Gippsland Times Tuesday 18 July 2023

In memoriam

DISPENSARYDEBATE

Stefan Bradley

THE row between the federal government and pharmacies is not letting up, with two local Sale pharmacies expressing concernabout the60-day dispensing policy ahead of its expected start on September 1.

The changes involve doubling the amountofmedication apatient can obtain from one visit to the pharmacy -froma30-day supply to up to 60-day supply.

While the government has faced opposition to these changes, the policyhas been defended by various groups, including the Australian Medical Association (AMA), The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (NACCHO).

KeithKwan, who is the owner of Raymond Street PharmacyinSale, said he was concernedabout pharmacy viability, as dependingonthe uptake of the new 60-day prescriptions, he expects dispensary income to reduce by athird, or as much as half.

The government pays adispensing fee to the pharmacy forprocessing prescriptions,and under the new changes, the fee will be paid every two months, rather than every month.

“It’s almost like buy one, get one free, but we pay

forthe free one. For most pharmacies, dispensaries are 70-to-80 per cent of their income,” Mr Kwan said.

“What thiscould potentially mean is reduced (opening)hours,a reduction in staff hours,reduction in staff in general, and increased costs in other ways which may affect the patients.

“Somemay decide it’s just not viable or worth the time andefforttoopen apharmacy.

“There’salsopossibly more wastage, because people are getting two boxes (of product). Or arisk of overdosing.” While Mr Kwan wants patients and customers to be wary of these changes, it’s been difficult for him to have conversationswith them as the legislation has not gone through Parliament for its intended September 1start date.

“It might not even happen, but if it does, we’ll have to go from there,” Mr Kwan said.

“We are all for cheaper medicine for patients, but the problem is the government has announced these changes without providing much detail. We want more negotiation.

“They say that they’re reinvesting money back into pharmacies, but right now they are cutting us, (without) givingusany newincomeback,oranequivalent.

In an email response to aseries of questions from the

Gippsland Times,spokesperson for Health Minister Mark Butler said the government is delivering “cheaper medicines through 60-day dispensing for more than six million Australians”.

“This will halve the cost of medicines for millions of Australians, including pensioners, who are living with achronic condition,” the spokesperson said.

“This was first recommended in 2018 from the clinical expertsatPBAC (Pharmaceutical Benefits AdvisoryCommittee).Itwas never implemented by the former government, costing Australians billions in lost savings

“Every year, nearly amillionAustralians are forced to delayorgowithout amedicine thattheir doctor has told them is necessary for their health.”

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia, who represent the ownersofcommunitypharmacies,havebeensteadfast in their opposition to the changes.

“Ourask of the federal government is simple -please sit down with us, consult, andlisten to 6000 community pharmacies,” PharmacyGuild National President, Trent Twomey said.

“You will get the true picture of your policy, which is not the version told to you by Canberra health bureaucrats.”

Continued Page 4

Mertens rode anumber f o of Group 1winners, i including

Photo: Stewart

CPSU andVicForestsbarbecue

PhilipHopkins

VICFORESTS staffand their guests, with the threat of unemployment hanging over theirheads, gathered together with their trade union backers last week at abarbecueinTraralgon’sNewman Park.

Julian Kennelly, aspokesman for the Community and Public SectorUnion (CPSU),which organised the event, said their VicForests members could not move on withlifedecisions while the state government obfuscates about the organisation’s future.

GippslandVicForests staff, from Erica, Noojee to Sale and beyond, made up the bulk of the two dozen or so people who attended.

“The idea was to come together as aunion community affected by the announcement on native timberharvesting, to discussthe impacts this was having on their ongoing work and the local impacts in their rural communities,” Mr Kennelly said.

“What do they telltheir families, partners, children? Their mental health and well-being are

being impacted from this extended uncertainty. The bulk of VicForests staff are based in regional Victoria where they are part of the fabric of their communitiesasvolunteers with sports clubs, schools, kindergartens, the CFA, the Victorian StateEmergencyService and other community groups”.

Mr Kennelly saidseveralwere members of Forests Fire Management Victoria. “They have beenonthe frontline protecting their communities in events such as the 2019-2020 Black Summer and 2009 Black Saturday bushfires,” he said. One of the Traralgon attendees had worked in the native forest industry for more than30years, having been

employed with the defunct Forestry Commission.

“VicForests staff are highly-trained as foresters and ecologists,havingcompleted abroad range of qualifications and decades of experience in Victorian native forests developing harvesting strategies, conducting ecological surveys, regeneration and building strong relationships with their communities,” Mr Kennelly added.

Mr Kennelly said Victorian public service laws did not allow individuals to speak out, so they were effective ‘gagged’ from talkingtothe media. The attendees at Traralgon were just the tip of the iceberg, as VicForests has more than 160 staff whose interests had to be taken into account. He had been surprised at the complete lack of planning in the government’s policy towards the native forestry industry. Mr Kennelly said the union had heldtalks with Labor’s local Upper House MP, HarrietShing and the Minister for Agriculture, Gayle Tierney, but they had reiterated that internal work to close the industry was under way.

TheCPSUplanstohold similar gatheringswith VicForests staff in the Otwaysand the north-east.

Traralgon consultancy finds state forestry mismanagement

PhilipHopkins

THE state government decision to close the native forest timber industry culminates eightyears of mismanagement that turned VicForests from a profitable business into aloss maker, an analysis by aTraralgon consultant has found.

As aresult, Victoria will no longer be amajor domestic producer of appearance grade and further manufacturing grade sawn timber.

“Also, Melbourne will no longer be the centre of furthermanufacturing of hardwood sawn timber into value-added engineered woodproducts that generate lots of jobs,” said consultant, John Cameron.

Mr Cameron has aDiploma of Horticulture, an MBA fromMonash University and alongemployment backgroundinforestry, particularly in Gippsland.

Mr Cameron said achief victim was Gippsland’s largest operation, AustralianSustainable Hardwoods’ manufacturingplantatHeyfield, where

100 per centofoutput was appearance gradetimber or further manufactured into timber products that expose the natural beauty of the timber.

“ASH (Australian Sustainable Hardwoods)isthe largest vertically integrated hardwood manufacturer in Australiaand directly employs 192 people. It’s sawmill and nine further manufacturing plants produce Masslam-laminated appearance beams, staircases, benchtops, custom mouldings, lining, solid flooring and various timber components,” he said.

Mr Cameron saidAustralian hardwood sawn timber mill gate revenue sold for 3.5 times the price of Australian softwood sawn timber, contributing to greater value-adding and job creation than softwood

“This has been driven by the greater strength, hardness, dimensional stability, low degrade and otherunique wood properties of Victorian native eucalyptus.The softwood plantations proposed, but yet to be deliveredunder the Andrew’s Government’s Forestry Plan, are unsuitable for many applications

where these qualities are critical,” he said.

Mr Cameron said the state government’s mismanagement had resulting in araft of bad outcomes:

 Lack of legislative support and mismanagement of VicForests resulted in its net worth declining since 2014-15 by $64 million, delivering abusiness that is now worthless. Aprofitable VicForests was turned into ahugeloss maker with cumulative losses of $51m over the past three years to 2021-22;

 In 2021-22 preventable activist litigation cost VicForests $24.1m in legal and associated costs;

 VicForests’ ‘operable area’ has been reduced from 450,000 ha to 160,000 ha due to overzealous increases in ‘various conservation reserves’ that ignored win-win outcomes that would have been available under multiple use, in accordance to the Regional Forest Agreements and the National Forestry Statement;

 The flawed forest policy and lack of arigorous forest strategy has resulted in adecline in

hardwood sawn timber output and also adecline in sawn timber recovery, (and adecline in plantations);

 Mills will have to write-off large investments made in value-adding for the production of high-value appearance timbers and further manufacturing of timber components. These investments were made on the assumption that government log supply agreements would be honoured;

 The government has scrapped its agreements without adequate consultation and relegated sovereign risk to something riskier than junk bonds, and;

 Increased conservation reserves were put in place after the 2019-20 bushfires. The 1.5 million ha burnt was preventable and aresult of negligent bushfire mitigation under the flawed ‘Safer Together’ bushfire policy that ignored recommendations of the Bush Fire Royal Commission.

VicForests staffand guestsgathered in Newman Park, Traralgon last week. Photo: Contributed

MEMORIES weremadeand sharedasthe Country Women’s Association (CWA) celebrated its 90-year presence in North Gippsland.

Over 40 members of the North Gippsland Group gathered at the Bundalaguah-Myrtlebank Hall lastWednesday afternoon,July12for lunch, games, music and cake to mark the occasion.

Officiating the event was Sale branch member and group president, Lesley Stergiopoulos, who has been involved with the CWA for 14 years.

Ms Stergiopoulos was invitedthe join the organisation by afriend: “she said, ‘Just come along to ameeting and see’.”

“I enjoyed the company, and (the members) made me feel welcome, and within twelve months Iheld aposition,” Ms Stergiopoulos said.

She described being Group President as a privilege.

“There’s alot of work been done with past presidents to help with the community, the women and the children, and Ifeel it’s agreat privilege that I’ve been chosen or nominated to take this position,” she said.

Cobains branch member and former Group President LoisNeumannacted as chaperone for the Gippsland Times on the day, guiding its male journalist through the ins and outs of the North Gippsland Group.

Ms Neumann has been amember for 17 years, andinitiallybecameinvolved for the friendship.

“I think you’ll find that for most people, that’s why they joined: to make new friends,” Ms Neumann said.

Attendeesatthe function were treatedtoa homecooked two-course lunch,with“mains” consistingoflasagne, butterchicken,steamed androasted vegetables.

This was followed by dessert, with the sticky date pudding proving apopular dish; and later, slices of birthday cake, which was ceremoniously cut by six former North Gippsland Group presidents.

Eachmealwas intersected withspeeches from past presidents, who spoke about highlights from the organisation’s history.

Ms Neumann noted how difficult it was to source early information on the organisation, as record keeping was minimal- particularly when it came to recording women’s names.

At the time, according to Ms Neumann, members were always addressed formally -either by their surname (e.g. Mrs Smith) or their husband’s name (e.g. Mrs John Smith).

Attendees were also treated to aperformance by the North Gippsland Group Choir,led by Marion Atherstone on guitar.

Ms Neumann told the Times that the choir is

the only one of its kind in the state,following the dissolution of the CWA Victorian Choir. Other activities on the day included apop quiz, and agame of pass-the-parcel -resulting in frequent refrains of “I haven’t done this since Iwas akid!”

Asked what changes she had witnessed in her 17 years as amember, Ms Neumann said the biggest changehad been the drop-off in numbers

“When we went to agroup function (in the past), there would always be between 60 and 70 people present; these days -well, Ibelieve there are 45 here today,” Ms Neumann said.

Knowing this, Ms Neumannadmitted to being worried for the CWA’s future.

“I am because unfortunately now, when most women work,they’re not able to join groups like this during their working life,” she explained.

“And when they retire, they’ve got alot of things they’ve not been able to do, and they set about doing those things, so they don’t join the CWA.”

Presently, the North Gippsland Group has approximately 130 members across six branches: Sale, Cobains, Maffra, Bundalaguah, Giffard and Sale Starlight.

Ms Stergiopoulos has also observed the organisation’s dwindling membership.

“Unfortunately, my first job as Group President was to close abranchdown, and that was Denison branch -they went into recess before Itook the chair,” Ms Stergiopoulos said.

“That was abit heartbreaking, in away, because they’d put in quite alot of work.”

But she is adamant that the CWA still has a future, particularly when it comes to supporting women and children: “Some are in abusive relationships, and we try to support them;and there’s the women and children that fall behind, so we try to encourage them to be united together.”

North Gippsland Group was founded in 1933, five years after the formation of the Country Women’s Association of Victoria.

There are an estimated 5000 members in the CWA’s Victorian arm, which itself is aligned with the Associated CountryWomen of the World, or ACWW.

Ms Neumann attributed the longevity of the North GippslandGroup to its friendly nature, and the dedication of its volunteers.

“I think we’re all grateful for the work thathas been put in by members, by the office bearers of each of our branches, and by the office bearers of the group,” Ms Neumann said.

“And it’s the continuity of the work that these people have done that makes the CWA an enduring association.”

Anybody interested in joiningthe CWAis encouraged to visit the North Gippsland Group headquartersat67D Macarthur Street, Sale, or send an email to nggcwa@gmail.com

TomParry

Lois Neumann, Joan Kewish, Irma Anderson, Lesley Stergiopoulos, LynMcLindin, VivSpeight and Dianne Honeycutting the 90th birthdaycake.

Photos: TomParry

The CWANorthGippsland choir,led by musicaldirector Marion Atherstone on guitar(left)

Over 40 CWAmembers attended the luncheon. Current CWANorth Gippsland Group presidentLesley Stergiopoulos speaking at the function.

Medicationconversation continues

From Page1

FEDERAL Memberfor Gippsland,Darren Chester said he had received letters of concern from several pharmacists, and met with industry leaders in Canberra who believe the changes will impact rural and regional areas, including Gippsland.

“The federalgovernmenthas admitted thatit hasn’t doneany modellingonthe economicorcommunity impactofthe change to a60-day dispensing system, but thePharmacy Guild has beendamning of the decision,” Mr Chester said.

“They are warning that small, family-owned pharmacies will be forced to cut staff or even close their doorsbecause they will become financially unviable.

“Despite repeated questions in Parliament, the PrimeMinister and the Health Minister have refused to release any modelling to support their decision.

“I’m very concerned thatsmall townsinGippsland which already experience poor access to health services will lose their pharmacists who are vital to the well-being of locals.”

Government analysisofthe changes showed that pharmacies were predictedtolose $1.5 billion over four years if implemented. The government did not respond to aquestion about whether they are working on further modelling of these changes, and if the public will be able to see it.

Nic Balfour, who runs the Findlay and Weymouth Pharmacy and is apartner at Balfour's Pharmacy, both in Sale, said this was acomplicated issue to solve.

“The 60-day dispense policy was announced by the government with zero consultation with pharmacy peak bodies or impact modelling on pharmacies,” he said.

“It is fundamentally flawed, it provides some patientswithaccess to 60 days supply of some medications for the same cost as 30 days supply.

"Pharmacy owners are extremely supportive of reducing the cost of medication to patients but the proposed 60-day dispensing model will significantly impact the financial viability of pharmacies and may result in increased costs to patients for pharmacy services.

“There is already industry talk of fee increasesfor medication packing, home delivery, blood pressure checks, bloodglucose testing and reducedopening hours. We want to avoidthis knock-on effect if possible."

Mr Balfour said the government should explore other options to improve medication affordability, such as reducing the patient co-payment for 30 days’ supply.

"This approach would also mitigate further problems associatedwith60-daydispensing,such as medication shortages, increased medication wastage when medicationischanged and increased volumes of medication stored at home potentially increasing the risk of poisoning or self harm," he said.

“There maybecircumstances where 60 days’ supplyisappropriate but we also have patients that require seven-day medication packs.”

The idea of reducing the patient co-payment was put to the government, but their email response did not address it. In their statement, they rejected criticism of 60-day dispensing.

“Cheapermedicines has been enthusiastically welcomed by the Consumers Health Forum, the Heart Foundation, the Lung Foundation, Breast Cancer Network,Rural Doctors Association,the AMA, RACGP and many others,” Minister Butler’s spokesperson said.

“The government continues to workwithall parts of the pharmacy sector on the implementation of this policy. The pharmacy sector makes avital contribution to the health of our community.

“The fact is the pharmacy lobby group is deliberately misleading regional and rural consumers with adishonest scare campaign.”

Governmentpayments to communitypharmacies increased by seven per cent on July 1, affecting services like dispensing, handling, administration and infrastructure.

