Gippsland Times Tuesday September 19 2023

Briagolong artist Maria Fitzgerald won the Pat Waters Prize for her monoprint ‘Night Reflections’.

The work is now on display at Gippsland Art Gallery.

STORY - PAGE 13

Photo: Contributed

FIRE SEASON READY

CONCERNS are mounting for the futureofcommunity groupsbased at the former Sale High School, after receiving aletter from Wellington Shire Council stating their intention not to renewany existing tenancy arrangements upon assuming ownership of the building.

The former Raymond Street campus of Sale High School was declared surplus and put up for sale in 2020, with the Victorian Department of Education’s Victorian School Building Authority division remaining responsible for site management until sold to anew owner.

“Wellington Shire Council has expressed interest in purchasing the Raymond Street site,” aDepartment of Education spokesperson said.

OVAL

“Discussions are taking place between the council and the Department of Transport and Planning, which oversees the sale of surplus government land.

“Jamie Hogan currently runs the communityhub (Derek Amos Community

Hub) on the site with atemporary licence arrangement put in place by the Department of Education.”

Wellington Shire Council has long expressed interest in purchasing the site,requesting vacantpossession as part of its proposedlandpurchase, as restorationofthe former SaleHigh School formspartofcouncil’s Port of Sale Masterplan Derek Amos Community Hub, Wellington ToyLibrary, Sale Food Support Network, BugBlitz, and the University of the Third Age are among the sizeable heritage-listed building’s current tenants.

“Aroundthree years ago, councillors were provided with areport from WellingtonShire Council officers stating thatthere had been no tenants in the building since the George Gray Centre had ceased to be the licensee,” Mr Hogan said.

“Since then, Barrier Breakers and now us (Derek Amos Community Hub) had been thelicensee,and at the time the report was presented to council, Barrier

Breakers were the official licensee and the building was fully tenanted.”

The recent letter, which has sparked growingfear amongcommunity groups, came after Wellington Shire Council councillors were invited to the former Sale High School’s monthly Heritage Committee meeting established by Mr Hogan and Michael Davis of Derek Amos Community Hub.

Mr Hogan said councillors had been invitedtocomealong andjointhe Heritage Committee.

The committee is made up of tenants and other stakeholders at theformer Sale High School, with no response.

“We send them the minuteseach month and were recently requested to cease sending invitations to councillors from Wellington Shire officers as they are unable to attend,” Mr Hogan said.

“Surely,thisisthe right of councillors to decide if they can or cannot attend.

“We were also directed to asort of cease and desist with ourcommitteeand associated activities by the Wellington Shire Council Officers about six months

ago, as there was no need to continue given that the shire was taking over.”

The letter from Wellington Shire Council’s General Manager of Development, Andrew Pomeroy, addressed to Derek Amos Community Hubpracticemanager MichaelDavis, wrote, “back in 2020,the VictorianState Government designatedthe property as surplus and initiated aformal process for its sale. Subsequently, Wellington Shire Council expressed its interest in acquiring the property”.

“A comprehensive master planning process wassubsequently launched, with afocus on the broader Port of Sale precinct, given its strategic significance.

“Thepotential futureuses of the former Sale High School Building were carefully examined as part of this master planning initiative.

“The resulting plan outlines the site’s suitability for various commercial, cultural, and tourism purposes.”

Continued Page 5

ZoeAskew

Have your sayonsale yards

WELLINGTON Shire Council would like to receive feedback as part of astrategic review of the Gippsland Regional Livestock Exchange (GRLE).

The GRLE has been operating for more than 60 years and was upgraded in 2016 to ensure it could achieve modern animal welfare and environmental standards.

Following the sale yards' sustained period of declining throughput,the strategicreview will identifyand investigate issues, and test opportunities identified to support the exchange's future.

As part of this consultation, council is working closely with livestock agents and other key stakeholders,seekinginputtoidentify suitable recommendations.

Stageone of the review,which assessedthe existing conditions of the sale yards, was completed in mid-2023; stagetwo is abouthearing from sale yard stakeholders.

Urban Enterprise, together with the agriculture consulting firm Outcross Agri-Services, will complete the consultation process and identify

recommendations. Each consultanthas had experience in understanding the operations of regional sale yards.

To take part, thoseinterestedcan completea short surveyorprovide contact detailstospeakwith aconsultant. It is open to all sale yard stakeholders, including livestock agents, producers, buyers and transporters.

Wellington ShireCouncil Mayor,Ian Bye,said all sale yard stakeholders can share theirknowledge, experiences, ideas, and concerns relatingtothe current and future use of the exchange.

“Despite previous council investment, we have seen adecline in throughput. Istronglyencourage all those with an interest or connection with our sale yards to participate. This review is critical to ensure that council understands any challenges with the site and opportunities for future use and growth” Cr Bye said.

To participate in the GRLE strategic review, visit your.wellington.vic.gov.au or grle.com.au.

Ahardcopy version of the surveyisalso available

at council’s customerservicecentres in Sale(18 Desailly Street) and Yarram (156 Grant Street) and at the Gippsland Regional Livestock Exchange (Saleyards Road in Sale).

For more information or to register for aphone callm dial 1300 366 244.

Ready to reel with program

THE Stronger Fishing Clubs Grant Program, which offers grants of up to $10,000 to help Victorianangling clubs and associations, is now open.

The grants aim to strengthen and increase club membershipand promote participation in recreational fishing.

There’s still time to have your sayonthe future of Gippsland Regional LivestockExchange

Gumboot-a-thon helps raise moneyfor LRH

ON with the boots, and off with the hair.

Cowwarr Primary School's annual fundraising effort, the Gumboot-a-thon, returned this year on Friday, September 8for the benefit of the Latrobe Regional Health (LRH) Better Care Appeal.

“The staffand students at theCowwarr Primary School have raised an incredible $6826 for the Latrobe Regional Health Better Care Appeal," the chair of Latrobe Regional Health,Linda McCoy reported.

Students donned their gumboots and cut laps of the school campus on acold and windy day to raise the funds, which will go towards the purchase of ahigh-definition imaging system to help provide better results for women undergoing breast cancer surgery.

“It’s really exciting when we see asmall community like this come together …the kids were so excited to participate in this amazing event and theirparentsand grandparents all supported the cause,” Ms McCoy said

“It’swonderful to see. The piece of equipment that they are going to be buying will help alot of people with cancer in surgery in real time, which is really important.”

CowwarrPrimary School'sacting principal,

Chanae Johns, was heavily involved, to the point she agreed to shave off all her hair if more than $4000 was raised. It's clear that the kids stomped all over that goal.

"If me sheddinga bit of hair wasall thatwas needed to raise that kind of money, than it's well worth it," Ms Johns said.

As in previous Gumboot-a-thons, the theme was team.

"(We try to) thinkabout our community,which is our larger team and thinking above and beyond."

Ms Johns said.

"It's much bigger than our littlespace here in Cowwarr."

The idea of gumboots was to wear shoes that people don’t wear every day; it's not easy to walk in gumboots, so the Gumboot-a-thon is ashow of support by doing something more difficult than usual.

Ms McCoy praised the students for their enthusiasm.

"Oh my gosh, they didn't walk this walkathon, they ran it. And in gumboots, which is fabulous to see," she said.

Donations to the LRH Better Care Appeal can be made at lrh.com.au

Latrobe RegionalHealthEngagementOfficer Lisa Twigger,Cowwarr PrimarySchool acting principal ChanaeJohns(with anew look), and LRH chair Linda McCoy.

Minister for Outdoor Recreation, Sonya Kilkenny, said helping fishing clubs grow supported newcomers to fishing and enabled generations to share knowledge among members.

"OurStrongerFishing ClubsGrant Program will ensure local clubs can attract local members and support them to enjoy all the benefits that come with spending time on the water with family and friends," she said.

Ms Kilkenny said the Stronger Fishing Clubs Grant Program delivered on the state government's election commitment to helpfishingclubs attract new members, encouraging more families to take up fishing and was also part of the government's $96 million package to improve fishing, boating, piers and aquaculture. Applications for round one of the program are now open, and close on December 6, 2023.

Projects eligible for funding include events thatprovide recreational fishing tuition for women, multicultural groups, First Nations peoplesand all-abilities, alongside open days, training and events, and guest speaker nights.

Projects involving IT upgrades, website development, clubroom improvements, and equipment that will benefit all members are also eligible for funding.

To apply online or learn more, visit vfa. vic.gov.au/strongerfishingclubs.

Photo: Wellington ShireCouncil

Photo: Contributed

Medical improvements at CGH

Zoe Askew

CENTRAL Gippsland Health’s new medical director, Doctor Divyanshu ‘Divy’ Dua, is steadfast in improving Wellington Shire’smajor healthand aged care service provider’s capabilities.

Dr Divy, together with Central GippslandHealth (CGH) chiefexecutiveMark Dykgraaf, are working hardtostrengthen the local healthcare system, implementingnew healthcare objectives and redirecting Wellington Shire’smajor health and aged care service provider’s focus of care to support the community’s needs better.

The pandemic posed asignificant challenge to our healthcaresystem, with COVID-related matters, from vaccinations and preventative care to diagnosis, treatment and management rising to the top of the priority list.

“We’ve clearly had abig focusonCOVID for the last number of years,” Mr Dykgraaf said.

“We are abig aged care providerwith four nursing homes -Heyfield, two in Maffra and one in Saleand where our COVID response has been biggest over the last 18 months is in our nursing homes, having had aseries of outbreaks to manage.”

CGH remain COVID-ready,withpreventative and precautionary measuresremaining in place across health and agedcare sites. Still, with COVID-induced pressures gradually declining, WellingtonShire’smajorhealthand aged care serviceproviderisbecoming increasingly freeto addressareas of care to fit the requirements of their community.

Following extensivecommunityconsultation, CGH’s service provisionfocus includes strengthening surgery services and capabilities, mental health and care of the acutely unwell child.

“Divy and the team have been doing alot of work on our endoscopy waiting lists, and we’ve happily been able to bring those down by about 300 over the last number of months,” Mr Dykgraaf said.

“We are working hard with our partners across Gippsland through the health service partnership to getwaiting listsdown.”

CGH is contributingtoVictoria’s new Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, formally established on September 1under the MentalHealth and WellbeingAct 2022, by strengthening skills and abilitiesand further educating staff on how to care for individuals with mental health-related ED presentations.

“Mental health is asignificant focusfor us,” Mr Dykgraaf said.

“LatrobeHealth Services leads that work in terms of theRoyal Commission response, butweourselves have said how can we strengthen the skills and abilities of our team in terms of people who might turn up in ED with mental health presentation.

“We have also been doing quite abit of work in the careofthe acutely unwell child,which has involved workinour ED, in our Women’s andChildren’s Unit and running avery solid education program.

“So we’vereallybeen tryingtostrengthen our services in anumber of key areas.”

The Wellington Shirecommunity can also expect

to seedevelopments through CGH’s Capital Works Program.

“We finished StageTwo redevelopment works at Stretton Park last year,” Mr Dykgraaf said.

“We are doing significant renovation works at Heyfield Hospital overinThe Lodge. We are about to commence expansion adjacent to the ED. We will be putting in aCTscanner, four new beds adjacent to that CT scanner, and we will also be putting in the behavioural assessment room.”

Behavioural assessmentrooms can effectively manage patients exhibiting aggression in hospital emergencydepartments, maximising the safetyof staff, patients and others.

The main emergency department has equipment that aggressivepatients can potentially harm themselvesorothers with and stimuli that may exacerbate their agitation.

Behavioural assessment rooms provide aseparate space away from the main emergency department area, where amultidisciplinaryteam can work and provide privacy for patients while the situation is assessed and appropriately managed.

Theserooms canreduce the riskofinjury for the patient and staff,facilitate amore positivepatient experience, and reduce distress to other patients and visitors in the emergency department.

“The behavioural assessment room will be built next to the ED, enabling us to manage any health

patientswithacute psychosisorpeople who are dealing with adementia-related illness more safely,” Mr Dykgraaf said.

CGH has also commenced planning withthe Department of Health for the $70 million rebuild of Maffra Hospital.

“At the moment, all going well, it looks like building works will be underwayin2027, with very earlytimelines of being finished in 2028,” Mr Dykgraaf said.

“That will involve acomplete rebuild of the nursing home, so 30 beds there and arevamp of the old nursinghome into amore modern hospital.

“The last piece of capitalworks which is about to commence is at Wilson Lodge, our nursing home here in Sale.

“We are turning one of the common areas there into acafé for the residents,and it will also be street-facing, so we will be able to sell cupsofcoffee to our local community.”

Dr Divy was appointed director of medical servicesatCGH seven months ago and maintains the Clinical Deanposition withthe Monash RuralSale campus. He is also avisiting medical oncologist at the Latrobe Regional Health Service.

Dr Divywas aconsultantoncologistand chair of oncology at Canberra Hospital before his role as CGHdirector of medical services.

Dr Divy is afellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP),who trained in internal medicineand medical oncologyin Australia before completing aclinical fellowship in drug development, early phase trials and thoracic malignanciesatGuy’s Hospital and the Sarah Cannon Research Institute in London.

Thoracic malignancies, including lung cancer, mesothelioma and thymoma, remain of significant clinical interest to Dr Divy, with aparticular interest in the treatmentofGenitourinary malignancies, specifically prostate cancer, malignant melanoma, CNS tumours and breast cancer.

In his capacity as CGH director of medical services, Dr Divy has placedastrong emphasis on medical workforce recruiting.

“We’ve had significant success in the emergency departmentwith new recruitmentand havemanaged to recruit to capacity,” Dr Divy said.

CGH has employed 52 new junior doctors since Dr Divy assumedthe director of medical services role.

“In 2019, we employed 19 junior doctors, we’ve gone to 52 in 2023,” he said.

“So that is the scale we have achieved within our own workforce.

“With junior doctors, it’s not just numbers. It comes with accommodation, it comes with teaching, and every doctor you have in training comes with separate requirements,supervision requirements You are dealing with multiple colleges at atime; it’s not just employment. There is alot of bodywork that needs to happen.

“We are strongly working towardseducation training, especially the ED doctors, making sure they have all the skills, all the opportunities, doing everything we can to help them promote in terms of education and training.

“Ourideaisworkforce retention, which in regional

areas has always been an issue, so we are working very hard to make sure they are all well looked after, they have all the training opportunities, they’ve got acareer pathway so that they can actually stay here and serve the community.

“Same principals we’ve applied for alot of other specialities as well, and we are trying to strengthen our own workforce so that we are self-sufficient.”

While CGH focuses on strengthening its internal service capabilities, Dr Divy recognises the need to collaborate strongly withvisiting specialists.

“We still have alot of specialists coming in from Melbourne, tertiaryhospitalsthat we are in close collaboration with,” Dr Divysaid.

“The tertiaryhospitals and cardiology services, especially.”

Strengthening CGH’s workforce and service capabilities and fosteringa strong relationship with visiting specialists enables Wellington Shire’s major health and aged careservice providerto deliver the best care possible.

The Health Service Partnership, which sees Gippsland health providers work together on several strategic system priorities, has also bolstered CGH’s quality of care and service provision.

“Every regional health facilityhas got achallenge when it comes to recruiting,” Dr Divy said.

“We are also fighting with the COVID outcomes within theworkforce;we are fightingfor thesame poolofdoctorswithin the same organisation.So we are of the belief that within Gippsland, all the healthcare facilities work together, not working in competition.”

