MOSSVALE MAGIC
GAS LEAK
TRUCK ROLLOVER
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www.thestar.com.au
TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2014 - $1.40
SEARCHING FOR SUMMER A king tide gave Finn Davies, Byron Leeworthy, Ethan Davies and Noah Davies plenty of fun at Inverloch on Sunday. Full story on page 4.
MISSING LINK Leongatha - Port Welshpool rail trail closer BRIDGE THE GAP Great Southern Rail Trail
By Brad Lester THE missing link in the Great Southern Rail Trail is closer to becoming reality. A report commissioned by South Gippsland Shire Council has found the 2.5km gap in the trail between Koonwarra and Meeniyan could be filled at a cheaper cost than anticipated. The engineering study, to be presented to council early this year, is expected to reveal the existing
railway bridges at the Black Spur around Caithness Road are in better condition than first thought, mayor Cr Jim Fawcett told The Star during an exclusive interview last Thursday. The bridges could therefore be repaired for less money than authorities believed and become part of the trail. That would enable walkers, cyclists and horse riders to travel on a 69.21km trail from Leongatha to eventually Port Welshpool, paving the way for an even greater tourism industry than the trail currently
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provides to the region. A council study in 2011 found linking the Black Spur section would result in almost $2 million per year from extra visitor expenditure, paying back the cost of the project within just over a year. Now, rail trail users must traverse a windy section of the South Gippsland Highway between Koonwarra and Minns Road and that either risks a collision between cyclists, walkers and cars, or forces people to explore shorter sections of the trail. Continued on page 4.
PAGE 2 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Right, Music makers: Hiatus Kaiyote offered up their hypnotic neo-soul style of music which was well received at the Summer of Soul festival at Mossvale Park on Saturday.
MR PIP (M) 115 mins *NFP THURS, MON, TUES, WED: 9.45am, 12.30pm.MR PIP (M) 115 mins *NFP THURS, MON, TUES, WED: 9.45am, 12.30pm.
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Local teens: Kate Facey, Ryan Littlejohn and Maddie Barker all enjoyed the music at Mossvale Park’s Summer of Soul festival.
Above, Great mates: Emma Mook of Yanakie and Liz Ryan of Leongatha braved the rain and revelled in the soul music at Mossvale Park on Saturday. Below, All smiles: Brendan Smith of Traralgon helped Lucy Mertens of Korumburra celebrate her birthday at the Summer of Soul festival on Saturday.
COMING SOON! Jan. 16: Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (Action/Thriller). Jan. 23: Philomena (M Drama). Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (MA 15+ Thriller). Feb. 6: RoboCop (Action/Crime). Las Vegas (M Comedy). *NFP No free tickets/passes # Correct at time of printing
www.stadiumcinema.com.au
Fun times: Korumburra’s Simone Short, Meeniyan’s Sophie Thomas and Koowarra’s Sarah Vella were all having a top day at the Summer of Soul festival.
Music lovers brave rain MOSSVALE Park was alive with glorious music on Saturday, hosting the Summer of Soul Festival. The summer weather may not have been on display at the Berrys Creek venue, but the soul certainly was with fantastic acts encouraging people to dance. Hundreds of music lovers flocked to the park to hear the music of headliner artists like Lee Fields and the Expressions and Clairy Browne and the Bangin’ Rackettes. The Basics, which includes Wally de Backer aka Gotye, drew a crowd while
LEONGATHA 6 Day
WEATHER FORECAST
TUES JAN 7
12°
18°
Possible shower
WED JAN 8
10°
22°
Increasing Sunshine
THUR
JAN 9
13°
24°
Mostly sunny
FRI
JAN 10
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The Bombay Royale and Hiatus Kaiyote had people up and moving. Opening act of the day, Pony Face, had many people grooving along to their music as they walked in the gate. The rain may have fallen on and off, but that didn’t stop many enjoying the music, with many revellers more than prepared for the adverse conditions with boots, umbrellas, tents and ponchos all common place on the grassy viewing area. The event was run by the Lyrebird Arts Council, which brings a great range of live music to South Gippsland.
SAT
JAN 11
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SUN
JAN 12
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“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 3
Making history: the first child of Zoe and Brett Allan of Leongatha, Jordan Archie Allan New Year baby: Hope Cicchelli was the first baby born at Bass Coast Regional Health in was the first baby born in Gippsland. Wonthaggi to new parents Justine Van Hassel and Nathan Cicchelli of Dalyston.
Leongatha welcomes Gippsland’s first baby By Tayla Kershaw GIPPSLAND’S first baby for 2014 arrived at Leongatha Hospital just two hours after midnight on January 1.
Jordan Archie Allan was welcomed by parents Zoe and Brett of Leongatha. He is named after the famous basketball player Michael Jordan and his middle name comes from soccer player Archie Thompson.
He weighed 3.9 kilograms and was 53 centimetres long. Not only is Jordan Gippsland’s first 2014 baby, he is also the first child for Zoe and Brett. He is the first grandchild of Chris and Barbara Ball and the third grand-
4.54am on January 4. She was 3.48 kilograms and 49 centimetres. She was the first baby for Wonthaggi’s hospital and also the first child for Justine Van Hassel and Nathan Cicchelli of Dalyston.
child of Sue and Barrie Allan. The new parents would like to thank the wonderful staff at Gippsland Southern Health Service for their support and hospitality. Hope Cicchelli was Bass Coast Regional Health’s first baby, born at
Bite on council
DOG ban signs at Inverloch were vandalised and torn down during the Christmas period, in retaliation
at Bass Coast Shire Council’s dog ban trial.
