The Phoenix. June 1, 2009

LOCAL NEWS. LOCAL PEOPLE. LOCAL SPORT. FREE 7-DAY TV GUIDE. FREE

The Phoenix

newspaper

Free Community Newspaper for the People of the Bushfire Affected Areas Incorporating the tradition of ‘The Evelyn Observer’ (Est. 1873), Kinglake Advertiser, Whittlesea Advertiser, Diamond Valley Advertiser, Yarra Ranges Advertiser and Yea Advertiser

thephoenix.com.au

PHONE: 1-800 231 311. FAX: 1-800 231 312.

16 PAGES, PLUS TV TIMES

The Phoenix

FIRST, FREE, LOCAL

FOOTY HIT BY VIRUS Pages 14-16

EXPERT RECOUNTS FIRES Page 6

Local women meet TV’s Roland

PHOTOS FROM THE CHANNEL 10 HELICOPTER

WARNINGS HELD BACK FOR HOURS

ATTEMPTS by a CFA worker to have warnings issued to the Kinglake area about the impending threat of the fast-moving Black Saturday fires, were repeatedly stifled, the Bushfires Royal Commission has been told.

Celebrity group adds some cheer LOCAL FOOTY GAME ABANDONED Saturday’s South Morang v Epping match in the Northern Football League was cancelled because five South Morang senior players contracted swine flu. See Page 16

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● Bushfire area survivors Jill Christie of Marysville and Jan Emblin of Buxton were part of the gathering to hear showbiz identity Roland Rocchiccioli speak on Friday. Jill’s daughter, Sheridan, works at the Glencoe restaurant, where the luncheon was held, hosted by radio personality Yvonne Lawrence.

ARMY MAJOR SPEAKS Page 9

editor@thephoenix.com.au

CHARLIE BARKER FENCING CONTRACTOR PH: 0427 438 033 FAX: 5765 2149

Serafina Munns first drafted warnings for Kinglake in the 3pm4pm hour, but was not allowed to issue them from the Kangaroo Ground control centre.

The Royal Commission was told that tower spotter Colleen Keating gave advice at 3.38pm on Black Saturday about a 3000-feet smoke column that was “huge’, and heading towards Narbethong.

At 4.08pm, a CFA officer at Lilydale, Graham Armstrong, was liasing with electric company SP Ausnet about protecting their Kinglake assets, but nothing was being done to warn the people of the area, said Jack Rush, Counsel assisting the Royal Commission.

It was towards 6pm when warnings were issued for Kinglake, and for many people that was tragically too late.

Jason Lawrence gave evidence that the Kangaroo Ground Control Centre was hamstrung in releasing its own warnings..

More on Pages 5, 6, 13

KINGLAKE ALERTS TOO LATE

● Serafina Munns at the Royal Commission

WHITTLESEA EARTHMOVING ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

The Phoenix

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TERRY: 0438 541 559 QUOTES

A free $2000 annual advertising package in The Phoenix is available to each and every local business in the Murrindindi, Whittlesea, Nillumbik, Yarra Ranges and Mitchell municipalities. More details are available on Page 10.

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Page 2 - The Phoenix - Monday, June 1, 2009

Free Newspaper For The People of The Bushfire Affected Areas Incorporating the tradition of the ‘Evelyn Observer’ (Est. 1873), ‘Kinglake Advertiser’, ‘Whittlesea Advertiser’, ‘Diamond Valley Advertiser’, ‘Yarra Ranges Advertiser’ and ‘Yea Advertiser’

Dedicated to the memory of the victims and survivors of the ‘Black Saturday’ fires: February 7, 2009

CONTACT US Phone: 1-800 231 311 Fax: 1-800 231 312 Head Office: 30 Glen Gully Road, Eltham, Vic 3095 Post: PO Box 1278, Research, Vic 3095 Web: www.ThePhoenix.com.au E-Mail: editor@ThePhoenix.com.au

OUR PEOPLE Editor: Ash Long Media Director: Fleur Long Research Director: Kristi Bryant Senior Associate Editor: Lee Jones Associate Editor: Joanna Sgubopulos

ABOUT THE PHOENIX There is no better symbol for the spirit of the people of this region that the Phoenix. The phoenix is a mythical sacred firebird with a tail of beautiful gold and red plumage (or purple and blue).

It has a 500 to 1,000 year life-cycle, near the end of which it builds itself a nest of myrrh twigs that it then ignites; both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes.

From those ashes, a new, young phoenix or phoenix egg arises, reborn anew to live again.

The new phoenix is destined to live as long as its old self. The bird was also said to regenerate when hurt or wounded by a foe, thus being almost immortal and invincible — it is also said that it can heal a person with a tear from its eyes and make them temporarily immune to death. The phoenix is a symbol of fire and divinity

OUR REGION Online Edition Available across the globe on the World Wide Web at www.thephoenix.com.au Print Edition Covering the communities of Acheron, Arthurs Creek, Bend Of Islands, Beveridge, Black Spur, Break-o'-Day, Broadford, Buxton, Bylands, Castella, Cathkin, Caveat, Christmas Hills, Chum Creek, Clonbinane, Coldstream, Cottles Bridge, Darrweit Guim, Diamond Creek, Dixons Creek, Donnybrook, Eden Park, Eildon, Eltham, Eltham North, Fawcett, Glenburn, Glenvale, Gobur, Gruyere, Healesville, Heathcote Junction, Hidden Valley, Highlands, Homewood, Humevale, Hurstbridge, Kalkallo, Kangaroo Ground, Kerrisdale, Kilmore, Killingworth, Kilmore East, Kinglake, Kinglake Central, Kinglake West, Lilydale, Limestone, Marysville, Mittons Bridge, Molesworth, Moranding, Mount Disappointment, Murrindindi, Myers Creek, Narbethong, Nutfield, Panton Hill, Pheasant Creek, Plenty, Reedy Creek, Research, Ruffy, Smiths Gully, St Andrews, St Helena, Steels Creek, Strath Creek, Strathewen, Sunday Creek, Taggerty, Tallarook, Terip Terip, Thornton, Toolangi, Trawool, Tyaak, Upper Plenty, Wallan, Wallan East, Wandong, Warburton, Waterford Park, Watsons Creek, Wattle Glen, Whittlesea, Whanregarwen, Willowmavin, Yan Yean, Yarck, Yarra Glen, Yarrambat, Yea.

YOUR NEWS, YOUR ADS The Phoenix Newspaper is committed to bringing the latest news to the people of the bushfire-affected areas. We aim to be a positive assistance. The support being offered is in no way in competition with any existing newspaper, government, council or support agency efforts.

Your News: Contribute your news by phone, fax, mail or e-mail. We want your stories of how you, family and friends are going about the recovery from the fires.

Your Photos: Contribute your photos by e-mail.

We prefer clear 300 dpi photos, in jpg format.

E-mail to: editor@thephoenix.com.au Absent Friends: You can remember ‘Absent Friends’ with a tribute which will be published online and in the print edition. Go to our website for our guidelines.

Free Ads: We provide free advertisement listings for all businesses in the bushfire affected area. (Paid display ads are also available). See www.thephoenix. com.au

IMPRINT ‘The Phoenix Newspaper’ is printed by Streamline Press, 155 Johnston St, Fitzroy, for the publisher, Ash Long, for Local Media Pty Ltd, ABN 67 096 680 063, at the registered office, 30 Glen Gully Road, Eltham, Vic 3095.

Distributed in conjunction with the ‘Melbourne Observer’, by Local Media Pty Ltd. Responsibility for election and referendum comment is accepted by the Editor, Ash Long.

Copyright © 2009, Local Media Pty Ltd. (ACN 096 680 063)

www.ThePhoenix.com.au

MORE NEWS, MORE PAPERS ■ It is truly exciting.

The results are in from our survey of approximately 100 distribution points that stock your copy of The Phoenix every week.

Just like Oliver, you want MORE! MORE copies, MORE local news, MORE of our fresh brand of reporting throughout the bushfire region.

Thank you so much for the way you have taken The Phoenix Newspaper and website to your hearts.

Extra, extra!

Long Shots

editor@thephoenix.com.au

with Ash Long

● Sam Fiorini ■ Our Distribution Manager, Sam Fiorini, ensures that a number of vans rush copies of The Phoenix to a network of outlets spreading from Greensborough and Eltham in the suburbs, to Alexandra and Yarck in the north-east, through the bushfire region, and also up the Hume Fwy corridor.

A full list of outlets is on Page 13.

Volunteers ■ As you will see on Pages 7-9, we are widening our local news coverage, so we are now eager to accept contributions of news, on a volunteer basis, from local clubs and organisations.

Fax: 1-800 231 312. Or e-mail: editor @thephoenix.com.au

Writings ■ Here is a good website with a variety of writings about the bushfires: www.abc.net. au/melbourne/ features/bushfires

“For the cause that lacks assistance, ‘Gainst the wrongs that need resistance For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do” Ash Long is heard daily on Victoria’s top-rating talk radio station 3AW. Overnighters, Midnight-5.30am with Keith McGowan

COL EGAN WAS A TOP BLOKE

■ We were saddened to hear of the passing of long-time Yea identity, Col Egan. Col was vitally involved in a range of community activities include CFA, RSL, High School and other service work.

In recent years, he and Daisy moved north, but ill health hampered his life in recent time. Col was a top bloke.

★

Business operators are invited to a recovery information session to be held tomorrow (Tues., June 2), 7pm-9pm, at the Black Spur Inn, 436 Maroondah Hwy, Narbethong. There will also be a session at 7pm-9pm on Tuesday, June 9 at the Taggerty Hall, Cnr Maroondah Hwy and Taggerty – Thornton Rd, Taggerty.

★ ★

Happy 5th anniversary to our friends at Newspaper House Kilmore, who are celebrating the birthday of the North Central Review local newspaper. Under the general managership of Rob Bradley, and the editorship of Robin Northover (and Bill West at the Kilmore Free Press) they are setting quite a pace

★

Sunflower Day will be held in Kinglake on Friday, June 12 be tween 9.30am-2.30pm in the Big Tent at the Kinglake Hub. There will be Fun Games, Massages, Hair Care, Facials etc. Free gifts to take home.

Bookings are required. Phone Bronwyn Taylor, Global Care, 5786 1452 or 0408 929 594.

Good at acronyms?

Trivia

■ One of the news releases received this week ar The Phoenix office remarked that the person involved had serfved as “has served as SO2 Ops/Coord to CTC/ TDG/D&SG/ D&L/ DSEL/AKM for the past 5 years”.

If you would like that decoded, talk to Major Peta Langbehn, who will be talking at the Yea Library on Tuesday next week (June 9).

More details on Page 9 of this week’s edition.

■ A Phoenix reader who delights in trivia picked up on the appointment of Ben Hubbard as CEO of VBRRA (see Page 3).

The reader points out there is a character in Superman by the same name.

■ Glenburn resident Betty Jeffrey helped us last week with information about the life of Roma Ferguson, who died last month. Roma was known to many in the area through her appearances on Melbourne radio station 3AW. Roma was a distant cousin of Ray Jeffrey. We published the obituary in last week’s Melbourne Observer, which can be viewed free online.

● The late Col Egan is his Yea RSL role at the Yea and District Memorial Hospital at an ANZAC Day service

F’DALE WANTS Short Shots TO KEEP BRIDGE

Nominees for the community committee being elected at Flowerdale included Cr Sally Abbott-Smith, Peter Auty, Julie Bateman, Judy Baker, John Burgess, Colin Edwards, Christine Grant, Jessica Greig, Karen Gunter, Tracie Hanna, Dayle Kalve, Dianne Linskins, Vicki Parry, Steve Phelan, Annie Robertson and Ric Stubbings.

