, but nobody knew about it.

“I know someoneelsewho went through$240,000 in family money. You’re caringfor someone and they’ve spent all the money you've entrusted with them.

“I spoke to aman at the pokies whose kids thought everything was fine, but he went through $250,000 of his superannuation and took out aloan against his house.”

As part of her advocacy for problem gamblers, Libby becomesvery emotional talking about the saddest situations she’d come across, such as meeting people at the pokies who later died by suicide.

This is why Libby says it’s important to be open about gambling, because so many are scared to tell family about their problem gambling. People can too easily borrowagainsthomemortgages without anybody knowing.

“I will never forget meeting the family where a motherhad just diedbysuicide, and was found by her children and husband.She left anote to say she had spent $300,000 gambling, redrawing against the mortgage. That’s why Iwant to talk aboutmyown history,” Libby said.

“We all must be active bystanders, just like we are with domestic violence now."

Libby believes she has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars towards her gambling addiction, possibly up to $500,000.

“That’spartofthe problem -you don’t get told howmuch you’re spending. Pokies are in fact an all 'cash/no receipt' business so you lose track too easily. Every gamblershould have to register to gamble. Simple as that.”

After Libby almost took her own life, she realised how mentally sick she was. She went straight to ahospital emergency room and told adoctor for the first time that she had agambling problem.

Looking at where she is now, Libby has made it to the other side of her addiction. After experiencing the lowest of lows, she's in avery happyplace now.

“I’ve lost the cravings for gambling. Beating the physical withdrawals of gambling addiction is one thing.However, beating the psychological and behavioural side of my addiction to poker machines was afar longer process,” she said.

“Ittook me quiteafew years to reprogram my brain...andaddiction for me wasa series of breaks then busts for years.

“Gambling addiction was adamaging part of my life for almost 20 years. It could have ended in half that time.

“I just did not access theright servicessoon enough or for long enough. Instead, Itried to cope by myself, when all Ineeded to do was open up.”

Libby’sdaughters are lucky to still have her around, and she feels like the luckiest mother in the world because they stood by her.

“My gambling addiction harmed both of them, and all Ican do is try to make it up to them,” she said. Libbyissecretary of Living Well Yallourn North Inc(LWYN)which is anew health and wellbeingfocused group she is apartof.

LWYN has just been funded for 24 people to do freeMental Health First Aid training,with optional Gambling and Suicide add-ons.

“We are seeking people right now to do this free two-day training, to start these community conversations, so to register please message us via Facebook or call me on 0417 538 371,” Libby said. Reclink, funded by the Victorian Responsible GamblingFoundation, is also helping to get gamblers out of pokies venues and into healthier, sporting and recreational activities. Community help is available.

“So reach out, choose aservice, call them, and don’t look back! Help really is just one phone call away,” Libby said.

If youneedhelp, reach out to the services below.

•Latrobe CommunityHealth Services –

Gambling: 1800 242 696

•Gamblers Help 24/7 Line: 1800 858 858

•Lifeline: 13 11 14

•Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800

•Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636

•Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

•Headspace: 1800 650 890

• Aboriginal&Torres Strait Islander Crisis Support Line, 13YARN: 13 92 76

•MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978

•Open Arms Veterans &Families Counselling: 1800 011 046

Foralmost 20 years, Libby Mitchellhad adestructive gambling addiction.

Living Well YallournNorthInc secretary Libby Mitchell. Photos: Stefan Bradley

Bird of the Month Tambo trail ride

THE June ride for the Tambo Upper Trail Riding Club was led by Sue Cullinan from Old Man Hill Road in Sarsfield. Atotal of 24 riders saddled up for atwo-hour ride.

Club rides are normally afull day with lunch on the trail, but this ride was an opportunity for thosewishing to have ashorter winter ride and trytheir horse out in agroup situation.

Theroute includednarrow tracks through thick bush that was ravaged by fire in 2019/20. Ashort section along Coster’s Rd onto Stony Creek Track gave riders achancetospreadout and chat before heading back into the bush.

Afeature of the day was the number of new and returning riders, who were keen to test themselves and their mounts and getoutdoors on alovely winter day.

Ben O’Reilly joined in as ajunior for his first club ride on his paint horse 'Badger'. Ben was accompanied by his proud mum, Jessica who also enjoyed the outing.

Jo Pruscino, Sonja Stewart and Megan Chatfield all came along together for mutual support for their firstday out with the club. The shorter ride format suitedthem well as they were all feeling their sore muscles by the time they turned for home.

Melanie Dunsmuir and Susan Dare were also first-time riders, both of them were keen to come along on future rides.

On returning to the floats, the riders were met with aroaring campfire and hot barbecue plates courtesy of the non-riding crew. Sausages were

thrown on the barbecues and the riders enjoyed a couple of hours having asociable afternoon.

The next ride for the Tambo Upper Trail Riding Club willbeled by GillRenshaw this Sunday (July 16). The area is literally Gill’s backyard -she can be found out riding these tracks most days.

The ride will leave fromthe corner of Pipe Dump Rd and Brooks Rd, Bruthen. The route will include somehillworksohorses will need areasonable level of fitness. However, breaks will be taken for horses as necessary. There will be avariety of terrain including single tracks, gullies,and sections of bush.

Acompulsoryunmounted muster willbeheld at 9.45am. Participants should arrive early enough to saddle up before the muster. Ride out time will be 10amsharp witha saddlebag lunch and return to the floats by 2.30pm.

To reach the starting point, travel north through Bruthen on the GreatAlpine Road. Go pastthe Bruthen cemetery and then look for the next left turn, McLeansRd. Do not stop at the Walking Trails car park. Continue straight ahead on Pipe Dump Rd to the intersection with Brooks Rd. Tambo rides are held on the third Sunday of everymonth, and are suitablefor most standards. Visitors are welcome and juniors are also encouraged, but must be accompanied by aguardian and able to ride independently.

For more information, phone Caroline Driscoll on 0408963 667orSue Cullinan on 0412 526 121.

THE Rainbow Bee-Eater would have to be one of Australia's mostspectacular birds -striking colours, elegant lines, acurvedblack bill, and flowingtail-streamers combine to make the Rainbow Bee-Eater atruly beautiful bird.

Afull-colour spectrum from red through orange, yellow, green, blue and even atouch of violet on their tail indicates the origin of the name: rainbow.

Found throughout mainland Australia, they are widespread, except in desert areas.Southern populations move north over winter, often in huge flocks of up to 500birds. Northern populations are present year-round. Habitat is mostly open forests, woodlands, shrublands and cleared areas such as farmlands, usually near water. Theyavoid heavier forests thatwould hindertheir aerial pursuits.

Feeding on insects,they mainly catch bees and wasps but will also seek out dragonflies, beetles, butterflies and moths.

They can often be seen perching on fence posts or overhead wires.

When an insect flies past, they launch into flight, rapidly twisting and turning to catch their kill. Food is then taken back to the perch to be consumed.Cleverly,bees and waspsare rubbed against the perch to remove stings and venom glands.

It is thought Rainbow BeeEatersare immune to the venom in their prey, as they

Bakefor babies… and beds!

can consume up to 300 wasps or bees daily, which may be aprecaution. Other prey is usually beatenagainst the perch before being eaten.

Southern populations return to their summer breeding areas afterspending winter in the north and nest in loose colonies of up to 50 pairs.

Pairs will select asuitable nesting site in asandy cliff face, roadside cutting, quarry or eroded riverbank, where the female will dig along tunnel (up to ametre) leading to a nesting chamber,often lined with grasses or feathers. With aclutchofthree to eight eggs, both parents incubate eggs and feed the young, sometimes with the assistance of other (mostly male) helpers.

Research shows amarked

decline for the Rainbow Beeeater in the East Coast region, where reporting ratesfor this species has dropped by more than 50 per cent since 2001

Human activities can disrupt their nests, sometimes built-in active mines or quarries. Introduced predators like foxes or wild dogs can dig down into the nests and eat the young -takecare around sandy riverbanks in their breeding season, and don't let kids or dogsinvestigate holes.

BirdLife East Gippsland meets weekly for Monday morning outings. New members are always welcome. Check BirdLife East Gippsland's Facebook and Birdlife Australiaevents pages for more information.

Practical training for Wellington CFA

PRAISED by participants as atraining day to remember, the WomenofWellingtonPractical Development Daysaw 17 women fromCFA’s SouthEastgathertohone their operational skills.

MembersfromAvonGroup,Willung South and Sale Fire Brigades supported each other through varioushands-onactivities on Sunday, 25 June at CFA’s VEMTC WestSale facility.

The feedback receivedbyparticipants positively reinforced the benefits of getting involved in unified training days, with the women inspired to work in teams, network, and build confidence.

From hose handling to rescues, patient care and situational awareness drills,the women were put to the ultimate testalongside experiencedPad Operators and instructors.

Freshoff atransfer from EchucatoSaleFire Brigade, five-year CFA member Maddy Zlateff jumped straight at the opportunity to partake in her first collaborative training day.

“It was great to be apartofand meet so many new people. We split intodifferent groups and got to reallyco-minglewith the womenthere,” Ms Zlateff said.

“For me, Iwas on atruck full of strangers, but we went straight into simulating aturnout to a car accidentand doing all the roles that came with that.

“I was put into acrewleader position which was rotated around. It gave me opportunities that I don’t really get on the fireground because that’s

not part of my current skillset just yet.”

Ms Zlateff spoke fondly of the volume of experiencesonoffer, with the membersworking through six differenttasks across the day. Between bin fires, pole fires, gas leaks, car incidents and shed fires, the eager firefighters got abreadth of experience in different scenarios and roles.

Golden Beach captainand 36-year CFA member, Paula Grosveld, could not be prouder of the can-do attitude of thewomeninvolved and the energy that was displayed throughout the day.

“I stood back alongside the other two captains who were there, and we just let the participants step forward and shine on their own,” Captain Grosveld said.

“We put people in roles as incident controllers, or crew leaders and some of them had not had that opportunity before, so it was just amazing, and fantastic to see everyone doing so well.

“They all gave it ashot and weren’t worried if mistakes were made because theyknewthe instructors were there to assist.”

CaptainGrosveldsaidthe final exercise was the most rewarding, where the entire group came together to navigateacar on fire with gas cylinders causing trouble.

“They worked through several problems together and figured it out by themselves. Everyone had great communication, they talked, they smiled, and they constructively yelled!”

Women of Wellington taking part in their practical development day. Photos: Contributed

BirdLife East Gippsland’s Bird of the Month, the Rainbow Bee-Eater

Photo: Ian Wright

Agroup of 24 riders joined theJune meeting of the Tambo UpperTrailRiding Club.

Photos: Contributed

Newdouble vision exhibition

SALEcouple Nadine Linehamand FrankMesaric have each led long and prodigious careers as artists, in which theirsharingofideas and influences in asinglestudiospace hasproduced fascinating results. Both predominately painters, who work occasionally in other materials, Nadineand Frank’s artworks appear, at times,tobepolar opposites, while at othersthey coalesce in strange patterns and echoes.