The seven per cent indexation boost to pharmacy payments is nearly double the 3.6 per cent indexation of Medicare rebates that also took effect on July 1.

In the government’s statement, they say that across ayear, the financial impact of the increase is “significant”. They say that Gippsland is in the category of ‘rural towns’, and the average pharmacy in rural towns will receive $26,857.00 to $51,746.92 as aresult of the indexation boost.

In addition, the government said regional, rural and remote pharmacies will benefit from the doubling of the total annual budget for the Regional Pharmacy Maintenance Allowance(RPMA), a$39.8 million program which also took effect on July 1.

The rate of the RPMA depends on the volume of scriptsapharmacy dispenses. Locations in Gippsland now fitinto either‘amedium rural

town’ or ‘a small rural town’ category. Apharmacyinthe area dispensing 50,000 scripts ayear will receive an increase of $10,360 to atotal of $21,965inthe medium ruraltown category. The small rural towns will receive an increase of $17,720 to atotal of $37,930.

But Mr Balfour said the RPMA increase does not come close to paying the shortfall from 60-day dispensing changes.

“The dispensingfee increase will be luckytocover operating cost inflation,” he added.

Dr David Monash is aGPatInglis Street Medical in Sale, and has also expressed numerous concerns withthe policy, includingwastage. Regulations meansthat medicines returned must be thrown out.

“It runs the risk of enormous product wastage. We reduce the doses quite regularly, so they’ll be thrown out,” Dr Monash said.

“Let’s just say that you get arash from atablet, so youcan’t finish it. Instead of throwing out 10 or 14 tablets, we’re going to throw out 54 tablets. And that’s wastage on the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme).”

“We change (the dosage) reasonably frequently, particularly when you start anew medicine.”

Dr Monash was also concerned aboutthe capability of community pharmacists to hold large amounts of product.

“How much stock do pharmacists have to hold? We’ve got areal chance of losing our pharmacist in our building, because there’s not enoughstorage space to deal with this (initiative),” he said.

“(The government) isn’ttaking into account the automatic increase in wastage that’s going to happen, which costs the system, it doesn’t cost the patient.

“They’re not looking at some pharmacies (who) won’t have the facility to manage this scheme, so we’ll lose pharmacies, and that’s particularly in rural community pharmacies.”

Dr Monash also said the government was overstating how much patients would save.

“Most people that (take) tablets are actually on pensions. They’re only paying $5. So even that is an exaggeration on how muchmoney people are going to save,” he said.

The governmentdid not address aquestion put to them regarding the potential increased wastage of productthat may arise from the 60-day dispensing scheme.

Sale man charged

POLICE havechargeda man after aschool crossing assistant wasallegedly assaulted in Sale on Thursday afternoon.

It is believed the victim was assaulted, in an alleged unprovoked attack, by the man on York Street about 3.30pm.

Investigatorsweretold that the victim had asked the man to move as he was standing too close when it is alleged the man struck the victim to the left side of her face, the impact causing the victim to fall to the ground and hit her head.

The victim, a69-year-old Sale woman, was takentohospital with serious injuries. ASaleman handed himself into police later that day.

The 20-year-oldman hasbeen charged with recklessly causing injury and unlawful assault.

He was bailed to appear before Sale Magistrate’s Court on September 12.

RaymondStreet Pharmacy owner Keith Kwan.

Photos: Stefan Bradley

Balfours Pharmacist owner Stephanie Roocke, and NicBalfour,who runsthe Findlayand WeymouthPharmacyand is apartner at Balfour’s Pharmacy.

Sharethe dignity this August

Zoe Askew

MENSTRUATING Australians don’t choose to bleed; August is the time you can help someone in need.

Costofliving pressures are squeezing agrowing number of households’ budgets as Australia experiences the largest annual increase in living costs in more than two decades.

With the official cash rate at 4.1 per cent, the highest level in 11 years, combined with soaring food, gas, and electricity prices, Australianfamilies are tightening their belts as everyday items become increasingly lessaffordable,including period products.

Period poverty is no new concept and has affected people who menstruate for decades. However, as Australia endures the highest annual increase in living expenses since 1987, the cost of living is driving more people into period poverty, with many menstruating Australians no longer able to afford menstrual products.

According to the Australian charity Share the Dignity,one in five menstruating Australians has little or no access to the sanitary products and facilities they require during their period.

The 2021 survey found one in five menstruating Australians has hadtoimprovise on period products due to thecost, and closetohalf of the respondents admitted that they had worn apad or tampon for more than four hours because they didn’t have enough products to get by, while 46 per cent of respondents saidthey’d skipped school for at least

an entireday because of their period.

More recently, aYouGov survey commissioned by Plan International Australia polledover 500 Australians who menstruate and found that 57 per cent of respondents find it more challenging to purchase period supplies, including tampons and sanitary pads.

The study also uncovered that the capacity to afford female hygiene products, menstrual pain management medication or treatment had the greatest impact on adolescents and those in their early twenties.

Butasthe ongoing costofliving crisis plunges many deeper into period poverty, posing health risks for people who menstruate across the nation, Sharethe Dignity works to make areal, on-theground difference in the lives of thoseexperiencing period poverty.

Share the Dignitypartnerwith more than 3,000 charities nationally, helping them to assist menstruatingAustralians whodesperately need access to period products through Dignity Vending Machines, the annual It’s in the Bag campaign and their biannual Dignity Drive campaign.

As part of Share the Dignity’s biannual Dignity Drive campaign, throughout the month of August, you can helplocal women, girls and people who menstruate who are experiencing period poverty by donating sanitaryitemsinthe Share the Dignity collection boxes at your nearest Woolworths store.

All donated period products from the August DignityDriveare collected by local Share the Dignityvolunteers and distributed to localsinneed.

Kyla Earsman and Kimberly Gardiner are two of 23 local Share the Dignityvolunteers, otherwise known as ‘sheros’.

For the past five years, Kyla and Kimberly have volunteered their time and efforts to fight period poverty and supportlocal women,girlsand people whomenstruate, doing it tough.

“Even though Share the Dignityisa national charity,weare locally targeted, so collections that are collected locally go to local charity partners,” Kyla said.

The rise in the cost of living has made Share the Dignity’s work increasingly challenging, as more people can no longer afford to buy themselves period products and are turning to the charity for help, while donationsare declining as fewer people have the means to step up.

In March, Share the Dignity fellsignificantly short on donations, with charitypartners requesting 171,666 period products and only 117,458 products donated at the end of the campaign.

Due to apaucity of donations, women, girls, and people who menstruate, unable to afford period products, wentwithoutthe menstrual products they required.

“We had abit of aslowdownoverCOVIDbecause people couldn’t physically go to charity partners and receive products,” Kyla said.

“So when everyone got back into the workforce, they opened their cupboards and went, ‘holy wow, we’vegot awhole heap of stuff here’, so they didn’t requesta great deal, but now they’re catching up.

“It’s like we can’t get enough to them.”

Without access to period products, an individual’s psychical and mental health is jeopardised, as is hygiene, education, and employment.

Without access to period products, people turn to using rags, toilet paper, and children’s diapers or using the menstrual products they did have for longer than intended.

These alternative products put individuals at higher risk of urogenital infections -infections of the urinary and genital systems-includingurinary tract infections and bacterial vaginosis.

Using period products longer than intended can also be dangerous. Leavinga tamponinfor too long can increase aperson’s risk of toxic shock syndrome, arare, life-threatening complication of certain bacterial infections.

Period poverty hasalso disempowered women,

disrupting their mental health and well-being; the lack of means for hygienic management of menstruation can cause discomfortand psychological stress, with the emotionaltoll accompanying lack of access associated with poor mental health outcomes, such as elevated anxiety, depression, and distress scores.

For local Share the Dignity sheros Kyla and Kimberly,the effects of the rise in the cost of living have not gone unnoticed.

“Our local charity partner Uniting has seen an increaseindemand for period products,” Kimberly said.

“With inflation and thecostofliving goingup, more people are struggling.”

Throughoutthe month of August, Share the Dignity collection bins will be stationed at Woolworth’sstoresacrossGippsland, including Sale, Maffra and Yarram, with atotal of 24 collection points across Gippsland this year.

By donating period products in Share the Dignity collection bins, whether at your local Woolworths storeorabusiness registered as an officialcollection point, you are ensuring local women,girls and people who menstruate experiencing poverty have access to period products when they need them.

Donating period products in Share the Dignity collection bins this month ensures local women, girls and people who menstruate experiencing poverty retain their dignity.

Around1.8 billionpeople menstruate every month worldwide, 800 millionpeopleatagiven point each day, comprising 26 per cent of the global population. Not one of those 1.8 billion people chooses to have their reproductive organs bleed for an average of five days every month.

Tampons, pads,liners, menstrual cups.Period products are not aluxury; period productsare a necessity.

“People shouldn’thave to make achoice between ‘do Ibuy aloaf of bread or do Ibuy apacket of pads’, but that’s what they’re being faced with,” Kyla said. “No one should havetochoose; no one should have to go without.”

If you are suffering financial difficulties and require period products, Share the Dignity vending machines at Uniting, 126 Raymond St, Sale, and Ramahyuck, 117 Foster St, Sale, provide free menstrual products.

Old station 10 yearsabandoned

Zoe Askew

ANOTHER vandalism attack has propelled the old Sale police station into the spotlight yet again, stirring questions concerning the building's current status and generating publichealth and safety concerns.

The old Sale police station, located on York Street, justastone'sthrow away fromthe ever-popular Lake Guthridge and Gippsland Grammar's early childhood education centre and junior campus, has been vacant since 2015.

The abandoned site has become an increasingly popular target for vandals and is aknown refuge for the unhoused.

Sale's former police station was recently subject to another destructivevandalism attack which left shards of glass strewedaround the building's edge and onto the adjacentpublicfootpath, adding to the extensive debris carpeting the site.

Large pointed shards of glass protrude from windows; electrical wires, fire hoses,and other miscellaneous objectspeep through decimated entryways.

Racially and sexually insensitive obscenities cover the red-brickwalls and the few surviving undamaged doors.

Since the building was abandoned eight years ago, the old Sale police station has been rumoured to be apopular refuge for the unhoused.

Accumulating evidencefromincreasingfood

packaging in and around the property, shuffling sounds from within the abandoned building, and trolleys piled with miscellaneous items warrant thewidespread social belief that the building is arefuge.

Sale Police havereceivedongoing reportsof people dwellinginsidethe abandoned building, all but cementing the presence of squatters with the local emergency service confirming the removal of unhoused individuals in the past.

While evidence inside the building leads Sale Police to believe people have sought refuge in the former police station, reports of alleged trespassing arefar more common, with the abandoned building reported to attract youths and vandals wishing to add to the property's increasing dilapidation.

Recently, on June14, police respondedtoreports of allegedtrespassing at the York Street property

Followinga search of the site, police took three men in for questioning: a25-year-old manand a30-year-old manfrom Sale regarding alleged trespassing, and a37-year-old Golden Beach man regarding alleged trespassing and possessing a prohibited weapon.

All three men were interviewed and released pending further enquiries.

The former Sale police station continues to be a source of concern for nearby residents.

For the pasttwo years, Paula Collins has lived adjacenttothe old Sale police station, her townhouse facing the Gippsland Grammar school across the road.

"Every weekend,people are going in there, school kids going in there," Ms Collins said.

"We hear the hammering, the banging, the smashing of broken glass; there are times Ihave actually been really scared."

Trespassers have thrown debris at her dogs and launched items onto her neighbour's balcony, with Ms Collins' residency also the target of multiple robberies.

On top of the regular frightening 2am awakenings, as trespassers further decimate and vandalise the former Sale police station, leaving Ms Collins scared in her own home, the neighbouring resident holdsincreasing concernsfor thehealth and safety of those that do enter the York Street site.

From the masses of broken glass and used needles to the evident structural damage, Ms Collins stresses the very real dangers of entering the old Sale policestation, fearing it is only amatter of

time before someone is seriously injured.

"It is areal worry," she said.

It is not only neighbouring residents expressing concerns over the old Sale police station, with

Nationals Memberfor Gippsland South Danny O'Brien receiving acomplaint about the abandoned building from aconcerned citizen just last week. The local MP said it had been eight years since the opening of the new Sale police station, and it is disappointing to seethe former siteleft in its current state.

"This site is located on Lake Guthridge and has real potential to be used for the great benefit of the community," Mr O'Brien said.

"Instead, it has fallen victim to vandals and squatters, resulting in an eyesore for the community and aheadache for neighbouring properties.

"This is aprime location close to the centre of town and could be used for boutique hotel accommodation, arestaurant, café or any other number of uses for the community."

Adding to the list of concerns, the dilapidated

Theold Sale police station continues to be one of the town’s biggest eyesores.

Photos:Zoe Askew

The site hashardlybeen maintained.

Vandalism is high at theold Sale police station

and still Sale’s biggest eyesore

Police remains the owner of the old Sale police station and is responsible for site maintenance.

York Street site, rife with profane graffiti and potentially harmfuldebris such as glass, metal rods, shards of wood and broken cans, is amagnet for delinquent youths and adults searching to cause disruption, posing apossible risk to public health and safety, particularly for students attending the nearby education facilities.

While Gippsland Grammar has not received any formal complaints about the York Street site, the old Salepolice station is acommontopic of subject among parents, with many regarding the abandoned building as acause forconcern. Sincelocal authorities moved to the current Sale police station located on the corner of Foster and Reeve Streets in March 2015, the Wellington Shire Council have maintained akeen interest in the site: however, the council has no jurisdiction in the responsibility for the maintenance of theproperty.

"In linewiththe Port of Sale Master Plan, Wellington Shire Councilacknowledgesthe strategic importance and communitydesire for investment into the former police station site, located on York Street in Sale," aWellington Shire Council spokesperson said.

"This process is overseen by the Victorian Government and can take time to resolve.

"Council continues to advocatetothe state government to prioritise this work and to ensure responsible upkeep until an outcome is finalised."

Earlier this year, Mr O'Brien soughtanswers on why the siteofthe former Sale police station on York Street has been left to fall into disrepair.

The Gippsland Times received aresponse from the Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) as the government department responsible for the site.

"Thenow-surplus former police station siteis

beingprepared for sale in-line with Victorian Government Landholding Policy, and we are consulting withtraditional land owners," a spokesperson for the Department of Treasury and Financesaid.

However, the York Street site is no longer part of DTF's remit; the responsibility now falls to the Department of Transport &Planning (DTP).

The DTP is responsible for managing the sale of surplus land on behalf of allVictorian government departments, including the site of the former Sale police station.

The old Sale police station is one of several surplus Crown land properties across the state, the sale of which requires consent from Traditional Owners under the Native Title Act 1993.

"We're ensuring that surplus government land is identified and put to ause that provides the best value for Victorians, with proceeds from the sale of landreinvestedinto important new infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and public transport," a DepartmentofTransport &Planning Spokesperson said.

"As the old Sale police station sits on crownland, we arecontinuing to engagewith Traditional Owners on its future use as required."

Whilethe DTP continue to engage and work collaboratively with Traditional Owners to meet legal obligations on land use activities, Victoria

While Mr O'Brien acknowledgesthat therehave beensomechallenges with the native title process relating to Crownlandsales, he believesthatthe state has had more than enough time to work through these issues.

"We can't just keep sitting on our hands. Ihave been raising this matter with the relevant Ministers andinParliament for many yearsnow," Mr O'Brien said.

"The Andrews Labor Government has had eight years to sort this out, and it is past time for them to get on with the job.

"The last thing we want is for this site to be left to remain an eyesore. Given its location, it has great potential to be of good use to the local community."

As the old Sale police station continues to succumb victim to vandals, squatters and trespassers, Victoria Policewill continue to conducthighly visible patrols in the area.