Short Shots On radio

● So much of Flowerdale was destroyed (above), locals want to keep the historic Hazeldene bridge ■ Tim Bamford will be leading the master planning process for Flowerdale on behalf of Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority.

Mr Bamford was accompanied to the May 22 meeting at Flowerdale by VBRRA Chair, Christine Nixon.

The meeting was chaired by Leanne Plietsch, the Department of Human Services hub captain.

Pete Williams of helpflowerdalenow. blogspot.com says Ms Nixon outlined the process that VBRRA would follow in working with communities to develop an overall community masterplan for the recovery effort.

A key part of the process is community consultation.

The possibility of showers and toilet blocks to be located at the southern end of the town for those residents living there was raised.

Ian Ellett from Murrindindi Shire attended to discuss the Hazeldene Bridge. There is a community consensus after the petition was presented to the Shire that the community did not want the historic timber bridge removed as it was one of the few things that survived the fire.

● Roma Ferguson

Not on air ■ We are aware that not everyone receives ANY radio signal in the bushfire region. Our frontpage shows Jill Christie of Marysville and Jan Emblin of Buxton, who we met on Friday.

Jan tells us there is no commercial or ABC radio reception whatsoever where she lives. (We’re not sure whether that message has been yet received at the Royal Commission.)

Jeffed ■ It’s easy to conclude that not every one agreed with the politics of Jeff Kennett when he was Premier. Can you believe that was 10 years ago?

Few would knock his work with Beyond Blue to counter depression.

A few of us are joining him for breakfast on Wednesday at Ivanhoe Grammar School.

We’ll report back, especially on his thoughts about depression in the bushfire region.

Swine flu spreads ■ The number of swine flu cases increases as this edition of The Phoenix goes to press.

A number of cases have reported on the suburban fringe of our circulation area with organisations affected including an Epping Plaza fast food worker, St Monica’s College at Epping, and a school at Mill Park.

● Jeff Kennett

www.ThePhoenix.com.au

News Healing ■ A Healing Day for the district was held at Kinglake West Mechanics Hall yesterday (Sunday). All services were offered by donation. They included natural medicine therapies, tarot readings and a meditation circle.

In Court

■ Former Kilmore priest Fr Desmond Gannon is due to be sentenced by Judge Gucciardo on Wednedsay (June 3) after his fifth prosecution for sex offences. Gannon is a former Chaplain of Assumption College Kilmore.

Hero call ■ The Royal Commission has heard that Woods Point policeman, Sen. Const. Ken Dwight had been called to a disciplinary interviuew because a submission he made was on Victoria Police Letterhead.

Meditate ■ Community Healing and Meditative Music will be provided at Marysville Golf Club on Sunday (June 7), 3.30pm9.30pm. Details are available on 8819 0452.

Elections ■ Marysville and Triangle Development Group will hold its Annual General Meeting at the Marysville Golf Club at 2pm on Saturday, June 13.

Office bearers and eight committee members are to be elected.

Young DJs ■ Three Middle Kinglake Primary School students recently tried their hands at being presenters on 94.5 FM Kinglake Ranges. The students were Hayley, Brooke and Blake, assisted by ABC morning host Simon Rogers.

The Phoenix - Monday, June 1, 2009 - Page 3

OUR AREA, ALL OVER AUSTRALIA ● Ian McNamara ■ ‘Macca’ - Ian McNamara of the ABC’s Australia All Over program - took the bushfire region’s story across the nation yesterday (Sunday).

‘Macca’ broadcast his national radio program from Kinglake’s hub, next to the Police Station, from 5.30am-10am.

It was the first leg of the five-month Say G’Day tour being undertaken by McNamara and his producer Lee Kelly, in a campervan tour.

The trip started from the ABC studios in Ultimo, Sydney, and will take in every state of Australia.

The tour will move along the east coast to the flood-affected towns of New South Wales and Queensland.

Yesterday’s broadcast from Kinglake, followed visits during the week to Marysville and Flowerdale.

Of Marysville, ‘Macca’ said: “You've all seen the images on TV but what most delighted me was the atmosphere and the spirit.

“The Bakery is about the only place left standing, and as such it's the centre of town.

It's jumping, buzzing, full of people and from being down and out Lee and I were filled with confidence that Marysville will rise again.

Sessions at Kinglake

● The Marysville Temporary Village, as depicted by ‘Macca’ at his website: www.abc.net.au/australiaallover

NEW CEO FOR BUSHFIRE BODY

■ Veteran Labor Party staffer Ben Hubbard has been appointed as Chief Executive of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority.

Mr Hubbard has extensive experience in working with government at both State and Federal levels.

This is seen as an integral part of the skills required to lead the massive reconstruction tasks.

The Liberal-National coalition attacked the $250,000a-year appointment as a “job for the boys”.

Hubbard made news in late April when he resigned from the staff of Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard for “personal reasons”.

Mr Hubbard was said to have wanted to spend more time in Melbourne with his foreign-born wife, said The Australian.

Mr Hubbard holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Masters of Public Policy and Manage-

“Of course there are problems mostly bureaucracy not working properly but there's a great sense of optimism that's infectious.

“I talked to Andrew Lawson, truck driver Neil Morris ,volunteer John Gough and locals like Keith Ray and Barry Thomas.

“Along the way, you always stop and 'have a chat' because that's what the Say G'day tour is all about. Who else do you talk to in town if you want the good oil, but the butcher of course and Eric Duff in Healesville filled me in.

“It's a beautiful part of the world up here in the great divide. It will take a long time to recover but it will, and I won't forget the spirit of Marysville for a long time either.”

■ Consumer Affairs Victoria is holding information sessions at Kingalke this week.

On Wednesday (June 3) at 7pm, the subject will be building and renovating.

Speakers include Stuart Davidson, Ron Webber and Rob Skinner.

Wednesday, June 10 sees a session on credit and debt, with Michael D’Elia, Sarah Craig, Annette Leonard, Ian Liddell.

Briefs At Kinglake

● Louise Fitzroy ■ ABC Kinglake Ranges breakfast show host Louise Fitzroy visited Kingalke on Thursday to vfisit the Neighbourhood House. Morning show host Simon Rogers was hit by illness midweek.

News tips ■ Contact The Phoenix with your news on 1-800 231 311.

FLOWERDALE HOTEL

‘Open Mic.’ Jam Session Returns ● Christine Nixon announced the appointment of Ben Hubbard ment from the University of Melbourne.

Christine Nixon, Chair of the VBRRA, said Mr Hubbard would join the authority on Thursday next week.

He will have the responsibility for the day-to-day functions of the Authority and reports to the Chair.

HELP WITH CASH

■ Victorians affected by the bushfires will have access to more financial counselling support with a $1 million State Government funding boost, Consumer Affairs Minister Tony Robinson has announced.

Mr Robinson said financial counselling help was vital as residents of bushfire zones worked to get on with their lives. Financial counsellors will be sent to areas hit hardest by the bushfires.

“Mr Hubbard comes to this position with significant experience in both state and federal administrations, working with a wide range of stakeholders across governments. We look forward to having him on board to lead the Authority in its reconstruction and rebuilding efforts over the next two years,” Ms Nixon said.

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More local businesses are taking advantage of the totally free $2000 advertising package from The Phoenix. Details on Page 10

PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES 1 8 9 TOTAL VALUE OF LOCAL ADS DONATED BY THE PHOENIX $ 3 7 8 0 0 0

Page 4 - The Phoenix - Monday, June 1, 2009

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‘KINDERS’ TO REBUILD

■ Kinglake, Flowerdale and Marysville kindergartens destroyed in February’s bushfires will receive nearly $123,000 in extra funding from the State Labor Government, Maxine Morand, Children and Early Childhood Development Minister, announced late last week.

Ms Morand visited the areas on Thursday.

She said the one-off grants will help with expenses including temporary relocation, additional staffing needs and take into account the impact the bushfires have had on fundraising.

“Ensuring children can return to their routine of attending the happy and nurturing environment they have at their kinder is an essential part of this recovery process.

Following assessment of enrolments and other needs of the individual services, Kinglake kindergarten will receive a total of $71,492, Flowerdale kindergarten $21,200 and Marysville kindergarten $30,300.

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■ Maxine Morand, State Minister, also used last week's visit to announce a grant of $120,000 to the Shire of Murrindindi to help in the rebuilding of early years’ services and facilities.

“Rebuilding early childhood services is an important part of the bushfire recovery efforts and this funding will assist the Shire re-establish a comprehensive range of integrated services,” she said.

The Brumby Labor Government will also provide the Shire with $20,000 to replace Maternal and Child Health equipment and establish an electronic child health record system to replace the paper system destroyed in the fires.

Phone help at Kinglake Marty Parkinson Mobile Boilermaker Welder 740 Main Rd, Hurstbridge

Phone: 0418 718 211

■ A free mobile phone monitoring service is available for people in the bushfire area who suffer from diabetes.

The special mobile phone, which cannot be used as a normal mobile phone unit, is linked to a medical database which can be accessed by doctors to assess the status of their patients.

Under the scheme, mobile phone handsets and all communication costs are covered. Tom Rosser, who is in Kinglake on a regular basis, has moredetails about the scheme. His mobile number is 0407 267 543.

Wandong centre rebuild ■ Wandong’s LB Davern Recreation Re-

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Northway Building & Landscaping PO Box 284, Kilsyth, Vic 3137. ● Maxine Morand, State Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development serve will be rebuilt after the Black Saturday bushfires, thanks to $65,000 in funding from the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments.

Minister for Sport and Recreation James Merlino visited the reserve last week to announce more than $63,000 from the joint Victorian and Federal Government’s Bushfire Community Recovery Fund and a further $2000 from the Brumby Labor Government.

Funding will also go towards extending the oval, installing a fully automated sprinkler system, laying drought resistant turf, new fencing, and new goal posts. Wandong Tennis Club will also be able to make equipment purchases.

Jeff stands down ■ The interim CEO of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority, Jeff Rosewarne, will step down in the coming week following the appointment last week of Ben Hubbard as CEO for the coming two years.

Mr Rosewarne was seconded to the Authority from the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

“Jeff has done an outstanding job in setting up the Authority in the days immediately after the fires and has made a significant contribution to the organisation in this short time,” said Christine Nixon, Chair of the VBRRA.

Letters To The Editor Revisit permit rules Sir, Restoring business confidence in the wake of the global financial crisis will require existing conventions and old ideas to be revisited.

With this in mind, a healthy debate surrounding the planning powers of Melbourne’s local councils is worth having.

Assessing whether a building project meets the requirements of the local planning scheme is an important step to ensure community expectations are upheld.

However, Master Builder Association members have long complained that delays associated with planning remain one of the biggest barriers to investment in local projects.

According to Master Builder surveys, it takes an average 20 weeks to secure a planning permit. This results in significant increases in costs for new projects While communities, industry and government will never ever agree on an ideal system for local planning, we can all agree that waiting 20 weeks for a planning permit is far too long.

- Brian Welch Executive Director Master Builders Association of Victoria 332 Albert St, East Melbourne

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35 days later

Sir, My property, which had also burned out by the Black Saturday fires, lays along the Hume Highway, approximately 12km south of Broadford township.

You may be aware that he had to live with the dread of deliberately lit fires over many years in the past.

You may also be aware of the two large billboards erected, just north of Wallan, and just south of Seymour township, asking motorists to “observe any suspicious activity and report any fire to OOO”.

On April 7 this year, there were two fires lit on nearby land, apparently without a permit, which had the possibility to impacft on my property.

The penalty for this would be $5500, or 12 months’ jail.

