Gippsland Times Tuesday 29 November 2022

“It is an absolute honour and privilege to be re-elected as the Member for Gippsland South, and with aswing to me of nearly three per cent.

“My thanks and congratulations to the other candidates for aspirited showing, and a campaign conducted in good humour.

“Congratulations to the Andrews Labor government on its re-election.

“I love being the Member for Gippsland South each and every day, and Iwork hard to make

sure your voice is heard. Idon’t always win the fight, but I’ll always have ago.

“Labor made few commitments in Gippsland South, but Iwill be fighting hard to deliver those projects and funding that Imadecommitments to on behalf of the community.

“While overall the result is extremely disappointing, Iamsoproud of the stunning result for my team, The Nationals.

“We have won three additional Lower House

seats including Martin Cameron winning Morwell, and look like adding another Upper House MP in Northern Victoria.

“The Nationals will always put country people first, and having more of us will be agood thing in the face of are-elected majority Labor government.

“Thank you again to the people of Gippsland South for your amazing support!”

Photo: Michelle Slater

Glass playing Briag

He explores the complex landscape of contemporary relationships -writing from personal experiences as afather, son, lover and friend.

Matt is acraftsman: writer, performer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. Crackling with wit and infectious melody, and sparkling with hooky exuberance in his new EP, Slow Fireworks is amission statement of Glass’ inner-city, pop-folk sensibility. His songs are warm-hearted and infectiously catchy snapshots of time, place, and feeling.

Raised in Maffra, ‘hippy’ parents nurtured him on asteady diet of folk and roots from the 1970s and ‘80s, including Joni Mitchell, Bob Marley, Phoebe Snow and Melanie Safka.

Glass, who for atimelived in Zimbabwe, has fused traditional folk hooks with contemporary beats and African grooves creating aunique-yet readily accessible

-sonic landscape.

To be accompanied by top musi cians on the night, he is looking forward to coming back to the area of his youth and catching up with old acquaintances.

Undoubtedly, this bright, sensual, talented new folk star will win hearts and minds along the way Matt Glass performs at the Briagolong Hotel on Thursday, December 1from 8pm.

Tickets are $20 per person, and can be bought by contacting the hotel on 5145 5202.

Chester calendars out now

FEDERAL Memberfor Gippsland, Darren Chester, has announced the winners of the 2023 #lovegippsland calendar competition.

Thethreewinning images include akangaroo andjoey taken by Paula Walland of Warragul, as our bushland recovers from the fires; the historic SwingBridgeatSale taken by Graeme Hunt of Lakes Entrance; and aquintessential rural scene of kelpies at Dargo taken by John Trail of Maffra. Mr Chester said there was over 280 entries for the calendar, and he was impressed by the high calibre of entries.

“This year’s theme‘My FavouritePlacein Gippsland…’highlights manybeautiful places throughout the region such as magnificent scenery, native wildlife and iconic Gippsland structures,” Mr Chester said.

“The 13 images chosen to featureinthe calendar are just asample of the incredible imagery from across Gippsland and really showcase how diverse our region is.

Free copies of the #lovegippsland calendar will be distributed throughout Gippsland and will also be availablefromMrChester’s electorate offices

The 2023 #lovegippslandcalendars arenow available throughoutthe region.

in Sale and Traralgon.

Businesses and community organisations can requesta box of calendars by phoning Mr Chester’s electorate offices.

Photo:Contributed

RODDY Read Songwriting Award winner, Matt Glass, will return to the Briagolong Hotel this Thursday to launch his new EP, Slow Fireworks.

Photo: Contributed

New Sale welcome sign

MOTORISTS travelling along the Princes Highway are being greeted with anew sight upon entering Sale.

Two signs advertising local non-profit groups have been erected at the northern and western ends of the city, replacing the outdated “Serving Sale” sign that previously welcomed visitors.

Projects and community officerfor the Rotary Club of Sale, Kerry McMillan, has overseen the development of the new signs, having madeither missiontoreplace the old signage.

According to Ms McMillan,the project has taken more than ayear to complete, with the two signs erected earlier this month at acost of $6000.

“We hadabit of amiscommunication with (Wellington Shire) Council and VicRoads, so we hadtostart that process all over again; once we got it going again, it was great –didn’t take long, and then it was just amatter of getting the signs printed and done,” Ms McMillan said.

“Liaising withVicRoads and council is probably the biggest issuethatI had, but they were great -they were really easy to deal with, (and) so supportive of having that sign resurrected.”

With community groupssuchasFootprints, Monday Tucker and Seed Community Garden all beingpromoted, Ms McMillan believes the signs have “much more relevance” than the one they replaced.

The manufacturing and installation of the Western sign –located in the same position as the old sign, across from the former Visitor Information Centre -was made possible through agrant from the Sale Greyhound Club.

Meanwhile, the Northernsign –placed near the bank of the Main Sale Channel -came about via ajoint collaboration between Rotary and the Lions Club of Sale.

Ms McMillan said it was “great to see community groups working together” and hoped the project would foster other opportunities for collaboration.

She further noted thathaving acommunity sign to the north of Sale was afirst for the town.

“It’s quite away out, but Ibelieve that the town is going to (develop)further that way, so that’s why it’s where it is,” Ms McMillan explained.

Ms McMillan indicated that Rotary was open to erectingidenticalsigns along Sale-MaffraRoad and the South Gippsland Highway. “We have talked about it, it’s just amatter of funding,” she said.

She also expressed herthanks to Adrian Rijs, who liaised with Sale’svariouscommunitygroups to have their logos displayed.

Next on the agenda for the Rotary Club of Sale is afilm screening this Thursday of The Lost King at Sale Cinema,which will serve as afundraiser for Rotary International’s “End Polio Now” initiative.

For more information about the screening and tickets, call Sandra Houghton on 0428 649 243.

Come and play some tunes on thepop-up piano

MUSICIANS young and old, budding and seasoned, are being invited to play Sale’s Pop Up Piano this Saturday.

The initiative allowsmembers of thepublic to learn, practise and perform the piano, freeof charge.

Facilitator and caretaker of the piano, David Harrington, started the initiative in 2013 after travelling overseas with his wife and seeinga number of street pianos.

“We saw alot of them in different placesin Europe and we justthought,‘Oh, be terrific to have something like thatinSale’,” Mr Harrington said.

After puttingout apublicplea for such an initiative, Mr Harrington was contracted by the Schipalius family, who offered to sell their heirloom piano.

“They had apiano sitting in the garage, which had been afamily piano forever, but none of the family was using it, so they were prepared to sell it to me,” he explained.

Since 2013, the Pop Up Piano has appeared on Saturdays underneath the Sale Clocktower for anybody to freely play.

Where its appearance was once aregular occurrence, in recent times the instrument has found itself in competition with buskers -partof apromotion run by the Sale Business &Tourism Association to promote local musicians.

With no buskers scheduled for this Saturday, December 3, the piano has been given the green light to emerge again.

Performances on the piano tend to varyin tone and quality, and are often amystery to its caretaker.

“I get it out, but Idon’t stay with it –it’snot my intention to stay with it all day,” Mr Harrington said.

“So what happenstoit, and who plays it, Ireally don’t know unless people tell me… But it’s always well looked-after –there’s never been damage to it.”

Yet he does recall one pianist whose abilities stand-out above all others.

One Saturday afternoon, just as he was preparing to pack the piano away, Mr Harrington witnessed aman making his way along the pedestrian mall.

“He had asupermarket trolley with asleeping

bag in it, and he just looked… down-and-out, just homeless –Iwould say homeless,” Mr Harrington said.

“I had the impression he was making his way towardsthe piano…and Ijustsat underneath the clocktower, thinking that he’d perhaps have alook and move on.

“Buthedidn’t –hestopped, parkedhis super market trolley, he sat down and played classical stuff for over half an hour. He was just brilliant.”

The Pop Up Piano will appear this Saturday from about 10.30am to 2pm near the Sale Clocktower, weather permitting.

Mr Harrington encourages anybody wishing to play the piano to contact him before Saturday to organise aschedule. “I can discuss with them who’s going to play, what they might like to play, how long they’d like to play for.”

He can be contacted on 0408 038 155.

Barnes happy despite result

DEANBarnes, aSale-based hospitality worker and writer,was acandidate for the Reason Party in the Upper House on Saturday.

In the count, Mr Barnes dropped out in the 11th round yet received more than 1000 first preference votes.

Whilehewas not elected,MrBarnestold the GippslandTimes on Sunday nighthewas pleased with the results.

“FirstlyI’d liketothank everyoneinEastern Victoria who chose to votefor Reason,”Mr Barnes said.

“Your trust in us means the world. We are the party of commonsense,reasonable, evidence-based policy and ourresult shows we can have areal presence in regional Victoria.

“With regards to the Laborvictory, I’m very happy with the result. Victoria is the progressivestate and we have shown once againthatwevehemently reject the rightwing, ultra-conservative direction the Liberal Party is heading in Victoria.

“Victorians spoke loud and clear; if the VictorianLiberalswere smart, they would listen and take heed.I congratulate and welcome Daniel Andrews on his return as Premier.

“While we await the (currently) promising results of Fiona Patten’sre-election, its looking like we will have aprogressive crossbench in the Upper House, which will make the job of Fiona and the other crossbenchers much easier and will allowthem to legislate real, progressive change for Victoria.

“I’d like to congratulate everyone who threw their hat into the ring for Eastern Victoria and those who have been successfully elected to theUpper House.”

Stefan Bradley

Dean Barnes.

Photo: File

Rotary Club of Sale’sKerry McMillan stands next to thenew signoflocal non-profitgroups.

Photo: TomParry

TomParry

David Harrington with the PopUpPiano outside theSaleClocktower.

Photo:Tom Parry

Nats very nice, Nationals’ triple threat

Stefan Bradley

No major surprises ultimately

IT was asurprisingly straightforward election.

Just afew hours in, we knew that Labor had won amajority once again. No miracle win for the Liberals. The ‘Greenslide’ didn’t happen, and the ‘Teal’ independents didn’t make their mark. No chance of deals with independents to form aminority government, especially when all the independents were wiped out. The Nationals as aparty performed exceptionally well and have dramatically increased their representation in Parliament.

Counting will continue, and quite afew seats have not been called. We will see what happens in the Upper House, but in the Lower House, it looks like areturn to the status quo. Aside from The Nationals taking three seats off independents, has anything really changed from 2018?

At the time of print, the ABC had called 52 lower house seats for Labor, 25 for the Coalition, four for the Greens and zero for independents. The number required for a majority is 45, and there are seven seats in doubt.

GIPPSLAND voters delivered alarger Nationals team for the region in Saturday’s state election, with Morwell joining Gippsland East and Gippsland South as seats in the party’s hands.

The Nationals retained Gippsland East and Gippsland South, with both sitting MPs increasing their vote. No surprises in either contest, as both districts are considered safe Nationals territory.

As ofSundaynight,Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien led with atwo-party preferred vote of 66.7 per cent over Labor candidate Denise Ryan on 33.3 per cent.

Gippsland East MP Tim Bull led with 74.2 per cent two-party preferred against Labor candidate Stephen Richardson, who was on 25.8 per cent.

The Victorian Electoral Commission declared the election for the seat of Narracan “failed” as a result of the death of Nationals Party candidate Shaun Gilchrist just days out from the election. Residents in the seat still voted in the Upper House, but will need to cast their ballot for the Lower House at alater date.

As akey seat, Morwell was acloser contest. Despite Labor’s candidate for Morwell, Dr Kate Maxfield, achieving ahigher primary vote, preferences, particularly from Liberal candidate Dale Harriman, shifted the seatto Traralgon plumber, ex-footballer and Nationals candidate Martin Cameron. On Sunday night, Mr Cameron led two-party preferred with 55.1 per cent, with Dr Maxfield on 44.9 per cent. Dr Maxfield phoned Mr Cameron to concede on Saturday night.

The Gippsland Times spoke to Dr Maxfield on her defeat, who said that Labor couldn’t have put up abetter campaign.

“We still won government, we’re still going to bring back the SEC,” she said.

“If we had lost government, I’d be in tears now.”

The previous member for Morwell was Russell Northe, who retired from politics at the election. He represented the Nationals in the seat for 11 years, but won the 2018 election as an independent.

The Nationals also won the regional seats of Shepparton and Mildura from independents, lifting their representation in the Lower House from six seats to nine.

Danny O’Brien told ABC Radio Melbourne on Sunday morning the results were bitter sweet, noting the “disaster” result for their Coalition partner, the Liberals.

“It was an absolutely stunning result for The Nationals,” Mr O’Brien said.

“It looks like we picked up three Lower House seats and probably one additional in the Upper House. So a(gain of four), no other party has done that.”

Mr O’Brien said it was atestament to the quality of the candidates, the campaigning and

the leadership of party leader Peter Walsh.

“A great outcome for the Nationals across regional Victoria,but ultimately we want to be in government...We are not going to be for the next four years and it’s going to be tough even for the next election too.”

Mr O’Brien said that breaking up the Coalition needed to be “on the table”.

“I certainly wouldn’t be saying it’s something we’re going to do, but Icertainly think it’s something we should look at.”

The federal Leader of The Nationals, David Littleproud, said the party in Victoria had bucked the trend of the Coalition in the state.

“The Victorian election outcome is ahugely successful result for The Nationals,” Mr Littleproud said.

He added that The Nationals would proudly bring four new women with diverse backgrounds and aplumber from Morwell to the Parliament, which reflected the communities they represent.

“The result is also due to the fact our candidates are heavily involved in their local communities and worked incredibly hard, with grassroots campaigns,” he said

“I congratulate Victorian Premier Dan Andrews and IknowThe Nationals will work constructively with the Labor government.”

The federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester also congratulated Labor and Mr Andrews on Facebook,but said it wasapparent that Victoria will be “deeplydivided on political lines between rural/regional areas and the cities”.

“Labor and the independents have lostalot of ground with regional voters in this election and The Nationals have performed strongly,” Mr Chester said.

“The challenge for the returning Premier is to work with the leaders in our communities as we face enduring economic, social and environmental challenges, and plenty of opportunities.

“Congratulations to all successful candidates in Gippsland… we need to work together now to deliver abetter future for our region, and all Victorians.”