It is this dynamic tension between the very individual art practices of Nadine Lineham and Frank Mesaric,brought together by virtue of their shared lives and studio arrangements, that gives this exhibition of recent works its unpredictable edge.While Frank has established areputation as Gippsland’s preeminentpainter of darkness, Nadine explores abstract spaces both ambiguous and eerily familiar. Both, however, are drawn to the shadows and flickering light that illuminates that condition of the gothic that Gippsland claims as its own -adoublevision where nothing is as it seems.

In anew series of paintings, viewers see Nadine courageouslydepart from figuration to land on solid ground withsuperblyexecutedabstract paintings. Painting is aconduit forNadine’sinternaland external worlds.“Like everyone, Iprocess thoughts on world issues where the food is fast, the news is bleak, and peace is ephemeral,” she says of her work.

The paintings provide solace and time for contemplative reprieve. Her immediate surrounds of the regional environment in Gippsland, with its wide-openpastures andlimitless skies, occupy her colour palette.While on the rich painterly surface she captures its formations with rocky outcrops, waterways, pathways, industrial obstructions, and areas of new growth appearing fleetingly and in flux. According to Nadine, the“shapes, coloursand textures have no direct association with any particular visible experience, but in them Irecognise an inner or psychologicalenvironment, acollective of landscapes, memories that I’ve gathered and shaped by aneed for order and quiet.”

Conversely, Frankembraces figuration in a distinctive fusion of European tradition with the Australian Gothic. He too captures fragments, moments and microcosmsofcollectivememory -a premature baby, children poised on the fencein front of their 1950s brick veneer home, bins and detritus in an alleyway -all revealing an incomplete but somewhat universalnarrative. As such each painting can be read to encapsulate abroad range of artistic,cultural and literary illusions; references upon references in exquisite prose.

The soft edges and muted tones of these realist paintings allow us to see the discrepancies between what acamera can record and whathumans perceive, understand and feel.Whilethe synthesis of the two processesseems evident, by renderinghis subjects or objects in away that draws upon European traditions of painting -traditions belonging to his own Slovenian heritage, marked by Neoclassicism- he memorialises the banal and theeveryday. This memorialisationismade more tangible with the paintings containedintheir ornate frames.

Withpredominantmonochromes of black,white and grey, they allude to asense of absence and akind of silence or stillness. Here, the halt and horror of the Australian Gothic transmits its urge to reflect; there is darkness andmelancholy lurking beneath the surface of the Australian dream. Collectively, this exhibition encourages visitors to consider the broader human condition through avirtuoso display of paintings from two of the region’s most acclaimed artists.

Double Vision is currently on display at Gippsland Art Gallery untilAugust24, and entryisfree. For more information, head to www.gippslandartgallery.com

Frank Mesaric’s ‘Two F15s’

Nadine Lineham’s Letthe Ocean Stand Between It Images: Gippsland ArtGallery

PROUDLYBROUGHT TO YOUBYTHESE PARTICIPATINGLOCAL BUSINESSES

Crossword Puzzle No.8542

with Muzza

ONE POINTERS

1. What is the first name of Shrek’swife?

2. How many milligrams make agram?

3. What is the capital of Thailand?

4. The song ‘Torn’ was released by what Australian female singer?

TWO POINTERS

5. Who wrote afamous diary while hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam?

6. What is the name of the galaxy that we live in?

7. What is Aurora Borealis commonly known as?

8. What is the name of the phobia that involves an abnormal fear of spiders?

THREE POINTERS

9. What arethe names of the two old men Muppets in the balcony?

10. Who was the Nobel Prize named after?

11. Who was the writer of Alice’sAdventures in Wonderland?

12. Name the pop star who once starred in the Disney show Hannah Montana?

FOUR POINTERS

13. Name the Civil Rights icon who refused to give up her bus seat?

14. What Star Wars creatures live on the forest moon of Endor?

FIVE POINTER

15. I’ll give you five song titles by Australian artists/bands and you give me their name. One point for each correct guess.

1. Original Sin 2. Boys from the Bush 3. Sway My Way

4. Big Jet Plane 5. Tomorrow

HOW DID YOU FARE?

37: Topofthe class; 30-36: Outstanding; 23-29: Well done;

Solid effort; 9-14: Room for improvement; 0-8: Hit the books.

Target Time No.0166

Howtoplay.

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or morecan you list? The centrelettermustbe included and each letter may be used only once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural

Sudoku No.0166

Howtoplay...

Fill the grid so thateveryrow and every 3x3 square contains the digits 1to9 Solution page 29

Mission: Impossible keepsgetting better

SECRET agentEthan Huntisback for a seventh outingin Mission: Impossible -Dead Reckoning Part One. Our resident film buffs Tom Parry and Stefan Bradley went to check it out.

TP: Thisisthe seventh instalment of afilm franchise which has been around since 1996, and this is quite possibly the best Mission yet.Stefan, how do they keep making each movie better than the last?!

SB: There’s so many factors working against this movie -it’s Part One of atwo-part picture; there’s lots of characters to keep track of, including ahandful of newcomers; it was filmed during a pandemic; it follows one of the best action movies of all time in Mission: Impossible- Fallout,and it’s being released in the wakeof John Wick: Chapter 4,anaction movie we both adore. But you’re absolutely right, Tom - this is how you make an action blockbuster, it absolutely delivers. If you've seen the last few Mission films, you know what to expect.

TP: Or do you?! The plot sees Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) taskedwith retrievingakey to asupercomputer that has become corrupted by an artificial intelligence software known as The Entity, and must reunite with his associates, Luther (Ving Rhames) and Benji (Simon Pegg) to complete his objective.

SB: Only problem is, The Entity has escaped the computer, gone rogue and is now surveying their every move, forcing them to question who, or what, they can trust. It’s worth noting that Dead Reckoning has been in the making for at least

four years; if Part One had come out, say, twelve months ago before ChatGPT launched, Iwould have interpreted the stakes differently, because suddenly an A.I. villain seems like acredible threat in real life.

TP: That’s true -if PartOne had been released as originally planned, the screenplay would have seemed somewhat cartoonish. It shows incredible foresight on the producers’ part.

SB: As for the human characters, they include franchise newcomers Grace (Hayley Atwell) and Paris (Pom Klementieff). Atwell does agreat job whether she’s talking or simply expressing -she fits into the Mission mind games with ease, and she’s given asatisfying arc. Paris is asupporting antagonist, essentially ahenchwoman, but loves the thrillofthe chase and the chaos she causes. So Tom, how wouldyou rate the action in general?

TP: The fight sequences were pretty mundane to begin with, but as the narrative progressed, I found myself enjoying the action more and more -highlights include an Italian Job-style car chase in the middle, and an intense sequence taking place on apassenger train during the third act. That latter sequence alone justifiesnot only the 163-minute length, but also the splitting of Dead Reckoning into two parts.

SB: Personally, Iloved all of it. Each action set piece is shot masterfully, so unlike some recent films you can actually see what's going on. Even during the sandstorm scene, what you see unfolding on screen is clear.Interms of whether the length is justified, thisisprobably thelongest film we’ve seen this year, and yet Istill found myself wanting more! Across the Spider-Verse,which we reviewed lastmonth, probably does abetter job of setting-up its sequel, whereas this film has a more definitive ending.

TP: That’s where Dead Reckoning is the better film, Ibelieve, because it leaves you on athoroughly satisfying note without being teased by a massive cliffhanger -you’re keen for the sequel, rather than wanting to see it immediately.

SB: I’m definitely pumpedfor Part Two regardless. In terms of where Part One sits in the franchise rankings, Ithink Istill prefer Fallout and the fourth movie, Ghost Protocol,but it doesn’t reallymatter -it’slikedebating which John Wick movieisthe best. Where does it sit with you?

TP: Iactually prefer it to Fallout,which until now was my favourite in the series. Part One has an edge which makes me enjoy it that little bit more.

Mission: Impossible -Dead Reckoning Part One is rated Mfor Action violence, and screensfrom this Wednesday, July 13 at Sale Cinema

FilmSociety recognisesFrenchcelebration

THIS month marks Bastille Day, anational holiday in France, which occurs on July 14.

In recognition of this occasion, aFrench picture is being showcased by the Sale Film Society this evening as part of its July screening.

The BélierFamily (or La Famille Bélier)isa drama that centresonPaula (Louane Emera), achild of deafparents who is revealed to be a talented singer.

Society president Rob Ziffer said: "The film moves

fromstresstocomedytomovingmoments as Paula attempts to pursueher gift for singingand music."

"The film is not without controversy but succeeds on anumberoffronts, especially on the trials of adolescence."

First released in 2014, The Bélier Family shares a narrative with the German feature Beyond Silence (Jenseits derStille)and laterinspired an American production.

That film, CODA,was released in 2021 and went

on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. TheBélier Family will be showing at The Wedge tonight from7.30pm. Entry is freetoSale Film Societymembers and $10 for non-members. Prospective attendees are encouraged to arrive ahalf-hour before thescreeningcommencesto purchase drinks from Shirley’s Café and Bar, and to mingle with fellow filmbuffs. Moreinformation is available at salefilmsociety.wordpress.com

TomCruise returns to the ‘Mission: Impossible’franchise.

Image: Palace Films

Grace (HayleyAtwell) withIMF agentEthan Hunt (Tom Cruise) in the latest ‘Mission: Impossible’ film. Images: Paramount/Skydance

Exquisitehomesituated Exxqquuiissiitte e h hoomme e s siittuuaatteed in prime courtlocation in p prriimme e c coouurrt t l looccatti i ioon n

WELCOME to 14 Acacia Court!

This immaculately-presented family home in aprime East Sale location is now available for sale.

Boasting an inviting front façade with a charming veranda and surrounded by established trees and gardens, agents saythis property exudes awelcoming atmosphere.

Upon entering, you'll be greeted by the spacious and light-filled interior,featuring multiple living spaces that provideample room for relaxation and entertaining. The formal living area is highlighted by alarge baywindow offering plenty of natural light, while asplit system andceiling fanensure year-round comfort. Adjacent to the formal living area is aformal dining space, perfect for hosting gatherings and special occasions.

The generous master suite is complete with awalk-in robe and amodern ensuite, providing privacy and comfort. Three additional good-sized bedrooms, all with built-in robes and two featuring built-in desks, offer versatility and convenience. Each bedroom is equipped with ceiling fans, ensuring a comfortable and cool environment.

The heart of this home lies in the open plan kitchen, dining, and family area. This central hub is filled with natural light and provides awelcoming space for the family to gather.For those chilly winter months, awood heater is ready to keep youwarm and cozy and air conditioning for the warmer months. The modern kitchen with Caesarstone benchtops is well-equipped with ample storage, catering to the needs of any aspiring chef.

Amodern central family bathroom with avanity,walk-in shower,and freestanding bath offers atranquilspace for relaxation. A separate toilet and awell-designed laundry are conveniently located nearby,providing functionality and practicality.

The private and secure backyard is perfect for outdoor entertaining, featuring alarge

undercover alfresco area. If you are hosting abarbecue or simply enjoying the peaceful surroundings, this space offers aseamless transition between indoor and outdoor living.