The fires were promptly reported to the local authorities, including OOO. On May 15, two Police officers came to inspect the ashes. This is 35 days after the incident.

Conseuqnetly, the two officer left my property ‘satsified’ for the ashes were far too cool to represent any danger to my property.

- I. Csoka, RMB 250 Wallis Rd, Broadford

Phone: 0418 585 260 Contact: Stephen North.

Web: www.northwestbuilding.com.au E-Mail: stephen@northwestbuilding.com.au

IPM Technologies PO Box 560, Hurstbridge, Vic 3099.

Ph: 0419 891 575, (03) 9710 1554 Fax: (03) 9710 1354.

Contact: Dr Paul Horne.

Web: www.ip[mtechnologies.com.au E-Mail: ipmtechnologies@bigpond.com

www.ThePhoenix.com.au

Local Feature Progress for El Kanah

● El Kanah, Marysville, as it was ■ For many Victorians, Marysville, the holiday resort in the mountains out from Melbourne, meant El Kanah.

The two-storey guest house was focal point for much Christian activity, in a fine setting.

Sadly, it was to be completely destroyed in the Black Saturday fires on February 7.

The Christian newspaper, New Life (May 28), reports on its front-page that El Kanah will be rebuilt.

“The planning process has commenced,” reports the management committee.

Mercifullym a little wooden house, with verandahs back and front, which had been placed near the site just before the destructive fires, survived. It sits on a hill between El Kanah and the nearby grounds of ESA - the Evangalisation Society of Australia - which also was largely lost.

The main site of El Kanah has been cleared and until the burnt-out town of Marysville, a short mile or so away is re-established, Marysville Christian Fellowship also will be housed on El Kanah land.

“Although El Kanah was insured, additional expenses include rebuilding the chapel, the prayer walk and staff housing,” reports New Life.

“In the near future, men’s groups will be re-established.”

Spokeswoman Vera Gill reports that donations toward the ministry and rebuilding are welcome. Phone: 5963 3464 or 0414 564 309.

- By Larry Noye

WARNINGS ‘ARE A BONUS’ ■ Serafina Munns, part-time paid CFA Community Fireguard Facilitator, told the Bushfires Royal Commission last week that warnings about fire activity should not be taken for granted: “I guess you could say it's nice to have, it's a bonus, but not to expect it.”

Questioned by Mr Livermore: “And it could be that even perfectly adequate warnings are going out on ABC Radio, but the people have lost power and can't tune into the radio?---Yes.” “Or access the internet?---Yes.” “Or the phone line's down?---Yes.” "So if we go to February 7, for example, with all the warnings and information provided leading up to that day, the safest thing for someone in a high fire risk area to do would have been to leave the night before?---Absolutely.

“It still would have been safe, relatively safe, to leave early in the morning of the 7th?---It wouldn't have been as safe, but yes.

“And from then on the risk rises during the day?---Correct.

The Phoenix - Monday, June 1, 2009 - Page 5

KILMORE BREAKDOWN DELAYED WARNINGS

Advertising Sales.

Part-Time.

Work From Home.

The Phoenix Newspaper is a popular free weekly publication circulating in the municipalities of Murrindindi, Nillumbik, Mitchell, Whittlesea and Yarra Ranges.

The Phoenix is unique. One of its community service projects is to offer a free $2000 annual package to each and every business in the bushfire-affected region. More than $350,000 worth of assistance has been donated to date by the publishers.

The Phoenix Newspaper also provides a powerful medium for businesses to reach an important readership area with paid display advertising campaigns.

The Phoenix Newspaper is now recruiting two Advertising Sales Agents to work part-time from their own homes to assist businesses with their advertising requirements.

The positions will most likely involve the Agent working from their own home, contacting clients by telephone. All leads are provided. We envisage a part-time role, perhaps from 10am-3pm on Thursdays and Fridays.

You will require your own home office with landline phone, fax, e-mail and ABN. Sales flair will be a distincty advantage. Each position is that of a contractor. Payment is weekly. All phone call costs are reimbursed.

● Greg Murphy, Kilmore CFA Captain ■ Phone and fax facilities at Kilmore CFA dent controller and as I wasn't allocated that role were not working properly during part of the or unable to perform in that role at the time, Black Saturday emergency, the Victorian then I was not able to sign off on those inforFor an information kit, please send an Bushfires Royal Commission has been told. mation releases.”

Mr Rush asked what would happen if mese-mail to the Editor, Mr Ash Long, at: Jason Robert Lawrence, a Country Fire Authority Operations Officer attached to the sages could not get through to the incident coneditor@thephoenix.com.au Turn to Page 13 Kangaroo Ground Incident Control Centre trol centre. on February 7 (but not designated as such until the following day), said that there restrictions on the sort of activities capable of being done because Kangaroo Ground was not an active ‘ICC’.

Details of the fire “impacting on the Kangaroo Ground footprint” came at about 12 Noon on the day after a sighting by K.G. tower Thousands of free copies of The Phoeby Colleen Keating. nix are distributed every week through The fire had started near Pretty Sally, and a network of outlets through most of was building in size and momentum. the bushfire affected areas.

Jack Rush, Counsel assisting the Commission: “And from everything that you had learned The Phoenix can also be read free about the potential of February 7, it was likely online at www.thephoenix.com.au to remain uncontrolled?”

Mr Lawrence:”That would be my underIf you would like a copy of each issue standing, that given the prevailing conditions of The Phoenix mailed to you, we can on the day it was going to be extremely hard for the resources on the ground to control any arrange a mail subscription to you. fire that did start and in the wrong areas and built and developed as quickly as a fire that that The price for a pre-paid subscription one did.” for 50 copies, to anywhere in AustraThe Royal Commission heard that their had lia, is $107.50. been internal CFA warnings of a ‘Code Red’ day. It heard Kinglake CFA Captain Paul You can arrange a mail subscription by Hendrie had given evidence of warnings prephoning 1-800 231 311, and pay by dicting “a potential flame height of 35 metres Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX). and spotting of 8 km and a grass fire rate of Or lodge the form below with your spread of 14 km/h and a head fire rate of spread of 2.5 km/h”. cheque or Money Order for $107.50.

Mr Rush asked if the Kangaroo Ground centre was frustrated that Kilmore was controlling a fire that was to impact on “Kinglake Post To: Mail Subscriptions, The Phoenix East, Kinglake West, Strathewen, Mount PO Box 1278, Research, Vic 3095 Pheasant (sic).”

Mr Lawrence: “It was a frustration. UnderYes, please organise a mail subscription of 50 issues of The Phoenix Newspaper.I standably the fire didn't commence in our area enclose our Cheque/Money Order for $107.50. so it wasn't something we were able to control initially, however at some point it did impact on our area.”

Name: Mr Rush: “You have indicated in your evidence that you didn't have the control of the Address: fire, therefore did not issue warning messages, and I will come to one that was issued late in the afternoon. Who says that you can't issue Phone: warning messages if you haven't got control of the fire?”

Local Media Pty Ltd Head Office: 30 Glen Gully Road, Eltham, Vic 3095 Mr Lawrence: “Well, the warning messages Mail subscriptions are subject to our Terms and Conditions (see website) are to be issued by and signed off by the inci-

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Page 6 - The Phoenix - Monday, June 1, 2009

Commission Briefs New address ■ All public hearings of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission will be held on Level 11, 222 Exhibition Street, Melbourne from today (Monday, June 1).

More suppression orders ■ Two further Supression Orders were issued last week at the Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission. Chairman Bernard Teague signed two orders, which were posted on the court door and at the Commission website, listing details of the prohibition.

EXPERT IDENTIFIES FLAWS IN CFA SYSTEM

000: ‘no overflow’ ■ Jack Rush, Counsel assisting the Royal Commission, has foreshadowed that evidence will be given by the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority “that in respect of 000 calls that came through to them, there was no overflow of these calls to the incident control centres.”

Mt Disappointment alert ■ Jason Lawrence, a CFA Operations Officer at Kangaroo Ground on February 7, has recounted the alert given to him from the Kilmore area about the fire that was moving east: “"The fire moved rapidly and impacted on the area under Kangaroo Ground ICC's footprint. One of the first fires was reported in our region between 2 and 3 pm. Steve Grant of DSE telephoned me at approximately 2.45 pm to inform me that there was a fire in Saunders Road, Wallan/Wandong, heading south and expected to enter Mount Disappointment and had potential to impact on Whittlesea."

‘Had to wait in line’ ■ Fire prediction expert Dr Kevin Tolhurst, answering a question from Royal Commissioner McLeod, said that his team had to “wait in line” to have maps processed on Black Saturday.

“We certainly had to wait in line to get our maps produced and to get the information and so on. We were seen as a bit of an add-on to the function, I suppose, whereas I think you can consider firefighting having two major aspects to it: one is really about information and knowledge and the other is about resources and operations.

“I guess the history has been that for most people involved, the operations and the resources take priority, if you like, keeping them fully occupied and - well, safe as well - but the planning and the intelligence side of it is considered secondary. That is not uniform through everyone's thinking, but it is widespread.”

Information to public ■ Commissioner McLeod asked if this thinking was common in regard to communication with the public: “Would you also include in that the value of the predictions in terms of providing information to the public may have also been secondary in importance?”

Dr Holhurst: “I'm not sure if it was necessarily seen as being secondary in importance but I guess by the actions and the way things were organised you'd have to make that assessment, I think. In 2003 I was doing a similar role to this, but we had quite a different situation, we had fires that started in relatively remote areas and then moved into populated areas, and I was doing forecasts out 7 days ahead looking at the fire-affected areas and that information was being used to identify areas, so townships and settlements, where some of the firefighters were actually going down door-knocking, checking people's properties to see if they were in a state of readiness and actually marking fence posts to say that they had been checked and were defendable or not. And the areas that were being selected for that checking, if you like, were being based on the forward projections that we were producing. I think that was a very valuable sort of piece of information.”

● Dr Kevin Tolhurst prepared maps predicting the path of the February 7 fires Mr Rush: “From the prediction request time ■ Fire behaviour expert Dr Kevin Tolhurst waws asked to prepare a prediction map for the to the draft prediction time, 1400 to 1652, how Kilmore East about 2pm on Black Saturday, can that be improved?”

Dr Tolhurst: “I think we need to have a betlast week’s hearings of the Royal Commission ter way of actually gathering the intelligence was told.

Jack Rush, Councsel assisting the Commis- so it is generally available to everyone. Within sioners: “Just looking across the page, what you DSE's system called FireWeb there is a tool that have done for the Kilmore East fire is set out has been developed over the last few years your understanding of the ignition time, then which I find very useful and in fact it has been prediction request time around 2 o'clock so what used in the production of these maps, called that time refers to, I take it, is the proximate Firemap. That Firemap product is available to time you recall being asked to undertake a pre- all the FireWeb users around the state and any information that is entered on to that informadiction for the East Kilmore fire?”

Dr Tolhusrt: “That's correct, as far as I can tion system becomes available to anyone else who has access to FireWeb, so potentially anyascertain, it was about 1400.”

Mr Rush: “Then you have put in the next head- where in the world because it is on the web. It ing "draft prediction time", what is that time?” is one location where that information can be Dr Holhurst: “That means it is the time stored.

“So, whether it is just a short segment of line when we would have had a good estimation of where we thought the fire was going to go or whether it is an outline of a linescan or it is sketched out on to a map, but without our final the perimeter of the fire, that all can be stored documentation being prepared. So that would on the Firemap process and annotated approbe a time where we would be sufficiently con- priately. One of the problems we have in profident to be able to brief the state duty officer ducing these maps is actually getting that intelor anyone else who was seeking information ligence together and at the moment what we have to do is go to the situation officer, see if about the spread of the fire.”