Danny O’Brien with aMartinCameron shirt.Heeasily retained Gippsland South. Photo: Stefan Bradley.

Newly elected Member for Morwell Martin Cameron willtake over from Independent and former NatRussell Northe Photo: Stefan Bradley.

Labor candidate for Morwell, Dr Kate Maxfield, won44.9per cent of thevote, but it wasn’t enough. Photo: Contributed

Tim Bull easily retainedGippsland East Photo: contributed.

StefanBradley

winners in

AFTER leading the Liberals to their second election loss in arow, Matthew Guy, who rebranded himself as Matt Guy this year, has stood down as leader. He released astatement on Sunday.

“Once again, Icongratulate the Australian Labor Party on winning the 2022 Victorian state election,” he said.

“I want to put on record my deep appreciation to all the Liberal and National Party candidates, their campaign teams and volunteers for the tireless work they have done, particularly over recent weeks.

“The respectable state-wide two-party preferred swing to the Coalition of 3-4 per cent was most profound in the exceptional swings to the Liberal Party in Melbourne’s north and west.

“This represents ahuge future electoral opportunity for the Liberal Party.

“As soon as it is clearer which Liberal Party candidates will form the next parliamentary party room, Iwill call them together to elect their new leadership team.

“I will not be acandidate for the position of leader.”

Gippy East,South,

Winnersand losers across Vic

Stefan Bradley

WINNER -Labor:

PREMIER Daniel Andrews and the Labor team must be feeling astrong sense of vindication.

Despite Victoria’s unique experience with COVID that brought with it anti-lockdown protests and hostility from sections of the media towards the government, voters decided the opposition were not up to the task. Labor is instead on-track to repeat the 2018 “Danslide” and will have asimilar, if not identical, number of seats in its third term. Mr Andrews is seen as someone who gets things done, and voters in Melbourne especially see evidence of that everyday with the infrastructure projects either under construction or completed. That will continue with the Suburban Rail Loop and the SEC revival.

Neutral -Greens:

THE Greens celebrated too early. They have definitely won the seat of Richmond, but their leads in other seats disappeared pretty quickly. An extra lower house seat is nothing to scoff at, but they were hoping to double their representation to six.

Losers -Independents:

THERE are two groups of independents to focus on in this election -the regional independents and the so-called ‘Teals’ backed by Climate 200. The Nationals won back Shepparton and Mildura from the independents, as well as

Morwell following Russell Northe’s retirement. Mr Northe represented the seat for years as aNational, but won the last election as an independent. The Teals have not replicated the federal result in the state, with the Liberals slightly ahead in Mornington and Hawthorn.

At the time of print, there are no independents with aseat. With the Victorian Liberals backing aclimate change policy and no Scott Morrison in the picture, the Teals didn’t have aclear opponent to run against. And being astate, not afederal election, it was harder for them to get media coverage.

Winners -The Nationals:

THE Nationals won three seats, pushing their numbers from six to nine, and they didn’t lose any seats. Winning back aseat previously lost to independents is ahard task, but as federal member Darren Chester has said in the past, The Nationals function as a“coalition of independents”, so agrassroots campaign with strong candidates has paid off for them. They were winners, BUT The Nationals want to be in power, and they are not; they need the Liberals to do so. Speaking of which...

Losers -Liberals:

THIS loss is particularly humiliating for the Liberals, because it looks like they haven’t learnt from their mistakes. They’ve been personality-driven in putting the focus of their campaign on Daniel Andrews and replacing former Liberal leader Michael O’Brien with Matthew Guy -acurious move, since Mr Guy led the party to acrushing defeat in 2018. The

They clearly need an overhaul. Is there any talent that can mould the party into winners, reversing decades of decline in the state?

Christmas catalogue out now STOCK AVAILABLE UNTIL RUN OUT 180Raymond Street,Sale. 5144 3417 GP1 6507 73 TOYS GALORE AND MORE GP1650921 Proudlysupporting localbusiness and localjobs GP1650994

Gov timber policyisadeadend

COMMENT

JohnCameron

THE Andrews Government forest policy is driving the Gippsland timber industrytowards extinction,and leading to greater use of lessecologically sustainable building materials and imported forest products from countries with poor socialand environmental records, and manufacturedusing Russian timber and energy.

Annually in Victoria, about one million cubic metres hasbeen sourced fromthe harvestingof about 3000 ha pa within 160,000haofthe Vic Forests‘operable area’ that is available for timber production.

The annualharvest area is only 0.04 per cent of the huge 7.5 millionhectares of Victorian public nativeforest,ofwhich about 7.3 millionhectares is reserved for otheruse such as conservation.

Adecision based on the narrow focusofin-situ conservation of twospecies (greater andyellowbelliedgliders)has resulted in the virtual cessation of this season’s harvesting in nativeforest coupes, throwing hundreds of peopleout of work, many with monthly payments on equipment. Mills will be forced to close and timber towns such as Orbost face considerablesocio-economic turmoil.

This Supreme-Court decisionisironic in that Vic Forests is now forced to spend months completing more intensive resurveys within afew hundred

coupes totalling about 3000 ha, yet there has been no requirement to survey at the same intensity almost all the 7.5 million hectares precluded from timber production, to fully appraise the threatened status of the species.

VicForests are expected to deliver Rolls Royce

conservation within the 3000 ha of coupes it harvestseach year, whileThe Department of Environment Land Water and Planning (DELWP) and Parks Victoriacontinues to inflict considerable ecological damage by wildfire across 7.5 million hectares by persisting with an unsustainable fire policy ‘Safer Together’, that does not comply with the recommendations of the 2009 Bushfire Royal Commission.

The narrowly focused court decisionalsohas no regard to the broader consideration of ecologically sustainable development, northe geopolitical implications -some of which are discussed below.

Based on recent globalevents, geopolitical considerations are particularly relevant.

Actions that reduce supply of Australian timber at this time (where supply is already in decline), are increasing demandfor imported timberand timber products, including from countries with appalling records on the environment and social justice.

Russian native forestsrepresent the global‘swing’ volume. China sources timber from Russia and accounts for $2.2 billion of Australia’s $3.7 billion trade deficit in forest products.

FollowingPutin’sinvasionofUkraine,China immediately increased imports of coal, oil and gas from Russia.China is currentlybuilding pipelines to receive more Russian gas. Aportion of the imported forest products from China are likelytoinclude products manufactured from Russian logs using power derived from Russian coal, oil and gas.

Australia’s and Victoria’s log production is in seriousdecline due to closure of native forest to harvesting and conversion of plantations back to farmland, as aresult of favourable prices for agricultural commodities.

This declining log production will get alot worse becausethe plantation estate is shrinking, particularly in the Central Gippsland region close to Opal’s Maryvalemilland Ash’s hardwood sawmill at Heyfield. The shrinkage of net plantation area in Victoriais50,000haor30per cent over the last five years.

The Andrews Governments Forestry Plan, launched three years ago, was heralded as the solution to phasing out native forest supply, but has effectively delivered little more than ‘announcements’.

The loss of plantation area, rather than expansion of net planted area, is an indictment on the Andrews Government’s Forestry Plan.

It should be alightbulb momentfor agovernment hood-winkingcommunitiesthat it can replace one million cubic metres of native forest timber by converting 14,000 ha farmland to plantations in Gippsland. The14,000hawill only produce about 250,000 cubic metres per-year in about 25-30 years’ time, and will not even replacethe plantation area lost over the past five years.

The decline in native forest log supply over the last 20 years has resulted in areduction in Victorian Gross Regional Product of $6.6 billion (cumulative over 20 years) and reductionin Victorian employmentofabout 5560 jobs (Type 2- Direct Employment+ production induced+ consumption induced) on afull time equivalent (FTE) basis.

Over the next 20 years, the cessation of native forest supply under the Victorian ‘Forestry Plan’ is expected to contribute to afurther loss of $5.6 billion in Gross Regional Product, and the loss of another 3660 jobs.

To invest in new technology and remain viable, mills need increasing supply, but face acessation of native forest supply and adeclineinplantation supply. Without urgent and sensible government action, even more mill and forest jobs are at risk. We will be forced to use less environmentally friendly building materials such as concrete, steel and aluminium, with agreater component imported from countries with lower social and environmental credentials.

Much of our alternate building materials such as steel, aluminium and wood-based panels are sourced from China, and manufactured using power derived mostly from fossil fuels including increasing supplyoffossil fuels fromRussia. China’s use of fossil fuels increased threefold over thepast20years.

China’s imports of coal, oil and gas from Russia increased immediately after Putin invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022 from US$4.3 billion in February 2022 to about US$9.0 billion overJuly-August 2022. Theimportshave been secured at substantially discounted prices such thatthe increase in tonnage is considerable. These purchases are assistingthe fundingofPutin’s unlawful invasion of Ukraine.

China and Russia are in the final stages of building pipelines that can send gas from Siberia to Shanghai. The 8000km pipeline with 3000km in Russia and 5111km in China transmits natural gas from Siberia to nine provincial-level regions in China, according to areport from the Xinhua News Agency on September 17 2022

Whether by accident or design, Victorian forest policy and green activism are supporting Putin’s Russia and other undemocraticcountries.

Former chairman of Private Forestry Gippsland, John Cameron.

Photo: File

John Cameron hashad his sayonforest policy

Photo: File

Fireseason is coming: register

VICTORIA’S fire and emergency service agencies are urgingthoseinthe community to register their burn-offs,astheypreparetheir properties for fire season.

Launched in 2020, the Fire Permits Victoria website is aone-stop-shop for Victorians to register burn-offs with authorities before to the firedanger period (FDP) starts,orapply for apermitonce the FDP has started.

While the community canstill registertheirburns with Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) by calling 1800 668 511, using the Fire Permits Victoria website frees up ESTA call takers to focus on emergency calls.

Last fire season, between October 25, 2021 and May 1, 2022, atotal of 85,224 burn-offs were registered or approved, including 18,776 through the Fire Permits Victoria website.

Country Fire Authority chief officer,Jason Heffernan, saidthat as FDPs aredeclared in more local council areas, registering burns or applying for permits was vitally important for community safety.

“The Fire PermitsVictoria website allows agencies to communicate with those planning burn-offs in atimelyand efficientmanner, allowing us to provide consistent and up-to-date advice on suspending or revoking apermit if conditions change,” Mr Heffernan said.

Forest Fire Management Victoria acting chief fire officer, Allyson Lardner, said the fire permit system provided fire agencies with importantinformation to manage fire risk effectively.

“The system allows permit holders to notify fire agencies when approvedpermits will be used, especially when fire restrictions are in place,” Ms Lardner said.

“This allows authorities to cross-checkany well-meaning triple zero calls, and avoids our firefighters being dispatched unnecessarily.”

FireRescue Victoria’s acting fire rescuecom missioner, Gavin Freeman, said that despite the milder conditions this season, burn-offscould easily escape if not managed and monitored properly.

“Keep your burn-off safe by ensuring you have sufficientwateronhand at all timesand fully extinguish the burn oncecompleted,” Mr Freeman said.

“We know burn-offs can flare-up several days afterwards,which highlights the importance of makingsure the fire is fully extinguishedand keeping an eye on weather conditions not just for the day of your burn, but for the following days as well.”

People undertaking burn-offs before to the FDP, and those with permits during the FDP are reminded to follow fire and rescueservices’ advice to keep fires safe:

 Follow regulations or laws set by CFA and your local council;  Register your burn-off via the Fire Permits Victoria website, firepermits.vic.gov.au, or call 1800 668 511;  Notify neighbours if your activity will

generate fire and smoke;  Check and monitor weather conditions particularly wind -onthe day and coming days;  Leave athree-metre fire break, free from flammable materials around the burn;  Have sufficient equipment and water to stop the fire spreading; don’t leave it unattended;  Make sure you properly extinguish your fire before you leave it, and;  If your burn-off gets out of control, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Warning on lung disease as sufferernumbersrise

CHRONIC Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) affects about one in 13 Australians over the age of 40 and is the numberone causeofavoidable hospitalisations in Australia.

World COPD Daywas on Wednesday November 16, and Lung Foundation Australia is calling on the state and federal governments to take urgent action to improve COPD care and outcomes that currently cost the Australian health system about $935 million ayear.

COPDisalungconditionthatworsensover time and leads to increasing breathing difficulty, disability and premature death. It usually affects people aged over 45, but often goes unnoticed or undiagnosed for along time.

Theaverage length of stay for COPDpatientsis five days, and it is responsible for more potentially preventable hospitalisations than heart failure and asthma.

Despiteits huge cost to themedical system, and disproportionate impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, there’s alackofcommunity awareness around COPD and pathways to lifelong prevention —and that needs to change, according to Lung Foundation Australia board member, and Respiratory Expert Professor, Christine Jenkins AM.

Professor Jenkins said the number of Australians who are living with COPD had risendramatically over the past several years, and state and federal funding was needed to ensure that sufferers had access to top-quality care.

“COPD in Australiaisaserious problemthat is often underestimated, undiagnosed, and untreated. We urgently need to create pathways for lifelong prevention of COPD,earlierdiagnosis, and improved awareness and treatment of this condition,” Professor Jenkins said.

“Australia hasone of the most advanced health caresystemsinthe world, but we are lagging behind in achieving better outcomes for people with COPD. Much can be done to address these inadequacies of care delivery.”

Professor Jenkinssaidafoundation blueprint described the innovations and changes in service delivery that could accelerate this. “It identifies somequickwinsbut also some essential long-term strategies to address the burden of COPD.”

The five recommendations for COPD reform in Australia include:

Lifelong prevention of COPD.  Early and accurate COPD risk identification and diagnosis.

Community management.

Acute care management.

COPD research and translation.

Ian Venamore,who has been livingwiththe conditionfor 19 years, saidmuch moreneeded to be done to improve care for people living with COPD.

“The government needs to step up and take action on COPD. They need to invest more in research so that we can find ways to improve treatment and prevent the disease from progressing,” Ian said.

People arebeing urged to register their burn-offs as summer approaches

Photo: Contributed

Trucks in action at Maffra Rec

Aselection of remote-controltruckswere demonstrated at the event

MAFFRA Recreation Reserve hosted the East Gippsland Heritage Truck Display on the weekend of November 19/20.

The event saw more than 60 rigs on-show, plus aselection of vintage cars and tractors.

