Gippsland Times Tuesday 7 February 2023

SALE ART CIRCLE

FEATURE - PAGE 11

WELCOME BACK

Futureoffarming

Stefan Bradley

ORGANICproducers, Wilandra Farms, hosted afield day for the public last week, to learn more about renewable energy projects on farms and the opportunities areduced carbon footprint will bring to the region.

The day began with aconference session at The StablesinSaleat8.45amon

DRAGONS

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Thursday, with expertsondairy farming and renewable energy together under one roof. More than 200 delegates, mostly farmers, sat downtolisten to speakers such as Lachlan Monsbourgh from Rabobank, GabrielHakin from AgVet Energy, Farmers for Climate Action chair Charlie Prell, and Steve Soutar of AEI.

MoraghMackay was the master of

ceremonies for the official proceedings. After finishing up, there was arendezvous at the farm itself in Clydebank at 1.15pm for lunchand more speakers. There wasalsoanopportunitytonetwork,and take alook at solar panels, wind turbines, automation of centre pivots, the energy management system, an electric side-by-side vehicle,and a hydrogen-powered generator.

Wilandra Farms owners, Wilco Droppert and Sandra Jefford, also spoke throughout the day to discuss steps to minimise emissions.

Ms Jefford told the Gippsland Times she was very happy at the turnout, and hopedattendees wouldsee that renewable energy is agood option ofor many farms.

“We’ve got atotal of 200 kilowatts of

solar panels on theground, and it doesn’t take up that much space,” she said.

“So do an assessment and see whether it’s going to work on your farm.”

Ms Jefford saidthat agricultural industries had alarge role to play in reducing emissions.

“There’s alot we can do in terms of energy efficiency, using renewable energy, storing more carbon in the soil, planting trees that are going to store carbon long-term,” she said.

“Weall just need to learn from each other and see what we can do.”

The solarpanelshave dramatically reduced Wilandra Farm’s energy bills, according to Ms Jefford.

“In previous seasons we were spending $80,000 (a year) for irrigation, which was too much for afarm of our size. But last

year, our irrigation bill was only $1200.”

“The money we were paying for energy bills we would shift to equipment finance loans,and in sevenyearswhenthat’s paidoff, we’ve got completely free power.”

The farm also has new wind turbines that benefit from an easterly wind nearly every afternoon from the Gippsland Lakes to complement the solar panels.

Mr Dropperthoped thatfarmers would consider the possibilities.

“Look at how you can reduce your demand for energy first,” he said. “Ideally, locate renewable energy in a central location, close to as much load as possible.

“Use power when it’s generated, and load shift to avoid the need for batteries.”

Continued Page 6

Group Captain Brett Williams has returned to the region, this time as the new Senior ADF Officer at RAAF Base East Sale.

Ranford’s snagnational award Raan n nf f foord’s snnaag n nattiionna a al l waar r

StefanBradley

SALE now boaststhe third-bestpork sausages in the country.

Ranford’s Family Butcher ‘snagged’ third place at the2023Sausage King NationalFinals, held in Adelaide over the weekend.

Owners Christina and Braden Ranford said just beingpartofthe nationals was awin, but it was an incredible feeling to reach the top three out of apossible eight places.

“We were up with the best; the two teams that beat us were very well known, so to come home with something was awesome. It was agreat experience,” Christina said.

“Thesupportand messages have been overwhelming. We want to thank everyone.”

TheAustralianMeat Industry Council’s (AMIC) sausageshowcase event, the 2023 Sausage King National Finals, washeldonFebruary 3and 4 at AdelaideZoo, withresults announced at the IKON Pack National Gala Awards Dinner on the Saturday evening at Adelaide Town Hall.

Butcher BruceMackay made the sausages, Christina and Braden transported them to South Australia on Friday, and the judges cooked them

that day. The following night, Christina and Braden foundout they reached third place in thetraditional pork sausage category.

Braden said it was amazing to hear their name called.

“It was areally good night. It was fancy. Meeting all those other butchers and networking with everyone was really nice,” he said.

“People have been poking their heads in at the butcher at 6.30am (Monday) morningsaying congratulations.”

The Sausage King process starts again in July, and Ranford’s FamilyButcher will once again aim for the trifecta of winning at regionals, state and nationals. And after the weekend, they feel inspired.

“We got to try everyone’s sausages,and every one of them was really good. We were like ‘wow’ with every bite,” Christina said.

“It’s giving us ideas.”

In September, Ranford’s Family Butcher placed third in the South East region in the continental sausage category with their Bratwurst sausage.

In the same competition, their traditional pork sausage came first in the traditional Australian pork sausage category. This was repeated at astate level of the competition in November, qualifying

them for the weekend’s nationals for the first time. Christina said the sausages were judged on “presentation (uncooked and cooked), aroma, the amount of fat that comes out while cooking, texture and, most definitely, flavour”.

Service disruptions

COACHES will replace trains on the Gippsland Line between Southern Cross, Traralgon and Bairnsdale from theevening of Friday, February 10, to the last service on Sunday, February 12.

Real-time trafficconditions are available at traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au or via the VicTraffic mobile app.

The latest public transport information and network statusisavailable at ptv.vic. gov.au or in the PTV mobile app.

Ranford’s FamilyButcher owners Christina and Braden Ranford at Adelaide Town Hall on Saturdaywiththeir third-place trophy

Photo: Contributed

The Ranford’s Family Butcher team of Brock McSweeney, Braden Ranford, Bruce Mackay and Christina Ranford

Photo: Stefan Bradley

Sale alternative route upgrades continuing

FEDERAL Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has reminded motorists to be mindful of speed limits and road crews with work along the Sale alternative route.

Danny O’Brien says Premier owes apology to law-abiding duck hunters

MEMBER for Gippsland South Danny

O’Brien says Daniel Andrews should apologisetoduck hunters, after claiming that rules were not followed on bag limits during last year’s duck season.

Mr O’Brien saidthe Premier made the comments lastweek while stoking the prospect of aban on duck season and he couldn’t be more wrong.

Mr O’Brien said the government’s own Game Management Authority had released a2022compliance report, which showed that just one hunter was found to haveexceeded the daily bag limit out of 979 who had been checked.

“Duck huntingisa legitimate sustainable past time that is an important part of cultural activity in Victoria,” Mr O’Brien said.

“There is no evidence that duck numbers are in trouble despitethe claims of aloud activist minority.

“After three wet years, there are good numbers Australia-wide and significant breeding activity.

“Duck season is enjoyed by many regional Victorians and brings significant economic benefits to our region as hunters come from across the statetoenjoy their past time.

“The fact that the Premier is choosing to mislead Victorians is deeply concerning. He is completely wrong about rules not being followed on bag limits and he should apologise to the law-abiding people who go duck hunting.”

Mr O’Brien said the annual debate over duck season wasgetting tedious.

“I fully appreciate that there are people who don’t want to see animals consumed or harmed in any way and choose not to eat meat or fish,” he said.

“The reality is that for some people, harvesting wild game is simply another means to putting food on the table.

“It is concerning to me that duck hunting is constantly targeted when other hunting and fishing activities don’t rate amention by activists -yet.

“I support astronglyregulated, ethicaland sustainable duck season and the Premier should do so too.”

Mr Chester secured funding from the previous federal government for bridge strengtheningworks along the route.

“The Sale alternative route has become increasingly popular over the years, and as aresult, improvements have been made to the shoulders as well as other safety upgrades funded by the state and federal governments,” Mr Chester said.

“Thebridgeupgrades are expected to be complete later this year, and will make the road more accessible for heavy transport operators for years to come.

“While delays can be frustrating for motorists, please remembertoobey alltemporaryspeed limits and be respectful of crews and their safety while undertaking the work.”

Federal Member forGippslandDarren Chester is urgingmotorists to be careful along Sale alternative route.

Photo: Contributed

Fatalhit-and-runinMaffra

AMAFFRA resident has died in hospital after being hit by astolen car over the weekend, police have confirmed.

Police say the 36-year-old malewas with afriend in theearly hours of Sunday morningwhenhewas struck by astolen Kia on Morison Street around 3.40am.

The driver fled the scene in the vehicle.

The vehicle was then located on Roberts Court at about 6am.

The injured man’s friend raised the alarm and emergency services were called to the scene.

The victim was airlifted to aMelbourne hospital where he later died.

Acrime scene was established on Morison St on Sunday as police conducted their investigations as to what occurred.

The incident is beingjointly investigatedby detectives fromthe HomicideSquad and Major Collision Investigation Unit.

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, possesses footage, or has further information, to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www. crimestoppersvic.com.au

Catcurfew comes to Wellington

PET cats are now under a24-hour curfew in the Wellington Shire followingachange in rulesby council.

The curfew, which came into effect on January 19, requiresWellington Shire residents to keep theircats confined withintheir property boundary

Cats are still permitted to be outside in the front, or backyard of aresidence provided the property is enclosed or has asuitablecat enclosure.

The change was approvedunanimouslyata regular council meeting on December 20, 2022, following extensive community consultation.

Wellington Shire Councillor, CarmelRipper, spoke to the orderatthe meeting, noting that 1628 submissions were received and 68 per cent were in support of the cat curfew.

“It is proposedthat asix-month amnestywill be put in place while an advisory and educational campaign is promoted -aimed specifically at cat owners,” Cr Ripper said.

“The amnesty essentially pushes back the enforcementand allows council to adequately communicate the new requirements.”

As such, councilofficers will not enforce the curfew, nor issue penalties until July 1.

The new curfew will, in council’s view, promote responsible pet ownership by limiting the number of wandering and nuisance cats, ensuring all pets and animals can live harmoniously.

WellingtonShire CouncilMayor,Ian Bye, said that council was committed to the protection of

animals, the amenity and biodiversity that exists throughout the shire.

“As partofthis innovative approach to cat management, we want all cat owners to be well prepared,educated, and comfortable with the new requirements,” Cr Bye said.

“Keeping your cat inside or in an enclosure will support their health and help them live longer. If their basic needs are met, cats can enjoy longer and healthier lives when safely contained to your property.

“We understand that owners and their cats may not be fully prepared for 24-hour containment.

“To ease the pressure on pet owners, we are allowingfor afair and gradual transition over the next six months to support cat owners to fully understand the new requirements, and what is expected under a24-hour cat curfew.”

To reduce the possibility of incurring any enforcement costs, cat owners are encouraged to register their cat with council.

All wandering or nuisance cats without registrationwill be taken to the Animal Aid poundand shelter in Sale.

If council cannot reunite animals with their owners and they are taken to Animal Aid, there will be afee to have them released.

More information on the 24-hour cat curfew can be found at https://www.wellington.vic.gov.au/ community/cat-curfew

Carefinders provide extra support to access moreaged careservices

ANETWORK of care finders to provide face-to-face support for people accessing aged careservices will be established across Gippsland.

In response to arecommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the federal government has funded Gippsland Primary Health Network to commission the care finderprogram, complementing the existing ways of accessingMyAgedCare.

Care finder in Gippsland will be delivered by three serviceproviders -Latrobe Community Health Service,HAAG (Housing for the AgedAction Group), and MiCare.

Gippsland PHN acting chief executive, Angela Jacob, said some older peopleneeded extra support to navigate the aged care system and access My Aged Care.

“Thiscould be for anumber of reasons,” Mrs Jacob said.

“Somepeople havecommunication and language barriers, difficulty processing information due to cognitive decline, or they may be reluctant to engage with support including government services.

“Care finder will help people understand and access aged care services and connect with other relevant supports in their community.”

Teacher shortages arehitting hardinthe first weeks back

SCHOOLS, especially in Victoria and New South Wales, are already reportedly under great strain from alack of workforce coverage.

This crisis has been brewing for along time.

Dr Fiona Longmuir of Monash University said the situation was worrying.

“Thereare some hardlessons that must be learnt. Our research shows teachers are burning out,” she said.

Dr Fiona is alecturer in educational leadership in the faculty of education at Monash University.

Dr Fiona’s current research investigates interactions of school and system leadership with student engagement and agency.

“With schools facing the brunt of the teacher shortage crisis as students return for 2023 -there are some hard lessons that must be learnt about how we support teachers in our country,” she said.

“Our research with over 5000 Australian teachersindicated that teachers are burning out from long hours and emotional drain, combined with feelingundervalued and disrespected, and

with the current wide-spread staffing shortages, demands on teachers are being stretched even further.

“This means the most likely trajectory is that the crisis will get worse.”

Actions directedatretaining current staff and appealing to those that have recently left must be afocus. Interventions that reduce workload and work intensity are most likely to have an impact.

“Our research suggests that teachers want less administrative burden, (including reduced data reporting), they want more specialist support for students’ socio-emotional needs,and theywant more time to build relationships that support students’ learning and social development,” Dr Fiona said.

There is also arole for families and communities in this challenging time -appreciate and support the teachers at your schools. Positive engagement with students and parents is important to teacher satisfaction and therefore retention in the workforce.

Mrs Jacob said that the care finderprogram targets olderAustralians eligible for aged care services who had one or more reasonsfor requiring intensive support.

“This includespeoplewho are, or are not yet, receiving aged care services.

“Care finder assists people who don’t have family, friends,acarer,orarepresentative they are comfortable receiving help from and who is willing and able to help them access aged care services.

“We know there are people who need this extra support and that’s what care finder can provide.”