For those in need of storage or workspace, alarge Colorbond shed with double sliding doors, concrete flooring and power awaits.

Part of the shed has been thoughtfully transformed into aman cave, complete with apot belly stove, creating acozyentertaining space. Double gate access to the shed adds to its convenience and usability

This property also offers plenty of room for acaravan and boat, ensuring all your recreational needs are met. Adouble carport provides additional parking options and completes the practicality of this family home.

Don't miss the opportunity to own this beautiful property in asought-after location.

Contact Wellington Real Estate today to arrange aviewing and make14 Acacia Court your new home!

Briefdetails

Property: Four-bedroom home

Address: 14 Acacia Court, Sale

Price: $595,000

Contact: Christine Haylock, Wellington Real Estate, 0417 007 336

THIS solid and comfortable home is nestled in the desirable East Sale/LakeGuthridge Precinct and, agents say,offers afantastic living experience.

Step inside and be greeted by acozy separate living room. The inviting space features awood heater,creating awarmand welcoming atmosphere.

The house boasts three bedrooms, two of which are equipped with built-in robes, the master also with ensuite. Acentral family bathroom services the other bedrooms, with vanity and shower over bath.

The kitchen is well-equipped with ample bench room and storage, and the adjacent dining area provides plenty of space. Split system, ceiling fan, and gas heating ensure year-round comfort for all.

Step out into the rear enclosed sunroom/ alfresco area, providing aversatile space that can be utilized according to your preferences.

The generous backyard has plenty of established trees and gardens. The property also offers asingle carport, with undercover access to the house and double gate access into the yard and shed.

For those in need of extra storage space or workshop facilities, this property has you covered. It features adouble garage/ workshop with an adjacent second carport, allowing you to store multiple vehicles or utilize the space for your hobbies.

Additionally,there is a garden shed, providing even more room for your belongings.

Briefdetails fdetails

Property: Three-bedroom home

Address: 13 Franklin Street,Sale

LOCATED in the exclusive Broberg Close on the outskirts of Heyfield is this stunning Hamptonsinspired home set on just over five acres, which allows room for the whole family

According to agents, this four-bedroom, two-bathroom home has style, charm and a sense of belonging from the momentyou set foot in the front door

The master bedroom includes awalk-in robe and ensuite while the remainingthree bedrooms are generously sized with built-in robes. The option of afifth bedroom, large study or as its currently used, akids’ retreat/rumpus room.

In the heart of the home is the wellappointed kitchen, including afree-standing SMEG oven/cooktop, island bench, walk-in pantry and amix of timber and stone to bring it all together.The open plan kitchen, dining and living room feature views to the north while opening onto the outdoor undercover entertaining area.

Features outside include,but are not limited to:

 Veranda, outdoor area and fenced backyard;

 Fully-fenced and well-maintained grass area on approx. five acres (two hectares);  12m x7mshed, and;

 Twowater tanks and gravel driveway

Agents say this is the ideal rural lifestyle property with its proximity to town, while also being on the doorstep of Lake Glenmaggie, Blores Hill and the Great Victorian High Country

To truly understand all that this property has to offer, book your private inspection today.

•Locatedinthe exclusive BrobergClose on the outskirts of Heyfieldisthis stunning Hamptons inspired home set on just over 5acres

•This four bedroom two-bathroom home has style,charmand a senseofbelonging from the moment youset foot in thefront door

•The masterbedroomincludes aWIR &ensuitewhile the remaining three bedroomsare all of generous sizewith BIR’s Theoptionofa fifthbedroom, large study or as itscurrently used as akids retreat/rumpus room

•The openplan kitchen, dining&livingroomfeatureviews to the north while opening ontothe outdoor undercover entertaining area.

•Veranda,outdoor area &fenced back yard.Fullyfenced and well maintained5 acres(approx.) 12m x7mshed, 2x water

Agents: Aaron Ralph 0456 215 087Kristie Feenstra 0400 946 144 3Bed 1Bath

Old

•107 acres,shedstodie for, swimming pool and comfortable home,all within walking or bike riding distancetothe GeneralStore

•35Old Walhalla Rd Toongabbie boast scenic views across thesurrounding mountains, threeroad frontages,solid stockyards andawell fenced farm divided intomanageable paddocks

•The home features three bedrooms,family bathroom and aswimming pool

•A solid hayshed,a new machineryshed with 6bays, vehicle shed with 3closed bays and3 open bays,as well as an enormous workshop beside the house

Agent: Jarryd Sutton 0457034 111

Agents: Kristie Feenstra 0400946144 AaronRalph 0456215087 Agents: GlenSynnott 0467 550 904 Kristie Feenstra0400 946 144 Agent: Kristie Feenstra0400 946

89 JOHNSON

Briefdetails

PROMINENT COMMERCIALFREEHOLD

AUCTION: FRIDAY21STJULYAT12:00PM ON SITE

10 HARRISON DRIVE, MAFFRA

ULTRAMODERN FAMILY HOME

•Exceptional brand new home in Maffra’snewest residential estate

•4 bedrooms, 2stunning bathrooms

to 12mx7.5m (3 bay) shed allowing easy access for boat/caravan/cars

*Everyone in the family will be happy with this quality home

•Stunning kitchen with island bench, walk in pantry and quality appliances

•Open plan family area

•Separate lounge/theatreroom

•Study nook

•Double garage with direct access into dwelling

•Spacious 932m2block with loads of room for additional shedding

•Somany extras, inspection will not disappoint

FOR SALE $745,000

11 JOHNSTREET,MAFFRA

NEW PRICE

QUALITY HOME IN SUPERBLOCATION

*A rareopportunity to purchase this quality built home

*Quality built by local builder Colmac Homes

*Situated on a813m2 corner allotment in Maffra’s newest residential estate, Daly Park

*4bedrooms, 2bathrooms

*Separatelounge/theatreroom

*Open plan living area

*Kitchen with stone benchtops, large 900mm oven, dishwasher and walk in pantry

*Ductedgas heating throughout plus reverse cycle air conditioner

*Double garage with automatic door and direct access into dwelling

*3bedrooms, 2bathrooms

*2living areas

*Kitchen with loads of cupboardspace, gas cook top, electric oven, dishwasher,and walk in pantry

*North facing sunroom

*Large outdoor undercover entertainment area

*Carport, garage and superb 3bay shed/man cave

FOR SALE $598,000

FlowSmart honoured for outstanding achievement

LINDSAY Corporation (NYSE: LNN),aleading global manufacturer and distributor of irrigation and infrastructure equipment and technology, has recognised Flow Smart Pty Ltd with the Top Zimmatic™ Dealership Award for the APAC region for 2023.OwnersBryce and Cate Yates proudly accepted the award during the company’s recent dealer convention.

“We are proud to recognise the team from Flow Smart for this outstanding achievement,” president of Global Agricultural Irrigation at Lindsay Corporation, Gustavo Oberto, said.

“They are dedicated to providing their customers with game-changing innovations that improve operational efficiency, boostproductivity and reduce input costs. Theircommitment to customer serviceissecond to none.”

Bryce andCatefirst opened the businessin2005, drawing on their respective careers in irrigation agronomy and chartered accountancy.

Flow Smart are market leaders in the design, supply and installation of spray irrigation systems for the agricultural, civiland industrial markets. Together with diverse clients and adedicated team of employees, the business has grown to service irrigation areas throughout Southern NSW and Victoria.

“The award is recognition of our team’shard work to our client’sbusinesses over many years, and we are thrilled to bring globalrecognition back and share it with our regionally based team,” Cate said.

“Winning the award has great meaning for our team who represent the partnership between Flow Smart as apremium dealer and Lindsay’s

flagship ‘Zimmatic’ brand.

"Lindsay is auniquecorporatethat proudlysupports its strong dealer network of predominately familyowned and operateddealers across the world. This is unique and creates opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing for all dealers.

"A key focus on our organisation is on continuous training for all levels of staff and with Lindsay’s support this hasincluded training visitsto the US, New Zealand and Canada."

The win marks the first time the award has been presented to a dealer outside of the US, with the Australiancompanyreceiving the inaugural Asia-Pacific region award

“It’s ahugehonour,asa firstgeneration business, we have been fortunate to have grown with our clients. We partner with our clients in theirsuccess stories and this is recognition of the support we have received from our industry-leading agribusinesses throughout our service regions," Bryce said.

"Forustobesuccessful, our clients’ need to be successful and we focus on finding solutions for clients."

"Itisanexciting time for innovation in agriculture in Australia and together, with the advancements of ourpartners, likeLindsay,welook forward to integrating asuiteof technology to advance our clients."

Lindsay Corporation has been involved in the manufactureand distribution of agriculture equipment for morethan60years.With more than400 Zimmatic™ dealerships worldwide, the companycurrently has irrigation systems operating in more than90countries -irrigating more than 12 million acres of crops.

on

Flow Smart Stratford’s dealership is located

7Princes Highway. Cate and Bryce Yates with their award.

Photo: Eleisha Collins@ EM Photography

Red MeatConference next month

StefanBradley

THE2023 GippslandRed Meat Conference will be held at the Sale Baptist Church on Tuesday, August 29, with an aim of reassurance in atimeof nervousnesswithin the sheepand beef industries.

The conference is aGippsland Agricultural Group event, with assistance from Agriculture Victoria, and is organised by sheep and beef producer Craig Bush,who recalls the challenges of putting the first one together.

Can you cast your mind back to early 2021?

In the midst of aCOVIDepidemic, organisers met to develop aconference for Gippsland red meat producers.

So would producers support such an event?

Wouldinterstate presentersdaretocross the border?

"Indeed they did,and indeed they would,"Mr Bush said.

"Gippslanders responded in numbers, and the event wasasell-out, with 274 producers and industry insiders attending."

Ticket-holders heard from Nigel Kerin from centralwestern NSW, who celebrated climate change, due to the opportunities it created for livestocktraders. As Mr Kerin saw it, one-in-50 year rainfall events, were now happening“three years in every 10”.

Producers also heard from MattCrozier from Cavan Station about the $500,000 carbon credit deal brokered with Microsoft, and at the other end of the scale, Bob Davie from Phillip Island, whose small farm operation was carbon neutral, and profiting from the increaseinthe trading price

of CO2 equivalents from $15 per tonne to $50 per tonne in a12month period.

MLA’splans for red meatproducers to be carbon neutral by 2030 was explained, with Melbourne University’sRichard Eckard,arenownedexpert in the field,making the point thatfarmers could profit more from ensuring they sequestered carbon in their soils, than trading carbon credits.

Rob Herrmann and Simon Quilty, renowned market analysts, revelled in detailing wherethe market opportunities lay for cattle and sheep producers.

"With many in the conference crowd stillhurting from the 2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires, the

story of Troy and Nette Fischer was afitting way to conclude the day," Mr Bush said.

"Theirstory was in turn heart-breaking, and finally, inspirational."

In November 2015, on the sort of day that every farmer dreads, hot northerly winds fanned an 85,000 hectare bushfire, which ravaged their property in Wasleys, South Australia, destroying fences, infrastructure and machinery, and killing most of their livestock.