Attendees were also treated to amodel vehicle exhibition, remote-control truck demonstration, logging-truck photography show and live music.

ABritish Atkinson lorry in green. Photos: Tom Parry

Twotrucks decked out in John C. Burleylivery

AKenworth’s bonnetpayingtributetoMervyn ‘Bluey’ Rodwell.

Twomid-Century Fords: agreyZephyr sedan, and ablack LTDstation wagon.

AKenworth parked alongside aSuzuki Mighty Boyutility in identical livery.

Amuscular Rambler sedan next to avintage Ford F-150 pick-up.

One of thesethings is not like theothers...

Adiversity of truck brands werevisible on the day.

Acollection of ToyotaLandcruisers.

The Kenworth brand waswell-represented in Maffra

Photos:Tom Parry

Star rigs parked next to

Aselection of vintagetractors at the East Gippsland HeritageTruck Display.

Calls for Rosedale pump track

ROSEDALE residents are leftfeeling unheard and misunderstood, after consultations with Wellington Shire Councilfor apump track and skatepark upgrade got off to arocky start.

President of the Rosedale Neighbourhood House pump track and skate park committee, Kara Ross, and member Aley Dawson joined Rosedale Neighbourhood House (RNH) manager Jenni Monaghan in sharing their concerns over the early planning, specifically the location, of the proposed Rosedale pump track.

The RNH pump trackand skate parkcommitteehave endeavoured to solidify plans to build a pump track, actively consulting with the Rosedale community and organising events to raise money for the project.

Earlier this month, the committee held atrivia night at Rosedale Bowls Club, with localbusinesses contributing generous prizes, with proceeds going towards the pump track project.

“Our first fundraiser was ahugesuccess, and the community is in great support of us,” Ms Ross said.

“We raised approximately $5000 andhad 150 people in attendance.”

Through community consultation, the RNH pump trackand skate park committee, and the township collectively,agreed thatEagle Park, formerly known as the Alan Semple Reserve, is the best location to build the proposed track and advised Wellington Shire Council as such.

Wellington Shire Council has since declined Eagle

Park as apossible location for the Rosedale pump track, noting Edward Crooke Reserve and Prince Street Reserve as their two preferred locations.

Rosedale Neighbourhood Housebacks onto Edward Crooke Reserve, and the currentskatepark is located at Prince Street Reserve.

“The exercise circuit committee had this idea of gettinganexercise circuit up and running out here, so we could extend the [Rosedale Neighbourhood] House’s programs from here to outside, beyondthe community garden,” Ms Monaghan said.

“But the positioning of this pump track and a new skate park is apparently going in this park here (Edward Crooke Reserve).”

Ms Rosssaidthat the community highly utilises

Edward Crooke Reserve, explicitly opposing the inception of the pump track and new skate park at the reserve.

“We don’twant to put it herewhenthe town already values and uses this space so much,” Ms Ross said.

“Wellington Shire Council attributes Eagle Park’s disconnect from the community, and accessibility issues for young people, among the reasons the location willnot be consideredfor the proposed pump track.

“Getting to Eagle Park would requireyoung people to cross the busy alternate truck route, where there is no formal road crossing,” aspokesperson from Wellington Shire Council said.

“There is no existing facilities, including toilets, shelter and water at Eagle Park, and as such, the site does notsuit the co-location of other recrea tional opportunities for young people.”

While council argues that Eagle Park is disconnected from thecommunity,the RNH pump track andskate park committee disagree.

Edward Crooke Reserve also lacks existing facilities, with only limited shelter available, grounds for which council denied Eagle Park as apossible location for the future pump track.

Council agrees that listening to the needs and working with the Rosedale community is imperative to understand what is wanted.

“Wellington Shire Council wants to hear from young people, not just adults, about their desires for apump trackinRosedale,”aspokesperson said

“Wellington Shire Council’skey priority is to engage with the primary users of the pump track.

“Strongconsultation and feedbackfrom young people livinginRosedale willensure the facility is utilised appropriately. Council will workclosely withlocal youth to design aconcept that creates interest and activatesthe space into the future.”

Despite Wellington Shire Council’s reiteration of theirdedicationtoco-creating afuturepump track withthe town’s community,Rosedaleresidents still feel somewhat unheard.

“Wesortoffeel likeRosedale is sort of left off the page,” Ms Ross said.

“The committee and community really want to work with council to achieve good thingsfor Rosedale.”

Ageing well in Wellington

WELLINGTON Shire Council would like to know what ageing well in Wellington Shire looks like now and into the future.

Older adults contribute greatlytocommunity life, and are ourfastest growing population groups in Wellington.



MAFFRA Neighbourhood House is seeking acleaner for two hours per week. Working with Children and Police Checks mandatory. If interested, please phone the house on 0422 335 155



MAFFRA Mens Shed has painted wooden snowmen for sale for $80 each, six in stock, wooden painted Santa’s can be ordered for $60 each. Please phone Maffra Men’s on 0400 960 081.

 ST John’s Anglican Church Christmas Fair will be held on Saturday, December 3, in the Church grounds, Thomson St, Maffra, from 9am until sold out. There will be Xmas cakes, puddings, decorations and gifts. White elephant stall, cakes stall, Devonshire tea, raffle and much more on offer. Cash only. Pre-order and enquiries to Lisa on 0408 472 479.

 ROTARY Club of Maffra Community market will be held on Sunday, December 4atthe Island Reserve, McMahon Dr, Maffra (at the back of Woolworths car park). From 9am until 12.30pm, all welcome.

 ST Vincent de Paul monthly garage sale will be held on Saturday, December 3inthe Jack Kelly store, 28 Laura St, Maffra, from 9am until 10.30am.

Honoursfor ambulance service

It is more importantthan everthat support services and programs are put in place to support residents to age well, live healthy lives, and be engaged and connected in local communities.

We know that ageing well is akey consideration for our community, and we have arole to play in influencing improved outcomes for the local community and ensuring services meet local needs.

Wellington Shire CouncilMayor Ian Bye said, that when we consider what ageing in Wellington will look like, we want to make sure services, programs and our physical spaces allow for everyone to feel welcome, no matter their age.

“I encourage all local residents aged 55 and over, including carers, service providers and family members, to have their say in the Ageing WellinWellington Shire consultation process. This is your chance to shareyour experience of ageing and highlight the support that you will need to age well,” Cr Bye said.

“We really want to know how you feel about your quality of life.”

Visit Wellington Shire Council’sYour Wellington Your Say platform to find out more about Ageing Well in Wellington Shire. Head to your.wellington.vic.gov.au/ageingwell to complete ashort survey.

Consultation is open until Sunday, December 11 2022.

Zoe Askew

THE Governor of Victoria presented Keryn Blucher with herStJohn Ambulance 10-year medal for ongoing service on Saturday, November 19, at Government House in Melbourne. St John Ambulance Sale Division George Burns was awarded for his 40-year bar, and Dale Leckie attained her 15-year bar; however,they were

unable to join Ms Blucher in Melbourne to receive their awards in person. Many members, past and present, have enjoyed volunteering under the leadership of Dame Lorraine Glover, Bernard Goss and Ann Payne, with reports all attendees thoroughly enjoyedtheir time at the recent St John Ambulance award night.

St John Ambulance awardnight at Government House, featuring some members from Sale. Photo: Contributed

RNH pump track andskate park committee hostedatrivia night recently to raise moneyfor a future Rosedale pumptrack. Photo: Contributed

By Zoe Askew

HUNDREDS of people from across the country assembled at Traralgon’s Harold Preston Reserve early on the morning of Thursday, November for the start of TourdeCure’s2022 Vic Discovery Tour.

Dress code, lycra; objective, cure cancer.

Not many words can send shivers down one’s spine or form arock-hard pit in the depths of one stomach, but the word ‘cancer’does that with ease, anditaffects the lives of hundreds of thousands of Australians every day.

On average, 413 Australians are diagnosed with cancer each day. By the end of 2022, an estimated 162,163 people -88,982males,73,181females -will have been diagnosed with cancer, and an estimated 49,996 people will have died from the disease.

Tour de Cure started with adream, afuture free from cancer. For 15 years, cyclists of all abilities fromacross the nationhavetaken to the roads, riding hundreds of thousands of kilometres to help raisefunds for doctors and scientists to uncover a cure for cancer.

On Thursday, November 17, 97 cyclists and 29 crew gathered at Harold Preston Reserve in Traralgon, joined by friends, family and supporters as they prepared for Day One of the tour.

Kerryn Westcott has been ascientificproject officer at the Olivia Newton John Cancer Research Institute(ONJCRI) for more than 13 years, specialising in brain cancer research for the past three years, and is also asupport manager with Tour de Cure.

“Like everybody, if you don’tknow somebody that has had cancer, it would be avery rare situation,” Ms Westcott said.

“I lost two friends quite early before Istarted in cancer research, but for us at the research institute, it’s about wanting to give back to the people who raise money for us.

“This tour raises money for our researchinstitute and our researchers, so there is really apersonal connection to knowthat 100 people are preparedto put all those hard hours in so we can do four great research projects.”

The four research projects TourdeCure’s Vic Tour is raising money include:

 Investigating amore effective treatment, led by Dr Laura Jenkins, for an aggressive form of colorectal cancer.



 Investigating resistance to treatments for brain cancer led by Prof Hui Gan and Assoc/Prof Delphine, and  Developing novel antibodies targeting overactive proteins in tumours to improve cancer therapy by reducing the toxic side effects of some chemotherapies by

Cyclists begantheir three-dayjourney from Traralgon,riding through Inverloch and Phillip Island on Friday, November 18 and finishing in Bundoora, at the La Trobe University campus, on Saturday, November 19. The result? The 2022 Tour de Cure raised over $700,000.

“This is the first time we are using this particular route, the second year of the Vic Discovery Tour thatraises money for ONJCRI,” Ms Westcottsaid.

“Tour de Cure itself has been running for 15 years -so(that’s) alot of money;you’re talking about agroup that overall has now raised over $80 million over 15 years for cancer research.

“This touralone has alreadyraisedover $700,000, just from the riders and support crew raising money, and we do have some amazing sponsors who have jumped on board, and they bring in riders and supporters, and they put money in, it makes ahugedifference.”

Ms Westcott, who is adamant she does not ride, nor would she ever consider herself acyclist,has participated in 15 tours over the past six years.

“AlthoughIamfrom ONJCRI, Iamthe support crew manager for TourdeCure across the country,” she said.

“So Ijust make sure all our riders and all our support crew have great support around them.

“It can be areally emotional time as well, alot of talking, meeting otherpeople who have been in situations,

“We have alot of people who have been through ther own cancer pathways and are still doing that, so we alwaysmakesurewehave anice kind of bubble around us so we can keep going.”

Each cyclist in the Tour de Cure donsa black lycra shirt, reading 1in3 on theback in bold, bright colours.

“The theory is that one in three cancers can be prevented,” Ms Westcott said.

“Whether that be through good lifestyle choices and we go and talk to schools; our message is be fit, be healthy, be happy,” Ms Westcott said.

“Because not everyone can find bettertreatments

or cures, but we can encourageour younger people to have as healthy alifestyle as they can to reduce the impactand reduce the chances of havingto go through what generations before them have gone through.”

Since 2007, the TourdeCure community has grown to become anational movement of thousands of people,walking, running, riding and swimming to raiseawareness and inspiresupportinthe fight to cure cancer,raising more than $90 million, funding659 cancer projects, contributingto80 scientific cancerbreakthroughs and educating 175,000 school children on how to prevent cancer.

Professor Matthias Ernst, director of ONJCR, exemplified the importance of the funds raised through the Vic Discovery Tour.

“The mission of theOlivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute is to discover and develop breakthrough cancer therapies to provide the best health outcomes for patients. We do this by better understanding the biology that drives cancers, to identifyweaknesses in complex biological systems for which we can then develop new drugs,” said Prof Ernst.

“Funds raised through the Vic Discovery Tour this year will enable my colleagues in the laboratory to move their discoveries from the benchcloser to the clinic to establish their capacity to provide more effective treatments for cancer patients.

“Our researchers work just metres from where cancer patients are receiving treatment by our clinician-scientists. This helps to fast-track translation of our scientific discoveries into novel clinical therapies.

“Whatthis alsomeans is that observations from the clinic can be immediately investigated by our research team –a continual cycle of learning and improvement betweenscientific research and patient care.”

Associate Professor Erinna Lee co-leads the cell death and survival lab with Assoc/Prof Doug Fairlie at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute.

“We are immensely grateful to receive funding from Tour de Cure to supportour study that aims to develop atest that will help oncologists predict if specificchemotherapies will be effective for individual patients,” Assoc/Prof Lee said.

“This will hopefully spare cancer patients from experiencing unnecessary treatment and associated side effects, as well as to inform personalised treatmentoptions.

“We werefortunate to be apart of oneofthe previous Tour de Cure events; we saw atruly remarkable group of peopleparticipating, who have all been touched by cancer in some way, and who are so passionate about finding acurefor this disease. This reallymotivates us as researchers to keep trying for them.”

Understanding how to predict the potential response to treatment from apatient, particularly in breast cancers, led by Associate/Professor Doug Fairlie.

Assoc/Prof Peter Janes.

More than 90 riders tookoffromTraralgon for DayOne of the Vic disocery tour riding between 99 and120 kiliometers to Inverloch

Kerryn Westcott,scientificproject officer at theOlivia Newton John Cancer Research Institute.

Unique

AGENTS say if you are looking for the tranquillity of a rural lifestyle, this property is for you.

Located on the eastern edge of the Boisdale township and only ashort drive to Maffra, this 16 acre property has great views and offers plenty,agentsadd.

The three-bedroom weatherboard home has been fully renovated and comprises three spacious bedrooms, with the master bedroom featuring walk-in robe and ensuite, north facing open plan kitchen/living area, formal family/dining area, which includes wood heater,and reverse cycle air-conditioning, plus astylish main bathroom.

The home is surrounded by verandahs to the east and north allowing prospective buyers to sit outside and takeinthe breathtaking rural views.

The outdoor features include ahuge two-bedroom bungalow with its own living space, 20m x12m barn-style shed with concrete floor,power and extra height, which agents say is ideal for boats and caravans, plus an additional 10.5m x10.5m storage

shed, along with some external sundry shedding.

