The Great Southern Star - August 23, 2011 by The Great Southern Star

www.thestar.com.au

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2011

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Daffodils blooming SPRING is almost here and the Leongatha Horticultural Society’s 55th Leongatha Daffodil Festival and Floral Festival is about to start.

The three day festival starts this Thursday at 2pm at the Memorial Hall and continues through to Saturday. The floral show includes floral art, cut flowers, Australian plants, camellias and plant stalls plus many more daffodil delights. Show co-ordinator Margaret Fox is expecting a large turnout. Friday and Saturday will also see local gardens open between 10am and 4pm, showing off their beauty. The South Gippsland Gemstone and Lapidary Club has an exhibition at the old bowling club rooms, the Tarwin Wool and Craft Group has spinning and other craft displayed at the library while St Peter’s Church is holding their Flowers in Praise exhibition. Other groups involved include the Leongatha Senior Citizens Club at the Dakers Centre, Marilyn Skinner paintings at Mushroom Crafts and historic automobiles in Safeway carpark on Saturday morning. A full festival program is available at The Star and other locations around town.

Daffodil time: Ryan Sturtevant, Sarah-Jane Brasher and Finn Bennett are excited about the 55th Leongatha Daffodil and Floral Festival.

Prom relief By Simone Short

TOURIST operators in the region have welcomed the news that Tidal River at Wilsons Promontory will be open for the school holidays and beyond. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Prom!” Parks Victoria regional manager Chris Rose, along with Deputy Premier of Victoria and Member for Gippsland South Peter Ryan MP, were delighted to announce the reopening of the southern side of the park last Friday. Around 250 campsites as well as other accommodation will be available for visitors in time for the September school holidays, with bookings being taken as of yesterday (Monday). Mr Rose said it had been a monumental effort by Parks Victoria staff to have Tidal River ready for visitors only five months after it was severely washed out following heavy rains. “It’s fantastic to have you all here, having had the park closed for so long since the devastating floods of early this year,” he said. Mr Ryan made the official announcement the park would reopen for campers and day visitors as of September 23 this year and also paid tribute to the staff of Parks Victoria. He said the 400-odd millimetres of rain that

fell over the park on the night of March 22 caused chaos in the Prom. “In the midst of it all, those who stood tallest were the staff of Parks Victoria and I pay tribute to them today, not only for their efforts on that

night, which ultimately as you know resulted in 400 people having to be moved out of the Prom in emergency circumstances, but also the enormous amount of work that has been done,” he said. “I came here within 48 hours later and to come

Open for business: Deputy Premier of Victoria and Member for Gippsland South Peter Ryan MP and Parks Victoria regional manager Chris Rose announced on Friday that Tidal River will reopen in time for the September school holidays.

back today and see what has been done by way of recovery is a great tribute to Chris.” Mr Ryan also acknowledged the hard work done by the contractors working with the park’s staff, and said to get the Darby River Bridge back in operation had been a “phenomenal effort”. The Deputy Premier said the reopening of Tidal River was an important milestone not only for Wilsons Promontory, but the whole region, with the State Government providing $8.8 million to restore the Prom to its “former glory”. “There is more than 100 years of history in the national park itself, let alone the thousands of years of history which are otherwise around us, so it was important to act immediately to get on top of this,” he said. “While this is a great milestone, visitors need to be aware that many track closures will still remain whilst extensive repair works and possible track alignments are undertaken, especially in the south of the park. “Parks Victoria will continue to keep the public informed as the staged re-openings continue. In the meantime visitors are asked to respect any ongoing closures for their own safety.” South Gippsland Shire Council tourism co-ordinator Christian Stefani said the reopening of Tidal River was “critical to tourism in South Gippsland”. Continued on page 2.

PAGE 2 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Sophie’s stars shine WITH the Vietnam Battle of Long Tan commemorated on August 18 it was a timely opening for

Wonthaggi Theatrical Group’s latest play Mineﬁelds and Miniskirts on Friday night at the town’s

art centre. Close to 1000 Australian women played a part in the Vietnam War and Wonthaggi’s play centres on the lives of five of those women, an entertainer, played by Leongatha’s Kerrie Giles; volunteer, Kelly Foster; nurse, Julie Thomas; a journalist, Michelle Dal Masetto and veteran’s wife Karen Milkins-Hendry. Through this demanding Terence O’Connell one-act play we learn much of their lives, changed forever as a result of the war. Adapted from Siobhan McHugh’s book, this play reveals through a collage of true stories, the extraordinary experiences of ordinary women surviving a war. These women reflect through their stories and speeches on the Vietnam War and move you to laughter and sadness and keep you enthralled from start to finish. All five characters were so well-played and well rehearsed by Sophie Cuttriss of Inverloch in her debut role as play director. First time play director maybe, but Sophie has done an amazing job with this hugely challenging production and gathered around her a fine team including musical director, the extremely talented Larry Hills, set and lighting designer John Cuttriss with Louise Adkins and Chris Denzel-Williams in charge of costumes. There was great con-

trast between the women, with Kerrie every bit the glamorous entertainer. Sandy, she was right at home in this, Kelly was suitably restrained in her volunteer role and did a ﬁne job, and Karen captivated the audience regaling horror story after horror story as the wife of a soldier. Nurse Julie was warm and caring and delivered her solo, Saigon Bride with such power and feeling, she shone out at the right moment, and Michelle gave a polished performance. She gave a very moving portrayal of the reporter in a warzone. The mix of dark and humorous stories combined well with the great music blasts from the past, and you just felt like singing along to Leaving on a Jet Plane and Will You Still Love me Tomorrow? Peter McAlpine from Leongatha Lyric Theatre who attended opening night for The Star said he thoroughly enjoyed the performance. “The play used a mixture of emotions, with many highs and lows,” he said. “All ﬁve girls were excellent on stage and performed brilliantly.” The play is very moving and thoroughly enjoyable and well worth checking out. The play has a brief season, ending on August 27. Tickets are available from the Wonthaggi Workmen’s Club.

Cast: (from left) Karen Milkins-Hendry, Julie Thomas, Kelly Foster, Kerrie Giles, musical director Larry Hills, director Sophie Cuttriss and Michelle dal Masetto.

Left: Great night: Lindy Waldron and Judy Wilson enjoyed Mineﬁelds and Miniskirts on the opening night.

Weekend strike at MG A NUMBER of workers walked off the job at Murray Goulburn’s Leongatha factory on Friday morning as part of a state-wide union act against the company. Maintenance workers made the move to have a 24 hour stoppage of work on from 6am on Friday and a call-out and overtime ban over the weekend until 6am Monday. This left sites without maintenance workers for three days. State organiser for the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) Damian King said that they wanted some movement on an agreement. “After eight months of negotiations in-

volved with an enterprise agreement with Murray Goulburn and we still haven’t been able to reach an agreement so the members decided to take protected industrial action,” he said. The AMWU plan to sit down with Murray Goulburn on Thursday to discuss wages, penalties, the use of contractors and redundancy provisions. “I estimate 45 or 50 workers would have been affected as Leongatha is the biggest Murray Goulburn factory in the state,” Mr King said. Murray Goulburn was contacted for a comment but did not return The Star’s call by deadline.

Wilsons Prom to re-open Continued from page 1. “The park is the region’s major attraction; it’s a critical key for small business and micro business in our communities to have an income all year round,” he said. “It being closed hits the bottom line in our community, and getting it reopened as quickly as we can will obviously provide visitors an opportunity to come back, and bring people spending money back in our community.” Mr Stefani said on top of the park being shut, wet weather and consumer conﬁdence in spending in Victoria had caused a very quiet winter for South Gippsland. “This is an absolutely great thing to happen for our region and hopefully the message will get out now, with a lot of preplanned marketing and promotional campaigns to show not only is the Prom open for business, but South Gippsland still welcomes everyone down

Parks Victoria staff member: Brett Mitchell shows Deputy Premier of Victoria and Member for Gippsland South Peter Ryan MP one of the refurbished units with Parks Victoria regional manager Chris Rose. here with open arms.” Mr Ryan agreed the reopening will see a tourism boom for the region, with around 40,000 nights worth of accommodation booked at the Prom every year when facilities are operating at a normal level.

“From a general business point of view in South Gippsland, this of course is a wonderful thing,” he said. “I’m so conscious that our small business sector in all its forms is very dependent upon the

Prom and it being able to function.” Mr Rose thanked the Deputy Premier for his support and said the announcement would not have been possible without Mr Ryan’s personal commitment to get Parks

Victoria the resources and assistance required for repair. He also thanked all the partners of Wilsons Promontory and Parks Victoria, as well as his own staff. “We’ve had so few complaints from the community and from people who had bookings we’ve had to cancel,” he said. “I know particularly some of the tourism industry people are doing it hard with the Prom closed; your support has been instrumental in taking the pressure off us and allowing us to do the business of getting the park open. “On behalf of Parks Victoria I do thank you for your ongoing support. “Finally, to all the staff of Parks Victoria, it hasn’t been an easy journey and I do thank you from the bottom of my heart for a job well done,” he said. “I know we’ve got lots of work in front of us but we will get there together.”

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 3

Road funds battle By Brad Lester

COUNCILS are lobbying State and Federal governments for a greater share of roads funding. South Gippsland and Bass Coast shire councils are pursuing funding for road maintenance, in addition to existing funding levels. While both councils are satisﬁed with the level of funding received so far, council engineering chiefs have said they would welcome more. The need is particularly dire given extreme rainfall has resulted in a proliferation of potholes around the region, damaging vehicles and risking accidents on major thoroughfares as well as backroads. Asked if South Gippsland Shire Council was satisﬁed with the level of government funding, council’s engi-

neering services director Anthony Seabrook said: “We could always do with more in a season like this. Until we get a season like this, we do not have as many issues with roads.” Council is pursuing natural disaster relief funding from the Victorian Government in a bid to alleviate the pressure, and is seeking two grants totalling $4.1 million. That is in addition to state money averaging $3.1million a year and federal funding of about $1.6 million. Bass Coast Shire Council’s infrastructure director Felicity Sist, said council would “always welcome more (funding)”. “All councils in Victoria have this problem where a lot of their infrastructure is getting old and they need to spend signiﬁcant dollars on it and bring it back its original life,” she said.

Bass Coast council is continuing to pursue more funding. “We just see where there is an opportunity for us to apply for funding and we go for it,” Ms Sist said. Bass Coast will receive $1.3 million from the Victorian Grants Commission this ﬁnancial year, up from $987,000 in 2005-06 and $880,000 from 2000-01. Mr Seabrook said council is now in a quandary as roads demand repair. “It’s a bit of a catch 22 at this time of year to try and ﬁx the roads because we are still in winter and we still have spring to come when we get most of our rain. So we are sitting there wondering whether we should throw a lot of money at putting the road back together, knowing it could fall back apart if the weather is adverse,” he said. A square metre of sealed road costs South Gippsland council about $35 a

square metre to fix and a gravel road about $3.60 a square metre. A Star investigation found that state funding has kept pace with inflation in the five years until 2005-06. Combined State and Federal funding to VicRoads’ eastern region – which covers Gippsland – rose by 21.5 per cent between 2000-01 and 2005-06 ($25.6 million to $31.1 million). The CPI increase for that period was 15.3 per cent, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The distribution of funds to the seven state regions for the 2011-12 financial year is yet to be finalised, VicRoads regional director Patricia Liew said. “VicRoads’ annual maintenance prioritisation process is based on minimising risks now and into the future and maximising the service to the com-

Chambers to classroom

European import: Norwegian exchange student Amalie Straum is enjoying her time in Australia so far.

JENNIE Deane will step out of the business world of Council Chambers, and into Korumburra Secondary College for the ninth annual Principal for a Day event on August 23. Mrs Lynne Hardy, Korumburra Secondary College’s principal, said it is a great pleasure to host Cr Jennie Deane as principal for a day. Mrs Hardy said that Cr

Oslo to Australia

NORWEGIAN exchange student Amalie Straum loves to travel but decided to go one step further this time. She wanted to be part of the culture of another country and be a citizen, not just a tourist. “I wanted to not just be a tourist but try another way to explore a different country,” Amalie said. “I really wanted to go to an English speaking country for my exchange, either USA, England or Australia were the options. “I didn’t want to go to England because it seemed too close to home and I was happy when I found out I was going to Australia because it was different, in a good way.”

The 16-year-old is studying Year 11 at Korumburra Secondary College during her time in the country. Amalie left her home in Oslo six weeks ago and so far loves every bit of Australia. “It’s a really nice country and I’ve already met some awesome people,” she said. “I haven’t been that homesick yet, it makes it easier with all the technology like Skype and Facebook. “Plus I’ve known my family for my whole life and it’s only 10 months, which in the big picture isn’t that long.” Amalie said it was hard at the start settling in and making new friends, but now she has lots of close companions here in Australia.

munity in the most cost effective manner,” she said. “Funding distribution varies from year to year depending on the changes in risks and needs across the state.” A spokesperson for Minister for Roads Terry Mulder said the State Government had allocated $601 million this ﬁnancial year for a range of roads projects. “The Coalition Government has also allocated $160 million over four years to help local councils upgrade country roads and bridges, to reverse the years of neglect under the former Labor Government,” the spokesperson said. “Forty rural councils will be eligible for up to $1 million from the fund each year for four years.”

“It was hard leaving my friends back in Norway but it will be harder leaving my friends here, because a lot of them I probably won’t see again,” she said. The language barrier deﬁnitely isn’t holding the teenager back, as she is very ﬂuent in English. “I have been learning English for around nine years and we get a lot of English speaking music and TV in Norway as well, so I’m pretty good at the language,” she said. Amalie is looking forward to the Australian summer, seeing as she sometimes has temperatures around -20 degrees in Norway. “Hopefully the summer this year in Australia will be really hot,” she said.

Deane is keen to participate in a variety of activities such as visiting classes and sharing ideas with the staff. “It will provide us with an excellent opportunity to enable someone from the business community and local government to gain a unique insight into the learning environment at our school,” Mrs Hardy said. “I am looking forward to the experience and I expect to gain a new perspective on the work being done in schools. It’s a great way for schools and the broader

community to work together in preparing our children for the future,” Cr Deane said. After the event day, all Principals for a Day and their host principals have the opportunity to come together to discuss the common ground they share around leadership and ways of creating ongoing and productive relationships.

PAGE 4 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Parents need not be alone By Brad Lester JOE Hopkins was not talking like other toddlers. He was just 18-months-old when his parents Franki and Mike realised his speech was not developing as they expected. But it was not until the Cape Paterson youngster was three that he was diagnosed with autism. “Before the diagnosis was a painful time because I tended to drift between denial - hoping that time was all he needed - and guilt, feeling that I was doing something wrong as a parent,” Franki said. The diagnosis was a shock. All Franki knew about autism was from the ﬁlm Rain Man, in which a main character is autistic and nothing like her son. “We were living in Melbourne at the time when we started visiting an early intervention centre, meeting other parents of children with autism spectrum disorders. That helped me accept our situation and get on with helping Joe. It was a huge comfort and I didn’t feel so alone,” she said. “The strength I saw in others in-

spired me to be strong.” Franki is now one of two facilitators of the Wonthaggi and District Autism Spectrum Disorder Support Group, helping parents and carers of children aged up to 15 who have such disorders as autism, Aspergers syndrome and the like. “Our support group is a great mix of parents with children of all ages. Some parents simply come along to offer their support because they wish they had a group to go to when their child was ﬁrst diagnosed,” Franki said. “The disorder is complex and requires a marathon effort. The challenges change as your child grows. Sometimes you feel completely burnt out from all the therapy and assessments required, and it can be terribly overwhelming.” The other facilitator, Julie McKenzie, said more people are requiring services. “There are social issues, sensory issues, speech issues. It’s so broad and we don’t have a lot of experts in this area,” she said. “The issues change depending on the stage of the child’s life. “Once you come along, you

realise you are not the only one out there. A lot of the kids are at specialist schools and are hard work. I would have just loved to have this sort of group when my son was younger. “We’ve had some amazing people come into our lives and help along the way: therapists, integration aides, teachers and friends. It is hard to describe how much I appreciate their efforts,” Franki said. The support group meets on the ﬁrst Wednesday of the month during school terms. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, September 7 from 10.30am until 12.30pm at Inverloch Community House, part of the Inverloch Community Hub in A’Beckett Street. The cost is just $2 per adult to cover the cost of tea/coffee, and all are welcome, including children, for a cuppa and a chat. The group also has information about services for parents of autistic children available locally and arranges social outings too. To ﬁnd out more, contact Julie on 5657 4248 or Franki on 0410 645 613 or email: franki@hopkinsdesign.com.au

Helping others: Wonthaggi and District Autism Spectrum Disorder Support Group facilitators Franki Hopkins and her son Eric, with fellow facilitator Julie McKenzie.

Fill the gaps: can you help identify these members of the former Woorayl Municipal Band? The photo was most likely taken in the 1960s. Back row: Graeme Beasley, ? Considine, Alan Rayson, ?, Bill Beasley, Tom Burchell, ? and ?. Middle row: John Cassells, ?, Foster Madden, John Rogers, Vic Hemming, ‘Pinky’ Rayson, Bill Taylor and ? Front row: president Roy Considine, Jack Rayson, Jack Todd, Neil Larsen, drum major Bill Kennedy, bandmaster George Rayson, Jack McPherson, Vic Riley and Gordon Beasley.

Milestone celebrations near WHO are these mystery men? Next year, the South Gippsland Shire Brass Band will celebrate 120 years of bringing music to the people of the district and names are being sought for the above photograph.

It will also be the centenary of the band’s home, the Leongatha Courthouse. Celebrations are being planned and the band is gathering memorabilia. The photo is probably from the 1960s, and help is needed to ﬁll in the gaps.

Memorabilia or photos of the band or courthouse would also be most appreciated. Please register your details or interest by emailing darjud@bigpond.com, mail PO Box 57, Leongatha 3953, or phone Darryl Hunt on 5662 3623.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 5

Petition support against RSPCA MEENIYAN farmer Jim McDonald has launched a petition against the RSPCA.

He is calling on the ACCC to audit the spending of donations by the animal protection agency. This comes after Mr McDonald’s recent dealings with the RSPCA regarding the live cattle export ban. “When you give money to the RSPCA you expect it to go to cats and dogs and abandoned domestic pets not political campaigning, I think that’s a gross misuse of people’s donations,” Mr McDonald said. “Leading up to the ban live export rally in Melbourne there were several large full page advertisements that cost many thousands for dollars that we all saw, that costs a lot of money for what is essentially a political issue.” And according the Mr McDonald the RSPCA still went one step further. “During the live export debate on July 18 the RSPCA rang Mr Barry Haase, Member of Drake and threatened to run a campaign against him at the next election due to his support for live export,” he said. When The Star spoke with Mr McDonald the petition had been going for four days and already had received 370 signatures.

“I have a massive swell of support behind this with lots of people getting on board. It’s really surprising how much support there really is out there on this issue,” he said. “I hope to have the state governments, after that report is issued, review the ﬁndings of the report and review funding the RSPCA.” A spokesperson from the RSPCA Victoria said that there is no need for this petition. “RSPCA is a transparent organisation so we always provide our full ﬁnancial results to our members and the public through our annual report, so all of that information is readily available and already there. It’s already audited,” they said. “Our supporters do recognise that their donations are spent very carefully. The purpose of the RSPCA is not just re-homing and rehabilitating animals: we also inspect over 14,000 cruelty cases each year, we also provide community education programs. This all falls under the mandate again of protecting all creatures great and small and righting human wrongs.” This petition comes after the second ban live export rally in Melbourne last weekend, which Mr McDonald attended. “(The rally) was nowhere near as nice as last time, the protestors were openly hostile towards us and we were threatened. They had a

bit of a go at me and tried to rip my sign out of my hands in front of the Win news crew and attacked the news crew for ﬁlming me,” Mr McDonald said. “Last time round people were respectful, they understood why we were there. They were very happy to come up and engage with us and ﬁnd out why we were there.” Mr McDonald said he was faced with verbal abuse and close confrontation from the 3000-strong crowd. “I had one guy come up and get right in my face like he was going to hit me; we had others come up and tell us we were ‘nothing but mongrels’ and saying things like ‘all you think about is your money’ and ‘all you want to do is be cruel to your animals’, ‘how dare you be here’,” he said. The message that Mr McDonald said he’s trying to convey is that farmers do not condone animal cruelty. “We don’t condone animal cruelty and we don’t want to see animal cruelty, but as far as the life export debate is concerned, the RSPCA is so one-eyed about the issue that they’re not willing to work with farmers to lift the animal welfare standards overseas, as this is one of the key reasons farmers are so angry with the RSPCA,” he said.

For the cause: Jim McDonald recently faced a crowd of around 3000 protesters at a ban live export rally in Melbourne.

Hope for Leongatha’s alternate route

Top priority By Tony Giles VICROADS has revealed that an alternative route for Leongatha’s CBD was the top priority of the region.

Acting regional manager of VicRoads Harvey Dinelli presented this pleasing news to those attending the Leongatha Chamber of Commerce’s business network meeting last Wednesday night at the Leongatha RSL. The obvious sticking point is that funding is not forthcoming for either the design/planning stage or the project itself. The alternate route is in the council’s Leongatha Structure Plan and has the road running along Hughes and Long Streets. Mr Dinelli said he was pleased that all the stakeholders were on board. This included VicRoads, council and, importantly, the community. A petition organised by the Leongatha Progress Association and the Chamber with support from councillors, had generated hundreds of signatures. “We haven’t got funding to do anything yet; VicRoads has to look at the value and return in doing any major project. We have been working closely with the Shire to put the best case forward. At this stage I can’t tell you when,” Mr Dinelli said. Mr Dinelli said that ﬁgures weren’t done but said the whole job would cost in the vicinity of $10-$15 million. Most of the route is along Shire-owned roads but VicRoads is responsible for the intersections. In responding, Chamber president Darryl McGannon said the move-

ment of trucks, especially large cattle trucks, “was an accident waiting to happen”. “I saw a cattle truck on only half its wheels going through the major roundabout. We’ve had manure splashing out on the roads regularly and more than once a person has been sprayed with manure,” Mr McGannon said. It seems that any funding decision for the alternate route is in the hands of the politicians. Mr Dinelli also bore the brunt of a few complaints about South Gippsland’s potholed roads. He said that $7 million was being spent on road safety works from east of Bena to Meeniyan; including the erection of metal barriers and wire rope barriers. “This is to reduce the severity and incidence of

run-offs and crashes.” “The potholes and the state of the roads are of concern to us and of course the councils. Drainage is very important for roads and we’ve had a very wet year with rain falling from summer and continuing throughout autumn and winter. Problems are statewide. “We have to ﬁll or patch the potholes at the moment because it is too wet to seal. We have 25 kilometres of seal to be done on South Gippsland roads once we get some ﬁner weather, hopefully from October onwards.” The Chamber brought up a number of other road issues including an update on the proposed Strzelecki Highway passing lanes. One Chamber member, Shirley-anne Wright, commented that one passing lane between Leongatha

and Morwell wasn’t nearly enough. Mr Dinelli said VicRoads was underway with the project, with land acquisitions taking place. The Chamber’s Sandra Fleming expressed concerns about the narrowness of the bridges between Leongatha and Mirboo North, which was horrifying when trucks are passing from the opposite direction. Mr Dinelli said funding was again the issue, with no current plans for widening. Mr Dinelli said VicRoads was working on reducing the number of truck rollovers, with this area twice the state average. An education program was currently running. Mr McGannon thanked Mr Dinelli for his time and effort in answering such a wide range of issues.

Networking: from left, Sandra Fleming, John Markham, Royal Carrington and guest Nola Kelly. Nola came up with some great suggestions for developing tourism in Leongatha’s CBD and spoke about developing a dairy theme for the town using painted cows.

Welcome: Leongatha Chamber of Commerce president Darryl McGannon welcomes acting regional manager of VicRoads Harvey Dinelli, to the business network meeting last Wednesday night. Darryl was appreciative of Mr Dinelli handling a number of diverse topics.

PAGE 6 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

New group: the Groundswell group was formed at a meeting recently. The group welcomes new members and meets fortnightly. Pictured from left are, back row, Ray Astbury, Aileen Vening, Jane Westworth, Richard Kentwell, Lauren Miller, Neil Rankine, Bernie Mc Comb and Hilton Chadwich, front row, Bron Dahlstrom, Alex Hayward, Nola Maxﬁeld, Nikky Miller, Lorraine Carroll, and Sue Chadwick.

New climate group formed A NEW climate and ocean change action group has started in the Bass Coast area. Groundswell Bass Coast, which has links to the Melbourne group Groundswell, wants to encourage local, state and federal governments to take immediate action to substantially reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, which it says are destroying our climate and acidifying our oceans. The group meets fortnightly to share knowledge and to plan future projects, which will include guest speakers and an opportunity for debate at open public forums. Given the group’s coastal location, it is particularly aware of the huge threat that the oceans face from acidiﬁcation, due to unprecedented amounts of carbon dioxide entering the oceans’ waters from the atmosphere, resulting in acid build up, which is a massive risk to all ocean life and thus life on land.

Kilcunda resident, Chris Heislers, says that he has joined the group because the science is proven and accepted by the vast majority of the scientiﬁc community, and that he owes it to his children to act - “Biodiversity and animal life are under massive threat, and the effects on our oceans are already evident.” He adds that, “the potential consequences of these are terrifying and the risk of not acting is too great to bear.” Other members come from a wide variety of backgrounds and locations, such as Lauren Miller from Dalyston, who says, “For me, climate change represents my kids’ inheritance. We all make so many sacriﬁces to give our kids the best of everything, but we need to start thinking about what the environment will be like for them down the track. I want my kids to inherit an earth that’s as good as or better than the one I know. I want that to be my legacy to them.”

Another member, Bron Dahlstrom, moved to Inverloch after experiencing the trauma of the Black Saturday fires. Bron says that inhabited Pacific Islands are already in danger of disappearing under the seas, and wonders how long it will be before Inverloch and other Bass Coast towns are threatened. “I’ve already experienced, first hand, the devastating effects of fire. I’m now worried about water as well,” she says. Groundswell Bass Coast is open to anyone living in the Bass Coast area. For more information about climate change and its impact on the local area, and to find out more about upcoming events, please visit and ‘like’ the group’s Facebook page (Groundswell Bass Coast). If you would like to attend a meeting, enquire about membership, or find out more about the group, please contact Ray Astbury, on 5952 1991, or Bron Dahlstrom on 0432 281 006.

Mayor’s message Cr Warren Raabe THIS week’s Council meeting at Nyora will see significant milestones in Council’s planning processes considered. The Rural Land Use Strategy, which has been evolving for several years to define clear guidelines for the development of rural land, will be presented to Council for adoption. The development of the Strategy has fluctuated from strict impositions by State Government to more recent flexibility which, if adopted by Council and accepted by the State Government, could see up to 2000 blocks of land under 4.1 hectares be granted permits to build. While these represent only 0.7 per cent of our total land, it means that those who bought these small blocks of land to Come for the beauty, stay for the lifestyle, may now

be able to realise their dreams and participate in our local communities and economy. Also on the agenda are the Structure Plans for Nyora, Loch, Poowong and Meeniyan. For the residents of Nyora this is particularly timely, given the recent commercial interest to develop 99 hectares for residential living to meet the growing demand from an expanding Melbourne fringe. The Structure Plans allow for consideration of such proposals, and while there will be requirements to ensure appropriate infrastructure is integrated, the reality is that such development in many of our sewered towns is likely to come to fruition over the next 25 years, satisfying residential demand in the conﬁnes of our

towns and protecting valuable rural farming zones from inappropriate development. The public meetings regarding the future of our local pools are progressing, some well attended and others not. While we are not considering closing any pools at this point, it is wise for communities not to be complacent, and to take these opportunities to voice their opinions. The cost of maintaining our pools is high but the usage is dropping. In the interests of ﬁscal viability we need to continually assess whether the patronage justiﬁes the cost to the community. In my opinion the strategy is about our asset replacement at the end of their life cycles and to date Council has not come to grips with the massive costs of

replacing these pools. After this year’s miserable winter the annual Leongatha Daffodil Festival starts this Thursday and provides the cheery optimism of spring, with colourful displays that draw crowds from near and far and enhance our reputation as a shire with beautiful public and private gardens. If you haven’t been for a few years, pop your head in to enjoy the magniﬁcent exhibitions and support the outstanding committee that delivers a festival of excellence each year. It runs through until 4pm on Saturday, with the prime displays in the Leongatha Memorial Hall and auxiliary events at nearby venues. Cr Warren Raabe Mayor

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 7

Keep Simons Lane open By Brad Lester A LEONGATHA road must remain open for the sake of public safety, South Gippsland Shire Council has heard. Leongatha South CFA captain Gary Williams has called on council not to close Simons Lane from the Bass Highway. Doing so would force emergency services to divert to access incidents, resulting in longer response times. He believes the likelihood of more residential development between the existing town boundary and Simons Lane would cause at least three extra incidents per year in the new estate alone. Mr Williams was speaking at council’s public presentation session last Wednesday in relation to the Southern Leongatha Outline Development Plan. That proposal, due to be debated by council at tomorrow’s (Wednesday) meeting, considers the short term closure of Simons Lane at the Bass Highway until the dangerous

intersection is addressed. That work is expected to cost about $2.5 million. Extra traffic created by further residential growth is expected to increase the risk of an accident at the intersection. Simons Lane links the Bass and South Gippsland highways. “In the last five years, records show that there have been nine incidents in Simons Lane and a further 22 incidents along Koonwarra Road,” Mr Williams said. While the council report states that closing Simons Lane is not an acceptable long term solution, neither was it an acceptable short term solution, Mr Williams said. “Your own report states that the creation of new road access points onto Simons Lane should be strongly discouraged until such time as Simons Lane has been sealed and the intersections on each end upgraded,” he said. “This being the case, I see no need to close the road as there will be little traffic impact.” Mr Williams said council’s fire prevention plan aimed to protect as

many lives and property as possible, and said he failed to see how closing a link road between two highways would aid that effort. “Two of the primary fire-breaks identified in your fire prevention plan are the Bass and South Gippsland highways. Closing any road that links these two strategic fire-breaks should not happen,” he said. Cr Jim Fawcett asked how many times a year Leongatha South CFA would use Simons Lane and how many times the brigade was the first unit on the scene. Mr Williams responded up to four and two times respectively. Personally, Mr Williams felt closing Simons Lane would divert more traffic through the centre of Leongatha. “The only other option for traffic trying to avoid town, as stated in your development plan, is the use of Gwythers Siding Road. As we all know, the intersection of that road and the South Gippsland Highway would have to be one of the most dangerous intersections around and it would be wrong to push more traffic towards

this road,” he said. Engineering consultant Lindsay Love said closing Simons Lane would result in emergency services faced with trafﬁc delays in the middle of Leongatha. He said a footpath up to the hospital hill would need to be steeper than council predicted and would have to zig zag up the hill. But Mr Love believed there was inadequate road reserve for such a path. “Council will be in contravention of the acts and liable to prosecution in the courts,” he said. Mr Love said the Simons Lane roundabout proposed on the South Gippsland Highway was not an “engineering possibility” on the proposed site as it was too steep. With three roundabouts proposed on the South Gippsland Highway – at the developer’s expense – this would equate to $3 million worth of works, he believed. “The developer still has to sell the land and make a return on the money. It may be a brave developer with extensive pockets who can attempt these works. Perhaps these sites are

too costly to develop,” Mr Love said. He said the possible extension of Parr Street west to the Bass Highway could allow potential alternate commercial development sites to the south of the extension, via which he believes the Bass Highway should be diverted. “This would eliminate the need for two roundabouts on the South Gippsland Highway,” Mr Love said. But he added the proposed roundabout design did not consider the need to access the service road to the hospital and so the alignment would be pushed eastward, taking out several houses. Proposed road widths need to be wider, Mr Love believed, to comply with council’s own Infrastructure Design Manual. He said the manual calls for trunk roads to have two carriageways, seven metres wide, but proposed South Gippsland Highway changes suggest two carriageways just ﬁve metres wide. “This will make the highway just 30m wide or less than a council street,” Mr Love said.

Display of winners’ work FIVE well-known artists are taking part in a new exhibition to be held at The Hub in Inverloch, opening on September 3. They are Matthew Petrucci, Ramon Horsﬁeld, Peter Walker, Cynthia Phelan and Diana Wilson. Each has won an art show in the region. The artists have been invited to display four works each. The winner will receive $5000 and the others $1000. The winning work will be-

come part of Bass Coast Shire Council’s Acquisitive Art program. Eventually, the council hopes to display all of its acquisitive art in a new regional gallery in Wonthaggi. A panel of experts will judge the Inverloch exhibition. They are Rodney Forbes, artist, senior lecturer and director of Gippsland Centre of Art and Design, director of Switchback Gallery; Penny Teale, senior curator and collections manager at McClelland Gallery Langwarrin; Warwick Reeder, director of Reeder Fine Art,

formerly a director of Heide Museum of Modern Art. The exhibition will be open until September 29, from 11am to 5pm weekdays.

Creator: Matthew Petrucci, winner of the San Remo Art and Photographic Acquistive Award, who is one of ﬁve artists invited to take part in a special new exhibition.

7 on desal protest charges By Jane Ross D E S A L I N AT I O N plant protest group Watershed Victoria is furious that seven members have been summonsed to appear in court. They face charges under the Water Act 1989 and are due to appear in the Wonthaggi Magistrates Court on August 26. The charges relate to a protest at the Mouth of the Powlett Road on October 20 2010. The summonses have

been issued by the Department of Sustainability and Environment and say the various accused obstructed “a person lawfully performing duties under the Water Act 1989”. When the summonses arrived a week ago, Watershed vice president Mark Robertson said letters were sent to the Premier Ted Baillieu, Water Minister Peter Walsh and Bass MLA Ken Smith. Mr Robertson told The Star the only acknowledgement he had received was from the Premier’s ofﬁce saying the Watershed letter had arrived.

Mr Smith told The Star he had seen his copy of the Watershed letter but had not had time to do anything about it. He said he would speak to Mr Walsh as soon as he could “to see what we can do”. “I don’t know if anything is to be gained by these charges going ahead. There might be a good reason for it but I don’t know what that is.” Neil Rankine of Watershed Victoria said the charges arose from a protest over the desalination plant pipeline easement. “We were worried about two issues; where

the pipeline was crossing the rail trail and where it was crossing the wetland. “We have asked for the charges to be withdrawn.” He said the members involved were undecided how they would plead. If the charges do go ahead, a protest outside the courthouse is likely. In his letter to politicians, Mr Robertson said Watershed Victoria had “consistently and peacefully opposed the desalination project since its announcement”. Mr Robertson has asked the minister why it has taken nine months to

Rework Nyora town centre THE town centre of Nyora must be deﬁned to cater for future development in the town, an engineering consultant has claimed. Lindsay Love last Wednesday told South Gippsland Shire Council to consider moving the town centre away from Mitchell Street, where the general store and post ofﬁce are now located. He suggested a new commercial strip be established near the intersection of Davis Street and Lang Lang-Poowong Road, north of the existing railway reserve. The proposed Nyora Structure Plan, to be considered by council for adoption at tomorrow’s (Wednesday) council meeting, states Nyora does

not have a clearly defined town centre, and lacks commercial and community infrastructure despite the population nearly doubling in recent years. Mr Love said council should offer a definition of a town centre. He believed retail developers had not yet been attracted to Nyora as there was inadequate retail space in Mitchell Street. “Firstly, the developer would probably like some visibility to passing traffic in a place such as Nyora. Mitchell Street does not give visibility,” Mr Love said. “Secondly, if there were, say a supermarket operator looking to satisfy the needs of the town and establish a 2000 square metre shop, they need some land – not just

enough for the floor space but also enough for the carparking.” He believed that would equate to a total of 4100 square metres, which was not available along Davis or Mitchell streets. Bernard Collins of surveying firm Beveridge Williams represented the developers Wallis Watson at last Wednesday’s council public presentation session. He predicted that by 2024, the development would increase Nyora’s population to around 2600, with the release of 50 lots a year. Brett Hume, of the Nyora Recreation Reserve committee, asked council to consider improving facilities at the reserve or find a new site for sporting facilities to meet future demand.

issue the notices requiring court attendance. “We hereby request that you urge DSE to withdraw their seven summons notices, or provide you with conclusive satisfactory evidence as to why they should proceed or what they expect to beneﬁt from a court hearing.” Mr Robertson said he has been told by DSE that the maximum penalty for the charge under the Water Act is $2442.

Operation Combine: Bass Coast and South Gippsland police ofﬁcers were joined by members from Melbourne during a police blitz last week, cracking down on dangerous driving across the region. From left: two State Highway Patrol members along with Senior Constable Kara Eichorn and Leading Senior Constable Peter Barry from Leongatha, Leading Senior Constable Paul Mclean, Sergeant Jim Baum and Senior Constable Scott Simcock of Bass Coast Highway Patrol.