When they reflect on the experience of the fires, they often remark that it turned out to be aonce-ina-lifetime opportunity to change, and they took that unexpected opportunity, expanding their business such that it has tripled in size since the fires.

Today their business is larger and more profitable, their internal resolve is stronger than ever, and the future is very bright for the next generation.

So that was last year’s conference.

What of the 2023 Gippsland Red Meat Conference?

The 2023 Gippsland Red Meat comes to the Sale BaptistChurchonTuesday, August29, and again it promises much for an industry in need of good news, according to Mr Bush.

"The prices are pretty ordinary,that’s come at the back of strong prices in the past three years," Mr Bush said.

"There is abit of nervousness in the industry. In sheep and beef, the price has almost halved. But long term Ithink the prospects are really good.”

Mr Bushtold the GippslandTimes he largely attributed the lower prices to supply and demand.

“There’s alot of cattle in Australia at the moment. And Iunderstand in Asia, there’s alot of stock in freezers, so not too many people buying, so lower

prices. Also, dry conditions,” he said.

Mr Bush said he hoped the speakers at the conference would ease the industry nerves.

“The speakers we have are very well renowned in their particular field. Ithinkpeoplewill find great value in attending,” he added.

“It's great havingspeakers likethiswithgood quality information to show that despite challenges, the future looks bright.”

Market analysts Simon Quilty (MLX) and Rob Herrmann (Mecardo) will bring their differing viewsonmarket opportunities created by the current low livestock prices.

Attendees get to hear from renowned agricultural consultants, including Nathan Scottonthe Top Five AnimalHealth issues for livestock enterprises,and Dr Mark Ferguson on Genetic Selection in Sheep

Some of the best stud breedersare alsorepresented, including Frank Archer from Landfall Angus and Rozzie O’Reilly from Lambpro.

Aspecial programme for young farmers will also be featured.

To cap it all off, the after-dinner speaker is renowned 'Lambassador' and former AFL footballer SamKekovich, who will bringsome offbeat humour to finish the day.

Organisers welcome other industry bodies, who like to support the farmers that support them, to partner with Gippsland Agricultural group, for this great event.

Tickets for the conference are availableattrybooking.com/CIZVC or follow the linkonthe Gippsland Red Meat ConferenceFacebookpage and Gippsland Agricultural Groupswebsite. Alternatively, email the event manager at redmeat@gippslandag.com.au

The Gippsland Red Meat Conference began as the East GippslandBeef Conference in 2014 with funding and support supplied by Agriculture Victoria.Itran very successfullyinBairnsdale from 2014 to 2019. No conference was held in 2020 due to the pandemic.

An agreement was reachedin2021 between Agriculture Victoria and GippslandAgricultural Grouptohandover organisation of theevent, with Agriculture Victoria to remain partners and co-funders. The inaugural Gippsland Red Meat Conference, run by Gippsland Agricultural group, wasplanned forAugust2021, but COVID-19 venue density limits resultedinpostponement until October 2021, then further postponement to February 2022, when the inaugural conference was successfully held.

"The Gippsland Red Meat Conference was one of the first conferences held after Victorian COVID restrictions were relaxed, and was hailed by many as atemplate for how to run asuccessfulevent post-COVID restrictions," Mr Bush said.

The 2022 Gippsland Red MeatConference post-conference dinner. Photos: Contributed

GippslandAgricultural group members Alister Micallef andBrad Smith running the popular barbecue at lunchtime during the 2022 Gippsland Red Meat Conference.

Sharing farming knowledge

THE science and business behind running asuccessful sheep enterprise will come together in one workshop next week.

Two quite different Gippsland farmswill host New Zealand-basedconsultant Dr MarkFerguson of neXtgen Agri -one at Toongabbie on the Paulet family farm, Millring Pastoral; and one at Walpa (near Lindenow) on the Alexander family farm.

Selecting rams, optimising ewe reproduction, feeding ewes to keep them fit and reproductive are all topicsupfor discussion, as well as operating with flexibility and creating resilient systems. And none of it is as effective without the correct mindset -the very first topic on the cards.

“We’ll go overthe mindset requiredtorun a farming business, as well as some of the reasons whywehave tall-poppy syndrome in agriculture,” Dr Fergusonsaid.

He will also cover the business and team behind that business, as well as key metrics like having agenetics plan, inheritability, and lamb wastage, incorporating science and practicality.

Dr Ferguson shares knowledge on the neXtgen Agri website,social mediaand via his podcast, Head Shepherd

Both farmershosting the respectivefield days

-Tim Paulet and John Alexander -have listened to Dr Ferguson’s podcasts, and both are using Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBVs) to select their rams.

Mr Paulet runs aself-replacingMerino enterprise, as well as afirst-cross enterprise, while Mr Alexander’s businessfocus has turned to composite nudie sheep.

“Dr Ferguson interviews alot of prominent people in Australian agriculture andtapsinto alot of research as well,” Mr Alexander said.

“Our businesshas been looking to breed sheep thatare robust and resilientthatcan handlea high stocking rate and worm burden.

“We want to reduce our workload and focus on prime lambs and amore efficient operation.”

For Mr Paulet, Dr Ferguson’s way of “breaking downthe mystery of breedingvalues” is incredibly

Farming voice needed for national farm crime survey

THE VictorianFarmers Federation (VFF)isurging farmers to have theirsay on the impact of farm and rural crime through the Australian Farm Crime Survey.

VFF president Emma Germano said the survey has been commissioned by the University of New England and aims to provide acomprehensive snapshot of all farm crime across Australia.

“This is the first national survey to have been undertaken in two decades and the results will provide invaluable insight into farm crime across Australia,” she said.

“Livestock theft in Victoria alone hashit a10 year high, costing farmers astaggering $6.7 million dollars last year. We know farm crime is underreported, so the real figure could easily be much higher.

“Whether it be theft involving livestock, farm

equipment or property damage and illegal trespass, farm crime has an enormous financial impact and can be aterrifying experience for farming families and staff, which can’t be tolerated."

Ms Germano addedthe resultsofthe survey would be used to advocate for greater resources and awareness campaigns to combat farm crime.

“It’s so importantthat as many Victorian farmers as possible takepartinthe survey to ensure issues faced by localfarmers are understood. The results will help provide the VFF with valuable insight and data whichcan be used in ouradvocacy for greater government action in dealing with farm crime,” Ms Germano said.

For more information, and to complete the survey,headtoune.edu.au/connect/news/2023/06/ national-farm-crime-survey

important for the way he runs the business.

“From apersonal point of view as Merino breeders, we were keen for our business to try something alittle different and use ASBVs to trytomake positive change more quickly in our system,” Mr Paulet said.

The Paulets have been using ASBV data for ram selection over the past four years, across both the Merino and first-cross enterprises, with the first drop of lambs from ewes bred specifically that way, recently on the ground.

“Like anything it takes time butwe’re on the way,” Mr Paulet said.

“There’s definitely athirst for knowledge within the industry for what Dr Ferguson talks about and having completed an online workshop with neXtgen Agri, as well as attending afield day he spoke at, Iknow people will walk away feeling invigorated and challenged.”

Dr Fergusongrewupinthe Malleeand began

breedinghis own sheepand goats at the age of 12.Heattended university in Melbourne and worked in Hamilton in south-westVictoria, where he was involved in the start of the Lifetime Ewe Management program.

He lectured at MurdochUniversity in Perth, WA, and has worked as asheep production research scientist and in production science.

The Farm Fit Ewes workshopswill takeplace at Toongabbie on Monday, July 17; and at Walpa on Tuesday, July 18.

Both events are supported by Gippsland Agricultural Group and Agriculture Victoria, and attendance needs to be registered.

To register, visit bit.ly/3WFSWdHfor the Paulet’s farm at Toongabbie, and bit.ly/3IMEuee for the Alexander’s farm at Walpa.

For further details, email HenryHickson via henry@nextgenagri.com or phone 0499 237 985.

Dr Mark Ferguson is hosting twoFarm Fit Ewesworkshops in Gippslandnextweek.

Photo: Contributed

DRUM /GUITAR

GARDEN RENOS

Did you know we provide arange of services for the older gardener. Yes we weed, mulch, trim, clip and prune and tidy up. We also install grab rails, banisters, steps, ramps and more. We have solutions to help you stay safe and happy in your home for longer. We are the garden renovators. Call Mike 0478 636 088

FARM HAND

Experienced dairy farm hand sought for very well organised 480 cow farm in Tinamba. There is afully contained new unit on the farm (which would suit single person). Please contact jane Riggall on 0439451077. Aresume and references will be required.

$$$

Phone or msg Sue 0403 006 347

Want to earn some pocket money?

Newspaper Deliverers required once aweek for Patten St. Helen Ct. areas

Please phone Sam 5144 6513

CGH Aged Care Job Opportunities

Various Tenure

Central Gippsland Health Aged Care Services is currently seeking applicants for exciting and rewarding job opportunities across all our Aged Care sites. If you possess excellence in leadership and strive to deliver high-quality person-centred care, then we would like to hear from you. We have opportunities for:

● Food and Environmental Services

To apply for the role or for further information, go to https://centralgippslandhealth.mercury.com.au or contact Dave Scott, Aged Care Food Supervisor at david.scott@cghs.com.au.

Allied Health Assistant

Permanent Full Time

CGHS is currently seeking an Enthusiastic Allied Health Assistant to join our team. This position currently sits within the Physiotherapy department however some rotations involve working across discipline to provide holistic care to clients on the Short Term Restorative Care (STRC) and Rehabilitation in the Home (RITH) programs. ACertificate III or IV in Allied Health Assistance from aregistered training organisation or its equivalent is required or a willingness to obtain.

If you have excellent interpersonal skills, great initiative, flexibility and strong organisational abilities, please apply now!

To apply for the role or for further information, go to https://centralgippslandhealth.mercury.com.au or contact Jennifer McGuinness, Manager of Physiotherapy, Exercise Physiology and Podiatry Manager of CRC Reception and Service Access on (03) 5143 8342.

Construction Site Manager -Sale

Come and work for Joss!

We:

● Are local, award winning, family owned and dynamic!

● Foster asupportive work environment that promotes innovation and creative performance

● Offer opportunity to progress your career with our diverse business

● Provide confidence in local, secure employment and offer staff an ability to relocate with regional offices around NSW.

With access to our Employee Assistance Program, come and join our team, and be part of our growing and evolving commercial Construction business, working on an exciting and diverse range of projects!

Joss Construction specialise in commercial and industrial projects across NSW, VIC and the ACT. We are seeking an experienced hands-on Site Manager to join our team.

Based in Sale, you will be responsible for the successful planning, management and coordination of all site related aspects of projects; ensuring project completion is in accordance with the client's expectations and in line with Joss' quality, safety and environmental policies.

The ideal candidate must have:

● Experience in organising construction works and delivering quality results safely, on time and within budget

● The ability to accurately read and interpret plans and specifications

● Experience with coordination of trades, subcontractors, construction plant & equipment and materials

● athorough understanding of programming and proven ability to achieve tight project deadlines

● An ability to build professional and productive relationships with stakeholders

● Demonstrate astrong understanding of WHS legislation.