Power bills are reduced with asolar power system feedingbackinto the grid, along with an ample water supply from an underground bore.

The property is subdivided into three main paddocks, with magnificent alluvial soils, ideal for livestock, horticulture or amarket garden, and includes a18.5mgl irrigation drainage diversion licence.

Agents say this property allows prospective buyers peace and privacy without the hassle of along drive into town.

Current

THIS property -located only a short drive or walk to Stratford’s schools, cafés and shops -isthe ultimate of lifestyle properties, agents say

Sitting on 1.8 hectares and featuring mountain views, alarge recently renovated modern home, huge shed, and multiple well-fenced paddocks, there is much to love about this property,and it presents as the complete package, agents add.

The home is sure to impress, its spacious and well-designed floorplan making it well set-up for family living. There are three large bedrooms plus study,the master with walk-in robe and aluxurious ensuite with bath and shower.There is asleek, modern bathroom central to the other bedrooms.

Multiple living spaces provide ample room for the whole family inclusive of formal lounge, separate formal dining and second large living room, which could be set up as a family room, rumpus room or even atheatre room.

The kitchen is open-plan with plentyof bench and cupboard space; the adjacent dining/family area providing yet another space for the family to gather,wood heating plus reverse-cycle offering comfort all-year round.

Automatic roller shutters on the outside of all the windows, plus 5kw solar panels add extra energy efficiency

Outside there is awell-covered outdoor entertainment section, established gardens and fruit trees, and an ample supply of water with two 10,000-gallon watertanks, and a smaller rainwater tank.

The balance of land is split into multiple paddocks, with good rural fencing and shelters for animals.

An American-style barn shed of 18x12m offers an ideal workshop or great storage area for the boat, van, trailers, motorbikes.

The shed has concrete flooring, all-steel frame, three-phase power plus water connected, pot belly for winter,and athreetonne overhead gantry crane, along with a room that could be used for more storage or office space.

Adjacent to the shed is a five-bay open shed ideal for storing wood, trailers and ride-on mowers.

RECENTLYrenovated in what agents say isapremier location andwith superb design, are what sets this property apart from the rest.

The contemporary and minimalistic split-level residence sits elevated on an outstanding allotment, with manicured landscaped garden surrounds, and is just a short stroll to LakeGuthridge, Aqua Energy, Lakeside Bowls club and schools.

The home offers four bedrooms with excellent robe storage -the private opulent master featuring walk-in shower,dual vanity to the ensuiteand apracticalpowder room; plus there’sacentral family bathroom with freestanding bath and awell-appointed laundry

The open-plan family,dining and kitchen area showcases comfort and ease of everyday living, and has the bonus of alarge adjoining home office, which would suit those working from home, or wanting to keep an eyeonthe kids doing homework.

The custom-built kitchen is complete with stone benchtops, quality Bosch appliances, and overlooks an entertaining alfresco area.

The second living zone to the rear of the home merges seamlessly with the original section of the house, and features soaring ceilings, polished concrete flooring, gas log fire anddirect access to the alfresco area.

Ducted central heating, two split systems, quality flooring and window coverings, ceiling fans throughout and great storage are just some of the many additional highlights of this property,agentssay

The property is fully fenced with automatic gates leading to the car accommodation to an expansive 15m x9mgarage and shed, giving prospective buyers plenty of room for storage and 3m high clearance for the caravan or boat.

Briefdetails

Framework designed

DAIRY Australia is marking adecade of reducing environmental impacts in the industry through a framework designed to take dairy beyond 2030.

The Australian Dairy Sustainability Framework was developed in 2012,inconsultation with dairy farmers, manufacturers,governments, retailers, customers, and interest groups.

Since then, 94 per cent of farmers are reducing emissions on theirfarms, and dairy emission intensityhas reduced by 25 per cent since 2010-11.

Newry dairy farmer Kate Mirams milks 300 cows on her property, where she is carrying out sustainable measures such as planting trees and fencing off areas for vegetation.

She said in the past 10 years, the industry has excelled in animal welfare and environmental practices, particularlyaround the impactsof climate change.

“Now the biggest eye-opener is the potential for soil. Our purpose aroundstewardship for the land has changed from sustainability to how we can improve the health and ecology of the landscape,” Ms Mirams said.

“Soil health determines the nutrient density of everything that grows in the soil and the health of everything we eat.”

Ms Mirams said farmers had a“huge opportunity” to draw carbon down into the soil, and create ahumus-rich environment with greater nutrient and water holding capacity.

The farm is part of acarbon trial being run in conjunction with Agriculture Victoriaand the West GippslandCatchment Management Authority, whichsofar has foundbetter water profilesin the soil.

She said practices such as ditching certain types of soluble fertiliser and pesticides in favour for multi-speciescrops and rotational grazing was paying-off.

“What growsabove theground also grows below the ground. We need to stop doing anything that changes the environment in the soil. We are forging

ahead with learning about this,” she said.

“It’spromising and exciting. People are aware that soil health is the key to our future and is the biggest opportunity to make adifference.”

Dairy Australia sustainability general manager Helen Dornom said the industry has been constantly reviewing, adapting, and evolving to meet theever-changing needs of the world.

“Since 2012, we’ve made big strides in our commitments with farmers, providing good stewardship of our natural resources and meeting the challengesofclimatechange,”MsDornom said “However, we know thereismoretobedone. It’s undeniable that the world needs nutritious food options such as dairy.

“As food producers, we have aresponsibility to produce food in asustainable way, and we won’t stop striving to adapt our production systems to be more sustainable now andintothe future.”

Tips to prevent spread of mastitis amid wetand muddyconditions

WITH the muddy conditions from the floods and the ongoing wet conditions, producers need to be aware of an increased risk of mastitis in their cows.

AgricultureVictoria dairyindustry development officer, Richard Smith, said cows standing in wet paddocks and moving through muddy and damaged laneways had an increased risk of mastitis.

“There are anumberofsimple things farmers can do to manage the risk of mastitis developing in their cows, including maintaining good hand hygiene when milking and ensuring teats are clean before and after milking,” he said.

Mr Smith said adopting the following simple

practices would help farmers manage the risk of mastitis developing and spreading in the current conditions:  Wash and dry all teats before cups go on.  Use alow-pressure, high-volume water supply combined with manual cleaning.  Ensure milkers wear gloves.  Dry with paper towels.  Strip cows every day to detect, treat and isolate clinical cases.  Make daily quarter stripping aroutine.  Always wear gloves and avoid getting milk on your hands.

 Check clinical cases at next milking.  Cover all surfaces of all four teats with teat disinfectant. Healthier skin is easier to keep clean.

Ag podcast series launched

DRIVING social changetoimprove the safety of Victorian farming familiesisa new podcast series launchedbythe Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) Making our Farms Safer Project (MOFS).

VFF vice-president and chair of the VFF child safety on farms steering committee, Danyel Cucinotta, said theinitial two-part series featured tips and guidance to reduce accidents involving children on the farm.

“The campaign focuses on better outcomes for children aged 10-15, who are performing work-related tasks on farms. Essentially, we wanteveryone on the farm to be able to go home safely at the end of the night.

“Influencing change is difficult no matter thesubject.Influencing cultural changes is evenharderand that’s what these podcasts are striving to do.”

The podcastseries also features the head of traumaand burns unit at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Dr Warwick Teague, and hisinsight into dealing with child injury and trauma.

Dr Teague said treating injuries was important, but “preventing injuries is so much more important”.

“Every five days in Victoria, achild is injured on aquadbike. We know that is an underestimate, because not all are serious injuries,” he said.

Dr Teague hopes the podcast series will spark aconversation that would reduce the number of injuries on farms involving children.



Try and keep teats clean for at least an hour after the cows leave the milking shed.

 Keep the area immediately outside the dairy exit as clean as possible.

 Have feed available when cows leave the shed. This could be on afeed pad. Ensure this area can be scraped to reduce mud and manure build up.

Mr Smithsaid farmersshould talktotheir milk qualityadviser,veterinarianordairy factory field officer to adapt these steps to their farm situation.

“It goes against the status quo to say ‘No’ and change whathas previously always been done in the past. That’s exactly how we end up with injuries on farmsorathome. Then we are left managing the injury. We wouldlovetonever see it,” Dr Teague said.

“Isthere abetter thing to do in our day, life or year than to save another?”

The podcast series is now available for listening and can be downloaded via your favourite streaming app and searching ‘Victorian Farmers Federation’.

Michelle Slater

Newry farmer Kate Mirmansshows off her happy cows on lush pastures.

Photo: Contributed

Programsare on offer

Tims said.

“It’s not just anine-to-five job, and it’s so rewarding to see afoal stand up for the first time.

THOSE who have always dreamed of working with horses but don’thave the background or hands-on experience, are being encouraged to look at afree program to get them in the door and into ajob.

Thoroughbred BreedersAustralia wasspruiking its Fast Track program at Equitana, to lure newbies from non-horsy backgrounds into jobs on stud farms.

Projecteducator Maddie Tims said the program launched in 2018, to provide pathways into arange of careers with thoroughbreds.

“This is helping to develop skills on farms and for people who don’t feel they know anythingabout the industry, we can help fill thesevacancies,” Ms Tims said.

“We try to create acommunity, it’s not just equine studies, it’s creating anetwork for people to be fully-employed on stud farms.”

The 12 month program includes theoretical units, stud placements, mentorship and race day visits, with successful trainees earning aCertificate III in Horse Breeding.

Ms Tims said jobs could lead to managing stallions or yearlings, vet nursing, through pedigree analysts or bloodstock agents.

“We have so many job opportunities, if you are willing to put in the hardwork andhave the passion you can transform this into acareer,” Ms

Thoroughbreds are so incredible, Ithink there is no athlete that can compare.”

Thoroughbred BreedersAustralia chief executive Tim Riley saidthe sector was facing similar labour challenges to other agriculture industries, in which farm positions were not being filled.

Mr Riley said this was being exacerbated by COVIDand fewer backpackerscoming intothe country, with these labour issues also being felt by studs in the UK and Ireland.

He said this was forcing some breeders to reassess their broodmare numbers due to not having the staff on the ground.

“We have issues around changingdemographics, with fewer people growing up around horses and developing the skills to work with horses,” Mr Riley said.

“This flight from the country to the city has been significant in the last generation.”

But Mr Riley said Australia boasted the second largestthoroughbred industry in the world behind the US, and employed 80,000 people.

“If you are someone who is thinking about a career with horses, the thoroughbred industry offershugeopportunities. We have this enormous industry and Australia is seen as aworld leader,” he said.

Using recylced plastic in dairy

WESTERN Australian processor Brownes Dairy is now using recycled plasticinits yoghurt, cream and dessert packaging, saving 2.7 millionnew plastic tubs from hitting the shelves each year.

The initiative is helping to keep plastics out of the ocean, with projections that the world’s oceans will carry more plastic volume than fish by 2050.

The newyoghurt tubs will also be fully recyclable in kerbside waste.

Brownes Dairy chief executive, Natalie SarichDayton, said they were working with Zero Plastic Oceans- certified companies Heng Hiap Industries and PakPot to address the problem.

“Brownes Dairy is showing our commitment to

sustainability throughaction,” Ms Sarich-Dayton said.

“We were first to introduce Australia’smost sustainable milk cartons, and we wanted to push the envelope again by using recyclable ocean-bound plastic in our yoghurt tubs.

“Brownes Dairy wants to ensure that the next generation of Australian families not only get to enjoy the goodness and freshness of our products, but they can do so knowing we use the most sustainable yoghurt tubs available.”

Brownes hasalso been asignatorytothe Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation to keep packaging materials out of landfill.

Michelle Slater

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia educator Maddie Tims speaking with prospective industry employees at Equitana.

Photo: MichelleSlater

DACHSHUND

MB157856. Black and tan. Ph 0409 333 627.

FLOCK RAMS

HORSES WANTED

Meetings

PUBLIC MEETING

NOTICE OF AN APPLICATION FORAPLANNING PERMIT

The land affected by the application is located at:

1-15PrincesHighway,WURRUK 3850

The application is for apermit to: Use and Development of the land for afive storey building comprising aHotel, Indoor Recreation Facility, Function Centre& 107two bedroom apartments, with areduction to the required number of car &bicycle parking spaces.

The applicant for the permit is: Beveridge Williams &CoPty Ltd

Theapplication reference number is: P518/2022

Town Planner: JOHN TRAA

Youmay look at the application and any documents that support the application at the office of the responsible authority.This can be done during office hours and is free of charge. Acopy of the main aspects of the application can be viewed on Council’s website at the following address: https://www.wellington.vic.gov.au/development/ planning-applications-on-notice

Wellington ShireCouncil 18 Desailly Street (PO Box506) SALE VIC 3850

Telephone: 1300 366244 Email: planning@wellington.vic.gov.au Website: https://www.wellington.vic.gov.au/development/planningapplications-on-notice

Any person whomay beaffected by thegranting of the permit may object or make other submissions to the responsible authority.

An objection must be made to the responsible authority in writing, include the reasons for the objection and state how the objector wouldbeaffected.

The responsibleauthority mustmakeacopy of every objectionavailable at its office for any person to inspect during office hours free of charge until the end of the period during which an application may be made for review of a decision on the application. The Responsible Authoritywill not decide on the application before: 16 December 2022

Business Administration and Accounts Manager

The Maffra Gymnastics Club has the availability for aBusiness Administration and Accounts Manager to work with our team supporting overall management of our gymnastics club to start in Term 12023.

The position will be permanent part time 25hrs per week. Hours are flexible however aminimum of 2evenings per week during the school term will be required.

Duties will include managing HR and payroll, overseeing accounts payable/receivable, preparing BAS and financial reports, cash flow management, and assisting with the daily workflow of the office administration to ensure efficiency and accuracy.

Please forward your resume along with acover letter to operations@maffragymnastics.org.au All applications are confidential and close on 11th January 2022.

