The Great Southern Star - December 1, 2009 by The Great Southern Star

Published at Leongatha for South Gippsland

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FROM PAGE 29

The Great Southern

Star

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2009

PUBLISHED TUESDAY 72 PAGES

Mr President Sport

Dairy lift

Page 3.

Darwin’s theory of locomotion JIM Darwin isn’t fazed by the disappearance of trains from South Gippsland – he just built his own instead. The Outtrim man has laid track along his driveway and can now collect his mail by steam power. He even burns the junk mail in the boiler furnace on the way back to the house. Read more on page 11.

SPEED FREAKS

Brazen gang in South Gippsland drug raids By Matt Dunn SPEED-MAKING criminal gangs ransacked four South Gippsland pharmacies in one night last week, stealing drugs containing pseudoephedrine, as well as large quantities of cash. Wonthaggi CIU is continuing investigations into the series of burglaries that may have started in

the Latrobe Valley and included pharmacies in Mirboo North, Foster, Leongatha and Koo-Wee-Rup. One of those targeted in the bold heist was Leongatha’s Nagel’s Pharmacy. The slick thieves were in and out of the business within one minute and 10 seconds. But pharmacist Brett Nagel was at pains to stress that chemists were stocking less drugs containing the valuable speed-making commodity. “Pharmacies contain minimal stock

now, to discourage this kind of thing. It wasn’t the fact that a lot were taken,” he said. The Leongatha raid was believed to have occurred on Tuesday last week, about midnight. Detectives are analysing CCTV footage of the thieves. It is believed the pharmacies were carefully selected by the gang, who had done their homework on where the drugs they wanted were stored. “They were here for a minute and 10 seconds. We’ve got cameras and

the footage showed they were only in here for a minute and 10 seconds,” Mr Nagel said. Jane McGovern from the Foster Pharmacy was not keen to talk about what was stolen, but was hopeful the police would make arrests. “The police reckon they’re going to catch them,” she said. But Ms McGovern said robberies were something of a rarity for the business, and this was only the second in seven years. “From that point of view we’ve

had very little issue, and we don’t believe it was locals,” she said. Sarah Bowen from the Mirboo North pharmacy said “cold and ﬂu tablets” had been the main target in the raid on her pharmacy. “I think Dimeatap or something like that was what they took. They were in and out within two minutes,” she said. “They knew where it was and where to go. They smashed the glass at the front and went on a bit of a rampage. Continued on page 5.

PAGE 2 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Taking it to the street THE Korumburra Buskers Festival is getting bigger every year. Saturday’s event marked the sixth consecutive year of a festival that likes to take music to the masses. With about 80 registered performers playing bagpipes, violins, guitars and all manner of other sound-making devices, no one was at risk of becoming bored. Jumping castles, food stalls, and the celebrity cachet of local-boy-made-good, Angus McLaren (Nathan from Packed to the Rafters), added another dimension to a day that was music to many people’s ears. “It went really well. There were some

really amazing acts this year. The little kids in the primary school section were just phenomenal,” organising committee member Gavin Van Eede said. “Probably the highlight of the day would have been two young guys called Metal Heads. They’re primary school kids - one playing electric guitar, one playing bass - who did AC/DC covers.” The overall winner of the buskers competition was Merryn Lamb, who was accompanied by Nathan Hooper on guitar. Merryn won the song writing section and the Bill O’Neill Trophy for best busker.

Eva Kowal: the master violinist is part of Silver Strings, a renowned musical act that plays weddings, parties, anything.

Mighty big voice: Natasha Eastman was singing and strumming up a storm.

For those about to rock: the youngsters from Metal Head were the talk of the town with their salute to AC/DC.

Margaret Redmond: the long-time busker was all smiles as she played a tune on the streets of Korumburra.

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Star in the making: Korumburra’s Brad Denney is just 10 years old and has only been playing guitar for about a year. But the talented youngster was making some serious money.

Cancer camp

PODIATRY & FOOTWEAR

Taking ﬁve: three-and-a-half year old Tarkyn Taylor-Wilton took a few moments to pause from the Jumping Castle.

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Ninety Victorian and Tasmanian members of CanTeen will be leaving the stressors of living with cancer for some respite, relaxation and peer support. This ﬁve day camp is one of the biggest camps CanTeen runs in Australia. They will visit an historical village on the way to the campsite at Waratah Bay. Once at Waratah Bay they will enjoy activities run by the campsite, activities on the beach and a day trip to Wilson Promontory National Park to enjoy some surfing, bush walking and canoeing.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 3

Swine flu vaccines SOUTH Gippsland residents have been swift to take advantage of the H1N1 swine flu vaccine which was released in early October. The vaccine has been available through local medical clinics, many of which have held special swine flu immunisation clinics to process the demand. “The Federal Government has funded the cost of the vaccine, so it is excellent to see that some clinics have instituted bulk billing in this instance to make the vaccine even more accessible for clients,” said South Gippsland Shire Council’s immunisation co-ordinator Tim De Vere. Residents interested in receiving the vaccination, particularly those deemed in the high risk categories, are encouraged to contact their local clinic to book, and to ascertain whether the service is being bulk billed or will be charged. Mr De Vere said that even though the pandemic has not been as severe as anticipated, it has re-emerged in the northern hemisphere and looks like it will dominate the flu season there in many countries. “If people are planning to go overseas, vaccination will help protect them from this flu when they’re away. It also reduces the risk of bringing the virus back to Australia and possibly passing it on to friends and family,” Mr De Vere said.

More needed: Outtrim brothers Chris, Luke and Marty Lamers are hopeful of further milk price rises in the new year.

Dairy hope By Brad Lester

FURTHER milk price rises last week have boosted farmers’ conﬁdence in dairying but incomes remain well down on this time last year.

Murray Goulburn suppliers were receiving 40-45 cents a litre this time last year but can expect to be paid about 30 cents a litre come January. The co-operative last week announced the third step-up of the season of 20 cents a kilogram for protein and eights cents a kilogram for butterfat for milk supplied across the 2009-10 year. A further 50 cents for protein and 20 cents for butterfat will be paid for milk supplied between January 1 and June 30, 2010. Fonterra indicated no further stepup would be paid for the time being. The step-ups follow continuing increases in world dairy prices, a far cry from the doom and gloom of December 2008 when MG announced suppliers’ incomes would be cut by between $150,000 and $250,000, when world milk powder prices fell by 60 per cent, and world cheese and butter prices by 50 per cent. MG supplier Luke Lamers of Outtrim said every increase helped, even though the latest rise would add just 0.7 cents a litre to his milk cheque and next year’s extra payment would add about 1.5 cents. “This ﬁnancial year, the price started at about 27 cents so the price has gone up about three cents,” he said. “It’s promising to see prices going up but you don’t know when the mar-

ket might stop climbing and if something else happens, you don’t know if the prices are going to come down.” The high value of the Australian dollar continues to dampen the possibility of stronger increases. “In June and July, the dollar was in the high seventies and now it’s in the high nineties, so that’s taken the gloss off the high world milk prices,” Mr Lamers said. MG managing director Stephen O’Rourke said firmer prices for milk powders, cheese and butter, coupled with strong domestic sales, had created a pleasing outlook. “Even with this increase in farmgate price, we realise farm margins are tight and we will continue to review the market outlook and company budgets with an eye to further increase prices this financial year if the market allows,” he said. “As per usual, Murray Goulburn will carefully monitor the market and the currency before committing to further increases as we maintain caution about future market volatility on the back of the global financial crisis.” Fonterra supplier Will Heldens is hoping for further price rises from the company in the first half of the year but is not holding his breath. “We don’t know what we will get paid yet so we will see what happens then,” he said. The Buffalo farmer has been a loyal supplier of Fonterra and its predecessor Bonlac, and said enduring minimal payments during Bonlac’s demise prepared him for the current low prices. “We learnt to cope with that. This is better than what it was back then,”

Mr Heldens said. A dairy farmer for 25 years, he has coped with the price drop by reducing unessential expenditure. “If the money is not there, you just have to cut back and try and manage it. You just try and cut back on fencing, gravel and bits and pieces,” Mr Heldens said. Mardan farmer Matt Colwill said while milk prices were still well below those paid this time last year, he was thankful feed and fertiliser costs were also down. “But you would not say there is an abundance of cash around at the moment and there is not much capital improvement being done,” he said. “You can do that for a year but you can’t do that for too long because it starts to affect your business if you’re not improving it.” Still, Mr Colwill remains optimistic. “The general feeling is that we are going to be paid more from January onwards, so there is a tendency to produce as much milk as you can,” he said. Mr O’Rourke urged suppliers to review their budgets with field services officers. “We believe there is now the opportunity to increase farm profits as the milk price/grain price ratio becomes more positive,” he said. “Despite the dramatic downturn in dairy prices in late 2008, we remained confident in dairy food production in Australia and we hope that these better market conditions will remain and provide for a profitable second half of the current financial year and into 2010/11.”

At Lenard’s

GRAND OPENING Opens 30 November Lenard’s Michael’s Supa IGA LEONGATHA

PAGE 4 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Write of way By Jane Ross MIRBOO North author David Arnault writes because it’s fun and it keeps him sane. But he also writes because he cares about human beings and a just world and believes pondering about life allows him to maintain his sense of purpose. He agrees with the Greek philosopher Socrates, who said an unexamined life is not worth living. His latest book, the third in a series he has called the Kovic files, has just been printed. Song of the Caged Bird reflects David’s pursuit of the need to look at the world around us and question. He said the novel approaches three main issues: the phenomenal growth in mineral exploration in Australia, Aboriginal land rights and the basic goodness of human beings. Like his first two books, Song of the Caged Bird is a mystery featuring investigator Dragan Kovic as one of the main characters. Without giving too much of the plot away, David said the trigger point of the novel is the death of an 18 year old Aboriginal child in a lock up. “What’s unusual is that the same thing happened to his father 18 years earlier. “Are they random? Is there a coincidence?” The focus is to understand why the events happened, rather than answer the question: what happened? David comes originally from Northern

David Arnault: believes in the inherent goodness of human nature and the importance of the examined life. Canada where, he said, mining is as big as it is in Australia. Some people will do anything to extract the minerals because of the wealth that they bring. Leongatha can’t get its rail reopened, but a company is planning to build a port and 400km rail line in Western Australia, for the sole purpose of shipping magnetite to China. Magnetite is in great demand because it is better than

iron ore for making high quality steel. Information like that set David thinking about minerals and Aboriginal land rights. It is his view that most people are good, but he also believes that “it takes 100 people of good intent to counter balance an evil, selﬁsh, mean person with inﬂuence”. “We need the courage to stand up and say that’s not right. And if we don’t examine our lives, or think about the things that are bothering us, then we begin to lose our sense of worth and purpose. “One of the ways I do that, is by writing. “It allows me to be provocative.” And provocation can nudge us, as readers, to look at the world in a slightly different way. “I hope to provoke thought.” With all that in mind and his interest in the characters rather than the politics of these issues, his novel began to take shape. David believes reading is important because so much of the information that comes to us is controlled by a handful of corporations. “There is not a lot of diversity in commercial television. Whereas, if you pick up a novel by, for example, Tim Winton or Margaret Atwood, the views are quite different from anything on TV or in the newspapers. “You need to have both. Listening to the radio is important too – it demands something of the listener, you have to imagine the images. Reading or listening to radio is more creative than watching TV. It’s more fun, but it’s harder work.” David’s books are available from selected outlets, including the Leongatha Newsagency or from his website at www.davidarnault.com

Fight for the right BEVELERLY Walker says she can’t bear to see women suffering injustice or being lied to.

Fight for rights: Venus Bay’s Beverly Walker is rallying support for homebirth midwives.

That is why she has taken, with much gusto, to agitating for the rights of women who want to give birth at home. Changes to Federal Government legislation threaten to undermine the ability for midwives to attend home births. But the Venus Bay lactation consultant (she helps new mums with breastfeeding) is determined that Health Minister Nicola Roxon won’t be allowed to make any decision without hearing a loud voice of progress. “For fairness, justice and I cannot bear lying to women and I cannot bear to see wrong done,” she said. Beverly believes that women in hospital maternity wards are being forced into induced births and

Wedding train to ’Burra THE wedding party travelled by suitably decorated train from Leongatha to Korumburra, when Jeanette Sullivan married Steve Fowkes on November 7. Uniting Church Minister the Reverend Jim Foley, ofﬁciated at the ceremony conducted at the Korumburra Railway Station. The South Gippsland Wind Orchestra, of which Jeanette is a member, played on the station platform and created a guard of honour for the newlyweds. Jeanette is the daughter of Kaye and Ian Sullivan of Korumburra and Steve is the son of Marie Fowkes of Leongatha. The bride carried a trailer of proteas and native ﬂowers against her satin gown which featured a long embroidered

train and sheer embroidered cap sleeves. She wore a borrowed veil and pinned an orchid in her hair. She found out on the day of her wedding that the orchid was called Jeannie, her nickname. Her sisters Carol Van Puyenbroek and Lynne Jones attended her, together with Vicki Jacobs. The best man was Mark Dowel from Queensland, with James McNab and James Nelson as groomsmen. Guests rode the train to Loch and back while the wedding party had photographs taken at Coal Creek Community Park and Museum before the reception at the Korumburra Italian Social Club. Steve and Jeanette spent their honeymoon in Tasmania and are living in Korumburra. They will build a house in Kardella next year.

caesarean sections by male dominated obstetricians. Those who want to avoid the “medicalisation” of birth are choosing home births as an alternative. Money, according to the veteran midwife, is behind the push for more intervention in modern births. “There are monetary pressures,” she said. “It is not about length of stay. It is how much money you get for being occupied by different people.” “There’s more money for the more people involved. Caesareans have gone up to 45 per cent of deliveries in one private hospital. That’s nearly one in every two deliveries. It is money.” The changes to the laws around home births will require midwives to have insurance – a situation that would simply drive most homebirth midwives out of business.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 5

Speed freaks

LORNA McKean was busy selling her locally made preserves at the weekend’s Korumburra Busker’s Festival. Her jamming was of a very different kind to the musical variety happening throughout the town’s public places.

Dance steps towards fest By Bert van Bedaf LEONGATHA went a big step closer towards having its own dance eisteddfod next year after a 20-year absence. In the second round of South Gippsland Shire Council community grant allocations, $4000 has been provided to the Lisa Pellin Dancers Parents Club to organise the South Gippsland dance fest. Eisteddfods are held in Yarram, Morwell, Traralgon and Warragul. They attract a large number of competitors and spectators, and inject considerable funds into the local economies. Ms Pellin said the parents club was “very pleased” to receive the grant and now looking towards other dance schools in the district to join in.

“The next step is to seek sponsorship and approach other dance schools to get on board. This is very exciting for all the schools in the region and we’re looking forward to their support,” Ms Pellin said. The likely venue and date for the event will be Mesley Hall and mid-August. The hall was the venue of previous Eisteddfods two decades ago. The dance allocation was the largest grant of the round, which totalled $15,800. Council announced its allocations on Wednesday, November 18. “These grants act as a safety net as organisers develop and mature their events with sponsorships and volunteers,” said council’s grants ofﬁcer Penni Ellicott. “Some are once-only events, while others may be supported more than once until they become self sustaining. It’s a wonderful way to

add vitality to our communities and stimulate the local economy.” Other applicants successful in gaining grants were the Leongatha Chamber of Commerce, for a Christmas Extravagance, $3000; Woorayl Region Girl Guides, 100 Years of Guiding Celebrations, $1000; Loch Food and Wine Festival Committee, Loch Food and Wine Festival, $2000, Mirboo North Arty Gras Committee, Mirboo North Arty Gras, $3000; Gippsland Hills Group of CWA, 56th Exhibition of Handicrafts, Art and Home Industries, $1500; and the Rotary Club of Leongatha, Leongatha Rotary Show and Shine, $1300. Round 2 closed on September 18 and received 10 applications totalling $30,160. The expenditure of $15,800 is part of the budget allocation of $280,000 for the 2009-2010 community grants, of which $264,200 was allocated in Round One.

Continued from page 1. “I think the police are still trying to work out which way they went. Did they start here and go to Foster or some other way. We don’t know yet.” Ms McGovern said she and her husband had been managing the pharmacy for two years, but this was the ﬁrst time it had been broken in to. “I think everyone is shocked for there to have been so many break-ins in one night,” Ms McGovern said. The Mirboo North break-in was not discovered until workers arrived at the business on Wednesday morning. According to information provided by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia: “Pharmacies have long been targeted by people who seek to obtain pseudoephedrine to manufacture illicit drugs”. In recent years the problem has escalated, with offenders ﬁnding an increasing number of ways to extract the pseudoephedrine content from various prepared medications. Pseudo-runners have also created strong networks around Australia to enable substantial quantities of the product to be purchased and diverted to methamphetamine manufacture.

Near drowning HELIMED One ambulance helicopter was called to rescue a ﬁsherman who was washed off a cliff face

at San Remo yesterday morning. The man was taken to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne with lacerations to his head, arm and leg.

PAGE 6 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Business bonus THE Leongatha Chamber of Commerce is offering some big prizes for shopping in town, with ﬁve $1000 vouchers up for grabs. Chamber president Darryl McGannon said there had never been a better time to shop in Leongatha. With the festive season now in full swing, the chamber has also worked hard at making the town as “Christmassy” as possible. “We’ve put up some Christmas decorations to the entrance of town, just to help people get into the spirit of the season,” Mr McGannon said. This year’s competition has changed a little, with more prizes in the mix. “What we’ve done this year is a bit different. Instead of giving $1000 cash as the main prize, we’re giving ﬁve prizes of $1000 each. They’re actually vouchers to be spent at chamber of commerce member

Clean up! By Bert van Bedaf SOUTH Gippsland Shire Council has put coastal property owners on notice to clear their blocks by Saturday or risk being ﬁned.

Business minded: Great Southern Outdoors’ Karen Lawson is hoping to give away prizes to shoppers through the Leongatha Chamber of Commerce competition. outlets,” he said. “We don’t want the money going out of the town, we want the money going back into the town.” As most of the large retailers are members of the association, the prize is a good one particularly considering many of the bargains that will be on offer in the coming weeks. As they say in the world of business: “Now is a great time to buy.”

The entries are available at all chamber member outlets. “All people need to do is call into a chamber member and ﬁll out the forms. Once they’ve spent $200 in total at member businesses, they put the entries in a box at Leongatha IGA,” Mr McGannon said. Really it’s as simple as doing some Christmas shopping in town and going into the draw to collect a great prize.

Council has issued a fire prevention notice, warning property owners to clear their block for grass, weeds and dead branches by December 7. Council officers will inspect the blocks on Monday, December 9, and the owners of any properties not mowed or cleared will be fined $234 in addition to the council-appointed contractor’s mowing costs, of around $50. The fire prevention notices that were sent were dated November 18. “Recipients of these notices will have until December 7 to slash grass to acceptable levels,” council’s fire prevention officer Ian Nicholas said. The notice states that “all grass and weeds (is) cut and cleared to a height of not greater than 75mm

above the natural surface of the ground from the whole of the land (block)”. All dead trees, dead branches, fallen limbs, leaf litter and “fine ground fuels of 6mm or less in diameter” must also be removed. Although the short notice has caused anxiety among Melbourne residents who own holiday homes in such high fire risk coastal towns as Venus Bay, Sandy Point, Walkerville and Waratah Bay, Mr Nicholas said he had already given owners 19 days’ notice, which was more than legally required of about 10 days. Mr Nicholas said in the light of the extensive bush fires early this year that affected Darlimurla, Boolarra and threatened Mirboo North, it was time “owners took greater responsibility for their blocks”. He said two council officers inspected about 10,000 blocks in the shire, spread over 27 townships, which was a massive task. He said most people, especially local residents, complied with the prevention measures, but there

was a consistent minority of outside owners, particularly from Melbourne, that did not take enough care of their property, leaving long grass and dead wood to become fire risks. Council has assisted the CFA in the preparation of Town Protection Plans for the four risk towns and has appointed a full time emergency manager to look at all emergencies, including fire events. The block inspection has been conducted for the last 15 years and is an annual process. But the additional requirement this year to remove dead branches has stepped up the measures to cope with the increased fire risks. Mr Nicholas said shire officers dealt with about 1600 notices, of which up to 30 were usually enforced. Last year 25 property owners were fined. He said most of the offenders were “repeat offenders”. “We find about 10 per cent of the offenders are the same ones for the last 15 years,” Mr Nicholas said. “They are owners who could not care less.

Most people do the right thing.” He said the second point, regarding the branch clearing, was added this year. “The highest priority is getting the grass cut. If the grass is cut, people have nothing to worry about. We’ve added the second point as an extra precaution.” One of council’s appointed contractors said the prevention notice process was “very effective”. He said Bass Coast Shire Council conducted a similar program and the results justiﬁed the measures. “It takes about three years to get through to people but it works well,” Craig Eeles, of Tanyelle in Inverloch, said. “Three years ago we had up to 40 owners who were not complying. Last year we had 20 and now we’re down to a dozen (in Bass Coast),” Mr Eeles said. He was conﬁdent South Gippsland was headed for a similarly successful outcome.

POLICE BRIEFS School vandals attack MIRBOO North and Tarwin Valley Primary School are the latest to have suffered vandalism attacks. The Mirboo North attack occurred last Thursday, November 26, when vandals set a table on ﬁre causing about $200 in damage. The burning table was discovered by a cleaner, who extinguished it, Leongatha Police’s Leading Senior Constable Peter Barry told The Star. Meeniyan was attacked at the weekend, with air vents and other school equipment damaged. A rise in attacks and thefts in the region has prompted many schools to install closed circuit TV cameras, with Mirboo North Secondary College set to follow suit. “With a number of thefts occurring over the past ﬁve months school council endorsed a decision that the school install security cameras,” principal Karen Lanyon wrote in the school’s latest newsletter. “We are quite concerned that student’s personal items were being taken from lockers but we are optimistic that with the installation of cameras both internally and externally that theft and damage

will stop. “This work is at a signiﬁcant cost to the school and it disappoints me that we have needed to take this action. The camera installation process should be completed by the end of next week.”

Electrocution A 43-year-old man Dalyston was killed when his tipper truck touched power lines at a private property off the Bass Highway, Grantville. The incident occurred just after 5pm. “Has electrocuted when the tipper truck touched overhead wires. CPR was performed on the man and he was kept alive for a while, but he died some time later after being airlifted to Alfred Hospital by the Police Airwing,” “Work Cover is investigating the incident.”

Booze theft McCARTINS Hotel bottle shop, in Leongatha, was ransacked late last Thursday. “They managed to steal eight, 10-can Jim Beam packets from the fridge in the drive through,” Leongatha Police’s Leading Senior Constable Pete Barry said. “Any witnesses to that would be appreciated.”

Car crashes LAST Thursday there was a two car collision on the Old Thorpdale Road, Mirboo North at about 7.30pm. The crash occurred on a blind corner of the gravel road. “A 39-year-old female from Mirboo North was involved as well as in 18-year-old male from Mirboo North,” Leongatha Police’s Leading Senior Constable Pete Barry said. “The 18-year-old will be summonsed for failing to keep as far left as possible and careless driving.” Another crash occurred on Nerrena Road, last Saturday evening. The single vehicle accident involved an 18-year-old man from Leongatha, who was not driving to the wet conditions. “He crashed into an embankment and will be charged with careless driving,” Leading Snr Const Barry said.

Bair assault POLICE were called to a dispute last Friday night in Bair Street, Leongatha, which led to the arrest of a 41-year-old female. The Boolarra woman will be charged in relation to assaults, causing injury and breaking an intervention order.

Mobil crash POLICE and ambulance members were called to the Mobil service station, on Bair Street, Leongatha around midday last Friday after a woman crashed a car in to a petrol bowser. “The woman was conveyed to Leongatha Hospital for observation. It’s possible she may have suffered some sort of seizure and a medical review has been requested,” Leongatha Police’s Leading Senior Constable Pete Barry said.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 7

Tapping into a problem By Matt Dunn KORUMBURRA resident Irene Atkins can see the town’s water supplies going down the drain.

Every morning when she walks her dog past the Korumburra Recreation Reserve, she looks in disgust at the fire hydrant that is still leaking. It’s been several months since she first complained to the South Gippsland Shire Council about the leakage. “In these times of lower rainfall and hotter weather, I am disgusted that the Shire can leave a tap for so long. If it was fixed properly the first time this problem wouldn’t still be around. Hopefully, this time,” she said. But Councillor Bob Newton, who was notified of the problem by Mrs Atkins, said council had done its bit to fix the problem and persistent vandals were to blame. “The council has fixed it several times. It’s a water fire hydrant and what happens is the vandals turn it on. When they break the seal you have to notify all the neighbours and turn off the water around the area to repair it,” he said.

“You can’t lock it down because it’s a fire hydrant, and the vandals turn it on and create hell with it. That’s the problem with it. It’s not the shire’s fault, it’s not anyone’s fault.” Wanting to estimate the extent of the problem, Mrs Atkins took a bucket on her walk. While it recently took three-and-a-half minutes to fill the bucket to the three litre mark, when The Star met Mrs Atkins to take a photo the bucket took just three minutes to fill. On the more modest three-and-a-half minutes per three litre flow rate she worked out the water loss at 51 litres an hour or 1224 litres per day. During the course of a year, the loss would be a massive 446,760 litres. Council communications officer Jeannie Hicks said problem was again fixed after The Star met Mrs Atkins at the site. “The hydrant was turned off as best we could last night,” Ms Hicks said. “The seal will be changed as soon we get approval to isolate the water mains in the area. This involves South Gippsland Water. “It should be noted that requests will

Bit of everything By Jane Ross NOVEMBER has been hot, dry and wet all at once. In South Gippsland, rain fell on 11 days at about average levels, but at the same time, temperatures were the hottest they have been in November since records began 150 years’ ago. Melbourne recorded an average November temperature of 22 degrees, the hottest since 1855. In South Gippsland, the week’s downfall, measuring 31mm over Leongatha’s Ruby Creek water storage for example, has put the icing on the cake for farmers. “Things are looking good in the paddocks,” said Fish Creek farmer Neville Buckland. “This will save the season for a lot of people,” said Meeniyan weather recorder Lindsay Fromhold. Kay Puru who records the weather for Leongatha, said she tipped 32.9mm out of her gauge in the past week, bringing the month’s total to 72.9mm, which is about average. Mr Fromhold said Meeniyan is around 6 ½ inches ahead of the same time last year. Over 11 days in November, the town had 64.6mm, taking the monthly result to 762.2, compared with last year’s notquite 600mm by the end of November. Fish Creek had 77mm for the month, slightly above the average of 73.5, giving a progressive tally for the year of 907, well up on last year’s 743. Ruby recorder Margery Robson, is looking forward to the exercise of weeding the vegetable patch and mowing the lawns after 69.5mm of rain prompted growth on the ground.

gain faster attention if the request is lodged directly with Council, rather than informally with a Councillor.” While water totals are healthy at the moment, experts are predicting a dry summer. With conditions like last summer, water loss is not something that authorities would tolerate. Rainfall recorded last week at South Gippsland Waters storages was blessedly plentiful, with Lance Creek (23.8mm), Ruby Creek (31mm), Coalition Creek (14.4mm), Deep Creek (28.5mm), Little Bass (39.7mm) and Battery Creek (25mm). “The continuing rainfall has ensured water storage levels across the region are remaining steady. The region remains in good shape for the coming summer months,” South Gippsland Water’s Manager of Technical Services Rob McKaige. But the authority knows well enough how quickly things can change, especially in towns like Korumburra, which draws from a smaller reservoir than other places.

Irene Atkins: the Korumburra resident can see the town’s water supplies going down the drain.

PAGE 8 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Village warfare By Matt Dunn BASS Coast Council CEO Alan Bawden rejected criticisms levelled at his organisation by Member for Bass Ken Smith over its handling of the Wonthaggi housing crisis.

The Star exclusively revealed last week that Wonthaggi landlords were evicting low income tenants to make way for cashed up desalination workers. Mr Smith believes council could have helped ease the problem by backing the construction of a purpose built village. But Mr Bawden said the “village idea was categorically ruled out by all of the bidding companies, who didn’t want to have a bar of it”. “And the EES (Environmental Effects Statement) enquiry decided too that it wouldn’t be a sensible way to go. Of course, the fact that it was a public/private partnership meant there wasn’t time,” he said. “Aquasure only got the contract in September and building between then and the end of the year was known to be something of an impossibility. There’s a whole lot of reasons why that option was never pursued.” But Mr Bawden believes the council’s partnership with holiday home owners will help solve the rental property shortage.

“I think in the EES enquiry there was a realisation that we’re a little fortunate in that we have this pool of vacant holiday houses we should be able to use. We’ve got about 10,000 houses. We only need ﬁve per cent of those and we’ve got the problem solved,” he said. “The council agreed to take on the responsibility for the housing through our accord and we’ve been very happy with the response from landlords. Aquasure told us they wanted to have at least 500 houses available and we’ve had landlords commit around 600 houses to the scheme. That’s an extra 600 houses that will be available.” Mr Bawden said the “amount of housing will be sufﬁcient” to meet the needs of the coming desalination plant workers. “It will take pressure off the existing private rental market and if that all works out there should be a bit of downwards pressure on rental prices,” he said. “I accept that at the moment we haven’t actually got many properties listed. There’s probably landlords and tenants who are coming to the end of their lease and there may well be landlords who are not committing to leases at this stage and perhaps holding out to see what happens.” But Mr Smith is sceptical about council’s plans. “I can’t imagine people with holiday homes

letting them out to workers when it denies them the opportunity to use their holiday homes when they want them,” he said. “I do think they’ve got the response they expected. Originally the developers were looking to build a village that the council knocked back. The council will say, ‘We haven’t got enough land to build on. We don’t want to set up some sort of ghetto.’ “The council hasn’t got enough land and that’s the council’s fault that they haven’t developed enough land or allowed enough land to be put out for development.” Although Mr Smith can see the benefits for the town of the coming desalination plant workers he can also see the pitfalls. “There’s probably 400 or 500 families that are going to be coming down here. We don’t have the kindergarten space for them, we don’t have the space in the schools for them. I just wonder where these people are going to go,” he said. “It’s going to be interesting when this whole thing gets going. There’s going to be some benefits. A lot of the shops in town are going to benefit from having the extra people in the town. We’ll probably have a lot of sightseers who come and look at the place as well. “It’ll be interesting. There’s no doubt about that.”

Jaws may be just the start LEONGATHA SES unit has a new ‘jaws of life’ valued at $60,000. There are also rumours the unit will get a new primary rescue vehicle early next year. The hydraulic rescue tools can pry metal apart with 27 tons of force at the tips compared to a maximum of 12.5 tons from the old jaws. They will be able to cope with the increasingly stronger car and truck parts when rescuing people from vehicles. The old ‘jaws of life’ had to be replaced as they were 12 years old. They will be sold and most likely end up overseas.

Leongatha SES unit controller Tony Lindhard said the new hydraulic rescue tools will make it easier for the SES to gain entry into where someone is trapped. Jaws of life equipment is used to free someone about 15 times a year The new hydraulic rescue tools are part of a massive upgrade for the Leongatha unit funded by the State Government. Generators, climbing equipment, lighting, pulling devises, rope and hand tools will all be replaced or upgraded in the next year. Some of them are old others need to be stronger to cope with any eventuality the unit attends to.

Bigger jaws: SES members Les Boyd, Val Bremner, Geoff Murray and Tony Lindhard (Leongatha unit controller) with new hydraulic rescue tools.

Beautifully appointed: the Manna Gum Restaurant/Café will overlook the Broadbeach community complex outdoor pool. That and the indoor pool will be available for community use.

Come and have a look THE new owners of the Broadbeach Resort Village in Inverloch are inviting the community to an open day on Saturday December 5. They are hoping to dispel any concerns people may have about plans for the site, by showing visitors over the complex. The resort will be open between 1 and 3pm. Omni Property Group now owns Broadbeach, which was formerly an AMP development. It was to have been a retirement village, but only a few of the proposed 226 retirement units have been built. Omni has lodged planning permit amendments with Bass Coast Council, seeking to reduce the number of retirement units and provide a mix of owner/occupier and retirement dwellings. The lavishly appointed resort community complex will be renovated and local business people appointed to run various aspects of the hub. Omni director Lou Garita said that in its current form, the Broadbeach development “will not work for either the future residents or the Inveroch community”. He said all the facilities in the community complex will be available to both residents of the village and any member of the Inverloch community who wants to use them. They include a restaurant/café, 27 seat cinema, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis court and gymnasium. The restaurant will be run by Greg and Sue Roylance, who are well known in South Gippsland. They have run the hotel at Tarwin Lower and Café Pajez in Inverloch. Their Broadbeach venture will be called Manna Gum in honour of the magniﬁcent tree of that species which the restaurant overlooks. Greg and Sue are planning to provide breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Mr Garita said the cinema will be available to the Inverloch community for private use or fund raising activities. It is also an ideal setting for meetings. Ross Splatt, a director of Rescom Inverloch, will run the accommodation side of Broadbeach. Mr Garita said Ross’s extensive experience in real estate is expected to help create conference opportunities for the resort, which would have spin offs for the rest of Inverloch’s local trade. The swimming pools will be open to the general public through “a reasonably priced membership scheme”. Mr Garita said 178 full and part time jobs would be created at Broadbeach, not including those in the construction which, he explained, would take some years. In the longer term, he hoped Omni and Bass Coast Council would be able to work out a second road access point to the Broadbeach estate, reducing the pressure on Lindsey Close.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 9

Hospital in the red By Jane Ross

GIPPSLAND Southern Health Service has recorded a net loss of $320,000 for the 2008/09 financial year. That’s the first time it’s been in the red since 1997/98. But CEO Gary Templeton, said the latest loss is not an operating one, it relates to the way depreciation is computed. Instead of basing the depreciation of assets on their historical value, the depreciation is now based on replacement cost. And that means an ongoing loss in the years ahead. “We’ve performed on par operationally for many years,” said Mr Templeton. In so doing, the health service has recorded an operating surplus for the year of $1.183m. Presenting the financial statements to the annual meeting held at Hillside Leisure Centre Korumburra, finance and accounting officer Peter Van Hamond reported total expenses of $25.387m and total revenue of $25.067m. Net assets are $46.355m. Mr Templeton said that the year had been a difficult one for GSHS “with the delay in two of the key future directions for health service delivery to our communities”. These are the sub regional planning study due out two months ago, but which will now not be available until March at the earliest. “More importantly, the opportunity to begin the capital investment in the Leongatha Campus of GSHS was lost, with no announcements of capital funding in the

Plenty to smile about: Neil Langstaff and Sue Davenport at the AGM. 2009 budget. “The potential for failure of a major health service facility in this sub region and the inability of any other health service to provide any backup in the event of a failure is a major concern for Gippsland Southern Health Service. “The scale and scope of the issues which require management will continue to consume considerable scarce resources.” Board president Tracey Gibson, wrote in her report that, “It is clear

to me that GSHS delivers services very efficiently and the staff collectively has an enormous pride in the way in which they provide care.” She said it is seven years since consultants working for the Department of Human Services, identified “the dire state of the acute facilities”. “It is disappointing that in this annual report, we are again uncertain about what the government and DHS are doing to address these critical issues.” Mr Templeton noted that in a community survey last year, the issues seen as most important were: the need for accident and emergency services, availability of doctor services, aged health care and local hospital access. In other annual report news: The new Koorooman House Aged Care Facility continues to be recognised as a leader in aged health care and is now 100 per cent water self sufficient. The health service treated 4414 inpatients, who stayed a total of 12,350 bed days and underwent 1184 operations. There were 1091 drug and alcohol counselling services, 1015 saw the diabetes educator and 217 babies were born – that’s one more than last year. And radiology has passed the first two of three phases of a new accreditation, the last to be undertaken this financial year.

Plovers in the ’hood By Jane Ross THE hooded plover will be threatened by a major development at Cape Paterson – or vice versa. That is the view of Dr Grainne Maguire of Birds Australia. Dr Maguire has prepared a submission to hearings that begin in Wonthaggi tomorrow, by Planning Panels Victoria. The panel, Chris Harty, Margaret Pitt and Jenny Moles as chair, will sit until December 17, listening to arguments for and against the development, which has been controversial for years. Called an eco village, the project covers 40 hectares bounded by Seaward Drive, Wilsons Road and a coastal reserve. It proposes a pedestrian friendly village that will promote residents’ wellbeing as well as restoring habitat.

Proposed rezoning to accommodate the eco village, together with plans to change coastal township boundaries in other parts of Bass Coast Shire, will all be heard during the panel sitting. Dr Maguire’s submission was drawn up on behalf of supporters of the Wonthaggi Heathland and Coastal Reserve. It is the expert’s view that both the Cape Paterson Eco Village and changes to coastal boundaries proposed by the shire council, would put hooded plovers at further risk. The birds are listed as vulnerable under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act. They nest on the ground, making them easy prey for dogs, cats and humans. Dr Maguire said that at mid-November this year, there were four hooded plover nesting sites in the Cape Paterson and Harmers Haven area.

Sparks don’t fly THERE was electricity in the air when Gippsland Southern Health Service met last week for its annual general meeting. But it wasn’t the tension caused by increasing concerns over the future of Leongatha hospital that had the atmosphere buzzing. A massive storm loomed over Korumburra’s Hillside Leisure Centre as people arrived for what some thought could be a ﬁery meeting. Just as the meeting started, so did the show outside. Lightning lit up the room like camera ﬂashes. Thunder boomed right above, causing the projector screen to shake. Rain belted down on the roof, threatening to drown out the speakers. But the stormy atmosphere remained outdoors, with a calm, no-nonsense feel to the AGM. With the future of the region’s major

hospital possibly to be decided within weeks, those present could be forgiven for being a little anxious. But there were no distressed residents; no angry questions from the floor; no shouts of support or condemnation from audience. Board president Tracey Gibson ran a slick show, with treasurer Ron Stanley delivering the bad news that the service was in the red for the first time in years. Les Eastman was brought forward to receive tokens of recognition for his service to GSHS. Mr Eastman made a gracious speech, his booming voice not needing a microphone to be heard over the rainfall. His brought a little of the day’s electric atmosphere to the meeting when he fired a shot at the local media for their coverage of local hospital issues. But that was about as wild as it got.

Interested onlookers: Rebecca Wright, Alex Aeschlimann and Frank Decker discuss the future of health services.

It isn’t natural to pay more money! Are you currently using LPG and wondering whether to switch... Here are the facts! There are many hidden costs associated with converting your home and appliances to operate on Natural Gas. It therefore makes sense to time your changeover with the purchase of a new appliance or a renovation, in order to avoid some of these costs. Do I have to change to Natural Gas? No, Elgas will continue to supply you with LPG and associated services for your home.

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Well done LEONGATHA police members were commended for their tireless efforts during last summer’s devastating bushﬁres. Mirboo North and Foster members also received the Divisional Appreciation Awards in Moe last week. Pictured are Leongatha members, Senior Constable Brendan Clarke and Leading Senior Constable Pete Barry.