The details for the carefinder program in

Gippsland are:

 Latrobe Community Health Service -delivering throughout Gippsland. Phone 1800 242 696. Email carefinders@lchs.com.au

 HAAG -Housing for the Aged Action Group -referral and intake line. Phone 1300 765 178. Email intake@oldertenants.org.au

 MiCare -delivering in Baw Baw and East Gippsland. Phone 0499 885 495. Email Suzanne at coombs@micare.com.au

For more details to the Gippsland PHN website at https://gphn.org.au/what-wedo/programs/ programs-aged-care/

MASTER Builders Australia invites women with up to five years experience in the buildingand constructionindustry to apply forthe 2023 Women Building Australia mentor program.

Theprogram runs over nine-months,commencing on March 28, with applications closingon February 28.

“Mentees will be paired-up with established industry leadersinthe industry to access support, encouragement and advice through amentorship relationship,” Master Builders Australia chief executive, Denita Wawn, said.

“Withmonthly engagements, program participantswill also be required to attend the program launch,mid-program review and end of year wrap up.

“The building and construction industry is one of thelargest sectors in Australia. During November 2022, there were 1.29 million people employed in the industry working in over 445,000construction businesses.

“However, women currently make up only 13.6 per cent of the industry’s total workforce. Three in 10 professionals in the industry are women but only 3.5 per cent are building trades and technicians.

“The industry is missing out on the skillsand talents of half the population by not attracting more women into trades.

“Improvingthe attractivenessofthe industry to women presents amassive opportunity to increase the pool of potential workers, and this program is one of the many initiatives through Master Builder’s Women Building Australia to assist.”

Rebecca Bishop and owner of Elite Building is amentor in the program.

“I loved watching my mentee growsomuch during our time together,” she said.

“Being amentor helped me to grow and learn new skills too.

“Weneed more women in construction. Irecommend the program to all women who wanttobuild their network, feel less alone, develop better communication skills, work on themselves, feel more confident and make some new connections and friends,” Program participant LauraStevenson, acarpenter by trade, said she got alot out of the program.

“My mentor Tara, who has many years experience in the industry, was really great at giving me

Applications areopenfor theWomen Building Australia mentor program. Image: Contributed

some insights on how to navigate it all and some ideas about the future,” she said.

“I was just starting off in my career and unsure at first of what Iwanted in the program.I’d highly recommend this program to anyone starting out evenifthey feltunsure like me as it was nice a feeling to work with someone who just gets it.

Ms Wawn said the industry is making progress.

The gender pay gap is declining faster than average.The proportion of women in all occupation groups, except administration, is increasing.

“There are more female trades and technicians in construction than ever before, and the number of females commencing atrade apprenticeship has more than doubled in the last five years,” Ms Wawn said.

Women Building Australia is supported through afederal government grant and deliveredthrough Master Builders Australia aimed to attract and support women to succeed in the building and construction industry.

It includes arange of initiatives including career expos, afemale-led business register, business resilience training, and adedicated harassment anddiscrimination support line.

For more information and to apply visit: www. womenbuildingaustralia.com.au

Nicksnow AGLchief executive

PhilipHopkins

THE closing date for the Loy Yang Apower station looks set to stay at 2035, but AGL Energy’s new chief executive expects a“bumpyroad” as the company continues its drive towards renewable energy.

Damien Nicks, who has just been appointed CEO after being the acting chief executive for several months, will oversee the company’s plan to spend $20 billion on renewable energygeneration and storage as it undergoes its transformation from being the nation’s biggest coal generator by 2035.

Mr Nicks told the Australian Financial Review that the market should not expect any changes to the strategy agreed to last September.

“There are goingtobebumpsalong theroad. This is not going to necessarily be apurely smooth ride for the whole market,” he told The Australian.

“But for us it’s abouthavingclarity about how we deliver. We’ve got deep plans over the next seven yearsto2030. And we’ll continue to refine those plans, and then continue refining those plans out to 2035 as well.”

The strategy unveiledlastSeptember brought Loy YangA’s closure dateforward by 10 years from2045 to 2035after the coal giant faced growing pressure to speed up its energy transition to renewables.

Grok Ventures, its biggest shareholder with more than 12 per cent and controlled by tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes, had been pushing to close Loy Yang Aby2029.

Grok was responsible last year for AGL cancelling its demerger plan to create astand-alone coal energy company. Thedemergerplan was backed by Mr Nicks and the AGL chair, Patricia McKenzie.

Mr Nicks plans to update major shareholders, including Grok, on how it will carry out its green strategy. Grok did not reply to queries from media on Mr Nicks’ appointment as chief executive.

The mainstream media reported that investors were generallyhappy with Mr Nicks’ appointment. Fund manager and AGL shareholder Geoff Wilson said the big question was whether Mr Nicks could bring the dynamism that the transition needed.

“Hiskey challenges are motivating his team. theagenda is there, it is justaquestion of will the energy be there to be dynamic and catalytic in change,” he told The Australian.

Debby Blakey, chief executiveatsuperannuation

fund HESTA, said Mr Nicks provided “leadership certainty” as AGL embarks on itsbig challenge to transform its business for alow-carbon future.

“We look forward to hearinghow the boardand management plantoimplement its climate plan, including how the company will support impacted communities,” she told the AFR.

HESTA believed that with strong board leadership and management, there was scope for AGL to raise its ambitions on decarbonisation, she said, shiftingformits current1.8 -degree warming trajectory to align with the more ambitious1.5-degree pathwayinthe Paris climate agreement. The Grok camp maintained last year that the 2029 date would push AGL towards the Paris goal.

However, Ms McKenzie, the AGL chair, argued that faster closure of the coal plants was not possible because replacement capacity could not be built in time to keep the lights on and prevent high energy prices.

AGL’s plan to create 12 gigawatts of renewable energy would include 6.5GW of primary generation such as wind and solar farms, and 5.5GW of firming capacity,including batteries and pumped hydro.

To achieve the target, AGL says it would have to build12new wind farms the size of its 453 megawatt Coopers Gap operation north-west of Brisbane, and another eight solar plants the size of its 102MW Nyngansolar farm in western NSW. In addition, it would need 14 new 250MW gridscalebattery stations,supported by at least eight other long-duration energy storage plants,such as pumped hydro operations, hydrogenorbio-fuelled firming projects.

AGL has 3.2GW of firming capacityinits development pipeline and underconstruction, including a250MW battery at TorrensIsland in South Australia, due for completion this year, The Australian said.

Other elements include the 200MW battery at Loy Yang A, a500MW battery at Liddell power station in the Hunter Valley, a50MWbattery at Broken Hill, and a250MW pumpedhydro project at MuswellbrookinNSW. Theremaining coal-fired units at Liddell will be closedbyApril and the nearby Bayswater powerstation by the end of 2033.

Damien Nicks hastaken overaschiefexecutive of AGL, after serving as theinterim for several months

Photo:Contributed

Field dayhostedbyWilandra

This course begins Friday, February 24 and costs $50 for the complete course. Learn Mosiacs with Jess will be held on Wednesday February 22 from 1pm until 3pm at acost of $45 per person, all materials supplied. Bookings are essential.

 MAFFRA Municipal Band will hold ahigh tea on Friday, February 10 at 38 McMillan Street, Maffra, from 11am until 2pm. Entry cost $25 per person which includes aglass of bubbly. For tickets go to Trybooking High Tea @38orcall 0411 434 520.

Continued Page 1

MR Prell spoke abouthow smallto-mid scale renewable energy projects like the one at Wilandra Farms are agood outcomefor communities and farmers, while also reducing emissions.

“I’ve had areally positive reactiontothe initiative Icalled for…

 MAFFRA Stage Band will entertain shoppers on Saturday, February 11 from 11am until 1pm at the rotunda in Johnson Street, Maffra.

 NEWRY Playgroup has resumed for this year, and will be held every Monday morning during school term from 9.30am until 11.30am in the Newry Hall. The first session is free for new families.

 MAFFRA Neighbourhood House flyer will be delivered to mailboxes this week. For more information on the following sessions, phone the house on 0422 335 155. Fortnightly classes on Mondays will be held on portrait drawing. Cost is $20 per lesson and bookings are essential. Digital Matters is afive week course to learn the basics of using digital technology for everyday living and working.

 MAFFRA RSL sub branch will hold its first trivia night for this year on Friday, February 17 from 5.30pm in the RSL rooms, Shelton, 16 Boisdale Street, Maffra. All welcome.

 MAFFRA Football-Netball Club will hold aThank God it’s Friday Night on Friday, February 10 at the Maffra Recreation Reserve, Maffra Newry Road, Maffra, and will include games, raffles and music. Drinks and food will be available from 4.30pm.

 ROTARY Club of Maffra will cook a barbecue at Woolworths, Johnson Street, Maffra on Saturday morning, February 11.

 MAFFRA Golf Club will host acoffee morning tomorrow (Wednesday February 8), at the home of Kaye Gallagher, 9Wellsford Street, Stratford at 10am. $10 entry includes raffles, door prize, trading table and games. All welcome.

(which was) for peopletostart agitatingtheirlocal government, the council, to advocate for smallto-medium sized renewables like (at Wilandra Farms),” Mr Prell told the Gippsland Times

“The renewables are really expensive to build, and the transmitters,the grid, doesn’t reallylikesmall-scale, because

it makes their job alot harder. “But it’s an essential part of the renewable revolution. “Groupsoffarms or communitiescan get together and build microgridsintheir own area to turbochargethe renewable revolution,and alsominimise the need for large transmission lines.”

GippsDairyEOKaren McLennan, dairy farmerIan Nicol,and WilandraFarms co-ownerSandra Jefford. Mr Nicol wasawarded $1000 after winning acontest for farmerstotest their knowledge

Photo: Contributed

Co-owner of Wilandra Farms, Wilco Droppert,speaks to delegates after lunch at the farmin Clydebank.

Photo: Contributed

Morethan200 delegates, mostly farmers, satdowntolisten to speakers.

Photo: Stefan Bradley

RAAF COLUMN

Introduction to new Senior ADF Officer

AS Istart 2023 in my role as the Senior ADF Officer for RAAFBaseEastSale, Iwanted to takethis opportunity to introduce myself and give you a little of my background.

This is actually my fourth time back to Sale, having first trained here in 1997 as anavigator with the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).

During that timeIwas luckyenough to meet my wife, Carly, who grew up on alocal dairy farm in the Woodside area.

Post ashort stint in New Zealand, Ireturned in 2004 as an instructor at the School of Air Warfare where Carly and Istarted afamily, built ahouse and enjoyed the local community.

After 11 years with the Royal New Zealand Airforce, Itransferred to the Royal Australian Air Force as an Air Combat Officer and had postings to RAAF Base Edinburgh and Darwin flying the AP-3C Orion.

Ihave served in anumberofother command and staff appointments at Edinburgh,Darwin, and Canberra, as well as on operations in the Middle East and South East Asia.

My last postingtoRAAFBase East Sale was in 2019 as Commanding Officer of No. 1Flying Training School, which then transitioned to what is known today as the Air Mission Training School, where Iwas responsible for the training of mission aircrew. My current posting has two components. I am formally posted as the Officer Commanding Air Academy and responsiblefor all basicand instructor aviation related training. Not only does this include the EastSale units of No 1Flying Training School, Air Mission Training School, Central Flying School, No 32 Squadron and the SchoolofAir Traffic Control, but also No 2Flying Training School at RAAF Base Pearce, and the combat survival and training school at RAAF Base Townsville. Other responsibilities include theAir Force Balloon, RAAF Roulettes, and No 100 Squadron as theAir Force Heritage Squadron.

In my appointment as the Senior ADF Officer for RAAFBase East Sale, Iwork in partnership with the base manager for whole of base planning, operations and incident management.This includes acting as the senior representative of the ADF for ceremonial events such as ANZAC Day and other community engagement opportunities. As part of that aspect, Ilook forward to working with Wellington Shire Council, particularly given thisyearrepresents the 80thAnniversary of RAAF Base East Sale.

Iamvery pleased to return to Sale and the local Gippsland area, and am keen to enjoy all that being back in the ‘Middle of Everywhere’ offers.

Welcome to newly posted in defence personnel, aviators and their families

THAT timeofyear again, and you will see new Defencepersonnel, aviators and their family arrive for postings to the base, and we welcome them all, particularly thosewho have not beentoRAAFBase East Sale before.

As Group Captain Williamsmentioned, Sale and the wider area has become known as the ‘Middleof Everywhere’ given its central location and access to the mountains and the beach and everywhere in between.

ForthoseEastSale personnel and their families newtothe area, you might have already seen the phrase flyingonthe flags in the Sale mall or on display at Day @The Port over the weekend. But otherwise you can find out more about the great area we live in at www.themiddleofeverywhere com.au or on the Facebook page.

You can even get an app to help you with local event updates and offers.

East Sale welcome event

IN January,the Defence Member and Family Support (DMFS) organisation hosted an event for ADF members and their families in the Sale area. The eventwas held at Jumpand Climb Traralgon and was ahuge hit with those who attended. These events are implemented to assist ADF families who are new to the area (and sometimes to Defence) in making connections with the available support organisations, resources, local organisations and other families in the area to encourage asmooth transition for all.

ADF families come in all shapes and sizes, and although at first glance Jump and Climb appears

achild centredvenue, there were also childfree ADF families in attendance having agreat time.

RAAF Base East Sale and DMFS appreciate the supportand cooperationoflocal businesses and organisations in holding these types of events to support our ADF families, and to makesure all who move to this beautiful area make the most of their time here.