With aminimum of 5years Site Management experience in delivering commercial construction projects, you will offer constructive solutions and improvements and bring sound integrity and accountability skills.

In return, we will offer you ongoing professional development, and acommitment to along term career within our successful, trusted business.

At Joss, we embrace the benefits of employing hardworking people from arange of backgrounds, so we encourage applications that contribute to our diverse workplace. If you're a motivated and enthusiastic individual and would like to be part of our successful team, please submit your application to: careers@jossgroup.com.au or call (02) 6051 1900. www.jossgroup.com.au/about/our-people

Baw Baw Swim School

At Baw Baw Swim School we are passionate about quality education and strive to create technically superior swimmers, with adeep respect for water safety. Currently, we are seeking enthusiastic swimming instructors to join our team at Guthridge Primary School, Sale.

The ideal candidate must be:

● Willing to obtain required certifications, including CPR, First Aid, Swim Teacher Certification and Working with Children Check

● Organised and reliable

● Able to collaborate and communicate with others

● Able to create asafe and fun learning environment.

We welcome both new and experienced teachers, aged 16+ toapply. Weeknight availability required.

Contact us at info@bawbawswimschool.com.au or on 0448 880 722.

Afantastic opportunity for OSHC Educators to join our Centre on a Permanent Split Shift basis.

We require OSHC Coordinator to work at Sale OSHC.

Our growing team is seeking enthusiastic & dedicated early childhood &OSHC educators to join us. We cater for children aged birth to twelve years and provide arange of additional services to our children and families in the community. Due to continued growth and expansion of our service we are looking to build on our already established team of highly motivated, professional Educators to continue our journey in agreat workplace environment.

Our Educators must be passionate about achieving quality outcomes for children, their families and our community. You must be highly motivated, enthusiastic and have proven Early Childhood skills. If you would like to work in a community run not for profit centre who value and appreciate their staff, then this is the centre for you!

Some of what we offer:

● Above award wage.

● Excellent facilities and resources.

● Ongoing professional development training. Successful applicants must:

● Hold Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.

● Be passionate and enthusiastic about Early Childhood Education.

● Have strong leadership, communication and organisation skills.

● Have aWorking With Children Check.

Further enquiries to the OSHC Supervisor on 5144 6952

Please contact the centre to receive aposition description and email your updated CV to gumnutsoshccoord@gmail.com

Applications close July 21, 2023. Gumnuts is committed to child safety

Gumnuts acknowledges the Gunaikurnai people as the traditional custodians of the land of where Gumnuts now is. We payrespect to their Elders past and present and emerging.

Join us as ateacher in 2024!

We invite applications from teachers to join our staff on apermanent basis in 2024. Options exist to work in apart-time or full-time capacity, along with options for undertaking fixed-term contracts to cover periods of long service leave.

Applications for secondary teaching opportunities can be combined with expressions of interest in positions of responsibility, such as Head of Year or Head of Department roles.

We support applications from all levels of teaching, from experienced to graduates and final year teaching students eligible to apply for permission to teach.

You are welcome to visit our School for a personalised tour to find out why both staff and students choose our School. Contact Michelle McDougall to make anappointment. Applications will be considered as received; therefore, early lodgment is recommended.

For moredetail on the requirements, duties and responsibilities of theseroles, visit the employment page of the Gippsland Grammar websiteat careers.gippslandgs.vic.au

reliable, excellent condition 188,950kms. $4,200 o.n.o. Phone 03 563 324 92.

AVAN camper, 13ft, as new, little use, sleep 3, solar panel, 3-way fridge, 2bottles, microwave, H.W.S., annexe, $17,000, Churchill. Ph 0456 422 666.

PARAMOUNT Studio 2011 24' incl. all standard features plus many extras $43,000. Can sell as package $88,000 with 2007 GXL Toyota Landcruiser, WAC-095. Both in exc. cond. 0403 430 382.

ROMA Eclipse 15', elec. brakes, elec. roof lifter, 2 berth, microwave, good tyres, reg. till Sept., top conditionand extras $17,000. 0418 753 575.

Machinery &Plant •

SLASHER

4ft 6", with adjustable skids, in very good cond., suit any tractor $750. Phone 0427 681 320.

Engagements •

IMPORTANT NOTICE

HELLEREN, Ronald James Thane. Passed away peacefully at Sale Hospital on July 6 2023 surrounded by his family.

Eldest son of the late Alice and Jim Helleren. Brother to Jan, Ken, Graham (dec.) and Barry (dec.).

Beloved husband of Shirley.

Dearly loved father and father-in-law of Ian and Helen, Debbie and Mel, Richard and Caroline. Grandfather of four and great grandfather of four.

Sadly Missed Loved by all

Funerals

CLARK,

Birthdays

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

(size 1column x6cm)

Deaths

CLARK, Leon Joseph. Passed away peacefully at Sale Hospital on July 5 2023. Aged 87 years. Loved husband of Irene Loved father of Diane, Susan, Jennifer, James and Geoffrey (dec.). Aloved grandfather and great grandfather.

CLARK, Leon Joseph. Passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of July 5, 2023 aged 87 years. Much loved Dad and father-in-law of Sue and Paul Dashwood.

Loved Grandpa of Todd and Lateesha, David and Caitlyn and Great GrandpatoEmmi, Samson and Hazel. You will be so missed.

CLARK, Leon.

Passed away July 52023.

Loved father of Diane.

Father-in-law to Doug. Grandpa to Steven and Hayden.

Great grandpa to Ava.

We will miss your great sense of humor and fun.

Love Always Rest In Peace

FIELD, Francis John. (Frank) at Sale Hospital on July 6, 2023 aged 68 years.

Beloved Husband of Daphne for 28 years, Adored stepfather of Neville, Darren, Wendy, Cindy, Paul and their partners. Treasured Pop of all of his grandchildren.

Rest in Peace Go Bombers!

FIELD, Frank. (Poppy Frank) 26/2/1955 -6/7/2023

Your spirit will light up the sky like your presence did in our lives.

Loved and missed always.

Loving step-father of Nev and Annie and the best Pop of Jayden, Teesh and Kyran. xxx

FIELD, Frank.

Deepest sympathy to Daph and family.

Mate of many years, will be sadly missed.

Our thoughts are with you. The Crowes.

Funerals

HELLEREN. The funeral of Mr Ronald James Thane Helleren will be held at the Heyfield Uniting Church, Macfarlane St Heyfield at 11am TOMORROW (Wednesday July 12, 2023) followed by burial at the Yarram Lawn Cemetery at 3pm.

Please visit our website for the livestream of Ron's service.

Wonderful workshop

In accordance with his wishes ap ri va te cremation for Mr Leon Joseph Clark was held.

Bereavement Thanks •

GLOVER.

CLARKE. The memorial service for Lee Clarke will be held at the Heyfield Bowling Club on SATURDAY (July 15, 2023) at 2pm. Please join the family to celebrate this lovely lady's life and contribution to her beloved community. Laurie and family invite you to stay after the service to enjoy afternoon tea and refreshments.

FIELD.

The funeral service for Mr Francis John Field will be held in our Geoff Rossetti Memorial Chapel, 1390 Maffra Road Sale (next to Sale Cemetery) on MONDAY (July 17, 2023) commencing at 1pm. Followed by aprivate crematio n. Anyone attending are requested to please wear aflannelette shirt.

Aprivate cremation will follow.

The family of Marie Glover would like to acknowledge and thankAshleigh House residents and staff for the friendship and care they provided over the last few years when Marie was no longer able to stay in her own home. Lett's Funeral Directors, in particular Bradley, for the outstanding care and professional service provided to our family. Julie Duffy, funeral celebrant, for her amazing ability to pull together a dignified and beautiful service from the sorrow that follows death. Our friends and extended family for their kind words, flowers and food. Marie lives on in the hearts of many.

MARTIN, John. The family of John Martin would like to sincerely thank everyone who sent cards, flowers, messages and who attended John's service. A special thank you to the paramedics and police who attended on the day. To Bradley Lett's team and abeautiful service by Rev Heather Toms.

Funeral Directors

•

GP1658408

Barry &Annette Lett

67 Macarthur Street, Sale Phone 51431232

GP1658406

Celebrating life...with care.

Rossetti

www.gippslandfuneralservices.com.au GP1658407

Zoe Askew

LAST month, Seaspray Surf Life Saving Club hosted Ironwomen Harriet Brown and Lizzie Welborn, with the pair delivering their highly regarded KaMana workshop,attractingnumerous female athletes from varioussportsacross the Wellington Shireregion.

Harriet Brown is one of the most successfulironwomen currently competing, winning the IronwomanSeries twice, with aWorldIronwoman title and a World Board Race title to her name. Brown has won the 52km Molokai 2Oahu Paddleboard Championships three times, is the current record holder, and captained the winning Australian Lifesaving Team in the2018 World Championships.

Harbouring apassion for sport, particularly women's sport, and having learnt alot through her time as aprofessional Ironwoman as well as her work as an Exercise Physiologist, Brown gains tremendous satisfaction from passing on her knowledge and learningstothe next generation.

Lizzie Welborn was one of the youngest competitors to everqualify for the professional Ironwoman series at just 16 years of age. Now 24, Welborn has become acoveted athlete, placing thirdinthe professional

Ironwoman seriesin2020 and2021,second in the 2023 professional ironwoman series and the sport's new Summer of Surf series and has representedAustralia on numerous occasions.

Welborn also competed in the 52km Molokai 2Oahu World Paddleboard Championships in Hawaii, placing second to Harriet three years in arow.

Transitioningtobeing an open competitor and matchingitwith themore experienced women from being oneof themostaccomplished youth athletes surf sports has ever seen was achallenge for Welborn.

Today, Welborn strives to equip the next generation of female athletes with the necessary tools to understand the burden of expectation, manage insecurities about body image and the importance of fuelling correctly.

Through led discussions on topics such as body image,nutrition,self-confidence, menstrual cycles and performance, the KaManaworkshop provides an opportunity for young female athletes, 12 years and older, to build confidence, feel empoweredand reach their potential.

Seaspray SLSCDirector of Programs and Development and life member Sue-EllenJackson said the Kamana workshops led by Brownand Welborn were well received, with all participants highly engaged.

"Participants represented avariety of sports, which was our aim; to make it a community event," Jackson said.

When Jackson asked Seaspray SLSC Director of Lifesaving and beach captain Jess Jackson what she believed was the highlight of the Kamana workshop, many were listed but one facet in particular stood out.

"Jess said Harriet and Lizzie connected with all participants, and hearing their stories and challengesthey had faced resonated with all," Jackson said.

"The workshop on body confidence gave the participants many ideas for dealing withnegative thoughts and how to practice having more body confidence.

"[And] that Harriet and Lizziewere interested in their sporting endeavours and goals and encouraged them to keep in touch."

Jackson said that the reaction from the Kamana workshop was positive and that Seaspray SLSC will follow up with an online session later in the year concentrating on nutrition -fueling the bodyand an athlete's connection with food.

"We thank everyone who supported the workshops," Jackson said.