CGH is now receiving evidence of the benefits of Health Service Partnerships.

“It has made life alot easier,” Dr Divy said.

“We are startingtosee early signs where we are actually working with the other health care facilities. We are trying to collaborate; there are multiple networks. In the last six months, I’ve attended the surgical and oncology network for the region.

“The other thing is we are looking at what services one facility has, what service the other has and work together so we are not in direct competition, which makes recruitment alot easier.

“I think there is alot more push going forward working together as aregion, not just concentrating on one service.”

While CGH continues to strengthen and broaden service provisions, Mr Dykgraaf believes the Wellington Shire community can assist them in providing the highest quality health care.

“We’ve been very much strengthening our community engagement, which is stillcontinuing,” Mr Dykgraaf said.

“We have awhole numberofvolunteers working in our aged care facilitiesand hereatthe hospital.

“So, if you are interested in lendinga hand, we would love to hear frommembers of the community through our Community Liasion Committee.”

For more information about CGH’s Community Liasion Committee, call aCommunity Network and Volunteer Support Officer on 5143 8833.

Central GippslandHealth’s newmedical director,DoctorDivyanshu ‘Divy’ Dua, with chief executive Mark Dykgraaf. Photo: Zoe Askew

Timber closureleaving impact

PhilipHopkins

THE closure of Gippsland's native forest industry willbeeconomically andsocially devastatingfor manytowns, breaking the deep symbiosisbetween these communities and the nativesector, according to Timber Towns Victoria (TTV).

TTV, in aposition paper, said the state government's original decision to phase out native timber harvesting by 2030 was difficult for communities to understand and harder to adapt.

"The dismantlingofthat undertaking with a closure date of 1January,2024 makesadaptation almostimpossible. The acceleration means a'normal' and orderly transition is unachievable, the financial and emotional stresses dramatically compounded" said TTV president, Cr Karen Stephens.

"For manytimber towns, the people and the businesses in them, the consequences of the closure of native forests will be devastating. Their livelihood and lifeblood is being ripped from them, with the risk some towns will decline."

Wellington Shire, Latrobe Cityand theShires of East Gippsland and Baw Baw are four of the 12-member municipalities that make up TTV. The others are Ballarat, Colac-Otway, Gannawarra, Glenelg, Golden Plains, Moorabool, Moyne and Pyrenees, where plantations are dominant.

"The deepsymbiosis between these communities and the timber industry cannot be overstated.Fire fightingefforts, for instance, are heavily dependent on the resources and expertise provided by the industry. Communities will lose their primary fire fightingcapability: the industry's workforce and its equipment, knowledge and commitment," TTV said.

"Theearningsfromthesetownsare often reinvested locally, significantly bolstering their community's social and economic vitality. Additionally, these communities have aprofound connection with their forests, which provide them with aplethora

of social, conservation and recreational benefits."

Job losses are expected to be substantial, with about2650jobs (bothdirectand indirect)slated to disappear based on independent 2021 TTV modelling. TTV said regional economic output was likely to declinebyabout $714million. Far beyond its role as supplier of timber for housing, flooring, furnitureand other products -sawmilling operations maintain community assets like piers and bridges -the closure of native forest harvesting would have other impacts:

-Loss of tens of thousands of cubic metres of clean, dry, bacteria-free sawdust for bedding used by the broilerindustry likely to be replaced by products with bio-security implications;

-Loss of residual forest material to provide biomass heating to regional hospitals;

-Loss of access to sustainablyharvested firewood, with increased illegal firewood theft;

-Loss of renewable heat energy sources from biomass to provide heat for protective cropping hot houses for horticulture;

-Loss of generational knowledge of regenerative timber harvesting and native vegetation/land management;

-Loss of connection with the bush. Forestersknow the bush and care for it as they have done so for many generations, and;

-Road maintenance may be deeply problematic in the future, as native forest royalty payments have historically funded roads.

TTV said these job losses would lead to broader socio-economic upheaval. It would spread to community services indirectly tied to the industry, such as transport support services,rest stops, motelsaswell as other manufacturing businesses.

"Community health care and schooling will suffer. Declining school numbers may lead to

consolidationsorclosures, and reduced health care support will complicate community health management," TTV said.

"Similarly, the sustainability of sporting and community groups will be threatened. Further, the tourism, hospitalityand accommodation sectors face the risk of reduced patronage and alimited workforce. Adecrease in volunteerism for crucial community safety roles is also expected."

TTV saidtimbertowns had no choice but to embrace plantation forestry, either broadacre or integrated with other farm activities for their economic foundation. The government should ensure legislative and regulatory support for plantations, an 'as of right' access to existing and future plantations, their harvesting, with the option to replant when commercially viable.

Needed is "state taxation and fee concessions, including foregone rate support to councils, to encourage further plantation establishment".

TTV emphasised the need for comprehensive and ongoing state-funded programs for effective fire risk management and firefighting capabilities after the loss of the towns' primary fire-fighting capabilities. The maintenance of road and railnetworks was also crucial for sustaining communities.

"Relying solely on tourism is not sustainable for the future of all timber towns. Communities should place greater value on land management and the interface between land use and manufacturing, including food production, packaging and transport services, to create amore diverse economic base," TTV said.

"Timber towns shouldfocus on improving digital infrastructure to become future digital work hubs, as location need not be abarrier,and regional Victoria can offer great places to live and work."

SealersCoveboardwalk reopenning with many updates

THE popular Sealers Cove boardwalk in Wilsons Promontory National Park is set to reopen following upgrades.

The state government has allocated $4.8 million in investment to rebuild the two-kilometre boardwalk after storms damaged the structure in 2021.

"I'm delightedtoannounce that the Sealers Cove boardwalk will be restored -allowing hikers to experience the beautiful trek to the cove once again," Minister for the Environment,Ingrid Stitt said

"We are protecting what makes Wilsons Promontory specialwhile improving the visitor experience for years to come.

"We're investing in the promontory to further protect our native species and to ensure more people can enjoy this fantastic region."

The new boardwalk will comprise fibre-reinforced plastic to withstandthe promontory's wild weather while providing guests easier and safer access to the golden beach at Sealers Cove.

The project will cross over an extensive swamp and end just before the cove, apopular campsite among hikers.

Member for Gippsland South, Danny O'Brien, who questioned why the works were taking so long in state Parliament earlier this year, said he was pleased that the state governmentisfast-tracking workstorepair the track.

"The Prom is our premier tourism destination that attracts hundreds of thousandsofAustralians and international visitors every year," Mr O'Brien said "The Sealers Cove walk is an important part of the tourism offerings and also offers locals and

visitors alike agreat opportunity to see the best ourprom has to offer.

"I was disappointed that works to complete the track had taken so long and were not forecast to be completed until 2024 at the earliest.

"It's good to seeMinsterofEnvironment, Minister Ingrid Stitt, making the announcementof$4.8 million to get this track reopened.

"I am sure local touristoperatorswill also be

pleased that our key attraction is now astepcloser to reopening.

"I always advocate strongly for issues in my community,and Iget frustrated when areas outside of Melbourne don't get the priority that the city does.

"Today's (Thursday, September 7) announcement is agood step, and Ilook forward to the track being reopened as soon as possible."

Sealers Cove boardwalk has been acrucial part

of the 11km hike between TidalRiver campground and Sealers Cove since its inception in the 1980s. Planning and design approvals for the project are underway to protect the significant cultural and environmentallandscapes of Wilsons Promontory. The Sealers Cove boardwalk project is expected to generate 54 jobs and add about $11.22 million to the regional economy.

Memberfor Eastern VictoriaTom McIntosh, Parks Victoria District Manager Andrew Davies, Minister for Environment IngridStitt, Parks Victoria chief executive Matt Jackson and Parks Victoria Chief Conservation Scientist Dr MarkNorman at the Sealers Cove boardwalk in Wilsons Promontory

Photo: Contributed

Timbertowns such as Heyfield arecountingdownthe days until the stategovernment’s decision to endnativetimber harvesting is reached at the endofthe year. Photo: File

Plan ‘utterly irresponsible’: Bath

PhilipHopkins

THE stategovernment is failingtoprotect central and west Gippslanders from the threat of summer bushfires by allowing the Latrobe Districtforest fuel loads to reach alarming levels, according to the Nationals Memberfor Eastern Victoria,Melina Bath.

Ms Bath saidFire Forest Management Victoria’s (FFMVic) Joint Fire Management Program (JFMP) identified an 84 per cent residual bushfire risk for the Latrobe District, well above the levels stipulated in Labor’s ‘Safer Together’policy.

FFMVic’s Latrobe District includes Latrobe City, Baw Baw Shire, Bass Coast Shire, South Gippsland Shire, and small areas of Wellington Shire.

Ms Bath, who is the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Public Land Use, labelled the state government’s management of fire risk as “utterly irresponsible”.

“Under Labor’s so called ‘Safer Together’ policy state wide target of 70 per cent residual risk entire

regionsfaceasummer bushfire seasonofunacceptable high fire danger,” she said.

Under questioningfrom Ms Bath in stateparliament, the Minister for Environment, Ingrid Stitt did not explain why the residual fire risk in the Latrobe District was so high.

“A risk level of 84 per cent is unacceptable, and places thousands of people, property and the environment in harm’s way,” Ms Bath said.

Ms Bath said the Minister’s response was “woefully inadequate”, avoiding the issue by talking about the state’s collective risk.

“After years of cooler and wetter conditions and Labor inaction, Gippsland now has out of control fuel loads," she said.

“Lower fuel loadsinnorthern Victoriawill not control abushfireinthe Latrobe District -it’s nonsensical. Furthermore, Minister Stitt refused to commit to any additional fuel reduction activities in the Latrobe District before the bushfire season commenced.”

AnalysisofLabor’s ‘Safer Together’ program shows only 43 per cent of Victoria’s planned fuel

reduction burns targets have beenmet in the past six years. Between 2017-2022 the state government planned atotal of 1,472,000ha for fuel reduction.

“The actual achieved was only 628,000ha,and thisfigureincluded the area burnt in theEast Gippsland bushfires,” Ms Bath said.

“Labor was reckless for rolling the dice with regional lives and the environment.

“The Labor government must explain why it has beennegligent and failed to reduce fuelloads in the Latrobe District,jeopardising asignificant area of Gippsland,”MsBath said.

Forest Fire ManagementVictoria (FFMVic)

Gippsland Deputy Chief Fire Officer, SamQuigley, said FFMVic Gippslandworkedevery day to reduce bushfire risk to communities,seizing available opportunities to implement fuel reduction activities, including undertakingplanned burns through winter months.

“Our year-round program of bushfire risk reduction, including planned burning, is underpinned by evidence, local knowledge and continuous improvement -ensuring FFMVic’s efforts are directed

where they will have the greatest impact,” he said.

“Bushfire risk is managed through awide range of interventions includingplannedburning and mechanical treatment like mulching, hazardous tree removal and strategic fuel breaks.”

Overthe most recent summer, autumn and winter periods,FFMVic Gippsland saysithas successfully delivered 42 planned burns totalling 36,000 hectares acrossthe Gippslandregiondespite wetter than average conditions in the key autumn period. This built on the 62,465 hectares of planned burning successfully delivered as part of the Joint Fuel Management Program in 2020/21. Since the 2019/2020 bushfires, $3.5 million has been invested across Gippsland to establish more than 300km of strategic burns. FFMVic says it conducts fuel reduction, including planned burning all year round, when it is safe, taking into account weather conditions, moisture levelsofsoil and ground fuel. It will continue to work closely with the CFA to minimise risk in theinterface areas between public and agricultural land.

Community groups left in the lurch over hub’s future

From Page 1

"SINCE thattime, council hasbeen engaged in ongoing discussions with both the Department of Education and Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC).

"These discussions have centred around the Port of Sale Master Plan, Native Title considerations, and the stategovernment's landsalesprocess. Once all outstanding issuesare resolvedwith the Department of Education and GLaWAC, it is intended that council will assume ownership of the building, and it does not plan to continue with any existing tenancy arrangements.

"While we valuethe contributionsmadebyvarious not-for-profit communityorganisations within the Wellington Shire, we believeitisofutmost importance to keep you informed of council's future intentions for the former Sale High School Site. As such, it is imperative that we continue to convey our plans for the site."

Mr Hogan said the letter has left community groups, who have made their home at the former SaleHighSchool,undoubtedly worried and concerned about their futures and longevity.

He added that concerns have been raised for some time, given that Wellington Shire officers have done awalk-through of the building, sent GLaWACofficialstoassess the costs of upgrading the building, and haveacted in someways as if they have already taken over the building despite having no official authority to do so.

"The Education Departmenthad informed us that council had been advisedthatthey mustseek permission from them to attend or send contractors or others to attend the building, and the Education Department wouldseektomake arrangements with us as the licensee," Mr Hogan said.

"Since receiving the Wellington Shire'spremature "get out notice", which we as the licensee have distributed to all the tenants and other stakeholders at the Community Hub, and for consideration at the Heritage Committee meeting, Ihave personally rung and left messages for anumberofcouncillors on their council phones several times with no response or call back. Since last year, we have had no communication from the Mayor or any of the councillors, not even an apology or decline to the Heritage Meeting invitations."

Mr Hogan reported briefly discussing the matter with aWellington Shire Council councillor several months ago. The councillor had attended the former Sale High School as aguest speaker for one of the current tenants.

Mr Hogan said he shared his concerns and supplied the councillor with documentation, but that nothing hadcome of the discussion and that no councillors had shown any interest at all.

"We are not sure if councillors are even aware of our plight," Mr Hogan said.

"Tenants andthe current licensee are concerned that they have not been involved or invited to be part of any discussions regarding aWellington Shireoccupation of the CommunityHub given that they all believe they as agroup are significant stakeholders in the future of the Hub.

"They are concerned that shire officersare speaking for councillors and if, in fact, the councillors

are actually aware of what is going on. They are further concerned that council had made adecision regarding theHub behind closed doors without any consultation or consideration of the stakeholders.

"There has been some advice gained and negotiations going on regarding GippslandLandand Water AboriginalCorporation tenanting and running the building on behalf of the Wellington Shire as indicated in councilcorrespondenceand via verbal confirmation by shire officers."

Wellington Shire chief executive David Morcom confirmed council remains committed to the implementation of the Port of Sale Masterplan.

"Wellington Shire Council is actively discussing the acquisitionofthe former school site, located at 2Desailly Street in Sale, with the Victorian government, noting that the property has been identified as surplus to Department of Education requirements," Mr Morcom said.

"Native Titleexistsonthe site, and council is working closely with the state government and Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation to achieve the opportunities identified in the adopted Port of Sale Masterplan.

"We understand concerns from occupants of the school building about the uncertainty of property ownership. However, our ability to address these concerns is limited until such time as an actual purchase is agreed.

"If council successfully acquires the site, and in response to requests from community groups, we can helptoidentifysuitable alternatives in line with normal process.

"Following repeat correspondence received by tenants to council, tenancy-related inquiries are best directed to the Department of Education, who is the landlord.

"Until any purchaseisconfirmed, tenants are expected to continue to liaisedirectly with the Department of Education, who can provide updates."

Bill’s half century of service

WITH 50 years of serviceunder his belt, Bill Henebery has stepped down from the Sale Cemetery Trust.