"Any incidents of trespassing or vandalism reported to police will be investigated," aVictoria Police spokesperson said.

"If you see or hear something you think is suspicious, please contact your local police station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000."

Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation did not respond to multiple requests to comment.

The old station hasbeen abandonedfor close to 10 years.

The site presents anumber of dangers, including shattered glass.

RMH Make aMeal

Zaida Glibanovic

REGIONALfamilies staying at RonaldMcDonald House (RMH) in Fitzroy had some recent unusual visitors -Nationals Members of Parliament from Gippsland who made the trip to cook dinner for them

The North Fitzroy Ronald McDonald House gives seriously ill children and their families the chance to stay close and connected. The warm and supportive home-away-from-home provides the whole family with acomfortable place to stay and peace of mind, knowing they can stay together and be close to their child’s hospital.

The RMHhas many waysthat people can donate and help out. Group volunteering through the ‘Make aMeal’ dinner program is one of the many ways that people can contribute.

The Make aMeal dinnerprogram gives families awelcome break from preparing ameal and having to wash up, and gives them the chance to spend some quality time together.

Memberfor Morwell,Martin Cameron, was among the group of Nationals, which included state MP DannyO’Brienand federal MP Tim Bull, who chipped in to make ameal.

“It was great to get down there and cook ameal for them,” he said.

The Nationalsteam showcased their cooking skills by preparing ahearty lot of spaghetti bolognese.

“We cookedpasta, just some ‘spagbol’, which was wellreceivedwithsome garlicbread,” said Mr Cameron.

Remarkably finding alocal link, Mr Cameron came across afamily staying at RMH who originated from Traralgon.

“There wasa Traralgonfamily; themum and dad many moons ago were originally from Traralgon,” he said.

“It’sinspiring that they have thesefacilities.It’s setupsothey can have around 30 families that can stay there in the Fitzroy home.”

The RMHhouse providesill children and their families acommunal kitchen, diningroom, laundry and lounge with achildren’s play area and shuttle bus.

The North Fitzroy House has 25 bedrooms and 54 volunteers that have serviced 514 families. TheNationals teamenjoyeddoing their partfor thefamilies at RMH.

“It was aterrific night that we could actually go along and provide them with alittle tiny bit of respite and help because the last thing they’re thinking about is cooking ameal,” Mr Cameron said

There are many ways to help RMH. To find out more, head to www.rmhc.org.au

Bringingwater to Country

DRINKING water will be available on Country at the Knob Reserve in Stratford when ajoint project between Gippsland Water and the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) is completed later this year.

Gippsland Water managing director, Sarah Cumming was excited to announcethe project, whichinvolves constructing anew watermain thatwillconnectthe drinking water network to supply the reserve.

“We’re so pleased to providedrinking waterto the KnobReserve -alocationthat’s so significant to Gunaikurnai TraditionalOwnersand the local Stratford community,” Ms Cummingsaid “Whether visiting the lookout, taking your dog for awalkorenjoying abarbecuewiththe family, there’ll be awater fountain nearby to easily quench your thirst or fill up your bottle.”

The KnobReserve is jointly managedbyGLaWAC and the stategovernmentand administered by the Knob Reserve Committee of Management. Committee Chair,CathThomas wasdelighted to havewaterfountainsinstalled on suchasignificant site.

“As Traditional Owners, we have aresponsibility to care for Country and protectour culturalvalues and heritage,” Ms Thomas said.

“Providing drinkingfountains will reducepeople’s reliance on bringing bottle watertothe reserve and highlights the importance of this essential resource for our health and well-being.”

The waterfountainswillfeatureartworks by local artist RobbieFarnham, celebratingthe

unique living culture of the Gunaikurnai community and their connection to water. Having water connected to the site also means it can be used more frequently as ameeting place to support knowledge sharing and cultural events. Gippsland Water is closely managing construction so that it doesn’t disturb the significant cultural values of the reserve.

The project is expected to be complete with water fountains ready to use this calendar year. The project is jointly funded by Gippsland Water, GLaWAC and the state government’s Integrated Water Management Program.

Nationals members Tim Bull, DannyO’Brien, Jade Benham, Gaelle Broadand Kim O’Keeffe at Ronald McDonald House. Photo: Contributed

Gippsland Water managing director Sarah Cumming and KnobReserve Committee of Management Committee Chair Cath Thomas visit KnobReserve and discuss the significance of the drinking water project for the important site. Photo: Contributed

Honouring 80-year service

HEYFIELDcelebrated the 80th anniversary of its Ambulance Victoria branch on Sunday, July 9.

The Heyfield and DistrictAmbulanceLeague was createdin1943, when theMaffra Shire Council donated a1927Ford Dodge to be used as its inaugural vehicle. This began acommunity-driven project to provide an ambulance service to Maffra and Rosedale Shire residents.

Avintageambulance was on displayatthe event, alongside historical health equipment, mannequins, and uniforms.'Call, Push, Shock', CPR and first aid sessions was offered, with the AV community education van also stopping by. Theevent was an opportunity for those in the community to givethanks to the branchand its paramedics, with someindividuals already doing so in the lead up to the celebration.

Photos:Contributed

Do youhaveaplan forfire and other emergencies?

CFAand Red Cross aredelivering afreeservice in the Wellington ShireCouncil area

What is theservice?

EPAS is:

•designed to supportpeople who livewith adisability, areolder,or have achronic or acutemedical condition to create afire plan. •conversation-based.

•anin-home based servicewhere Red Cross and CFAfacilitators visit youatyour home.

Facilitators cangiveyou basic fire safetyadvice, answeryour questions, and offer suggestionstohelpwith your plan.

Scan QR Code to go to the referral form

Whoisitfor?

EPAS is designed for people who needeveryday support to remain in theirhomes This includes people who areolder, and/or people who have a disability or chronic medical condition

HowdoIget involved self refer, referaclient,friendorfamily member?

Make a referral by scanning the QR code or clicking the link below and completing the intake form, alternatively call or email us via the contact options below

Or email: emergencym@wellington.vic.gov.au 1300 366 244 please ask forCommunity Preparedness

 Maffra Neighbourhood House is back for Term 3and has the following fun activities coming up:

-Cooking with SBA’s Kitchen on Friday, July 21 from 10am. Menu includes"What’s in the Basket?"Many recipes usingpantry staples and ahandful of purchased ingredients. Cost is $35 per person.

-Kids cooking over six weeks from Tuesday, July 25, commencing at 4pm.Week One’s menu is mini Vol-au-vents and Bruschetta. Cost is $15 for acasual booking or $72 for six weeks.

-First Aid and CPR beginsonThursday, July 27 from 6pm. Cost $120 for both courses. Text or call to book now for these courses on 0422 335 155 to avoid disappointment.

 Maffra RSL Sub-Branch will host their monthly Trivia Night on Friday, July 21 from 5.30pm in their club rooms “Shelton”, 16 Boisdale Street, Maffra. This is afree family activity, all welcome.

 Maffra Indoor Bowls Club will hold asoup and sandwich luncheon on Wednesday, July 26 at 11.30am; lunch will be followed by bowls at 1pm. Names in by 12.30pm on list inclubhouse, or phone the Club on 5147 1974 or Joy on 0438 456 875

 The next meeting of the CWA Maffra branch will be held on Monday, July 24, in the Function Centre at the Maffra Recreation Reserve, 6Newry Road, Maffra. The day will begin at 11am with amaster class in completing fingerless gloves, to be followed by bring your ownlunch at 12 noon. The monthly meeting will begin at 1pm. Competitions for July are Best Bloom or Stem and something cow related.

Fleetfor the dayatHeyfield.

Heyfield Team Leader Kim Marchesiand Team Manager Sandra Tozer in a1957 Mainline Ford, with modern and vintageportable radios.

Ian Bye, Sandra Tozer andHugh Stagg re-enacting the 1982 tree planting(which made wayfor building extensions).

Practicing beforea CPRdemonstration Wellington ParamedicCommunity Support Coordinator Pauline Murcottand Heyfield TM Sandra Tozer

Patient transported by the Heyfield resourced Complex PatientAmbulance Vehicle (CPAV) Rory Smith(whoisalsoanAmbulance Community Officer (ACO) in Paynesville) dedicated thephotos to thebranch as a thank you forcaring from himindifficult circumstances.Acceptingthe photos for the branch- JoshSmith (ACO), Rory Smith(patient), Sandra Tozer (Team Manager)

TAFE Gippsland namedasfinalist

Zoe Askew

TAFE Gippsland has been named afinalist for the LargeTraining Provider of the Year Award in the 2023 Victorian Training Awards

Last week, Minister for Training and Skills

Gayle Tierney officially announced the 40 Victorian TrainingAwardsfinalists for2023,across14 categories, including six individual awards, four employer awards, fourtraining organisationawards and the Industry Collaboration Award.

“The Victorian Training Awards are afantastic opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our apprentices, students, teachers, trainersand employers,” Ms Tierney said.

“Wehad arecordnumberofnominationsfor this year’sevent -showcasing how our investmentin TAFE and training is helping more Victorians get the training they need for the careers they deserve.”

The Victorian Training Awards, celebrating their 69th year in 2023, are the most prestigious accolade for Victoria’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, bringing together all of whom share in ahigh-quality training system thatmeetsthe needsofall Victorians.

GippslandTAFEwas among the 40 Victorian Training Awards finalists for 2023 announced last week, with the localvocational trainingorganisation vying for the title of Large Training Provider of the Year against South West TAFE and Bendigo TAFE and Kangan Institute.

TAFE Gippsland chief executive Laura Macpherson described being selected as afinalist in the awardsasanachievement for an organisation that has gone through asignificant transition.

“We believe that TAFE Gippslandisashining example of whatcan be achievedwhentransformation is planned, genuine andpurposeful,” Ms Macpherson said.

“The staff at TAFE Gippsland are proud of their work of recent years, where agenuine changeprogram was initiated, with the aim of creating better connections,re-energising culture and generating pride among all key stakeholders about the great things the organisation was doing.

“We are being judged on how we ensure TAFE Gippsland is providing high quality and leading practice in vocationaleducation and training; how we are meeting student and industry needs; our high-quality business management; and how we deliverinnovation and excellence in design and delivery of training,” she said.

“These awards have enabled us to showcase the exemplary work of each departmentwithin TAFE Gippsland and the fantastic outcomes we have beenabletodeliver for our students,industry and Gippsland community.”

As described in the Victorian Training Awards nomination guide, The Large Training Provider

of the Year Award recognises large registered trainingorganisations that offerarange of training products and services and demonstrate excellence and high-level performance in all aspects of vocational education and training.

The VictorianSkills Authority named TAFE Gippslandafinalist in this year’s Victorian TrainingAwards for its extensiveengagement with the community and industryand its commitment to delivering the best possible VET outcomesfor the region throughout its six-year transformation.

The 2023 Victorian Training Awards winners will be announced at agala ceremony on Friday, August 18, each receiving $5,000 in prize money and the opportunity to represent Victoria at the Australian Training Awards. Through the 2023/24 State Budget, the government has invested more than $545 million in TAFE.

Rural aid calls for Gippslanders to help in Farm Recovery Event

RURAL Aid is appealing to Gippslanders to roll up their sleeves for aweek of farm work.

The charity is planning aFarm Recovery Event in Orbost from July 30 to August 5, 2023. But alackofvolunteers is threatening the event’s likelihood.

Rural Aid Farms Coordinator, Grant Miskimmin, has urged more people to sign up, promising that FarmRecovery Eventsare hugely rewarding.

“We’ll be helping ahandful of Orbost farmers repair their properties after last year’s devastating floods,” Mr Miskimmin said.

“These farmers still have debris across their paddocks and fences they haven’t been able to rebuild. Right now, we don’t haveenough volunteers for our usual week-long event.

“We’re asking people to donate their time to help ourfarmers.”

Mr Miskimmin said no prior farming experience was needed.

“We are grateful for allkindofskill sets

We need help in several areas, from the camp kitchen, to tying barbed wireand pickingup debris; there is ajob for everyone,” he said.

“You’ll gain hands-on experience, learn new skills, and make treasured connections. It’s very rewarding to give back to our farmers; the backbone of our country.”

Rural Aid provides all volunteers with food over the week-longevent. Volunteers typically stayin their own caravans at the Orbost Showgrounds Interested volunteersare urged to apply today at ruralaid.org.au/volunteers/

For more information on Rural Aid, visit the Rural Aid website, ruralaid.org.au or call 1300 327 624.

Managing climate risk

AGRICULTURE Victoria is offering farmers an opportunity to participateinafree online business program designed to help farm businesses better manage risk in the face of avariable climate, particularly drought.

The online program, which began in late July, is suitablefor livestock, grains, mixed farmers, horticulturalists and apiarists.

The project leader, Kit Duncan-Jones, said participants would improve their skills andknowledge to better prepare for and manage risk, adapt to change and strengthen their farm businesses.

“The course is designed to help farmers set and achieve their individual business goals and is relevant to those who are new to farming and young farmers, as well as more experienced farmers.”

The introductory session ran last month will be followed by five sessions on key farm management topics, including:

 Identifying and managing risks, strategic planning and setting business goals;

 Financial management, budgeting and profitable decision making;

 Managing people on farm, succession planning and farm safety;

 Climate risk and natural resource management, and;

 Business planning.

As part of completing the course, participants will be offered aone-on-onesession with an experienced farm management consultant to review their business plan.

Mr Duncan-Jones said participants will be supported by Agriculture Victoria staff and Jane Foster, afarm business consultant with ORM Pty Ltd.

“Online delivery of thecourse allows farmers from anywhere in the state to participate, from the comfort of their own homes and without the added time commitment of travel,” he said.

“If you’re afarmer who wants to better manage your business, strengthen your farm resilience to withstand future droughts and shocks, and set up your farm for success now and into the future -this is the program for you.”

To register your interest,please complete this short survey at forms.office.com/r/6nkRcyRDFT

For more information, phone Elizabeth Alsop on 0457 838537 or emailelizabeth.alsop@agriculture. vic.gov.au

Further information aboutthe program and the Future Drought Fund can also be foundonthe AgricultureVictoriawebsite at agriculture.vic. gov.au/FBRP

Sale to get star show

TomParry

TWO of Australia’s most-renowned vocalists are returning to Sale for an encore performance of their ever-popular live show.

The 2OfUs sees tenor David Hobson share the stage with musical theatre star MarinaPrior, who recently performed as lead in the Melbourne productions of Mary Poppins and 9 to 5

According to Ms Prior, The 2 of Us has been touring “on and off” for the past five years, with over 150 shows performed across Australia

“We’ve both been really thrilled by how it’s been received and that it continues to sell,” Prior told the Gippsland Times

“It’s really gratifying to think that people want to see what we do, and they’re enjoying what we do

“I think a big part of it too is that, as Australian artists, it’s a great privilege to tour around your own country, and be embraced by Australian people ”

As part of the show, Prior and Hobson perform songs from a range of artists, genres and musicals, including Les Misérables, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

There’s also a large section devoted to Celtic music, in recognition of Prior and Hobson’s family heritage

“I’m Irish and Scottish, and he’s Welsh and English, and we both come from musical families where there was a lot of singing,

and alot of singers in our families,” Prior said.

“We werebroughtupand taught thismusic by grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts and uncles …ithas areal personal connection for us both.

It’s something that audiences don’t expect, but really love, according to Prior.

“But having said that, when we belt out something g froom Phhantom of the Opera a, theey’re e preetty happy; Hobbo always does ‘Jerusalem’, which is a very famous Christmas song that he sings every year on Carols by Candlelight, and they go nuts when he does that - rightly so, because it’s brilliant ”

Audiences have also been struck by the amount of comedy in the show, with the two singers both sharing a similar sense of humour

“It’s a really relaxed, up-closeand-

personal show -it’ssort of like the audience are in our lounge room,” Prior said.