PAGE 8 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Farm rates unfair By Brad Lester FARMERS should not have to pay double the rates that others pay. Wild Dog Valley farmer Don Hill told South Gippsland Shire Council that last Wednesday. He said many farmers are paying $10,000 in rates when the non-farming community paid less than $1000. In South Gippsland, he said 3976 farmers pay $8 million in rates, while 11,714 residential properties pay $9.6 million. Mr Hill called on council to increase the farm rate differential by 20 per cent next ﬁnancial year and 30 per cent the following year, to gradually make the system equal. “This would increase the residential rate by 16 per cent to (average of) $956 and take the farm rate to $1564. Farms get tax deductibility, so take a further 30 per cent from their amount to arrive at $1095,” he said. Farmers have no extra access to local government services than anyone else, but pay anywhere from ﬁve to 10 times the municipal rates,” Mr Hill said. “Is a fair rating system too much to ask for? Farming families and farm workers comprise around three per cent of taxpayers and road users, but the non-farm sector does not contribute 97 per cent towards municipal road costs,” he said. Farmers should not have to pay rates on their land as it is their means of production, he said, especially when rising demand from

people seeking a lifestyle change to the country is inﬂating rural land prices. Mr Hill said farmers do not enjoy the tax breaks afforded to other taxpayers when they are less well off, and therefore their debt is not considered as a means of applying a discount. “Local government rating system needs to be based on the value of a ratepayer’s house and curtilage. Rates on farm land should be abolished as in the UK because farm land is a means to production, and the value bears little relationship to the farmers’ wealth or his capacity to pay,” he said. Mayor Cr Warren Raabe was supportive. “As a farmer, my second highest expense is rates,” he said, adding fertiliser was his biggest cost. Mr Hill has initiated a petition to council. He lodged a petition with 12 signatures with council last week but the petition did not carry the required preamble and chief executive ofﬁcer Tim Tamlin refused to accept it. He advised Mr Hill to obtain more signatures to increase the chance of the petition being successful. The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) met with Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell recently to again raise the issue of Victoria’s rating system. VFF president Andrew Broad said farm rates were a major issue for the federation’s membership. “Rising local government rates on Victorian farm land is one of the top issues for our

members and the entire rural community,” he said. “Research conducted by the VFF has found that while businesses pay 40 per cent of the rural rates burden, agriculture contributes nearly 50 per cent of this component, or close to a quarter of rates overall. “Farmers have no access to additional local government services but pay much higher rates than those living in residentially zoned areas. This burden continues to rise to the point where some farms are being forced into unviability. “Earlier this year VFF members voted in favour of a resolution requesting the State Government abolish the collection of rates for productive farm land, excluding residences. Farmers should not have to pay a tax on their means of production. “The VFF will continue our conversation with the Minister to ensure this issue remains on the government’s agenda.” Local farmers have been battling with council rates for a long time and Leongatha South farmer Max Jelbart says it’s unfair. “A lot of the farming communities don’t use the bulk of the services that the shire provides,” he said. Most farmers’ rates are very substantial even though they have minimal road frontage and don’t use the services provided by the council more than anyone else. The rates debate will continue on until councils can make a move on the rates system for farmers.

How good is your hearing?

POLICE BRIEFS

HEARING is something that we take for granted and in many cases, perhaps we do not even realise it is degenerating.

Bus hits cow

These questions can help you determine if you have a hearing loss problem. If you answer yes to

one or more, you may want to consult your doctor: • do others accuse you of turning the television too loud? • do others accuse you of not paying attention? • do you misunderstand 50 for 15 or 60 for 16? • can you hear better with one ear than the other on the phone? • have you stopped attending plays and lectures because of the strain exerted to hear what is being said? • do you have trouble understanding someone speaking to you from another room? • do you have difﬁculty understanding speech when there is background noise? • do you miss the punchline of jokes? • do you seem to hear the words but not understand them? • do you often have to ask people to repeat what they say? There are various types

of hearing tests available, including pure tone audiometry. A machine called an audiometer produces a range of beeps and whistles (pure tones). You press a button or otherwise indicate when you hear the sounds. If you listen to the pure tones through headphones, your air conduction hearing is being tested. This tests your outer hearing pathway as well as your inner ear. If you listen to the sounds through a bone conductor – a vibrator held against the mastoid bone (located behind the ear) – the sounds your inner hearing pathways can hear are measured. To ﬁnd out more, contact your doctor or audiologist. • information courtesy Victorian Government’s Better Health Channel: www.betterhealth.vic.gov. au

A COW has come off second best after it was hit by a mini bus on the South Gippsland Highway just out of Leongatha. Police believe the cow had escaped a nearby paddock and wandered onto the road when it was hit by the bus and killed just before 8 o’clock on Friday night. The 71-year-old driver from Toora and two passengers were taken to Leongatha Hospital with minor injuries. The bus was carrying 20 male occupants, with the majority coming from Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Fake ID fined A 17-YEAR-OLD female will receive fines totalling over $300 after being caught at McCartin’s Hotel using fake identification. The girl was ejected from the premises after staff members at the hotel detected her using a false ID last Friday night. She will receive a $61 fine for being on the premises underage and a $244 fine for using a fake ID. Investigations are continuing as to how the girl

obtained the ID. Persons found responsible for supplying ID to someone underage will receive a ﬁne of $244. Leongatha police Sergeant Dale McCahon warned people considering giving their IDs to underaged people, they are easily traced. “You can be facing almost $250 in ﬁnes for giving someone else your ID to get into the pub; it’s not worth it,” he said.

Squatters break in WONTHAGGI police are investigating the forced entry of a number of properties in Venus Bay over the past few weeks. It was discovered last weekend a house on Lees Road in the second estate and another in Zenner Drive had been broken into. Although nothing was stolen, it appeared people had broken into the homes and slept there. Both houses received a couple of hundred dollars worth of damage. The two properties are holiday houses and back onto one another. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Wonthaggi police on 5672 1222.

Flipped over: police are investigating this single vehicle crash that occurred near Foster yesterday morning (Monday).

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 9

Amazing link with the past By Jane Ross JESSIE Macaulay loves to play cards. And it’s that lifelong habit that has led to an amazing connection with her long deceased younger brother. His name was Walter John Lay and his family called him “Wattie”. He joined the RAAF in World War II and went down with the rest of his crew in a Hudson bomber on New Year’s Day 1942. He was stationed in Borneo and the plane went into the sea near Ambon Indonesia when its engine failed. “Wattie” had married only a few weeks before when he was home brieﬂy on leave. Remarkably, nearly 70 years later, a man called Grant Ashton was walking on a beach in Darwin

In service: “Wattie” Lay in Air Force uniform with his mother Jessie Macaulay. when he spotted a dog tag embedded in rock. He recognised the item as an identiﬁcation tag for an Australian serviceman and on cleaning it, could make out the name. A story about it in a Darwin newspaper named

“Wattie’s” sister as Jessie Macaulay of Wonthaggi. A woman reading that story recognised Mrs Macaulay’s name and was sure that was someone her late mother played cards with in Inverloch. She had kept her moth-

Bass Coast moves on farm rate issue A RURAL reference group is to be set up in Bass Coast Shire. Its aim is to continue the dialogue between council and farmers who are aggrieved at the rate burden they face. Speaking at last week’s council meeting, Cr Jane Daly ﬂagged the reference group, saying discussions so far had indicated the need. “We’re just waiting to hear back from the farmers. “It’s a great way forward.” Talks between farmers and council representatives followed the lodging of a petition last month asking council to review the rating of farm land. The petition bears 106 names and was backed by 26 letters. It said agriculture in the shire was under threat because of an unfair rate burden; with farmers making up three per cent of rateable properties, but paying 10 per cent of the total rate revenue. They are calling for a differential

farm rate. “As farmers, the burden of the present rating system is not equitable and is unsustainable for farmers to protect their environmental and productive enterprise.” In line with local laws, council let the petition “lie on the table” for a month. In the interim, discussions were held with farmers. Cr John Duscher said those were “very productive”. “The door is open for further discussion; it’s about value they add to our community.” Cr Gareth Barlow said it was necessary to consider issues of concern to the farming community and he and his colleagues agreed “to establish arrangements for ongoing dialogue between the parties”. Cr Phil Wright added, “I see this as a really big step. Farmers give great landscape and amenity values and get no return for their efforts. Hopefully much comes out of this.”

er’s telephone contact book and looked up under “C” for “card ladies”. And there was Mrs Macaulay’s telephone number. Mrs Macaulay said when she was told the story of the dog tag, she was “shocked, thrilled and emotional” all at once. “It’s wonderful,” she said, still not quite believing it and unable to work out how the tag could have made its way to Darwin. “It’s so amazing.” Part of her emotional response was prompted by the fact that her brother Peter had died only two weeks beforehand. He was 10 years younger than “Wattie” and his older brother was his hero. Mrs Macaulay, who is the eldest of the three siblings, said Peter would have been “absolutely thrilled” with the ﬁnd. Peter had wanted to join the Air Force too, but having lost one son that way, his mother said no and Peter became a soldier instead. As the closest living relative, the tag will given to Mrs Macaulay. She said she’s not yet sure what she will do with it, but she thinks she will pass it on to her nephew, the only male in the family with the surname Lay.

Reﬂecting: Jessie Macaulay re-reads the story in a Darwin newspaper about her late brother’s dog tag being found on a Darwin beach.

PAGE 10 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

sites are available inside the hub and 20 more outside. To ﬁnd out more, call Ken on 5663 5256 or Terry on 0423 749 227. READY to leap into something new? Regional Arts Victoria’s Creative Leadership Program could be the answer. They are looking for young people who will complete VCE this year or have done so in the last two years and who are considering a career in arts management to apply for the creative leadership program. Between February 4-12, 2012 they will provide aspiring arts leaders from regional Victoria with the opportunity to extend

their career options and experience in the heart of Australia’s arts capital – Melbourne. For further details or to submit an expression of interest form, please go to rav.net.au. Applications close October 14. A PUBLIC meeting will be held at the Dumbalk Recreation Reserve on Tuesday, August 23. The meeting is to nominate a committee of management for the Dumbalk Recreation Reserve for a term of three years. For further information, contact Nicholas Hill on 5664 4413 or 0418 129 981.

CRUNCH TIME (Nick Adamson, Leigh Owens, Scott Hogan) are playing at the Wonthaggi Workmens Club this Saturday night, to help Tad Hendry raise funds for their next “Bryn’s School” building project in Cambodia. Tickets are $15 if you book in advance or $20 on the night. For more information contact the Wonthaggi Workmen’s Club. AS PART of Leongatha’s Daffodil Festival St Peter’s Anglican Church Leongatha is running ‘the family Bible and...’ displays.

Family Bible: the Dewar table will be part of the St Peter’s Anglican Church’s display. THE Dewar family has taken up the offer and set up a table for the event. The display includes a gold pendant which is made from gold prospected at Ballarat by Ian Dewar’s grandfather in the 1890s.

For the long haul: Ian Mackay and his father Jock who has been in the Freemasons for 70 years. For the cause: Loch Primary School student Lara loved showing off her skipping skills at the jumpoff on Friday. A NICE sunny day made the Loch Primary School jump-off day a success last Friday. The whole school had to complete six activities set by the teachers, all in their co-operative learning groups. The teachers also supplied the students with a delicious lunch. The school raised $1100, all of which went to the Heart Foundation.

KOOROOMAN House resident Jock Mackay has recently been presented with a plaque recognising 70 years of valuable service to Freemasons Victoria. Jock joined the Freemasons on July 25, 1941 and

was past Grand Inspector of Workings. His son Ian Mackay has been a Freemason for 38 years. Both men are members of the Korumburra branch of Freemasons Victoria.

Whales online WHALES are now along the South Gippsland coast, but can sometimes be hard to ﬁnd. Whale fans unable to catch a glimpse of the

The Living Victoria Water Rebate Program provides rebates of up to $1000 for homes and gardens and up to $2000 for small businesses.

mammals should check out a video posted by Parks Victoria on the internet. The video depicts Southern Right Whales swimming in Bass Strait off Port Welshpool. See: http://www. youtube.com/watch?v=D HSkiZxDEzc&feature=s hare

Farewell Barb: Barb Carpenter is about to step down in her role as Leongatha Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s secretary/treasurer. Barb and husband Graham will be closing their shop to pursue travel in their retirement. Chamber president Darryl McGannon presents ﬂowers to Barb at last Wednesday’s business networking meeting, thanking her for her outstanding service-she will be greatly missed!

Lyric announces new shows LEONGATHA Lyric Theatre has announced a number of shows and plays for 2012 and 2013. The 2012 play for March is to be Habeas Corpus by Alan Bennett. It was ﬁrst performed at the Lyric Theatre in London in 1973 and included Alec Guinness in the cast. It is a comedy play which concerns the

ageing Dr Wicksteed and his pursuit of a young patient. His wife, too, has designs on another – Sir Percy Shorter, a contemporary of her husband. All sorts of complicated comedic situations evolve to make this a most amusing play. The director will be Jack Millar. The 2012 musical will be Rent to be directed by Scott Miller. The modern story is based on the

Victorian Notice to Mariners

The following Notice to Mariners is published for general information.

APPLY FOR A REBATE > All Victorian households can now get a rebate on water efficient washing machines, rainwater tanks, dual flush toilets, pool covers and a range of other products. Rebates available from 1 July 2011. > A small business connected to a reticulated water supply with 20 or less employees can for the first time get a rebate to improve the water efficiency of their business. Rebates available from 19 July 2011. > For information on these and other water saving rebates contact your local water corporation, call 136 186 or visit www.water.vic.gov.au

LIVING VICTORIA WATER REBATE PROGRAM 1 JULY 2011 TO 30 JUNE 2013

Australia – Victoria No.099 (Permanent) of 2011 South Gippsland – Venus Bay Anchoring Prohibited Zone Date: EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY Details: Mariners are advised that an area where anchoring is prohibited has been established around an outfall diffuser pipeline. The length of the outfall diffuser pipe is 109 metres. The anchoring exclusion zone extends in a radius of 150 metres from the mid point of the diffuser pipe located: 38° 45.677’ S, 145° 50.919’ E (WGS84)

AUS Charts and publications affected: AUS 801 Australia Pilot, Volume II NP14 Victorian Charts and publications affected: Schedule 2 of the ‘Vessel Operating and Zoning Rules’ made under Notice no 1 under Section 15(2) of the Marine Act 1988. (www.transportsafety.vic.gov.au.) Further notice: No further Notice will be issued. Lisa Faldon Director, Maritime Safety 3 August 2011

DOT6199/11

THE Rotary Club of Inverloch is holding a Sports and Leisure Expo at the Inverloch Community Hub on January 14 and 15, 2012. All proceeds from the event will be divided between the Inverloch SES and a humanitarian arm of Rotary International, Interplast Australia. Interplast Australia sends teams of volunteer surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and allied therapists to developing countries in the AsiaPaciﬁc regions, to provide free treatment and medical training. Businesses are invited to take part to showcase their business. Thirty

theme of the opera La Boheme and tells the story of a group of young artists and musicians struggling to survive in Lower East Side New York. The 2013 play will be Murdered To Death by Peter Gordon. It will be directed by David Smith and is a hilarious spoof of the Agatha Christie genre. A bungling inspector is trying to solve the murder of the house’s owner, but finds that the murderer is not finished yet. Will the inspector stem the flow of the murders before the audience dies laughing? The 2013 musical is to be Blood Brothers by Willy Russell and will be directed by Peter McAlpine. Loosely based on the novel The Corsican Brothers by Dumas, the story revolves around fraternal twin brothers who are separated at birth, each being raised in opposite socio-economic situations. Falling in love with the same girl causes a tear in their friendship which ultimately leads to the tragic death of the brothers.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 11

New equipment: AAMI sponsorship ofﬁcer Nick Addison, Anthony Lindhart and Val Bremner from Leongatha SES and VICSES regional manager Clint Saarinen.

New equipment for SES LEONGATHA and Inverloch SES units will receive new operational equipment as part of AAMI’s ongoing annual sponsorship of VICSES. Since 2003, AAMI has contributed $2.25 million, allowing the VICSES to purchase operational equipment which enables the 5500 volunteers to carry out their invaluable work in serving their communities. AAMI executive manager sponsorships John Bennetts said the Victorian SES plays an integral role in supporting the community through crises across the State. “The East Region, consisting of 26 units with 800 volunteers has experienced high operational demands in the past year responding to multiple events, including ﬂood and storms state wide, road crash rescues, land searches, and the biggest air evacuation rescue effort Australia has seen,” he said. “The equipment provided today will help these SES units continue to respond to future emergencies.

“Whether they are dealing with natural disasters or a road accident, it’s in all of our best interests to have our VICSES units equipped with the tools they need when dealing with the hundreds of accidents or emergencies they attend.” Under the program, which supports each of VICSES’s 141 operational and 10 support units, Leongatha SES unit received a Stihl Polesaw, Chainsaw Sharpener, Fluorescent Lighting Kit, Power Cord Reel, Spine Board, eFlares, Asenders, and some Karibeeners. Inverloch SES unit received a Power Cord Reel, Branach Fed Ladder, Submersible Pump, and a Hooligan Tool. “The funding allows VICSES units to buy essential equipment required to carry out their often life saving work,” Mr Bennetts said. Val Bremner and Anthony Lindhart from Leongatha SES unit thanked AAMI for its continued support.

Volunteers valued THE value of volunteers to the Country Fire Authority has been conﬁrmed in writing.

The CFA’s revised volunteer charter spells out the roles and importance of volunteers to the CFA, and their right to be consulted on matters affecting them. Korumburra CFA captain of 25 years, Bill Rodda, presented a copy of the latest charter to South Gippsland Shire Council last Wednesday. The charter was originally drawn up with the former Bracks Government. Council itself has prepared a volunteer charter in relation to the some 700 volunteers who serve council in many ways.

Here you go: Korumburra CFA captain Bill Rodda presents a copy of the CFA Volunteer Charter to South Gippsland Shire Council mayor Cr Warren Raabe.

Mayor’s message Cr Veronica Dowman LIBRARIES have become essential community centres that offer more than just books. They provide life long learning and literacy programs, internet and audiovisual resources, and have experienced staff to help with accessing specialist information. Library services are funded by both state and local governments. This ﬁnancial year the State Government had cut their portion of library service funding to some libraries in Victoria. There was a huge public outcry and this decision has since been reversed. Council was one of the groups who joined the campaign to lobby the State Government to restore the funding. I am pleased to report that West Gippsland Library Corporation has received a new funding agreement from the State Government which guarantees funding for the next two years. This is a great result for our community. Another outcome from the reversal, is that a Libraries Ministerial Advisory Committee will be appointed to review the

services of Victorian Libraries. This Committee will help to determine State Government library funding into the future. Council recognises the importance of libraries and has provided an increased budget to West Gippsland Library Corporation this ﬁnancial year, to extend opening hours at Inverloch and Phillip Island branch libraries. With the Ministerial review now underway it is important to continue to show your support for your local library. This week, West Gippsland Library Corporation is celebrating Children’s Book Week from August 20 to 29 at libraries across Bass Coast. This year’s theme is One World, Many Stories and there are great competitions for children to enter. If you haven’t visited your library lately, why not take a look, in person or on-line. Cr Veronica Dowman, mayor Bass Coast Shire Council

PAGE 12 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

A cleaner, greener, smarter way of life SURELY it is time to clean up so many of our dirty habits. For so much of my life I have shared the effects of the bad habits of our parents generation. Their well intentioned, but naïve dedication of their working lives to a misguided sense of economic progress by the over-exploitation of our natural resources has had consequences. The political and economic leaders of the past promised that Australia could feed the world. A fairytale of increasingly biased productivity was our mission, without courting the environmental and personal cost of creating chemical dependant monocultures and a toxic environment. Fortunately there is now an increasing number of well respected environmental whistleblowers, who through scientiﬁc research or observation, have challenged our public knowledge and perceptions. Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, heralded the potential chemical Armageddon by the indiscriminate use of agricultural pesticides. David Suzuki, David Attenborough, David Bellamy, Tim Flannery and others have spent much of their working lives in research and media communication and education to tell the other side of the disturbing consequences of our voracious and wasteful consumer lifestyle. How many households make a serious attempt to be self sufﬁcient? In every aspect of our lives, when we feel we are in need of the best advice, we seek out an expert or two to best deal with the crisis in our lives. Now is the time to listen to the experts and the science to guide us how to restore a healthier environment, economy and personal lifestyle. This is a chance of a lifetime to embrace a smarter, greener, cleaner way of life. It can’t always be business as usual. In my lifetime I have witnessed a major revolution in the better use of safer agricultural chemicals. No more open tip trench waste burning, better recycling. No more rotten waste discharge from our milk factories fouling our waterways,

casein is now a major revenue product. Landcare is now established and is an exciting revolution in the balanced development of our rural landscape sustainability. If you don’t believe in manmade environment change, you must have your eyes closed. Bring on the environmental revolution and the government incentives. I work in the Landcare industry and live in a government subsidised stand-alone solar powered ﬁve star energy efﬁcient home. Embrace change. Life is good. Richard Lester. Leongatha

Question time COUNCIL Meeting Question Time is a key way for community members to raise issues of concern. It is an important part of the meeting and Council officers try to provide the best information available in response to these questions. We are always looking at ways to improve the effectiveness of question time. The most recent review of the Council’s meeting procedure made the changes below. Other improvements are incorporated as opportunities arise. We recognise that there are occasions when answers involve a high level of technical detail. In these instances, we will endeavour to have a ‘plain English’ explanation and provide the technical details either in written form on the night, or by email to the questioner. To ensure that question time runs efficiently, if we receive multiple questions about one issue, we will attempt to collate the questions, so that similar queries are addressed together. The community is able to lodge questions up until the start of the meeting, however we do urge people to get their questions in at least 24 hours beforehand. Submitting questions early allows officers time to get the information needed for a response and to prepare any written handouts that might be needed. It also allows time for questions to be collated if appropriate. Often the issues raised during Question Time relate to agenda items. In that case, the concerns raised through the community questions can be considered and

E D I T O R I A L

Great news for Prom NEWS that Tidal River camping ground at Wilsons Promontory will open in time for the September school holidays is welcomed by all South Gippslanders. Given the extent of the damage that occurred during torrential rainfall in March it is a credit to everyone involved. Parks Victoria staff has done a magnificent job in getting the most populated area of the Park opened just five months after rain and floods wreaked havoc on major roads and bridges. The State Government also played their part by kicking in $8.8 million towards bringing the Prom back to its former glory. The Prom is our region’s icon and vitally important for our tourist industry. It is a mecca for walkers, campers, school groups as well as domestic and international tourists. As we approach the busiest six months at the Prom, all we need now is for people to visit the Prom and once again delight in its natural beauty. The spin-offs for our businesses will be enormous.

Daffodil Festival Take a visit to Leongatha this Thursday until Saturday and check out the 55th Daffodil and Floral Show. There are major displays of ﬂoral art, cut ﬂowers, camellias and Australian plants in the Leongatha Memorial Hall. As well there are open gardens and various other events around town. Come to town and support this iconic event.

Letters guidelines ALL letters should be kept to 400 words or less. The Star reserves the right to edit all letters for length and style. Writer’s details, including full name, address and phone number (not for publication), must be included.

addressed by councillors later in the meeting. It is important to remember that councillors do not debate issues during Question Time. This can only happen as part of an agenda item. From the September meeting, the running order of the meeting will also change. Those reports requiring a Council decision will move forward in the agenda. This means that the reports that have the high degree of community interest will be considered in the early part of the meeting. We believe these changes will improve the experience of Question Time and the Council meeting for members of the public, and we encourage the community to continue to be a part of this democratic process. Cr Veronica Dowman, Mayor, Bass Coast Shire Council

Still waiting IT pains me to hear the constant criticism directed towards VicRoads. Have you not seen the immense amount of work taking place between Meeniyan and Leongatha? Hundreds of wonderful green stakes have been positioned on the sides of the road. I would like to know, however, when will they be planting the tomatoes? David Baggallay, Meeniyan.

Bouquets ON a recent, gloomy Saturday morning we had our day considerably brightened by the pleasant and more than helpful service we received in two Leongatha businesses. Thank you and congratulations to A.W. Smith’s top shop and the CSC Bakery. Dianne and Steve Finlay, Leongatha

Carbon scare IS our new premier jumping on board Tony Abbott’s scare campaign without regard for regional Victoria? Mr Baillieu stated on Win News last Thursday (August 18) that modelling they commissioned shows a loss of jobs due to a carbon price. It turns out though, that the modelling didn’t factor in tax cuts, pension rises or compensation as part of the carbon price package. In fact the supposed job losses were against a reference case and indeed it’s said the report actually predicts jobs growth in Victoria under a carbon price. Treasury modelling too projects growth, with the Victorian economy growing by 30 per cent to 2020, with a carbon price in place. There are worrying noises coming from Mr Baillieu about not supporting a transition to clean energy. The Liberal-National coalition went to the election with, and passed into law, a 20 per cent renewable energy target by 2020, but Mr Baillieu has referred to this as an aspirational target of late. An analysis by energy group SKM-MMA and industry experts Ernst & Young shows 31,000 new regional jobs created by 2030 if we move to a clean energy economy. This includes 6300 new power sector jobs alone in regional Victoria. Is Mr Baillieu being forced to take the Federal Liberals’ irrational and negative approach for purely political reasons? I hope not, we’re seeing national paralysis as a result, and we don’t want that in Victoria. Neil Rankine. Dalyston.

Tax return ELWYN Matthews, (The Star, August 16), has concerns about the interim carbon tax and proposes that all taxes could be replaced with a one per cent debit tax. There’s no doubt that opportunities for taxation reform, through the Henry Tax Review, were defeat-

ed by vested interests. Such a tax as Mr Matthews proposes would certainly stabilise world markets and currencies by avoiding gross speculation. But are we paying more tax than we need to? We do need a disincentive, to avoid the passing of present costs to future generations. This is what the carbon tax is supposed to be about. We certainly need more than just a taxation system to achieve this. Firstly we need leadership. Our Prime Minister hasn’t explained the need for a carbon tax and Mr Abbott’s negativity is running our country and the economy down. Secondly, we need to acknowledge the natural limits of our fragile planet and work within them. Growth based on population increase, resource extraction and throwaway consumerism, must, and is hitting a wall. We need to develop an economic model that will ensure no regrets. One where our taxes won’t have to be wasted compensating for poor decisions made by our politicians and policy makers. Neil Rankine, Dalyston.

Pool threat real POOWONG, Mirboo North and Foster pools beware! The South Gippsland Shire’s Strategic Direction for Aquatic Facilities in South Gippsland is a document which people must take the time to read (carefully). To its credit, the council has to date financially maintained wonderful facilities at all six public pools across the shire and has committed to fund the general running of all pools for the next five years. But only three pools will get money for upgrades within the next five years as they are the “higher attendance venues”. At present, the strategic direction dictates that a pool only has to hit one of the trigger points to prompt a review of the facility (in consultation with community and committee of management) and a recommendation will then be made to council (who will be doing this review is not outlined) with regard to its future viability, “which may include closure of the facility”. So in reality, any one of the pools could hit a trigger with a simple change in legislation which requires an upgrade (this is not very clear), failure to operate within annual budget, failure of something requiring capital investment (eg pool filtration system), a drop in attendance for two years, and OH and S failure. In reality, for example Poowong could have a filtration breakdown this year and this would be a trigger point. If this goes to council the pool is at definite risk of closure. Cr Warren Raabe clarified that “even Leongatha Splash could hit a trigger”. Well that is correct, but when the two pools go before council for review, what are the different chances of survival? In their presentation at the Poowong town meeting, the council put up all the money figures for all to see and yes, the smaller pools don’t run at a profit, but how can any cold water pool, allowed to open only for a strict three months of the year, make a profit? So of course in this day and age it is all to do with money and those preparing the report will no doubt focus on this. I would urge our council to be strong and not look at our wonderful pools in dollar and cents terms, but as a lifestyle bonus within our shire. These are assets not financial liabilities. It is more important that our kids learn pool safety and communities be strengthened around the centre of a pool, no dollar value can be put on this. And I would urge all concerned residents to read the strategic direction carefully and for submissions to be put in by September 9 to save our pools, because unfortunately it

will take more than just increasing usage to save a pool as the strategic direction stands at present. Wendy Tilling, Poowong.

Dumbalk Heights no more? ISN’T great when a little community of 11 takes pride in their area and also has a sense of humor? A collection of four houses on the northern side of the Dumbalk to Dollar Road on a straight stretch of road, over the past six months started to have a bit of fun. One member of their community decided to plant a garden and a few shrubs opposite this little hamlet. Neighbors started to talk and for a bit of fun they thought that a sign at the start and end of the 90 metres would be a good idea. As a bit of “one-up-man ship” on the larger town of Dumbalk (110+) they thought that rather than being called Dumbalk or Dumbalk East they would call their place “Dumbalk Heights.” Well this was good and most of the passing vehicles thought this was a sound idea because they were on higher ground than the town. Signs were made and placed at each end of their homes indicating “Dumbalk Heights” and its population of eleven. The garden opposite was looking very presentable indicating the obvious care and pride that the residents had in their community. To add a touch more class they placed two very well made and attired mannequins, one at each end leaning over the sign and apparently enjoying a glass of chardonnay or holding a bouquet of flowers. Both mannequins and signs were well off the roads and posed no more danger to passing vehicles than any of the Shire’s paraphernalia on other roads. So all was well and everybody happy and even the mannequins were borrowed for the Walk for Life fundraiser at the Dumbalk recreation reserve in April this year. They were returned to their favourite positions observing the traffic with serene smiles on the faces. A male mannequin was installed on a chair watching the passing traffic. He was again well back from the road sitting in the now flourishing garden. But then someone complained! After six months of gracing the neighbourhood and adding a few smiles by the passing drivers on this very straight stretch of the road somebody took offence and went to the Shire. “Shame”, said the Shire, we can’t have the locals having a bit of fun and pride in their community. So out with the mannequins and signs. “Now who has been planting this garden here? You have planted trees and shrubs near the road! Hey they can’t go there!” (Even if, not 60 metres away, there are fully mature trees closer to the road.) So if you are diving up or down the Dollar Road and pass through the now fairly mundane hamlet of Dumbalk East, just remember that a rather nice group of people just wanted to have a little fun and brighten up your drive. Ian and Elaine Snell, Dumbalk Heights

Save our music shop I HAVE been a musician for 45 years. I remember the opening of “Clark’s Sound Centre” (though I don’t remember the year – maybe 1970?). My writing is barely connected with the current owners of Bair Music. I have no pecuniary interest. I am writing because of my connection to the town – and the world. It appears that the music shop may now sell or close (with rather a serious likelihood of closure). I haven’t been much of a customer

myself for years. I own most of what I need anyway these days and like many people have “shopped around”. But now I recognise an event looming which represents rather profound social change – although personified by one little music shop. I have been trying to achieve some level of musical success as an internet musician. The standards are dizzying! The number of musical pieces on the net are in the millions. In the 1970s, “every man and his dog” thought they would play music and be a guitar hero. I think that bright optimism has become seriously faded. Young people are more inclined toward being sporting heroes Teachers at the schools would be best placed to tell the truth of my suspicions. Is music gradually vanishing as a social event? The music shop has to compete in an intensely difficult trading environment. But that’s becoming the same for all small retailers. 1. The internet can undercut everything that local retail stores can offer. 2. Simple, immediate “over the counter” and “spur of the moment” decisions vanish if the shop closes. A simple spontaneous purchase of a cheap guitar, harmonica or even a kazoo becomes a thing of the past – to be replaced by intentional, internet based acquisitions. 3. The vanishing of the music shop is a drum roll prior to the vanishing of the bookshops, the art supplies places and gradually every peripheral beyond food, clothing and hardware. And, astonishingly, perhaps even a small town like Leongatha. So, do we want a town? Do we want “community”? It seems to me that I, along with everybody else, will have to refrain from purchasing cheaply on the internet if we want to retain local resources. It’s the price that we must pay. Refuse to buy locally – and the resource will vanish. The music shop is probably a classic example. In fact the adage “use it or lose it” (normally applied to our bodily faculties) is absolutely true of our local businesses. But my other real concern is that the vanishing of the music shop is a small vanishing of joy. Music is such a wondrous medium. Brilliant when devised slowly and intentionally with every component wonderfully harmonised and orchestrated. Music can involve everybody. Anybody can sing along. Huge numbers of people can be simply and joyfully distracted from a working life by participation in music. So, the local shop closing doesn’t mean that music will die. But it does seem to me that many young people won’t be looking in the shop window with enthusiasm and thinking “another $10 and I can afford it”! So what’s is my point? I’d like to see a very courageous local business person, with a willingness to take a risk, pick up this thread and run it for a bit longer. Carry the torch! Stand up for local business against the internet. Stand up for encouraging the young locally to partake of this wondrous stuff, music – whether they can ever make a living out of it or not. Professional music may be a difficult achievement, but amateur music still brings enjoyment to small numbers of people. Please excuse me if this letter is a little disjointed. It’s not a thesis. But I had so many ideas on the subject that I rather just “jotted down” thoughts as they came to me. My thanks to Clarkie for the innovation so many years ago. A great source of enjoyment to me. Thanks to “Archie” who picked up the thread and to Belinda and the current owners (and Rick). And thanks to The Star for printing this letter. Michael Warner, Leongatha.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 13

We can’t change rules - says council By Brad Lester OPPONENTS to South Gippsland Shire Council’s new Rural Land Use Strategy have been urged to take up their plight with the State Government. Council mayor Cr Warren Raabe said many issues raised in full page advertisements in last week’s Star could only be addressed by the government. Those issues included the need to demonstrate an agricultural purpose for building a house on land between 4.1 and 40ha, the minimum subdivision lot size in South Gippsland and succession planning restrictions. The concerns were raised by people from the real estate and legal sectors, ahead of council considering adopting the strategy at tomorrow’s (Wednesday) council meeting at Nyora. The 4.1-40ha rule was a directive from the former and current State Government to protect agricultural land, Cr Raabe said. The advertisement said obtaining a permit required applicants to “satisfy the very restrictive requirements of the planning scheme”, which was “an expensive and very uncertain exercise”. As for the minimum subdivision size in South Gippsland being 80ha while the State Planning Policy allows 40ha, Cr Raabe said: “The counter-balance to gaining permits under 4.1ha has been bigger subdivisions. This has been the response from our community submissions. We have not had many people wanting to subdivide big lots.” The advertisement said the new strategy offered “limited succession

planning opportunities for farmers” due to the “restrictions on any further small acreage subdivision of titles and the limited right to subdivide off surplus dwellings”. “The strategy provides that second and subsequent dwellings on lots less than 40 hectares are strongly discouraged and will have to be located on the same lot as the existing dwelling which would amount to gross over capitalisation of that lot with no potential to realise on that signiﬁcant further capital improvement because there wouldn’t be separate titles”. The mayor said locating houses on lots less than 40ha would result in a proliferation of houses on farming land. “There are probably more (succession opportunities) now than there were under (the previous planning rules) C51 and that’s due to our excision rules,” Cr Raabe said. Those rules provide for excisions to create new blocks of 40ha or more, or resubdivision of any size lot where the number of lots is not increased. The advertisement also said council offered no discretion, but the mayor said council was told by the State Government to be more deﬁnite. “To me, it gives more certainty. When you are applying for a permit, it gives you a very clear understanding of what is - or not - likely to gain a house in the Farming Zone,” Cr Raabe said. Asked about people wishing to build on lots 4.1ha-40ha that were too steep for farming, Cr Raabe said those landholders should have applied for a planning permit already, before tighter planning restrictions came into effect. “The warning signs have been

out there for a long time. How do we as a council protect people who do not take notice of letters from council and repeated material in the media?” he said. “If you don’t keep an eye on your assets, sometimes you lose them. We can feel sorry for these people, but the reality is the state scheme is there and there is a clause to protect valuable agricultural land and if you put our land on a nation-wide scale, it is not too steep; it is valuable agricultural land.” Tenement restrictions will be lifted under the new strategy, allowing landholders to sell one lot or consolidate titles. Under C51, if a house was on one lot, further houses were not permitted on adjoining lots owned by the same person. Councillors were briefed about the new strategy by council’s and strategic planning and development manager Paul Stampton last Wednesday. Cr Bob Newton was concerned that farmers wanting to buy their neighbour’s farm would not be able to sell a house on that property surplus to their needs. Mr Stampton responded: “You can in certain circumstances. If the lot is under 40ha, you can apply to resubdivide and sell. What is not supported is creating a new lot again.” Unlike C51, people with a 20ha lot and 30ha lot will be able to apply to consolidate those lots. Cr Raabe and other members of the Gippsland Local Government Network met with Planning Minister Matthew Guy on Friday to discuss developer contribution schemes (to infrastructure required due to subdivisions) and the Gippsland Regional Land Use Plan.

Meeniyan sewerage scheme update DESPITE the extremely wet weather, progress towards the start-up of the Meeniyan Sewerage Scheme is on track and the routine testing works required at this stage of the project are underway. The reticulation system was completed by the contractor some time

ago and the Corporation is now commissioning the pipe work. As part of this process the pipe work must be tested by South Gippsland Water to ensure there are no faults and that the works are in compliance with the speciﬁcations. The testing program which uses internal lazers and cameras has found one section of pipe work to have excessive dips. All South Gippsland Water construction

contracts have a part of the total contract sum held in reserve for rectiﬁcation of any faults found. This holding fund can be used to pay for the necessary corrections or the contractors will carry out the work at their own expense. Either way any faults will be ﬁxed without holding up the project as other works are also progressing in tandem with the reticulation testing program. While the

extreme wet weather has prevented completion of the treatment ponds, the key ones to make the system operational are in place and ready for connection at the completion of the commissioning program. South Gippsland Water anticipates that the scheme will be ready for connection in October and the remainder of the wetlands lagoons will be completed over the coming summer months.

VOXPOP! VOX Are you looking forward to the Daffodil festival?