Dr Tolhurst told the hearings of hand-drawn they have got any reports or maps that have maps, and their eventual conversion into elec- come in; we will go to the web to see where the aircraft are flying; we will perhaps look at ratronic form.

Mr Rush: “Were you responsible for the dar to see if there are any plumes given up; we will phone up the incident management team East Kilmore fire predictive maps?”

Dr Tolhurst: “The two, there were two fire in the field; there are a number of sources that behaviour analyst trainees who were working we have to pursue to find out some informaon the Kilmore and the Murrindindi fire and I tion about the fire.

“The predictions we do have to be based on was personally working on the prediction for the Churchill and Bunyip fire but I was there as some base intelligence and at the moment that mentor so I had oversight of the work that those information is quite dispersed and even now, I suppose, even through this inquiry, we are findtwo analysts were doing.”

Mr Rush: “What about the time, if we round ing out more information about that fire, off the ignition time at 11.30 for the East whether it is from video footage, whether it is Kilmore fire to a request at 1400. In your view, from people's personal accounts. That information needs to be collated in a much quicker and can that timing be improved?”

Dr Tolhurst: “I think the process by which more coherent way and I see the Firemap prodfires are identified as being potentially threat- uct being one area where that could be stored ening and therefore the ones we would con- and distributed but at the moment it is quite discentrate our time on need some improvement. persed and there is no - the situation officer I I guess one way of doing that would be to do it guess in theory has the responsibility to collate in a more automated way with a modelling ap- that information but it is a difficult task for them proach but likewise, there would be a possibil- to do for all the fires.”

Commissioer McLeod asked given the deity of working out which fires were going to be of most significance by the incident controller lays between Dr Tolhurst’s maps being preat the scene who immediately recognises, par- pared, and their dispatch, “did that give you any ticularly on a day like February 7, fires which sense that your work wasn't being taken very are out of control and within the vicinity of a seriously or being acted upon?”

Dr Tolhurst, in part: “I think that's a fair populated area. So the identification of those fires is sometimes, I think, a bit slow; so there assessment, that the work that we were doing are two ways we could go about that better: was certainly valued, but the priority given to it information systems but also we could use a was not high by most parts of the IECC operation, if you like.” modelling approach as well.”

www.ThePhoenix.com.au

Commission Briefs ‘Unacceptable’ delay ■ The CFA appears to be seen, from evidence at the Royal Commission, as a body that sees its first priority of fighting fires, and a lesser priority in communicating with the public.

Expert Dr Kevin Tolhurst was asked about possible improvements to the system, when he appeared last week.

Mr Rush, Counsel assisting the Commissioners: “With that type of infrastructure being incorporated, what do you say as to the sort of time lines set out there between 1400 and 1652?”

Dr Tolhurst: “I find them unacceptable, myself. I think the information needs to be available within a one to two hour period of the time of the fire starting to be really useful and I think we have got to move in that direction.

One of the changes that we made this year during the fires was to cut out the process of waiting for the electronic version of the map and distributing the hand-drawn map in advance of the electronic version. The electronic version is the official one but people need some earlier advice and I guess it would really help us if we had more timely and more complete intelligence on the fire and a lot of decisions are being made I guess with partial information at the moment, I think that really needs to be gathered.

“It is key to providing advice to the public.

If the fire agencies themselves really don't have a clear picture of where the fire is and what it is doing, it is very hard to communicate anything substantial to the public,” Dr Tolhusrt said.

Report was secret ■ The Royal Commission had issued a Summons to gather information from Emergency Management Australia, hearings were told last week.

EMA had a report which had been declared confidential by Federal and State Governments, and the Federal Government had been fighting a Freedom of Information request byu Channel 9, Anthony Pearce, Executive Director of EMA, said.

Policy role only ■ Anthony Charles Pearce, Director General of Emergency Management Australia, gave evidence to the Royal Commission last week about his organisation which has a policy role only.

Counsel Ms Doyle: “Pausing there, the Commonwealth does not now and didn't in February, have any role in relation to public information or media about an event such as the fires in Victoria in February?”

Mr Pearce: “No, it didn't specifically, no.”

Mr Pearce’s evidence took most of a day.

● Anthony Pearce

The Phoenix - Monday, June 1, 2009 - Page 7

www.ThePhoenix.com.au

Yea, Flowerdale, Strath Creek

COMMUNITY DINNER AT F’DALE

■ A 6pm community dinner will precede the performance by Steve Poltz and Gregory Page at the Flowerdale Hall, on Tuesday (June 2) at 7pm.

The Flowerdale Primary School Choir will be performing at around 7.00pm Entry is by gold coin donation. BYO drinks.

the legal firms, on a no win-no fee basis.

From Our Files 25 Years Ago - June 1984

St Luke’s Restored

Free massage Sponsors Day ■ Massage will now be

available, free of charge, at the Flowerdale Hall, Tuesdays 10am-4pm.

The service will be available through the Community House which is based at the Hall.

A Chiropractic Clinic will be held now also be held at the same time, starting tomorrow (Tues., June 2).

RMIT and students will be providing service with trained chiropractors.

Victims meet

■ Sliddens Lawyers and Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, with Tim Tobin QC, meet with Flowerdale bushfire victims on Thursday night (May 28) at the Flowerdale Hall.

The meeting discussed legal entitlements to compensaton. A class action is being handled by

be held at the Yea Shire Hall this Friday (June 5) from 7.30pm.

Pages From The Past

Dance time ● Steve Polz

■ The popular Yea Dance Club Old Time Nu Vogue Dance will be

■ Yea Football Netball Club is staging a Sponsors’ Day at the Rec. on Saturday, June 13.

Ladies’ Day is pl;anned for July 4, and the Annual Ball is scheduled for July 18.

At Hazeldene ■ A community meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Thursday (June 4) at the Hazeldene Bridge, Flowerdale, for interested members of the community to discuss the proposed bridge upgrade works on the bridge, with Shire of Murrindindi representatives.

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12,000 FOR SHOW?

■ A crowd of up to 12,000 people is expected in Alexandra this Saturday and Sunday for the 2009 Truck, Ute and Rod Show.

The free public event is held in Grant St and surrounds.

“We are looking to our usual line-up of hundreds of vehicles” Show President Matt Ellis says.

VicForests along with the Central Victorian Axemen’s Council is again supporting the annual Woodchop Competition.

Other attractions include a public auction, a quilting exhibition, chain saw carving and trade stands.

Five leading performers and their backing groups have been booked to provide the entertainment for the Grant St Party and Musical Afternoon to be held on Saturday afternoon from 3.30pm to 7.30pm.

This precede the major event which will follow on Sunday.

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● St Luke’s Anglican Church, Yea ■ The second stage of the restoration of St Luke’s Anglican Church in Yea was nearing completion, we reported 25 years ago. Most of the work was concerned with the interior of the church at a cost of about $15,000.

“The work has included the replacing of the existing floor, rewiring the building, replastering walls, painting and the eventual placing of new carpet in the sanctuary and aisles.”

St Luke’s was built in 1868 and designed by Melbourne architect Albert Purchas, and recorded by the National Trust in 1982.

The Parish Priest of the time, Fr Don McMonigle, said that more than $30,000 had been raised for the works

Footy, 25 Years Ago ■ The YVMDFL 1st Division Ladder in 1984 was: 1.

Woori Yallock, 2. Seville, 3. Gembrook, 4. Warb.Millgrove, 5. Healesville, 6. Alexandra, 7. Upwey Tecoma, 8. Monbulk, 9. Emerald, 10. Wandin.

The 2nd Divsiion ladder was: 1. Yea, 2. Belgrave, 3. Silvan, 4. Thornton, 5. South Belgrave, 6.

Powelltown, 7. Yarra Junction.

Yea Aggregates 45 Goals

PHOTO: ALEXANDRA TRUCKSHOW.COM

● The Truck, Ute and Road Show is this Sunday

Opera night ■ There will be live opera in the restaurant at Stonelea Country Estate this Saturday (June 6) when Melaine Adams performs. Tickets are $75 per person. Bookings: 5772 2222.

G&S Show ■ St John’sd Anglican Church and the Gilbert and Sullivan Society will present The Pirates of Penzance on Saturday, June 13 at the Alexandra Shire Hall.

Tickets are available at $25 ($15 concession) for the Alexandra Community Pharmacy and the Eildon Medicine Depot.

Emotions ■ An Emotions Anonymous International meeting is held every Wednesday evening , 7pm to 8pm at St Thomas's Anglican Church, Maroondah Hwy, Buxton. This 12 step progam provides a warm and accepting group setting in which people share experiences, strength, and hope without fear of criticism.

At Taggerty ■ Hope is Here is the theme for the concert being performed this Saturday (June 6) at Taggerty Community Hall by Redeemer Baptist School’s Year 10 students.

■ Our 1984 football report said: “Apart from recording the performance of five Yea players who aggregated 56 goals, there was not much to be said about the football at Yarra Junction on Saturday.”

Football correspondent Tom Dignam wrote: “The three Yea teams registered 101 goals to 10 scored by the homesides in what was an uninteresting day’s football.

“Joseph McCarthy topped the goal kickers in 14 the Under 17s match. David Aldous notched 11 in the Reserves (plus nine to Kevin Cunningham); and in the main game, Adrian Evans and Vincent Dignam each scored 11 - the latter getting seven in the last quarter.”

‘Only men can be trained’ ■ The Superintendent of the Goulburn Valley Ambulance Service, Mr E W (Wallace) Thomas, said a voluntary ambulance service was only as good as the people that support it.

“Currently Yea has only two volunteer drivers and is in need of more,” we reported.

“However, men only can be trained. Mr Thomas said that women are not allowed under Department of Labor regulations because of weight that is needed to be lifted.”

Bakery specials ■ Mullers Bakery offered a 1984 ‘June Special’ of 680g bread at 79 cents. Rolls were available at 15 cents each, or $1.80 per dozen. All bread was now available in a thick toast slice, we reported.

Page 8 - The Phoenix - Monday, June 1, 2009

Pipeline Latest Ahead of schedule ■ The Sugarloaf pipeline project is ahead of schedule, and has strengthened its workforce to more than 1200. Almost 45 kms of the pipeline has now been laid and work is underway on the two pump stations.

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY in LAURIMAR TOWN CENTRE Under Construction For Lease Butchers Shop, Chinese Cafe, Continental Deli, Florist Contact: 0418 548 599 E-Mail: m.ver.schuur@hotmail.com

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ALLIANCE DONATES TO SCHOOLS

■ Sponsorship of sporting equipment and shelving by the Sugarloaf Pipeline Alliance will enable Dixons Creek Primary School to provide more undercover play space for sporting activities for its children during the upcoming winter weather.

The Alliance has donated $2000 for shelving for sporting equipment which will free up the school’s shelter shed and another shed so children can play table tennis and other games, especially during wet weather.

Presenting the cheque to School Principal Sharon Walker, Alliance Community Relations Co-Ordinator Claire Garth said the Alliance was keen to assist the school while it was temporarily affected by the construction of the pipeline. Pipeline crews are currently working adjacent to the school.

Principal Sharon Walker welcomed the Alliance’s donation saying that as Dixon’s Creek Primary School was a small school, there was not always a lot of money to go round for improvements.

Part of the sponsorship money will also be used for new balls and skipping ropes.

At Yea, the Alliance has donated $2000 to held Yea Primary School with its literacy program. The money will be spent on new Guided Reading Materials and ‘Big Books’ to be used by students in Prep and Year 1.