Australia DayHonours List

FOR those not aware, Flight Lieutenant Dave Hughes,amember of the School of AirTraffic Control, RAAF Base East Sale, was arecipient of aConspicuousService Cross in the 2023 Australia Day honours and awards,for outstanding achievement in Air TrafficController training for the Australian Defence Force.

Flight Lieutenant Hughes, who recentlycelebrated40yearsofserviceinboth the RAFand RAAF, was honouredfor his dedication to ensuring the best possible outcomes for Air Traffic Control trainees,and ensuringoptimumcapability for the Royal Australian Air Force.

Over many years, Dave has displayed remarkable insight in modernising the full spectrum of the Air Traffic ControlTraining System. Congratulations!

Australian Air ForceCadets

NO. 409 Squadron is the Australian Air Force Cadet unit at RAAF Base East Sale.

Sale has had cadets in the area since 1959, and

has aparadenight on base on Tuesday nights. Eligibilityrequirements can be foundatwww airforcecadets.gov.au and applications will soon close for the start of 2023.

What’sonatDutson Range

DUTSON Training Area will be active during the periods listed for Field Training Exercises. Some of these activities may involve demolition practices and,assuch, explosionsmay be heard between the hours of 9am and 4pm each day. Publicrecreational usage of LakeWellington will not be affected by these exercises.

Feb 8-19: Initial Officer Training including live fire activities

Feb 27- Mar 1: Military Field Training

Whilst RAAF personnel strive to informthe public of all activities conduced at Dutson Training Area, explosions may be heard outside of the dates listed above if dictated by operational requirements. The Range Area is depictedonthe map below and RAAF poster No 207, displayed on the range boundaries.

The public are remindedthat it is an offence, under section 89 and 89A of the Commonwealth Crimes Act, to trespass on Defence land, and to dischargefirearms on or overCommonwealth land.

For further information, phone Sergeant Nick Young on 0429 402 049.

Operations at East Sale

FLYING training has commenced again for 2023, and the RAAF Roulettes have already started the 2023 Roulette season.

Hopefully you might have seen them on Australia Day or overhead at Day @the Port. If you are interestedinwhatthey do, you can keepupto datewith their Air Force Roulettes Facebook page.

As we getclosertothe Avalon Airshow 2023, on March 3-5 for the general public, you can also get updated with Avalon news on their website or Facebook page.

If you are interested in learning more about the role of RAAF Base East Sale, you can visit: www. defence.gov.au/aircraftnoise/EastSale

This includes alink the RAAF East Sale Noise Management Plan.

The Defence approach to noise mitigation and Air Force fly neighbourly policy can also be found through the ‘Understanding Noise’ site.

Group Captain BrettWilliams, Senior ADF Officer,RAAF Base East Sale. Photos:Contributed

In coversation with farmers

GIPPSLAND Jersey’s 2023 ‘Farming

Conversations’ calendar includes the stories of 12 Gippsland farmers. Gippsland Jersey has avery strong and authentic focuson rural mental health for verypersonal and lived reasons. The free calendar is available from Gippsland Jersey’s website. January’s story features achatwith Tom McMillan fromSale, who talks abouthis fatherIan, who was diagnosed with aggressive cancer and could no longer run the farm. It’s astory abouthow familiesstick together when times are tough.

How long have you been in the dairy industry?

Igrewuponthe family farm and I’ve been full time in the industry for 11 years now.

Did you go to school in Sale?

Yeah, Istarted at Bundalaguah Primary and finishedinSale.Afterschool Icompleted acertificateIll in Agriculture followedby the certificate IV. Iwas also managing daily operations on one of the home farms during this time.

Tellmewhat is it about dairy that you love?

Ilikethe challenge of it; it’s rewarding to see the results of your hard work each year.

How many kidsare thereinyour family?

There are four of us, I’m the oldest, my sister, Lavinia, and two younger brothers, Will and Tim. All us boys are home working on the farm and my sister helps afew days a week between her nursing career.

Have you always had astrongbond with your dad?

Yeah,definitely. We’ve always workedside by side since Iwas akid.

So, Tom...a little bit about your family situationthat hadyou come back to Gippsland in ahurry?

So,Ifarmed at home for six years fulltime and at 22 Imet my partner Steph, through friendsofours. She lived in the Kiewa Valley. After ayear of travelling to see each other, the opportunity came up to move to theKiewa Valley too. Steph had agood job andwas studying at the time. Iworked for a large family-owned dairy farm not far from where we lived for the next three years and we travelled back home every few weeks to see the family. Up until Dad got crook.

What did your dad say in that phone call?Did he specifically ask you to come home?

In July 2021 dad asked me to come home for aweek to run the farm. Ithought, ‘well if dad’s asking me to come home, it must be pretty serious.

He’dhad some tests come back and needed urgent surgery. As Iwas travelling home, mum and dad were drivingtoMelbourne. The cows hadjust started calving and I ended up staying for four months. Dad was hospitalised for three weeks after doctors removed 3.6 kilograms of tumour and affected tissue. Three months later he went back to the doctors for scans, only to discover the tumours had aggressively returned.

Dad wasn’t sure if he wanted to start treatment as things looked pretty grim, but after talking to the familyhedecided to give it ago. It took seven months, two different trials of chemotherapy and three rounds of genomic testing to even diagnose the cancerproperly and decide the next trial

of treatment,which was immunotherapy

The efforts of MulgravePrivate Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre have been amazing.

How does it make you feelknowing that your dad is sick and that without amiraclehis health will deteriorate?

It’s hard to believe there could have been amiracle after his initial diagnosis, but his recent results with immunotherapy have been incredible. Fingerscrossed these results continue into the future.

We’re so thankful for every day that we get with him.

Is thereanunderstanding thatyou re taking over from your dad?

Yeah, that’s what we’re working towards now that Steph and Ihave moved back to Gippsland. Dad’s still very much involved though.

How do you and your dad enjoy time together? Just by being with him each day and workingalongside him? How’s your dad coping with it all?

We enjoyworking alongside each other and getting jobs done.It’sgood to talk about things and bounce ideas off one another. Safe to say, it’s been aroughjourney, but dad’s coping well. He shows up every day and does what he can.

Have you changed the way you manage your feelings and emotionsasaman because of your dad getting sick, Tom?

We definitelytalkmore about certain thingsand take our health more seriously than before. It’s been abig wake up call.

Can Iask you apersonal question Tom? Have there been tears between you and big heart moments, breaking downthose barriersbetweenfather and son?

Yeah of course, there has been with the whole family. We were also extremelycloseto losing my youngest brother, Tim ayear earlier after he had abad motorbike accident and was flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. It’s been atough few years.

What are you doing to look after yourself, Tom?

Inormally jump on the dirt bike and disappear for aday, or weekend, with mates. I’m pretty easy going and I’ve got plenty of good people around me to talk to. Just talking about it is probably the biggest thing. Once upon atime that was unheardof; just keep it to yourself and move on and whatever. But no! It’s definitely something people are a bit moreopen about these days. Its important to talk and be willing to accepthelpwhen offered. One of ourneighbours,and good mate, Andrew, organized agroup of locals, andmembers from theHeyfield Lions Club, to carthay for us back in January. This was amassive help.

Our familyisvery appreciativeoftheir time and efforts.

What’s been your big take away from the journey with your dad?

You’ve gotta look after yourself, check in with yourself and your family.

Forget the typical farmer attitude of ‘it’ll be right. If something doesn’t feel right, then it probably isn’t and it’s time to do something about it. This appliestoyour physical health as well as your mental health.

Ian, Karenand TimMcMillan, Steph Lahm, Tomand WillMcMillan.

Photo: Contributed

MardiGrasofficially launched

ROTARY Club of Maffra launched its 2023 Mardi Gras(theme:The Circus!)atDuart Homestead last Thursday.

The launchofficially opens the six-week opportunity for fundraising for each organisation.

Fundraising eventsrange fromrafflesatthe

Maffra Community Sports Club,toa Family Movie Night at the Recreation Reserve (February 17), music from the Stars Concert at Maffra Memorial Hall (February 25) andthe Golf District Sports Club Challenge (February 26).

Also launched was the 2023 Mardi Gras Poster, created by talented young designer Sharni Elizabeth.

WellingtonShire Council Mayor, Ian Bye, and councillor Carmel Ripper were in attendance, along with members of the Rotary Club of Maffra and the Mardi Gras Committee.

Other MardiGrassponsorspresent included Rob Christie from the CommunityBankMaffra and Districts, as well as Brooke Davis and Andrea HammondfromAdams Accounting.

Committeemembers from each of the participating organisationscame along to offersupportto the entrants.

Each entrantgave ashort talk about the organisations they belong to, and the projects they are fundraising for.

Myah Proud spoke about her involvement with the Maffra Football-NetballClub, both as aplayer and coach,over the last six years. The funds raised from the Mardi Gras will go towards the redevelopment of the netball shed and change rooms.

Myahisexcited to be part of the MardiGrasasit gives her the opportunity to give back to her club and to the local community as awhole

Jan Robbins spoke about the Maffra Golf Club course,and the need for an automated watering system, valued at $800,000.

Work is startingsoon, with one fairway at atime being fitted in order to interrupt play as little as possible.

All the money raised from the Mardi Gras will reduce the loan thathas been taken out. It is hoped that work will be completed within three months.

Nakayla Lindemann talked about the history of the Maffra Municipal Band, which started in 1895.

For most of that time it was asingleband, a brass band and then aconcert band. Now, it has grown to include five different groups: atraining band, concert band, stage band, string ensemble,

and this year, aukulele group will be starting on Wednesday mornings.

The money raised at the Mardi Gras will go towards the purchase of alarge instrument, like abaritone saxophone or an orchestral xylophone.

Cr Bye spoke after the entrants, thanking them all for their valuable workfor their community organisations, and wished them all the bestfor their fundraising efforts.

He talked about the importance of volunteering in the community, stating that around $3 million has been raised at the Mardi Gras over the years.

Rotarypresident Mark Saddington also spoke about the workinvolved in running the Mardi Gras, and thanked the committee for their efforts.

Each entrant will have a float in the Mardi Gras parade.Thanks to the CommunityBank, Maffra and Districts, there are cash prizesfor thewinning floats, ranging from $500 to $3000. Street stalland food stallholdersare welcome to apply, and the kids’ corner (free of charge). Carnival rides and musical entertainment will provide amusement for everyone during the evening.

The 2023 Maffra Mardi Gras officially takes place on Saturday, March 18.

Wellington Shire councillor Carmel Ripper,orIan Bye, chairmanofthe Boardofthe Community Bank Maffra and Districts, Rob Christie,chairman of the Rotary ClubofMaffraMardi GrasCommittee Veronica Dwyer,president of the Rotary Club of Maffra, MarkSaddington,and Mardi Gras Committee members Jo Chambers; ClaireCochrane and TedMitchell.

Wellington Shire Mayor Ian Byewith MaffraMardi Grasentrants Myah Proud,Nakayla Lindemann and Jan Robbins.

Photos: Contributed

InvestigationofMercy Home

LAWYERS are urging anyone who witnessed or experienced physicalorsexual abuse at the Sisters of Mercy HomeinMentone, to come forwardto provide information to potentially assist with civil historical abuse claims.

Slaterand Gordon AbuseLawyer Katherine Munt said the firm was investigating alleged sexual and physical abuse of childrenunder the care of the state government and Sisters of Mercy that occurred between the 1960s and 70s at acottage home in Mentone.

Ms Munt said Graham Johnston, cottage father at the home in the late 1960s,allegedly perpetrated horrific sexual abuse over several yearsagainst at least one of the young boys that he was being paid to look after.

He and his wife were employed by the Sisters of Mercy to reside at the Mentone Cottage as “cottage parents”, she said.

“The Victorian man we are representing was

justnineyears oldwhen he alleges the frequent sexual abuse began and resulted in devastating consequences for him throughout his life. He alleges the abuse would often occur while other boys slept in the same room,” Ms Munt said.

“These children were failed. Their health, welfare and safety were not protected by the state government or the SistersofMercy. We are asking anyone who witnessed the abuse to come forward to share informationwhich wouldremain confidential and would assist with potential compensation claims being pursued by survivors.

“We believethere could be potential witnesses living in Victoria or interstate. If you were abused by Johnston, other carers, or are awareofthe abuse of other children, please do not hesitate to reach out. We hope that pursuing these abuse cases under civil law will provide survivors of abuse with the justice they have been waiting decades to receive.”

The home was managed by the Sisters of Mercy

as part of the St Vincent de Paul Children’sHome, who ran cottage homesinMentone, Black Rock, Bentleigh andsurrounding suburbs.

The Sisters of Mercy wereresponsiblefor the health, welfare and safety of the child residents and for the Mentone Cottage staff.

“These children were placedinthe care of guardians who were supposed to ensure they were not harmed or injured but unfortunately, the Sisters of Mercy and the state government failed some of these children.

“Evidence of the abuse was not investigated or reportedtopolice and there were no systems in place to monitor the children and ensure they were safe. Johnston took advantage of his position of power and authorityknowinghewas one of the only adults in their lives,” Ms Munt said.

Legislation in Victoria and other states around Australia has changed in recent years, removing time limits for abuse victim-survivorstoreport

abuse they experienced decades ago, and bring civil legal claims against institutions and individuals.

Previous time limits discouraged and prevented victims from making claims in court.

Since 2015, time limitations have been removed in Victoria, openingupclaimsfor injuriesfrom sexualabuse, physical abuse or psychological abuse as aresult of sexual or physical abuse of aminor

In Victoria, survivorswho previously signed deeds of release may have them set aside or overturned by the court and take legal action again if the settlement they received is found to be unjust or unreasonable.