Additionally, Prior and Hobson will be joined by their musical director David Cameron, who will perform throughout on piano, guitar and backing vocals.

“The show’s called The 2OfUs,but it’s really the three of us,” Prior said.

She described Cameron as “the best accompanist in Australia”, adding that the audience “always falls in love with him” The 2 Of Us will be performed at The Wedge this Sunday, July 23 from 3pm

For tickets, call the box-office on 5143 3200 or visit thewedge com au

Bach at Bachat Bond S Strreet eet

BOND Street Event Centre will be welcoming Jonathon Glonek this weekend.

An internationally-acclaimed violinist, Glonek willbevisiting Saletoperform arare programbyJohann Sebastian Bach. He willalsobeperforming worksbyNiccolò Paganini, Eugène Ysaÿe and aspeciallywritten piece by Ukranian composer Mikhail Shukh.

This performance will take place at the Centre on Saturday, July 22 from 2.30pm. Tickets are $40 per head; tea and coffee will be available and the bar open. For more information and to book,visit bondstreeteventcentre.com

Provoking play, nowintheatre

“I think what attracted me to it was the contemporary nature of it -the immediate connection to issues of climate change, power, sustainability, all of those issues we have,” Ms Houghton said.

OFF The Leash Theatre Company is making a return to the Stratford Courthouse Theatre with an acclaimed and provoking adaptation.

The Children is athree-person play which follows an older retiredcoupleinthe aftermathofanuclear disaster.

Off The Leash co-founder Jeannie Houghton is directing the adaptation,having first seen the work pre-pandemic in Melbourne.

Ms Houghton told the Gippsland Times it was the “environmentalheart of the play” that grabbed her

“And thewhole thing of integrity and ethics of older people -whatare our responsibilities and what are we leaving behind?”

Written by British playwright Lucy Kirkwood, The Children premiered in 2016 to widespread praise; in 2019, it was named the third-best play of the 21st century by The Guardian Off The Leash was founded 13 years ago, and is currently based in the Warragul-Drouin region. The company likes to perform “contemporary,

challenging work”, according to Ms Houghton, including plays with social justice or issues-based content.

“We do work in West Gippsland Performing Arts Centre quite alot; but we’re also attracted to the idea of minimal theatre and theatre that’s very intimate, withsmall numbers,” Ms Houghton said.

“It’sapartofa trainingfor us, and learning about how far we can go with audiences.

“How few people do we need to actually feel that we’re producing worthwhile work that’s being received well? Is areally big audience necessarily better than areally small audience that’s perhaps more appreciative?

“It’sareally interesting exploration… Ithink it’s really lovely to be able to take something into acommunity, rather than expecting them all to jump up and come to us.”

Stratford’s Courthouse has hosted other productionsbythe company in years past, including an adaptation of David Williamson’s Face to Face Ms Houghton offered plenty of praise for the venue, and its audience: “you alwaysget lovely attention from the people down there.”

The Children will be showing at the Stratford Courthouse this Friday, July 21 from 8pm. For more information and to purchase tickets, head to stratfordcourthouse.com.au

MarinaPrior (left) withfellow performer and“greatmate” David Hobson.

Photo: Contributed

Jonathon Glonek

Photo: Contributed

‘The Children’ dares to ask, whatkind of futureare we leaving for the next generation? Photo: Contributed

PROUDLYBROUGHT TO YOUBYTHESE PARTICIPATINGLOCAL BUSINESSES

Crossword Puzzle No.8543

with Muzza

ONE POINTERS

1. What colour arethe G’sinthe Google logo?

2. Is Wonder Woman DC Comics or Marvel Comics?

3. Echolocation is anavigation system used by which animals?

4. Who is reported to have controversially said the words “Such is life” beforebeing hanged?

TWO POINTERS

5. What is the currency used in South Africa?

6. Annie Mae Bullock is the birth name of which singer?

7. In which month is Halloween?

8. The three “Chipmunks” wereAlvin, Theodore, and who else?

THREE POINTERS

9. Ancient Greek myth said that which man carried the world on his shoulders?

10. Finish the next line. Bye, bye Miss American Pie...?

11. In the story Jekyll and Hyde, which one was the evil manifestation of the doctors personality?

12. Which British archaeologist discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb?

FOUR POINTERS

13. Afailed bank robberyinSweden in 1973 led to the name of which psychological condition?

14. What is the name of the brightest star in the night sky?

FIVE POINTER

15. I’ll give you five English words and you tell me what language they come from?. One point for each correct answer

1. Fiasco 2. Karaoke 3. Bouquet 4. Kindergarten 5. Whisky

HOW DID YOU FARE?

37: Topofthe class; 30-36: Outstanding; 23-29: Well done; 15-22: Solid effort; 9-14: Room for improvement;

0-8: Hit the books.

Target Time No.0167

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,

I L O A L I L C

Sudoku No.0167

Howtoplay...

Fill the grid so thateveryrow and every 3x3 square contains the digits 1to9 Solution page 28

Modern home in courtlocation

THIS beautiful modern home is located in one of Maffra’ssoughtafter courts and presents the perfect family or empty-nester home, according to agents.

With its modern façade andopenplan, the layout flows so well throughout the home, blending the soft tones and natural light together to create the perfect combination.

Afour-bedroom, two-bathroom floorplan with dual living zones, and entry from the garage directly into the kitchen are the features that makes this property so attractive in the current market.

The entertaining area can be used all year round, with electric blinds to protect from the wind or summer sun, and takes in the views of the rear yard and gardens.

Contained within is an 11-metre by 6.6metre shed for storage with concrete floor and power,along with sliding doors for extra height for access, and apot-belly heater

Other features of the property include areverse cycle unit, gas ducted heating, aducted vacuum system, water tank and rooftop solar panels.

This property is beautifully presented and is a must-see inspection, agents say

Briefdetails fdetails

Property: Four-bedroom home

Address: 3Calvert Court, Maffra

Price: $695,000

Agent: KevinRead, Wellington Real

Estate,0488 411 026

AGENTS say this neat and tidy home on alow-maintenance block is perfect if you are looking for aconvenient lifestyle close to the centre of town, only a fewminutes’ walk to the main street and shopping complex.

Features of the property include:

 Large loungeroom with split system, ceiling fanand brick feature wall;

 Dining area with ceiling fans, gas heater and lots of natural light;

 Original, yet functional kitchenwith some vintage appliances likeplate-warmer above oven;

 Good-size master bedroom with ensuite, ceiling fanand walk-in robe;

 Afurther two bedrooms with built-in robes;

 Central family bathroom with bath, shower and vanity;

 Small study at front of home;

 Outside area offers double-covered carport (currently being rebuilt), single lock-up garage with power and pizza oven, small garden shed, established gardens and veggie patches. If you are looking at scaling down, starting out, or beginning your investment portfolio, this well-located home is worth an inspection.

Briefdetails

Property: Three-bedroom home

Address: 66A Market Street,Sale

Price: $449,000 (reduced)

family home in the delightful Cedarwood

*Separatelounge/theatreroom

•Located on just

Unique mudbrick home located on Maffraoutskirts

SET on approximately one hectare or two-and-a-half acres is this lovely farm, let on the edge of Maffra.

One of the area’sfew mudbrickconstructed homes, this country-style setting gives the feeling of space, whilst still being close to Maffra’stownship.

The light-filled layout comprises three bedrooms and abathroom, with the lounge and dining area wrapping around the new modern kitchen.

To complement the new additions to the home such as the kitchen, there are new carpets and vinyl planks throughout which give the home amodern feel

The north-facing aspect of the home is aided by afull veranda -anadditional benefit to the passive efficiency of the mudbrick construction.

Outside, alarge entertaining area with pavers and afirepit leads out to the shedding and land that is included with the property

Agents say an inspection of this property is amust for the buyer looking for low-cost living in aunique family home on acreage.

Call to arrange an inspection, as the owner is motivated to sell.

Briefdetails

Property: Three-bedroom home

Address: 133 Sandy Creek Road, Maffra

Price: $799,000

Contact: KevinRead, Wellington

Real Estate,0488 411 026

Combating climate change

Zoe Askew

GIPPSLAND farmers are adapting farming practices and business models to combat the increasing symptoms of climate change

Many local farmers owe these adaptations to their operational survival

BRIAGOLONG farmer Steve Noble is a prominent example of Gippsland farmers who have diversified farming practices and business models in reaction to increasing climate change symptoms, establishing the now widely successful business Hugh Charles Clothing in response to the crippling 2017 to 2019 drought

"My wife and I bought a farm next door to my parents, and a drought occurred straight afterwards, so

we were looking for a bit of a side hustle just to bring in a few hundred dollars a week," Mr Noble said

Their mission was to provide quality clothing made from natural fibres, committing not to use polyester in Hugh Charles Clothing products where possible to reduce plastic pollution and support Australia's wool, cotton and leather industries

While Mr Noble has since moved away from fulltime farming to manage the growing demands of Hugh Charles Clothing, the Briagolong farmer remains highly active within the agriculture industry

Based on his experience of having to adapt to combat the effects of the 2017-2019 drought and his farming background, Mr Noble believes that adaptability will serve as a means of survival as those in the agriculture sector face the intensifying pressures of climate change symptoms, increased weather extremes, and economic challenges such as the rising cost of living

"I think that possibly those who are well established and don't have debt and that sort of thing will be able to continue pretty similarly to how they are," Mr Noble said

"But younger people trying to get into it or those who have just started farming are going to have to adapt and do things differently and maybe have other outside sources of income or diversify into something else just to make it profitable

"Along with the weather, there's also tighter margins all the time, especially given property prices have gone up quite a bit, so you can't rely on the same amount of money people were 20 years ago to cover all the costs you've got now, you need to be able to create extra revenue

"So I think it is a number of things [pushing farmers to adapt], the weather is one of them definitely, but that is exacerbated by the fact that you can't keep going through the hard times because you haven't got that buffer because the expenses are higher "

Amrita and Andrew

LOCATED 40 kilometres southwest of Briagolong in Denison is Windsong Farm Providore, established by married couple Amrita and Andrew Bradley in 2012 and home to seven hives of bees as well as alpacas, chickens, rescue dogs, guinea fowl, and goats

Amrita and Andrew live in an environmentally sustainable and community-minded manner, in harmony with the seasons, producing 100 per cent raw honey, sticky chai tea, beeswax, beeswax products, including lip balms, hand moisturiser, and food-safe wood conditioner, alpaca fibre, eco-warrior pet beds and 100 per cent cotton drill tote bags

Windsong Farm Providore offers a variety of bee-related products, this wasn’t always the case

As the effects of climate change began to hinder honey production and in order to maintain their values, Amrita and Andrew had little alternative but to diversify

"We couldn't and didn't want to compete with the big honey producers," Ms Bradley said

"The reason being, is one, we still work, and two is that for us, we have the utmost respect for the bees and the process of beekeeping, and once you start getting more and more hives, it takes the enjoyment out of the actual process of beekeeping

"Once you start to get into the hundreds of hives, it all becomes a time versus money activity as opposed to a mindfulness and environmental and caring activity for the bees, which is the way we want to keep it

"So instead of getting more and more hives and getting more and more honey, we decided to diversify

"We decided to diversify, yes from an environmental point of view, yes because it is getting increasingly tough, but also from a time and care point of view

"I think you owe it to the animals you have to look after them, as opposed to just getting more and more for the sake of profit "

Rather than trying to get as much honey as possible into jars, Amrita and Andrew took little bits of honey, spreading it across various products, creating an entirely new range made from Windsong Farm Providore's honey, bee's wax and organic ingredients

With climate change symptoms posing an

increasing challenge to Windsong honey production, diversifying their farming practices and business model has worked in Amrita and Andrew's favour

"Last year, we got 150 kilos of honey; we were expecting about 500 kilos of honey," Ms Bradley said

"This year, we've only got 60 kilos, which is half of what we got the year before, so we can't rely on putting honey into jars; it doesn't work for us But it does work if we take a little bit of that honey and spread that across a number of different products

"For example, if I'm making a granola or a chai, I can get a lot more product out of that little bit of honey," she explained

"It's also about teaming up with other businesses that have similar ethics to us and similar business plans; for example, we have recently teamed up with Nicholson River Soaps, and we put a little bit of our honey into a soap and for a few tablespoons of honey, I can make 60 soaps "

Windsong Farm Providore has also teamed up with Rosedale Micro Craft Meadery, Bearded Bee Meadery and local family business The Nicholson Farm - Coffee & Nuts

"Since diversifying, what we say we now do is honey and beeswax products," Ms Bradley said

"It's not just honey; if we have honey, we have honey, but for the most part, we put our honey into other products, and we use the beeswax to create products, like 100 per cent beeswax candles

"There are a lot of local businesses wanting to support, stock and supply local honey, and we can't meet demand

"We have had to diversify into other products and modify our business to survive " Windsong Farm Providore continues to search for new, innovative ways to expand its business and offer more to its local and surrounding community, with its latest venture exploring the offering of events

ONE hundred and forty-five kilometres west of Briagolong and 110kms west of Denison in the Gippsland town of Noojee lives retired sustainable and organic farmer Liz Clay

As a fourth-generation vegetable farmer who has farmed in Noojee, north of Warragul, for 40 years, 30 of which she was a certified organic farmer, Ms

Briagolong farmer Steve Noble established Hugh Charles Clothing in response to the crippling 2017 to 2019 drought

Photo: Zoe Askew

Amrita and Andrew diversified their business model, with Windsong Farm Providore now offering a range of honey and beeswax-based products

Photo: File

using adaptive farm models

of the WMO, said the Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update report does not mean that global near-surface temperature will permanently exceed the 1 5°C threshold

"WMO is sounding the alarm that we will breach the 1 5°C level on a temporary basis with increasing frequency," Professor Taalas said

"A warming El Nino is expected to develop in the coming months, and this will combine with human-induced climate change to push global temperatures into uncharted territory

"This will have far-reaching repercussions for health, food security, water management and the environment," he said

"We need to be prepared "

There is a 98 per cent likelihood that at least one of the next five years will be the hottest on record, the WMO found

Arctic heating is also predicted to be more than three times the global average, according to the Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update report, promoting climate scientists in Australia to warn of an increased bushfire risk and the potential destruction of the Great Barrier Reef

The Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update report comes six months after the CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology's biannual State of the Climate report, drawing on the latest climate monitoring, science and projection information to detail Australia's current and future changing climate

The State of the Climate 2022 report revealed concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are at the highest levels on Earth in at least two million years

Changes in weather and climate extremes, which significantly impact the health and wellbeing of communities and ecosystems, including extreme heat, heavy rainfall and coastal inundation, fire weather and drought, are occurring at an increased pace, the State of the Climate 2022 report found

Sea surface temperatures have increased by an average of 1 05 °C since 1900, which has led to an increase in the frequency of extreme heat events over land and sea

The past decade has seen record-breaking extremes leading to natural disasters exacerbated by anthropogenic (human-caused) climate change

With more and more sobering data indicating increasing symptoms of climate change directly impacting the livelihood of all Australians, particularly those in the farming industry, can it be expected that more and more Gippsland farmers will soon rely on adaptations to their farming practices and business models to survive?

Angus

Clay has built herself an extensive internal library of agricultural knowledge, which has supported her and others within the industry in implementing adaptive farming practices

"By nature, farmers have had to be very adaptable to climate changes, and climatic variability is something farmers are very familiar with, so they're used to having droughts and floods, and they're used to taking ques from what's happened in the past and what might happen in the future,"

Ms Clay said

"They're usually pretty solid followers of the Bureau of Meteorology, and certainly, that's one adaptive practice that farmers these days are really clued into - what's the Beauro saying about the long-range forecasts?