Bill joined the Trust following the death of Ern Ronchi in 1973. In those days, most Trust members represented areligious denomination: these days the Trust members are individuals who have nominated for aposition.

Bill recalls he initially made some alternative suggestions but Father Shanahan, who he had gone to school with, persisted, and Bill eventually agreed.

The Trust at the time includedacouple of familiar faces -then Chair Rex Castles and later chair and long-serving member Alan MacLachlan. Bill was impressed with his first meeting and soon settled in.

He had an even longer association with the cemetery as his father, although not aTrust member, had long attended working bees -particularly the spring burn -and Bill had often accompanied him, an involvement Bill continued to enjoy while on the Trust.

Bill has seen numerous changes in his time. Themodernmonumentalsectionbegan with Ern Ronchi’s burial, and the lawn cemetery was just starting.Today, there’s asecond monumental section to the north and the eastern lawn section is nearing capacity.

The new Memorial Park to the north west has the first lawn sections surveyed and the park will also include achildren’s area and garden areas for ashes.

Bill hasworked with many excellent Trust members and staff, but suggests the grounds have never looked better than they are at present under groundskeeper Jenny Hurley.

“It’ll always be in good condition while she’s here,” Bill said.

“It’s abeautiful cemetery. Wherever we’ve been, I’ve always lookedatthe different cemeteries.You see alot of goodones and a lot of pretty ordinary ones, but nothing really to compare with here.”

Reflecting on his time withthe Trust, Bill said he’s “enjoyed the stay enormously.”

“I’ve been in alot of things but the Cemetery Trust was always really interesting and we were able to do things,” he said.

“We’ve had so many good people on the Trust for afew years at atime-some lasted 15 -20 years. It’s just hard to believe I’ve been here 50 years.”

Bill and his wife Maureencontinuetolive at ‘Wattlevale’, Kilmany, where Bill was born. His family have been there since around 1921

Woolies longest serving employee right hereinSale

BWS employee Phil Gramreached 50 years continuous service on September 13, 2023.

Mr Gram started with Woolworths in September 1973 at the Raymond Street store as ashelf filler after school.

He progressed to afull-time management trainee role in 1974 at 16-years-of-age.

In 1979, Mr Gram married his wife Sue (they met at Woolworths!) and are still happily married Sue and Mr Gram have three daughters, Sandra, Rebecca and Lisaand three granddaughters.

Mr Gram worked for manyyears as night crew manager and moved to the Morwell store -previously on Commercial Road, then onto the Traralgon store as assistant store manager.

and Billeventuallytook over the farm after his two older brothers chose to move north. These days, he hasleased the land but still checks the water and stock regularly.

Although Bill can no longer drive because of a‘bung’ leg, he gets around the farm for his daily check on abuggy and says his health is great otherwiseand he shows an interest in everything he can.

“Life’s beenmarvellous formeand I’ve got awonderful wife who’s an outstandingcook -really fantastic. Maureen was aRuthberg from Boisdale and her mother is still alive and just celebrated her 104thbirthday. We have four children, three girls in Sale and ason in Melbourne,” Bill said.

The cemetery is only one of the organisations Billhas servedfor many years.Hejokes thathe was ‘born’tothe Agricultural Society, attending shows with his father as ayoungster and later as acommittee member.

“I’m coming up to my 83rd Sale Show -dad used to say that mum always entered so many things, he can remembertaking me in the basket and looking after me while mum did such and such,” he said.

“I’ve never missed ashow until 2019 when I was in hospital, and then 2020 and 2021 were abandoned because of COVID and then we were back on it last year.”

In Kilmany, he was involved in many organisations.

“At one stage we added up that there were 16 different organisations thatIcould be invited to for ameeting. Not all clubs, but also four sheep breeding organisations as well as Kilmany organisations and the Agricultural Society,” he said.

In thelastcouple of decades the list has been reducedtofour: the Cemetery, the Ag Society. Kilmany Hall committee which he joined soon afterheleft school, serving 43 years as president, and the Catholic Serra Club which he joined when it formed in 1979. There were numerous local groups he was involved with at Kilmany. All sports: cricket, tennis, badminton -herecalls the Monday night practice.

“Wewould get something like 30 or 40 young people there for practice -you’d be lucky to get ahit but it was terrific. The district was full of young people, totally different now.”

One year he and his partner, the late Heather Trembath (nee Hamilton) won the Gippsland title.

Tennis and cricket teams are alsomuch reduced from his days with amalgamations and other changes to keep the games viable.

Bill says he’s sorry in away that he can’t continue with his involvement with the cemetery but the Trust, as are many other local organisations, is extremely grateful for his long service and valuable contributions over half a century. Awell deserved retirement!

He returned to Sale Woolworths in 1980 as assistant manager.In1984, when GippslandCentre first opened, Mr Gram worked at the new Safeway store. He has workedasgrocery manager, assistant manager and night shift for two years.

In 2005, Mr Gramtransitioned to the liquor department at Woolworths which becameBWS as it is today.

Mr Gram describes his career at Woolworths as overall very positive-hehas enjoyed seeing the growth of many staff over the years. It takes alot of dedicationtomakeitto50years continuous service, but he enjoys his job and the friendships and relationships developed with customers and colleagues over the years.

Mr Gram has seen manychanges in his time and knows the history of Woolworths and Safeway in Gippsland very well. He is the longest serving employee in Woolworths/BWS and thatisanamazing achievement.

The head of BWS Australia and state manager Victoriaphoned Mr Gram to congratulate him

GippslandCentreManagerEmma Waghorne met withMrGramand presented himwithagift to congratulate him on his service.

Ms Waghorne said: “It is an amazing achievement to reach 50 years service. Phil is to be congratulated on his dedication, reliability and setting an amazing example for workers everywhere”.

Mr Gram now works part time and you can find him at BWS Sale, serving customers with asmile. He has no plans to retire.

New flagpoles for LongfordPS

LongfordPrimary School will receive $2000 through the Saluting Their Service program.

LONGFORD Primary School and the Mallacoota and District Historical Society will receive grants under the Saluting Their Service (STS) program. Federal Memberfor Gippsland,Darren Chester, said that Longford Primary School would receive $2000 to install three flag poles, and the Mallacoota and District Historical Society would receive $10,000 to restore the exterior of the Bunker Museum.

“The flagpoles willoffer LongfordPrimary School afitting focal point for students, teachers and the community during commemorative eventsthat are held throughout the year.”

“The exterior restoration of the Mallacoota Bunker Museum will help preserve the heritage, memorabilia and stories of those who served in far

Photo: Contributed

east Gippsland during wartime,” Mr Chester said.

Mr Chester said Australia’spreservationof its military history and recognising the service personnel who defend the freedoms Australians enjoy today was imperative.

“It is great to see that towns across Gippsland are dedicated to commemorating our veterans and theirselfless contribution,” he said.

The STS program is available to organisations for commemorative projects and activities, including those seen in Longford and Mallacoota.

Each organisationthatapplies can receive a maximumof$10,000for community-based commemorative projects.

Phil Gram, pictured with his gift acknowledging 50 years service with Woolworths Photo: Contributed.

Bill Henebery hasretired after serving50 years on Sale CemeteryTrust Photos: Contributed

Bill Henebery at the gates to the old cemetery

Agricultural investment

Zaida Glibanovic

THE state government will invest $1 million into aCSIRO-led consortium that aims to co-ordinate research and boost Victorian agriculture, with a special emphasis on Gippsland.

Minister for Regional Development, Harriet Shing, made the announcement at the Morwell Innovation Centre last Friday.

The CSIRO will lead the consortium, collaborating with universities across the state and governmentsectors to work toward improving outcomes for the food and fibre sector.

Partners in the Australian-first consortium will be Regional Development Victoria (RDV); Deakin, La Trobe, ACU, Monash, Swinburne, Melbourne, RMIT, Federation and Victoria universities; nine of the state’s regional partnerships; the six Regional Development Australia Committees; and Food and Fibre Gippsland.

The consortium will support projects with market and investment strategies, supply chain reviews, infrastructure planning, and technical and export feasibility assessments andboost access to market, sustainability and environmental planning.

According to Food andFibreGippsland, there are about 6500 farming families in the region. From agriculture, fish, dairy, fruit and vegetables, wine, honey, flowers, seaweed, hemp, wool and mohair to the manufacturers and food processors-the food and fibre sector is diverse.

Ms Shing recognised the large contributionthat Gippsland’s farming industry contributes to the economy.

“We know that our food and fibre sector is one of the most important drivers in economic activity and of jobs not just here in Gippsland, in Victoria but around Australia,” she said.

“We have around $18 billion in food and fibre around Australia, here in Gippsland last year we saw around $7 billion -wesaw 15,000 jobs -coming out of our food and fibre industry.”

In the 2022 year, Victoria was the biggest food and fibre exporter in the countrybyvalue, making up 26 per cent of national exports.

The sector is also aided by manybusinesses that produce, sell or supply the food and fibre.

The food program research director at CSIRO, Leif Lundin, said the consortium wouldaccelerate innovation in the sector, capitalising on research.

“Specifically for Gippslandwehave had anumber

of projects come in as suggestions and its associated with the seaweed cultivationand vertical farming,” he said.

Deakin Universityand Food and Fibre Gippsland released areport in 2022 regardingthe feasibility of aGippsland seaweed industry and found that it could be areal opportunity for the region.

Additional innovative possibilities on the cards for Gippsland include industrial hemp and vertical farming, with Foodand Fibre Gippsland undertaking research.

Ms Shing said the productive and sustainable hemp industry was an opportunity for Gippsland.

“Hemp more broadly is an exceptionally important fibre, it is sustainable, it is fast growing, it has alow water uptake and it is able to be deployed in avariety of different commercial and industrial settings,” she said.

With innovation at the forefrontofthe research, Ms Shing saidthe consortium wouldmakeiteasier and more accessible to investigate proposals and pursue projects on the ground.

“It’s really important that as we continuetogrow our food and fibre industries we’re innovating, we’re using the opportunities that we have with technical and academic expertise,” she said.

The Gippsland Regional Director of Regional Development Victoria, Sara Rhodes-Ward, said improving the value of the sector would in turn improve the prosperity of the region.

now offer

Daffodil day support raffle

“In the Gippsland region, we currently produce alot of food and fibre; we are well known and obviously we’ve got $7 billionthat we’re currently contributing, but thatequates to only 30 per cent of that product being value added in the region,” she said.

“Weknow thatifwecan move the 30 per cent up that we will create morejobs,more investment and more prosperity for the region.”

Fundraising for Daffodil Daytook placeon August 30 and31. Photo: Contributed

THE Sale Cancer Council Volunteer group has extended their appreciation to the local community for their ongoing support of the Daffodil Day fundraising event.

Thegroup is thankful to those who donated prizes and who bought raffles tickets, purchased Daffodils and pins, as well as volunteers. Aspecial thanks to ‘The Genny on Gutheridge’, Jen’s flowers, Gippsland Centre andSale Bunnings.

First Day Raffle

1st prize of $100Bensonsfuel voucherSheena Brown

2nd prize of $50 Seaspray General Store voucher -David Scott

Second Day Raffle

1st prize of $50 Seaspray General Store voucher and $50 Visa card -C.Joyce

2nd prize of $50 Visa voucher -Veronica Formore information on becoming avolunteer member, phone Linda on 0448 257 742.

Regional Development MinisterHarrietShing at last week’sannouncement in Morwell.

Photos: Olivia Henning

Regional Development Minister Harriet Shing hasannounced $1 billion in funding fora consortiumtogrowthe region’sfood andfibre industries.

Dr BruceJohnston Dr LubnaAhmed Dr JennaWhite

Dr.Yousuf Ahmad

Carbon captures the imagination

Zaida Glibanovic

EXISTING carbon dioxide streams from the Longford gas plants would be sequestered under Bass Strait in ExxonMobil’s plan for carbon capture and storage in the Gippsland Basin.

Presenting at the recent2023GippslandNew Energy Conference, Esso Australia’s CCS Project Manager, Emma Ogilvie, spoke about the engineering studies beingundertaken by Esso,Exxon's Australian arm, to determinethe potential for CCS off the Gippsland coast.

CCS is the process of capturing CO emissions from industrial activity or powerplants at the source and injectingitinto deep underground geological formations for safe, secure and permanent storage.

“Esso Australia has been part of the Gippsland community for over 50 years, and we're excited to be undertaking front-end engineering design (FEED) studiestodeterminethe potential for carbon capture and storage through the repurposement of some of our facilities,” she said.

The South East Australia Carbon Capture Hub (SEA CSS) hub, Ms Ogilvie explained, would involve the useofexistingfacilities,aswell as the installation of some new infrastructure.

The initial phase of the SEA CSS project would take existing CO2 stream from the Longford gas plants to the Bream Aplatform, where it will be injectedintothe Bream reservoir for permanent storage.

The project has the potential to capture and store up to two million metric tonnes of CO2 per year.

The Bream field is located 46 kilometres off the Gippsland shore.Discovered in 1969, it wasn't until 1987 where it was developed for oil production with gas reinjection that continued for close to 20 years.

Afterits decommissioning in 2020, it has been preserved for the past three years with the plan to re-purpose.

With the SEA CSS project, CO2 will be transportedtothe Bream Aplatform through both a new onshore pipeline and the re-purposedexisting Bream natural gas pipeline.

At Bream A, existing wells would be converted to be able to inject CO2 into the depleted Bream reservoir.

The NetZero Australia authority says that even with 100 per cent renewable energy, CSS technology would be required to meet the agreed targets. Therefore, Australia would need to develop a

carbon capturecapacity of about 175 million tonnes per year to achieve net zero by 2050.

While Esso's major goal is to reduce its own emissions, the company believes there is afuture in reducing emissions in general and turning the Gippsland Basin into aCSS centre.

The chief executive of the CO2CRC, Matthias Raab, who is aleader in global scientific, engineering and energy, was also in attendance and addressed claims thatCCS technologyisunproven.

Dr Raab said CSS was among the few proven technologies that could enable reduced CO emissionsfrom high-emitting and hard-to-decarbonise sectors, such as power generation and heavy industries, including manufacturing, refining and petrochemicals.

Theproject directoratCarbonNet, Jane Burton, explainedthat CarbonNet plans to build a100km pipelinefrom Loy Yang to Golden Beach, which will enable multiple CO2 industrial capture projects, based in the Latrobe Valley, to share CO2 transport infrastructure.

Thepipeline will consist of about80kmofburied

onshore pipeline and afurther 20km (approximate) of offshore pipeline, reachingtwo drillcentres located at CarbonNet’s Pelican site.

The Pelican storage site is located off Golden Beachinthe Gippsland Basin about 1.5km beneath the seabed. The site has at least 168 milliontonnes capacity and can take up to six million tonnes of CO2 per year.

Should the project continue through to the final investment decision that will be determined next year, the project could be operational by 2027.

CarbonNet has completed extensive investigations, which have been subject to independent review and certification, includingdetailed modelling of potential CO2 storage sites in Bass Strait.

The project is currently in stage three -project development and commercial establishment.

Ms Burton explained that CCS couldbenefit Gippsland as it would safeguardexisting jobs, utilise existingskill sets, introduce new decarbonised employment, reduce emissions and facilitate sustainable economic growth for the region. CSS would open opportunities for many emitter

industries to take use of the Gippsland Basin.