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PAGE 10 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

ENTRY forms are available for the 2010 Great Southern Portrait Prize presented by Prom Coast Arts. The subject of the portrait must be a resident of the Gippsland region however there is no restriction on the place of residence for

the artist. All portraits must be based on a live sitting and the work should have been completed in the last 12 months. This will be the 5th annual Great Southern Portrait Prize. An exhibition of selected entrants will be held at the Foster War Memorial

Arts Centre on the weekend of January 16-17, 2010. Entry forms for the portrait prize can be downloaded at www.promcoastarts.org. au or hard copies can be obtained at Gecko Studio Gallery in Fish Creek. For further information, phone Anda 56871206 or Jane 56832621.

tion of new netball courts, at a recent movie afternoon. The club held the fundraiser at Stadium Four Cinema in Leongatha, watching the popular release, The Twilight Saga – New Moon. Award winners were: Kahlia Truman (best dressed), Katrina Butler (door prize) and Sarah Shaw (most tickets sold).

DON’T forget the last Meeniyan town tavern night for the year at the hall on December 5, 8pm. Avril van Wamel will be MC, introducing a great line-up. The Meeniyan Ecumenical Choir will be on hand as will Tish Hanks and Sarah Zerbe, Danielle Logan, newcomer Amy Smith and Anne Hoyne from the tavern’s ﬁrst night in 1984. For bookings, call Eric Mould on 5664 7376. THE Inverloch/Kongwak Football Netball Club raised $506.50 towards construc-

Family show: The Tattersall family will again present a family show, similar to last year’s display. Exhibiting will be, from left, Conrad, Karl, Nicole, David, Margaret and Cara. Last year’s young Nali will be absent from this year’s effort.

LOCAL boy made good Angus McLaren (Nathan from Packed to the Rafters) was at the Korumburra Busker’s Festival on Saturday, where he wowed the crowd and had many a teenage girl swooning.

ALMOST a year ago to the day, the Tattersall family got together for a major group exhibition, they called Fruit from the Family Tree. This year most of the original participants are getting together again, this time calling their family effort Generating Art. Their display will again be at Mushroom Art/Craft Space in Leongatha, which is owned and operated by Margaret Tattersall. The exhibition will have its ofﬁcial and joyous opening on Saturday, December 5, from 2.30pm to 5pm. It will include photographs, jewellery, paintings and illustrations. Meanwhile brothers

SOUTH Gippsland’s grand dame of art Julia Price (right) celebrated her 81st birthday while opening her joint exhibition with Agnes artist Marilyn Ardley at Meeniyan Art Gallery last Sunday. Julia’s birthday is not until next week, but MAG curator Winsome Richards provided the kind gesture of presenting Julia with a bunch of roses, called Sweet Juliet. In the background are Marilyn and Koonwarra artist Bob Hickman.

Karl and Conrad Tattersall will also be in Leongatha with their band BossBucho. This will be the band’s second visit to Leongatha this year. They will again perform in the Downstairs Cafe Lounge, 7-9 Bair Street, on Friday, December 11, from around 8.30pm. Karl plays lead guitar, Conrad is on bass guitar, Greg Edmiston on drums and James Collins on guitar, vocals and harmonica. Their sound is a mix of traditional folk, melancholy pop and cobblestone rock. For bookings, call Seraﬁno’s on 5662 3390.

ERIN Baudinette and Brendan Cashin from 2nd Leongatha Scouts received their Scout Medallion recently. The award is the highest accolade a scout can receive. Erin had the honor of reading out the Governor’s message on the day. The Scout Medallion is earned through a lot of hard work and commitment, and the pair has taken four years to attain the award. Well done to Erin and Brendan. Keep up the good work.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 11

Mail train arrives in Outtrim By Jane Ross JIM Darwin has decided he wants to collect his mail by train.

He has moved to a new house at Outtrim and even though he could easily walk down his drive to the mail box, he has set himself the personal challenge of laying very narrow gauge track down one side of the drive and back up the other. He’s not quite half way. When he has done that, he will shovel coal into the ﬁre box of the engine of his model train and wait for it to steam up, before tootling to the front gate at a leisurely pace. The he can “choof” back, reading his letters as he goes, feeding the junk mail into the coal burner for good measure. That is until he converts a ride on mower to run on the railway as an electric motor locomotive. The steam takes an hour to get going, which is a long time to wait if you’re going to the mail box. Electric will be quicker. Jim said it will be easier if he crosses the drive at the front gate and comes back up the other side, rather than trying to lay a turning circle. The track is made from narrow pieces of ﬂat bar, stood on edge and carefully spaced at 7¼ inches. The track is kept in place by being welded onto tie underneath. Jim has set up his own maintenance trolley packed with the necessary track laying and other tools, so he just moves that along the track to the place where he needs to lay the next section. Jim has set up a railway crossing, complete with sign, in the spot where he drives his car across to its

garage in a nearby paddock. Jim is still in the process of shifting his collection of myriad bits and pieces from his former Leongatha South house. Part of the model train rail is still at the old place and Jim makes good use of it. He loads goods onto a trolley car to push them along the track, making it easier for him to pack the car to move his possessions to Outtrim. The 400m of track used to encircle his Leongatha South house, but his new home doesn’t lend itself to that, hence the linear plan down the driveway. Close to the shed where the model train’s locomotive, diesel engine, two riding cars and the coal tender are stored, Jim has devised a complication of tracks that create four-inone set points. To the uninitiated it

looks like a jumble of metal, but Jim is proud of it because it’s pretty unusual to have four different areas of track coming to the one point. He’s been handy all his life. Jim grew up on a farm during the days when farmers ﬁxed everything themselves, gaining a wide range of skills along the way. He went to the Leongatha Tech, has been a cabinet maker and has always enjoyed making things. His regret is that with modern day regulations and insurance, he won’t be able to offer model train rides to anyone other than friends and family. But he has pursued the hobby since 1990 and doesn’t want to give it away. Besides, there’s always that ride to the mail box.

Ready to work: Jim Darwin uses this maintenance trolley on his model train track.

For convenience: Jim has put in a rail crossing so that he can drive his vehicles over the railway line

PAGE 12 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Festival hits bum note The Buskers Festival is a wonderful idea, and the concept is to be commended.

Do your bit

FIRE notices have been sent to scores of properties across South Gippsland as authorities try to minimise the danger from bushfire in coming months. The orders are blunt. Clean up your land or they will do it for you – at great expense. Some might consider the rules draconian, but in light of last summer’s events it is hard to find fault with their enthusiasm for prevention. Let us hope that some sense is used in protecting land for wildlife, much of which requires logs, sticks and other “debris” to use as shelter. But the general principal of people being responsible for minimising fire risk on their own properties is sound. If everyone does their bit, South Gippsland might be spared the devastation that other Victorians had to endure just those few short months ago.

Tough ask FORGET mayors, chief executives or managing directors – John Schelling has the toughest job in South Gippsland. The newly appointed president of the Alberton Football League has an unenviable task in front of him as he tries to unite a league that has been racked by years of internal ﬁghting. At least the Wonthaggi Power drama seems to be out of the way with, giving John a clean slate on which to work. Local football is a life-blood for many local communities, offering a social outlet that is badly needed in isolated rural areas. Over the next few years, the league needs to be strengthened, ensuring that everyone who wants to play football in South Gippsland can have the chance to have a kick. This is the time to get behind the league administrators and show a united front as they try and secure a strong future from the acrimonious mess of recent years. Good luck, John. The Star wishes you all the best.

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.

The Great Southern Star Address: 36 McCartin St Leongatha, 3953 Ph: (03) 5662 2294 Fax: (03) 5662 4350 Editor: Danny Buttler Email: news@thestar.com.au

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It encourages people, especially the young, to show how much time and effort and passion they have put into learning their chosen instrument. A pity then that in order to come and perform in public, at a community event, they have to pay a fee and obtain a licence. Apparently public liability insurance is the reason. Well, I would have thought that the local Shire Council and the local Business Association would have been kind enough to foot the bill for the one day that is a big and exciting event for many kids who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to get a gig. Yes, there are various cash prizes on offer, but who provides that? The buskers! Not much different to gambling really. I personally reckon it smacks of commercial opportunism, and is another classic example of bureaucratic over-regulation. It is morally wrong to charge kids a fee to come and play music in public. Willy Golightly. Outtrim

Bus terminal CR Kennedy’s ludicrous rationalisation related to the termination of the service to aged and disability passengers came as no surprise to former users of the Venus Bay community bus. He merely reflects the opinion currently endorsed by the South Gippsland Shire that the service is no value to them. The service expired on October 1, 2009 and passengers who relied on it – some for many years – were only given three days notification. Volunteer drivers also were not warned in advance either. They were heartlessly dismissed after many years of loyal service without acknowledgement. All attempts made by myself for council to clarify why the decision was made without consultation, before the two day notification by phone to passengers, has met with total resistance from the mayor’s office, the CEO Cr Kennedy and a whole range of people who may have been able to clarify matters. Instead, they have campaigned through media outlets to promote the alleged success and efficiency of the latest trial of the V/Line service, despite a previous

trial which was a total ﬂop. Those I was able to talk to responded in ambiguous terms. Former community bus travelers that Ms Cousins solicited feedback from complained the V/Line service did not suit their needs, she omitted to mention their dissatisfaction in The Star. The passenger list to date related to Mondays, allocated for shopping, does not reﬂect the service will succeed and is on the same perilous path as the former trial run. There have already been a number of mishaps reported by passengers using the shopping run which council passes off as ‘teething problems’. One passenger who purchased his shopping at a Leongatha supermarket on the understanding it would be delivered by their staff to the disused railway line, was informed they knew nothing about the arrangement the shire announced in The Star. Another example, when the V/Line bus was supposed to pick up the passengers for the return trip, it didn’t arrive. V/Line had to be phoned to arrange a bus. Ms Cousins maintains there was widespread consultation on the bus issues, and technically she is right in reference to V/Line

VOXPOP! VOX Who do you think will be the next Prime Minister?

Julia Gillard. It would be nice to have a woman. I think she is a very clever lady from what I’ve heard. Gwen Chapman Leongatha

I don’t know who I think it will be, but I would like it to be Bob Brown because his morals are in the right place and I like his views. Anna Cuttriss Inverloch

Julia Gillard. She’s just got what the Australian people want and she speaks well. Rod Williams Inverloch

Joe Hockey. I think he’s a really likeable sort of guy and he has what it takes to take over from Malcolm Turnbull and then get over Rudd. Peter McMillan Leongatha

services, not so with the cruel and savage decision to murder an essential service to the aged and others living in a remote area. It remains a mystery how the Bass Coast Shire Council can run a V/Line service as well as a community bus service, under their Access and Inclusion Plan 2007-2009. It makes interesting reading on their website. Seems they contradict the cold-hearted undemocratic approach of this shire and unapproachable people like Cr Kennedy and those he serves on the South Gippsland Shire Council, who incidentally, exchange positions like a game of musical chairs. I won’t get a rate payment extension now, will I? Robert Field Venus Bay

said that tackling alcohol related crime is at the top of his priority list. On top of that, we are proposing new laws that will enable police to move people on if they fear a breach of peace. There will also be a new offence of disorderly conduct and onthe-spot ﬁnes of up to $234 for people who are drunk, disorderly, behave in an offensive manner, damage property or refuse to leave licensed premises when asked to do so. Our Government is playing a role, Victoria Police is playing a role and right across the community more and more people are uniting to demonstrate that booze-fuelled violence is simply not on. Bob Cameron MP Minister for Police and Emergency Services

Booze moves Sign of the time The move by the nation’s police chiefs to jointly tackle alcoholrelated violence and anti-social behaviour is backed by our Government in the ongoing battle to stamp out Australia’s booze-fuelled culture. In Victoria, we have taken huge steps to combat this issue to ensure families and friends can enjoy a night out without the threat of drunken fools or violence. We moved fast to give police tougher powers to deal with troublemakers, strengthen liquor licensing laws, boost alcohol education programs and provide resources to put record number of frontline police on the street – with another 120 on the way. Already this year, the Safe Streets Taskforce has arrested over 4000 drunks in the city on Friday and Saturday nights and visited over 23,000 licensed premises. Our banning laws are also having an impact, with almost 2,000 troublemakers kicked out of entertainment precincts for 24 hours since we introduced new laws to clean up hot spots in December 2007. The popular Championship Moves campaign – which encourages young men to help keep their mates out of trouble – is making a difference. And Victoria has a new Chief Police Commissioner who has

JUST writing in response to the article a few weeks ago in regard to the roadside signage and advertising on several farms in the area. As a local, I do not find them distracting or offensive, I actually think “good on the people for using their initiative to advertise their business”. Observing on my travels, there are a lot of tradesmen who carry out jobs on farms or allotments and advertise with a sign at the end of the driveways. Yes I know these are not fixed but it is a good way to advertise their business. The farmers who have got these fixed signs displayed by the roadside are obviously proud of their pasture quality, so why knock the farmers if they are prepared to let others know why their pastures are looking so good. I personally can’t see the difference between these signs and people displaying their information on their cars or vehicles. I actually find this advertising on cars incredibly distracting, whereas these large signs in discussion are fixated and brief. Aren’t there more important issues out there to focus your time on? Name withheld.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 13

Inverloch’s shifting sands By Jane Ross

Major threat: Roger Thorrowgood is deeply concerned about the dangers of a shifting channel that has brought deeper and faster ﬂowing water closer to the Inverloch inlet shore and the jet skis that “belt” along it.

THE shifting sands of Inverloch’s Anderson Inlet are creating dangers for mariners and swimmers. Point Smyth is eroding and the bar between the inlet and the ocean is silting up. At the same time, the inlet channel is moving closer to the shore. And that, according to Roger Thorrowgood, spells life threatening disaster for swimmers. Mr Thorrowgood lives in Inverloch and swims regularly at the popular beach Pensioner Point. He said that in 2007, he could maintain himself against the rip in the channel. “Now, it’s no contest.” He is very worried about the danger and said the only signs at the beach entrance warning swimmers of imminent trouble, are so small you could easily miss them. “It’s a disaster waiting to happen,” he told Bass Coast councillors at their November meeting. “Proper signs need to be put there before there is a serious incident.” Mr Thorrowgood said the Pensioner Point beach is frequented by fami-

lies because it looks safe, but that is no longer the case because of the deep channel’s proximity to the shore. “It’s chronically dangerous,” he said. “The beach is only 200m from a playground and the council put in a parking area a couple of years ago, so there is parallel parking for 50m or so. “People park and walk straight to the beach. “It’s life threatening when the tide is running out. “We need some signs there because

there could be a bad situation, especially with kids. “I know the inlet very well and to me, for anyone who is not a very strong swimmer, swimming between the pier and Pensioner Point is not on. “There should be signs at the entrances to the beach that say that the Anglers’ Club (beach) is a better beach.” Mr Thurrowgood said the moving of the channel is a natural thing. “People forget that the very bottom

of Inverloch used to be sand. The inlet has moved south. Point Smyth has been cut off and the channel is running hard against the Inverloch tide. “The sand is being washed out and is silting up the bar.” Gippsland Ports has issued a warning to mariners about the bar. The only reasonably safe time to cross it is at high water when there is no swell, in a vessel with a shallow draft. It’s not only the natural forces that are a danger to swimmers at the inlet.

Mr Torrowgood is also alarmed by the “ridiculous speed” at which jet skis “go belting” through the main channel. The threat is greater now that the channel is closer to shore. “They’re only supposed to go at ﬁve knots within 50m of the shoreline. “Inverloch Police have been trying to get jet skis over the other side of the sand island, away from the channel and Pensioner Point. “They need community support behind their effort. “There needs to be a petition over summer and I’m looking at that. “The jet skis are life threatening; they have just been shattering the regulations. “They need a designated area.” Bass Coast CEO Allan Bawden, said he would take “on notice” Mr Thorrowgood’s question about improved beach safety signs. And the State Government has announced that water police will be given new powers to ﬁght “hoon” behaviour on Victorian waterways. The legislation, modelled on Victoria’s anti-hoon road laws, is part of a comprehensive review of marine safety laws.

Government hears planning concerns A SOUTH Gippsland delegation has put its C48 amendment concerns to the State Government, outlining the hardship it has caused property owners. The delegation comprised C48 Community Watchdogs Ken Irwin, Paul Richardson and Phillip Murphy, South Gippsland Shire Councillors David Lewis and Bob Newton. Mr Irwin submitted his hardship papers, together with a list of questions, questioning the Minister’s line of thinking on the C48 amendment. Cr David Lewis said that there were about 840 single allotments and 3100 under 40ha in the shire, which were

affected. Rezoning and the devaluing of these allotments “left the community with a loss of one billion dollars plus”. The delegation said it held the Government responsible for what was happening in the shire. It claimed the Mr Madden was “dictating to council. “We say it was dictatorship and not democracy,” Mr Irwin said. He also claimed that the Mayor (Cr Jim Fawcett) and other councillors could not do enough “to appease the Minister, totally ignoring the wishes of the ratepayers”.

Cr Bob Newton vowed the ﬁght over the C48 amendment, which bans constructing of dwellings on properties less than 40ha in the farming zone, would go on. The delegation wanted to meet Planning Minister Justin Madden, but had to settle for the Minister’s chief of staff Justin Jarvis. “We had one hour to express our concerns on behalf of the ratepayers in the shire,” Mr Irwin said. “It was not much time as we had a lot to say. We were all hoping to talk to the Minister himself but no room for complaint as Mr Jarvis spoke on the Minister’s behalf.

Meeniyan’s Christmas gift JIM Atkins is looking forward to sharing Christmas with those who enjoy a three course meal at the Meeniyan Uniting Church. Jim is going to take his sister Annie and hoping his younger brother Les will be able to join them too. Les is in Grand Ridge Lodge at Mirboo North and his health is failing. “I’ll take him if he’s able to go,” said Jim. The Atkins siblings, who grew up in Korumburra, have lived in Mirboo North for years. Jim was a butcher in the town. The work has left him with knee and shoulder damage, but otherwise he’s ﬁne. He has been to the Meeniyan Uniting Church Christmas lunch for the past three years, enjoying the fellowship and the singing. His favourite number is Joy to the World, followed closely by O Come All Ye Faithful. Jim has been part of choirs over the years and used to sing on the ABC when radio station 3LO had community singing on a Sunday night. The Christmas lunch is for those who might otherwise be on their own on Christmas Day. It’s open to anyone and is free. If you’d like to go, ring Bill on 5664 2462.

Christmas spirit: Les (left) and Jim Atkins are hoping to be in Meeniyan for Christmas lunch.

Mr Jarvis presented the Government’s point of view and tried to impress on us how it didn’t want to see lots of housing on farmland, because there had been complaints from the community that good farmland was getting destroyed.” When asked, Mr Jarvis was unable to substantiate his claim, Mr Irwin said. “There was no reply to the question. I think the Government thought we would endorse their line of thinking, needless to say we weren’t going to have any of that nonsense,” Mr Irwin said. The delegation agreed that no more farm land should be cut up for small blocks.

PAGE 14 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

From up high: you can see right over the town from the top deck of the Captain’s Room.

Above: Your drink, sir: the emphasis is on class in the Captain’s Lounge, with barman Kit Rotthier serving.

Hot stuff: top chef Brad Titulaer had things bubbling along nicely.

Left: Service with a smile: hostess Lisa Thomas puts the ﬁnishing touches to things ahead of the Captain’s Lounge grand opening last Friday.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 15

THE Inverloch Esplanade Hotel has a fantastic new venue and dining experience. Captain’s Lounge opened on Saturday, November 27 on Level 1 at the Espy. This upstairs area is perfect for weddings, corporate functions, special occasions and 21st birthdays. It features ﬁve star facilities and a wonderful menu. Tasteful touches to South Gippsland’s newest function venue

includes superior lighting, a water wall and a balcony overlooking Anderson Inlet. The Captain’s Lounge can seat up to 120 guests or hold 250 for a cocktail event. This upmarket area can be divided into two rooms for events that require less people. Food and drinks are of a high standard. With plenty of local produce as well as a good range of seafood and meat you’re likely to ﬁnd something

on the menu to delight. The wine list is quite broad. The Captain’s Lounge will be open for dinner from 7pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. For lunch on Saturdays and Sundays the bistro will be open from midday until 4pm in the afternoon. To book your function contact Lisa, Sue or Katherine at 1 a’Beckett Street, Inverloch, email esphotelfunctions@uik.com.au or phone 5674 1432.

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PAGE 16 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Fun times at Woorayl

Growing concern: Glenda Ross, Sarah Battersby and Pam Byatt were all doing their bit for the cause.

THE Woorayl Lodge had a super fete on Saturday, with plants, sausage sizzles, cakes and the district-renowned snow balls of Carol Hoober drawing a big crowd.

The focus was on fun, and the smiles on people’s faces suggested the organisers achieved their objective.

Why is Australia moving to digital TV?

Helping hands: Sarah Edney and Bianca Hoober were selling snow balls and cakes to help raise money for the Lodge.

Reason to celebrate: commemorating Riverbank Stockfeeds’ success at the Gippsland Business Awards were, from left: Donna Watson, Simon Mayo, Derek Wilks, Sheree Risbey, Charles Pearce, David Pearn, Gordon Dowthwaite, Dominique Smits, Peter Bozzo and Beata Bozzo.

Experts at work To keep up-to-date with technology • It’s important that Australia keeps pace with worldwide changes in technology • Overseas programs are increasingly being recorded in the digital format only • Australian TV shows need to be recorded in the digital format to be easily exported overseas

To free up broadcast space • In Australia, TV is currently broadcast in both digital and analog signals • This is costly and inefﬁcient • Turning off the analog signals will free up space that could be used for other services for the community

To improve your viewing experience • Picture and sound quality on digital TV is better • Pictures on digital TV can be seen in widescreen • You’ll still have the same free-to-air channels, plus some new ones, so you’ll have more choice

For more information on how to get digital ready • Call 1800 20 10 13 • Visit australia.gov.au/digitalready

Authorised by the Commonwealth of Australia, Capital Hill, Canberra

IN MAY 2008, South Gippsland Stockfeeds in Leongatha was purchased by the Bozzo family, owners of the Werribee based Riverbank Stockfeeds.

Keen to enter the dairy market in South Gippsland and beyond, Riverbank brought new ideas, expertise and capital to build onto South Gippsland Stockfeeds’ existing strong foundation. As animal health and nutrition experts, Riverbank’s policy is to partner with farmers to help them achieve their goals for production and profitability. Resident nutritionist Charles Pearce brings to his clients his enthusiasm for the industry, an intimate knowledge of the local dairy industry, plus tertiary qualifications that are unrivalled in the local feed industry. After managing both small and large dairy farms, then studying with the University of Melbourne, Charles received a Master of Agriculture degree, specialising in animal nutrition. David Pearn, technical sales officer, is passionate about nutrition and helping farmers improve their profitability. Educated in the United Kingdom, David has dairy farmed both there and in Victoria and Queensland. The Leongatha site achieved FeedSafe (the Stockfeed industries QA program) accreditation in 2005 and maintains a stringent program of quality control to ensure the elimination of feed contamination. Now you have the opportunity to meet the team at Riverbank Stockfeeds at their public open day on Thursday, December 10. There will be guided tours through the mill to watch actual dairy mixes being made. Nutritional questions will be answered by Charles Pearce and David Pearn, as well as the other industry experts attending. A barbecue lunch and drinks will be provided for all, and there will be prizes and giveaways. For further information or to confirm your attendance at the open day, give Riverbank Stockfeeds a call today on 5662 4550.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 17

Emergency fulltime job JUST back from a lengthy long service leave, Lew Wilson has been appointed full time emergency manager by South Gippsland Shire Council. Mr Wilson was well known in the community as the recreation coordinator at council. Last week he returned after eight months long service leave to take up the newly created position of emergency manager. Mr Wilson was appointed because of his extensive experience and training in the South Gippsland municipal emergency management team over the past 12 years. He was municipal recovery manager for the last two years and very much involved during the Delburn ﬁres earlier this year. “This week’s high temperatures are a timely reminder that the risk levels are higher earlier

in the season this year,” said Mr Wilson said. “I strongly reiterate that individuals must take personal responsibility for the safety of their families, property and animals, and good preparation is the key. “A written plan keeps everyone focused on what to do when under threat and it’s important to practice your plan with all members of the family to avoid confusion and panic. “The very best guidance you can access is from the Country Fire Authority. If people don’t have internet access, they are advised to call the CFA for hard copies of the information.” Earlier this month council adopted the revised South Gippsland Municipal Emergency Management Plan (MEMP), which had also been approved by the Municipal Emergency Planning Committee. The committee includes rep-

resentatives from council, police, CFA, Department of Sustainability and Environment, ambulance services, State Emergency Services, Department of Education, Red Cross, VicRoads and local service clubs. Fire safety inspections have been completed by local laws officers and fire prevention notices were posted out last week. Recipients of these notices will have until December 7 to slash grass to acceptable levels. In preparation for the fire season council has undertaken an extensive audit of community buildings across the shire to compile a register of amenities that might be called upon in the event of an emergency. Council’s sustainability planner Christine Hamilton has been working closely with community groups and the hall committees, and what has evolved is a valuable resource for both council and our

communities. ”Where I might be assessing a hall with a view to its use as a fire relief centre, community groups are finding the information useful to respond to booking enquiries, as details of kitchen facilities, parking, power capacity, hall dimensions are listed,” Ms Hamilton said. About 33 fire ready meetings have been held across the shire by the CFA, with council representatives also in attendance to respond to concerns. Three brochures have been printed and will be distributed widely to assist residents to prepare. Council has assisted the CFA in the preparation of Town Protection Plans for the four coastal towns, Venus Bay, Sandy Point, Walkerville and Waratah Bay, identified as high risks. The plans are available on www.cfa.vic.gov. au.

Emergency manager: Lew Wilson has been appointed council’s new emergency manager.

Coast is clear: police By Brad Lester

INVERLOCH will have ample police officers to cope with the summer holiday influx. That is the word of Senior Sergeant Trevor Vondrasec of Wonthaggi Police, in the wake of concerns officer numbers would be reduced from Christmas to the end of January. A new permanent senior constable will start at Inverloch today, boosting numbers to a sergeant and four troops to satisfy population growth. The newcomer is S/C Liz Burrows, from Melbourne. From Christmas, a second sergeant and three

additional troops will work from the station. A second police vehicle has also been allocated to Inverloch, to enable patrols of Tarwin Lower, Venus Bay and Walkerville. Snr Sgt Vondrasec said holiday police numbers would be similar for the same period last year and would meet public demand. “We expect people in Inverloch to be well behaved as while we had patrols there last year, our ofﬁcers were not locking people up,” he said. Last New Year’s Eve, 40 police patrolled the coast from Inverloch to Wilsons Promontory and another 45 from Wonthaggi to Phillip Island. Numbers are expected to be similar this year.

Year 10s: at Leongatha Secondary College participate in a yoga session as part of a healthy living day.

Living better: Rowel Simmons and Kit Duncan-Jones take part in mandala drawing, which is a drawing technique to calm the mind.

“We will have regular police from this area, police sent here for a couple of weeks and police sent for the night,” Snr Sgt Vondrasec said. A new permanent sergeant could join the Inverloch ranks by Christmas, after former sergeant Damian Whitford was promoted to senior sergeant at Wonthaggi. “It’s a bit painful having to ﬁnd another sergeant at this busy time of the year but that is the way the cookie crumbles,” Snr Sgt Vondrasec said. Inverloch Police will also have access to a mobile police facility, a van with the capacity to operate as a temporary police station complete

with bicycles for patrolling campsites and other holiday hot spots. The Bass Coast police district will be served by a brawler van capable of containing multiple offenders in the event of brawls and violent outbreaks. Ten extra police, as well as mounted police, will patrol the region between Christmas and New Year’s Eve as part of Operation Ubiquitous, to boost police presence. “Given all the trouble in Melbourne, fortunately we generally do not have the same problems here,” Snr Sgt Vondrasec said.

Bettering mental health MENTAL health was the topic for Year 10 students at Leongatha Secondary College on a special healthy living day last Friday. It’s the ﬁrst time such a day has been held. The school was trying to remove the stigma from mental health issues, help students recognise it and support friends who might be dealing with issues. In the morning there were three speakers followed by activities such as mandala drawing and relaxation therapy. Then students participated in recreational activities after lunch. This week Year 10 students are starting Year 11 classes.

Calming the mind: Natasha Vanstone and Lani Stubbs participate in mandala drawing.

Mental health day: Matt Olden, Matthew Potter and James Werrett give yoga a try.

PAGE 18 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Brenton McLeod: hits off at the golf day.

ABOUT 100 people headed to Leongatha Golf Course for the annual Considine and Johnston Golf Day. The day began with some rain, but ﬁnished in perfect conditions. It was the 35th time the golf day had been held.

Leongatha Golf Club: Mark Byrne, Andrew Dell, Tom Ryan and Mark O’Brien.

Awesome foursome: Team of Chris Kostas, Russell Witherow, Phillip Johnston and Dennis Ryan.

Top shot: Shane McLennan at Leongatha Golf Course on Friday.

Team Sauvarin: Jeff Lee, Gary Sauvarin, Alan Sauvarin and Trevor Perrin.

On the course: Brenton McLeod, Shane McLennan, Ben Bowman and Nick Gardiner.

Checking the distance: Paul Kennedy thinks about his shot.

Early start: Peter Smiley, Ash Considine, Spencer Caughey, David Simpson and Mick Cox.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 19

MURRAY Goulburn reported a profit of just $1 million after tax, despite recording a turnover of $2.405 billion – the second highest on record. The small profit – way below the $93 million post tax profit of the previous year - reflected the company’s dedication to paying farmers the maximum sum possible while cutting costs, out-going chairman Ian MacAulay said in his annual report. “In the face of the crisis in December 2008 we undertook to pay every cent possible to dairy farmers while cutting costs but maintaining the co-operative’s strength,” he said. Total borrowings and net debt decreased, and the co-operative processed 3.5 billion litres of milk – 37 per cent of Australia’s 2008/09 farmgate production. “The good news is that dairy markets have shown a solid recovery in late 2009. Murray Goulburn has delivered three farmgate price increases already this financial year – including yesterday’s announced increase - and we expect further price increases this season,” Mr MacAulay said last Wednesday. “MG understands that farm budgets remain tight and we will

Fresh face: new Murray Goulburn leader Grant Davies. continue to pass on any increased returns that the market delivers.” The annual general meeting paid tribute to Mr MacAulay for his outstanding leadership over the past 11 years. “Under Ian’s leadership Murray Goulburn has grown to become one of Australia’s great rural organisations, the biggest exporter of processed food from Australia and

one of the biggest contributors to the rural economy of south-eastern Australia,” incoming chairman Grant Davies said. “Ian ends his time at Murray Goulburn as one of Australian agriculture’s outstanding leaders,” Mr Davies operates a dairy farm at Swan Hill with wife Barbara and son Brett milking 520 cows. They also have two daughters. He has been involved in industry leadership over the past 10 years and joined the Murray Goulburn board in 2004. He was appointed deputy chairman in 2007. “I look forward to leading the cooperative over the coming years in conjunction with the board, managing director Stephen O’Rourke and the entire team,” Mr Davies said. “Murray Goulburn is the last major dairy co-operative in Australia and you cannot overstate the importance of its success to every Australian dairy farmer.” Maffra farmer, John Vardy, was appointed deputy chairman. Mr Davies heads a board that includes newly appointed farmer directors Bill Bodman of Won Wron, Philip Tracy of Yanakie and special director Peter Hawkins, also a director of Westpac and Mirvac Group.

The giving tree KILMANY Uniting Care has launched its 13th annual Christmas appeal in conjunction with the Leongatha Target Country store. The goal of the appeal is to ensure that no child or disadvantaged person goes without a gift at Christmas. Anyone wishing to help should go to the Target store in McCartin Street, choose a tag from the Christmas tree near the front door and donate a suitable gift. You don’t have to buy it from Target. Kilmany’s Yarna Burke said, “It’s hard for a young child to understand why there is nothing under the tree for them at home. And stressful for low income families, when there just isn’t enough money to buy their child something from their wish list.” Early donations would be appreciated so that gifts can be distributed well in advance of Christmas. All gifts are gratefully accepted. Happy to help: Target staff Nick Durand, Joanne Denbrok (left) If you have donations that need and Emily Bloom (right) are pleased to be helping Kilmany Uniting collecting, ring Kilmany Uniting Care on 5662 5150. Care’s Yarna Burke with a Christmas giving tree.

From pages past Historical snippets from The Star One year ago, December 2, 2008 Meeniyan has become a film set yet again, with filming of the second series of Bed of Roses starting. The town has been transformed into the fictional community of Rainbow’s End, in which the show is based. **** Leongatha mechanic Jared Lovie swapped his day job working on light engines for racing cars. He recently competed at Symmons Plains, Tasmania, ahead of a main V8 event. Five years ago, November 30, 2004 Amateur actor Tim Edwards has won a Victorian honour for his performance as “Griff” in Lyric Theatre’s production of Two Weeks

With The Queen. He won the acting gong at the Victorian Music Theatre Guild awards. **** The Walsh Parish Centre in Korumburra was blessed by the Bishop of Sale, Jeremiah Coffey at the opening. The centre will serve as a meeting place and function centre, and is named in honour of Father Patrick Walsh, the parish priest at St Joseph’s church for 27 years. 10 years ago, November 30, 1999 Premier Steve Bracks was in Leongatha to launch South Gippsland Shire Council’s new investment kit. The kit outlines major industry and employers in the municipality, and offers vital decision making information to potential new industries.

**** Work on the $750,000 club house of the Waratah Beach Surf Life Saving Club is on track to be ready by the start of the summer season. Club members raised about half the money to demolish the old building and erect a replacement. 30 years ago, December 4, 1979 Husband and wife team Jack and Margaret Boag won the B Grade and family events on the ﬁnal day of the Leongatha Golf Club’s Spring Festival. **** Leongatha will soon have new tennis courts after asphalt was laid, ready for ﬂexi-pave to be applied. The tennis club is paying for most of the $30,000 cost.

HISTORICALLY our Council has elected its Mayor for a one year term, and we serve at the pleasure of our colleagues. While I’m intending to stand again this week for the coming year, this could be my last Mayoral Message and I would like to take the opportunity to publicly thank my colleagues and the community for helping me in that role. The Mayoral role can be difficult at times but it is also extremely rewarding. We will also be electing a Deputy Mayor this year to undertake mayoral duties in the absence of the Mayor, and to maximise the opportunities to meet with residents. Often these events are celebrating local milestones, or addressing issues of real concern, and the role of Deputy Mayor formalises Council’s representation and the significance of such occasions, as well as broadening the experience of Councillors. We have now received the final consultant’s report outlining some provisions and opportunities for our aquatic

facilities across the Shire for the next ten to twenty years. It raises signiﬁcant cost issues which Council and communities need to address so that decisions are made proactively, rather than reactively when a facility fails. With the age of our pools ranging from 22 to 49 years old, deterioration is already evident in some. The report is on public exhibition until December 24 and we invite you to have a look at it and submit your comments. It can be viewed on www. southgippsland.vic.gov.au or at our local libraries. The pools are one part of the community infrastructure that will be considered in the context of the integrated community planning program which will be rolled out in the next year, engaging local communities in the decision making process that will decide what are the expenditure priorities for their town. Cr Jim Fawcett Mayor

Big W expands BIG W in Wonthaggi will increase its retail ﬂoor space by 3275 square metres. An extra 109 car spaces will also be added, prompting Cr Gareth Barlow to comment that the car park at Big W “is a disgrace”. He said rubbish was a regular feature of the car park and while it has improved “it’s coming from a very low

base”. Bass Coast Council planning and environment director Hannah DuncanJones, said improvements to the car park were “absolutely essential” and she had discussed the matter with store management which was seeking to change a development overlay to accommodate the extension.

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PAGE 20 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Friends hold raffle THE Korumburra Library is holding a Christmas rafﬂe while celebrating its 40th anniversary. President of Friends of the Library, Judy Heenan (pictured), was selling rafﬂe tickets outside Michael’s IGA Supermarket in Korumburra last Wednesday. Mrs Heenan said prizes will be drawn at the library on December 16. Tickets will be on sale until that day. The Friends will again be at IGA on December 15.

Tourist season VOLUNTEERS and council staff at the Prom Country Visitor Information Centre in Korumburra are bracing themselves for a large inﬂux of tourists during the festive season. Housed at Coal Creek Community Park and Museum village, the centre has assisted a record 3500 visitors with tourist information during July, August and September – and staff members expect many more to descend on them during the holidays. The Korumburra centre recorded an “all time high” number of inquiries last September with 1242 visitors

wanting information, compared with 689 visitors in September, 2008. The centre has been based in the entrance building of Coal Creek for more than a year. It moved from its erstwhile home further down on Silkstone road, allowing peak regional tourism body Destination Gippsland to make it its ofﬁce base in mid-October, 2008. The combination of tourist ofﬁces has given Korumburra valuable information assets, not only for the town itself but for the whole shire. Korumburra services a high frequency of Melbourne visitors, while the shire’s other information centre in Foster receives tourists coming

from other directions as well as the big city. Ken Fraser, who is acting social and economic development manager at South Gippsland Shire Council, which manages Coal Creek, said the substantial tourism hub around the village was “a great outcome for Korumburra” and together with Foster, “it reinforces the signiﬁcance of South Gippsland in regional tourism.” In the case of Korumburra, it enjoyed “both local and regional tourism representation in a key location that will attract visitors to the region.”

Christmas spirit: Getting into the festive spirit are information centre volunteer Brian Rawlins, tourist information ofﬁcer Sue Miles (left) and visitor service coordinator Danielle Todaro.

Thanks for everything, Les

Thanking you: GSHS president Tracey Gibson presents Les Eastman with his award.

LES Eastman was honoured last week for his contribution to Gippsland Southern Health Service.

The long serving board member stood down at Thursday’s annual general meeting. He was presented with a basket of delicacies and a trophy commemorating his service to local hospitals. Mr Eastman said he would retire to the Korumburra Bowls Club and his veggie garden. He told the AGM that he didn’t like current chief executive Gary Templeton when they first crossed paths. “It was mooted someone was going to take our hospital off us … then I heard about this toe cutter from New Zealand,” he said. “We had words, but I am afraid I had to eat those words in years to come … he does a first class job.” Mr Eastman was given a rousing round of applause when he took his final bow at the end of the meeting.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 21

Running hot on events KORUMBURRA is running hot at the moment with the Buskers’ Festival putting on its best performance on Saturday and lots of events happening at Coal Creek during the Christmas and New Year holiday period. The revamped heritage village, which now fancies itself as a museum and community park, will entertain visitors with three main events. The annual South Gippsland Shire Council Volunteers’ Day will be held on Saturday, December 5. This is a traditional day to thank the many volunteers who put in long hours over the year.

On October 31, when Halloween attracted thousands of visitors at night, it could not have been such a success without the volunteers helping out. “It couldn’t have happened without the passionate band of volunteers that assisted and did the majority of setting up and decorating,” the village’s co-ordinator, Rowena Ashley said. “About 70 people donated their time. Along with Coal Creek volunteers there was great assistance on the night from Korumburra Lions (parking), Korumburra Rotary (gate attendants), Korumburra CFA (bonﬁre management), Apex and Scouts (barbecue). Students from Korum-

burra Secondary School also helped out with decorations.” Carols at the Creek will be held on December 18, with the South Gippsland Wind Orchestra playing traditional carols from 7pm to 11pm. Admission will be by gold coin donation and Santa will be making his usual visit. There will be free Christmas decoration making for the children. Finally, Coal Creek will become a sea of light during December 1924, when Coal Creek Lights Up will decorate buildings in the village with Christmas lights from 9pm to 11pm. Entry is by donation. For inquiries, call 5655 1811.