"There has been a whole range of adaptive practices that farmers are used to taking on board, and now they are really having to hone their skills and expand their adaptive practices with the extreme weather events that we're experiencing now "

Ms Clay concentrated on the biology and health of her soil as a technique of adaptation and combatant against climate change symptoms, among other regularly employed adaptive agricultural practices

such as contingency planning and irrigation

"You really need to plan for these extreme events and have some contingencies under your belt,"

Ms Clay said

"It's a matter of adaptation and planning and knowing how to design our farming system to make it more resilient to these shocks, and that's where we call on all sorts of people researching this area and other farmers' experiences

"One thing I was, I am particularly interested in changing agriculture and what has been going on over the years is the interest in agriculture acknowledging and farming the soil, farming the soil and farming the life in the soil, the biodiversity in the soil "

This adaptive farming practice which is fast gaining momentum within the agriculture sector as an efficient, effective and sustainable farming method, is known as regenerative agriculture

"Regenerative agriculture is really, simply, acknowledging the role of the soil in stabilising and creating resilience in the farming system and in the landscape," Ms Clay said Regenerative agriculture blends sustainable innovation with tradition focusing on the literal

regeneration of the soil and the planet's ecosystems, ultimately improving soil, delivering high productivity and high-quality food, helping fight climate change, and restoring lost biodiversity

Regenerative agriculture comprises a range of techniques supported by innovative technologies, which can combat the challenges caused by climate change by restoring the health of soil and protecting the land's ecosystem

By adapting her farming practices and exercising regenerative agriculture, Noojee’s Ms Clay was able to equip her land and farming ecosystem with a higher resilience to destructive climate change symptoms

"Climate changes are not new; the extremity of those changes is new, though," she said "Adapting is a must in farming, now more so than ever "

A new update by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has predicted global temperatures could reach record levels in the next five years, with the Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update report recording an almost 70 per cent chance of global near-surface temperature exceeding 1 5°C above preindustrial levels between 2023 and 2027

Petteri

Professor

Taalas, the secretary general

ANGUS Zilm is an owner-operator of a grass-fed beef farming business in Gippsland, managing his business across multiple properties around Stratford and Sale for the past 10 years

Like many other local farmers, Mr Zilm has had to adapt in order to survive

"We were predominately farming dry land for the first few years, and we couldn't do it," Mr Zilm said

"We needed irrigation to support our business to give us that reliability of being able to grow grass, so we sought out irrigation land as a primary backbone of our business

"Since that, we have strategically sought to acquire land with undulation and different topography as well as environmental benefits - so shade, a shelter for cattle, hills to prevent flooding, open country as well as low country "

"It definitely wasn't something that was a priority; it wasn't something that was at the forefront of our minds that we were incrementally going to have to look for different properties, or property, with all these attributes; it was like people have been farming this way forever, why can't we continue to farm this way

"Now it's more like survival, adapt and survive or don't survive "

Windsong Farm Providore’s Amrita Bradley with her rescue dog Teak

Photo: File

Barley and rye hay. Good feed test. Colour throughout. Delivered to local area. $260 plus GST.

Bdouble loads only. Ph: 0438 863 377

TREE SALE!

Hillywood Tree Nursery is having asale on all potted deciduous trees. Plants range from small 20cm pots to large 40cm pots. There will be advanced Japanese Maples 1.5-2m, Claret Ash 3m, Nyssa, Ornamental Pears, Plane Trees 2m, Silver Birch, Gleditsia, Canadian Maples and more! So come down and pick up some trees to spruce up your landscape! Pricing rangesfrom $15-$95

Open 8:00am to 3:30pm

Friday21/07/23 and Saturday 22/07/23. 1675

Maffra-Briagolong rd, Briagolong. EFT available. For more details see our facebook page.

Gippsland Times

BJR

Part-Time -Approx. 18 hrs

● Flexible hours.

● Rosedale office location or work-from-home arrangement.

● Consisting of two small business enterprises.

● Above award wages

Duties include:

● Accounts payable/receivable.

● Weekly payroll/superannuation.

● Invoicing.

● Bank reconciliation and BAS lodgment.

● Coordinate onboarding/induction of new staff and subcontractors.

● Workcover and performance reviews.

The successful applicant will have proven experience in bookkeeping as well as the following attributes:

Must be 11 years or over and have own bike. Tuesday only. Contact Lee Dugan 0419 518 277

● Working knowledge of

● Strong time management and attention to detail.

● Experience with mass management an advantage.

Please send resume and references to office@cblivestock.com.au by July 24, 2023.

The Sale Greyhound Club invites applications for the position of: Track Maintenance

Working under supervision of the Track Manager to develop skills, knowledge, and capability in track preparation, facilities, and ground maintenance.

The role involves working outdoors in all kinds of weather, with flexible work hours determined by race meetings and trial schedules.

Applications in the first instance to Track Manager, Gary Roberts groberts@grv.org.au

Gormandale Football Netball Club Coaching Staff Expressions of Interest

The Gormandale Football Netball Club are seeking expressions of interest for aplaying coach and two playing assistant coaches for season 2024.

Gormandale has agood history playing in the North Gippsland Football Netball League.

Our club is looking for that unique enthusiastic person with outstanding leadership skills to work with our current talented young playing group and help Gormandale Football Netball Club return to the powerhouse where we belong. Additionally, our club is seeking the services of two playing assistant coaches to work with the senior coach to assist in developing our playing group.

If you are interested in aconfidential discussion, please call our president Chris Robertson on 0402180626 or alternatively send an email to gfncrecruiting@outlook.com.

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 establishedteam 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

Gumnutsacknowledges the Gunaikurnai people as the traditionalcustodians of theland of where Gumnuts now is. We pay respect to their Elders past and present and emerging.

Motoring Deal

RENAULT LAGUNA 2002, RXB-435, reg. till Dec. 23, auto, economical and reliable, excellent condition 188,950kms. $4,200 o.n.o. Phone 03 563 324 92.

SUBARU Forester,2013, auto, reg. till Feb '24, nice car, 107,000km, ZOB-034, service records, $21,500. Phone 0428 746 634.

Caravans

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 Thunder 19'6'' pop-top, 2020, dual axle, full ens., L-shaped lounge, x2 95L water tanks, x1 95L grey water tank, bike rack, diesel heater, QS bed, elec. brakes, Dexter anti-sway, gas/240v HWS, 3-way fridge, microwave, anti-flap kit, Dometic awn., solar panel, AGM batt., rev. camera, w/mach., CD player, TV, exc. cond., great van, gen. reason for selling $72,000. 0431 159 984.

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

Trucks &Tractors •

FUSO Canter 3tonne tipper 2015, auto, 68, 000km, tool boxes, drop sides, r.w.c., reg. incl. $39,500 o.b.o. Phone 0412 325 723 leave msg.

GP1659908

adjustable good cond., tractor $750. 681 320.

PEOPLE BUY CARS... LOCALLY! about our MOTORING DEAL Gippsland Latrobe Valley

Bairnsdale Regional Health Service

Deaths

DE BOER (nee Flood), Patricia Eileen (Pat).

Passed away peacefully at home on July 16, 2023.

Aged 70 years.

Lovedmother and mother-in-law of Jake, Jocelin, Luke, Tamara, Sarah, Damian, Caroline, Lee and Robert. Beloved Oma to all her grandchildren.

Rest in Peace Mum.

DUNCAN, Leonard William.

Passed away peacefully on 11th July, 2023.

Aged 94 years.

My Dad, My precious moments, Milking Cows, Yelling, Laughing, Riding Bikes, Harvesting, Driving Trucks, Dogs, Cats, Chooks, These are the joys that last alifetime.

Proud to be aFarmer's Daughter. Sandra Elliman. Very loved son-in-law

John.

Legend Pop to

Mark, Thomas, David, Ali, Saloni, Audrey.

Loved Great Pop to Lexie, Ned, Jamie, Jesse.

"Every day is awinner"

FIELD, Francis John. (Frank) 26/2/55 -6/7/23

Beloved son of William John and Mary Field, brotherofMaureen, Kathy, Brian and Joseph. Uncle of Bernadette, Gerard, Christopher, Jessica,Sarah and Harrison.Somany wonderful memories. Sadly missed. R.I.P.

HAMMILL, Robert Charles (Bob/Rob). 7/12/1947 -8/7/2023

Passed peacefully in Sale.

Son of James (Jim) and Eileen (dec.), brother to Austin (dec.) and loving father of Justine.

Loved by many. Forever in our hearts.

Amemorial service celebrating his life will be held at Gippsland Funeral Services on THURSDAY (July 20, 2023) at 1pm.

McLEOD (nee Amoore), Elaine Joan 9/10/1943 -12/7/2023

After ashort illness at Monash Medical Centre.

Dearly loved and loving wife of Jim.

Loving mother of Alicia, Catriona, and Gregor. Loved mother-in-law of Marco, Larry and Jen. Adored Nan of Jonathan, Antoinette and Hayden, Em and Brayden, Anna, Molly, Ava, Euan.

Loved daughter of May and Wal Amoore (both deceased). "Till a' the seas gang dry"

McLEOD, Elaine. Along time supporter and dedicated member of Red Cross. She will be greatly missed. Sincere sympathy to Jim and family from Sale Friends of Red Cross.

MORROW, Alan Garner. Son of Verna and William Morrow, brother of Billy, Margaret, Howard and Grant (all dec.). Loving husband of Lorraine.

Father of Elizabeth and Jenifer, brother-in-law of Dawn. Loving uncle of Lynn, Craig, Carol and Brent and their families. Safe in the arms of Jesus.

DE BOER (nee Flood). For funeral arrangements of Mrs Patricia Eileen (Pat) De Boer of Heyfield please visit our website or contact:-

SUARES, Kevin. 26/01/1938 -19/07/2013

Missing you, love Kerri and Phillip. xx

SUARES, Kevin. 26/01/1938 -19/07/2013

Thinking of you today and always, love and miss you Wendy. xx

VIZARD, Barry. July 15, 2016. The years roll by but our memories are always with us and never forgotten.

Love Bet, Kerryn, Robyn, Russell and Marian.

WYKES, Barbara Lorraine. 7/8/1951 -20/7/2022

FOSTER. Aprivate funeral service for Mr Norman John Foster WAS HELD.

"A heart that's broken is a heart that's been loved." And how you loved us all. They say as time goes by, it will get easier, well Mum, that's not the truth. It's so hard to live this life without you!

"The moment you died, my heart was torn in two. One side filled with heartache, the other died with you."

VALENTINE, Amber. 3/1/83 -16/7/16

McLEOD (nee Amoore).

The funeral service for Mrs Elaine Joan McLeod will be held at St. Columba's Uniting Church, Cnr Raymond and Macalister Streets, Sale at 2pm TODAY (Tuesday, July 18, 2023), followed by aprivate cremation.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.

Please see our website for livestream details.

In Memoriam

JAGO, Elaine and Frank 30/6/22 and 18/7/22

It's been 12 months since your passing and every day you have been missed and not forgotten. Our hearts are broken. From the Jago boys.

It's been seven years. My mind still talks to you. My heart still looks for you. My soul knows you are at peace. Ithank God for having had you, but I still miss you so much. Mum

VIZARD, Barry. July 15, 2016

Missing you lots, wish you were still here. Our memory of you will never fade. Lots of love, Carolyn, Phil, Luke, Sam, Jazmin and Austin xx

VIZARD, Barry. July 15, 2016. You never stop loving someone, you just learn to live without them. Miss you heaps Dad. Love Julie, Shane, Mitchell and Andrew

You would be so proud of your boys and little Evie, she kisses your photo and knows who you are. Every night since you have been gone, Judd has given me aNanna's kiss goodnight. We all love you and miss you so much my beautiful angel in heaven. And remember, Ilove you more. Your heartbroken family, Noel, Nikki, Mick, Judd, Jake and Chloe, Jai and Torri and little Evie.

Funeral Directors

FIELD, Frank. 315573 A

The president and members of the Stratford RSL Sub Branch regret the passing of their esteemed member Frank.

Sincere condolences to Daphne and family.

FOSTER, Norman John. 09/10/1937 -11/07/2023

Aged 85 years.

Of Rosedale, formerly Glengarry.

Dearly loved husband of Lorna. Loved brother of Ray. Loved father and father-in-law of Ken and Lynette, Debby and Neil, Jeff and Sharon, Vikki and Gary and Michael (Mic).

Aloved grandfather and greatgrandfather of many.

FOSTER, Norman.

Passed away July 11, 2023. Your patience and kindness will never be forgotten. You were there for all of us, all the time.

Beloved second-father, second-father-in-law, Pop and Poppy to Guy, Shannara, Kallie, Luke, Shayne, Daniel, Julian, Karsyn, Luke and Lisa.

Remembered fondly for always saying "won't say no to that" to every cuppa and biscuit!

Will be deeply missed.

MORROW, ALAN. Alan Morrow was atriple SaleFootballClub premiership player of the fifties and later a champion player with St. Kilda. He was also a team of the century player at both clubs.

Sale Football Netball Club

Past Players and Officials Association mourn the passing of this great player, and agreat bloke who was loved by all.

Sincere sympathies to the Morrow family.

Rest in peace "Mocca"

JOJIC, Radivoj (Rudi) and Inga. 1/8/1933 -21/7/2021 12/5/1928 -27/10/2007

To my dearlovely parents, it is avery hard and sad time without you, who were always the best parents to me.

Two hard years without you, Dad. Ilove you and Mum both so much and miss your hugs.

We were always happy together. You gave me a special happy life with you. Iwill never forget the holidays we shared together in Greece and here in Australia. Ilove you both so much and forever. Never forgotten, always in my heart.

Love your daughter, Snezana (Jenny). Rest in Peace

MAFFRA And District Car Club recently held Round 3ofthe Boisdale Hillclimb Series. More than 90 drivers gathered for the twilight race meeting, all competing for the fastest time on the gravel track.

Conditions were excellent throughout the afternoon and evening as racing continued under lights.

After nine runs, the battle of the buggies saw KerranPridmore win the event with an outrightfastest time of 40.75 seconds. In second place wasMatt Muir with 41.90 seconds, and third outright fastest wasAnthonyKovco witha time of 41.92 seconds.

Junior competitors also drovewell, withthe fastest outright driverbeing Ozzy Muir in abuggy with atimeof 45.50 seconds.

Close behind was Cooper Clutterbuck and Brock Hamilton withtimes of 48.18 and 49.65 seconds respectively.

This Saturday will see Round 4of the Series held, with another twilight event, this time in longtrack format.

The race meeting will be an autocross -timed with aflying start’ and the winner calculated by their three fastestrunsadded together- and will also be around of the state wide VCAS series

Drivers in avariety of cars are expected from across Victoria to attend the event.

Racing will commence at 1pm at theBoisdaleHillclimb Track, with free entry to all spectators. Further information about the

Maffra AndDistrictCar Club and theBoisdale Hillclimb is available at www.madcc.com.au or by phoning Adrian Britton on 0418 561 053.

First to thirdclass placing results were as follows:

Class A:D.Clutterbuck 47.68, D.Scott 50.96, R. Myers53.67

Class B:A.Britton 47.36, Spider Anderson 48.60, B. Hamilton 51.52

Class C:Jim Forsyth47.62, P. Willoughby 48.94, H. Hudson 49.88

Class D:Rod Cannon 48.57,D.Hickling 49.27,A.Jones 49.30

Class E:C.Duve 48.96, Mark Grist 50.74, Noel Bartlett 52.08

Class F:A.Paterson 46.51, D. Saddington 48.30, B.Vandongen 49.56

Class G:Peter Bartlett 53.34

Class H

GP1658408

DodgeSmall in his modified Holden Commodore. Photos: Contributed

Jim Forsythinfull concentration coming into the ‘Esses’.