"Especially local businesses and surf club members, which made it possible to bringHarriet and Lizzie to Seaspray."

The Kamanaworkshop at SeaspraySurf Life Saving Club last month waswell attended.

Photos: Contributed

Following ahighly engaging Kamana workshop led by Harriet Brownand Lizzie Welborn, SeaspraySurf Life Saving Club will followuplater thisyearwith an online workshopfocused on nutrition.

Heyfield equal fourth

Rosedale gave top-three sideChurchill an almighty scare. The Blues wereonly

fading.

AS we edge ever-closer to finals, we finally have daylight between fifth and sixth position, but that shouldn’t suggest that the race is over yet.

One side put its foot downand took abetter grip of the competition, while others survived scares to keep its season rolling.

YES,you guessed it, Traralgon Tyers United are still undefeated.

The Bombers claimed its 12th win of the season with an impressive win on the road over Woodside.

Goinginto the game,itwas clear thetravelling to Woodside has not been the easiest task this year, as the Wildcats were yet to drop points on its home deck.

But Woodsidewas yet to face the beast that is TTU.

The Bombers stamped its authority on the game earlyand managed to hold off a late fight-back fromthe Wildcatstoconfirm another fourpoints

Afast starthelped the cause, as the Bombers kicked 4.3 (27) to 2.2 (14) in the first term to hold an early advantage.

The secondterm separated the two even more, as TTU added another three majors, while the Wildcats doubled its total.

Thus, at the main break the Bombers led by 22 points, comfortably in control and in the box seat to continue its run.

Things got interesting in the third term, when the Wildcats provided some fight.

The home side kicked 5.2 (32) to the Bombers’ 3.4 (22), dragging the margin back down to two goals, and with aquarter to play, the game was still well-and-truly up in the air.

But, the visiting sidewould re-establish its dominance to ensure its undefeated record stayed intact, winning the last quarter and most importantly the game, 13.17 (95) to 11.6 (72).

TTU’s Brad Kelleher kept his good form in front of goal rolling, with four majors, while Woodside’s Michael O’Sullivan alsoadded four to his tally.

Frazar Brouns was named as TTU’s best on,and wascomplimented by Liam Willaton, Jake Cashmore, Kade Duncan, Zach Kilgower and Thomas Fleming.

While for the home side, captain Ryan Foat, Michael Stockdale, Josh Kennedy, Lee Stockdale, Matt Dyke and O’Sullivan were impressive in defeat.

The Bombers now have breathing room at thetop of the ladder, two wins clear of Woodside in second.

You would just about expectTTU to remain unbeaten for the rest of the season from here on in, as they prepare to be fit and firing for finals.

The Bombers’will takea rest thisweekend, leaving them with fourweeks of gamesinthe run into finals, while Woodside should be a winner again next week when they travel to the Boneyard to face Gormandale.

THE Jets have responded.

After its loss to Woodside in the previous week, Yallourn Yallourn North putthat aside to knock off an in-form Yarram outfit.

The Demons were coming off the back of an impressive 39-point win over Churchill, and would’ve been full of confidence as they travelled to Yallourn North.

But, YYN are most certainly on amission to confirm its finals presence, and it looks more and more likely that it will be apossibility.

The Jets started confidently with a14-point advantage at quarter time -they kept the Demons to the one scoring shot.

Perhaps the wind played some affect in thesecond term, and throughout the rest of the game, as YYN compiled aplethora of chances in the second quarter.

The margin could have been much worse for the Demons, but the Jets were able to add 5.7 (37) to Yarram’s two goals straight and the margin edged closer to 40 points at the main break.

YYN displayed perfectly how to hit the scoreboardwithout allowing theopponents to make an impactonthe game,asthey steadily increased the margin on the scoreboard, all whilekeeping Yarram to aminimal impact.

TheJetsadded 4.2 (26) to two behinds in the third term, before closing out the win in style with another4.6 (30) to agoal in the final term, closing out the 87-point win, 16.17 (113) to 4.2 (26).

Keenan Hughes and Dylan Keyhoe were prominent in front of goal withfour goals each, spurring their side towards victory, as did the other five goal scorers.

Anthony Young, LukeSummersgill,Jai Massese,Dylan Bath,Blake Julin and Kyle Jennings were the bestfor the winners Yarramgames-record holder Chris Bruns, Griffin Underwood, Daniel Vardy, Dylan Garnham, Liam Bentley and Kiefer Sutherland were stand-outs for the Demons in atough defeat.

The Jets move up into four, and with that comes some more comfortability, while Yarram are still outside of the finalsrace, yet sit one win behind Heyfield, who won’t make it easy to pass them.

CHURCHILL survived ascare in Rosedale. Lessonswere learnt during the week as the Cougars looked to find away back from its loss to Yarram in the weekend prior.

The Cougars remain focussed on being in the hunt, becauseanything can happen when finals comes around.

Rosedale weren’t going to shy away in the gusty conditions, and they stuck right with Churchillthroughout most of the game, making it as hard as possible for them.

Fireworks were present during the game, as some extra fire found its way onto the field when tempers flared between the two sides.

TheBlues did thebest that they could to take advantageofthe wind by kicking to the advantageous end in the opening term, and they managed to take aone-point lead into quarter time.

But Churchill were unable to take full advantage of it either in thesecond term, as the windbegan to shift towards thewing, making simple kicks harder to pull off for both sides, it was stoppages-galore.

The Cougars took afive-point leadinto the majorchange, and managed to keep the lead into the final change after avery tight third term, this time by just four points.

Ablockbuster final term was set up, but Churchill had the wind behind them and this time they took full advantage of it.

Churchill put the game to bed in style, kicking 7.5 (47) to nothing to complete the 51-point win.

The lossfor Rosedale doesn’t quite show how they playedthroughout the day, but Churchill flexedits muscles in the final term, as the players’ fitness paid off.

Father-son duo Brendan and Kurt Holt kicked four goals each, while Joel Mason also added four for the Cougars.

Bailey Flanigan wasbrave in the ruck but ralliedthroughoutthe day to claim best-onground honours.

The Holt boys, Jordan Fenech, Andy Phelan and Jarrod Henderson were also recognised for their efforts.

In defeat, captain Riley Atlee, Declan

Barnett, Luke Lewis, Spencer Fox, Luke Stuckey and Hayden Bell were Rosedale’s most prominent figures.

The Cougarsare cushioned in thirdspot, a win behind Woodside and two wins clear of YYN in fourth, with finals almost confirmed. HEYFIELD returned and left it until late.

The Kangaroos were fresh off of the bye and hosted Glengarry, but the Magpies, like Rosedale to Churchill, did not make things easy early on.

Heyfield led by just apoint at quarter time, in alow scoring affair that saw agoal to either side.

The lead grew to nine points by half time, but scoring was still hard to come by as conditions made it difficult to move the ball up and down the field.

Heyfieldbegan to make amove in the second half, kicking another two goals, but also missing some chances to take abigger lead with five behinds,and withathree-goal lead up its sleeve, Heyfield could take it home from here.

And simply, they did just that.

The Kangaroos kicked away with conviction in the final term, kicking 9.3 (57) to 1.1 (7) to blow the lead out to 67 pointsbefore the final siren was rung, 14.14 (98) to 4.7 (31).

Kyle Graham, Liam Heasley, Alex Coleman, Mitchell Bennett (game-high four goals), Brayden Woodland and Robert McMillan were the best for the winners.

MitchHarris, Callum Mitchell,Jesse Lee, SpencerPoulton, Cassidy Bartley and Alex Birmingham displayed their class in defeat for Glengarry.

It wasadisappointing result for Glengarry as the scoreboard didn’t properly reflect its effort and ability to stay in the game for as long as they did.

Unfortunately for them, it wasn’t the first time they haven’t showed up in the last quarter, because they have been in the mix on multiple occasions and like to give teams ascare Heyfield hold onto fifth, awin clear of Yarram in sixth, and with the Cougars up next week, they could begin to extend on that gap.

SALE Cityeased to victory over Gormandale.

The Bulldogs weren’t going to take it easy on the Tigers and they made sure of that from the get-go.

Sale City started tame, but still took a 25-pointlead into the firstbreak,already scoring enough to beat Gormandale’s final score.

Another four-goal term saw the lead grow over 50 points,asthe Bulldogs led by 53 at half time, all while keeping Gormandale goalless for the quarter.

They did the same in the third, but this time kicking 6.4 (40) to one behind, getting to triple figures with 30 minutes to play.

Gormandale had their best period of play in the final term, kicking 2.2 (14), yet Sale City were just that bit better, kicking3.6 (24) to see the margin over 100 points.

The Bulldogs takingthe 102-pointwin, 17.22 (124) to 3.4 (22).

BenjaminBrett and Mitchell Evans led the way up front for Sale City with four majors each, whilesix others added to the goal tally.

Cameron Green was the most prominent player on the field, and was complimented by Chad Evans, Brett, Blake Safstrom, Sam Dean and Jaxsyn Whitehill.

Kodie Owne, Isaac Copland (two goals), Liam Deering, Jai Foulkes, Noah Copland and Ben Heath were the best for Gormandale COWWARR had the bye.

fourpointsdownatthree quarter time before

Photo: Contributed

TomHayes

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

4HPepper2B Gowers 2CProwseBDaniher NProwse. Morwell: B McDonald 4T GrayMLinton. BEST: Moe: HSim BSmith TLong HPepper JWood JCeppi.

DMusil BMacfarlane BBailey BMcDonald JGalea BMcauliffe

GOALS: Traralgon: BEddy 11 BSchilling 5MCollison 2KRuyters DLoprese MNorthe H

Dunbar JCunico.Maffra:DBedggood 4SDavidson 2NChristyLAllmanNPollard. BEST:

Traralgon: BEddy LD’Angelo CAmbler HDunbarM Collison BSchilling.Maffra:SDavidson K

RenooyBMonk JReadSRobbins DBedggood WONTHAGGI 1.72.7

GOALS: Wonthaggi: CMcInnes 2T DaveyIChugg THarley NAnderson. Leongatha: JBurns

2JGinnane JGarnham. BEST: Wonthaggi: JBlair BMabilia THuther IChugg THarley C

CMaskell KDrewSForrester JHarry JGarnham JBurns

GOALS: Warragul: BPaul3CSutherland NMulqueen OWilson CAlger LSumner THobbs

KMacLean LCollihole.Drouin: THancock 3JCollins JMarshallJ McKellar MStein SPratt

BEST: Warragul: JHughes BPaul THobbs NStevenson KMacLean APhillips.Drouin: THancock JMcKellar JMarshall KQuirk CBethune AMcMillan

Warragul: BPaul3 CSutherland NMulqueen OWilson CAlger LSumner THobbs KMacLean LCollihole.Drouin: THancock 3JCollins JMarshallJ McKellar MStein SPratt BEST: Warragul: JHughes BPaulT Hobbs NStevenson KMacLean APhillips.Drouin:

JMcKellar JMarshall KQuirk CBethune AMcMillan

Sale sets its path

Liam Durkin

TALK about it being tight at the top.

There is four teams equal-first on the Gippsland League ladder after 12 rounds.