Cases in point CONCERNED landholders voiced their concerns about the new Rural Land Use Strategy to South Gippsland Shire Council last Wednesday. Speaking at council’s public presentation sessions, they were seeking to persuade council to alter the strategy when considering the plan for adoption at tomorrow’s council meeting. Vic Lidstone of Mount Best wanted to build a second house on his parents’ farm so he could move there to care for them. But under the excision clause, a s.173 agreement prohibits further dwellings and excisions, and the existing dwelling must have been built before December 16, 1999 – the date a new planning scheme was introduced in Victoria. When his parents need to enter aged care, Mr Lidstone wants to sell the house to ﬁnance their care. He sought councillors’ favour to introduce a discretionary clause in the strategy to permit circumstances such as his. Cr Bob Newton agreed, saying the policy should not be a matter of “one size ﬁts all”. “As a farmer, you get money by selling off a home. You don’t get a decent income to get decent super. There really is no other way,” Mr Lidstone said. Michael Keppich-Arnold and his wife Sandra have a 4.97ha block at Hallston that is just over the 4.1ha limit. Yet, they are unable to build a house. They have had power connected to the block, built a driveway, planted trees and constructed a garage. Due to their children’s education and their own careers, they were not ready to build a home until 2009, but planning rules since then have prohibited them from doing so. Mr Keppich-Arnold asked council to help him realise his dream. Cr Jim Fawcett responded: “Yes, your circumstances are disturbingly bad but if we move it to 5ha, we would have someone come in with something similar where they have been poorly done by over a number of years. I expect your only relief would be through the biodiversity route, which is a 15 year process.” Mr Keppich-Arnold said his case was not a major issue given 2000 extra lots would be made available to build on. Mayor Cr Warren Raabe said: “That’s not much help, I’m sorry. At the moment, we are not able to help you.” Don Hill of Wild Dog Valley wanted

VicRoads still planning lanes VICROADS is continuing plans into the overtaking lane along the Strzelecki Highway. Communications ofﬁcer Anthea Clarke said VicRoads will be applying for the funding required once their planning has concluded.

Meals roster (Leongatha)

IF I can get over to Leongatha it will be a great couple of days. Jim Atkins Mirboo North

I’m looking forward to the festival; I’ve also liked seeing all of the colourful daffodils around the town. Susan Atkins Mirboo North

I probably won’t go myself but it’s great to see an event like this running. Daniel O’Flaherty Korumburra

It should be a good festival, and any is good because it brings business into the towns in the area. Jake Kilpatrick Korumburra

to know what agricultural activities council considered acceptable in the Farming Zone, in order for a house to be built on land between 4.1 and 40ha. He also said larger lots – such as 80 acres - bought for lifestyle reasons could now be given back to farmers, given the looming proliferation of 4.1ha lots. As a result, Mr Hill said farmers could –and should – be able to live on their land to farm. He said it was not reasonable to have a lot under 40ha without a resident farmer due to the increased risk of stock thefts, wandering stock, animal care and stock deaths. Wilma Western of Leongatha said the region needed certainty about rural land development, saying the issue had been discussed since local government amalgamations in 1994. She said while the latest strategy was not perfect, she urged council to adopt it “with no further delay”. “It is a big improvement on the Rafferty’s rules that was the norm in the mid 2000s, although prolonged lobbying by estate agents and land traders has achieved modiﬁcation of the strong deterrents against residential development in the Farm Zone originally proposed by planners and council,” she said. Ms Western said population growth in farming areas was putting more pressure on council to improve unsealed roads, culverts and bridges in rural areas, as well as provide services available in towns. “The worst recent example of inappropriate residential development preventing activities appropriate in the Farm Zone was the recent emotional delegation that persuaded council to deny a planning permit for a gravel pit (at Mirboo North),” she said. Ross Wise said his 11.45ha property at Dumbalk is landlocked by a river, road and two adjoining properties. Without the ability to obtain a permit for a house, he said he has no choice but to let the property become weed infested as it is worth little and unable to be farmed as he cannot live there. “If I was allowed a permit, the property would be worth more and therefore council would get more rate revenue,” Mr Wise said.

Rotary Club (all week), Bendigo Bank (Mon), National Bank (Tues), SG Specialist School (Wed), Council (Thur & Fri) and Catholic Women’s League (all week) will be responsible for the delivery of meals on wheels, the week beginning August 29, 2011.

“We’re still in the planning process at the moment,” she said. “We’re just making sure that we’re getting the best possible result from our funding.” The highway does not currently have an overtaking lane in the 56km stretch that links Morwell, Mirboo North and

Leongatha. Mr Ryan said that the Nationals would be committed to improving the roads across regional and rural Victoria in an election promise last year. Initially Mr Ryan promised $1.3 million, but that will depend upon VicRoads’ planning.

PAGE 14 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Flying to the rescue By Simone Short DOCTOR Chris Perry is what you’d call a modern day Superman – except he doesn’t wear a cape.

For the past two and a half years he has been working for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, helping patients living in remote areas and quite often literally flying in and saving lives. Having lived and worked in Leongatha as a general practice doctor for seven years, at the end of 2008 Dr Perry was ready for a change. And as far as changes go, they don’t get much bigger than his. Along with his wife Kate, and three daughters Charlotte, Hannah and Gabrielle, Dr Perry moved from the quiet hills of South Gippsland to the desert on the sea that is Port Hedland in Western Australia where he began working as a Royal Flying Doctor. An iconic Australian institution, the RFDS on average flies doctors over 70,000 kilometres a day, reaching almost 800 patients and helping over a quarter of a million people every year. On a typical day, Dr Perry said he could spent up to 10 hours in the air, whether it meant flying a patient from remote locations to hospital in Perth, a three and a half hour flight away from Port Hedland, attending to road accidents, or spending the day visiting clinics in the outback. It’s certainly a change from his somewhat quieter life as a doctor in Leongatha. Dr Perry remembers in particular, on two separate occasions, the pilot having no choice but to land the plane on the road, with no available airstrip within 400 kilometres of road accidents, some-

Fly in, ﬂy out: Doctor Chris Perry with his wife Kate at their home in Leongatha during one of Dr Perry’s short breaks from working with the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Western Australia. (Inset left) Doctor Chris Perry may spend up to 10 hours in the air a day. thing he describes as “pretty hairy”. “It’s pretty confronting too, dealing with what’s there,” Dr Perry said, commenting he often has to take on the role of a paramedic as the ﬁrst one on the scene. “There are casualties and people have died in those accidents and because you have to travel long distances, you need to make sure they’re stable enough to get on a plane.”

And the list of interesting cases does not end there. Dr Perry was also involved in the Ashmore Reef disaster in April 2009 when a boat carrying suspected asylum seekers exploded, killing five people and injuring 51. Whilst helping to bring some of the first victims into Perth, Dr Perry had his first experience of dealing with the media on his job when they flooded him

with TV cameras and news reporters upon arrival at the airport. From the high proﬁle disasters to the little more bizarre; another case required a man weighing 220 kilograms to be transported by plane. “We had to use an aircraft luggage loader to get him into the plane because we didn’t have that sort of system to load this guy on,” Dr Perry said. If one thing is for sure, every day is different and Dr Perry said the variety is what he loves most about the job. “You can take a phone call at six in the morning and before you know it, you’re ﬂying over the Kimberley, looking at the Kimberley Coast and this is my job,” he said. “You never know where you’re going to end up on that particular day. You may end up in the Western Desert on the Northern Territory border or down in Perth, you just don’t know where you’re going to be.” Dr Perry said the medicine he practices is also a world away from being a country GP in Leongatha, with a large component of his work focusing on indigenous health, especially during clinical visits. “Once a week we drive to an Aboriginal community called Yandeyarra about 100 kilometres from Port Hedland,” he said. “That is a very different experience; I’ve never done anything like that before. “It’s quite different medicine, different diseases that you probably haven’t seen in South Gippsland for 40 years, like rheumatic heart disease and rheumatic fever. “I’ve picked up some fantastic skills; I’ve learnt a lot of different medicine, such as tropical medicine and critical care medicine that will stand me in good

stead for many years to come as a country GP,” he said. But with the good of course comes the bad; with the family moving back to Leongatha at the beginning of the year, Dr Perry has been forced to split his time between Western Australia and home, working four weeks on and two weeks off, something he describes as “very, very hard”. He also lists the painfully long shifts and large amount of time in the air as a downside to his illustrious career. “When the family was up there, you don’t know when you were going to get home,” he said. “There are no set hours and you are on call for a long period of time. “It’s quite common to say goodbye and come back two days later.” In fact time away from his family has proved so difﬁcult Dr Perry has decided to return to South Gippsland fulltime as of January next year. “I’m at the stage now where I’m looking forward to coming back to being a country doctor and a family doctor again,” he said. “I miss that regular contact with patients. We do have it a bit with the clinics we do but it’s not the same as being a country doctor.” However, this doesn’t mean he is hanging up the metaphorical cape and leaving his “dream job” for good, with plans to return to remote Australia and possibly overseas at some stage in the future. “To maintain my long term interests I’d like to periodically do some more locums in remote Australia,” he said. “For a country doctor it’s important to sustain your interests like that and I’d like the opportunity to work somewhere else.”

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 15

Gardens open for viewing WHEN it comes to gardening Kerry Pritchard certainly knows his stuff. He and his partner Barb Fleming own one of the larger gardens to be part of the open garden scheme section of the daffodil festival. Kerry’s expertise matched with his miraculous, mostly native, Leongatha garden made them a perfect candidate. Many of the plants in the garden are almost ready to open their ﬂowers, Kerry said. “It’s a bit early in the year for some of these plants, being at the end of August, but hopefully if we

receive some sun and warm weather the ﬂowers will be out by the weekend,” he said. From the top of the one-and-ahalf acre sloping block all the way to the fence line there are lots of beautiful native plants. The front of the block is an alternating eight plant low hedge which displays some rustic native colours and behind it hides some lovely Correas and Banksias. A path guides you through to the back of the property past a rose bed and a wonderful Waratah and also unexpected banana trees. At the back is the centre of the garden, which is a large pond that is

home to many glorious goldﬁsh. Surrounding the pond is a trellis which supports some lovely climbing vines, while a decorative wooden walking bridge crosses over the water. The garden is also a production hub, with fruit-producing orange, lemon, nectarine and even avocado trees situated around. Kerry will be taking people around the garden on Friday and Saturday between 10am and 4pm and showing off all his wonderful work. The garden will be one of the four gardens which will be on display for the 55th Leongatha Daffodil and Floral Festival.

Annual planting: chemotherapy unit staff at Gippsland Southern Health Service invite anyone interested to “plant” a daffodil in honour of a friend or loved one with cancer, during the annual daffodil day at Leongatha Memorial Hospital. They are from left, Anna Kenny, Jill Davies, Wendy Gervasi, Snooky Stockdale (ﬁlling in for Annie Owen) and Linda Fiddelaers.

Field of daffodils in cancer memory GIPPSLAND Southern Health Service’s chemotherapy nurses are again “planting” a ﬁeld of daffodils as a tribute to people affected by cancer. You can buy imitation daffodils from some retailers in Leongatha and Korumburra or directly from either the Leongatha or Korumburra hospitals for $2 each. The daffodils have a card attached so you can write a name or a message for someone who has died, or someone who is currently battling the disease.

All funds raised will go directly to the GSHS chemotherapy department for new equipment. The department was set up in 2000 to meet a community need and receives little government support. The nursing staff will be planting the daffodils in the lawn outside the entrance to Leongatha Memorial Hospital from 10am on Wednesday September 7. Everyone is invited to take part. The daffodils will stay on display for a fortnight.

Proud caretaker: Kerry Pritchard is very proud of his lovely native-based garden.

In the middle: this pond lies in the middle of the 1.5 acre garden and is home to many goldﬁsh.

PAGE 16 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

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Senator to open children’s centre SENATOR Jacinta Collins will ofﬁcially open the Prom Coast Centre for Children in Foster on Monday, August 29.

Tucking in: savouring scones were Anglican Reverend Janet Wallis, lay preacher with the Union Church Doug Griggs and parent Sarah Rushton.

Scones for swimming WHEN the kids at Tarwin Lower Primary School learn how to swim this November, they will have cups of tea and scones to thank. The Tarwin Lower Union Church last Tuesday held a community afternoon tea to raise funds for the school’s swimming program. Lessons had been funded by government drought relief aid until recently. Without fundraising, parents would have been left with a $100 bill per child to bus them to Leongatha and back for sessions over four weeks.

The cost would have prohibited many children from taking part. Further money will be collected when the Leongatha Anglican Church holds a morning tea and the Leongatha Uniting Church is also selling tatted – or lace-work – bookmarks. A target of $1000 is set. Parent Sarah Rushton appreciated the support of the 20 people present. “It’s nice for people to reach out and go out of their way and do something that will help children,” she said. “The swimming lesions are

something that children look forward to throughout the year. For a lot of families, it’s a big cost and there are lot of families that have got more than one child at the school too.” The afternoon tea was held at the Tarwin Lower Hall in conjunction with rafﬂes and an exhibition of student artwork from many grades. The Union Church congregation – joint Anglican and Uniting – learnt about the school’s need through their Christian Religious Education program.

The opening will occur at noon, followed by a tour the site of the new Sandy Point Community Centre, due to be completed in December. The ofﬁcial opening marks the culmination of a highly innovative community project that garnered ﬁnancial support from the three tiers of government to create a children’s services facility that is expected to become a prototype of integrated services for other centres across the nation. The project is unique in that the integrated services provided at Foster will reach out to the smaller communities of Fish Creek, Toora and Welshpool – known as the hub and spoke model. “This facility is the result of lobbying from the community for over 10 years to provide long day care in the Corner Inlet district,” mayor Cr Warren Raabe said. “The Prom Coast Centre for Children brings together a range of early years services including long day care, kindergarten, maternal and child health and other specialist early intervention services where practitioners work in a multi-agency way to deliver integrated support to children and families. “In recognition of the great community support for this project, an open day will

be held on Saturday, September 3 between 9.30am and 12.30pm to enable all interested members of the community to be involved in the celebrations associated with the establishment of the centre. “Members of the public are invited to view the centre and to contribute to a community art work which, when complete, will be hung in the centre. Local artist and community development worker Marilyn Ardley will be attendance to facilitate this activity.“ In 2000, the Sandy Point community identiﬁed that the current hall could no longer meet community needs and actively campaigned for funding for a new centre. The community felt opportunities and issues such as social isolation, internet access, the aged, youth and child care, lifelong learning, visiting health professionals, environmental issues and tourism could not be addressed in the current hall. The new centre will greatly improve the quality and range of participation in social, recreational, cultural and civic activities for residents and visitors. “These are the largest Commonwealth funded projects to occur in South Gippsland and are indeed worthy of celebration,” Cr Raabe said. “They are outstanding examples of local communities willing to work in partnership with council, and State and Federal governments to achieve their goals.”

Outdoors life: Erin Harris relishes her work as a project ﬁre-ﬁghter.

Want to fight fires? ERIN Harris has seen just about every major bushﬁre that’s torn through Victoria in the last 15 years.

Ofﬁcially Australian: South Gippsland Shire Council mayor Cr Warren Raabe naturalised residents at a citizenship ceremony in Leongatha last Wednesday. The new Australians are Judith Gimblett, David Gimblett, Merlin Gammon, Cr Raabe, Channy Prum, Vireakphal Sokhom, Toby Gammon, Joanna Gammon and baby Annabel, Nigel Chalmers, Susan Smith and Praveen Gundlapalli.

Water rebates now available SMALL businesses in Gippsland are eligible for rebates on water efﬁcient products for the ﬁrst time as part of a Victorian Government’s Living Victoria Water Rebate Program.

Deputy Premier and Member for Gippsland South Peter Ryan said the government was delivering on its election commitment to invest $40 million in rebates on water efficient products for homes, gardens and now small businesses. “Small businesses with 20 or less employees are now eligible to receive rebates of up to $2000 on a range of water-efficient products,” Mr Ryan said. “The rebates can be used for items such as commercial glass washers, dishwashers and washing machines, high pressure cleaners and dual flush toilets. “The range of products available will encourage more small businesses, including restaurants, laundromats and car washes, to become water efficient.” A rebate can be claimed for 50 per cent of the cost up to a maximum rebate amount of $2000 on eligible products purchased. For more information about the program and products eligible for a rebate visit www.water.vic.gov.au/rebates.

Footy club’s $ ¼ m lights BASS Coast Council will project manage the installation of new lights at the Wonthaggi Power Football Netball Club oval. The lights are costing $250,000. The State Government has granted $160,000 and the football club is contributing $100,000. Council will meet the remaining $10,000. Bass MLA Ken Smith promised the state money during last year’s election campaign. At their meeting last Wednesday evening, Bass Coast councillors passed an ofﬁcer’s recommendation that council enter into an agreement with the football club for the construction of the lights. As a life member of the football club, Cr John Duscher declared a conﬂict of interest and left the chamber during discussion. Cr Gareth Barlow said $250,000 seemed like a lot of money for new lights. “But it’s not coming from our pockets, so it is reasonable for council to contribute in a minor way.” Cr Peter Paul congratulated the club on gaining the state grant and Cr Ross Smith said the club was “putting its money where its mouth is”.

The 1998 Linton fire, the 2003 Alpine fires, 2006-07 Great Divide fires, the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, and the Blue Mountains bushfire in NSW– she’s been on the fire-line at every one. “As a project fire-fighter - or PFF - for 14 years, I assisted with roughly 80 fuel reduction burns, and attended more than 60 fires,” Erin said. “I first started after a friend of mine who was working in the summer crew suggested it to me.” Last year Erin became a field services officer, a full-time permanent fire-fighter, at Forrest DSE. “I love my role as a fire-fighter; it’s versatile and offers me opportunities to improve my skills through training provided by the department,” she said. “I’ve acquired new skills and accreditations including my truck licence, chain-

saw faller’s ticket and fire ground observer qualification.” Erin added that working in some of Victoria’s most spectacular forests and parks was a definite highlight of the job. “One of the best parts of the job though is working outdoors, often in areas of the Otway Ranges that few people get to see. Through my fire role, I’ve been lucky enough to see a lot of Victoria’s diverse countryside,” she said. Erin said that the seasonal nature of project fire-fighting suited her lifestyle. “In the past I usually only had two months to fill between seasons. In that time I did a range of work, including working as a barista, pruning grape vines, and working on a construction site as a trades assistant,” she said. “I’ve also taken time in the off-season to travel overseas. “If you’re fit and healthy and you enjoy working outdoors, have a strong work ethic, and work well in a team environment – then project fire-fighting is an ideal job.”

Inverloch festive ladies CHRISTMAS was the theme of the Inverloch CWA craft ladies’ recent session. Ten ladies spent a busy morning learning how to make baubles, getting in early for the festive season and sharing chatter. A sausage sizzle will be held on August 25 at the home of Dorothy Riddiford and a second sausage sizzle

is to be held on September 29 at the home of Marj White. Felt frogs will be the craft for the next meeting on September 13. International leader Marj White told us more about Morocco and the rich farm land in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, where the average rainfall is 229530mm. The main occupations are agriculture and ﬁshing.

Guest speaker Marjorie Scott demonstrated simple ways of keeping hands and feet warm on these chilly days. Shirley Madden won the door prize, and Marj White and Joy Pollard shared ﬁrst prize for ﬂowers. Thelma Dow had second place. Marj White also celebrated her birthday, so it was a happy day all round.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 19

PAGE 20 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Coach helps them grow

Taranto team: back row from left: Toby Vojkovic, James Olsen, Phil Williams, John Stuart, Nic Male, Jack Van Rooy, Darren Hatherall, Jason Davies and Simon Camilleri. Second row: Scott Taranto, Phil Hiley, Rob Cartledge, Justin Cowell, James Paterson, Ben Morris, Nick Katz and Kurt Hall. Front row:Lauren Langenberg, Charlene Horkings, Leanne and Kevin Taranto, Shelley Whelan and Sue Fleming.

IN the past ﬁve years, the number of staff at Taranto Windows and Glass has shot up from eight to 26. They’re a strong team, they take pride in their work and if owners Kevin and Leanne need to go away, they know their business is in good hands. The growth has brought in plenty more commercial work, much of it in Melbourne and some interstate. “We’ve done a lot of work in Adelaide and in Sydney,” Kevin said. The boom is thanks in part to business coach

Bruce Connolly of Nexus Consulting. Kevin met him during a small business training course put on by the South Gippsland Shire Council. “We got a half-day session with Bruce and it grew from there. “He checks in and gives advice, he’s been very good for the business.” Bruce is obviously impressed by Taranto Windows and Glass too. He nominated them for the annual Bendigo Bank Gippsland Business Awards and the ﬁrm is a ﬁnalist in the building services and construction category. Continued on page 21.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 21

Learning still appeals LEONGATHA U3A reported another busy year at its annual general meeting recently.

Judy Braithwaite was re-elected president for a third term and was presented with a colourful posy as a mark of appreciation for her untiring work at U3A. In her annual report, Judy remarked on some of the regular activities that the members enjoy. The weekly history group gets a supply of interesting videos on loan from the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) at Federation Square, via the local library. There is a dedicated group of Scrabble devotees which gets together every Thursday morning at the RSL. The monthly activities, too, are full of variety, with sessions for those interested in current affairs, or solving crossword puzzles, in old movies or music appreciation. And the popular morning coffee gathering, also monthly, features guest speakers generally reminiscing on the Gippsland of days gone by. U3A gratefully acknowledges the

Ready to lead: the new committee of the Leongatha U3Aconsists of Rosemary Heide, Bob Leslie, Tom Potter, Judy Braithwaite, Pearl Christoffersen, Alex Todorovski of Community College Gippsland and Pat Lee. support it receives from the Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) board, in the form of an annual grant. However treasurer Tom Potter reported that ACFE funding will reduce by 40 per cent this year, across the state. He explained in detail the U3A budget for the coming year and asked the meeting to approve an increase in

membership subscriptions from $30, an amount that has stood for seven or eight years, to $35. Approval was carried unanimously. Using a South Gippsland Shire Council discretionary grant sponsored by Councillor Mimmie Jackson, U3A was able last year to establish its own website, although it is still pretty basic and needs a few photos to brighten it up.

The Friday video presentations on history have been greatly enhanced by the acquisition of a 42” TV on its own trolley, together with a DVD/VCR player. These were purchased with project funds provided by the Ofﬁce of Senior Victorians (OSV), and the trolley was custom-built in Korumburra for U3A. Use of this equipment is shared with Community College Gippsland (CCG) when not needed by U3A. CCG has provided accommodation for U3A ever since its formation in Leongatha about 15 years ago. This has always been a comfortable relationship which suits both partners very well. Across Victoria, where there are now 24,000 members in 97 U3A groups, accommodation is one of the biggest problems they encounter – both as to availability and cost. U3A is shorthand for University of the Third Age, and it is focused on lifelong learning for retired and semi-retired people. The Third Age is the time of active retirement, after ﬁrstly childhood and then the employment and

Agriculture gets set to boom By Jane Ross AN agricultural boom is waiting in the wings.

Such a boost to prosperity will be prompted by the globe’s next major crisis – food. But, if it’s not handled properly, the boom opportunity will be lost. VFF president Andrew Broad said Gippsland is well placed to beneﬁt. But, he warned, “We need to sell our product, not our potential.” He was commenting to The Star on the VFF’s call for a register of foreign owned farms. The register has the support of Deputy Premier Peter Ryan, who is also Victorian Minister for Regional and Rural Development. Speaking on ABC radio on

Thursday morning, Mr Ryan said he thought the register was a good idea, but stressed he was not being xenophobic. The VFF has written to Victorian Treasurer Kim Wells highlighting community concerns about foreign purchases of Australian farm land. In his July newsletter, Agribusiness Gippsland chairman Alex Arbuthnot said, “In Gippsland, I believe that 50 per cent of our farm land could be owned by offshore interests by 2020.” It’s ﬁgures like that that concern Andrew Broad. He has travelled to 30 countries to look at agricultural trade and knows a thing or two. He said without a register, noone will know how many foreign owned farms there are here. And, if other countries’ experi-

Coach helps them grow Continued from page 20. The winners will be announced at a dinner at the Monash Auditorium Churchill this Friday night. “It’s the ﬁrst time we’ve been nominated,” Kevin said, “it’s pretty exciting.” Taranto Windows and Glass set up in Leongatha 22 years ago. Staff still undertake work locally, but Kevin said 60 per cent of business is now in big commercial work in Melbourne. “We have crews there during the week.” All employees are South Gippsland residents. Seven are apprentices and most staff have been through some sort of training. “Our staff are more efﬁcient and better skilled. They feel good about themselves and they’re quite proud of where the business has gone. “We have really good staff and the coach works with them as well. They’re paid well for what they do and they work well. We have a good team environment.” The commitment to training resulted in a recent Victorian Employer of the Year Training Industry Award. Asked what makes a good business, Kevin didn’t hesitate; “staff,” he said. “We keep them trained and up-to-date and keep them happy. They all take pride in the company and treat it as though it’s their own. “That’s good.”

ence is anything to go by, “whole systems” such as land, rail and ports can be snapped up too. “That’s already happening in Brazil. And China is buying a substantial amount of land in Africa. “We need a watching brief.” Asked what was prompting a global food crisis, Mr Broad said population growth and major changes from a starch-based to a protein-based diet. The latter takes more land to produce food. “The purists will say we should go back to growing grain.” But the reality is, the Chinese government has a policy to increase the 56gms of dairy consumed per child per day, to 500gms per child per day. Mr Broad said one third of the world’s exported milk produce comes from Victoria and

New Zealand. So, the opportunities for the dairy industry are very strong. It’s a matter of ensuring the potential benefits local farmers. But Walkerville beef farmer Bill Bray isn’t too fussed about foreign ownership of farms. “Australia has had a pretty long list of international ownership of a lot of land. First it was the British, then the Japanese. “That’s life; that’s market forces.” Bill said his concern was to see land remain productive and profitable and he could understand why other countries were wanting to buy arable farming land, given Australia’s stable political climate, “fairly strong” financial system and relative lack of regulation governing farming practices.

Putting ability in disability PHILLIP Island’s tenpin bowling and entertainment centre has been nominated for a Bendigo Bank business award. The bowling alley is in the ‘Good Access is Good Business’ category, given their access all abilities building design. It is the ﬁrst year that they have been nominated for the award, but co-owner Jeremy Westaway (he owns the centre with Craig Holmes) says winning isn’t the most important thing. “It would be nice, it’s a good thing to be nominated, but it’s not the only thing we’re interested in,” he said. The centre was purposely built with ramps,

and wide entrances to handle people of all ages and abilities, and often hosts disabled groups. The centre was purposely built to accommodate everybody, regardless of age, ability or circumstance and is easily accessible to all including wheelchair, mobility challenged and the vision impaired patrons. “We’ve had 30 people in wheelchairs at times up here on the lanes bowling,” Mr Westaway said. “We also host the local RSL regularly, it is something that they can still do actively and enjoy.” But it’s not just for bowling, the centre is often used for parties and events. It also offers a lazer zone arena, pool tables,

the latest arcade games, table tennis, big screen sports and a café lounge and licensed bar. “We can do anything from two-year-old parties to 21sts, engagement parties and even weddings,” Jeremy said. The Phillip Island tenpin bowling and entertainment centre is a unique and affordable option. Your day out is bound to be quite memorable and deﬁnitely lots of fun. Open seven days from 10am until late, fun for all ages and accessible for all abilities. The centre is located at 91-97 Settlement Road, Cowes and can be reached on 5952 3977 or for further information look on their website at www. pitenpin.com.au.

parenting years. The name is a bit confusing at first, but it comes from the original meaning of university - interested people coming together to share knowledge. And U3A is exactly that! There are no entrance standards or exams or certificates; just the enjoyment of shared learning. One member remarked that she had spent her life “giving out” as a teacher and is now greatly enjoying the luxury of sitting back and “taking in”. In addition to the U3A groups in suburbs and towns across Victoria, there is a central organisation in Melbourne called U3A Network - Victoria. Its role is to provide support and advice to individual U3As, as well as dealing with government authorities on their behalf. Similar central U3A bodies are in place in the other states of Australia, or are in the process of formation. Back home, anyone interested in finding out more about Leongatha U3A is encouraged to contact president Judy Braithwaite on 5655 2226 or secretary Tom Potter on 5662 5737 (tompotter@hotmail.com).

PAGE 22 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Jetty fix on agenda THE Port Welshpool Long Jetty will be fixed. That was the message from Welshpool and District Advisory Group president Paul Macphail. Although there has been relative quiet on the jetty’s future in recent times, Mr Macphail said there was a lot happening behind the scenes. “We’re narrowing down the options of fixing it to one or two. Things are being discussed. The pricing for the problem is not finished yet. We’ve got to wait for that to all come out,” he said. “It’s proceeding along and the feeling I got from the meeting was quite a positive one. We’re starting to get the options on how to fix it now. The main thing is, we’ve got to find out what the costings are and where we can go from there. That hasn’t been disclosed yet.” Mr Macphail said there was already $3 million set aside for the jetty’s restoration and a ‘project control group’ has been established to oversee the “investigation and options process”. The PCG includes representatives from

Gippsland Ports; Regional Development Victoria, the State Government’s lead agency for developing rural and regional Victoria; the Department of Transport; the South Gippsland Shire Council, including Cr Jeannette Harding; and local community members. The PCG meets on a monthly basis A Heritage Conservation Management Plan is also underway. “We can’t do much until we work out how much we need to do what we need to do to ﬁx it. If it’s less than $3 million, obviously that’s easy. But if it’s more we have to look at different ways of funding it,” Mr Macphail said. He said an underwater observatory was still part of the eventual plan.

Paul Macphail: the Welshpool and District Advisory Group president said progress was being made on the revamp of the Port Welshpool Long Jetty.

From pages past

Being water aware

Historical snippets from The Star One year ago, August 24, 2010 BRIGHT daffodils will fill Leongatha Memorial Hall for the town’s 54th annual Daffodil Festival, which starts on Thursday. **** LEONGATHA South woman Bridget McKenzie has created history after becoming The Nationals’ first female federal politician from Victoria in Saturday’s polls. Five years ago, August 22, 2006 WONTHAGGI Power full forward Rod Tack booked his way into the AFL history books on Saturday when he took his goal tally for the season to 129. **** CONSTRUCTION of the new police station in Leongatha started last August, when the builders moved in on the site. 10 years ago, August, 2001 THE violent storm which rocked part of Wonthaggi early last Friday morning, demolishing a house and wrecking roofs and trees, still has staff at the Bureau of Meteorology scratching their heads. **** BLACKOUTS crippled parts of South Gippsland last week, shutting down farms and homes. One dairying family couldn’t milk their cows for 27 hours. 30 years ago, August 25, 1981 FAILURE by Korumburra Shire Council to find a new tip site over a period of seven years will now cost ratepayers up to $70,000. **** THIEVES have escaped with more than $6000 worth of goods from holiday houses in Inverloch during August.

STUDENTS from various schools surrounding Korumburra got to investigate the world of water last week.

Awarded: the Hon. Peter Hall MLC with Korumburra Secondary College principal Lynne Hardy and Burra Foods human resources manager Helen Falls.

Partners in science A STRONG ongoing partnership between the Burra Foods and Korumburra Secondary College has led to the school being awarded the Victorian Science and Mathematics Excellence Award for the Gippsland region. The school was presented this award at a prestigious ceremony last week. Both the school and company beneﬁt greatly from this partnership. Burra Foods Australia has enabled the college to introduce industry-related science activities across year levels, offer sponsored awards for high performing science students and even a ‘gap year’ in-

dustry placement for one of its graduates. The relationship between the company and school started two years ago thanks to the support of the South Gippsland Bass Coast Local Learning and Employment Network. The company provides Year 7 and 9 students with different programs while in Year 10 up to six students are asked to solve an industry problem or research an issue. “This was very special to be given this wonderful award,” college principal Lynne Hardy said. The school has received $10,000 along with the award to further improve the partnership between themselves and Burra Foods Australia.

The students from Korumburra secondary and primary school, Loch primary, Nyora primary, Poowong consolidated school and St Joseph’s primary in Korumburra got to experience the two day program. By investigating the local water processes as well as excursions to catchments and treatment plants participants were able to take in as much as they can from the program. South Gippsland Water ran the program and it was funded by the Smart Water Fund. They students will present their ﬁndings in an informant presentation back at their schools on September 5.

Water watchers: Hayden Scudds, Tiffany Maas, Shaelyn Connell-Rohde and Liam Henry.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 23

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Finding voice through art By Jane Ross AS an outsider, Maria Filippow is shocked at the lack of resources for young people in Bass Coast Shire.

“There’s a huge gap in services.” Youth unemployment is high, there are low levels of involvement in tertiary education and social disengagement. “It’s a very high-need area.” When the not-for-profit charity of which she is CEO and creative director was looking for an area in which to set up a pilot project, Bass Coast seemed the obvious choice. She and lead artist Michael Meneghetti come down from Melbourne to spend two days each week in Wonthaggi guiding young people in developing their artistry. Along the way, their charges are gaining improved oral and communication skills. And, they’re learning to think. Called R3Bass Coast, the project is a partnership between Visionary Images, the YMCA and Bass Coast Shire Council. “Bass Coast is a very high need area for creative opportunities,” Maria explained. “The YMCA identified that that was something that needed to be established here; we’re very well supported by local organisations.” She said Visionary Images grew out of a youth refuge project to try to counter the bad press disadvantaged young people experience. Finding a space for R3 wasn’t easy. Young Jobs Australia came to the rescue and the walls of its back room are now covered in charts, graphs, lists and words of encouragement. In the window facing Graham Street is a screen showing a series of images, created by those who are part of R3. It’s a moveable feast and young people aged 15 to 25 are invited to join in at any time. They can stay or go as they please and Maria stressed that each young person and his/her ideas are as valuable as any other’s. “It’s like home here,” Brooke Filliponi said, “we have tea and donuts.” “And fruit!” Maria chimed in. R3 is also about making healthy choices. Brooke and a number of R3 colleagues came to the project through their Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) studies. Chillali Thorrowgood who volunteers with the project, said the participants also discuss ideas about mental health and behaviour. Brooke has found that helpful. “Like when you call people something,

they act like it. If you stop and think before you speak – I have worked it.” She enjoys the R3 activities. “It’s really good just to be yourself, to chill out and come up with ideas. It’s good to feel part of something.” And, she enjoys being part of a team. “We talk about ideas; things that are important to these guys and come up with ideas around the creation of art works,” Maria said. One of the outcomes will be a Zine – or magazine, with the focus on media art. “That builds up technical skills,” Michael explained. “We’re working towards a big media-based outcome.” The moving image on the screen in the front window of Young Jobs Australia is part of that. It projects stencil sketches participants made of their faces, articulating discussions the group has had that you can’t judge a person by the way they look. Maria said ideas generated through such discussions tease out what is important to the young artists and what kind of works they want to create. The aim is to show the art in very public places on the street, putting it before people in their everyday lives. That gives others a better understanding of what young people think and lifts their proﬁle. As Chillali explained, young people who achieve academically or on the sporting ﬁeld are publicly celebrated, but there is no encouragement or support for those who aren’t successful in that way. R3 is a vehicle to change that. Visionary Images develops projects with a difference. One, for example, involved text messages sent by mobile phone telling people to look at a number of artworks. Another used screen and digital technology to lure people out on the street to interact. Stories of kindness were put on FM radio transmitters where people could listen to them via headsets at libraries. And, a projector in a window invited bystanders to touch a handprint to activate a video. Once the hand was removed, the video stopped, so the only way to see the video was to stay connected. R3 will produce its own artworks in Bass Coast next year; the form they will take will depend on how the project develops. And that’s up to the participants. The process is a democratic one because every participant votes on what’s to be done.

Businesses go green BUSINESSES had the chance to learn about going green last week in a special seminar run by the South Gippsland Shire Council.

assessor Lucinda Flynn from Going Green Solutions took the group through a very detailed presentation regarding energy efﬁciency, water conservation, waste reduction and much more. The topics of energy,

water, waste, transport, green-cleaning, marketing and sustainable business management were all covered and a range of products were on display which all help in these areas. The seminar encouraged the business to be mindful Home sustainability about their waste as well as ways in which they can save money and save the environment. Power waste measuring devices to bio-degradable and reusable pen casings are all ways in which you can easily and effectively save money and be kind to the planet. Ms Flynn also touched on the topic of marketing your business as being ‘green’. “There are a lot of rules regarding what you can and can’t say regarding being ‘carbon neutral’ or a ‘green’ business,” she said. “But it is a good marGoing green: Lucinda Flynn from Going Green keting tool to promote any Solutions brought lots alternative and ‘green’ green activities which your business takes part in or products to the seminar. does.”

Creating: Visionary Images lead artist Michael Meneghetti (right) with Bass Coast R3 participants from left Dean Eddy of Leongatha, Renae McFarland of Phillip Island, Brooke Filliponi of Corinella and volunteer Chillali Thorrowgood. In the front is Molly Reggardo of Wonthaggi.

Father flies in from Sri Lanka LEONGATHA is a long way from the outskirts of Colombo in Sri Lanka, but that’s the trip made by Fr Anura Gamlath. Fr Gamlath has agreed to spend three years in the Catholic Diocese of Sale, far away from his family and his Diocese of Chilaw to help ease the shortage of priests in this area. “I have been in Australia for one-and-a-half months now and I’m still getting used to it here,” he said. “The culture here is very different from in Sri Lanka.” Fr Gamlath decided to join the priesthood because of the strong religious following in Sri Lanka and the life of a priest is something which he thought would suit him. He, along with another Sri Lankan priest, Fr Janeesh Jose were chosen by their bishops to make the trip to Australia. “I have been a priest for four years and my bishop wanted me to come,” he said. “I have worked with a lot of youth in my area and also ran the diocese

youth newspaper so he immediately asked me to do something like this. I wasn’t really liking the idea at first.” Back in Sri Lanka Fr Gamlath has four sisters and his parents, who he has been missing greatly. “So far I’ve been helping the priest do some masses in substation and the main church and some work in the school, especially with the masses and the reconciliations.” Fr Gamlath is predicting to be in Leongatha for the next year and likes the town. “I like the rural areas, although it is very different from Sri Lankan culture. I love the area where the Lord wants me to serve,” he said. “In the first few weeks I was taken to see kangaroos and different animals as well as going to the zoo. The countryside is very lovely.” The priest’s bishop has sent him here for three reasons. “I’m here firstly because the bishop of Sale, Bishop Prowse is in need of some help of some priests,” he said. “At the same time a majority of Sri Lankans are working here in Aus-

For the long haul: Sri Lankan priest Fr Anura Gamlath is in Australia for three years, and one of those will be spent in Leongatha. tralia so I can help them also, in teaching about mass. “Thirdly the bishop asked me to do some studies here in Australia which I will be completing at the end of my third year.” The involvement of youth in the church in Australia compared to

Sri Lanka is different, according to Fr Gamlath. “I’ve been working with youth in Sri Lanka and I’ve really seen a difference in the number of youth involved with the church,” he said. “Maybe they have different ways to feel fulﬁlled in life but the difference is very obvious.”

