Gippsland Times Tuesday 20 June 2023

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ANEW childcare centre is planned for Sale.

Wellington Shire Council announced on Friday (June 16) that it wouldbe building an “integrated community centre delivering child and family services” on Gibsons Road.

According to council, the proposed centre is the first project to come to life following the completion of the Sale and District Feasibility Study in October last year.

The study assessed the demand for early-years services, including childcare, and considered ways to address ageing community infrastructure within the Sale District.

The proposed site of the new centrelocated between Chester Dr and Cobains Rd, adjacent to the Gippsland Regional Sports Complex- was one of seven considered in the study.

Wellington Shire Council Mayor Ian Bye has welcomed plans for the new facility.

“Thisnew centre wouldprovide a multi-use space, making it easier for parents to access important services such as childcare, kindergarten,maternal and child health, and early intervention programs in the one centrallocation,” Cr Bye said.

“With Sale home to agrowingnumber of young families, it’s important that we look towards the future and take practical and methodical steps to meet the growing demandofchildcare and kindergarten services.

“A significant amount of work has already goneinto the planning, along with consultation with existing service providers, ensuring that the community is considered at allstagesofthe project.”

The centre is expected to provide a combined 122 new childcareand kindergarten places, plus multi-purpose consulting suites, and meeting and activity spaces for early childhoodservices and community use.

Council’s announcement comes amid

alackofchildcare access in Wellington Shire.

As reported by the Gippsland Times last year, amajority of childcare providers in the region have had to put children on waiting lists, with one provider havingadded “20, sometimes 30, places a month” to their list.

The increasing demand in childcare services is further hamperedbya shortage of qualified educators, with federal educationdepartment data having identified a39per cent decline in Bachelor of Early Childhood Teaching enrolments between 2016 and 2020.

Councilnoted that the new centre will address “both acurrent and future shortfall”inthe number of licenced placesfor kindergarten and childcare in the region.

It estimates that the wider Sale area is home to “almost7000families with young children”.

It also noted that the state

government’s free kindergarten initiative for three and four-year-old children had resulted in higher demand for kindergarten places throughout the shire.

Council will now enter acompetitive tender process for the appointment of aconsultant to carry out the overall design of the new facility, in linewith the recommendations provided in the Sale Feasibility Study.

The design will be split and awarded in threeparts -including concept design, schematic design, and detailed design -and will be completed in consultation with industrystakeholders, including existing early childhood education providers.

Councilestimates the projecttocost “justover$7.8million”.

Construction is set to be completed at the end of 2025, with opening expected in early to mid-2026.

O’Brien calls for answers on empty public houses

THE state government is being called on to explain why public housing is sitting empty in Gippsland while people are desperate for aroof over their head.

Memberfor Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien has called on the Minister for Housing for answers, with recent figures confirmingthat more than 67,000 Victorians were on the public housingwaitlist as of December 2022

SpeakinginParliament,MrO’Brien said his office has recently received an unprecedented amount of calls querying why social housing properties right across Gippsland South appear to be being left to sit vacant.

“I am calling on the Minister to explain why Ikeep getting reports and requests from my constituents about empty public housing in Gippsland,”Mr O’Brien said.

“In the last six months or more in particular, I have been receiving reports from people who are concerned that public housing is sitting vacant at atimewhenwehave asignificant waiting list for

people looking for public housing and there is also pressure on ourprivate housing sector, which of course is putting downward pressure on the public housing market.

“I have reports of vacant homes in Sale, Foster and Korumburra just in the last few months and each time we have followed them up there has been either areason or an excuse from the department.

“Regularly we get reports thatahouse has just been finished or has justbeen renovated and is now being tenanted,but these reports keep coming up.”

Mr O’Briensaidheunderstood that it was reasonable for houses to be vacant for brief periods of time while there is achangeover in tenants, when there is the death of atenant, when there arerepairs being undertaken, or of course, when there is construction.

But with the public housing waitlist continuing to balloon,hewantedassurancesthat therewas no unnecessarydelays in getting aroof over vulnerable Victorian’s heads.

“I would like to know what the current number of vacant public housing properties in Gippsland is, what the current time period is that homes are vacant, what the current maintenance backlog is for public housing in Gippsland and indeed what the current waiting list is for the Gippsland region,” he said.

“Itisa concern for me that this is something I didnot have reports on in the first seven or eight yearsofmycareer,but it has happened in the last 12 months consistently, and there does seem to be either along period of time when homes are being leftvacant or abiggerlag in the time for changeovers.

“When so many are in need of ahouse, leaving these homes vacant is criminal, and Iwould like the Minister to give an explanation as to why this is occurring.”

Parliamentary Inquiry into rental and housing crisis in Victoria underway -Page 8

Federal Government’s Disaster Ready Fund in action

GIPPSLAND will be better protected and prepared for futurenatural disasters following the announcement of six local projects funded underRoundOne of the federal government’s new Disaster Ready Fund.

Through the first round, the region will benefit from $8,857,382 in combined investment into disaster prevention, through the federal, state and delivery partner co-contributions.

The fund was an election commitment by the federal government,and willdeliver national long-term mitigation funding to help protect communities from natural disasters.

State andterritory governments submitted applications for arange of projects to improve mitigation and resilience, in collaborationwith local councils and community groups.

Senator Raff Ciccone said local projectsincluded newseawalls, aretarding basin feasibility study,

swale and levee construction,and community resilience programs.

“Gippsland faces the threat of bushfires and floods every year. These natural disasters are becoming more common and more dangerous due to climate change,” Senator Ciccone said.

“Through the Albanese government’s new DisasterReady Fund, we’re investing up to $1 billion in Commonwealth funding over five years to build critical projects that will reduce disaster risk, help to reduce recovery costs and strengthen community resilience across Australia, including in the Gippsland region.

“In additiontoinvesting in key infrastructure projects, we will work with skilled businessvolunteers to deliver facilitated workshops to reduce risk exposure and build resilience to natural disasters.”

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Wattsaidwhile thefederal government

would continue to support areas impacted by disasters, it was critical more was done to build defences, to better protect communities and their regional economies.

“We know that every dollar spent on disaster resilience and mitigationdelivers areturn on investment to governments and households nine times over,” Minister Watt said.

“Butasacountry we invest far more in recovering from disastersthan we do defending againstthem, and that mentality has got to change.

“This is aboutmore than justbricks and mortar. We are changing the way Australia deals with natural disasters by planning better for the future to ensure thatcommunities all around the country are better prepared, less exposed and in the best possible position to recover when disastersstrike.”

The Disaster Ready Fund builds upon the federal government’s commitment to ensure Australia is

better prepared for natural disasters.

Over the last year, the federal government has paidout more than$2.7billioninrecovery and resilienceprograms and payments to support individuals and communities impacted by natural disasters.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) will work with each jurisdictiontonegotiate funding agreements, with money to be provided as soon as possible from July 2023. Projects must be completed within three years.

There was more than 300 applications submitted acrossall statesand territories.Successful projects wereselected followingarigorousmerit-based assessment process undertaken by NEMA.

More information on the Disaster Ready Fund, including updates about Round Twoofthe Disaster Ready Fund, can be found on NEMA’s website.

Member forGippsland South DannyO’Brien hascalledonthe Minister for Housing to explain the current shortfall of available public housing

Photo:File

Correction Centreinvestigation

FULHAM Correctional Centre is currently being investigated by the national medical regulator over the alleged improper prescription of drugs. The story was broken by ABC News on Friday, June 16.

It is believed the allegations relate to opioid replacement drugs being “improperlyprovided” at the medium-security prison, located 10 kilometres west of Sale.

According to ABC News, the investigation centres on allegations that astaff member at the centre prescribed drugs such as methadone over “at least several months” last year, despite not holding the relevant qualifications.

The centreiscurrentlyoperated by The GEO GroupAustralia, which also operates two other Victorian correctionalcentres in Ravenhall and Richmond.

When asked for comment by the Gippsland Times, aspokeswoman forThe GEO Group Australia said that the organisation “takes all allegations seriously”.

“As evidenced in this matter, GEO conducted its own enquiries and referred the allegations to the appropriateindependent authority -the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency,”

the spokeswoman said.

“GEO also ensuredCorrections Victoria and Justice Health were informed.

“As AHPRA is investigating the allegations, it is not appropriate for GEO to comment further.”

This same statement was provided to ABCNews

The Gippsland Times also sought AHPRA for comment, with aspokesperson providing the following response.

“AHPRA and the National Boards are unable to comment on notifications relating to individual practitioners,” the spokesperson said.

“However, we can confirm that we are aware that concerns have been raised related to practices at thisfacility and are engaged with its management to determine whether any regulatoryresponses are required in relation to registered practitioners.”

This statement wasalsoidentical to the one provided to ABC News

ABC News also reported that GEO would be deliveringcareacross Victoria’spublicly-run male prisons from July.

Aspokesperson for GEO confirmed to the Gippsland Times that GEO Healthcare would be providing services in allVictorian men’s public prisons from July 1. Investigations

site.

Stargazing events on this weekend in Loch Sport

LOCH Sport is preparing to host apairofstargazingevents this weekend.

Held over two successivenights, the Guided Star Tour invites participants to study the wonders of the night sky.

According to Latrobe ValleyAstronomicalSociety (LVAS) president Chris Morley, Loch Sport is one of “about adozen” dark sky locations identified in East Gippsland.

“Whilstitmay not have truly dark skieslikecan be found in the desert and remote areas …the Loch Sportsky should, cloudspermitting,afford the observers afine view nonetheless -and one much better than would be found in Melbourne or any regional centre,” Mr Morley said.

Loch Sport is considered ideal for stargazing due to the lack of “light pollution” fromtraffic,

streetlights, as is common in built-up areas.

But according to David Rolfe, vice-president of the Astronomical Society of Victoria (ASV), it doesn’t matter where you go in Gippsland to view the night sky.

“There’s nothing in LochSport in particular that makes it betterthan, say, Golden Beach or …Paradise Beach, but anywhere along that Ninety Mile Beach is actually apretty good dark-sky site,” Mr Rolfe said.

The LochSport Star GazingTourispart of a seriesofstargazing events sponsoredand promoted by Destination Gippsland to promote tourism across the region.

The events are jointly facilitated by three astronomical societies: the ASV, LVAS and Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society (MPAS).

The first of these events was held in Buchan South in April, which Mr Morley and Mr Rolfe attended.

Both men considered the event asuccess, despite clouds coming in within 30 minutes of starting their observing session.

“After dinner, we adopted Plan B, which was an interactive presentation on what typically could be expected to be seen through atelescope in our night sky,” Mr Morley said.

“The 80 or so people gathered were quite upbeat about their observing session and the presentation that followed.”

The firstLochSport Star Gazing Tourwillbe held on Friday, June 23 for local residents, with asecond event taking place on Saturday, June 24 for “out-of-towners”.

The Saturday event willsee participantsconsume atwo-course meal at the Loch Sport Golf Club, head out onto the fairways for abrief presentation and telescope viewings of the night sky.

Live music and hot drinkswill also be offered on the evening.

Photos:Contributed

areunderwayatFulham Correctional Centreover alleged improper prescription of drugs on

Photo: File

Loch Sport’s skies areidealfor stargazing.

AstronomicalSocietyofVictoria vice-presidentDavid Rolfe is keen for this weekend’s event in Loch Sport

TomParry

Family relieved and heretostay

Platinum milestone

TomParry

TODAY marks asignificant milestone for one Sale couplethat few can boast having achieved.

Wilma Walker and her husband Edwin “Jock” Walker are celebrating theirplatinumwedding anniversary, having been married since June 20, 1953 -exactly 70 years ago.

Jock was born in the Wimmera township of Stawell, while Wilma was born in nearby Ararat.

Stefan Bradley

ASALEfamily are enjoying their newfound certainty after husband and father Gagandeep Singhwas grantedpermanent residency, ending afour-year battle to stay in Australia.

Gagandeep, who runs atrucking business in Gippsland, became apermanent resident last month after almost ayear on apathway to apermanent partner visa.

The Gippsland Times first broke the story in April 2022that Gagandeep, also known as Gavy, was near the end of the line with his bridging visa. Unless it was extended or anew visa was given, Gagandeep would be forced to leave Australia and go back to India, separating him from his wife Phoebe and their five-year-old son Jarro, who live together in Sale.

Just 12 months ago, Gagandeep was stuck in limbo as various visas were given and denied, and decisions delayed. On May 13, Gagandeep finally became apermanent resident.

He wasemotional knowing this saga had truly come to an end, and he could continue living in Sale and focus on his family life and business.

“I’m really grateful (to) everybody who helped us out,” Gagandeep told the Gippsland Times last week.

“It’s such arelief. Idon’t have to stress about everything.”

Phoebe is doing “very well” with hermental health, which had been negatively affected by the immigration battle.

“It’s amazingwhat 12 monthscan do,” Phoebe said.

Knowing he can stay in Australia permanently means that Gagandeephas been able to expand his business with new trucks and employees as he worksonthe upgradeofMorwell station. When he wasfacingthe prospect of being forced to leave the country, he had to downsize the business, sell his trucks and work with fewer employees.

“I couldn’t do anything before. Ihad no idea what was around the corner,” he said.

“I’m getting another truck in acouple of weeks, and have five employees.”

He wants to employ Gippslanders and is retrainingapaper mill worker who recently lost their job following the closure of the Maryvale plant in the Latrobe Valley.

Phoebe and Gagandeep’s young son Jarro did not understand what was happening; all he knew was that he just wanted to be atruck driver like his dad. Jarro is possibly the biggest Super Mario fan in Wellington, having watched The Super Mario Bros. Movie at the cinemas five times.

It’s doingthe small things most take for granted, likegoing to the park or the movies with Jarro, that Gagandeep and Phoebe treasure the most.

“I’m really grateful that I’m here for him. He loves his daddy,” Gagandeep said.

Gagandeep wants to take the family on along holiday around Australia, or go to Japan or India. In the meantime, he said he’s enjoying living in Sale.

“I love the country, love thecommunity.Everybody is helpful. It’s very peaceful in Sale.”

The pairfirst met at the MidlandTheatre, where Wilma was working in the kiosk.

“That was my second job though, at nighttime,” Wilma tells the Gippsland Times

“I worked in an office throughthe day, at Cox Brothers.”

The two became friendly, starting going out and wed acouple of years later.

Their wedding ceremony tookplaceatthe Minister’s House in Ararat.

As the couple describe, the event was a“quiet” affair.

“Our familieswere poor,” Jock explained. “We didn’t even have an official photographer.”

After marrying, the newlyweds moved to Jock’s hometown.

“We lived in Stawell when we first married, and then we retired up to New South Wales,” Wilma said.

“Our son was in the Air Force at Canberra, our daughter was in Sydney working, and we went to Kianga.”

The Walkers lived in Kianga -located near Naroomaonthe southern coast of NSW -for tenyears, before relocating to Sale after both children moved back to Victoria “They did the dirty on us -(son) John moved to the Air Force (base) down here, and our daughter moved to Melbourne,” Wilma said.

“Andsowefollowedthem,whichyou shouldn’t do, but never mind -we’ve been very happy down here (in Sale) the last 25 years.”

“We weren’t really happy withthe medical situation at Narooma,” Jock added.

“We had to go 40 kilometres one way to a hospital, 80 another, or over the mountains to Canberra for the specialist stuff.”

But he insists that Narooma is a“beautiful” place.

In reflecting upon their 70 years of marriage, Wilma cites “grandchildren” as her highlight -the couplehavefourchildren, seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren -while Jock nominates being able to travel.

“We do afairbit of travelling -we’ve been right around Australia,” Jock said.

“We’ve played golf togetherfor about 30 years -travelled around playing golf.”

And as for the secret to asuccessful marriage?

“Give and take,” Wilma said.

“You have your ups and you have your downs …and you overcome them,” Jock added.

“A lot of people aren’t prepared to do thatthey have aspatand they say, ‘That’s it’ and they split up.

“You’ve got to stick at it …we’ve had our good times and our bad times, but we got over them, and we’re still here.”

But according to Wilma, they still have their differences.