With two-thirds of the season now complete, Leongatha, Wonthaggi, Moe and Traralgon occupy places one to four, each with a10-win, two-loss record, and each separated only by percentage.

SALE took amassive stride towardsecuring afinals berth.

The Magpies were tookstrongfor Bairnsdale on Sunday, winning 19.12 (126) to 6.10 (46).

The result means Sale is now two games clearinsidethe top five with six rounds to play While aSundayroad trip to Bairnsdale mightnot havebeen the most enticing thing for spectators, as far as Sale officials were concerned, it was every bit as important as amarquee Saturday fixture.

Sale had lost to the Redlegs in asurprise result earlier the season, and would have no doubt been eager to demonstrate such aresult was not atrue reflection of their standing in the Gippsland League.

The Magpies proved this by not only winning, but doing so comfortably, to the tune of 80 points.

Both teams traded blows in thefirst quarter, with the home side having more scoring shots, before the visitor's kicked away in the second.

Sale blew the game open after the first break,kicking six goals to twototake a 31-point lead into the sheds.

It was more of the same in the third, with five goals to two in favour of the Magpies, and again in the last, with five goals to one.

demolished Maffra by aneartriple-figure margin, 23.17 (155) to 9.5 (59).

While Eddy was productive inside 50, for agame played on afreezing cold day in the Latrobe Valley,tosee more than 30 goals kickedperhaps returned the biggest talking point.

Speaking of goals,the home side banged through nine in adestructive first quarter, whiletheir opponents registered just two behinds.

From there, the game was as good as gone, and Traralgonwent on their merryway from there.

While the Eaglesmanaged six goals of their own in the second, their wings had well and truly been clipped, and the Maroons were never in serious danger of losing.

The margin bled out to 67 points at three quartertime, and by the time the final siren sounded, Eddy had entered the record books for theequalsecond-best individualgoaltally for aRound 12 game.

Wonthaggi's Murray Silverand Sale'sMatt Ferguson each kicked 12 in 2004 and 2011 against Moe and Warragul respectively.

Eddy catapulted himself from third to first on the league goal-kicking table, overtaking the Power's Cooper McInnes. The Traralgon key forward is now four goals clear with 45 to his name.

As well as Eddy, Billy Schilling kicked fivegoals to gain amentioninthe best. Luis D'Angelo, Connor Ambler, Hugh Dunbar and Mark Collison in his 150th game for Traralgon, also did agood job.

Better players for Maffrawere Sam Davidson,KadeRenooy,BraydenMonk, James Read, Sam Robbins and Daniel Bedggood, who kicked four goals.

The visitor's started strongly, with 11 scoring shots to two in the first term.

From there the tone was set, and the game meandered out as it more-or-less became a case of surviving the elements.

Morwell was held goalless in the first half, butmounted amini-comeback in the third to find themselves 30 points downand in with asneaky chance at three quarter time.

Moe however kicked the firstgoal of thelast term inside thefirst minute, to effectively kill off any Morwell momentum.

That momentum may well have been extinguished just before threequarter time, when the Tigerslooked certain to score agoal, only for the Lions to shoot the ball down the other end and land the killer blow.

Some excellent work from Moe defender Scott van Dyksaw himwin the ball back after aStephen Milne-like bounce in thegoal square evaded aMorwell player. From there, theball foundits way into the hands of Harri Sim, who kickedone of his four goals for the game, taking his season goal tally to 19.

Fellow forward Harry Pepperalso took his season goal tallyto19, whileBrock Smith showed his versatility, moving from back to midfield. Jordan Ceppi was serviceable, as was Tom Long and Jacob Wood.

While Moe took the four points, they also took nearly just as many casualties, one of which was Ben Morrow, who hobbled off in the second half.

Playing-coach Declan Keiltyalsoleftthe field, as did Tyler Pratt.

Keilty proved he is human, getting caught holding the ball by Brandon Mcauliffe, who was listed in the best for Morwell.

GOALS: Leongatha: JLamers 2W Littlejohn 2AHillbergJSchelling OKerr.Wonthaggi: H

KBrown ODawson WLuke BEST: Leongatha: CStone JLamers WLittlejohn DHume AHillbergR Kelly. Wonthaggi: RCornell JBrown WLuke LJones KBrownBCornelis

Maffra: JOldham 4DStubbe2.Traralgon: JVan Iwaarden 2LMcDonald BLocandro.

Maffra: CJones SWalker MRodaughan DStubbeJ Oldham DGray. Traralgon: T

LHahn LMcDonald BKimberley JVan Iwaarden BCheetham

Sale:T Campbell 3LPlace3 JGlenane 2HPotts JSimic JSandemanCLavertyR

BMcKay.Bairnsdale: LDunkley RBlandford LRussell

JGlenane DByron BSandeman. Bairnsdale: ZSmith TSelleck JMiller LDunkley

The Magpies had agoodspread of goalkickers. Former skipperJordanDessent highlighted with four, while midfielders Shannen Lange and Jack Johnstone showed theirability to impact the scoreboard, kicking seven between them.

Langeand Dessentfoundthemselves among the best players, as did Will Leslie, Harry Ronchi, Hudson Holmes and Jarrod Freeman.

Best for Bairnsdale was Will Mitchell, Ethan East, Jamie Dore,Nic Bulmer, Logan Austin and Lachlan Byrne-Jones.

IT pays to have connections.

You could have used the word 'best' four times in one sentence at TerryHunter Oval, Traralgon last Saturday.

Arguably the best forward in the competition, Brett Eddy, kicked 11 goals for Traralgon in abest-on-ground display, the same Eddy who is best mates with the Maroons' coach, who ironically, carries the last name -wait for it -Best.

JakeBest took his Traralgon outfit to equal-first on the ladder, after the Maroons

In asituation that would have only been fanciful ahandful of years ago, the Eagles are just one-and-a-half games off thebottom of the ladder.

Granted the football cycle catches up with every team, given Maffra's domination for the best partofthe last 20 years, to seethem potentially claim the woodenspoon is surely something alot of modern day players and coaches never thought they would see.

GOOD thing manual scoreboardsare athing of the past.

The wind was so strong at Morwell on Saturday it would have sent the aluminium numbers flying through the air.

Actually, the windwas so strong at Morwell on Saturday the current electronic scoreboard did actually go out during the second quarter.

And at one stage duringthe finalterm, the goal postslooked as though they were literally going to topple over. Morwelland Moe both braved freezing conditions, in agame that never reached great heights.

Both clubs also had their midseason balls afterthe match. The Lions however were the only team to take awin to the festivity, getting up 11.13 (79) to 6.7 (43).

Dan Musil, Burkeley Macfarlane, Brandon McDonald (four goals), coach Boyd Bailey, and Josh Galea all played well for the Tigers. Popular clubman Tyler Hillier notched up his 100th senior match in the yellow and black.

THUNDERBOLT and lightning, very,very frightening.

Wonthaggi Power made it nine wins in a row after defeating Leongatha. The match-of-the-round between one and two turned out to be alow-scoring grind, which the home teamwon 6.13 (49) to 4.8 (32).

While all teams in thetop four have traded wins against each other, Wonthaggi is the only side that has beaten all three (Leongatha, Moe and Traralgon). WARRAGUL might just have avoided the wooden spoon.

The Gulls defeated local rival Drouin 11.4 (70) to 8.10 (58) on Sunday.

The home sideput adifficult few weeks behind them to win their first game since Round 4.

FOOTBALL NETBALL EAST GIPPSLAND

ROUND 11

SENIORS

GOALS: Warragul: VKuol 5JDeLaHaye 2XOlsson CMacLean MCahill.Drouin: ZMcmillan 3

AWanigavitharana BEST: Warragul: VKuol LFrenchJDeLaHayeMCahill LGarner

Drouin:

WBethune CCaddy BWalsh AWanigavitharana RCaddy

TomHayes

SALE’S Scott Pendlebury etched his name into the history books again in Collingwood’s comefrom-behind victory over the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.

It wasn’tastraight-forward win for the Magpies, who were dominated early by the Bulldogs’ run and carry around the ground.

The Dogs led by nine points at quarter time,

Zoe’s netball scoreboard

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE -ROUND 12

AGRADE:Leongatha 46 dWonthaggi 30, Traralgon 49

dMaffra 41,Moe 57 dMorwell 49,Sale 51 dBairnsdale

41,Warragul 55 dDrouin38.

BGRADE:Leongatha 66 dWonthaggi33, Traralgon

58 dMaffra 32, Moe 49 dMorwell 37,Drouin65d

Warragul 28, Sale bye, Bairnsdale bye.

CGRADE:Leongatha 47 dWonthaggi 16,Maffra 32

dTraralgon 22, Moe 25 drew Morwell 25, Drouin 43 d

Warragul 21,Bairnsdale 30 dSale 26.

17 AND UNDER:Wontaggi 25 dLeongatha 24, Maffra

31 drew Traralgon 31,Morwell 32 dMoe 8, Drouin 61

dWarragul 19,Sale 45 dBairnsdale 26.

15 AND UNDER:Leongatha 44 dWonthaggi34,

Traralgon 45 dMaffra 26, Moe26dMorwell 12,Drouin

32 dWarragul 19,Sale 37 dBairnsdale 33.

13 AND UNDER:Leongatha 38 dWonthaggi 13

Traralgon 51 dMaffra 13,Moe 53 dMorwell 5, Drouin

34 dWarragul 21,Sale 44 dBairnsdale 23.

NORTH GIPPSLAND -ROUND 13

AGRADE:Yarram45dYYN 39, Heyfield 42 dGlengarry

39, Churchill 55 dRosedale 42, Woodside 61 dTTU 21

Sale City 93 dGormandale 34, Cowwarr bye.

BGRADE:Glengarry 52 dHeyfield 30, Rosedale 45

dChurchill 36, YYN 81 dYarram 26, Woodside 50 d

TTU18, Sale City 51 dGormandale 36, Cowwarr bye.

CGRADE:Glengarry 23 dHeyfield 19,Rosedale 33 d

Churchill 32, YYN 46 dYarram 14,Woodside 27 drew

TTU27, Sale City 34 dGormandale 22, Cowwarr bye.

DGRADE:Glengarry 37 dHeyfield 13,Churchill 28 d

Rosedale 25, YYN 46 dYarram 9, Woodside 33 dTTU

22, Sale City 41 dGormandale 3, Cowwarr bye.

17 AND UNDER:Heyfield 27 dGlengarry 18,Rosedale

44 dChurchill 8, YYN 27 dYarram10, TTU28dWoodside

27,Sale City 46 dGormandale 6, Cowwarr bye.

15 AND UNDER:Glengarry 28 dHeyfield 24, Rosedale

38 dChurchill9,Yarram 18 dYYN 7, TTU32d Woodside

6, Sale City 50 dGormandale 1, Cowwarr bye.