Buildings lit up: Coal Creek Lights Up will decorate buildings in the village with Christmas lights.

Carols night: Carols by Candlelight will again be held at Coal Creek on December 18.

Education material available COAL Creek Heritage Village has a wide range of educational materials to suit schools’ year level and curriculum focus. Following a visit to Coal Creek, students will better understand the industrial, social, cultural and heritage values of pioneering early rural Australia. Visits can be structured or flexible to suit school needs. The activities students participate in are chosen by the teachers to link in with specific units of work. Students can be taken on guided tours, or move around the village themselves, completing different activities and trails along the way. The original Jeetho School House, which has been restored, is the setting where students can experience school in the past, with the aid of one of the village’s experienced school teachers. Early architecture is represented in magnificent form. From log cabins, to slab cottages, to wattle and daub huts and commercial buildings, that have been fully restored, students can experience how buildings have changed over time. For inquiries, call the village on 5655 1811.

PAGE 22 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Opportunity knocks for lodge THE Friends of Hillside Lodge have been doing a sterling job for the aged care home in Korumburra. For the last four years, the Hillside opportunity shop has been raising funds that have accumulated to $130,000, spent on improvements at the 30-bed low care home.

President of the Friends and op-shop manager Anne Millar said many people visited the shop, ﬁnding a wide range of treasures, including clothing, utensils, prints and bric-a-brac. The shop has ideal gifts for Christmas on sale. “We have lots of small gifts on

offer, including perfumes and spa boxes that made ideal Christmas gifts,” Mrs Millar said. She said the shop relied on donations. “The community is supporting us very well,” she said. The Hillside Lodge is operated by Gippsland Southern Health Service, Korumburra.

Christmas gifts: The Hillside opportunity shop offers a range of ideal Christmas gifts said shop manager Anne Millar.

Hampers on offer CHRISTMAS hampers are available from Michael’s IGA Supermarket in Korumburra.

Wishing merry Christmas Merry Christmas: Volunteers and staff members at Coal Creek Community Park and Museum are looking forward to many happy visitors over the festive period. From left, volunteer Bill Klauer, teacher Joanne Knox, Bill’s wife and also a volunteer Juliet Klauer, and the village’s curatorial ofﬁcer Shirlee McPherson are wishing everyone a merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year on behalf of everyone working at Coal Creek throughout the year and during the busy season.

Hampers include a range of goods, from chocolate to various wines. IGA sales person Angie Maruzza (pictured) will be able to assist. The bubbly hamper includes a bottle of sparkling wine, chocolate snacks, shortbread ﬁngers and much more for $29.99. The party hamper, at $49.99, includes a bottle of red and one of white wine, rice crackers, shortbread, and chocolate cookies.

Court in order SOUTH Gippsland Shire Council has given Coal Creek Community Park and Museum an early Christmas present. Council awarded the refurbishment of the court house at the village to Story and Hogan Builders at its council meeting on November 18. The costs, which were not detailed in its council report, have been allocated in council’s 2009/10 capital works budget. The budget is funded by council and a Regional Development Victoria grant. Several buildings have been refurbished in recent times, while others have been removed to give the park a new look. Built on the site of an original black coal mine in Korumburra, the park depicts life in a coal mining town between the 1870s and 1920s. The site occupies about 30 acres of bushland.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 23

Courting more fun MIRBOO North Secondary College has a new adolescent playground and hardcourt area.

Assistant principal, Stephen Klemke, said over the past 10 years buildings had been put on the school’s hardcourt surfaces. “A constant issue from the student body is that they want more hardcourts,” he said. The laykold acrylic hardcourt is almost Australian Open tennis standard and has a much longer life than asphalt. Mr Klemke said oils ain’t oils when it comes to building basketball courts. “You can do it cheaply or you can do it the right way. This has been done

the right way and is going to stand the test of time,” he said. The hardcourt area includes a full size basketball court with netball lines and downball space. Basketball hoops on the side of the court mean three half court games can be played at lunchtime. Lines on the basketball court are the same as those used in the American NBA competition and will be introduced at the London Olympics. The adolescent playground includes a 6m ﬂying fox. It has super strong poles that can hold the weight of several teenage boys. Education department guidelines

restrict the kind of equipment that can be included in the playground. Mr Klemke said the school got the most exciting things that ﬁtted in with the guidelines. “Other schools have spoken volumes about adolescent playgrounds and we wanted kids to be active as possible,” he said. “It’s okay to sit and chat under a tree, but the more kids are active the better.” The playground has attracted some Year 10 students as well as those in younger grades. The $150,000 project was funded by the National School Pride program.

Top quality hardcourt: Jocoba Moore, Jamie Gourlay, Kaitlyn Hasson, Willow Sizer and Cassidy Mackenzie on the just ﬁnished basketball court at Mirboo North Secondary College.

On playground: Year 8 students Liam Nash and Aaron Beltom try out the new adolescent playground at Mirboo North Secondary College.

PAGE 24 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Everything you need

Buy a gift: see the full range of gifts at Glenn’s Sports and Gifts in Foster. Pauline Angwin, Sylvia Randall and Chris Dubignon are part of the friendly team.

New chef New start: Mezatt Restaurant welcomes new head chef from New Zealand, Barbara Counihan. She is holding one of Mezatt’s current specials, chicken tandoori served on jasmine rice with veggies.

Festive Foster FOSTER will hold a Christmas street party on Friday, December 18. The main street will be closed from 5pm to 9pm. There will be fun activities for kids organised by community groups, barbecues, live music and traders will open late. Traders will have market day specials all day. Every purchase from 7am until 7pm will earn you a free ticket in the monster draw. The grand prize is a hamper of goods and services valued at more than $500. There will be 25 Foster Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc gift vouchers worth $20 each on offer. The rafﬂe draw will be at 8pm. Every day in December there will be specials and Christmas themed happenings in the town. Some shops have one day specials or bonuses. On other days Santa will appear, and there will be singing or face painting. December 10 is Foster Flash Card Day.

Ready to celebrate Ch i t Christmas ready: d Tarryn T McKenzie, M K i Shakiera Sh ki Whatley Wh l andd Danielle D i ll Buttigieg B i i at Foster’s F ’ Foodworks. F d k The supermarket has all the decorations and food you’ll need this Christmas season.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 25

Gardening hots up Karen Haw Town Centre Nursery

DECEMBER is such a busy time and often there is not much time to spend in the garden. As the summer approaches the main priority is to mulch to protect the plants from the hot harsh summer, especially now after we have had such good rains. Mulch helps suppress weeds and conserve moisture, soils beneﬁt from organic mulches, they improve the structure; encourage earthworm activity and other beneﬁcial soil organisms. Before applying mulch add fertilizer and add a wetting agent such as Wettasoil. Sugarcane mulch is a popular choice for organic mulch as it is an environmentally friendly product made from the tops and leaves of sugar cane after it has been harvested. This is also the time to think of Christmas presents and there is still time to plant and create some originals. Herbs are amongst the easiest and most pleasurable plants to grow and herb bowls make great presents. To make it even easier this year many of the seedling growers have created herb combo with four varieties of herbs in a gourmet pack so to create a quick, easy

and useful present simply buy a suitable herb pack,a pot to suit or even a strawberry pot and a good potting mix and job is done. It doesn’t have to be herbs strawberries, lettuce, tomatoes or flowers blooming make ideal gifts. Red and white petunias for a sunny spot or red and white impatiens for the shady areas give a great Christmas display. There is plenty of colour around at this time of year, so there is no excuse for a dull, boring garden. One of the showiest (common in older gardens) yet not so easily available in many garden centres are the flowering dogwoods. There are many varieties available as deciduous and evergreens. Dogwoods are small trees with white or pink to red bracts, the deciduous varieties have wonderful autumn colour and after flowering, the dogwoods have fleshy crimson red strawberry-shaped fruit appearing on the tree. Popular varieties include C. Capitata – this beautiful, evergreen small tree has lovely, sulphur-yellow bracts during early to mid summer, which are followed in autumn by large fruits that look just like very large raspberries. C. Florida varieties come from America and have white, pink or red bracts, and stunning autumn colour. C. kousa is a hardier variety with showy creamy white bracts

Dogwood bloom.

Dogwood flowers make a wonderful addition to gardens and rich bronze and crimson colour in autumn. There are also many good varieties arising from crosses with these above varieties. It is rumoured that the name for dogwoods originated because the berries were not fit to be given to a dog. Another old fashioned popular plant that is making a big comeback is the geranium and pelargonium. These plants thrive on neglect, are long lived and will flower almost anywhere. There is a huge range of colours available from white, pink, red and purple to almost black. Dwarf-growing geraniums

come in all manner of bright colours and make great compact plants. As the weather warms up so does the presence of bugs. Watch out for pear and cherry slug (they also attack ornamental cherries), and caterpillars on tomatoes and seedlings. Use derris dust, a natural powder applied to the leaves of plants, and, of course, snail and slugs. Another pest causing damage to seedlings at this time of year are earwigs. To detect earwigs place damp newspaper in pots and check for evidence of earwigs each day. Spray roses and fuchsias if rust, mildew or black spot are present.

PAGE 26 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Meeniyan tackles fire threat LIKE many towns in South Gippsland, Meeniyan has always seemed relatively safe from the bushﬁre menace that threatens other parts of the state and region each year.

But the events of last summer have brought into sharp relief that no-one is safe when it comes to bushfires in the 21st century climate. Hotter and drier summers are creating a recipe for fires that are causing destruction on a previously unimaginable scale. Even South Gippsland, with its high rainfall totals and hills that often stay green throughout summer, is not impervious to the threat of wildfire. Local CFA captain Paddy Eldred reckons Meeniyan is better placed than most towns to combat the bushfires, but the brigade is far from relaxed as the summer approaches.

“We haven’t got a big amount of bush surrounding the town, which is fortunate as far as bushfires go, but we still have to be vigilant,” he said. “We have some bush at the back of town that could pose something of a risk.” “Fire can get away so easily that you just can’t be too careful.” Controlled burns are being conducted along the rail trail which runs though the town, although Paddy said the narrow reserve was not a major concern for fire fighting. A recent local fire meeting

had a poor turnout, but those who did make the effort seemed to have strong interest in preparing for the ﬁre season. “The people who did show up put across some good questions,” Paddy said. Local residents who have not bothered to prepare their properties have received warning notices from the CFA, ordering them to clean up their land or private contractors will be hired to do the job for them at the landowner’s expense. Paddy said that, in the wake of Black Saturday, there is no greater emphasis on inspecting properties. He admits, however, that the hotter summers have left South Gippslanders feeling less secure than they might of a decade ago. “The climate is getting hotter and with things heating up it is on the cards that we will have more ﬁres.”

Ready to go: Meeniyan CFA captain Paddy Eldred is prepared for a busy summer.

Hymnfest helps hall

ALL donations from Hymnfest were given to the Loch Public Hall for use in future planning needs of disability access around the building.

Money for the community: Hymnfest secretary Bev Button (right) hands over a cheque to the Loch Public Hall’s Bernie Dilger and Jenny Kennedy.

Meals roster (Leongatha) St Laurence Primary School, Leongatha Secondary College, Woorayl Lodge Aux (7th, 9th, 10th & 11th) and National Bank (8th) will be responsible for the delivery of meals on wheels, the week beginning December 7, 2009.

Planning is now under way for the birthday celebrations of the 10th Hymnfest next year. The committee would like to include in the programme snippets from the last 10 years of Hymnfest, which has grown from humble beginnings to the success it is today. Organisers hope to bring loyal visitors, regulars and ﬁrst time visitors a programme they will remember. If you would like to be a part of Hymnfest contact Bev Button hymnfest@aapt.net.au or 5658 1406. Everyone involved with Hymnfest are volunteers, and all monies raised from donations goes back into the Loch and Korumburra communities.

All abilities A PICNIC at the Wonthaggi Guide Park on Thursday December 3, will celebrate the International Day of People with Disability. It will start at 11am and ﬁnish at 3pm. We Help Ourselves (WHO) has organised

live music, demonstration sports and an awards ceremony which will recognise employers and employees in Bass Coast Shire who have been understanding in their approach to those with disabilities during 2009. Bass Coast Council’s community development officer Lisa Archibald, said one in five Australians experience some degree of disability. She said the international day is an important one in raising awareness of disability and acknowledging that people with disability play a vital part in the community. Anyone interested is invited to the picnic. The Guide Park is opposite Rose Lodge and has off street parking, a barbecue, shady trees, tables, toilets and areas for walking. To find out more, contact Lisa on 1300 226 278.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 27

Very special award LOCAL ﬁrm Leongatha Kitchens and Bathrooms won a major award at the recent Housing Industry Association Awards night.

The awards were held at Crown Casino in Melbourne on November 6. The company won the Victorian best overall special needs project with its entry, which also won at the regional HIA awards in August this year. The event was attended by about 800 people, including the industry’s elite builders and kitchen manufacturers. It is not often that a local business is able to win at this level. Leongatha Kitchens and Bathrooms principal, Don Bruce, said he and staff were “very excited” about winning the award. Last year they also had an entry but did not ﬁnish in the prizes, but this year was “a real buzz”. “It was fantastic, such as big buzz for us,” Don said. The awards recognise excellence in design, construction and installation in housing. The special needs entry was a kitchen designed for Sharon and Jon Edmondson from Darlimurla near Mirboo North. Sharon and Jon approached Don with a challenge. They wanted him to create a kitchen that would suit Sharon who is in a wheelchair and the rest of the family. They discussed

their special requirements over time and the winning kitchen was then created. “A lot of time was spent with Sharon to get things right. Her biggest concern was to have a kitchen that suited her family as well,” Don said. Although Sharon’s special needs were centred on her wheelchair access, which focussed mainly on height, she wanted to combine this with her family needs. Don, who is a qualiﬁed kitchen designer, had previously designed a kitchen for another client with special wheelchair needs and this previous experience proved helpful in creating a great kitchen providing for the needs for the whole family. The kitchen has some innovative features. The pantry, for example, has a button-operated roll-adoor rather than the regular cupboard doors that open outwards, which makes it easy for Sharon to use and is equally as handy for Jon and the two children. Don said he was lucky to have a talented workforce that can handle special designs. “We have a skilled workforce and this enables us to consistently produce a superior product at a competitive price,” Don said. “We don’t rush our jobs and this also contributes to the resulting quality ﬁnish. Only the best materials are used and our state of the art machinery contributes to our superior results. “People are still looking

for quality when it comes to a new kitchen, because it’s something you only do once.” “We are very thankful to both Sharon and Jon who allowed us to enter their kitchen in the awards. They were great to work with and were extremely pleased with the finished results.” The business has been operating for about 29 years and has had other successful entries in previous awards. “It is really good for the area that small local firms like ours can compete at State level successfully,” Don said. “It helps to show our clients that we have the expertise and quality craftsmanship locally and do not need to go to unknown firms in Melbourne or outside our area.” Employing local people is an aim of Leongatha Kitchen and Bathrooms. All staff members are local and they also use local contractors whenever possible. Many apprentices have learned their trade at the award winning business. Leongatha Kitchens and Bathrooms are professional in their approach to the business with continuing training and attending seminars. They offer clients a complete package from design through to installation. The company has all insurances and registrations in place to provide peace of mind for the client. Don gained his Certified Kitchen Designer qualification nine years ago and

Winning couple: Sheryl and Don Bruce received a HIA State special needs award from Ed David, a director of the Department of Human Services, for a kitchen they built recently. works closely with clients to design a kitchen or bathroom that suits their needs, style and budget. “We have a proven reputation in the area for our work and that is what we have aimed for over many years”, Don said. “Our satisfaction with the ﬁnished kitchen or bathroom is our reward and the win at State level is conﬁrmation for us all that we are achieving our aim.” Don and Sheryl would like to thank everyone involved in winning this prestigious award, including Sharon and Jon Edmondson and their fantastic staff. For inquiries, call 5662 5882.

Special features: the kitchen has special features, including a button-operated roll-a-door pantry (seen on the right), which suits all family members.

Heat warning for workers RECORD temperatures of more than 30 degrees Celsius this month has prompted Worksafe to issue a heat warning. It is urging employers to ensure employees are aware of the dangers of exposure to high temperatures and the need to be well-hydrated. WorkSafe acting executive director Stan Krpan urged business operators and supervisors to ensure safety measures were in place for workers exposed to high temperatures, particularly those working outdoors. One-in-four Victorian workers are exposed to direct sun on a daily basis with agricultural, transport and construction workers facing the highest level of risk followed by wholesale trade and education workers. “There are clear safety issues with people working outdoors, but many people who are working indoors or in confined spaces are also at risk from indirect heat or fatigue, Mr Krpan said. He said hot conditions meant everyone had to play their part to ensure no one was put at risk. “Considering how high temperatures will be managed has to include the nature of work and the features of the workplace. Access to water is essential and rest breaks may have to be increased in coming days. “Some workers will need shelter and protective clothing to keep the sun off them, while regular communication is needed with people working on their own, particularly if they work in direct sun.” Mr Krpan said young as well as older workers needed particular attention. “Young people often have jobs which put them in difficult environmental conditions or their enthusiasm and lack of experience mean they do understand the potential dangers.” “The needs of older employees should also be considered. Employers will have to determine how their particular issues are to be minimised and they need to ensure people don’t put themselves at risk. Depending on the circumstances, some work may have to be rescheduled or modified.”

GISELE Milla Smith was born at Bass Coast Regional Health on November 20, 2009 to Natasha Robinson and Stephen Smith of Rhyll. Gisele Milla is a new sister for Gabriel and Ashton.

AMELIE Joy Perrett was born in Sydney at 1.11am on the 11th of the 11th (November 11) to Cameron and Alison Perrett. Cameron was formerly of Leongatha and now lives in Sydney. Amelie is the ﬁrst granddaughter for Don and Chris Perrett of Leongatha.

Meeting to address rights A MEETING in Korumburra next month will address constitutional rights and laws. Foster property owner Ken Irwin, who is affected by the C48 amendment and can’t build on his block, is ﬁghting to have the planning ban over turned. Imposed on South Gippsland

Shire Council by the State Minister for Planning Justin Madden, the amendment bans building dwelling in the farming zone on land less than 40ha. Mr Irwin, who calls himself a straight shooter, believes constitutional change is needed to improve people’s right, hence the public meeting.

Called Fight for your rights before they’re gone, the meeting will be held at the Anglican Parish Hall, Bridge St, on December 8, 7.30pm. Gold coin donation is optional. “This is going to be a big push in the direction of the constitution, where all our law’s stem from,” Mr Irwin said.

“The constitution has a direct inﬂuence on the C48 as to whether the laws that the State Government is using to pressure council into refusing to give out building permits are legal or not.” Anyone interested in ﬁnding out more about the meeting is asked to call Mr Irwin on 0407 356 854.

PAGE 28 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

The unusual suspects THE blokes of Inverloch/ Kongwak Primary School are a bit “blokier” this month, sporting “Sanchez” moustaches as part of the Movember men’s health campaign. Growing the Mexican style moustaches helped the school’s students raise $439.40 towards health projects.

On the grow: (from left) Peter Mulqueeny, Russell McCartney, Andrew Paxton, Stan Jackson and Adam Foster.

Snakes are out and about SNAKES are becoming more active around our communities, particularly in semi-rural, bushland and coastal locations as the weather warms up. The Department of Sustainability and Environment is advising people to keep their properties clear of rubbish and long grass to avoid providing a welcome refuge for snakes such as tiger snakes, black snakes and lowland copperheads. DSE Senior Wildlife Manager, Charlie Franken said snakes were protected under the Wildlife Act and are part of the natural environment. “Like all other interactions with wildlife, it’s about living with and understanding wildlife,” Mr Franken said. “It’s illegal to kill a snake,

however residents can arrange for a licensed snake catcher to remove them. Snake catcher contacts are available through DSE on 136 186 and local councils.” The actual removal of snakes is not a service provided by DSE staff. Snake catchers will charge a fee to cover costs and are limited in some areas, so practical self-help solutions and an understanding of snakes are good alternative options. Mr Franken said people should be wary of snakes around creeks, watercourses and other areas with long grass or areas that attract potential food like mice, frogs and lizards. “Snakes will be prevalent in rural areas around the state and in cooler weather people may not actually see a snake until they’re almost standing on it. Warm, active snakes generally

tend to avoid people and will slither away well before they’re approached too closely,” he said. “Snakes bite to protect themselves from what they see as danger. However, many snake bites occur when people try to catch or kill snakes and these bites are entirely avoidable,” he said. Mr Franken said that snakes were generally very shy and preferred to keep away from people, which meant most urban dwellers were largely oblivious to their increased movement over warmer months. “If people follow some basic steps they can reduce the risk of a snake in their garden - often snakes are found in backyards because they are passing through on their way to other habitat,” he said.

Traffic developments WORK continues apace to accommodate Wonthaggi desalination plant construction trafﬁc. As the upgrading of Lower Powlett and White roads draws to a close, a big new roundabout at the intersection of Graham Street and South Dudley and West Area roads begins. Costing $1.24 million, the roundabout will be 21 metres wide and is expected to take four months to build. Bass Coast Council infrastructure director Steve Piasente, said Sure Constructions (Vic) Pty Ltd, had been awarded the contract. The company is based in Warragul. The cost of the roundabout will be met through a $12 million reimbursement commitment made by the State Government. Bass Coast Council is wearing the expense until all the work is completed. Mr Piasente said access to Wonthaggi hospital will be via an alternative entrance “to ensure

QUICK PUZZLE NO. 8199

Church Times ARIES - March 21 - April 20

Fight for a cause. This is not a week for the meek. Some people may become quite generous so learn from them. You attract a new following after the weekend. TAURUS - April 21 - May 22

Friendship and sharing are the week’s themes. Travel plans run a little wild on Saturday. Socially you shine - but check that you are not upstaging loved ones. GEMINI - May 23 - June 21

This is an offbeat week - and that’s an understatement - at work and at home. Little arguments can turn to explosions. Keep your temper in check. The weekend has exotic feelings. CANCER - June 22 - July 22

This is a good week to clear up small understandings. Join discussion groups and enter fun contests. A friendship is ready to burst into full bloom. LEO - July 23 - August 22

This is a ﬁne week for creative expression - try a new medium. You ﬁnd yourself excitable on the weekend. There is something to toast right now. Watch out for tagalongs. VIRGO - August 23 - September 22

Watch the tendency to volunteer too often - you’ll be held to the letter of your promises. You may ﬁnd yourself involved in a political project. Cancellations seem a way of life. LIBRA - September 23 - October 22

Travel is favoured, especially through the weekend. Look for a new travel companion. Health needs require extra pampering. Argue over any injustices you experience or observe. SCORPIO - October 23 - November 21

Think twice before discarding or selling anything. You are too eager to clean up these days! You may have to do some quick mending in the friendship and romance departments. SAGITTARIUS - November 22 - December 22

Curiosity becomes increasingly active and with good reason. An important business deal could be starting to develop. Responsibility gradually increases. Don’t cancel or postpone appointments with any specialist. CAPRICORN - December 23 - January 20

The accent is on verbal communication. Aries and Scorpio ﬁgure in the week’s enjoyment. This is a good week to initiate creative projects. Conclude ﬁnancial dealings. Lucky days are Thursday and Saturday. AQUARIUS - January 21 - February 19

Don’t listen for applause for jobs well done - you will be disappointed. Extra time spent on the phone can throw schedules way off. The weekend favours advice giving and music. PISCES - February 20 - March 20

An outstanding career possibility opens up at last. Romance-wise, a mellow week. Relatives make surprise visits, with a few demands attached. Expect some surprises on the weekend. BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK

Each season will offer a new opportunity and an added responsibility. Be less vulnerable to criticism and much more decisive. Romance can ﬂourish but don’t be so secretive.

ANGLICAN: Wednesday, December 2: 9.30am Woorayl Lodge HC; 10.15am Koorooman House HC; 11am St Peter’s Mid-Week HC. Friday, December 4: 7.30pm St Andrew’s, Dumbalk HC. Sunday, December 6: 8am St Peter’s HC; 10am St Peter’s Contemporary Worship with HC. Tuesday, December 8: 7pm St Andrew’s Dumbalk / St David’s, Meeniyan Fellowship. 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: Wonthaggi. Sunday, 10.30am: Holy Communion & Sunday School; Monday, 7.30pm: Holy Communion; Wednesday, 8.45am: Christian prayer & meditation, 10am: Holy Communion. CHURCH OF ASCENSION: Inverloch, Sunday, 9am: Holy Communion & Sunday School; Tuesday, 9am: Christian prayer & meditation; 10am: Holy Communion; Thursday 7.30pm: Holy Communion. 5th Sunday services, alternating at Wonthaggi & Inverloch, contact Rev Bruce Charles for details, 5672 3984. 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. 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; Imagine Christmas Day Service 9am. Contact: Jeff Robertson, 0418 125 832 or Imagine Burwood 9888 7466. Korumburra Southern Hills A.O.G. - 4 Mine Rd, 10am and 6pm: Sunday. Also Children’s Church and Creche. Contact: Pastor Vic Butera 5655 2478. Youth: Neville Stuart ph. 0407 343 219. Leongatha South Gippsland Liberty Fellowship - 17 Michael Place, Leongatha. Sunday services: 11 am and 7pm. All enquiries contact Pastor David Stegmann 5662 2785. Office: 5662 3100. 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; Kids Club Thursdays 4pm Guide Hall. For all enquiries contact 5664 5455. SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST: Saturdays, Church service 10am., Leongatha Sabbath School - 11.30am. 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 WOMEN’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: Strongly family oriented church meets at the Senior Citizens Centre, Mirboo North, Sundays: 4-5.10pm Communion, 5.15-6pm Bible Studies for Adults, Youth and Children. Friday evenings: Home Fellowships 7.30pm; Youth Activities. Enquiries: 5668 2226 Bob Stevens. 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 Martyn and Heather Scrimshaw, 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. Teaching service at 7.30pm. Fortnightly youth activities. Home Bible Fellowship groups. Contact 5662 2762. Minister: Rev. Ron Nauta. UNITING CHURCH: Leongatha: Sunday, December 6, 9am and 10.45am. “Life to the Max” 7pm. Tarwin Lower: 10.30am. Mirboo North: 9.30am. Meeniyan: 10am. Wonthaggi: Sunday 9.30am, Family Service, all welcome. Inverloch: Sunday 11am: Korumburra: Sunday, 9.30am: Rev. Geoff Smith and Rev. Jim Foley, 5655 1997. 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.

the safety of the public and the workers”. The hospital footpath on West Area Road and along to the Coalﬁelds Caravan Park, will be upgraded. Mr Piasente said the existing footpath into the Guide Park diagonally opposite the hospital, will be moved. He said that was to ensure pedestrians were not too close to the new roundabout. The pedestrian refuge and bus stop area opposite Rose Lodge in Graham Street, will also be upgraded. West Area Road and Webb Road, which also runs into Lower Powlett Road, will be sealed. The desalination plant site is at the end of Lower Powlett Road and is accessible from West Area Road. Trafﬁc on the Bass Highway, Graham Street, West Area, South Dudley and Lower Powlett roads is expected to become very heavy when full construction of the desalination plant begins in March next year.

ACROSS Capital city (8) Peep (4) Bird (4) Scrawl (8) Musical instrument (5) 11. Gratitude (6) 13. Sift (6) 15. Fondness (6) 17. Glove (6) 19. Composition (5) 22. Incentive (8) 23. Ethralled (4) 24. Biting (4) 25. Suggestive of (8) 1. 6. 8. 9. 10.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 12. 14. 16. 18. 20. 21.

DOWN Brown (5) Refrain (7) Relieve (4) Strangle (8) Country (5) Cloth (7) Cheat (8) Foolish (7) Hawk (7) Fearful (5) Tree (5) Hand-me-down (4)

CRYPTIC PUZZLE NO. 8199 ACROSS 1. Before time is up, makes out it is (8). 6. Mete out to the belle (4). 8. Fall out when one knocks back (4). 9. Says I, getting over the repugnance! (8). 10. A spot one going in, the dope! (5). 11. The young got in trouble about playing (6). 13. A left and a left again from the entrance (6). 15. Are their sapling days further back than the other trees? (6). 17. Including a number of fashions that make a comeback rarely (6). 19. A flood of new tapes (5). 22. He pesters her (a right twit) to enter (8). 23. Get off the second last (4). 24. Seem pleased I’d left Ingrid out (4). 25. Party at which people get a gift (8). DOWN 2. Secured, for the agitator, work in (5). 3. Force to leave, as it does transpire (4,3). 4. Looking trim and holding a bag (4). 5. A pest crawling round a little flower (8). 6. Nickname unpopular with a char? (5). 7. A flirtatious clergyman? (7). 12. Saw a very little girl with dimples running by (8). 14. One pair is dressing outside (4-3). 16. It’s the first payment and the dope’s lost it! (7). 18. Taken at random from a number, is strained and tense (5). 20. A dance band smack on top of it (5). 21. Possibly the number one tonic! (4).

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 29

PAGE 30 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

A wheelie good gift STUDENTS at the South Gippsland Specialist School are enjoying learning the ins and outs of driving cars and ﬁxing them. The lessons have come thanks to a donation from the GippsTAFE Automotive Department. The donation is a Holden Camira motor car, which until recently was used by the GippsTAFE automotive department as a training aid for its apprentices. However, when the TAFE program required a later model vehicle, the department decided the car still had plenty of life left as a training resource and coordinated a donation program with South Gippsland Specialist School. Careers and Transition Planning Coordinator at the Specialist School, Michelle Butler said the car had proven very useful for different learning opportunities. “We have a range of students here with disabilities of various

kinds and of varied age groups, so each student gets something different from working on the car,” Ms Butler said. “Some are able to practice mechanics as part of a pre-training program that will help them move into motor mechanic types of courses or trades, while others are learning about the basics of how to care for a car, from how to check the oil and water and change a tyre, through to identifying problems and parts. “It has been a really valuable tool, especially for our older students who are at the age where they are looking for work experience. The work they do with the car helps with their pathways.” While the car is not registered, it is also providing some handson preparation for students gearing up for their learner’s permit, by practising how to operate indicators, windshield wipers, hazard lights and other tasks. For GippsTAFE it is a good ongoing use of a teaching resource, already

Festive time: Santa Claus joined Leongatha CFA ﬁreﬁghters Gary Williams and Carly Roughead to launch the brigade’s Christmas tree fundraiser.

Wheelie good resource: South Gippsland Specialist School principal Jane Dadge was happy to receive the keys to the car from GippsTAFE Leongatha Campus Manager David Bruce. The students couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel and under the bonnet. helping apprentices in the automotive workshop. According to Automotive Department Team Leader Jackson Long, it was used as a practical training resource in the workshop at Yallourn, but due to the age of the vehicle, was replaced with a newer model. “This ensures that our

students are exposed to the latest technology, allowing them to develop the skills they need to effectively service the contemporary car market,” he said. “However the older vehicle was far too good to throw away and we are really pleased it continues to be an educational tool for another group of students.”

Pining for Christmas THE CFA is gearing up for Christmas and trying to put a few dollars in the coffers at the same time. The organisation is selling real Christmas trees in the lead up to that special day. Big and healthy, the trees look great and give an authentic air to the celebrations. Ruby and Leongatha South brigades will sell trees this year, outside the

Leongatha ﬁre brigade building. “We’re trying to raise some money, because we’ve both got extensions on our stations to incorporate training rooms,” Ruby brigade captain Darren Hardacre said. “That money is staying here in the local community. We’ll be selling the trees on the weekend on Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6, from 8.30am to 4pm, and the following weekend at the same time.”

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 31

PAGE 32 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Happy birthday AMY Jane Atkins celebrated her 21st birthday with a Hollywood theme. Dressed as Marilyn Munroe, she was followed everywhere by the Paparazzi (her mother Denise!). Amy’s husband Troy came as Indiana Jones and her father Warren as Elvis Presley. The party was held at the RSL in Leongatha. Troy and Amy live in Leongatha, but she grew up in Mirboo North, attending both the primary and secondary schools there. Amy is the eldest daughter of Warren and Denise Sheen of Mirboo North.

Fun time: Amy Jane Atkins dressed as Marilyn Munroe for her 21st birthday. She is with her husband Troy, aka Indiana Jones.

Family affair: MaryAnn Kinnish, Karen Lawson and Trisha Henry all pitched in for Great Southern Outdoors at last week’s Hall Sale.

Deck the hall

THE Leongatha hall sale was once again a big hit, with shoppers ﬂocking to the Memorial Hall to snare a bargain. Traders were happy with the response, clearing a great deal of stock to make way for new Christmas lines.

Happy shoppers: Catherine Matthews and Cam All smiles: Deb Watchorn, from NewsXpress Abood were at the Hall Sale last week, picking up in Leongatha, looks happy at the Hall Sale last week. some Christmas bargains.

Zoom on in BELINDA Zurma and photo department manager Nella Mitchelson can capture the moment with these cameras available from Nagel’s Pharmacy. They have a full range of digital cameras from SLR-types to affordable compacts ideal for kids to get started with. There’s also plenty of digital photo frames and albums. At the digital photo centre they can make personalised cards, calendars, and photo books.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 33

Auction special THIS Inverloch cottage at 27 Toorak Road will be auctioned by Alex Scott & Staff, Inverloch on December 6 along with the property across the street. Read about them on page 34.

PAGE 34 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

28 Toorak Road, Inverloch

Inverloch auction extravaganza T

WO great properties on the same road, opposite each other, will be auctioned on Sunday, December 6. Alex Scott & Staff, Inverloch will conduct the auctions. The ﬁrst property to be auctioned will be 27 Toorak Road at midday on site. This is a holiday cottage, plus bungalow, on a 1011 square metre corner allotment. It is a great development opportunity (subject to council approval). The beach is only minutes away. The second auction will be at 28 Toorak Road at 1pm on site. The three to four bedroom cottage is surrounded by native trees. It is in a great location next to Ayr Creek Reserve only a short walk to the

Inset: 27 Toorak Road, Inverloch

beach. It is the ideal holiday or investment home. Features of this property include cottage garden, front and rear veranda, which doubles as a huge entertainment area to relax on with friends and family, and open plan living. There are peaceful views through the fruit trees to the backyard, which includes a “high rise cubby house”. A cosy solid fuel heater and split system air conditioning keep the home comfortable year round. An upstairs loft includes a bedroom, plus ofﬁce with storage room. This cottage is on about 1000 square metres of land. Terms are 10 per cent deposit with a balance of 60 days.

Auction action THERE were two successful auctions on Saturday, November 21. A third home didn’t sell, but was the subject of negotiations. Southcoast First National auctioned 1740 Korumburra-Inverloch Road at Kongwak for $385,000. The home, which needs renovation, is on 31 acres with plenty of natural bush and a dam. Three bidders pushed the price well beyond the reserve. About 40 people watched the auction. There were about 10 inspections on the

property. Auctioneer Alan Bolding said small acreages with a building or ability to build on were popular at the moment. The Professionals auctioned 4 Ridgway Mirboo North for $167,000. It has an ex-bush hospital, with five bedrooms and two living areas, on a large allotment needing a transformation on it. The price was satisfactory to both parties. Auctioneer Graeme Jarvie said the property had attracted a lot of interest.

About 70 people had inspected the property and there were six bidders. “I think it’s a bit of a landmark because it was the nursing hospital of Mirboo North, built in the 1920s, and is in a great location,” he said.

Stockdale & Leggo Mirboo North Twenty-eight Baths Road in Mirboo North was passed in on a vendor’s bid at a Stockdale & Leggo auction. The three bedroom brick veneer home is close to the town centre. It was the subject of negotiations and was expected to sell last week.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 35

Highway visibility in ’Gatha S

TOCKDALE & Leggo, Leongatha has just listed a little beauty at 6 Allison Street, Leongatha. The home is in excellent condition and has been beautifully presented by its current owners. This three bedroom brick veneer

home offers a multitude of uses with it being zoned Business 1 and has highway visibility to the passing trafﬁc. A prospective purchaser could continue to use the property as a residence and enjoy living only 500m from Safeway, use as a home ofﬁce or convert it to a commercial prem-

At a glance Location: 6 Allison Street, Leongatha. Price: $280,000 Sole agent: Stockdale & Leggo, Leongatha. Contact: 5662 5800.

ise with four usable ofﬁces/consulting rooms. There is a large kitchen/dining room adjoining a generous sized lounge area. A double carport goes through to a big backyard that could easily accommodate ﬁve car parks.

PAGE 36 - â&#x20AC;&#x153;THE STARâ&#x20AC;?, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Highly sought after land T

HIS is a rare opportunity in a very tightly held area of South Gippsland. These 220 acres (89 hectares) will be auctioned by Rodwells on December 19. As well as being in a high rainfall area, this property has an abundant water supply, making it drought proof.

There are three dams including a 70 megalitre irrigation dam with central main line and hydrants. This heavy carrying country has a well deserved reputation for being highly productive. There has been extensive pasture renovation. The excellent pastures have an extensive fertilizer history and have been divided into six, well fenced,

main paddocks. The four bedroom home is well laid out for comfortable living and has a double carport. There are also two haysheds. This property would be suitable for cropping, cattle or prime lambs. Inspection is strictly by appointment. Account: R. D. And D. F. Potter.

At a glance Location: Stony Creek. Auction: Saturday, December 19 at 11am on site. Agent: Rodwells, Leongatha. Contact: 5662 4388, Kristin Richardson 0427 092 983 or Damien Minogue 0427 507 369.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 37

Richly restored federation home T

Walk down the timber lined hallway with its ornate turned posts, and out the door to an undercover walkway connecting to the carport and garage. It’s great for those days when it’s pouring rain and you are trying to get the groceries and kids out of the car. The double garage includes an under car service pit for the car enthusiast. The kids haven’t been forgotten with this home as it offers a secure rear yard with colorbond fencing, as well as an automatic sliding gate to drive into your parking area. A large undercover outdoor entertaining area is surrounded by a beautiful fernery complete with white pebble garden beds for low maintenance weeding. Beautiful landscaping with extensive paving features throughout the property. The front of the home has a concrete pathway leading to the front door, and is bordered on both sides with a box hedge set in white pebbles, and ﬁnished off with timber post and rail fencing. Located in McCartin Street, this home has fantastic street appeal, and boasts quality inside and out.

HIS three bedroom federation home is situated on a massive corner block of approximately 931m2, and is just a stone’s throw from the CBD of Leongatha. It is fully renovated throughout including new Tasmanian Oak ﬂooring, near new carpets, and internal and external painting. A bay window features in the master bedroom, as well as built-in robes to all three bedrooms. The big bathroom offers a free standing bath, separate shower, timber vanity and a display nook, as well as a door into the laundry. If cooking is your thing, you will be impressed with this spacious timber kitchen. The home is jam packed with features including a walk-in pantry, double sink with views over the backyard, dishwasher, electric wall oven and separate griller. Electric hotplates, brekky bar, and loads of cupboards all beneath a timber lined ceiling complete the package. The dining room comes complete with a solid fuel heater and doors to the verandah outside, whilst the separate lounge features a reverse cycle split system, and near new carpets and window furnishings.