If you or anyone you know may have information on this matter, phone Slater and Gordon on 1800 444 141.

If this story has caused you any distress, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Funding opportunities now available forlocal creatives

LOCAL creative professionals with big ideas to transform their practice and build their skills and careers are invited to apply for the latest round of the state government’s creative R&D program, the Creators Fund.

The fund,which aligns with grants in the medical, science and technology fields, supportscreative professionals to undertake the kind of intensive research, development or experimentation that leads to career defining, ground breaking creative work.

Member for Eastern Victoria, HarrietShing, encouraged artists, musicians, designers, filmmakers, writers, and other creative professionals from across Gippsland to apply.

“Innovation takes time for research, experimentation, and development -finding time andresources to create the best possible product or process is often adeterrent to our creators,” she said.

“That’s why the creators fund is such an important pillar of the Victorian government’s investment in the creative industries -Iencourage people to see what support is available to them.”

Applications are open to Victorianindividuals and collectives working in any creative field including digital games, literature, craft, theatre, music,

screen, dance, visual art, fashion, and design.

Grants between $20,000 and $50,000are available to support activities for up to six months.

Since its launch in 2018, the creators fund has supported almost 160 Victorian creatives statewide, working in all creative fields.

Previous recipients include industrial designer NyeinAung, whose grant supported the design of anew bed for palliative care use, and screenwriter Alexander Swords, who developed amethod for narrativedesign in games thatisnow used by developers across the globe.

Writer MaxineBeneba Clarke recently landed anew book deal for achildren’s poetry collection she researched and developed with creators fund support.

Creators fund applications are open to professional creatives,including creative collectives, and there are dedicated streams for First Peoples creatives, and deaf and disabled creatives.

Applications close 3pm on Wednesday,February 22, with the deaf and disabled stream closing 3pm on Wednesday, March 12023.

For more information,visit https:// creative.vic.gov.au/funding-opportunities/ find-a-funding-opportunity/creators-fund

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

After being postponed due to the 2022 Victorian state election, the Central Gippsland Health Service BoardofDirectors cordially invites you to attend our 2021-2022 Annual General Meeting.

FEBRUARY2023 | 2PM LectureHall, Community Services Building, PalmerstonStreet,Sale.

tea will be served in the Conference Room at the conclusionofthe meeting.

Calls to get youth working

CONFIRMATION that the $420 million Cherry Creek Youth Justice Centre is sitting empty and un-used demonstratesamissedopportunity to get young offenders on the right path, according to Shadow Minister for Criminal Justice Reform, Brad Battin.

This report follows recent productivity commission data which confirmed Victoria spends more than $5000 per youth per day on youthjustice services, yet more than one in two who leave the system end up back in it within 12 months.

Under the state government, Victoria spends

more on youth justice than any other state or territory,yet continues to get some of the worst results

Mr Battin, said it was clear the state government had its priorities backwards on youth justice and reform is clearly needed.

“Weknowthat more of the same won’t reduce youth crimeorget youngoffenders on the right path,” Mr Battin said.

“Instead of spending hundredsofmillions of dollars on empty prisons for youths,weshould be investing that money to get young offenders job ready.”

Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing.

Photo: File

Artists’ circle is the place to be

TomParry

ARTISTScan be secluded individuals, oftenworking alone for hours on end as they toil on their latest project.

They value their solitude, but equally, do appreciate the company of others every so often.

This is where the SaleArt Circle proves beneficial, offering aweekly socialoutlet for Gippsland’s creatively-minded souls.

The group was established by four friends, all fellow artists, in February 2021 with aview to re-establish social connections in the wake of the pandemic.

As co-founder Sandy Martin explained, the knowledgethatpeople in thecommunity were feeling isolated at the time was a“major reason” why the circle was formed.

“Withthe lockdowns, it really brought home how important it was for community to be together,” Ms Martin said.

“So we thought, ‘Well, let’s just have ago-let’s just try and set up agroup’.”

Initial meetings took placeinthe Gwen Webb Centre on MarketStreet, but as thenumberof attendees increased, the circle soon outgrew the venue. The cohort soon after moved to the Sale Showgrounds, where they were granted useof the committee room at the western end of the show-jumping arena.

Thatsameroomhas sincebecome their home ever since.

Meetings of the Sale Art Circle are held every Wednesday, with an average of 25 people attending each week.

Members come from all walks of life -manyare retirees, havingpreviously workedasafarmer, or ataxidriver, or an engineer.

Some are professional artists who have worked in the industry for several years; some simply view art as ahobby; others still are reacquainting themselves with the art world, having been sidetracked by other pursuits over the years.

One such member who falls into the latter category is Peter Gray, who joined the circle around nine months ago.

Mr Gray was apainter in his younger years, but aftergetting married and having childrenfound there was “just no room for painting”.

“And then Itook it up again when I… was at a house,and Isaw this lady’s paintingsand said, ‘Gee, these are pretty good.’ And she invited me to come along to an art group,” Mr Gray explained.

From there, he was paired with ateacher, also male, who taughtMrGraythe ins-and-outs of painting: “what Iknow now is all through him.”

At the meeting attended by the Gippsland Times just before Christmas, Mr Gray was working on a painting of his daughter-in-law in Italy, which he intended to present as agift to its subject.

While his talent is more than evident, an everhumble Mr Gray admitted that he wasn’t entirely satisfied with the work-in-progress.

“I think I’m my own worst critic, really,” he said.

“I’m always not happy with this, not happy with that; trying to get to that perfection,I suppose, which Ithink allartists strive for.

“But you get to the point where you say, ‘I think that’s pretty good’.”

He is not the only painter in the circle -infact, most attendees work with abrush, putting oils or acrylics on asurface of their choosing.

Yet Mr Gray is something of an outlier in another regard,inthat he’s one of the few meninthe group -afact that is steadily being addressed by the arrival of more male artists.

Doug Beattie is one such individual, who joined thecircle two months after Mr Gray, at the invitation of afemale member.

When spoken to by the Times,MrBeattie was workingonascenic painting of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, commissioned by “a very ardent Richmond supporter” who lives in London.

“I have doneaprevious MCG piece, which he has seen and admired, so he wanted his version,” Mr Beattie said.

He spoke positively about the group, and the “familiarity” it provides.

“You can hear all the bubbling noisearoundand… Ifeed off that -it’sa greatatmosphere,” he said

“I just love it -everyone goes at their own pace; Ihave abreak every now and then, go and get myself acup of teaoracake or abiscuit;goand have achat with various people…”

Mr Beattie’s thoughts are echoed by many, including fellow participant Annette Walker, who noted the “relaxed, sociable” environment of the circle.

She added that there was “no hierarchy” among the members,with everyonehelping each other regardless of skill or experience.

“I’ve (had) people coming up, asking my advice on how to do stuff, and Ijust love that!” Ms Walker said.

“And Idothe same -Igoand ask someone, ‘How do you do that?’

“You’re picking up hints all the time, and it’s just delightful.”

This speaks to afurther purpose of the Sale Art Circle -it’sanarena where artists can exchange ideas, receive feedback,orlook for inspiration from others, whetheritbefor apainting, drawing, or watercolour artwork.

Ms Martin said seeingthe participantshelp each other is what she enjoys most about the circle.

“I think it’sanincredibly supportivegroup… and there’s that real sense of community,and that’s what we wanted Sale Art Circle to be,” she said.

Following abreak over the summer, the circle has begun meeting again, and is hoping this year will be equally as successful as the last, if not more so.

Last year culminatedinanexhibition at Bond Street Event Centrewhich,byMsMartin’s estimation, saw more than 80 people attend.

“To get that many peoplejustshows how supportive Sale and the district, the community is for community groups like ours,” Ms Martin said, indicating that Sale Art Circle could host similar events in future.

Ms Walker is one member who is most keen on hosting more exhibitions, “because there’s only so many paintingsyou can put on your wall at home, or underthe bed!”

Sale ArtCirclecurrently meets in theCommittee

Room at the Sale Showgrounds on Wednesdays between 10am and 3pm.

For more information, visit the official Sale Art Circle group on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ groups/348012303007385/

MargWilson,AnneFleming, SandyMartin,Gay Harper, Suzanne Barclayand Jen Firth at the Sale Art Circle’s end-of-yearget-together

Doug Beattie works on his MCG painting.

Viv West paints Marley, aborder collie.

Susannah Taylor with herdrawing,entitled‘ZenTangle’.

Photos: TomParry

Peter Gray, hard at work on aportrait of his daughter-in-law.

Crossword Puzzle No.8520

ONE POINTERS

1. Mike Brady sang this song about an Australian rules footballer?

2. Karl Stefanovic co-hosts this Australian morning show?

3. What was Tasmania originally know as?

4. Patrick is afriendofthisyellow,underwater person?

TWO POINTERS

5. If Ivisited the town of Beechworth, what state would Ibein?

6. TedBullpit wasacharacter on ths Australian TV comedy show from the early 1980’s?

7. The original lyrics to Waltzing Matilda werewritten by what famous Australian poet?

8. What team did recently retired AFLWfootballer,Daisy Pearce play for?

THREE POINTERS

9. Who was the Motley Crew drummer that Pamela Anderson was married to?

10. Murder On The Orient Express is afamousworkbywho?

11. According to the expression, necessity is the mother of what?

12. True or false. Peanuts arenot nuts?

FOUR POINTERS

13. Bronze is an alloy consisting primarily of what two elements?

14. What cooking term means to submerge food very quickly in boiling water?

FIVE POINTER

15. Name these brands from their logos. One point for each correct answer

Target Time No.0144

Howtoplay.

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or morecan you list? The centrelettermustbe included and each letter may be used only once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in ‘s’ Solution page 31

G B O L S L I E A

Sudoku No.0144

Howtoplay...

Fill the grid so thateveryrow and every 3x3 square contains the digits 1to9 Solution page 31

Society makes itsreturn

SALE Film Society is launching its 2023 season tonight with ascreening of the American drama

To Kill aMockingbird

First releasedin1962, the pictureisbased on Harper Lee’s celebrated novel of the same name, and tells of lawyer Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) and his fight against prejudice, as toldthrough the eyes of his daughter, Scout (Mary Badham).

“In welcoming people back to the Societyfor 2023,wewanted to showcaseaclassicofthe

American screen that we’re sure everybody will love,” incoming Society president Rob Ziffer said.

“We’vehad good turnouts in the pastfor screenings of films like Some Like it Hot and His Girl Friday,sowe’re expecting abig crowd for this movie too.”

To Kill aMockingbird is frequently praised as one of the best adaptations of awritten work, and one of the greatest films of all time.

The picture wasnominatedineightcategories at the35th AcademyAwards in 1963, winning three: Best Art Direction, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actor.

Sale Film Society -2023 schedule

February 7: To Kill aMockingbird (USA, 1962)

March 7: The Godmother (France, 2020)

April 4: Off Country (Australia, 2021)

May3: Decision to Leave (South Korea, 2022)

June 6: The Quiet Girl (Ireland, 2022)

July 11: The Bélier Family (France, 2014)

The screeningof To Kill aMockingbird will commence 7.30pm at The Wedge. Prospective attendees are encouraged to arrive at 7pm to receive their 2023 Membership Cards,and mingle withfellow cinephilesbefore seeingthe film.

Sale Film Society is run by agroupofmovie buffs,and dedicates itself to showcasing older and lesser-seen films that aren’t typically screened in the Wellington Shire.

Comedy of carnage comes to the courthouse

MAFFRADramaticSociety will be treading the boards once again in the coming weeks with their next production, God of Carnage

The stage show followstwo married couples that have come together after aplayground fight between their children resultedintwo missing teeth. What begins as afriendly discussion about the children makingamends, quickly descends into chaos as both couples argue over how to discipline their children. Name-calling, tantrums and tears are quick to follow.

This thought-provoking comedy has acompletely local cast, featuring Brittany Telfer, Grant van Brummelen, Robert Leggett, and Peta Crawford, aveteran of local productionswho is also directing the production.

“This show is absolutely acomedy, and it appeals to any parent who has faced the dilemma of how

to discipline their child, but it also really makes you think and second-guess,who’s really in the wrong here?” Ms Crawford said.

The Society’s latest production comes following their recent, successful season of The Importance of Being Earnest,which played in Heyfield and Sale in October last year.

Earnest saw the local volunteer-based company win four Gippsland Associated Theatre Awards, including Best Production and Best Director for Maffra local Brian Teese.

God of Carnage willbeperformed at the Stratford Courthouse Theatre from February 24 to 26, and then at the Newry HallonMarch4.For more information and tickets, visit www.maffradramatics.com.au

August 9: Official Competition (Spain, 2021)

September 5: The Whale (USA, 2022)

October 11: AHero (Iran, 2021)

December 13: They’reaWeirdMob (Australia, 1966)

All screenings will take place in the John Leslie TheatreatThe Wedge, commencing 7.30pm

Prudent man allonhis own

WHAT makes the Trumps of this world tick?

That’sthe theoretical question posed in APrudent Man, comingtothe Stratford Courthouse Theatre next month.

Writtenand directedbyaward-nominated playwright Katy Warner, and produced by Melbourne-based theatre company Lab Kelpie, APrudent Man takes an unapologetic look at a man both in control and on the edge.

This one-manshowstars LyallBrooks as a figure known simply as “The Man”, one who is of many dispositions -aconservative politician, aleader, aman in asnappy suit, an athlete in abad tracksuit.

Warner’s play is not about one politician or political event; it is aspeculative piece inspired by real events and people.