High hopes for beans STUDENTS from Grade 1 at Leongatha Primary School have been tending to their very own plants, hoping they grow the tallest.

They are growing them as part of the Leongatha Horticultural Society’s Daffodil and Floral Festival. The kids have watched the plants grow over the past weeks and are planning to enter them in the tallest climbing bean growing in a one litre milk carton section of the festival’s competition. Many are wishing for ‘Jack and the beanstalk’ type growth to blow the competition away. Other grades are also getting into the spirit of the festival, planting daffodil Bean growers: Mitchell Webb, Josh Allen, Ruby Whelan and Ebbulbs and doing daffodil based activities ony Smith will be entering their bean plants in a competition being run as part of the Daffodil Festival. in the classroom.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 27

Located in a relaxing and peaceful location, this two bedroom unit is available through Stockdale and Leggo, Leongatha. For details, see page 30.

PAGE 28 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 29

PAGE 30 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Successful: John O’Connor is the sales manager at the Korumburra ofﬁce.

Corner position: Inverloch staff, back row, Glenn Bolam, Adam Leys, front row, Virginia McEntee, Amy Collier, and Naomy Hendricks.

Prominent: Richard Taylor and Narelle Baker work out of the Mirboo North ofﬁce.

Number one for four years S

TOCKDALE and Leggo Leongatha has been the number one selling real estate agent for the past four years. And now with a network of four offices in South Gippsland, the Stockdale and Leggo team is ready to deliver even better results. The business has grown massively since Mick Hanily and Jason Harris purchased the business from Averill and Murray Holderhead in July 2007. Mick was an employee of Holderheads since 2000 and quickly settled into his new management role. Jason Harris brought with him his vast experience in rural property, having lived in South Gippsland all his life with his family and having run various farming enterprises. In December 2008, the business partners then purchased an established real estate business in Leongatha from Lindsay Powney. A move was affected from Smith Street to their current site at 15 Bair Street. The business has continued to expand, with Jason and Mick finalising the purchase of Brent Harriage’s share at Mirboo North. A Stockdale and Leggo office was opened from scratch in Korumburra in October 2009 with John O’Connor the sales manager at this office since

the beginning. “Korumburra has done very well. John has done an excellent job,” Mr Harris told The Star. In April this year the Inverloch Stockdale and Leggo was purchased from Mr Pat Barry. Glenn Bolam and Adam Leys are also directors at the Inverloch business, with Glenn Bolam the sales manager. After such a busy few years, Mick and Jason said the plan was to work on building up all four businesses before thinking of anything further. “We had a situation where opportunities arose and we felt we had to move on them. But this will be it for some time,” Mr Harris said. All Stockdale and Leggo stores have been given a fresh, new look after a rebranding exercise that has sharpened up the image and injected vitality into the brand. “The franchise provides us with a lot, including train- Top location: the Leongatha team, from left, Janine Lowe, Jason Harris, Helga Baum, Tammy McMahon, Kellie Wilson and Mick ing and support. They provide Hanily. very personalised service and have been great. This training applies to sales, property management and auctions.” Mick and Jason said business has been consisTOCKDALE and to a covered barbecue area. tent throughout their years The master bedroom has Leggo in Leongatha as owners and predict that a a full en suite with a no-step downward interest rate shift has just listed a two bed- shower and walk-in robe. would reinvigorate the mar- room unit in the much The second bedroom is sought after “Grange” quite spacious and has builtket. “We’re pretty happy retirement village. in robes. about how things have gone,” Exclusive to people 55 The double garage has a Mr Harris said. years and over, this unit of- remote controlled roller door fers a relaxed and peaceful and has direct access through lifestyle. to the laundry. The unit boasts two Outside there is a handy spacious living areas with a separate lounge and a sized yard with room for a large kitchen with electric small dog and a decent vegie patch. cooking. These units are in high The kitchen/family room has a sunny north facing as- demand and don’t stay long pect with a sliding glass door on the market.

At home in the ‘Grange’

LEONGATHA Location: 25/17 MacDonald St Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2 Price: $330,000 Agent: Stockdale & Leggo, Leongatha Contact: 5662 5800

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 31

Prom Country N AY PE D O SUN IS TH

House & Land Package on 896m2

Turn ﬁrst sod on last lot

Mirboo Magic on an Acre

Under construction, all the head-scratching work completed. Now is the time to purchase this welldesigned 3BR + study brick home to save on stamp duty. Have input into colour schemes and ﬁnishes! INSPECT By appointment Address L11 Eldon Court, MIRBOO NORTH $295,000 - $320,000

Last opportunity to buy vacant land in Eldon Court, close to schools and parks. With titles issued, services available, and curb and channeling in, this 860sqm allotment is ready for your new home! INSPECT By appointment Address L12 Eldon Court, MIRBOO NORTH $85,000

In a picturesque, semi-rural setting, you will ﬁnd this “easy-living” three bedroom family home. Perfect for the time-poor (and those who prefer to spend their precious time with family & friends), the brick veneer home has low-maintenance gardens and easy-clean internal surfaces. Features include 2 large living areas, spacious kitchen with SS appliances, wood heater, split system, timber dado paneling, great outdoor living, 2 full-length verandahs and excellent garage/workshop. INSPECT Sunday @ 12.00 - 12.30pm Address 17 Walkers Rd, MIRBOO

$290,000 - $320,000

Y N DA PE R O ATU S IS

N AY PE D O SUN IS TH

“The Ash Grove” - an Idyllic 6-plus acre Koonwarra Lifestyle

5 Acre Dream Maker

A winding driveway lined with mature claret ash leads to a gorgeous country homestead, perfectly positioned on its 6 acre-plus surrounds. A northerly aspect to light-filled interior spaces & a delightfully modern decor is complemented by the warmth of timber floors, new carpets and high ceilings in a 3 bedroom plus study floor plan. Rich red soils, fenced paddocks, stock facilities, abundant tank & dam water, beautiful trees & gardens, triple carport & quality shedding.

At the end of a quiet court, this 5 acre lifestyle parcel is just “down the road” from Mirboo North township, and beckons to those who seek to build their dream home. A short walk out your “back gate” will see your children at school, or allow you “minimum exercise” to enjoy the delights of coffee, chocolate or cakes in town. The court is made, and power, phone and water are available, and a substantial “shared” dam is found at the lower level of the property. Scarcer than ……

INSPECT Sunday @ 1.00 - 1.30pm Address 103 Johnsons Road, KOONWARRA

INSPECT Saturday @ 12.00 - 12.30pm Address 7 Scott Crt, MIRBOO NORTH

$530,000 - $560,000

Y N DA PE R O ATU S IS

$180,000 - $200,000

N AY PE D O SUN IS TH

kaz hughes 0417 516 998

New Price! Huge Potential!

Country Music - Two Titles, Magniﬁcent Views, Beautiful Home

Located in a prime court position in Mirboo North, this brick home is brimming with potential. Four bdrms, main has a WIR that leads you through to the ensuite, the large living area boasts cathedral ceilings and a glorious bay window. Enter the large kitchen/meals area from here, which too has cathedral ceilings as well as 2 large skylights and a dishwasher. Outside you will ﬁnd a fernery, paved BBQ area, a 12 mtr x 6 mtr shed, a 9 mtr x 6 mtr shed, a garden shed and carport.

Extremely comfortable three bedroom plus study home. Set amidst attractive, easy care gardens, the house comprises: expansive lounge and dining room, well equipped galley kitchen, adjacent meals area, two enormous childrens’ bedrooms, plus stunning parents retreat featuring a study/living room, hotel – style bedroom with massive spa bath, separate ensuite and walk in robe. Dble LU garage, circular drive, good climate control, walk to General Store, the school bus stop, and the park.

INSPECT Saturday @ 11.00 - 11.30am Address 12 Jepson Crt MIRBOO NORTH

INSPECT Sunday, @ 1.00 - 1.30pm Address 33 Miller Street, DUMBALK

$270,000 – $290,000

lisa williams 0438 133 385

$335,000 - $355,000

Y N DA PE R O ATU S IS

natasha ireland 0409 292 808

allen bartlett 0417 274 624

emma sullings property manager 0403 129 376

A Fine Choice for Meat and/or Potatoes? On Mirboo North’s fringe, on a good quality bitumen road, this 124 acre farm must be amongst the best available. The surrounding red soil is high carrying capacity for cattle & equally desired by potato growers. With 3 dams, the water capacity is substantial, and a 21 megalitre water-right is offered. Well fenced to workable paddocks, troughs in each are gravity fed from header tank. Fertile soils are the basis of quality pasture, and the land is a rare near-level to gently undulating. Sizable stockyards with crush, adjoining disused dairy in sound, clean condition, a large 4 bay tractor/hay shed, 9m x 18m workshop/machinery shed & a simple but very livable 4 bedroom home. Find better! INSPECT Saturday @ 1.00 - 1.30pm Address 265 Boolarra – Mirboo North Rd, MIRBOO NORTH

5668 1660

$875,000 - $925,000

84 Ridgway, Mirboo North 47 Bair Street, Leongatha promcountryre.com.au

glenys foster administration manager

5662 3100

PAGE 32 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Mirboo magic on an acre I

N a picturesque, semi-rural setting, you will ﬁnd this ‘easy-living’ three bedroom family home.

MIRBOO NORTH Location: 17 Walkers Road Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 1 Price: $290,000 - $320,000 Agent: Prom Country First National Contact: Lisa Williams on 0438 133 385

Perfect for the time-poor (and those who prefer to spend their precious time with family and friends), the brick veneer home has low-maintenance gardens and easy-clean internal surfaces. Inside you will find plenty of flexible living space in which to spread out. The main living area is L-shaped with timberlined cathedral ceilings, dado walls and timber colonial windows that frame outlooks on to the sweeping gardens. Perfect for formal living and dining, it is kept comfortable in winter by a handsome wood heater and in summer by a reverse cycle air conditioner. The second living area, which opens onto the rear verandah, is an informal meals area overlooked by the spacious kitchen with breakfast bar. Both living areas are particularly spacious, and their flexibility presents options for the inclusion of a pool table, bar, study or play area. The kitchen features plenty of storage space behind Tasmanian oak doors, plus there is a stainless dishwasher and wall oven, and glass-topped cooktop. There are three fresh-looking bedrooms with built-in robes, and a large family bathroom with double vanities and a nice wide bath perfect for bubble baths! In the great outdoors, there is a carport under the roof line, an outdoor barbecue area (or party or hot tub spot) plus a large workshop/garage with two roller doors, power and a concrete floor. The garden has a very gentle fall and comprises mainly open lawn which is great for backyard cricket, footy, or summer camp-outs under the stars. There is plenty of space for kids and pets, and room to create your own orchard and vegie patch. Native plantings and spring bulbs add colour and texture, and a scattering of mature eucalypts adds to the rural feel. On a no-through road with a school bus service close by, the property has a great rural feel without being remote, and is only 10 minutes from Mirboo North’s shops, schools, and sporting facilities. A magical lifestyle awaits!

Value on Victoria S

ET amongst established tree-lined streets, this beautifully presented house sits quietly awaiting its new owners. Just a short stroll to the beach through some of Inverloch’s most desirable addresses, there is nothing to do but move in and enjoy. With three bedrooms, all with built-in robes, reverse cycle air conditioning as well as a warming Coonara, decked outdoor living area and remote lock-up garage.

INVERLOCH Location: 21 Victoria Street Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 1 Price: $415,000 Agent: Stockdale & Leggo, Inverloch Contact: 5674 3977

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 33

Family lifestyle two minutes from Inverloch T

HE minute you visit this property you will feel right at home.

Set on one acre with rural views, this home is full of character. It features four large bedrooms, beautiful polished ﬂoorboards, spacious living areas, chef’s kitchen plus open ﬁre place. The north facing living area has sunny decks, there are fruit trees, a bungalow and a double garage. Plenty of space to enjoy the country life close to town. All will be revealed once inspected. Inspections by appointment are welcome.

INVERLOCH Location: 1235 Inverloch Kongwak Rd Price: $595,000 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 1 Agent: Alex Scott & Staff, Inverloch Contact: 5674 1111

PAGE 34 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 35

Bank congratulates Inverloch pre-school INVERLOCH and District Community Bank Branch extends its congratulations to the Inverloch Pre-school on achieving its fabulous new facility and is proud to have been able to partner in the project. Pre-June this year, struggling with a growing waiting list, scheduling increasing numbers of groups into the one room with families having to drop off at 8.30am and pick up at 4.45pm, the Inverloch Pre-school was running over capacity to meet as much demand as possible. Last year, the proactive pre-school committee was successful in achieving the maximum allowable 2010 State Government Department of Education

and Early Childhood Development Grant of $200,000 to build an additional room, but when tenders were received, the cost exceeded the grant by over 100 per cent. With a very limited timeframe, the committee set about raising the additional funds and collecting pledges demonstrating the project’s viability. Bass Coast Shire Council contributed $100,000 towards the building and the pre-school themselves raised $70,000. At the stage all other sources of funding had been exhausted, Inverloch and District Community Bank Branch was approached for its support and were delighted to assist as the third largest donor, with the ﬁnal funding of $10,000. Inverloch and District Pre-school

Committee Inc. president during the project, Kate Dwyer, spoke highly of how Inverloch and District Community Bank Branch had willingly contributed to assist the preschool “get over the line at the last minute.” In mid June this year, the modern new room, complete with kitchen and storeroom was commissioned. Needless to say, the return to family friendly hours and the ability now to cater for 135 children instead of the previous 90 has been enthusiastically welcomed by the preschool community. Current pre-school committee president Kylie Strickland said: “The opening of the facility has had a signiﬁcant impact on the preschool community, with children now attending for their full entitlement

’Gatha Lions’ ranks grow DAVID Murray was introduced to the Leongatha Lions Club recently. Lion Geoff Robb performed the ceremony, after David attended a few meetings to learn about the club. He obviously enjoyed the fellowship, as he took the ﬁnal step and was inducted and presented with his badge, certiﬁcate and new member’s kit. David has already volunteered for a number of jobs, such as marshalling at the Korumburra Motor Cycle Club’ s racing day

Welcome Lion: Leongatha Lions Club president Allister Dowling presents David Murray with his certiﬁcate and badges. Sponsor Geoff Robb also received a certiﬁcate from Lions International. at Outtrim, and he is on the list for chip cooking days at Foster and other Lions

★★★★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★ ARIES - March 21 - April 20

A career goal may appear on the horizon, but avoid rash moves at this time. A friend may be unpredictable through the week. A surprise gift may come your way after the weekend. TAURUS - April 21 - May 22

New approaches to long lasting dilemmas can lead to a solution by the end of the week. A colleague may be unpredictable but don’t let that affect your work habits. GEMINI - May 23 - June 21

Learning is the theme of the week. You acquire knowledge from people in various environments, social, community or career. An offbeat friendship and intellectual relationship is highlighted. CANCER - June 22 - July 22

Your sense of timing or appropriateness may be clouded. Check dress requirements before preparing for a social or professional event. A shaky relationship stabilises. News from far away arrives after the weekend. LEO - July 23 - August 22

Selectivity is the keyword this week. Look at all your options before making a lasting decision. An anonymous but inﬂuential supporter backs your ideas. Creative energies are strong. VIRGO - August 23 - September 22

Professional or personal differences can be settled, thanks to your initiative. Reunions bring you in touch with a favourite friend or relative. An improvement program may pay off by the end of the week. LIBRA - September 23 - October 22

Ideas show potential but beneﬁt from reﬁnement. Socially the week is lively but may prove costly. Domestic obligations are shared. Variety is the keyword on the weekend. SCORPIO - October 23 - November 21

Misunderstandings accent the ﬁrst days of this week. From the weekend on however, you make your point clearly and effectively. Your organisational abilities pay off by Friday. SAGITTARIUS - November 22 - December 22

Showdowns can be ﬁery - seek out a diplomatic solution wherever possible. A platonic friendship is highlighted through the week. Travel plans may be changed after Thursday. CAPRICORN - December 23 - January 20

Your powers of concentration are strong now and you absorb knowledge. Make a point of associating with people whose ideas you admire. Neighbourhood disputes can be amicably resolved. AQUARIUS - January 21 - February 19

Business negotiations beneﬁt from objective opinions. This is a great week for sorting priorities, especially those related to career and education. A very good friend enjoys the limelight and your encouragement. PISCES - February 20 - March 20

Avoid committing yourself to long term agreements before knowing all the facts. Business and personal acquaintances may not mix as well as you think. Your intuition is generally strong. BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK

You are noted for extremes. You are utterly determined, ever outspoken, mysterious, passionate and intense. You forgive but rarely forget. Concentration is your middle name and your dedication to the completion of a project may lead to a key personal achievement.

activities. David is a welcome new member, and he and

his wife Christine are sure to enjoy social activities as well as the ‘jobs’.

hours, more children accessing preschool, and families ﬁnding the return of normal hours less taxing.” With each teacher and group now having their own rooms, Kylie reported the children are experiencing a real sense of ownership of their preschool. Kylie also expressed her sincere appreciation to Inverloch and District Community Bank Branch for their valuable contribution to the project. The new room has also prepared the pre-school to implement the Federal Government policy that there be universal access for all four-year-olds to a pre-school program for 15 hours a week, versus the current 10, by 2013. Inverloch branch board chairman Alan Gostelow said: “Inverloch and District Community Bank Branch is proud to be able to assist the Inverloch

Milpara Community House news MILPARA Community House food bank relies on donations and will be holding a Community Rewards day at Michaels IGA Korumburra on Thursday, September 15. **** Korumburra Playgroup meetsatMilparaCommunity House, 21 Shellcott’s Road, Korumburra every Friday morning at 10am. **** Responsible Service of Alcohol course meets the requirements for bar and hospitality staff. To be held on Tuesday, September 13 from 9am to 1pm. Bookings are essential on 5655 2524. ****

Milpara Community House Annual General Meeting will be held at the Austral Hotel Korumburra on Thursday, September 15 from 6.30pm. Members and the general public are welcome. Bookings to be made through Milpara. **** On Tuesday, September 13 we will be holding our Food Safety classes. These accredited courses cover new food laws, safe food preparation, handling and storage. Please contact Milpara for bookings. **** If you would like to improve your reading and writing Katherine Cousins

CATHOLIC: St Laurence’s Parish Leongatha: 5 pm Mass Saturday, 11am Mass Sunday. Tarwin Lower: In St Andrew’s Union Church, 5pm winter, 6pm summer Mass Saturday. Meeniyan: 9.30am Mass, 1st, 3rd, 5th Sundays and 11am, 2nd and 4th Sundays. Mirboo North: 11am Mass, 1st, 3rd, 5th Sundays and 9.30am Mass, 2nd and 4th Sundays. St. Joseph’s Parish Korumburra: 9.30am Sunday Mass. Loch: 5pm/6pm Daylight saving Sunday Mass. Wonthaggi: Saturday evening 6.30pm: Evening Mass; Sunday, 10.30am: Mass. Inverloch: Sunday 9 am: Mass. KORUMBURRA’S AGLOW: First Monday every month at Korumburra Day Centre, Korumburra Hospital, Bridge St., Korumburra at 7.45pm. Inquiries phone 5657 2214. GIPPSLAND CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP: Meets at Baromi Centre, Mirboo North, Sundays 4pm - 5pm communion, 5pm - 5.30pm refreshments, 5.30pm - 6.15pm Bible studies for adults, teens and children. All enquiries: Bob Stevens 0400 403 765. SALVATION ARMY LEONGATHA COMMUNITY CHURCH meets at 52 Anderson Street (South Gippsland Highway) - Sunday: Family Worship at 10am: Kid’s Club - Tuesday, 4 - 5pm; mainly music, Thursday 10am. All welcome. Please contact Captain Claire Emerton or Lieutenant Rachael Collins, ph. 5662 5122. SALVATION ARMY WONTHAGGI COMMUNITY CHURCH meets at 149 McKenzie Street every Sunday at 11am for Family Worship. Kids' Club - every Tuesday at 4 pm, Women's Group - Wednesday at 1.30pm, and Playgroup - Friday 9.30am. Evening Ladies' Fellowship - First Monday each month and Youth Groups held monthly. All welcome. Please contact Lt. Robyn and Max Lean. Ph. 5672 1228. PRESBYTERIAN: Weekly Worship Service 10am Sunday, corner Bent and Turner Streets, Leongatha. Phone Rev. Dr D. Clarnette 0409 236 981 or elder Col Rump 5662 2107.

CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH: Reformed Church meeting at the corner of Peart and Brown Streets. Sunday family service at 10.30am. (10am daylight saving time), creche and Sunday School available. Sunday evenings 5pm service. Fortnightly youth activities. Home Bible Fellowship groups. Contact 5662 2527. UNITING CHURCH: Leongatha: Sunday, August 28: 9am & 10.45am. Mirboo North: 9.30am. Meeniyan: 10am. Wonthaggi: Sunday 9.30am, Family Service, all welcome. Inverloch: Sunday 11am: Korumburra: Sunday, 9.30am: Rev. Pastors Gavin and Sue Sharp, 5655 1997. Arawata: 11.30am 1st & 3rd Sundays. Kongwak: 11.30am 4th Sunday. BAPTIST CHURCH KORUMBURRA: 39 Mine Rd, Korumburra. Service and Sunday School 10.30am. Pastor Ian Wilkinson. Phone 5658 1366. BAPTIST CHURCH WONTHAGGI: Cnr McBride & Broome Crescent, Wonthaggi. Morning Service & Children’s Activities, Sunday 10am. Weekly activities see www. wonbaptist.org.au, Pastor Geoff Pegler 5672 4769. MEENIYAN CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP: Sunday, 10am: Meeniyan Youth Club Hall. COMBINED CHURCHES WONTHAGGI / INVERLOCH: 4th Sunday each month at 7pm. SCOTS PIONEER CHURCH: Mardan South. Pleasant Sunday Afternoons on the last Sunday of each month at 2pm. See occasional ad in this paper for details. For enquiries phone 9853 6627. FISH CREEK UNION CHURCH: 1st & 3rd Sundays, 9am; 2nd & 4th Sundays, 7pm. Contacts: Fran Grimes 5683 2650, Sue Poletti 5663 6325.

is available on Mondays to help ‘one on one’ to get you started or improve conﬁdence. **** Lyn Drury is our English as a Second Language teacher and has classes at Milpara on Tuesdays from 10am to noon and on Thursdays from 2pm to 4pm. **** Yoga classes are being held at Milpara on Mondays from 10am to 11.30am and the Korumburra Community Meeting Rooms on Mondays from 6.30pm to 8pm. Yoga for Pain Relief and Stress is also available on a Thursdays from 11.45am to 1.15pm.

QUICK PUZZLE NO. 8287

Church Times ANGLICAN: Wednesday, August 24: HC;11am St Peter’s Mid-Week HC. Sunday, August 28: 8am St Peter’s HC; 10am St Peter’s Family Service; 10.30am Union Church, Tarwin Lower MP. ST MARY’S ANGLICAN CHURCH: Mirboo North. Phone 5668 1346. Holy Communion 8.30am: Worship and Sunday School 10am. ST PAUL’S ANGLICAN CHURCH: Korumburra: Sunday 9.30am and Wednesday 11.30am. Poowong: Second and fourth Sundays, 11am. ST GEORGE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH: McBride Av. Wonthaggi. Sunday, 9am Eucharist, 11am Family Service, Wednesday 10am Eucharist. ANGLICAN CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION: The Crescent, Inverloch. Sunday 9am Eucharist, Tuesday 10am Eucharist. For details of Community Meal, Youth Group, Bible Studies & Kids Club contact Rev Graeme Peters 5672 4590 or visit www.basscoastanglican.org.au. ASSEMBLIES OF GOD: Prom Coast Community Church Inc. - Foster Community House, Station Street, 10am: Sunday. Sunday School and Creche operates. Pastor Bill Watson 5686 2248. A.O.G. Inverloch - Cnr Bear and McIntosh Street, Inverloch. Sunday Service 10am. Contact: Jeff Robertson, 0418 125 832 or Imagine Burwood 9888 7466. Korumburra Southern Hills A.O.G. - 4 Mine Rd, Sunday, 10am Worship Service and 5pm Prayer Service. Also Children’s Church and Creche. Contact: 5655 2478. Youth: Neville Stuart ph. 0407 343 219. Leongatha Equip Church - 17 Michael Place, Leongatha. Ph: 0408 305 880. Sunday services: 10 am. Wonthaggi A.O.G. - Billson Street, 10am: Sunday. Contact: Pastor Barry Smith 5672 3984. CHRISTIAN REVIVAL CRUSADE: 40 Hughes Street, Leongatha. Sunday, Morning Service 10.30 am: Inspirational Service, 6.30pm: Children’s Church 10.30am: Home cells weekly. For all enquiries contact 5664 5455. THE CHURCH AT ARCHIES CREEK: Meeting every Sunday at Archies Creek. Morning Communion Service 11 am: Evening Holy Spirit Revival 6pm: Phone: Ps. Chris Chetland 5674 3867 or 5672 4660. SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST: Saturdays, Church service 10am., Leongatha Sabbath School 11.30am.

Pre-school in this very meaningful and measurable way. “We congratulate the pre-school community on their efforts and the wonderful facility that they have developed to cater for our children now and into the future. “There is no doubt that providing the best opportunities for learning and life from an early age is extremely important to the future of our young people and our community. “With grants now totalling $261,131 since the branch opened in March 2006, the community as a whole should be proud of the community building and strengthening they have facilitated throughout the Inverloch district through their ongoing support of the branch.”

7. 8. 9. 10. 12. 15. 16. 18. 20. 22.

ACROSS Erratic (12) Cad (6) Imaginary (6) Beg (7) Tag (5) Bend(5) Imitator (7) Droop (6) Vegetable (6) Piano (7-5)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 11. 13. 14. 17. 19. 21.

DOWN Blameless (8) Harbour (4) Bird (7) Emit (5) Month (8) Portico (4) Silver-tongued (8) Rigorous (8) Vie (7) Impertinence (5) Fortune (4) Native of Turkey (4)

CRYPTIC PUZZLE NO. 8287 ACROSS 7. How quickly it’s revealed that the judge is lenient? (2,1,5,4). 8. It’s about a quarter cooked, chum (6). 9. Worked until luchtime and got ahead (6). 10. Picks up twigs (7). 12. Examine the room (5). 15. Exercising outselves, in the middle of the night (5). 16. Cease-fire? (3-4). 18. He’ll prompt you beforehand about the book (6). 20. Draw round, everybody, to see the old candlemaker (6). 22. Two whiskies in the changing-room? (4,2,6). DOWN 1. Pleads with to rent out the restored seat (8). 2. One’s got the French land (4). 3. Speculates about the marvels (7). 4. Had a meal on the way, you say (5). 5. After a little rest, out comes the clergyman (8). 6. The cockney’s before and now (4). 11. Servant who was always kept at arm’s length? (8). 13. Amuses with little-girl games (8). 14. Supporting the experiment, object (7). 17. A previous snooper, you say (5). 19. Prepared to be put away (4). 21. See from the air (4).

PAGE 36 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Holden set for Leongatha A COLIN Watson Holden dealership is set to be open in Leongatha next year.

In the know: Chris Elliott, Ryan Veda and Russell Hemming at the open day recently.

Helping hand: Rotary members Graeme Evans, Helen Barrow, Ross Pearson and Jim Cusack were on hand dishing out sausages to those who came to have a look at the new Holden dealership site.

Construction will start in around three months on the empty block next to Beaumont Tiles. Manager of Colin Watson Holden Traralgon, Chris Elliott, said the finishing date is not set in stone. “We’ve got to tweak a few plans yet, but then we expect to get started as soon as possible,” he said. “We’ll be hoping to open in about the second quarter of next year.” The land was bought two years ago, but Holden held off due to the global financial crisis that saw the American General Motors Company battling. Colin Watson Holden held an open day last week to welcome people to the site. The first car bought on the new home of the dealership was by Wendy Appleyard, who purchased a new Holden Cruze Sri-V on Saturday.

Lucky number one: Holden salesman Russell Hemming with Wendy Appleyard, her daughter Kate and her new Holden Cruze Sri-V that she purchased on Saturday morning.

New site: Holdens like these will be on display at this site within a year.

Hands on learning STUDENTS from Years Prep to 2 at Tarwin Valley Primary School turned scientists last week. The kids launched into hands-on learning to explore and develop their understanding of the animal world as part of their integrated studies units, ‘Insects and Australian animals’. The students were part of a science incursion which had them moving through

a number of interactive science learning centres. Classifying animals, studying worm behaviour, creating snail environments and learning about survival characteristics and behaviours were explored. In addition to learning science facts, the program aimed to develop curiosity, asking questions, noticing patterns and challenging current perceptions and understandings.

Knitting for charity: (back, from left) Jill Ryan, Sonia Holt, Betty Fitzpatrick, Sharon Nicita, front; Christine Corbidge, Carol Morrison, Yvonne McAlpine and Val Stephens are knitting hats for Leongatha Hospital’s chemo ward.

Made of the right stuff THE Leongatha Community House Craft Group’s latest charity venture is perfect considering the recent cold weather. The group of 10 is knitting hats and scarves for the chemotherapy

ward of the Leongatha hospital. “Initially it was just going to be a hat or a scarf each, but it’s growing,” Sharon Nicita said. “Now we’re aiming for about 100 hats.” The hats and scarves add to the long list of past charity work including quilts for breast cancer,

toys, teddies and singlets for the Royal Children’s Hospital and clothes for tsunami and bushﬁre victims. Members are always welcome to the craft group, who meet between 10 and 12pm on Thursdays.

Future scientists: Mason, Mitchell and Alexandra explore preserved animals.

Tourism in the region is back on track Destination Gippsland covers all of Gippsland when it comes to promoting tourism and their Korumburra offices provide a great base for the company. The company is the peak tourism body in Gippsland and they deal with five regional tourism associations. Chief executive officer Terry Robinson said that being positioned in Korumburra has many advantages. “South Gippsland is a popular tourist destination within Gippsland, especially because of Wilsons Promontory,” he said. “Being in Korumburra adjacent to another popular tourist attraction, Coal

Creek as well as the information centre is another benefit.” The building that the offices are in belongs to the South Gippsland Shire Council. “Even though this is a council building it is important for us to be seen separate from the council; they do great stuff for tourism though,” Mr Robinson said. The outlook for tourism in South Gippsland all depends on time frames. Mr Robinson explained his thoughts of the future of tourism in three stages: short, middle and long term. “In the short term it’ll be difficult for the industry and some businesses will be doing it tough but when the winter is over

and the Prom is fully open it will be the time for bouncing back. In the long term the future is bright and positive because this is a strong area for tourism. I’m very optimistic about the future of tourism in South Gippsland. When questioned about the effect that the carbon tax will have on the industry Mr Robinson said it was hard to know. “Right now I think that people are really still trying to ﬁgure out what the tax is all about and how it will affect them,” he said. “If and when the tax comes in, domestic airfares will increase which will have an effect on both Australian and international visitors.

“With petrol prices not being affected driving holidays’ popularity will increase most likely, which will mean international visitors will stay and explore one state or area for longer instead of setting off around the country on domestic flights.” The long term effects of the carbon tax are what will benefit the Gippsland tourism industry the most. “Tourism in Gippsland is very environmentally based, with the Gippsland lakes and of course Wilsons Promontory being a national park. Anything that helps charge: Destination preserve the environment automatically is In Gippsland’s chief executive helping preserve the main tourism attracofficer Terry Robinson. tions in our area.”

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 37

• Inverloch’s Wheels for Willy • Scones for swimming • Parrots gala auction

Fun occasion: Gary Dyke, Gary Sampkin, Terry Scott, Brett Gallatly, Rhys Heland and Jimmy Heland pose for the camera at the sportsman’s night.

Father and son: Don and Trent Allen have some man time at Inverloch’s big sportsman’s night.

Good times: Michelle Williams and Kate Lafferty enjoyed their night out at the Parrots’ fundraiser.

Catching up: Murray Wightman and Geoff Forrester had a chance to have a chat in between bidding for items at the Leongatha Football Club auction. Tickets please: Jo O’Connor and publican Sue Clark staffed the door and were impressed by the crowd’s support. Tasty tucker: Laura Barker, Kerry Gregoric and Margaret Purchase enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere at the fundraiser run by the Tarwin Lower Union Church.

Came along: sitting back at Tarwin Lower’s afternoon tea were Kylie Anderson, and Lana Victor and son Archie Moore.

Hello, hello: Cheryl Bertrand chatted with sisters Lillian and Joan Farrar at Tarwin Lower’s afternoon tea.

Artistic flair: Tarwin Lower Red Cross members Glenda Arbuthnot and Pam Tutin inspect art by Tarwin Lower Primary School children.

Social night: Geoff Grines, Phil Presley and Jamie Wells anticipate a fun night at the Inverloch night for Bill Phillips.

The boys: Beau Vernon, Jack Hughes, Matthew Davies and Paul Le Page at the Leongatha Football Club auction night last week.

PAGE 38 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Distinctive technique: Pat Dale and a ﬁsh trap woven in her trademark style.

Hit documentary on screen now THE hit Australian documentary Mrs Carey’s Concert premiered at the Stadium Cinema in Leongatha last Thursday.

Weaving to attract interest LEONGATHA sculptor Pat Dale will bring a unique exhibition to the Meeniyan Art Gallery. Pat will exhibit Fishy Baskets from August 27 to September 22, with the opening this Sunday, August 28 at 2pm. “This exhibition is all about creative basketry. I have chosen two techniques to display a series of sculptural works. “Larger ‘random weave’ pieces are either made from a native Kennedia vine grown in my garden and saved for basketry, or Wisteria vine. “I have been harvesting

the Kennedia as the flower buds have been forming for its spring show—sad—but it will live longer in one of my baskets! “The Wisteria vine was collected from a neighbour’s garden; it was pure joy for me when their fence fell down as I could scramble on hands and knees and access the long lengths of thick vine I needed from this old vine.” “I can lose the shape I wanted, so the process is one of weave a basic shape with fresh vine, dry and add more vine as needed until happy,” Pat said. “I have also used a fish trap weaving technique for the other works. This is ‘twining’ an ancient weave found in many cultures. I have played with this weave and a variety of fibres for some time and used it in a way I call open twining. “I contrast the two fibres needed so that I have a soft and firm or thick and thin, or maybe two firm weavers, as I do in fish traps. “As a result I have a series of work to display using the ‘red hot poker leaves’ or Kniphofia. This is the soft fibre and combined it with rattan or pith cane the - firm fibre - to give support.” At Meeniyan, Pat also plans to have a fun installation - hence the ‘fishy’ part in the exhibition title. “This will include some of my wire and vine fish as well as woven hanging fish and other strange natural objects.”

The film has been lauded by film reviewers and cinema-goers, and is now the second highest grossing Australian documentary of all time. It has out-paced Hollywood hits and received standing ovations at cinemas in Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Perth where it’s still showing after 15 weeks - a record in itself. Set in a Sydney girls school, the film follows music director Karen Carey as she prepares her young students for a concert at the Sydney Opera House. Believing in the transformative power of great music, Mrs Carey insists upon a classical repertoire, sets a dauntingly high performance standard and requires the participation of every girl in the school. Mrs Carey inspires many of her girls, but some do not share her passion and are not afraid to say so. Mrs Carey’s Concert is about music making and coming of age, about talent

and courage, compliance and rebellion. It’s about those prepared to open their minds and hearts to what the world has to offer and those yet to discover the potential within. The star of the documentary is violinist Emily Sun. Last month Emily won through to the final of the ABC Young Performers Competition, Australia’s most prestigious music competition. The film is directed by Bob Connolly and Sophie Raymond. Bob Connolly is a former Academy award nominee for his film First Contact and has directed five AFI award winning documentaries including First Contact, Rats in the Ranks, Joe Leahy’s Neighbours and Black Harvest. Mrs Carey’s Concert is Sophie Raymond’s debut as a director of a feature documentary. She is a musician and editor, and recently worked with Adam Elliott on Mary and Max. ABC film reviewer David Stratton described the film as “Magnificent...astonishing...hugely entertaining and incredibly inspirational” on At the Movies.

Full ﬂight: Mrs Carey conducts her youthful orchestra.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 39

Documentary Dancing for decades success in Cannes A major exhibition of the latest works by Di and John Koenders is opening on August 27 and will be open daily (10am to 5pm) until September 18.

It is entitled Welcoming Spring and will be held at their magnificent Gallery/Studio at Arawata, South Gippsland. Daffodils and spring blossoms are bursting into colour at this time of the year, and it truly is a magical and inspirational time in the beautiful hills surrounding Mayfield Gallery. Di and John have had an extremely exciting year, having only recently returned from a hugely successful showing of their documentary covering the life and times of Vincent van Gogh. Entitled Vincent – the untold story of our Uncle, this beautiful art film was received with overwhelming enthusiasm in Cannes, France, and is set for release worldwide. It covers the amazing story of Vincent and the family connection which John was told about only four years ago. A huge irony, as both Di and John have been professional artists for over 40 years. Being related to such an icon of the art world is unique.