At a glance Location: 92 McCartin Street, Leongatha. Price: reduced to $439,000. Agent: Alex Scott & Staff, Leongatha. Contact: 5662 0922 or 0402 940 320.

Prom Country MEENIYAN ~ 1st home / invest

12B Meikle Street

$180,000 - $195,000

MEENIYAN ~ 1st home / invest

MIRBOO NORTH ~ wow what a reno! Y N DA PE UR O AT S IS

Lands of Opportunity

On a pretty corner allotment on the town’s edge KOONWARRA opposite parkland and 30m from the playground, 13 Koala Drive - 1/2 acre $160 - $175,000 is “Pop In”. 3 bedrooms, updated bathroom with 17 Koala Drive - 1/2 acre $190 - $210,000 corner spa bath, colourful gardens, and watering system. Solid home. Solid start. Solid investment! TOORA 380 Lamont Drive $180 - $190,000 Inspect by Appointment Address 173 Whitelaw Street Meeniyan NERRENA Meen-Nerrena Rd - 13 acres + permit $175,000 $160,000 - $180,000

MIRBOO NTH ~ be bankable!

BENA ~ ultra mod, brand new, 5 acres Y DA

Y DA

N PE R O ATU S IS

Residence and freehold combination from this beautiful historic building. 6 large rooms, kitchen, laundry. Rear ROW access. Ideal for your own enterprise, or investment opportunity. Consider restaurant, accommodation, antiques, and more! OPEN THIS WEEKEND! Saturday 12.00 - 12.30pm Address 60 Ridgway, Mirboo North $310,000 - $340,000

93 Whitelaw St, Meeniyan

Stunning renovation with all the 1940’s character intact: high ornamental ceilings, double hung windows and some rendered internal walls. Features incl. new parquetry ﬂoors, new carpets, modern kitchen, gorgeous bathroom vanities, huge decking at rear, verandah at front with lovely parkland views. Three bedrooms, double garage, rear laneway entry, and fully rewired, re-plumbed, reroofed & re-stumped: it could be new! Walk to shops & rail trail.

Selling Properties

24/7

OPEN THIS WEEKEND! Saturday 1.00 - 1.30pm Address 22 Inglis Avenue Mirboo North $250,000 - $275,000

Architecturally interesting & just completed Langford Jones home on amazing 5 acres. Ideal easterly vantage, with a northerly aspect to expansive open plan living zone. 2 bathrooms, 3 bedrooms, study, kitchen with stainless appliances, split system aircon and enviro-friendly pellet heater. Timber deck, paved surrounds, large colorbond garage, abundant water (tanks & dam), fenced paddocks, thriving perimeter plantings. Rural surrounds, breathtaking views – forever! OPEN THIS WEEKEND! Sunday 1.00 - 1.30pm 832 Andersons Inlet Rd Bena $440,000 - $480,000

promcountryrealestate.com.au

LEONGATHA ~ ‘Bellevue” 22 Worthy Street

$290,000 - $320,000

allen bartlett 0417 274 624

MEENIYAN ~ 2/56 Whitelaw St

unit investment

$150,000 - $165,000

kaz hughes 0417 516 998

5664 0224

PAGE 38 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Great location for the family T

HIS two storey, three bedroom Inverloch home has excellent water views.

From all of the upstairs living rooms and main bedroom you can see either the Inlet and/or right out to Eagles Nest. These rooms also open onto the front and side balconies. The foreshore and beach is across the road. Down stairs the ceilings are 9’6” and walls are solid brick. The large family room has a wood heater and there is also a bedroom (with built-in robes), bathroom and separate toilet, which can mean your extended family can use this area. The kitchen has plenty of bench space, breakfast bar, dishwasher and the best views from a sink anywhere. The meals area is part of the open plan kitchen and the formal lounge room has a split system. The main bedroom has a water view and en suite and sliding door onto the front balcony. The third bedroom has a wall of built-in robes. The front, side and rear balconies allow stacks of room for summer outdoor living/entertaining. The gardens are attractively landscaped with large paved area down one side of the house. There is a single garage with auto roller door and parking within the grounds for two more cars if required. At a glance Location: 71 The Esplanade, Inverloch. Price: $1,075,000. Agent: Harcourts, Inverloch. Contact: 5671 1212.

Macalister wins state award M

ACALISTER Prestige Homes has added another award to their ever expanding awards cabinet.

This time they scooped the competition to pick up the prestigious Victorian Project Home of the year award in the $250,000 - $350,000 category. The award is testament to why people from Omeo to Berwick are choosing to use this locally owned building company. Having earlier this year won the South East Regional Residential Builder of the Year Award (for the second time in three years), it has been a successful 12 months for this hard working company. Given the high quality reputation and quality workmanship that comes with a Macalister Prestige Home you don’t have to look too hard to understand why they are now building in the ever expanding south east Melbourne market. They recently opened an office in Clyde Road, Berwick and have new display homes due to open midnext year in Cranbourne South, Officer and Pakenham. Macalister Prestige homes also have a display home at 50 Tamara Crescent, Inverloch. It is open Saturdays to Wednesdays from noon until 5pm. It was a finalist in the 2009 HIA South East Victoria Regional Housing Awards (Display Home $400,000 $500,000) category. The two-storey home has 4 bedrooms (one a guest room) and an Alfresco area for entertaining. With a proven track record over 10 years there is little doubt Macalister Prestige Homes will continue to impress both customers and the building industry associations alike with their innovative designs, quality workmanship and down to earth approach. To find out why Macalister Prestige Homes should be your builder of choice visit www.macalisterhomes.com. au or call 1800 443 116.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 39

Wow, what a reno S

OMETIMES you come across the sort of renovation that leaves you wondering how the house could possibly still be completely affordable. This is one such renovation. Light and bright, the best, original 1940’s features remain: high ceilings with beautiful, rebated ornamental ceiling panels, double hung windows and some rendered internal walls. The rest, pretty much, has been re-done, and the result is stunning; parquetry ﬂoors and new carpets, brand spanking new modern kitchen with dishwasher, gorgeous new bathroom vanities, huge decking at rear and verandah at front. The spacious entry hall is accessed from an elevated verandah. To the right, a master bedroom with built-in robes, and to the left, a spacious lounge: both enjoying gorgeous, elevated parkland

views. Moving through the home, past a second bedroom and bathroom, the hallway opens into a beautiful, open plan kitchen with adjoining family and meals room. Past this central living zone, you will ﬁnd the laundry, powder room, and third bedroom with a sunny extended area, opening through French doors to the rear deck. Parking offers the option for one car on the property at the front (with a single side gate access to the rear of the block), while the main parking area is from the rear laneway through double gates into a new, double carport that has been clad and roofed identically to the house – a cute matching pair. The yard is big and private, with plenty of room for veggies and ﬂower beds: an open canvas that is low maintenance lawns now, but could be your garden haven very quickly. Completely re-wired, re-plumbed,

re-roofed and re-stumped, this house might just as well be new. You can walk into the Mirboo North shops from this very sweet property. The property can be inspected

Team effort: Heather Atkins and Lewis Stone, both of Harcourts, were delighted with the successful sale of ‘The Cliffs’.

Harcourts sells ‘The Cliffs’ O

N Saturday, November 14 Harcourts of Inverloch auctioned iconic property ‘The Cliffs’. The property was owned by Les and Pam Hubbard who have cared for it over the past 15 years. In the pre-auction period Harcourts received more than 130 enquiries and had 25 inspections, a great result from their contacts and the advertising campaign. The auction was attended by about 120 people. Although the property was passed in on a vendors bid of $2.5 million there were two interested parties who approached Lewis Stone after the auction.

Seven days later the property was sold above the vendor’s

passed in bid. All parties are pleased with the outcome.

by appointment with the agent Kaz Hughes at Prom Country First National on 5664 0224 (24 hours), or at advertised open times.

At a glance Location: 22 Inglis Avenue, Mirboo North. Price: $250,000 - $275,000. Agent: Prom Country First National, Meeniyan. Contact: Kaz Hughes 5664 0224.

PAGE 40 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 41

It’s access Mossvale all areas wedding

THE principle that good access is good business is well understood by Amanda and Dean Delaney of Leongatha’s Village Fare Café.

Their welcoming approach has earned them a nomination in South Gippsland Shire Council’s Good Access is Good Business (GAGB) awards program. “Not only is good access to your business a welcoming and inclusive approach, it makes great business sense, considering that 20 percent of the population has a permanent disability of some sort,” council’s rural access ofﬁcer Alisha McDonald. “Disabilities come in many shapes and sizes. They include vision impairment and hearing loss, both of which are very common particularly as the population ages.” As well as the 20 per cent with permanent impairment, another 19 per cent has temporary disabilities, Ms McDonald pointed out. “Perhaps a broken leg or they are recovering from an operation; in total we’re looking at almost 40 per cent of the consumer market that a business may be missing out on, such as people who buy food, clothing, furniture, gifts and services, just like everyone else.” “At one stage we thought about redesigning our layout to provide more seats for customers, but when we thought about how many of our customers have walk-

ers, wheelchairs or prams, we decided we would keep the set-up we have,” Mr Delaney said. “This way, we have plenty of space for people to move around and sit down comfortably and we can also easily move the furniture if more room is needed”. Ms Delaney said women with children or who are breastfeeding were also welcome. Alisha congratulated the couple on their approach. “Dean called to ask if I had any way that he and Amanda could highlight that Village Fare is a welcoming and inclusive business. “I was able to supply them with free counter cards and stickers for window display. This way, everyone knows they’re welcome at Village Fare. “We want to promote welcoming and inclusive businesses. Businesses that have a ramp or small step and handrail at the entrance, or have movable furniture and accessible toilets could be nominated to receive a Good Access award. They can be nominated by customers, the community or can nominate themselves.” Free Good Access is Good Business training for business owners and operators will be held in late March. Training sessions will be held later in 2010, but award nominations can now be made. For more information or training, contact Ms McDonald on 5662 9376 or alisham@southgippsland.vic.gov.au

Access nomination: Dean and Amanda Delaney, here with customers Rene Johnstone, Neil and Lyn Clissold of Mirboo North, won an access nomination for their welcoming approach to people with disabilities.

THE bride’s mother made all the gowns for the wedding of Amy Murphy and Joshua Dunlop on October 17, while Amy did all the make up. The late afternoon ceremony was to have taken place at Mossvale Park, but rain changed that to the Ruby Hall, where celebrant Merlene Stratton officiated. Amy is the daughter of Nicholas and Leonie Murphy of Leongatha North and Joshua is the son of Paul and Debbie Dunlop of Wonthaggi. The bride’s gown featured a guipure lace bodice with beaded sash and delustred satin skirt and train. Cream flowers held her handmade birdcage veil and she carried a posy of red and white calla lilies. Her sisters Sarah Tielman from Perth and Kylie Reid from Paraburdoo Western Australia, Erin Passarin from Wonthaggi and Western Australian friend Zarna Geraghty, attended the bride in long flowing cobalt blue gowns. They carried flowers like the bride’s. Ryan Carter from Perth was best man, while Troy Passarin, Jason Benetti and Dale Brown, all of Wonthaggi, were groomsmen. Following a reception at the Dakers Centre in Leongatha, the couple left for a honeymoon to Port Douglas. They have settled in Leongatha. Photo by Jana MacKinder.

PAGE 42 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Right on track: from left, students Jess Clark, Lachie Wright, Tanya Derrick and Adrian Brown put their HPV vehicle in its proper place.

Red Cross on hand

Student power LEONGATHA Primary School students took to the track recently as part of the RACV Energy Breakthrough at Maryborough.

Helping hand: the Red Cross ladies raised money with a cake stall in the foyer of Leongatha Memorial hall last Thursday. From left were Pat Harvey, Margaret Higgins and Elaine Gardner.

Battling other schools in Human Powered Vehicles, the LPS Grade Sixers peddled their way to glory. They may not have been top of the pile, but the two LPS teams had just one goal – to beat each other. It made for some “interesting” moments, as the competition between the opposing groups reached a fever pitch. One of those working behind the scenes was school integration aid Mar-

cus Theile, who teamed up with HPVmad principal Rob Higgins. “We had a really good time and the kids were fantastic. They were probably the best behaved group of kids we’ve had,” Marcus said. “Both teams were very competitive between themselves. It’s the ﬁrst time we’ve had our second team so close. There was only four laps between them in the end. They were actually racing side by side at times. “There was a lot of team rivalry and there was the odd occasion where one of the team members actually bumped the other vehicle and tipped it on its side somewhere along the track.” The pit stops crackled

Great mates: De’kodah Brewer and Ashley Newton take a breather.

with tension. “There was a lot of bickering and threats between the two teams, which made it more interesting than one being a little further out in front than the other,” he said. Marcus said the children were already looking toward the HPV challenge in Wonthaggi next year. “I know one of the students was talking about buying one for Christmas to race when he gets older. He wants to get a couple of mates and some other people to have a go at it,” Marcus said. “The kids were really involved, and they’re still all keen on it. They’re still wearing their shirts from the event.”

Taking the challenge: LPS students Sarah Marshall and Sarah McCahon were part of the team.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 43

Denis at Drome VOCALIST and performer Denis Walter will be the guest compere at this year’s Carols at the Drome. The annual Leongatha Christmas celebration will be held on Saturday, December 19, with children activities from 6pm. Denis will be backed by some super local talent. Alongside him will be a children’s choir drawn from local primary schools, as well as local artists Russell Hemming, David Durrant, Megan Atkins, Paul Sykes and Katie and Maddie Cantwell. The singers will be supported by an adult choir drawn from locals and, of course, the fantastic South Gippsland Shire Brass Band. The event is supported by Michael’s IGA, The Star, Combined Churches of Leongatha and the South Gippsland Shire Council. Carols at the Drome is a free event, but carolers will have to bring their own candles. The night will end with a spectacular fireworks display. Denis Walter has a high profile, but he loves to get involved in community concerts. The man with the big voice was a shy child performer when he first appeared on Young Talent Time as a contestant. It was an inauspicious start to his career, as he lost the contest. After being given an honourable mention he went through to the finals. But it’s a long way to the top if you want to sing at the Drome.

’Gatha Christmas comes early THE Leongatha Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc. is once again holding an early Christmas carnival, this year on Saturday, December 19. The chamber will again be using Goller Lane for Childrens entertainment and family activities on this day. It is seeking to obtain permission from the South Gippsland Shire Coun-

cil to close Goller Lane from 8am to 2pm to all vehicles, and approval from retailers that use Goller Lane. Activities being planned for the day include an animal farm, children’s face painting, jumping castle and of course horse and cart rides with Santa. As well as the above activities the chamber has launched the lucky shopper Christmas gift voucher campaign. Extra docket books are available

Hopes are high IT’S starting to look a lot like Christmas and Chloe Fox, ﬁve, and her brother Oscar, two, from Inverloch, enjoyed checking out the wonderful array of toys and gifts at A.W Smith & Sons Leongatha on Friday.

from Barb Carpenter at We’re 4 U. This year’s prize will consist of five gift voucher books to the value of $1000 each. These vouchers can only be used at retailers who are financial members of the Leongatha Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Gift voucher winners will present vouchers to an LCCI member to receive goods, that member will then

present the vouchers to Colleen Lockhart at Tammy Lee Photography for reimbursement. The morning’s activities are only part of the celebrations on that day. Later on that evening there will be Christmas carols. For information, keep reading The Star.

Get in early LORRAINE Halabarec from Nikolina’s Florist & Gifts Leongatha is encouraging clients to place their orders early for Christmas lillies and centerpieces.

PAGE 44 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Something to crow about MICHAEL’S IGA has something to crow about, with the arrival of a Lenard’s quality chickens outlet. The famous chicken business will be incorporated into the new Leongatha redevelopment. “This is a major announcement for Michael’s Supa IGA in Leongatha and signals the new beginning for the store’s major redevelopment and will be followed shortly with the full opening

of the complete new fresh food areas during the lead up to Christmas and much more to follow,” IGA marketing manager John Markham said. “Lenard’s is a ﬁrst class business and to have it incorporated as a part of the Michael’s Supa IGA fresh food offering is a major initiative. “Michael’s will be running the business as another department within the store, under the strict proven guidelines of the founder of Lenard’s.”

The multi-award winning company is considered to be one of Australia’s leading fresh food retailers and a pioneer in the kitchenready market. There are over 185 Lenard’s stores, employing more than 3,000 staff throughout Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Lenard’s was established in

Brisbane in 1987 by Master Butcher Lenard Poulter. “I don’t eat to live but live to eat. I love food with a passion. I love creating it, I love sharing it and I love consuming it,” he said all those years ago. Nothing has changed. It’s no secret that Australians are eating more chicken than ever before. The reasons are obvious: it’s lean and nutritious, budget-friendly, versatile and tastes great. On average, Aussies eat chicken 2.4 times a week,

consuming 32.7kg a year. And it is Lenard’s they like best. They simply can’t get enough of the huge range of delicious fresh chicken products, hand made in store each day. Lenard’s sells a range of more than 150 fresh chicken products. Each meal is designed with the customers and their lifestyle in mind. We aim to provide delicious and innovative meal options every day that are exciting and easy to prepare.

All wrapped up LEON LEONGATHA ONG GATHA N Newsxpress has plenty of gifts, cards, wrap and decorations this Christmas. Jess Price, Sam Dunn, Ellie McKee and Jenny Flynn are ready to help you make the right purchase for that special someone. The shop is full of books, Darrell Lea chocolates, toys and DVDs. Gift wrapping is available for books and Darrell Lea products. Bulk orders are available for Darrell Lea and they make great hamper items or presents for staff.

MARK Lamers and Marie Fowkes at Kevin Johns Bedding have a range of essentials for sale. They include pillows, cotton underlays, quilt sets, doona covers, lamps and occasional furniture.

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How their garden grows THEY’RE growing things at Mirboo North Secondary College. The horticultural area has been fixed up and is filled with thriving vegetables. An outdoor learning area with kitchen is a future possibility. Year 8 students Ramon Toman and Max Sauppe won a competition to design the outdoor classroom area. Their ideas included a pizza-shaped garden with different plants growing in each of the slices and a kitchen under a shade sail. The boys used a computer program, Google Sketchup, to put their design together. Ramon said it took them a lot of thinking to make their design. “We had lots of ideas. I reckon we drew up five rough drafts before we came up with the final thing,” he said. The final design will incorporate aspects of Ramon and Max’s design as well as those of other finalists. The amount of money available will also determine how the outdoor classroom ends up. A pizza oven, barbecue, sink and seating will be part of the outdoor kitchen area if funding can be obtained. School nurse Kylie Pollard said the old horticultural area was dilapidated. The plastic was taken off the glass house, soil was brought in and the garden beds weeded. Coles Junior Landcare funding

provided tools, wheelbarrows, fertilizer and seeds. All Year 8 students spend a period of time working in the secondary college’s horticultural area each week. With 80 people spending 40 minutes a week in the garden a lot has been achieved. Horticulture is a broad unit covering obesity issues, mental health and physical labour. Last week in the area a small group of girls were tending their strawberries

They put newspaper down, spread mulch and worked on a cover to stop hungry birds eating ripe fruit. In the plot used by Max and Ramon’s group they’ve grown potatoes and lettuces. Snow peas and broad beans are thriving in other group gardens in the horticultural area. When the outdoor kitchen is ﬁnished the food will be going from the ‘paddock to table’.

Potato plants: Year 8’s Ramon Toman and Max Sauppe looking at their vibrant garden.

Garden time: MNSC Year 8 students Louise Rogers and Bry Payne tend the strawberry patch.

Shire thanks to volunteers THE many volunteers of South Gippsland will receive a special thankyou on Saturday. They will be thanked by South Gippsland Shire Council for their outstanding contribution at a celebration at Coal Creek Heritage Village on December 5, which is International Volunteers Day. Guests will be treated to Devonshire tea at 2.30pm. They are invited to bring a picnic lunch and rug around 12.30pm to enjoy the pleasant environment by the lake and rotunda and a performance by the South Gippsland Wind Orchestra. “Volunteers are the backbone of our community,” Council chief executive Tim Tamlin said. “They provide different services for many programs. “Volunteer support of these programs allows

so many more people to maintain independence and dignity, and remain in their own homes for longer. “Through the Meals on Wheels program, volunteers provide home delivered meals to frail aged people and to people with disabilities and their carers, according to their assessed needs.” Most meals are home delivered, but in some cases in more remote areas, frozen meals are picked up by family members or council’s carers. Last ﬁnancial year these volunteers delivered 19,747 meals, equating to approximately 3000 hours of volunteer time. Volunteer drivers transport the frail aged to medical appointments and similar activities under the community transport program. Mr Tamlin also praised the volunteers at Coal Creek.

“They not only help out with maintenance of the gardens and buildings, showcasing of exhibits, cataloguing, and the day-to-day running of the park, they give hundreds of hours of support to the planning of events held at the park such as Halloween, the Giant Easter Egg Hunt and the Teddy Bears’ Picnic. These events would not be possible without their commitment.” Others contribute signiﬁcantly to the local environment by participating in Landcare activities on public and private properties: planting trees, removing noxious weeds and clearing streams. Council’s so-called Section 86 Committees are also volunteers and take responsibility for the running of council facilities such as halls, recreation reserves, pools and public buildings. “Those serving on our advisory committees provide valuable exchange between council and

the community, and advice to council for decision-making on varying development policies and strategies,” Mr Tamlin said. Tourism also beneﬁts from knowledgeable volunteers. “Volunteers also play an important role at the Prom Country Visitor Information Centres at Korumburra and Foster, where their local knowledge is a great asset,” Council’s visitor services coordinator Danielle Todaro said. “They welcome and assist our visitors, and generally help staff to ensure the smooth running of the centres. We’d be lost without them.” For further information regarding the celebration or how to volunteer, contact council on 5662 9200. If you are planning to attend, call Virginia Stacey on 5662 9251 for catering purposes.

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GippsTAFE goes international THE local hairdressing industry will receive a boost in 2010, with the establishment of a world renowned training program in Leongatha. GippsTAFE’s Hair Design and Beauty Department has been invited to become a Pivot Point School, the ﬁrst time a South Gippsland provider has been given the opportunity. Pivot Point is well recognised as a teaching and training program within the hairdressing industry, with many Gippsland salons sending their apprentices to Melbourne to beneﬁt for the techniques and learning materials. It is a coup for GippsTAFE to be offered the

opportunity and a beneﬁt for the hairdressing industry to have the training provided locally, according to GippsTAFE Team Leader Eamon O’Hare. “As an invitation-only initiative, the Member School Program gives us access to the full library of resources from the most comprehensive hairdressing training system in the world,” Mr O’Hare said. “Through the accreditation process and frequent workshops and seminars our educators keep expanding their knowledge, skills and ability to deliver ‘Job Market Ready’ training.” In 2010, as part of the Pivot Point accreditation, GippsTAFE will be introducing a learning

resource, Designer’s Approach. Pivot Point Designer’s Approach offers the most advanced and extensive educational program in the industry, through use of the latest strategies of instructional design, proven step-bystep and hands-on learning processes and salonrelevant training. “This is a major step forward for hairdressing salons in Gippsland as this program will be offered at the local level for the ﬁrst time,” Mr O’Hare said. “GippsTAFE’s hair design department prides itself on providing ﬂexible, innovative and industry-relevant training. The incorporation of the Designers Approach into all of our programs

Hooray for Harvey HARVEY Harris couldn’t pause for long to talk about himself. He’d just come in for lunch from carting hay and the pressures of an afternoon’s farming still awaited. Mr Harris turned 90 on November 12. Olive, his wife of 65 years, still goes to the gym. “We’ve been lucky,” he said. He had a blood nose when he was 40 and that is the only time that he has been in hospital. Of his health and longevity, Mr Harris likes to tell this story: “My mother was 34 when I was born and she had a lot of trouble. She had no milk so I was reared on Lactogen. I was given half a teaspoon of brandy every two hours. I had so much then, I’ve never touched strong drink since!” Friends and family gathered at the Harris home in Milford Road Dumbalk

North on Saturday, to help him celebrate his 90th birthday. He and Olive have two sons and two daughters, 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Harvey said his main interest in life has been farming and he has been on the same property since 1922. It is now farmed by his sons. They ran dairy cattle until 1970, with beef, ewes and fat lambs taking over after that. Another interest in Mr Harris’s life has been tennis. He no longer plays the game he began at the age of 15, but has been presented with an Australian Sports Medal for his extensive involvement which has included being president of the local tennis association, a member of the LTAV Council and on the VTA for 32 years. At the age of 70, he decided to retire from community commitments such as the ﬁre brigade and hall committee. But he still loves to work on the farm.

Happy birthday: Harvey Harris gets ready to cut a cake to mark his 90th birthday.

Lighting the way CLOSE to 4000 energy guzzling light globes have been replace in homes in and around Inverloch.

The town’s Bendigo Community Bank has joined forces with its Rotary and Lions clubs, AGL Power Company and Low Energy Supplies and Service (LESS) to offer the exchange program. Lions and Rotarians have been climbing ladders and reaching high in order to change the globes, raising $2 a time for their respective service clubs. This has added up to more than $7000. The service has been provided free to residents and businesses and it has been estimated that the energy efﬁcient bulbs will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1882 tonnes a year, or the equivalent of 438 cars off the road for a year. Jackie Laurie who manages the bank branch and has been helping to coordinate the bulb exchange, said Rotary has some globes left and hopes to have those installed within the next two weeks. “It’s all been very successful,” she said. The program had the added beneﬁts of drawing in money from outside the community and giving Rotarians and Lions the chance to talk to local residents in their homes about what their clubs do in the community. The globes were provided by AGL and LESS.

ensures we continue to maintain high-quality outcomes for our students. “The Pivot Point process is recognised nationally and internationally and will allow our graduates to go many places, whether it is working in a top salon, running your own business, competing on the international circuit or heading toward the fashion stage.” GippsTAFE will also launch a Certiﬁcate III program, equivalent to the apprenticeship, in 2010. Details about the Pivot Point school and new training opportunities can be obtained by contacting GippsTAFE.

Get together BASS Coast councillor Veronica Dowman, told San Remo residents in a packed gallery at the November council meeting that they should form a residents’ and ratepayers’ association. She said that would assist “in the ﬂow of information and the operation of a cohesive group”. Cr Dowman was commenting during debate on a controversial amendment to the Bass Coast Planning Scheme that would determine San Remo’s town boundaries and add an east west road link. The latter, described as “bizarre” by Cr Gareth Barlow, has had the townsfolk up in arms. The link was suggested by an independent panel that made various planning recommendations for the growth of San Remo, Newhaven and Cape Woolamai. Cr Barlow said the east west link would go right “through the guts of San Remo”. The suggestion had shocked council as much as residents. “I think it’s a terrible idea. “But just rejecting it isn’t the proper process. We need to investigate it and all options and impacts and consult with VicRoads and property owners.” He moved a motion that council undertake such an investigation and report back on the matter next year. Seconding the motion, Cr Peter Paul said council needed to get the best result possible for the residents of Bass Coast. “This is about effective governance, not about genuﬂecting to (Justin) Madden.” Mr Madden is the State Planning Minister. The suggested east west road would link “old” and “new” San Remo via Mary and Hazelwood groves to Bonwick Avenue. The planning scheme amendment will halt development east of Potters Hill Road.

Carols times five

BASS Coast residents and visitors have the chance to celebrate the festive season at ﬁve different Christmas carols nights.

Seen the light: from left, Helen Cole, Lionel Wood and Geoff Cole of the Inverloch Lions Club, Allison Drury and Jackie Laurie of the Bendigo Bank and Rotarians Ross Wise, Tess Flaherty and Ray Peters with certiﬁcates thanking service club members for their part in a light bulb exchange in Inverloch.

The ﬁrst will be in Grantville on December 6 and the last at Wonthaggi on December 20. Carols start at 6pm at the Grantville and District Memorial Park on December 6, 6pm at The Glade on the Inverloch foreshore on December 12, 6pm on the Cowes foreshore on December 15, 6pm on December 19 at Corinella and 6.30pm on December 20 at Wishart Reserve Wonthaggi. Because of his commitments, Santa can only visit the last two carols nights.

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SES classroom

SOME students at LeonSecondary College gatha S have bee been part of an elective that he helps them see how the SES works works.

Out of the classroom: James Wilkinson abseiling at the SES training tower in Leongatha.

They are shown how h the jaws of life are used and windows are ar smashed with small tools. As well there’s learning how to tie knots, lear use pulleys, build A frames, lift a generator, fr carry people on stretchers and pull an SES stretc vehicle up a hill. The SES subject wa wasn’t Year 9 student, Nicole Clark’s, ﬁrst choice choic for an elective. But due to a timetable clash she ended up in the class. “I was one of those pe people who would stand back and let le everyone else do it, because I wasn’t very into becau it,” it, she said. “Then after a while ssome of the things aappealed to me and I sstarted to get involved a little bit more.” Another Year student, James 9 Wilkinson, completed W the elective last th semester. se His highlight was the three day camp at Noojee where students No participated in activities par and bushwalked. The camp ended with students presenting a slide studen show of photos capturing

the best and funniest moments. “It’s a really good class to get to know people and get to know the community,” James said. Advance Program Coordinator Jamie Cummins said the elective is about helping students work together and being exposed to a community group like the SES. “The students get to do some basic training down at the SES training facility and get a bit of a feel for what an SES volunteer does and how important volunteers are in the community,” he said. The elective challenges students to push beyond what they think are their physical and mental capabilities on an 11m abseiling tower or on a giant swing at Allambee.

Mr Cummins said when SES elective students enter the classroom at the start of a semester they have their little groups. “Even though those groups will stick together I try to break down those barriers by having really inclusive activities where they physically have to hold each other’s hands or sit on each other’s laps,” he said. “There’s a whole range of activities where they have to work together as a team and interact closely with each other.” The elective is partly funded by the State Government’s Advance Program, which aims to involve young people in community organisations. Neil Warren was the SES training facilitator.

SES camp: Steven, Lachy and Aaron full of energy at the start of the ﬁrst walk. Well done: the SES class at the completion of three days of mental and physical challenges.

Through the bush: Nicole Clark leads the way on the bush navigation exercise at the Noojee SES camp.

On ya horse: Leongatha Secondary College SES students on their camp last week.

Bush walk: on camp at Noojee last week.

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Old fashioned pool fun WITH a long hot summer seeming likely, it’s good to know the Foster swimming pool is ready to go. On weekdays the pool is open between 11am and 6.30pm until school ﬁnishes for the year, then it is open from 9am to 6.30pm each day. Opening hours are extended on really hot days. The inﬂatable also comes out when the temperature soars. If the pool is busy the young, dynamic staff starts games. Lifeguards are on hand to ensure everyone has a fun, safe time. The middle pool has a new heating system, which will help keep the tempera-

ture at least 27 degrees all summer long. Shade cloths offer shelter over part of the pool and the seating area. The big pool should stay at a minimum of 26 degrees. There’s new slushie and coffee machines to provide refreshment for kids and adults this summer. A BlueLight disco for primary school students will be held at the pool this season as well.

Good times: assistant managers at Foster swimming pool Alix Barrie and Ryan Staley are ready for a busy summer.

Swag of awards up for grabs LOCAL theatre companies Leongatha Lyric Theatre, Foster’s FAMDA and Wonthaggi Theatrical Group are in the running for a swag of awards to be announced this week.

The region has staged some stunning shows this year, including Lyric’s Witches of Eastwick, FAMDA’S Into the Woods and Wonthaggi’s West Side Story. All three shows have been nominated for awards in the Music Theatre Guild Awards 2009 on December 5 in Frankston and the Gippsland Associated Theatre (GAT) awards on December 12. Foster will host the Gippsland Associated Theatre (GAT) gala awards night with a special masquerade themed night of nights. Local youth has come to the fore in the nominations for the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria Awards for Excellence 2009. In the Junior Performer in an Open Production: Josh Gardiner (Michael Spofford in The Witches of Eastwick), Leongatha Lyric Theatre; Trent Hopkins (Baby John, West Side Story) Wonthaggi Theatrical Group; and Adam Turner (JoJo in Seussical) Warragul Theatre Company were nominated. Other nominations were direction Karen Milkins-Hendry, West Side Story, Wonthaggi Theatrical Group; Musical Direction, Kirk Skinner / Carmel Slater, West Side Story, Wonthaggi Theatrical Group. Choreography; Leasal Liddle-Pirouet, West Side Story, Wonthaggi Theatrical Group. Settings; Colin Mitchell, The Witches of Eastwick, Leongatha Lyric Theatre. Lighting; Matt Saario, The Witches of Eastwick, Leongatha Lyric Theatre. Wardrobe; Colin Mitchell, The Witches of Eastwick, Leongatha Lyric Theatre; Sophie Cuttriss, West Side Story, Wonthaggi Theatrical Group. Technical Achievement; The Witches of Eastwick, Leongatha Lyric Theatre; Into the Woods, Foster Amateur Music and Drama Association. Female Performer in a Supporting Role; Sarah Kate Hanley, Anita, West Side Story, Wonthaggi Theatrical Group. Design Award; Colin Mitchell, ﬂying scene / welding scene / moon scene, The Witches of Eastwick, Leongatha

Winning Witches: from left are Kerena McLaren, Glenys Day, Annette O’Shea, Lindy Waldron, Greta Rendell, Cheryl Harris, Anthea Donohue, and Alison McIntyre, who were in the female chorus of the Witches of Eastwick. Lyric Theatre; Rick Pendry, scenic art, West Side Story, Wonthaggi Theatrical Group. Ensemble Award; Male gang members, West Side Story, Wonthaggi Theatrical Group. Among the Judges’ Awards are productions by FAMDA (Foster Amateur Music and Drama Association) and Wonthaggi Theatrical Group. Commendations included Open Section, Production, The Witches of Eastwick, Leongatha Lyric Theatre. Direction; John Laurie, Into the Woods, FAMDA (Foster Amateur Music and Drama Association). Male Performer in a Leading Role; Paul Smith (Darryl Van Horne) The Witches of Eastwick, Leongatha Lyric Theatre. Male Performer in a Supporting Role; Peter Knigge (Lt Schrank)West Side Story, Wonthaggi Theatrical Group; Trent Hopkins (Baby John) West Side Story, Wonthaggi Theatrical Group. In the 2009 Gippsland Associated Theatre Awards the ofﬁcial nominations are impressive. Key: FAMDA – FAMDA, LLT – Leongatha Lyric Theatre, LTC – Latrobe Theatre Company, MDS – Maffra Dramatic Society, STC – Sale Theatre Company, WTC – Warragul Theatre Company, WTG – Wonthaggi Theatrical Group. Musical theatre: Most outstanding lead actor – male: Chris Beasley (Tony), West Side Story, WTG; Michael Mendez (Horton), Seussical,

WTC; Paul Smith (Darryl Van Horne), The Witches of Eastwick, LLT; Robbie Smith (the cat in the hat), Seussical, WTC. Most outstanding lead actor – female: Meagan Atkins (Maria), West Side Story, WTG; Nicole Cooper (the witch), Into the Woods, FAMDA; Nicole Cooper (Jane Smart), The Witches of Eastwick, LLT; Britt Lewis (Gertrude McFuzz), Seussical, WTC; Fiona Watts (the baker’s wife), Into The Woods, FAMDA. Most outstanding support actor – male: Andrew Braniff (Lefou), Beauty and The Beast, LTC; Tim Edwards (Clyde Gabriel), The Witches of Eastwick, LLT; Tim Gessell (Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf), Into the Woods, FAMDA; Rory Godbold (Riff), West Side Story, WTG; Scott Millar (Lumiere), Beauty and The Beast, LTC. Most outstanding support actor – female: Belinda Allen (Felicia Gabrielle), The Witches of Eastwick, LLT; Natasha Eastman-Nagle (Anybody’s), West Side Story, WTG; Sarah Kate Hanley (Anita), West Side Story, WTG; Tracey Rabl (The Sour Kangaroo), Seussical, WTC; Denise Twite (Mrs Potts), Beauty and The Beast, LTC. Most outstanding musical director: Glenn Calder / Cheryl Connor, The Witches of Eastwick, LLT; Pamela Coad, Into The Woods, FAMDA; Kirk

Skinner / Carmel Slater, West Side Story, WTG; David Williams, Seussical, WTC. Most outstanding choreographer: Leasal Liddle-Pirouet, West Side Story, WTG; Penny-Lee Tomkins, Beauty and The Beast, LTC; Rose Wray-McCann, The Witches of Eastwick, LLT. Most outstanding director: Brad Beach, The Witches of Eastwick, LLT; Michelle Carrigy, Beauty and The Beast, LTC; Neil Goodwin, Seussical, WTC; John Lawrie, Into The Woods, FAMDA; Karen Milkins-Hendry, West Side Story, WTG. Most outstanding production: Beauty and The Beast, LTC; Into The Woods, FAMDA; Seussical, WTC; The Witches of Eastwick, LLT; West Side Story, WTG. Drama/Comedy; Most outstanding lead actor – male: Tim Clark (Major Thomas), Breaker Morant, STC; Dan Devine (Ltn Breaker Morant), Breaker Morant, STC; Bruce Grainger (Benoit Pinglet), A Little Hotel on the Side, LLT; Andrew Hood (Brian Manchip), Who Goes Bare, LTC; Lloyd Morcomb (Hugo), Dinner at Hugo’s, FAMDA. Most outstanding lead actor – female: Krissie Creighton (Minnie), Who Goes Bare, LTC. Most outstanding support actor – male: Brad Beach (Mathieu), A Little Hotel on the Side, LLT; James Evans (Maxie Maudin), Who Goes Bare,

LTC; Lawrie Fildes (Angus McSmith), Who Goes Bare, LTC; Peter Gilbert (Henri Paillardin), A Little Hotel on the Side, LLT; Aron Toman (Maxime), A Little Hotel on the Side, LLT. Most outstanding support actor – female: Michelle Linahan (police ofﬁcer), Who Goes Bare, LTC; Christine Skicko (Angelique Pinglet), A Little Hotel on the Side, LLT; Christine Skicko (Mrs Court-Bending), Who Goes Bare, LTC; Jo Street (Victoire), A Little Hotel on the Side, LLT; Madeleine Carpenter (Nancy McSmith), Who Goes Bare, LTC. Most outstanding director: Raymond Dunstan, A Little Hotel on the Side, LLT; Raymond Dunstan, Dinner at Hugo’s, FAMDA; Steve Dwyer, Breaker Morant, STC; Richard Tyler, Who Goes Bare, LTC. Most outstanding production: A Little Hotel on the Side, LLT; Breaker Morant, STC; Dinner at Hugo’s, FAMDA; Who Goes Bare, LTC. Gippsland Theatre: Most outstanding youth performance – male: Johnny Costin (Oliver), Oliver, MDS; Josh Gardiner (Jack), Into The Woods, FAMDA; Xavier Pellin (JoJo), Seussical, WTC; Adam Turner (JoJo), Seussical, WTC. Most outstanding youth performance – female: Louise Dower (Milky White), Into The Woods, FAMDA; Ferlein Fawcett (Nancy), Oliver, MDS; Niamh Hassett (The Artful Dodger), Oliver, MDS; Kelsea Timmers (Chip), Beauty and The Beast, LTC. Most outstanding ensemble: Fagin’s Gang, Oliver, MDS; The 3 Witches, The Witches of Eastwick, LLT; The Jets, West Side Story, WTG; Who Goes Bare cast, Who Goes Bare, LTC. Most outstanding set design: John Hall, Beauty and The Beast, LTC; Tad Hendry, West Side Story, WTG; Colin Mitchell, The Witches of Eastwick, LLT; Gavin van Eede / Sindy Virtue, Into The Woods, FAMDA; Neil Warren, A Little Hotel on the Side, LLT, Most outstanding costume: Anda Banikos, Into the Woods, FAMDA; Heather Drury, A Little Hotel on the Side, LLT; Colin Mitchell, The Witches of Eastwick, LLT; Geelong Lyric Theatre / L. Morey / K. Creighton / K. Dougan, Beauty and The Beast, LTC; Warragul Theatre Co costume team, Seussical, WTC.