It’s also adarkly comedic political thriller that explores what it means to be right -inmore ways than one.

APrudent Manwill be showing at the Courthouse on Saturday, February 18 from 7.30pm

Additionally, Lyall will be hosting a“Monologue Masterclass” -aseries of one-on-one theatre workshops -the dayprior to his performance.

As part of the workshops, six to ten local actors will be given amonologue that somehow relates to or reflects the show -atheme, astyle,an emotion, maybe apiece by the same playwright.

Over the course of the masterclass, Lyall will unpack the individual texts with each actor and

guide them to an interpretation and performance they’re happy and confident with.

Everyone will contribute to ordering and staging the collection of monologues into asingle flowing piece, and then they perform them as “Act II”ofthe show after APrudent Man

For more information on the Masterclass and tickets to APrudent Man,headtowww. stratfordcourthouse.com.au

Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) with client TomRobinson(Brock Peters) in To Kill a Mockingbird. Photo: Universal Pictures

Lyall Brooks,asheappears in the one-man show‘APrudent Man’ Photo: Contributed

A-list cast takesbilling in latest lengthy blockbuster

BABYLON,anode to andsatireofHollywood’s Golden Age, has earned plenty of praise and derision from movie critics in recent weeks. Our resident film buffs Stefan Bradleyand Tom Parry went to check it out.

SB: This film comes from AcademyAwardwinning director Damien Chazelle, who has garnered plenty of fans through his films Whiplash and La La Land,but you wouldn’t know it from the screening we attended -apart from us, the theatre was completely empty!

TP: Which is not that surprising, because Babylon has received mixed reviews from critics, and it bombed at the box-office in North America. It seems even the presence of Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt hasnot been enough to draw people to the theatre.

SB: It has received positive press and accolades since its US release, though.I’ve seen it appear in multiple end-of-year and “Best of 2022” lists in the past couple of months, so Iexpected renewed international interest, but we’ll wait and see. Ihad a positive response to this movie, with caveats. Ithink every singleperformance is fantastic; Ilovedthe way it was shot;the music was absolutely fantastic. That recurring saxophone-led theme in particular elevates the scenesit’sused in andwon’t getout of my head. But the movie just went on for far too long. Also, while Iliked the ending, Iwasn’t totally satisfied with how acouple of the character arcs concluded.

TP: Youraise alot of greatpoints. Idefinitely agree with you regarding the soundtrack -that saxophone refrain we hear over and over again is probably the catchiestpiece of music I’veeverheard As you said also, the performances are all great -I don’t think anybody here puts afoot wrong. The direction, editing and lighting is fantastic; the way the camera sweepsacrossroomsand landscapes is just beautiful. Iwould say that this is amovie for people who love movies, and Idon’t just mean people like us who visit the cinema each and every week; Imean people whose lives depend on film -people who spend every wakinghourofthe day critiquing movies, studying movies and watching movies.

SB: It’s hard to explain Babylon or market it to abroad audience; but quite simply, there’s three main characters who have their own arc over several years as Hollywood transitionsfromsilentfilms to movies withsound, or “talkies” as they’re called.

TP: It’sa story about hedonism and excess in Hollywood, and how thatessentially leadstodepravity. And there’s alot of depravity on display in Babylon -infidelity, drugs, urination, defecation, retching, violence, swearing, nudity and everything in between.

SB: Basically, it’s all about sex, drugs and jazz, which is the era’s equivalent of rock ‘n’ roll. Here’s my question to you: is this movie just ‘too much’?

TP: It doesfeel thatway at times,especially withthe soundtrack -itisespeciallyloud and often overpowers what appearson-screen. In terms of content, Idon’t believeitis‘too much’, honestly. Babylon really sells how frenetic and depraved both fame and success can be. But it is avery long movie, as you said before, and it really felt its length -Iwas checking my watchconstantlygoing, ‘How much longer is this picture?’ To give you an indication as to how long it is, there’s an opening sequence that goes on for 30 minutes before the title is revealed.

SB: Ididn’t think the soundtrack was

overpowering, personally. Let’s about the three main leads. Itho Diego Calvawas the stand ou Manny -Idon’t think I’ve seen in other movies. He’s aMexi immigrant attempting to climb Hollywood socialladder,and you to see how that changes him ov long period of time. Though B Pitt and Margot Robbie are gr if you’ve seen their other roles, know what to expect.

TP: They areexceptional always. Calva veryablyholds own -Idon’t see him as afuture s like many are saying, but he do have the makings of adependab and entertaining character act who plays bit parts in movies.

SB: Overall, Ithink Babylon very good and worthseeing, bu someone needed to tellChazel to hold back abit and maybe giv some scenes atrim.

TP: Iechothose sentiment wholeheartedly. Idon’t think can add much more than what’ already been said,only to reiteratethat if you are ahuge cinephile -that is, somebody who lives and breathes movies -then you’llget ahuge kick out of Babylon

SB: If Ican be so bold as to compare Babylon to Avatar: The Way of the Water - both are very long, but The Way of Water is an accessible blockbuster that more or less everybody can appreciate,whereas Babylon is amovie for fans of the film industry and its history. Does Babylon have mainstream appeal? Iwould say largely not.

TP: No, it definitelydoesn’t havemainstream appeal -itis an acquired taste. And yet, I couldn’t help but be enthralled by the spectacle of it all.

SB: But would you watch it again?

TP: Maybe not immediately, maybe not in the nextmonth, but down the line at some point…

SB: That’s pretty much whatIwas going to say! Once it arrivesonstreaming, I might watch parts of it again and skip afew bits, but it’s definitely worth another viewin Babylon is rated MA15+ for sexualised imagery, violence, drug use and coarselanguage. The film is currently screening at Sale Cinema.

J Jack Conrad (Brad Pitt) with Manny Torres (Diego Calva) in ‘Babylon’

Photo: Paramount Pictures

Rarelifestyle building block in Briagolong

Arare find in the landscapes of Briagolong is this allotment of land, to be auctioned this weekend.

Agents say the property is perfectly located on the eastern side of Briagolong, among the lifestyle living of this beautiful town with views of the mountain ranges. It boasts 1.9 hectares for prospective buyers to build their dream home, while still having room for aponyor some grazing animals.

Services include power,and boundaries have been fenced Terms for the auction are a 10 per cent deposit and settle in 60 days.

Briefdetails fdetails

Property: Vacant land of around 1.9 ty: ar 9 hectares (4.7 acres) in size ar

Address: Lot2/132 Victoria Street, ess: Lot2/1 Briagolong

Auction: Saturday, February11, y, February 11, on-site at 11am

Agent: Kevin Read, Wellington Real KevinRead, Estate, 0488 411026 ate, 0488411 026

Four-bedroom

Briefdetails

in

his is the ultimate of family homes, agents say.Ahuge amount of space inside and out features on alarge 4275sqm block. Agents say the layout will accommodate many different prospective buyers due to its well-designed family living. There is four bedrooms, four bathrooms and ahome office, perfect for ahouse full of teenagers or extra family members.

to be the complete package.

prove

&20ton silos

•Extensivelanewaysystem connecting the whole farm

•Drainagewaterlicense

•2 reuse dams,1diesel pump,1electric pump

•95% of the farm runs intore-use dams

•7 baycalf, machinery, hayshed

•4 baymachinery/workshop shed Thehome features,solid brick veneer 3Bedroom, 2Bathroom +office, outdoor area, secureback yard &10kva solarsystem.

•153 acres,Laser graded

•186 MegHigh &88Meg Low

•Padmanstopirrigation system

•2 re-use dams both including diesel pumps

•18m x9m3bay hayshed

•24mx8m, 5bay machineryshed

•50ton silo

Solid brick veneer home consisting of,3bedroom, 1bathroom, 2car garage,undercover entertaining area, 5kva solar system. Inspection by appointment only contact: Aaron Ralph 0456 215 087 &Declan Patten 0499 949 292 formoreinformation and details on the expression of interest process

So you think solicitor conveyancing is too expensive when you are buying or selling real estate? Call our Sale office today for aquote 5144 1777 KarenBrown Tryus. .. youwill be surprised Solicitors, 99 Raymond Street, Sale WARREN, GRAHAM &MURPHYPTY.LTD. GP1 636698 Areputation built on honestyand integrity Youwill also find windowdisplays at:Main St Glengarry, Temple St Heyfield,Timberline General StoreHeyfield and Toongabbie General Store. Or stayuptodateonour Facebook page EST 1886 395 Raymond St,Sale 5144 0601 Aaron Ralph 0456 215 087 Director/Officer in Effective Control Glen Synnott 0467 550904 LicensedReal Estate Agent Kristie Feenstra 0400 946 144 Real Estate Sales/ Trust Account Michelle Capobianco 0448 769566 Property Manager Jarryd Sutton 0457 034 111 Director/ Real Estate Sales Max O’Doherty 0419 286 920 RealEstateSales Declan Patten 0499 949 292 RealEstateSales Office: 5144 0601 362-363 Nambrok Hall Road,Nambrok Turn KeyDairyFarm *For Sale by Expressions of Interest* Closing Friday3rd March 2023, 4pm If you’re looking foranextremely well set up dairyfarminthe heartofthe Macalister Irrigation District, then look no further! All the hardwork has been done and all that is lefttodoistomoveyour family in and continue to farm. In theexpression of interest process,you as the buyer have theoption to purchase this farm as awhole,with or without the current herdorpurchase an individual lot In summary: 345Acres,403 MegHigh &190 Meg Lowreliability, Milking 380 cows, twohouses.Individual lot details as follows: •192 acres,Laser graded •216 MegHigh, 102 Meg Lowwater reliability •Padman stop irrigation system •27unitherringbone dairywith 450 cow yard capacity •Allflex monitoring with heatdetection, collars and drafting gate •10,000ltr Vat •30kva solar system on the dairy •70ton

Family home in estate

Amodern family home located in the popular Woondella Estate, this property offers afamily friendly floor plan agents say,as well as spacious living and plenty of features throughout.

Features include:

 Amaster suite with ceiling fan, walk-in robe, ensuite with shower,double vanity and separate toilet, and sliding door to undercover entertaining space;

 Formal lounge;

 Large open plan kitchen/dining and familyarea, with space for everyone to gather;

 Amodern kitchen with 900mm gas cooktop and walk-in pantry;

 Afurther two bedrooms with ceiling fans andbuilt-in robes;

 Acentral family bathroom with shower and separate bath;

 Undercover entertaining and secure rear yard, with plenty of room for kids and pets;

 Double garage with direct entry into the house, and;

 Ducted gas heating and cooling for year-round comfort.

Briefdetails

Property:Three

Agent:

Tidyunit in quiet courtlocation

LOCATED in aquiet court location, and only ashort walk or drive to the Sale CBD, is this unit that agents say will prove agreat buy for those wanting to downsize to low-maintenance living.

Prospective buyers can move straight in or spend some time putting their own stamp on it.

The unit features two bedrooms, both with built-in robes; aspacious open plan kitchen/

Briefdetails

living and dining area with ceiling fanand gasheating; abathroomwith separate bath and shower; and alaundry

Outside, the courtyard catches plenty of sunlight -agreat spot for some potted plants -plus there is agarden shed for storage.

The single carport has direct access into the home.

Agreat little package in a great location, agents add.

High rainfall mayleadtosalinity

FARMERS in the Macalister Irrigation District (MID) are being urged to look out for signs of salinity on their land after three years of consistently high rainfall.

Agriculture Victoria South-East Irrigation Regional Manager, Sarah Killury, said high rainfall over the past three years, including flood and storm activity, had caused the groundwater table to rise to its highest recorded level since records started in 1996.

“The 2021 calendar year was our wettestyear in theMID since 1978 based on East Sale Bureau of Meteorology data, with2020and 2022 also recording higher than average rainfall,” she said.

“These high rainfall years have resultedinareas of waterlogged soils across the region. Removing excess water from paddocks is critical to managing the ongoing salinity risk.”

Ms Killury said Southern Rural Water’s salinity interception bores were currently operating continuously to manage groundwater levels as much as possible in target areas across the catchment.

“When the soil profiledries out and groundwater levels fall, salt may be left behind and if leftunmanaged, it can impact future productioncapacity within low-lying areas,” she said.

“We’re encouraging farmers to be on the lookout for the tell-tale signs of salinity as the soildries out.

“Signsinclude achange in pasture species along check banks, indications of poor pasture or crop growth and tip burningofleaves, and the formation of awhite crust over bare ground,” she said.

Ms Killury said salinity management strategies include leaching or flushing salts from the root zone of plants, using drainage options for flood irrigation to ensure water flows on and off paddocks as quickly as possible (appropriate to crop and soil type), and using fresh water to irrigate.

“In the long-term,the increased salinity risk highlights the importance of programs that improve water-use efficiency of on-farm irrigation, both now and into the future,” she said.

“Irrigationefficiency reduces rechargetoshallow groundwater systems,reducing the risk of soil and groundwater salinisation.”

Further information on salinity management or floodand storm recovery is availableonthe Agriculture Victoria website.

For free salinity advice and water salinity testing, contact the Agriculture Victoria Irrigation Team in Maffra on 0428 387 869.

Region celebrates WorldWetlands Day

WETLANDS are essential for the health of people and the planet.

With 35 per cent of the world’s wetlands having disappeared in the past 50 years, WestGippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA) is proud to be working all year round reflecting this year’s World Wetlands Day theme to ‘revive and restore’ degraded wetlands.