Council is frustrated its attempts to promote public awareness of the ban have gone to waste.
warnings. A council spokesperson said enforcing the dog ban in Inverloch in future would depend on community cooperation. The ban currently applies to all Inverloch’s joining beaches, restricting dogs from being walked on the beach between 9am until 6pm. Public consultation began in 2012 and was followed by a public survey in 2013. Council felt the trial period was the best option after receiving diverse opinions from the community. The trial started in December and will end at the start of May. During this time, two independent researchers will survey the beach. The researchers will be asking beachgoers questions relating to times around the dog restrictions. They will appear on the beach at random between 8am and 5pm to ensure all days are covered. “The whole purpose of the trial is to find a balance
Installation of the signs was initially delayed due to the festive season. They would be up again soon. No-one has been fined for walking their dogs on the beach yet but council officers have issued
Signs trashed: some of the dog ban signs along Inverloch’s beaches were torn down and vandalised.
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between the needs of people who don’t want dogs on the beach at any time, and people who would like to have no dog walking restrictions,” a council spokesperson said. “The trial aims to collect information from visitors to the beach and to off-leash areas.” Council will consider the researchers’ report at the May council meeting to determine whether the ban will become annual and the times that will be enforced.
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PAGE 4 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Operation Santa a cheery success By Tayla Kershaw UNITINGCARE Leongatha raceived 130 presents to support families over the Christmas period as part of their Operation Santa project. This is an increase in generosity from previous years. The presents were distributed to 58 families and approximately 150 children. “It’s always successful no matter how many families are in dis-
Wide range: Wendy McEachern (right) from UnitingCare and daughter Zoe catered for children of all ages this Christmas.
tress. It’s successful because we can help them,” local Operation Santa coordinator Wendy McEachern said. This is the 22nd year Operation Santa has touched the lives of children, teenagers and adults over the holiday season. Gift vouchers could also be donated for teenagers who are more difficult to buy gifts for, and this proved popular. “Every year it seems more and more people fall on hard times. Our agencies are doing their best to help as many people as they can who walk through their doors,” UnitingCare Victoria and Tasmania director Charles Gibson said. Donations came from various sources, these sponsors change every year. The sponsors include the Sal-
vation Army who distribute food hampers. UnitingCare and the Salvation Army refer their clients to each other. The Salvation Army gave away the last of its200 Christmas hampers two days before Christmas but donations continued to come through. The donations came from people of all ages and they were overwhelmed with the generosity of the community. “We’ve been very lucky. The donations came from everywhere and it all gets used,” Camilla Hullick from the Leongatha Salvation Army said. The army’s Gerry Robinson added: “It makes us feel like we are better off on the inside to see the looks on other people’s faces.”
King tide closes beach A KING tide hit South Gippsland’s beaches on Saturday and Sunday, and took its toll on the Inverloch Surf Beach. The extreme high tide and weather conditions that were the result of a strong front at around 4pm left Inverloch Surf Lifesavers with no beach to patrol on. Lifesavers had no choice but to close the beach due to these conditions. Club president Angela Malan told The Star on Monday the beach was open again. “The beach has life guards on duty today (Monday) but there are some difficulties accessing the beach,” she said. “Visitors should be aware of debris in the water and rocks that have been exposed due to yesterday’s high tide.” While the king tide caused havoc at the surf beach, the Inverloch jetty and boat ramp was seeing the best and the worst of the conditions. Children were enjoying playing in the water as it splashed above the jetty line and anglers were trying their luck ,while boaters were struggling to get their vessels back onto the trailers with rough and high seas limiting the length of the boat ramp.
Too high: the Inverloch Surf Beach was closed due to the high tide washing away the beach on Sunday afternoon. Photo: Inverloch Surf Lifesaving Club.
Earthquake hunt Missing rail trail link
SCIENTISTS are acting to more accurately locate earthquakes in the Strzelecki Ranges.
Seismic experts from the Australian Geophysical Observing System (AGOS) at the University of Melbourne are undertaking the study after the unexpectedly powerful Moe earthquake (magni-
tude 5.4) in June 2012. The Subsurface Observatory group of AGOS already has an extensive array of surface monitors integrating with instruments from the Seismometer in Schools Program (AuSIS) in Gippsland and across Victoria. The group is now working to enhance this network with a number of underground instruments that are
expected to greatly improve sensitivity in earthquake monitoring. The program will place monitoring equipment down five shallow monitoring bores, adjacent to geological faults crossing the Strzelecki Range between Korumburra and Moe. These seismometers are capable of detecting the faintest of earthquake signals.