Ride safe and legally Toora makes progress A LEONGATHA sporting group has teamed up with Parks Victoria to urge motorcyclists to ride legally. The Leongatha Motorcycle Club is urging members to ride on designated roads on public land, ahead of a crackdown on illegal riding from December 1. That is when Parks Victoria, DSE, police and VicRoads ofﬁcers will be issuing $900 on the spot ﬁnes to motorcyclists caught riding unlicensed and unregistered bikes, or not on

made roads, sealed or unsealed. Riders must also be aged over 18. The swoop is a bid to reduce the impact of offroad riding on vegetation, waterways and animals. Leongatha club members Christine Payne and Kevin Gray visited Mirboo North Primary School recently, to tell students the club offers safe, supervised venues for learning to ride. Students were shown a DVD about motorcycling rules and a student was ﬁtted with safety gear.

THE Toora and District Progress Association has made a resurgence after a full committee was elected recently. Five new people and a former member comprise the new board, saving the association from the possibility of folding. The association’s annual meeting was rescheduled when no new committee members could be found. The new president is Alec Foster, a resident

of Toora only since July. He is joined by vice president Patricia Doran, secretary Kathy Whelan, treasurer Alice Foster and general committee members, Doug Wheatley and Judyanne Frank. At the association’s ﬁrst committee meeting last Wednesday, the group resolved to reinvigorate the annual town Christmas party. A public meeting will be held at the Toora CFA this Friday, December 4 at 7.30pm to organise it.

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Robert fired up KARDELLA artist Robert Barron, of Gooseneck Pottery, is celebrating his 50th ﬁring with a bumper crop of ceramic kitchenware ornaments and art works.

Robert spent last week loading and firing his wood-fired kiln with a team of committed workers who come down twice a year to help out during the summer and winter firings. The Gooseneck kiln is one of the largest wood-fired kilns in Australia. It is 14 metres long and three metres tall and wide. Last week’s firing has set Robert up for his major Christmas sales, which open next weekend, December 5-6, and continue on the following Saturday and Sunday, December 1213. The pottery will be open between 10am and 5pm. His sales exhibitions are always special occasions. They include throwing demonstrations (watch the wheel turn) and a kiln talk (a fascinating explanation of how fire and ash combine on clay), accompanied by wine and cheese. The throwing demonstrations are at 11am and 2.30pm. Visitors are invited to inspect the large kiln and the pots that have been made. Items include jugs, teapots, mugs, bowls, baking dishes, casseroles and larger items such as platters, bread crocks and jars, but also abstract forms, major art works and several gigantic pots for ornamental use. Robert’s twice-yearly firings are wellknown and sought after events. Visitors were already arriving last week. Gayle and Roger O’Donahoo, of Wantirna in Melbourne, were staying at the RACV Resort in Inverloch and while on a scenic drive visited Gooseneck.

Interested visitors: Melbourne visitors Gayle and Roger O’Donahoo were amazed at the range of pots and art works Robert Barron (right) was able to create at his Gooseneck Pottery in Kardella. Robert showed them the raging inferno inside the kiln and they were amazed how intense the heat was and how completely the flames filled the inside of the kiln, covering the pottery. By owning one of the finest and largest wood-fired kilns around, Robert achieves astounding textual variety in his pieces. Pieces in the front of the kiln acquire rug-

Mad enough to join MADS, otherwise known as the Meeniyan Amateur Dramatics Society, had its inaugural season in 2008 and has made a rapid rise among the performing arts ranks in South Gippsland. The region is blessed with several major theatre groups, including those in Leongatha, Foster and Wonthaggi, and Meeniyan now has found its niche among them. Perhaps still a David among the local Goliaths, their cabaret performance “This Is It” last August, gave notice of their artistic intent. It was followed this year with the murder/comedy/mystery Lord Chatterley’s Demise, which put the ﬁlthy rich

Lord Chatterley right in his box. MADS is now looking for budding performers, people who have yearned to go on stage but never had the encouragement they needed to take that step. “Now’s your chance”, said the society’s president Pat Hendry, who is a healthily extroverted individual who puts the pazzazz in performance. Training is given and the emphasis is on having fun and being involved. She is inviting “would-be” actors, singers, dancers, writers and directors, back-stage helpers, set designers and painters – anyone with a passion for the performing arts – to contact her on 0425 787 600, or email her on patsyfagan@ dcsi.net.au.

Acting invitation: MADS president Pat Hendry is inviting budding artists to join Meeniyan Amateur Dramatics Society and train with the group.

ged textures, while in the intense heat further down the chambers the pots gain their sheen when the wood ash melts into a glaze. “This is what wood-ﬁring is all about. No two pieces are the same,” Robert said. The Gooseneck Pottery in Kardella is only ﬁve kilometres from Korumburra. It is open on weekends, public holidays and most weekdays. For details, call Robert Barron on 5655 2405.

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Confident economy will improve RESULTS from a comprehensive survey of Victorian farmers showed more than half of the respondents were confident that general economic conditions will improve over the next 12 months and 46 per cent believe the agricultural economy will also improve. The survey, commissioned by Rural Finance, was conducted during September 2009 and looked at farmer confidence levels as well as the most important issues confronting agriculture. The confidence levels of farmers reflect that while some commodity prices are low and some parts of the

state still had irrigation issues, farmers believe the future is promising particularly given ongoing world food shortages. Mr Graham said the survey identiﬁed that water supply was the most important issues facing farmers in the future, followed by drought, interest rates, farm proﬁtability and climate change. “The issue of climate change is still contentious among the farming community with the survey showing just over half of the respondents believing climate change is a reality,” Mr Graham said. “Farmers in viticulture as well as young farmers were in agreement about climate change, while less than 50 per cent of sheep and beef enter-

prises agreed that climate change was a reality.” Mr Graham said he believes this reflects a strong farm community view that the current extended dry conditions are part of normal seasonal cyclical events. However he also suspects that as these conditions continue the support for climate change will grow. The survey also showed that many farms are relying on off-farm income with 45 per cent of respondents having a family member earning off-farm income. “Due to the difficult conditions that we have experienced this century across many parts of Victoria, we have found that off-farm income is making a significant contribution to the overall

income base, particularly in the younger generation and understandably those with lower farm income,” Mr Graham said. “The majority of off-farm income is earned from rural contracting or a trade, but 10 per cent are also earning income from off-farm investments.” Half of the respondents indicated that their debt level had increased over the last ﬁve years primarily due to the purchase of land or due to the drought. Mr Graham said high land prices have not dampened farmers’ enthusiasm for owning land, with respondents saying they would rather buy than lease land. As an expression of this conﬁdence, 28 per cent of farmers indicated they plan to expand their farm in the next

five years, with 63 per cent of those expressing a desire to purchase land and only 24 per cent would lease land. Mr Graham said this is supported by Rural Finance statistics, with more than one third of loans provided to assist clients purchase land in the last financial year, reflecting the continued strength of the family farming operation to Victorian agriculture. Looking forward to the next five years, 20 per cent of respondents indicated confidence in agriculture by planning to increase their debt mainly through land purchases, plant and equipment. The survey showed that more grain growers and horticulturists planned to expand their farm over the next five years than in other industries.

Smaller supply creates stronger demand Incentives for examination PRICES were marginally higher due to stronger demand for a smaller penning of young and grown cattle. Part of this was due to similar prices for a slight fall in quality. Over the day prices were between 1c and 5c/kg higher, but averages were ﬁrm to 3c/kg better. Vealers made from 140c to 173c, and a reasonable selection of yearling heifers made mostly between 132c and 147c/kg. The average price for steers and bullocks was 3c higher at 150.2c/kg, and this was created in part by a better selection of quality cattle weighing between 520kg and 720kg lwt. Prices for C muscle cattle were between 142c and 152.2c/kg. Prices varied a lot due to a very mixed quality yarding of cows. Prices were mostly all higher with better quality cows making between 122c and 130c/kg. Some sales of grown heifers were noted up to 139c/kg. Plainer condition made mostly from 105c to 128c/kg.

Wednesday, November 25 BULLOCKS 2 D. & L. Murdica, Leongatha 14 N. Littlejohn & Son, Mirboo 10 G.J. & J.C. Briscoe, Mirboo North 14 J.S. & M.J. Patterson, Leongatha 11 J. Vitale Nom, Erica 14 Rumridge, Leongatha

575 604 585 611 687 699

155.0 891.00 152.6 921.00 152.6 891.95 152.6 933.04 152.0 1044.00 151.6 1059.03

STEERS 1 C. Unkenstein, Pound Creek 1 N.R. & L.J. Andrews, Mirboo North 8 P. Van Heerwarden, Bena 10 J.T. & E.J. Clark, Poowong 3 S. Campbell, Mardan 10 S. Best, Toora

395 173.2

684.14

420 529 570 490 577

160.0 152.6 152.6 150.6 150.2

672.00 807.00 870.00 737.94 865.86

COWS 1 P. & G. Johnston, Leongatha South 610 1 E.J. & M.L. Cumming, Meeniyan 530 6 B. Shandley, Lance Creek 613 5 T.E. & A.M. Shandley, Koorooman 591 1 J. & J. Watt, Strzelecki 650 1 81st Asteroid P/L, Strzelecki 725

130.6 130.6 130.0 130.0 130.0 130.0

796.66 692.18 797.33 768.30 845.00 942.50

173.2 159.6 147.6 146.6 145.6 145.0

753.42 610.47 678.96 667.03 582.40 645.25

145.0 143.0 143.0 143.0 142.0 141.6

1210.75 1337.05 1287.00 1108.25 1256.70 1175.28

HEIFERS 1 D. Marci, Korumburra 2 H.T. & P.R. Goldsmith, Dumbalk 1 D. & L.M. Murdica, Leongatha 1 Mundook Hereford Stud, Foster 2 Potters Produce, Dumbalk 1 R.G. & H.E. Stephens, Welshpool BULLS 1 K.A. Buckleigh, Wonthaggi 1 Harris Pastoral, Dumbalk North 1 P. Peluso, Mirboo North 1 L.M. & J. O’Sullivan, Foster 1 R.H. & M. Greaves, Tarwin Lower 1 M. Behmer, Leongatha

435 383 460 455 400 445 835 935 900 775 885 830

AUSTRALIA’S livestock export industry (animals and animal products) is a major source of income that is reliant on Australia continuing to prove its animals are free from transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Incentives are now available for sheep and cattle farmers in the Gippsland area who provide eligible stock for examination for TSE as part of a national surveillance program. TSEs are a group of fatal degenerative diseases of the nervous system affecting both humans and animals. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or ‘mad cow’ in cattle and scrapie in sheep are members of this group of diseases. Australia has implemented a number of strategies to monitor the occurrence of TSE disease in our cattle and sheep population. The National Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy Surveillance Program (NTSESP) is one of these and is speciﬁcally aimed at demonstrating Australia’s on-going

VLE LEONGATHA KOONWARRA

Sale Draw December 2, 3 & 4 1. Alex Scott 2. Rodwells 3. Landmark 4. David Phelan & Co 5. Elders 6. SEJ

freedom from BSE and scrapie. The NTSESP involves detailed examination of several hundred cattle and sheep nationwide annually. Individual animals identified as eligible candidates for inclusion in the program must meet several specific criteria: * Cattle must be at least 30 months of age and no more than nine years of age. * Sheep must be at least 18 months of age or older. Both cattle and sheep must be displaying progressive clinical neurological signs (for example circling, blindness or abnormal behaviour) and a maximum of two animals per property is permitted. The animal must be alive at presentation to Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) staff. A producer incentive of $300 for cattle and $50 for sheep is available. Producers can be involved in the program by reporting their own animals that fit these criteria to their local veterinarian or by contacting their nearest DPI Animal Health officer at DPI Ellinbank on 5624 2222 or DPI Leongatha on 5662 9900.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 57

Silage tips IT’S silage time and, as always, attention to detail will be rewarded in the form of stores of good quality feed. Some factors affecting silage quality are: • The fermentation process needed to make silage uses energy, so it is important to start with high quality pasture that is at least 10 MJ ME/kg DM. • Cut pasture after a few hours of sun when soluble sugars needed for fermentation are at their highest. • Ensure a quick wilt by using the tedder and conditioner and keep ﬁngers crossed for dry sunny days. • Wilt to the dry matter best suited to the system you have, for example to 28 to 35 per cent for long chopped pasture going into a pit. • Remove air and seal as soon as possible to get anaerobic fermentation started. • Check the plastic regularly to check there are no holes.

PAGE 58 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Classifieds PHONE 5662 5555 P FAX 5662 4350

for sale

public notices

for sale

public notices

MEDITATION TALKS Monday, December 7 AUSTRALIA VICTORIA - No. 169 / 2009

PORT OF ANDERSON INLET ANDERSON INLET ENTRANCE ALTERATION TO NAVIGATION FACILITIES DATE: PREVIOUS NOTICE: DETAILS:

Sell it in the "Star"

Leongatha - 12.30pm Meditation for Body, Mind And Soul Meeting Room 2, Memorial Hall Koonwarra - 3pm Meditation and Vegetarianism for Healthier Spiritual Living Suitable Communities Centre Info: 5664 2202, 0417 087 762 Tea and light lunch served

With Immediate Effect. (Vic) 150 / 2009 refers. Mariners are advised that due to the change in alignment of the Outer Entrance Channel of the Anderson Inlet Entrance Bar the following changes to navigation facilities have been established. The Fairway Light Buoy (L.FI. 10s) has been relocated to: Lat: 38 deg 39 min 23.4 sec. Long: 145 deg 43 min 14.8 sec. The Sector of the Anderson Inlet Entrance Beacon (Occ. WRG 3s) has been removed. The new Light Characteristic is Oc. 3s 18m 10M. The new location of the Fairway buoy indicates “Safe Water” in the vicinity of the buoy and is indicative of best knowledge at the time of deployment. Mariners are advised to take extreme caution when entering or departing from Anderson Inlet. Further information can be obtained by contacting Gippsland Ports on (03) 5150 0500.

FURTHER NOTICES: A further notice will be issued. PUBLICATIONS AFFECTED: AUS 801, NP14, NP83 (Vol K). CAPTAIN BRUCE GREEN HARBOUR MASTER GIPPSLAND PORTS

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

POOWONG, LOCH & NYORA SEWERAGE SCHEME Opportunity to View Draft Designs & Discuss Your Sewerage Connection with South Gippsland Water Staff. South Gippsland Water has recently received the draft designs for the Poowong, Loch & Nyora Sewerage Scheme reticulation pipework. All property owners in the proposed sewerage district are invited to view the plans and discuss them “one to one” with our engineering staff. South Gippsland Water is seeking your feedback so that it can be factored into the next phase of this exciting project.

When Wednesday December 9th Thursday December 10th Friday December 11th

Where Nyora Public Hall Poowong Public Hall Loch Public Hall

Time 2pm - 6pm

Berries for sale U PICK In Leongatha Jenny & Geoff Martin

0407 343 870 0409 179 011

Gippy Waste Cleaning • Septic Tanks • Portable Toilets • Water Tanks Phone Stephen

0422 998 025 1800 611 368

/ ( 2 1 *$7 + $ *$//(5<

/ $ & 6 '(& -$1 3$,17,1*6 3$,17,1*6 3$,17,1*6

for sale

public notices

THE ORGANIC HAIR & BEAUTY SALON: 150 Bald Hills Road, Tarwin Lower, Deanne Dakers. Ph. 5663-5439, website: www. theorganicbeautysalon. com

CHIROPRACTOR

Garry Harrison 19 Moonah Street Cape Paterson Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday By appointment Ph: 5674 8290 CHIROPRACTOR NORMAN G. VRADENBURG “NON-FORCE PRACTITIONER” 28 Reilly Street, INVERLOCH HOURS - Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday by appointment Phone and fax 5674 3666 South Gippsland Chiropratic Services & Adjunctive Therapies P/L

2pm - 6pm 2pm - 6pm

For more information, or to make other arrangements to give your feedback, call 1300 851 636 or 5682 0444 or Email: sgwater@sgwater.com.au

KONGWAK MARKET Sunday from 10am Inside & out! It's great, no matter what the weather! Vintage, collectables, Retro, stamps, trash, treasure, organic dried things, gorgeous local veg, coffee, curry, snags, massage, music, and so much more... Warm-up under the heaters

Call Jane for more info 0417 142 478 Kongwak market is a smoke free event

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 59

public notices

FORM B SOUTH GIPPSLAND SHIRE COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMIT An Application for Planning Permit has been made which may affect you The land affected by the application is: Charles Street, Korumburra Vic. 3950 being L1 TP529507C Parish of Korumburra Township, L2 TP529507C Parish of Korumburra Township. The application is for a permit to: Extend 'Red Line' area for liquor licence and extension of trading hours. The applicant for the permit is: L.R. Eastman. The application reference number is: 2009/296. You may look at the application and any documents that support the application at the office of the responsible authority. The responsible authority is: South Gippsland Shire Council Private Bag 4 9 Smith Street, Leongatha 3953 Viewing of documents can be done during office hours (8.30am to 5pm) and is free of charge. Any person who may be affected by the granting of the permit may object or make other submissions to the responsible authority. An objection must be sent to the responsible authority in writing, including the reasons for the objection and stating how the objector would be affected. If you object, the Responsible Authority will inform you of its decision. The Responsible Authority will not decide on this application until 14 days after the date of this Notice. Dated: 1/12/2009. * Please be aware that copies of submissions received by Council may be made available to any person for the purpose of consideration as part of the planning process.

thanks

situations vacant

HARVEY HARRIS appreciated all the visitors, good wishes, cards and telephone calls on the occasion of his 90th birthday.

work wanted HOME MAINTENANCE For all your home repairs, renovations and painting jobs

situations vacant

JUNIOR PERSON for General Office Administration for a valued client of our firm The successful applicant must be willing to do a traineeship in all aspects of office administration. Applications close Friday, November 4. Applications and resumés in writing to: The Manager Perrett & Associates P/L PO Box 336 Leongatha 3953 Email: admin.@perrettandassociates.com.au

Contact Leigh 5664 0190 or 0408 130 787

situations vacant

BABYSITTER

1 primary school aged child, 2-4 afternoons per week. After school pick up and care in child’s family home. SCHOOL TERM ONLY Leongatha area Phone 5662 2412

INVERLOCH A FULL TIME POSITION exists at our Inverloch store in the Timber yard. Duties include customer service activities, forklift operation and some clerical work. To be successful you will need to be: Team orientated, computer literate and having a good knowledge of timber and hardware products, is not necessary but would be an advantage. Please apply in writing to: Store Manager Capeview Mitre 10 Bass Highway, Inverloch 3996 OR Email to: inverloch@cv-m10.com.au

CASH JOB CATALOGUE DISTRIBUTORS AND COLLECTORS REQUIRED Earn $100 to $200 a week for 2 hours max daily NO OUTLAY

Call 1300 663 161

PERMANENT WEEKEND MILKER required 1 OR 2 DAYS Must have experience and be capable and reliable. Above award wages paid. NERRENA 5664 7285 or 0439 409 949

situations vacant

A position exists for a highly motivated

LARGE OR SMALL Experienced

FULLY Qualified Painter. No job too small. Good rates. Call Drew on 56624238 or 0418-517443.

situations vacant

INVERLOCH A PART TIME POSITION exists at our Inverloch store in the Hardware section. Duties include customer service activities, stock control and some clerical work. To be successful you will need to be: Team orientated, computer literate and having a good knowledge of hardware products, is not necessary but would be an advantage. Please apply in writing to: Store Manager Capeview Mitre 10 Bass Highway, Inverloch 3996 OR Email to: inverloch@cv-m10.com.au

EARLY EDUCATION TEACHER Mirboo North Kindergarten has a vacancy for a Teacher to work alongside an Assistant, Committee and a Cluster Manager. Mirboo North is a vibrant community located in South Gippsland, with the Kinder currently providing excellent service to more than 60 children.

PERMANENT PART TIME 35 hours per week Requirements: Early Childhood Teacher Qualified, willingness to undertake Police Records Check, Level 2 First Aid, Anaphylaxis Management and Working With Children’s Check Position commences: January 27, 2010 A full Position Description is available by phoning Nick Fawcett on 0437 249 933 or via the email address below. Applications outlining qualifications and experience together with a resumé should be addressed to: The President, Mirboo North Kindergarten, PO Box 366, Mirboo North 3871 or email to fawcettnicholas@yahoo.com.au (email applications preferred) Applications close EOB December 16, 2009

EXPERIENCED ACCOUNTANT AND/OR CPA We are seeking a qualified CPA or similar experienced accountant with a desire to work in our progressive public accounting practice, preferably with 3 – 7 years experience however all applications will be considered on merit. Duties primarily involve Accounting, GST & Income Tax for our SME business and primary producer client base. The successful applicant will be an ambitious individual with a friendly but confident personality and excellent computer skills who will adapt to a team environment. MYOB and Quickbooks experience is preferred. Excellent advancement opportunities exist for a self motivated person who has the ambition to achieve. Please apply in own handwriting with resume. Confidential and discreet enquiry can be made to Tim Kemp on 0438 623 183. Applications close on December 4, 2009, and should be addressed to: MORRISON JEFFERIS & ASSOCIATES Qualified Accountant / CPA 16 McCartin Street LEONGATHA VIC 3953

SALES CONSULTANT WONTHAGGI SHOWROOM

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>kcWd H[iekhY[i E\ÅY[h Temporary part time position – 0.6 EFT We are looking for a suitably experienced Human Resources Officer to join our Organisational Development Team for a temporary period until June 2010. Your responsibilities will involve providing Human Resources operational support and delivery of a range of services across the organisation including assisting with recruitment and selection, induction and the provision of information relating to the Award, Enterprise Agreement and other employment policies and procedures. You will have relevant generalist human resources administrative experience and ideally have successfully completed a certificate in Business or Human Resources field. You will also have excellent interpersonal and highly developed computer skills, with the ability to maintain attention to detail whilst managing competing demands.

A position exists for a Sales Consultant in our Wonthaggi Showroom. Reporting to the Showroom Manager, you will maintain the showroom and displays, provide information to customers on the range of Capeview products, co-ordinate the installation of completed orders and assist with the preparation of quotes. You will have outstanding customer service abilities, articulate communication skills and a high standard of personal presentation. You will be a confident communicator with attention to detail. Applicants should have competent computer skills with the ability to learn in-house programs. You will be required to work Saturdays between 8.30 12.30 on a seasonal roster. Applications close on Friday, December 11, 2009 and should be forwarded to: Peter Sheerin C/- Capeview Building Products PO Box 115, Wonthaggi 3995

We also welcome direct discussion with Sharni Mann regarding this role. Applications addressing the selection criteria are to be submitted by 5pm Friday 4th December 2009 addressed to: Human Resources, South Gippsland Shire Council, Private Bag 4, Leongatha 3953 or emailed to council@southgippsland.vic.gov.au Further information and a position description is available from Human Resources on (03) 5662 9200, or visit www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au

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South Gippsland Shire Council Private Bag 4, Leongatha Vic 3953 e-mail - council@southgippsland.vic.gov.au Phone (03) 56629200

APPRENTICE GLAZIERS REQUIRED ONE BASED IN LEONGATHA ONE BASED IN KORUMBURRA No experience required Strong work ethic and commitment to quality essential

Phone 5662 5275

PAGE 60 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

situations vacant

for sale

POSITION VACANT South East Services Network GippsCare Leongatha The Salvation Army South East Services Network, GippsCare Service seeks the following position

DAIRY FARM MANAGER/CONTRACTOR Lang Lang

Family Services Coordinator

(Four days per week - 30.4 hrs) GippsCare assists individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness within the Bass Coast and South Gippsland shires. An exciting opportunity exists for an enthusiastic and highly motivated professional to join our Family Violence Service. GippsCare provides support to women and children in the community who are experiencing or escaping family violence. Applicants must have relevant qualiﬁcations and/or experience in risk management, report writing, case planning, advocacy and have sound written and verbal communication skills. The successful applicant will have an ability to develop ways of engaging women at risk. The position is based at our Leongatha ofﬁce. The above position advertised will be required to meet the following criteria: • Applicants must be willing to work within the mission and values of The Salvation Army. • A driver’s licence is essential. • A satisfactory police check is essential. • A Working With Children Check is essential. • Proof of eligibility to work in Australia is essential. • All applicants are required to cite the name of three (3) referees. • Applications for all of the above positions are to be received no later than close of business, Friday, December 11, 2009. A position description can be obtained by contacting Reception on 5662 4502 or email debbie.gillin@aus.salvationarmy.org. South East Services Network is a Child Safe organisation

Warragul 12 Month Part Time Position START is an Early Support service, which provides information, support and service coordination for families waiting to gain access to Early Childhood Intervention Services. START has operated in Gippsland for several years. Following a formal review, increased family support will be available through these new positions. The Family Services Coordinator will assist families to identify priorities, plan, recognise and utilise available resources and supports and gain access to ongoing services. This position is 12-months fixed term and will support families living in Baw Baw, South Gippsland and Bass Coast (20 hours per fortnight). It is one of three new Family Service Coordinator positions for START. A Scope office is located in Warragul however alternate locations may be negotiated with successful applicants. The Family Services Coordinator will have access to support from a skilled team leader and an experienced team of professionals. Support and training is available.

WASTE and YIELD OFFICER

2012060

SPARE PARTS MANAGER Edney's Leongatha has an exciting opportunity for the above full time position. Our dealership offers a stable and enjoyable workplace in modern facilities. We offer full training and a competitive wage and bonus package. The successful applicant will need to have: • Basic computer skills • Mechanical knowledge • Be enthusiastic and well organised • Current driver's licence • Excellent customer skills • Will need to be able to work independently and productively. Please send a handwritten application to: Darryl McGannon Edney's Leongatha P/L PO Box 72 Leongatha 3953

Operations and Maintenance Operator

Applicants will have relevant TAFE or tertiary qualifications and experience in one of the following areas - welfare, social work, children’s services, disability, community services, case management, allied health or related discipline. Knowledge of child development and experience in family support is essential. A satisfactory Police Check and Working with Children Check is required prior to commencement in this position. Location: Warragul Closing Date for applications: COB Friday 11th December 2009 Contact: For further information or a Position Description please contact Jenny Maffei on 5623 1033 or email jmaffei@scopevic.org.au Send applications to Scope, PO Box 450, Warragul 3820 or jmaffei@scopevic.org.au Find out more about us at www.scopevic.org.au Our organisation is an equal opportunity employer

Murray Goulburn is Australia’s largest dairy co-operative, processing more than 35% of Australia’s milk production into high quality, value-added products such as cheese, long-life milk and specialty milk/protein powders for the Australian and international markets. We currently have the above full time position available at the Leongatha site. Responsibilities include but not limited to the following: ● Maintain and report on Site loss information systems; ● Waste and Yield system mapping and auditing; ● Assisting Production Departments in reducing their waste; ● Chairing Site waste and yield based meetings; and ● Being the Site Contact for Corporate waste and yield reporting and activities. Pre-requisites (previous skills and/or experience): ● Experience in a food production environment is highly desirable ● Ability to enter accurately, analyse and interpret data is a requirement ● Ability to cooperate with others and communicate across all levels of the business ● Ability to drive for continual improvement and loss minimisation ● Ability to work independently and retain focus on the required outcomes ● Proficient in the use of Microsoft applications. Salary and other benefits will be negotiated with the successful candidate. Applications close COB 4th December 2009. Please forward a resume along with a covering letter which addresses the previous skills and experience required to: Mr Louie Gonzy Branch Manager - Traralgon SKILLED Group Ltd PO Box 1535 Traralgon 3844 PH: (03) 5176 1252 www.skilled.com.au Email: louieg@skilled.com.au

An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced person/couple to provide all labour and management for a 340 cow autumn calving herd. Caldermeade dairy is open to the public; it has a high focus on animal welfare as well as maintaining a high level of production (195,000 kg MS). 168 ha farm, well set up and sub-divided with 50 unit rotary. Cosy 3 BR house on farm. Close to schools. Excellent, secure package offered to successful applicants. Expressions of interest close 21st Dec 09. For position description contact: Max Jelbart 0428 314 312 or maxwellj@tpg.com.au www.caldermeadecafe.com.au

Fast Art 100171-v1

Family Violence Outreach Worker

A vacancy exists for an Operations and Maintenance Operator to assist in carrying out all aspects of the Operation and Maintenance of South Gippsland Water’s Water and Wastewater systems in our Leongatha area. The duties of the position will be interesting and varied and can include working with contractors and local tradespersons. The Corporation is committed to staff development and training and there are ample opportunities to gain skills and experience in a wide range of the Corporation’s operations. Commuter use of a vehicle is provided. The successful applicant will need to be available to work outside of ordinary hours, require a current manual driver’s licence, and preferably reside within proximity to the Leongatha area. Knowledge of the water industry and the ability to use computers are advantages. Applicants should read the position description which is available with further information on www.sgwater.com.au Applications close on Friday, December 11, 2009 and should be addressed to HR Coordinator South Gippsland Water PO Box 102 Foster Vic. 3960

POSITIONS VACANT Registered Nurses Div 1 Grade 2 Full Time / Part Time / Casual Midwives / Perioptive / General / Residential Care Gippsland Southern Health Service seeks applications from Division 1 Registered Nurses for the above positions within the organisation. Successful applicants will need to provide all facets of care whilst working as part of the health care team. Applicants should have established sound nursing practices and also possess the following skills, qualifications, experience: • Demonstrated ability to work with and supervise others. • Ability to oversee, implement, and direct required tasks in allocated time frames. • Ability to contribute to quality initiatives as directed by the NUM. • Current registration with the Nurses Board of Victoria and evidence of ongoing professional development. • Effective interpersonal skills, proficient written and communication skills, basic computer literacy. All 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. GSHS offers a comprehensive orientation program on commencement of employment. All nursing 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 supply a current satisfactory police check. If you are interested in joining a supportive and progressive team, please contact the Executive Assistant, Dianna Mollica on 5667 5504 to obtain an application kit or visit our website at www.gshs.com.au. Applications close by Friday, December 11, 2009 and can be addressed to: Mr Neil Langstaff Director of Nursing Gippsland Southern Health Service Private Bag 13 LEONGATHA 3953

• Do you thrive on a challenge and want to make a difference for others? • Are you creative and innovative in seeking solutions? • Do you believe in training and its benefits? If so…then we would love you to be working with us in a role which will entail client relationship building and a focus on negotiating the right training solutions to meet your clients’ needs. As part of a dynamic and focussed business development team across GippsTAFE, you will have many opportunities to explore and develop your individual strengths whilst enjoying a supportive and motivational team environment. This full time, ongoing position is based at Leongatha where you will enjoy working at GippsTAFE’s new state of the art facility which is due for completion in 2010. A six month probationary period applies to this position. A career at GippsTAFE can offer you: ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Competitive salary and entitlements Professional development opportunities Options for flexible work arrangements Salary sacrifice options Employment with an organisation that has been in Gippsland since 1928

• Further job details and a Position Description outlining the positions duties and responsibilities is available from our website www.gippstafe.vic.edu.au • Applicants must apply online via our website (Job Reference No. 4709) • No late or hard copy applications will be accepted • For further enquiries or assistance, please contact Human Resources on 5120 4570 Closing date for the above position is no later than 9.00am on Monday 7th December, 2009. ZO921676

SEWING MACHINE REPAIRS & SALES

FREE QUOTES WONTHAGGI SEWING CENTRE

167 Graham Street Wonthaggi

5672 3127

BERRIES, BERRIES. Pick your own at Yileen Berry Farm, 1345 Yarragon/ Leongatha Road, Hallston. Ph: 5668-5268.

CHRISTMAS cards, books, gifts, CDs. Available New Beginnings Christian Books, opp. IGA carpark Leongatha. 5662-0999.

CHRISTMAS COOKING: Premium quality glacé pineapple, peach, pear, apricot, orange, cherries and more. Quality dried fruits and nuts, flour. Christmas cake packs already weighed to bake. Organic fruit and vegetables at Leongatha Health Foods.

CHRISTMAS TREES, Leongatha Fire Station, 8.30am - 4pm, Saturday 5th, Sunday 6th, Saturday 12th, Sunday 13th December.

DEB DRESS, size 8, $320 ONO. 5668-6248.

FIREWOOD, redgum & local wood, Ph 0408-980711, A/H 5662-5175

HAY MOWER - Lily 8ft, little use, good condition, $5,500 inc. GST. Ph: 56624021.

HAY - round bales, this season, good quality, Outtrim, $60 each. Ph: 0419-313483.

HAY New season oaten, small sq. and 5x4 rounds. Top quality. Ph: 0438056987.

HEN HOUSES, fox proof, good quality, 6-8 chooks. Plus dog kennels. Ph: 5664-2443.

JACK RUSSELL pups X 2 females, 1 white, 1 tan and white, $125 each. Ph: 5662-3186.

MOBILITY SCOOTER, 4 wheel suspension, luxury model, lights etc., new June 09, unused. Cost $3,900, sell $2,350. Can deliver. Ph: 0405-170994.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 61

for sale

MOBILE calf feeder, 50 teats, great easy clean design, 3 mths old, limited use, $3,000 new. All offers considered. Ph: 5663-7727 or 0429-371504. NEW HOLLAND 55 trailing hay rake $1,500 + GST, New Holland 56 trailing hay rake $1,600 + GST, Claas Disco 3000 mower roller conditioner (excellent condition) $20,000 + GST. Ph: 5189-1262. OLD PORT Poultry Farm. Delivering 20 w.o. laying hens to your area Saturday, December 5, $17 each. Ph: 0438-832535 (b/h) or 51832515 (a/h). SLEEPERS, treated pine, 200x50x2.4 $12.10 each, 200x75x2.4 $16.75 each. Free delivery for pack lots. Phone Joe 0417-530662. STEEL: 5 - 8m x 100mm x 200mm R.H.S. R.S.J. various sizes to 50ft long. Suitable for sheds or bridges. Ph: 5662-3593 a/h.

situations vacant

SUNRAYSIA rims (4) 33”, Micky Thompson Baja claw tyres 30% tread, $300. Winchbar, suit HZJ-75, good condition $500. 0429687283. TIMBER - kiln dried blackwood, clear pine, silver wattle. Most sizes for furniture and craft. Also builder’s graded structural pine. Phone 5681-2261.

free

used vehicles

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

used machinery HAY MOWER, Lely 240-L, 6 disc. Excellent condition $7,000 ONO. Ph: 0427151258. NEW HOLLAND 78 square baler. One owner, always shedded, $3,500 cash. Wanted - Honda 4 trax 4x2 motorcycle. Ph: 0428594026.

used motorcycles

used vehicles

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

HONDA CBR100F, 1998, black, tinted screen, Ventura rack and bag, 13,000km, RWC, GO-268, $6,500. 0428-832444.

Bass Coast Metal Recyclers

HONDAS - 2002 XR 200, $3,000; 2004 CRF 140, $3,200. Ph: 0418-583464.

FORD Courier XLT ute, 4x4, Spacecab, EBA506, $1,950 ONO. 5668-6354.

situations vacant

DUMBALK VILLAGE STORE Position Available:

JUNIOR SHOP ASSISTANT Casual hours on weekends, after school and school holidays. Applications close 8/12/09 Enquiries to Ineke or Tracie on 5664 4210

PLANT OPERATOR WE ARE CURRENTLY SEEKING A PLANT OPERATOR ON A FULL TIME BASIS The applicant must have Heavy Truck Licence and a willingness to learn. Training and Plant licence provided Please send resumé to: Leongatha Prestige Concrete Pumping PO Box 91, Leongatha Vic. 3953 Or email: lpcp@bigpond.net.au

5672 2946 0417 556 593

HOLDEN Astra TR GL 1997, manual white hatchback, 55,600km, immaculate, ONT591, RWC, registered Sept 2010, $6,200. Stony Creek. 0407-376137. HOLDEN VT Commodore wagon, RWC, 12 mths reg. RXQ249, $5,900. 0400824696. HYUNDAI Excel, 2000, manual, 2nd owner, with books, 170,000km, a/c, p/s, CD player, new tyres, RWC. Excellent on fuel. PZS623, $3,500. Ph: 0427513618.

tenders

MAZDA E2000 van, 2002, white, 3 seats, 5 speed, a/c, cargo barrier, shelving, roof rack, RWC, XBO156, $8,000. 0428-832444. MITSUBISHI Pajero, 1998, 7 seats, grey 2-tone paint, bullbar, side steps, tinted windows, auto, a/c, 169,500km, RWC, OUO-874, $13,000. 0428832444. PEUGEOT 306, 1994, funky black convertible, RWC, XJM351. Very comfy, leather upholstery, Ipod, air, retro trim. $6,500 ONO. Ph: 0408-640155.

wanted MIDDLE aged professional man is seeking clean, basic self-contained midweek accommodation in Leongatha, or very close to. Please phone Douglas on 0431-380089 or 56623712.

wanted to buy FURNITURE: Parker, Noblett, Tessa, Chiswell, Moran, or any quality brand name used furniture. Phone Wendy on 0409-234482. GREENHOUSE/ Hothouse. Looking to buy a secondhand greenhouse in the small to medium size range. Call 5664-7420.

Classified advertising closes 12 noon Mondays tenders

TENDER No. 09-36 SEWER REHABILITATION / REPLACEMENT South Gippsland Water is inviting tenders for the following sewer relining works: COMPONENT A: Relining of an existing 150mm Earthenware sewer pipeline for a total distance of approximately 185 metres in the vicinity of Florida Avenue and Club Avenue, Inverloch

ACCOUNTING CLERK / BOOKKEEPER / ACCOUNTANT

COMPONENT B: Relining of an existing 150mm Earthenware sewer pipeline for a total distance of approximately 110 metres in the vicinity of Duke Street, Yarram

We are seeking an experienced bookkeeper / accountant or someone currently studying Accounting with a desire to work in a progressive public accounting practice. Duties primarily involve Accounting, GST & Income Tax for our SME business and primary producer client base. The successful applicant will be an ambitious individual with a confident personality with a high level of computer skills who will work in a happy team environment. Excellent advancement opportunities exist for a self motivated person who has the ambition to achieve. Please apply in own handwriting with resumé. Applications close on Monday, December 11, 2009, and should be addressed to: Accountant / Bookkeeper MORRISON JEFFERIS & ASSOCIATES Certified Practising Accountants 16 McCartin Street LEONGATHA VIC 3953

COMPONENT C: Relining of an existing 150mm Earthenware sewer pipeline for a total distance of approximately 382 metres in the vicinity of Brumley Street, Claydon Close and Turner Street, Leongatha. A mandatory site inspection on Monday, December 7, 2009 at 8.30am will commence at Florida Avenue, Inverloch (Component A) then proceed to Brumley Street, Leongatha (Component C) and Duke Street, Yarram (Component B). Tenders close 2pm Wednesday, December 16, 2009. Tender enquiries to Project Supervisor, Geoff Prowd on (03) 5682 0437. Tenders to be submitted in an envelope marked: “Reticulation Sewer Rehabilitation / Replacement: Florida Avenue, Inverloch; Duke Street, Yarram; Brumley Street, Leongatha - Tender No. 09-36”. South Gippsland Water 14-18 Pioneer Street FOSTER VIC 3960

garage sales INVERLOCH, 27 Gordon Avenue, Saturday 5th, 8am. Moving sale. Beds, shelving, etc.