Hydrogen and fertiliserwill be afew new key industries that will be able to use the infrastructure with future potential of negative emissions from technologysuch as direct aircaptureand bio-energy.

The largest risk when it comes to CSS is leakage, but the experts said as long as the sites followed regulations and standards,the benefits would outweigh any potential downfalls.

However, many green groups and some in the local community oppose CSS as astrategytoreduce emissions.

Greens spokesperson for healthy oceans, Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, said CSS was apublic relations tactic for corporations to act like they were participating in reducing emissions.

"Pumping carbon under the sea from gas rigs or storing it underground just doesn’t stack up,” he said

“The importing and exporting of carbon dioxide for sub-seabedsequestrationrisks turning Australia's oceans, and those of our near neighbours, into the dumping grounds for the world's pollution.

“Meanwhile, the CCS industry has largely been aploy and adistraction designed to green wash a dirty industry and delay the inevitable."

The CCS proponents maintain Gippsland is the ideal placefor CCStechnology, with its worldclass petroleum basin, geological storage capacity, expertise,proximity to industryhubsand emerging hydrogen industry and becauseofour highly skilled workforce.

EnergyAus joinspartyinbid to build offshore wind farm

PhilipHopkins

ENERGYAUSTRALIA has joined amajor international consortiumthatwantstobuild abig offshore wind farm in Bass Straitinthe Gippsland wind farm zone.

The purpose-built consortium, Elanora Offshore, aims to develop afive-gigawatt offshore wind project off the Gippsland coast within Australia’s first declared wind farm area.

ApartfromEnergyAustralia, owner of the 1450MW Yallourn power stationand an energy retailer with 1.6 million customers across eastern Australia, consortium members include Boskalis, aworld-leadingoffshore wind contractor with a fleet of more than 650 specialist vessels.

Other partners are Respect Energy, global specialists in green power purchase structures, and Polpo Investments, whichhas previouslydeveloped grid-scale solar plants in Australia.

The project would involve 21-megawatt turbines, about 270 metres tall to the tips of the blades,

located far offshore as to limit their visibility from the coast.

Elanora Offshore said it had funding commitments in place from leading globalinvestors, bringing together companies with great experience in delivering offshore wind and energy infrastructure projects in Europe, Asia and Australia.

The Elanora Offshore consortium is led by the two femalefounders of KIMAenergy,who have previously worked on more than 15GW of offshore wind projects in Europe and Asia and who will manage the project with ateam out of Victoria.

Elanora wants to develop its mega project in two stages, each with 2.5GW of capacity.

The first phase would come online in 2032 and the second by the end of 2034.

The Australian Financial Review reported that Elanora was targeting financial close for the first phase by early 2029, with each partner committed to contribute funding and financial investors also to be brought in.

Elanora Offshore’s chiefexecutive,Maya Malik, is moving back to Australia aftermore than15years

working on offshorewind and energy infrastructure projects in Europe and Asia.

“We are deeply committed to the success of offshore wind in Australia and we want to see it done right,” Ms Malik said.

“Each consortium member serves apurpose and is aleader in their field. Our approach has been to bring together the expertise needed to addressthe key challenges of developing offshore wind projects in new markets.

“Our aim is to implement world-leading,sustainable offshore wind technology with agility. We wanttobepartofajust transition -delivering benefits for local communities andminimising environmental impact.”

The consortium is oneof37proposalssubmitted to the federal government for large wind farms off Gippsland, of which it is believed only five or six are expected to gain licenses.

Wind energywas one of the renewableenergy projects thatfeaturedgreatly at theGippsland New Energy Conference in Sale.

Bass Strait off Gippsland is regarded as having

an excellentcombination of attributes for wind energy -untappedwindresources,shallowsea waters, the nearby grid connections in the Latrobe Valley and proximity to major urban centres.

The Yallourn power station is scheduled to be closed in 2028.

The company’s head of portfolioinvestment, Dan Nugent, saidoffshore wind was aclean energy source that can replace part of the capacity lost through the retirement of Yallourn, while also providing asource of new employment for Yallourn power station workers.

The Offshore Infrastructure Registrarisassessing the licence applications.

Criteria include aventure’s technical and financial capability, the project’s commercial viability, engagement with stakeholders, timing and local content and jobs.

Ms Malik told the AFR Elanora expectedto hear in November whether it met the criteria for alicence.The company wouldthen have to take part in aprocess to resolve any overlapbetweenthe area it hadapplied forand any others’applications.

More than500 people attended the Gippsland New Energy Conference in Sale.

Photo: Zaida Glibanovic

The ‘Opportunity for Gippsland Carbon Capture and Storage’ panel washeld on Thursday August 31 Photo: Wellington ShireCouncil

Alarming statistics from GWH

Zaida Glibanovic

GIPPSLAND women aresuffering from alarming anddisproportionate rates of gendered and family violence, Gippsland Women’s Health's(GWH) first annual report card has found.

The report, aregionalfirst, showed aconcerning picture of the health of women in the community.

The extensive consultation results from the 2022/23 period identified mental health, well-being and gendered violence as the most pressing concerns.

Gippsland women consistently reported they face ahealth care system that overwhelmingly does not acknowledge or understand the complexities and demands of women's health and their lives.

Victoria Police crime reportingrates for the 2022 year found the Latrobe Valley was number one in the state for domestic violence reporting rates.

Gippsland continues to havethe reputation of some of the highest rates of family violence crime reporting in Victoria.

Family violence rates sit at 184 women per 10,000 of population who have experienced it compared to the state averageof114 women per 10,000of population.

In real terms, that equates to 500 women in Traralgon,1500across Latrobe Valleyand 300 women in Sale and 900 across Wellington Shire.

The lack of access to health care services also concerned many women, as services such as General Practitioners (GPs), specialists and women's health experts are not the easiest to access in Gippsland.

The reportidentified the affordability of services, travel time, lackoftransportand isolation all contributed to the challengesinaccessingservices.

Fromthe report, GWHfound79per cent of

women had to travel outside the region to access health care services in the past year.

However, some improvementinhealthaccessibility was registered, with the roll out of two sexual health and reproductive hubs in Gippsland -one in East Gippsland and one in the Valley, but GWH said more could be done.

Latrobe and Wellingtonregions havehigher than state average rates for births, teenage pregnancy

alongside higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases -Chlamydia in particular.

The report card stated that the mental health and well-beingstatus of Gippsland women remains in crisis, with gender inequity, violence, bushfires, floods and industrydownturn, along with ashortage of services, having all contributed to the continuingchallengesfor women’s well-being

Latrobe Valley currently has the highest rates of

self-harm-related injury in Gippsland, far exceeding the state average.

In female participation in the workforce, the report found ahigher level of part-time work and lower pay, with less time spent in the workforce resulting in some real incomeinequalities and superannuation gaps for women in Gippsland. In some interesting insights, the report found only 25 per cent of women in Gippsland earn above the minimum wage, with 35 per cent of women in full-time employment.

As in the rest of the nation, homelessness was also areal issue for women in Gippsland.

Latrobe Valley has ahomelessness rate for women of 207 per 10,000, East Gippsland 158 and withWellington at 141 -disproportionately higher statistics than the state average.

Over the past 12 months, GWH has increased its efforts to improvewomen's health outcomes. GWH nowworks with One Gippsland and the Gippsland Centre against Sexual Assault, alongsidepartnerships with AGL, Gippsland Food &Fibre, Men's Shed, Youth Space and Rural Financial Service. Chief executive of GWH,Kate Graham, said the organisation would continue to engagewith the community to findsolutions for the women in Gippsland.

"The solution can be found by Gippsland leaders, industries and communities having the courage, the respect and the humility to acknowledge and facilitate equal treatment, access, opportunity and distribution of resources for women and girls -it is after all afundamental human right," she said. To read the full report head to www.gwhealth. asn.au/

Men over 50 urgedtohavebowel screening

THE free bowel screening test can savelives,but more Victoriansneed to participate, with data showing massive falls in participation.

CancerCouncil Victoriaislaunchingits latest lifesaving campaign, urging all eligible Victorians aged 50-74toparticipate in the NationalBowel

CancerScreeningProgramfollowing new data, which shows the percentage of eligible Victorians who have completed this free bowel screening test has declined.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW),fewer than half (43.9per cent)

of eligible Victorians aged 50-74 participated in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) in 2020/2021.

This is adecline from the 46.5 per cent participation rate achieved in the 2019/2020 reporting period.

This decline in bowel screening coincides with concerning data from the Victorian Cancer Registry that reported 3800 fewer cancer diagnoses thanwhatwas expected in Victoria over 2020 and 2021, with the greatest decline in missed cancer diagnoses occurring in bowel cancer (846).

The VictorianCancer Registryattributes the missing cancer diagnoses to the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected the number of Victorians coming forward for cancer screening, testing and subsequent diagnosis.

Cancer Council Victoria chief executive, Todd Harper AM, said it was critical people aged 50-74 participate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.

"In 2021, 1281 Victorians diedfrom bowel cancer, and over 3713 peoplewere diagnosed," Mr Harper said.

"If participationinbowel screening continues to decline, the number of deaths could increase due to diagnosis of bowel cancer at alater stage.

"However, over 90 per cent of bowel cancers can be treated successfully if found early. Doing your bowel screening testwill find signsofbowel cancer before you notice any symptoms."

To address these concerning figures and increase bowel screeningparticipation, Cancer Council Victoria, in partnership withthe Victorian Department of Health,islaunching anew

state-wide campaign featuring the inspiring story of Laurie Cronin, whose life was saved by doing the free bowel screening test.

Fatheroftwo,Laurie Cronin, was only 52, didn't have any symptoms and felt fine when the bowel screening test came in the mail in 2021, so he ignored it and put it away until his wife strongly encouraged him to make time for it.

To his surprise, his test results came back positive, and after further testing, he was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

"I would have been dead by now if Ihadn'tdone the test," Mr Cronin said.

"Thecancercouldhave spreadquickly based on where it was located, and there would have been nothing the doctors could have done for me."

Mr Cronin's latestcheck-upinJune 2023shows he is cancer-free, and is encouraging all Victorians aged 50-74 to do their bowel screening test through Cancer Council Victoria's latest campaign.

Victorian Ministerfor Health, theHon.MaryAnneThomas, endorsed the launchofthe Victorian Bowel ScreeningCampaign and applauded Mr Cronin,whose personal story should remind every Victorian why this simple test is so important.

Cancer CouncilVictoria's state-wide Bowel ScreeningCampaign is on air from September to November and calls forall eligible Victorians aged50-74not to take risks with their health and to complete their bowel screening test when it arrives in the mail.

To learnmore about bowel screening or to reorder areplacement test kit, head to cancervic.org.au/ bowel.

Gippsland Women’s Health annual report card found bleak outlooks for women’s health in the region, theLatrobe Valley in particular

Photo:File

Bushfirepublic meeting

LEADING bushfire experts will discuss the possibility of another major fire in East Gippsland at apublicmeeting in Mallacoota next month.

The Howitt Society will present apublic meeting to discuss the issue of the long-term protection of the townships and the forests of East Gippsland. It will be held on Thursday,October 5inthe meetingroom at the Mallacoota District Health & Support Service (MIVA Centre), Genoa-Mallacoota Road, at the corner with Mattsson Street from 2pm to 4pm.

Speakers are ChrisHardman, the Executive Director Forest and Fire Operations and ChiefFire Officer for the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action; and Associate Professor Kevin Tolhurst, fromthe SchoolofAgriculture, Food and Ecosystem Scientists at Melbourne University, Professor Tolhurstisa renowned expert in the prediction of fire behaviour, particularly as related to fuel loads.

Athird speaker will be John Mulligan, alongtermresident of East Gippsland and former chairman of the East Gippsland Wildfire Taskforce.

The HowittSociety will holdabushfireresolution meeting in Malacootanextmonth.

There will be an open forum after the speakers where those in the community have the opportunity to ask questions of the speakersand potentially

Sale Police large seize

Police Beat

SALE police havecharged a52-year-old man after seizing drugs and more than $50,000 in cash at Sale on Thursday.

Police executed asearch warrantata residential address in Sale where it is alleged cash and drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine were seized.

ASale man has been charged with trafficking commercial quantity of drug of dependence, deal with proceeds of crime and possessing ammunition. He was remanded to appear at Sale Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

frame resolutionsfromthe Mallacoota meeting

For further information, phone the Howitt Societysecretary, GarrySquires, on 0417 588 210.

AEC reminder forpeople thinkingoftravel

THE Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is reminding people who will be overseas during the upcoming referendum to plan their vote now.

Alistof107 overseas voting centres for the 2023 referendum was recentlypublished on the AEC website, with postal voting or voting at an early voting centre before departure also options that areavailable.

Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said the service provision for people overseas is the most that haseverbeenprovidedfor afederal election or referendum in Australia’s history.

“Voting in-person overseas is agreat touchstone for Australiansliving and travellingoverseasand

I’m pleased and veryproud to seeour service provision is larger than ever,” Mr Rogers said.

“This would not have been possible without the strong ongoing co-operation between the AEC and its partners -the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Austrade.”

While any polling service is alwayssubject to change,the list published shows 107 in-person voting locations available across 80 countries -a significant increase from the 2022 Federal Election conducted during COVID-19 restrictions.

“Overseas voting centres will be available during the early voting period, which commences on Monday, October 2and will run within the two-week period leading up to referendum day,” Mr Rogers said.

“Please keep in mind that the openingdates and times will vary and this voting information is being published by each overseascentreprogressively as arrangements arefinalised.”

If an Australian overseas is unable to voteatone of the in-person voting locations, they can apply for apostal vote.

Postal votesoverseas will have fast-tracked arrangements in place where possible, using

point-to-point couriers for dispatch and diplomatic mail for return.

Thiswas done for the first timeduring the 2022 FederalElectionand will continuefor the referendum regardless of the increase to in-person voting centres.

“We don’t control or operate overseas postal services -wedoeverything in our powertofacilitate avoting service for people around the world but are conscious that for some people this just won’t be possible,” Mr Rogers said.

“If you’re close to an in-person overseas voting centre then my advice would be to cast your vote in-person. If you’re applying for apostal vote, do it as soon as you possibly can to provide the best chance for your ballot paper to get to you overseas in time for voting day.”

Votinginareferendum is not compulsory for Australians overseas.

Mind your meter this spring

GIPPSLAND Water is reminding customers to watch out for their water meter as people fire up their mowers for spring.

The warmer weather usually sees the water business’ customer call centre receive an increased number of calls about damaged water meters.

Water meters can often be hidden by long grass, and once damaged,usually require repair by field crew members.

Asimple way peoplecan avoid damaging their water meter is to check its location before beginning to mow.

Customerswho areunsureofwhere their water meter is can call 1800 050 500 for more

Photo: File image

PROUDLYBROUGHT TO YOUBYTHESE PARTICIPATINGLOCAL BUSINESSES

Crossword Puzzle No.8552

with Muzza

ONE POINTERS

1. Which AFL team finished on top of the ladder after this years home and away rounds?

2. What is the name of the current movie about an American scientist and his role in developing the atomic bomb?

3. On the periodic table, what element has the chemical symbol He?

4. True or false. Sharks aremammals?

TWO POINTERS

5. Which planet is home to Doctor Who?

6. What is the capital city of Egypt?

7. Who sings the song ‘Chemical’?

8. Which famous artist cut his own ear off?

THREE POINTERS

9. Who is the current Minister for Energy and Resources?

10. What does the acronym “SCUBA” stand for?

11. Who plays Mary in ‘There’sSomething About Mary’?

12. What is Hyacinth aspecies of?

FOUR POINTERS

13. What is the next prime number after 7?

14. What is the name of the largest active volcano in Europe?

FIVE POINTER

15. Who am I? Clue: BorninSydney in 1945, Imoved to the Barossa Valley in 1973 with my husband to run apheasant farm and restaurant. My career spans farming, food production, as well as television presenting and food writing. Iestablished my own Foundation in 2014 and many people know me as acookand achef.