Accepting the donation, Yea Primary School Principal Debbie George said that the aim of Guided Reading was to provide small groups with a targeted literacy focus that caters for individual student need.

“Big Books are an essential part of the literacy program as they are able to be seen by all the students and enable the teacher to acquaint students with a particular text type or area of literacy that is being taught,” Ms George said.

“The money will be spent on replacing many old and well used books and purchasing sets of new text of differing genres.

“The replacement of books to support literacy is an ongoing expense and this money is very much appreciated,” she said.

● Dixons Creek School Principal Sharon Walker (left) and teacher Heather with Grade 2 students - the Sugarloaf Pipeline Alliance has donated $2000 for new balls and other sporting equipment and shelving.

● Yea Primary School Principal Debbie George with Prep student Harriet Rasnussen and Grade One student Johnny Turvey

BUS ROUTE CONCERNS WORRIES ABOUT HEAVY TRUCKS IN SCHOOL HOURS ■ A meeting will be held next week week to discuss concerns about heavy trucks using Killingworth Road, nea Yea, during school hours.

Murrindindi Shire Council has called the meeting for 6.30pm, Wednesday (June 10) at the Yea Council Chambers, to discuss the proposal to remove the five tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass load limit signs in operation during school bus times along Killingworth Rd. People who are unable to make the meeting, or wish to make a submission, are asked to note that the Council will receive written submissions up until Friday, June 12.

Queries about the matter, or further details about written submissions, may be obtained from Larry Kelly on at Murrindindi Shire Council on 5772 0333.

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www.ThePhoenix.com.au

The Phoenix - Monday, June 1, 2009 - Page 9

ARMY MAJOR SPEAKS AT YEA

■ Major Peta Langbehn will visit Yea Library next week as part of the popular Tuesdays @ Yea Library 2009 program.

Maj. Langbehn will talk about her experiences during her posting to Iraq in 2007-08 at the Library on Tuesday (Junn 9) at 11am.

Maj. Langbehn joined the Army in 1977 and graduated from WRAAC OCS and served as a RACT (Movements) Officer with Liverpool Transport Unit, Canberra Movements Office, Puckapunyal Transport Unit, and School of Transport.

Maj. Langbehn also served in other non-corps postings including several in Army Office, Defence School of Languages, Victoria Barracks Melbourne and the Land Warfare Development Centre.

Maj. Langbehn is a lapsed Japanese linguist, and speaks conversational Tok Pisin and fluent colloquial German.

She holds a Diploma in Applied Japanese Language, a Diploma in Transport Management and a Graduate Diploma in Transport Management Systems.

She is also an active member of the

Sunday Creek Landcare Group, Broadford RSL, and Kilmore & District Adult Riding Club (Secretary).

She manages her farm and in her spare time, she rides competitively, trains dogs and plays social badminton.

She has recently returned from walking the Kokoda Track, and is an avid reader.

News Briefs Class action meetings ■ Following last week’s meeting at Flowerdale, further public meetings are scheduled this month for people to receive information on legal entitlements to compensation following the February 7 fires. Meetings are planned for Yarra Glen (June 4), St Andrews (June 10) and Wandong (June 17). An advertisement appears on this page.

Fun Day at Marysville ■ The Lake Mountain Family Fun Day will be held on Saturday (June 6) as part of the Queen’s Birthday Weekend. Attractions include show bags, fairy floss, a jumping castle and face painting. Further details are available on 5957 7222.

● Major Peta Langbehn will visit Yea Library on Tuesday next week (June 9) Photo courtesy The Army Newspaper

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The Phoenix - Monday, June 1, 2009 - Page 13

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Meet, Meld and Merge Forum II

KILMORE BREAKDOWN DELAYED WARNINGS

■ From Page 5 Mr Rush: “What is the position if you can't get in touch with the incident control centre that has responsibility for the fire for a number of hours and you are of the belief that a warning or a threat warning should be issued to communities and you can't get in touch with the incident control centre to try and get them to issue such a warning?”

Mr Lawrence: “I would attempt through various other channels to make contact with that ICC or defer to Region RECCs and RECC coordinators to assist with that.”

Mr Rush: “You actually issued a warning at 5.20 pm through the Kangaroo Ground Incident Control Centre?”

Mr Lawrence: “I did, that's correct.”

Mr Rush: “Why did you do that?”

Mr Lawrence: “Because throughout the day we had made various attempts to make those communications and open those communication channels and at that time also I was advised by people in the information unit who were trying to contact their counterparts at Kilmore ICC that some communications were down, essential communications including fax, email or other methods that we may use to get those information releases out, so after consultation with the management team that we had in place at the Kangaroo Ground ICC on the day, it was decided that it was a priority that we needed to issue those messages due to a number of the factors as I have previously indicated.”

Mr Lawrence gave evidence that he tried to repeatedly contact Kilmore without success: “"I tried to contact Kilmore ICC on numerous occasions but was not able to make contact either by mobile phone or landlines, both of which either rang out."

“You were unable to contact by landline the Kilmore ICC?---That's correct.”

“You left a message on the mobile phone of the incident controller because it was ringing through to message bank?---Yes.” Mr Rush asked about notes on Mr Lawrence’s log that at about 3.30pm on Black Saturday that power lines at Kinglake could be under threat.

Mr Rush: “No doubt if it was considered at 1530 that the power transmission lines at Kinglake were potentially under threat, it also would have been considered that Kinglake would be under threat?”

Mr Lawrence: “As I said, the townships are a priority, we were just identifying - and reference is made to a number of, you know, key facilities and key infrastructure assets in the path also.”

Mr Rush: “The township being a priority, what was done at 1530 to ensure that a warning went out to that township and other townships that were potentially in the line of this fire?”

Mr Lawrence: “As I said, the fire was being controlled by the Kilmore ICC and it was their responsibility to issue those information messages, be they urgent threat messages or otherwise. In preparation for us being able to do so, we were preparing through the information unit messages that we may be able to issue ourselves.”

Mr Rush: “I think you have been in the Royal Commission this morning when Ms Munns was examined by Ms Judd concerning the timing of a draft threat message that concerned all the Kinglake townships, it concerned Strathewen, Mount Pheasant (sic), St Andrews and others. Having regard to this notation and concern about the power line assets, was anything done in an attempt to ensure that the communities were being warned of what potentially was to come?”

Mr Lawrence: “As I said, the information was being prepared in relation to those media releases. Obviously I was attempting to contact Kilmore ICC to, not only pass that information on, but ask those questions, as to whether they were already making that infor-

● Stewart Kreltszheilm, one of the Kilmore Incident Controllers mation available and releasing that information, as they were in control of the fire, and as much information as I was able to pass onto the Region 13 RECC was also being done.

Mr Rush: “Is it not the fact, Mr Lawrence, that the draft threat message concerning those towns that Ms Munns says was likely created somewhere in her view around 3.02 but let it be 3.30, is it not the fact that that was not released from the Kangaroo Ground ICC because you were not the controlling ICC?” Mr Lawrence: “That's correct.”

Mr Rush said that log notes indicated that at 4.08pm, a CFA officer at Lilydale, Graham Armstrong, was liaising with SP Ausnet to tell them that the CFA was unable to defend the electricity assets at Kinglake.

Mr Rush: “So at this stage Mr Armstrong from Region 13 was liaising with SP Ausnet about their assets but from what we can tell nothing was being done to liaise with the township of Kinglake by way of a warning?”

Mr Lawrence: “That may simply have been a matter of a 30 second conversation. As I said, it was one of the multitude of activities that were undertaken on the day not to in any way downgrade the need for those threat messages to be issued. So I would expect that at the same time with the number of personnel, we would be undertaking these activities and this was just one of those.”

Mr Lawrence stressed that it was the responsibility of the Kilmore control centre to issue warnings: “There's an incident controller in place at Kilmore ICC who was responsible for the issue of those threat messages to those communities as they were in charge of that fire at that time.”

Mr Rush: “You must have been concerned, Mr Lawrence, that you were unable to contact the Kilmore ICC, yet you had information conveyed to you at 1530 concerning the potential impact of this fire on Kinglake?---Yes, the communications issues on the day were a concern.”

Mr Lawrence acknowledged he had a call at 3.50 pm with Mr Murphy, the incident controller at Kilmore, Mr Rush: “You say he informed you that he was handing over to another incident controller, Stewart Kreltszheim.”

Mr Lawrence: “It was a reasonably brief conversation given the events of the day. Understandably, Greg was extremely busy ... so he had a fair bit of work to do to make sure that that transition occurred.”

● Ali Griffin, Creative Director of Three Stories Artspace, from Healesville enjoys creating the clay mural at the Meet, Meld, Merge II Forum held in Yea ■ Last Wednesday (May 26) saw the gathKim Dunphy of the Cultural Developering of a diverse range of people at the Meet, ment Network, who performed the role of Meld, Merge II Forum held at the Yea Golf MC for the day, spoke of innovative arts Club. projects that other communities from around The forum, conducted by Berry Street and Australia had undertaken in response to past the Cultural Development Network, bushfires. brought together over seventy people to exAnne Riggs, PhD researcher and artist plore the ways and reasons behind utilising gave an extremely informative insight into the the arts as a tool to recover from the fires and ways in which the arts can be utilised to asas a means of bringing communities and sist those dealing with trauma. Anne spoke people back together again. of her research regarding trauma, loss and The day began with a hands-on clay activ- grief; focusing on how artists and the arts can ity, conducted by the Yea Pottery Studio, contribute to wellbeing following trauma. which recently worked on the Toil Art project Ali Griffin, Creative Director of in Yea; Toil Art was a direct result of the Healesville's Three Stories Artspace and first Meet, Meld, Merge forum held in Yea curator of Resurrected - Objects, Memories in 2006. and Stories; who lost her family home durParticipants present on Wednesday contrib- ing the Black Saturday fires spoke honestly uted to the creation of a clay mural that rep- and opening about her ordeals moving some resents a small green plant unfurling on top to tears and opening minds to the harsh realiof a burnt out mountain range. ties of the fires.

Following the art workshop Lisa Rudd of Ali gave those present an understanding Berry Street welcomed all those present and behind her personal needs to find something acknowledged the traditional custodians of positive amongst the devastation; Ali exthe land. plained that when she and her husband Billy People were present from across the state were sifting through the ashes of their home with representative in attendance from Arts they came across the melted forms of treaVictoria, Regional Arts Victoria, Yering sured family memories and heirlooms.

Station Art Gallery, Shire of Yarra Ranges, These found items had taken on a new form Royal Children's Hospital, City of due to the fires but Ali and her husband were Bendigo, Three Stories Artspace, Yarra so taken by their possessions' new composiValley Arts Council, Australian Institute tions that they decided to make them the startfor the Conservation of Cultural Material, ing point as they took steps to recover from Murrindindi Shire Council, Berry Street, their ordeals.

KANDO, staff and students from Yea High This became the basis of Ali's exhibition School, City of Yarra, Kinglake Ranges Vi- Resurrected; an exhibition by and for people sual and Performing Arts Alliance, Yea affected by the Black Saturday bushfires.

Pottery Studio, Yea Historical Society and Many small group discussions took place Dandenong Ranges Music Council. during the day as people talked of ways they There were artists present from across the could utilise the arts, their skills, their restate, with a strong contingent of local art- sources and energies to assist individuals and ists; other artists attended to support and learn communities as they faced the process of refrom those who had been directly affected by covery. the Black Saturday Fires.