CelebratedannuallyonFebruary 2, the international day aims to raise global awarenessabout

the vital role of wetlands for people and planet.

In Gippslandthere are manyecologically and recreationally important wetlands, including two Ramsar-listed wetlands -Gippsland Lakes and Corner Inlet.

“There is alot to celebrate about the restoration and protectionofwetlands across the vast West Gippslandregion,” WGCMA chief executive Martin Fuller said.

“As well as having strong cultural significance, they provide essential habitat for wading birds and wildlife. They also protect the environment by capturing and filtering water and acting as a natural sponge to absorb, store and reduce flood levels.

“There are many examples of wetland restoration in keeping with this year’s theme -including mightystories of partnerships to restore and protect wetlands such as Heyfield, Heart Morass and the Lower Latrobe.

“There are also many private landholders who have created wetlands on their property, and are actively contributing to ongoing wetland recovery across the region.”

TheWGCMA is proud to be part of protecting

these wetlands that have all been improved throughcommunity effortsuchastree planting with Landcare and partners, citizen science monitoring through programs like Waterwatch, and strong partnershipstosecure funding for initiatives such as watering infrastructure in the Lower Latrobe.

Results from ongoing effortsare encouraging, and the combination of recent high rainfall and ongoing,managed,deliveriesofenvironmental water are seeing wetlands coming back to life along with wildlife, including endangered species such as the Australasian Bittern and Growling Grass Frog, returning to feed and breed.

“Wetlands are essential to the health of the West Gippsland catchmentand we will continuetowork together with Traditional Owners, community and partners to help these important ecosystems thrive,” Mr Fuller said.

“Muchofthe groundwork has been done and we look forwardtocontinuing to redress the impact on these important areas.”

Soil cracking and white patches of salt on thesoilsurface arethe tell-tale signs of saline-affected land.

Agronomist LizSemmens and AgricultureVictoria extension officer Billy Marshall inspecting land for salinity at theDenisonfield daylastweek.

Photos: Contributed

VBA urging caution amid rise in unlicensedtradies

THE Victorian Building Authority (VBA) is urging Victoriansthatare rebuilding or repairing homes damaged by the recent floods to keep an eye out for unregisteredpractitioners,warning consumers to check that any builder or plumber advertisingservicesis registered and/or licensedbefore beginning business wth them.

The VBA’s statebuilding surveyor,Andrew Cialini, saidthat it was unfortunately common for unscrupulousoperators to takeadvantage of peopleaffected by acrisisand offer services when they aren’t qualified to do so.

“We encourage all Victorians to check whether apractitionerthey are hiring is registered and or licensed to carry out the services they are offering,” Mr Cialini said.

“In Victoria, building practitioners must be registered with the VBA to performcertain kinds of work, so do your research and ask for some key information up front, so there are no shocks later on.”

Mr Cialini said consumers on the lookout should be wary of anyone offering their building or plumbing servicesvia online marketplaces and through apps.

“With the rise of online apps and websites where anyone can advertise their services

Grants available for Gippy projects

IN partnership with the GardinerFoundation, the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) has announced the opening of this year’s roundofthe GardinerFoundation Community Grants Program.

Community organisations in Victoria’s three recogniseddairy regions- Gippsland, northern Victoria and south-west Victoria -can apply for grants of up to $5000.

In total, thereis$120,000 worthofgrants available.

Funds can be used to support abroad range of community projects, including those that strengthen the community socially and economically; support environmental sustainability; make the community more culturally vibrant; support education and training; or improve health and social wellbeing.

Gardiner Foundation chiefexecutive, Allan Cameron,saidthe Foundation wascommitted to continuing to invest in local not-for-profits in dairying regions.

“Vibrantcommunitiesare essential for the longterm sustainability of the Victorian dairy industry,” Mr Cameron said.

“This is our 21st year collaborating with FRRR to provide support for initiatives that regional communities prioritise. We are once again looking forward to supporting great local ideas.”

FRRR acting chief executive, Sarah Matthee, said it waswonderful to havepartnersthat understand the importance of supporting grassroots groups. “GardinerFoundation recognises the importance of the local community groups in helping to

capitalise on opportunities for the future or fill gaps in access to services,” Ms Matthee said.

“For example, last year one of the groups we funded togetherwas Katamatite Bush Kinder, who run aprogramtaking the four year-old kinder group out to the bush, rain or shine.

“The grant helped them fund technology to capture the activity, report on it and share it with parents to engage them in theirchild’s experience.

“Parents reported that the children had such a wonderful time that all they did when they went home was discuss the day at bush kinder!

“Funding these kinds of initiatives helps create lasting connections to the environment, not to mention stimulate their creativity.

“Another examplewas funding some equipment for acommunityhall,tomakeitquicker and easier for volunteers to serve meals following cricket training.

“The secretary told us the appliance upgrade made areal difference as it meant morepeople stuck around to catch up withneighbours, improving their overall mental and physical wellbeing.

“I look forwardtoseeing what comes forward this year.”

Grants will be awarded at local ceremonies in each region, providing valuable networking opportunities as well as the opportunity to celebrate local grantees.

Applications for the Gardiner Foundation Community Grants Program close on Thursday, March 16 at 5pm.

For more information, go to the official FRRR website: at https://frrr.org.au/

withoutqualifications, it’s important to always check the credentials of anyone you hire,” he said.

“You can check whether the builder or plumber you’re looking to use is registered with the VBA and whether they’ve faced any disciplinary action.

“We want consumers to be in aposition to make informed decisions, especially where it may impact their safety and wellbeing.”

While some work around aproperty can be done yourself, if ajob requires two or more of these trade skills, or if you want to undertake anyother task thatexceeds the$10,000 limit, you must hire aregistered practitioner.

The VBA’s regulatory operations executive director, David Brockman, said the building and plumbing watchdog would be on the lookoutfor any practitioners or would-be tradies breaking the rules.

“We willnot hesitatetohold practitioners to account if they don’tfollowthe correct steps,” Mr Brockmansaid “Protectingthe Victorian communityisour top priority and, while most practitionersdo the right thing, asmall few doing the wrong thing damages community trust in the industry, this will not be tolerated.”

Pupils from Katamatite Bush Kinder,one of 2022’sGardiner Foundation Community Grants recipients.

Photo: Contributed

HORSES WANTED

sheep

Garage

MAFFRA

31

Meetings

Saturday Feb 18. 8:30am. 30 Henry St. Furniture items, fridge, beds, desk, filing cabinet, Tupperware and bric abrac.

SALE

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

February 21, 2023 |2PM

Lecture Hall, Community Services Building, Palmerston Street, Sale.

After being postponed due to the 2022 Victorian state election, the Central Gippsland Health Service Board of Directors cordially invites you to attend our 2021-22 Annual General Meeting. Afternoon tea will be served in the conference room at the conclusion of the meeting. RSVP COB Friday, February 17 Manager Executive Services: rebecca.gunning@cghs.com.au |5 1438319

Clearing Sales

Clearing Sale

Acc B&HArbuthnot

Saturday Feb 11, 10am

Glengary West

Items Include: John Deere 6010 1700hrs, Fordson Power Major VGC, Fordson Super Major industrial loader, Howard 6' slasher, Hardi 6mtr boom spray unit, tandem trailer 10' x6'6'' VGC, PTO post hole digger, 6' grader blade, sawbench, carryall tyne harrows, 9coils barbed wire, steel posts, 2farm gates, 2coils plain wire, whipper snipper, qnty timber, electric fence unit &reel&posts, 2concrete feed troughs &water trough, coil 2'' poly pipe &poly fittings, 20ltr backpack -new, fuel tank, 2industrial sewing machines -1Singer1Berlina, old school chairs, assortment terracotta pots, pot belly stove, large teak wall unit, wood tool box, Fowlers bottling jars, large tent incl internal room divider & camping gear, and alarge quantity of sundries too numerous to mention. Photos on Lions Facebook page.

AHeyfield Lions Project.

Enquiries Damian 0427 451 286

FOOTY /NETBALL

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

Meetings

AGM

The Sale Cancer Council Volunteer Group AGM will be held at Lakeside Club on Monday, February 13 at 11am. New members welcome.

Public Notices

WANTED

IRONING DONE Sheets, doonas, pillow slips. Sale area. Will deliver and pick up. Cash paid. Ph: 0428 560 956

Sales

● Genuine passion for mobile phone and tech.

● Flexibility to work on weekends.

● Ahard working and motivated attitude.

● Passion for an excellent customer experience.

● Ability to learn quickly and think on your feet. Full training and development provided. Opportunity to become store manager in future. Above award rates. Email info@vcasesmobile.com.au

DENTAL ASSISTANT/RECEPTIONIST

We are looking for afull time dental assistant/receptionist to join our friendly and professional team.

If you are enthusiastic and passionate about helping people then this might be the right job for you.

Experience preferred but not essential and training will be provided for the right candidate.

$$$ Newspaper Deliverers required for Dawson St Matheson St Templeton St area once aweek

Please phone Sue 0403 00 6347

Please email your resume to bpedrotti@macarthurstreetdental.com.au

Advertising ConsultantSales

The Gippsland Times is your local newspaper, distributing our publications throughout the Wellington Shire and beyond.

Aposition has become available for asales consultant in our advertising department. The department is responsible for managing and exceeding set targets set out by management, maintaining astrong client base throughout the local community and through the print and online medium, working to strengthen and promote local businesses.

We are seeking an individual with the following positive attributes:

● Must work as part of ateam.

● Organised and able to work to deadlines.

● Be motivated as well as goal orientated.

● Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

● The ability to work unsupervised.

For acopy of the position description, please email Advertising Manager, Matthew Fitzgerald: mfitzgerald@gippslandtimes.com.au or phone 5143 9309.

Applications addressing the positive attributes along with the names and contact details of three referees should be forwarded to:

The Advertising Manager Gippsland Times

74 Macalister Street, Sale 3850

Or via email: mfitzgerald@gippslandtimes.com.au

Applications close 5pm, Friday February 10, 2023.

Intersport Sale Sales Assistant

Intersport Sale currently have aposition vacant for aSales Assistant -toaverage 38 hours per week, with regular Saturday shifts. We are seeking an enthusiastic, reliable, self-motivated individual with excellent customer service skills that will form part of our busy team, involving various aspects of atraditional sports store.

Akey responsibility of the successful applicant will be stock management and merchandising, and data entry of incoming stock. Experience with P.O.S. systems is preferred. Applicants must have acurrent drivers Licence, and be available to work weekdays and Saturdays.

To apply: Please forward ahandwritten letter of application, together with aphoto and your resume (in-store for achat preferably) to: The Manager Intersport Sale, 300 Raymond Street, Sale, 3850. Applications close COB Monday 13th February 2023.

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Assistant /Mobile Phone Technician Vcases mobile phone repair Sale is afamily business founded in 2012. We currently looking for asales assistant/ mobile phone repair technician who possesses:

SMCA SCOREBOARD

DPadula cRuss bOsborne 2 MO’Brien lbw bFloyd 15

c&b Price ...................................45

not out .........................................54 GWolmarans not out 100

(nb 0, w4,b5,lb2). 11 Overs. .....................................................................48

Total. 4/228 (dec)

Longfordbowling: JPrice 10-1-2-45, COsborne 4-0-1-16, LFloyd 16-4-1-57,J Taylor 3-0-0-16, M McMaster 8-1-0-43, NSingh 3-0-0-18, SLucas-Laws 3-0-0-9, JHeywood 1-0-0-17 Longfordsecond innings WSutton. cT Dobson bNel ........................20 SDean. cMasseyb Wolmarans 19

c&b Sudan ................................28

not out .........................................57

BJones 6-4-0-2, TDobson 5-0-0-29, H

CNel 8-1-1-21, BDobson 5-0-0-13, RSudan 4-0-2-9, MJackson 3-2-0-5, DPadula 1-0-

0-13

Second Grade: Collegians 7/122 (A McGuiness

36) def Sale 111 (A McGuiness 3/24); Maffra7/173

(H Shingles 60*, NBennett3/64)def Stratford172 (T Millar 62, JBeaumont 3/48); Rosedale-Kilmany82

(J Diamond 27,J Cantwell 4/15, JLenehan 3/18) v Bundalaguah 5/115 (J Dimarco43, SFox 3/43).

ThirdGrade: Nambrok 8/227(cc) (A Robinson 73*, SHettiarachchige 73, JWells 7/44) def Collegians 203 (G Wells63, SHettiarachchige 4/51); Maffra8/174 (S McLaverty 89, NThomas 3/41) def Stratford77(BFlynn 5/15)&3/102 (N Thomas 51*); Wurruk 7/207(cc) (L Tourtoulas 91) &5/61(dec) def Rosedale-Kilmany78(L Vander Velden 5/27,N Tourtoulas 3/35); Bundalaguah 2/88(cc) (K Bannak Ralalage 37) &5/130 (W Gray 60*) def Sale 46 (K Lenehan 3/8) &171 (K Arbuthnot 46); Heyfield 2/228 (T Birss 111*, KAmiet 51)def Longford91 (T Birss 3/12) &1/64(cc) (R Traeger 37*); BYE

-Boisdale-Briagolong

Fourth Grade: Bundalaguah Bulls 4/228(cc) (P Horan 51, CSharp 50) def Heyfield 137(RMcGee

36, ABegbie 4/16,BBrett 3/21); Bundalaguah Yaks

Incredible knock by RK’s Diamond in the sky leads Warriors to win

TomParry

WERE it not for the men in white, you’d be forgiven for thinking it was football season.