“We have different likes and dislikes in food and that sort of thing,” she said.

Sheadds withalaugh:“Jocklikesveggies all of the time, and Ilike salad. How’s that?!”

It certainly makes meal preparationtricky during winter.

Although June 20 is their day of marriage, Jock and Wilma officially celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Sunday withafamily lunch at Sale Greyhound Club, attended by their three surviving children.

They continue to live independently and remain active in the community, with Jock playing lawn bowlsatLakeside Bowls Club -when it’s not too cold.

Sale couple Wilma and JockWalker arecelebrating their 70th wedding anniversarytoday.

Photo: TomParry

TheSinghfamily Gagandeep, Jarro and Phoebe.

Photo: File

Handcrafting to broader horizons

TomParry

TWO local community organisations are reaping the benefits of an initiative that enriches the lives of people living with adisability.

The initiative sees clientsofthe George Gray Centre (GGC) visit the Golden Beach Men’s Shed, where they assist with buildinghandcrafted items -and develop in more ways than one.

“GGC is all about broadening one’s horizon; we are alwayslooking for opportunities whereour participants can learn new skills, gain exposure to avariety of experiencesand engage with the wider community,” QualityAssuranceOfficer at GGC, Sonya Dunn said.

“GGC approached the Golden Beach Men’s Shed backin2021tosee if we could work in collaboration to provide afantastic opportunity for people living withdisabilitytolearn new skills and develop social and community connections.”

Then-president of theGoldenBeach Men’s Shed, John Cassidy took the call, and was asked whether the organisation was interested in hosting such an initiative.

“I said ‘Yes, for sure,’ becausewewanttobeseen as being community-minded -which we are -and it’s worked out very well,” Mr Cassidy said.

As many as 12 participantswill visit Golden Beach each Thursday,spending at least four hours with volunteers at the Men’s Shed -located next to the General Store on Surf Edge Drive.

There, GGC clients -with the assistance of their supportworkers, and volunteers at the Shed -will craft items fromrecycled and repurposed materials

Upon being asked about the volunteers at the

Men’s Shed, GGC support workers Palale Semisi and Tahlia Schneider had nothing but praise.

“What Ilike is the people that welcome us here,” Mr Semisi said.

“The people who run the Men’s Shed here are very welcoming...John’s alwayswilling to help us, to supply and provide what we need for the boys to continue in their work.”

Ms Schneider said that volunteers “do avery good job helping us and giving us ideas.”

“It’s just anice, sharing community,” she said. The projects undertaken by participants are many and varied.

When visited by the Gippsland Times last month, participants were busy making garden trolleys out of pallets, and had just completed aseries of photo-frames made from disused palings.

Ideas on whattobuild are often sourcedfrom socialmedia, with participants deciding which project they would most like to undertake.

AccordingtoMsDunn, attending the Men’s Shed has allowed clients to gain many skills.

“They have learnt how to use various hand and power tools, they have developedtheir problem solving skills,learnt the importance of and practiced following sequential order, built upon their organisational skills and most importantly, learnt about safety procedure and practice,” Ms Dunn said.

“Thosethat attendthe Men’sShed program with GGC have built friendships and connections with each other and manyofthe localsfromGolden Beach.

“They also get to enjoy one of Gippsland’s main tourist attractions the Ninety Mile Beach, experiencing it across all seasons.”

Mr Cassidy also noted the fondness for the foreshore among GGC’s clients: “When the weather’s warmer, usually after lunch, there’ll be half adozen that’ll nick off down to the beach and fly kites.”

These reasons -not to mention the baked goods that two elderly ladies “absolutely insist” on providing -have made the Men’s Shed apopular destination for participants.

Ms Schneider said thatparticipants enjoy the occasion “quite alot”.

“You see them in adifferent light, compared to when they’re at the (George Gray) Centre or out in town, because there’s abit more space here, it’s abit calmer, and they can just be themselves and have abit of alaugh,” Ms Schneider said.

“Practically every week,you’ll hear something positive from them about it, and they’re just very excited for it.”

Mr Semisi also believes that to be the case.

“They love coming here, and the numbers keep growing, because …the boys go back and tell the other clientsand then, when the programchanges, another two or three maybe will add their name in,” he said.

Mr Cassidy concurs: “From what they tell me, they reckon this is their best day of the week.”

The popularity of the initiative hasn’t been lost on Ms Dunn.

“As the program is so popular, GGC and the GoldenBeach Men’s Shed have beenindiscussion aboutrunning an additional Men’s Shed program, so we encourage anyone that is an NDIS participant, that is interestedinattending the Men’s Shed to contact the George Gray Centre,” Ms Dunn said.

She added that GGC was “always open” to working with community groups like the Men’s Shed, right across the Wellington Shire: “We would love any community group that thought their service could enrich the lives of those living with disability to reach out to us at GGC.”

Anybody interested in joining similar initiatives is encouraged to contact GeorgeGrayCentre on 5147 2221 or via reception@georgegray.org.au

The workshopatGoldenBeach Men’s Shed, viewed from above.

Average milk price announced

FONTERRAAustraliaannounced an opening weighted averagemilkprice for the 2023/24season of $8.65/kgMS.

This price is madeupofthe minimum monthly rates set out in Fonterra Australia’s milk supply agreement, together with standard production and quality incentives.

Fonterra Australia managing director, René Dedoncker said that Australian farmgatepricing for the season ahead remains higher than international commodity values, whichhave fallen by 17 per cent in thepast year, however is supported by the strengthofFonterra Australia’s domestic business which comprises most of its revenue.

“Despite the decline in international prices, the outlook for dairy remains generally positive with global demand currently expected to lift in the medium-term, with onlymodest supplygrowthforecastin export regions.”

Mr Dedoncker saidthatFonterra Australia’s business was well-placed to continue to deliver good returns.

“Our Australia business continues to perform well,withour consumer and foodservice sales channels maintaining their market-leading positions.

“Our focus remains on putting the milk from our farmer suppliers into the highest value products,managing ourcosts and maintaining aprofitable business.

“We are confident in our price position and our ability to be competitive,with our diversified product mix, sales channelsand access to domestic and export markets giving us options for our farmer suppliers’ milk.

“We are proudofthe relationshipswe have built with our farmer suppliers, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them in the season ahead.”

Late great, Hole awarded OAM

TIMBER Towns Victoria (TTV) has paid tributeto the late Malcolm Hole,aWellingtonShire Council councillor and Timber Towns Victoria Founding Member, who was awarded aposthumous Order of Australia for his service to local government, and to the community as part of the King’s Birthday Honours.

TTV said the prestigious honour wasatestament to Mr Hole’sdedicationand contributions to not only the Wellington Shire, but the broader timber community, including his many years of commitment to Timber Towns Victoria as president and executive committee member.

Timber Towns Victoria president, councillor Karen Stephens, spoke fondly of Cr Hole.

“I am proud to have worked alongside Malcolm for many years and saw first-hand his dedication to hislocal community and the broadercommunity, and above all else his family,” Cr Stephens said.

“I send awarmest congratulations to his family and friends, and the Wellington Shire Council

community.This well-deserved prestigious award highlightsthe many achievements accomplished by Malcolm throughout his life.”

Cr Hole was astrongadvocate for the timber industry, particularly across the Gippsland region formany years. He carried adepth of knowledge of the industry and had been at the forefront of advocacy to the government and campaigning at many levels to ensure jobs for communities.

Cr Hole was first elected to Wellington Shire Council in 2000, and went on to be re-elected at a further six elections.

He servedtwo terms as mayor in 2002 and 2006, andone term as deputy mayor in 2019.

He died while servinghis seventhterm as councillor in 2021.

Late councillor Malcolm Hole was posthumouslyawarded an OAM.

The need for activeforest management

BLANKET bansofnative forest harvesting will not improve carbon balance or recover biodiversity, according to the professional association for forest scientists, growersand managers,Forestry Australia.

President Dr Michelle Freeman said the consensus position of independent scientific experts, forest managers and researchers is that active management of forests is required to maintain foresthealth, mitigatefirerisk,conserve biodiversity and maximise carbon outcomes.

“Although on face-value decisions to end native forest harvesting may appear to be awin for the environment, Victoria and Western Australia are nowfacingarangeofunintended negative consequences,” Dr Freeman said.

“These decisions have been made without clear

alternate strategies or funding for the active management and monitoring that is required.

“Passive approaches will actually risk our forests at atimewhentheir key threats -bushfire, invasive species and climate change -are still increasing.

“Additionally, the rapidexit of specialist skills, experience, knowledge and equipment from the forest management space is reducing our capacity to implement effective forest management plans and mitigateorrespond effectivelytobushfire emergencies.

“The serious implications of this cannot be overstated, and urgent investment in strategies to retain these people and implement strategic management programs is needed.

“In addition, asignificant increase in imports of timber fromoverseas is already occurring

-representingincreased carbon emissions, reduced oversightofthe sustainability of management practices yielding those products, and ashirking of ourmoral and ethical responsibilitytomeetlocal demand locally.

“Simply ending native forest timber harvesting will not act to solve the complex challenges facing our forests, nor act to meet society’s needs.

“Theseissuesare too important to let politics and ideology drive decision-making.

“We need astrategyfor the ongoing management of forests -one thatisbased on genuinescience, the aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and the collective knowledge and lived experiences of the people who have dedicated their lives to evidence-based care for our forests.”

Photo:File

Check your home heating system this frosty season

AS the winter chill travelsacross the state, Victorian fire services are reminding households to remain vigilant when warming their home.

People are being urged to make sure heating systems areregularlyinspected to avoid afire sparking.

CFA and Fire Rescue Victoria(FRV)firefighters respond to an averageof3000residential fires across the state each year, and more than 240 of those are caused by heating systems.

Home heating systems vary and can include fixed electrical or gas-poweredappliances, portable electrical, gas or kerosene heaters, as well as open fires and wood heaters.

CFA acting chief officer, Garry Cook AFSM said as people begin to spend more time indoors, Victorians should ensure they have their gas and electrical heaters serviced every two years to safeguard their loved ones from fire.

“We’ve already seen CFA respond to 23 heater fires this year, and we’re only just enteringthe winter season,” Mr Cook said.

“We know from last year’s data that most fires thatresulted in serious injuriesand fatalities started in lounge rooms and sleeping areas, and for those lounge areas, these were mostly sparked by heating systems that at times were not working properly and when located too close to flammable materials.

“A common mistake we are findingishouseholds are keeping theirdrying clothes tooclose to heaters and fireplaces, so it’s best to ensure they are at least one metre away from all heating.

“Regardless of when you turn aheater on, just be mindful to turn them off before you leave the house or go to sleep.”

FireRescue Commissioner, Gavin Freeman AFSM saidthe colder months are some of the riskiest times of the year for fires in the home, and most of these fires can be prevented.

“Taking afew moments to check your heaters andfireplaces before winter sets in could mean the difference between life and death for your family,” he said.

“Make sure your heaters are regularly cleaned, serviced, or checked by acertified technician. Don’t leave portable heaters unattended andalways

supervise children near all types of heaters.

“Don’t forget to check in on any outdoor heaters you may have as well, ensuring the area they are positioned in is flat, has good air flow and away from objects that can catch alight.

“As their purpose is to be outside, never use your outdoorheatersorcookingequipment insideyour home, as it can lead to deadly build-up of gases.”

Victorians are urged to keep their heating devices well-maintained and remember that10-year longlife batteryorinterconnected smoke alarms located in all bedrooms and living areas of the home can save lives for as little as $20.

When it comes to home heating, FRV and CFA recommends:

 Never leave portable heaters and fireplaces unattended; turn off heating devices before leaving home or going to sleep;

 Drying clothes and other items must be kept at least one metre away from all heating;

 Residents should have their gas heaters inspected and serviced every two years to

ensure the safety of loved ones from carbon monoxide poisoning or fire;

 Children must be supervised near all types of heating. Maintain asafe distance between children and heating;

 Heaters should be installed as per the manufacturer’s instructions, away from wet areas if they are portable and when purchasing aheater look for one that has an automatic safety switch that will turn off if the heater is tipped over;

 Residents should note home heating systems include fixed electrical or gas-powered appliances, portable electrical, gas or kerosene heaters, as well as open fires and wood heaters, and;

 Victorians should purchase affordable smoke alarms and prioritise installing them in all bedrooms, hallways and living areas. Smoke alarms should be tested monthly and cleaned annually to ensure they are working properly.

Application to change aregistered political party’s name

THE Victorian Electoral Commission(VEC) has received an applicationtochange the name of aregistered political party in accordance with the Electoral Act 2002 (Electoral Act).

Current name of party:Liberal Democratic Party

Current abbreviation: Liberal Democrats

Proposed name: Libertarian Party

Proposed abbreviation: Libertarian The application is signed by the secretary of the party.

The application does not include the registration of anew logo and the party has requested to deregister the current logo from the register of political parties.

Objections to the proposed change must be submitted to the VEC in writing no later than Monday, July 10.

Valid reasonsfor objection include the party’s name not being allowed under section 47 of the Electoral Act.

Letters of objection can be posted to the VEC, Level 11, 530 CollinsStreet, Melbourne, VIC 3000, or sent to the Party Registration team via email to rppregistration@vec.vic.gov.au

Objections must be signed and include the objector’s address.

Details of any objections will be deidentified and be made available to the applicant.

Fire services are reminding households to remain vigilant when warming their home and to make sure heating systems are regularly inspected Photo: Contributed

Maffra Hospital receive donation

AGED care residents and staff at Maffra Hospital have been thrilled by adonation from the Maffra District Hospital Ladies Auxiliary.

Thefundraising group recently gifted five flatscreen televisions and three hairdryers to the JHF McDonald Wing.

The items -worth acombined total of $1300 -were approved for purchaseand presentedtothe hospital in April.

Central Gippsland Health (CGH) director of aged

care, Caron Mallettsaid the hospital was very thankful to the auxiliary for its ongoing commitment to patients and residents.

“Not only do members continue to raise funds for the purchaseoffurniture and medical equipment, but they also provide friendship to many of our residents,” Ms Mallett said.

“This generous donation supports us to provide the comforts of home to those within our care.

“As an organisation, we take great pride in

Inquiry into housing crisis

THE Parliamentary Inquiry into rental and housing crisis in Victoria is under way, with public submissions open until early July.

Member for Eastern Victoria region, Melina Bath said the issueofrental and housingaffordability continuestogrowacrosseastern Victoria.

“I have spoken with individuals, relief agencies, local councils and property agents, and the overwhelming response is it’s an incredibly difficult market for people looking for somewhere to live,” Ms Bath said.

“The rise in property prices, cost of living and interest rates have added even more pressure, making it challenging to find asafeand secure place to live.

“It is concerning that Victoria’s publichousing waitlist is also experiencing record high levels.

“Those in urgent need of public housing assistance are forced to wait years to get aroof above their heads.

“Many have little choice and are stuck using unsuitable transitional housing options including homelessness, sleeping rough, couch surfing, boarding houses or crisis accommodation.”

Recent analysis by the Council to Homeless Persons showed the number of homeless people is continuing to grow in Eastern Victoria region, with five state electorates listed in the top 20. Homelessness increased in the Morwell electorate (#5)by85per cent,Pakenham electorate (#12) by 113 per cent, Evelyn electorate (#15), Nepean electorate(#20)by58per cent and

Gippsland East (#14) electorate by 10 per cent.

The Inquiry into rental and housing affordability crisisisbeing run by the Parliament’s Upper House Legal and Social Issues Committee.

Ms Bath said this Inquiryischarged with examining the many challenges renters face, and the factors contributing to the current rental and housing affordability crisis in Victoria.

“It is aiming to identify the factors that contribute to the low availability and high costs of rental properties," she said.

"The barriers to firsthome ownership and the impact that this has on rental stock will also be explored.

“In addition,itwilllook at the regulations that cover the standards and conditions of rental housing, and the impact of short-stay accommodation on the housing market.

“The committeewants to hear fromeveryday renters, property owners, industry experts and communityorganisations.

“Given the surge in homelessness in regional Victoria and low availability and high cost of privaterentals,it’s important for the Inquiry to receive many submissions.”