GARAGE SALE 90 Garvies Road NERRENA

(Road on left past Knox’s Hill)

Saturday 5th 8am start No early birds Moving interstate Kitchenware, tools, kids’ toys, plants, wine barrels, and much, much more Grab a bargain

HUGE GARAGE SALE 21 Barfoot Road MIRBOO NORTH Saturday, December 5 8.30am to 4pm Timber dining set, office furniture, cupboards etc., tools, bolts etc. ... and heaps more

GARAGE SALE 12 Horn Street Leongatha Saturday, December 5 8 - 2pm Solid timber kitchen table and 6 chairs TV, bird cages, BBQ Many other items

GARAGE SALE Saturday 5/12/09 7am till 11am 2 Royston Street MEENIYAN Pine bunks, fridge, linen cupboard, TV cabinet, TVs Also plenty of tools and household items We are moving so “EVERYTHING MUST GO”

message of hope THE Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. Psalm 23:1.

in memoriam ALLEN - Dorrie passed away November 26, 2008. Loving memories of our dear Mother, Nana and Great Nana. To your resting place we wander, and place flowers with loving care. No one knows the heartache, as we turn and leave you there. Loved and remembered every day. Marg, Fred and family. REILLY - Michael. Always in our thoughts. Forever in our hearts. Your loving family.

engagements KENNON - VAN DILLEN Bill and Una, together with Peter and Meridith and Jane, are thrilled to announce Vaughan and Jackie’s engagement. Love and best wishes for a happy future together.

marriage celebrant PAM HERRALD 5662 2553 0438 097 181

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

CAM ABOOD Leongatha 5662 4191

MERLENE STRATTON Leongatha 5662 2574

births BAKOS - Beau and CindyLee are very happy to announce the safe arrival of their beautiful baby girl, Stevie-Grace 23/11/09. HAWKINS - Congratulations Holly and Rory on the safe arrival of their daughter, Charlize “Charlie” Maree, born Friday, November 20, 2009 at 3.26pm. Special thanks to Bev, Di and Leongatha Memorial Hospital staff. Proud grandparents Liza and Andrew, aunty Calida and Jasmine, and uncle Jack. KREUTZBERGER (Williams) - Marcus, Karen and big sisters Zara and Sophie welcome with love the safe arrival of our beautiful baby boy, Samuel James, born November 15, 2009 at 1.40pm (weight 7lb 12oz). Thanks to the wonderful staff at GSHS.

deaths CURWAIN - Alicia Rose. In loving memory of our precious granddaughter. Born at 31 weeks and fought on bravely for 6 days at Monash Medical Centre. Died 25/11/2009. Your heart of gold will always be with us. Thank you to David and Karina for your gift to us and to all concerned with Alicia’s care. Rosie and Martin.

deaths

CURWAIN - Alicia Rose. David and Karina sadly announce that Daddy’s little Princess and Mummy’s little Angel was taken to Heaven on Wednesday, November 25, 2009. Our little miracle blessed us with six days of her precious life. Loved and forever in our hearts.

GALATI - Rocco. Passed away on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at Korumburra Hospital, aged 94 years. Beloved husband of Teresa (dec.). Loved and loving father and father-in-law of Nina and Bruno, Silvia and John, John and Franca, Dorothy (dec.) and Felice. Loving Nonno of Frank, Maria and Markus, John and Mardi, Maria and Paul, Robert and Rebecca, Rocky and Siabh, Peter and Lisa, Paul and Mel, Tony and Vania, Candida and Jonathon. Loving great Nonno of Ashleigh and Mikaela, Ryan, Dylan and Toby, Gabriel and Maeve. There’s a place in our hearts that is yours alone, A place in our hearts no one else can own. Today, tomorrow, our whole lives through, We will always love and remember you. Safe in the arms of the Lord.

SOMMERS - Neil James. Loved brother of Don and Pearl, uncle of Susan, Colin and Coral. At rest.

SOMMERS - Neil James. 25/11/09. Loved brother of Barbara, brother-in-law of Ian. Uncle of Annette, Heather, Kathy, Susanne and Margaret, and families. Do miss our bush trips. Now at rest.

Email your adverts to “The Star” ads@thestar.com.au

crossword solutions CRYPTIC PUZZLE NO. 8199 - SOLUTIONS Across - 1,Pre-t-ends. 6, Dish. 8, Spar (rev.). 9, Avers-I-on. 10, I-d-I-ot. 11, To-Y-ing. 13, Port-a-L). 15, Elders. 17, Se-L-dom (rev.). 19, Spate (anag.). 22, H-a-rass-er. 23, S-end. 24, Grin (anag.). 25, Do-nation. Down - 2, R-op-ed. 3, Turn out. 4, Ne-a-t. 5, S-we-tpea. 6, Dusty. 7, Spooner. 12, G(irl)-limpsed. 14, Open-air (anag.). 16, Depos-it. 18, Drawn. 20, Tang-O. 21, Iron. QUICK PUZZLE NO. 8199 - SOLUTIONS Across - 1, Budapest. 6, Look. 8, Ibis. 9, Scribble. 10, Organ. 11, Thanks. 13, Winnow. 15, Liking. 17, Mitten. 19, Essay. 22, Stimulus. 23, Rapt. 24, Acid. 25, Redolent. Down - 2, Umber. 3, Abstain. 4, Ease. 5, Throttle. 6, Libya. 7, Oilskin. 12, Swindler. 14, Idiotic. 16, Kestrel. 18, Timid. 20, Aspen. 21, Used.

PAGE 62 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Friendly rivalry By Matt Dunn TENNIS is all about traditions. In the hills of Hallston, people have been hitting balls over a net for as long as anyone can remember. The same goes for Leongatha North. On Saturday mornings the kids - that next generation of players take to the court and do battle in a competition (Mirboo North and District Junior Tennis Association) that is as much club versus club as family versus family. For Hallston, the Dekkers make up a big part of the playing contingent, while the Leongatha North team has its fair share of Littlejohns. Hallston Tennis Club president Frank Dekker, the patriarch of the Dekker clan, said his club and Leongatha North had been playing against each other for “a long, long time”. “Hallston and Leongatha North have been two of the main clubs involved. Some of the smaller clubs have dropped out, but we’ve managed to keep it going,” he said. “This is just an extension of trying to keep things going further into

Well done: clockwise, from left, Anthony Polato, Phillipa Littlejohn, Evie Dekker and Jye Gourlay shake hands after a tough battle. the future, bringing the young ones through. We’re trying to keep the tradition going. If you don’t, with the small clubs, no one ends up playing

Tennis kids: back, Paige Matthews and Will Littlejohn, front, Christian Pouw and Simone Dekker, love playing the great international game. They had to contend with windy conditions at Hallston on Saturday.

out here and then the grass grows over the court and they become non existent. “Some of these kids are really

good little players. They’re not superstars yet, but they learn a lot about etiquette. Where to stand, how to return the ball to their opponent.

There’s a lot to learn in their ﬁrst year without worrying about scores.” He said if you started a youngster playing early “you have them for the rest of their lives”. Frank has been playing the game since childhood, as has Leongatha North Tennis Club president Warren Littlejohn. Frank and Warren’s tennis rivalry is one that has spanned the decades. Warren watched his brood admiringly on Saturday. “The children are coming along now, which is great. Frank and I have been playing against each other for 20 or 30 years,” he said. While both were once part of Leongatha North, Frank moved his allegiances to Hallston. In truth there is little fear the Hallston tennis courts will have grass growing over them any time soon. They are well used, and with the next generation of players ready to do their bit for club and family, should be safe for a few more decades yet. Especially if the children of children take up racquets too. As Frank said: “The kids are doing well.” Leongatha North prevailed on Saturday, but Frank vowed that Hallston would be back again.

Allambee Mirboo and District tennis KOONWARRA were the big winners this week against Northerners with the men’s and ladies’ sets fairly even.

Koonwarra mixed were winners and won the day. Baromi had too many winners for Hallston. Two ladies’ sets to Hallston. Baromi have taken second spot on the ladder with the win. Korrine and Leongatha North had a close game, a 7/5 and a tiebreaker each way. Six games to the Korrine team the end result. Berrys Creek ladies were too strong for the Koonwarra ladies, two 7/5 sets to the Creek added to

Koonwarra’s woes. Leongatha were winners over Foster - a good team effort, Foster with three ﬁll-in ladies. Hallston and Blue had a close match. Well done to Jack for Blue and Nicole for Hallston (two young players in this grade), both winning their sets. A win to Hallston. Red ladies set up a win for the team. Korumburra won two sets. Leongatha won by 12 games against Maroon. Leongatha were just ahead all day. Gold top team played Baromi second, Gold winners by 12 games. Just ahead in both mens and ladies, the two mixed sets sealed the win.

Two more rounds before the Christmas break. Remember tournaments are being held January 9 and 10. Talk about this event with your team. Players can ask other clubs if you haven’t a partner.

Results A Grade: Baromi 7.64 d Hallston 2.47; Koonwarra 7.63 d Leongatha North 2.47. Leongatha - bye. A Reserve: Korrine 5.51 d Leongatha North 4.45; Leongatha 7.42 d Foster 2.18; Berrys Creek 7.50 d Koonwarra 2.27. Baromi - bye. B Grade: Hallston 5.39 d Mardan Blue 4.33; Mardan Red 7.47 d Korumburra 2.26; Leongatha

6.45 d Outtrim Maroon 3.33; Outtrim Gold 6.46 d Baromi 3.34.

Ladders A Grade Koonwarra ...........................66.0 Baromi ..................................53.0 Hallston ................................52.5 Leongatha North .................45.0 Leongatha..............................30.0 A Reserve Berrys Creek........................77.5 Leongatha ............................62.0 Korrine .................................54.0 Koonwarra ...........................50.0 Leongatha North ...................37.5 Baromi ..................................37.0 Foster.....................................25.5 B Grade Outtrim Gold .......................79.5 Baromi ..................................66.5 Mardan Red.........................62.5 Koonwarra ..........................54.5 Outtrim Maroon ....................45.5 Leongatha .............................41.5 Hallston .................................38.5 Mardan Blue..........................31.5 Korumburra ...........................23.5

Mirboo North & District Junior Tennis

NOT much luck with our ladder for November 21, which didn’t make it into one paper and was slightly wrong in another one.

So I have repeated the article this week. Thank you to everyone that has reshufﬂed things to accommodate the change in the B and C draw. The Meeniyan team has been having some

good hits of tennis and taken the move to B Grade with grace. If anyone needs an amended draw please ring Dan 5664 1234. Thank you for birth dates supplied.

Warming up: Will Littlejohn warms up before receiving a serve.

Round 7 saw match of the week go to C graders Leongatha North v Mardan with draw at 2/18. A Great effort from Leongatha against the third placed Mardan.

Ladder A Grade Mardan Bombers ...380.95 M’yan Racqueteers114.74 Fish Creek .................91.44 Baromi Legends........92.93 Leongatha Adidas.......63.77 Baromi Superstars ......58.33

45.0 29.0 22.0 20.0 18.0 13.0

B Grade L’gatha Converse ...151.85 Dumbalk Aces .........164.86 Fish Creek White ...149.47 Leongtha Asics........ 117.86 Mardan Lions .............96.97 Fish Creek Red...........87.50 Meeniyan....................79.12

26.0 25.0 23.0 20.0 16.0 16.0 13.0

C Grade Leongatha Pumas ...330.95 32.0 Fish Creek ...............215.52 26.0 Mardan Rebels .......139.76 22.5 L’gatha Dunlops .....106.25 20.0 L’gatha Reeboks .......128.43 19.0 L’gatha North ........... 117.20 14.5 Baromi Reebok ..........82.29 13.0 Baromi Nike ................44.70 8.0 Hallston .......................35.77 6.0

Korumburra Showjumpers Saturday Ring 1

D Grade: 1st Adam Johnston, Touch Up, Warragul; 2nd Amy Strapp, Surface to Air, Berwick. Herb and Ada Shandley Memorial Ladies Jump, sponsored by the Shandley family: 1st Amy Strapp, Surface to Air, Berwick. 1.15M: 1st Tiffany Joyce, LH Brittany, Jumbunna local; 2nd Greg Stephens, SC Nova, Warragul. 1.30M: 1st Russell Morrison, JF Digerridoo, Wattlebank local; 2nd Belinda Prestwidge, Mr Chips. C Grade: 1st Jamie Coman, For Fun, Somerville; 2nd Oliver O’Connor, L’amour Du Pas, Berwick. Ring 2 75cm: 1st Vivenne Carfrae, Bob Conroy, Kardella local; 2nd Alex Kirkham, Vaudeville Performer. 95cm: 1st Yvonne Morrison, Ludo, Leon-

gatha local; 2nd Greg Stephens, SC Phoenix, Warragul. Maiden D: 1st Catherine Wade, The Big O; 2nd Adam Johnston, Rodd Gun, Warragul. C & D Grade: 1st Tori Liarakos, KR Desarac, Warragul; 2nd Narelle McFee, SC Flamboyant, local.

Sunday Ring 1

1.20m: 1st Phil Stephens, Unleashed; 2nd Jemima Wilson, PK Outlaw, Berrys Creek local. C & D. Championship: 1st Anthony Boulton, Sweet Home Alabama, Sale; 2nd Adam Johnston, Woodleigh Woolverine. 1.35m Championship: (Biggest class of the show: and a local took the honours with a woollen rug sponsored by Taranto Glass: 1st Wesley Joyce, Irish Ace, Jumbunna local. 2nd Sam Williams, Isle of Rahn, Tonimbuk. D Championship: 1st

Yvonne Morrison, Ludo, local; 2nd Michelle McBean, True Spirit. Entertainment Class of the Saturday night. Bareback Bundy jump incorporating one round stakes: Only 1 winner for the bottle of bundy. 1st Stephanie Carfrae, Bob Conroy (in both events, no saddle and came 1st in bareback and one round stakes), local; 2nd Emily Hill, Marena Comet. Ring 2 Junior Championship 90cm: 1st A. Rose, My Friend Flicka; 2nd E. Hill, Marena Comet. 90cm Open: 1st A. Hotchlin, SC Dingo; 2nd G. Stephens, SC Skipnick. Maiden D Championship: 1st A. Blackman, WG Barbie Girl; 2nd S. Ferguson, Billon. Course Builder, Ring 1: Jim Brown. Course builder, Ring 2: Greg Stephens. Judges: Ring 1 Rob Holland, Ring 2 Ellen Wilson.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 63

High price of talent IT’S an expensive business when you’re a talented young athlete competing interstate. Those who made the School Sport Victorian State Team needed to ﬁnd about $1700 so they could compete in Sydney. St Joseph’s Primary School, Grade 5 student Shane Byrne won the 100m sprint in his age group at the Victorian state championships and was selected in the state team. He will compete in the 100m, 200m and 4 x 100m relay.

Running’s not free: Shane Byrne had to pay his way to compete in Sydney.

The Arawata resident left the state on November 29 and will return on Wednesday. Uniform, flights, accommodation, food and drink all need to be paid for. The St Joseph’s Parents and Friends Association made a $200 donation to help pay for the trip. At least three full books of raffle tickets were sold as well. The school also had a donation box in the front office. Mirboo North Primary School student Wes Graeme was also se-

lected to go to Sydney. The school held an out of uniform day in mid-November to help raise funds for his trip. Students made a gold coin donation to wear casual clothes. Icy poles were also sold for 50 cents each on the day. The day raised $477 and Wes was presented with a cheque at an assembly. Rafﬂe tickets were also sold at the school ofﬁce to support the Victorian team.

Fast pace: Under 10 boys in the 70m dash include Rowan Baudinette, Grant Cole and Brett Thorson.

SG SPLASH aquathon Leongatha Little Athletics

SOUTH Gippsland SPLASH held an aquathon at the Leongatha centre on Friday, November 20. Winners were Michelle Harris (open female), Dyson Heppell (open male), Sharon Helms (female short course), Jack Hughes (male short course) and Kay Patterson (primary male). Upcoming race dates are February 26 and March 26 2010. Please contact SG SPLASH on 5662 5911 to register.

Primary male: runner up Jackson Patterson (15.35) and winner Kay Patterson (11:44).

Open female: winner Michelle Harris (28:28).

IN perfect conditions, 145 athletes competed in Leongatha Little Athletics Club’s eighth meeting last Saturday, November 28. After last week’s competition was cancelled due to rain, competitors relished the warmer weather in which 195 personal best times were recorded and one centre record was broken. Budding high jump champion Eleanor Patterson broke the record she set earlier in the season in the Under 14 girls’ class, leaving the bar in place at 1.61m – a jump 6cm higher than she recorded in October. Congratulations to the following athletes who recorded personal best times in one or more events: Under 6 boys: Luke Marshman (2), Max Bennett (2), Billy Manicaro (3), Rhys Butler (3). Under 6 girls: Jemma Standﬁeld (4), Taylah Cunningham (1), Ashley Geary (4). Under 7 boys: Ryan Knight (3), Cambell Riseley (4), Matthew Fowkes (3), Sullivan Herbert (1), Lachlan Murrell (3), Ethan Tudor (4), Caspian Jackman-Riches (2), Callum Buckland (1), Jonathan Bishop (3). Under 7 girls: Hayley Proudlock (2), Niamh Martin (1), Merrin Giles (3), Jessie Fowkes (4), Isabella Randall (2), Kasey Stoops (4), Chelsie Geary (3), Laura Richmond (3), Georgina Spencer (1). Under 8 boys: Daniel Sturtevant (1), Alfred Herbert (1), Connor Murrell (1), Zachary Reid (3), Ryan Frank (1), Patrick Lewis (4), Oliver McLean (4), Aaron Trease (1). Under 8 girls: Maddi Cruickshank (3), Ella Roberts (3), Cobie Standﬁeld

(2), Bianca Proudlock (1), Tori Duckworth (1), Alicia Marshman (1), Madeline Smith (1), Natalie Barnes (1), Kiara McJames-Court (3), Jessica Geary (2), Kaylah Thomas (1). Under 9 boys: Mitchell Bentvelzen (1), Shannon Kennedy (1), Kye Casbolt (2), Mitchall Boasman (1), Eugene Douglas (1), Tim Boler (2), Samuel Chadwick (2), Jayden Battersby (2), Jake Waldron (1). Under 9 girls: Lily Bennett (3), Ruby Martin (3), Renae Kirkham (1), Cayli Lane (3), Luca Riseley (3), Amy Tudor (3), Irene Thorson (2), Hayley Geary (3), Kelly Geary (5), Casey Walker (2), Lana Williamson (5), Hannah Martin (1). Under 10 boys: Benjamin Kewming (1), Nicholas Cunningham (3), Brett Thorson (2), Grant Cole (3). Under 10 girls: Amber Standﬁeld (2), Kaitlyn Casbolt (2), Ellie Holmes (1), Shannon Mellings (1), Sara Riseley (4), Katelyn Jackson (1), Jasmine McJames-Court (1). Under 12 boys: Oliver Maclean (3), Benjamin Green (2). Under 12 girls: Gemma Martin (3), Alex Kirkham (2), Georgia Riseley (2), Hannah Thorson (2), Kristy O’Loughlin (1). Under 13 girls: Lauren Baudinette (1), Jessica Evans (1). Under 14 girls: Mikaela Witherow (2), Eleanor Patterson (2), Olivia Cope (1). Under 15 girls: Erin Baudinette (2), Lauren Goldie (1), Louise Rogers (1). All athletes are encouraged to participate in the forthcoming Gippsland Region Track and Field Championships at Newborough on Sunday, February

21. Entries for which must be in by December 12. This is a great opportunity for Leongatha and district athletes (Under 8-15 age groups) to compete against peers from throughout the region on the excellent facilities at Joe Carmody Reserve. While Under 8 athletes compete by invitation, competitors in the Under 9 age group and onwards have the opportunity to progress to the State Track and Field Championships at Olympic Park in Melbourne. Entry forms and further information are available from www.leongathalac. com or at the desk on Saturday. Anyone available to assist with setting up and/or packing up on a Saturday should also see Michelle Evans, who is preparing a roster. This is vital for the smooth running of club meetings, and any help would be greatly appreciated. Member families and friends are also asked to assist the club raise funds through the IGA Market Day at the Leongatha and Korumburra Michael’s Supa-IGA stores on Thursday, December 10. Helpers are needed to hand out “reward tags” on the day. Please see Michelle Evans on Saturday at the competition meet if you are able to assist.

Short course: female winner Sharon Helms (14.35) and male winner Jack Hughes (10.43).

Open male: winner Dyson Heppell (21:41) and runner up Rhett Mclennen (25.01) Height note: Bianca Proudlock in the Under 8 girls’ high jump.

Great leap forward: Lucinda Graeme in the Under 9 girls’ long jump.

PAGE 64 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Gippsland swimming youngsters dominate GIPPSLAND’S seven to 10-year-olds swimming team has again dominated at the Victorian Country Encouragement Event in Melbourne. Held at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre in Albert Park on November 15, the event brought 12 country swimming districts together to go head to head for the title of Champion Victorian Country Swim Team.

Gippsland was victorious for the 18th time with the ‘cream’ of Gippsland swimming’s youngsters competing. The team was an overwhelming winner with 1431 points, well ahead of Central with 825 points and Geelong with 703 points. Traralgon Swim Club’s Peta Whitby and Morwell Swim Club’s Melissa Stewart were the coaches for the day, doing a wonderful job coaching the youngsters and inspiring them towards success.

Dave Matchett and Kylie Orlicki from Warragul Swim Club were fantastic team managers, organising the young swimmers for their races and relays. Gippsland won seven out of 11 relays on offer and was placed in the other four, a sensational effort. South Gippsland and Bass Swimming Club member nine-yearold Harrison Cumming; was instrumental to the win, scoring points for the team with every swim he had.

South Coast Boardriders SUNNY skies and clean offshore conditions greeted surfers at Venus Bay for the first contest of the 2009-2010 South Coast Boardriders season. One metre waves peeled across left and right banks in front of beach one as the new judging tent acquired by the club was set up. The club was fortunate to have the services of international professional judge Luke Kewming for the day that was of great benefit. Luke has judged professional surfing contests in the Maldives, Indonesia and Australia and brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to the club. The Under 13 grommets were first into the water and Jasper Walker surfed a few nice lefts to take out the division.

The under 16 boys were next out and paddled over to an improving right hander down the beach. Luke O’Neill took off on a solid wave from out the back and carved right through to the beach. Zac Redpath took an even better wave and completed some powerful turns in the pocket of the wave. Zac’s surﬁng has improved enormously in the past twelve months showing the rewards of time in the water and hard training. The open men’s ﬁnal was a cracking affair with six surfers qualifying. Rory Thomas continued his red hot form of the semis with a great opening ride that received eights and nines from the judges. Tim Baxter started slowly, but built momentum with a couple of solid re-entries on a long right hander, which received sevens and eights from the judging panel. Luke Kewming was also

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

DECEMBER Time

height (metres)

Add one hour for daylight saving

2 WED

3 THUR

4 FRI

5 SAT

6 SUN

7 MON

8 TUE

0444 1043 1650

0.85 1.24 0.27

0016 0545 1143 1745

1.52 0.80 1.27 0.18

0107 0637 1240 1837

1.60 0.73 1.32 0.12

0156 0723 1332 1927

1.65 0.66 1.37 0.09

0242 0809 1422 2016

1.67 0.58 1.40 0.10

0327 0856 1512 2106

1.66 0.51 1.42 0.15

0410 0945 1602 2155

1.63 0.44 1.41 0.23

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

right in the mix and a great last wave put him in contention for a win. In the end it was Rory Thomas’s ﬁrst wave, which was the highest scoring wave for the day and the difference in the ﬁnal. Results Under 13: 1st Jasper Walker, 2nd Toby Redpath, 3rd Zach O’Neill. Under 16: 1st Zach Redpath, 2nd Luke O’Neill, 3rd Lachy Stone-Shack, 4th Riley Walker. Over 40s: 1st Bones, 2nd Max Dunn, 3rd Cam Walker, 4th Paul O’Neill. Open Mens: 1st Rory Thomas, 2nd Luke Kewming, 3rd Tim Baxter, 4th Guy Cocksedge, 5th Clint Danoe, 6th Jordie Cambell. The club would like to thank Atoll Travel that was our generous sponsor for the day and we thank them for their ongoing support of our club. We would also like to thank Luke Kewming for his judging advice and direction on the day. Luke has indicated that he would like to continue his association with the club and

Ideal for season opener FORTY-six competitors took the Anderson Inlet challenge in ideal conditions for the Bass Coast Barracuda’s first triathlon of the 2009/2010 season. Calm seas and almost neutral current greeted competitors at the startline. Young Jye Thompson dominated in the swim exiting the water first with a significant lead, but was soon overtaken by the more experienced athletes. Lucas Thomas narrowly led Paul Taylor at the end of the bike, but Paul had paced his race well and finished first with a comfortable lead. Liam Delaney put in the fastest run time of the day in under 17 minutes, but finished just behind Lucas in third place. Chloe Butt finished first in the women’s field ahead of Kristie Colomb and a fast finishing Michelle Harris. Thierry Rolland has turned tables and finished ahead of Phil Hanley in their ongoing local duel.

be on hand to judge for the rest of the season. The South Coast Boardrider’s next contest is on December 6 and will be sponsored by Serious Surf Stuff of Inverloch and Leongatha. They have had a wonderful selection of prizes from Serious Surf Stuff in the past and Tom will hopefully be on hand to present the winners awards again this year. So come along on Sunday the 6th December and be part of what will be a great day surﬁng. The club is based at Sandy Point and new members are always welcome. Competion days are held over a number of different locations on the South Gippsland coast. The venue will be decided four to ﬁve days before the event date depending on surf conditions. The venue will be published on the club’s Facebook page four days prior. Resident meteorologist and surf forecaster Jamie Taylor made a great call for the event at Venus Bay, so they are looking forward to another big day on the beach.

Learning to ﬂy: Leongatha’s Jack Stockdale was at Outtrim on Saturday to get some expert tuition on motorbike riding. Judging by his ability to get ‘air time’ he already knows a bit.

Central Gippsland Cricket NEWBOROUGH Bulldogs had a comfortable 123 run win over Mirboo North. The Tigers were in all sorts of trouble at the top order after Tom Crosby reduced them to 5/75 just before the tea break. At 7/98 the Bulldogs were considering asking Mirboo North to bat for a second time but Steve Rogers with a deﬁant 63 took the score to 188. Barney Webber, Crosby and Rowan Kelly took three wickets each with

Crosby taking 3/11 from six overs. Aiden Vesty (25) and Aiden George (23) put on an opening stand of 51 in the Bulldogs second innings.

Results Round 7 - Day 2 Newborough Bulldogs 311 and 0-51 d Mirboo North 188 (Steve Rogers 63; Barney Webber 3/40, Tom Crosby 3/11, Rowan Kelly 3/52). Moe 267 (Rob Phoenix 86, Tom Long 48, Joel Jacovou 41) d Morwell 174 and 6-108 (Mark Cukier

53). Latrobe 235 and 3-106 d Yallourn North 220. Ladder Newborough Bulldogs ........57.39 Latrobe ................................55.72 Moe .....................................45.85 Mirboo North ......................43.42 Morwell ...............................36.12 Yallourn North ....................24.20

This week

Moe v Mirboo North at Ted Summerton. Newborough Bulldogs v Yallourn North at Burrage. Latrobe v Morwell at Maryvale Turf (match of the round).

Wonthaggi Little Athletics SEVENTY-four athletes competed in terrific conditions at Wonthaggi Little Aths on Saturday. There were some outstanding performances with two records broken and 98 personal bests set. Congratulations to Kyle Yann who broke the Under 6 Boys triple jump record and to Jacinta Dainty who broke the Under 9 Girls high jump record. Fifty-nine out of the 74 athletes recorded one or more PBs. Bianca Neal (Under 12) was the most outstanding athlete of the day with four PBs out of her five events. Well done also to Ben Wingfield, Alyssa Dainty, Will Little, Hannah Zweytzer and Tommy Taylor-Eagles all with three PBs. Well done also to Lachlan Bird who ran in the quarter finals of the “Victoria’s Fastest Kid” at Olympic Park on Thursday night. Lachlan finished second in his final and finished 22nd out of the 144 runners on the night. Only the top 16 go through to the final to be held at the Zatopek meet on December 10, so Lachlan missed out by six places or 0.09 sec (which is about 65 centimetres).

Well done Lachlan, the club is very proud of your effort to get so close. Results Under 6: boys: 100M: T. Dicky 18.45, B. Mabilia 18.92, K. Yann 20.14. 200M: T. Dicky 49.47, B. Mabilia 51.09, J. Timmermans 53.88. Triple jump: K. Yann 4.28 (record), B. Mabilia 3.67, J. Timmermans 3.20. : 100M: M. Luz 22.36. 200M: M. Luz 52.90. Triple jump: M. Luz 3.15. Under 7: boys: 100M: E. Spaull 17.65, A. Maxwell 20.08, S. Tessari 21.06. 200M: E. Spaull 41.51, S. Tessari, 45.89, A. Maxwell 46.67. Shot put: A. Burns 5.50, A. Maxwell 5.18, B. Harvey 4.06. Girls: 100M: N. Slade 20.93, H. Fallow 22.63, Mikaela Notley 22.87. 200M: A. Inglis 49.55, N. Slade 51.72, H. Fallow 52.55. Shot put: N. Slade 3.60, Mikaela Notley 3.24, A. Inglis 2.91. Under 8: boys: 100M: J. Anderson 17.99, D. Kirkpatrick 18.89, B.Wingﬁeld 19.07. 400M: J. Anderson 1:39.73, R. Slade1:42.32, D. Kirkpatrick 1:42.34. Discus: D. Kirkpatrick 14.44, B. Wingﬁeld11.10, L. Inglis 11.03. Long jump: D. Kirkpatrick 2.30, L. Inglis 2.26, R. Slade 2.23. Shot put: L. Inglis 4.53, D. Kirkpatrick 4.29, R. Slade 3.58. Girls: 100M: A. Dainty 19.50, G.

Thomas 20.15, L. MojeO’Brien 21.14. 400M: A. Dainty 1 42.81, C. Bramley 1.46.79, L. Moje-O’Brien 1.48.52. Discus: C. Bramley 10.43, A. Dainty 7.63, L. Moje- O’Brien 4.90. Long jump: C. Bramley1.68, L. Moje-O’Brien 1.60, A. Dainty 1.55. Shot put: A. Dainty 4.57, G. Thomas 3.89, C. Bramley 3.88. Under 9: Boys: 400M: B. Yann 1:32.75, W. Little 1:38.48, J. Timmermans 1:39.74. 70M: R. Sparkes and B. Yann 12.11eq, W. Little 12.39. High jump: R. Sparkes 1.05, W. Little 0.97, B. Yann 0.90. Long jump: B. Yann 2.70, W. Little 2.45, J. Timmermans 1.95. Shot put: B. Yann 4.66, W. Little 4.01, J. Timmermans 2.74.

Girls: 400M: Melody Notley 1:43.02, J. Dainty 1:49.42, H. Zweytzer 2:01.02. 70M: Melody Notley12.42, J. Dainty 12.59, T. Dell and H. Zweytzer 14.48eq. High jump: J. Dainty 1.07 (record), Melody Notley and T Dell 0.75eq. Long jump: Melody Notley 2.53, J Dainty 2.30, T. Dell 1.87. Shot put: J Dainty 4.66, Melody Notley 4.50, T. Dell 3.30. Under 10: Boys: 200M: B Anderson 36.16, T. TaylorEagles 36.85, Nathan Foote 39.38. 400M: B. Anderson 1:27.13, M. Fallow 1:27.79, N. Foote 1:28.91. Discus: N. Foote 17.00, Mitchell Fallow 15.16, M. Geyle14.25. Long jump: M. Fallow 3.20, T. Taylor-Eagles 2.82, B. Anderson 2.78.

Well done: Lachlan Bird ran in the Victoria’s Fastest Kid quarter ﬁnals at Olympic Park on Thursday night.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 65

’Gatha the pennant team to beat LAST Saturday’s pennant round was played under almost perfect conditions, except for the last hour when the cool change arrived.

Leongatha continued on their winning way with another solid win over Inverloch Blue. For the eight rounds played so far this season, they have dropped only three rinks, and on this form are a clear favourite for the Division 1 premiership. Foster travelled away to Mirboo North for a surprise win. Phillip Island (home), after three consecutive losses, finally found some much needed form to record a win over Korumburra. They didn’t have it all their own way though, as Korumburra managed to take one rink. In the final game in Division 1, Wonthaggi have made the job of reaching the finals a very difficult task when they went down on all three rinks to Inverloch White (home).

The difference being 35 shots. In Division 2, Toora (home) continued San Remo’s slide down the ladder with a narrow seven shot win. Wonthaggi (home) have all but lost hope of reaching the ﬁnals when they went down by 35 shots to Leongatha. Lang Lang (home) got home by the ‘skin of their teeth’ when they defeated Tarwin Lower by four shots, whilst Inverloch (home) also got out with a narrow win over Meeniyan by ﬁve shots. Meeniyan managed to take all of the three rinks. The results of all matches were: Division 1: Leongatha 16-77 d Inverloch Blue 0-61; Mirboo North 2-54 lt Foster 14-65: Phillip Island 14-71 d Korumburra 2-65: Inverloch White 16-87 d Wonthaggi 0-52. Ladder: Leongatha 122 -182; Inverloch White 96-113; Phillip Island 81-104; Korumburra 59 -10; Wonthaggi 47 -51; Mirboo North 37 -76; Foster 37 -137; Inverloch Blue 33 -125. Division 2: Toora 14-71 d San Remo 2-64: Wonthaggi 2-44 lt

Leongatha 14-79: Lang Lang 14-79 d Tarwin Lower 2-61: Inverloch 12-71 d Meeniyan 4-66. Ladder: Leongatha 85 -54; Lang Lang 81-37; Inverloch 74-7; San Remo 72-21; Toora 68-3; Meeniyan 52 -6; Wonthaggi 52 -42; Tarwin Lower 28-34. Division 3: Foster 14-76 d Loch 2-60: Corinella 16-99 d Leongatha 0-48; Phillip Island Blue 14-79 d Phillip Island White 2-66: Fish Creek 2-71 lt Wonthaggi 14-81. Ladder: Phillip Island Blue 119237; Foster 86-33; Fish Creek 65-37; Corinella 65 -2; Phillip Island White 64-14; Wonthaggi 63 -40; Loch 42 -1; Leongatha 8 -278. Division 4: Korumburra Gold 1678 d Port Welshpool 0-55: Inverloch 16-86 d Korumburra Maroon 0-54: Mirboo North 2-64 lt Inverloch 14-77. Ladder: Korumburra Gold 101105; Inverloch 100-91; Mirboo North 63 -58; Korumburra Maroon 62 -38; Phillip Island 56 -16; Port Welshpool 50 -84. Division 5: Loch 16-81 d

Meeniyan 0-51: San Remo 16-90 d Tarwin Lower 0-48: Wonthaggi 12-68 d Fish Creek 4-63. Ladder: San Remo 113-132; Meeniyan 90-64; Tarwin Lower 6836; Loch 64 -16; Fish Creek 63 -46; Wonthaggi 34 -170. Division 6: Toora 2-41 lt Inverloch 12-50: Lang Lang 7-44 drew Phillip Island 7-44; San Remo 12-51 d Foster 2-44:Meeniyan 0-34 lt Wonthaggi 1456. Ladder: Lang Lang 73-82; Wonthaggi 71-44; Inverloch 68-17; Phillip Island 67-79; Foster 59 -24; Toora 56-10; Meeniyan 36 -108; San Remo 18 -100. My ‘Kiss of Death’ tips for this coming weekend in Division 1 are: Inverloch Blue (home) to continue Mirboo North’s woes with a comfortable win; Foster (home) to surprise Phillip Island with a narrow win; Korumburra (home) to bounce back and win comfortably against Inverloch White; whilst Wonthaggi (home) to inﬂict Leongatha’s ﬁrst loss with a narrow win.

Inverloch BIG wins by Division 1 White and Division 4, and good wins in Divisions 2 and 6 proved to be a really good result in last Saturday’s pennant round. Division 1 Blue deserves an honourable mention for their effort against top of the ladder Leongatha on their green, only failing by 16 shots. Highlight of their game was the great second half by Harry Rybalka’s rink. Resuming after the break at 9-20, they all put in a sterling effort when they only allowed their opponents to score four shots while they added 14 shots, just failing to take their match by one shot. Division 1 White quickly established a good lead in their match against Wonthaggi on our green, and the visitors were unable to come back despite the fact Ron Burge’s rink lost their lead around the tenth end, but with some good bowling they came back and went on to take the match by 10 shots. Ted Bott and Mick Coram had all the way wins by 15 and 10 shots respectively. Division 2 were home to Meeniyan and took the points by ﬁve shots, but it was the 19 shot win by Neil Everitt’s rink that got them over the line for the second time in the last few

weeks. Both the other two rinks went down, although Cliff Coram only failed by two shots. Division 4, also home to Korumburra Maroon scored a 30 shot win, all rinks having wins. A feature of this game was on John Madden’s rink. After several ends they had failed to score, but seven shots on one end by our boys altered the complex of the game and they went away to score a good 10 shot win. Division 6 travelled to Toora and got back on the winning list thanks to a 10 shot win by Maurie Griffin’s rink. This win keeps them in the finals race. Twenty-six players played social bowls last Thursday. There was one triple and five rinks of pairs. In the second game play was called off after the eighth end when heavy rain intervened. There was only one two-game winner who were Ray Paynting (sk) and Don Watt (ld) with nine shots up. Runners-up with a draw and one win were Brian Hensley (sk) and Ron Kee (ld) with 14 shots up, but two wins takes precedence over a win and a draw. This season’s series of business bowls continues to see different teams taking first prize. Last Wednesday evening, when

28 teams played, the winners with 20 shots up were Espy 1. Runners-up were the Inlet Hotel with 14 shots up. The Group Eight team to represent Gippsland in the state championship fours at Corowa on January 9 and 10 has been chosen, and there are four players from the South Gippsland association. Those players are our club’s Ron Burge together with Daryl Major and John Newcombe from Phillip Island, and Korumburra’s Bob Snooks.