Bev McAlister of the Dandenong Lisa Rudd reminded all those present that Ranges Music Council spoke of the ways there were those in attendance who were still in which communities have utilised music as dealing with the loss of family, friends, a recovery tool in response to past bushfires. neighbours, pets, homes, communities, enviBev highlighted the skills and resources ronments, art, history and so much more. her organisation has to offer to current Lisa highlighted that the days gathering bushfire affected communities and the benaimed to bring people together to Meet, Meld efits to be gained from utilising music to exand Merge for the benefit of themselves, their press, transform and heal. families and their communities.

Turn To Page 14

www.ThePhoenix.com.au

Page 14 - The Phoenix - Monday, June 1, 2009

Jubilant!

■ There were jubilant sceness at the Kinglake Oval on Saturday when the home team's Under 18s won their first match of the season Given that the Lakers haven't had an Under 18s for 15 years that's a long time between wins.

James Walker's boys slammed on six goals in the third quarter to win 12.6 (78) to 9.8 (62).

- Rick Wall

OUCH, THAT HURTS!

■ Alexandra’s First Division odyssey at the bottom of the YVMDFL ladder suffered another indignity on Saturday with a 187-point drubbing by ladder leader Upwey-Tecoma.

ALEXANDRA SCOREBOARD ● Fitzroy Stars chased Diamond Creek at Nillumbik Park on Saturday

Meet, Meld and Merge Forum II ● From Page 13 Sue Strano, from Regional Arts Victoria, manages Creative Communities, the Regional Arts Development Officers Network and Regional Arts Fund.

Sue spoke about the innovative arts project Beyond The Smoke, a book and festival that the Grampians region utilised to recognise the courage, tenacity and resilience shown by the people of their communities following the devastating fires of 2006.

Daryl Taylor, recently elected to a role on the Kinglake Ranges Representative Group, to work with the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority, spoke with much insight into the situations that the residents of Kinglake are currently facing.

The information Daryl presented enabled those in attendance to realise the many and varied issues confronting communities and individuals effected by the fires as they take steps to rebuild. Daryl, along with others, now refers to himself as a Fire Storm Refugee.

Another open and honest presentation was that of Julia Peddie, artist and arts therapist from Narbethong, who is currently working closely with the communities from her area.

Julia is part of a Marysville and Triangle community group who are establishing art programs for young people and art therapy workshops for adults in the wake of the bushfires.

Julia made those present realise that the "casserole period" of recovery had come and gone and that her communities and neighbours were facing the next chapter in the arduous recovery process.

After a massive sharing of information and insight everyone enjoyed a feast featuring local produce; Upper Goulburn Food Wine and Culture Group, Yea Cheese and Marmalades donated delicious goods.

Amanda Hard, Lana McLean, Joan Canning and Yea High School students Leigh Redding and Luke Hannah all assisted with the catering for the day. Many positive comments were heard about the quality and range of fantastic food products from the area.

After enjoying the generous catering, good company and picturesque surroundings of the Yea valley it may have proved challenging to return to the proceedings of the day but Kim Dunphy revitalised and refocused everyone with an invigorating movement session that brought everyone back together for the afternoon program.

Lisa Rudd of Berry Street spoke about thinking outside the box when seeking out potential funding sources and partners for community art projects especially in the wake of the fires.

To highlight her point Lisa presented the very first public viewing of the recently made documentary about community art project "Toil Art". The documentary received extremely positive feed back and requests for viewings in other communities.

Rick Connor, independent film maker and an employee of Berry Street received much praise for his film making talents.

The afternoon session focused on funding bodies, support agencies and resources.

Mandy Grinblat, Senior Arts Officer with Arts Victoria and Sue Strano from Regional Arts Victoria spoke about funding and support that their organisations were currently offering.

Sue spoke about an online project "Storyboard" created in response to the

bushfires; the site provides a creative space to share photos, videos, artworks and stories with others who have been affected by this devastating event.

Storyboard is an ongoing project and is also a safe place for people to archive precious images and record local histories. The Regional Arts Victoria website provides more information regarding this exciting project.

Murrindindi Shire Councilor, Sally Abbot Smith, spoke with enthusiasm about the important role that the arts can play as a fire recovery tool. Sally's speech strongly and positively affirmed the important roles that those present at the forum could play as we assisted our communities to rebuild. Sally finished the guest presenters section of the forum on an inspiring note.

People from each table at Meet, Meld, Merge II then reported back on the ideas that the event had generated. Ideas and goals included: the creation of memorial sculptures where people could reflect, express remorse and remember what people had been through.

Film making and story telling for students to use as a medium to explore and express what young people experienced as a result of the fires. The establishment of an art trail across the Shire of Murrindindi that could include artist's studios, galleries and public art. Mapping and scoping of what is taking place across the Shire to collate a better understanding of what is occurring in response and recovery to the fires.

Offers of assistance came from artists, services, arts-worker and community groups not effected directly by the fires to share their energy, skills, support and resources with those who were dealing with the stress and increased work loads.

There was also talk of the creation of a web site that could act as community information resource so that there was a central point that could collate all the arts activities that were taking place across Victoria in response to the fires.

A web site where people could blog and capture stories, information could be dispersed, ideas shared and a calendar of events could be displayed.

The site could contain requests from individuals and communities in relation to their art needs; along with offers of donations, assistance, funding and resources from outside fire effected communities.

The responses from those in attendance at the forum was strongly focused on individuals, services and communities all supporting each other. Those present gained a real insight into the pressure, trauma and exhaustion that local arts workers, volunteers, artists and services are experiencing.

A comment from a participant was "It's alright for those of us not affected by the fires to come in with new ideas and energy - we now realise how exhausted and drained local people are. We know we have to take things a little slower and with much more consideration for what people have been through".

To find out more about what took place at the forum or to become involved in activities and events that may be taking place in the future then please contact Lisa Rudd, Community Art Worker, Berry Street, Yea on 0428 887 009 lrudd@berrystreet.org.au or Cindy Ferguson, Youth and Community Arts Worker, Berry Street Alexandra on 0419 517 045 cferguson@berrystreet.org.au - Contributed by Lisa Rudd

SENIORS UP.-TECOMA .... 6.1, 16.6, 25.10, 35.14 (224) ALEXANDRA ................. 2.3, 2.3, 4.4, 5.7 (37) Goals. Upwey-Tecoma: D. Sheers 6, J. Kamoen 5, W. Porter 4, J. O''Donnell 4, C. Hayes 4, S. Hunt 3, S. Mitchell 3, M. Charles 2, S. Dawson 2, J. Orger , R. Van Hoorn. Alexandra: L. Heard 2, G. McCaul , A. Johansen , T. Duigan.

Best. Upwey-Tecoma: D. Sheers, A. McQualter, M. Charles, S. Brotja, D. Sloane, W. Porter.

Alexandra: T. Duigan, M. Bretherton, J. Kidd, C. McKay, C. Jack, B. Leary RESERVES UP.-TECOMA ....... 3.5, 5.7, 12.10, 19.12 (126) ALEXANDRA ............... 1.0, 2.2, 2.3, 4.3 (27) Goals. Upwey-Tecoma: J. Selleck 5, C. Westhead 4, J. Maddock 4, S. Le Gourrierec, S. Broecker , J. McMillan , S. Waters , S. Russell , R. MacWhirter Alexandra: M. Steiner 2, A. Matthews , G. McCaul Best. Upwey-Tecoma: J. McMillan, J. Selleck, J. Maddock, P. Broecker, L. O''Connor, S. Marcus.

Alexandra: S. Parker, R. Carter, L. Ragg, J. Elkington, M. Steiner, G. McCaul THIRDS UP.-TECOMA .. 3.7, 6.8, 12.10, 15.13 (103) ALEXANDRA ... 1.2, 4.9, 6.12, 8.16 (64) Goals. Upwey-Tecoma: D. Waters 6, T. Royce 2, K. O''Brien 2, Z. Dyson , B. Chambers , D. Burke, B. Jones , L. Vandelaak. Alexandra: N. Malcolm 2, S. Steiner 2, J. Heveren 2, S. Woollard , J. Steyger Best: Upwey-Tecoma: D. Waters, B. Lane, J. Lucas, B. Jones, L. Dennis, B. Ellingworth.

Alexandra: S. Steiner, N. Armstrong, N. Malcolm, S. Woollard, M. Steiner, J. Heveren

OTHER YVMDFL DIV. 2 SCORES SENIORS. Healesville 12.11 (83) d Gembrook Cockatoo 9.9 (63). Monbulk 15.21 (111) d Warburton Millgrove 16.10 (106). Silvan 19.17 (131) d Wandin 16.21 (117). Woori Yallock 25.18 (168) d Mount Evelyn 12.8 (80).

Ladder. 1. Upwey Tecoma 304.75 24. 2.

Monbulk 200.43 20. 3. Woori Yallock 163.83 20. 4. Healesville 142.77 20. 5. Mount Evelyn 120.70 12. 6. Silvan 76.33 12. 7. Warburton Millgrove 68.61 8. 8. Gembrook Cockatoo 71.06 4. 9. Wandin 43.55 0. 10. Alexandra 28.35 0 RESERVES. Healesville 14.19 (103) d Gembrook Cockatoo 5.7 (37). Monbulk 18.9 (117) d Warburton Millgrove 9.5 (59). Wandin 17.13 (115) d Silvan 5.4 (34). Mount Evelyn 18.10 (118) d Woori Yallock 6.1 (37).

Ladder. 1. Upwey Tecoma 403.61 24. 2.

Healesville 202.47 2. 3. Mount Evelyn 166.67 20. 4. Monbulk 154.69 16. 5. Gembrook Cockatoo 113.14 12. 6. Warburton Millgrove 88.39 12. 7. Wandin 61.64 8. 8. Woori Yallock 60.70 8. 9. Silvan 34.00 0. 10. Alexandra 20.70 0.

HUB AT BOWLS CLUB ■ A Department of Human Services Community Service Hub is being established at the Hurstbridge Bowls Club on Graysharps Rd, for the recovery process .

The Hub is being established to provide Nillumbik’s bushfire-affected residents and business owners with access to a facility which will provide assistance and a place to meet with agencies such as Department of Human Services, Case Managers, Material Aid, Centrelink, VBRRA, community development officers, Council’s Rebuilding Teams and other agencies as required.

Agencies aim to be operating from the centre by mid-June. Once the Hub is established, the Recovery Coordination Centre, currently operating from the Civic Centre in Greensborough, will transfer its services to the Hub. The centres at Strathewen and St Andrews will continue.

Kilmore, Wallan Footy SENIORS Scores: Diggers Rest 20.13 (133) d Kilmore 5.10 (40). Woodend-Hekset 12.13 (85) d Wallan 8.8 (56). Lancefield 10.15 (75) d Melton Centrals 5.15 (45). Riddell 17.9 (111) d Sunbury Kangaroos 7.10 (52). Romsey 9.10 (64) d Rockbank 1.2 (8). Macedon 13.11 (89) d Broadford 8.7 (55).

Ladder: 1. Riddell 162.47 28. 2. Macedon 188.64 24. 3. Lancefield 177.10 24. 4. Diggers Rest 108.50 16. 5. Sunbury Kangaroos 93.14 16. 6. Romsey 88.91 14. 7. Woodend/ Hesket 107.88 12. 8. Broadford 93.25 8. 9.

Melton Centrals 75.49 8. 10. Kilmore 64.63 8. 11. Rockbank 60.25 6. 12. Wallan 66.11 4.

RESERVES Scores: Kilmore 12.12 (84) d Diggers Rest 7.10 (52). Woodend-Hesket 17.5 (107) d Wallan 5.6 (36). Melton Centrals 12.3 (75) d Lancefield 10.6 (66). Riddell 13.16 (94) d Sunbury Kangaroos 2.2 (14). Romsey 12.6 (78) d Rockbank 7.8 (50). Macedon 8.10 (58) d Broadford 6.6 (42).