Submissions close on July 7and the committee is to report back to Parliament by November 17.

Full details on the Inquiry and how to make asubmission can be found on the Parliament of Victoria website at new.parliament.vic.gov. au/rentalandhousinginquiry

providing high quality care and services with the supportwereceive fromthe auxiliaryand local community.”

The Maffra District Hospital Ladies Auxiliary has been part of the community for more than 50 years, and has aproud history of donating money and equipment to the hospital.

Money is sourced through raffles, functions and other fundraising opportunities, as well as donations from the community.

According to president Ruth Ralph,the auxiliary’s

roleistoprovidefor the hospital “anything that they thinkisgoing to make life better for residents, and the staff”.

One of the more recent traditions of the auxiliary has been to purchase individual Christmas gifts for each resident, much to their delight.

Ms Ralph expressed her gratitude to the Maffra community for their generosity and support.

For more information about theauxiliary and how to participate in its fundraisingactivities, call Maffra Hospital on 5147 0100.

Residents of Maffra Hospital’s JHF McDonald Wingwiththeir new TVs, gifted by auxiliary’s Carol Whelanand Ruth Ralph (centre).

Photo: TomParry

Ensuring safety for child workers

NEW laws to strengthen protections for children working in cafes, shops and other businesses, and make it easier for responsible businesses to comply with their legal obligations come into effect on July 1.

Achild employment licensing system will replace the existing permit system and enable abusiness to employ multiple children under one licence, rather than having to apply for apermit for each child they employ.

The new licensing system includes a“fitand proper person” testwhich considers, among other things,anemployer’s compliance with child employment and other relevant workplace laws.

Victoria’s child employment watchdog, Wage Inspectorate Victoria, will be given new powers, including the ability to issue compliance and infringement notices to businesses that have done the wrong thing but may not meet the criteria for prosecution.

The maximum penalty for employingachild without apermit or licence will increase from $18,500 to more than $200,000.

In Victoria,employers requireapermittoemploy anyone under15, but children can do delivery work from11and work in other roles from13, including in retail and hospitality.

“The new system will make it easier for responsible businessestounderstand theirobligations when it comes to child employment,” he said.

“The safety and wellbeing of children in the workplace is the number one priority -strengthening the law will help keep our kids protected.”

Research commissionedbythe Wage Inspectorate shows that one in three Victorians mistakenly believe 14 and nine months is the age children can start working without restriction in Victoria -this used to be the age when children could leave school and enter the workforce, which is where the misapprehension has come from.

The misconception is more common in regional areas, with 40 per cent of people nominating the incorrect threshold for children to be able to work.

Wage InspectorateVictoria Commissioner Robert Hortle said it was critical employers were across regulations.

“One in 10 kidsinVictoria are working whichcan provide valuable experienceand spending money, but we need to make sure they’re taken care of in the workplace,” he said.

Minister for IndustrialRelations

Tim Pallas said the new system was designed to ensure transparency.

“All workplaces have risks, and those risks are magnified for young workers. If you want to employ someone under 15, it’s important to do so safely.” More information about child employment and the upcoming changes can be found at wageinspectorate.vic.gov.au.

New family violence podcast

ANEW podcast exploringthe complex dynamics of financial abuse and coercive control in relationships has been released by Crime Stoppers Victoria.

An eye-opening two-episode series, titled ‘What is financial abuse’ and ‘Escaping financial abuse’, features Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Family Violence Command, Lauren Callaway, and Safe Steps chief executive Dr Chelsea Tobin. The series, made in partnership with BankVic, aims to educate the community on the significant impacts of financial abuse and how to escape this rising form of family violence.

Crime Stoppers Victoria chief executive Stella Smith said financialabuse wasoften misunderstood by the community -evenbythose suffering from it.

“Financial abusecan happen to anyone,whether it’s aform of control over your income, child support, pension, or even forcing you to sign important

Improve skills with webinar

FEDERATION UniversityAustralia will hold awebinar on upskilling on Thursday June 22, providing advice on how people can make the leap to higher-level roles within their organisation, or make acareer change.

Alongwith discussing the range of programs on offer, the lunchtime webinar will include informationabout flexible study options,academicsupport,scholarships and fees.

The webinar will be held from 12.30pm to 1pm. To register, visit events.federation. edu.au and click on ‘Upskilling Webinar’.

documents such as mortgages or loans,” Ms Smith said.

“Financial abuse occurs whenever aperson’s financial independence is restricted through manipulative and controlling behaviour.

“Through our new podcast series, Crime Stoppers Victoria is hoping to shed some light on this form of family violence and to help support those who are suffering from it.”

Assistant Commissioner Callaway, who features in the first episode of the series, said financial abuse and coercive control often wasn’t recognised as traditional family violence by the public.

“In Victoria, we have the broadest definition of what family violence is, and financial abuse and coercive control are includedinthat definition,” she said.

“We know that family violence occurs in all sorts of settings, and our priority is to keep these victims safe and bring the perpetrators to justice”.

Safe Steps chief executive Dr Chelsea Tobin, who features in the second episode of the series, said Safe Steps wasAustralia’s only 24/7 crisis response service which assisted victim-survivors of family violence.

Dr Tobin described financial abuse as, “a strategic campaign of abuse held together by fear.”

“That’s what Ihear on the phones every day here at Safe Steps, victim-survivors having adebt in their name but not being associated with the asset, having car insurance but no car, and having to beg fornecessities such as groceries, petrol money and medical appointments.

“Safe Steps is the crisis entry point for the wider family violence service system in Victoria and our phones are open 24 hours aday every single day of the year. We want people to know if you need our help, please call us,” she said.

To listen to the podcast, searchfor Crime Stoppers Victoria on your favourite podcast app, or visit https://play.acast.com/s/crime-stoppers-vic

Free rego for apprentices

THE state government is backing Victoria’s hardworking apprentices, helping to ease cost-of-living pressures by making vehicle registration free for eligible apprentices from next month.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Roads and Road Safety,Melissa Horne recently visited the Kangan Institute in Broadmeadowstomeet apprentices who will be eligible for free vehicle registration from July 1, saving them up to $865 every year.

The $10 millioninitiative is being deliveredinthe Victorian Budget 2023/24 to put more moneyback in Victorianapprentices’ pockets -and willprovide free registration to apprentices like carpenters, joiners, bricklayers, plumbers, electricians and chefs if their employer can verify that theirvehicle is an essential part of their work.

The initiative adds to anumberofmeasures the stategovernmenthas introducedtoease financial pressure for trainees and apprentices across the state.

Apprenticeswho needtheir car for work are already entitled to a50per centdiscount on their vehicle’s registration fee as part of the state

government’s Trade Apprentice Registration Discountscheme -with more than 12,000 apprenticesand traineescurrently taking advantageof the discount.

The scheme was introduced in 2016 to reduce costs for trade apprentices needing to use their own vehicle for work purposes, and expanded to border communities earlier in the year -giving apprentices who live in Victoria but work in New South Wales and South Australia the same savings as those who live and work in Victoria.

The government has also made car registration morebudget-friendly by introducing short-term registration, allowingVictorian families to split the cost of rego fees into smaller payments.

Learner and probationary licences and online testing are now also free, while drivers who have not incurred demerit points or committed road safety offences in the three years prior to their licence expiringbenefit from thereintroduction of a25per cent discount on their licence renewal. Eligible apprentices can apply for the free vehicle registration via the myVicRoadsportal on the VicRoads website.

Using June to raiseawareness for BowelCancer

JUNE is BowelCancerAwareness Month.

Bowel Cancer Australia's initiative raises awareness of Australia's second deadliest cancer, and helps the leading community-funded charity dedicated to prevention, early diagnosis, research, quality treatment and the best care for everyone affected by bowel cancer.

Bowel cancerclaimsthe lives of 103 Australians every week (5354 people ayear) -but it's oneofthe most treatabletypes of cancer when detected early.

While the risk of bowel cancer increases significantly with age, the disease doesn't discriminate, affecting people of all ages.

Atotal of 300 Australians will be diagnosed with bowel cancer this week (15,610 people ayear).

Symptoms of bowel cancer are:

 Bleeding from the rectum (this may be noticed as blood in the stools);

 Symptoms of anaemia;

 Achangeinbowel habit (loose stools or constipation);

 Abdominal pain or cramping;

 Bloating;

 Weight loss, and;

 Unexplained tiredness or fatigue

Risk factors include:

 Increasing age;

 Apersonal history of bowel cancer or polyps;

 Afamily history of bowel cancer, adenoma or gynaecological cancer, and;

Bakefor babies… and beds!

 Apersonal history of inflammatory bowel disease.

For people at average or near average risk of bowel cancer,Australian medical guidelines recommend screening using afaecal immunochemical test (FIT) every two years between ages 50-74.

Low risk: People with no first or second-degree relative with bowel cancer

Medium risk: Those withone first-degree relative with bowel cancer diagnosed at 55 years or older

High risk: One first-degree and one seconddegree relative diagnosed with bowel cancer at 55 years or older

Ahealthy lifestyle can reduce/modify risk.

Ahealthy lifestyle is defined as these five factors:

 Normal body weight;

 Never smoked or past smoking with packyears under five;

 Moderate-to-vigorous intensity activity for more than 30 minutes per day;

 None-to-moderate alcohol intake, and;

 Meeting at least three of the six dietary recommendations by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) Third Expert Report 2018.

These WCRF dietary recommendations include red meat (no more than half aserving per day), processed meat (no more than a0.2 serving), dietary fibre (over30grams perday), dairyproducts (over threeservingsaday), whole grains (over 48 grams aday) or account for at least half of total grains, and calcium supplement use.

Photo: File

Letters reflecting on gun reform

TomParry

LETTERS written to John Howard in the aftermath of the PortArthur massacre are the latest items to be included in the National Museum of Australia.

The museum announced last Thursday, June 15 that it had acquired correspondence between Mr Howard and Walter Mikac, discussing potential changes to Australia’s firearm laws.

In total, fiveofthe letterssentbybothmen have been placed on display in the museum, which is located in Canberra.

Mr Mikac wrote in the first of his letters, dated May 7, 1996: “As the person who lost his wife &2 beautiful daughters at Port Arthur Iamwriting to you (Mr Howard) to give you the strength to ensure no person in Australia ever has to suffer such aloss.”

“Powerless and in deep grief, Iwas compelled to take action. Writing to Prime Minister John Howardwas the logical choice,” Mr Mikac said of the letters.

“If our gun safety was going to change it had to come from the top.”

The Port Arthur massacre occurred on April 28,

1996 and saw 35 people killed in one of the worst mass shootings in Australia’s history.

Mr Mikac’s wife Nanette and his two daughters, Alannahand Madeline were three of the victims.

Mr Howard was just one month into his 11-year term as PrimeMinister when the horrific event took place.

Under his leadership and with bipartisan support, thegovernment enacted historic, strictreforms that placed aban on semi-automatic rifles and pumpaction shotguns, and introducedacompulsory gun buy-back scheme that acquired more than 640,000 firearms at acost of $500 million.

When inflation is considered, that figure would be over $954 million today.

The reforms and the buy-back scheme were not withoutcontroversy,and generated protests among gun owners and lobby groups.

Sale became unwittingly involved in the national debate when Mr Howard attended agun rally on June 16,1996 at Sale Oval,where he addressed attendees from the Cliff Gamlin Stand with a bullet-proof vest clearly visible under his suit.

SpeakingtoDavid Wenham on TV program The ABC Of last year, Mr Howard revealedhedidn’t want to wearthe vest,but waspersuaded to do so.

“I didn’t feel unsafe, but my close advisor and friend, Graheme Morris said ‘Look John, how will I explaintoJanette if some lunaticshoots you?’” Mr Howard said -Janette being his wife of 50 years.

“And so Iwas persuaded on the strength of that to wear it, and Ifelt afterwards Ishouldn’t have donesobecause,although there were alot of angry people there, Ididn’t feel unsafe.”

The Port Arthur massacre and the subsequent response of the Coalition government is today regarded as adefining momentofMrHoward’s Prime Ministership.

In aletter dated July 2, 1996, Mr Howard writes: “In the twenty-two years Ihave been in politics I have not experienced any other event which has so shocked the community and galvanised the political leadership of this country.”

“It has brought together the major political parties at all levels of government with adetermination to achieve historic and permanent change in the way our society approaches the possession and use of dangerous firearms.”

Mr Mikac would later form the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, anon-profit organisation dedicated to keeping children freefrom violence and trauma.

Appreciating the distinctive and unique RoyalSpoonbill

Birdofthe Month –June2023

Royal Spoonbill

ROYAL Spoonbills are among the most distinctive of birds, easily recognised as they stride through shallow water swinging their long,black spoonshaped bills from side to side. They’re alarge white waterbirdwith the black spoon-shaped bill, and black facial skin, legs and feet. The snowy-white plumage and textured, spoon-shapedbillmake this species unmistakeable. The sexes are alike, although male is slightly larger with longer bill and legs.

Found in all states throughout eastern and northern mainland Australia, it is only arare visitor to Tasmania and not found south-west of Broome in WA. Favoured habitat is shallow freshwater and

saltwater wetlands, intertidal mud flats and wet grasslands, as well as artificial wetlands such a sewagelagoons,damsand reservoirs. Whilemainly sedentary, they have been recorded taking longdistance dispersal movements after breeding. Their food is mainly fish in freshwater, and shrimps in tidal flats but they will take other crustaceans and aquatic insects. Thestructure of the bill limits them to feeding in water that is less than 40cm deep over sand, mud or clay. They use varying methods to catch food; aslow, wide sweeping from side to side with an open bill, a rapid sweeping while striding through the water, as well as dragging, probing and grabbing motions. Small vibration detectors on the inside of the ‘spoon’ allows them to feel for prey items even in murky water and they can feed by dayornight. Once

food is caught, they lift their bill up and let the food slide down their throat. They will also bash shrimpsagainst hard objects to remove theirshells.

Duringthe breeding seasonboth males and females grow white plumes along the nape of the neckupto20cmlong that are often untidily blown about in the wind. The crest can be erect during matingdisplays to revealared forehead spot. They also have abright yellow “eyebrow”. Forming monogamous pairs for the duration of the breeding season, they nest in colonies alongside other waterbirds. Asolid, bowl-shaped nest is built of sticks and twigs lined with leaves and water plants and usually placed in the crown of atree hanging over the water. Nest sites may be reused year after year. Both sexes incubate the eggs and feed the young. Young birds (with short bills) will

forage alongside their parents for some time before the family group disperses.

The Royal Spoonbill is not tolerant of disturbances, especially when breeding, and destruction of habitat by land-clearing, drainage, increased salinity or flooding andweedinvasion are all detrimental to both feeding and breeding. However, artificial wetlands have been beneficial in some areas.

BirdLife East Gippsland meet weekly for Monday morning outings. New members are always welcome. Check out their Facebook page and Birdlife Australia events page for more information. Birdlife Australia recommends participants are fully vaccinated against Coronavirus.

Former Prime Minister John Howard addressing arally at Sale Oval on June 16, 1996.`

Photo:National Museum of Australia

PROUDLYBROUGHT TO YOUBYTHESE PARTICIPATINGLOCAL BUSINESSES

Crossword Puzzle No.8539

with Muzza

ONE POINTERS

1. What was the name of the bar that Sam Malone ran?

2. What is the medical term for the study of the brain and nervous system?

3. What does D&D mean in this roll playing game?

4. Which of the Seven Dwarfs is first alphabetically?

TWO POINTERS

5. What was Beethovens first name??

6. What word, beginning with E, goes after tennis and before room to make two other words?

7. What is the scientific name for laughing gas?

8. Which singer has had hits with ‘I Shot The Sherriff’,‘Tearsin Heaven’ and ‘Layla’

THREE POINTERS

9. How many years is aPearl Wedding Anniversary?

10. In which country would you find the Dolomites?

11. In the nursery rhyme Jack and Jill, what did Jack bind his head with along with brown paper?

12. ‘Carpe Diem’ is popularly translated into English as what?