Continued from page 1. “I think they are hoping for some positive outcomes from it. There are some reasonable outcomes in terms of how good the structures are,” Cr Fawcett said of the engineering study. “The bridges could perhaps provide a low cost alternative to new bridges, which has always been the issue.” Cr Fawcett emphasised the report simply explores the state of the wooden bridges and council would still need to secure funding to repair the bridges to a safe, usable standard. “This report will allow us to push forward for funding from it,” he said. Filling the 2.5km gap in the trail between Koonwarra and Meeniyan is a priority project for council, and one of the most immediate such projects in 2014. “People would know they could start at Leongatha and they could be at Wilsons Promontory almost and not have to go on a major road,” Cr Fawcett said. “We need to know what the costs are so that when we go to grants bodies we can say the cost will be this.” Bicycle Network, Victoria’s peak bicycle organisation, believed the rail trail would have so much potential once the gaps were rectified and there was a continuous off-road route. Spokesman Garry Brennan said
bicycle tourism was on the rise around the world as people seek more active recreation opportunities to maintain good health into older age. “These trails bring economic benefits to local communities. According to the research on trails in north-eastern Victoria, conducted in 2009, bike riders are spending an average $244 a day compared to the $159 average spend of other travellers in the region,” he said. “More than 70 per cent of riders in the study held or professional and administrative positions, indicating comparatively high discretionary income. About 15 per cent were retired from the workforce. “The Great Southern trail is comfortably accessible to Melbourne and is has great towns and countryside to interest travellers. “It would be a tremendous boost to the region if a way can be found to restore accessibility across the old bridges and complete the trail to Toora.” The news was welcomed by Neville Pulham, Great Southern Rail Trail committee of management chair. “I think it’s getting more and more pertinent that if we can’t connect that end, it will become a more fragmented rail trail,” he said. While Mr Pulham said he did not think the link would happen “overnight”, he hoped the project would be completed within two to
three years. The rail trail now continues until Toora, but eventually will be extended to Welshpool. A trail currently links Welshpool and Port Welshpool, meaning one day the trail will run from Leongatha to Port Welshpool. The community’s grand dream is for the rail to one day link with Yarram. VicRoads is still considering realigning the South Gippsland Highway Black Spur to improve safety for motorists, acting regional director Catherine Gunn said. But a date is yet to be set for works. “VicRoads receives many requests each year for road improvement works throughout Victoria. All requests are considered for funding based on the extent to which such a treatment would improve safety and/or congestion along the road,” she said. “VicRoads considers factors such as the number and type of vehicles using the road, the historical safety record, the impact on the performance of the road, and the surrounding road network and the cost to implement the treatment. “Based on the above criteria, the road improvements are unlikely to be implemented in the short-tomedium term.”
► rail trail extension benefits Toora, page 15.
“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 5
Cattle die after truck rolls Lower last Thurs-
By Jacob de Kunder
Lower Road for most
euthanised.
the
of the day and result-
Walkerville-Tarwin
ing in cattle being
The incident happened around 11.35am when the driver was ne-
day,
A CATTLE truck rolled at Tarwin
blocking
gotiating a left hand bend in the road. The double deck semi trailer, holding about 40
Gas fears Leak sparks evacuation at Inverloch
cattle, rolled onto its side and into a drain just out of Tarwin Lower. The driver managed to climb out of the passenger side window, despite having arm injuries. The driver, a 40 year old Fish Creek man, received a possible broken arm and other minor injuries and was treated at South Gippsland Hospital at Foster. He was released later that day. A number of cattle were injured in the collision. A local vet was called to assess the animals and as a result 10 were destroyed. Heavy haulage trucks were called to right the truck and clear the wreck before police reopened the road later that evening.
Police from the Bass Coast Highway Patrol are investigating the cause of the incident and expect to lay charges. Police have information the first vehicle on scene was a white four wheel drive - possibly a Toyota Land Cruiser which left before police arrived. Police are keen to speak to that motorist. Any witnesses who have yet to speak to police and wish to do so may contact the Bass Coast Highway Patrol on 5671 4191 or alternatively contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Left, Roll over: the cattle truck ended up on its side on the WalkervilleTarwin Lower Road on Thursday.
ENROLMENT DAYS
Foster enrolments Wednesday, Jan. 29 at FWMAC, 4-5.30pm Leongatha enrolments Tuesday, Jan. 31 at the Studio, 4-5.30pm
By Jacob de Kunder
Classes available in all dance styles
TWELVE residents were evacuated after gas a leak in Inverloch last Thursday.
Beginners Advanced
New students most welcome
LISA PELLIN DANCERS Lock down: CFA crews block off Abbott Street in Inverloch after a gas leak on Thursday.
Watsons Rd (Industrial Estate) LEONGATHA Ph 5662 5452
LIS3030025
Contractors working in Abbott Street punctured natural gas lines while attempting to excavate water pipes. Police and CFA crews attended the scene, blocking off Abbott Street, and sections of Toorak Road and Prince and Western streets. “There was a concern the gas might have exploded in the sewers but we had no problems at all,” Senior Sergeant Trevor Teer from the Wonthaggi Police said. “We just opened a few vents and the problem was solved.” Once a contractor fixed the leaking pipe, the gas was cleared and all streets were reopened around 3.30pm. People planning on excavating are encouraged to use the Dial Before You Dig service by calling 1100.
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PAGE 6 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
100 years: citizens of Meeniyan line up on the steps of the town hall for a photograph, just as they did 100 years ago.
Meeniyan refreshes flag MEENIYAN is flying a colourful new flag outside its town hall. The flag now incorporates red and blue, the colours of the Meeniyan Dumbalk United Football and Netball Club. In the centre of the flag, the town logo depicts moonlight through trees over water. The words read “the turning point”. The word Meeniyan is thought to derive either from the Aboriginal word “maneyanin”, relating to the moon, or from the name of an old Aboriginal woman who lived near the Tarwin River. Meeniyan residents stood on the steps of the town hall and held the flag up for a photograph. They were re-enacting another town photograph taken 100 years ago on the steps of the town hall. On special occasions, the Australian flag will fly at Meeniyan.