Ladder: 1. Macedon 159.26 24. 2 . Melton Centrals 137.95 24. 3. Riddell 157.37 20.

4. Woodend/Hesket 156.36 20. 5. Wallan 105.79 20. 6. Kilmore 107.35 12. 7.

Lancefield 104.17 12. 8. Diggers Rest 97.93 12. 9. Broadford 81.67 8. 10. Rockbank 52.67 8 . 1. Romsey 68.89 4. 12. Sunbury Kangaroos 51.43 4 UNDER 18 Scores: Diggers Rest 12.11 (83) d Kilmore 3.7 (25). Riddell 6.8 (44) d Sunbury Kangaroos 4.14 (38). Romsey 23.30 (168) d Rockbank 0.0 (0). Macedon 31.16 (202) d Broadford 0.1 (1). Bye: Woodend-Hesket, Lancefield..

Ladder: 1. Woodend/Hesket 264.21 24. 2.

Kilmore 209.34 24. 3. Macedon 238.83 16.

4. Diggers Rest 238.42 16. 5. Romsey 175.24 16. 6. Lancefield 139.37 16. 7.

Riddell 94.09 8. 8. Sunbury Kangaroos 82.05 4. 9. Broadford 23.81 4. 10. Rockbank 9.30 0. 11. Wallan 0.00 0

SEYMOUR - GVFL SCORES

GVFL SENIORS Scores: Echuca 26.13 (169) d Benalla 12.10 (82). Shepparton Swans 17.13 (115) d Shepparton United 14.12 (96). Kyabram 22.10 (142) d Mansfield 13.11 (89). Rochester 19.19 (133) d Euroa 11.5 (71). Mooroopna 12.16 (88) d Seymour 11.12 (78). Scores not to hand: Tatura v Shepparton.

Ladders: 1. Tatura 213.40 24. 2. Rochester 172.86 24. 3. Shepparton 172.24 20. 4 .

Mansfield 139.76 20. 5. Kyabram 129.74 20.

6. Mooroopna 116.49 20. 7. Echuca 95.28 12.

8. Shepparton Swans 92.31 12. 9. Seymour 101.64 8. 10. Euroa 42.86 4.11. Shepparton United 55.15 0. 12. Benalla 42.02 0 RESERVES Scores: Echuca 18.13 (121) d Benalla 8.5 (53).

Shepparton United 16.5 (101) d Shepparton Swans 4.8 (32). Kyabram 12.10 (82) d Mansfield 10.13 (73). Rochester 25.18 (168) d Euroa 1.4 (10). Seymour 15.10 (100) d Mooroopa 6.8 (44).

Scores not to hand: Tatura v Shepparton.

Ladders: 1. Mooroopna 588.98 20. 2. Seymour 221.95 20. 3. Rochester 292.55 16. 4. Tatura 230.73 16. 5. Mansfield 120.88 16. 6.

Shepparton 244.06 12. 7. Kyabram 104.55 8 8. Echuca 96.12 4. 9. Shepparton United 54.73 4. 10. Benalla 21.16 4. 11. Shepparton Swans 20.87 0. 12. Euroa 18.01 0 UNDER 18s Scores: Echuca 11.8 (74) d Benalla 7.7 (49).

Shepprton Swans 10.20 (80) d Shepparton United 10.5 (65). Kyabram 14.13 (97) d Mansfield 2.5 (17). Rochester 22.12 (144) d Euroa 2.2 (14). Mooroopna 12.6 (78) d Seymour 10.6 (66). Scores not to hand: Tatura v Shepparton.

Ladders: 1. Kyabram 319.91 28. 2. Echuca 141.13 28. 3. Shepparton United 132.90 20.

4. Shepparton Swans 119.42 16. 5. Rochester122.74 12. 6. Mooroopna 95.16 12. 7.

Mansfield 70.19 12. 8. Benalla 91.56 8. 9.

Seymour 82.37 8. 10. Tatura 67.78 8. 11.

Shepparton 55.67 8. 12. Euroa 45.67 4

www.ThePhoenix.com.au

The Phoenix - Monday, June 1, 2009 - Page 15

LAKERS NOW THIRD ON LADDER

■ Kinglake have secured third place on the YVMDFL Second Division ladder, ahead of Yarra Junction on percentage. The Lakers are due to play Yarra Glen this Saturday.

KINGLAKE SCOREBOARD SENIORS KINGLAKE ........... 61, 14.3, 18.4, 24.6 (150) BELGRAVE ................ 3.0, 6.3, 9.5, 12.10 (82) Goals: Kinglake: B. Gallicho 7, M. Howard 4, M. Quee 3, J. Demarco 3, J. Walker 2, M. Thomas 2, C. Scott , J. Sibenaler , S. Mather Belgrave: J. Meyer 5, B. Raaymakers 2, C. Bowman 2, D. Loosz 2, C. Hutchison Best. Kinglake: G. Murphy, M. Quee, C. Scott, B. Gallicho, S. Mather, J. Walker. Belgrave: D. Bilston, D. Ferguson, B. Raaymakers, J. Meyer, B. Fitzgerald, D. Loosz RESERVES KINGLAKE ......... 6.4, 10.5, 13.6, 18.10 (118) BELGRAVE ................... 1.1, 4.1, 6.5, 7.5 (47) Goals. Kinglake: C. Caine 6, D. Hamilton 4, M. Bannister 3, C. McAlpine 2, B. Groves, M. Ryan, B. Collins. Belgrave: H. Scott 4, G. Ison , L. Robinson, J. Levell Best: Kinglake: K. Smith, M. Maloney, B. Collins, M. Bannister, C. Caine, B. Groves. Belgrave: J. Levell, G. Ison, D. Lucas, C. Smith, H. Scott, P. Otten.

UNDER 18 KINGLAKE ............... 2.0, 4.2, 10.4, 12.6 (78) BELGRAVE ................ 3.3, 4.5, 7.5, 9.8 (62) Goals. Kinglake: B. Fisher 4, S. Jones 2, J. Harvey 2, D. Coburn, T. McDonald, J. Styles, S.

Le Poidevin. Belgrave: M. Smith 3, A. Rohram 2, D. Richmond 2, P. Gough , B. Thompson.

Best. Kinglake: B. Fisher, T. Sibinaler, M. Ingle, E. Scott, J. Butterworth, D. Coburn. Belgrave: B. Thompson, H. Connolly, M. Smith, P. Gough, D. Richmond, A. Rohram

YEA SCOREBOARD SENIORS SEVILE .................. 4.1, 8.4, 11.6, 17.7 (109) YEA ............................... 2.0, 2.0, 4.2, 6.4 (40) Goals; Seville: S. Smith 6, S. Wilson 2, R. Morison 2, M. Holly 2, R. Warburton , C. Harrison, M. Kershaw, D. Craddock, M. Cecere. Yea: M. Scoble 2, M. Helder 2, C. Graham , P. McKenna Best: Seville: S. Smith, B. Pereira, P. Bailey, M. Cecere, R. Collins, S. Wilson. Yea: J. Clavarino, C. Graham, P. McKenna, R. Toulson, M. Scoble, A. Hunter RESERVES SEVILLE .................... 2.2, 6.4, 8.6, 13.9 (87) YEA ............................. 1.2, 3.4, 5.8, 6.9 (45) Goals. Seville: D. Wallace 5, K. Mullett 2, E. Wells 2, J. Prowse , D. O’Neill , M. Hirst , J. Mann Yea: J. Lockhart 4, J. Frankcombe, R. Marsh.

Best. Seville: D. Wallace, J. Mann, D. Long, M. Paisley, D. oO’neill, B. Lear. Yea: J. Stephens, J. Frankcombe, J. Lockhart, L. White, B. Holman, S. Vlamis

OTHER YVMDFL DIV. 2 SCORES SENIORS. Olinda Ferny Creek 15.26 (116) d Emerald 13.10 (88). Thornton Eildon 14.19

(103) d Powelltown 8.17 (65). Yarra Junction 10.12 (72) d Yarra Glen 10.8 (68).

Ladder. 1. Olinda Ferny Creek 221.60 28. 2.

Seville 149.32 24. 3. Kinglake 143.39 20. 4.

Yarra Junction 134.32 20. 5. Emerald 93.36 12.

6. Yarra Glen 77.52 12. 7. Yea 59.97 12. 8.

Thornton Eildon 85.43 4. 9. Belgrave 62.68 4.

10. Powelltown 60.14 4 RESERVES. Olinda Ferny Creek 14.8 (92) d Emerald 8.8 (42). Thornton Eildon 12.7 (79) d Powelltown 6.8 (44). Yarra Glen 15.13 (103) d Yarra Junction 5.4 (34).

Ladder. 1. 1. Seville 263.04 24. 2. Yarra Glen 257.03 24. 3. Kinglake 181.41 24. 4. Yarra Junction 141.29 20. 5. Olinda Ferny Creek 200.00 1. 6. Emerald 131.18 16. 7. Yea 58.40 8. 8. Belgrave 45.68 4. 9. Thornton Eildon 29.09 4. 10. Powelltown 22.11 0 COMBINED UNDER 18. Olinda Ferny Creek 13.16 (94) d Emerald 6.2 (38). Healesville 12.12 (84) d Gembrook Cockatoo 10.3 (63). Warburton Millgrove 10.19 (79) d Monbulk 8.9 (57). Mount Evelyn 10.7 (67) d Woori Yallock 5.11 (41). Bye: Yarra Junction.

Ladder. 1. 1, Olinda Ferny Creek 417.68 28. 2.

Upwey Tecoma 242.95 24. 3. Mount Evelyn 173.24 24. 4. Warburton Millgrove 165.42 20.

5. Emerald 160.10 16. 6. Seville 154.48 16. 7.

Powelltown 112.46 16. 8. Woori Yallock 85.12 12. 9. Belgrave 51.90 12. 10. Monbulk 86.11 8. 11. Yarra Junction 34.48 8. 12. Kinglake 23.37 8. 13. Gembrook Cockatoo 81.24 4. 14.

Healesville 78.81 4. 15. Alexandra 65.77 4

EAGLES HUMBLED BY MACLEOD

■ The Eagles Seniors were overwhlemed by Macleod at home on Saturday in Northern Football League Division Two.

WHITTLESEA SCOREBOARD

SENIORS MACLEOD .............. 3.2, 4.4, 8.2, 19.10 (124) WHITTLESEA .............. 1.3, 2.7, 1.3, 6.16 (52) Goals. Macleod: K. Ewart 4, A. Bennett 3, J. White 3, N. Lynch 2, A. Doherty 2, S. Kelly 2, D. Nankervis, C. Forester, A. Woodhams.

Whittlesea: E. Murray 3, M. Dornauf, R. Dahlblom, M. Ryan.

Best. Macleod: C. Corr, S. Kelly, A. Woodhams, K. Shaw, L. Mahoney, J. Bennett. Whittlesea: E. Murray, M. Robertson, B. Toll, R. Dyson, N. Snowdon, G. Heenan.

RESERVES MACLEOD ............. 4.0, 9.2, 15.5, 19.8 (122) WHITTLESEA ............... 1.2, 1.4, 2.6, 3.9 (27) Goals: Macleod: M. Sherpa 5, B. Capper 4, D. Watts 2, C. Wilson 2, R. Hancock 2, B. Gunningham, M. Rose, A. Lovett, A. Wells.

Whittlesea: D. Burcul, J. Crocker, C. Willet Best. Macleod: R. Hancock, A. Wells, M. Sherpa, B. Capper, T. Hansen, M. Hancock. Whittlesea: B. Page, A. Mc Leod, M. Eifermann, C. Willet, J. Crocker, L. Dyson.