HOW DID YOU FARE?

37: Topofthe class; 30-36: Outstanding; 23-29: Well done; 15-22: Solid effort; 9-14: Room for improvement; 0-8: Hit the books.

Target Time No.0176

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

Sudoku No.0176

Howtoplay...

Fill the grid so thateveryrow and every 3x3 square contains the digits 1to9 Solution page 30.

Duty’s

Be

New releasefollowing tour

JUST try not to feel good when you listen to ‘Size Up’, the new single fromcountry and western musician Felicity Urquhart and folk rock musician Josh Cunningham, who will be performing at the Stratford Courthouse on October 28.

The new track is irresistible as ice cream, catchy as acold, and built on the grassroots foundationofovercoming the odds and rising above adversity. Written by Josh and inspired by his own upbringing, this

tuneisaproverbialear worm, with 'hit' written all over it.

“Growing up in apoor family, meant that wearing hand me down clothes and putting another holeinthe belt, were just apartof life”, reflects Josh.

“Butmorethan that, my siblingsand Iwereencouragedtoberesourceful by making do, making things from scratch, or repurposing thingstofillaneed.The old saying that necessity is the mother of invention, certainly rang true in our home.”

‘Underprivileged’ is awordthat might be used to describe it, but in true ‘Size Up’ style, Josh regards it as aprivilegetogrow up the way he did.

“I developed alot of practical skills and learned important life lessons that have stayed with me,” he said.

“When nothing gets handed to you on a silver platter you have to develop resilience and resourcefulness, and it keeps you humble” -asentiment perfectly expressed in the lyric of ‘Size Up’, “it’s hard to get too big for your boots when your boots are too big for you.”

The ideaof‘sizing up’ tookonadeeper meaningthan just literally wearing clothes that take time to grow into becausethey’re too big.

if you ‘sizeup’ and dig deepyou’ll get to the summit.”

Thatpositivespin is expressed musically, as well as lyrically on ‘Size Up’withthe track having an upbeat, celebratory flair. Josh’s guitarbubbles and dancesthroughout the song and breaks fully freeinthe instrumental section where it reaches the top of the mountain.

Felicity’s ownupbringingmirrors that of Josh’sand her exquisite vocal also features prominently on the track.

“It’s such adelight to sing this song with Josh,” she said.

“My parents are very practical, handson people who also raised me to have the can do, make do mindsetthat ‘SizeUp’ celebrates. It truly feels as though I’m singing my own story too.”

‘Size Up’ is the current single from Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham’s album Birdsong,due for release on September 29 (available for pre-order now).

They’ll be touring the album all around Australia throughout October and November,including Stratford Courthouse on October 28.

Moredetailsatstratfordcourthouse.com.

au

The ‘Size Up’ song and video speak to the simple yet important aspects of life thatare toooften forgotten in thefast paced world of today.

Images: Contributed

“It’s really the attitude and strength of character needed to stand taller than the challenges you face,” Josh said.

“You might notbebiggerthan the mountain of adversity that’s in front of you, but

Australian artists Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham, willbeperforming at the Stratford Courthouse on Saturday, October 28.

Gippsland Print Awardwinner formally announced

AMELBOURNE-BASED artist, Rosalind Atkins, has been named the 2023 Gippsland Print Award winner.

Wellington Shire CouncilMayor, Ian Bye, announced Atkins as the recipient of the $5000 acquisitive nationalaward for printmaking,atthe Gippsland Art Gallery's spring season launch on Friday, September 1, in front of acapacity audience.

Atkins was selected from afieldof255 entries by artists from across Australia by the judgingpanel, comprisingprintmaker, Dr Lesley Duxbury, artist and Emeritus Professor,RMIT University;Simon Gregg, thedirector of Gippsland Art Gallery; and Dr Louisa Waters, the co-ordinator collections and exhibitions at the Gippsland Art Gallery.

The judges praised the "exacting technique" of

Live David Bowie show in Stratford

Atkins' winning work, 'Columns in aShock of Light' and its subject, describing the "dense gum trees" as being a"very Gippsland bush".

Judges felt the imagerywas "highlyimmersive", noting that "it draws you in andthen sends you back -the more you look at it, the more you see", adding that "it is easy to get lostand entangled in it".

Forthe first time in 2023, the galleryhas offered asecondaryprize for the Gippsland Print Award -the Pat Waters Prize for Best Gippsland Work, named in honour of one of the region's pioneer contemporary artists and printmakers,Pat Waters (1944-2022).

ABriagolong-based artist, Maria Fitzgerald (pictured on Page 1),received the inaugural$1000 non-acquisitive prize.

The judges praised the "painterly quality" of

Maria's work, titled Night Reflections,noting how it "draws you into the landscape". They commented that "there's alot of movement and areal sense of energy about it".

Judgesalsonoted that as amonoprint (a uniquestate print),the work "has an immediacy to it -it's not alaboriouswork, it has areal sense of fluidity to it". Judges complimented the work's “evocative quality”, which rewardslong looking.

The GippslandPrintAward began in 2015, with the Melbourne-based Martin Kingthe winnerof the inaugural prize, followed by aCastlemaine artist, Jock Clutterbuck in 2017.

The exhibition draws entries from all corners of Australiainacelebration of printmaking in Gippsland. Described by one artist as "every printmaker's favourite prize", the awardhas since attracted

national attention. The winning work of each exhibitionisautomatically acquired for the Gippsland Art Gallery's permanent collection.

The 2023 Gippsland PrintAward -featuring all 255 entries -isnow on display at the GippslandArt Gallery until November 19, and admission is free.

WITHsmall acousticstrings and epic three-part vocal harmony, the Thin White Ukes honour the songs of David Bowie in theunpredictable spirit of adventure that defineshis legacy.

From Space Oddity to Blackstar, Ziggy Stardust to Serious Moonlight,thiselegantly attired Melbourne trio has been thrilling hardcore Bowie fans and curious newcomers alike withcrafty arrangementsofthe great man's smash hits and glittering obscurities foreight years.

Join them and guest drummer Ashley Davies (Models) on Sunday, October 1, for arapturous evening of Bowie love,harmony and the odd splash of glitter.

Put on your red shoes. They’ll be floating in amost peculiar way.

Tickets are $30 ($25 concession) and can be purchased online from www.stratfordcourthouse.com.

Melbourne-based Rosalind Atkins with her winningwork,‘Columns in aShock of Light’.

Photos: Contributed

Visitors inspectingsomeofthe 255 artworks in the 2023 GippslandPrint Award.

David Bowie fans areset to be enthralled. Photo:Contributed.

Brand-new home in Stratford

IFyou are afterabrand-new homebut don’t want to go through the process of building, then thisnewlycompleted home at 23 RedbankRoad could be the perfect option for you.

Located in sought after Stratford on an 801 sqm block, the home is in great proximity to schools, parks, the rec reserve, natural attractions such as the KnobReserve and AvonRiver,and only ashort walk to the main street.

The home has been well designed for modern family living withplenty of internal space and offers plentyofroom outside for shedding to be built and landscaping to be donetosuit your needs.

Property features:

 Master suite at the front of the home with large walk-in robe and ensuite;

 Afurther three large bedrooms all with built-in robes;

 Separate formal lounge;

 Large open plan kitchen and dining/living space;

 Well equipped kitchen with stone bench tops, double sink, large five burner free standing oven, generous inbuilt pantry;

 Central family bathroom with separate bath, shower and vanity;

 Split system and ceiling fans for year-round comfort, high ceilings and aseven-star energy rating;

 Paved alfresco area, double garage with direct access into the home and the rear yard, and;

 Colorbond fencing is being installed.

Briefdetails

Property: Four-bedroom new build

Address: 23 Redbank Road, Stratford

Price: $565,000

Contact: Julian McIvor,Wellington Real Estate, 0428 084 622

Aprivate setting in agreat location

Properties on the northern corridor of Boisdale Street in Maffra are heavily sought after,but with a large1250m2 block, agents say this property even more attractive!

Well built in its day,this home is perfectly set for the buyer looking for aprivate setting in aresidential area. The north facing design brings an abundance of light into the living zone, creating acosytheme forthe rest of the home.

The floorplan includes three bedrooms and two bathrooms perfectly designed to flow around the living areas, with the kitchen perfectly positioned in the centre of the layout. The living area also taking in the views of the plant filled courtyard, perfect for entertaining friends and family.

Off-street parking is well catered for with a single carport and extra space for the trailer or van at the front, along with the large shed at the rear of the block.

The gardens have an abundance of plants and trees that complete the tranquil nature of the property,blending the home into the block beautifully

Ifyou are looking for a property considered by many tobe in oneofMaffra’smost idyllic locations, then call our office foraninspection.

Briefdetails ails

Property: Three-bedroom home ata new price

Address: 142Boisdale Street,Maffra

NewPrice: $565,000

Contact: Kevin Read, Wellington Real Estate, 0488 411026

Ifyour quest is for alarge family property in asought-after East Sale location, then look no further!

Discover an extensively renovated property that seamlessly blends comfort and modern-day functionality.With two sizeable living areas enjoying the grandeur of stunning vaulted ceilings including a relaxing sitting room at the front of the home plus acasual family/meals/kitchen zone that flows seamlessly to the alfresco area. The sleek, modern new kitchen offers luxurious stone benchtops, premium appliances, and soft-close doors and drawers.

Four very generously sized bedrooms and astudy ensure ample space for everyone.

The master suite boasts great robed storage and asimply amazing ensuite complete with bath and walk-in shower,and the further bedrooms don’t miss out, they also enjoy anew contemporary bathroom.Aducted heating and cooling system, beautifully appointed fittings and fixtures, acoffee/bar nook, ceiling fans throughout, asecurity system and a5.6KW solar system all add to the appeal of this exceptional property Step outside to an array of impressive features including adecked alfresco area overlooking the lovely,landscaped yard and aprivate spa area. There is asizable 10m x 4m lock-up garage equipped with aworkshop space, asingle carport and afully fenced secure rear yard with good access.

Briefdetails fdetails

Property: Renovated four-bedroom home

Prime horticultureorgrazing

Held in the one family since 1979, this productive property is ideal for many agricultural pursuits, such as vegetable production, dairy turnout or cropping.

Features include:

 High Quality Avon River flat soils;

 25.8 Hectares or 63.8 acres;

 61.7MegalitresofHigh Reliable Water

Share;  30.5 Megalitres of Low Reliable Water

Share;

 Centre pivot irrigator,and an;

 Electric pumpsuppling the Centre pivot from an MID pipeline. This is an opportunity not to be missed. The property will be auctioned on the same day as the adjoining property addressed as 90 Ridleys Lane, Maffra. See details below

Briefdetails fdetails

Auction: Friday22ndofSeptember 2023 Time: 11:00am Auction location: Boisdale Public Hall

•2xwatertanks, garden shed, 2x dams, fruittrees include apricot,pears,lemon, apple,almond and100-150 olive trees, close to thetownship of Toongabbie and only 15 minutes from Traralgon CBD

•Large verandas,extensiveshedding,garage,carport, machinery shed,greenhouse and 2x sleepouts

•104 Acres(approx.) fenced into multiplepaddocks,cattle yards

24 PowerscourtStreet,Maffra

$419,000

well as afirsthome,

Being offered for the first time in close to acentury is this family held property,ideal for many agricultural pursuits, such as vegetable production, dairy turnout or cropping.

Features include:

 High Quality Avon Riverflat soils;

 18.7 Hectares or 46.1 acres;

 48.8 Megalitres of High Reliable Water

Share, and;

 23.0 Megalitres of Low Reliable Water

Share.

In more recent times this property has been managed in conjunction with the neighbouring family property to compliment the production of the land.

This property has been in the family for generations, providing aonce in alifetime opportunity to continue the next chapter

The property will be auctioned on the same day as the adjoining property addressed as 103 BoisdaleStratford Road, Maffra. See details to the side.

Briefdetails

Auction: Friday22nd of September 2023

Time: 11:00am

Auction location: Boisdale Public Hall

42-44 Main Street,Boisdale

Terms: 10%deposit upon signing, settlement in 60 days Property: Farmland

AUCTION

*Stunningly renovated Edwardian home combiningperiod features with modern conveniences

*Big rooms, Baltic pine floorboards, 12 ceilings, period mantles decoratethe open fireplaces, picturerails and large front porch arejustsome of the many features

*Substantial home featuring 3bedrooms plus study

*Modern kitchen with stone bench tops, dishwasher,

period-style electric oven, induction cook topand huge walk-in pantry

*2fully renovated bathrooms

*Delightfulformal lounge with gas log fire and reverse cycle air-conditioner

*Sunroom

*Garage/workshop with concretefloor&power

569 BOISDALE-VALENCIA CREEK ROAD, VALENCIA CREEK

EXECUTIVE LIFESTYLE PROPERTY

*Set on approximately 72 acres with breathtaking northerly aspect as well as views over the Boisdale flats

*Architect designed luxury residence with no expense spared

*21mgl high reliability &10mgl low reliability water right

*4bedrooms, 2stunning bathrooms

*Stunning kitchen with Caesarstone benchtops, walk in pantry and stainless steel appliances

*Light filled open plan living and family areas

*Double carport,30m x11m shed, 14.5mx12m machinery shed, 25m x9mshed/workshop

*Fully fenced inground swimming pool with pool house ideal for entertaining or home business

*Divided intonumerous paddocks with good fencing

*Cattle yards, loading ramp and 3dams

FOR SALE $1,800,000

8BLYTH STREET,MAFFRA

PERFECT FIRSTHOMEORINVESTMENT

*This property is perfect for the first home buyer or investor

*3bedrooms

*Spacious kitchen including dishwasher,gas cook top, electric oven and plenty of cupboardspace

*Open plan living area with wood heater and reverse

cycle air-conditioner

*Fantastic outdoor entertaining area with built in BBQ.

*Corner block with the perfect configuration of double carport driveway and direct access to the 6m x6mshed

*Easy maintenance gardens making thisproperty agreat all-round investment

FOR SALE $420,000

Farmers call out new bushfire management plan

Philip Hopkins

VICTORIA'S farmers have attacked the Victorian government's draft new bushfire management strategy for failing to plan for bushfires on the state’s agricultural industries ahead of an expected dangerous fire season.

The presidentofthe Victorian Farmers Federation, Emma Germano, said the government’s recently releaseddraft Bushfire Management Strategy had failed to take into account the devastation that fires can have on food and fibre production.

“The VFF is deeply disappointed with the draft Bushfire ManagementStrategy by the Victorian Government. Thestrategy, whichismeantto address the critical issue of bushfire management in our state, has failed to acknowledge the far-reaching destruction of bushfires on our food and fibre production,” she said.