Aldi site demolished By Laura Gibb DEMOLITION on the site of Leongatha’s forthcoming Aldi store is complete. The level block on the corner of Bruce and Church streets is mostly clear except for remaining debris that will soon be removed by Sledge Hammer Demolitions from the Latrobe
Valley. Six houses that formerly stood on the site were stripped of fittings, glass and asbestos before being demolished in the final weeks of December. The Illawarra flame tree has survived the demolition phase. Aldi agreed to preserve the 100 year old tree after a conservation campaign by Thelma Arnup, Richard Lester and others.
Mr Lester is thrilled about the arrangement, which accommodates the new while preserving important parts of the old. “I hope this is an example that heritage matters,” he said. Tony di Fresco from Sledge Hammer Demolitions said his team took special care to protect the flame tree. He said removing a large Norfolk pine from the site was
tricky since its branches were entwined with those of the flame tree. Kane Constructions, which recently built the new Leongatha Hospital, has won the tender to build the Aldi store.
Above, Clean slate: Sledge Hammer Demolitions has cleared the site of Leongatha’s forthcoming Aldi store.
VICTORIAN DESALINATION PROJECT VDP ECOLOGICAL RESERVE OPENING & FAMILY DAY SUNDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2014
Please join us in celebrating the official opening of the VDP Ecological Reserve – the new 225 ha community coastal park surrounding the Victorian Desalination Plant. Enjoy a day of family activities: explore the eight kilometres of trails and wetlands, get up close to some of the Bass Coast's beautiful bird life from the bird hide (as well as some of the area's more scaly critters!) get an overview of the desalination plant from the reserve's viewing platforms, and take a sneak peak at the heart of the plant from the special viewing gallery. Free shuttle buses will run every 15 minutes from the Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve between 9.45 am and 2.30pm. Booking are essential as places are limited. Bookings close on January 28, 2014 Reserve your seat online at http://www.trybooking.com/EBYH or by calling the VDP community contact line on 1800 811 214.
“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 7
Federal funding vital DEPUTY Premier and Gippsland South MLA Peter Ryan is pushing for federal funding for the Port Welshpool Long Jetty project.
Pushing the project: Deputy Premier Peter Ryan is actively searching for funding from the Federal Government for the Port Welshpool Long Jetty project.
Sewerage answers loom By Jacob de Kunder THE final steps of the long awaited Poowong, Loch and Nyora Sewerage Scheme are underway, South Gippsland Water (SGW) told The Star last week. The news came after the Essential Services Commission’s shock ruling last year the $26.9 million capital expenditure set aside by SGW was too costly. The commission did not permit SGW to spend that amount and the scheme was subsequently delayed. A review of the scheme to cut costs to $20 million was needed. That review
process is now drawing to a close after a number of community and stakeholders workshops and consultations. “They are just finalising where the project is at,” a SGW spokesperson said. “That is expected to be finished off before a third workshop on January 30 where they will have the outcome of that review.” That workshop will display the final reviewed scheme, which will then go to a SGW board meeting. “It still has to go through the board for approval on February 21 where it will have the opportunity to sign off on the project,” the spokesperson said. “They will be then ready for works.” If the scheme is approved by all
stakeholders, a construction timeline will be created in June 2014. The scheme will include one of three options for treatment and re-use of the waste water. These include a new plant at Hills Road, Nyora (new plant); the existing South East Water plant in Lang Lang; or the SGW plant in Korumburra. SGW is also expected to choose one of three collection systems: a pressure system; septic tank effluent pumping system; or a modified conventional sewer. Properties included in the scheme will be charged $800 to connect while those not covered in the scheme can still connect but at higher costs to be calculated by SGW.
Mr Ryan said the absence of funding from the Federal Government was stopping repairs from proceeding. “We have set ourselves a target to get the works done and we have now got to the point where we have $5 million from the State Government, $1 million from the South Gippsland Shire Council and we need about another $3-$4 million, and I am actively seeking that from the Federal Government,” he said. “I was in Canberra about three weeks ago to meet with the Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss about a range of issues and this was one of the items that I had on the agenda. “I know Russell Broadbent, the local member for McMillan, is very supportive of the project and I hope therefore we can bring all of that together and we can assemble that $9-$10 million and get on with the works as quickly as they can be done.” The jetty has been closed for more than a decade and needs to be repaired before it is safe for the public again.
The community has heard rumours of a private provider funding the shortfall, but Mr Ryan said that would be an unlikely scenario. “Over the years there has been various options floated from a private enterprise perspective but the reality is the jetty is owned by the state of Victoria so we as a government are in control of what happens with it,” he said. Mr Ryan highlighted the large impact the jetty would have once it is reopened. “It has a rich history. It is one of the few iconic
structures we have in South Gippsland so it vitally important we not only preserve it but enhance it,” he said. “It is important from a historical perspective, but also from a contemporary economic sense it’s an important element in attracting people here and having them stay and to spend their money in our region. “We need these sorts of attractions in all their varied forms and this will add mass to being able to bring people and I am absolutely intent the work will be done - it will be done!”
GIP4280019
By Jacob de Kunder
PAGE 8 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
New Year a blast NEW Year’s Eve celebrations went off without a hitch in Bass Coast last week, with thousands celebrating at various locations around the shire. Council’s acting community and economic development director Antoinette Mitchell said fireworks displays in Inverloch and Coronet Bay were fantastic, with no issues reported from any events. “We had very good behaviour from more than 5000 people in Inverloch and comments the firework display was very good,” Ms Mitchell said. “Around 4000 people enjoyed the activities and fireworks at Coronet Bay. New parking arrangements this year were made for an easy exit. “Parking was allowed on one side of the road only, facing out of town, and a safe exit was managed really well.” Council will continue to work on improving heavy traffic, both in cars and on foot, leaving after fireworks in time for this year’s events. Ms Mitchell said the Cowes New Year’s Eve Carnival was also successful, with thousands visiting throughout the day. “Police reported very good behaviour, with no incidents, but litter and glass was still a problem,” Ms Mitchell said. “Around 20m³ of litter was collected outside of rubbish bins, mainly from the foreshore.” The NYE on the Hill Festival reached capacity at 1500 people and there were no issues with noise, behaviour or traffic.