Ladies THE week started off very well with a pleasant day for our pennant. Division 1 played at home to Leongatha and with one team having a good win to give them an over-all win. Division 2 played at Korumburra and went down to them by a small margin. Division 3 had a bye. This week is the ﬁrst week of the second half of the pennant season, so I’m sure it will be an all out effort for Division 2 and 3 to improve on the ﬁrst half. We commend Division 1 for their current placing on the ladder. Wednesday, November 25 on a beautiful morning the third round of the club championship was played.

Korumburra

THE ladies had another successful pennant competition last week, with both sides collecting the points. Division 2 were home to Inverloch, with a four shot win, with Debbie Williams’ team of Carolyn Snooks, Jenny McVeigh, Phyl Ferguson having a 14 shot win against Maureen Paynting’s team, our best card. Division 3 played Meeniyan with wins by both teams, with Nancy Gilbert’s team of Wendy Pepperell, Margaret Hams and Mae Harris, having a five shot win against Glenyce Densley’s team, our best scorecard. The ladies next week have Division 2 home to Port Welshpool, whilst the Division 3 ladies will go to Toora. With 24 playing triples on Wednesday, a very enjoyable day was had by those on the greens. After two games, the winners were Marj Williams, Mae Harris and Bonnie Perks. With the men back on the greens on Thursday, the winners after three games, with nine shots up, were Don Mackay and Ted Lambert. The drawn card went to Keith March and Tom Brown. Saturday’s bankers had eight on the greens with winners Tom Brown and Maurie Rielly, with many of our regular bankers filling in for pennant. The raffle winners on Saturday were Helen Logan and Hugh Opray. With the pennant players home and away, results were mixed. Division 1 went to Phillip Island where they had a six shot loss, with Bob Snooks team of Ross Besley, Alan Jordan and Bill Dilg who had a 10 shot win against John Newcombe’s team, our best result. Division 4 Gold men’s team had a comfortable win against Port Welshpool on our turf, with

Les Eastman’s crew of Ian Pepperell, Grahame Brown and Alan Morphett having a 12 shot win against M. Capan’s crew, our best result. Division 4 Maroon went to Inverloch. Ray Saunders’ team of Peter Hearn, Ted Kealy and Kane Pepperell card against N. Van Grunsver’s team in a losing side, our best card. Next week, Division 1 men are home to Inverloch White. In Division 4 Maroon men’s team will be home to Mirboo North and the Gold team will be at Phillip Island. On Sunday, the club ran its annual Memorial Day. Although numbers were down on other years, those who attended had an enjoyable day. Presidents Mary and Bill thank all who helped to make the day such a success - Marg H., Joan, Marg B., Brenda, Marg G, and Carolyn for their preparation of the meal, and a big thankyou to Keith March for his cooking. The winners of the lucky draw at the afternoon tea break were Joan Blogg, Marg Brown, Bruce McLaren and Robin Blackman. The club is very appreciative of the sponsorship of Steve Blogg Industries. After three games, BLG winners were the Phillip Island men’s team of Bill Francis, Peter Skinner, Don Chipperﬁeld and Robin Blackman with +9. Runners-up were Peter Goad, Bruce McLaren, George Hams and Bob Snooks, with three wins +29. Winners were the Inverloch men’s team. Coming events Ladies meeting December 9. No counter team this month as our Christmas tea will be December 19. For catering purposes, please put your name on the list early if you wish to join us on the night. The ladies are reminded that there will be no social bowls on December 16, but there will be bowls on the Thursday.

This now brings us down to the last four. The semi-ﬁnals will be played between Pat Stoneham and Robin Dennis, with Anne Tschiderer to play Marg Flett. In the afternoon there were 24 ladies playing social bowls. Two games of 10 ends with the weather still lovely and warm. There was only one two game winner. That was the team of Carol Hughes, Lois Luby, Rhonda Davies and Edith Perrett. Lois and Rhonda had played in the morning so well done as I know how tiring it was playing all day. The runners-up (no prizes for that) were Marg Flett, Gloria Growse, Carol Waters and Wendy Fitzpatrick, with a win and a draw. Saturday, November 28 saw seven ladies and bankers play social bowls. I heard on the grapevine that one lady (Gloria Growse) was relegated to the position of skip and was elated to have put down some winning shots. It’s the Christmas dinner on Friday, December 4, so hope you have your name down. Also the next Friday meal will be on Friday December 11, so put your name down for that also. It will be held upstairs and have a touch of Christmas.

Victory ahead: Russell Trotman (Leongatha) on his way to a solid win over Guilio Marcolongo (Wonthaggi).

Bowls association singles championships THE South Gippsland Bowls Association Singles Championships, which were originally scheduled for last weekend, and postponed due to rain, were played at Wonthaggi Bowls Club on Sunday. In fine and cool conditions 15 bowlers took to the rinks. In the early rounds there were a number of byes with a couple of entrants having to withdraw for various reasons. With the first round out of the way, the second round saw Michael Bowman d E. Breasley (w/o); R. Trotman d G Marcolongo 25/16; M. Coram d A. Jordan 25/4; P. Kennedy d I. Todd 25/14; A. Easterbrook d I. Painter 25/19; B. Dilg d A. Moore (w/o); N. Sweet d A. Atwell (w/o); R. Shaw d K. Gill 25/18. The third round saw R. Trotman d M. Bowman 25/15 with the highlight of that game being Russell’s (wrong bias) (don’t forget that one when it comes to the fine bin next week, fellas). In probably the match of the day Mick Coram scored a narrow win, but solid over Peter Kennedy 25/22, A. Easterbrook and Brian Dilg fought out another tough encounter with the end result seening Alan Easterbrook winning 25/20, whilst the final game saw Rob Shaw easily account for Neville Sweet 25/14. The semi finals and final will be played in the next couple of weeks at a venue yet to be named. The semi finals will see Russell (wrong bias) Trotman against Mick Coram and Alan Easterbrook against Robert Shaw.

Loch OF our three pennant matches played last week, the ladies won at home against Wonthaggi as did men’s Division 5 against Meeniyan. However, men’s Division 3 weren’t so successful at Foster. Our ladies champion once again, with back-to-back wins is Jenny Miller with Kathrine Moss runner-up. A good match to watch with a lovely lunch afterwards. Congratulations to both ladies. Twilight bowls winners were A. Miller, B. Knox, B. Hackett and H. van der Veer. No social bowls last Thursday. We hope to be on the green this Thursday. A reminder to all that Thursday Christmas bowls will be on December 10. Please bring lunch to share and a small gift. Bowling will be mixed as usual and a 10am start. Our Christmas function is to be on Saturday December 19, 6.30 for 7pm. Please put your name on the list in the club house if you are going to attend.

Fish Creek OUR ladies had a close game against Port Welshpool but just failed and this week play Tarwin Lower at Fish Creek. Both men’s teams were beaten by small margins on Saturday. Division 3 team lost to Wonthaggi by a small margin at Fish Creek while Division 5 team lost by ﬁve at Wonthaggi in wintry conditions, although two teams won. Next Saturday, Division 3 travel to Phillip Island. Be ready to leave club rooms at 11am and take lunch. L. McKenzie, F. Carter, C. McGannon, D. Christie, R. McKenzie, R. Staley, R. Cozens, D. Livingston, S. McLean, A. Kerr, A. Atwell, B. Everitt, manager - A. Kerr. Division 5 v Loch at Fish Creek: J. Stefani, R. Grylls, N. Buckland, J. Lindeman, R. Flanders, W. Ferbrache, T. Taylor, F. McLaughlin. Manager: J. Charlton. Emergencies: L. Synan and R. Poletti.

Almost won: Mick Coram (Inverloch) close to closing out the match against Peter Kennedy (Leongatha).

Buffalo indoor

WEDNESDAY November 25 saw us with a total of 16 players. We decided to have four teams with four players in each and played a total of three games of ten ends. After all the excitement, we had two countbacks, so it just shows the great bowling that we’re all doing. In the fourth spot (LWL) eight ends, Rod McConchie, Karl Kappes, Charlie Tumino and Gemma Poletti. Third, with a few more shots (LLW) 11 ends, Andrew Hanks, Graeme Tobias, Carolyn Benson and Joe Occhipinti. Second (WLW) 14 ends, Ian Benson, Glenys Pilkington, Le Armstrong and Jim Atkins. By an extra shot in ﬁrst (WWL) 15 ends was Sebastian Terranova, Peter Heldens, Joyce Occhipinti and Mary Tumino. Best ﬁrst game Sebastian 19-2, best second game Sebastian 12-4, best third game Ian 11-4. With a nice hot cuppa and a biscuit or two we sung a very happy birthday to Andrew. See you all again next week at 7.30pm. December 16 will be our last night and all are welcome to attend. If you could please bring a small sweet for supper, it would be appreciated.

Dumbalk indoor MONDAY, November 23 was the club’s ﬁnal night of bowling for 2009. Thirteen players competed in three games of eight ends. Robert Matthies (skipper), Lindsay Richards and Jim Atkins were the winners, with three wins. The runners-up were Paul Holmes (skipper), Kay Cook and Sebastian Terranova, with two wins and a loss.

PAGE 66 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Duo earn bowls honours TWO longstanding members of the Leongatha Bowls Club have been recognised for their contribution to the sport. Graham Washfold and Ken Laurie were last Wednesday presented with Super Veterans badges, noting a combined 40 years of service between them. Mr Washfold joined the Leongatha Bowls Club in the season of 1985/86 and has since served as president of the South Gippsland Bowls Association, club delegate and match committee representative. He has won B and C grade championships, won the pairs title with Graeme Drury and also placed runners-up. With 280 pennant games to his name, Mr Washfold has been part of three division two championship teams and a single division four premiership side. In the 2002-03 season, Mr Washfold was named bowls association personal-

Leongatha TUESDAY, November 24 saw round seven of the ladies’ pennant bowls take place, with Division 1 away to Inverloch, and while two rinks had wins, Inverloch came out overall winners by 14 shots. Division 3 were at home to Corinella and were the overall winners, defeating Corinella by just six shots. Next Tuesday, December 1 sees Division 1 at home to Phillip Island, and Division 3 have a bye. Tuesday evening saw round three of the business bowls completed and the ladder shows four teams on six points, separated by percentages only. On top still are The Shed followed by Knights Knuckle Draggers, then Birch Ross and Barlow and Edney’s One. Fifth and sixth spots are held by the Water Board, then Gatha New and Used. There are three more rounds to go, with round four to take place on Tuesday evening, December 1. Wednesday, November 25 saw again 32 teams take to the greens for the Leongatha club’s monthly triples. The winners on the day, with three wins plus 31 shots, was the Korumburra team of D. Goodridge, G. Brown and B. Peters (s), with the runners-up being the Leongatha team of B. Turner, L. Lancaster and J. Turner (s), with an overall 27 shots.

ity of the year. “Washy is also a good worker in the club and recently when we had grass greens and our curator had a car accident, Washy was the first to put his hand up,” the club’s men’s president, Allan Rayson, said. A member since 1991/92, Mr Laurie has served on the match committee for 12 years, the men’s committee for three years, greens committee for five years and spent 10 years as umpire. Mr Laurie was part of runners-up B and C grades teams, and also a premiership B Grade side. He helped Leongatha to pennant premierships in divisions, two, four and five, during 180 elite games. “Ken has played in division one when Leongatha had two sides in that division and even today, our match committee looks for advice from Ken on occasions,” Mr Rayson said.

Best last game winners was the Phillip Island team of J. Cruidson, L. Cahill and K. Wagner (s). Sponsor for the day was Bendigo Bank, with the presentation being made by Mr Ken Lester of the Leongatha branch, and the Leongatha club thanks Bendigo Bank for their valued support. The John O’Connor wine winners were the Inverloch team of R. Howard, John Suttcliffe and Bill McGuirk. Thanks to John again for his valued support. Thursday, November 26 saw the ladies in action again in a social bowls day. Winners on the day were Lorna Hulls (s), Mary Jepson and Elaine White (l), with the runners-up being Ellie McIntyre (s), Lyn Davidson and Elaine White (l). No, yours truly has not made a reporting mistake, because I have been informed by the ladies that Elaine was used as what is known as a swinging lead for both the winners and runners-up. Saturday, November 28 round eight of the men’s pennant saw Division 1 at home to Inverloch Blue, with Leongatha the overall winners by 16 shots. All three teams had a win. Division 2 travelled to Wonthaggi and were successful on the day, with an overall win by 35 shots. Division 3 travelled to Corinella and again were unable to taste success, and went down to Corinella by 51 shots. Still, it was good to see new blood being groomed, and victory must not be too far away.

High honour: newly crowned Super Veterans Ken Laurie (second from left) and Graham Washfold (second from right), with South Gippsland Bowls Association councillor David Marsh and Leongatha men’s section president, Allan Rayson.

Next, round nine sees Division 1 away to Wonthaggi, with Division 2 at home to Tarwin Lower and very keen to settle a few wounds from their early loss to Tarwin Lower early in the season. Division 3 will also be home to Phillip Island Blue. Saturday’s bankers bowls at Leongatha saw 12 players in a triples event have a great battle, and at the time of compiling this report, I have not been given the results. Again this is an open invitation to any new senior or junior persons who would like to enjoy an afternoon of bowls, to join with some of the club’s bowlers who do not play pennant in a great time of bowls. The next round of the club’s championships singles men / ladies is to take place on Sunday, December 13, not as previously indicated as December 6. A reminder that if members / friends want to come to the club’s Christmas dinner on Friday night, December 11 at the clubrooms, your names must be on the list in the clubrooms as soon as possible, for catering purposes. Cost is $24 per person. Finally, special thanks to Don and Ellie McIntyre and Lyric Theatre for their great night on Friday, November 27 where a great number enjoyed a presentation at the clubrooms of Dejavu-Revue. Also to Col Watt and team, the new coverway shelters along the east side of number two green are looking great, a job well done.

Croquet THELMA Arnup and Sandra Birch spent two days as volunteers at Croquet Headquarters. His Excellency, Professor David de Krester, Governor of Victoria, opened this prestigious event. Competitors came from Egypt, England, Ireland, the USA, Scotland, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia. This event is held around the world every four years. In local news, our maintenance has started but now we will have to wait until autumn for re-sowing. Pennant was held at Korumburra this week. Leongatha 1 d Morwell 4-2; Leongatha 2 - bye.

Meeniyan IT was an extremely busy week at the club, with the rain holding off for all events. The ladies’ pennant on Tuesday saw Division 1 away to Lang Lang where they went down on all rinks. Playing at home to Korumburra, Division 3 had a very close game going down 37 to 44. This week ones were away to Wonthaggi and threes are away to Corinella. Our Tuesday corporate bowls pairs night is halfway through its six week competition, with the top four being NuMix 1, The Deans, Espy and Mudslides. Thanks to sponsors, Thomas Tree Trimmers, NuMix, Wayne Cook, Stony Creek Go-Carts and Donna Robinson (Coota-

SGDLBA pennant bowls Round 7 - Nov 24 DIVISION 1 Foster 84 (25 shots) d San Remo 59 (R. Richardson 31 d C. Thorn 18, D. Mortlock 26 d K. Hale 23, M. Climas 27 d S. Carvosso 18). Wonthaggi 87 (35 shots) d Phillip Island 52 (L. Milkins 36 d P. Francis 18, K. Simpson 28 d R. James 14, I. Donohue 23 d P. Davis 20). Inverloch 73 (14 shots) d Leongatha 59 (A. Tschiderer 40 d D. Dean 8, C. Hughes 19 lt J. Todd 23, S. Cook 14 lt McCormack 28). Lang Lang 88 (47 shots) d Meeniyan 41 (J. Prowd 34 d L. Hanks 14, D. Motton 22 d M. Pearson 17, R. Geyer 32 d A. Van Wamel 10). DIVISION 2 Korumburra 76 (4 shots) d Inverloch 72 (D. Williams 32 d M. Paynting

mundra Nursery). Twenty-seven people played social bowls on Wednesday. There were four two-game winners, with the top team being Poppy Graeme and Paul Holmes. The winners of the Meeniyan Carnivale lucky draws were Marj Pearson and Pat Hendry. Thanks to Yarram Sports Store and Dale’s Sports Store, Bairnsdale for their support. Thursday night was Lyric Theatre’s show, Deja-Vu which was enjoyed by some 90 members and friends. Friday was the ladies’ annual tournament sponsored by Kelvin Johns Retravision. Winners were an Inverloch team of Robyn Dennis, Veronica Muir, Margaret Grifﬁn and Carol Waters. Runners-up were

Margaret McDonald, Latna McLaine, Marg Allott and Kath Gore from Port Welshpool. Rosa James’ Phillip Island team were third. Wilma Brunsden (San Remo) won the ditch to ditch. From the previous week’s Saturday pennant with three winning teams, we went to all losses this week. Division 2 away to Inverloch won two rinks but went down overall by ﬁve shots. Away to Loch, Division 5 couldn’t handle the slower pace, all rinks going down with a 52 to 81 scoreline. Division 6 at home found Wonthaggi too strong, going down 34 to 56. Next week twos are home to Toora, ﬁves home to San Remo and sixes away to Inverloch.

18, M. Goad 25 lt M. Flett 26, J. McLaren 19 lt D. McIntosh 28). Loch 72 (22 shots) d Wonthaggi 50 (V. Kennedy 23 d D. Yarley 17, J. Miller 30 d M. McBain 10, G. Garry 19 lt E. Thompson 23). Phillip Island 69 drew Tarwin 69 (R. Viney 21 d H. Twite 19, G. Bright 24 drew J. Stubbs 24, M. Beaton 24 lt D. Barnes 26). Port Welshpool 74 (8 shots) d Fish Creek 66 (M. McDonald 31 d V. Synan 15, L. McLaine 16 lt N. Van Dyk 35, A. Collins 27 d P. Hazeltine 16). DIVISION 3 Leongatha 56 (6 shots) d Corinella 50 (M. Fisher 32 d M. Dillon 21, M. Rayson 24 lt H. Anderson 29). Korumburra 44 (7 shots) d Meeniyan 37 (N. Gilbert 23 d G. Densley 18, E. O’Flaherty 21 d D. Lindhard 19). Foster 42 (2 shots) d Phillip Island 40 (M. Freeman 23 d J. Farmer 19, L.

Wheeler 19 lt E. Stephenson 21). Wonthaggi 50 (11 shots) d Toora 39 (M. Eurell 30 d B. Curram 16, G. Mitford 20 lt J. Bland 33). Inverloch - bye (2 pts).

Tarwin Lower THE ladies made their way to Phillip Island last week and had a great game resulting in a draw.

At headquarters: Thelma Arnup, Egyptian competitor Sherine Hamdi and Sandra Birch.

Final play: Inverloch skipper Ken Hastings goes head to head with his Korumburra counterpart, Bruce Peters.

Congratulations go to Carol on playing her ﬁrst pennant game. In men’s pennant Division 2 played Lang Lang at Lang Lang going down by four points in a well fought battle. Division 5 played at San Remo, but

Ladders Division 1 Inverloch ........................+108 12 Foster................................+89 11 Phillip Island....................+95 10 Wonthaggi ......................+128 9 Lang Lang ..........................-43 7 San Remo .........................-102 3 Meeniyan..........................-145 3 Leongatha.........................-130 1 Division 2 Korumburra .................+119 12 Port Welshpool ...............+93 12 Loch .................................+65 9 Phillip Island...................+71 8 Wonthaggi .........................-85 5 Inverloch ...........................-50 4 Tarwin Lower ..................-105 3 Fish Creek .......................-108 3 Division 3 Korumburra ...................+42 10 Wonthaggi ........................-12 9 Foster................................-27 9 Phillip Island...................+76 8 Corinella...........................+30 8 Toora ..................................+2 7 Inverloch ...........................-66 6 Meeniyan............................+9 4 Leongatha..........................-54 4

unfortunately had no success. The monthly dinner had a distinct Italian ﬂavour and close to forty diners all agreed it was most enjoyable thanks go to the cooks Doreen, Jan and Marian. Greens update: The laying of the mat commences on Tuesday, December 1. Don’t forget to get your names in for the Christmas dinner on Saturday, December 19.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 67

Wetlands at Meeniyan Golf Club TOONALLOOK wetlands at Meeniyan Golf Club were ofﬁcially opened on Friday.

Enhanced habitat for wildlife, improved water quality flowing into Billy Creek along with indigenous tree, shrub and reed beds are at the heart of the wetlands. The creation of the offstream water catchment system, wetlands and the associated pollutant traps was made possible through a Federal Government Community Water Grant of $48,405 secured by the golf club in February 2008. Friends of the club and our enthusiastic members have collectively contributed more than 350 hours to the wetlands. Toonallook means long narrow water, and lends itself perfectly to the little stream known as Billy Creek that runs through the golf course. When the Gunnai-Kurnai representative, Doris Paton was asked if the elders could suggest a suitable name for the wetlands, they graciously offered the name ‘Toonallook’ among others. Steve Kurec of Heyfield Landscaping designed the water catchment system with improvements in the local ecosystem specifically mind.

Meeniyan

SATURDAY’S game was a singles stableford event sponsored by Reg Hannay and his hand carved woodwork trophies were appreciated by those who were fortunate enough to win. A Grade winner was Bob McGeary who is continuing his great form of late, scoring a solid 42 points. Runner-up was a countback between Phil Johnston and Phil Smedley on 37 points, lucky Phil Johnston taking the honors. B Grade winner was Daniel Mooney on a good 40 points followed by A. J. McHarg compiling a nice 39 points. Down the line balls: Ian Warman 38, Phil Smedley 37, Jim Cusack 37, sponsor Reg 36, Wilf Richards 35, Col Stewart 35, Fred Stalker 35 and John Stewart also 35. Nearest the pins: Reg Hannay second, Col Stewart eight, Shane Bright 11th, and Phil Smedley on the 14th. Next Saturday is medal day and don’t forget Sunday is the Wilson day with great prizes available. It is a two ball

David Harris of David Harris Earthmoving of Tarwin was awarded the contract to execute Steve Kurec’s design with precision. With his heavy machinery, David shaped the catchments perfectly, even down to lining the whole thing with 15cm of topsoil to avoid unnecessary turbidity common to the many waterholes. Towards completion of the earthworks the project team consulted a number of people regarding establishing a unique indigenous revegetation surrounding the wetlands. Diana and Brian Snape from Melbourne, both recognised for their work with Australian native plants worked closely with Donna Robinson of Cootamundra Nursery of Meeniyan who provided in excess of 1000 plants indigenous to the locality. Donna worked tirelessly with club members planting spectacular indigenous trees, shrubs and grasses around the wetlands. All the plants were selected for the unique attraction they hold for native birds, butterﬂies and other fauna. Golf club president Graham Hoskin said they were planning to have an audit of the birdlife on the course to see what new species are attracted.

“We’re opening the wetlands up to the local community and visitors to southern Gippsland and welcome them to visit the course and take in the special flora and fauna of the ‘Toonallook Wetlands,’” he said. The club also plans to stock the wetlands with indigenous fish. Meeniyan Golf Club is a small country golf course located in southern Gippsland just south of Meeniyan on the Wilsons Promontory Road. With a recent surge in membership due to the enthusiastic reception of Go Go Golf program, there are now 170 members. Like many small country clubs, Meeniyan struggles every year to raise the funds necessary to offer a well maintained, yet challenging course that rewards good golf. The committee of management at Meeniyan Golf Club take the view that the course faces stiff competition from larger better financed nearby clubs. Rather than compete head on, they have a strategy to differentiate the club through sound environmental practices.

ambrose so anyone can play. As there will be grades for the non-golfers also, get your names in ASAP. Tuesday’s comp was a 4BBB stableford and a singles event also. The winner was Rob Auchterlonie scoring 42 points followed by Bo Fiek on 41. Other good scores were J Ellis 40 and Jim Cusack 39. The four ball winners were J. Ellis and W. Reilly on 48 points. Nearest the pin was Jim Cusack. Thursday comp was won by John Mortenson scoring 37 points and Henry Richards plus Reg Hannay both scored 36 pts. The four ball was an aggregate and was won by Jim Cusack and Reg Hannay on 71 points. Nearest the pin was Col Stewart.

In perfect conditions, 20 players strove to do their best for whichever team they were playing for. Section one winner and another handicap reduction went to Irene Holm who came in with 39 points. Her playing partner on the day, Dot Elliott playing off 36 had a day out scoring 45 points with a bomb out on one hole, to take out section two and reduce her handicap to 32. When all scores were entered, the captain’s team won with 302 points to the president’s team with 292 points. The best nine went to Kristen Elliott with 23 points and Lyn Jennison took out the 45’s with 20 points. Down the line balls: Jan Trease 37, Maureen Hams 35 and Mary Trease 32 points. After play we had the annual ladies’ awards presentations and it was great to see so many former players join us for a shared afternoon tea. Some of the former players were then taken on a tour of the course to see the new wetland area, which was ofﬁcially opened on Friday, November 27.

Ladies THE competition was strong as players set out on Wednesday’s single stableford round. Captain Sue Hoskin and president Dot Christie were selecting their winning teams while we played then preparing for the afternoon’s presentations.

Korumburra Junior Golf Tournament THE ﬁnal junior tournament for 2009 for the South Gippsland Junior Golf Committee, will be played at Korumburra Golf Club next Sunday, December 6. The tournament is open to junior boys and girls (under 21 years). Hit off commences at 9am and will concludes at 10am. Entry fee is $5 for all players. There is also an event for those players without a handicap. The ‘Calloway’ system of handicapping will be used for the players competing without a handicap. A separate competition will be held for any parent of a child wishing to play. Entry forms are available at all South Gippsland golf clubs, and can be forwarded to Mr. Greg Jones C/o P.O. Box 71, Korumburra, 3995. Telephone 5655 1886.

Foster ONCE again, Presentation Night was a great success. Thanks to Mezatt Restaurant and in particular their new chef Barb for the great food. More than 50 club members attended and it was double celebrations as Jodie Vanin was celebrating her big 40 with 50 dinner guests. Our president, Fred Tyers and lady president, Val Gow hosted the evening.

Champions for 2009 Members club champion: Pat McKay. Lady members club champion: Barbara Warren. B Grade champion: Steve Reid. Lady B Grade champion: Jenny Mountford. C Grade champion: Greg Paine. Lady C Grade champion: Pam Witheridge. Senior champion: Pat McKay. Lady senior champion: Gale Tyers. Star medalist: Tony Vanin. Lady star medalist: Robyn Galloway. P. J. Wilson trophy (net in championships): Jim Parry. Mollie Mitchell (net in championship): June Eddy. Greg and Leny Dean putting trophy: Lloyd McKenzie.

Cr Bob Newton, McMillan MP Russell Broadbent, ladies’ president Dot Christie, wetlands coordinator Bob Constantine and president Graham Hoskin.

Leongatha RECENT rain has the whole course looking a picture on Saturday November 28 for the stableford event. Peter Blackney won the day with 39 points. B and C Grades went to K. Castwood 39, and F. de Bondt 35. Ball winners were R. Davies 36, A. Sparkes 36, R. Brown 35, J. White 34, J. Eabry 34, N. Wright 34, N. Savino 34, K. Wardle 34, G. McDonald 33 and P. Stivic 33. Peter Jackson took on the ﬁeld of 38 players on Tuesday November 24 and came out victorious with 42 points. Ted Bruinewoud was runner-up on 39. Nearest the pin: G. Maher and J. Curtis. Down the line balls: N. Gillin 38, G. Maher 38, J. Smith 38, F. Smedley 37, M. Edwards 36, M. Thomas 36, K. Godridge 36, L. Newton 35, K. Gardner 34 and G. McDonald 34. A large ﬁeld of 70 players celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Thursday competition on Thursday November 26. Mark Edwards, the sponsor, was thanked by president Jack Cummins for his initiation of this event from humble beginnings with four players. Visitors from Drouin, Churchill and Monash were welcomed. A Grade went to Geoff McDonald 39, B Grade to Kevin Castwood 45 and C Grade to John King 39. Nearest the pin: Arthur Nilsson and John Renwick. Bill Phillips took home the

Special Award. Ball winners: N. Penney 41, D. Clemann 38, N. McKenzie 37, C. Leaver 36, J. Eabry 35, P. Blackney 35, D. Vorberg 35, C. Sperling 35, I. Nunn 35, J. Renwick 35, M. Olliver 35, I. Watson 35, D. Hanna 34, T. Steer 33. The House of Golf sponsored day is December 3, Whiskey Day is December 10 and the R. and M. Hodges mixed 4BBB is on Sunday, December 13. This board event will be run in conjunction with the turkey run.

Ladies A friendly game played on Wednesday, November 25, sponsored by Audree Wyhoon, was the four ball better ball stableford event. The weather and the course were excellent. Toni West and Noreen Webster won the day after a countback from Dot Stubbs and Di Williams, who became runners up, and Debbie Irwin and Wendy Surman. All three pairs scored 46 points. Other pairs to win balls down the line were Ann Blundy and Marg. Blackney, 45, Kit Boag and Shirley Welsford 45, Loris Clark and Wendy Brown 44, Maxine Eabry and Pat Pease 42, plus Marilyn Williams and Evelyn Indian. Thanks to Barbara Dyke who sponsored two nearest the pin. Loris Clark won on the 14th and Maria Bell on the 16th. Jean Chaplin was the winner of the stableford event on Saturday, November 28 with 35 points from Marilyn Williams 34, and Anna deBondt 33.

Mirboo North Woorayl LAST Saturday Craig and Kate Gourlay sponsored our monthly medal and despite the wind and the recently cored greens, everyone appeared to enjoy their day. The CCR was 70. The A Grade winner was Brian Hogan with a net 72. B Grade went to Craig Hall with a net 69. C Grade and the medal went to Bob Beilby with a great net 64. Balls went to G. Misson, C. Salmon, R. Warren, G. Challis and B. Fiek on a countback. The nearest the pins went to P. Burgess and J. Diaper (very close). The ladies event went to Elsie McBride with a ball doing to T. Scoble. The ladies nearest the pin - one only , went to E. McBride on the 17th hole. The Thursday bar voucher went to Steve Hannon with 38 points with a ball going to Craig Poole on a countback from his father. On Sunday we played a mixed medley sponsored by Gardiner Kitchens. Brian Wilson and Dot Jarvis won from Ian Aitcheson and Marg Higgins. Balls went to Les and Sue Wakeﬁeld, and Nev McKenzie and Lorraine Christie. We ﬁnished a very busy week with our presentation on Friday night and our AGM on Sunday. Those elected for 2010 were president - Graeme Winkler, captain - Geoff McKinnon, treasurer - Denis Lim, secretary - Frank

Lorna Wilson putting trophy: Jenny Mountford. Ray and Judy Prain mixed knockout champions: Lloyd McKenzie and Heather Ray. John and Pam Mathers mixed foursomes champions: Tony Vanin and Robyn Galloway. Glens Sports and Gifts eclectic trophy: Ray Prain. R. J. Carruthers trophy: David Knee. Oakley White foursomes champions: Eddie Fah and Jim Parry. Lorna Wilson foursomes champions trophy: Robyn Galloway and Gale Tyers. Eddy and Judy Fah - W. E. Tuer trophy: Noel Black. Frank McKenzie trophy: Ray Prain. Stig Nelander trophy: Bruce Knee. Fred and Gale Tyers - Barry Soderlund trophy: Col Pulham and Greg Paine. Ralph Hubbert and Jenny Mountford four ball champions: Fred Tyers and Peter Dight. Irene Staley four ball champions trophy: Frances McGlead and Barbara Fuller. Anne Williams foursomes knockout trophy: Gale Tyers and Kaylene Morris. Winchester singles knockout champion: Kevin Flett. Lloyd and Alayne McKenzie - Chris Barnﬁeld singles knockout trophy:

Dekker (now 22 years in this position - well done Frank), vice president - Brian Wilson, vice captain - Peter Burgess. Our Christmas rafﬂe nights will be held on Thursdays, December 3, 10 and 17. I have heard that Santa will appear on December 17. Next Saturday is the ﬁrst round of the summer competition for men and ladies. A stableford event with Cleanaway the daily sponsor.

Ladies ON Wednesday, November 25 an American foursomes, Alstroemeria Day was played. The day was sponsored by Heather Sullivan and we were pleased to welcome the Korumburra ladies for the day. The AWCR was 72. The winners were Marg Higgins / Barb James 62½, runners-up were Sue Wakeﬁeld / Ann Poole 64½. Nine holes out: Heather Sullivan / Chris Perrett 34½; nine holes in: Dot Jarvis / Alice Campbell 31¾, Nearest the pin: 8th Shirley Thomas, 17th Marlene Rayson. Down the line balls: Jenny Riseley / Marg Harris 69½, Thel Scoble / Lee Clements 69½, Betty Thomson / Carol Johnson 71. Next week, December 2, ﬁnal day, sponsored by Pam Byatt. Nine hole shotgun start. 9am assembly, 12pm lunch.

Beth Curram. Retravision trophy: Kaylene Morris. Results Saturday, November 28 – Four ball medley, Foster FoodWorks trophy winners: Geoff Prue and Peter Dight (12½) 61½. Down the line balls: Scott Rathjen and Henk de Graaf (1`5) 66, Ray Prain and Jim Parry (12) 67, Kevin Witheridge and Neil Chandler (16) 68¼. Saturday, November 28 - ladies stableford winner: Ineke de Graaf (20) 40 pts. Down the line balls: Jenny Mountford (18) 33 pts. Nearest the pin: sixth Ineke de Graaf, 17th Ineke de Graaf. Friday, November 27 – twilight stableford winner: B. Anderson (25) 23 pts countback. Down the line balls: A. Hamilton (18) 21 pts, Bruce Knee (16) 20 pts, Steve Reid (9) 19 pts. Nearest the pin: 17th Phil Harris. Lady winner: Sheron Cripps (24) 16 pts. Down the line balls: Alayne McKenzie (32) 15 pts countback. Thursday, November 26 – stableford winner: Denham

THIRTY-FOUR starters attended the stableford event on November 28. The CCR was 69. The A Grade winner, and overall winner on countback was Ray Matthews (9) 42 points. B Grade was won by Phil Garlick (23) 42 points. Down the line balls: Terry Bradshaw 39 points, Stan Evison 38 points, Nigel Bracecamp 37 points, Kevin Tragear 36 points, Joe Kus 36 points. Nearest the pin: 4th Kevin Tragear, 13th Rob Clark, 16th Trevor Bailey. Pro pin: to be jackpotted. Birdies: (6th) Stan Evison, (13th) Joe Kus. A stableford event was attended by 17 starters on November 26 with a CCR of 70. Ron Funnell was the A Grade winner with (21) 42. Down the line balls: Ray Matthews (10) 41, Cec Eden (34) 38. Birdies: Tom Traill (6th), Ron Funnell (6th), Peter Draper (6th).

Ladies

Grannies Day was held on November 25. Scratch: C. Gunn 88-20-68. Handicap: S. Traill 91-21-70. Non granny: L. Winderlich 104-34-70. Nearest the pin: 4th S. Traill, 16th S. Traill.

Grierson (23) 40 pts. Down the line balls: Neville Thompson (9) 40 pts, John Mathers (16) 36 pts. Wednesday, November 25 - par, Merle Barham trophies: A Grade: Barbara Warren (11) +6. B Grade: Tess Amesreiter (36) +3. Down the line balls: Marlene Ellis, Rae Knee, Jenny Mountford and Helen Fulton. Nearest the pin: fourth Heather Ray, 6th Faye Midwinter, 13thBarbara Warren, 17th Rae Knee. Tuesday, November 24 – stableford winner: Athol McGrath (16) 44 pts. Down the line balls: Larry Giddy (19) 43 pts, Gary Clavarino (15) 40 pts, Chris Foulds (24) 40 pts. Nearest the pin: 15th Kevin Witheridge. Coming events Monday, November 30 – Housewives’ Day. Tuesday, December 1 – par. Wednesday, December 2 – monthly medal, stall, Carmen Thompson trophy. Thursday, December 3 – stableford. Saturday, December 5 – medal day. G. and S. Anderson trophy. Ladies’ Saturday, December 5 stroke – third round aggregate.

PAGE 68 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Table tennis kids make academy THREE youngsters from the Leongatha Table Tennis Association have been accepted into the Gippsland Sports Academy Table Tennis Program for 2010. A further three were accepted into a development program based on their local associations. Those participating are Daniel Campbell, Bryce Holwerda, Riley Hansen, Alex Campbell, Michaela Campbell and Luke Jongebloed. The selection follows a talent identiﬁcation day in Traralgon in late October, which was attended by about 50 junior players. Fourteen of them were chosen to be part of the program. The Gippsland Sports Academy, Table Tennis Victoria, and the Bairnsdale, Leongatha and Traralgon Table Tennis Associations established the program to offer talented junior table tennis players from Gippsland to reach their full potential in the sport. Those in the academy program will be given technique tips from top coaches, participate in local squad training sessions, take part in local

Table tennis talent: Daniel Campbell, Bryce Holwerda, Riley Hansen Alex Campbell and Michaela Campbell. Absent: Luke Jongebloed.

Asian pony pain By Chris Brown

LISA Browning’s trip to Malaysia had its highs and lows.

There was a fourth place in a horse event she’d never competed in, dodgy horses and food poisoning. It was all part of a trip that resulted from a camp at South West TAFE near Warnambool for future stars of the horse industry. At the Malaysian Pony Club Invitational Challenge in Terengganu the 17-year-old won a fancy rosette and about $A80 for her fourth placing in the slalom show jump spectacular. In this event there are two similar courses each with seven fences to jump. Two riders compete against each other with the slowest eliminated and the fastest going into the next round. Competitors must also clear the fences. Lisa said she was going well, but had to change courses. “I was still learning the course and I wasn’t even ready to go and they started it,” she said. “So I was a couple of strides behind then I caught up and had a rail so I bombed out. “I was happy to bring home something anyway.” One disappointment was the quality of ponies given to the South West TAFE team of four. “They weren’t in the best condition and they just did what they wanted,” Lisa said. “What we said didn’t really go. They had their own opinion on the event.” Lisa’s horse looked like a zebra and was skinny with deformities. It’s the worst horse Lisa has ridden in a horse event. In the game’s final the team was coming third, but due to misbehaving ponies they ended up finishing fifth. An interesting aspect of the trip was seeing how hors-

Malaysia reward: Lisa Browning with her rosette for placing fourth in the slalom show jump spectacular on a horse named Lucky. es are treated in Malaysia. Racehorses live in air conditioned boxes and only come out to be worked and raced. Lisa said often riding schools own horses, which people come and ride. “They’re a lot harder on their horses over there,” she said. “Whereas we simply say ‘stop’ they jerk on the horse to stop.” Celebrating the completion of competition led to food poisoning for two of the team members, including Lisa. “We didn’t really eat much over there, because we didn’t like the look of the food,” she said. “Then we did eat because we found a good place and we got sick.” Lisa was feeling a bit better when she did a track riding demonstration in Kuala Lumpur for the racing association.

and regional competitions, undergo strength and fitness assessments, and learn sports science, personal development and mental skill. The initial squad training session will be in Traralgon on December 6. Leongatha Table Tennis Association academy representative Wayne Turner was delighted such a strong South Gippsland contingent received offers to join the academy programs. “What it means for table tennis is the opportunity for young players to have the best coaches in Australia and have the opportunity to compete at the elite level,” he said. Table tennis is definitely a popular sport in Leongatha. Some weeks about 150 school children will head to the Leongatha Recreation Reserve to play table tennis. The Commonwealth Games in Melbourne a few years ago also increased interest in the sport. The Gippsland Sports Academy is a not-for-profit administrative body providing coaching, educational and professional services to promising Gippsland athletes. They aim to give athletes the same opportunities as those in the city.