Eagles on the board

Zaida Glibanovic

MAFFRA did it.

TheEagles won their first game of the season in Round 13 of the Gippsland League, and what awin it was over Bairnsdale.

The Maffra women got the jump on the Redlegs early,outscoring them 15 to seven in the first term, buildingupon thattolead 27 to 17 at the major break.

The Redlegs fought back to get the game within seven pointsatthree-quarter time, but those energetic Eagles could feel theirfirst victory on the horizon, and went on to win 51-42.

ChloeFelsbourg, Tayli Dimarcoand Matilda Pendergast were best for the Eagles, while the Redlegs’ best players were Paris Dunkley, Alison Dwyer and Brielle Malady.

Sale flicked the switch and narrowly defeated Wonthaggi Power.

The Magpies had anice six-goal lead going into the second half, but only for ashort time.

The Magpies let their guard down in the third term, and the Power electrified themselves to close the margin down to asingle goal.

The fourth quarterwas when the game tightened, withboth teams neck-and-neck, before Sale closed to win by one point, 50-49.

Sale’s Teagan Harrison, Dee Dee Lambert and Tori Dessent were instrumental for the Magpies, while Courtney Brann,Bella Anderson,and Chelsea Bowman starred for the Power. Traralgon got oh-so-close to beating aquality Leongatha side.

With afairly even game across the first three quarters and scores at 21-22 Traralgon’s way, it wasthe Maroons’ fourth-quarter shooting effort that let them down -Traralgon only managed four goals to the Parrot’s nine.

The final scores were Leongatha 30 to Traralgon 26.

The Parrots’ Lauren Redpath, Laura Higgins and HannahFlanderswerehugeinthe win, while, Traralgon’s skipper Bronwyn Tebb led by example, so did Amy Harrison and playing-coach Kate French.

Moe slaughtered Warragul 72-35.

Moe’s Georgia Moody had ablinder, and as she should having just been named in the Victorian Fury extended netball squad. Emma Sculley and Olivia Barnett also received best-on honoursas well.

AlexandraCole, Sienna Green and Lily Sheehan battled hard for Warragul.

Despite the drive over to Drouin, Morwell made light work of the Hawks.

With all the fanfare around Gary Ablett Junior’s debut for Drouin, you hope some people were still watching this Morwell masterclass on the court.

Morwell’splaying-coach Tanya Budgeled the charge, while Courtney Garth and Claire Marks were alsonoted as influential in the huge 50-36 win.

Ava Gaul, Lucy McKellarand Karina Proctor were among the Hawks’ best.

IN Round 14 of the North Gippsland FootballNetballLeague, Churchill stole third place on the ladder as they defeated Heyfield in anail-biting match.

The Cougars led for most of the game, but the Kangaroos were ever-so relentingasthe match became aphysical battle, with each team forced

Zoe’s netball scoreboard

to work hard for every possession. Heyfield was chasing tail in the last quarter, and had every opportunity to capitalise on afew Churchill turnovers, but those Cougars held on to atwo-goal lead to win 34-32.

Rosedale hadnotrouble taking on Yallourn Yallourn North.

The Blues showed they are still aforce to be reckoned with, smashing the Jets 66-39. Woodside alsomadetheir match against Gormandalea one-sided affair,asthe Wildcats dominated play all day, winning 79 to 24. In the other match, Sale City followed suit, defeating Cowwarr 55-38.

Glengarry, TTU and Yarram had the bye.

ALL is well in East Gippsland, as Round 12 saw results of the status quo.

Wy Yung had ahugewin over Lakes Entrance, with the final scoreboard reading 92-28. Stratfordcontinuedthat winningform in a56-41 win over the Orbost Snowy Rovers.

Boisdale-Briagolong did well to beatPaynesville by 25 goals, and in the other game, Lindenow made light work of Lucknow, winning by 20 goals.

Local athletes shine at SandownRoad Relay

THREE teams from Wellington Athletic Club travelled to Sandown to compete in the Athletics Victoria Road Relay events on the motor raceway circuit recently.

Eachteam member had to run one lap of the track, which is 3.1 kilometres.

Fantastic results were achieved by theunder 14 girls, who won their event in very cold and wet conditions.Itwas the first time thesegirlshad competed in the Wellington colours.

The team comprised of Aaliyah Judilla (who ran a12:56), Lylah Hiskins (13:43) and Lilijah Deveson (13:54).

The under 20 team placed third, with brilliant running by AdaHill (11:47),AleashaRead(12:30) and Debbie Husodo (11:20). Husodo has made awelcome return to competitive running after missing aseason due to injury.

The under 18 team placed 11th and comprised Darcy Knowles(12:44), Lily Marazzato (14:46) and Laura Coleman (13:42).

The under 16 girlsalsoput in astrongperformance, placing seventh. Runners for this team were Cassie Farley (11:35), Emily Kanavan (13:08) and Charlotte Cunningham (14:47).

Sale Touch Football launch

THE Sale Touch Football summer seasonwill commence tomorrow nightat Stephenson Park, Sale.

All teams will take part in asocial round with players forming teams to compete in aget-to know-you night. New teams and individual players are welcome.

There will be two times allocated for the games; 6.30pm and 7.20pm.

Theaward winners forlastseason were Marcus Sbaglia-Smithand Zoe Curran. Both players won the respective male and female awards for best and fairest player and also the try-scoring award.

The season will officially commence on Wednesday, July 26 when team details are known.

The season willconclude on November 29.

Anew TouchFootballAustralia membershipmodel has been introduced with players to be informed of the procedure on Wednesday night.

For more detail, phone Laurie Smyth on 0419 132 824.

Yarram.

BGRADE:Heyfield 40 dChurchill 27,Rosedale 37 d YYN 31,Woodside60dGormandale 43, Sale City 62 d Cowwarr 46, BYE-Glengarry,TTU, Yarram.

CGRADE:Churchill 31 dHeyfield 20 ,YYN 45 dRosedale 23, Woodside 50 dGormandale 36, Sale City 50 d Cowwarr 16,BYE -Glengarry,TTU, Yarram.

DGRADE:Churchill 45 dHeyfield 12,YYN 35 dRosedale 30, Woodside 54 dGormandale 12,Sale City 50 d

Cowwarr 13,BYE -Glengarry,TTU, Yarram.

17 AND UNDER:Heyfield40d Churchill 13,Rosedale 52 dYYN 14,Woodside 29 dGormandale 14,Sale City 64 d Cowwarr 13,BYE -Glengarry,TTU, Yarram.

15 AND UNDER:Heyfield38d Churchill 12,Rosedale 73 dYYN 6, Sale City 58 dCowwarr 5, Woodside 29 d Gormandale 9, BYE-Glengarry,TTU, Yarram.

EAST GIPPSLAND -ROUND 12

AGRADE:WyYung92dLakes Entrance 28, Lindenow 48 dLucknow 28,Boisdale-Briagolong 48 dPaynesville 23, Stratford56dOrbost 41

BGRADE:WyYung41dLakes Entrance 18,Lucknow 30 dLindenow28, Boisdale-Briagolong 46 dPaynesville16, Stratford43dOrbost 21

CGRADE:WyYung63d Lakes Entrance 9, Lucknow 32 dLindenow29, Boisdale-Briagolong 37 dPaynesville16, Statford28dOrbost 21

DGRADE:Lindenow 29 dLucknow 21,BoisdaleBriagolong 49 dPaynesville 4, Statfrod 41 dOrbost 9, Wy Yung 10 dLakes Entrance 0. 17 AND UNDER:Lucknow 64 dLindenow 14,BoisdaleBriagolong 69 dPaynesville 2, Wy Yung 32 dLakes Entrance 18,Stratford61d Orbost 10 15 AND UNDER:Stratford24dOrbost23, Lucknow 32 dLindenow30, Boisdale-Briagolong 42 dPaynesville 10, Wy Yung 19 dLakes Entrance 11

FOOTBALL NETBALLEASTGIPPSLAND

WyYung: JAndrews 3JCrofts2 NDunn ABurchall WKeddie JKellow. Lakes Entrance: AJerkins 2M

CFerris HWarfe. BEST: Wy Yung: NCourtier CJackson DScott JHodson JKellowA Burchall.Lakes

Maffra AGrade celebrates their first win of theseason.

Photo: Contributed

Coach Denis Huffer,with AaliyahJudilla, Lylah Hiskinsand Lilijah Deveson. Photos:Contributed

Athletes Ada Hill, Aleasha Read, Debbie Husodo came third in the under20age group.

The country kid who conquered

Garry Howe

IN aracing magazine interview in 2001, jockey

Peter Mertens said he hoped one of his six children would follow him into the saddle.

The distressed state of the rocking horse on the front porch of his Cranbourne South home that day suggestedatleast someofthem had shown an interest.

Beau, onlythree at the time, wouldbethe one to stepup. He rode Golden Path to victory in theSilver Bowl SeriesFinal at Flemington on Saturday, July 1-but sadly his dad wasn’t there to see it.

PeterMertens hadsuccumbed to abattle with pancreatic cancer the previousSaturday, aged 58, sparking an outpouring of emotion from the close-knit racing community.

Beginning his ridingcareer in 1979, Mertens rode more than 2100 winners, including seven Group 1s in both Victoria and South Australia.

His first Group 1win came in 1999 aboard Rustic Dreaminthe Futurity StakesatCaulfield. He also enjoyed great success with Bart Cummings’ stayer Sirmione, whom he rode to win aMackinnon Stakes in 2007 andanAustralian Cup in 2008. His final Group 1was the 2012 Australasian Oaks with Invest.

Mertens also won five Group 2and 16 Group 3 races. After retiring from riding in 2014 following aserious fall in late 2013, Mertens joined the training ranks and saddled up his first runner when Monteegar ran at Geelong in September 2017.

He was also proudofthe fact that he was one of only two jockeys -along with Harry White -to win the Wangoom Handicap and Warrnambool Cup double at the famous May carnival, one of his favourite racing places, outside his ‘home turf’ of Gippsland.

Mertens achieved that feat in 2005 aboard Mccarthy’s Bar and True Coarser.

He is survived by wife Gulcin,his six children and three stepchildren.

“The Victorian racingindustry is deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Peter Mertens after abrave battle with illness,” Racing Victoria chief executive, Andrew Jones said.

“Peter was an outstanding jockey across 35 years in the saddle and was awell-respectedmember of an industry to which he contributed so much.

“We extend our sincere condolences to Peter’s family and friends in the knowledge that the Mertens name will live on in Victorian racing through his son Beau.”

Victorian Jockeys Association chiefexecutive, Matt Hyland,alsoexpressed his sympathies to the Mertens family.

“We are incredibly sorry to hear of Peter’s passing and extend our condolences to his family -in particular his son Beau. We are thinking of them all at this particularly sad time.

“Peter was as gallant in fighting his illness as he was on the racecourse, and he will be sorely missed by many people in Victorian racing and beyond.”

That 2001 magazine articlebegan with an anecdote about the 1995 Sale Cup -ormore accurately the venom-charged aftermath in the jockeys’ room.

Glamour jockey Damien Oliver hadmadethe trip to partner the Jim Houlahan-trained Unsolved, which was sent out awarm favourite, due largely to Oliver’s presence.

But Mertens, the former local apprentice, wasn’t impressed an on the way to the barriers, made it crystal clear that Oliver was trespassing.

“The give way signs at Flemington might say D. Oliver, but here they say P. Mertens,” he told the visiting hoop.

As it transpired, Mertens won the race on the John Maloney-trained Top Walk in ablanket finish,

withUnsolvedrattling home for an unlucky third.

Oliver quickly fired in aprotest, which was thrown out by the stewards after along deliberation and the champion jockey was heard to voice his displeasure at the decision upon leaving the stewards room. The outburst made headlines the following day.

Not thatitmatters;the local boy had won the day

“The record booksshow P. Mertenswon the Sale Cup,” Mertens said, recalling the event. “Not that D. Oliver was abit stiff.”

That story says alot of P. Mertens, who had to endure many ups and downs in his career, including areadjustment of attitude after atwo year sabbatical and recovering from alife-threatening fall at Pakenham.

At thetimeofthe Sale Cup run-in, Mertens says he still carried the ‘country jockey’ tag, but by the early-2000s was establishing himself amongthe elitejockeys.

Yet he insisted he was still acountry boy at heart and would not have madeitatall if not for his upbringingasanapprentice to the legendary Sale trainerGeorge O’Mealy.

“He was atough old bastard, no doubt about that,” Mertens recalled in the 2001 article. “But I don’t think I’d be here today without that tough, hard start he gave me. My outlook comes from those first three years with George.”

Mertens considered himself lucky to have beentaughtinthe old school, wherehehad to get himselfout of bed at 4.30am every day and havethe horses watered and fed andthe boxes mucked out by breakfast. It wasn’t only racehorses at the O’Mealy stable;therewerethe stallions and broodmares as well.

After breakfast the horses had to be worked, eitheronagrass track on the propertyoratthe racetrack for fast work. The apprentice was also expected to dress the horse before trackworkbrushing the mane and tail and tending to the hooves.

“The day didn’t really finish until 7.30 at night. There was one year when Ionly had two days off.”

George was 73 when Mertens joined the stable

and didn’t drive beyond Traralgon or Bairnsdale, which meant the young jockey had to rely upon lifts or public transport to get to the races.

Mertens remembered using trains and taxis to get to Melbourne for one of his early city rides -a daunting experience for acountry boy.

“It was hard work, but Islept in abungalow and got threefeeds aday -and George had contacts with so many people in the industry, whether to do with the training or the stallions.”

He said he was nowshiningbecause of that O’Mealy polish.

“I would much rather have had it that way,” he insisted. “All the jockeys today say how hard they’ve got it. They wouldn’t know what hard is. There wouldbeapublic outcry if you treated apprentices like that today.

“I had to do what Idid and the Pat Hylands and the Harry Whites probably did it harder. They’d probably call me soft and say that Ihad it easy.”

In those early years, Mertens conceded he had no real drivetosucceed. He admitted taking the job, at 14, purely to get out of school. He attended Morwell and Sale technical schools and hated all but woodwork.

Until then his only brush with racing was winning 50 cents on 1973 Melbourne Cup winner Gala Supremeinaschool sweep (and would later smile at the irony that he had now ridden alot for Gala Supreme’s trainer Ray Hutchins and that they are good friends).

He said hisambition didn’t extend much beyond “going to aparty and getting agirlfriend”.

“I didn’t really have any idea what Icould get out of ariding career; there was no Sky Channel back then and you couldn’t pick up the races on the radio at Sale.

“I was focussed on other things and didn’t really geta kick out of racing. The dreamsand goalsjust weren’t there.”

With the added distraction of his mother’s ill-health, Mertens threwinthe towel in the early-1980s and took on “factory jobs” at the likes of the Loy Yang and Yallourn power stations in the Latrobe Valley.

He insisted he grew up alot during that sabbatical.

He got married,they had achild and, with his mother’s health improving, he decided on a comeback.

The first person he rang was former Traralgon trainer Lloyd Timms, with whom he had finished his apprenticeship after three years with O’Mealy.

Timms only had asmall team at Mornington at the time and advised him to linkupwith Allan Douch at Traralgon, who was flying with ateam of about 20 horses at thetime, and also ride the coattails of talented Sale trainer Ron Crawford.

It wasgood advice.Herodeonthe waveofDouch’s successand quickly established himself as aleading rider in Gippsland.

By 1988 he was ready to branch out into Perth, but fate dealt him acruel blow when he broke his back and collarbone in afallatPakenham.

Mertens was told several times that he would not ride again, but each time just changed doctors.

Those 14 months out of the saddle were tough. He spent the first half of the time trying to come to grips with being told how lucky he was that he was not confined to awheelchair.