Inverloch fires up: Adam Leys and children Claudia and Oliver Leys, and Daphne Hodge and Soli Mullin, all of Inverloch, enjoyed the stunning fireworks on New Year’s Eve at Inverloch. The event drew a huge crowd to the Inverloch Recreation Reserve.
New Year’s crowds impress police By Tayla Kershaw POLICE were pleased by crowd behaviour across the region on New Year’s Eve. Approximately 2000 revellers were in Inverloch and 4000 in Cowes. Only one arrest for drunkenness was made at either location. Police were concerned about an increase in young revellers with no Pyramid Rock Festival this year. Crowd behaviour was excellent though, with fun being the main theme rather than troublemaking. The NYE on the Hill music festival at Krowera attracted 1500 patrons. Rolls of toilet paper
were thrown over the powerlines running through the property during the otherwise successful night. A 23 year old female from Benalla and a 27 year old male from Ballbrae reached to grab the toilet paper and received electric shocks at about 12.50am on New Year’s Day. The woman was conveyed by ambulance to Wonthaggi Hospital with superficial burns to her hand and foot. The man was treated at the scene by ambulance officers for minor burns to his hand and was able to remain on site. A car fire started in Cowes after the victim attempted to start her car. The engine bay caught fire in
Noticeboard
9 Smith St., Leongatha 3953 (Private Bag 4) Ph: 5662 9200 Fax: 5662 3754 council@southgippsland.vic.gov.au www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au
An offender threw a rock through the front window of the café in McBride Avenue.
Bicycles stolen THIEVES stole two bicycles from a bike rack in Inverloch on New Year’s morning. The incident occurred between 2.30am and 6am, while the victim’s car was parked in a driveway in Dixon Street.
Car impounded A 23 YEAR OLD man was the first person in Victoria to have his car impounded in 2014, after he was detected driving dangerously by Bass Coast Highway Patrol members on New Year’s Day. Police first noticed the vehicle about 12.30am as it was leaving Cowes. Police believed the driver was travelling above the speed limit.
They decided to follow the vehicle to intercept it and speak to the driver. The man, from Noble Park, had two passengers onboard his Subaru WRX Impreza at the time. Police then saw the Subaru overtake several vehicles over double lines. When police caught up to the vehicle, they were shocked to discover the driver had travelled at 170km/h in an 80km/h zone.
Police eventually intercepted the vehicle near the Koala Park. The probationary driver returned a positive reading for alcohol and will be charged on summons with a string of offences including reckless conduct endangering life, driving in a manner and speed dangerous, drink driving, exceeding the speed limit, driving a prohibited vehicle and not displaying P plates.
Unlocked cars targeted
SOU6080829
Council Meetings in 2014 At Council Meeting 18 December 2013, Council resolved to hold monthly Council Meetings in 2014 in the Council Chamber, Leongatha commencing at 2pm on these dates: • 27 August • 26 February • 24 September • 19 March • 22 October • 16 April • 26 November • 28 May • 17 December • 25 June • 23 July Korumburra - Major Stormwater Drainage Upgrade Melville Avenue, Swanson Street and Hawkins Street Council are proposing to commence stormwater drainage works in these areas to alleviate long standing flooding issues. Works will be undertaken by Council's Works Depot Staff commencing midJanuary and may take between three to four months to complete. There may be some disruptions to abutting residents during the project. A 'Drop-in' session will be held for interested residents to view design drawings and discuss any aspect of the forthcoming works at the Korumburra Library Meeting Room on Tuesday 14 January between 5.00pm and 6.30pm. For further information on this project please contact Mohammad Chowdhury, Asset Engineer on 5662 9200.
Thompson Avenue and the 62 year old woman from Rhyll was taken from the vehicle by passing police. The fire burnt out the engine area and caused substantial damage to the car. The CFA attended to put out the fire and crowds were barricaded from the area for an hour and a half. The fire has not been determined as suspicious. The woman had picked up the vehicle after mechanical work had been done earlier that day. A 17 year old boy from Cape Woolamai went for a walk along the cliff top and climbed down the cliff to the beach at 5.15pm. He was unable to climb back up so he called his father to alert the police. A marine rescue was conducted and a rescue boat from the Cape Woolamai Surf Life Saving Club attempted to retrieve the boy but couldn’t gain access. The police air wing was notified and the boy was air lifted to safety at the surf life saving club, where his family was waiting.
FOUR unlocked cars were targeted in thefts in Wonthaggi overnight on Saturday. A GPS was stolen from a car in Osborne Avenue. There were attempted thefts from a motor vehicle parked in a driveway in Royal Court and two parked in Bilson Street. Nothing was stolen on the latter two occasions, although the offender did rifle through the cars.
Vandals target cafe A WONTHAGGI cafe was vandalised overnight on Saturday.
No complaints: jet skiers Matt Anderson and Jeremy Martin respect other beachgoers.