FOUR POINTERS

13. What is asad anagram of GYRATED?

14. Which horror film used Mike Oldfields ‘Tubular Bells’ as its theme?

FIVE POINTER

15. Guess the Australian celebrity from their eyes. One point for each correct answer

Target Time No.0163

Howtoplay.

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

E I S G R A N P

Sudoku No.0163

Howtoplay...

Fill the grid so thateveryrow and every 3x3 square contains the digits 1to9 Solution page 32

Urgent need for Oand Ablood

AUSTRALIAN Red Cross Lifebloodisurging8500 peoplewith Oand Ablood groupstodonateinthe next fortnight as the cold and flu season, combined with ongoing COVID-19cases, has created aperfect storm for apotential blood donor shortage. Around 2000 donors aweek are cancelling and rescheduling appointments due to cold and flu symptoms, and it is expected to get worse in the coming weeks.

Lifeblood Executive Director of Donor Experience, Cath Stone said Lifeblood data showsthat higher numbers of people are cancelling or rescheduling their donations duetocold,flu andCOVID-19 symptoms this year compared to last year. “We are expectingthose cancellations to increase over the coming weeks so are asking people with Oand Ablood types to book adonation,” she said.

“More than 80 per cent of the population has an

OorAblood type, meaningthese arethe types most needed by patients.

“O Negative, the universal blood type, is found in fewer thanseven per cent of the population, making it one of the rarer blood types, however its versatilitymeans it makes up 16 per centof the blood ordered by hospitals.

“It is used to treat patientswhentheir blood type is unknown. It’s often stocked in ambulances and rescue helicopters to be used to treat trauma patients who can require huge quantities of blood in ashort amount of time.”

To combat the seasonal drop in donors, Lifeblood has partneredwith emergency services across the country to launchablood drivetohelp secureblood stocks over the winter months.

“Emergency service workers are used to coming to the rescue in times of need and emergencies,

Funds for inclusive learning

CHILDRENwith adisability, developmental delay and additional or special needs will get evenmore assistance to learn and thrive at kinder through the state government’s investment in early education programs which promoteinclusion.

Minister for Early Childhood and Pre Prep, Ingrid Stittrecentlyannounced $18.1 million over four years as part of theVictorian Budget 2023/24 to moderniseand tailor support for the littlest learners in the state to get the best start in life. This funding will help make early learning more accessible, easier and more fun with anew approach to inclusion in kindergartens, through strength-based learning plans, new needs assessments and educationapproacheswhich more closelyalign with the Disability Inclusionreforms for schools.

“Kindergarten is for all children- that’swhy we’re modernisingand tailoringsupport for children with additional needs, so they can fully engage in, and benefit from, two years of funded kindergarten,” Ms Stitt said.

“Our Best Start, Best Life reforms are transforming early childhood education, saving hard-working families money and supporting parents to return to the workforce if they choose.”

Children with additional needswill be further supported to learnalongside theirpeers with specialised equipment, including standing framesand hoists continuing to be available at no cost to kindergartens, under an extensionof the Kindergarten Inclusion SupportSpecialised Equipmentprogram.

The $18.1 million package will also streamline applications and assessments under the Kindergarten InclusionSupport program, making it easier for kinders to hire additional staff and train existing educators in line with demand.

The investment also boosts the number of Pre-School Field Officers (PSFO), who are highly experiencedprofessionals that work with early childhood teaching teams.

The PSFOs will be placed in high-growth areas of the state to provideinclusive programs for children with additionalneeds to learn, contribute and grow at kinder.

The Victorian Budget2023/24provides $1.8 billion overfiveyears to continue the transformation of early childhood education in Victoria, making all kinder free and building $1.2 billion in infrastructure projects.

WE’VE BEEN OVERRUN WITH “RATS!”

and at this time of year they will also help save lives by donating bloodand plasma,” Ms Stone said Make an appointment to donate this winter by calling 13 14 95, visiting lifeblood.com.auorthe Donate Blood app. Right now, Lifeblood needs 8500 peopletodonate

bloodand plasma in thenext fortnight, in particular people who have Oand Ablood groups.

State breakdown of donors needed in thenext fortnight: VIC 2600, ACT 300, SA 550, NSW 2500, TAS 350, NT 100, QLD 1100, WA 1000.

Time in lieu for teachers attending school camps

THE Australian Education Union Victorian Branch has achievedasignificant win which will see the state government provide an additional $130 million for school budgets over four years to resolve the school camp time in lieu ‘off duty’ dispute before the Fair Work Commission.

The winmeansthat public school teachers and education support staff attending aschool camp overnight will be regarded as being at least on call for eight hours and receive apayment for this time.

In addition, for the remaininghoursonaschool camp,outside of the overnight hours and normal hoursofduty,employees required to attend as part of the student supervision ratios will accruetimeinlieu for being either on call or performing duties.

Critically, thestate government hasprovided the additional funding schools will require for the overnight payment.

Thesearrangements, including the overnight on callpayment, will apply to all school camps, other than overseas school camps or any period of aschool camp occurring during aschool holiday period.

“This important win has been achieved as a direct result of the actions of AEU members, including those who lodged local grievances, and builds on the improved entitlements achieved in the Schools Agreement last year,” Victorian Branch president, Meredith Peace said.

“It means that whenateacher or education supportstaff member is required to attenda camp overnight or to meet student supervision ratios, they cannot be deemed to be ‘off duty’.

“The significant new funding will reduce the pressure on schools to providetimeinlieu to staff where they are required to work outside of their normal hours of duty while enablingschools to plan their camps programs with certainty.

“The outcome respects and recognises the huge contribution teachers and education support staff maketoenable students to attend overnight camps.”

The AEU Victorian Branch lodged adispute with the Victorian Department of Education in the Fair Work Commission after it issued school time in lieu operational guidelines,statingthat teachers and education support staff requiredto attend school camps could be ‘off-duty’ overnight and would therefore not be eligible for the time in lieu entitlements provided for in the state government Schools Agreement 2022.

The AEU successfully settled the dispute with the Department and has won funding for an on call overnight payment, funded by the government, for public school teachers and education support staff for each nightoncamp, which will applyfromJanuary 1this year.

‘The Flash’ film reviewed

WARNER Bros. and DC have released their latest picture, The Flash in theatres. Our resident film buffsTom Parry andStefan Bradley went to check it out.

TP: Well Stefan, it’s good to have you back, reviewing yet another superheromovie dealing with multiverses.

SB: That’s right, andthere was alot of hype surrounding this one. Ithink this latest picture comes close to being great; it doesn't stick the landing, but the first two-thirds of this movie I thought was quite good.

TP: Theplotsees Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) -also known as superheroThe Flash,who can runfaster than the speed of light -travel back in time to savehis parents fromatragic event.Trouble is, in doing so he creates an alternate universe where superheroes, or “meta-humans” don’t exist, with one or two exceptions.

SB: For instance,inthisnew universe we have aBatman, but instead of being played by Ben Affleck, he’s played by Michael Keaton -reprising his role from theTim Burton movies. Also, we have Sasha Calle playing Supergirl in this movie. Ithought she had excellent presenceineach scene she was in, where you could not only admire her superpowers, but also her emotional range. Iwas left wanting more, because she has second billing on this movie, but her role was relatively minor. I think they would have been better off just having Henry Cavill as Superman, which is what the fans would have wanted, and allowed Calle to star in her own movie as Supergirl.

TP: Ifeel much the same way; but given how many big names and famous faces appear, Ican understand why she had alesser role. Obviously, we won’t spoil every cameothatappears in The Flash,but Iwill say Iwas amazed at how much DC and filmhistory they were able to craminto one

movie. As for the overall movie, Ithought it was okay,close to good. One of the major problems is it didn’t do enough to keep me emotionally invested. Iwasn’tparticularly interested in Barry’s conflict, andthe film doesn’t do aparticularly good job of establishing his backstory or character.

SB: Ithinkthe basicpremise of Barry going back in time to save his mother Nora (Maribel Verdú) is acompelling hook, but it felt like they abandoned that arc until the very end.

TP: It’s almost ared herring or aMacGuffin, in away that propels the plot forward to establish the realconflict, whichexplores what happens when you mess with history.And the best thing about The Flash is that it puts adifferent spin on time-travel that we haven’t seen in any other movie -inrecent times, at least.

SB: What did you think of the visual effects?

TP: The slow-motion sequences where Barry is running are somewhat impressive, but most other special effects are unconvincing -you can tell that the visuals were brought to life via computer and on atight budget, particularly when they attempt to de-age charactersoruse adigital likeness of certain actors.

SB: The time sphere scenes looked abit over-thetop with its CGI; but Ienjoyed all of the slow-motion sequences, especially in the beginning.

TP: Most of the actionsequencesare decent. I will also give credit to composer Benjamin Wallfisch for incorporating elements of Danny Elfman’s score from Batman and Batman Returns into the soundtrack, if only because Ienjoy his work so much.

SB: And on the subject of Batman,what did you make of Michael Keaton’s return as Bruce Wayne?

TP: It was such apleasure to see him in the role again, and he really leans into the character -it’s almost as thoughhenever stopped being Batman

SB: BenAffleck as the other Batman was also a highlight -this may be the best version of 'Batfleck' we've seen. Most of the other cameos were fairly disappointing in my view.

TP: Honestly, for me the cameos were the most enjoyable part, and they’re probably the biggest drawcard -particularly if you’ve beenalifelongDC fan that has consumed all of theirmovies.They even offer very obscure references that only the most tragic of fans would recognise.

SB: There's beensome mediocre superhero movies lately,but that run was broken by two other terrific superhero films released in the past two months - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which are far superior to The Flash.But in saying that,I would re-watch it over Black Adam, Ant-Man and the Wasp:Quantumania or the Shazam! sequel. In fact, I'd see it again in aheartbeat over watching Morbius for the first time.

TP: It’scertainly one of the better DC films in recent times. Idon’t know whether it’s better than, say, Aquaman or Wonder Woman,and it’s definitely not as good as The Batman,but at least Icracked asmile more than once.

The Flash is ratedMfor Science fiction themes,violence and coarse language, and is currently screening at Sale Cinema.

The Flash

Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) in ‘The Flash’.

Images: Warner Bros

Michael Keaton makes his long-awaited return as Batman in ‘The Flash’.

Locally producedaudio-drama

AFTERmore thantwo years in production, anew and exciting locallyproduced audio-drama has now been released to the public.

Written by Briagolong residents, Rod McMillan and Michèle Adler, RYKO -A Wild Life tells the exciting story of Ted Ryko (aka Edward Reichenbach), an adventurous cyclist and photographer who travelled extensively across Australia’s mysterious, dangerous and ‘tantalising’ Top End in 1914-17.

Ryko hadconqueredthe nearly 3000 kilometres overlandcycling recordacross the desertfrom Adelaide to the frontier town of Darwin, but he soon discovered adivided society that pushed him to new limits.

Narratedbyformer ABC radio gardening presenter, Michèle Adler(who is Ted Ryko’s granddaughter), Ryko’s exploits and the travails that beset him are vibrantly brought to life by a large number of talented, multi-skilled artists including 26 voice actors, 20 musicians, two brass bands, composers, sound designers, recordists, engineers and foley artists.

Produced by Rod McMillan, the audio-dramahas arun time of four-and-a-half hoursand is presented in 15 episodes for easy listening.

About half of the performers were Gippslanders, illustrating the wonderful expertise localshave at their own door-step.

Local voiceswere Helen Waddington, Gavin Prior, Anna Roberts,Robert Leggett, Tony Dawkins, Margie McGown and Nevaeh Bryant.

Musicians included Gary Joyner, Julie Lockhart and Jane Neilson who also accompanied singer Jenny Candy, plus the Sale City BrassBand conducted by CarolineMonck andmembers of

the GippslandSymphonyOrchestra strings section conducted by David Williams (recorded by Barrie Clissold at Wombat Rd Studio).

For acomplete list of people involved (and more information) go to www.adland.com.au and follow links to The Ryko Project.

RYKO -AWild Life is available on 43 audio-book platforms (including Spotify).

The entertaining, creative production accentuates themes of cultural storytelling through a mix of Western, Indigenous and Eastern music and language, all wrapped in classic Australian adventure and humour.

It is an intensely human story basedonreal

events, and presents an authentic representation of the historical, political and cultural context of the time.

It challenges views of prejudice and disenfranchisement, dual citizenship, xenophobia and paranoia in amulti-cultural, de-stabilised environment.Itreveals aproto-treaty (still not recognised) from the Indigenous Crocodile Islanders of Arnhem Land to the Northern Territory government.

It also provides avoice for the contribution thatthe then disenfranchisedChinesemadeto Australia, and highlights truths of how some Australian citizens of German descent were treated during World War 1.

Some of the Gippslanders involved in theproduction of: RYKO-AWildLife. Helen Waddington, RodMcMillan, Michèle Adler(front) Nevaeh Bryant, Margie McGown, Anna Roberts and Jenny Candy.

Vince Jones on tour

THE man withthe voice fromheaven,the acclaimed and legendary Vince Jones, will this week be revisiting the songs from his award-winning album Come in Spinner live in concert.

Originally produced for the ABC miniseries of the samename, thealbum wonthe hearts of thousands of Australian households,going double-platinum and

winning an ARIA Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album in 1991.

Three decades on, Jones is now performing the album live as part of anational tour,which includes aone-nightonly performance in Sale.

As part of the tour, Jones is being accompanied by his dynamic 17-piecebig bandand special guest, vocalist

 Maffra Neighbourhood House will be closed for the school holidays from 3.30pm on Friday, June 23 and will reopen on Monday, July 10 at 9am. The Term 3 brochure can be viewed on Facebook or the Maffra Neighbourhood House website and the Term 3flyer will be delivered to mailboxes during the second week of the school holidays.

 The next meeting of the Maffra CWA branch will be held on Monday, June 26 in the function centre at the Maffra Recreation Reserve, 6Maffra Newry Road, Maffra.

The day will commenceat11amwith a masterclass on how to knit fingerless gloves, wool provided, pleasebringa pair of 4mm knitting needles.

The monthly meeting will commence at 1pm after abring your own lunch.

The monthly competitions are best bloom or stem and something relating to the country of study -Namibia.

 Maffra Indoor Bowls are holding asoup and sandwich luncheon on Wednesday, June 28, at 11.30am. Names on list in clubhouse or ring club on 5147 1974 or Joy on 0438 456 875, names to be submitted before 12.30pm. Lunch will be followed by indoor bowls at 1pm.

Nina Ferro. Combined,they will be showcasingdynamic new interpretationsoficonic songs like“IGot you Under My Skin”, “The Man ILove”, “You Go to My Head”, and many more classic songs from the World War 2era Come in Spinner: The Concert promises to be an evening celebrating romance, passion, life, friendship and love that breathes freshlife into Jones’ much-loved album.

Vince Jones and Nina Ferro will be appearingatThe Wedge on Saturday,June 24 from 8pm. For more information and tickets, visitthewedge.com. au or call the box-office on 5143 3200.

Renowned jazz musician Vince Jonesisheaded for TheWedge.

Photo: Contributed

Photo: Contributed

Bowie unzipped

BOWIEUNZIPPED is the show that has been packing venues all over town and just keeps rolling on as Jeff Duff presents his unique interpretation of the songs of David Bowie.

So much more than just atribute show, Jeff's unique and powerfultakeonthe David Bowie songbook has fans returning night after night.

Jeff's all-star band features guitarist Jak Housden fromthe Whitlams along withkeyboardplayer Glenn Rhodes and drummer-percussionist Jess Ciampa.

"Flamboyant, eccentric, charming and with a stunning voice! Jeff Duff is one of the greatest entertainers Australia has produced," Australian music icon Molly Meldrum said.

Rock historian Glenn ABaker's much heralded Duffo quote says it all.

"I don't thinkit's overstatingthe case to say that, had Jeff Duff hailed from acountry in the top half of the world,hecould now be as acknowledged and

acclaimed as David Bowie or Lou Reed or Iggy Pop". Of course it doesn't carry quite the impact of the famous Andy Warhol utterance:"Sinatra, Presley, Jagger, and now Duffo".