Public Notices

Public Notices

●

New Job Vacancies

Residential Aged Care Homes

● Enrolled Nurses (Endorsed)

● Registered Nurses (Division 1)

● Hospitality Assistants

● Housekeeping/Laundry Assistants

● Lifestyle support staff

Royal

● State-of-the-art homes, built to unite families and friends

● Leading not-for-profit organisation where you are truly valued

● Generous salary packaging options to increase income

● Casual and Part time vacancies, flexible rosters to suit yourlifestyle

Requirements

● Must have covid-19 vaccine (mandatory in industry)

● Police Check Clearance/NDIS Workers Screening Check

To apply for these roles please go to our Careers Page on our Website: www.royalfreemasons.org.au or email: recruitment@royalfreemasons.org.au

Alternatively drop off yourresume to: 28 Surkitt Blvd, Sale OR 1C Haigh St, Moe. We look forward to hearing from yousoon.

COSMETICIAN

Full

time or Part time

Opportunities exist for afull time or part time Cosmetician at Findlay and Weymouth, Sale.

You should be able to work well without constant supervision, be well spoken, well presented and sympathetic to the needs of customers.

The ability to work under pressure and work well with others is essential and you must be able to work Saturdays.

Applications should be posted or handed in to:

Findlay &Weymouth Pharmacy 275 Raymond St., Sale Vic., 3850

PHARMACY ASSISTANT

Full time or

Part time

Opportunities exist for full time and part time Pharmacy Assistants at Findlay and Weymouth, Sale.

You should be able to work well without constant supervision, be well spoken, well presented and sympathetic to the needs of customers.

The ability to work under pressure and work well with others is essential and you must be able to work Saturdays.

Applications should be posted or handed in to: Findlay &Weymouth Pharmacy 275 Raymond St., Sale Vic., 3850

Sampling Officer -Herd Testing

Herd Improvement Co-operative Australia Ltd, an established leader in the local Dairy Industry, has aposition available for aSampling Officer for our Maffra office.

This role plays acritical part in the Herd Test Department within Hico. The Sampling Officer role conducts herd testing on farms using Electronic Milk Meters and Data Handlers during milking times. You will work closely with other Departments within the Company including Laboratory staff. You will need to be able to work Monday to Friday with variable starting and finishing times and may be required to work split shifts.

The successful applicant will need to have good interpersonal skills, strong computer skills, knowledge of the Dairy Industry, excellent record keeping skills and attention to detail. Afull Australian Driver's Licence and experience in driving manual vehicles is essential.

Hico offers great working conditions, ahappy team environment and competitive remuneration.

For further information or to forward your application including your resume detailing your full work history and qualifications and three referees, please email jhills@hico.com.au by 9th December 2022.

Sureway Employment

Consultant -Disability (full-time, part-time)

Help to change lives and build stronger communities as you empower your clients into employment.

This role provides caseload management for Clients overcoming barriers with the aim of gaining suitable employment. We do this through provision of high quality, timely and professional services.

An exciting new team is being established in the region and we need people who are customer focused, competitive and drive to succeed to help build relationships with our clients and with employers within the local community where you can source vacancies and fully support your clients with ongoing employment.

If you are driven have solid administration skills, apositive attitude, the ability to manage your workload or abackground in customer service you can succeed with us.

● Driver's licence required.

● Police Clearance and Working with vulnerable check required.

Benefits

● Laptops for all employees.

● Values based reward program.

● Flexible working environment with afocus on work life balance.

● Performance-based bonuses.

● Birthday leave.

● Additional week of leave after 3years of service.

Please email expression of interest and resume to the Area Manager samanthajackson@sureway.com.au

Caravans

REGENT

Deaths •

ALLEN, Brenda.

Much loved sister of Des and friend of Gwenda.

Beautiful bestie of Marjie (dec.).

Special Aunty to Cheryl and Garry, Graeme and Vicki, Brian and Debra and families.

To know her was to love her. "A family treasure" who will be remembered for her laughter and love of life, her support and commitment to family. And her Bailey nips!

ALLEN, Brenda.

Our truly one in amillion, beautiful and loving Aunt B. So blessed to have had such aspecial Aunty and friend. Our treasured memories will be in our hearts forever.

Love you heapsss.

Leonie and Garry, Nick, Dee, Brad, Nicole, Dane, Jayde,Callan, Leah, Maneka, Kyle, Callan, Tegan, Jai, Elle and Grandies.

GALL (nee Cunynghame), Cheryl Louise 27/3/1951 -22/11/2022

Passed away November 22, 2022 at Sale.

Aged 71 years.

Daughter of Reginald and Patricia Cunynghame (both dec.).

Sister of Janis, Tracey, and Regina.

Loved mother of Kristian, Daniel, and Jacqueline.

DIGNAN.

Requiem mass for the repose of the soul of Mr Leo Joseph Dignan will be offered at St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral, PearsonStreet, Sale at 1pm on FRIDAY (December2,2022), followed by burial at the Sale Lawn Cemetery.

Rosary will be recited in the above Cathedral at 6.30pm on Thursday evening (December 1, 2022).

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Ashleigh House.

Please see our website for livestream details.

BUTCHER, Greg (Bugsy). 29/11/61 -21/01/22

Not aday goes by when we don't shed atear.

This time last year we were laughing, joking and having abeer with you for your 60th birthday.

Not knowing that 7weeks later you would be tragically taken from us. We miss you every day.

Mum and Dad, Geoff and Helen, Pam and Colin, Wayne and Sue and families.

BMW1200

GS Adventurer, 2006, 72,000km, reg. 30/1/23, r.w.c., Wunderlich power module, Remus exhaust, lower/modified seat (orig. incl.), doubletake mirrors, Trickle charger, tail shaft Universal replacement done, 32L tank good for 800+ kms. In last 2000km -gearbox input shaft fault done (replacement later model box fitted by BMW Traralgon), new clutch while motor/box split, full BMW serv. and tune, new rear Heidenau tyre, gen. BMW new old stock side panniers all keyed alike to match top box and ignition keys, Touratech tank bag $13,000. 0436 408 480.

CARAVAN COVER

ALLEN (Grumley), nee Hunt, Brenda Isabel Nana, Aunt B 22/2/1936 -21/11/2022

Passed away November 21st, 2022, at Royal Freemasons, Sale.

Loved wife of Kevin (dec.) and Ken (dec.).

Loving Mother of Michael, Robyn, Peter, and Darryn.

Loved Mother-in-law of Gavan, Kylie, Shelley, and Samantha (dec.).

Loving Nana of Jade, Loren, Jordan, Jack, Luke (dec.), Amity, Jett, and Taj.

Loving Great Nana of Tyson, Tyler, Caspian, and Eva.

Thanks for the lifetime of memories and for your unconditional love.

Thanks for always being there for all of us, always showing compassion and kindness.

You will forever be in our hearts

Love ya Mum and will miss you. Love Mick.

Thank you Mum for everything. We have been blessed to have you -a wonderful, kind, thoughtful, caring Mum, Nana and Motherin-law, always putting others first.

You have left us with so many beautiful memories.

Robyn and Gavan, Loren and Nick, Jordan, Deejay and Eva. We will all miss you dearly. Forever in our hearts.

Icouldn't have asked for a better mother. You have always been there for us and gave me awonderful childhood.

Peter and Shelley, Jade, Jack, Jessica and Caspian,Luke (dec.) Tysonand Tyler, Jett.

Mum words cannot express what you meant to us.

You were selfless and loving and the best Mum, Mother-in-law and Nana we could have asked for.

Thanks for all the love you gave us and the beautiful memories that we will cherish forever.

Darryn, Kylie, Amity and Taj.

ALLEN (Grumley), Brenda.

In loving memory of Brenda.

Thinking of all the happy times of years gone by.

My sincere sympathy to all her loved ones. Bet and Family.

Mother-in -law of Mischelle, Stuart, and Tracey.

Grandma of Duwaine, Jayde, Quinn, Ariyah, Hugo, and Beatrix.

Resting Peacefully

Mum, You will be missed.

Love Kristian.

Sale Football Netball Club Past Players and Officials Association mourns the sudden passing of Choppy Connolly, afour times Reserves premiership player of the seventies and loyal club supporterover many years. Sincere sympathies to the Connolly family. Rest in peace Choppy

Mum, You going has broken our hearts but what keeps it together is the unconditional love and compassion you gave to us and your cherished grandkids. Forever in our hearts.

Love Daniel and Tracey.

Mum, You will be in our thoughts and hearts forever and ever.

Jacqueline and Stuart. We love you, Grandma and we will miss you dearly.

We hope to see you in the next life love Duwaine and An.

Ilove you Grandma, I wish you could be here forever, but now it is time to say goodbye, Quinn. Love you Grandma miss you so much. Iwish you were still alive for ever, Ariyah.

Love you Grandma so much Iwish you could stay alive forever, Hugo.

♥Ilove you Grandma, love Beatrix.

Funerals

GALL (nee Cunynghame).

The funeral service for Ms Cheryl Louise Gall will be held at Delbridge Funeral Chapel, Marley St., Sale at 2pm TOMORROW (Wednesday, November 30, 2022), followed by a private cremation.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to MND Australia.

Please see our website for Livestream details.

Bereavement Thanks •

SMITH, Celie.

The family of Celie Smith would like to offer our thanks to the many people who sent messages of condolence, flowers and food to us on her passing, and particularly those who were able to attend her funeral. It was lovely to be surrounded by the love of family and friends.

We also thank Father Jithin at St. Mary's Cathedral for the beautiful service he conducted for our greatly loved mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

We will be eternally grateful to the marvellous nurses, environmental and catering staff and the admin team at Wilson Lodge. Mum received dignified, loving and professional care. We thank every one of you. The whole family is indebted to Dr Fiona Sundermann who was there for mum in every medical situation offering caring and excellent advice and treatment.

Thanks to Warren at Gippsland Funeral Services for assisting the family so ably in creating the funeral service we wished for mum.

DIGNAN, Leo Joseph. 27/5/1933 -19/11/2022

Leo died peacefully on the afternoon of Saturday, November 19, 2022.

Reunited now with his devoted wife, Yvonne (dec.).

Loving father to Christopher (dec.), Anthony (dec.), Marguerite, and their partnersSusan and Michael.

Grandfather to Emma, Christopher, Alicia, Bianca, Matthew, Lauren, and Kate.

GreatGrandfather to Charlotte, Evelyn, Sienna, Sylvia, Sebastian, Jim, Ruby, Frankie, Connor and Cleo who he adored.

Leo was aman of deep faith who was dedicated to Yvonne, his family and his love of the land. A renowned cattle man of the High Country, he loved his Herefords and spent much of his life working on his farm and providing for his family.

He will be deeply missed.

DIGNAN,

Our appreciation to all, Denis, Margaret, Martin, Peter and families.

raised suspension $23,000. 0409 219 847.

BRITTAIN, Lloyd. Dad, in our hearts you will always stay, loved and remembered each and every day. Daughter Julie and sonin-law Glenn and Janiece.

In Memoriam

CONNOLLY, Laurence (Choppy)

Alpine Rally coming to region

THE Alpine Rally of East Gippsland is getting set to run later this week.

Abiennialfixture on the East Gippslandcommunity calendar, this year’s Alpine Rally will be sponsored by Lock and LoadTransport and the community of East Gippsland.

Thecelebrationsfor thisyear’srally,toberun from December 1toDecember 4, doubly serves as the 100th year of the AlpineRally, having first been run in 1921.

Event organiser, Owen Polanski, and his team are excited to run this year’s event following the cancellation last year event due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

“We are reallykeen to celebrate this special milestone with the peopleofEastGippsland,” Polanski said.

“The Alpine Rallyisthe oldest motorsport event in Australiaand we want to mark that very unique occasionwithagreat event which features a number of highly community-inclusive activities.”

Thefirst of those activities will be the showcase start for the 2022 Lock and Load Transport Alpine Rally of East Gippsland, which will feature every one of the 105 startersand their crews on the foreshore of Lakes Entrance, at the Rotunda opposite Myers Street.

The display willstart at midday on Thursday,

December 1, with the first car due to start at 1pm.

Cars will start at two minute intervals, ensuring athree-and-a-half hour mobile motor show is available to all.

Cars will finish their competition on Thursday back at Lakes Entrance,before starting there again

the next morning.

Friday will see crewstraveleast to Orbost, before returning to Lakes Entrance on Friday evening.

On Saturday, December 3, crews will start the day from Ensay, and will use the fabulous forest roads as far north as Benambra and Omeo, before turning

south again and finishing the day off with ablast around the Bairnsdale Speedway at Granite Rock.

The final fling on Sunday will see crews in the

achampagne

Afeature of this year’s Alpine Rally will be the ShowWorks FanZone, which will be established on the Lakes Entrance Esplanade, opposite Bellevue on the Lake.

Here, spectators, locals and rally fanatics will be able to pick up printed spectator information, see acollection of previousAlpine-winning cars, and be able to buy merchandise, look at Alpine memorabilia overthe past 100 years, get up to date results of the rally, and have acoffee and a hamburger with the crews as they return each evening.

The2022Lock and Load Transport Alpine Rally of East Gippsland is conducted with the approval of the Victoria Police, shire councils and the Department of Environment, Land,Water and Planning.

The 2000-plus visitors to the East Gippsland area who are associatedwith theevent areexpected to directly contribute over $3 million to the local economy.

For more information about the event, head to www.alpinerally.org.au

SaleSonicsfinish CBL season with strong win

THE final round of the 2022 Country Basketball League saw Sale Sonics host Wonthaggiand Morwell at home Saturday night, then travel to Pakenham on Sunday.

The Sale Sonics women’steamhad arematch against last season’s champions,Wonthaggi Coasters, on Saturday night at the Gippsland Regional Sports Complex.

The Sonics came out strongly at the start of the game, with their young squad applying intense full-court pressure, and were able to capitalise on their hard work in offence. Sharpshooters Jemma Birss and Chloe Rees drained multiple threesm as they managed to go into the first break up 22-8. Theycontinuedtheir dominanceearly in the second, pushing their lead out to 25 points, but Wonthaggi started to show why they were the reigning champions by regathering themselves and slowly working into the lead.

The huge first-half effort started to take its toll on the young Sonics as they struggled to put the ball in the hoop, while the visitors continued to gain momentum and work back into the game.

Despite the immense defensive effort by Tayli Dimarco, who seemed to be everywhere on the court at once, the Sonics were only able to score two points in the fourth to the Coasters 15, which endedupbeing enough for the visitors to scrape out the two-point victory in an excitingly tight finish, 59-61.