Jet skiers, beachgoers share coast By Tayla Kershaw JET skiers and other beachgoers have been enjoying the coast in harmony so far this summer. Overcrowding has not been an issue and no complaints have surfaced from the use of jet skis on Inverloch’s beaches. Jet skiers are to keep 100 metres away from the shoreline and 50 metres away the nearest swimmer or
vessel. To avoid annoying the rest of the beachgoers, Mordialloc’s Matt Anderson and Jeremy Martin head over to the Venus Bay side of the beach to use their jet skis. “If anything, people are more interested in it than annoyed by it,” Mr Anderson said. “Everyone is helpful and lots of kids seem to enjoy watching us.” Neither man has any intention of hooning across the beach, but there are certain parts of the beach allo-
cated for those who like to speed. Mansfield fisherman Daniel Polkinghorn said, “It doesn’t cause any trouble for me. If people want to do it they should be able to. The water is for everyone to use.” Peter Vacca owns a holiday house in Inverloch and often enjoys heading down the beach to go fishing. Jet skis have never been an issue for him. “Sometimes it disturbs the fish but mostly no one notices,” Mr Vacca said.
“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 9
Fire risk action
By Brad Lester
SOUTH Gippslanders are reducing the risk of fire across the region this summer. South Gippsland Shire Council issued 100 less fire prevention notices this summer than in 2012-13, ordering people to mow grass and tidy properties in the lead-up to the fire danger period. Bass Coast Shire Council gave 70 fire prevention notices - on a par with previous years - ordering people to reduce fire hazards posing a risk to life. Matthew Patterson, South Gippsland council’s manager regulatory services, said council issued 1200 fire prevention notices demanding people clean their properties by December 8. “It’s positive to see an eight per cent reduction in the number of fire prevention notices we have had to issue,” he said. “The worst case scenario for a person not complying with their notice by early 2014 would be receiving an infringement ($1444) and having to pay council’s cost associated with clearing their property.” Council inspected all properties in townships and around the perimeter of townships, with the first round of inspections undertaken during the week of November 11–15. “Owners of properties that had long grass or stockpiled combustible materials were issued with a notice requiring the grass to be slashed, mowed and stockpiled and combustible materials removed,” Mr Patterson said. Once orders were issued, council undertook a second round of inspections to ensure property owners complied. “Approximately 300 owners did not comply with the fire prevention notices. Council will now organise for these properties to be slashed/mowed and stockpiled combustible materials removed early in the new year,” Mr Patterson said. “Council typically finds that come the new year, around 70 per cent of these properties will comply as owners undertake these works during the Christmas break.” The State Government raised the fine for fire prevention infringement notices from $282 in 2011-12 to $1444 this financial year. Late last year, council focused on inspecting fire safety measures in tourist accommo-
dation buildings, including hotels and motels, and also aged care accommodation. “Based on the fire safety measures inspections that we have been doing, I generally find the outside areas are well maintained and it’s unlikely that they would have been issued with a fire prevention notice,” Mr Patterson said. Council did receive a complaint about long grass around the site of the former Masonic Hall in Leongatha, but Mr Patterson said the land had since been mowed. Bass Coast’s acting community and economic development director, Antoinette Mitchell, said council’s emergency management team began fire inspections in identified high fire risk areas at the start of November. She said each fire prevention notice was accompanied by a letter explaining the implications of non-compliance and the costs passed on if council completes the compulsory works. “There is a bit more grass around this year than last year and while it’s wet at the moment, after a few hot days it will dry out,” Ms Mitchell said. A number of blocks had been cleared of potential hazards through discussions between property owners or occupiers during November and December, without the need to issue notices or fines. “Council has an ongoing communications plan supporting CFA messages around preparing for the fire season and believes property owners are taking personal responsibility to complete work to reduce hazards without the need to issue a notice,” Ms Mitchell said. A Local Law Notice to Comply issued by community safety rangers addresses such issues as long grass in built-up areas. “Inspections by rangers happen year round, not only during the fire season, with hundreds of notices issued,” Ms Mitchell said. “Property owners are urged to maintain their property in line with local law at all times.” Notices to Comply allow 14 days to complete the task. A council ranger will then inspect and if the task is not completed, an infringement is sent with a letter advising council will engage a contractor in seven days to tidy the property at the owner’s expense.
Coming in: Heli Med One prepares to land on the rocks west of The Oaks beach to rescue a woman with a broken leg on Monday, December 30.
Injured woman airlifted By Jacob de Kunder A LADY was rescued by helicopter after breaking her leg at an Inverloch beach Monday, December 30. Ambulance, CFA crews from Inverloch and Wonthaggi, Wonthaggi police, Parks Victoria and the Wonthaggi SES were all on scene at The Oaks beach to assist
Heli Med One to land and transport the lady. Police told The Star the 20 year old Glen Waverly lady broke her leg after falling down a blowhole between rocks around 3.05pm. “She was walking along the rocks with her brother at the beach,” Senior Sergeant Trevor Teer of Wonthaggi Police said. “She regularly walks this route but has fallen down a rocky hole and broken her leg.”
The helicopter landed on a rocky outcrop west of the beach where crews transferred the lady to the air support unit. She was then flown to more accessible land and then onto Essendon Airport and transported by road ambulance to the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Police encourage people to be careful when walking on the rocks around Bass Coast and South Gippsland beaches to avoid these types of injuries.
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Important moment: Sandra Fleming from the Leongatha Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Leongatha Hospital personnel manager Janet Arrott-Watt, quality coordinator Margaret Kuhne and Val Kane, who nursed at Leongatha Hospital for 30 years, at the hospital opening last year.