After all the hype and excitement of Cannes Di and John are happy to be back where they belong, in the wonderful countryside of South Gippsland. Their gallery is fully air-conditioned for your comfort. Di and John are passionate about art, and always happy to have a chat with visitors about art and their unique lives as professional artists. You are welcomed with true “country-style” hospitality, and a chilled glass of wine or cup of tea or coffee can be enjoyed whilst “soaking up” the atmosphere and ambience of the Gallery. Massive windows frame an incredible view across the Strzelecki Ranges, and wild birds feed on the balcony. The walls are adorned

with superb paintings. Glowing oils of huge gumtrees along typically Australian riverbanks, watercolours of old farmhouses with chooks in the garden, and many, many others to suit just about any taste in art. Life-like birds and wildlife – from tiny blue wrens to massive wedge-tailed eagles, all in minute detail, with feathers so real you can almost feel the wind rufﬂing them. Should you wish to make one of these treasures yours, buying direct from the artists saves you costly commissions charged by private galleries. For any enquiries, or directions – please phone Di and John on 5659 8262,info@mayfieldgallery.com.au or www.mayﬁeldgallery.com.au

Well received: John Koenders talks to a client about the documentary.

Success: Di Koenders in Cannes, France discusses the documentary about Vincent van Gogh with clients.

LISA Pellin Dancers are celebrating two decades of dance, and they are doing it in nothing but style.

To commemorate the school’s 20th birthday, the Parents Club of LPD is holding a cabaret ball with the theme ‘a touch of glitter’. Lisa said the ball will be a great chance for students and parents, both past and present, as well as the community to get together and celebrate the milestone. The dance school was originally opened in Leongatha by Mary and Adrian Fryer, before becoming Julie Ryan Dancers for five years. During this time, Lisa began teaching there and in 1991 jumped at the chance to take over, establishing Lisa Pellin Dancers. And in 20 years, the school has grown nowhere but upwards. Lisa said when she first took over they had about 80 students from around the area. Today, along with three other dance teachers, they have around 200 students, teaching classical, contemporary, jazz, tap, national, musical theatre and hip hop. “We also originally started teaching at the St Laurence’s school hall, which is no longer there,” she said. “But we then bought the Huff’n’Puff house from the Leongatha Primary School and moved it to the industrial estate, putting on extensions and installing spring floors and mirrors for dancing.” Lisa said the standard continues to rise at the school, with many highlights over the years.

“It’s hard to pinpoint an individual achievement in itself,” she said. “We’ve had many success stories of students going on to have professional careers in dance, but every student has their own story that is just as great as the next.” Lisa said having her own dance school is not as simple as “just running a business”. “You put a personal investment in the kids you teach,” she said. “It’s an amazing feeling to see them do well, but it’s very hard work too.” And of course, Lisa Pellin Dancers could not have lasted so long without the help of all the teachers who have passed through the school over the years. “Many of them were past students who came to teach, which was great because they share the same values,” Lisa said. The cabaret ball will be held at the Dakers Centre in Leongatha on September 10.

Early days: the Huff’n puff House was bought from Leongatha Primary School before being moved to the industrial estate and revamped into a brand new dance studio for Lisa Pellin Dancers.

A trip down memory lane: these adorable young girls, students of Lisa Pellin Dancers in the mid1990s, would now be in their early-20s; (clockwise from back) Tamika Young, Alex Poulton, Jamie McLeod, Natasha Nagle, Sophie Charlton and Chloe Neill.

PAGE 40 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 41

PAGE 42 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Inverloch rallies for Bill By Brad Lester BILL Phillips was, in his own words, “dumbfounded”. “The Inverloch community has been very supportive. I’ve been in this community for a long time but I would not expect something like this,” he said. “It’s just unbelievable. It shows you how friendly they can be. They’re all here.” Two hundred people packed the Sportsbar of Inverloch’s Esplanade Hotel last Tuesday night to help raise more than $10,000 to buy a mobile scooter for Bill, a man who has served the Inverloch community in the 40 years he has called the town home. He suffered a stroke in March this year and until now, has been using a borrowed scooter. As well as his own wheels, he will now have a ramp and storage shed for the scooter built at his Inverloch home. Bill was not the only attraction at the pub’s Wheels for Willy event. Speaking about all things footy were former Melbourne Football Club captain Gary Lyon, Herald Sun football writers Mark Robinson and Mick Werner, and former St Kilda coach Grant ‘Thommo’ Thomas. Gary has long holidayed at Inverloch, and Mark has a holiday

Man of the moment: Bill Phillips (centre) with panel members Gary Lyon, Mark Robinson, Mick Werner and Grant Thomas. More photos on Social Scene page 37. house there and knows Bill. Asked how he would describe Bill, Mark responded: “Effervescent.” “He’s hard to understand with

his Scottish twang but it’s terriﬁc for guys like Gary and Thommo to come down here to raise money for Bill in a difﬁcult period of his life,” he said.

Bill appreciated their support and also that of many others. He praised family and friends, and the physiotherapy and occupational

therapy departments at Wonthaggi Hospital for helping him to regain movement in his arm and leg. Six weeks ago, The Inlet Hotel in Inverloch ran a music night for Bill. Builders of the Wonthaggi desalination plant, Thiess Degremont, bought him a lift chair and TV. The Inverloch Lions Club donated money to the sportsman’s event. Esplanade Hotel publican Bruce Clark said Bill deserved the public’s response. “He’s a pretty well respected ﬁgure around town. Bill’s the bloke that talks to everyone,” he said. “He’s an icon of the hotel. When people from Melbourne or anywhere are here, they always ask ‘Where’s Bill?’ or ‘Where’s the Scotsman?’” Bruce hopes Bill will progress to the point where he can walk freely and the scooter given to someone else in need. Any excess funds from last Tuesday’s event will also aid others undergoing rehabilitation. Bill is a proud citizen. He helped at the bar and sold rafﬂe tickets for the Inverloch-Kongwak Football Club where his sons Brock, Scott and Tristan played; has supported netball and cricket; and coached badminton and soccer. He has even advised young soccer players from his scooter since the stroke.

Performance award launched THE Bass Coast Community Foundation is set to launch its inaugural performance award at the end of this month. The award was established following a successful fundraising event held in February of this year, showcasing the talent of some of the region’s ﬁnest young musicians. The foundation board decided to dedicate the funds to an annual award that would provide opportunities for talented young performers to further their studies where such opportunities might not otherwise be accessible. The award will be a cash prize of up to $6000 and may be used for tuition fees with a reputable professional, the purchase of equipment, participation in recognised programs, travelling and accommodation costs or tertiary fees.

Foundation chairman Alan Brown said the launch of the program was exciting for the region’s young performers. “It will open doors for them that may not have even been thought of without such assistance,” he said. Following the Young Musicians night in February, a sub-committee from the Bass Coast Community Foundation Board was formed to develop this award program. Well known local musical guru Kirk Skinner was invited to join this group to bring his considerable knowledge and expertise of this industry. “We were thrilled when Kirk Skinner accepted our invitation. With Kirk’s help, the sub-committee has developed a ﬁrst class annual award program that will grow with the foundation. Kirk has helped us tailor this scheme to the speciﬁc

needs of the performing arts and just by association has given the award considerable prestige within the music industry,” Mr Brown said. Applications are invited from secondary school students who reside in the Bass Coast, and have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to furthering their education as a commercial musician. All instruments, as well as voice, will be considered, for the 2011 award. Applicants will be shortlisted for audition before the award is decided in October this year. Applications for the inaugural BCCF Performance Award will open on August 31. Application forms can be downloaded from the foundation’s website (www.bccf. org.au) or obtained by contacting the ofﬁce on 5672 3356.

Seeking applications: Bass Coast Community Foundation members wanting to back musicians are, back, from left: Anna Langley, Danny Luna, Braxton Laine, and front, Martin Keogh and Kirk Skinner.

Left: MIA Jane GlenWeston was born at Bass Coast Regional Health on August 13 to Cassandra Weston and Paul Glen of Pioneer Bay. Mia is a new sister to Ashlea, 5, Bree, 3, and Indy, 2.

Right: Bianca June Gurney was born at Bega, NSW on July 15 to Laura and Simon Gurney of Yellow Pinch, NSW. Bianca is a sister for Isaac James DaSilva was born at Bass Coast Re- Jasmine, 3, and Chloe, 16 gional Health on August 9 to Ashlee Schmidt and months. Laura was formerly Laura Lewis of Leongatha. Paulo DaSilva of Wonthaggi.

JOSH Thomas Satchwell is the ﬁrst son of Lani and Ian Satchwell of Wonthaggi. He was born at Leongatha Memorial Hospital on August 15 and is a little brother to Claire and Pearl.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 43

• VLE LEONGATHA

Demand for smaller offering ANOTHER decline in supply met with stronger demand, and prices were dearer by 2c to 10c/ kg for most cattle sold. The yarding was of mixed quality but did offer all of the regular buyers some very good quality, although a lot of poor condition cows were penned. Only 31 vealers were penned, and while they sold well for their quality, prices were between 180c and 236c/kg. The penning of 65 heifers and 6 steers sold from 162c to 196c/kg, and encompassed a broad range of quality. Demand was very

strong for all of the 200 grown steers and bullocks penned. Despite being in the middle of a very wet winter, several pens of very good quality bullocks were penned, which made from 192c to 196c, and were 3c to 5c/kg dearer. Grown steers made to 201.6c, while the manufacturing bullocks made from 158c to 186c/kg for most sales. Most of the 409 cows penned were dairy cows, and the larger percentage

were in poor 1 score condition. Despite this, demand was stronger, and prices varied anywhere between 2c and 7c/kg dearer. Better quality beef cows were few, and made from 147c to 166c/kg. Larger frame Friesian cows in 2 and 3 score condition sold from 145c to 155c, and most other cows made between 120c and 145c/kg. The carcass weight price average was estimated to be 306c/kg.

Wednesday, August 17 BULLOCKS 17 P. & B. Fox, Hazelwood 8 Berryridge P/L, Traralgon 7 B. Woodward, Hazelwood 8 R. & D. Walker, Budgeree 9 B. & H. Williamson, San Remo 12 B.W. & S.J. Harris, Jumbunna East

607kg 685kg 715kg 551kg 652kg 689kg

197.2 196.6 196.2 196.0 195.6 195.6

$1198 $1346 $1402 $1080 $1275 $1348

STEERS 1 DJP Automotive, Leongatha South 1 R.D. Krieger, Glengarry 1 R. & D.J. Hennig, Bulga 3 K.W. Hancock, Jeetho 1 V. & V. Manuzza, Mirboo North 7 Jasmel Nominees, Tarwin Lower

335kg 425kg 305kg 228kg 485kg 533kg

248.2 $831 225.6 $958 220.6 $673 220.0 $502 201.6 $977 195.6 $1043

COWS 2 P.H., N.F. & D.P. Moore, Yarram 5 S.B. Walpole & Sons, Woodside 1 K. Hans-Herman, Mt Eccles 1 J.E.S. Industries P/L, Woodleigh 1 Shawline P/L, Hazelwood 1 N. Court, Tarwin Lower

632kg 633kg 795kg 685kg 765kg 595kg

167.0 165.0 165.0 162.0 162.0 160.0

$1056 $1044 $1311 $1109 $1239 $952

HEIFERS 1 DJP Automotive, Leongatha South 3 K.W. Hancock, Jeetho 1 G.R. & T.L. Finlay, Glen Alvie 2 I.L. & C.M. Nicholas, Kongwak 1 R. & D.J. Hennig, Bulga 1 J.R. Carmichael & Sons, Buffalo

335kg 243kg 190kg 385kg 245kg 445kg

240.0 236.2 235.6 224.6 200.0 195.0

$804 $574 $447 $864 $490 $867

BULLS 1 S. & D. Curtis, Korumburra 1 R.J. & J.A. Buchanan, Bena 1 G. May, Carrajung 1 N.R. & M.A. Staley, Yarram 1 O. Robinson, Korumburra 1 K. & F. Whelan, Outtrim

875kg 925kg 905kg 760kg 900kg 695kg

185.0 180.0 177.6 176.6 172.0 165.0

$1618 $1665 $1607 $1342 $1548 $1146

Shelter new calves KEEP growth rates up in weaned dairy calves by ensuring they have adequate shelter and feed, particularly during rough weather. Newborn calves are usually very well cared for on modern dairy farms, with excellent shedding, warm, dry bedding and regular feeding. Once they are weaned and turned out

VLE LEONGATHA KOONWARRA

Sale Draw August 24 & 25 1. SEJ 2. Landmark 3. Alex Scott 4. Elders 5. David Phelan & Co 6. Rodwells

Upcoming Sales LEONGATHA Wednesday, August 24 Prime Sale - 8.30am Thursday, August 25 Store Sale - 10am PAKENHAM Monday, August 29 Prime Sale - 8am Tuesday, August 30 Export Sale - 8.30am Thursday, September 1 Store Sale - 10am

of the shed however, this intensive care often stops. The combination of wind, cold and rain is a killer. Young animals are particularly at risk in these conditions as they do not have the energy reserves to maintain their body temperature. Calf paddocks must be well sheltered. If your paddock doesn’t have windbreaks or a manmade shelter, set up a row of large round or square bales of hay for the calves to shelter behind. There is plenty of poor quality hay

around this year that can be sacriﬁced for this purpose. Until they reach about 200kg liveweight, calves simply can’t eat enough pasture to keep them growing, so after weaning, continue to feed a concentrate supplement with at least 11MJ/kg energy and 16 per cent crude protein, and make sure good quality hay is also freely available. After all the effort you have put in to get the calves to the point of weaning, make sure they continue to grow and thrive by providing them

with a warm, sheltered paddock and plenty of good quality feed. Dairy Australia has recently released the Rearing healthy calves manual which is available on line at www. dairyaustralia.com.au.

PAGE 44 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Email your stories editorial@thestar.com.au

The right time: Browns Fertilisers Agronomist Stuart McNaughton said the soil temperature is rising and as soils dry out it’s a good time to replenish lost nutrients.

Time to Reviva THIS winter has been frequently compared to the South Gippsland winters of old, with wet and stressed pastures visible on the majority of farms. Couple this winter with the extraordinary growing season of last summer and soils may have been left with depleted nutrient reserves. According to Browns Fertilisers Agronomist Stuart McNaughton, farmers need to be mindful this spring to replenish soil nutrients to ensure pasture growth is not limited by nutrient deﬁciencies. “Along with nitrogen, potassium and sulphur are the two nutrients most likely to limit pasture growth this spring,” he said. “Potassium and Sulphur are quite mobile in

the soil and with the extremely wet conditions, we would expect there to be some losses either by runoff or leaching.” With varying degrees of pasture stress being seen on farm, Stuart said there are a few classic deﬁciency symptoms that are common across the board. These symptoms include spindly plants, yellowing of the second and third leaves of a ryegrass tiller, stunted plant growth and distinct urine patches visible in paddocks with inconsistent growth. “At Browns Fertilisers we have developed two products that are designed to replace depleted nutrients and maximise pasture growth this spring,” Stuart said. Pasture Reviva has been designed speciﬁ-

cally to replace potassium and sulphur that may have been lost, as well as nitrogen to boost growth. This blend is complemented by Reviva K for those areas of the farm that may be showing signs of potassium deﬁciency. The Browns Fertilisers qualiﬁed agronomists are able to give you the best advice for your pastures this spring. As an added bonus this spring, the team at Brown’s are offering one lucky customer the chance to win a fantastic prize package. Tickets to the 2012 Australian Open Tennis and accommodation in one of Melbourne’s top hotels could be yours, by simply purchasing from the Reviva range.

Getting the job right HERDING cows can be a lot simpler than managing employees. Employing staff can be crucial to the successful running of a dairy business, but can also be a mineﬁeld of government regulation and legal responsibilities. PeopleGPS is a course tailor-made for dairy farmers, helping them to navigate the trickier parts of employee compliance and management. Developed by Dairy Australia’s The People in Dairy program and the National Centre for Dairy Education Australia (NCDEA), it is part of a large and long-term investment in developing resources, advice and training for dairy farmers around the people

management part of their businesses. The People In Dairy program leader Dr Pauline Brightling said the course was designed to make farmers feel comfortable with employee relations and regulations. “PeopleGPS is about farmers feeling more conﬁdent and skilled in managing the people part of the resources on their farm,” she said. “Understanding the workforce needs in dairy farms is a priority and Dairy Australia is making sure the dairy levy spend is being used for these types of programs which are directly helping farmers.” Experienced dairy consultants who have also completed a Diploma of

Human Resources Management (Dairy) facilitate the PeopleGPS courses. “This course is all about providing farmers with the tools they need to manage farm staff to suit the needs of their business, the law and their employees,” she said. Leanne said the small course size allows participants to use their own business scenarios in learning about on-farm people management. “As well as covering compliance issues around OHS and pay, the group looks at ideas for recruiting staff, improving job satisfaction and increasing retention. Each topic is linked to the People in Dairy website which has some very easy to use templates that will save farmers time and effort,” she said. The next course will be run in Warragul over four consecutive Wednesdays from August 31 to September 21. Facilitators will be Mark Jago and Karen Baum. To book, please call Leanne Bunn on 5667 4501.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 45

Utilising poorer-quality silage FARMERS left with poor-quality silage can still use some of the fodder, but carefully.

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has some hints to help make use of the low-quality feeds. DPI Pasture and Fodder Conservation specialist Frank Mickan said silage harvests were greatly affected by ﬂoods and rain across Victoria in late 2010. “This caused delays in harvesting silage. The rain that fell on freshly cut or windrowed hay has resulted in poorer-quality fodder being conserved,” he said. “Although some farmers were able to make some very early silage, resulting in a high-quality, milk-producing supplement, many farmers and contractors were caught out repeatedly by inclement conditions when in the peak silageharvesting period.” Mr Mickan said it was sometimes difﬁcult to wilt to the correct dry matter content due to cooler,

Last season: last year saw fewer opportunities to wrap quality silage and it’s having an effect now. damper and shorter-thandesirable wilting periods. “This has resulted in over-wet silage in stacks and silage bales, all undergoing poor or extended fermentations or a clostridial-type secondary fermentation,” he continued. “Not only do these undesirable fermentations produce lower-quality silages but cause substantial losses

in dry matter compared to normal silages. “They are often also mildly to severely unpalatable, depressing animal intakes. Some silages might not even be eaten.” He suggested that applying a suitable silage additive could have reduced the likelihood of this problem, albeit at extra expense. Poor silage fermentation

usually results in higher levels of butyric acid and protein-breakdown compounds such as ammonia, amines and amides in the silage. Yeast populations in the forage will also grow substantially and produce unpleasant odours and tastes. “These are the major causes of low palatability and the common reasons for silage refusals, rather than

the mycotoxins frequently blamed by farmers,” Mr Mickan said. “There can also be mould growth in silage, which is preceded by yeast activity.” Three major feeding issues will arise from these problem silages: substantial decrease in nutritive value, palatability will be reduced and the issue of mouldy silage. If animal performance is important it might be necessary to supplement the diet with another source of energy such as grain, maize or palm kernel extract. If the silage is of low palatability, remove the next 12 to 24 hours’ ration and let it air out, allowing the foul-smelling volatile gases to evaporate. Silage that is obviously mouldy should be discarded. Mouldy silage might not be quite as bad as slimy silage, but will reduce intake and will be of much lower quality. It is especially not wise to feed mouldy fodder to pregnant animals.

New Zealand beckons leaders THE United Dairyfarmers of Victoria (UDV) is looking for Victoria’s best agricultural representatives from the dairy sector to travel to New Zealand in January 2012.

UDV president Chris Grifﬁn said ﬁve young people working in the dairy industry will gain personal, professional and leadership capabilities from the experience. “It will give the next generation of on and off farm leaders the experience to learn more about their chosen career and industry,” he said. “New Zealand is acknowledged as the world’s largest exporter of dairy products. The successful candidates will have the opportunity to see and

discuss ﬁrsthand the world class business practices employed by this trading nation. “The UDV places a high emphasis on the importance of education and training for dairy farmers. The vitality and success of the dairy industry depends on the quality of its people. “Today’s commercial dairy farmers are professionals, who must possess both practical and management skills. Their decisions directly inﬂuence the future of their on farm employees as well as creating careers and the future for those off farm, in areas such as tanker drivers, factory employees, vets, farm equipment suppliers, laboratory workers.” The group will be touring the North Island of New Zealand in January 2012, with an itinerary

Rabbits cost us $31.4 million THE Victorian Coalition Government is urging landholders to be vigilant in the ﬁght against rabbits, as seasonal conditions lead to fears of an explosion in numbers this spring. Minister for agriculture and food security Peter Walsh said it was estimated rabbits cost Victorian agriculture $31.4 million each year. “The Mallee in particular is facing an increase in rabbit activity as the wet summer has led to a boom in breeding,” he said. Monitoring by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) shows rabbit numbers are recovering as the pests build a tolerance to calicivirus – a biological form of pest control. “In the Mallee numbers have increased from less than one rabbit per hectare in the late 1990s to between two to six rabbits per hectare in the past two years,” Mr Walsh continued. Mr Walsh said the Invasive Animals Co-operative Research Centre was researching a new-generation biological control for rabbits but a deﬁnitive breakthrough was yet to be achieved. “With the effectiveness of calicivirus diminishing, it is vital that land-

holders maintain their efforts to control rabbits through measures such as warren ripping and fumigation to ensure the gains we have made in recent years are not lost,” he said. “Nobody wants to go back to the days before calicivirus when rabbits were out of control.” Mr Walsh said the Victorian Coalition Government placed a high priority on pest control. “The Coalition Government will spend $21.2 million over the next four years to fight the incursion of weeds and pests on private land,” Mr Walsh continued. “Last year DPI conducted compliance programs in the Sea Lake and Waitchie areas to help protect the Lake Tyrell basin. Officers have inspected 137 individual private properties covering 39,375 hectares of land. “A further 320 properties adjacent to Berriwillock, Manangatang and the area between the Wyperfeld National Park and Myall will be targeted this financial year. “Rabbits are a threat to production and profitability. It’s in everyone’s best interests to ensure they are kept in check,” Mr Walsh concluded.

over eight days to include visits to dairy farms, research and processing facilities, and agricultural sites. To apply for one of the ﬁve positions to attend this tour, please complete the application form at the VFF website www.vff.org.au All successful applicants will receive a 12 month associate membership to the VFF. The tour is funded by the Gardiner Foundation, and will incorporate a learning framework supported by the National Centre for Dairy Education - Australia. For further information, please contact Georgina Livery on 1300 882 833 or email glivery@ vff.org.au

Email your stories news@thestar.com.au

PAGE 46 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Classifieds

Sell it in the "Star"

PHONE 5662 5555 P FAX 5662 4350

public notices

public notices Scots Pioneer Church Mardan South

Pleasant Sunday Afternoon

public notices Come and wish Rita Franklin

A Happy 90th Birthday At the

28th August 2011, 2pm In Search of a Christian Community

Pat Kelly Anne Kelly Music by those attending (with some help) EVERYONE WELCOME

RSL LEONGATHA Saturday September 3 at 2pm Afternoon tea supplied All welcome

Classified advertising closes 12 noon Mondays

public notices

FREE CLASS

CHIROPRACTOR NORMAN G. VRADENBURG

FAMILY SEARCH COMPUTER PROGRAM

“NON-FORCE PRACTITIONER”

inc. free recording program and index to BDMs, especially UK

Saturday, August 27 1.30pm Mechanics Institute Leongatha

BOAT LICENCE COURSE Jetski endorsement included

SAN REMO Wednesday, Sept 7 6pm - 10.15pm Bookings essential Phone Bob 0417 524 005

Wonthaggi Hospital Master Planning Community Consultations Have your say on the design of the future Wonthaggi Hospital redevelopment

Most photos that appear in The Star can be purchased by calling 5662 2294

Consultations Schedule: 29th August: 1pm to 4pm Wonthaggi Workmens Club, Cavell Room, 75 Graham Street, Wonthaggi 29th August: 5pm to 8pm Inverloch Hub, 16 A’Beckett Street, Inverloch 30th August: 1pm to 4pm San Remo Recreation Centre Wynne Road, San Remo 30th August: 5pm to 8pm Cowes Cultural Centre, 91-97 Thompson Avenue, Cowes 31st August: 3pm to 7pm Grantville Transaction Centre 1504-1510 Bass Highway, Grantville Wonthaggi Hospital will be developed to serve the needs of the Gippsland South Coast; come along and have your say on the shape it will take.

Approved MSV course Australian Boating College. Provider No. 3399

message of hope LOVE is patient, love is kind... love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4,8.

28 Reilly Street, INVERLOCH HOURS - Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday by appointment Phone and fax 5674 3666 South Gippsland Chiropractic Services & Adjunctive Therapies P/L

CHIROPRACTOR Garry Harrison 19 Moonah Street Cape Paterson Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday By appointment Ph: 5674 8290

work wanted ENGLISH TUTOR for high school students. Ph: 0437738180.

Classified advertising closes 12 noon Mondays

HORSE BREAKING and training. Lessons available. Phone Elley Hulls 0428969809.

business opportunities

BUSINESS FOR SALE

THE GILDED LILY RESTAURANT-BAR LOCH VILLAGE SOUTH GIPPSLAND Strong sales and net profit Long lease and cheap rent Short hours MUST SELL

OPEN FOR INSPECTION SATURDAY AUGUST 27, 2011 Call Marc: 0412 359 907 www.justbusinessbrokers.com

free

FREE Pick-up and delivery in Leongatha/Meeniyan areas for MOTOR MOWERS,

CHAINSAWS AND STATIONARY ENGINES ETC. Repairs and services

Phone JOHN GOULD 5664 0012

thanks

HULLS - Many thanks go to our family and friends for sharing such a happy day for Jack’s 90th Birthday celebrations, also our daughter Jennifer’s surprise Special Birthday. The cards, gifts and numerous greetings will be something to remember of a most memorable milestone in our lives. With love and blessings to all - Jack and Norma Hulls.

situations vacant

MILKER required Tarwin Lower area to milk three mornings a week. Occasional weekends. Call Sarah on 0431-149508.

EXPERIENCED PAINTER Coldon Homes is a well established, reputable building company that provides prompt payment. We are looking for an experienced painter to work in the Venus Bay, Foster, Welshpool, Korumburra, Leongatha and surrounding areas. Sub Contractor rates apply. Please contact Bill Moroney on 0407 361 225 or the Coldon Ofﬁce on 5672 1999

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 47

situations vacant

South Gippsland Shire Council

Gr1 PHYSIOTHERAPIST – 1EFT or Gr2 PHYSIOTHERAPIST – 0.8EFT South Gippsland Hospital at Foster is a Small Rural Health Service providing an integrated Hospital and Community Health Centre. The Hospital currently employs approximately 100 people and provides an extensive range of acute and primary care services including medical, surgical and maternity services, together with allied health services, chronic disease management and health promotion. An opportunity exists for a Physiotherapist with current AHPRA registration to join our dynamic Allied Health team. As a sole practitioner you will be responsible for the design and delivery of services to the acute facility, in addition to meeting the primary care needs of our community. We are looking to build and strengthen our allied health team by providing supervision and networking opportunities in conjunction with local facilities. The successful applicant will have: • Experience in Acute and Primary Health settings • Highly developed interpersonal, organisational and time management skills • Experience in client record management We are able to provide assistance to attend an interview and relocation support by negotiation if required. South Gippsland Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer For selection criteria and a position description, please contact Samantha Park, Manager Community Health on 03 5683 9780. Applications close on September 23, 2011

KITCHEN MANAGER/CHEF

Would you like to help provide a safe environment for children on their way to and from school?

Full-time Monday to Friday Rose Lodge, a highly respected and fully accredited not for profit Low Care facility is seeking a Kitchen Manager/ Chef. Currently 70 residents. Future expansion will increase numbers to 100, including High Care. The successful applicant will be competent in staff management and recruiting, rosters, quality control, dietary needs, menu planning, ordering, budget planning, Food Safety Plans. They will be required to work with a highly skilled workforce during the expansion phase and beyond. Experience in aged care food services would be highly regarded, however, more important is a strong work ethic and the ability and desire to contribute towards the ongoing care of the residents. Salary negotiable - salary packaging available. Enquiries to Ella Duder, Manager – (03) 5672 1716. Written applications with copies of qualifications and Food Safety Supervisor Certificate to: Beverley Walsh, CEO PO Box 626, Wonthaggi 3995 Applications close Monday September 5, 2011

Based in Bairnsdale, Sale and Leongatha SNAP Gippsland Inc. is a leader in Psychiatric Disability Rehabilitation Support Services in Gippsland. SNAP Gippsland prides itself on delivering quality innovative services that assist adults with mental health problems in their recovery. SNAP is experiencing a considerable amount of growth and to support this we are endeavouring to create and build a well-qualified workforce with opportunity for a career path within our organisation. If you have an interest in mental health and want to work with a Recovery oriented focus, SNAP is offering traineeships for people to work and at the same time attain a Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol and Other Drugs and Mental Health). Traineeships will run for a period of 18 months and applicants must already have a Certificate IV in a health related area. Please phone Cathy Carr (SNAP General Manager) or Chris McNamara (SNAP CEO) on phone (03) 5153 1823 for a confidential discussion about the role and a position description. Applications close 5pm Friday, September 9, 2011

Casual Positions – Korumburra, Leongatha and Foster areas - $23.96 per hour Interested in working shorter hours – usually from 8.15am to 9.00am and/or 3.00pm to 3.45pm Mon to Fri during school terms? Enjoy working outdoors? This is the ideal opportunity for you! We welcome direct discussion with Ian Nicholas, Local Laws Coordinator on (03) 5662 9200, regarding this role. Applications addressing the selection criteria are to be submitted by 5.00pm Wednesday 7 September 2011. Further information and a position description is available from Human Resources or visit our website.

www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au

Shire Council

Exciting Leadership Opportunities…

Full time / Part time

4 TRAINEESHIPS FOR RECOVERY SUPPORT WORKERS

Permanent Part Time position – Korumburra - $19.17 per hour

South Gippsland

REGISTERED NURSE DIVISION 1, GRADE 2 - RESIDENTIAL CARE

Working together for better mental health...

Children’s Crossing Supervisor

Gippsland Southern Health Service invites applications for the above position.The successful applicants should have current experience in Residential Care. Applicants should possess the following qualifications/experience: • Current registration with Nurses Board Victoria • Evidence of recent professional development • Effective interpersonal skills • Basic computer literacy • Proficient written and communication skills • Experience in residential care nursing GSHS offers a comprehensive orientation program on commencement of employment. All staff have access to excellent staff mentoring, education and support programs. Salary Packaging is available to all permanent staff. All applicants will be required to provide a current satisfactory police check. If you are interested in joining a supportive and progressive team and wish to discuss employment opportunities at GSHS please contact Neil Langstaff on 5667 5507. An application kit and position description can be obtained by contacting the Executive Assistant on 5667 5504 or by downloading from our website www.gshs.com.au Applications close at 5pm on Friday, August 26 2011 Please forward all applications to: Mr Neil Langstaff Director of Nursing Gippsland Southern Health Service Private Bag 13 Leongatha Vic 3953

The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and Parks Victoria are looking for fit and healthy people to become firefighters this summer to help protect Victoria from bushfire.

Your primary focus will be to provide leadership and management of our Governance Services team while delivering high quality services in the following areas: • Corporate Governance and Legislative Compliance • Corporate Strategic Planning • Policy Development and Review • Risk and OH&S • Freedom of Information and Information Privacy • Contract Management • Grants Management You will possess relevant tertiary qualifications, post graduate desirable, in Business Administration or Local Government Law and relevant experience, or lesser qualifications and extensive experience in leading corporate based governance, compliance and risk management. You will have a proven record of achievement in governance, legislative compliance and risk management service delivery in a complex corporate environment. You will also have excellent communication skills enabling you to build effective working relationships within the organisation.

Manager Customer Relations $91k total salary package incl super + vehicle Permanent full time with option of 9 day fortnight Your primary focus will be to provide leadership and management of our Customer Service and Communications teams, playing an integral part in creating professional and proactive relationships with stakeholders in the following areas: • Corporate Communications and Marketing • Management of Call Centre and Customer Service Centre Staff • Web content Development and Delivery • Journalism and/or Development of Corporate Publications • Service Standards Development

We welcome direct discussion with June Ernst, Director Corporate Services, on (03) 5662 9200 regarding these roles.

An exciting opportunity awaits! DSE and Parks Victoria employ hundreds of field staff to assist with the prevention and suppression of bushfires in parks and forests.

Applications for the above positions addressing the selection criteria are to be submitted by 5pm Wednesday 7 September 2011.

All training will be provided and positions are open to anyone who: • Has a high level of fitness • Is a team player • Holds a current manual drivers licence

Further information and position descriptions are available from Human Resources or visit our website.

www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au

Positions are available over the warmer months and include firefighters, machine operators, hover exit crew and rappel crew members. Salaries range from $765.32 - $1084.81 per week plus 9% superannuation. Successful candidates located at Parks Victoria work centres with Parks Victoria supervisors will be employed by Parks Victoria. All other successful candidates will be employed by DSE. ZO121266

Apply online at www.dse.vic.gov.au/firejobs

Indigenous employment opportunities are available under Section 83 of the Equal Opportunities Act 1995, exemption A147/2011 and A126/2010 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who hold proof of their aboriginality.

$91k total salary package incl super + vehicle Permanent full time with option of 9 day fortnight

Your demonstrated management and leadership experience in corporate communications and customer service will enable you to succeed in this role, and your exceptional communication skills and customer service focus will enable you to lead staff to produce quality outcomes within a politically sensitive environment and within tight timeframes.

Opportunities Available Statewide

Applications close Sunday 4 September 2011

Manager Governance Services

You will possess tertiary qualifications, post graduate desirable, in Business Administration, Marketing and Communications or related disciplines and relevant experience, or lesser qualifications and extensive experience in leading corporate based communication and/or customer service centres.

Seasonal Firefighters

For more information contact DSE on 136 186 or Parks Victoria on 131 963

Reporting to the Director Corporate Services, these newly created positions provide an outstanding opportunity to use your extensive knowledge and leadership skills in the delivery of governance and compliance services and customer relations, communication services.

PAGE 48 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

situations vacant

MOTOR VEHICLE SALESPERSON - TRAINEE We are a modern multi-franchise dealership with showrooms in Leongatha and Wonthaggi. Our Leongatha showroom requires a salesperson who is genuinely interested in a career in motor vehicle sales. The successful applicant will be working in a modern showroom with a friendly team selling Ford and Mitsubishi motor vehicles and used cars. Experience is not necessary. Training will be provided and salary is commensurate with age and any experience you may have. Saturday morning work is on a roster basis. Driver’s licence is essential. The successful applicant will be able to present themselves in a professional manner, be self-motivated and enthusiastic. Genuine career opportunity for a salesdriven individual. Please forward your CV marked to the attention of: Michael Westaway, Westaway Ford, 1 Hughes Street, Leongatha 3953 or via email:annew@wide.net.au Phone enquiries are welcome on 5662 4144. Written applications should be marked confidential. Application closing date is September 2, 2011

SITUATIONS VACANT

Building a Healthy Community

Rural Withdrawal & Pharmacotherapy Nurse (Division 1 or 3 Registered Nurse) 0.6 EFT BCCHS seeks expressions of interest for the part-time employment of an experienced, qualified nurse to work with individuals, GP’s and local community services to manage drug and alcohol and mental health issues (Dual Diagnosis) and replacement therapy. Drug & Alcohol working experience essential. Successful applicant will also be required to deliver health and education groups to service users. Remuneration for this position as per relevant professional qualifications. Enquiries to Karley Oakley, Co-ordinator Drug & Alcohol Services. To obtain a position description and an employment application form, please telephone reception on 5671 3500 or refer to our website: www.bcchs.com.au Applications close on Tuesday, August 30 at 5pm and should be addressed to: HR Administrator Bass Coast Community Health Service 1 Back Beach Road San Remo 3925

situations vacant

B-DOUBLE TAUTLINER DRIVER NEEDED We are currently seeking an experienced B-double driver to work 5 days per week, 90% nightshift running from Leongatha to Melbourne daily. If you have: • Clean and tidy appearance • Good communication skills • Basic mechanical knowledge • Good driving record proven by current Vic Roads demerit points and conviction record printouts we want to hear from you. Email: Leongatha@stoitse.com.au or call Jason on 0428 552 510 for more information

situations vacant

BOILERMAKER / STEEL FABRICATION Aerial Devices Australia specialising in quality steel fabrication projects for local and national customers, are seeking qualified Boilermaker / Steel Fabricators for their fabrication workshop. Ideally we are seeking qualified / experienced people to be involved in the construction of Elevated Work Platforms and Cranes. The successful applicant will demonstrate a stable proven work history in associated trades and the ability to work as a team player. In return we will offer the opportunity to join a growing organisation building new and challenging vehicles, a clean, friendly, and professional work environment. The roles are based at Leongatha and available for immediate start. Please forward your applications to: Aerial Devices Australia Attn: Amanda Fonivic PO Box 478, MOUNT WAVERLEY VIC 3149 Or email: applications@vemco.com.au or fax 8542 0703. Enquiries to 8542 0700.

FULL TIME CHEF Required SEMI TIPPER DRIVER

We are looking for a qualified Chef de Partie or Sous Chef

Chapman Grain Services has a full time Semi Tipper driver position available for immediate start. Rotary Seal experience an advantage but not compulsory. Successful applicant must be prepared to be away some nights. Position predominantly Monday to Friday with occasional Saturday work required. Above award wages with R.D.Os. Depots in Korumburra and Yarrawonga. Applications close: Thursday 1st September 2011 Forward resume to: mark@chapmangrain.net.au or Chapman Grain Services, 13 James Lillis Drive YARRAWONGA 3730 All applications will be kept strictly confidential. Any questions can be directed to Mark on 0427 211 201.