Birss led the way yet again in scoring, managing 16 points. Rees gavegood supportwith her 14 points.

The Sale Sonics men’s team played the Morwell Magic on Saturday night at home.

Following the ladies’example,the Sonics gotout to avery quick 12-0 lead with the squad looking focused.

However,despite being the new team in the league, Morwell’s players are far from rookies and behind strong leadership from Jordan Canovan, the Magic made adjustments and slowly edged their way back into the game.

The Sonics relentlessly attacked the basket via the athleticism and speedofyoung guns Jake Hutchins, Harper Fraser and Finn Boag, while Brenton Lear, Elih Carter and Josh Backwayused their size to clean up any misses, as well as control the boards on defence. Canovan continued to take control of the game, hitting threes and getting to the foul line at will, to bring the Morwell back into the game.

Despitetheirbest efforts, the Sonicsweren’table

to hold on against the more-experienced Magic team, and some late game defensive mishaps allowed the visitors to win ahard-fought game by 13 points, 74-87.

Hutchins top-scored for Sale with 18 points, and Backway had his best scoring game for the season, adding 15 points.

Both Sale squads then had to travel two hours on Sundaytoplay Pakenham in whatwouldbe both teams’ final game of the season.

Thewomenagain got out to aquick start behind greatshootingbyBirss and Rees.

The young Warriorssquadmanagedtochipaway at the Sonics’ lead but again, behind some hardnosed defence led by Dimarco, the Sonics managed to hold onto their lead throughout the first half.

The third quarter proved to be atough contest,

with the Warriors managing to briefly take asmall lead, butwith veteran BreeAlexander’s leadership and strong rebounding by Olivia Barnett and Emma Callahan, Sale were able to take back the lead andput some distance between theteams going into the final break.

Learningfrom the previousnight’s game, the Sonicsshowed greatdeterminationand teamwork to continue extending the lead, dominating the fourth 26-10 and managing to win their final game by 21 points, 75-54.

Birss and Rees again led the ladies in scoring, putting up 27 and 18 points respectively.

The Sale men came into their game against Pakenhamhopeful of their secondwin of the season as both squads were battling for ninth spot on the ladder.

Yet despite coming in withconfidence after a strong performance the night before,itwas quickly evident that the tough game was taking its toll on the young team’s legs.

Ayoung, athletic Pakenham team, who did not playthe previous night, usedtheir speedto quickly put the Sonics on their heelsand Sale struggledtoadjusttothe aggressivepressure being applied. Earlyfoul trouble to starters Backway and Hutchins didn’t help Sale either.

The Sonics’ Energizer bunny,Lachlan Pfeiffer, stood strong, having his best game of the season and through his hard work, managed to keep the Sonics within 12 points at the half.

Despite Pfeiffer’s best efforts, and great contribution by young rookies Bailey Harrison and Eli Berry, the Sonics simply were not able to run with theWarriors and eventually went down 67-109.

Hutchins again top-scored for Salewith 16 points, while Pfeiffer added asolid 13 points along with his numerous steals and rebounds.

With the regularseason now completed, the Sale Women are very happy with how their season unfolded, finishingsixth overallwith four wins and knowing another two or threewinsslipped through their fingers, but now with alittle more

experience, they won’t allow that to happen in future seasons.

The men finished 10th overall with just the one win, but saw promising improvement in the young squad throughoutthe seasonand competed for longer against stronger teams than they did last year.

Beingayoung team,they know it’s going to take time and patience, but the building blocks are there.

As with the women, Sale hopes to manage afew more wins next season withextra experience under their belts.

Bothsquadswould like to thank the Association, game day helpers and all those who came along to home games to help support the teams. Without you all, the players would not be able to play the game they love and they all greatly appreciate your support.

Bruthen area, before

celebration for the winners back at Lakes Entrance.

The Alpine Rallywillagain take place in East GIppsland

Photo:Contributed

Sale’s Jemma Birss looks forthe shot against Wonthaggi.

Photos:Contributed

Sale’sJosh Backwaydrives hard to the basket against Pakenham.

Sale’s Jemma Birsspushes the ball up court against Pakenham.

Leadership course for women in tennis

FIVE local women began afour-month leadership course in Sale last weekend, aimed at building their skills and confidence as leaders in the Wellington Gippsland Tennis Association community.

Tennis Victoria’s WomenLeaders in Tennis Program engages seniorclub leaders and committee members, recognising the value of female volunteers in tennis clubs as role models.

Local professional tennis coach Nicole Bauer, WGTA president Lisa Harrison, MaffraLawn Tennis Club secretary Sarah Lukeand Heyfield Tennis Club’s Leesa Danks and CaylaSilvester joined eight other club leaders from Parkdale to Paynesville for the course’s first

instalment of five sessions.

The representatives shared challenges and highlights from their respective roles, examineddifferent thinking, communication and leadership styles, and exploredopportunitiesfor their clubs and associations.

With five of the 13 participants belong ing to WGTA clubs, it is hoped the high leveloflocal participation will reduce barriersfor local women and girls on and off the court.

Withonly 26 per cent of Victorian tennis club presidents being women, organisers believe it is important women takeonleadership roles, to ensure women and girlshave an equal voice, and can influence decision making at the community levelonand off the court

Local participants in anew tennis leadership programfor women, following the first session in their course. Pictued is professional tennis coach NicoleBauer, Tennis Victoria’s womenand girls coordinator FairlieLamond,Wellington Gippsland Tennis Association president Lisa Harrison, Maffra Lawn TennisClub secretary Sarah Luke (front) Heyfield Tennis Club secretary Cayla Silvester,TVinclusion coordinator Sally Schwartz and Heyfield TennisClub treasurer Leesa Danks.

Wellington Gippsland Tennis Association

Seniors,Round 8

Section 1: Maffra Gippsland Real Estate 2def Sale John Elliman Real Estate 2 (28 games to 24), Bairnsdale vs Sale Findex(no result), Maffra Wellington Real Estate bye. Ladder: Maffra GRE 81 points, Sale JE 58, Sale Findex47, Bairnsdale 39, Maffra WRE 32.

Section 2: Heyfield 6def Maffra CommunitySports Club 3, Maffra Vets 6def Sale Glencoe Lime 3, Stratford7 def Sale Central Storage 2, Longford 6 def Sale Dahlsens 3, Maffra All Round Landscapes bye.

Section 3: Heyfield8def Stratford1, Briagolong 6def Maffra Removalists 3, Sale KFC6def Maffra Adams Accounting 3, Maffra Stobies 5def Maffra Wilmour Motors4

Juniors,Round 6

Section 1: Sale de Minaur 8def Sale Kyrigios 0, LongfordSale Tomljanovic 7 def Longford1,Bairnsdale Cash vs Maffra

(no result).

Section2: Sale Duckworth 6def Briagolong 2, Sale Saville 6def Bairnsdale Cawley2,Sale Inglis 7def Maffra 1.

Section 3: StratfordSwans 5def Sale Popyrin 3, Sale Hon 6def Longford 2, Maffra 7def Sale Kokkinakis 1, Bairnsdale Rafter 8def Heyfield 0.

Section 4: Sale Fourlis 5def Bairnsdale Laver 3, Maffra Falcons vMaffra Eagles (no result), Bairnsdale Barty 5def StratfordMagpies 3, Sale Kubler 7def Sale Sharma 1.

Section 5: Sale Thompson vs Longford (no result), Sale Gadecki 6def Stratford Kookaburra 0, Bairnsdale Stosur vs Maffra (no result), Sale Millman 4def Sale Cabrera 2.

Section 6: BairnsdaleHewitt5def Sale Vukic 1, StratfordKookaburras 4 def StratfordKingfishers2,Heyfield 5def Maffra1,Briagolong 5def Sale Rodionova1

Section 7: StratfordGalahs3 def Sale Mendez 2, Bairnsdale Alcott 6def Heyfield 0, Maffra bye.

It’s not

On court for state Touch season ends

THE

The

The Boisdale team -with amix of domestic, squad and occasional players -was in the Future Stars division. They came second out of 635 teams from amixture of independent, government and Catholic schools. The Boisdale team played 17 games over three tournaments to get to the statefinals.

Run by BasketballVictoria, Boisdale was the only school to represent Gippsland in the finals andthe team didn’t disappoint. Winning their first five games, they faced Skye Primary School in the grand final and after an outstanding effort, lost by only eight points.

Boisdale Consolidatedprincipal Belinda Marshall, who accompanied them on the day, said the students were “very excited” and gave it their all.

“They put in alot of effortoverthe whole term. Theyran their own trainings in recess

and lunch,” Ms Marshall said.

“They play so well together. They share the ball around and get everyone involved. The training really paid-off.

“A big ‘thanks’ to our very patient coach, Meg Fitt. She’s very proud...”

The team, amixture of boys and girls of varying experience, was elated at the result.

The students said playing Hoop Time was a very different experience to local basketball.

“We putalot of effort in,” Grade 3student Alexis Clegg said. “We learnt about having a go and trying your best.”

Grade 4studentSadie Dalyagreed. “We trained most days at recess and lunch.”

Fellow fourth grader, Lachlan Marshall, acknowledged that it taught him alot about the effort it takes to get agood result.

“You have to put effort in, just keep going and pushing yourself,” Lachlan said. “That leads to success.”

The kids are looking forward to getting back into the local basketball competition and hopefully enter the Hoop Time tournament again next year.

Longford

Each

At half-time Longfordhad anarrow lead, three triestotwo;theninthe second-half Longford playedanattacking game, adding four tries whilst keeping The Drop Kicks to just the one try.

Longford scorers were OscarCrunden-Smith withtwo; Mason Annear,Isla McCarthy, Jack Neesham and Brodie Towers each made one try.

Leigh Taiapa scored two tries for The Drop Kicks with Tawh Ashby scoring one.

Corey Siebel refereed the game, which was played in good spirit.

Presentation night followed the Grand Final, with Porky’s AlbertVan de Vyver winning the Male Best &Fairest -The Bryan Smith Memorial Award -with15votes.

The DropKicks’ Leigh Taipa polled 12 votes, Oscar Crunden-Smith 11 andTawhAshby10.

The female award was won by Kate Laskowski with 12 votes. Nicola Rosenberger polled 9votes, Isla McCarthy 8and Mia Van de Vyver 7.

Longford’s Mason Annear won the male tryscoring with 21 tries. Phoenix player Marcus Smithwas next with 15; Leigh Taipa, Tawh Ashby, AlbertVan de Vyver and Bryson Nottle all made 13 tries.

TheDropKickswas avery talented and fast side, and unfortunately their players shared the spoils without reward.

The male encouragement award was won by Jackson Annear. Mackenzie Laskowski won the female encouragement award with her enthusiasm and dedication shown in each game she played.

The 2023 season will start on Wednesday, February 1.

The Annual Sale Touch Knockout will be held on the weekend of April 15 and 16, 2023.

If you are interested in entering ateam for the 2023 season, phone Laurie on 0419 132 824.

In Junior Section 1, Maffra’s Eve Morcom watches the ball as it comes to her forehand.

Juniors Section 1Sale DeMinaur’s Rachael Page steps into aforehand.

Photos: Sam Crothers

In Section 2Juniors, Sale Inglis’ JamieTatedrives a forehand return from the backline

safe anywhere as Maffra Hot Shot’s Piper Bates narrowly missesthe cameraman as shepractices her forehand.

BOISDALE Consolidated was crownedrunners up in the state finals of the Hoop Time basketball competition in Dandenong last Thursday.

tournament, which ran throughout Term 4, had more than 55,000 students playing across three divisions of basketball.

Sale&District Touch Rugby seasonended last Wednesday night with the Grand Final played between Longford and The DropKicks.

finished the seasonontop of the ladder with The Drop Kicks second.

occasion these teamsmet during the regular season, Longford came out on top; the Grand Finalwas no exception with afinalscore of seven tries to three.

Boisdale’steam of Sadie Daly,Teleah Fitt, Lachlan Marshall, Logan Powell, Nate Barrett, Zoe Brideson, Alexis Cleggand RexElliotcame second in theFutureStars division of the Victorian Hoop Time competition.

Photo: Contributed

The Drop Kicks touchrugbyteam.Andrew Campbell, Alicia Kingi, Jacinda Mani, Niome Greig, Aysia Te Patu,Terihi Sturmey (Front) Henry Ropeti, LeighTaiapa, Xavier Greig, Tawh Ashby and Mark Chantachak.

Photo: Contributed

Photo: Contributed

Traralgon Cup going to Briag

Liam Durkin

YOU would want to believe in destiny after watching this year’s Traralgon Cup.

Nearly acentury after the 1930 Traralgon Cup trophy was brought back home, history repeated itself, with alocal winner again saluting.

The 1930 trophy was recently discovered, after spending the best partof92years in the wilderness.

Thought to be lost forever, arrangements were made to bring the trophy, (which is actually a cutlery set) back home.

After confirming the trophy was indeed the Traralgon Cup from 1930, Latrobe Valley Racing Club chairperson Frank Bezzina could see agreat story developing.

In the lead-up to this year’s running, he said “hopefully alocal will win it this year as well”.

Bezzina got his wish, while those who came to the Latrobe Valley RacingClubonSundaycouldn’t have wished for much better.

Closetoperfect weather greeted race goers for thenine-card meeting.

Run on aSoft6,the marquee race netted Starspangled Baby the Traralgon Cup for local trainer Craig Blackshaw.

Blackshaw had takenovertraining the five-yearold mare from Bundalaguah-based Sharyn Trolove just over three weeks ago.

They do say timing is everything.

In an exciting finish, Starspangledbaby got home from fellow local Not AProblembyjust under half-a-length.

Not AProblem, trained at Moe by Allison Bennett, stayed the distance for most of the 1900-metre race, but had to contend withrunning second on the day.

The winner put in astrongperformance, settling in second at 800m and 400m mark, before the dash to the finish.

Starspangledbaby past the post on the outside, with Michael Poy on board.

Poy signed his googles, giving them to young Charlie Gieschen of Maffra as asouvenir.

The youngster was one of many enthusiastic connections who were beside themselves in the aftermath.

Collectingthe owners trophy,Mark Landy exclaimed it wasgoing “straight to the BriagPub!”.