Grey skies and acold, blustery wind resulted in conditions that felt more akin to winter on Saturday, causing havoc for cricketers and cricket photographers.

Thankfully, all gamesinthe Sale-Maffra Cricket Association, fromfirsts rightdowntojuniors,went ahead with little to no interruption.

The weekend’s action saw Round 12 of the first grade competition conclude,with all four matches won on first-innings-threeofthembycomfortable margins, and the fourth rather narrowly.

Bundalaguah vStratford

TIGHTER thantight is howbest to describe events at Colin Wrigglesworth Oval, where the Redbacks lodged avictory in the dying moments of aclosely-fought game.

With Bundalaguah having posted 8/199 off 80 oversthe week before, Stratfordneeded to pass 200 before the day was out.

Stratford’s chase did not start well, as they suffered aquick loss of wickets at the hand of Gayashan Munasinghe -the Bundy paceman took four wickets and acatch in the first 16 overs of play.

By the time Munasinghe’s onslaughtconcluded, Stratfordwas 5/52.

Jack Tatterson and Bohdi Walker rectified the situation with a29-runstand that lasted10overs, ending when the former was caught for 32.

Walkercontinuedonwith Ethan Albrecht as his batting partner, the pair lasting the next 21 overs with 46 runs added to the scoreboard.

Proceedings looked to be in Stratford’s favour until the 49th over when, on the very first ball, Kshitiz Sharma dismissed Albrecht leg-before.

Three balls later, Ben Channing was also trapped in front of his stumps, this time for aduck.

The scorecard then read 8/127.

With 73 runs still to chase, Walker and Sam Anstee rose to the challenge, making 71 between them to put the Redbacks ever closer to victory.

Then,withthree overs left in the day, Walker was bowled by Lachlan Wrigglesworth, putting Stratfordina precarious situation once again.

Tail-ender ZaneWaixelheld his nerve to hit the winningruns,doingsowithaboundary in the second-to-last over.

It was Walker, though, who was truly the hero for Stratford, his 89 runs coming off 175 balls across nearly four hours of play.

The victory securesStratford’s placeinthe finals -evenifthe Redbacks lose their next two matches, and the teams below win, they’ll still retain enough points to stay in the top four.

As for the Bulls, they must win their next two matches outright -and hope that Rosedale-Kilmany lose both of theirs -tomakesemi-finals.

Collegians vRK

Maffrabowling: DFreitag 10-3-1-18, JAllman

5-1-0-18, BDurrant 20.3-4-6-44, DGriffiths 8-3-0-17, JKelly8-0-2-20, JDavis 16-2-1-23

STRATFORD DEF BUNDALAGUAH Bundalaguah first innings 8/199(cc)

LChanning cH WrigglesworthbMunasinghe

JRietschel cT O’Reilly bMunasinghe

JTatterson cSpoljaric bSharma ..................32

LBolton bMunasinghe

BWalker bL Wrigglesworth. ..................89

EAlbrecht lbw bSharma

SAnstee. not out 16

ZWaixel not out 4

Extras (nb 3, w2,b3,lb2).

Overs.

Total.

Bundalaguah bowling: GMunasinghe 21-5-4-55, H

Anderson 4-0-0-13, NNikolajew3-0-1-14, SSpoljaric 17-2-0-35, KSharma 19-2-3-50, NFrench 1-0-0-5, HWrigglesworth7.5-1-0-17, TO’Reilly4-0-0-6, L Wrigglesworth2-0-1-3

SALE DEF LONGFORD

Longfordfirst innings157 Sale first innings

7/205(cc) (G Abrahall 52, GHickey 50, TBirt32, JSullivan 3/26) def Collegians 188(MFoster50, J Hickey 3/1); Maffra4/63 (L Massey3/14) def Wurruk Windies 59 (G Davies 32,VVb5/14);Stratford1/79 (J Devisser 35*, RAllred 32*) def Wurruk Toads78 (P Westland 22, MCarstairs20); Sale White198 (P Callanan 52, RJones 50, DFInnigan 3/28) def Rosedale-Kilmany139 (D Finnigan 43, WFry 3/16); BYE-Longford.

Under 16: Maffra 150(KBerryman 54,RCorbell

41, WFry 5/26) vSale 2/14; Bundalaguah 6/110 (J Hare37*, JLove2/11, NSingh 2/11) vLongford; Collegians 4/106 (M Stobie51*,R Wells36*) v Stratford;BYE -Rosedale-Kilmany.

Under 14: Wurruk/Maffra5/106(cc) (A Gibb

2/12)def Longford 27 (B Rowley 3/0, CKelly2/2); Heyfield RK 9/98(cc) (M Winter 32, SDuffield 3/11, GBruce 2/10)def Sale 5/80(cc) (S Fernando 30*, HJohnston 2/8); Stratford 9/73 (M Pendergast 33*, WBraden 3/16) def Sale 3/70(cc) (B Brickley2/10); BYE- Bundalaguah.

Saputo Women’sMidweek Twenty20

(played January31): Sale

4/119(cc) (L Lyndon 28, FClissold 26) def Stratford 85 (T Longhurst 26, JGraham 2/17, MNicholas 2/17); Bundalaguah 8/108(cc) (A Wrigglesworth31, MWrigglesworth26*, NThatcher 3/16) def Longford 8/84(cc) (N Thatcher 19,C Vogt 2/12);Collegians

3/99(cc) (T Hall 26, JAnstee 25, CBroad 2/11) def Rosedale-Kilmany6/88(cc) (K Bruce 25, RLeeson 21, THall2/9)

IT justkeepsgetting better and better for the Warriors -inaddition to beating the top-ranked team in the competition on Saturday, one of their finest garnered his highest-ever individual score.

Rosedale-Kilmany began the day on 8/150 at College Oval, with Rohan Diamond sitting on 89 and Dylan Rowley on 16.

Within 12 overs, Diamond surpassed 100 to record his, and RK’s, first century of the 2022/23 season.

He continued piling on the runs until the 71st over, when he was finally bowled by Mark Nicholls.

His score of 134 was apersonal best, and the most runs scoredbyany first gradeplayerthis season -breaking the recordset by Bundalaguah’s SteveSpoljaric just one week earlier.

What’s more, his ninth-wicketstand with Rowley lasted 39 overs and saw 110 runs added to the Warriors’ total.

The innings was broughttoanend five overs later with the wicket of Tom Love and RK’s total at 212, giving them alead of 133 runs.

Collegians commenced theirsecond innings soon after, wisely opting for conservatism over aggression -with less than 40 overs left in the allotted day’splay, it would have been near impossiblefor the home side to mount afightback.

Tidy bowling from the Warriors saw Collegians score from just 10 of their33overs, with the remainder being maidens.

Jed Malone was their only scalp of the innings, with Zac Hurley and Charlie Morrison protecting their stumps to finish unbeaten- albeit with their side still110 runs in arrears.

Collegians will be thankfulthat the defeat won’t affect their finals chances -aswith Stratford, they now have enough points to reach finalswithout needingtowin the next two rounds.

Rosedale-Kilmany, meanwhile, have bolstered theirplaceinthe top four, with 13 pointsnow separating them and fifth-placed Bundalaguah on the First XI ladder.

Maffra vBoisdale-Briagolong

AFTER four long and frustrating months, theEagles’ home-ground curse has finally lifted, courtesy of awin againsteighth-placed Boisdale-Briagolong.

The Saints resumed their first innings on 0/4, having batted for one over the previous Saturday, andwith225 stilltochase.

Openers Michael Roberts and Toby Leeds made apromising start, adding 34 runs in the first 10 overs of the day.

Achange in bowlers brought about the first breakthrough for Maffra, with spinner Ben Durrant catching Roberts off his own delivery.

Leeds fell not long after on 31.

Steve Noble and Dylan Bolton then collaborated for aslow-scoring partnership for the third wicket, yielding 45 runs from 25 overs.

Jack Kelly was the one to break that stand, bowling Noble on 22.

Followingthat, Bolton combined with Jonathon Outharttoadd 29 runs until Kelly struck again, this time dismissing Bolton for 37.

Anotherstand wasthen forged between Outhart and Nick Pang, concluding with the latter’s dismissal on 12.

Outhart’s wicket in the 60th over was more or lessthe end for the B-Doubles, with the remaining four batsmen all dismissed in the next eight overs; in that time, just 19 runs were addedtotheir total.

The Eagles were awarded victory on first innings by amarginof82runs, withDurrant having taken six of the 10 wickets.

Sadly, the win was too little, too late for Maffra -with two rounds of the season to go and 21 points separating them from the top four, their chance of making the finals has now slipped away.

LongfordvSale

ANOTHER centurionhas joined Sale’s ranks, the feat coming via their victory against Longford. Resuming their innings at 2/59, the Swans were dealt an early blow with the loss of Michael O’Brien, who was dismissed leg-beforeinthe very first over of the day.

Coenie Nel’s wicket didn’t last much longer -he was caught-and-bowled by Jordan Price five overs later on 45.

It was left to Nathan Masseyand Garreth Wolmarans to close the 80-run gap, which they did 17 overs later.

That sameover proved to be the most expensive forLongford, with Wolmarans hitting asingle, a four and twosixes off thebowling of Jack Heywood, who didn’tbowl again for the remainder of the innings.

Wolmarans ploughedontoscore his first century for Sale, coming in the 47th over of the innings off just 89 balls.

Thevery next over,Massey brought up hishalfcentury, after which captain Ben Jones declared the innings -possibly with his eye on an outright win.

That circumstance never eventuated.

The Lizards doggedly fought back from their 71-run deficit to be 5/137 by the close of play.

Despite ending the day 66 runs ahead of Sale, Longfordwerestill deemed losers as they had the smaller first-innings total.

Captain Lachlan Floyd top-scored in the Lizards’ second innings with 57 not out, followed by Jordan Pirce with 28.

Sale’s Raaghav Sudan bested his figures from Round 11 by taking 2/9 off four overs.

BohdiWalker launches the ball for sixfor Stratfordduring the Redback’s tight win over Bundalaguah.Walker waspivotal in the victory,scoring 89.

Photo: TomParry

Handy in forthe Bundalaguah Yaks

Liam Durkin

NEXT time someonecomplainsabout playing fourths, just tell them even an Australian cricketer played at that level.

An interesting name appeared on the teamsheet for Bundalaguah Yaks’ fourth grade team last Saturday -none other than Travis Birt.

Birt, who played ahandful of twenty20 internationals for Australia in the early 2010s, suited up in aspecial appearance for his home club.

After being unable to attend the funeral of late legendary Bundalaguah CricketClubstalwart, Neil Wrigglesworth afortnight ago, Birt returned home to play amatch in honour of the great man’s legacy.

The 41-year-old took to the field alongside Neil’s son Greg, and granddaughter Megen Wrigglesworth, who also captained the side.

Call it fortuitous timing, but Birt was only able to play fourthsasall othersenior grades were into thesecond day of matches.

Taking to the College Astro,the Yaks batted first after winning the toss against Collegians.

The visitorscompiled 7/205 from their allotted 40 overs. Atight finish ensued, with College getting within 17 runs of the target beforebeingbowled out.

While the astro wicket at College was surely a drasticchange from the MCG, Birt played his part in the victory, scoring 32 off 26 balls, and taking three catches in the field.

For the sake of fair play, Birt didn’t shamelessly whack fourth gradersout of the park, although two balls did clear the fence.

He spent the best part of 10 overs out in the middle, just rotating the strike with the occasional boundary (four in total).

The person who hadthe distinction of taking his wicketwas Will Foster, ayoung kid still in the Under 14s.

Surelyhewill be telling all thekidsatschool about that. Maybe even the grandkids in 60 years from now.

Although thesight of an Australianplayer in the fourthsmight have evoked some criticism, what athrill it must havebeen for those in the Bundalaguah camp to play alongside aplayer of Birt’s calibre.

Regardlessofthe result, juniorplayersoneither side were also given possibly the best batting lesson

Best of GCLseasonhonoured

NUMEROUS honourswere bestowedatthe post-match reception following the Gippsland Cricket League Grand Final at Sale Oval on Sunday.

DavidAnderson (Sale-Maffra Cricket Association) washanded life membership of Gippsland Cricket Region 7; Lee Stockdale (TraralgonDistrict Cricket Association)was named aLegend of Gippsland; and Reagan Kyle(BairnsdaleCricketAssociation) and Jack Tatterson (Sale-Maffra) were both named Champions of Gippsland Cricket.

The All-Gippsland XII for 2022/23 was also revealed.

• LeeStockdale (Traralgon and captain)

Dylan Bolton (Sale-Maffra)

• Adam Brady (Traralgon)

• Fraser Duncan (Warragul)

• Luke Endley(Bairnsdale)

• Ned Harrison (Warragul)

• Reagan Kyle (Bairnsdale)

• TomMorrison (Sale-Maffra)

• Samuel Stewart (Bairnsdale)

• Jack Tatterson (Sale-Maffra)

in terms of demonstration they could ever have asked for.

As well as four international twenty20s, Birt played 88 first class matches and 109 domestic twenty20s during his professional career, mainly for Tasmania and Hobart Hurricanes.

He maintained an incrediblestrikerateof129 in first class twenty20s, and secured areputation for brutal strokeplay when he posted 145 against South Australia in 2004/05, which was the highest score in Tasmania’s one-day history.

Duringhis careerheplayed with thelikesof Brett Lee, Michael Clarke and David Warner, and against players such as Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag and Andrew Flintoff.