We are looking for a qualified Chef who is motivated and enthusiastic and importantly has a love for working with fresh produce. We have a reputation for quality and consistency, so if you think this is what you are looking for call Anthony on 5956 9520 or send your resumé to anthony@theforeshore.com.au

SITUATIONS VACANT

Attention Truck Drivers • • • • •

Got a semi or B-double licence? Sick of working long hours for peanuts? Got family at home you never see? Sick of always being on the road? Want varied work, to be home every day, and earn $70k pa on rotating shifts in a friendly team environment? Farm milk collection offers all this and more. We want to hear from males/females who have: • Very good driving skills and driving records • A neat appearance • A ‘can do’ attitude to customers and work colleagues Experience is preferred but not essential as training is provided. Send your resumé to: leongatha@ stoitse.com.au or fax: 5662 4730. Call for more information 0428 552 510.

Nursery Coordinator

situations vacant

G.J. Gardner

the foreshore bar & restaurant Rhyll

MILL OPERATOR Riverbank Stockfeeds is a family owned business, manufacturing and delivering exceptional quality feed to farms throughout Gippsland from our mill in Leongatha. We seek a mill operator / process worker to join the mill team. Tasks will include operating the mill, unloading and loading trucks, testing grain, cleaning and maintenance. Job specific training will be provided. You will need to be an active person and a good team player with a calm disposition and a strong work ethic. The job needs high mechanical aptitude, computer literacy and careful attention to detail. Experience in a similar role will be highly regarded as will a forklift licence. Send applications to: The Mill Manager Riverbank Stockfeeds 6 Cusack Rd Leongatha VIC 3953 or romans@riv.com.au

SENIOR HEAVY TRANSPORT DIESEL MECHANIC HOMES

Part time – 2 days per week Near Yarram

New Home Consultant

HVP Plantations has a part time vacancy at its state of the art nursery facility at Gelliondale. The Role This important position oversees a variety of large scale nursery operations involved in the production of Radiata and Eucalyptus cuttings and seedlings. The position will have a strong focus towards planning and monitoring plant propagation tasks, site maintenance, OHS and personnel management. Applicants Good communication, team skills and experience in directing employees is required. Planning, organisational and computer skills are necessary. A relevant higher education qualification would be well regarded but is not mandatory. A competitive salary package will be negotiated to secure the best candidate. How to apply Phone enquiries should be directed to Christopher Barclay on 5184 0000. Applications should be sent to jobs@hvp.com.au Applications close Friday 2 September 2011.

Join our great team in Bass Coast and be part of our steady growth across the globe! Let’s combine your superb customer skills and desire to earn over $100,000 P/A, (base salary plus bonus), with our commitment to quality products, quality service and planned growth! Our unique software puts pricing at your fingertips, keeping you in control of your quotes and allowing you to enjoy the benefits of a business within a business. Your computer skills should be advanced and you should have a good knowledge of the construction industry and basic mathematics. You will learn about aspects of building and design, have contact with developers and investors, in this varied and flexible role where you deal directly with the business owner. You should have a strong work ethic, are disciplined with paperwork and follow up. If you are highly motivated, passionate about building meaningful business relationships and would like to join Australia’s leading residential building company, please apply in writing to: Gill Hardman E: gill.hardman@gjgardner.com.au Location: 1/219 Settlement Road, Cowes

We require a self motivated, reliable and committed applicant to join our team. The duties of this position will vary and include servicing, general maintenance and engine reconditioning. You will be required to perform these duties and any others we may assign to you, having regard to your skills, training and experience. Ideally you will possess a passion for the heavy road transport industry and be prepared to complete ongoing in-house and factory training. Being able to work in a team environment and also unsupervised is essential. Willingness to assist in guiding apprentices when necessary and being able to work overtime when required would be appreciated. You should follow safety rules and regulations in performing work and carry out tasks assigned by the Service Manager and jobs must be recorded on the job sheet. Service books and all other paperwork necessary must also be completed. Maintaining a clean work environment is essential. Ideally you will have strong communication skills and ability to conduct yourself in a manner which promotes this Company in a positive and professional image. Wage negotiable.

SERVICE ADMINISTRATION CLERK This full or part time position would suit a person with Transport Industry experience, possibly suiting a mechanic, parts or warranty individual looking for a new challenge. You would be working closely with the Service Manager, parts and workshop staff to ensure jobs are documented and entered and be willing to undergo training where necessary to continue updating your knowledge and skills. You will require excellent customer relation skills and be willing to multi-task at all levels. Please send resumés for both positions by Friday, September 9, 201 to: The Manager GIPPSLAND TRUCK MECHANICS PO Box 325, Leongatha Vic 3953

for sale

VACUUM CLEANER Repairs

DUST BAGS

Sales

FREE

QUOTES

WONTHAGGI SEWING CENTRE 167 Graham Street, Wonthaggi (opp. Ritchies IGA)

5672 3127

HAY ALL TYPES

Oaten, Vetch, Lucerne, etc Supplied & delivered. We can also cart your own hay. Single & B-Double G. & P. HILDER Phone Greg 0429 822 544

BABY COT jarrah, high chair, baby seat, play pen, monitor and more. Price negotiable. 0402-180307.

CARAVAN - Jayco Dove camper, 6 berth with annexe, ex condition $6,000. 5674-2282. FIREWOOD, redgum & local wood, Ph 0408-980711, A/H 5662-5175

HAY small square bales $5 each. No weather damage, shedded.Hallston 5668-5220.

HAY - oaten 8x4x3, shedded, from $55 per tonne. Good freight rate. 0418-501548.

HAY - small square bales, new season’s, $7 each. Fully shedded, suitable for horses, never been wet. Quality guaranteed. Mardan - 5664-1320, 0428999691.

HAY/SILAGE - lucerne, also oaten hay and trit. hay. No rain damage. Ph: 0408514059 or 5149-2365. HAY - small squares, shedded, last season’s, $6 each. Ph: 0408-980711.

HEN HOUSE with attached run and laying box on side. $200 ONO. Ph: 0417373287.

JERSEY BULLS 16-24 months, quiet, well grown, from $1,200. 0427-552236.

LAYER PULLETS Quality disease resistant Tas White and Lavender, 320-340 eggs per year. Will deliver. 5668-5161, 0438565721.

LOUNGE SUITE 3 pce Moran, cream macro suede (washable), excellent condition, $500. Ph: 0409451542. LUCERNE hay rolls, good quality, in shed, $55. Grass silage $60. 0428-513969.

SLEEPERS, treated pine, 200x50x2.4 $12.10 each, 200x75x2.4 $16.75 each. Free delivery for pack lots. Phone Joe 0417-530662.

TIMBER - kiln dried blackwood, clear pine, silver wattle. Most sizes for furniture and craft. Also builder’s graded structural pine. Phone 5681-2261.

WHIPPETS 2 pure bred males. Adorable puppies. $200 ONO. Robin: 0447595436.

wanted to buy

MILK VAT WANTED 7,000 ltr / 8,000 ltr, auto wash. Chris: 0400-198412.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 49

situations vacant

used motorcycles MOTORBIKES: Kawasaki KLF 300 4x4, GC, needs rings, $400 ONO. KTM 400, runs well, $1,400 ONO. Ph: 5657-3267.

The Great Southern Star currently has a vacancy for a

Bookkeeper / Receptionist 15 hours minimum per week Permanent position Experience with MYOB Premier essential Other duties: Banking General office duties Booking advertisements Payroll experience Enquiries can be directed to the manager, Tony Giles on 0407 528 192 Please email your application to: tony@thestar.com.au Applications close Friday, August 26

meetings

MIRBOO NORTH & DISTRICT JUNIOR TENNIS ASSOCIATION

Friends of Venus Bay Peninsula Inc.

Notice of Annual General Meeting Sunday, August 28

AGM

1.30pm

Monday, September 5

At the Surf Life Saving Clubrooms

7.30pm AT THE LEONGATHA TENNIS CLUBROOMS

No 1 Beach, Venus Bay

Enquiries 5668 1887 AGM for Meeniyan Amateur Dramatics Society Inc will be held 6pm Wednesday 14th at the old Meeniyan Community Health Centre.

SOUTHERN Business Women’s Network AGM Dinner Meeting, Monday August 29. Guest speaker Angela Betheras, VIC Rural Woman of the Year, Leongatha RSL, $35/p. Bookings Renae Littlejohn renae@artzillery.com.au

TARWIN LOWER AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE INC.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Notice of Annual General Meeting to be conducted on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at the Centre, commencing at 10am. Light refreshments will be served following the meeting. BUSINESS: 1. To confirm minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting. 2. To receive the reports of the committee and the financial statement. 3. To elect two (2) members of the committee in place of retiring members. The retiring members for 2011 are: Mrs L. Barker Mrs L. O'Connor In addition to the retiring members, there are three vacancies on the committee. 4. To consider any resolutions delivered within at least seven (7) days notice. Nominations for the Committee close on Friday, October 14, 2011, a current satisfactory police record check is required by people accepting positions for the Committee of Management. Committee nomination forms and Police Check forms (on-line) can be obtained from and completed at the Tarwin Lower Community Health Centre.

personal $ 70

personal day time special

pca 4609b

hallam

penthouse make us your 1st stop

9702 4744

7 rimfire dr. hallam

used vehicles

FREE CAR REMOVAL Will pay up to $300 for complete car Buyers of scrap metal All machinery Bins provided

Bass Coast Metal Recyclers 5672 2946 0417 556 593

garage sales

GARAGE SALE The “STAR” can help you promote your event with our

$25 GARAGE SALE KIT KIT INCLUDES 5cm x S/C advert (valued at $31.90) • 2 x A4 Garage Sale Signs • Marker Pen • Garage Sale Tips (dos and don’ts) • Sheet of Price Stickers • Star Carry Bag

Total package valued at $39 ADVERTISE by calling 5662 5555 or emailing classiﬁeds@thestar.com.au or call in to 36 McCartin Street LEONGATHA to pick up your kit when you place your advertisement

GARAGE SALE 15 Blackmore Avenue LEONGATHA

Saturday, August 27 7.30 - 12 Household furniture, baby goods, fridge, etc. No early birds

for hire BULLS for hire, Angus, Friesian, Hereford, Limo and Jerseys. All tested. Ph: 0447-331762.

for rent WONTHAGGI PROFESSIONAL OFFICES / CONSULTING ROOMS TO RENT Attractive offices or consulting rooms available in quiet location near the hospital. Ideal for Allied Health, Health Practitioner or Counselling service. Polished wood floors, well appointed reception room. Fax and photocopying service available. Call 0402 006 705 For more information VENUS BAY - house, short stroll to beach and shops, sleeps 7. Permanent rental also available. Contact: 0408-320001.

house to share HOUSE TO SHARE Meeniyan, $150 pw inc. electricity. Ph: 0427694302. ROOM TO RENT, Cape Paterson, 3 BR house, share with one other. Beautiful, comfortable home, 200m from spectacular coastline. Phone Kelly 0408-149411.

room to let ROOM to rent for mature professional in cottage in Koonwarra forest, furnished, $120 pw, plus household expenses. Must be clean, reliable and love dogs. References essential. Ph: 0409-813957.

births ARNOLD (Chalmers) - Simon and Belinda welcome Harvey Jordan Arnold, born August 17 at Berwick. Don and Jeanette congratulate them and give thanks for a precious grandson. LANGSTAFF (Millar) - Joel and Alana are thrilled to announce the early but safe arrival of their much loved third son, Bailey Joel, born 21.08.11, 6lb 11oz. Little brother for Zac and Ethan, and another gorgeous grandson for Ann, Darren, Neil and Jude. Special thanks to Graham, Hugh, Lesley, Kim, mid and theatre staff.

marriage celebrant

Jenny Milkins All areas - 5672 3123 jenny_milkins@hotmail.com

CAM ABOOD Leongatha 5662 4191

engagements HILL - DUNDAS It is with great pleasure that Karen and Tony Dundas announce the engagement of Shaunn Dundas to Kate Hill. We wish them a lifetime of happiness together. HOLLOWAY - BOYD Hyacinth and Michael, together with Shayne and George have the pleasure of announcing the engagement of Michelle and Charles on the 12/8/11 in the Maldives. THORSON - CONNON Cheryle and Des Thorson, together with Alice and William Connon of Cushendall, Northern Ireland, are pleased to announce the engagement of Claire and Fergal.

in memoriam BOLGE - Tania. August 23, 1978 May the winds of love blow softly, And whisper for you to hear, that we still love and miss you, As it dawns another year. Mum, Dad and family. MAXWELL: Cameron Elliot 7.8.91 Keith Lindsay (Pud) 22.8.67 Son and father together in peace. Memories are precious Pud and Cammo - your family. SALMON - Myrtle. August 18, 2010 One year has passed. We all hold treasured memories of our loved Mum and Gran. Love - Bev, Barry, Heather, George and Morley, and families.

in memoriam VIERGEVER - Will. In loving memory of a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. A year has passed and we miss you so much and think of you every day. Sue, Paula, Natasha, Rebecca and all the family.

memorial service HATTAM - A gathering of Rob’s family and friends will be held on Sunday, August 28 from 2pm at the Tarwin Lower Football Club. All welcome.

crossword solutions CRYPTIC PUZZLE NO. 8287 - SOLUTIONS Across - 7, In a short time. 8, Frie-N-d. 9, To-I-led. 10, Gathers. 12, Study. 15, Us-in-(ni)g(ht). 16, Arm-rest. 18, Primer. 20, T-all-ow. 22, Pair of shorts. Down - 1, Entr-eats. 2, I’s-le. 3, Wonders. 4, St-ate. 5, Mini-ster. 6, Here. 11, Hand-maid. 13, Di-sports. 14, Protest. 17, Prior (prier). 19, Ripe. 21, Look. QUICK PUZZLE NO. 8287 - SOLUTIONS Across - 7, Inconsistent. 8, Rotter. 9, Unreal. 10, Beseech. 12, Label. 15, Stoop. 16, Copycat. 18, Slouch. 20, Potato. 22, Concert-grand. Down - 1, Innocent. 2, Port. 3, Ostrich. 4, Issue. 5, February. 6, Stoa. 11, Eloquent. 13, Exacting. 14, Compete. 17, Cheek. 19, Luck. 21, Turk.

deaths BUTTERWORTH - June. On 10.8.11 My dearest June, I will miss the many talks we had, the songs we sang, and the happy laughter we shared together, and our deep friendship spanning over 56 years. Always together through the good and bad times. I will never forget you my dear, dear friend. You will be beside me always. With much love from your number one friend Dianne. HATTAM - Robert. Our deepest sympathy Marnie, Olivia, Lucy, Sam, and their families. Robert has been a well respected work-mate to all of us at Leongatha Rural Supplies for many years. Always remembered. HOWELL - Nancy Patricia. 19.01.1960 - 15.08.2011 Passed away peacefully after a long illness at South Gippsland Hospital Foster, with family and friends by her side. Loving adored wife of Gordon. Wonderful, warm mum of Bill and Henry. Forever in our hearts. Funeral was held on Saturday August 20, 2011.

On show: young photographers standing from left, Josh Caves, Jackson Glenn and Gordon Pascoe. In front are Amy Elliott and Carly Young.

Photographic exhibition A GROUP of young disabled photographers is exhibiting 74 framed works at the Coal Creek Community Gallery during August. The exhibition is called Stepping Up. Five photographers aged 18 to 26, spent a lot of time photographing at Coal Creek under the guidance of their supervisor Tania Matuschka. The display is the result of their efforts. Amy Elliott, Joshua Caves, Gordon Pascoe, Jackson Glenn and Carly Young are selling works from the exhibition at very reasonable cost. The exhibition is open every day until the end of the month.

Family search computer program

THOMPSON - Ernie. The Leongatha & District Cricket Association acknowledge and regret the passing of our valued life member Ernie Thompson and extend our sincere sympathy to his family and friends.

A FREE introductory class is being held by the local Family History Society as part of the Daffodil Festival at 1.30pm on Saturday, August 27 in the Mechanics’ Institute, McCartin Street.

Classified advertising closes 12 noon Mondays

This site (www.familysearch.org) is owned and operated by the Church of Latter Day Saints and is based in Utah.

deaths

WITH CARE & DIGNITY WE RESPECTFULLY SERVE THE DISTRICTS OF: LEONGATHA / KORUMBURRA Paul and Margaret Beck

5662 2717

FOSTER Paul and Margaret Beck

5662 2717

WONTHAGGI / INVERLOCH Ray and Maree Anderson

5672 1074

PHILLIP ISLAND Ray and Maree Anderson

5952 5171

MEMBERS OF AUSTRALIAN FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION

As part of their religious beliefs, members collect information about their ancestors, and the church has an extensive library of reference material to assist them. Much of the indexed material is freely available to all family researchers via their website. They are most useful for the period before government registration became compulsory in Britain in 1837, but some later records are included. There is of course considerable material on America. You need to be aware that some of the information has been submitted by private researchers. This is noted on the entries and they need to be checked with the ofﬁcial records.The site also offers a computer program for recording your own family information. This is called Personal Ancestral File (PAF) and can be downloaded free from the website to your own computer. It is impossible to cover all aspects of the site in a short article, but it is well worth spending time exploring it.

PAGE 50 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Mirboo North THERE were 43 starters for the stableford event on Saturday, August 20. A Grade winner: I. Evison (11) 41 points, B Grade J. Blunsden (21) 39 points. Down the line balls: R. Matthews (9) 40 pts, P. Draper 38, R. Hoskin 38, T. Whitelaw 37, N. Rutledge 37. Nearest the pin: 4th P. Smart, 13th B. Pinner, 16th R. Robbins. Pro-pin: G. Watson. Birdies: Ray Hoskin 4th, T. Whitelaw 4th, G. Watson 6th, S. Henning 6th, M. Hieberg 4.

Having a ball: Mirboo North Golf Club’s John McFarlane, nine-yearold wunderkind Richard Taylor and Chris Bracecamp were having fun at the course on Saturday.

Meeniyan golf SATURDAY saw some ﬁne weather and some mown fairways after a drying week. The day’s event was singles stableford and the sponsor for the day was M. and M. Bright which is much appreciated.The winner for the day was Bob McGeary with 40 points on a count back from Reg Hannay with 40 points. Balls down the line went to Peter Riddle with 38 pts and Frank Peile with 37 points. Nearest the pin on the second was not won. On Saturday we saw the return of Peter Reilly to golf at Meeeniyan and although his score was nothing special, it was good to see Peter back at the club. With curator Dave on holidays for a couple of weeks, any volunteer help around the course would be much appreciated and thanks to all those who have been helping around the course

whilst Dave is away. On the social side we have a trivia night on Saturday September 3 so please get your table booked as soon as possible. Next Saturday we have a threeball Ambrose event. Tuesday The winner of Tuesday’s singles stableford event was Jim Cusack with a very good 42 points. Balls down the line went to Daryle Gregg with 36 pts and Col Graeme with 35 points. Nearest the pin on the 8th was won by Frank Peile. Thursday The winner of Thursday’s singles Stableford event was Daryle Gregg with 41 points. Balls down the line went to Frank Peile with 40 points. Nearest the pin was won by Daryle Gregg.

Leongatha Golf Club OUR course superintendent Dylan McMeekin should know his way around the course and he certainly proved that on Saturday. Playing on a nine handicap, Dylan almost parred the course to collect 43 points and a big win in A Grade. Great round Dylan. B Grade was tightly contested with Peter Hobson’s 37 points earning him the prize on a countback. Nearest the pin went to R. Paice, and pro-pin was won by J. Burt. Down the line balls: J. Hassett, G. Morrison 37; G. McDonald 36, C. Leaver, G. Marsham, D. Clemann 35; N. Cairns, G. Maher, J. Cummins, D. Vorwerg 34; J. Dalton, D. McDonald 33.

Tuesday John Eabry has regained his form and a very good 40 points resulted. John had to fend off Peter Waters who also managed 40 points to be the day’s runner-up. Norm Hughes (14th) and Barry Stevens (16th) were nearest the pin winners. Ball winners: K. Scott, A. Macfarlane 39; K. Macfarlane 37, M. Stubbs, B. Ste-

vens 36; N. Hughes 35, T. Bruinewoud, G. Maher 33.

Thursday Al Sperling was a winner on the course and also in the clubhouse. Al’s 38 points was the day’s best score, from runner-up Fred Debono on 37 ahead of Geoff McDonald on the same score. Fred is in good form and we congratulate him for having a hole-in-one at Lang Lang in the Veterans event recently. Ed Poole and Chris Leaver were nearest the pin winners and balls were won by G. McDonald 37, R. Paice, N. Hughes 36; D. Clemann, P. Hartigan, E. Poole 35; P. Walsh, D. Vorwerg 34; D. Malone 33. Saturday’s event is par followed a week later by the September monthly medal. The Vern Pease ambrose board event is coming up on Saturday, September 10.

Foster

Wonthaggi

AFTER a few dry days the course improved a lot and this was reflected in better scoring. Tuesday August 16: The winner was P. Dight (seven) 39 points. Down the line balls to Neville Thompson (12) 35 points. Thursday August 18: The winner was B. Kuhne (22) 38 points, and down the line balls to P. Dight (seven) 36 points. The nearest the pin went to Fred Tyers on 13th. Friday August 19: There were only five players, and the scores will carry over to next week. The best scores were Rae Knee and June Eddy, both with 21 points. The nearest the pin on the 17th went to June Eddy. Saturday August 20: Twenty-four players contested for the Kiwi Jones trophies. The winner of A Grade was Fred Tyers (17) with 68 net, and B Grade winner was Andrew Naylor (27) with the outstanding score of 59 net - no that’s not a typing error. Andrew underwent a drug test after the game and we are awaiting the results. Great round Andrew. Balls down the line went to Athol McGrath (20), Peter Wright (23) and Geoff Prue (22) – all on 67 net, and also to Colin Pulham (20) on 68 net. Nearest the pins went to Owen Kindellan (fourth), Ian Griffiths (sixth), Fred Tyers (13th), James McIntyre (15th) and Norm Cooper (17th). In the ladies event the winner was Inneke De Graaf (21) with 34 points on a countback from Beth Curram (18). Sunday August 21: the club mixed foursomes championship was held for the Paragreen Real Estate trophies. There was a disappointing field of six pairs only. The winners were Tony Vanin (seven) and Robin Galloway (11) with gross 81 and 72 net, and handicap winners were Jim Parry (12) and Beth Curram (18) with gross 87 and 72 net. Nearest the pin on 17th went to Jim Parry. Coming events Tuesday August 23 - stableford. Thursday August 25 - stableford Friday August 26 – twilight, Saturday August 27 – 4BBB stableford – Neil Chandler trophies. Friday night members draw: Rod Coughlane-Lane was not on hand to collect the money when his name was drawn out, so the money jackpots to next week.

LAST Saturday’s ﬁeld was down a little due to the number of matches being played. The course is drying out well, and with the forecast for the rest of this week, should be perfect for next Saturday. The winners in men’s golf for the day: A Grade J. Jordan 45 points, B Grade J. Harvey 41 points. Balls down the line to 37 on countback. Nearest the pin: 2nd J. Walsh, 13th R. Sheean. Pro pin 8th M. Bourke. Money collected by J. Richardson. Ian Baker had an eagle on the ﬁrst. For the information of members, I will be retiring as captain at the annual general meeting next month, and when the cheering stops, if any member is interested in the position and wants to know what is involved, just give me a buzz and I will be happy to talk to you.

Korumburra basketball THERE was no Friday basketball due to a function. The Wildcats’ try out day will be September 4 at 3pm at the Korumburra Indoor Recreation Centre.

Domestic results Serving it up: local table tennis stars Michaela Campbell and Brittney Taylor are preparing for the Australian table tennis championships in Sydney in September.

Taking on Australia’s best

LOCAL table tennis stars Michaela Campbell and Brittney Taylor have been selected to travel to Sydney for the Australian championships. From September 24 to October 1, Leongatha’s Michaela and Wonthaggi’s Brittney will be taking on the country’s best at the Hurstville Aquatic and Leisure Centre. Michaela returned from the titles last year with a medal, and will be looking to do the same again, while it is Brittney’s ﬁrst national event. “We are really looking forward to following these young female athletes in their endeavours to make their mark in the sport of table tennis,” Gippsland Sports Academy chief executive ofﬁcer Judi

Buhagiar said. “There’s no better feeling than when you arrive at work to be greeted with news like this.” All young athletes work very hard in a tough academy training regime under head coach Alois Rosario, who travelled to the recent Commonwealth Games as assistant coach of the Australian table tennis team. “This is a great thrill for the program and is a ﬁtting reward, not only for the three girls selected but also for the work of all the athletes, coaches and support staff involved in the program,” Mr Rosario said. “These selections will hopefully encourage other players in the region to work towards the next round of academy selections.”

Under 16 boys: Celtics 38 (K. Cosson 12) d Jazz 26 (I. Brain 10); Spurs 43 (D. Wilson 29) d Bulls 34 (J. Patullo 20). Under 18 boys: Polden 50 (B. Dorling 22) d Maskell 23 (K. Spokes 19); Mortimer 41 (R. Arestia 18) d Rodwell 33 (D. Hansch 21). B Women: Hoodies 36 (T. Kelly 11) d Old Cats 31 (A. Kennewell 11); Blondies 45 (B. Maskell 16) d Bunch of Grapes 16 (J. Greaves 6). A Women: Daly 27 (J .Thomas 21) d Flames 19 (G. Dixon 4). Under 10 girls: Dowel 29 (M. Smith 2) d Fitzgerald 4 (M. Findley 4); Donohue 20 (K. Thomas 2) d Blair 19 (E. Nicholas 2). Under 12/14 girls: Snell 24 (C. Chilla 6) d Taylor 12 (A. Harkin 2); Jackson 36 (C. Hogg 30) d Harrower 24 (B. Angwin 10). Under 16 girls: Rangers 44 (M. Donohue 14) d Boomers 41 (C. Rodda 7); Spirit 29 (G. Dixon 13) d Capitals 21 (A. Field 8). Masters men: Mixtures 38 (D. Lyons 12) d Local Blokes 30 (M. Whiteside 15); BSC 32 (T. Bruce 13) d Witches Hats 24 (M. Collins 8); Milk Drinkers 38 (M. Gray 0) d Trav. Gilmores 27 (T. Riseley 0). A Men: Blood 60 (T. Mailing 17) d Iron Mongers 43 (T. Goss 18); Bird 49 (B. Proven 14) d Burra Ball Bags 46 (D. Edmonds 17); Molten 42 (K. Arestia 10) d Wildcats 32 (J. Winderlich 20).

Woorayl

LAST Saturday we played a 4BBB stableford event sponsored by Calder Landscape and Design. The day’s winners with a fine 51 points were Kevin Riseley and Troy Underwood. They won from Jack Howard and our president Graeme Winkler, with 49 points. Balls went to the pairings of T. Hogan, C. Hall; W. Turner, N. Lovie; g. Misson, G. Johnson and the two Steves, Duffield and Hannon. The nearest the pins went to Nathan Lovie (8th) and Brian Hogan (17th). The ball raffle was won by The Shed syndicate. Next Saturday we will play for our monthly medal, the day being sponsored by JSL Light Engines. Weather permitting the ladies will play the Perrett foursomes on Wednesday.

Korumburra Golf Club

THE winner on Tuesday August 16 was N. Alger 44 points. Forty-three played par on Saturday August 20. Trophies Bob Stiff. CCR 69. A Grade: L. Guilfoyle +6; B Grade S. Osboldstone +1; C Grade N. Alger +4. Balls: T. Marotti +1, P. VanAgtmaal, S. Rodda, square; M. Belvedere +2, S. Webster +1, R. Olsen +1, A. Worthy square. Putting: 1st Les Guilfoyle, 7th R. Spokes, 10th J. Stein, 13th S. Osboldstone. NAGA: K. Pope on countback G. Wilson and K. Axford. Notices: Bus trip Sunday August 28: singles KOs. AGM: September 21. AGM: September 21.

TIDES Here is an easy guide to tides in your area. To determine tides for a particular area, add or subtract periods of times as shown below. Earlier Minutes Apollo Bay ...........................25 King Island (Grassy) ...........10 King Island (Surprise Bay)....40 King Island (Franklin) ...........40 Lakes Entrance .................... 170 Lorne ...................................... 20 Mallacoota Inlet.................... 158 Rip Bank ................................ 15 Snowy River Entrance ......... 170 _______________________ Cape Schanck, Flinders, Mornington Ocean Beaches, Seal Rocks, Venus Bay, Waratah Bay, Woolamai ....... nil _________________________ Later Minutes Altona ................................... 195 Barwon Heads Bridge ........... 15 Carrum ................................. 195 Corinella ................................. 68 Cowes Pier............................. 50 Dromana .............................. 195 Frankston ............................. 195 Geelong ............................... 210 Hastings ................................. 66 Hovell Pile ............................ 195 Inverloch Pier ......................... 15 Melbourne ............................ 200 Mornington ........................... 195 Newhaven Jetty ..................... 30 No. 1 West Channel (Annulus)........................... 50 No. 2 South Channel Light .... 70 No. 8 South Channel Light .. 150 Port Albert Pier ...................... 90 Portarlington Pier ................. 190 Portsea Pier ........................... 80 Port Welshpool (Rabbit Island .................... 10 Queenscliffe Pier ................... 30 Rhyll ....................................... 60 Rosebud............................... 195 Rye Pier ............................... 170 St. Leonards Pier ................. 190 Sandringham ....................... 195 Sorrento Pier........................ 130 Stony Point ............................. 40 South Channel Pile Light ..... 190 Swan Island Dock ................ 120 Tooradin ............................... 105 Warneet.................................. 84 Williamstown ........................ 200 Welshpool Pier....................... 90

At Port Phillip Heads

AUGUST Time

24 WED

25 THUR

26 FRI

27 SAT

28 SUN

29 MON

30 TUE

height (metres)

0637 1158 1814

1.35 0.74 1.35

0021 0731 1239 1900

0.39 1.31 0.80 1.30

0105 0834 1330 1958

0.41 1.29 0.85 1.25

0200 0942 1437 2111

0.44 1.30 0.86 1.24

0308 1046 1554 2232

0.45 1.34 0.81 1.27

0422 1145 1709 2347

0.44 1.40 0.70 1.36

0531 1236 1811

0.42 1.48 0.55

All times shown in 24 hour clock 0001 - 1200..................AM 1201 - 2400..................PM

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 51

Marg Barter gets life membership THE Leongatha Tennis Club held its annual general meeting on Monday, August 15 at the Leongatha RSL. The highlight of the evening was the awarding of a well-deserved life membership to Marg Barter, for many years of outstanding service to the Leongatha Tennis Club, both on the court and as a long-serving secretary of the club Marg was truly surprised and deeply honoured to receive such a

prestigious award and joins a select group of eight other past members as life membership recipients. On another pleasing note, all ofﬁce bearers’ positions were ﬁlled on the night, and the coming season ahead appears full of promise. The following people have again put their hands up to do the hard work to keep the club functioning, and the Leongatha Tennis Club is greatly appreciative to have such a strong committee. President Frank Dekker, vice president Glen

Kleeven, secretary Michelle Krohn, treasurer Rhonda Newton, assistant treasurer Sue Hemming, membership treasurer Marg Barter, wet weather contact Lyn Tuckett, night tennis co-ordinator Greg Marshman, junior co-ordinator Michelle Krohn, ball monitor Rhonda Newton, recreation reserve committee representative J.T. Newton. Competitions will recommence in October, so keen players are encouraged to come down to the club and get involved.

• UNDER 10

Parrots into grand final LEONGATHA Under 10s ventured to Newborough on Sunday to take on Trafalgar in the preliminary ﬁnal. Both teams got off to a good start with an even struggle to gain possession of the ball. Mitch Bentvelzen kicked a point for the quarter, while Trafalgar didn’t score. The intensity in the second term was the same, with both teams hungry for the ball. A brilliant save on the last line of defence stopped a certain Trafalgar goal, and the score at half time was one point apiece. Jack Hume, Mitch Bentvelzen and Jacob Lamers kept the momentum going and got the ball to their forward line in the third quarter, where little goal sneak Jay Lindsay kicked the Parrots’ one and only goal. In the fourth quarter

That’s life: Marg Barter receives her Leongatha Tennis Club life membership award from club president Frank Dekker.

Meeniyan bowls

Wrapped up: Mitch Bentvelzen puts pressure on his Trafalgar opponent. Jacob Lamers kicked a point and due to an unfortunate 15 metre penalty in the last, they kicked a goal. But to the boys credit they got on with the game,

led by Jordan Brown who kicked to see the game out, victors by one point. Leongatha 1.2.8 d Trafalgar 1.1.7 Leongatha best: Jordan

Brown, Mitch Bentvelzen, Jack Hume, Jacob Lamers, Rhys Lindsay and Tim Boler. Goal: Rhys Lindsay.

• LEONGATHA BADMINTON

Finals to start

THE finals teams have been decided after the final round of Leongatha badminton, with expectations high for an exciting semi final night.

Phuket finished the season on a high note, recording a resounding victory over an undermanned Mauritius team. Matthew Oomman had a great night on the court and he was well supported by Ryan Jeremiah and Chris Holt. Mauritius had young Ben Richards filling in for his first A Grade match and he showed plenty of promise for the future. Unfortunately he copped a firmly hit shuttlecock right behind the ear from his playing partner, Josh Almond and boy that would have hurt. Bali put Fiji out of their misery after an arduous season. To Fiji’s credit, they were very

competitive all night, winning one set and coming very close in a few others. Steve Turner and Roger Callister have both battled valiantly for Fiji during the season. Bali is the form team at present and appears set to strongly challenge for the premiership. The dominant Hawaii side finished off the home and away season with another comprehensive win over Maldives, who have lost their mid season form. Tim Bright has had a marvellous year for Hawaii, along with Jason and Rhonda Newton. Hawaii will be hard to stop come grand final night. For Maldives, Jason Comrie was ‘back in town’ and he clearly had the better of Maurice Simpson on the night. B Grade badminton is also on the verge of finals’ action. Venus had a nice tune-up against Jupiter. Paul Plunket on fire for Venus, while the everconsistent Kathy Smith picked up two sets for Jupiter.

Saturn has claimed fourth position on the ladder and appears to be timing their run for finals’ glory well. Glen O’Neill has really turned the corner with his game and Tiffany Yap has produced an excellent season of badminton, again winning her three sets. For Mars, Guilia Joyce and Morgan Clark had some good results. Finally, Pluto continued on their winning way, accounting for lowly-positioned Neptune. Glen Gardiner played well for Neptune and shows plenty of potential for next season. Pluto looks poised to take out the B Grade premiership, with Mat Howard and Melanie Plunkett both in good touch at present. For those players who missed out on finals’ action, you are required to still come along to badminton and fulfil your umpiring duties. Good luck to all teams in the finals.

Our much anticipated presentation dinner is on Friday, September 9 at Woorayl Golf Club and a great night is assured, so see Rhonda or Tracey for tickets. Results A Grade: Phuket 5/126 d Mauritius 1/78, Bali 5/126 d Fiji 1/87, Hawaii 4/114 d Maldives 2/90. B Grade: Venus 4/109 d Jupiter 2/95, Saturn 4/114 d Mars 2/83, Pluto 5/124 d Neptune 1/82.

Bruce Harmer and Case de Bondt share top place so far as leading players. B Grade: This will be an exciting season, with a number of new players making waves. Heitor Hilberto, Donald Milnes and Sam Chetland are the only unbeaten players to date.

Agent Awesome ............ 4 General Lee ................... 4 Red Acers ...................... 4 Small & Tall .................. 0 Spinners......................... 0 The Ninjas ..................... 0

Ladders A Grade Hawaii ......................................... 82 Bali .............................................. 62 Maldives ..................................... 56 Mauritius.................................... 55 Phuket .......................................... 51 Fiji ................................................ 29 B Grade Pluto ............................................ 77 Jupiter......................................... 68 Venus ........................................... 65 Saturn ......................................... 58 Mercury ....................................... 51 Mars ............................................. 50 Neptune ....................................... 23

• WONTHAGGI TABLE TENNIS

Singles title to Will A RESERVE leading player, Will Joplin won the Open Singles event in last week’s tournament. He defeated Dean Snelling in a thrilling ﬁnal 11-8, 11-7, 11-9. The Singles Handicap event was won by Dean 3120 against Ashley Chetland. The ﬁnal of the Jumbo Ball Handicap went to Will in a hotly contested novelty event that requires real skill to handle the oversize table

tennis ball. Twelve-year-old Caitlyn Taylor did well as runner-up, with a score of 29 to 31. The A Reserve semi finals will be played this week and the final next Monday. The new season commences immediately after (Monday, September 5), so players must register their intention to play no later than Saturday, August 27. A Grade: The first round of the new season has ended after some very close results each week. New and Ancient (Bruce Harmer, Will Joplin) have a clear four point lead, but anything could happen in future weeks.

Ladders A Grade New and Ancient ..... 12 13 Gurus.......................... 8 10 Inverloch .................... 8 10 Improvers................... 8 10 Double A’s ................... 4 8 B Grade Pandas .......................... 8 8 As If .............................. 8 6 Heitor/Noah ................. 8 6 Butterﬂy ....................... 4 5

(61) (59) (52) (48) (45) (16) (13) (13) (12)

5 5 5 4 4 4

(12) (11) (10) (10) (8) (8)

Leading players A Grade Case de Bondt ................... 7 Bruce Harmer .................... 7 Justin Licis ........................ 6 Michael Ede ...................... 6

(29) (29) (28) (26)

B Grade Sam Chetland ...................... 4 Heitor Hilberto .................... 4 Donald Milnes..................... 4 Sean Michael....................... 3 Micah Condron ................... 3 Zac Anstey .......................... 3 Luke Anstey ........................ 3

(8) (8) (8) (7) (6) (6) (6)

Monday August 8 THE triples hardly got underway when the rain began and play was abandoned and the cards were fanned. Monday August 15 was overcast with rain falling late in the day. Eight ends were completed in the third game. Winners were Port Welshpool’s Anne Collins, Latna McLaine and Jim Nicholson. Runners-up were the composite team of Kevin Queale, Peter Williams and Mike Arnold. Thank you to our usual sponsors MACS (Meeniyan Area Community Shop) and Prom Country First National real estate.