For Blackshaw, it was his first Traralgon Cup, and 38th career win.

“She came out very good, the target was Traralgon Cup,wewere askedtodoajob andwe’ve done it,” he said.

“She’s anice mare, you’re getting alast-start winner,she won on Sale Cup Day she is aquality mare.”

As for the immediate future, Blackshaw said he hadn’t considered where the now Traralgon Cup

winner will race next.

Across the other eight races, Sale-based trainer Heather Stephens had awinner in Race 6, with APenny Spent getting the job done in aBM64 (1430m).

The five-year-old mare edged out the Peter Moody trained Victory Bay, to win by anose.

APenny Spent has been in very good form of late, winning three of its last four races and placing in all four.

Trolove rounded out the meeting with awin in Race 9.

High Risk was too good for its competitors, winning aBM64 (1100m) by alength.

The six-year-oldmare came home strong, getting to the lead from eighth at the 800m mark.

It was awelcome return forHigh Risk, who may now have turned the corner after running third in Bairnsdale on aHeavy 8onNovember 14.

Astronautsshowwhy theyare undefeated

GODFREY Baldwin Reserve was blessed with perfect weather conditions on Thursdayas16local soccer teams descendedonthe SaleUnited Football Club grounds for Round 5ofGoSevens.

At 6.30pm,the undefeated ladder leaders Bayside Astronauts took on Purple Cobras,with both teams entering the game with something to prove.

Bayside Astronauts were fighting to keep their undefeatedstatus and remain ladder leaders, whilst Purple Cobrasbattled to ascend the ladder, aloss posing imminent decent.

Next door, Pink Bits met Tekkerslovakia. Pink Bits, sitting fourth on the ladder, were determined to escape asecond loss, keeping them in the running for the pending grand final. For Tekkerslovakia, sitting two steps under their opponents on the Go Sevens ladder, awin was crucial to keep them in the running for the final battle for third place at the end of regular rounds.

Overonthe back pitches, GroupB ladder leaders Misfits were up against second-place team Mac Rappers. With neither team having lost or drawn amatch to date, the Round5 game would indicate who out of the two really deserved that top-place position.

On the next pitch over, Raglan StreetBlues, who had yet to win agame, faced Occasionally United, sitting fourthonthe ladder with two wins,one draw and one loss.

Despite having some of Sale United’s best, most accomplished players, Purple Cobras, playing one man down,were no match for the youthful Bayside Astronauts.

Bayside Astronauts were dominant from the first whistle blow, knocking in goal after goal after goal.

PurpleCobras managed to findthe net twice across the two 20-minute halves, but Bayside Astronauts’ were unrivalled, putting away awhoppingnine goals. Final score 9-2.

Isaak Jondahl scored five of Bayside Astronauts’ nine goals.

Next pitchover, Pink Bitsand Tekkerslovakia had amatchless start to the game; whilstPink Bits aimed numerous shots on goal, Tekkerslovakia’s goalie rejected each attempt.

Pink Bits’ stand-in goalkeeper ripped out some impressive saves, raising eyebrows as to whether dedicatedgoalkeeperCameron Churchill should pass over the gloves permanently to Abby Kemp.

It was atough-fought battle, but Pink Bits found the back of the net twice despite their opposition’s efforts, claiming a2-0 win over Tekkerslovakia.

At the back of Godfrey Baldwin Reserve, Misfits andMac Rapperswerepulling out all the stops, both teams biting at the chance to claim the best in the business title.

Forty minutes ticked by, and the score read 1-1; Misfits remain at the top of the ladder by goal difference.

Ragland Street Blues and OccasionallyUnited also drew even in aparticularly high-scoring game. Final score 4-4.

Occasionally United’s Luke Wilson and Raglan

Street Blues Rhytham Thind each scored hattricks.

Next in order, Dico’s Demons met The David’s, and Mighty Cornflakes faced Ringins on the main pitches; over the back, My Little Morty’s were up against Divines, and The Special Ones met Green Grubs.

The Davids took a4-1 victory over Dico’sDemons, and Mighty Cornflakes proved too good for their opponents, beating Ringins 3-0.

The Special Ones claimed their first win of the 2022 Go Sevens season,taking down GreenGrubs 5-0.

My LittleMorty’s, sitting secondonthe ladder behind Bayside Astronauts, claimed their fourth consecutive win against Divines.

Josh Deschepper added ahattrick to My Little Morty’s final score, the teaminbright yellow shirts taking home a6-2 win over Divines.

Next week, bottom of the ladder team, Green Grubs, faces the undefeated Bayside Astronauts, and The Special Ones meet Divines. It is the battle of the coaches as the SUFC Senior Men’s coach’s team, Pink Bits, meets SUFC Senior Women’s coach’s team, Purple Cobras. My Little Morty’s play Tekkerslovakia.

Mac Rappers will play OccasionallyUnited, The David’s meet Ringins, Dico’s Demons are up against Raglan Street Blues, and Mighty Cornflakes face Misfits.

Winning connections of Starspangledbaby in themounting yardafter the five-year-old mare’s TraralgonCup victory.

ZoeAskew

Purple Cobrasgoalkeeper Cooper KellyWilliam dives for the save. Photos:Zoe Askew

Tekkerslovakia’s Mitch Lumis descends on a Pink Bitsplayer

Purple Cobra’s Rowy Millschases Bayside Astronauts’ IsaakJondahl as he makes his way towards the goal.

Briagolong’s Mark Landy is overjoyed afterwinningthe Traralgon Cup

Photos:Liam Durkin

One-sided games in SMCA

ROUND 6ofthe Sale-Maffra Cricket Association concluded in somewhat predictable fashion on Saturday.

Sunshine and atouch of humidity greeted teams as playbegan, giving way to cloud and acool breeze toward the evening, ensuring batsmen and bowlers could both capitalise on the conditions.

Mercifully, not adrop of rain was spilt.

Affairs were largely one-sided, with three clubs granted victoriesonfirst-innings and afourthwin ning definitively at Rosedale Recreation Reserve.

Maffra vSale

ADOMINANTpartnership between Ben Jones and Garreth Wolmarans helped Sale to afirst-innings victory at Cameron Sporting Complex.

Chasing Maffra’s score of 188, the Swansdid not start convincingly, losing four wickets in the first 16 overs with just 41 runs on the board.

Tables turned for the fifth wicket, which saw Wolmarans enter the crease and immediately make an impact, scoring three runs of the Eagles’ Andrew McKenzie.

Four balls later, McKenzie was hit by Jones for six -asign of things to come for Maffra.

The talismanic duo remained in the middle for another 19 overs, scoring 112 runs between them.

Bowler Ben Durrant bore the brunt of their onslaught, going for 10 runs in one over and 15 in another.

It was captain Lee Hopkins who eventually brought the collaboration undone,catching Wolmarans on 58 off his own bowling.

Jones’ next batting partner was Matt Raidal, with whom he added 76 to Sale’s total off the next 11 overs, matching and surpassing Maffra’s firstinnings score in the process.

It was during this wicket that Jones also made acentury, his first of the season and third as part of the SMCA competition.

His downfall came in the 47th over, when he was

caught by Miller Eastham on 105.

Raidal stayed in the middle and, alongside Dan Padula, made another 27 runs before he was bowledinthe 52nd over, not longafter posting ahalf-century.

Afurther 42 runswereadded by the tail over the next 19 overs, giving the Swans amore-thancomfortable lead of 90 runs.

The wicket of Alex McKenzie brought an end to Sale’s innings, and with it the game.

Man of theMatch honours rightfully belong to

SMCA

AWright. not out 1 Extras (nb 0, w0,b8,lb4). 12 Overs. 31.5 Total. 131

Longfordbowling: JPrice 16-5-6-42, LFloyd 8-1-1-33,M Murphy 3-0-1-9, ATyson 2-0-0-12, JWynd 2-0-0-16, NWalker 0.5-0-1-7

Longford2nd innings

Jones, having picked up three wickets as bowler in addition to scoring aton.

As for Maffra, theirbestwas JakePendrick, who ended Saturday with figures of 4/23 from 11 overs -aneffort that included the key scalps of Jones and Raidal.

Rosedale-Kilmany vLongford

HAVING put themselves in astrongposition last week, Rosedale-Kilmany finished the job with a clean win on their home ground.

10.4-2-4-34, SAnderson 9-3-0-27,J Durnell14-6-339, CMorrison 4-1-1-7

Cameron Freshwater remained aconstant as the wickets tumbled, adding 32 runs to end the innings on 43.

Rosedale-Kilmany were all out for 131 after 32 overs, giving them alead of 56 runs.

Price finished with another five-wicket haul, his first-innings figures being 6/42.

In reply to the Warriors, Longford lost three wickets for 19 runs in their first 11 overs, before Jake Wynd single-handedly righted the ship.

His display was awe-spiring, scoring 15 runs off the bowling of Brandan Hill in one over, and 16 in another off Nathan Hangan.

In the 26thover, Wynd opted to retire on 72, having hit 10 boundaries -half of them fours, the otherhalf sixes -and clawedbackalead for Longford during his time at the crease.

Unfortunately, no other Lizard was able to emulate his performance, the last man falling in the 37th over with the score at 125.

Now behind by 70 runs, the Warriors had 30 overs to secureanoutright victory, whichthey did with ease.

Rohan Diamond was the batsman to score the winning runs, closing on the exact same score he made in the first-innings of the match -43.

The nine-wicket triumphsaw Rosedale-Kilmany jumptofourth on the First XI ladder, equal on points with Maffra but ahead on percentage.

Bundalaguah vCollegians

ZAC Hurley’s team were back to theirbest at Colin WrigglesworthOvalintheir win overBundalaguah

Starting the day at 2/2, the Bulls had barely settled when Jos Dimarco was bowled by Nathan Whitford two overs in.

Chris Smart and Kshitiz Sharma were also lost early, leaving Bundy in-trouble on 5/23.

Salvation came, naturally,inthe form Steve Spoljaric, who partnered first with Brad Smith and then Lachlan Wrigglesworth to add 83 runs to the scoreboard.

Jones 17

DFreitag bRaidal 18

NWozniak lbw bRaidal 17

MEastham cPadula bDobson 17 NHibbins not out 60

BDurrant cWolmarans bO’Brien 7 JPendrick. cPadula bJones 12 AMcKenzie c&b Jones 6 Extras (nb 2, w0,b3,lb1). 6 Overs. 79.2

Total. 188

Sale bowling: GWolmarans 13-2-1-34, HGlover10-4-2-25, BJones 14.2-3-3-31, TDobson 11-2-1-27,MRaidal 8-1-2-24, CNel 18.1-6-0-27 MO’Brien 5-0-1-16

Sale1st innings

MJackson cHopkins bMcKenzie 14 HGlover. cMcKenzie bFreitag 2 BJones cEastham bPendrick. 105 CNel bFreitag 1 MO’Brien cHibbins bMcKenzie 2 GWolmarans c&b Hopkins 58 MRaidal bPendrick. 51

DPadula not out 26

RSudan lbw bPendrick. 0 TDobson bPendrick. 3 AMcKenzie cEastham bDurrant 11 Extras (nb 0, w0,b3,lb2). 5 Overs. 70.3 Total. 278

Maffrabowling: DFreitag 14-2-2-51, AMcKenzie 11-1-2-50, JPendrick 11-5-4-23, BDurrant 15.3-3-1-67,JBeaumont 14-1-0-56, LHopkins 5-0-1-26

Longford1st innings

ATyson bHangan 7 WSutton. runout (sub [Pryse]) 0 SDean. c&b Rowley. 7

JPrice bHangan 1

JWynd bRowley. 14

LKnight cRDiamond bRowley. 0

LFloyd cScottb Love 14

SLucas-Laws runout (Wright) 13

COsborne bRowley. 0

RSidhu cFreshwater bRowley. 7 MMurphy. not out 5 Extras (nb 0, w0,b4,lb3). 7 Overs. 39.5 Total. 75

Rosedale-Kilmanybowling: BScott7-2-0-11, NHangan 12-4-2-17, D Rowley13-4-5-21, ILove7-1-1-18, RDiamond 0.5-0-0-1

Rosedale-Kilmany 1stinnings

BMcDonald bPrice 2

BScott. cWalker bPrice 12

MWalters. cMurphyb Price 5 ILove. cSuttonbMurphy. 3 RDiamond cWynd bPrice 43

CFreshwater lbw bWalker 43

NHangan. runout (Floyd). 2

JDiamond...........cLucas-Laws bPrice 5 DRowley. bPrice 0 SFox lbw bFloyd 3

ATyson cHill bHangan 12 WSutton. lbw bHangan 6 SDean. cFox bHangan 1 JWynd retired not out 72 LKnight runout (Hangan) 4 SLucas Laws cFreshwater bLove. 4 COsborne bMcDonald 1 LFloyd not out 11 JPrice bMcDonald 3 RSidhu cLovebMcDonald 7 NWalker cFox bMcDonald 1 Extras (nb 1, w0,b1,lb1). 3 Overs. 37 Total. 9/125(cc)

Rosedale-Kilmanybowling: NHangan12-2-3-46, DRowley8-3-0-14, B Hill 4-0-0-23, ILove6-0-1-28, BMcDonald 7-2-4-11

Rosedale-Kilmany 2nd innings

BMcDonald cSuttonbOsborne 10 AWright. not out 15 RDiamond not out 43 Extras (nb 0, w0,b1,lb3). 4 Overs. 21.5 Total. 1/72

Longfordbowling: JPrice 2-0-0-9, LFloyd 8-1-0-10,C Osborne 7-1-1-19,ATyson 2.5-0-0-20, RSidhu 2-0-0-10

Collegians 1stinnings

ZHurley. cAponso bSmith 39

TMorrison bSpoljaric.....................................79

ABurgiel cSharma bLay 7 CMorrison bSpoljaric 10

TDessent cDimarco bSharma 7 HAnderson cSpoljaric bSharma 41 NHurley. cAnderson bSharma 18 SAnderson cAnderson bSharma 24 JMalone lbw bSharma 0 NWhitford. c&b Spoljaric...................................1 MNicholls not out 2 Extras (nb 1, w0,b8,lb2). 11 Overs. 75.6