Duffo has long been acknowledged as the closest thingtothe real Bowie that Australian audiences will ever get to experience.

Jeff's personal connection to Bowie is well documented. Bowie frequented Duffo's own shows when he was performing in London in the late 70's and early 80's.

Ironically, when Jeff returned to Australia in the late 80s, Bowietracked him down when he discovered they were living next door to one another in Elizabeth Bay in Sydney… aperfect example of serendipity!

Bowie's official website 'BowieNet' hassupported Duffo's careerwith glowingalbum reviews and the promotion of his Australian shows.

In Bowie'sabsence …ifyou really want to

experience the nextbestthingtothe 'thin white duke',don't miss Jeff's upcomingshows with his all-star band.

"Jeff doesn't try to impersonate Bowie, he simply does his own spectacular thing with the thin white dukes songs," Faster Louder Magazine said.

"If you closed your eyes, you could believe it was

Bowie on stage."

Bowie Unzipped will performatGippsland Regional Arts Centre (Traralgon) on July 23. Newborough local Erin Tatlowonce won an episode of the ABC quiz show Hard Quiz, with David Bowie as her special subject.

Writers wanted Writerswanted

WANTED: 12 writers who like achallenge.

Inverloch artist John Mutsaers is fascinated by the intersection of the visual and literary arts

To mark his August exhibition at the Gippsland Performing Arts Centre in Traralgon, curated by Gabriella Duffy of the Latrobe Regional Gallery, he wants to work withwriters who willrespond to aseries of his paintings and drawings, based on his own childhood.

Each writer will be paired with apainting and adrawing. Between them will be acue card.Johnsaysitcould be aquote andthe connection might not be obvious.

John has set similar challenges in the past. In 2020 he received 35 submissions when he asked Gippsland writers to respond to his exhibition TheInfinite Birdcage.

In 2009, John challenged agroup of writers to respond to one of his enigmatic paintings, DressedinCohen. One writer was moved to write more than 10,000 words. “And they were good!”John said. Thistime, he’s thinking around 1000 words, more or less.

The drawings will depict the interestsofa 12-14-year-old boy of John’s era, ie. the mid1950s. While Johngrewupinthe Netherlands, he says that’s not really the point.

“It could be set anywhere and be about any boy of that period, real or imagined,” he said.

The 12 selected writers will be very much a part of the exhibition, which opens on August 12 and runs until October 15.

The project is being run in conjunction with the BassCoast Prize for non-fiction.

The writers will be invited to attend acreative writers’ workshop with aprofessional writer. A manuscript of the writings, along with John’s paintings and drawings, will be submitted to apublisher, giving the authors the prospect of apermanent record of their participation. Interestedinbeing partofthis fascinating project?

Emailaround 250 words of your own creative writing to John Mutsaers at opusjoop1@gmail. com by June 30.

If it’s an extractfrom alongerpiece, feel free to explain the context.

The music of David Bowie willfeatureinTraralgon next month.

Photo:Contributed

DLIMMACULATELYPRESENTED

SITUATED on asuperb allotment measuring approximately 1011sqm is this much-loved brick veneer home.

The home consists of three bedrooms all with built-in robes (master bedroom with walk-in robe and ensuite); L-shaped lounge with wood heater and reverse cycle air-conditioner; and large kitchen/dining area, which includes dishwasher,gas cook tops, electric wall oven and pantry

The home has ducted heating throughout and has recently been painted along with updated blinds and floor coverings.

There is adouble tandem carport at the rear of the home, and the handyman will especially appreciate the 7m by 5.5m garage/ workshop with concrete floor and power The gardens have been well maintained and the backyard is securely fenced, making it ideal for children and the family pet. Agents say an inspection of this well presented home will certainly not disappoint.

Briefdetails fdetails

Property: Three-bedroom brick veneer home

Address: 69 Alfred Street,Maffra

Price: $559,000

Inspection: By appointment

Contact: BrettLanigan or Pat Weatherley, Gippsland Real Estate, 0427 517577,0412435644 or 5147 2200

WELCOME to 100 Gerrand Drive, Longford. This architecturally designed, North-facing family home has been in the one family since its completion in 1988. Agents say it offers aperfect blend of semi-rural living and contemporary comfort on aspacious 1.254 hectares.

Tucked away from the road, at the end of a circular driveway,the home sits amongst a serene, colourful landscape of spring bulbs, silver birches, 35-year-old gum trees and expansive lawn. This private and secluded residence provides atranquil escape, and is home to an array of diverse wildlife, including many birds and aresident koala family

As you enter this impressive home, you'll be greeted by agrand entrance adorned with an established fernery and adjoining decked undercover patio, creating aseamless transition between indoor and outdoor living. Step inside to discover 2.4m ceilings with floor-to-ceiling windows and doors, and an inviting interior that boasts aspacious family and living area, featuring acozy wood heater plus split system-ideal for year-round comfort -plus abuilt-in bar that is sure to be enjoyed by yourself and your guests.

The well-equipped, brand-new modern kitchen is aculinary enthusiast's dream, offering ample bench and storage space, as well as aquality five-burner freestanding

oven. Adjacent to the kitchen is aformal dining area, perfect for hosting memorable gatherings with family andfriends.

The large master suite is apeaceful retreat, complete with built-in robes and an ensuite that features avanity,spa bath, and separate shower.Two additional good-sized bedrooms offercomfortable accommodation, with one bedroomboastinga walk-in robe and direct access to the central bathroom and powder room. Abrand new, supersized laundry with modern finishes adds convenience to everyday living.

Aseparate wing of the house provides versatility with alarge rumpus/games room, which can be used as ateenagers' retreat or an entertainment space, with further rooms ideal for pursuing hobbies, plus a large study with its own private entry which features athree-metre solid timber work station as well as extensive built-in cupboards and shelving.

The enclosed conservatory at the heart of the home is abeautiful feature and is designed for year-round use, it provides a wonderful space forhosting gatherings or simply relaxing and enjoying the fully grown weeping Mulberry that is the centrepiece of the space.

The home also offers two hot water services -one gas and one electric, alarge 22,000 gallon rainwater tank and solarback to thegrid, creating an energy efficient home.

The yard has been sectioned offto create an enclosed backyard, ensuring the safety of children and pets. The outdoor barbecue area offers adelightful spotto enjoy the picturesque views, while established veggie gardens invite you to embrace asustainable lifestyle.

Outbuildings are sure to impress, including accommodation for seven cars, with extensive shelving and storage. Amezzanine floorcovers asteel security cage to keep tools safe.

There is also aboat shed and machinery shed.

Located ina quiet court location, this home combines peaceful semi-rural living with versatile spaces and modern amenities.

Don't miss theopportunity to makethis stunning property your own and enjoy the best of countrystyle living.

282AMAFFRA-NEWRY ROAD, MAFFRA

SPECTACULAR PROPERTY ON THE EDGE OF TOWN

•Situated on 4019m2 (just over 1acre) in the most picturesque

garden setting

•Meticulously cared for by current

13 CURRAWONG CRESCENT,MAFFRA

•Exceptional brand new home in Maffra’s newest residential estate

•4 bedrooms, 2stunning bathrooms

•Stunning kitchen with island bench, walkinpantry and quality appliances

•Open plan family area

•Separatelounge/theatreroom

•Study nook

•Double garage with direct access intodwelling

•Spacious 932m2 block with loads of room for additional shedding

•Somany extras, inspection will not disappoint

QUALITY RESIDENCEIN COURT-LIKELOCATION

•4 bedrooms, 2bathrooms

•Open plan kitchen/meals/family area

•Quality kitchen with caesar stone benchtops and 900mm oven

•Separatelounge/theatreroom

•Study nook

•Ducted heating plus reverse cycle air conditioners

•Undercover alfresco area featuring outdoor blinds

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

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

FOR SALE $740,000

•Situated on aspacious corner allotment in sought after Hillcrest Estate

•4 bedrooms plus study nook

•Master bedroom with huge walk through robe and stunning ensuite

•Open plan kitchen/meals/family area

•Separatelounge/sitting room

•Ducted heating and cooling throughout

•Double garage with automatic door and direct access into home

•7mx12m colorbond shed •3 toilets

•All the hardwork completed, just move in and enjoy!

•Situated on approximately 2.7 acres on the outskirts of town

•Versatile 5bedroom home

•Master bedroom with ensuiteand walk in robe

•Large rumpus/theatreroom, formal dining, parents retreat and study/office

•Open plan kitchen/meals/family

•Reverse cycle air conditioning, evaporative cooling plus cozy solid fuel heater

•Fabulous outdoor entertaining area featuring fenced spa

•5 bay shed/garage (3 bay enclosed) plus high clearance double carport

Large family home in sought after location

SITUATED in asought-after area of East Sale, this spacious and family-friendly four-bedroom brick veneer home is nestled in aquiet court and offers an abundance of desirable features, according to agents.

Perfect for entertaining and comfortable living, this property presents awonderful opportunity as acurrent investment with good rental return or afuture family home.

The spacious interior includes awellappointed kitchen that has ample bench space, adishwasher,electric oven, and gas hot plates. The open plan layout seamlessly connects the kitchen, dining, and family room, while aseparatelarge lounge provides another versatile space.

The master bedroom is complete with builtin robes and an ensuite; the three additional bedrooms also feature built-in robes and offerplenty of space for the whole family

The generous main bathroom is equipped with vanity,toilet and ashower over the spa bath. The laundry offers good storage and bench space and conveniently opens onto a 6m by 3m undercover area, which leads out to the spacious backyard.

Whether you're firing up the barbecue or simply seeking aspot to relax, the large undercover entertainment area provides the perfect setting.

The property is conveniently located near the LakeGuthridge precinct and offers easy access to the Sale CBD. The low-maintenance backyard is securely fenced and offers plenty of room for the family,pluspets.

Additional features of this property include acircular driveway offthe court entrance and alarge 7.5m by 5.9m double lock-up garage, providing ample parking and storage options.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to make this spacious and well-appointed family home your own. Arrange aprivate viewing today and embrace acomfortable lifestyle in adesirable East Sale location.

Briefdetails

Property: Four-bedroom family home

Address: 2StaffordDrive, Sale

Price: $545,000

Contact: Christine Haylock, Wellington Real Estate, 0417 007336

Neat, affordable home in prime location

ITUATED

The bathroom has abuilt-in shower and separate bath with the toilet adjacent.

The kitchen/dining room has polished cork tiles, abuilt-in pantry and gas stove/oven. The large lounge room is serviced by a reverse cycle air-conditioner and features a lovely bay window facing east.

The two-car carport is builtinto the roofline and would provide agreat opportunity to expand the footprint of the living area.

Success of the spud festival

LiamDurkin

THE humble spud was the premise of the Thorpdale Potato Festival, and festival organisers gathered at the Thorpdale Public Hall recently to formally toast ajob well done from the event held last March.

More importantly, with the penniescounted and the books closed, organisers were able to physically see the fruits of their labour, and make distributions to community groups in Thorpdale and district.

The money raised from the festival will help a plethoraofgroups in the smalltown stay afloat, as well as assist in covering the cost of various projects.

Groups meeting certain criteria were able to apply for fundingtothe Thorpdale Potato Festival Committee Inc.

More than$75,000 wasawarded to 16 community groups.

Group leaders were formally acknowledged at the hall on Saturday, May 20, walking up to accept their recognition from potato festival committee vice-president and MC James Durkin, and Baw Baw Shire deputy mayor Michael Leaney.

WhileMrDurkin's mother would have been proud, the look of pride was even greater on the faces of community group leaders, who took time to explain what the money would mean for their organisation.

Of note was $18,000 awarded to Thorpdale RecreationReserve for arefurbishment to the pavilionverandah, and $10,000 to Thorpdale Primary School for anew bike track.

Others to receive ahelping hand was Thorpdale Public Hall ($10,000 for split systems), Thorpdale CFA ($6000 for anew quick fill pump and drainage works around the station), and Narracan Hall ($5000 for an AV system).

Upon announcing Thorpdale Cricket Club would

receive $2000 for training equipment, Mr Durkin couldn't help but declare the cricket club was the "best community group in town."

Mr Durkin formed part of anew-look festival committee, that took it upon themselves to ensure Thorpdale didn't lose its marquee event.

The potato festival was on the brink of extinction just 12 months ago, when there was no one in line to replace the retiring committee.

With the future in doubt, agroup of young and enthusiastic locals stepped up to the plate, andgot to work delivering the popular bi-annual event.

Their work looks set to ensure the resurrected potato festival (the festival came back in 2015 after alonghiatus)does not suffer the samefateasa previousera.

The sightofa youthful committee, as well as groups from Thorpdale playgroup, kindergarten and Auskick at the distribution night, wouldhave surely pleased Thorpdale locals, more so for the fact they can see ageneration that will hopefully grow up in the town.

Those familiar with Thorpdale demographics will attest to the generational gap that has existed in the last 10 years. With most farmers in the area now into their 60s, and theirchildren moving away for work and study, Thorpdale had, unfortunately, threatened to become aghost town not that long ago.

However, events such as the potato festival have helped showcase Thorpdaletoa greater audience, and helped bring people back to the area.

It is said you can pay goodmoney to travel overseas and not see views anywhere near as good as those in Thorpdale.

Potato festival committee president, Carly Geisler said the festival was full of positivity.

"The aim was to raise money for the community, andwe've been able to do that," she said.

Be biosecurity aware these school holidays

AGRICULTURE Victoria is asking school holiday-makers to help keep the state’s $17.5 billion agricultureindustrysafefrom biosecurity threats including pests and diseases.

ExecutiveDirector Biosecurity Victoria

Katherine Clift said there were many ways the community can be biosecurity aware, including complying withstate regulations while travelling.

"Victorians travelling interstate should be aware of border quarantine restrictions around moving plants, fruitand vegetables or risk hefty fines," Dr Clift said.

"Biosecuritymeasures suchasnot bringing fruit and vegetablesinto the statewillhelp protect Victoria’s valuable horticulture industry from exotic pests including Mediterranean fruit fly.

"If you are planning to visit our excellent wineries, don’t wander into the vineyards in case you get phylloxera on your footwear and spread it elsewhere -this tiny insect can destroy grapevines and significantly impact our $170 million wineindustry.

"Beach goers can minimise the risk of pests anddiseases by following the steps of Check, Clean and Dry check all vessels, fishing, diving and surfing equipment and removeanything including water, sand and seaweed.

"Also,remember to check your catchfor signs of disease.

“Clean boats at home or at acommercial carwash. Wash wetsuits,fishing and diving equipment with fresh, soapy water.

"Dryall boating,fishing and diving equipment completelybeforeheading out into the water again.’

For those making trips to farms, it’s essential to comply with Biosecurity Management Plans and follow biosecurity signage requirements to help prevent spreading pests and disease.

"When you’re planning to visit afarming property, call ahead to see if thereare any specificbiosecurity requirements or potential issues," Dr Clift said.

‘When you arrive, sign the visitor record book, wash and disinfect your footwear and arrange to meet your hosts at their house or on asealed or gravelarea away from livestock."

Whenit’stimetogohome, farm visitors should washtheirfootwearagaintoavoidcarrying pests and diseases to other propertiesorregions.

"If you’re spending alot of time on farms -or travelling to multiple properties -our Come Clean, Stay Clean, Go Clean learning module has great tips to help build your biosecurity awareness," Dr Clift said.

"Theshort coursewillonly takearound15 minutes of your time, but could save your friends and relatives so muchmore if you’re able to keep them safe from biosecurity threats."

"Being such asmall community, so many people are intertwined in so many different community groups. Theydon't getthis opportunity to raise fundsbecause everyone is in everything, so the festival is thebestopportunityfor them to get as much money into the community in one day."

This year's festival saw arecord crowd, afair turnaround given the situation of 12 months ago.

"We did this in areally short amount of time, about eight months.

“Usually we take about 18 months,” Ms Geisler said.

"Thistimelastyear we had no committee on board at all.Wegot to the last meeting whereif we didn't get acommittee togetherit(the festival) was goingtodissolve.

"All of us were new bar one person, alot of us

had never been part of the festival before so it was all completely new.