EAST GIPPSLAND -ROUND 11 (COMPLETE)

AGRADE:Boisdale-Briagolong 48 def OSR 37,Lakes

Entrance 57 dLucknow 32, Stratford46dLindenow

28, Wy Yung 80 dPaynesville 11

BGRADE:Boisdale-Briagolong 28 dOSR 18,Lakes

Entrance31dLucknow 29, Stratford41dLindenow

28, Wy Yung 52 dPaynesville 19

CGRADE:OSR 33 dBoisdale-Briagolong 26, Lucknow

46 dLakes Entrance 14,Lindenow27dStratford26, Wy Yung 46 dPaynesville 15

DGRADE:Boisdale-Briagolong 42 dOSR 8, Lucknow

dLakes Entrance (forfeit), Stratford33d Lindenow 31, Wy Yung 48 dPaynesville 8.

17 AND UNDER:Boisdale-Briagolong 44 dOSR 22, Lucknow 43 dLakes Entrance15, Stratford50d

Lindenow 13,WyYung46dPaynesville 11

15 AND UNDER:OSR 28 dBoisdale-Briagolong 26, Lakes Entrance 33 dLucknow11, Stratford23tied Lindenow 23, Wy Yung 36 dPaynesville 7.

Sudoku No.0166

recordfor Pendlebury

before having their lead cut to just five points at the main break.

Pendlebury moved to number one for all-time disposals in AFL history in the third term, collecting his 14th disposal of the match.

“Possessed the Sherrin more times than anyone in the historyofour game. What afeat. What a player,” James Brayshawcalled on Channel7’s coverage of the game.

Collingwood came out of the gates quickly in the second half, piling on 6.2 (38) to the Bulldogs’ 1.2 (8), storming into the lead for the first time of the night, holding a25-point lead intothe final quarter Afterkickingthe firsttwo goals of the finalterm, the Bulldogs added four more to their total to close the margin to 12 points, but there wasn’t enough time to complete another comeback.

The Pies showed their class in the two-goal win, 13.11 (89) to 11.11 (77).

Pendlebury finished the game with 21 disposals at 81 per cent efficiency, seven marks, four tackles, three clearances and three score involvements. Pendlebury will begin to create aclass of his own, now with 9665 disposals to his name throughout his 373-game AFL career, surpassing Robert Harvey’s 9656 disposals.

“It was pretty loud when Igot the ball so Iknew Imust have been around the mark. To be honest it was nice to get it done and out of the way,” Pendlebury said post-match.

Not only that, he moves up to 10th for all-time games played,surpassingSydney Swanslegend Adam Goodes.

The six-time All Australian, five-time club bestand-fairest recipient, Norm Smith medallist, and premiership player can now add this to his long list of AFL achievements.

Could Pendlebury go down as one of the best players to never win aBrownlow Medal?

That one is up for debate now.

Next on his list of achievements to tick off now would surely be 400 games.

The veteran has signed on with Collingwood for

Scott Pendlebury nowholds the all-timeAFL disposalsrecord.

another season and if he remains fit, which seems likely knowing his track record, he should become the sixth player to reach 400 games.

Could he break Brent ‘Boomer’Harvey’s all-time games record of 432 games?

Fromnow up untilthe end of the season, he should be able to surpass CraigBradley (375

games), David Mundy (376) and Simon Madden (378) on the all-time list.

Across the league, we are still awaiting the return of Sale’s Charlie Comben who is still around five weeks away from his broken ankle injury, meanwhile Yarram’sJosh Dunkley took the week off to rest from a calf complaint.

Sale United rewarded forNikeCup effort

Zoe Askew

THE home of The Matildas at La Trobe University wasunveiledlast week as Australia, New Zealand and the world edge closer to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Two weeks from now, the FIFA Women’s World CupAustraliaand NewZealand 2023, set to be the biggest women’s football tournament yet, kicks off with co-hosts New Zealand taking on Norway. Thirty-two nations will descend upon Australia for this year’s Women’s World Cup, and in preparation forthe largest women’s sporting event in history, last week Victorian Ministerfor Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos, formally opened The Home of The Matildas. Gippsland willbewellrepresented when Australiatakeonworldnumberfive, France, with nearly the entire Sale United Football Club women’s team receivingfree tickets to see the Matildas vs France in Melbourne on Friday (July 14).

Football Victoria issued an email in mid-June sharing Nike’s invitation to all 2023 Nike FC Cup players and one guest of their choosing to join them in an exclusive Nike FC bay at the event -all that was required was asimple registration form.

As 2023 Nike FC Cup participants,inwhich Sale made Round 3ofthe knock-out competition after beating local rivals Fortuna and State League 2 side St Albans Saints Dinamo Soccer Club before

Crossword No.8542

facing a5-3 defeat in overtime to State League 2 side CarolineSpringsGeorge Cross Football Club. SUFC senior women jumped at the opportunity and by last week, all Sale applicants were in possession of their tickets.

Designedbyleading female architects,The Home of TheMatildas features two state-of-the-art hybrid turfpitches, two FIFA-grade syntheticpitches, with athird to be constructed later this year, 12 change rooms including the CommBank Matildas’ own customised changing room, afully-equipped gym, world-class medical facilities, modern wet recovery areas, premiumfunction rooms, coaching development spaces and aboutique 800-seat grandstand withelevatedsight lines

Gender-neutral facilities, flexiblespaces, increased privacy as well as collaboration spaces for various lifestyle phases are also among the key design elements at the new facility.

To support a‘Football for All’ venue for participants andofficials, principaldesign consultant, Populous has constructed amodern, centralised, gender-neutral infrastructure.

Football VictoriaPresident AntonellaCaresaid the newly opened precinct has the power to drive tangible change in football.

“We’re thrilled to unveil this precinct to our football community, aplace we can all call home, where the lofty ambitionsofour female football family will be supported like never before,” she said.

Target Time No.0166

apomict,atop, camp, campion, campo, capo, capon, caption, catnip, clamp, clap, clip, clomp, clop, complain, COMPLAINT, COMPLIANT,copal, impact,implant, inapt,lamp, lampion, lapin, limp, lipoma, maintop, nipa, opal, optic, optical, optima, pact,pail, pain, paint,palm, panic, pant patio, piano, pica, picot,pilot,pint,pinto, pion, pita, pitman, piton, plain, plaint, plait,plan, plant,plat,platonic, pliant, plica, plot,point,poma, potamic, tamp, tampon, topi, topic, topical.

Target: Average-24, Good -32, Excellent -45+

Sale’s

Photo: File

ROUND 17

Thursday,July6

Richmond vs.SydneySwans (MCG) Friday,July7

Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood (MRVL)

Saturday,July8

Brisbane Lions vs.WestCoastEagles (G) GWSGIANTS vs.Hawthorn (GS) St Kilda vs Melbourne (MRVL)

Port Adelaide vs.GoldCoastSUNS(AO) Sunday,July9

Geelong Cats vs.NorthMelbourne (GMHBA) Essendon vs.Adelaide Crows

Carlton

Just out of reach

Woodside went down by 23 points in the top-of-the-table

clash against TTU.

The Wildcats will have to make do with outright second spot on the NGFNL ladder for now.

NORTH GIPPSLAND REVIEW - PAGE 27

Battle of the big cats: LionsdefeatTigers

THERE is anew sheriff in town in Gippsland League netball.

Moesaw themselves surge to the top of the table after amassivewin over Morwell in Round 12 Spectators knew they were in for atreat watching the two big cats battle it out for bragging rights and that first-place position, and boy was it atreat. Nothing could separate these teams at the first break, with both at 16-all. In the second term, the Lions were able to convert on turnovers and took a33to29lead.

Scoring slowed down in the third term, with Moe shooting nine to Morwell’s seven as aresult of an increaseindefensive pressure; but it was of no concern for the Lions, who continued to outplay the Tigers well into the fourth, shooting 15 to their13.

Chloe Radford, Saskia Eenjes and Tanya Budge were classy even in defeat, but it was Moe’s Macy Gardiner, Georgia Moody and Alex Moody who were crucial in the season-defining win.

Maffra still has yet to register their first win of theseason after failing down to Traralgon in an

eight-point loss. The Maroons got the jump on the Eagles from the first whistle. In the first term, the Maroons shot 13 to the Eagles’ six and in the second piled on another 13 shots to their eight.

The Eagles changed in the second half and outscored Traralgon in both the third and fourth, but the lead was too far gone to come back from.

The final score was Traralgon 49 to Maffra 41. Maroons’ Cassidy Smith, Bronwyn Tebband Montanna Styles were recognised with best-oncourt honours and so to were Eagles’ Chelsea Allman, Matilda Pendergast and Ashleigh Keefe.

It was lights out for Wonthaggi as Leongatha managed to shut the Power off withease. The game was 12 goals all at quartertimebut Wonthaggi musthave used too much energytoo quicklyas they managed to score only two goalstothe Parrots’ 14 in the second.

The third term saw the Parrots extend the lead to 18 while the Power clawed it back to 16 in the last.

The final scoreswere Leongatha 46 to Wonthaggi 30. Power’s best were Charlie Berry, Chelsea Bowman and Mia Plenkovich, while Leongatha’s best were Kate Browne, Lara Stefani and Taylah Brown.

The Sunday ticket saw Sale find themselves 10-pointwinners over Bairnsdale. It was aclose contest for the two sidesinthe first half.The Magpies found themselves after the major break and ran away with the win.

Sale’s Rachel Ronaldson, Dee Dee Lambert and Isla McCarthy were instrumental in the win, while Brielle Malady, Danielle Johnson and Anna Mooney stood out for the Redlegs.

Warragul had no trouble defeating Drouin in a huge 17-pointwin.LilySheehan,Renee Cookand SiennaGreen starred for the Gulls, so didAva Gaul, Karina Proctor and Ella Henderson for the Hawks IN North Gippsland, the divide between real premiership contenders and the rest of the competition became visible on the ladder.

The top teaminSale Cityisonlyone game clear, but nothingbut percentage separates second, third and fourth in Woodside, Heyfield and Churchill. Sale Cityhavehad an enormous 59-goal win over Gormandale. The Tigersneverstood achance over the Bulldogs side with final scores 93 to 34.

It was asimilar story for TTU, who went down to Woodside by 40 goals. The Wildcats dominated allplay,shooting 61 goals to TTU’s 21. Woodside’s

GeorgieBanik received best-on-court honours. Heyfield showed the competition that they are aforce to be reckoned with after defeating finals hopefuls Glengarry.

It was atight contestall day with both teams having so muchtoprove, but ultimatelythe Kangaroos hadanextra bounce in their step that got them the win over the Pies. The final scores were Heyfield 42 to Glengarry 39.

Churchillchargedhome with a13-goal victory over another final contender in Rosedale.

The Blues have dropped off this seasoncompared to their runners-up form of 2022.

TheCougars were able to expose the Blues in all aspects of thegame from earlyoninthe match and continuously built upon their lead to win 55 to 42.

Yarram got their second win on the board after defeating Yallourn Yallourn North 45 to 39 in a very close contest. Cowwarr had the bye.

STRATFORD and Boisdale-Briagolong had the week offinEastGippsland, owing to the second week of asplit round.

The Swans and Bombers will look to get back in action this weekend, as the finals approach.

NETBALL SCOREBOARD -PAGE29

Zaida Glibanovic

Photo: Contributed