Hospital greets 2014 LEONGATHA’S new hospital is operating and ready for the new year. The hospital was officially opened on December 6 by Deputy Premier Peter Ryan and Victorian Health Minister David Davis.
Work on construction sites around Leongatha’s new hospital, including the carparking area, will be finished by the end of April, hospital CEO Gary Templeton said. Work on the primary care centre will begin later in the year.
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PAGE 10 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
INVERLOCH was bustling with locals and tourists on Saturday, despite wet and windy weather. The Inverloch Rotary Club craft market attracted even more people to town with a diversity of stalls to explore. KEEP February 23 free in your diary. That is the day of the Rotary Club of Leongatha’s Show ‘n’ Shine and Swap Meet. The club has this year engaged Australia’s best motor show commentator Pinky and is sure Pinky will delight you with his informative commentary and interviews. INVERLOCH Rotary Club is a creating a local Rotary recipe book. Rosa Turner is putting Rotary boxes in strategic places around town, including Sandsford Antiques Cafe and the library, for masterchefs to drop off their recipes.
more stories of our early days: www.leongathahistory.org.au. DON’T forget Story Time and Baby Rhyme Time resumes at libraries across the region this week. To find out about details about your local sessions, check out the website: wgrlc.vic.gov.au LESS than thrilled with that Justin Beiber t-shirt from Aunt Shirley, or that strange and somewhat embarrassing Kris Kringle from an anonymous workmate? Don’t ditch it; re-gift it to the Red Cross Shop at Inverloch. National retail mar-
keting manager for Red Cross, Jayne-Anne Power said: “Instead of throwing unusable presents into the rubbish and adding to our landfill problem, why not regift them to any one of our 155 Red Cross shops around Australia? “Our Red Cross retail shops are desperately looking for donations of unwanted clothing, homewares, toys and bric-a-brac to provide good quality stock for the new year. “The proceeds from all shops go towards helping improve the lives of vulnerable people all around Australia and overseas.” Donations can be de-
livered to any Red Cross store during opening hours. CHARITY Kids Own Publishing will use a $10,000 RACV Community Foundation grant to help young Sudanese migrants living in Gippsland share their family stories. The organisation will develop a portable publishing kit in support of the In My Kingdom program, a community book publishing project involving 80 newly arrived families. Families will use the process of creating and publishing books to explore social values and structures as they establish new lives in Australia.
Family affair: Patchwork Maze owner Jeanette Clark staged a beautiful quilt exhibition in her Glen Alvie garden last week, with a lot of help setting up from her two grandchildren Locki Clark of Kongwak and Tayla Clark of Koonwarra.
- a blooming success QUILTS in a multitude of colours adorned the beautiful Glen Alvie garden of Patchwork Maze owner Jeanette Clark for her exhibition on Friday and Saturday.
Citizens Advice Bureau Corner QUESTION OF THE WEEK
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Residents and visitors have been using the free Summer Beach Shuttle Service from December 27 between 11am and 5pm. The service will finish on Sunday. Venus Bay Community Centre ran a pilot service last year. The service has improved this year by having a shorter route. The route travels from beach one to the shopping area, around the community centre, along Jupiter Boulevard, and back to the beach. There are plenty of parking options along this route and the wait is only 10 minutes. Up to 90 people have been using the service every day. Community centre manager Alyson Skinner said, “We are making this work on
a shoestring budget. We have been really lucky to be able to hire the bus from the Koonwarra Village School at a reasonable rate. We couldn’t do it without their kind support.” The trial has not been the answer to parking congestion but the centre is on the way to finding a solution. “The continuation of this trial from last year will help to give us accurate information from users,” Ms Skinner said. “We will be able to look at more long term solutions in partnership with all the stakeholders: local businesses, local and state government, community groups and most importantly residents and visitors to our beautiful area.” It is a great local response to a local issue, so get on board this summer at Venus Bay.
Quilting exhibition
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Bus slashes congestion VENUS Bay Community Centre is tackling the beach parking problem at the town.
THE Meeniyan community is getting ready for the Meeniyan Harvest Festival on March 1. The fundraiser for the town’s hall will feature competitions based around garden produce, flowers, cooking and preserves, with sections for children under and over 10. “IN THE first five or 10 years, the pioneers spent nearly all their time clearing scrub”. Such was the lot of the early pioneers of South Gippsland. Check out the Leongatha Historical Society’s website for
Beach bus: Peter Tonis is one of the volunteer drivers for the free Summer Beach Shuttle Service in Venus Bay.
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Jeanette was busy on Friday with hoards of people coming to view her stunning quilts. “We had lots of people coming on Friday and many enjoyed the delicious Devonshire teas provided by the Glen Alvie Hall auxiliary ladies,” Jeanette said. “People came from Queensland, Berwick, Pakenham, Melbourne, Phillip Island and lots from the local region.” Jeanette has about 42 quilts she has made in the last 15 years, with 22 on display. Moving her business from Wonthaggi to her home at Glen Alvie has allowed Jeanette to indulge in her two great passions quilting and her beautiful garden - and the two came together with her lovely Quilt Hanging in the Garden exhibition. “I just love quilting and love all the floral fabrics that reflect the colours in my garden,” Jeanette said.
Spreading word: the Ruby fire truck takes part in the SG SPLASH summer holiday program and will be at the Coal Creek Farmers’ Market this Saturday.