"There was definitely challenges along the way, thingswedidn't expect, the amount of people coming into Thorpy at the one time, we've got better ways to manage that for next time.

"We had about 12,000 people through the gates, it was our biggest one ever."

Among the more popular attractions at the festival was 'hessians on the field', potato cooking demonstrations and potato-themedactivities such as picking and races.

The next Thorpdale Potato Festival is slated for 2025.

It is understood the committee is looking to workin with organisers from the Mirboo North Italian Festa, on arotation basis year-to-year.

Thorpdale Potato Festival Committee and keysupporters.

The ThorpdalePotatoFestivalCommittee celebrated the successofthisyear’s festival, as distributions from thefestivalweremadetolocal groups recently.

Photos: Liam Durkin

Energy helping farmers

DO you want to reduce energy costs on farm and improve your energy efficiency?

Learn from sevenVictorian farmers who have made smart on-farm energy decisions and the benefits they found by investing in new efficient technology.

AgricultureVictoriaFarm Business Economist, Julie Harman said the case studies are now available onlineaspartofthe AgricultureEnergy Investment Plan.

"The economic case studies considerbenefits suchasenergy savings and co-benefits such as labour productivity,onfarmsacross arangeof agriculture industries," she said.

The seven case studies look at:

 Solar panels and battery storage;

 Improving greenhouse insulation;

 Energy efficiency for croppers with chaser bins and belt shifter improvements;

 Gains for grape growers to improve yield and quality;

 Rapid chiller in adairy farm lowering costs, and;

 Rooftop solar panels and solar water pumps.

Ms Harman said if people prefertolisten rather than read, they can tune into apodcast with Tony McCarthy, who is one of the farmers from the case studies.

"Tony arrivedinAustralia with justabackpack, and has since been focusingonbuilding up his business fromscratch of whichenergy management has andisanimportant part," she said

"An energy audit undertaken through the Agriculture Energy Investment Planwas abig leg-up for Tony in identifying energy savings."

Ms Harman said the case studies, podcasts and other materialsare part of the Energy Smart Farming community,whichbrings together farm energy experts including farmers, service providers, advisors, researchers and community advocatestoshare energy knowledge, research

and solutionstohelp makeAustralianfarming more profitable.

Find the case studies and more about efficient and renewable energy technologies that improve farm productivity and resilience at extensionaus.com.au/energysmartfarming/ on-farm-energy-efficiency-and-cost-savings/ Listen to the podcast at extensionaus.com.au

New EGCMA chief appointed

EAST Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (EGCMA) has announced the appointment of its new chief executive.

Following arigorous recruitment process and a field of highly competitive candidates, the board has announced that East GippslandlocalBec Hemming will be the new chief executive for the EGCMA.

Ms Hemming is well-known and respected in the East Gippsland region and has been leading the EGCMAoverthe past12months as acting chief executive and before that, was delivery and programmanagerfor nine years. Ms Hemming has been working with the EGCMA since 2004.

Ms Hemming will bring to the roleadeep knowledge of the East Gippsland region, strong relationships with partners and connection

to communities, expertise in natural resource management and focus on supporting self-determination of Traditional Owners and First Nations people. Ms Hemming will also drive innovation and collaboration in areas such as climate adaptation, and has recently established the Climate Change Collective across East Gippsland region government agencies.

EGCMA chair Ewan Waller welcomed the appointment.

“Bec is an innovative leader with apassion for serving communities and clear understanding of the responsibilities of stewardship of our natural resources for future generations,” he said.

“I also want to recognise and thank our retiring chief executive, Graeme Dear, for his outstanding leadership, vision, and service over the last 20

Dry preparation needed

THE Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF)isurging farmers and decision-makers to prepare for drier conditions as thefirstseasonal outlook by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences(ABARES) pointsto reduced farm outputs later this season.

VFF president Emma Germano said despite many farmers being well-placed following yearsof favourable growing conditions, now is the time to prepare for the impact of potentially drier months ahead.

"By and large, we've had incredibly good farming conditions for the past few years here in Victoria, which has resultedinrecord harvests and outputs," she said.

"That can't last forever, and many farmers are alreadypreparing for drier times ahead.It'sa difficult balancing act, with farmers juggling skyrocketing input prices and volatilemarket conditions."

Ms Germano addedthat decision-makersneeded long-term thinkingtoensurethe industry is equipped to navigate the inevitable changein forecast weather conditions.

"We've just gone through horrific floods that exposed some gaping holes in the support government provides to farmers and regional communities;decision makers needtouse past experiences to plan for the future," Ms Germano said.

"For drier times, that means prioritising drought preparedness, sustainability, resilience and risk management for farming businesses and communities well ahead of when drought strikes."

Ms Germano emphasised with drier conditions comes the inevitable risk of bushfires and their devastating impact on communities.

"Resilient infrastructure that can withstand the extremes of our environment needs to be considered," she said.

"We can't afford to be continually counting the cost of crippled roads, fences and telecommunication networks that we know fail during times of disaster.

"Farming is cyclical, and the best preparation for the tough times is done when the going is good. That time is now, and there's no time to waste."

years”.

Ms Hemming said she was excited by what lay ahead.

“I am thrilled to be appointed as the new CEO. East Gippsland is abeautiful region,and Iam passionateabout working withcommunities to enhance our landscapes, biodiversity,and cultural heritage," she said.

"I’m lookingforward to getting startedinthe role, continuing with bushfire and flood recovery works, strengtheningpartnerships with Traditional Owners, mitigating and adapting to climate variability, and improving the health of the Gippsland Lakes and surrounding catchments.”

Ms Hemming will formally commence in the role on September 1.

Photo: File

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$1,600 Excellent condition, near new tyres, brand new battery. Comes with canvas cover, cover bag on the back. basket on the front.

SEWING MACHINIST

STRATFORD

TUTOR

English and Maths tutor wanted for ayear9 student in Longford. Phone: 0412 284 252

COACHES

season.

Positions available: U10's up to U18's boys and girls. Senior CBL men's and women's. All applicants will require working with children checks.

Expressions of interest close Wednesday, June 21. Email your EOI to sale.basketball @hotmail.com

E. G. STAR AUCTIONS

PRELIMINARYNOTICE

Farquhar’s Plumbing Clearing Sale (Two lifetimes ofbusiness equipment) McMillan Street, Bairnsdale 10am Saturday,June 24, 2023

Huge range of commercial&domestic appliances (new and s/hand) &fittings; tools &equipment, shelving.

Vehicles:4ToyotaHiacevans;1KIAdieseltraywithhighpressurewater&drainageequipment. FULLLISTINNEXTWEEK’SEDITION-NOEARLYSALES PaymentbyCash,Cheque,EFTPOS,BPayontheday. GSTchargesapplicableonbusinessitems.MustshowIDtoregisterforbidder’snumber Catering&toiletsonsite.

Auctioneer TOM MORRIS 0407 098805

GP1658746

0478 636 088.

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action Land Act 1958.

Notice of intention to grant license for the purpose of grazing/riparian management. Notice is hereby given that it is the intention of the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action to grant alicense under Section130 of the Land Act 1958

● H&MConnor over Water Frontage to the Avon River abutting Lot 1LP144815,Parish of Nuntin.

● GDavis over Water Frontage to the Thomson River abutting Lots 2&3of TP246535 and PC369136, Parish of Tinamba.

● DBates over Water Frontage to Sandy Creek abutting Lot 2PS504558, Parish of Yeerung.

● PGray over Water Frontage to the Thomson River abutting Lot 1TP133624, Lot1 LP147035, Lot 13 LP348, Lot 1, TP182525 and CP169011, Parish of Wooundellah

8508 0685

HEYFIELD

Want to earn some pocket money?

Gippsland Times Newspaper

Deliverers required once aweek Burnett Ct River St Clark St Gordon St area

Please contact Sue 0403 006 347

Afantastic opportunity for suitably qualified Early Childhood Educators to join our Centre on a Casual basis.

Our growing team is seeking enthusiastic & dedicated early childhood educators to join us. We cater for children aged birth to twelve years and provide arange of additional services to our children and families in the community.

Due to continued growth and expansion of our service we are looking to build on our already established team of highly motivated, professional Educators to continue our journey in agreat workplace environment.

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

Some of what we offer:

● Above award wage.

● Excellent facilities and resources.

● Ongoing professional development training.

Successful applicants must:

● Hold aqualification in Early Childhood Education and Care or be working towards a qualification 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 Centre Director on 5144 6952

Applications close Friday June 30, 2023

Please contact the centre to receive aposition description and email your updated CV to brendon.ronan@gumnutselc.vic.edu.au

Gumnuts iscommitted to child safety

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

St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Maffra PRIMARY TEACHER GRADE 5/6 CLASSROOM

Full Time Fixed Term Position

Commencement Date: Term 3- 2023

St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Maffra is seeking apassionate teacher who is inspired to work in Catholic Education and is dedicated to improving student learning.

Graduate and experienced teachers are encouraged to apply.

The position is beginning in Term 3and is contracted until the end of year. Role description and application form can be accessed from the CEVN website www.cecv.catholic.edu.au/Positions-Vacant

Contact Details: Mr Julian Blackford, Principal Email: principal@stmmaffra.catholic.edu.au

Enquiries welcome, please call (03) 5147 1334

Applications close: 5.00pm Tuesday June 27, 2023.

St Mary's Catholic Primary school community promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children.

St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School is

Classroom Teacher -Year 6

Traralgon Junior School

Fixed term contract, Full-time for one term

See full position description and apply at stpaulsags.vic.edu.au

This school community promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children.

Teaching Position

1FULL TIME ONGOING YEAR 5/6 TEACHING POSITION (1.0FTE)

Applications are invited from suitably experienced persons for the above educational role. Job share arrangements will be considered to fill the vacancy.

This role is aposition under the Diocese of Sale

Catholic Education Limited Schools and Secretariat Agreement 2022.

The successful applicant will have a demonstrated commitment toCatholic education and to the safety and wellbeing of children. They will possess the skills and abilities to provide students with arich and rewarding educational experience and will embrace a collegial, collaborative, team-based approach to teaching and learning.

The successful teaching applicant will hold current Victorian Institute of Teaching Registration.

For further information regarding this position and an Application for Employment form please email: reception@sttsale.catholic.edu.au

Applications and resumes can be forwarded to Mrs Anita Little, email: principal@sttsale.catholic.edu.au

Applications close Tuesday June 27, 2023 at 4.00pm.

PUGSLEY, Ken.

Remembered with love

Ken Pugsley

Who died 20 years ago

25th June 2003.

Athoughtful loving man.

WE MISS YOU

Love your family ♥♥♥♥

Beloved wife Fae daughters Michelle and Mandy, son-in- law Nick, granddaughters Daisy and Kimberley and your six great grandchildren who you never met -Max Archer, Milla, Xavier, Logan and Hunter xxxxxx

Funeral Directors

IRVING, Colin Joseph. Colin was avery special person to many. Rosalie, Rodney and Scott would liketo sincerely thank all those for the flowers, cards, phone calls and food. For their compassion and care during Colin's illness, the staff at accident and emergency and ICU Sale Hospital, staff at Latrobe Valley Hospital, Traralgon Cancer Care Unit and the paramedics.

To Bradley and staff at Letts Funeral Service and Julie Duffy for the lovely service. Thank you

Kitchen sink included

Laurie Smyth

THEwinter touch football season has been run and won, with Kitchen Sink defeating the highly fancied Long Drop, seven tries to three.

Long Drop had led the competition for the entire season,however, whenitcametimetoshow their talents theywere missing in action

At halftime Kitchen Sink led five triestojust one;inthe secondhalfitwas an evencontestwith each team scoring two tries.

Marcus Sbaglia-Smith continued his fine form in scoringfourtries,with captain BridgetteMcMillan, Michael Sullivan and Macey Zielke each making one. Long Drop had three individual players score a try: Tawh Ashby, Brysen Nottle and Michael Sack. The last players mentioned are valuable players for the Sale City Football-Netball Club.

Barry &Annette Lett

67 Macarthur Street, Sale Phone 51431232

For

Brodie Towers, amember of the Sale City Football-Netball Club, is also avaluable player in the Long Drop’s team.

Best players were Nottle, Bodhi Banister,Sack, Jacinda Mani, McMillan and Tree Phuong. Phoenix won the BDivision game on forfeit by Zohan’s.

Presentations were made following the game.

Caleb Joueph [Hussey] won the male encouragement award. The female award was won by Soreti Anderson [Porky’s],GeorgiaKefaloukos [Zohan’s] and Mandy Purdon [Hussey].

The male bestand fairest awardwas won by Marcus Sbaglia-Smith[Kitchen Sink] with 13 votes. Chris Luttrell [Zohan’s]and LeighTaipa [Phoenix] both came second with 11 votes.

Zoe Curran [Zohan’s] won the female best and fairest award with 13 votes.

Bridgette McMillan [Kitchen Sink] and Rhiannon Massey [Long Drop] poled 10 and nine votes.

Marcus Sbaglia-Smith also wonthe male try scoring competition with 22.

Bohdi Bannister [Kitchen Sink] scored 16 tries, with Michael Sack and Brodie Towers each making 15.

Zoe Curran won the female try scoring competition with 12 tries.

Rhiannon Massey made 10 and Tara Smeaton [Mustangs] nine.

The next season will commence on Wednesday, July 19 at Stephenson Park, with new teams and individual players invited to be part of the action.

It would appear that the Hussey team will dividewith each teamattractingvery skilled rugby players.

Zohan’s and Kitchen Sink may amalgamate as each team have players that are likely to transfer from Sale due to work commitments.

For more details, phone Laurie on 0419 132 824.

Netballerstakingaim in the west

CATHOLIC College Sale’s Marist netball team departed for Western Australiafor the 27th Australian Marist Netball Carnival on Sunday.

Thisyear’s tournament is running from June 18 to 21 and will be hosted by Newman College, Churchlands (WA). This will be CCS’ first entry into this event since it waslasthostedinAlice Springs in 2019, where Sale finished third overall.

CCS will compete against 12 schools fromaround Australia, in round robin format across the first two days of competition.

Tomorrow(Wednesday)will see the top four schools playoff in semi-finals for aspotinthe Grand Final.

The team is made up of astrong group of Year 11 and 12 students, who were incredibly keen to head interstate to represent the college.

Players taking part are Isla McCarthy (captain), Kate van der Voort (vice captain), Hannah Abdallah, Ciara Fitt, Ash McDonough, Scarlett Morris, Kate Ronchi,MillaAnderson, Lucy Jones and Millie Lamb.

Allteam members playprominent rolesintheir respective Gippsland and North Gippsland league netball teams.Kirralee Carstairs and BoisdaleBriagolong AGrade premiership coach Sarah Gardiner will coach the side, while Jamie Murphy will act as team manager.

Team members conductedfundraisinginthe lead up to the carnival, selling raffle tickets and

holding abarbecueonsiteatthe college to assist with airfare and accommodation costs.

The school thanked the community for their support of this team and also the following businesses for their contributions: Sporting Legends Sale, Carmody’sTyre Service, Always Greener, Intersport Sale, Redd Catt, Collins Bookstore and Coles Supermarket.

Jones wins selection

AMAFFRA gymnast has had her hard work payoff after achieving aspotinthe Victorian Squad for the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) Border Challenge in Queensland on June 27 and 28 Chloe Jones will travel to Queensland at the end of the month to take on other states, over three days. The 14-year-old is the only regional athlete in the squad, but has attended atraining session in Melbourne with the squad, where she met the rest of the athletes and state team coaches. Chloe remarked that she has made nice friends already Chloe is from Traralgon, and travels to Maffra three times per week to train and prepare for competitions. Alove for the sport and lots of dedication and hard work has madethisachievementpossible.

The trial process for selection was atwo-day event, where all those who nominated, performed theirroutines on all fourapparatus(Vault, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam &Floor Exercise) on consecutive days.Chloe and her coaches were very happy with her results each day. Chloe achieved placings on various apparatus and overall, but

thewaitbegan until clubs were notified of the team selections.