“Bushfires are not just anatural disaster;they are an economic catastrophefor our community. The government's draft strategy has largely overlooked the agricultural sector's unique vulnerabilities and challenges. In fact, agriculture is barely mentioned in the document.”

Ms Germano said the impact of bushfire lingered long after the flames were extinguished. "Devastated farmland can push food prices higher and the mental health burdenonfarmers cannot be overstated. In this time of increased cost of living and huge mental health burdens on people, we need to do better,” she said.

“Failure to understand the consequences of bushfires on farm businesses means fire agencies are lessequipped to help protect farmersand their livelihoods, which results in prolonged and costly recovery in the aftermath of afire.”

Ms Germano said after acouple of relatively benignfire seasons, the next big onewas around the corner.

"The CFA is already warning of an early start to the bushfire season, so it’s critical that government is doing everything it can to prepare,” she said.

In its submissiontothe draft strategy, the VFF called on the government to create adedicated chapter to cover impacts on agriculture with criteria on:

 Data tools, systems and knowledge of the impacts fires have on agriculture and other primary industries and different commodities within agriculture;

 Integrating research and knowledge of intensity of fires on different agricultural

production systems into models;

 Improving monitoring, evaluation and reporting of risk reduction and fire management activities on agricultural production.

“The VFF calls upon the Victorian Government to urgentlyrevise the draft Bushfire Management Strategytoinclude acomprehensive section that acknowledges the specific challenges faced by the agriculture industry.”

“Only by acknowledging these challenges can government properly plan for and respond to bushfires and their enormousimpact on primary production,” Ms Germano said.

The Bushfire Management Strategy replaces the 2015 policy, Safer Together:ANew Approach, and aimstoreduce the risk of bushfire in Victoria. "The work we do over the next 10 years will help ensure Victoria's people,land, environment and resources are made as safeand resilient as possible for when bushfires inevitably occur," the draft strategy says.

Its key points include:

 Empower people and communities to manage bushfire risk, response and recovery more effectively in their local area.

 Improve early warning information and advice on how to respond to bushfire emergencies.

 Deliver afuel management program across public and private land that addresses the challenges associated with achangingclimate.

 Continuously work to contain fires early, limiting their impact on people, communities, industry, the environment and cultural values.

 Adapt and reduce the influence of climate change on bushfire risk requires astrong and continuously improving foundation of knowledge, evidence and tools.

 Develop enhanced systems, processes, tools and programs to improvetraining and support to all staff.

 Continuously improve data, tools, systems and knowledge of the impact of fire regimes on ecosystem resilience and the environment.

 Providing traditional owners with access and authority to manage Country using cultural land management tools, including cultural fire. This involves traditional owners to lead the planning and to undertake cultural burns across all land tenures and Country types according to their cultural obligations.

 Improve management of state forest reserves and private land throughcollaborative management to heal Country and build resilience.

Emergency preparedness

THE latest Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for spring suggests thatVictorians can expectadrier and warmer spring, with ahigh chance of an earlier start to the fire season in the central, westernand northern parts of the state.

The Minister for Emergency Services, Jaclyn Symes, this week joined the newly appointed Emergency Management Commissioner, Rick Nugent, to remindVictorians to prepare their propertiesnow for the upcoming high-risk fire season.

Mr Nugent has led police operations as State Police Commanderfor the 2022 October floods and the pandemic response during his 35-year career withVictoriaPolice. Mr Nugent also played leadership roles in the operational response to the 2019-20 Victorian bushfires, major sporting events and other critical incidents.

Ms Symes said Mr Nugent had provided exceptional leadership in community safety and brought decades of experience to arole that is of vital importance to the safetyofVictorians.

“We need to do everythingwecan to keep communitiessafe this fire season and bushfire preparedness is the best way to do it,” she said.

Mr Nugent said he was looking forward to his term as Commissioner.

“If you haven’t already, download the

VicEmergency appand know where you can receive emergency information, including your local emergency broadcasters,” he said.

Victoria’s drier-than-average conditions are expected to continue, following below average rainfall across much of the state during winter. The Country Fire Authority (CFA) is heavily focused on preparedness as the potential for grass fires is expected to be higher after three years of wet La Niña conditions. Victorians should start to prepare their properties and continuetokeep on top of fast-growing grass.

The CFAsaysitisworking very closely with the communityand emergency service partners to prepare for the high-risk weather season.

Emergency Management Victoria (EMV)isworking with agencies to ensure incident management teams and Level three control centres across the state are ready to go.

Having abushfire survival plan with your family, reducing the vegetation around your home by mowing lawns and clearing gutters, are some of the most important things you can do to prepare for the high-risk period for fires.

For more information on how to preparefor fires and other emergencies download the VicEmergency app or visit emergency.vic.gov.au.

Available scholarship opportunity

SEVEN GardinerFoundation Tertiary

Scholarships are available for Students from Victorian dairy communities whoplan to start their tertiary studies in 2024.

Students must pursue acareer that will either directly benefit the dairy industry or benefit dairy communities. Each scholarship is worth $10,000 annually and is available for the first three years of ascholar's University or TAFE course.

The tertiary scholarships are named in recognition of services to the dairy industry by Niel Black, ShirleyHarlock, Jakob Malmo,BillPyle and Doug Weir.

CEO of Gardiner Foundation, Allan Cameron, said investing in rural Victorian students builds the social capital of our dairy communities.

"Gardiner is proudtobeabletoprovide students with the opportunity to gain their tertiary qualifications without some of the financial constraints that can often exist for students from the country," Mr Cameron said.

"Morestudentsfrom dairy communities obtaining skills and experiences in their chosen field of endeavour willhelp create thriving and vibrant communities where people want to live, work and invest."

Students must starttheir first year of full-time

tertiary study in 2024 on campus and need to relocate from home due to study commitments to be eligible to apply. There is no preferred field of study, with past students enrolling in various courses,including agriculture science, nursing, medicine, engineering, journalism and commerce. Anastasia Rea, a2022 Niel Black Gardiner Tertiary Scholar, is currently studying for an Advanced Diploma in Agribusiness Management at Longerenong Agriculture College.

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the Gardiner scholarship, so it's really special," Anastasia said.

"I'm sure my parents would have helped, but Idon't think Icould have afforded to go without the scholarship. It made it awhole lot easier for everybody."

Successful applicants must demonstrate intended future contributions to the dairy industry and communities and describe theircommunity involvement and academic achievements to date.

Applications must be submitted by 5pm, Monday, November20, 2023. For more information and to apply, please visit www.gardinerfoundation. com.au/ts.

Pleasesubmit completed applications to scholarships@gardinerfoundation.com.au.

Thereisahigh chance of an earlier fireseason in the state’s central, western and northern parts.

Photo: Contributed

New highly experienced ABSF

THE Australian Beef SustainabilityFramework (ABSF) has appointed three new members highly experienced memberstoits Sustainability Steering Group (SSG).

Joining the SSG are Stockyard Beef manager, marketing and community engagement, Amy Brooks;GreenhamLivestocksupply chain manager,Jess Loughland; and Hewitt Foods director of livestock, Peter Gall.

ABSF SSG Chair Mark Davie said the trio's extensive networks and industryknowledge would ensure the development of the framework would continue, and stakeholder consultation would be paramount.

"They each bring such avaluable and complementary setofskills in sustainable beef production, from Peter's wisdom gained from along and trailblazing career to Jess's insights from abroad engagement with producers and Amy's extensive work across the corporate and government sector," he said.

In addition to her role at Stockyard Beef, Amy Brooks is also amember of Telstra'sRegional Advisory Council and anon-executive director of the Woorabinda Pastoral Company.

An agricultural enterprise wholly owned by the Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council, the company manages 5000 head of beef cattle and 5660ha of dryland cropsincentral Queensland.

Both connections have led to Stockyard Beefliaising for the past eight months with theWoorabinda Pastoral Company to implement an innovative knowledgeprogramand culturalexchange, and work collaboratively in relationshipbuilding, sharing of culture, training and knowledge of best industry practices.

Ms Brooks is amember of the global group Meat Business Women, which brings together women from across the supply chain, including processors, wholesalers, retailers and smallgoods manufacturers, to connect and provide pathwaystofuture-proof the industry.

Sheisenthusiastic about working with the SSG. "I've worked for Stockyard for 15 years, and it's easy because the company is passionate about sustainability and their people," Ms Brooks said.

Respectful relationships were established early between Amy's mother's family, traditional ownersthe Wulli Wulli people of Eidsvold in central Queensland, and the JoycefamilyofEidsvold Station,proponents of the highlysuccessful Santa Gertrudis breed.

"Barney Joyce and my grandfather formed a long-standingfriendship thatlasted until he passed away," she said.

"My grandmother also worked in the kitchen for Barney and his family and cooked for visitors,

including King Charles, and numerous members of my family were raised at Eidsvold Station over 50 years.

"I think the history of my family and the Joyces embracing inclusiveness shows the potential the beefindustry has for beingthe best stewards of conservation and the environment and shared heritage."

Ms Brooks is amember of the working group developing and implementing OBE organic's reconciliation action plan (RAP), one of only half adozen implemented so far by agribusinesses.

RAPs are practical action plans for organisations to create socialchange andeconomicopportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through relationships, respect and opportunities.

Akey challenge for the framework, she says, is in the communication and understanding that thrivingcommunities and financial stability are a majoraspectofsustainability, alongside the pillars of environment and animal wellbeing.

"Peopleoften hear thewordsustainabilityand think of regulation and cost, as road blocks that are stopping them, but sustainable projects make good business sense," she said.

Jess Loughland, as Livestock supply chain manager for the branded beef business Greenham, is well aware that committing to animal welfare, environmental stewardship, and sustainability standards demands aproactive and coordinated effort across the value chain.

Jess has no small task in ensuring about4200 suppliers across four states understand and adhere to Greenham's NEVER EVER accreditation program, which is in the process of introducingthe Greenham Beef Sustainability Standard (GBSS).

It's the first time acommercial supply chain has applied the themes of the ABSF at afarm level to deliver anew product to market.

"Change is led by the consumer, and Greenham wants to produce high-quality beef that connects consumers to their desire to live sustainably," Ms Loughland said.

"The GBSS standard was ABSF-inspired. We wantedittobeabout morethanenvironmental benefits alone because we saw productivity, profitability and training as the final pieces of the puzzle."

As an ag sciencestudent at CharlesSturt University (CSU) at Wagga Wagga, Ms Loughland said she was guided by passionate professors in gaining experience in international dairy production and meat science.

In 2010, she won the IntercollegiateMeat Judging's individual trophyand, the following year, travelled with the Australian team to compete in the USA.

Early in her career, Jess spent eightyears in various rolesfor Teys Australia, including livestock strategic operations, covering producerengagement, grass-fed programsand on-farminitiatives, followed by abrief stint with MSA before joining Greenham.

Jess is amember of IFAMA, theInternational Food and Agribusiness Management Association, which brings together the world's leading scholars and students, industry and NGO professionalsand policymakers to improve the food and agribusiness system'sstrategicfocus,transparency, sustainability and responsiveness.

"I see areal opportunity for the ABSF in translating great conversations with customers and consumers into clear actions for farmers, helping to inform meaningful data capture on the ground, butalso in guiding industry solutions, resources andtraining tools," she said.

Greenham started supplying GBSS-certified product to US customers in March, andthe standard willbeincrementally rolled out to the company's broader supply chain over the next two to three years.

"We want consumers to have alot of confidence in Australian beef,and if we pool our resources, we can achieve so much more," Jess said.

Peter Gallhas clear memoriesofhanding out fliers in his hometown of Blackall in western Queensland in the 1990s in an attempt to encourageproducers to supply organic beef to southern processors.

Following the crash of the reserve price scheme for wool, Mr Gall had convinced his somewhat sceptical father to have their family sheep property certified organic and start producing beef.

Notlongafter, he and amate started bringing four headofcattle down in atrailer 840km to Pittsworth abattoir. They met abuyerfrom Coles, who saw the organic beef carcasses and asked how many could be supplied.

"Fiveamonth,"MrGall said, to which the buyer replied, "You're going to need way more than that."

It was the first indicationhewas on the right track. Ten years later,in2004, he and Alister Ferguson teamed up with Sanger Australia, run by Richard Raines, to launchThe Organic Meat Company.

Their vision was an end-to-end organic supply chain that was as close as possible to the end consumer. The Organic Meat Companyeventually joined forces with Cleaver's, another organic meat company, and was renamed Arcadian.

"The lesson from that was 'Don't sit and wait for things, just do something, start something,and you never know what'll happen'," he said.

As director of livestock forthe multi-milliondollar

Hewitt Foods, which has amajority shareholding in Arcadian, Mr Gall is adedicated supporter of the company's mission to be the world's most sustainable meat producer.

He said the industry was changing quickly, but therewas stillmore work to be done in the private sector

"The biggest challenge that Isee is the public perception that the beef industry is the culprit for greenhouse gas emissions," he said.

"We need to make practical changes to reduce emissions, but willcustomersshare the burden? Are they going to pay for it?

"I seepeople making all sorts of claimsthatthey can't prove, but that's going to change with the data being gathered and the work being done by the Framework. Those claims won't stand up if the critics don't have proof."

Peter Gall.

Jess Loughland.

Amy Brooks.

BULLS

FOR HIRE/SALE

Angus, Limousin, Jersey, Hereford and Friesian, very quiet. 0447 331 762.

HORSES WANTED

$$$ Cash Paid $$$ Gippsland

Ph. Dave 0418 202 202

Lost &Found •

WENDY

FOR RENT

3.9M

TINNIE

•

15 HP Yamaha, fish finder, Dunbier Trailer. $2,500 Ph: 0487 997 196

Wanted

MISSING DOGS

Longford area. BEAR & PABLO. Last seen on September 8at10pm. Large reward $$ offered for information. Please call Sam on 0437179623.

Personals

GARDEN RENOS

Yes we weed, mulch, trim, prune, remove unwanted plants and trees. We also build fences, repair and install irrigation systems, lay turf and much more. We are qualified, experienced and we love what we do. We are the garden renovators. Call Mike. 0478 636 088

•

CAR REMOVALS

Free service. Phone Sam 0488 471 163

Wanted To Buy

HORSES WANTED

$$$ Cash Paid $$$ Gippsland Ph. Dave 0418 202 202

ON THE BUSES

Merimbula trip, Melbourne Cup weekend, Nov. 4-8, Coach, accommodation, breakfast plus Cup Day Luncheon. All incl. $550pp. Ph: Kim 0408 388 672. Proceeds to Royal Childrens Hospital.

RAFFLE RESULTS

St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Maffra

CLASSROOM TEACHER

Full Time Ongoing Position

Commencement Date: Term 1-2024

St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Maffra is seeking apassionate teacher who is inspired to work in Catholic

•

CCN seeks happiness for lonely countrypeople

We helplonely country people in finding their friend soul mate and romantic partner

CCN specialises in introducingcouples the oldfashioned way, the onlyway thatassures ahighrate of success.

To find your special partnerplease call 1800 261 848or0488 200554 No computer required. Seniors welcome.