“One minute I’m going to Perth to be the leading rider over there and thenextminuteI’m told I can’t ride -and people were telling me Iwas lucky. Icouldn’t understand that.”

When during rehabilitation they began trying to teach him to do something else, Mertens became determined to prove the medics wrong.

Leaving behindastringofdoctors,hefinally got the answer he wanted in Hamilton,where a specialist said he could resume track riding within amonth.

He was straightonthe phonetoBruce Hill at Mornington and was soon helping with his 30-strong team.

Fittingly, his comeback ride was at Sale on New Year’s Day1990, where he managed to ride awinnerfor Ray Douglas.

That was the real turning point in his career and Mertens saidthat, from there, he neverlooked back.

Club to pay respects

SALE Turf Club will use its meetingthis Sunday (July23) to honourthe memory of PeterMertens

The legendary jockey,who learnt histrade in Sale, died recently following abattle with cancer.

Mertens regarded the Greenwattle track as one his favourites, and rode anumberof winners, including two Sale Cup’s. His first came in 1995 on board Top Walk, andagain in 1999when SirLinford saluted With respect to his memory, Sale Turf Club will name arace in Mertons’ honour on Sunday.

“The Sale Turf Club is deeply saddened by the passing of Peter, amuch respected jockey in the Gippsland region,” Sale Turf Club chief executive Brad Evans said.

“Peter’s history at the Sale Turf Club is full of success, having won premierships, majorracesand ridden endlesswinners at the Greenwattle track, one of his favourite tracks of all time.”

Gates open at 11amonSunday.

Ateenaged Peter Mertens with his old boss, legendarySale trainer George O’Mealy.

Photo:Contributed

Peter Mertens salutes afterwinning the Group 1 MackinnonStakes on Sirmione for master trainer Bart CummingsonDerby Day2007

Photo:Stewart Chambers

Popular jockeyPeter Mertens always considered himself acountry boyatheart.

Photo: Contributed

Dogs win, Woodside percentageupby40

TomHayes

THE race for finals is still not over.

It could well be overfor some, but the teams in the mix still have some shuffling to do in the North GippslandFootball-Netball League.

Although, acouple of teams outside the top five are mathematically achancetomake finals, it appears unlikely that an outsider can make it from here.

However, within the top five, plenty of movement is still on the cards, so much so that double-chance positions could be on offer in the final round.

HEYFIELD are the real deal.

Afterwitnessing first-hand of what such a youngsidewas capable of, Ithink it’s fair to say they could cause some problems in the coming months.

The Kangaroos walked off GaskinPark at the weekend, anditjust aboutstarted from the get-go.

Heyfield opened the account with afourgoal to two first term, taking atwo-goal lead into the first break.

Kangaroos playing coach Leigh Brown was alreadygetting hismitts to the football, clunkingmarks from 15 metres out and converting.

The goals flowed in the second term, as 13 majors werekicked as some freer-flowing football made an appearance.

However, it went from bad to worse for the home side, as the visitor’s piled on nine of those 13, including astreakoffive goals in 10 minutes,torun outtoa43-point halftime lead.

It was obvious that Churchill putdefensive measures into play in the second half, turning things around, but not all of the way.

The third term was highlighted by a freakleap from Heyfield youngster Asher Eastham, who climbed over aChurchill defender and one of his teammates to bring down ahuge specky.

Theyoung gun has played eight games for Gippsland Power this season, kicking nine goals, while for Heyfield’ssenior side, he has kicked 10 goals from six games.

The margin still hung out at 40 points with 30 minutes to play. Although belief was still there for the Cougars, the game was just out of reach.

After another enticingquarter of wet weather footy, which saw 5.2 (32) to either side, the final siren rang, and with that Heyfield were victorious again, 20.7 (127) to 13.9 (87).

Brown finishedwith seven goals for the visitor’s, while Eastham kicked three, Chris Wangmanled the way for Churchill with four of his own.

Kail Hole, Mitch Bennett, Brayden Woodland, Robert McMillan, Eastham and TysonBirss were outstanding for the Kangaroos.

NORTH GIPPSLAND

While for Churchill, Bailey Flanigan was astand-out performer, as was coach Jordan Fenech, Patrick Kearns, the returning Chris Kyriacou, Ryan Lowrie and Kurt Holt.

Heyfield now face two top five sides in Yallourn Yallourn North and Traralgon Tyers United,beforefinishing the season against Gormandale and Cowwarr.

As for Churchill, finishing fifth is still on the cards, with Glengarry to come before a bye, and in thefinal two rounds theyface YYN and TTU -there are easier runs home out there.

THE Jets are coming.

Rememberatthe start of the season when YYNsat with arecord of 3-3?

Well Idon’tthink they’ll be complaining about where they are now.

The Jets are now just awin behind Churchill in third, whichgrants adoublechance berth.

YYNhavenow won twoonthe trot, this time defeating Rosedale to the tune of 115 points.

Perhaps the Jets are tuning in at the right time of the season, and as long as you make finals, anything can happen.

Aftertaking a10-point lead into quarter time, the flood gates burst open in the remaining three.

Everythingbegan with an eight-goal to two second term, whichburst their lead out to 49 points, and pretty much out of the realms of acomeback, covering Rosedale’s final score.

Afurther six goals in the third term to a goalless Rosedale only took things from bad to worse for the visitor’s, as YYN surpassed the triple-figure mark, and another 100-point defeat loomed for the Blues.

The Jets were sure to make that turn to fruition, piling on seven more goals in the final term to Rosedale’s 2.2 (14), capping off another dominant display at George Bates Reserve, 24.11 (115) to 5.10 (40).

Keenan Hughes bagged 10 majors, while strike partner Dean Macdonald kicked nine of hisown Macdonald is now six goals clear on top with 68 in the league goal kicking standings.

Both made the best for YYN, as did Dylan Bath, Mitch Luck, Dylan Bentley and Anthony Young.

For Rosedale, Hayden Bell was the most prominent figure, whileMax Lazzaro, Luke Stuckey, Darryl Mayman-French and Sam Callahan were stand-outs.

Although it was an expected win, it sets the Jets up well for their run home, which sees them face Heyfield in ablockbuster this weekend,Glengarrythen Churchill before a bye in the final round.

YES, youread that right, Woodside really didthat.

The Wildcats putGormandale to the sword at the weekend, showingnomercy in the biggest win of the 2023 season. Maybe we should have knownthat this game was over before it even started.

Woodsidekicked 13.3 (81) to nothing in the first quarter, yet only added 4.7 (31) to Gormandale’s one goal in the second term, to hold awhopping106-point halftime lead.

At what point do you take your foot off the pedal?

Apparently never, as the Wildcats another scored 100 points in aquarter, kicking 16.3 (99)inthe third term,while theTigerskicked their second for the day.

With aquarter to play, the margin sat at 199 points, and the record for the biggest win of the season was well within reach.

And the Wildcats got therewithrelative ease, slotting another 8.7 (55) to nothing to claim the four points and adecent boost in their percentage, 41.20 (266) to 2.0 (12).

With goals everywhere, the only thing that surprised me was that there weren’t more goal scorers, then Isoon understood why.

Daniel Farmer kicked 11 and Michael O’Sullivan kicked 10.

That’s 106 points between the two of them, in just goals.

BaileyTatnellwas best-on-ground, prominent figures were O’Sullivan, Farmer, Daniel Missen (six goals), Jai Williams (five goals), and captain Ryan Foat.

Woodside’s percentage increased by a staggering 40.92 after the game.

Nicholas Millington, Will Flanagan, Isaac Copland,JarredCanning,Pat Farryand Ben Heath were best for the Tigers.

Although it seems unlikely that Woodside can finish on top of the ladder, getting some run into thelegs of their boyscould help them when finals comes around.

IN agame that looks to have little to no meaning on the finals picture, Sale City defeated Cowwarr on the road.

The Saints showed some fight in the first term, only trailing by four points at the first break.

The Bulldogs began to show up afterwards, kicking 15 goals in the final three quarters to the Saints’ six, blowing them away on their home deck.

Nine different goal kickers for the Bulldogs showed their versatility and amount of options going forward.

But their brute force was almost certainly goingtobetoo muchfor Cowwarr, who have struggled for most of the season.

The final score saw Sale City jog off the Cowwarr oval 65-point winners, 17.21 (123) to 8.10 (58).

Kaden McCulloch was best on for the visitor’swith three goals. Chad Evans,Kyan Sellings,JaxsynWhitehill, Riley Kop (four goals), and Billy Quirk also played well.

Cowwarr’s captainKyleStamers was best for the home side, leading the way with three majors. In assistancewas Ben Coffey, Jordan Anderson, Brady Hood, Rhys Luxford and Braden Johnston.

TTU, Yarram and Glengarry had the bye.

Pendleskicks firstofthe day

TomHayes

SALE’S Scott Pendleburyand his Collingwood teammates now have breathing room at the top of the AFL ladder, after claiming their fourth win in arow.

The Magpies welcomed Fremantle to the MCG for an early afternoon clash, andafter a first-quarter warm up, it was all Collingwood. Pendlebury kicked the first goal of the game to get the ball rolling, with asmooth finish in front of the sticks from distance.

And for every minute after that goal, the Magpies led for the entire game, after conceding the first minor.

Collingwoodpiled on four goals for the term, while the Dockers kicked three -including two late ones -tokeep the game within akick. But for the visitor’s, the second term was arout, as Collingwood ramped up the tone kicking 10 majors to the Dockers’ two.

By the time halftime rolled around, the game was at acontrast to quarter time, with the five-point margin extending out to 53 points.

Despite not reaching the heights of the second quarter, the Magpies still managed to win the third term, kicking 2.2 (14) to 2.1 (13), now nine goals ahead, it looked to be in the bag.

It must be said that Fremantle did show something in the last half, considering the

game wasalready over, only conceding another 2.1 (13) in the final term.

Fremantle dragged eight points off the margin, as the final score read 18.5 (113) to 10.7 (67) at the final siren.

Pendleburymanaged to collect 14 disposals and laid five tackles.

Collingwood now sit agame clear on top of theAFL ladder, after Carlton snapped Port Adelaide’s 13-game win streak. Nonetheless, aone-versus-two blockbuster is setupfor this Saturday nightatthe Adelaide Oval, when the Pies travel to face the Power.

3SMoon BFelmingham. BEST: Sale City:

DCarstairs JKelly NLawless LMannKBlackley LKnight. Cowwarr:CCox TDavison JBarton BEenjes HZee-verner SMoon

Woodside: DHarrison3JMattern 2A Janssen 2J Vanderveen TAlbertBRussell J Williams RHinkley.Gormandale:BHearn 2MCropley BWilson. BEST: Woodside: CDillow

BJones

AFrancis JScott DHarrisonD Dobson. Gormandale:MDillon

MCropley FCawcutt

Heyfield: HBlake 4BManson 4I Wheeler

ScottPendlebury’s Collingwood arestill on top of theAFL ladder

Photo:File

Triple ton for Heyfield great

Zoe Askew

HEYFIELDFootball-NetballClubloyal servant Sarah Schellen celebratedanimpressive milestone recently.

Schellen became the first Heyfield netballer to play 300 senior club games when she ran out for the Round 13 clash against Glengarry.

Whether you believe in destiny or not, Schellen was fated for anetball career with the Kangaroos, being the daughter of aHeyfield footy player.

From ayoung age, Schellen joined local footballers and netballers in the winter Saturday ritual, rising early on cold, often wet mornings and donning club colours before making the journey to wherever the weekend's game was located.

Schellen played her entire junior netball career for Heyfield,and continued representing the Kangaroos on the court as she entered her senior career.

"I moved to WA for acouple of years, and Ihad aseason over there in atown called Busselton, but other thanthat,I haveonly ever played at Heyfield," Schellen said.

"I coached an AGrade team at Maffra acouple of years ago -Ididn't play, Ijust coached -but other than that, Ihavealwaysbeen at Heyfield.

"When you start playing at 10 years old, and you've gotfamily connections -like, my dad played most of his football career at Heyfield and is alife member as well -growing up in that community environment, the club becomespartofyourfamily.

"Yourwinterfamily is the Heyfield FootballNetballClub, andit's apretty goodfamily to be involved with, Ithink.

"Heyfield is one of those placesthatisjust a community, and you look after each other.

"It's likea family; it is your family. Ithink having my dad play there, my sisterEmma, she's also alife member at Heyfield, she's played all of her netball there, so to play with your sister, my daughter Jasmin, Iwas lucky enough to play some AGrade netball with her as well, it is my family."

While the 47-year-old centre has accumulated numerous accolades throughoutthe years, includingbecomingthe first Heyfield player to win the North Gippsland AGrade netball best-and-fairest awardin2015, Schellen'sthree premiership titles and playing AGrade with her daughter have been the highlights of her career.

"Biggest highlight is obviously playing AGrade with my daughter Jasmine and alsoplayingthree premiershipsalongside my sister Emma," Schellen said.

"I'm pretty lucky; not many people can say they've won three premierships with their sister, and not many people can say they've played AGrade netball with their daughter.

"I know this probably sounds alittle bit daggy, but when you're on the court, and you're playing, and you hear someone say, 'Mum pass me the ball,' it's pretty funny, it's abit of afunny highlight."

Schellen has won three AGrade premierships playing alongside her sister: 1999,2010and 2013.

Schellen's 300th also coincided with a10-year reunion of the 2013 premiership.

Despite Schellen suffering aloss in her milestone game, withGlengarry's BGradedefeating Heyfield 52 to 30, with so much to celebrate, therewas little

room to dwell on the defeat.

As the Heyfield netball veteran reminisced on her career, she said she was grateful for the opportunity to face fierce opposition in the NGFNL AGrade competition over the years.

"I have played with and against quite afew fiercely competitive players," Schellen said.

"There have been quite afew players Ihave enjoyed having atusslewith over the years."

Among the many met throughouther nearly fivedecade-long career, it is Joan Foat and Maureen Kelly, who've left alastingimpression on Schellen.

"Joan Foat was one of my coacheswhenIwas still an AGrade player," Schellen said.

"Shejustsimplified my game and has beena really big inspiration.

"I just remember her words all the time, 'Sarah, as acentre player, all you have to do is hover and dash'. Those words just stick in my mind.

Sale FNC remembersMorrow

SALE Football-Netball Club is mourning the loss of Alan Morrow.

Morrow was atriple premiership player with the Magpies, before going on to play 163 games for St Kilda.

Playing as aruckman, he was named in the team of the century at both clubs.

Morrow belongs to the exclusive club of St Kilda premiership players.

His place in football history is ensconced in the memory of St Kilda supporters, as it was Morrow who took the final mark of the 1966 Grand Final just as the siren sounded, giving St Kilda their one and only flag.

'Mocca' Murray was the oldest member of the St Kilda team that day at 30-years-of-age, and retired following that triumph.

He was 86.

St Kilda is mourningthe loss of Alan Morrow.

"Someone else who has been influentialis Maureen Kelly.

"Maureen is another life member at Heyfield; she's done alot of coaching;she's just been involved in alot of things throughout my time at Heyfield.

"She's someone who everyone looked up to; she was always there, she was always there coaching, shewas always umpiring, she was always helping out, canteen, everything."

For someone who loves playing netball as much as Schellen does, and someone who loves their club as much as Schellen does, it's no surprise the Heyfield FNC life member is the first netballer to reach the 300-game milestone.

While Schellen admits reaching 400 games is "a bit out of reach", she's now aiming for 350 games, suggesting the netball veteran has no intentions of ending her illustrious Heyfield FNC netball career, anytime soon.

SarahSchellen withone of the three premiership cups she haswon with Heyfield.

Photos:Contributed SarahSchellen became the first netballer to notch 300 games with Heyfield.