UNDER 19 MACLEOD .................. 4.2, 6.4, 6.5, 10.7 (67) WHITTLESEA ................. 2.1, 3.3, 3.5, 5.6 (36) Goals: Macleod: P. Hiah 2, H. Seivers 2, B. Wilding, B. Hesline, J. Byrgiotis, A. Wallis, L. Considine, A. Beck. Whittlesea: D. O''Connor, M. Dyson, J. Nixon, S. Salmon, M. Douthwaite Best. Macleod: J. Byrgiotis, B. Hesline, A. Beck, H. Jones, J. Neil, B. Bennett. Whittlesea: D. O''Connor, M. Dyson, J. Nixon, S. Salmon, M. Douthwaite

NETBALL Section One: North Heidelberg A 30 d Diamond Creek 29. Whittlesea 30 d Merhnda A 19.

Macleod 49 d Fitzroy Stars 14. Bye: Laekside.

Section Two: Lalor 34 d Fitzroy Stars 14. Mernda 18 d Whittlesea '2' 11. Epping 18 d North Heidelberg 15. Bye: Hurstbridge.

NFL DIV. 1 SCORES SENIORS Bundoora 15.9 (99) d W Preston Lakeside 7.14 (56). Lalor 16.14 (110) d Greensborough 10.8

Latest From The Locker Rooms

YVMDFL matches Division 1. Round 7. Saturday, June 6 Alexandra v Wandin Gembrook Cockatoo v Woori Yallock Monbulk v Healesville Mount Evelyn v Upwey Tecoma Silvan v Warburton Millgrove Division 2. Round 8. Saturday, June 6 Belgrave v Thornton Eildon Kinglake v Yarra Glen Olinda Ferny Creek v Yea Powelltown v Emerald Seville v Yarra Junction

NFL matches Division 1. Round 8.

Saturday, June 7 North Heidelberg v Heidelberg Greensborough v Montmorencu Lalor v Thomastown Saturday, June 13 Eltham v W Prestok Lakeside Sunday, June 14 Northcote Park v Bundoora Division 2. Round 8 Saturday, June 6 Lower Plenty v Fitzroy Stars Whittlesea v South Morang Sunday, June 7 Parkside v Hurstbridge Reservoir v Epping Saturday, June 13 Watsonia v Macleod Diamond Creek v Mernda Heidelberg West v Panton Hill

AFL matches ROUND 11 FRIDAY, JUNE 5 Richmond v Western Bulldogs TD (N) SATURDAY, JUNE 6 North Melbourne v St Kilda TD Brisbane Lions v Carlton G (N) Port Adelaide v Fremantle AS (N) SUNDAY, JUNE 7 Essendon v Adelaide TD Hawthorn v Sydney MCG West Coast v Geelong S (T) MONDAY, JUNE 8 Melbourne v Collingwood MCG

Grandstander

● Panton Hill, with scores level at half-time, plan their victory against Reservoir (68). Heidelberg 20.11 (131) d Northcote Park Ladder. 1. 1. Bundoora 257.10 28 . 2. Mont7.8 (50). Montmorency 18.16 (124) d Eltham morency 274.32 24 . 3. Greensborough 143.91 10.6 (66). North Heidelberg 29.18 (192) d 24 . 4. Northcote Park 131.17 20 . 5. W Preston Thomastown 4.10 (34).

Lakeside 141.46 12 . 6. Heidelberg 119.68 12 Ladder. 1. Heidelberg 195.77 28. 2. Northcote . 7. North Heidelberg 69.66 8 . 8. Eltham 52.80 Park 164.62 24. 3. Bundoora 110.31 20. 4. 8 . 9. Lalor 51.40 4 . 10. Thomastown 19.08 0 North Heidelberg 135.38 16. 5. Lalor 97.56 16.

UNDER 19 6. Montmorency 103.96 12. 7. Greensborough Bundoorta 17.13 (115) d W Preston Lakeside 82.06 12. 8. W Preston Lakeside91.64 8. 9. 3.4 (22). Heidlebrg 11.10 (76) d Northcote Park Eltham 70.61 4. 10. Thomastown 40.09 0 5.6 (36). Montmorency 16.13 (109) d Eltham 11.15 (81). Thomastown 16.14 (11) d North RESERVES Hiedlberg 11.12 (78). Bye: Greensborough.

Bundoora 10.7 (67) d W Preston Lakeside 10.7 Ladder. 1. Bundoora 227.53 28. 2.

(67). Greensborough 10.13 (73) d Lalor 10.7 Greensborough 159.63 16. 3. Thomastown (67). Northcote Park 13.2 (80) d Heidelberg 9.7 96.75 16. 4. Eltham 140.49 12. 5. Heidelberg (61). Montmorency 29.18 (192) d Eltham 5.6 109.16 12. 6. W Preston Lakeside 90.26 12.

(36). North Heidelberg 18.9 (117) d Thomastown 7. Montmorency 84.06 8. 8. Northcote Park 9.7 (61).

60.10 8. 9. North Heidelberg 39.17 0

■ Five girls from Kinglake Football Netball Club were selected by Netball Victoria to play during half time of the Vixens game yesterday (Sunday).

■ This coming (Queen’s Birthday) Weekend sees another series of split rounds for some Leagues. Grandstander reckons this is becoming a major annoyance for supporters.

■ Eltham North resident Terry Wallace celebrated his 500th AFL game at the weekend when Richmond was able to achieve a three-point win against Fremantle.

■ Hurstbridge Football Club played host in chilly conditions to the Imalu Tigers in an exhibition match played at Ben Frilay Oval late in May. The Tiwi Islanders 10.5 (65) defeated Hurstbridge 7.7 (49).

■ A Meet the Coaches and First Training Session for the Northern Football League Under 16 Junior Development Squad for 2009 will be held this Sunday (June 7) from 7pm at the Mill Park Lakes Reserve .

www.ThePhoenix.com.au

Page 16 - The Phoenix - Monday, June 1, 2009

The Phoenix Sport newspaper

MONDAY, JUNE 1, 2009

GOLF LEGEND AT MARYSVILLE FILE PHOTO

■ Golfing legend Peter Thomson and 64 golfers celebrated the re-opening of the Marysville Community Golf and Bowls Club course on Saturday morninbg. Five members lost their lives in the Black Saturday fires.

Stop Press

Swine flu spreads Mitchell and Macedon Ranges Shires joined the list of localities where Swine Flu was reported, at the weekend. Most of Victoria’s cases are in the northern suburbs, and the Northern Hospital at Epping is under stress.

Healesville fatality A 23-year-old Healesville man was killed after losing control of his car in Don Rd, Badgers Creek about 3.30am on Saturday.

Police believe the car veered off the road and into a tree. They believe speed was a factor in the smash that tore the car in two. The wreckage was found at 7.45am.

REDBACKS WEAVE WEB FOR REZZA

■ Panton Hill raced away in the second half of Saturday's match to have a 16-point winover Reservoir in the NFL Second Division Other winners were Diamond Creek, Lower Plenty, Mernda and Watsonia. Macleod was much too strong for Whittlesea.

In history-making circumstances, the South Morang-Epping match was cancelled with five senior players suffering from Swine Flu. Seven others shows symptoms.

UNDER 19s Diamond Creek 17.16 (118) d Bundoora Bulls 1.5 (11). Lower Plenty 15.23 (118) d Hurstbridge 10.5 (65). Mernda 14.8 (92) d St Marys 5.7 (37).

Watsonia 18.11 (119) d Keon Park 8.3 (51).

Macleod 10.7 (67) d Whittlsea 5.6 (36). Bye: Epping.

Ladder. 1. Diamond Creek 197.92 24. 2. Lower Plenty 150.83 20. 3. Mernda 185.34 20. 4.

Whittlesea 154.29 16. 5. Macleod 135.15 16.

6. St Marys 89.42 12. 7. Watsonia 76.60 12. 8.

Bundoora Bulls 74.12 8. 9. Hurstbridge 72.01 8. 10. Epping 81.84 4. 11. Keon Park 26.58 0.

Detailed Whittlesea scores and NFL Division 1 scores and ladders - Page 15

NFL DIV. 2 SCORES SENIORS Panton Hill 11.5 (71) d Reservoir 7.13 (55). Diamond Creek 16.12 (108) d Fitzroy Stars 12.3 (75). Lower Plenty 21.21 (147) d Hurstbridge 13.6 (84). Mernda 19.10 (124) d Parkside 10.3 (63). Watsonia 26.14 (170) d Heidelberg West 7.2 (44). Macleod 19.10 (124) d Whittlesea 6.16 (52).

Ladder. 1. 1. Diamond Creek, 203.79 28. 2.

Macleod, 237.33 24. 3. Mernda, 124.85 24. 4.

Fitzroy Stars, 125.68 20. 5. Whittlesea 134.32 16. 6. Watsonia 129.71 16. 7. Lower Plenty 146.55 12. 8. Epping 136.76 12. 9. Parkside 82.89 12. 10. Hurstbridge 78.93 12. 11. South Morang 69.53 . 12. Panton Hill 70.35 4 . 13.

Reservoir 54.92 4. 14. Heidelberg West 22.43 0.

RESERVES Diamond Creek 25.13 (163) d Fitzroy Stars 4.5 (29). Lower Plenty 16.12 (108) d Hurstbridge 9.10 (64). Mernda 8.13 (61) d Parkside 6.13 (49). Reservoir 10.15 (75) d Panton Hill 2.14 (26). Watsonia 32.18 (210) d Heidelberg West 2.6 (18). Macleod 19.8 (122) d Whittlesea 3.9 (27).

PHOTO BY ASH LONG

● Panton Hill led the chase against Reservoir in NFL Second Division after being level at half-time

Ladder: 1. Diamond Creek, 300.00, 28. 2.

Macleod, 226.84, 24. 3. Mernda, 197.44, 24.

4. Whittlesea, 148.05, 20. 5. Lower Plenty, 137.37, 16. 6. Epping, 125.82, 16. 7. South Morang, 119.38, 16. 8. Parkside, 100.00, 16.

9. Watsonia, 105.62, 12. 10. Hurstbridge, 87.82, 8. 11. Reservoir, 57.33, 8. 12. Fitzroy Stars, 49.34, 4. 13. Panton Hill, 52.91, 0. 14.

Heidelberg West, 17.66, 0.

PHOTO BY ASH LONG

● Diamond Creek tackled Fitzroy Stars at Nillumbik Park on Saturday

Plenty Ranges Arts Centre Musical Morning Calendar July - December 2009 Friday 3rd July - Liza & Rod Performed by the vibrant and vivacious Aurora as Liza Minelli and Billy Whyte playing Rod Stewart.

Thursday 13th August - Derrick J Derrick J has a huge repertoire covering all styles of music.

Friday 25th September - Frank Sinatra Tribute Hanz De Zilwa performs a fabulous tribute to the great Frank Sinatra Thursday 1st October - Lest We Forget A tribute to Remembrance Day. Performed by Margaret Dennis.

Thursday 3rd December - Denise Drysdale One of Australia's enduring and most recognised talents.

All shows begin at 11.00am, with Morning tea served from 10.00am (inclusive in ticket price) Ticket prices Individual tickets Groups 10+

$16.00 $14.00

4 Show Series $56.00 Save $8.00 and must be paid in one transaction *All tickets must be paid for in full at time of booking.

Tickets will not be placed on hold.

To book your tickets call us on 9217 2317 on Monday - Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm

Plenty Ranges Arts Centre 35 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang 3752

Phone: 9217 2317 Website: www.plentyrangestheatre.com.au