On the following Mondaynight back at training, an email came through with the news. It was a very exciting moment when Chloe’s name appeared on the list. Her coach rang the special bell in the gym that informed peopleofaspecial achievement. The announcement was made, and all her Maffra teammates ran to surround her in celebration.

Chloe’s coach reflected that it is very exciting to have aWAG gymnast qualify for astate team, as it has been many years since its last WAG state representative.

Chloe began gymnastics at the age of six, training and competingwith Energetics in Traralgon until 2021,when she made the move to Maffra Gymnastic Club.

Chloe hopes to do well on the Uneven Bars as it is the apparatus that she excels on, although she is avery good all-around gymnast.

MaffraGymnasticshave wished Chloeall the best and look forward to hearing her stories.

GIPPSLAND

Leongatha 60 dSale 41,Moe bye, Bairnsdale bye.

:- Drouin 48 dTraralgon 30, Morwell37d Warragul26, Maffra26dWonthaggi 13,Bairnsdale 32 dMoe 27,Leongatha48dSale 23.

AND UNDER:-Traralgon 52 dDrouin 22, Morwell 37 dWarragul 15,Wonthaggi 37 dMaffra 23, Bairnsdale

dMoe 8, Sale 37 dLeongatha 34. 15 AND UNDER:-Trarlgon58dDrouin15, Warragul 27 dMorwell 25, Maffra 46 dWonthaggi 32, Bairnsdale 53 dMoe 29, Sale 44 dLeongatha 29. 13 AND UNDER:-Traralgon 62 dDrouin15, Warragul 23 dMorwell 19,Maffra 43 dWonthaggi 3, Bairnsdale 35 dMoe 30, Sale 57 dLeongatha 22.

NORTH GIPPSLAND -ROUND 10

AGRADE:- Heyfield 49 dYarram19, Glengarry 45 d Woodside 43, Sale City 54 dChurchill 42, Cowwarr 62 dYYN 38, Gormandale 55 dTTU 39, Rosedale bye.

:-Heyfield66d Yarram46, Woodside 52 dGlengarry 46, Sale City 55 dChurchill 38, YYN 46 d Cowwarr 40, Gormandale 49 dTTU 39, Rosedale bye. CGRADE:-Heyfield22dYarram 8, Woodside 36 d Glengarry 24, Sale City 49 dChurchill 24, YYN 40 d Cowwarr 22, Gormandale 40 dTTU 30, Rosedale bye.

DGRADE:-Heyfield35dYarram20, Woodside 39 dGlengarry 28, Sale City 39 dChurchill 19,YYN 30 d Cowwarr 27,TTU 45 dGormandale 19,Rosedale bye.

17 AND UNDER:-Heyfield 34 dYarram 11,Woodside

33 dGlengarry 21,Sale City 89 dChurchill 4, Cowwarr

21 drew YYN 21,TTU 35 dGormandale 18,Rosedalebye.

15 AND UNDER:-Heyfield 55 dYarram 3, Woodside 30 dGlengarry 22, Sale City 70 dChurchill 7, Cowwarr 43 dYYN 2, TTU61dGormandale 3, Rosedale bye.

EAST GIPPSLAND -ROUND 9

AGRADE:- Boisdale-Briagolong 54 dLucknow 33, Stratford67dPaynesville 27,Lindenow 47 dLakes Entance 30, Wy Yung 61 dOrbost 20.

BGRADE:- Boisdale-Briagolong 42 dLucknow 18, Stratford48dPaynesville 26, Lakes Entrance 34 d Lindenow 25, Wy Yung 35 dOrbost 22.

CGRADE:- Boisdale-Briagolong 36 dLucknow 28, Stratford52d Paynesville 11,Lindenow 40 dLakes Entrance 16,WyYung29dOrbost 24.

DGRADE:- Boisdale-Briagolong 37 dLucknow15, Stratford56dPaynesville 5, Lindenow 10 dLakes Entrance 0, Wy Yung 36 dOrbost 21

17 AND UNDER:-Boisdale-Briagolong 34 dLucknow

29,Stratford74dPaynesville 6, Lakes Entrance 40 d Lindenow 19,WyYung47d Orbost 15

15 AND UNDER:-Boisdale-Briagolong 35 dLucknow

32,Stratford39dPaynesville 12,Lakes Entrance 33 d Lindenow 20, Wy Yung

Catholic College Sale’s Marist netball team: Sarah Gardiner(assistant coach), Kate vander Voort (vicecaptain), Ciara Fitt,Lucy Jones, Milla Anderson, Ashlee McDonough, Hannah Abdallah, Millie Lamb, Isla McCarthy (captain), Kate Ronchi, ScarlettMorris and Kirralee Carstairs (coach).

Photo: Contributed

ChloeJones doing abackflip on thebalance beam.

Maffra gymnast Chloe Jones is offto Queensland to compete forthe Victorian squad.

Photos: Contributed

Kanga’s arecoming

TomHayes

THE finals picture has taken aturn in the NorthGippsland Football-Netball League, as one side made amassive statement at the weekend, proving why they shouldn’t be counted out of the race.

In other results, the big top-four sides got the job doneand will already be looking ahead to Round 11.

HEYFIELD arenow aserious finals contender.

TheKangaroos made astatement at the weekend by defeating Yarram on its home deck, moving agameclear of their opponents and into the top-five.

It was amonster openingterm thatset the tone andgaveHeyfieldenough to get over the line.

They kicked 9.4 (58) to 1.0 (6) in the first quarter, stunning the hosts to set up their day positively.

Playing-coach Leigh Brown kicked five goals in his return to the field, as Heyfield boasted nine goal scorers on the day.

The final three quarters were much more contested, as Yarram dragged things back, but only slightly, kicking 3.3 (21) to 3.0 (18), yet the hosts still trailed by 49 points at the main break.

Acomeback was needed, but the result was written on the wallfor the Demons after the first term, which will be their point of focus for sure.

The Demons continued to fight, but the Kangaroos weren’t going to let this margin slip, proving their validity as apotential finals side -and adangerous one at that.

Heyfield took aseven-goallead into the final change, before running away as 43-point winners, 17.10 (112) to 10.9 (69).

The visitors were powered through Mitch Bennett -who kicked three goals. Robert McMillan, BraydenWoodland, KyleGraham, Bailey Escreet and Max Van Der Zwart also didagoodjob

Yarram’s best were Jake McFarland, Tyler Chisholm,Boadie Motton,Tanner Chisholm, Shem Rendell and Josh Swift-who ledtheir goal scoring with three majors.

Now that Heyfield has boosted itself into the top five, it’s only fair to say they are the real deal when it comes to afinals run.

As they say, you want momentum at the right point of the season, and there is no better time than the second half.

Yarram showedpromise at the start of the season, knockingoff reigning premier Yallourn Yallourn North on Good Friday, but that was only one of four wins this year, and they now have anegativewin/loss ratio.

The Demons are in jeopardy of slipping even further too, with the potential of Sale City -who arestill equal on points with the Demons.

Heyfield’s next three weeks consist of Rosedale, abye and Glengarry, before they will be tested by Churchill -their next monthly block could determine their year.

WOODSIDE are rampant.

The Wildcats showed no mercy to Glengarry, humiliating their visitorsina triple-digit demolition.

As consistent as ever, Woodside kept the scoreboard ticking at mosttimes, kicking six goalsineach term, while keeping the Magpies to agoal per half.

The Wildcats had asteadyrise throughout the game, beginning with a32-point lead at the first break, which was translated to a 64-point lead at halftime.

In the third term, Woodside had plenty more chances but were just unable to get more goals over the line, kicking 6.7 (43) to the behinds, taking the margin past 100 points with aquarter to play.

It wasn’t getting any easier for the Magpies, who only managed asinglegoal in the final quarter,allowing Woodside to pile on another 42 points and win by 141, 24.16 (160) to 2.7 (19).

MichaelO’Sullivan displayedhis class with another seven-goalhaul, claiming best-ongroundhonours, whilehis strikepartner Daniel Farmer kicked four.

O’Sullivan was highlighted alongside Jeremy Morgan, Thomas Mann, Josh Kennedy, Ben Johnson and Zac Richards.

As for Glengarry, Jesse Lee, Callum Mitchell,Tom Poulton, Tom Harris,Hunter Carmanand Ben Truin were prominent in defeat.

Woodside made sure that they held on to second, setting up an all-important second versus third fixture this weekend against Churchill at Gaskin Park.

As for the Magpies, they will want to have ared hot crack at anervy Yarram side, who have lost to Rosedale and Heyfield after their bye in Round 8.

CHURCHILL gave Sale City atune up.

The Cougars maintained their perfect away

NORTH GIPPSLAND

record thisseason, withaseven-goalwin over Sale City,putting adent in theirfinalshopes

The home side started strong, flexing their muscles early by taking aquarter time lead of apoint, before tempers flared at the first break.

The Cougars regained stability in the second term, taking the lead by 10 points at halftime, setting up their second half well.

Halfofthe Churchillsidekicked goals on the day,six of thoseweremultiple goal scorers.

Thatshows how good their second half was.

The Cougars kickedsix goals to two, stretching the lead past40momentarily, but settlingfor a37-point buffer with the quarter to play.

Goals came a-flowing in the final quarter, but not enoughtoscare Churchill away from the four points they had earned.

Despite five goals from the home side, Churchilldid one better, kicking six, reestablishing their 40-point buffer to win by seven goals, 19.17 (131) to 12.17 (89).

Andy Phelan was best-on-ground for Churchill, he was helped out by Ben Skinner -who kicked three goals, Blake Slater, Billy Wight, Tyson Leys and Jack Hasell down back.

Sale City’s best were Cameron Green, Billy Quirk, Matt Walker, Lachlan Carman, and Joel and Blake Safstrom.

The visitor’s got the job done, but not convincingly by any means, and will need to step up their game for when they face one of the most dangerous teams in the senior competition, in Woodside.

There is more on the line in this one, as Woodsideput the final nailinChurchill’s coffin last season, sending them out in straight sets in thesemi-final.

Sale City has atough run ahead, with Yallourn Yallourn Northand Traralgon Tyers United before ahit-out against Gormandale.

YALLOURN YALLOURN NORTH

recorded back-to-back triple digits wins.

After facing the bottom side last week, the Jets were blessed with Cowwarr -another fixture they would’ve licked their lips over.

On the road, the Jets made no mistake in the final three quarters, crunching the Saints on their own turf.

Oddlyenough,neithersideregistered a major in the first quarter, as Yallourn North led by apoint: 0.2 (2) to 0.1 (1).

They turned things around for the better in the second, kicking seven goals and leaving the Saintsinthe dusttotakea 48-point lead at the main break.

The Jets kept Cowwarrgoallessfor athird straight term, while adding another 5.6 (36) to four behinds, creating an 80-point buffer with aquarter to play.

Despite the Saints kicking two goals in the finalquarter,the Jets continued strongly, scoring another six goals to sendthe margin past 100, winningby103 points; 18.16 (124) to 2.9(21).

Dean Macdonald was back to his best for

the Jets, kicking eight goals and claiming the best-on-ground.

He was complimented by Darcy Shellcot, Jai Massese -inhis 50th senior game, Cambell Staff, Matt Twaddle and Campbell MacInnes

For Cowwarr,Ben Coffey, SiaosiLay Blake, Rhys Luxford, BraydenRioli, Sean Alexander and Wayne Swanwerestand-outs in defeat.

YYN are now on top of the minor finals battle they have on their hands from fourth to seventh, but remain three wins away from third.

They will want to keep their momentum going with awin against Sale City this weekend, before they will be tested against Woodside.

As for Cowwarr, they have one of the toughest fixtures to play this season on the weekend, TTU at TTU.

TRARAGLON TYERS UNITED made no mistake in Gormandale.

TTU dismantled aspiritedGormandale outfit, flexing their muscles at the top of the competition, still undefeated.

Despiteastrongfirst term by the Bombers, their 38-point buffer was the tamest quarter of the lot, as things went from bad to worse for the Tigers.

It was alwaysgoing to be toughina first versus last contest, but this certainly highlighted that gap.

TTU went large in thesecond term, kicking nine goals to one, to take an 87-point lead at halftime.

After the break no momentumwas lost, as the Bombers piled on another nine goals to sail past both the 100 and 150-point marks, as well as blowing the margin out to 138 points.

You guessed it, TTU kicked nine goals in the last quarter, boasting amassive 46 scoring shots for the outing, winning by 191 points; 33.13 (211) to 2.8 (20).

Liam Willaton was best-on-ground for the Bombers, andwas helped by most teammates,thosehighlightedwereMichael Jacobsen,Brad Kelleher -who kicked 10 goals, Ricky Cochrane, Trent Hourigan and Frazar Brouns.

For the Tigers, Liam Deering, Isaac Copland, Flynn Roscoe, Tristan Salerno, Jai Foulkes and Mathew O’Toole were in the best.

TTU’s percentage gets ever closer to 300, but it’s still only the second-best in the league, as Woodside has apercentage of 326.20.

The Bombers should keep their winning run going, whenthey hostSale City this weekend, while Gormandale will be waiting for Round 12, when they have their best chance of awin against Cowwarr.

In the meantime, the Tigers have the bye this weekend.

ROSEDALE had the bye.

The Heyfieldbrains trust hasgot theKangaroos firming as an unexpected finalist in North Gippsland football.

Photo: Liam Durkin

Avon rivals on equal points

Paul Nichols

ANUMBER of stories headlined Round 9ofEast Gippsland football.

Boisdale-Briagolong cemented themselves as a serious contender, Stratford grounded out awin, and Wy Yung's Bayden Ashwood chalked up 300 senior games.

With seven weeks left to play, if results fall the way they are expected, Round 16 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting conclusions to aseason we’ve had in many, many years.

Stratford will match up against BoisdaleBriagolongattheir home ground,inwhatcould well be amini-finalasthey play for the all-important second-chance.

Lucknow will play Wy Yung and Orbost Snowy Rovers are up against Lakes Entrance.

If the Blues win and Lucknow were to lose, Orbost SnowyRovers could sneakinto the top four and have an impact in finals.

The round 14 game between the Blues and Lucknow is already the game of the round, and we’re still five weeks out.

WITH afocus on Round 9action now, Stratford was too good for Paynesville.

The travelling Swansgot the job done, 20.11 (131) to 9.8 (62).

Stratford had aday outatPaynesville, winning nine out of nine across football and netball.

The Gullsdeserve congratulations for fielding nine teams -nosmall feat for acommunity of that size.

Stratfordwentinto the seniorgamewithtwo late outs.Angus Masonisstill battling injury and Jackson Cottrell withdrewwith illness. The resultmeant atotaloffive changesfromlastweek, and struggling for numbers in their reserves. The Stratford reserves captain and akey forward headed to Brisbane to watch the AFL debut of family member Jaspa Fletcher for the Lions.

The lack of numbers gave this writer an opportunity for agame, managing to kick his first goal in senior football from alengthy 18 years of playing on-and-off.

It was astrongshowing for Paynesville in the first quarter of the senior game, making the most of aflat, unmotivated Stratford to be within three points at quarter time.

In his address, Swans coach Jarryd Clohesyasked

for the simplethingsfromhis players, to lift, to support each other, to show some guts.

As the game went on, the goals started coming, and by three quarter time Stratford had the game won. Some contentiousumpiring decisions left spectators scratching their heads, but as we know, football is ahard game to umpire and it’s acredit to both sides who got on with the game, even if they disagreed with some decisions.

In some moments however there was undisciplined play,which sawStratford give away four 50 metre penalties and an overturned free kick throughout the game -Clohesy himself responsible for three of those.

It was agame Stratford had to grind out to win, showing improvement each quarter.

Apositive note was seeing two players celebrate their first senior win in Brodey Reed and Kobi Taylor.

Goals were shared. Haydn Erfurth kicked four, whileJackBacon,Lachlan Channing, Tim Hawkins and Ryan Thatcher kicked three each.

For Paynesville, captain Ben McKinnon kicked three. HarryGibbs was the only other with multiple goals.

BOISDALE-BRIAGOLONG defeated Lucknow.

The home side won 17.11 (113) to 12.7 (79) in a statement-making game, and in amatch that was more important for their finals campaign than many would have realised.