Buffalo indoor bowls ON Wednesday August 17, 11 players on a cold night to bowl saw four teams, three of three and one of two. We played three games of eight ends with six bowls. We welcomed Lynne and Geoff McCord, also Connie Occhipinti. In fourth (LLL), skipper Ian Benson and Connie Occhipinti; third (WLL), skipper Toni Heldens, Mary Tumino and Bill Wolswinkle; second (LWW), skipper Charlie Tumino, Peter Heldens and Lynne McCord; ﬁrst (WWW), skipper Andrew Hanks, Carolyn Benson and Geoff McCord. The best ﬁrst game Andrew 11-6, second Andrew 11-2, third Andrew 11-0. In the third game Toni did not score a point. We hope to see you all next Wednesday at 7.30pm.

Social bias bowls THE RESULTS of the social bias bowls played at Outtrim on Monday August 15. First place: Arc, Mary and Josie with two wins, one lost plus nine shots.

There are now three Mondays of triples remaining, with September 5 being the final day. There has been no Wednesday social bowls for the past two weeks due to the weather. During the quieter time major works at the club have included the renovation of the office and the raising of the floor in the machinery shed. A big thank you goes out to the members who have undertaken this work. As mentioned previously the opening of our summer season is on Friday September 2 with the usual casserole tea. Saturday September 3 social bowls will begin

at 1pm. Our annual practice match is away to Mirboo North on Saturday September 10. Tuesday pennant begins on September 27 with two teams entered. Saturday pennant begins on September 24 for Division Five, with the other two teams commencing on October 8. June Butterworth, a former member of our club, passed away recently. June was a member for 26 years, played in winning pennant teams, served on the ladies committee and was their president for two years. Our sympathies are extended to her family.

Mardan THIS week saw another great turnout for our weekly social game. It also saw the start of our 75-up competition. There were 18 of our regular club members who turned out, which allowed us to play our normal three games of eight ends. In the 75-up competition there were two games played between Andy Plowman and Kristy Rutjens and Lorna Roberts played Ian Hasty. This was both Ian and Kirty’s ﬁrst time in the competition and both players played very well. Unfortunately there can only be one winner in each game and Andy won his game against Kristy, but he didn’t have it all his own way with Kristy scoring in most if not all ends. As I reported last week her game is coming along well and this shows that she will be a formidable opponent in the coming years. In the second game, which was also a well balanced contest, Ian Hasty won his game against Lorna.

Ian has shown that he will also be one to treat with respect when he plays his next game in the competition. Well done to all those who played for an entertaining ﬁrst round. In the social bowls there were some close games and some not so close, but as we know it is always the biggest score that wins the night and in this case the team that won had only one point the difference in each of their games, which were all low scoring. However overall there were three teams who had two wins and a loss, with only a difference of two ends separating all three teams. The results were: runners-up: two wins and 13 ends - Lorna Roberts, NickRutjens and Andy Plowman (skip sporting his new haircut). Winners: two wins and 14 ends - Bev Greenwood, Ian Hasty and Tony Allen-Clay (skip). Next week sees the return of Cadel Bristow as our intrepid reporter, who returns to show off his sun kissed brow.

Second: Charlie, Ross and Margo with two wins, one lost, even shots. Third: Joe, George and Lynn with one win, one draw and one lost plus seven shots. Fourth: Joyce, Connie and Michael with one win,

one draw and one lost minus two shots. Fifth: Andy, Ashley and Sally with one win, two lost minus one shot. Last: Joanna and Geoff with one win, two lost, -14 shots.

PAGE 52 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Knights raise $2000 for new rooms LEONGATHA Knights Soccer club raised more than $2000 to go towards new clubrooms. There were lots of games from the ﬁttest male (pushups) to limbo dancing. There were also lots

of bids on the silent auctions for sporting memorabilia and bottles plus a $1000 voucher to Crown Casino. There were plenty of laughs from the 90 people attending a very successful event.

• SENIOR SOCCER

Dragons win through to final DROUIN Dragons have secured their spot in the 2011 South Gippsland League season final with a 5-3 victory over Mirboo North in their semifinal encounter. Caleb Hotchkin opened up Drouin’s account early, with a goal in the ninth minute. He followed it up with a second goal eight minutes later, which saw the Dragons take early control of the match. Mirboo North scored their first to bring the margin back to one, but Daniel Burski added Drouin’s third goal in the 35th minute to maintain a two goal buffer. Mirboo North hit back hard after the break and scored the first goal of the second half to reduce the lead, but the Dragons hit back quickly through Daniel Brown to keep ahead of their opponents. As the match

Dance time: enjoying j i a swing i dance d were Hamish ih and Mandy McQuarrie.

Top right Well run: organisers of the event were Susan Jacobs and Tenneale Grayden, with club president Lee Kirkus.

Right How low can you go: Fiona Van Puyenbroek does the limbo watched by Deb Wightman.

progressed, Drouin began to control the tempo and assert themselves in the contest, scoring their ﬁfth late in the game. Mirboo North desperately tried to claw back their lead and managed a third goal of their own, but ran out of time in the end. Next week sees Phillip Island against Wonthaggi United to decide who will play Drouin in the season ﬁnale.

Soccer results Semi finals at Leongatha Sunday August 21 Senior men: Drouin 5 d Mirboo North 3. Women: Phillip Island 4 d Mirboo North 1. Under 19: Phillip Island 3 d Korumburra 1. Under 15: Phillip Island 5 d Wonthaggi 3. Under 13: Drouin Dragons 7 d Phillip Island 3.

• LEONGATHA CYCLING

David Bennett breaks through CLUB racing on Saturday was held from Tarwin Lower out to Walkerville North and return - around 45km. This was slightly further than past rides as the race

was extended from the top of the hill near the Cape Liptrap turnoff further east to the housing at Walkerville. The consequence of the extension meant the riders had to climb back up to the Liptrap turn before the run back to Tarwin Lower.

Winners group: from left, Steve Allen second, David Bennett ﬁrst, Morgan Barnes third and junior event winner Alex Bennett.

The riders faced a steady easterly wind but fine conditions and the 10 starters saw three riders on scratch chasing just three minutes to a six rider bunch, whilst on limit by himself was David Bennett. David was hoping to use the handicap to make it to the turn and then back up the climb before being caught. He need not have worried as the handicapper was spoton with the mark, as David finished just five seconds or 80 metres in front of a fast finishing quartet. Perhaps he was fortunate in that Ronald Purtle rode out to check where the riders were and managed to warn David that the riders were about 500 metres behind. His urging saw David find a little more and hang on for his first win. The chasing quartet was Phil Hanley, Greg Bill, Steve Allen and Morgan Barnes. The climbs at the turn had split up the six rider bunch however, the wise heads said

Action: Morgan Barnes leads from Steve Allen, Phil Hanley and Greg Bill after the turn around at Walkerville.

“let’s wait and get the bunch together instead of trying to do it by yourself”. This proved a sage move and this bunch powered home. The dash to the line saw Steve Allen claim second spot by a half wheel to Morgan Barnes followed by Greg and Phil. In contrast the scratch trio lost their rhythm on the return run and were still one minute 16 seconds behind. Kevin Feely led the bunch in for sixth and fastest. Next was Gary Campbell followed by Clem Fries and Tony Clark. In the Junior race - The Watchorn trophy race, over 16 km, Alex Bennett was also the limit rider and he had the benefit of tutelage from Ronald Purtle all the way. The advice was obviously great, as Alex went like a rocket to claim an easy win. This made it a double for the Bennett family. Next home was scratch rider Thomas McFarlane for second and fastest time, whilst in a close battle for the third place, Matt Minogue proved too strong for Hamish Bissett. It looks like Ronald may have found his calling, getting two winners from two races. Next week racing is at Outtrim but again there is a twist to the ride. Instead of finishing back past the Reserve, riders will make the left turn and head two kilometres up Mt Misery to finish at Riley’s Rd. Club members said they wanted a mountain top finish like the Tour de France, so next Saturday promises to be interesting. Matt, Hamish and Alex are all in training for the Great Victorian Bike Ride in November. Some parents have been lined up to go with the trio so they are all out putting in some good training rides of a weekend in preparation for the longer 100km rides they will encounter on the ride in November.

Cheers: Mirboo North Pony Club president Matthew Snell receives a certiﬁcate of recognition from GippSport program co-ordinator Gene Parini.

Mirboo North Pony Club recognised GIPPSPORT would like to congratulate the Mirboo North Pony Club on becoming an active participant in the GippSports’ Welcoming and Inclusive Club program. According to Gene Parini, GippSport program co-ordinator for South Gippsland, the enthusiasm and dedication of the club’s members to actively include all sectors of their community is fantastic. “The club is quite eager to continually improve in this area, setting specific areas where they feel they can make a real difference in their local community” said Gene. The Welcoming and Inclusive Clubs program has been developed to provide grass roots sporting clubs with a useful tool to promote their club to the whole community. It will encourage clubs to become more aware of the barriers that prevent people from joining sporting clubs and

to take concrete steps towards improving access for all people. Clubs are encouraged to understand their local community and to apply this knowledge throughout this program. The program will assist clubs to highlight good practices already taking place and identify areas for improvement in their endeavour to create a more welcoming and inclusive club. Potential beneﬁts for clubs may include increased membership, an increase in volunteers, greater funding opportunities, greater diversity, and increased enthusiasm from both members and the broader community. “The two areas we would like to focus on is improvement in communication to club members and providing members of the broader community with a disability access to the pony club through a formal program,” club president Matthew Snell said. “A facebook page is on its way and we hope to get an informative website up and running shortly.”

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 53

Sworn enemies, great mates TOWN Black’s ace goal keeper Sue Fleming and Mount Eccles’ goal shooting sensation Melinda Price have a relationship that is built on contradictions. The B Grade players are the ﬁercest of rivals on the court and nothing gets in the way of the ball. Both women pride themselves on getting to the contest ﬁrst. But like many great sporting rivals, there is a shared mutual respect. And sometimes - though it may only be for the sake of the cameras - it’s time for a cuddle.

Gippsland netball results Round 17

A Grade: Warragul 29 lt Maffra 88; Bairnsdale 52 d Wonthaggi 38; Sale 26 lt Moe 40; Leongatha 43 lt Drouin 49; Morwell 30 lt Traralgon 45. B Grade: Warragul 10 lt Maffra 42; Bairnsdale 53 d Wonthaggi 22; Sale 55 d Moe 24; Leongatha 50 lt Drouin 62; Morwell 37 lt Traralgon 51. C Grade: Warragul 31 d Maffra 30; Bairnsdale 36 d Wonthaggi 35; Sale 38 d Moe 27; Leongatha 37 d Drouin 35; Morwell 25 lt Traralgon 46. 17 & Under: Warragul 3 lt Maffra 68; Bairnsdale 20 lt Wonthaggi 48; Sale 53 d Moe 21; Leongatha 54 d Drouin 22; Morwell 17 lt Traralgon 37. 15 & Under: Warragul 9 lt Maffra 52; Bairnsdale 54 d Wonthaggi 22; Sale 60 d Moe 4; Leongatha 21 d Drouin 19; Morwell 4 lt Traralgon 53.

13 & Under: Warragul 31 d Maffra 16; Bairnsdale 15 lt Wonthaggi 31; Sale 50 d Moe 1; Leongatha 24 lt Drouin 28; Morwell 8 lt Traralgon 34.

Ladders A Grade Traralgon .....................148.0 Bairnsdale ...................141.4 Drouin ..........................133.3 Maffra ..........................131.8 Morwell ........................125.4 Wonthaggi .................... 115.9 Leongatha......................127.2 Moe .................................54.9 Sale..................................53.7 Warragul ..........................45.5 B Grade Traralgon ....................195.5 Morwell ........................148.1 Leongatha ....................141.3 Drouin ..........................134.8 Sale ...............................125.3 Maffra............................102.7 Bairnsdale ..................... 110.2 Wonthaggi .......................59.5 Moe .................................39.9 Warragul ..........................37.9 C Grade Traralgon ..................... 211.9 Morwell ........................154.4 Bairnsdale .................... 113.4 Wonthaggi ....................127.1 Drouin ..........................100.9 Maffra............................ 116.7 Leongatha........................90.6 Sale..................................71.0

56 48 48 44 44 40 36 12 8 4 64 60 46 44 40 34 32 12 4 4 68 52 46 40 40 38 28 16

Warragul ..........................59.3 Moe .................................39.0 17 & Under Maffra .......................... 311.8 Sale ...............................188.5 Traralgon .....................196.8 Leongatha ....................181.1 Wonthaggi .....................88.7 Drouin .............................71.3 Morwell ...........................81.1 Bairnsdale .......................42.6 Moe .................................51.7 Warragul .......................... 24.6 15 & Under Traralgon .....................327.0 Sale ...............................360.6 Bairnsdale ....................233.4 Maffra ..........................121.6 Wonthaggi ....................109.1 Leongatha........................82.2 Drouin .............................86.1 Morwell ...........................35.1 Warragul ..........................26.1 Moe .................................29.6 13 & Under Traralgon .....................246.2 Sale ...............................363.7 Wonthaggi ....................181.9 Drouin .......................... 113.7 Leongatha ....................105.4 Bairnsdale .......................84.1 Maffra..............................65.0 Moe .................................46.6 Warragul ..........................41.5 Morwell ...........................29.5

• POWER NETBALL 12 0 64 60 56 48 32 28 28 4 8 4 68 64 48 42 40 28 26 12 8 4 64 60 60 38 36 30 20 16 12 4

Bad trip for Power netball A Grade

17 and Under

Wonthaggi 37 lost to Bairnsdale 52. HOLD your heads high girls. The score did not indicate how close the game really was. Unfortunately many things did not go our way. Let’s go out next week and show what we know. We are capable. Awards: (Caledonian Bistro) Courtney Blair, (Evans Petroleum) Alice Lindsay.

Wonthaggi 48 defeated Bairnsdale 20. Great team effort in fantastic conditions. Very pleased with the team work of both defence and attacking ends. Well done to you all on a ﬁne performance. The centre girls this week kept their work rates up for the whole game and the results showed on the scoreboard. We are hopefully looking at playing ﬁnals. So stay focused, train hard and you never know where you’ll end up. Go Power. Awards: (Vortex) Phoebe Finlay, (Evans Petroleum) Annie Forsyth, (Encouragement) Katie McCall.

B Grade Wonthaggi 22 lost to Bairnsdale 52. With only three regular players this week the saga continued. Well done to Sarah, Hannah and Claire the B graders and a big thankyou to Fi, Fish, Kate, Merryn, Courtney and Leanne. Let’s ﬁnish the season off with a high. All players, team managers and umpires are invited to attend the rooms after our last home game. Awards: (Caledonian Bistro) Claire Atherton, (Evans Petroleum) Courtney Brann.

C Grade Wonthaggi 35 lost to Bairnsdale 36. A great team effort. Unfortunately it wasn’t quite enough to get over the line. Need to pick up the anti and look forward to hopefully making ﬁnals. Awards: (Revive) Kate Brosnan, (Evans Petroleum) Fiona Cengia.

LDNA finals

• PARROTS NETBALL A Grade: Drouin 49 d Leongatha 43. Awards: Kathy Reid (Body First Fitness), Laura Higgins (LC Excessorise) and Nicola Marriott (Paradise Pizza). Auction player: Kathy Reid. Good effort girls, you really fought to the end. There were just a few minor mistakes towards the end which turned the game around. Some great teamwork, just have to make good use of our turnovers which were plenty. Overall great job, shame to go down by six in the end. B Grade: Drouin 62 d Leongatha 50. Awards: Melanie Hughes (LC Excessorise) and Tegan Kelly (SportsFirst). Auction player: Kate McCarthy. Drouin took it up to Leongatha in what was to be a great preview to the ﬁnals series. Unfortunately we sustained a couple of injuries which affected our on court performance and we dropped our heads.

This week we regroup and come back with guns firing for Moe. C Grade: Leongatha 37 d Drouin 35. Awards: Sandi LeaskGrylls (Paradise Pizza) and Kate McCracken (Influence Clothing). Auction player: Kate McCracken. The girls started the game really well with positive signs from the beginning. They faced a tough, competitive Drouin side but worked really hard together to come away with the win. Well done girls. Under 17: Leongatha 54 d Drouin 22. Awards: Nicola Marriott (Evans Petroleum) and Rachel O’Loughlin (LC Excessorise). Great game girls. It was a fantastic display of exceptional skill and talent against an undermanned Drouin side. Great teamwork. Looking forward to seeing you all play in finals. Under 15: Leongatha 21 d Drouin 19 Awards: Jessica Clark

Saturday August 27

Got it: Leongatha’s Megan Lester takes control of the ball in her side’s loss to Drouin on Saturday. (LC Excessorise) and Sarah McCahon (Paradise Pizza). Great win girls. You fought hard all game, winning by two goals in the end. Good luck for next week, a win to ﬁnish the season would be great. Under 13: Drouin 28

d Leongatha 24. Awards: Georgia Riseley (Seraﬁno’s Pizza) and Sara Riseley (LC Excessorise). The girls had a tough start and a tough ending. They kept working but lost in the end. Great game, bad luck.

11am: 13/Under Town Green v St Laurence Burgundy, Court 5 Town Black v St Laurence Gold, Court 3 12noon: 15/Under South Gippsland v Town Green, Court 5 Mt Eccles v Town Black, Court 3. 1pm: 17/Under C Grade: Mirboo North v St Laurence, Court 3. B Grade: Mt Eccles Navy v Town Tangerine, Court 4. A Grade: Mt Eccles Aqua v Mt Eccles White, Court 5. 2.15pm: 17/Under C Grade: Town v South Gippsland, Court 3. B Grade: Mt Eccles Aqua v Town Black, Court 4. A Grade: St Laurence v Town, Court 5.

15 and Under

Wonthaggi 22 lost to Bairnsdale 54. With the long trip we were very sluggish. We need to regroup and focus on the game ahead. A very tall, agile Bairnsdale team got the points this week. Let’s all attack and stay strong. Girls you can do it, let’s get our heads up and just do it! Awards: (Sports Power) Courtney Brann, (Evans Petroleum) Ashlenn Chambers.

13 and Under

Wonthaggi 31 defeated Bairnsdale 15. Started off a little slow. The second quarter saw us apply more pressure all down the court which created plenty of turnovers. Eva worked overtime in GA, Olivia played well in all three positions. One week before the hard work begins. Keep training well girls. Awards: (Evans Petroleum) Eva Lindsay, (McDonalds) Olivia Gilmour, (Encouragement) Jessica Tiziani.

PAGE 54 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Alberton netball elimination finals

A Grade Saturday: MDU 45 d Stony Creek 30 A strong first quarter always provides a confidence boost that can’t be matched in finals. MDU would have been floating on air after posting a 12 to two start with every touch seeming to turn to gold. Tayla Robb (MDU) provided a strong focal point for her team while up the other end Jo Le Page seemed to take intercept after intercept. Stony Creek overcame their slow start and some of their normal game appeared. Rebecca Browne (Stony Creek) ran hard in the centre and showed why she earned third position in the best and fairest count. Stony Creek actually won the second quarter but they could not make a dent in the lead already established. MDU continued to hold the Stony Creek girls at bay and ran out confident winners although Stony Creek would have been pleased to know the lead only increased by five in the next three quarters after that tough start. Sunday: Foster 54 d Fish Creek 18 When these two teams lined up on the court you could see the balance of experience weighed heavily on the Foster side. The young Fishy girls experienced a netball lesson at the hands of a respected side. Therese Dalmau (Foster) and Nic McKenzie (Foster) seemed to have the ball on a string as they passed quickly to one another in the circle. Hannah Bassett (Foster) rebounded well to move the ball back into attack. The whole team ran like a well oiled machine. Fish Creek should be

proud of their young side and the future looks bright for this club. At no stage did they stop giving their all. B Grade Saturday: Inverloch-Kongwak 50 d MDU 36 From the first pass Kate Turner (Inverloch-Kongwak) shot confidently and provided the finish for most attacking moves. MDU almost matched this in their attack but Inverloch-Kongwak rebounded to capitalise on these rare misses. The margin was three at the first break but opened to seven by half time. Sindy Boyd (InverlochKongwak) and Andrea Thorson (MDU) used their experience to guide their respective teams through the centre court and steady the passes into attack. Jenny Scott (InverlochKongwak) applied densive pressure in the last line and rebounded strongly. Inverloch-Kongwak took the game away in the third quarter, although MDU made changes and kept pushing to the last whistle. Sunday: Korumburra-Bena 37 d Phillip Island 30 This was an exciting game from the first whistle. There were plenty of intercepts and every pass had hands over. The mid court was congested and passes had to be valued and steady to get through to the goal third. Although Korumburra-Bena held a slight lead at the first break Phillip Island levelled the scores quickly and a tight battle ensued. Every small mistake was costly and there was a race for any loose ball. Tara Gregory (Phillip Island) and Rebecca Muir (Korumburra-Bena) were having a great competition with good shots and den-

Second elimination ﬁnal: Alanna Besley from Korumburra-Bena stretches to get two hands on the ball against Phillip Island last Sunday.

sive touches. Alanna Besley (Korumburra-Bena) moved well to maintain front position and keep the circle open. Scores were locked together at three quarter time and you could not predict a winner. Korumburra-Bena came out in last with newfound confidence and everything seemed to bounce their way. In the early stages Korumburra-Bena poured on 10 goals to one. C Grade Saturday: Dalyston 31 d Stony Creek 29 This was the closest game of the day and kept the spectators spellbound to the last and had the executive reaching for the by-laws to check what happened in case of a draw. The first half was a game of two halves. Stony Creek came out of the blocks firing, the goalers shared the shooting while the denders capitalised on any loose pass. Dalyston then turned the tables and established their own game. They managed to close the gap and scores were level at half time. The second half was very closely fought with pressure on every pass and small errors proving costly. In the last quarter Dalyston moved Rebecca Pupetti into goal shooter and that was the slight edge they needed to get them over the line. Sunday: MDU 40 d Fish Creek 20 MDU started well, showing confidence and organisation. Their focus was GS Natalie Rayson and she finished off well. Fish Creek settled and started to use the ball carefully and capitalised more effectively. However the gap had widened to seven by halftime but still in touch. MDU came out in the third to put the result beyond doubt. Kate Harris (MDU) moved into centre and continued to show good touch through the middle. MDU were first to the loose ball and maintained pressure for four quarters. The margin was convincing by the final whistle. 17 And Under Saturday: Dalyston 32 d Phillip Island 20 Phillip Island started confidently. They scored the first few goals quickly, rebounded strongly and drove the ball into attack repeatedly to gain an early lead led by Cara Humbert (Phillip Island). Dalyston gradually settled to start getting better scoring opportunities. Molly Bloch (Dalyston) opened up space in the circle and her team provided her with plenty of chances.

Dalyston managed to steal back a narrow lead at the long break. Thoughtful passes and intercepts saw Dalyston still in command in the third but it was a fast game with all players trying to impress. The gap was seven at the last break and widened still further in the last. Sunday: Fish Creek 45 d Inverloch-Kongwak 15 After an even start Fish Creek seemed to establish their own game and jumped away to a good lead late in the first. Kara Wogan-Browne (Fish Creek) was taking some great grabs in dence and providing the height they needed under the ring. Hannah Flanders (Fish Creek) created space in her attack end and shot well. Elizabeth Mulqueeny (Inverloch-Kongwak) worked hard to lift her team and provide drive into the circle. The score did not really indicate the tough competition on court. There seemed to be many stumbles and clashes as players competed for the ball. Fish Creek continued to play organised, strong netball to win very comfortably. 15 And Under Saturday: KorumburraBena 22 d Foster 15 The first quarter was tight. Neither team could establish a rhythm and many passes went astray with some pressure shots. Both teams made changes to their original line ups and the momentum started to swing in favour of Korumburra-Bena. Tayla Smith (Korumburra-Bena) rebounded well and provided densive pressure in the circle for four quarters. Brooke Fraser (Korumburra-Bena) finished off many attacking moves while Kelsey Angwin (Foster) and Jacquie Snooks (KorumburraBena) were competing hard against one another, neither giving an inch. By three quarter time Korumburra-Bena had snuck out to a seven goal lead. Foster never gave up and fought out the last but they were unable to bridge the gap. Sunday: Inverloch-Kongwak 28 d DWWWW 24 The spectators must have wondered what age group this game actually was. There was a court full of very tall netballers displaying some great skills. InverlochKongwak came out firing, chasing down every ball and pressuring many passes. A feature of this game was the number of forced errors by both teams. Goals were hard to come by and rebounding was important to put teams back into attack. At the long break Inverloch-Kongwak held a lead of six and their confidence was

It’s mine: MDU’s Tayla Robb gets in front to get to the ball ahead of Stony Creek’s Jess Gordon. Photo courtesy Gerard Bruning@ www.fourcornersframing.biz up. Kelsy Buxton (InverlochKongwak) was making some great intercepts in dence. The third placed Allies needed to lift to halt the momentum of Inverloch-Kongwak. The second half saw Allies improve their position, making double leads and patiently working the ball to their advantage. They came within four in the third quarter but Inverloch-Kongwak met the challenge. In the last Mollie Rose (Allies) began to find her mark but time ran out for her team with a four goal dicit at the final whistle. 13 and Under Saturday: Fish Creek 25 d Phillip Island 15 Fish Creek started the better of the two young sides. They seemed to have a lot of the ball, handling it confidently and pressuring each pass. Phillip Island had trouble getting the ball into their attack end. Both ends were finding it difficult to shoot so rebounds were important. Chelsea McGannon (Fish Creek) worked hard in goals and got some great densive touches. Phillip Island started to

play their own game in the second and third quarter, passing more patiently, working the ball into the circle. Fish Creek had established a seven goal lead at the final break. Tahlia Wood (Phillip Island) maintained densive pressure on wing dence but Fish Creek ran out confident winners. Sunday: Dalyston 30 d Foster 13 Dalyston started at a furious pace and left no doubt they were out there to get every advantage. Hannah McRae (Dalyston) intercepted many passes and put her team into attack often. Dalyston seemed to pounce upon every loose ball and set up a full court pressure on a Foster throw in. Foster had to adjust to the extra pressure and the quick transition through the mid court. By half time the gap was eight. Sharni Cripps (Foster) tried to find space in her attack end and Will Chester (Foster) worked hard in the centre. Elicia Garnham (Dalyston) provided some great passes into the Dalyston circle. Overall Dalyston maintained a

strong, conﬁdent performance throughout the second half.

Semi ﬁnal draws August 27 at Korumburra 9.25am: 13 and UnderYarram v Korumburra-Bena. 10.15am: 15 and UnderStony Creek v Fish Creek. 11.05am: 17 and UnderYarram v Korumburra-Bena. 12.05pm: C Grade: Foster v Korumburra-Bena. 1.05pm: B Grade: Foster v Dalyston. 2.15pm: A Grade: Korumburra-Bena v Dalyston.

August 28 at Foster

9.25am: 13 and UnderFish Creek v Dalyston. 10.15am: 15 and UnderKorumburra-Bena v Inverloch-Kongwak. 11.05am: 17 and UnderDalyston v Fish Creek. 12.05pm: C Grade: Dalyston v MDU. 1.05pm: B Grade: Inverloch-Kongwak v KorumburraBena. 2.15pm: A Grade: MDU v Foster.

Where to next: Tavia Field concentrates on her pass in the Allies’ narrow defeat against Inverloch-Kongwak on the weekend.

Big weekend of motocross ROUND 7 off the th Shell Sh ll AdAd vanced Gippsland Motocross championships will be on this weekend at the Outtrim motocross track. Members from the Korumburra Motorcycle Club guarantee that spectators will view the strongest competition around, with 400 competitors to be involved over both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday the Juniors will be taking on the course, and on Sunday the Seniors will be hitting the track. The Gippsland series is noted for its strength, and is a key feeder into Off and racing: racers take off in last year’s Gippsland the Victorian championships. The facilities and track have also motocross championships at Outtrim.

attracted tt t d a llott off positive iti attention. tt ti “The Outtrim track is one of the best in the series, everyone’s been raving about it,” Korumburra Motorcycle Club president Darrin Taylor said. “A lot of money has gone into the facilities and the track and membership is at an all time high because of it.” Clerk of the course Dave Briffa has been working hard on the course, and is also happy with its state. “So many people around the club have been putting in a lot of time and effort,” he said. “It’s really showing as well, which is great.” Entry into the event is free for everyone, and there will be a canteen on site both days.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 55

Hillberg’s triple treat KORUMBURRA-Bena’s Christie Hillberg has taken out her third consecutive Alberton Netball Association A Grade best and fairest award.

Sisters are doing it for themselves: Under 17s winner Kimberly Hillberg from Korumburra-Bena had an impressive season, also ﬁnishing runner-up in the A Grade Best and Fairest, which was won by her older sister Christie Hillberg, also from Korumburra-Bena.

Back-to-back: Brittney McKenzie from Foster, who won the Under 17s accolade last year took out Best and Fairest winner for B Grade.

Under 17s: Tied Best and Fairest runner-up Teagan Stahl from Inverlock-Kongwak, and winner Kimberly Hillberg from Korumburra-Bena.

Leongatha & District netball Results SaturdayAugust 20

11/Under: Mirboo North Purple 21 d St Laurence Blue 8; South Gippsland 21 d Mirboo North Gold 10; Town Black 12 d St Laurence Gold 5; Mt Eccles Aqua 7 d Mt Eccles White 3; Mt Eccles Navy 17 d Mt Eccles Pink 5; Town Tangerine 15 d Town Green. 1. 13/Under: Mirbo North 15 d South Gippsland 11; St Laurence Gold 24 d Town Tangerine 11; St Laurence Burgundy 26 d Mt Eccles Pink 16; Mt Eccles Aqua 23 d Mt Eccles Purple 11; Town Black 21 d Town Green 11. 15/Under: Town Tangerine 37 d Mirboo North

4; South Gippsland 39 d Mt Eccles 14; Town Green 20 d Town Black 12. 17/Under / C Grade: Town 74 d Mirboo North 18; South Gippsland 56 d St Laurence 12. B Grade: Town Tangerine 27 d Mt Eccles White 25; St Laurence 35 d Mt Eccles Pink 23; Mt Eccles Aqua 52 d Town Black 40. A Grade: St Laurence 52 d Mt Eccles White 22; Town 61 d Mt Eccles Aqua 40.

Ladders 13/Under Town Green................142.77 25 St Laurence Burg ......166.48 24 Town Black ................145.91 21 St Laurence Gold ........131.69 17 Mt Eccles Pink ...........107.08 14 Mt Eccles Aqua ............. 96.62 11 Mirboo North ................54.74 10 Mt Eccles Purple ...........75.00 9

Ready to go: Mount Eccles centre Camille Shaw looks toward the next contest in her team’s B Grade clash with Town Black.

Town Tangerine..............74.36 5 South Gippsland .............61.83 4 15/Under South Gippsland ........308.62 26 Town Green................233.33 24 Mt Eccles ................... 115.08 16 Town Black ...................74.77 12 Town Tangerine.............56.76 6 Mirboo North ................22.92 0 17/Under / C Grade Town ...........................235.96 26 South Gippsland ........151.65 18 Mirboo North ..............79.83 12 St Laurence ...................30.79 0 B Grade Mt Eccles Aqua .........149.28 24 Town Black ................134.73 24 Mt Eccles Navy ..........134.02 22 Town Tangerine.............85.27 14 Mt Eccles White ............83.02 12 St Laurence ...................75.40 8 Mt Eccles Pink ..............56.26 8 A Grade St Laurence ................137.20 22 Town ...........................124.51 20 Mt Eccles Aqua............90.84 10 Mt Eccles White ............63.40 4

Shooting star: Mount Eccles goal attack was on song in her team’s clash with Town Black.

Hillberg won the award with 23 votes and ironically enough her younger sister Kimberley (22 votes) polled in second. Christie’s phenomenal stay at the top includes a runners-up A Grade award in 2008 when she was just 16. Kimberley had earlier taken out the Under 17 award for the second year in a row. Kimberley won the Under 17 award comfortably, with 34 votes including nine best on ground perfor-

mances, six votes clear of Yarram’s Alex Rodaughan and Inverloch-Kongwak’s Tegan Stahl. The B Grade title was won by Foster’s Brittney McKenzie, who tied with Kimberley Hillberg for last seasons Under 17 best and fairest. She won with 23 votes, just two ahead of Korumburra-Bena player Kelly Gordon. C Grade was a close result, with Dalyston’s Emma Phillips polling 27 votes to beat Korumburra-Bena’s Bianca Maskell home by one. But the earliest vote counting of the night was the most exciting, with a fast ﬁnishing Olivia Cope taking out the title in the last game of the year. Stony Creek’s Cope

polled 23 of her 38 votes in the last nine weeks. She beat home Foster’s Kelsey Angwin by two votes. Angwin overtook her with a best on ground performance as they read out the Foster-Dalyston results, and sat just one vote clear. But the last match to be read out was Stony CreekMDU game, which saw Cope claim the three votes, and the best and fairest title.

Results A Grade Christie Hillberg, (Korumburra-Bena) - 23 votes. Kimberley Hillberg (Korumburra-Bena - 22 votes. Rebecca Browne, (Stony Creek) - 21 votes. B Grade Brittney McKenzie, (Foster) - 23 votes.

Kelly Gordon, (Korumburra-Bena) - 21 votes. Belinda Crawford (DWWWW) - 20 votes.

C Grade

Emma Phillips, (Dalyston) - 27 votes. Bianca Maskell, (KorBena) - 26 votes. Jodie Truman, Inverloch-Kongwak, (24) Under 17 Kimberley Hillberg, (Korumburra-Bena) - 34 votes. Alex Rodaughan, (Yarram) - 28 votes. Tegan Stahl - (InverlochKongwak)- 28 votes. Under 15 Olivia Cope (Stony Creek) - 38 votes. Kelsey Angwin (Foster) - 36 votes. Brittany Thomas (Dalyston) - 35 votes.

Team of the year: members of the A Grade team of the year were announced at the league vote count. The ﬁnal team included Angela Marotta (Dalyston) as goal keeper, Christie Hillberg (Korumburra-Bena) as goal defence, Alexandra Turner (MDU) as wing defence, Yvonne Angwin (Foster) as centre, Kate Sperling (MDU) as wing attack, Nicole McKenzie (Foster) as goal attack, Therese Dalmau (Foster) as goal shooter, Shelly Snooks (KorumburraBena), Jarney Thomas (Daylston), Jessica McRae (Dalyston), Tamara Luke (Inverloch-Kongwak) and Carla Jenkins (Foster) on the interchange, Cath Chester (Foster) as coach. Kerri Besley was also named as umpire of the year.

Under 15s: Best and Fairest winner Olivia Cope from Stony Creek polled three votes in the final round to win the trophy, finishing on 38 votes over runner-up Kelsey Angwin from Foster, who finished on 36.

Hopping into it: Mount Eccles 15U centre Tanya Derrick gets airborne during her team’s clash with South Gippsland at the Leongatha courts on Saturday.

PAGE 56 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Tigers go down in thriller By Rover A DESPERATELY determined Boolarra defeated Mirboo North by seven points in Mid Gippsland’s qualifying ﬁnal at Thorpdale Recreation Reserve last Saturday.

Looking for options: Tim Traill aims to ﬁnd a target with a handball. Photo courtesy Peter Richardson.

On the run: Mirboo North’s dashing speedster Shane Peters shows his Demons’ opponent a clean pair of heels.

Good dukes: Anthony Bence pulls down this grab. Photo courtesy Peter Richardson.