Clearing Sales

Clearing Sale

Saturday, September 23, 10am

Acc LEdwards

495 Princes Hwy, Traralgon

PETER HOFFMAN I, Jane Hoffman refute the defamatorystatements made by Peter Hoffman in The Gippsland Times 12/9/23. At no time was Ihanded funds in person or electronically by you or any other party last September. The last time I saw or spoke to you (Peter) was at Mum's funeral on 12/7/23. As the nominated beneficiary of Mum's funeral insurance policyyou received $5,000 in July 2022 with the sole purpose for that money to go towards her funeral costs. Numerous unanswered attempts to contact you over the past 12 months have been made for you to finalise the outstanding payment of $5,000. You were notified by myself via letter on 18/8/23 and a text message on 4/9/23 that Iwould be contacting you via public notice in The Gippsland Times You responded with malicious lies. Please cease making defamatory comments in relation to this matter and pay the outstanding $5,000 to the funeral home. Regards, Jane Hoffman.

Central Gippsland Health Hospital Auxiliary Fathers Day Raffle results. 1st. Brayden Kiernan. 2nd. Annie Payne. 3rd. Corrie. The President and members would like to send a special thanks to all Sale businesses for all their wonderful donations for our raffle. Thank you all.

TUTOR

Experienced, available to help with English language, literacy, all levels -primary to adult, maths to year 9.

Ph: Rod 0418 575 847

WITH smoke and mirrors to get their way, Alevel playing field would never do. By watching the reflection in the window, He's seen the way. Always looking on the top shelf really got to them, No cute puppy in the local supermarket for him. Aholiday in the local funny farm and sick and tired of running on empty. They got their way.

•

• GP1662186

St Patrick's

Major items include: Belarus 920 tractor 1982, Isuzu forward 6 cylinder 5speed truck 8tonne +stock crate, Honda 2015 solo bike, Munro post driver with side shift, slasher Kioti series, Connor-Shea 18 tyne seed drill, 16 plate discs, Tonutte 10 red hay rake, mower conditioner JFGx2400, Silvan spray unit 400 ltr, Port Multi grader blade, 3pl channel cleaner, Crump Kurrajong 1000 super spreader, silage grab, 2furrow Ferguson Plough, 12ft harrows, steel carryall, New Holland 278 baler, saw bench, poly water tanks -slimline &round, pine posts various sizes, barb &plain wire coils, ring hook, cattle head bail, yard gates, yard gates, qnty Armco railing, railway line various lengths, metal roof truss x4x8m, gall. sheets new &second hand, qnty steel pipe, bridge timbers, concrete culverts, troughs &pipes, bricks & blocks, cast iron bath, B&S 5hp water pump, poly pipe, PVC pipe large &storm water 90mm pipe, B&S 10hp generator, and sundries too numerous to mention.

Photos on Lions Facebook page.

AHeyfield Lions Project.

Enquiries Damian 0427 451 286

STARTING TERM 4, 2023

1x EDUCATION SUPPORT OFFICER (0.79 -Ongoing)

St. Patrick's Primary School, Stratford is seeking an enthusiastic, dynamic and motivated individual for the above education support officer position, commencing on the Monday, 2nd October 2023. The successful applicant will be employed Monday to Friday from 9am -3.30pm. The successful applicant will need to demonstrate acommitment to Catholic Education and to the safety and wellbeing of all students. They will also demonstrate an ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with students, colleagues and families. The successful applicant will also need to demonstrate that they can work effectively as part of ateam,have an eagerness to learn and excellent communication skills.

Special Requirements:

Qualifications in Integration Aide/Education Support are desirable.

Applicants must possess acurrent Working with Children's Check. Applications are to include acompleted application for employment form (available from the school website) and the names and contacts of three referees.

Applications can be emailed to: Mr. Joel Brayshaw principal@stpstratford.catholic.edu.au

Applications close: Friday, 22nd September, 2023 at 4pm.

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MadMax just keeps on winning

ZoeAskew

STRATFORD boxer Max Reeves earned himself the Australian Super MiddleweightTitle after defeating Tasmanian opponent Joe Corner with a Round 4KO(knockout) on Saturday, September 2, at Albert Park, Melbourne.

While Corner's lack of media presence presented

Trail ride taking place Saturday

THE Great East Rail Trail Ride is back for its eighth year, from this Saturday (September 23) until Monday, September 25.

The Great East RailTrail Ride is afully supported three-day cyclingeventonthe East Gippsland Rail Trail, founded by former Snowy River Cycling Owner Liz Mitchell in 2014.

The Great EastRailTrail Ride has become an annual event, with up to 120 participants travelling from across Australia to participate. The event had to be cancelled in 2021, but has quickly built back its momentum for its eighth year.

This breathtaking and gentle 100 kilometre journey travels through the stunning natural scenery of East Gippsland.

The new head of The Great East Rail Trail Ride facilitating company,Snowy River Cycling, Michele Perry, said she looks forward to continuing this annual event showcasing the beautiful region.

the Tasmanian as awildcard, Paul 'Turk' Carrol's 23-year-old boxing prodigy, 'MadMax'squandered any pre-bout trepidation, commanding the ring from the outset.

The Australian Number 2and World Number 29 made his mark in Round 3, with Corner taking hefty blows as Reeves laid several body shots into his opponent.

Reeves, who entered the Australian Title bout withaprofessional record of eight wins, six by way of knockout, and one draw, had evidently fatigued Corner, whose record was six wins, two losses and one draw.

The StratfordboxerendedCorner in Round 4 witharight uppercutleft hook combination, earning Reeves his seventh professional KO and the Australian Super Middleweight Title.

Reeves remains undefeated with aprofessional record of ninewins,seven by knockout andone draw.

Reeves is on hisway to becoming Australia's next most coveted boxer,withcoach Turk in his corner, believing the young, talented fighter has the ability and attitude to ascend to the top of the international ranks.

"Max has the potential to be aworld champion," he said.

Withthe 23-year-old having hinted at about with current Australian Number1super middleweight boxer Rohan Murdock sooner rather thanlater, will Reeves' next fight be for the AustralianNumber 1spot?

Any pundit would surely bet on Reeves becoming the Australian Number One in the next six months.

Photos:Contributed

If you’re looking for acycling event to get you started, this is for you! It’s ideal for individual riders that want to meet new people because you are sure to meet many like-minded and friendly people on this event.

‘‘

MICHELE PERRY Snowy River Cycling

"Over these three days, they will be riding about 30km each day, with some 'extra sweat' options for thosethat wouldliketoride afew more kilometres," Perry said.

"The Great East support crew will be there throughout the event, providing luggage transfers. Meals are provided along the route, as well as live music, bike maintenanceworkshops, and aTrivia Night with prizes to be won.

"This year, we have the team from Race Day Medical as first aidresponders,wehave asupport vehicle available to pick you and your bike up if need be, but this is agentle journey. It's on the Rail Trail, so it's traffic-free and relatively flat.

"If you're looking for acycling event to get you started, thisisfor you! It's idealfor individual riders that want to meet new people because you are sure to meet many like-minded and friendly people onthisevent."

Perry said the foodisalso something to look forward to.

"Alllocal businesses,fromlunchatthe Nicholson River WineryonDay 1tolunch at Sailors Grave BreweryonDay 3-it'sareal showcase of the great quality food our region has to offer," she said.

"The uniqueness about this trail is its remoteness; you can feel like you are worlds away with nothing but countryside or forest. You can take in allthe beautifulflora and fauna and will also witness the tragedy of the Wairewa Trestle Bridge, significantly impacted by the 2019/20 bushfires.

"One of the great things about the Great East is the barista made coffee stop halfway on Days 2and 3. This is such amiragewhensurrounded by nothing but bush to sit down, take abreak and take it all in.

"There is plenty of time. This is why it's for all ages. We have allowed time to stop and admire, to visitthe towns, to enjoy your lunch and to ride at your leisure."

To find outmore aboutThe Great EastRail Trail Ride, go to www.greateastrailtrailride. com.au

Another round of sporting grants for Gippsport

Zoe Askew

GIPPSPORT is among the Victorian sporting organisations that will benefit fromthe latest round of the state government's TogetherMore Active program.

Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence recently announced the latest round of the Together More Active program will provide more than $14.5 million in funding to support more than 100 projects.

"We're proud to support anew batch of exciting projects that aim to make areal difference in the community through sport and active recreation," Spence said.

"This is all about opening doors to more careers, partnerships,members, volunteers and development and participation programs that benefit everyone,and we're making it allpossible through this exciting program."

With an ultimate objectiveofuniting people through sport, TogetherMore Active aims to encourage those in the community to participate in localsport andrecreation activities, helping organisations increase local memberships, building askilled workforce and developing asafe, resilient and inclusive sector.

Gippsland's peak body for sport and recreation, GippSport, is among the successfulrecipients, receiving Stream 2, Sector Capability Building Funding.

Sector Capability Building Fundingprioritises initiativesthat support the capability of the sport and active recreation sector to create safe, welcoming,inclusive environments and increase inclusive participation opportunities.

It will support projectsthatincrease equity, inclusiveness and diversity; strengthen integrity, safety, governance and leadership; develop the workforce, including volunteers; boost club development and capability; and meet growingand unmet demand in outdoor recreation or active recreation.

Gippsport executive officer Dan Poynton said the Together More Active program Sector Capability Building Funding stream has been acore funding stream for the sporting body for more than 10 years, forming the organisation's backbone.

"Thereare two main objectives of the funding stream," Poynton said.

"The first objective is to work across Gippsland to support athriving community sport sector, so within that, we will be workingwith clubs, leagues and associations to help them apply for grants and haveeffective governance, develop good entry-level participation programs for juniors and

youngpeople.

"We will run awhole series of learning and education opportunities for volunteer club administrators over the coming couple of years, which the government will fully subsidise. They will be about things such as women and girl's capability, sportand inclusion capability, so how to include people with disabilities in your club, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, multiculturalinclusion, First Nations inclusion. There will be stock standard grant writing workshops, so awholerangeofthings that clubs will be able to access at no charge to help them be as good as they can be."

The second objective is focused on inclusive sport participation.

"That will enable us to run awhole range of programsoverthe nextcoupleofyearsthat provide opportunities for people with disability to participate in sport and also people from other underrepresented cohorts," Poynton said.

"The funding that we received is open to every club across every sport in Gippsland. So if aclub is

based in Gippsland, they have the ability to engage with us and access fully subsidised support to help them in their operations."

Other beneficiaries of the Together More Active program include BasketballVictoria, Disability Sport and Recreation Limited and Football Victoria.

Basketball Victoria will deliver the Free Throws program for women and gender-diverse people who want to learn all the basics of shooting hoops in a free, flexible and welcoming environment.

Disability Sport and Recreation Victoria will enhance the capability of local governments to deliver moreopportunities for peopleofall abilities, while Football Victoria will use funding to embed aculture of gender-equitable behaviour in football using men as allies.

The Together More Active program is part of the stategovernment's Active Victoria strategy that aims to create positive impacts on local communities through sport and recreation.

For the latest information about the program and successful grant recipients, visit sport.vic.gov.au.

Lifemembers inducted

MaxReeves ended Tasmanian opponent Joe Corner in aRound 4KOtosecurethe Australian Super MiddleweightTitle.

Stratfordboxer Reevesremains undefeated with aprofessional recordofninewins, seven by wayofknockout and one draw.

StratfordBowls Club presented Ivan Cartledge, Bev Thatcherand Ian Johns with life memberships recently.The trio formally accepted the awards at adinner attended by more than 80 members, with family andfriends of the threerecipients in attendance.

Photo: Contributed

Pictureperfect at SaleOval

Liam Durkin

THE number 20 became instantly connected to how Leongathabooked themselves aticket to this year’s Gippsland League senior Grand Final.

The Parrots took to Sale Oval at 2.20pm for the preliminary final against Moe, and had the game virtually wrapped up 20 minutes later.

Between 20 past two and 20 to threelastSaturday afternoon, Leongatha kicked five goals straight before the Lions had achance to catch theirbreath.

That things evened up after the first break mattered little, for in afinal scoreboard reading 10.13 (73) to 5.10(40),the damage had already beendone.

It took Moe until the 23-minute-mark to register their firstgoal, whichcameafter veteranJames

Blaser curled one from in front of the ramp at Sale Oval and had teammate Harry Pepper shepherd it through.

Adesperatetacklefrom Lion’s captain Jacob Wood on monster Leongatha ruckman Ben Willis typified Moe’s willingness to try and wrestle back some momentum.

Withthe margin22points, the Lionshad the opportunity to head into the quarter time break less than three goals down. However, ahugemiss fromNickProwsefromthe point of the goal square sent acollective throwing back of heads from all wearing maroon and blue.

Prowse himself knew as soon as it left his boot he’d shanked it, dropping to his hunches instantly.

While the Leongathalead wasonly 22 points at quarter time, the worry for Moe wasthatthe Parrots had kicked five goals to one.

Moe added two goals in the second term, but went into the main break with an even greater deficit after Leongatha kicked three.

The Lions looked off the pace, which was perhaps understandablegiven they’d hadaless day to recover after their Sunday semi-final.

The intensity of afinal was virtually non-existent after halftime. Both teams only scored one goal each in the third,with the first for Moecoming from Pepper at the seven-minute mark.

That goal got the margin back to four goals, however, Kim Drew responded quickly for the Parrots to keep the opposition at bay.

The five-goal burst from the opening term was now beingused wisely by theParrots, who were afforded the opportunity to control most of the tempo.

Aclearing kickfromMoe midfielder Trent Baldi saw him collected late by Ginanne, who made the mistake of doing it while Trent’s twinbrotherRiley was in close proximity.

Understandably, Riley wasn’t going to let someone clean up his brother, and came in to fly the flag. While there was audible contacttothe face, the sight of Ginnane dropping to the ground clutching at his jaw could have also earnedhim an Academy Award nomination for his part.

That the game went on with no on-field reports or afree kick reversed is perhaps all that needs to be said.

With asteady five goal lead, Moe was saved being further in arrears as aset-shotfrom Leongatha midfielder Tom Marriott flew out of bounds after the three quarter time siren.

Come the last huddle, Moe was starring their last quarter for the season in the face.

Unfortunately for the Lions, the last quarter played out in much the same fashion as the third. Both sides managed just one goal each, but from

Leongatha’s viewpoint,that suited them just fine.

When Jenson Garnhamkickedhis third,the equation becamevirtually insurmountable for Moe in the context of how the game had unfolded until then.

Once Leongatha had killed enough time to make absolute sure of it, they rested afew key players, turningone eye to this week.VFL-listedNoah Gown was one who spent extended periods of the last term on the bench.

Not all wearing green and gold were thinking about next week however. Forward Jack Hume might yet have acase to answer for after putting Blaser down,afterhe'd bumpedDrewata boundary throw in.

Hume asked about afree kick, before charging at Blaser and sending him to the floor with what looked to be aforearm to the face. Players from both sides came in to remonstrate, while Blaser walked down to the goal square to kick Moe’s only goal of the quarter.

Hume has been offered three weeks for the incident,but given whatusuallyhappens in Grand Final week, the Parrots will more than likely take it to the tribunal and try and at least get asuspended sentence.

While Grand Final week hearings usually end up in the class of ‘kangaroo court’, why someone would even risk getting reported in agame that was already decided does leave one utterly perplexed.

Long time Leongatha defender Sean Westaway

was best-on-ground for the winners, and was followed by Marriott, Cade Maskell, Kim Drew, Josh Hopkins and Aaron Heppell, who had his own footy in the first half.

Listing those names as the best in big finals has almost become an annual event. Those Leongatha players knowfinals, and wouldhaveplayed a season's worth of matches in finals alone.