Score239

Bundalaguah bowling: SSpoljaric 27-6-3-52, LWrigglesworth5-1-0-18, KSharma 26-2-5-93, HAnderson 1-0-0-13, EAponso 8-1-0-27,B Smith 7-1-1-21,C Lay2-0-1-5

Bundalaguah 1st innings

JLangshaw. bNHurley. 0 CSmart. cBurgiel bNHurley. 2 TO’Reilly. lbw bWhitford. 0 JDimarco bWhitford. 2 KSharma. bWhitford. 16

SSpoljaric cDurnell bCMorrison 60 BSmith bDurnell 11 LWrigglesworth..c CMorrison bDurnell 14 HWrigglesworth.bWhitford. 8 CLay lbw bDurnell 7

EAponso not out 3

Extras (nb 0, w0,b2,lb2). 4 Overs. 44.4

Total. 127

Collegians bowling: NHurley7-1-2-16, NWhitford

Bundalaguah 2nd innings (following on) JLangshaw. bWhitford. 1 CSmart lbw bNHurley. 0 KSharma c&b NHurley. 0 HWrigglesworth.cMalone bWhitford. 1 LWrigglesworth..not out 8 SSpoljaric not out 36 Extras (nb 0, w1,b 0, lb 0) 1 Overs. 26 Total. 4/47

Bundalaguah bowling: NHurley6-1-2-7,N Whitford5-3-2-6, JDurnell 7-2-0-9, HAnderson 2-1-0-1, ZHurley4-1-0-13, CMorrison 1-0-0-7,T Dessent 1-0-0-4

Stratford1st innings

BDinnings cOuthartb Hurst 16 CAurisch cRandle bMarshall 15 JRietschel bBolton.......................................107 JTatterson lbw bPang 27 BChanning c&b Bolton 3 BWalker cOuthartbPang 32 HTatterson lbw bBolton 30 EAlbrecht bHurst. 12 SAnstee cOuthartb Hurst. 6 SPendergast cLobleybHurst 0 ZWaixel not out 0 Extras (nb 0, w2,b 2, lb 5) 9 Overs. 79.3 Total. 257

Boisdale-Briagolong bowling: LHurst 14-1-4-51, RMarshall 9-1-1-26, N Pang 26-6-2-80, 30.3-3-3-93

Boisdale-Briagolong 1stinnings

SNoble lbw bPendergast 0 LHurst cDinning bDowd. 6 CHughes bPendergast 1 TLeeds cWalker bH Tatterson 3 NPang cAnstee bPendergast 10 DBolton cDowdb Anstee...........................60 JOuthart. cDinning bWaixel 3 KRandle cAlbrecht bAnstee 7 MLobley. lbw bPendergast 0 RMarshall not out 11 MFreeman cH Tatterson bPendergast 7 Extras (nb 0, w3,b 7, lb 2) 12 Overs. 33.4 Total. 120

Stratfordbowling:L Dowd 5-1-1-15, SPendergast 7.4-4-5-18, H Tatterson 4-1-1-17,J Rietschel 9-4-0-17, ZWaixel4-0-1-34, SAnstee 4-2-2-10

Boisdale-Briagolong 2ndinnings (following on) MLobley. lbw bPendergast 0 NPang cPendergast bDowd. 0 JOuthart. cWalker bDowd. 0 TLeeds cAlbrecht bWaixel 36 SNoble cChanning bWaixel 14 DBolton not out 34 CHughes not out 49 Extras (nb 0, w0,b 2, lb 2) 4 Overs. 46 Total. 5/137

Stratfordbowling: LDowd5-3-2-4, SPendergast 7-4-1-6, HTatterson 5-3-0-2, JRietschel 10-5-0-14, SAnstee7-2-0-12, ZWaixel 6-0-2-46, E Albrecht 4-1-0-23, BDinning 2-0-0-26

Spoljaric made an individual knock of 60, which included eight fours, before he was caught by Jake Durnell.

Theeighth,ninth and 10th wicketsall fell in the next 10 overs, resulting in the home side being all out for 127.

Having fallen 112 runs short of Collegians’ lead, Bundy was instructed to follow-on,and their second-innings proved just as disastrous as their first -ifnot more so.

Noah Hurley struckinthe very firstover with twoconsecutive wickets, Smart and Sharma both departing for ducks; next over, it was Whitford’s turn to strike, snaring Hayden Wrigglesworth for one.

No more wickets tumbled in the overs that followed, but the writing was on the wall for Bundy.

At the conclusion of the 26th over and with the Bullsstill65runs shy, umpires called stumps and awarded the victory to Collegians on first innings.

Whitford waspick of the bowlers, takingsix wicketsacross two innings of play against his former club.

StratfordvBoisdale-Briag

DESPITE acourageous effort from captain Dylan Bolton with thebat, the Saints recorded yet another loss at Briagolong Recreation Reserve.

Atotal of 257 runs were needed for BoisdaleBriagolong to break even, and their chase did not beginwell, losing five wickets in the first 11 overs.

Sitting at 5/25, Bolton tooktothe pitch and proceeded to make ameal out of Stratford’s bowlers -inone over, he swatted three boundaries off the bowling of Harry Tatterson; in another, he took13 off Zane Waixel.

Bolton’s 17-over stand saw him post ahalfcentury, which was not only his firstintwo seasons, but the firsttoberecordedbyany batsmen for Boisdale-Briagolong this season.

His demise came in the 29th over when he was caught on 60, the score sitting at 8/96.

Five overs later, the Saints lost their final wicket with adeficit of 137 runs.

Bolton’s crew followed-on, with another poor start in their second innings, losing their first three batsmen for nought within three overs.

TobyLeedsand Stephen Noble saved face with a 41-run fourth wicket partnership, lasting 30 overs before Nobledeparted on 14; Leeds then paired with Bolton before the former went out on 36.

Connor Hughes then joined Bolton, the sixthwicket duo collaborating for 65 runs.

The Saints eventually equalled Stratford’s firstinnings total in the 46th over, at which point the match was declared done-and-dusted.

Hughes, unfortunately,was left justone run shy of making 50; Bolton unbeaten on 34.

Seb Pendergast performed best for Stratford on the day, with first-innings figures of 5/18 off eight overs and another wicket in the second.

TomParry

The Warriors beganthe dayaheadofLongford at 5/82; they lost Nathan Hangan within two overs, who was run out with only two runs to his name. Another two men, Jay Diamond and Dylan Rowley, were lost consecutively in the 29th over off the bowling of Jordan Price; the over after that, Spencer Fox was lost.

Boisdale-Briagolong captain Dylan Bolton played alone hand in his sides loss to Stratford, scoring 60 and34not out. Photo: File

THE men’s and women’s Maffra sides have qualifiedfor the Gippsland Conference of Country Basketball League Finals (CBL), beginning this coming weekend, after impressive regular season records.

Bothteams losttheir reigning MVPsfrom the prior season in Tayler Hardmanand Coby Burgiel, but have blooded debutants and had plentyofyoung stars step-up into biggerroles to cement their finals positions.

Thewomenfinished the season with asix win, four-loss record to place fourth, and will make the trip to Moe on Saturday night, taking on the ladder-leaders for aberth in the Grand Final on December 10.

After locking in afinals position with two rounds to go, the Eagles women had achanceto rest some bodies in the lead-up to finals, which included aloss to Moe in Round 8.

Hoping to flip the result in the Semi-Final, the Eagles will rely on veterans Paige Biddle and Mish Clarke to lead the team, while they also have scoring power from Sienna Wynd, Emerson Connolly and Jaime Gallatly.

The latter, just last week, was announced as a member of the VictorianUnder 20 state team.

The EaglesMen will also face Moe, however

they will have the home crowd advantage when they take on the MeteorsatCameron Sporting Complex.

After finishing with a9-1 record, the Eagles have won themselves ahome final, and with the biggest crowds across the league, the men’s side will be hoping that plenty of support in the stands gets them across the line and back to aGrand Final.

The Eagles won the CBL Gippsland Conference in 2021 on their home court, also against Moe, and willgoinwith confidence after a91-66 win against them from Round 8.

Withateam that havebeen togetherfor many years, the Eagles will look to Sam Whelan and Elliot Hunt to lead the charge, both averaging over 20 points per game.

Whelan willplay in his 100thCBL match on Sunday and is the first Maffra player to reach that milestone.

AndrewQuirk, ByronSandeman and James Whelan also provideplenty of experience to the team.

Both teams have genuineshots at taking out this season’s title, but they must take care of business in the Semi-Finals first.

Netball umpires get badges

SALE Netball Association has had afantastic year, post-lockdowns,having almost returned to preCOVID membership numbers, with 1035 members registering in 2022.

Sixteenumpireshave received badges in umpiring this year.

“Our mentoring program gives fantastic support to umpires wanting to progress in their umpiring pathway,” association spokesperson Janine Roest said.

“We’ve also introduced umpire support people during our Thursdayjunior twilight season in 2022.”

The Thursday season caterstoprimaryschool participants, and is allabout development for players, coaches and umpires.

The umpire support program, which is led by StephannieO’Neill and Rosemary Johnston,

consists of predominantly juniorumpires whohave recently received badges, or are working towards abadge

“It’s afantastic way for young umpires to give back to the local netball community, by supporting beginner umpires while alsolearningvaluable skills in the field of umpiring,” Johnston said.

The followingumpires were awarded their C and BBadgeswith the support of the association’s mentoring team, led by Johnston.

CBadge:AlyssaLight, Kylie Willmot, Jazz Anstee, Tara Dihood, Lillian Canfield, Emma Best,Natalie Begovic, Kirrily Bruce,Amy Donahoe,Kate Lamb, Jemma Fisher, Geordie Cutler, Fiona Rathnow.

BBadge:Sam Neville,AllyDelaney (mentor and B Badge), Ryan Kidd (C Badge,BBadge and mentor).

SMCA naming honour for Daws

SALE-MAFFRA Cricket Associationhas recog nised former player and administrator David Daws, namingits second grade batting trophy in his honour.

Daws, who died earlier this year, won the award in 1964/65 playing for Cobains. His tally of 728 runs is aclub record for runs scored in asingleseason. Cobains Cricket Club ceased to be astandalone club shortly after Daws’ return from National Service. Daws found himself at Longford by the 1967/68season, playing in the Lizards’ AGrade premiership three-peat from 1975/76 to 1977/78, captaining and coaching the second and third successes.

He left Longford at the end of 1977/78 and moved to Sale Cricket Club in 1978/79, where he captained their AGrade team to the flag in that first season, making it fouronthe trot with two different clubs

As asenior representative player, Daws debuted for Sale-Maffra as a15-year-old,playing asingle GCLmatch in the1959/60 season.

By 1961/62, he was at Country Week, and in 1962/63 amember of the Country Week premiership team, captained by Neville Marchesi.

In 1965/66, he was SMCA secretary, the season before his call-up. In the late 1990s, he returned to alocal administration role as president of the Caledonia League, an off-shoot of the SMCA.

David Dawsjoins alonglist of other past players and officials to have an awardnamedintheir honour. Others include:

Allan Evans (first grade bowling), Don Mynard (first grade batting), Neville Marchesi (Man of the Match, first grade Grand Final), Neil Wrigglesworth (Man of the Match -second grade Grand Final), Barrie Wrigglesworthand Dean Benson (MVP at CountryWeek), Ernie Steer (Country Week bowling), John Findlay (Country Week batting),ColinWrigglesworth (first grade

premiership trophy), Jack Abel (SMCA club championship),Noel Freshwater (SMCA Cricketer of the Year)and NeilPurdy (SMCAspirit of cricket award).

Peter Synan and Graeme Anderson have junior perpetual trophies named in their honour, and Neil Tatterson, Brett Van Berkel and David Anderson all had their names on perpetualtrophies belonging to the now-defunct Caledonia CricketLeague.

Sale NetballAssociation umpires and mentors.

Photo: Contributed

MaffraMen have put together astrong season, andlook agood chance of reaching the CBL decider Photos: Contibuted

Maffra Women will playfor aspot in theCBL GrandFinal this Saturday.

THEMelbourne Demons are the AFLW Season SevenPremiers, and with that -three ex-Gippsland Power players are now premiership players.

Former Gippsland Grammarstudent Megan Fitzsimon formed part of the trio, along with Casey Sherriff and Tyla Hanks.

Melbourne narrowly missed premiership success in season six, making the Grand Final, but losing to three-time winners Adelaide.

All threeGippsland girls playedinthe season six Grand Final loss to the crows.

The Demons claimed their first AFLW flag on Sunday, beating 2021 premier, Brisbane Lions, by

four points in front of acrowd of 7412 at Michael Voss Oval, in Brisbane.

Both sides were separated by 0.3 per cent on the ladder at the end of the home and away season.

In atight finale,the Demons held on by under a goal for almost one and ahalf quarters, winning 2.7 (19) to 2.3 (15).

Fitzsimon playedaspurringrole to get the Demons into the Grand Final, kicking the opening goal of the Preliminary Final against North Melbourne.

She collected five touches and laid three tackles in the big dance.

Fitzsimon almost had Melbourne’s first goal again, but was run down by Brisbane’s AllAustralian defender Nat Grider.

Melbourne selected Fitzsimon with pick35inthe 2020 Draft, and it didn’t take her long to become aregular in the 22.

Hanks was one of the best for the Demons, racking up 14 disposals and laying four tackles.

Shecollected the 2021 Rising Star award for her effortsasa21-year-old.

Sherriff could have sealed the game off her own boot, however kicked two behinds, one each in the second and third term.

She managed eight disposals and five tackles in the Grand Final.

Sherriffwas initially selectedasareplacementfor captain Daisy Pearce in 2019, following astand-out 2018 season with Casey Demons’ VFLW side. She hassince became aregular player after

making her debut in the 2020 campaign after making the switch from netball and basketball.

Demons captain and AFLWchampionDaisy Pearce finally added apremiership to her tally of career honours.

She was named Melbourne captain fromthe getgo in 2017, followingthe birth of twins, apandemic and ahandfulofinjury setbacks, Pearce finally received her premiership medal.

“You’ve got this group of people that havegot each other’s backs and that’s what we saw today,” Melbourne coach Mick Stinear said post-match.

“That was abrutal and physical game and some of those moments and contests in that last quarter …you couldn’t be prouder.”

TomHayes

Photo:Liam Durkin