In doing so, the Demons broke a nine-year, 18-match losing streak against the Tigers, in front of an enthusiastic crowd paying a record $9481 at the gate. Boolarra’s win is a triumph for coach, Tony Giardina, who has worked diligently in rebuilding, restructuring and nurturing the Demons’ list, since his arrival at the club three years ago. Boolarra advances to this Saturday’s second semi-final against undefeated reigning back-toback premier, Trafalgar, at George Bates Reserve, Yallourn North. The Demons’ challenge is gigantic – only five times in 43 years and not since their 1997 premiership season, have they beaten the Bloods. However, Boolarra has twice pushed Trafalgar to five points this year, and many of their diehard fans believe the enthusiastic young Demons can cause an upset and book themselves a fairytale 2011 grand final appearance. Mirboo North now meets Newborough at TRUenergy Reserve, Newborough on Sunday in the cut-throat first semi-final. A blustery easterly seemed to give the Sherrin a mind of its own and confused many players with its mysterious drift in the air and unpredictable bounce when it hit the turf. Save for a poor second term, where it allowed a rampaging Mirboo North to boot six goals, Boolarra was clearly the better side on the day. The Demons ball handling was cleaner, its

tackling stronger, its inand-under contested work more purposeful and its decision-making processes more succinct than the Tigers’. Boolarra’s recent signing of former Morwell playing coach, Jason McFarlane, has been a masterstroke. The wily McFarlane’s razor-sharp footy brain, sturdy body work, sure hands and deadly kicking, saw him flick countless handballs to eager teammates streaming past him and also deliver many snappy passes further afield. Matt Dyer was another Demon to shine in the back line during the opening half and later through the midfield and across halfforward. Dyer’s incredible ball magnetism and consistently high possession count, plus his unbridled strength to burst through packs, hold his feet and break tackles, makes him a central point in Boolarra’s game plan. Boolarra’s full-forward, Ken Towt, also had a productive day, booting five match-winning goals, whilst team-mate, Scott Boddy, backed up a solid performance around the ground, with two valuable majors. Towt scored the goal of the day when he was hemmed in on the boundary line and brilliantly skidded the bouncing Sherrin past a number of Tigers’ outstretched fingers. At the other end of the oval, young Boolarra fullback, Jordan Cargill, wore Tim Traill like a glove and limited him to one goal. Mirboo North’s frequent fumbling, atrocious field kicking, spilled marks and unforced turnovers, did it no favours in a pressurepacked opening term. Lots of nervous energy was being expounded by both teams, but Boolarra settled better, scoring three unanswered goals before quarter-time. Through fast-break

footy, the Tigers began to take advantage of ruckman Don Webb’s dominance at the stoppages and Shane Peters’ classy clearance work around the packs, during the second quarter. Swift ball movement and direct play resulting in rapid-fire goals to Peters, Webb, Ben Stoops, Kris Berchtold, Brett Palmer and Berchtold again, had the Tigers on fire, as they took a nine-point lead into the long break. Mirboo North’s undisciplined questioning of umpiring decisions, led to Boolarra adding two of its five, third-quarter goals via 50-metre penalties. A further double 50-metre penalty against the Tigers for indiscretions in the final quarter, gave the Demons their 11th goal and a 12-point lead going into time-on. Frustrated footballers, no matter how polite, risk the trigger being pulled whenever they query umpires on anything. Anthony Bence with 10 marks in the back 50 and Liam Nash, defended sturdily for Mirboo North, but in the end, Boolarra’s forwards took the honours. Mirboo North dutifully battled on with Stoops, Daniel Taylor and Traill combining for Traill to bring up Mirboo North’s ninth goal of the afternoon. Thirds Mirboo North won an exciting elimination final against Trafalgar by four points at Ronald Reserve, Morwell East on Sunday. Chris Irwin presented well up forward and booted four magnificent goals for the mighty Tigers, who kept their noses in front of the Bloods at each change. Nik Gervasi, Ben Hopcraft and Mitchell Wightman were all in terrific form for Mirboo North which now meets Yarragon in first semi-final at Newborough this Saturday. Play of the day occurred after Wightman smothered a Trafalgar kick, then Hopcraft, and the blind-turning

Elimination final THIRDS Mirboo North 8.10.58 d Trafalgar 8.6.54. Mirboo North goals: C. Irwin 4, L. Joustra 1, S. Leach 1, L. Nash 1, J. Salinger 1. Best: N. Gervasi, B. Hopcraft, C. Irwin, M. Wightman, B. Joustra, J. Salinger. Trafalgar goals: D. Barker 2, R. Wagner 2, D. Malady 1, H. Malady 1, J. Atkin 1, H. Brock 1. Best: D. Wood, B. Faltum, B. Whelan, D. Malady, D. Farrell, R. Wagner. SENIORS Qualifying final Boolarra 11.7.73 d Mirboo North 9.12.66. Boolarra goals: K. Towt 5, S. Boddy 2, J. MacFarlane 1, M. Dyer 1, M. Cleaver 1, B. Appleby 1. Best: J. MacFarlane, M. Dyer, C. Sherriff, K. Towt, T. Leys, M. Cleaver. Mirboo North goals: K. Berchtold 3, D. Webb 1, T. Traill 1, S. Busuttil 1, S Peters 1, B. Palmer 1, B. Stoops 1. Best: A. Bence, D. Webb, L. Nash, S. Busuttil, S. Peters, N. Lye. FOURTHS Qualifying final Newborough 7.9.51 d Boolarra 3.5.23. Newborough goals: M. Hibbs 2, J. Brincat 1, M. Rosato 1, J. Smith 1, M. Stanlake 1, T. Wilson 1. Best: J. Keyhoe, M. Hibbs, M. Sporle, M. Hamilton, T. Wilson, M. Rosato. Boolarra goals: J.Giardina 2, L. Lewis 1. Best: L. Lewis, J. Anderson, D. Brick, N. Nikodemski, J. Giardina, C. Noy.

Other matches Elimination final SENIORS Newborough 11.8.74 d Yall Yall North 9.10.64. RESERVES Yinnar 10.12.72 d Trafalgar 6.4.40. FOURTHS Trafalgar 6.11.47 d Thorpdale 5.12.42. Qualifying final RESERVES Morwell East 9.2.56 d Hill End 5.8.38. THIRDS Yinnar 11.6.72 d Yaragon 4.5.29.

Gervasi combined to ﬁnd Liam Nash, who marked brilliantly and booted a goal. Close to full time and with the Tigers two points down, Sam Leach kicked the winning goal after marking a pass from Jeremy Salinger.

Weave and go: Mirboo North player Simon Busuttil tries to ﬁnd a way through the pack. Photo courtesy Peter Richardson.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 57

Moe game must-win for Parrots LEONGATHA kissed goodbye their double chance aspirations on Saturday after a slow last half saw them fall 14 points short of Drouin at home.

Long bomb: captain Jack Hughes, who was in the Parrots’ best, sends the ball forward.

And not only has a top three spot gone begging, but the Parrots will need to win this weekend to guarantee they’ll be around in September. A win would see them retain fourth spot, but lose and they could land as low as eighth. The Parrots came out of the blocks like a team ready to play on Saturday, scoring a couple of goals against the breeze. The matchups looked even all around the ground,

Drouin 12.12.84 d Leongatha 10.10.70

R.Kelly, D.Connelly THIRDS

Drouin Best: D.Carmody, D.Barrand, C.Dunne, P.McGrath, A.Soumilas, Sam Proctor Goals: C.Dunne 4, A.Cook 3, C.de Gooyer 2, A.Soumilas 1, Sean Proctor 1, B.Soumilas 1 Leongatha Best: R.McLennan, B.Vernon, J.Hughes, J.Kilsby, T.Marriott, Z.Vernon Goals: N.Nagel 2, C.Brown 2, J.Kilsby 2, M.Fleming 2, B.Vernon 1, J.Stone 1 RESERVES

Leongatha 12.16.88 d Drouin 2.0.12

Drouin 8.8.56 d Leongatha 8.6.54

Hands and knees: Chris Verboon spent plenty of time ﬂying high for marks, but the centre half forward didn’t shy away from the ground work.

despite the differences in playing style. Leongatha preferred to move the ball with more urgency, kicking longer and more direct, while Drouin were not happy to move the ball unless it was to a definite target. The frustrating style of play reaped benefits for the visitors however, who kicked four goals in the first term. The two goal deficit meant little to the Leongatha coaching staff, who realised the value of the wind. Their play picked up in the second term again, with the more direct routes to goal proving effective, giving their big forwards a chance one out. Cameron Brown, John

Top goalkicker: S. Clebney (Drouin) 4. Drouin Best: V.Meehl, T.Kneebone, R.Fairlie, S.Clebney, N.Ruskin, T.Berzins Leongatha Best: J.Renden, S.Marriott, L.Dumont, R.Mullens,

Top goalkicker: J. Pellicano (Leongatha) 5. Leongatha Best: N.Tuckett, J.Hickey, P.Williams, J.O’Loughlin, L.Sperling, J.Pellicano Drouin Best: S.Piner, N.Gaudion, L.Krygger, J.Rippon, S.Barwick, J.Fairlie FOURTHS

Leongatha11.8.74 d Drouin 1.5.11 Top goalkicker: B. Chalmers (Leongatha) 3. Leongatha Best: J.Bolge, B.Tomada, B.Vanrooy, E.Taylor, W.Curtis, J.Read Drouin Best: A.Haymes, H.Tomkins, J.Collins, M.Ridley, N.Derrick, J.Jarred

Power likely to miss out

WONTHAGGI Power played at Bairnsdale over the weekend in a match that had a lot to offer the make-up of the ﬁnals.

The Power were chasing their ninth win of the season but proved unsuccessful and now fate is out of their hands. In a close contest all game Wonthaggi had four key position players that weren’t up to playing with injuries. The Power went with a much younger side and tried to run Bairnsdale off their feet. Chris Wylie had most of the ruck duties all day without Shaw taking the ground, Troy Harley was best on for his side as he played outstanding in defence. Wonthaggi looked prepared and the first quarter saw some open running football and Underwood and McCarthy were both involved early. The first quarter was very even and this reflected on the scoreboard, Wonthaggi 25 to Bairnsdale 33 at the first change. Ben Young kicked the first goal of the second

Bairnsdale 16.10.106 d Wonthaggi Power 14.7.91 Bairnsdale Best: L.Dyer, R.Brick, M.Sellings, B.Cowell, R.Adams, N.Storer Goals: N.Storer 5, M.Sellings 3, M.Preston 3, J.Gibbs 2, A.Bromage 1, K.Cook 1, L.Dyer 1 Wonthaggi Power Best: T.Harley, K.McCarthy, T.Gilliland, J.Blair, R.Underwood, L.White Goals: A.Winter 3, L.McDonald 2, D.O’Connor 2, B.Young 1, T.Wells 1, T.Gilliland 1, R.Underwood 1, J.Blair 1, P.Brosnan 1, M.Kremmer 1 THIRDS

Bairnsdale 25.16.166 d Wonthaggi Power 4.0.24 Top goalkicker: T. Bryan (Bairnsdale) 4. Bairnsdale Best: N.McCourt, W.Siania, T.Lawson, R.Monaghan, N.George, T.Bryan Wonthaggi Power Best: M.McCall, J.Liddle, S.Roche, Z.Gilmour, A.Grinham, T.Hamilton FOURTHS

Bairnsdale 26.16.172 d Wonthaggi Power 0.3.3 Top goalkicker: D. Trask (Bairnsdale) 6. Bairnsdale Best: D.Trask, N.McConville, K.Van Den Berghe, A.Saunders, J.Moffatt, J.Porter Wonthaggi Power Best: T.Landells, A.Ferreira-Neto, T.Hamilton, B.Preston, M.Combridge, P.Ryan

quarter to urge his team on, McCarthy then laying a heavy bump to give Michael Kelly some room to run and carry the ball, he then spotted up Underwood for the complete passage. The Redlegs had some standouts of their own, Storer booted five majors whilst Preston finished with three goals. Harley got a fist to almost everything in the Power’s defensive half, Jones and Mayling both produced some great courage in the back half also. The half time score read Wonthaggi 39 to Bairnsdale 40. The third quarter had 11 goals kicked between both sides, The Power had most of the play but couldn’t finish off where it counts, Blair was creative at half forward and Lucas White showed great experience in winning his own footy. MacDonald was desperate as always. His determination and hardness is always a highlight to watch. Wonthaggi kept working the ball forward and after a Brosnan goal before the end of

the quarter the margin was back to seven points. The Wonthaggi huddle had real belief that they were capable of running over their opponents. Players like Young and Kremmer were both going to play a key part, both forwards that were quick off the lead and know how to ﬁnish. Ten minutes into the term Dom O’Connor kicked his second to put Wonthaggi back within four points, but Bairnsdale responded quickly to edge the margin back out to two straight kicks. Bairnsdale had more in the tank, it would seem, and the Power fell away to fall 15 points short. Andrew Winter kicked a respectable three goals for the day and Skipper Tim Gilliland never stopped trying, showing some real class when he had the ball in his possession. Wonthaggi is unlikely to play ﬁnals football now, with fate now out of their hands. They take on Warragul at home this weekend.

Strauchanie and Andrew can’t rufﬂe Parrots feathers THE LEONGATHA Football Club has been given some publicity by the Melbourne media arena lately, but it’s not all positive. Two separate claims of club controversy have been laughed off as a joke, but still the club is wondering why they have been brought into the spotlight. On Hughesy and Kate’s Nova FM breakfast show, guest Bryan ‘Strauchanie’ Strauchan (AKA comedian Peter Hellier) claimed that his mother Soy Bean Strauchan had been sleeping with Leongatha footballers from the 2002 Senior side. And Reserves coach Mark Lafferty received a rude shock when he returned home from footy training last Thursday night. After he switched on AFL show The Game Plan on One HD, he saw ‘Andrew of Leongatha’ telling the panel he had been sacked through a footy fan

forum video link. Andrew offered the role to retiring Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse. “G’day Mick, Andrew here, me and the boys at the Leongatha Seconds have just sacked our coach, any chance of you helping us out?” the man said via the video link. Of course Malthouse ﬂatly denied the offer, but the real mystery remains as to who Andrew of Leongatha is? Of the Leongatha footballers asked, no one has any idea who he is. The message becomes even more puzzling due to the fact that Lafferty’s Seconds team is ﬂying high this season, having won 13 of 15 games including 12 in a row before Saturday’s upset loss. The video can be found at http://one.com.au/video. htm?movideo_m=123693&tags =show%3Aname%21The.

Kilsby, Nick Nagel, Chris Verboon were the targets, which made life difﬁcult for the Drouin defenders. The three formers all kicked two goals for the match, while the latter was proving a more than handy target up the ﬁeld. Disaster struck when ruckman Chris Rump went down with injury, after a huge spoil saw him land awkwardly on his knee. The new father, whose daughter Gemma was born the night before, was stretchered from the ground and not seen again. It subdued the team for some time, but they were able to press on with pinch-hit ruck option Jason Tomada left with the job for the rest of the day. At the major change the Parrots led by 19 points, with poor accuracy on goal again a crucial point. With the aid of the breeze, the home side kicked four goals and eight behinds, a conversion rate that will not stack up against the better sides, as it proved against the Hawks. The half time message

was for the Parrots to keep themselves within striking distance in the last quarter, when the wind was to be at their advantage. Again the Hawks kicked four goals, with the home team only adding one. Leongatha’s defence stood tall, led by elder statesmen Rhett McLennan and Jack Hughes, whose footy smarts kept them one step ahead of their opponents. The midﬁeld combination of the Vernon brothers and Tom Marriott was again proving successful, with the youngsters at least able to get the ball forward before Drouin rebounded. At the ﬁnal change it was two points in favour of the visitors, but the money was on Leongatha given the fact they were kicking with the breeze, and that the Hawks hadn’t scored against it all day. The home side started with a bang, but couldn’t keep on with their good work and Drouin were too good, storming home four goals, including the last three, to win the match by 14 points.

Gippsland League Round 17

UNDER 18

SENIORS

LADDER

LADDER W

L D

Traralgon ....12 4 1` 129.55 Sale ...........12 5 0 150.27 Drouin.........11 5 1 115.95 Leongatha ..... 9 8 0 117.15 Maffra ......... 9 8 0 107.66 Moe..................8 8 1 95.30 Bairnsdale ........8 8 1 85.88 Won ................8 9 0 104.49 Morwell ..........5 12 0 71.86 Warragul ........1 16 0 52.60 GOALKICKERS M. Ferguson (Sale) ............ (7) R. Donaldson (Moe) ........... (1) C. Dunne (Drouin) .............. (4) N. Nagel (L’gatha) .............. (2) D. McKenna (Traralgon) ..... (2) J. Gibbs (Bairnsdale).......... (2) T. Johnson (Moe) ............... (4) M. Preston (Bairnsdale) ..... (3) D. Bedggood (Maffra) ........ (4) L. McDonald (Won)............ (2) M. Sellings (Bairnsdale) ..... (3)

Pts

50 48 46 36 36 34 34 32 20 4

Bairnsdale ...15 0 0 481.87 Traralgon .....12 3 0 221.23 Sale ...........10 5 0 159.68 Leongatha ..... 9 7 0 137.55 Warragul ........7 8 0 72.06 Drouin ................5 9 1 65.86 Maffra ..............4 10 1 58.72 Won .................3 12 0 44.46 Morwell ............2 13 0 37.86

60 48 40 36 28 22 18 12 8

GOALKICKERS J. McIntyre (Sale) .............. (0) L. White (Traralgon) ........... (4) L. Sperling (L’gatha)........... (4) T. Burgess (L’gatha) ........... (1) J. Brown (Warragul)........... (0) W. Siania (Bairnsdale) ........ (3) N. Storer (Bairnsdale) ........ (0) D. Loprese (Traralgon) ....... (2) J. Jarred (Drouin) .............. (0) J. Gray (Traralgon) ............. (0)

57 36 35 34 30 27 26 21 20 19

88 68 51 46 46 44 42 37 37 32 32

Leongatha ....13 2 Maffra ........11 3 Drouin.........11 4 Sale ............ 9 6 Traralgon ...... 7 8 Moe..................6 8 Won .................6 8 Morwell ..........3 12 Warragul ........0 15

0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0

Pts

LADDER

LADDER L D

UNDER 16

RESERVES W

L D

Pts

191.94 52 232.62 46 120.82 46 127.20 36 91.37 28 92.60 26 89.74 26 53.05 12 34.22 0

GOALKICKERS J. Langshaw (Maffra) ......... (4) 36 C. Brown (L’gatha) ............. (0) 34 G. Harrison (Moe) .............. (3) 28 M. Davies (L’gatha) ............. (0) 25 R. Todd (Won) ................... (0) 24 D. Couling (Morwell) .......... (0) 23 N. Burr (Drouin) ................. (1) 19 C. Pleydell (Maffra) ............ (3) 18 P. Cousin (Sale).................. (3) 17 T. Fitch (Traralgon) ............. (5) 16

L D

Traralgon .....16 1 Sale ...........14 2 Bairnsdale ...13 3 Maffra ........11 6 Leongatha ..... 9 8 Won .................8 9 Drouin ............5 12 Warragul ........4 13 Morwell ..........2 15 Moe................2 15

0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

392.47 368.14 316.27 112.01 114.32 90.25 63.52 32.44 37.34 21.19

Pts

64 58 54 44 36 32 20 16 8 8

GOALKICKERS J. Kiss (Sale) ...................... (9) B. Doran (L’gatha) .............. (2) P. Ryan (Won) .................... (0) J. Cunico (Traralgon) ......... (3) A. Saunders (Bairnsdale) ... (5) W. Patterson (Bairnsdale) .. (1) D. Hayes (Bairnsdale) ........ (0) M. Nelson (Traralgon) ........ (1) T. Jolly (Sale) ..................... (2) D. Trask (Bairnsdale).......... (6) J. Jenkins (Traralgon) ........ (2) Z. Guttridge ....................... (2)

64 49 42 37 30 29 29 26 26 25 25 25

Other matches SENIORS

UNDER 18

Maffra 10.20.80 d Warragul 7.5.47. Sale 25.12.162 d Moe 11.5.71. Traralgon 19.15.129 d Morwell 12.8.80.

Warragul 8.9.57 d Maffra 2.9.21. Traralgon 14.21.105 d Morwell 2.1.13.

RESERVES

More Parrot action: Julian Stone scoops up the ball and prepares to take off.

Maffra 15.21.111 d Warragul 0.1.1. Sale 10.5.65 d Moe 6.6.42. Traralgon 17.8.110 d Morwell 4.2.26.

UNDER 16 Maffra 10.15.75 d Warragul 3.1.19. Sale 29.23.197 d Moe 0.0.0. Traralgon 16.14.110 d Morwell 1.1.7.

PAGE 58 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

• RESERVES

Daly through to semi THEIR Senior side may not have made the ﬁnals, but Dalyston’s three other football sides are certainly stating their case effectively.

Giving chase: Pete Houston and Corey Bowman battle for the ball in the Reserves elimination ﬁnal at Cowes on Sunday.

• UNDER 18s

Bulldogs tame Demons ON paper this match looked like it was going to be a cracker. With only percentage separating the two sides, both MDU and Phillip Island were desperate to make the most of the meeting. But unfortunately for the former they struggled to get going, only scoring four points to half time to have them lagging behind. The Island burst out of the blocks, but weren’t able to convert well in front of the big sticks. At the ﬁrst change they had kicked two goals and seven behinds, a poor return from such a brilliant start. Their run and carry was hurting the young Demons, who were unable to keep up with the persistent pressure. Down back MDU’s

Nick Moore played a blinder, but his efforts to stem the ﬂow of goals wasn’t enough to slow the Island forwards. At the half they had added three more goals to be looking good with a 35 point lead, but no pundits were willing to write off the MDU boys. They did ﬁght back, kicking two goals early in the third and turning the game on its head. They started to win the ball around the stoppages, and some pin point passing led to plenty of inside 50s. The Island slowed, but were still getting the ball inside their own forward arc. Their kicking yips continued, adding just four behinds to their half time tally. MDU were 26 points behind, and prepar-

ing a huge ﬁghtback, but they were unable to gain enough possession to do any real damage. The ball remained in dispute for much of the quarter, with the Island moving it down their end and trapping it in well. The Demons managed one goal but it wasn’t enough to save their season, as they fell 22 points short. Island will need to arrest their kicking problem when they take on Dalyston at Foster next week.

Phillip Island 5.16.46 d MDU 3.6.24 Phillip Island best: M. Wright, Z. Wagner, D. Holland, A. Redmond, D. Clarke, T. Cole. Goals: M. Wright 2, D. Hewett 1, J. Hughes 1, D. Holland 1. MDU best: N. Moore, S. Synan, C. Harris, H. Morris, T. Davison, T. Dudley. Goals: A. Pellin 1, M. Olden 1, H. Morris 1.

After watching their Fourths and Thirds win, the Magpies Twos came out against Tarwin on fire. They started well, moving the ball quickly, using the wings to find space for their runners. The hard bodied midfielders were extracting the ball at every opportunity and sending it forward at a rapid rate. The Sharks were unable to keep up with the inside 50 count, and al-

though competing well, still conceded three goals. The second quarter was the Magpies’ best, as they slammed home six goals to one and kicked well clear. Damien McLean was the best for the Sharks on the day, and he was doing his bit in the midfield, but it wasn’t enough. At the major change they were trailing by 42 points, and the chances of a comeback seemed slim. They got even worse when Dalyston came out and kicked the first goal of the third quarter just a few minutes in. Despite being wasteful on goal (kicking five behinds) the Magpies

still kicked three goals and pushed further clear. The last quarter was more of a formality than anything, with Dalyston running out the game with four ﬁnal term goals to two. They will take on the Island at Foster next week in what should be an entertaining clash.

Dalyston 16.11.107 d Tarwin 4.7.31 Dalyston best: J. McRae, A. Wallis, S. Johnstone, M. Skinner, M. Boyle, C. Samargis. Goals: L. Wilkinson 6, A. Wallis 2, M. Boyle 2, C. Bowman 2, J. Hosking 1, R. Davey 1, C. Samargis 1, A. Gennaccaro 1. Tarwin best: D. McLean, T. Giroud, J. Gray, P. Houston, M. Carter, J. Shill. Goals: M. Howard 2, J. Holloway 1, C. Rothnie 1.

• UNDER 18s

Tigers challenge not enough THIRD placed Dalyston took on sixth placed Foster at Cowes on Saturday. But the distance between the two teams was not immediately obvious, as the ﬁrst quarter was a tightly fought contest. Neither team could gain momentum, as they traded goals. Both teams had their running games on, and were prepared to take on their opponents. At quarter time the underdog held a three point lead, and was looking just as talented as the Dalyston side. They say the ladder means nothing come ﬁnals time and the Tigers were proving that theory, continu-

ing to match it with the Magpies. But they were unable to pull ahead; every time they kicked a goal it was answered back by Dalyston. The Magpies had four multiple goalkickers, who were all proving a handful for the Tigers. At half time Dalyston had edged one point clear of their opponents, and were planning on turning that into a bigger lead coming into the ﬁnal quarter. They were able to do that, steaming clear of Foster, who failed to kick a goal in the third term. Dalyston were starting to look the goods, proving too slick and quick. At the last change they were 21 points up.

The Tigers couldn’t produce a remarkable comeback, and instead Dalyston kicked further clear, adding ﬁve goals to one in the ﬁnal term. They will go into their match with Phillip Island at Foster as favourites again next week.

Dalyston 13.9.87 d Foster 6.5.41 Dalyston best: L. McRae, L. Wall, S. Kuyper, T. McNish, J. Connell, J. Osbaldeston. Goals: M. Schreck 2, M. Howell 2, J. Connell 2, T. McNish 2, L. Wall 1, T. Davey 1, B. Huitema 1, B. Wardle 1, S. Kuyper 1. Foster best: M. Howell, D. Hateley, S. Dobson, D. Vandyke, M. Allott, B. Busuttil. Goals: M. Allott 2, D. Hateley 1, M. Prowd 1, D. Vandyke 1, M. Green 1

• UNDER 15s

FOOTY Magpies crush Panthers were much too good for Kilcunda-Bass in the second elimination ﬁnal at DRAWS DALYSTON Phillip Island on Sunday.

THIS WEEKEND ALBERTON

Saturday, August 27 2nd Semi Final at Korumburra Kilcunda-Bass v Foster Sunday, August 21 1st Semi Final at Foster Korum-Bena v Fish Creek

MID GIPPSLAND Saturday, August 27 2nd Semi Final at Yallourn North Trafalgar v Boolarra Sunday, August 21 1st Semi Final at Newborough Newborough v Mirboo North

GIPPSLAND Round 18 - August 27 Wonthaggi v Warragul Maffra v Morwell Traralgon v Sale Moe v Leongatha Drouin v Bairnsdale

ELLINBANK Saturday, August 27 2nd Semi Final at Longwarry Garfield v Neerim South Sunday, August 21 1st Semi Final at Garfield Cora Lynn v Bunyip

The Magpies produced a brilliant performance that will have the remaining teams taking note. They held the Panthers to just 14 points for the day, while being able to kick 12 goals themselves. Oliver Bates was the star up forward, kicking seven goals for the winners. The first quarter was all one way traffic as the Magpies kicked four goals to none. The second was a similar affair, and despite the Bass boys getting on the board the Dalyston juggernaut rolled on, as they added another four goals to all but finish the match at the half.

The game slowed down in the third term, with both teams starting to tire after a taxing ﬁrst half. Bass added another goal, and Dalyston two as the margin was 50 points at the last break. The Panthers played hard in their last quarter for the season, but were unable to add another goal as Dalyston kicked two to round out a 68 point win. They will take on Phillip Island at Foster next week.

Dalyston 12.10.82 d Kilcunda Bass 2.2.14 Dalyston best: N. Bainbridge, J. Thomas, M. McCoy, M. Davey, O. Bates, Z. MacDermid. Goals: O. Bates 7, J. Thomas 2, C.

Hill 1, J. McPhee 1, J. Kilgour 1. Kilcunda Bass best: C. Withall, B. McInroy-Howard, S. Casey, T. Thatcher, N. Arney, D. Stacey-Van Steensel. Goals: B. McInroy-Howard 1, N. Arney 1.

• UNDER 15s

Tigers scratched by Island PHILLIP Island’s Under 15 team made the long trek to Yarram worthwhile, knocking off Foster by ﬁve goals. The young Bulldogs led at every change, but were challenged by the Tigers who had themselves within a point at the half time break. They kept Foster scoreless to the ﬁrst break, and managed to score one goal themselves. But Foster hit back, kicking one goal in the second and keeping their opponents scoreless. A big last half saw the Island kick seven goals to Foster’s two. The Tigers still battled admirably, but were just unable to match it with their bigger opponents.

Brodie Johnston was the star for the Island, kicking four goals in a best aﬁeld performance. He was ably supported by Aaron Edwards, who kicked two goals. Phillip Island will now take on Dalyston at Foster next week, while the Tigers’ year has ﬁnished.

Phillip Island 8.8.56 d Foster 3.5.23 Phillip Island best: B. Johnston, F. Meade, T. Lee, A. Edwards, N. Schuller, J. Piera. Goals: B. Johnston 4, A. Edwards 2, T. Lee 1, J. Taylor 1. Foster best: B. Thomas, L. Coffey, G. Rerden, E. Smith, R. Prain, M. Jones. Goals: E. Staley 2, K. Rhodes 1.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011 - PAGE 59

MDU no match for young Fish Creek A YOUNG, exuberant Fish Creek side was too good for MDU on Saturday afternoon.

Above: Away: MDU’s Damien Adkins tries to get the jump on his Fish Creek opponents. Photo courtesy Photo courtesy Gerard Bruning@ www.fourcornersframing.biz. Left: Spoilsport: Korumburra-Bena’s Ash Zuidema lays a spoil on a former teammate. Photo courtesy Gerard Bruning@ www. fourcornersframing.biz.

The Kangaroos led at every change, with their skilful midfield unit proving supreme on the day. It was the third time the Kangaroos have beaten the Demons this season, proving that they have the edge over their long-time rivals. After a huge build up for the game, it started as expected; with a physical first 10 minutes before play eventually settled down. MDU’s Damien Adkins was the standout for his side in the first half, buzzing around packs and creating play with his sublime skills. On the other side of things Cal Park and Daniel Jago were doing the same for their side. It set up a fantastic battle to watch, with both sides backing their own ability to win the one-on-one contests. At the first change the Kangaroos had kicked four goals to two, but did not seem to have an absolute stranglehold on the game. That all changed in the second term, as their run and carry became too much for the Demons, slamming home six goals to one and making it look easy. MDU had no answer for the rampaging Roos, whose skilful play left them scratching their heads. At the major change they led by 40 points, and despite launching a successful comeback last week, doubts were increasing over the underdogs’ ability to return to the game.

They did try, however, matching Fish Creek’s every score in the third term, but it wasn’t going to be enough. Caine Salmon became more impressive as the match wore on, with his experience and strong body proving important around the stoppages. Youngster Joel Sinclair was showing signs of things to come, playing a brilliant game in the midfield. The last change saw MDU still 40 points down, and with little hope. Fishy slowed down, giving others a chance for a run further afield while their stars rested on the bench more often. They still managed three goals, while their opponents kicked four. Fish Creek’s Matthew Standfield capped off a great game up forward by kicking his sixth goal in the last term. And so it ends MDU’s season of turmoil, which saw them lose a beloved son as well as their Senior coach before regrouping to make a charge towards the finals. Fish Creek live to fight another day, and will take on Korumburra-Bena at Foster in what will be one of two tantalising Senior clashes this weekend.

Fish Creek 16.10.106 d MDU 10.10.70 Fish Creek best: T. Manne, C. Park, D. Jago, S. Blencowe, M. Standfield, B. Anderson Goals: M. Standfield 6, B. Edwards 4, B. Anderson 2, M. Livingstone 2, J. Law 1, C. Park 1 MDU best: C. Salmon, D. Adkins, J. Sinclair, K. Gowers, B. Maxwell, C. Hutcheson Goals: D. Adkins 3, C. Hutcheson 2, B. Maxwell 2, S. Clark 1, A. Harris 1, C. Johnston 1

Leongatha, Wonthaggi miss out BOTH Leongatha and Wonthaggi have missed the chance to host a Gippsland League ﬁnal this season.

• RESERVES

Island knocks off Killy Bass JUST as it was Dalyston winning all three non-Senior ﬁnals on Sunday, it was the Island pulling off that same hat-trick on Saturday. The Bulldogs Reserves capped off a big day for the club, which made their four hour round trip a successful one. Coming up against Kilcunda-Bass, the Island started strongly and never looked back. They were made to work, with both sides play-

ing hard, uncompromising footy in the first half. Only five goals had been kicked at the first change, and that was when the Island took control of the game. They stormed away, kicking four goals to one in the third term before adding a further five goals to no score in the last. Kevin Taylor was the man up forward for the Bulldogs, kicking six goals in a near-best on ground effort. He was upstaged by Simon Kirton, who had his skills on display from start

to finish in an almost flawless performance. In the end the Bulldogs won by 70 points, which will give them some confidence going into their match with Dalyston next week.

Phillip Island 13.8.86 d Kilcunda Bass 2.4.16 Phillip Island best: S. Kirton, L. Woolford, S. Gheller, K. Taylor, A. Goyne, T. Winder Goals: K. Taylor 6, T. Kleverkamp 2, J. Bain 1, S. Ambler 1, D. Johnston 1, L. Woolford 1, A. Kalis 1 Kilcunda Bass best: B. Anthony, T. Miller, L. Smith, S. Crawford, D. Snowden, B. Nolan Goals: O. Milton 1, J. Good 1

All the finals will be played in the Latrobe Valley or further east. Wonthaggi hosted an elimination final last year, while Leongatha last hosted a final in 2009. Gippsland League general manager Chris Soumalis said the weather played a big part in the decision. “When we’re looking at places for finals we look at the ability to attract crowds and ground conditions,” he said. “We feel that the five grounds we’ve chosen are more capable of attracting crowds and coping with poor weather, which we are expecting.” “Obviously if Leongatha were to be playing Wonthaggi in the elimination final we would consider moving it (from Sale).” Mr Soumalis hinted at the possibility of a new finals allocation proposal, which would see clubs reimbursed for not earning finals gate takings. “We’ll sit down and look at a new system at the start of 2012,” he said. The Power may strug-

Day done: Chris Rump was stretchered off during the second quarter of his sides loss to Drouin on Saturday. His injury was a key part in the Parrots loss. gle to make the ﬁve this year, and the Parrots will be playing a must win game this weekend to be a part of the action. Leongatha’s ﬁnals hopes were dealt a blow when their ruckman Chris Rump went down with a knee injury. The big man will be hard to replace, especially given how the Par-

rots struggled after he was stretchered from the field on Saturday. Week 1 Saturday September 3 Qualifying final (2 v 3) at Moe Sunday September 4 Elimination final (4 v 5) at Sale Week 2 Saturday September 10 2nd Semi final (1 v winner

QF) at Maffra Sunday September 11 1st Semi final (loser QF v winner EF) at Traralgon Week 3 Saturday September 17 Preliminary final (loser 2nd SF v winner 1st SF) at Warragul Week 4 Saturday September 24 Grand final (winner 2nd SF v winner PF) at Morwell

PAGE 60 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Gotcha: Korumburra-Bena’s Will Jeffs grabs a hold of Stony Creek’s Luke Bowman during his sides elimination ﬁnal win on Sunday. Photo courtesy Gerard Bruning@ www.fourcornersframing.biz.

KORUMBURRA-BENA broke their finals ‘curse’ after coming back and winning against Stony Creek in their elimination final on Sunday. This is the Bulldogs’ first Seniors final win in nine years and their second since the merger between Korumburra and Bena in 2001. The game started off in the glorious sunshine, with Stony Creek looking in good form, kicking some quick goals early and getting a lot of the ball. Misguided kicks from Korumburra-Bena meant easy turnovers for the Lions and had them leading by four goals at one stage

in the first quarter. At the quarter time break Stony Creek were looking good, leading by 17. Korumburra-Bena needed to lift in the second if they had any chance of making this game respectable finals footy. The margin was kept roughly the same in the second, with both teams going score for score. Stony Creek held the Bulldogs most of the quarter until they powered towards half time with two quick goals, one being a snap from young forward Ilan Osman snapping under pressure from an impossible angle with his first possession. This made the

match a one point game at the main break. Coming back out into the bright afternoon sun, both teams brought their all once again, going goal for goal with lots of hard tackles being laid by both teams. Impressive and dedicated footy was on display, which got the crowd cheering and most supporters unable to steer their eyes from the game. Korumburra-Bena took the lead for the ﬁrst time midway through the third and ended the quarter up by a goal. It was do-or-die time for both teams in this elimination ﬁnal. The Bulldogs were proving too strong in

the fourth, getting much more of the ball. Kicking into the sun proved to be a struggle for the Korumburra-Bena forwards, with seven behinds coming from 11 scoring shots. Despite the behinds Stony Creek couldn’t seem to push the ball out of the opposing forward 50, as the Bulldogs pushed towards victory. The Lions’ season ended with a 28 point loss after a game of high intensity, edge-ofyour-seat football. Korumburra-Bena now goes up against Fish Creek at Foster next Sunday for a place in the preliminary ﬁnal.

Leongatha’s Lisa lured to top job

Leongatha lady: Lisa Alexander has recently been named coach of the Australian netball team, the Diamonds.

FORMER Leongatha resident and Leongatha Secondary College teacher Lisa Alexander has taken over as head coach of Australia’s national basketball team. Lisa is now a teacher at Wesley College in Melbourne. The 47-year-old has experienced success at the elite level as both coach and player. As head coach of the Melbourne Phoenix she led the team to back-to-back premierships, has coached the Australian 21 and Under team and was part of the Adelaide Thunderbirds’ ANZ championship winning team as assistant coach. A Victorian state player and Australian squad member, Alexander is nonetheless notable for being the ﬁrst Diamonds coach in over 20 years who has not played for Australia. She said today she was extremely excited at the prospect of leading a new era for netball in Australia, building on the strong high performance platform to achieve even higher levels of success.

“It’s a great privilege to be the Australian Diamonds coach; I feel a great sense of responsibility to the legacy of all the icons that have come before me as coaches and players,” she said. “I’ve been working at this for 17 years since I was the Australian apprentice coach to Joyce Brown.” Netball Australia president Noeleen Dix said that Alexander has been a proven and consistent contributor to the game in over 18 years of high performance coaching. “We welcome her to her new role, as not only the national coach of the Diamonds but also as a leader in the high performance program for netball throughout Australia,” she said. Alexander’s priorities for the remainder of 2011 will be the two Diamonds camps in September, six Tests against England and New Zealand in October, the appointment of a support team and an opportunity to review the strategic direction of the Netball Australia High Performance plan.

Korumburra-Bena 16.10.106 d Stony Creek 12.6.78 Korumburra-Bena best: D. Mayman, C. Maskell, A. Hillberg, C. Macri, L. Carpenter, B. Anthony Goals: C. Maskell 6, B. Anthony 3, A. Hillberg 3, S. Braithwaite 1, I. Osman 1, J. Kyle 1, J. Wilson 1 Stony Creek best: C. Stone, C. Langley, M. Linke, J. Shields, D. Zuidema, R. Hillis Goals: B. Langley 4, C. Stone 2, C. Langley 2, A. Huggins 1, A. Myhal 1, L. Bowman 1, L. Byrnes 1

Kaila touches down LEONGATHA’S Kaila McKnight arrived in Daegu, South Korea yesterday (Monday), having spent six weeks in Europe preparing for the athletics world championships. The 1500m runner tweeted: “Waiting at Heathrow for my flight to Seoul, so excited I can’t sit still. #worldchamps.” Her first race in Daegu will be tonight, and she has been putting in some good times in preparation. Kaila finished sixth in her latest European race, running a 4:12 in the Gyulai Memorial in Budapest. Her best finish was at the Lappeenranta Games in Finland where she placed second in the 1500m with a time of 4:08sec. Kaila also competed in a 5000 metre event at the Diamond League meet at Crystal Palace.