That amount of experience is playing no small partinthe Parrotsnow entering theirseventh consecutive Grand Final. DiscountingCOVID years,Leongathahas made the Grand Final every season from 2015-2019 and 2022-23.

Only Traralgon, from 1960 to 1966 has done likewise. When talking about great Gippsland Leaguesides, Leongatha of the late2010s and early 2020swill surelyhave to be in the conversation alongside Traralgon during the 1990s and Maffra during the 2000s.

In contrast, the wait continues for Moe.

The Lions, after losing just two games during the home-and-away season, and after beating Leongatha on both occasions to finish second on the ladder, went on to lose just as many finals to the same opposition.

Granted Moe’s regular season form had supportersdaring to dream of afirst Grand Final appearancesince 2000,and perhaps even afirst flag since 1967, finals indeed provedits mantra as an entirely different season.

Fifty six years …thatissolong ago.

Put simply, the Parrots performed when it mattered most, and no one will care that the final head-to-head this season ended up being 2-2.

Riley Baldi was again best-on for the Lions, and found good support fromTrentBaldi, Ben Maslen, Jacob Wood, Luke Mulqueen and James Blaser.

Never one to showmuchemotion,Blaser shed tears as he walked off the ground for what was his last game. The former Moe coach had announced his retirement some weeks ago, and was determined to go out on the highest note possible.

Unfortunately,footyjust doesn’t provide everyone afairytale ending.

The Moe faithful crammed into the Sale visitors rooms post match,with the congregationeven spilling out the door. Playing-coach Declan Keilty spoke, and thanked the players and staff for the season, before acknowledgements were made for the careers of Blaser, and life members Tom Long and Ben Morrow.

Long’s troublesomehamstringagain meanthe did notplayinthe preliminaryfinal, while selectors made the extremely tough decision to leave Morrow out of the side.

Theruckman, and most loved player at the club, had played 17 games this season,and worked againstthe clock to get back in time for finals following injury in Round 12.

No better side to be on for the Wildcats

Liam Durkin

WOODSIDE players and supporters cut reflective figures in the aftermath of their defeat in theNorth Gippsland Football-Netball League Grand Final.

The Wildcats had fought valiantlyintheir maiden NGFNL Grand Final attempt afortnight ago, only to fall short to Traralgon Tyers United, who completed an unbeaten season as premiers and champions.

In aGrand Final where only six goals were kicked, Woodside gave the Bombers plenty to think about when they had two goals to none on the board at the main break. The Wildcats leadmay have only been 10 points,but it certainly gave them the confidence of asideahead by so much more.

That TTU didn’t scoretheir firstgoal until midway through the third quarter gave eventual rise to the thought of just how many teams have gone on to win the premiership without scoring a goal in the first half.

There wouldn’t be many if any.

Goalswere certainly at apremium in the Grand Final, and Woodside was the one who didn’t score any in thesecond half. The scoreboard at full time read 4.14 (38) to 2.8 (20). TTU had not only won the premiership, but survivedthe scare of being ‘that’ team that doesn’t loseagameall season until the Grand Final.

The premiership was sealed at the 21-minute mark of the final term, after Bombers captain Jye Neilsen kicked agoal from point-blank range. TTU

had 10 minutestocelebrate, Woodside, justaslong to play the game out.

At the final siren, with the throng of TTU supporters gathering around victorious players, the Wildcats formed ahuddleoftheir own. Coach Michael Duncan spoke, and he did again insidethe changerooms after graciouslysitting through the presentation.

His Morwell premiership teammate Jack Brown was on stageaccepting the premiership cup as TTU

coach. From teammates to opponents, how much can change in football. Unfortunately, there can only be one winner.

The Wildcats appeared to be overcomewith a sense of calm in the immediate aftermath. TTU had been the only opposition Woodside lost to all season, and while they would have dearly loved a premiership, there was certainly no shame about the way in whichthey had performed on Grand Final day.

There was also much to celebrate. Woodside won netball premierships from AGrade to CGrade just hours earlier. For aclub from atown that consists of apub and notmuch else,tohave thatmuch representationonGrand Final day was victory in itself.

Asenior Grand Final added another step to the ladder that has been the journey of the Woodside senior team since Duncan took over as coach in 2020.

When he took over, the Wildcats had won just five games the year before. They’ve nearly won as many games in finals sine then.

Sentimentalsupportwas certainly with the Wildcats in Heyfield on Grand Final day. Testimonials from past players were splashed on the walls of the change rooms,while signscarrying the slogan “which side? Woodside” were out in full force.

As Duncan addressed the playing group in the privacy of therooms postgame, he said words to the effect therewas not another team in the league he would rather coach.

Such thoughtsevoked amoment from the closing scene of the film Coach Carter

In the film, the basketball coach speaks to his team,the RichmondOilers following defeat in a final. Coach Carter says he is proud of theirefforts despite he result,before ending with the team chant “Rich-what …Richmond”.

“Which side?”

“Woodside”.

Sale Oval showed howtohosta final on Saturday, as morethan2700patrons packed the venue. The daywas complemented by perfect weather, and gamesplayedonanequallyperfect surface.

Photo: Gippsland League

Woodside players and supporters afterthe North Gippsland Football-NetballLeague GrandFinal.

Photo:Liam Durkin

Trood Awardand Rodda Medalists

MULTIPLE WINNERS

THREE:

John Gallus -Bairnsdale/Maffra/Warragul (1969, 1970,1975),

Greg Morley-Traralgon ..........(1992, 1998,2003)

TWO:

Bob Mason -Sale (1954, 1955)

Steve Szabo -Morwell (1960, 1965)

Barry Rowlings -Moe (1973, 1974)

Peter Hall -Traralgon (1977, 1984)

David Vogel -Morwell (1978, 1982)

Jeff Gieschen -Maffra. (1979, 1982)

Ray Milldenhall -YYN (1981, 1983)

Jim Silvestro-Traralgon (1986, 1987)

Hayden Burgiel -Maffra. (2001, 2004)

Gary Jones -Maffra. (2002, 2010)

Andrew Soumilas -Garfield/Drouin (2005, 2011)

Nick Hider -Maffra.....................................(2007,2008)

TomMarriott-Leongatha (2018,2022)

Shannen Lange -Sale. (2021, 2023)

GL’s top 10

Grand Final beckons

Liam Durkin

CARLTON have won 11 of their last 12 that’s cute.

Sale reservesqualified for asecond consecutive Grand Final, after defeatingMaffra in the preliminary final at the weekend.

The Magpies made it atamefinals exit for the Eagles, who were never in the hunt and lost 12.7 (79) to 4.3 (27).

The result sets up arematch of last year’s decider between Saleand Leongatha, and if winning form is good form, Sale has plenty of it -15wins out of their last 16 games to be exact.

In conditions so warm even Ben Jones was wearing short sleeves, the Magpies started full of runningwithfour goals to onebehindinthe opening term.

Ascramble in the goal square and smart soccer offthe deckfrom Tom Wrigglesworth provided an earlyhighlight, as Sale dominated play on their home deck,which wasinpicture-perfect knick hosting its first final since 2017.

Coming from the Valley, the sight of an oval with lush green grass on it was most welcome.

Anotherfourgoal quarterfollowed in the second, as the match quickly became aone-side affair, not that anyone would have thought so given the halftime address delivered by Sale coach Peter Morrison, which could be heard from well outside the rooms.

While Sale was outscored in thethird, the contest never threatened to get away from them, and come three quarter time, Maffra was still 41 points behind.

The Magpies finished almostasstronglyasthey had started, kicking two goals to one behind in the last. Teamleader Zak Russell slottedalong range set shot toward theclub rooms to officially book Sale it’s place in the Grand Final.

Irishman Eoin Hanrahan, who had never even playedthe game before thisseason, gave spectators reasontocheer when he tookoff for agalloping run downthe wing in front of the grand stand, handballing and kicking in very unique fashion.

Maffra exited the finals race with the somewhat bizarre distinction of having their only finals win (the qualifying) won in extra time.

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

Usual ruckman Bill Pleming spent most of the game forward, whichraised eyebrows withatleast one invested spectator.

BrentMcKenzie, Sam Walker, KalKilloran, Chris Smart, WillBrunt and Max Gravener battled hard in alosing cause.

The Eagles will still have teams to cheer on in the Grand Final, with their thirds and fourths both in action. Maffraleaned on anumberofthirds kids to fill in for the reserves at times this season.

The preliminary final was easily Sale’s best performance this finalsseries,asjust like last season, the Magpies have come from outside the top three to make the last game of the year.

After losing their first five games of this season, the Magpies methodically ticked off wins one-byone, and now find themselves with undeniable form leading into the premiership-deciding match.

Sale clearly didn’t take too kindly to some punk from Moe with bleached hair kicking the winning goal against them in Round 5, and have only lost one game since then.

Sale 300 gamers Shane Fyfe and Chris Laverty stood out for the Magpies in the preliminary final,

kicking three goals between them. The pair operatedalmost in tandem, with theirsynergy and experiencehavingplayed so many games together meaning they were pretty much kicking the ball to each other at times. Fyfe often found Laverty unguarded in acres of space, almost as if he knew his teammate would be there.

Young gun Wrigglesworth also played well, as did Jones, Brad McKay and Liam Place, who was the toast of the Sale senior continent gathered on the far side of the ground singing what has become Sale's signature tune Baby Give It Up by KC and The SunshineBand, replacing the lyricstosuit certain players ("baby give it up, give it up, baby give it up", replaced in this instance by "Liam, Liam Place, Liam, Liam Place").

Thereserves receivedtremendoussupport from the seniors, who formed aguard of honour for the team as they walked off.

Coach Morrisonperhaps summed up the feeling best as he made his way into the rooms, saying “we’re coming for em!”

Parrots into another Grand Final -Page 29

Lange now hasa medal foreach namesake

Liam Durkin

SHANNEN Lange is now in esteemed company.

The Sale midfielder took out this year’sTrood Award and Rodda Medal as the best player in the Gippsland League.

Athree-vote game in the final round saw him leapfrog previous winnerTom Marriottof Leongatha, and Moe midfield maestro RileyBaldi.

Lange endedthe count, which was live streamed last Sunday, on 17 votes, two clearofthe nextbest.

His Sale teammate Jack McLaren also had an outstanding season, and finished in the top five on 14 votes. The pair traded votes at times during the count, in what was abreakout year for McLaren.

The winmadeittwo gongs in three years for Lange, who came back home to the Magpies in 2021.

He played 18 games this season and kicked 28 goals, spending more time forward as aspate of injuries meant Sale was forced to adapt.

Amazingly, Lange wasnot named in thebest by his club in the finalround,while Wonthaggi’s Ryan Sparkes, who won the league’s MVP (voted on by both coaches from the game) by some distance, finished outside the top 10.

The adage that different people see the game differentlyperhaps rang very true in those instances.

Sale has now produced four of the previous six Trood Award and Rodda medalists. Jack Lipman won the award in 2019, and Kane Martin in 2017.

Langejoins illustrious company with Sale great BobMason as theonly other Magpie to win two league best-and-fairests.Other Sale playerstowin the Trood Award and Rodda Medal are John Nix (1957), AdrianCox (2008)and Luke Collins(2012).

The GippslandLeague senior bestand fairest is named after former Sale playerVictorTroodand Morwell’s Fred Rodda.

Trood played 41 games for University in the VFL, and donated an award to the league in 1928 and continued to do so for many years.

He went on to become the inaugural president of the Latrobe Valley Football League (Gippsland League) in 1954,and was inducted as alifemember in 1959.

Rodda tragically died from internal injuries in 1935, leading the then Central Gippsland Football League to rename its best and fairest award the Rodda Medal the following season. Afterthe CGFL disbanded and the remaining clubs joined theLVFL, thenames Trood andRodda were enshrined onto the one award.

Sale reserves walk offSale Oval and into aGrand Final.

Photo: Liam Durkin

Superstar Stothers 15sbest

LiamDurkin

SALE netballerMahli Stotherswon the 15 and Under vote count for best player in the Gippsland League.

Themidcourterhad the award sewn up heading into the final round, leading by three votes. Stothers made sure of an outright win however,

Netball scoreboard

gaining maximumvotes in the last game to end the count on 35.

Maffra'sKrystal Craft polledwell,finishing third on 24 votes.

In the17s,Maffra's ChloeFelsbourg and Maddy Dalton eachfinished in the top seven, along with Sale's Kate Van der Voort -the trio polling 16 votes each in acount won by Traralgon'sEmily Scholtes.

By pure coincidence, the winner and runner-up of the 13svote countshared the same surnamebut different spelling. Maffra's Jesse Daly ran second to Moe's Virginia Daley. Sale's Alexa Doherty and Lily Wheeler gained spots in the top 10 of the 13s.

IN senior stakes, the Eagles showed just why they have made the Grand Final in CGrade,with four players all finishing in the top 10 of the league count.

Whilethe award, namedafter Karen Proctor, was won by Moe's Elly Brown, Maffra'sSerrin Stobie and Staci Scott both finished in the top four.

Teammates Brooke Andersona and Jana Horsford rounded out the other prominent vote-getters.

The Eagles and Magpies didn't feature too well in the Pearce Medalfor BGrade,whichwas won by Traralgon's Kasey Guttridge, nor in the Hutchinson Medal for AGrade,although Sale's Dee Dee Lambert did finish equal-ninth on 15 votes.

Former Saleplayer Olivia Barnett finished sixth, and is preparing to playinthe AGrade Grand Final for Moe against Morwell.

The Tigers havealready had awin,withdefender Tanya Budge the runaway winnerofthe league best-and-fairest on 27 votes, seven clear of runnerup Sienna Green from Warragul.

Sale's strong junior netball program will be on fulldisplay this weekend,with all threejunior teams playing in Grand Finals.

Fittingly, the 13s and 17s each qualified for the Grand Finalafterwinning on the KJ Hogan Netball Facility at Sale Oval last weekend.

The man whom the courts are named after, the

late, great Kevin Hogan,will be looking down proudly this weekend.

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE BEST AND FAIREST WINNERS 2023 FOOTBALL

SENIORS: Shannen Lange (Sale)

RESERVES:

DarcyHume (Leongatha)

THIRDS:

Cooper Brown(Traralgon)

Archer Watt (Bairnsdale)

FOURTHS: TomMatthews (Moe)

NETBALL

AGRADE: TanyaBudge (Morwell)

BGRADE: KaseyGuttridge (Traralgon)

CGRADE: EllyBrown (Moe)

17 AND UNDER: EmilyScholtes(Traralgon)

15 AND UNDER: Mahli Stothers(Sale)

13 AND UNDER: Virginia Daley(Moe)

GRAND FINAL

FOOTBALL

Seniors: Wonthaggi vs Leongatha (2.30pm)

Leongatha vs Sale (12.30pm) Thirds: Warragul vs Maffra (10.30am)

Traralgon vs Maffra (8.30am)

NETBALL

AGrade: MoevsMorwell (3pm) BGrade: Drouin vs Traralgon(1.30pm) CGrade: Maffra vs Leongatha (12.15pm)

Target

Maffra’s AshtonWright wasamong the best players in the thirds preliminary final, and will be looking to addtohis premiership collection this weekend.

Photo: Liam Durkin

Sale’s MahliStothers wonthe Gippsland League 15 and Under best-and-fairest.

Photo: File