Interesting, the pathsofBirtand former Longford professionalSteve Parry crossed in aBig Bash game between the Hurricanes and Brisbane Heat in 2015.

Ayoung Birt was part of the Sale-Maffra Cricket Association Country Week team in 1999-2000.

His last match forBundalaguahwas in 2017, where he duly made afirst grade century.

• Daniel Vela (Warragul)

• Jake Wynd (Sale-Maffra)

Jack Tatterson won the GCL Senior Cricketer of the Year,named after Gippsland cricketgreat Alan Rankin. Tatterson is pictured with Alan’s son Graeme Photo: Contributed

Members of the All-

Former Australian player Travis Birt wasback home on Saturday,playing aone-offgame for Bundalaguah.

Photo:Tom Parry

Gippsland slaying the dragon

New teams in the competition for touch rugby

TOUCHresumedlastWednesday nightat

Stephenson Park, with 50 players trying out for the coming season.

Three new teams have now joined the competition: Hussey, Kitchen Sink and ZForce. These new teams, together with the existing teams, will ensure avery successful season both on and off the field.

Brendan Flanagan will lead the Hussey team; Zoe Curran is the organiser of ZForce, and Tom Kitchen will lead the Kitchen Sink team.

The Annual Sale Touch Knockout will be held on April 15-16 (weekend after Easter).

Antonio of Mustangswill be coordinating the Sale teams for this event, which will attract teams from far and wide.

TheMaori Saiyanzmen’s team has taken out the prizemoney in the past knockout,and are expected to be competitive again this year.

All the universities will be representedwith state players in their numbers.

Tomorrow night at 6.30pm Husseywill play Porky’s [referee Mustangs] and ZForce will take on Longford [referee Mustangs].

At 7.20pm Kitchen Sink will play Corey Siebel’sMustangs[referee Longford]. Longford has the bye.

It is not too late to enter anew team in the competition and also any individual wishing to have arun mayalsocome along on the night.

Membersofthe GippslandWater Dragons with two of their “extra paddlers” from aMelbourne-based club.

SUCCESScontinues for the Gippsland Water Dragons following acompetitive weekend of races in Ballarat.

The Sale-based club participated in the Ballarat Regatta on January 22, where 15 of its members competed against Victoria’s best DragonBoat teams.

Two wins were recorded by the club - the first in the Women’s Senior (B) 10s category, which took placeover one kilometre; and the secondinthe Mixed Senior (B) 20s category, which took place over 200 metres.

The latter race saw the Water Dragons win with the assistance of aMelbourne club, who provided “extra paddlers” to cover the shortfall.

Additionally, the club competed in the premier categorygoingupagainst, in the wordsofpresident Heather Watts, “the best in the state”.

Theycame thirdintheir heat,missingout on second place by one-tenth of asecond.

The Mondayafter the event, the Water Dragons received news that six of their members had been nominated to trainwith the Victorian Dragon Boat team.

To be considered for the state team, the dragon boaters must pass aseries of benchmarks for physical fitness involving pull-ups, chin-ups and bench-presses.

They are also required to single-handedly paddle adragon boat -normally propelled by 20 people -over200 metres within acertain timeframe.

Should they meet the benchmarks, the members

will then be selected to represent the state at the upcoming Australian Dragon BoatChampionships, scheduled to take place in April.

Watts said the achievement was “pretty exciting (for) alittle country club”, especially considering it was only formed two years ago.

Gippsland Water Dragons currently consists of 50 members, and trains at the Port of Sale.

For more informationonthe club,visittheir officialwebpage: https://www.revolutionise.com au/gipwaterdragons/

Scoreboard

Sale Golf Club

Saturday,February 4-Men’s Stableford; AGrade APatten 36, runner-up: IGlover 36. BGrade: JGarrett 43, runner-up: SWilliams 38. CGrade: RWain 38, runner-up: WVan Smabeek 35. DTL: ASchuback 35, ATaylor 35, SHarrap 35, PKalms 35, NMayfield 34, E Dowsett 34, IDoggett 34, BCahill 34. NTP: 3rdHSavige, 6th DSalerman, 11th RDonaldson, 14th ASchuback.

Wednesday, February 1-Men’s Stableford; AGrade: LDowsett 44, runner-up: CMarkovic 38. BGrade: D Fitzgibbon 42, runner-up: TClaffey41. DTL: JFleming 40, FSimmonds 40, PMcIntyre38, BMinster 38, PJellis 37 GSchaper 37,PNeligan 37,MKirkpatrick 37. NTP: 3rd D Gaskiell, 6th RDonaldson, 14th GMoulton. Maffra Golf Club, Thursday, February 2- Ladies

Stableford; Div 1:JMurray39. Div 2JMarchesi 38. DTL: KGallagher 39, MWrigglesworth 39, MKileen 37 LReynolds36. NTP: 2nd CLovi, 7th MKileen, 12th K Gallagher,16th (second shot) LReynolds.

Sale Bridge Club

Monday,January 30; N/S 1DLove/M Castle, 2C Jenkins/L Bjorksten, 3EThomson/W Smits. E/W 1CVan Lier/D Hudson, 2LRobinson/C Holman, 3BTierney/L Nedelko.

Wednesday, February 1; 1DBraham/J Page, 2K Tierney/P Lonie, 3GCampbell/D Hudson. Thursday, February 2; N/ S1V Hudson/M Castle, 2C Jenkins/WSmits, 3LRobinson/I Sherrin. E/W 1M& R Ziffer,2T McNally/J Sherrin, 3RHides/C Forcadela.

TRAINING DETAILS

•Wednesdays, Starting 8th February,5pm-6:30pm.

•StephensonPark –Bring Runners and aWater Bottle

•New players arewelcome,sobring your friends and have some fun playingfootball!

•Parentmeeting and BBQ, Wednesday 22nd February 6pm

TomParryand ZoeAskew

Some of thesuccessful women’s 10screwwith their thirdplace trophy Photos: Contributed

LaurieSmyth

Bulldogs building for 2023

SALE CITY Football-Netball Club has returned to preseason training.

The Bulldogs will be aiming to return to finals in the North Gippsland Football-Netball League under second year coach, Nathan Thomas.

Senior premiership captain Ben Chivers is coaching the thirds this season.

Local historian, Laurie Smyth, is in themidst of completing abook on the club’s history, detailing its 50 year existence.

The Bulldogs’ first game was on April 4, 1970, at home against Glengarry, and their first win came afew weeks later, in round four against Rosedale. Sale City’s home ground at Stephenson Park was originally called the Friendly Society Oval, and the club shared Sale Oval for the 1976 season, enabling the new Stephenson Park reserve to be completed in time for the following season.

There was three senior football teams in Sale whenSaleCity first entered the NGFNL. East Sale RAAF Base also had asideinNorth Gippy, while Sale (Magpies) competed in the Gippsland League. The Bulldogs’ senior premiership years are: 1978, 1979, 1993, 2010, 2011, 2016 and 2017.

Tournament winds back the clock

Tennis scores

Wellington Gippsland Tennis Association

Round11, Saturday, February 4

Seniors

Section 1: Bairnsdale 2def Maffra GRE 0, Sale JERSvMaffra WRE (no scoresupplied), Sale Findex-Bye. Ladder: Maffra GRE (103 points), Sale Findex(73), Bairnsdale (67), Sale JERS(54), Maffra WRE (42).

Section 2: SaleDahlsens 3def by Heyfield 6, Sale CS 7def Maffra CSC 2, Sale GL 3def by Maffra ARL 6, Longford4def by Stratford5 Maffra Vets -Bye.

Section 3: Stratford5def Maffra AA 4, Maffra WM 3def by Briagolong 6, Maffra Removalists 0def by Maffra Stobies 9, Heyfield 6def Sale KFC3

Juniors

Section1: SaleKyrgios 3def by Bairnsdale Cash 5, Maffra 6def Longford2,Longford Sale Tomljanovic vSale de Minaur (no score supplied).

Section 2: SaleSaville 1def by Sale Inglis 7, Bairnsdale Cawley6def Briagolong 2, Sale Duckworth 4drewwith Maffra 4.

Section 3: Sale Kokkinakis 0def by Stratford Swans 8, Sale Popyrin 7def Maffra 1, Heyfield 1def by Longford2,Bairnsdale Rafter vSale Hon (no scoresupplied).

Section 4: Stratford Magpies 7def Sale Fourlis

1, Sale Kubler 4drewwith Maffra Eagles 4, Sale Sharma 3def by Maffra Falcons 5, Bairnsdale Laver vBairnsdale Barty (no scoresupplied).

Section5: Maffra 4def Sale Thompson 0, Sale Cabrera 1def by StratfordKookaburras 5, Longford2def by Bairnsdale Stosur 4, Sale Millman 2def by Sale Gadecki 4.

Section 6: Heyfield 1def Sale Vukic 0, Sale Rodionova1def by StratfordKingfishers5 Briagolong 3drewwith Stratford3,Bairnsdale Hewitt vMaffra (no scoresupplied).

Section 7: Heyfield 1def StratfordGalahs 0, Bairnsdale Alcott vMaffra (no scoresupplied), Sale Mendez -bye.

Basketball teams from across thestate cametoMaffra over the weekend foramasters tournament.

TEAMS from across the state descended on Maffra overthe weekend to take part in the inaugural Masters Basketball Tournament.

Across two days of fun but competitive hoops, dozens of over 35s turned back the clock in front of family and friends.

“It was athrill to see so many people travel from farand wide to visit our town and take part in the event,” Maffra Basketball Association president JamesWhelan said.

Gippsland waswell represented,withteams from across the region making it to grand finals

in the different divisions offered (Men’s Division 1, Men’s Division 2, Women’s).

Teams featured plenty of past Maffra club representatives, many who are now parents of current Eagles squad players.

The association hopes the event is seen as a pathway for people to continue participating in sport, even after their prime athletic years.

“It was aterrific atmosphere in the stadium as teams supported and enjoyed each other’s company while watching the action,” Whelan said.

It was aboom for the local economy, with teams familiarising themselves withMaffra’s hospitality sector after the Saturday games.

“I’m sure therewill be plenty of sore bodies at work this week,” Whelan said.

Participants and Maffra Basketball Association are already looking forward to the 2024 event, with plans to make the tournament an even bigger occasion.

Sale City Football-NetballClub players at preseason training.

Photo:Laurie Smyth

The tournament catered to basketballersinthe over 35 category.

Alocal contingent of player at the Maffra Masters Basketball Tournament.

Photos: Contributed

Back into the swing of things

Traralgon thumps Sharks in GCLfinal

TomParry

SALE-MAFFRA are lamenting what could have beenafter being thumpedbyTraralgon District in the Gippsland Cricket League Grand Final.

Sale-Maffra’s representative side won the toss and elected to bat firstatSaleOvalonSunday. Thepitch was hard,dry and had minimal grass coverage.

Save for the overcast skies and gusty winds, conditions could not have been more perfect for batting.

Unfortunately for the Sharks, their innings did not start well, with Adrian Burgiel bowled on the very first ball for agolden duck.

It was an ominous sign of things to come.

Ewan Williams was next to strike, tearing through Sale-Maffra’s top order to dismiss heavy hitters Zac Hurley, Steve Spoljaric and Rohan

Diamond, all lost for single digits in the first10 overs.

Jack Tatterson and Tom Morrison offered some resistance for the fifth wicket, but only briefly -they too were gone by the 16th over, both succumbing to the bowling of Mitch Harris.

Sale teammates Ben Jones and Garreth Wolmarans formed apartnership which also proved brief, lasting six overs with only 18 runs added. Wolmarans then combined with Jack Rietschel for another six-over stand, this one netting just 13 runs before the latter was trapped on his pads.

The very next over, Wolmarans was dismissed in similar circumstances, with Sale-Maffra’s scorecard reading 9/80.

Captain Dylan Boltonand Isaac Lovemanaged to save the Sharks fromutter humiliation,scoring 36 runs between them in their 10th-wicket fightback. It wasn’t enough -Sale-Maffra all out for 116 in the 36th over.

Love was the last batsman to depart, finishing with an innings-best 25.

Williams and Harris took threewickets each, while Lee Stockdale snaggedtwo, and NatFreitag and James Pryde walked away with one each.

Traralgon hadamuch stronger starttotheir innings,with openersFrank Marks and Stockdale making 42 runs between them in the first eight overs.

After Stockdale’s dismissal,Marksthen partnered withhis captain,Freitag, to addanother24to Traralgon’s total.

Achangeinbowlers brought an end to that collaboration, with Spoljaricclean-bowling Markson his very first ball.

Freitag and Al Jenkin added 22 before Spoljaric struck again, the captain being caught-and-bowled for 26.

The latewickets of RyanMorley and Matt

Dykehad the Sharks buzzing, but by then the premiership was well and truly in their grasp.

Jenkin hit the winning runs in the 42nd over with apull shot to the boundary; Traralgon District being victorious by five wickets.

Marks top-scored with 42, while Jenkin was next-best with 32 not out.

Spoljaric was easily the best of Sale-Maffra’s bowlers with figures of 3/10.

Ewan Williams was awarded Man of the Match for his 3/18 off six overs.

While the scorecard suggests otherwise, Traralgon’s win is nothing to be sniffed at -SaleMaffra finished the regular GCL season undefeated. The Sharks enjoyedbetter success in thewomen’s and under 18s, walking away titles.

Afull report on these victorieswill appear in Friday’s Gippsland Times

Maffra’s Jack Dennis during Junior Section 1 action Local tennis returned at the weekend. SCORES - PAGE 31

Photo: Sam Crothers