Aloss would have put the Bombers one game behind Stratford in third spot, and with the draw as it is, plus asmaller percentage, it would have

been astrugglefor Boisdale-Briagolong to fight for second spot.

Alas, the win has given the Bombers the opportunity they deserve.

It looked like it was going to be aboil-over in the first quarter, when the Bombers came out and kicked the first five goals of the game. But the elation of the Bombers faithful behind the bar quickly turned to panic as Lucknow kicked the next four.

Boisdale-Briagolong led by eight points at quarter time,before afiery second quartersaw the Bombers playing with two short from being sent off.

The home side still managed to win the quarter and extend the lead to 17 points at the main break.

The matchwas over and done with by three quarter time; Lucknow unable to respond as Boisdale-Briagolong finished 34 point victors.

Jim Reeves and Caleb Calwynhad day's out, each kicking five goalseach.Tom Jolly also contributed four.

This puts Calwynat43goals from the nine games played,anaverage of justunder fivegoals agame

Calwynhas been the starfrom the number of prized recruits the Bombers were able to pick up at the start of the season.

Brenden Flinn was the standout for Lucknow with five goals. Damian Hodder and Jake Richards kicked multiples.

IN other games, Lindenow defeated Lakes Entrance, notably with the absence of club stalwart Rohan Blandford, who was sighted playing reserves for Bairnsdale in the Gippsland League.

Wy Yung defeating Orbost Snowy Rovers in an expected result.

FOOTBALL NETBALLEASTGIPPSLAND

Target Time No.0163

aegis, aged, anger,aping, danger,darg, daring, deign, design, ding, dirge, drag, draping, dreg, earing, easing, engird, erasing, gain, gained, gainer,gander,gape, gaped, gaper,garden, gasp, gasped, gasper,gean, gear,gird, grad, grade, gradin, grain, grained, grand, grape, grasp, grasped, grid, grin, grind, grip, gripe, page, paged, pager,pang, paring, parsing, ping, pinged, prig, rage, raged, ragi, rang, range,rasping,reading,reaping,regain, reign, resign,ridge, ring, ringed, sage, sager, sang, searing, sign, signed, signer,sing, singe, singed, singer,snag, snig, spading, sparge, sparing, spearing, sprag, sprang, SPREADING, sprig, spring, springe.

Target: Average -45, Good -60, Excellent -80+

Gippy all status quo

Liam Durkin

MOST tipsters would have gone five from five in Round 10 of the Gippsland League. No major surprises came to handasresults were made official on Saturday night.

With Round 10 ordinarily the time the fixture mirrors whatwas seen at the start of the year, thisseason, the Gippsland League has mixed up its second half of the season.

Matches last Saturday replayed those from Round 4earlier in the year.

Teams have one more game before aleaguewide bye, which will run into the last seven rounds of the season spread across eight weeks.

Thereisstill asplit roundtocome in August, by which time the equation for clubs aiming to play finals or secure adouble chance will be set in stone.

Until then, teams still in the hunt will be doing all they can to ensure they won't have to rely on results falling their way.

THERE is still atrainlinerunningin Wonthaggi.

It isn't taking passengers though -because it's afreight train.

The freight train that is Wonthaggi seniors was running express at the weekend, after the Power electrocuted Maffraby133 points. The home sidedominatedproceedingsfrom the get-go, adding goals of five, five, six and six across each quarter, to see the scoreboard blow out to read 22.14 (146) to 2.1 (13).

Conversely, Maffra started the match as they finished it -without scoring. The Eagles scored no goals, no behinds, no nothing in the first and last term.

Brayden Monk, Nathan Pollard,AlexCarr, James Read,EdCarr and Sam Robbinsbattled hard in the losing cause Maffraaddedanother two youngsterstothe growing list of senior debutants this season in Ashton Wright and Jonathan Boyd.

If the day held any positives for the Eagles, their next generation saw first-hand just how the best in the business go about it.

While they are third on the ladder, there is no doubting Wonthaggi are currently the best team in the Gippsland League.

The Power has the highest percentage, and has won seven games in arow. Their form line is scary good.

In the lastfive weeksthey have won games by 74 points, 138, 79, 85 and 133 -and that 79-point win wasagainstfinals-bound Traralgon.

Wonthaggi midfielder Ryan Sparkes is walking on water at the moment.

He was best on again at the weekend, and was leading the league MVP by astaggering nine votes before last round.

Skipper Aidan Lindsayalsoplayed well in the win, as did Shannon Bray, Kyle Reid, Jordan Staley and Cooper McInnes.

SALE found itself engaged in agood contest against Leongatha.

The Magpieswere ahead at halftime, before the ladder-leading Parrots took ascendency and went on to win 14.14 (98) to 9.6 (60).

Sale started the match with apositive first quarter at home, making better use of their inside 50s. The Magpies scored three goals, while awastefulLeongatha went into the first break with five behinds to their name.

Honours were relatively eveninthe second, as the Parrots added four goals and Sale kicked two.

With the sniff of victory permeating in the home rooms, the class of Leongatha came to fruition in the third quarter. The Parrots kickedfivegoals to one to takea23-point lead into three quarter time.

Thegame openedupinthe last, with eight goals kicked collectively between the two sides.

Guy Dickson, Jack Hume,JesseBurns, Cade Maskell, Tom Marriott and Ben Willis won plaudits for the winners.

The Leslie brothers of Jack and Will were best for Sale, while Jack McLaren was named in the best once again.

Midfield gun Shannen Lange also featured,

as did Daine McGuiness and Kane Martin, who kicked three goals.

The rise of McGuiness in the last few years has made for one of the great stories in local footy.

The ruckmanwas battling away in the reserves only five years ago, and hasnow been named among Sale's best in the seniors for the last six weeks.

Speaking of reserves, the Sale reserves recorded one of the better home-and-away wins you are likely to see in that grade, when they rolled Leongatha by apoint.

Along with Maffra, the Parrots have been a powerhouse of the early game for many years.

Leongatha went undefeated last season, getting past Sale in the decider.

For Sale to defeat Leongathathis time around was aremarkable result considering not only thathistory, but the factthatthe last time they met earlier in the year, the Parrots inflicted the Magpies with amargin well over 100 points.

Under coach Peter Morrison,Sale has recorded some memorable wins in the last 12 months. The Magpies sent Wonthaggi out in straight sets during last year's finals series, andbackeditupbywinning athriller against Maffra in the preliminary final.

Therewillbecause for massive celebration in acouple of weeks, when Sale legend Shane Fyfe plays his 300th game. In what would surely be ararity, there could be three 300 gamers all in the one reserves game, with Fyfe joiningfellow Salestalwarts

Chris Laverty and Chris Hudson.

Laverty is the senior games record holder, now helping the club in the earlygame,while Fyfe is doing likewise, following adecorated career that hasseen him win five senior best-and-fairests,leading to the nickname 'Five Time Fyfe'. Hudson too has been loyal to the bone at the Magpies, and enjoyed multiple finals series.

Anumber of Saleplayers toasted their Leongatha victoryatthe Gippsland Hotel on Saturday night, joined by Moe players coming back from Bairnsdale.

MOE was never really troubled by Bairnsdale.

The Lions made the trip east, and had the game sewn up at halftime, before easing off to win 15.9 (99) to 11.8 (74).

Perfectconditionsmade forfree-flowing and high-scoringfootball. Thevisitor’s opened their account with six goals in the first quarter, and added another fiveinthe second.

The Redlegs only managed one goal in the second term, as it quickly became clear they needed two Logan Austins -one at eitherend.

The key position Bairnsdale playing-coach was busy in defence, tryinginvaintostop the dominance of Billy Gowers, who ended up kicking seven goals Moecontinued on their way in the third, andled by 49 points at three quarter time.

With ahuge game against Wonthaggi to come, the Lions put afew players on ice in the second half.

Playing-coach Declan Keilty watched on, while speedy half-forward Harri Simplayed limited minutes.

The Redlegs went all-outattack in the last, and got some respectability on the scoreboard by kicking five goals to one.

Austin was in the best, as was Lachlan Byrne-Jones (four goals), Nathan Dennison, HarrisonCook, Andrew Nelson and Link McKenna.

Gowers received good support from Brock Smith, Scott van Dyk, TylerPratt, Jordan Ceppi and Riley Baldi.

Baldi was available due to abreak in his VFL schedule with Casey. Moe will be pleased to now have Baldi qualified for finals, with Saturday being his fourth match for his home club.

The day carried significance for Moe veteran Ben Morrow,who ran out for his 200th senior game.

THE Fword is still alive at Morwell.

No, not that one -finals.

Morwell can genuinely still make finals.

The Tigerswenttoequal-fifthatthe

weekend after comfortablydefeating Warragul.

Travelling to Western Park, the visitor’s led fromstart to finish, with the final scoreboard reading 12.11 (83) to 5.7 (37).

Morwell did most of their good work either sideofhalftime. The Tigersonly conceded1.2 (8) across the second and third terms, with Warragul not even troubling the scorers in the second. Morwell added4.6 (30) in the same time.

The Tigersfinished the game as they started, kicking four goals.

BrandonMcauliffeplayed wellfor the winners, as did Burkely Macfarlane, Aidan Quigley, Zac Anderson, Blake Couling and coach Boyd Bailey.

Better players for Warragul were Lane Ward, Sean Masterson, Riley Senini, Cooper Alger, PatrickCarpenter and Nick Stevenson.

The unfortunate Gulls arestaringdown the barrel of avery long end to the season.

The new West GippslandHospital can't come quick enoughfor Warragulfootballers, who look like they will be spending some time in similar places over the next few months.

RuckmanSam Whibley broke his leg in the last quarter, joining playing-coach Jed Lamb, who suffered the same fate in horrific scenes afew weeks ago.

New recruit and ex-Carltonmidfielder Liam Sumner wasalsoalatewithdrawal after injuring his ankle in the warmup.

So, the Gulls now have to get through the last eight games of the season without their best ruckman, best forward and minus a key midfielder.

Forateamthat is currently second-last on theladder, one can only imagine just what the next few weeks will look like.

TRARALGON playedinanother highscoring match against Drouin.

There wasasenseofdeja vu, as the Maroons' final score at the weekend was only two points off their game againstthe Hawks from earlier in the year.

Traralgonwas ahead at every break, but Drouin, as they have done for most of the year, kept the goal umpires busy, in afinal tally that read 21.8 (134) to 10.13 (73) at Terry Hunter Oval.

More than30goalswerekicked, afair effort considering 10 of them came from ateam on the bottom of the ladder.

The Maroons broke the game open in the second, kicking seven goals to two, taking a 34-point lead into the main break.

Traralgon was able to manage the game from there, and finished full of running, scoring six goals in adominant final term.

The home side had an excellent spread of goal-kickers, which would have no doubt pleased coach Jake Best, who has maintained all season Brett Eddy can't be the one to do it all.

Eddy kicked four, and was joined by Max Jacobsenand Billy Schilling whoreturned thesameamount.

Young gun Tom Hamilton contributed three, while skipper Dylan Loprese was back in his natural habitat up forward, and finished with two.

Jacobsen and Schilling were listed in the best, as was Luis D'Angelo, Jordan Cunico, Jackson McMahon and Harvey Neocelous.

SebastianAmoroso, Charlie Bethune, Shay Harvey, Tom Evans, Bailey Stephens and Joe Collins were best for Drouin.

Aleague-wide bye on July 1means next roundisthe last time Gippsland League followers will see names they are familiar with on team sheets.

With clearances open until June 30, clubs still have afew days to try and bolster their stocks.

While it is hardtosee any currentclub pullinginaplayerfrom outside,pundits will watch on with interest to see if there are any sneaky selections or funny-bugger business that takes place.

ROUND

WESTSIDESTORY

Catholic College Sale netballers are currently in Perth for the Marist Netball Carnival. Sale will compete against other Marist schools from across the country.

STORY - PAGE 30

Sale City takes down ladder-leader’s

GIPPSLAND League’s Round 10 netballoutcomes could not have been more predictable. Maffra travelledtoWonthaggi,but lost by 14 goals.

The Eagles got off to ahigh-flying start, leading at the first interchange, but the Power turned the tables after quarter-time to dominate the rest of thematch.

Among the Power’sbest were Olivia Gilmour, Courtney Brann and CassidyBowman, while, Maffra’s wereAshleigh Keefe, Chloe Proud and Matilda Pendergast.

Leongathamade lightworkofSale,defeating the Magpies by 27 goals.

The Parrots shut down Sale’s system and were able to capitalise, turning turnovers into scores.

Leongatha’s Lara Stefani, Laura Higgins and Taylah Brown were impressive, and so was Sale’s Kasey Dessent, Isla McCarthy and Lara Van der Voort, even in defeat.

Moe roared their way home from Bairnsdale.

The Lions showcased their class from the start of the game, outscoring the Redlegs 19 to nine in the first quarter alone, building upon scoreboard pressure to lead by 26 at the major break.

Ramayer Gourley’s Moe side continued to put the foot down until the final siren, winning 82 to 33.

Moe’s playing-coach Gourley shot 49 goals, with Abby Gregorovich netting 33.

The Lions' best would’ve been hard to pick as the win came off ateam effort, but Gregorovich, Macy Gardiner and Olivia Barnett werenotable in thewin.

Emily Hall,Ruby Dunkley and OliviaBetts were best for the Redlegs.

Drouin got the job done over Traralgon by seven goals.

The game remained atight contest,but the Hawks took flight and outscored the Maroons in every quarter after the first.

Drouin's Kym Diston, Lucy McKellar and Karina Proctorwere good in the win, while Traralgon’s Bronwyn Tebb, Amy Harrison and Milly Murphy were recognised as best-on-court for the Maroons.

Morwell showed their might against aresurgent

Warragul side playing on their WesternPark court.

The Tiger’s put down 19 in the first term, and kept the Gulls to only five goals.

Having had such aslowstart,the Gulls did well to match the Tigers in the following three terms, butcouldnever reel the score back in their favour.

Thefinal score was Morwell 48 to Warragul 32.

In the loss, Warragul’s Ella Rees, Alexandra Cole andSeleneChadrawy werenoted as best-on,while the three C's starred for Morwell: Chloe Radford, Claire Marks and Courtney Garth.

NORTH GIPPSLAND netball was definitely entertaining.

Top spot on the ladder is avery hot seat to be in after 10 rounds.

Churchill was knocked off the throne last Saturday after suffering asignificant54to42 loss to Sale City.

The Bulldogs were dominant from the get-go, and the Cougars found it hard to return to the game.

By the time the Cougars found their feet, it was the fourth quarter and too late. The win sees Sale City surge to third spot. The top three teams in Heyfield,Churchill and Sale City are all sitting

on 28 points, with only apercentage to split them; first place on the ladder is anyone's for the taking.

Heyfield got the percentage requiredtohold onto the top spotfor now, beating Yarram 19 to 49. Glengarry proved their strength, narrowly taking care of Woodside in atwo-point victory. Cowwarr should not be underestimated, having given it to Yallourn Yallourn NorthonSaturday,winning 62 to 38.

Last week Idid say that anything could happen at the Boneyard when Gormandale hosted TTU, and that it did; the Tigers trampled the bombers 55 to 39. So far, Gormandale has managed three wins for the season, which in their case, is avery successful bout. Rosedale had the bye.

IN Round 9ofEastGippslandnetball, Stratford defeated Paynesville67to27, while,WyYungalso had ahugewin against Orbost Snowy Rovers, taking care of the Blues 61 to 20.

In the other two games, Lindenow got over the line, beating LakesEntrance47to30and BoisdaleBriagolong easily took care of Lucknow in a54to 33 victory.

NETBALL SCOREBOARD -PAGE 30

Zaida Glibanovic

CatholicCollege Sale netballers currently in Perthfor the Marist carnival areSarah Gardiner (assistant coach), Kate van derVoort (vice captain), Ciara Fitt, Lucy Jones, Milla Anderson,Ashlee McDonough, Hannah Abdallah, MillieLamb, Isla McCarthy(captain), Kate Ronchi, ScarlettMorris and Kirralee Carstairs (coach).