Leongatha cycling TRACK racing on Friday night was a quiet night even though conditions were very good. A number of riders were away doing the Great Vic Bike ride and another was up to Maryborough for the country titles whilst another was just back from a Melbourne school camp. Club coach Tony Smith saw the night as a great opportunity to bring the motor bike out for some motor paced events. This was another new learning event for Harley Elms, having only his second night of racing. After a warm up behind the motor bike the riders had a one lap time trial. Tom Dudley posted a 33.04 sec time, which was his best for the season. Ben Patterson was next best with another personal best in 34.28 sec. Third place went to Matt Dudley with 35.94 sec whilst Harley managed to take a second off his previous time in clocking 37.12 sec. The time trial was followed by a two lap handicap with riders on scratch, 30m, 60m and 90m handicaps. Harley pulled his foot out of the pedal at the start so he was soon out of the race. Ben Patterson was away to a brilliant start and caught Matt Dudley and had a sit for a half lap and looked like the winner. However, he did not press on for the win coming into the back straight. This allowed Tom Dudley to

close down the gap and cruise past the others in the dash to the line to claim a solid win from the scratch mark. Ben claimed second and Matt third. After a brief recovery the riders were back on the track for a 10 lap motor paced scratch race. Ben Patterson did a good job round to bell lap, but Tom Dudley was again in cruise mode as he powered home for another win. Matt Dudley ﬁnished well to claim second ahead of a tiring Ben and Harley. After the club riders went to Melbourne last Saturday to watch the World Cup meet, the riders were keen to try out a kerin. This was run over ﬁve laps with the motor bike providing the pace for 3.5 laps. Again it was Tom Dudley winning ahead of Ben and Matt. The last event for the night was a team sprint over over lap. Tom and Harley taking on Matt and Ben. At the end of a half lap it was the team on Matt and Ben just in front. However a power next half lap by Tom saw the win go to Harley and Tom. Last week the club annual general meeting was held. The new president is Kevin Feely with Tony Clark as vice president. Several new members were elected on to the committee – Paul Taranto, David Lumby and David McFarlane. This is great news for the club and we look forward to some new ideas in the coming 12 months.

Korumburra badminton IN spite of a late charge by Gladiator, who ran out 184 to 137 winners over Rambo and ended up just three points and 1.5 per cent behind Matrix. Shenanigans and Matrix will play off in the ﬁrst week of the ﬁnals this week. In a practice run, Shenanigans

played Matrix and in a fairly tight affair got the points with a 177 to 164 win. Transformers ends up in ﬁrst place with a ticket straight to the grand ﬁnal. In a reinvigorated junior competition, Eagles 59 d California Condors 54, Ravenous Do Dos 57 d Hawks 15 and Phoenix 59 d Albatross 39.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 69

• KORUMBURRA BASKETBALL

Success at Moe tournament KORUMBURRA Basketball travelled to Moe for their Annual Junior Tournament on November 7 and 8.

Basketball skills: Zoe Allen (Korumburra) and Shannon Heylen (Nyora) at the Great Murray River Jamboree in Albury recently.

Murray River basketball camp KORUMBURRA’S Zoe Allen and Nyora’s Shannon Heylen recently attended the Great Murray River Jamboree in Albury

Basketball skills: Shannon Heylen (Nyora) and Zoe Allen (Korumburra) at the Great Murray River Jamboree in Albury recently.

They spent four days participating in six games of basketball, skills session and social activities. About 200 boys and girls aged about 12 from Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and New Zealand attended the event. The local girls found it to be a great experience and helped them improve their basketball. Fun and enjoyment is the theme for the Jamboree and they certainly did that. Both girls are involved in basketball at Korumburra.

All of the 7 teams that went to Moe had some success, winning games, with some teams making semi finals, and some grand finals. The 12 girls started the weekend off in grand fashion, winning their first game. In only a matter of 2 weeks since the Korumburra tournament the under 12 girls have improved immensely and credit must go to coach Simone Dixon, who in her first year of coaching is doing a fantastic job. The 12 boys got through to the grand final where they were beaten by a better side in Moe. The 16 Boys continued where they left off at the Korumburra Tournament, winning their grand final comfortably over Leongatha. The 18 boys played Moe in their Grand final and went down by the narrowest of margins, 1 point. It was a great weekend and thanks must go to the Moe Basketball Association. for putting on such a great tournament.

Moe winners: the under 16 boys were successful at the Moe tournament; back row, coach Karen Dixon, Lachie Auddino, Ben White, Brock Dorling, Joel Winderlich, team manager Linda Auddino, front row Dylan Heylen, Rhys Arestia, Josh Hopkins, Brendon Wylie.

12 boys runners up: back row Team Manager Barb Lumby, Will Lumby, Jordy Patullo, Josh Patullo, Jacob Patullo, Coach Disco Dixon, Front row. Nicholas McKenzie, Rhys Dixon, Lauchie Fievez.

• SOUTH GIPPSLAND BRIDGE CLUB

Bridge results MEENIYAN – Monday evening 1st Jack Kuiper. Dina Drury. 2nd Margaret and Noel Smith. 3rd Faye Rowlands. Frank Arndt. 4th Margaret Munro. Ellie McIntyre. 5th Brian and Sally Hoskins. Tarwin Lower – Tuesday afternoon. North/south: 1st Jack Kuiper. Alan Johnston. 2nd Faye Rowlands. Clive Hope. 3rd Anne Gibson. Althea Drew. 4th Hannah Martin. Leila Bell. 5th Dawn

Jolly. Bluey Aeschlimann. 6th Colin Cameron. Kathryn Smith. Inverloch – Friday afternoon. North/south: 1st John Farr. Anne Williams. 2nd Bruce and Anne Gibson. 3rd Faye Rowlands. Pat West. 4th Dawn Jolly. George Geekie. East/west: 1st Clive Hope. Alan Johnston. 2nd Ian Leonard. Margaret Bray. 3rd Shirley Walker. Peg Brook. 4th Norma Hannay. Marj Freeman.

Jordy Patullo: under pressure in the ﬁnal of the boy’s 12 and under.

Will Lumby: gives his all in the 12 and under boys.

Surfing for girls THE Play It Safe by the Water Surﬁng for Girls has kicked off with registration only $20! The tour, which brings Victoria’s best female surf coaches to the beaches to pass on their knowledge to the younger generation, will make its way along the coastline to Lakes Entrance (2/12), Sandy Point (3/12), Inverloch (5/12) and then Phillip Island (6/12) before heading to tackle the West Coast of the State. The program is aimed at the surfers who have passed the learn to surf stage and who own their own equipment. Coaches will be on hand to instruct the girls in and out of the water and will help them develop strategies, which will enable them to become better surfers. The day is only $20 for each participant. Each participant will receive a surfing lesson from some of the state’s best coaches, a chance to test out some of the Global Surf Industries board range,

a show bag full of goodies from GRL Mobile, an Oakley tee and some special giveaways. To Register contact Surfing Victoria on (03) 52612907 or e-mail: info@surfingvic.com. Registration forms can be downloaded from www. surfingaustralia.com. Participants will need to organise their own surfing equipment before the day, Surfing Victoria can provide them with details of hire companies in their region. Further details of the program and on site contacts:Surfing Victoria Office (03) 52 612 907. Program Dates and Locations: December 2 - Lakes Entrance, December 3 - Sandy Point, December 5 - Inverloch and December 6 - Phillip Island.

Sandy Point: participants will be able to get a surf lesson from some of the best surf coaches in the state for only $20! Photo courtesy Liam Robertson/Surﬁng Victoria.

PAGE 70 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Thundering down: Glen Alvie’s David Hynes worried the Korumburra batsmen early with some sharp and accurate deliveries.

Cramped for room: Glen Alvie’s Ilan Osman was up on his toes, but still managed to get the ball away.

Rolling the arm over: Glen Alvie’s lanky speedster Adam Simpson warms up ahead of a blistering bowling spell. He ﬁnished his spell with 2/29.

• LDCA A GRADE DIVISION ONE

Nerrena in good shape

NERRENA is in a strong position after Saturday’s opening day of round seven. Damien Symmons scored the only century in Division One with 102 run out which included 10 fours and 3 sixes. He helped Nerrena to a competitive total of 9/239

with Tim Wightman’s 46 and Ryan Clark’s 24 also valuable to the total against Workers. Scott Williams with 3/55 was the most valuable bowler for the Workers. Imps v. Inverloch Gary Sauvarin’s 93 for Imperials went a long way to saving his side in this

Getting ready: Korumburra CC’s Peter “Peachy” Edwards does the ﬁnal bits of ground maintenance ahead of his side’s clash with Glen Alvie, with captain Darren Scott looking on.

match. Eight other Imperials bats were out for eight runs or less meaning Sauvarin had to carry the innings against Inverloch. Only Dom Davis with 24 stayed around long enough to give Imperials a total of 169. Nathan Cant took out three key wickets early, claiming 3/32 with Rankin and Smith taking two apiece. Korumburra v. Glen Alvie Fourteen wickets fell on day one of this match with Korumburra ahead despite being all out for just 163. Glen Alvie’s bowlers worked hard for this result, with Andrew Donohue’s 4/51 the best Division One bowling effort. Kyle Dorman not out 59 kept the Cobra’s alive in this match with Weerasinghe making 37. Glen Alvie is in all sorts of trouble at 4/11 with Dorman and Weerasinghe doing damage with the ball as well, with two apiece. Miners v. OMK Miners made 5/177 in their match against OMK after being sent in on the Wonthaggi Football ground. Matthew Adams took 3/26 from 14 overs in a

good display.

A GRADE DIVISION 1 IMPERIALS v INVERLOCH 1st Innings Imperials G. Sauvarin b. J. Rankin ......93 L. Rogers c. W. Taberner b. N. Cant.............................1 X. Davis c. W. Taberner b. N. Cant.............................6 T. Williams b. N. Cant ...........6 D. Davis c. D. Clark b. A. Ware ..........................24 A. Eddy r.o. J. Smith ..............7 B. Pedlow c. J. Rankin b. J. Smith ............................8 M. Lafferty c. W. Taberner b. D. Clark ...........................2 M. Malloy b. J. Smith ............6 J. Pellicano n.o. ......................3 G. Forrester b. J. Rankin ........1 Extras ....................................12 Total ................................... 169 Bowling: N. Cant 3/32, J. Rankin 2/20, J. Smith 2/31, L. Rankin 0/11, A. Hall 0/11, A. Ware 1/26, D. Clark 1/30. WONTHAGGI MINERS v OMK 1st Innings Wonthaggi Miners Total ................................5/177 Bowling: P. Dell 0/49, J. Wilson 1/45, L. Van Rooye 0/4, M. Adams 3/26, B. Wyatt 1/23, K Rothier 0/7, R. White 0/6. WONTHAGGI WORKMENS v NERRENA 1st Innings Nerrena M. Clark c. R. Geyer b. M. Thomas ......................1 T. Wightman c. J. Sherrin b. S. Williams ....................46 D. Trotman c. J. Sherrin b. M. Thomas ....................15

D. Symmons r.o. M. Thomas .. 102 C. Friebe c. R. Geyer b. S. Williams ......................7 L. Jongebloed b. S. Williams.3 T. West c. R. Geyer b. L. McGuirk......................5 C. Rump r.o. J. Sherrin ........13 R. Clark n.o. .........................24 J. Trease c. R. Geyer b. L. McGuirk....................17 M. Chackochan n.o. ...............1 Extras ......................................5 Total ................................9/239 Bowling: S. Williams 3/55, L. McGuirk 2/52, C. Harvey 0/45, M. Thomas 2/40, J. Sherrin 0/26, T. Hooper 0/16. KORUMBURRA v GLEN ALVIE 1st Innings Korumburra D. Salmon c. S. Lowe b. A. Simpson ................... 11 I. Osman c&b A. Simpson...14 J. Cook lbw. b. P. Roberts ......5 U. Weerasinghe c. J. Beasley b. K. Simpson ....................37 P. Edwards c. M. Roberts b. A. Donohue .....................8 B. Hayes c. A. Simpson b. A. Donohue .....................6 K. Dorman n.o......................59 D. Wyhoon c. D. Hynes b. K. Simpson ......................6 D. Scott c. K. Simpson b. A. Donohue .....................1 A. Balfour b. A. Donohue....10 M. Patching c. M. Roberts b. K. Simpson ......................0 Extras ......................................6 Total ...................................163 Bowling: A. Simpson 2/29, D. Hynes 0/21, P. Roberts 1/11, A. Donohue 4/51, J. Beasley 0/7, K. Simpson 3/41.

1st Innings Glen Alvie M. Roberts c. A. Balfour b. K. Dorman.......................0 P. Roberts c. A. Balfour b. K. Dorman.......................0 D. Hynes b. U. Weerasinghe .4 P. Jordan c. I. Osman b. U. Weerasinghe ...............1

J. Beasley n.o..........................1 A. Donohue n.o. .....................0 Extras ......................................5 Total ..................................4/11 Bowling: K. Dorman 2/4, M. Patching 0/2, U. Weerasinghe 2/1, I. Osman 0/0.

Cricket teams Senior GCL The Senior GCL team for the game against Alberton on Sunday, December 6 at the Alberton West ground at Devon is as follows: Matt Johnson – Capt, Josh Helman, Luke Rogers, Gary Sauvarin, Paul Dyer, Tim Wightman, Gav Bolding, Andrew Donohue, Troy Williams, Ryan B Thomas and Adam Eddy, Alan Jenkins. The bus leaves Leongatha Recreation Reserve at 8.15 am.

Under 18 The third round of the U18 Gippsland Cricket League will be played this Sunday, December 6 against Bairnsdale at Glenaladale. The team selected to represent the Leongatha and District Cricket Association is as follows: Clay Tait (Captain), Sam Sperling (Vice Captain), Taylor Beard, Luke Bowman, Mitchell Clark, Justin Cook, Ben Hancock, Jason Kennedy, Kallon Rigby, James Sherrin, Lachlan Sperling, Mitchell Thomas.

All players are to bring their own gear, including spikes, lunch will be provided. A mini bus will be leaving the Leongatha Football Ground at 6.45am sharp. The Team Manager is Terry Clark and any queries can be directed to him on 0428 644 237 or 5664 4237.

Under 16 Congratulations to the following players on being selected to represent the LDCA in the GCL Under 16’s competition v Bairnsdale at Leongatha Turf. Sunday, December 6, 10.15 start. Alex Manteit Captain, Mark McCall Vice Captain, Nathan Allen, Tim Harris, Sam Huitema, Jordon Poynton, Alex Pellin, Mitchell Elliott, Eamon Charles, Cam Harris, Eli Richards, Thomas Wyatt Emergencies: Matt Olden, Daniel Gordon, Sam Beasley. Be at Ground by 9.30am Contact Geoff Wyatt (Home) 56598225 or Mobile 0413 081136 By Thursday if unavailable

LDCA Scoreboard Round 7 day 1 C Grade Town 161 (B. Moore 46, M. Craig 24; G. Poynton 3/53, P. Duffus 4/21) d Poowong/ Long 2/8 (R. Knox n.o. 2; S. McCallum 1/5, B. Moore 1/3). OMK 195 d Wonthaggi Miners 5/16. Details not available. MDU 150 (N. Hill 29, K. Sinclair n.o. 1; T. Pendlebury 3/37, W. McCall 3/22, S. Roche 2/24) d Wonthaggi Workmens 1/5 (S. Osborne n.o. 4; D. Devonshire 1/2). Fish Creek/Tarwin 64 (N. Bergman 24, C. Pratt 9; S. Paterson 4/17, S. Turner 2/12, S. Anderson 2/0) lt Koonwarra RSL 6/173 (G. Logan 33, S. Turner 37, N. Grimes no. 44; T. Stybosh 2/19).

D Grade Inverloch 215 (I. Fowler 68, D. Jones 41, W. Williams n.o. 41; R. Higgins 2/28, K. Gray 4/45) d Imperials 5/79 (D. Pellin 32, R. Higgins n.o. 8, K. Hall n.o. 5; A. Jones 1/16, I. Smith 1/1). Phillip Island 124 (L. McFee 23, B. Johnston 24, M. Francis n.o. 24; D. Goss 6/25) d Town 1/48 (J. Schelling n.o. 16; J. McFee

1/16). Koonwarra RSL 50 (G. Matthies n.o. 22; R. Stubbs 3/13, J. Holloway 2/14, V. Sadikumar 3/10) lt Nerrena 2/88 (G. Wightman n.o. 26, B. Standfield n.o. 35; M. Martin 1/18). Glen Alvie 119 (W. Luke 29, C. Sherriff 40; S. McKenzie 4/41, M. Loader 4/24) d Korumburra 0/7 (A. McKinnon n.o. 1).

E Grade MDU 170 (J. Dean 66, R. Olden 49; R. McKenzie 4/49, G. Birnie 3/27) v Poowong/ Loch. OMK won on forfeit Town. Wonthaggi Miners 77 (S. Loiacono 2/5, K. Guerin 2/2, S. Furniss 2/3) lt Phillip Island 2/81 (A. Horvarth n.o. 19, P. Cashman n.o. 24). Foster 111 (S. Lanyon 20; P. Tilley n.o. 8; R. McGuirk 4/25, G. Scholz 2/14, C. Rigby 2/14) d Wonthaggi Workmens 0/20 (D. McGuirk n.o. 10, J. Sheerin n.o. 3).

Under 16 East Fish Creek/Tarwin 6/122 (Z. Redpath 43, R. McGannon n.o. 29, D. Britton n.o. 10; C.

Moscript 4/12) v Koonwarra RSL. MDU 149 (M. Olden 37, R. Olden 52, J. Brown n.o. 1; N. Pye 3/10, B. Davidson 2/16) v Imperials. Town 104 (N. Moore 40, J. Bolge n.o. 1; D. Hames 3/22, S. Dixon 2/4) d Korumburra 0/23 (J.Raabe n.o. 16, M .Wight n.o. 7). Foster won first innings (onofficial) Glen Alvie.

Under 16 West

Wonthaggi Workmens Gold 3/181 (J. Poynton 1/35, T. Lancaster 1/26, J. Reid 1/25) v Poowong/Loch. Wonthaggi Miners 6/163 (A. Schreck 25, M. Farrell-Magher n.o. 33, T. Hamilton n.o. 2; T. Wyatt 2/25, D. Wylie 2/22, J. Hartris 1/25, A. Harrison 2/22) v OMK. Inverloch 21 (A. Raveendran n.o. 3; S. Docherty 5/11) lt Phillip Island 2/124 (J. Sorarti ret. n.o. 71, M. Francis n.o. 3, A. Manteit n.o. 27; J. Sorrell 1/8, L. Johnson 1/25). Wonthaggi Workmens Blue v Glen Alvie. No details available.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - PAGE 71

Great knocks grace round O U S TA N D I N G knocks by Phillip Island batsmen Hornsby and Wilson were the highlights of the weekend’s ﬁrst-innings round in Leongatha and District A-Grade division two action.

Phillip Island amassed a huge lead, while Poowong also seems ahead. Fish Creek and Koonwarra Leongatha RSL appear evenly poised, while MDU has also taken a lead. Huge lead Philip Island is heading for a huge ﬁrst innings total, having batted all day, including two great tons. Hornsby composed a classy 126 before being caught and bowled by Jones and Wilson reached 117 before going down to Jones, caught by Howson. The Islanders had in-form bats to spare. Opener Wilson reached 21, Viljoen went one better, 22, Cleeland added 15, and Price, 14, also contributed. But the magic duo of Horn-

sby and Wilson set up a grand 7/346, which surely must set the side up for a great win. Poowong ahead At 2/96, Poowong is eyeing a first innings lead after Inverloch were all-out for 87. Inverloch managed a modest total with only three batsmen reaching double figures, with 16 the highest. Poowong won the toss and sent Inverloch in to bat. Opening bat Thornby reached 11 before being bowled, while Muir retired hurt on one. Wickets fell quickly, after only 41.2 overs, before Poowong came to the crease. At stumps, Adderley had been caught for 6 and Dyer went lbw for 27. Hancock steadied the ship with 47 not out and Nestor was on 7. Jury out The jury is out on who is ahead between Fish Creek and Koonwarra Leongatha RSL. Having been sent in to bat, Fish Creek held on for 79 after 54.1 overs, but had the RSL side 2/36 at stumps in the first innings. Wilkins played a strong bat,

Nerrena Under 12 cricket FRIDAY, November 27 saw the Nerrena U12 team travel to Inverloch for their Round 4 match. Winning the toss and batting, the Nerrena team had difficulty scoring runs on the lush outfield and against some tight bowling from Inverloch. The best batting for Nerrena was Nick Argento who made 20, hitting 2 sixes and 1 four and Ben Perry made 9, hitting 1 four. Nerrena’s score was 8/77. Inverloch replied with 5/73. Wicket takers for Nerrena were Nathan Trotto 1/8, Joel Norton 2/7, Sam Hanrahan 1/9 and Michael Trotto 1/2. Well done to Adrian Brown who filled in for Inverloch, making 4 runs and taking 1/8. When scores were tallied Nerrena’s 77 runs plus 25 for taking 5 wickets came to 102, just short of Inverlochs 73 runs plus 40 for taking 8 wickets giving them a total of 113. Next week’s match will be against Korumburra at the Korumburra Cricket Ground on Sunday, December 6 starting at 11.00am.

keeping his side in the match before being caught for 35. Captain Watkins went for a duck and Anderson managed one run before returning to the dressing room. Moscript seemed to be making a good start for the RSL side until routed lbw for 15. Captain Wise followed after 7 runs, while Moore and Sperling held out until stumps. Good lead Meeniyan Dumbalk United appears to have taking a good lead, while Leongatha Town will need to overcome an early fall of wickets in the ﬁrst inning skirmish. Having won the toss, MDU decided to bat. The team built up a total of 128 with steady batting by Hoober, 23, Le Page, 20, and a solid knock by Dower, 31. Other contributors were opener Sinclair, 18, and middle order Prosser, 13. Town got off to a poor start with opener Templeton caught for 11, bowled Le Page, and Schelling also falling to Le Page for four. Bowman, 2, and Smith 1, were not out at stumps.

B GRADE FOSTER v IMPERIALS 1st Innings Foster M. Comben c. D. Connelly b. M. Collins .................. 43 P. Dower c. J. Fiddelaers b. N. Slater ....................... 4 R. Johnson c. N. Eddy b. J. Fiddelaers .............. 69

Cricket snippet Leongatha and District Cricket Association players Sam Sperling and Mitchell Clark have been selected to represent Gippsland Pride in the upcoming U18 State Championship Cricket Carnival. The Gippsland team will play in matches in Traralgon from January 11th15th 2010.

POOWONG/LOCH v INVERLOCH 1st Innings Inverloch T. Thornby b. A. Jenkins...... 11 J. Muir ret. hurt.......................1 R. Tegg c. C. McCurdy b. R. Greaves .......................3 E. Everingham c. McCurdy b. R. Greaves .......................5 L. Cummins b. S. Jenkins ....16 J. Courtenay stp. P. Dyer b. D. Brain ...........................7 B. Phillips c. A. Jenkins b. D. Brain ......................... 11 J. Jackson b. S. Jenkins ..........6 C. Bulter n.o. ..........................5 C. Mollison c. R. Greaves b. S. Jenkins....................... 11 A. Brayley c. P. Dyer b. R. Greaves .......................3 Extras ......................................8 Total .....................................87 Bowling: A. Jenkins 1/12, R. Greaves 3/29, S. Jenkins 3/31, D. Brain 2/10, C. McCurdy 0/7. 1st Innings Poowong/Loch M. Adderley c. A. Brayley b. B. Phillips ........................6 B. Hancock n.o.....................47 P. Dyer lbw. b. R. Tegg ........27

K. Nestor n.o. .........................7 Extras ....................................10 Total ..................................2/96 Bowling: C. Mollison 0/33, J. Jackson 1/11, J. Courtenay 0/7, T. Thornby 0/16, R. Tegg 1/12, E. Everingham 0/13. PHILLIP ISLAND v WONTHAGGI MINERS 1st Innings Phillip Island M. Wilson b. P. Cornelis ......21 K. Murphy b. P. Hammer ......4 R. Cleeland c&b. M. Madigan 15 A. Manteit c. L. Jones b. P. Cornelis........................9 T. Hornbsy c&b. L. Jones ..126 C. Wilson c. W. Howson b. L. Jones........................117 M. Price r.o. L. Jones ...........14 C. Viljoen n.o. ......................22 S. Boyack n.o. ........................0 Extras ....................................18 Total ................................7/346 Bowling: Not available. TOWN v MDU 1st Innings MDU J. Sinclair c. C. Bruce b. M. Davies ......................18 B. Spokes lbw. b. S. Ellicott ..3 A. Baillie b. A. Hickey...........9 M. Le Page c. M. O’Malley b. A. Hickey.........................0 C. Hoober c. J. Schelling

b. C. Bruce.........................23 W. Prosser c. J. Schelling b. C. Bruce.........................13 S. Arnup b. M. Warren ...........0 C. Le Page c. R. Templeton b. A. Hickey.......................20 M. Dower c. N. Johnston b. L. Bowman....................31 S. Browne c. R. Templeton b. A. Hickey.........................0 T. Harris n.o. ...........................0 Extras .................................... 11 Total ................................... 128 Bowling: N. Johnston 0/25, S. Ellicott 1/8, M. Davies 1/24, A. Hickey 4/23, C. Bruce 2/28, M. Warren 1/4, L. Bowman 1/10. 1st Innings Town R. Templeton c. J. Sinclair b. M. Le Page .................... 11 J. Schelling b. M. Le Page .....4 L. Bowman n.o.......................2 M. Smith n.o...........................1 Extras ......................................2 Total ..................................2/20 Bowling: M. Dower 0/8, M. Le Page 2/3, S. Arnup 0/4, C. Hoober 0/0. FISH CREEK/TARWIN v KOONWARRA RSL M. Lynch b. C. Wise ..............9 J. Danckert c&b. J. Peters ......1 J. Law c. L. Sperling

b. B. Davison .......................3 G. Watkins c. B. Moscript b. B. Davison .......................0 J. Shaw b. J. Peters .................1 G. Webster c. L. Sperling b. J. Kennedy ......................6 N. Wilkins c. C. Wise b. S. Sperling .....................35 B. Anderson c. B. Moscript b. S. Sperling .......................1 J. Spokes c. L. Sperling b. C. Wise ............................6 S. Rabbitt c. G. Sperling b. S. Sperling .......................4 D. Rubenis n.o........................2 Extras .................................... 11 Total .....................................79 Bowling: J. Peters 2/9, B. Davison 2/9, J. Kennedy 1/5, C. Wise 2/8, S. Sperling 3/27, B. Moscript 0/13. 1st Innings Koonwarra RSL B. Moscript lbw. b. J. Danckert.....................15 C. Wise c. J. Danckert b. B. Anderson.....................7 S. Moore no.o .........................3 L. Sperling n.o. .......................9 Extras ......................................2 Total ..................................2/36 Bowling: S. Rabbitt 0/9, N. Wilkins 0/11, J. Danckert 1/8, B. Anderson 1/8.

G. Wagstaff c. N. Eddy b. M. Collins .................. 62 S. Hawking b. J. Fiddelaers .. 21 T. Garvey b. J. Fiddelaers ... 0 P. Jervies c. L. Hettiarachchi b. D. Langstaff ............... 40 B. Coates c. D. Connelly b. D. Langstaff ................. 4 J. Staley b. N. Slater ............ 2 D. Clearihan-Jervies b. D. Langstaff ................. 4 J. Staley b. N. Slater ............ 2 D. Clearihan-Jervies b. D. Langstaff ................. 0 B. Tilley n.o......................... 0 Extras ................................ 28 Total ................................ 273 Bowling: M. Collins 2/38, N. Slater 2/37, D. Connelly 0/37, N. Eddy 0/62, J. Fiddelaers 3/24, L. Hettiarachchi 0/14, J. Forrester 0/13, T. Burgess 0/24, D. Langstaff 4/1. OMK v PHILLIP ISLAND 1st Innings Phillip Island O. Santalucia lbw. b. D. McMeekin ............. 76 R. Velardi r.o. .................... 35

A. Matthews r.o. ................ 43 E. Richards c. A. Rose b. T. Creed ........................ 5 M. Cleary c. K. Kerr b. D. McMeekin ............... 0 J. Broomhall lbw. b. D. McMeekin ............... 4 D. Johnston r.o. .................. 0 S. Docherty c. P. Miller b. J. Paterson .................... 0 J. Kleverkamp c. A. Rose b. J. Paterson .................... 0 J. Sorarti n.o. ....................... 1 B. Pewtress c. J. Van Rooye b. J. Paterson .................... 0 Extras .................................. 6 Total ................................ 170 Bowling: T. Creed 1/45, N. Adams 0/29, D. McMeekin 3/30, D. Jeffries 0/23, K. Kerr 0/26, B. Nation 0/6, J. Van Rooye 0/5, J. Paterson 3/2. 1st InningsOMK K. Kerr c. E. Richards b. A. Matthews ............... 11 P. Miller n.o ....................... 27 A. Rose n.o.......................... 1 Extras .................................. 4 Total ...............................1/43 Bowling: A. Matthews

0/21, J. Kleverkamp 0/6, S. Docherty 0/12, O. Santalucia 0/0. NERRENA v WONTHAGGI WORKMENS 1st Innings Nerrena J. Richards c. C. Pitman b. M. McCall .................... 5 T. Trotman c. C. Harvey b. L. Sawyer ................... 14 W. Telfer lbw. b. A. McLean . 44 B. Castles c. A. McLean b. L. Sawyer ................... 17 S. Checkley r.o. ................... 9 J. Renden c. C. Harvey b. A. McLean.................. 40 A. Harrison r.o..................... 4 Z. Trease b. L. Sawyer ........ 6 L. Brandon n.o. ................. 36 B. Croatto c. C. Pitman b. A. McLean.................... 6 C. Baudinette n.o................. 0 Extras ................................ 24 Total .............................9/205 Bowling: A. McLean 3/43, M. McCall 1/28, L. Sawyer 3/60, S. Coldabella 0/17, C. Harvey 0/18, M. Cadwal-

lender 0/24, N. Tessarri 0/4. GLEN ALVIE v KORUMBURRA 1st Innings Glen Alvie S. Edwards b. K. Rigby..... 70 M. Hull lbw. b. A. Meade.... 0 G. Chappell lbw. b. P. Green . 15 L. Gennicarro c. H. Wyhoon b. S. Phillips ................... 19 R. Bolding lbw. b. P. Green14 B. Tiley c. L. Williams b. D. Bailey ...................... 2 E. Sheerin c. G. Barrett b. K. Rigby ....................... 3 J. Wheeler c&b. K. Rigby ... 1 S. Nippers c. C. Bailey b. S. Phillips ................... 20 J. Hales n.o. ....................... 26 A. Hmilton b. S. Phillips .... 7 Extras ................................ 46 Total ................................ 223 Bowling: A. Meade 1/20, S. Phillips 3/58, P. Green 2/34, D. Bailey 1/22, T. Allen 0/24, L. Williams 0/11, K. Rigby 3/30.

A GRADE DIVISION 2

Snapper all the go SNAPPER are on the chew in Corner Inlet!

Head shave: Neil Grabham had agreed to get his head shaved as well, if the total of $3000 was raised.

Traditionally November and December are good months to land a big snapper and this year is no exception. With the good weather in November, there have been a record number of boats chasing the Big Reds.

The Entrance, even though it covers a large area, is producing ﬁsh in many spots. Also the main channel has been popular. Look around the 30metre mark in the entrance and 20metres in the main channel. Darren from Prom Coastal Charters reckons that good pilchards are

the go at the moment, (Port Welshpool Boat Storage has plenty). Darren has had several successful trips so far this season with the biggest snapper so far 24lb! The trips are also getting plenty of gummies. So now is the time for that Christmas Breakup ﬁshing trip and get amongst them!

Moustaches raise record money OMK Cricket Club players set themselves the challenge of raising $1200 for Movember. If they were able to do that then three life members of the OMK club Les White, Warrick Hayes and Neil Grabham agreed to get their 92 years of beards shaved off. Neil Grabham foolishly agreed to get his head shaved as well, if the total of $3000 was raised. Last Thursday the 19 OMK players who were growing moustaches gathered and it was found they had raised $3500 for the Movember cause. So it was out with clippers by

Michael Chizzoniti from Chizza’s Scissors and the beards disappeared and much to the consternation of his wife Deidre, Neil Grabham’s head of hair disappeared as well. The OMK players were pleased to be able to support Movember’s two benefactors, the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and beyondblue; the national depression initiative. Good causes and also it was fun activity for the club. Research tells Movember that one in eight men will be affected by prostate cancer and one in nine men will be affected by depression.

Good haul: Doug Harry, Brian Taylor, middle, and Doug Law were delighted with their catch. They are from Flavor Right Tomatoes in Warragul.

Fine result: another good sized snapper was landed by this ﬁsherman on the charter.

PAGE 72 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Ride on: Leongatha’s Kris McLaren was relaxed back at home after his spectacular debut at Phillip Island.

By Bert van Bedaf AT 23, Kris McLaren is a young man in a hurry, reaching up to 300km/h on his 1000cc superbike.

Kris, who works in the Leongatha Body Repairs family business, finished eighth overall and fourth overall as a private contender after two races in his debut superbike round at Phillip Island on the weekend. A former successful dirt bike rider as a junior and motocross rider as a teenager, Kris started in his first superbike race on Friday. His parents, Craig and Pam McLaren, who are enthusiastic supporters of their son’s heroics, were amazed what Kris had achieved. “We are so proud of him. It was fantastic. He had not even sat on his bike until Friday at his first practice session at the island,” Pam said. Nevertheless, on Saturday the highly talented speedster qualified an impressive 14th, which put him on row four. The program on Sunday started out wet. But by the time the Superbike race was due, the track had dried out enough to run dry tyres. There were many dangerous parts on the track. It still had running water on it and there was a red flag incident on the second lap of the race. Championship contender Wayne Maxwell struck a high side, which catapulted him through the air and left him with a broken foot. When the race was restarted, Kris got a fantastic start and quickly came through the pack. Still getting used to the huge power of his 1000cc machine, he managed to finish 10th in his first race. In the second race he rode much better and came ninth. As a result, he placed eighth overall for the day and fourth overall as a privateer (private rider, not a factory rider) for his first ever superbike race. Kris has been testing his skills on other bikes for 18 months, but this was the first time he took his $60,000 machine out for a race and almost flying. As a mark of his talent, he improved all weekend and was doing a staggering regular 1.36s around the Phillip Island circuit. His speed down Gardner

Straight was up to 300km/h. m/h. This was the last roundd of the Australian Superbike Championships, which ich was won by Josh Waters, who dominated both races of the round. The Australian Superbike rbike Championship was first held in 1989 and hass grown to be one of the major riding events on thee racing calendar. Waters held off challenges nges from the Honda duo, defending champion Glenn enn Allerton and Wayne Maxwell to claim the number mber one spot in the sevenround series. It was the 22-year-old’s first Australian Superbike Championship. ship. Kris has his mind set on a riding career and has been given much support. Geoff Winzer of the Honda team has confidence in n the new rider, believing Kris is “a natural”. By finishing eighth, Kris added vital points to Honda, giving ving it the Manufacturers’ of the Year award by one point. He has come a long way ay in a short space of time and has put competitors on n notice. Motor racing is not a cheap sport and Kris is grateful for the sponsorship hip by Multiclad, which offers sustainable cladding ng solutions. “They’ve helped me a lot,” Kris said. d. Competing around Australia ustralia costs up to $150,000 annually and that hat does not include the purchase of the he bike. Every competition round chewss up $5000 worth of tyres. “I’ll probably need another superbike next year, so it is an expensive sport,” Kris said. But the rewards can be astronomical, when success ess comes knocking, millions ns are made on fast wheels. Kris’s career desiress are definitely in motorr racing at internationall level. He will pursue thee 1000cc superbike class ss next year but wants to move ve into the 600cc Moto2 class, ass, which ultimately leadss to an international career in the 800cc MotoGP. “I’d love to make a career areer out

of motor racing. The big money is overseas on the Grand Prix circuit. But it won’t be easy to get that far,” Kris said. But it won’t deter him from trying. The GP scene is where Australians Mick Doohan and Gardner Wayne (both former superbike riders) have made their world mark and Casey Stoner is ﬂying the Aussie ﬂag at the moment.

Mr President sets the agenda

Eyes on the ball: new AFL president John Schelling is keen to repair some of the damage done to clubs’ relationships in the past few seasons.

By Matt Dunn JOHN Schelling was voted in as president of the Alberton Football League last week, when football club bosses met at the league’s AGM. Congratulated by The Star on the appointment, Mr Schelling quipped: “Most people say condolences.” It was clearly a joke, but there was a grain of truth in the comment. He knows what he is up against. Never one to take a back seat, Mr Schelling is a former president and secretary of the Stony Creek Football Club, current president of Town Cricket Club, a basketball umpire, a board member to several organisations, a member of the Leongatha Secondary College school council, a church council member and a member of the

recreation advisory committee to the South Gippsland Shire Council. “Most of those things will have to go. There’s a few things that will be moved aside, to give me time to do what I have to do,” he said. What does he do in his spare time? “Spend ﬁve minutes with my wife,” he replied with a laugh. He said he’s excited about the future of the league. “I’m pretty passionate about football and passionate about the Alberton league. I’ve been there for 30 odd years,” he said. “All I’m looking to do is bring the clubs together. I just want them to respect each other. Hopefully we can do away with as much of the bitching and backbiting as possible.” He wants to make sure the clubs are “going in the same direction”. “The big thing the executive

will attempt to do is what the clubs want, for the betterment of football in the region. We want to give kids the best opportunity we can,” he said. The last three seasons were marred by controversy, as Wonthaggi Football Club battled to stay in the AFL and many of the other clubs battled to have it kicked out. Legal appeals, forfeitures and recriminations on all sides left a toxic atmosphere. Rightly or wrongly the Wonthaggi Football Club has been sent to the West Gippsland Latrobe Football League (soon to become the Gippsland League). While it has caused angst for some, much of the acrimony can now be set aside. Although it would be fair to say that deeper issues will need to be addressed in the future. Jimmy Harry, who stood against Mr Schelling for the presidency, wanted a new split division competition. But Mr

Schelling wants some smooth sailing for a time, so he can work out where the clubs are at. Because Mr Harry put his hand up to become president too, he is precluded from immediately taking up a position on the executive board. The league constitution forbids a person from nominating for more than one job. The league consequently ﬁnds itself one executive short. But Mr Schelling said Mr Harry could come back as an executive at a later date if he wants. “I’ll contact Jim in the next week and see what he’s about, if that’s the way he wants to go. If there’s a position available, you may as well be using someone else’s mind. With me it’s always going to be a team thing,” he said. “I’d be pretty happy to have Jim on board, if he’d like to come on board. I don’t quite know what he’s thinking yet.”