Sale footballer Alan Morrow played in St Kilda’s onlypremiership in 1966 Photos: Contributed

Young Eagles rock

Liam Durkin

FINALS-BOUND teams are just about set in the Gippsland League.

For Leongatha, Wonthaggi, Moe and Traralgon,itwillbeamatterofwho finishes where, and who misses the double-chance.

The Parrots, Power and Lions are equalfirst on the ladder, and withfive rounds to go, there is still enough time for Sale or Morwell to take the last available spot in finals.

MAFFRA enjoyed some reward for effort.

The Eagles put adifficult month behind them to defeat Bairnsdale 17.9 (111) to 14.10 (94).

Having copped the rough end of the stick in terms of the fixture, playing the top five sides all in succession, Maffra was finally able to play asideattheir level.

Ahigh-scoring matchensued, with more than 30 goals kicked at Maffra Recreation Reserveinthe middle of winter.

Maffra skipper Daniel Bedggood nailed seven, while Sam Davidson kicked three.

Brayden Monk did agood job, as did Kade

Renooy, Nathan Pollard and Noah Christy.

The Eagles added five goals in each of the first two quarters, before aBairnsdale fightback had the difference just10points at the final change of ends.

Arelatively even last quarter played out, but Maffradid enough to bring up win number three for the year.

The Redlegs were well-served by Nathan Dennison, Ethan East, Will Mitchell, Lachlan Byrne-Jones, Xavier Richards and Andrew Nelson.

With Maffra in arebuilding phase, and having had more than adozen first gamers this season, any victory the Eagles can achieve will no doubtdowonders for their confidence and growth.

Maffra coach Anthony Robbins said the performancewas astepinthe right direction.

“We had six kids under 18, it was agreat experience for them,” he said.

“Everybody likes to experience the winning feeling, so to hold their motivation and want and desire to play and to win agame where they were challenged was really good.”

The resulthad adual-benefit for Maffra, as they wereabletodemonstrateanattractive brand, as opposed to previous weeks where they havebeen forcedtodefend heavily.

“They (Bairnsdale) were looking to score rather than just defend, and we’re trying to play aparticular game of footy and not roll guys behind the ball as we teach our young guys, it was pretty open and apretty good game,” Robbins said.

“In the third quarter they (Bairnsdale) played well, Ithink we probably went away from the structural things we were doing in the first two quarters that were giving us opportunities,wewent back and then made the most of our opportunities, it was good to do thatwhen challengedaswell.”

With quality senior players like Bedggood and Renooy out on the field, Robbins said the young players were now becoming more accustomed to everything associated with senior football, and importantly,weren’t just being gifted games either.

“I think afew guys like Noah Christy, Zach Felsbourg, Max Stobie, Jett Kalloran, these guys are now starting to feel abit more comfortable in terms of their role and what they can contribute to the side and that they can’t just be in the side for experience,” he said.

“They are actually capable of contributing, and they showed that yesterday.

“To still have some experience around, they aren’t looking for them to take the lead all the time and do everything.”

Having gained the four points, there is sure to be afurther injection of enthusiasm at Maffra training tonight, carryingthe positivity Robbins said was evident when the song was sung at the weekend.

“After the victory there would have been 60 people in the rooms, family, parents coming in,” he said.

“(Weare) trying to bringthem along as

well,becausefooty clubs are aboutplaces where peoplefeel like they belong, alot of theseparentshave been great support, without them we wouldn’t see these people involved in our club.

“We’ve had family in presenting jumpers and we’ve been celebrating that as part of a journey we are on, it sounds abit cliché but it’s been nice.

“When you are getting beaten quite badly it is very easy to become abit despondent, whereas they’ve turned up to training, they’ve been very keen, just really enjoying playing senior footy.”

Maffrahas two winnable games coming up, against Morwell and Drouin leading into a split round break.

Givenfinals are out of the equation, Robbins said the side had set its sights on trying to pick up as many wins as possible before the year was out.

“Where we finish,ofcourse we’d love to win games of footy, we are avery proud club, we think if we stick to our own the good times will come in the not-too-distant future,” he said.

“We’ll just keep trying to learn and work on the stuff we think in the long run will serve us well.”

As tough as some of the losses have been againstteams such as Leongatha,Wonthaggi and Traralgon, the Eagles coach said there was positives to gain.

“You learn alot playing those sides,” he said.

“To watch the other sides, the way they playtheir football and learn fromthem, Jarryd Blair (Wonthaggi), Brett Eddy, Mark Collison, (Tom) Schneider (all Traralgon), (Troy) Harley, some of our defenders playing on those sort of guys and guys in the middle of the ground, wingers learning to play on aguy like IsaacChugg (Wonthaggi), how to hold their widthand learn their craft and then watch the vision of it again and learn from that has been good.”

Wonthaggihas been the team that has impressed the Maffra coach the most.

TIME ran out for Sale.

Down by 39 points at three quarter time, the Magpies slammed on five final quarter goalstocut the margin backto13points, before the timekeepers did what theirjob description said they have to do.

While the Power led at every change, and ended up winning13.4(82)to10.9 (69), Sale kept pace up until the third term, when the visitor’s made use of aclear scoring end at Sale Oval.

The Magpies were onlyeight points downat halftime, but were held scoreless in the third.

Sale then had their turn kicking with the advantage, and equalled the effort in terms of goals their opponents managed.

However, where Sale was unable to score at all,Wonthaggimanagedtokick1.1 (7), which in agame decided by 13 points, gave them just enough breathing space.

Jack Blair stood out for the winners, as did Noah Anderson,Jakeb Thomas, Josh Bates, Jack Hutchinson and Isaac Chugg.

Best for Sale was Hudson Holmes, Shannen Lange,Kane Martin,Rohan Diamond, Jarrod Freeman and Jack McLaren.

The Magpies did not drop out of the top five as aresult, but for all intents and purposes, it appears they can now no longer finish any higher than fifth.

With four points separating Sale from sixth-placed Morwell, it is looking all the more likely the Round 16 clash between the Tigers and Magpies in Morwell will decide who plays finals.

Sale can make life easier for themselves by knocking off ateam abovethem on the ladder,and one gets the feeling they are due to achieve such aresult.

The Magpies travel to Moe this Saturday, and will certainly rate their chances against an opponent it has lost to just once in the ‘return’ fixture since 2013.

There was better news for Sale in the reserves, as club legend Shane Fyfe played his 300th game. The five-time senior best-and-fairestwinner

was given amilestone win to celebrate.

In what was agreat story, Sale had three 300 gamers all playing in the one game: Chris Laverty, Chris Hudson and Fyfe. MORWELL overcame the Ablett factor.

Theappearance of arguably the greatest footballer to ever live wasn’t enough to get Drouin over the line.

TheTigers claimed an important victory on theroad, winning 11.10 (76) to 9.13 (67).

Perhaps unfairly for Morwell,the win was somewhat overshadowed by Gary Ablett Junior pulling on the maroon and gold.

Another chapter to the Ablett-Drouin story was added last Saturday,whenThe Little Master ranout to playfor the club where his famous father cut his teeth.

GaryJrhad 25 touches and kicked two goals for the Hawks -one off each foot.

While the Tigersled at every change,they were challenged the whole waythrough -and very nearly lost it.

Afive goal opening term gave the visitor’s asolid base, and halfway through the third quarter, Morwell was 42 points up.

Then strange things started to happen.

Drouin addedthree goals in seven minutes against the run of play, and cut the margin back to 22 points at three quarter time.

Ablett kicked his first goal on the eve of three quarter time, and added another five minutes into the last.

An Ablett sidestep and left-foot finish was followed by Ryan Taylor finding the middle four minutes later.

Morwell held sway, but agoal to Hawk James McKellar at the 21-minute mark left the match on aknifes edge.

Zac Carlson however saved the dayfor Morwell.The youngster kicked the lastgoal of the game, and the Tigers’ only score for the quarter at the 26-minute mark, netting ahugesighofrelief from all those wearing yellow and black.

If they had of lost this game, it would have just aboutbeenseason over.

Sam Walsh did agood job,asdid coach Boyd Bailey, Dan Musil, Aidan Quigley, Blake Couling and Brandon Mcauliffe.

For the Drouin playerslucky enough to playalongsideAblett, thosewho made agood impression were Jarrod Marshall,Kye Quirk, Tim Hancock, Charlie Bethune, Jordan Kingi and McKellar.

An estimated crowd of 2500 came to Drouin to see Ablett, forcing parking restrictions to be placed on the reserve.

WE’VE said it before and we’ll say it again -yastill gonna have to beat Leongatha to win this premiership.

The Parrots reminded everyone in league circles why they are on top of the ladder, doing anumberonTraralgon and winning with relative ease, 14.14 (98) to 4.8 (32).

Jackson Harry was prominent for the winners, as was defender Sean Westaway, who saw the visitor’s only kick one goal after the main break.

Aaron Heppell and Tallin Brill also did a good job, as did team leaders Cade Maskell and Ben Willis.

Better players for Traralgon were Tye Hourigan, Tom Schneider, Max Jacobsen, Luis D’Angelo, HarveyNeocleous and SammyHallyburton.

MOE did what they had to.

The Lions beat Warragul 19.12 (126) to 7.9 (51).

The game blew out after halftime, as Moe added 10 goals to four at TedSummerton Reserve.

If the Gulls’ intentions were to get under the skinofthe opposition, they succeeded in that regard, as ahugenumberof50 metrepenalties werepaid for retaliation and backchat.

Riley Baldi racked up plenty of touches for the victors. He received good support from NickProwse who kicked four goals, and Harry Pepper who nabbed five.

Jasper Alger kickedthreegoals in alosing cause, while Tom Stern, Jake Hughes, Nick Stevenson, Tom Hobbs and Patrick Ireland were all handy.

Bairnsdale: TClay2C Moresi JPhillips LDunkley MEast. Maffra: HBurgiel 2EBerry2

BEST: Bairnsdale: CMoresi JPhillips AWattLDunkley SO’Kelly LCloak.Maffra

JULIAN

CLINTON

ROUND

Thursday,July13

SydneySwans vs.Western Bulldogs (SCG) (N)

Friday,July14

Melbourne vs.Brisbane Lions (MCG) (N)

Saturday,July15

Collingwood vs.Fremantle(MCG)

Gold CoastSUNS vs.StKilda (HBS) Carlton vs.Port Adelaide (MRVL) (T) Geelong Cats vs.Essendon (GMHBA)

Sunday,July16

North

Each tipster has nominated acommunitygroup to promote throughout this year’s season

League of her own

Heyfield’s Sarah Schellen celebrated her 300th game recently,and entered the history books as the first Heyfield netballer to reach the milestone.

STORY -PAGE28

Stratfordshocked in Orbost

ANYONE see that coming?

Stratfordreceived ahuge realitycheck in Round 12 of East Gippsland football.

The Swans drovebackfromOrbostwith their wings clipped, after losing 15.14 (104) to 9.11 (65).

Orbost Snowy Rovers walkedonwaterinthe first quarter, kicking an incredible eight goals to one. Having knocked the stuffing out of the Swans, theBlues held sway until the main break, where they took a35-point lead.

Down but not out, Stratford mounted acomeback, and had the situation looking lessalarming at three quarter time, with a23-point deficit staring them in the face.

OSR however could not be denied, and finished with three goals to claim afamous victory after keeping the Swans goalless in the final term.

Jamieson Humphreys was best for the winners, while Hamish Nettleton wasoutstanding, scoring seven goals.

Others to playwell were Gus Rogers, Max Herbert, Sam Thomson and Aiden Giove.

Lincoln Toner, Angus Mason, Regan Tait, Zane Perkins, Lachlan Channing and skipper Nick French played well for Stratford.

In acontrasting aftermath, the result meant OSR took agiant step toward playing finals, while Stratford was bundled out of the top-two.

If the Blues happen to qualify, it will be the first time they have done so since 2017.

OSR had won just eight games in five years before

this season, and now have seven to their credit. TheBluesare currentlyfifth, but equal-fourth with Lucknow.

The Magpies haveatough run home, playing three of the top four sides in the last four rounds.

On the other hand, OSRhas games against bottom-two sides Paynesville and Lakes Entrance to come.

If results go as expected, and OSR beats Lucknow in Round 14, it should be enough to see the Blues play finals.

Compounding the issue for Stratfordisthe absence of playing-coach Jarryd Clohesy, who was servingweek one of atwo week suspension at the weekend.

Beinga suspended playing-coachmeans he is unable to address the playing group on game day.

Pessimists among the Swans camp may be fearing the side is directionless without their leader, although those tending to be more optimistic may simply put the performance against OSR down to a'bad day at the office'.

Whateverschoolofthought, the reigning premier will know 'premierships aren't won in July'.

Just if they get another crack at defending their premiership remains to be seen.

BOISDALE-BRIAGOLONG went to outright second.

The Bombers benefitted from Stratford's loss, going agame clear of their Avon rival after defeatingPaynesville.

The result was hardly convincinghowever, as Boisdale-Briagolong won 18.10 (118) to 14.6 (90).

The Bombers had to pull it out of the fire in the last quarter,afterbeingdown by 11 points at three quarter time.

Adisbelieving home crowd would have been fearing the worst at the start of the last, but Boisdale-Briagolong was able to kick seven goals to one in adominant display.

As they say, sometimes you have to win ugly.

Honours were shared in the openingterm, as teams went into theirhuddle virtually on level-pegging.

The Gulls enjoyed astrong second quarter, adding six goals to four to take a10-point lead into the sheds.

Both teams then kicked three goals each, before the Bombers came home with flying colours.

Tom Jolly kicked four goals for the winners, as did Jim Reeves in abest-on-ground display.

Others to play well were Daniel Johnson, Paddy Mack, Sam Bedggood and Ben Missen.

Best for Paynesville was Brayden Radford, Jordan Dadswell, Nick Pincott,skipper Alex McLaren (four goals), Scott Joustra and Ben McKinnon.

While the result went as predicted, the margin perhaps underlined just how tough it willbeto defeat top side Wy Yung when it comes to the crunch.

Granted Boisdale-Briagolong has beaten the Tigersthis season, Wy Yung is perhapsjust peaking as the most important time of the season rolls around.

Paynesville,who havewon justtwo games, came into the match against Boisdale-Briagolong off the back of a145-point shellacking against Wy Yung,

the very week after beating top-four side Lucknow. Given how hard Boisdale-Briagolong had to work to stave off Paynesville, it begs the question: Is anyone getting near Wy Yung?

SPEAKING of Wy Yung, they did anumberon Lakes Entrance.

The Tigers won 23.17 (155) to 2.5 (17), and look certain to claim the minor premiership as aresult. Thehome side didn't let in agoal in the first half, and found five goals each from the boots of Brodie Anderson and Brad Daniel.

Norman Betts wasprominent in the win,and received good support from Harry Kellow, Jet Kellow, Jock Overend, Dylan Wilson and Marcus Hottes.

Liam Carroll,Sabastian Etheridge,Oscar Brazzale, Matt Duggan, Matt Bollemanand former Moe player Bryce Collings battled hard. While Collings was knownas'TheWizard' in his time at Moe, unfortunately for the Seagulls, any such magic appears to have dissipated.

LUCKNOW maintained their pathway to finals after taking care of Lindenow.

The Cats competed well in the first half, but fell away as the game wore on, in afinal scoreboard that read 17.16 (118) to 10.10 (70).

Joel McNamara, Glen Perkins, Jamie Seymour, Dion Grace, Jesse Glassborrow and Jake Richards were solid for the Magpies.

Better players for Lindenow were Cooper Shaw, Josh Lando, Brodie Cameron, Jarrod Bence, Ash Gould and Josh Wharton.

EAST GIPPY SCOREBOARD

-PAGE 25

LiamDurkin

Photo: File