Meet Ruby CFA’s newest member HE’S big, red, a bit loud at times and always ready to help the local community when there’s a fire. Introducing Ruby Tanker One, the latest member of the fire brigade at Ruby. He’ll be leaving the station and making an appearance at the Coal Creek Farmers’ Market this Saturday with the team of volunteer firefighters who’ll be conducting must see fire behaviour demonstrations (weather permitting). The Ruby Fire Brigade is located between Korumburra and Leongatha and supports both towns as a first response with the local brigade. It has a small core team of volunteers FOR but is always on the lookout forHpeople IRE who can help with non-operation roles like fundraising, station maintenance, community education programs and electronic media. If you think you have a skill, especially online flare, and would like to get involved come down and have a chat on market day. When they aren’t actively fighting fires or out and about in the community,
the crew is planning and improving members’ capabilities. The team is currently working towards the construction of training props around the outside of the station including power pole, underground tank for suction training and mini reticulated water system. Fundraising plays a big part in bringing new initiatives to fruition so getting support from the other community groups and locals is essential. One easy way you can help is to buy a snag at their barbecue fundraiser this Saturday at the market. They’ll be happy to answer your fire safety questions, let you explore Ruby Tanker One and maybe even squirt some water. The Burn Table demonstration allows you to move model houses in realistic conditions and see how fire behaves. So make sure you check it out. The market starts at 8am and goes until 12.30pm in the car park at the Coal Creek Community Park and Museum Korumburra. There’ll be loads of other things to see, do and chew so bring the children and make a morning of it!
“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 11
• Council mayors reveal ambitions for 2014
Priority projects in sights By Brad Lester SOUTH Gippsland Shire Council mayor Cr Jim Fawcett wants to tickoff more of council’s priority projects in the wake of advances in 2013. Council aims to progress the Korumburra Integrated Children’s Centre despite that project missing out on federal funding late last year, and also bridge the missing link in the Great Southern Rail Trail between Koonwarra and Meeniyan (see separate story in this issue). Of the children’s centre, the mayor said: “We will bring this back to the forefront of the Federal Government and the State Government for funding so that we are ready to go in 2016. “Council spent a lot of money getting the site. Korumburra is our second biggest town and is in big need of an integrated child care facility.” VicRoads last year released plans for the Leongatha heavy vehicle alternate route to take heavy vehicles out of Leongatha’s Bair Street and around the town via Roughead and Long streets. That project now needs State Government funding and Cr Fawcett is confident that will be forthcoming. “I believe we will have some idea of funding this
year because of the electoral cycle. It’s a $5 million ask and it’s been on the Leongatha community’s mind for the past 20 years,” he said. Development of the Leongatha rail yard has come to a standstill, with council receiving little interest from the site owner, the State Government agency VicTrack. The yard has been mooted as the possible future site for new council offices or carparking to service the town’s central business district. Pools remain on councillors’ minds. The Foster pool’s future is under review, after posting low attendances and a budget overrun. “We have a clear indica-
tion cold water pools are not a desirable place to be, but to replace them with what the community wants is going to be asking whether we will spend $3 or $4 million on the facilities,” Cr Fawcett said. “We have to ask the community if it would not want that to be spent somewhere else.” The mayor is confident council can advance its strategic land review that will result in the sale of surplus council assets and generate funds for the broader community’s benefit, he said. “We can’t afford to have assets that are idle when we are under such budgetary constraints,” Cr Fawcett said. Council will meet this
Wednesday and Thursday to discuss the 2014-15 budget, and later attend meetings of community groups to gain their input. “We have to explain to the community why we have the budget that we have and to address our long term strategy that shows five and a half to six per cent rate rises,” Cr Fawcett said. Council is working with Bass Coast Shire Council on a benchmarking process that will review service provision, staffing ratios, insourcing and out-sourcing of work, and planning. Also this year, council will negotiate a new contract with CEO Tim Tamlin, with Mr Tamlin due to complete his first contract in November.
Grand vision: Bass Coast Shire Council mayor Cr Neil Rankine wants to protect the coast.
Coast comes first By Jacob de Kunder PROTECTING the character of coastal towns and expanding the main hubs are the focus in 2014 for Bass Coast Shire Council.
Ambitious leader: South Gippsland Shire Council mayor Cr Jim Fawcett wants to tick off more of council’s priority projects this year.
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Mayor Cr Neil Rankine is looking forward to the new year. “The main thing is we are a fast growing shire,” he said. “And we have got our little coastal towns which we would like to protect and we have some good plans in place around that. “We are happy to have development in the area as long as it is good development.” Wonthaggi is where Cr Rankine believed development needed to go. “Directing a lot of the development to
places like Wonthaggi (is good) because that then takes the pressure off those little coastal towns and we don’t change their character too much,” he said. Cr Rankine is hoping for benefits to arise from the proposed Plan Melbourne scheme in which Wonthaggi was named as a regional centre for Victoria. “It would mean better public transport, getting the hospital sub regional status, and an education precinct where we would have everything from early years child care up to first year university courses. They are things we would like to see happen,” he said. Cr Rankine said the Rural Land Use Strategy adopted by council was a standout achievement last year. “We have a fantastic Rural Land Use Strategy underway that keeps the look and feel of the area,” he said.
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PAGE 12 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Dog revolt
Wright or wrong
AFTER vacationing over Christmas I returned to find the dog issue had exploded! I was much taken by one councillor’s comments. Cr Phil Wright proclaims dogs and owners on Bass Coast beaches is a privilege, not a right. This stirs a rich pot of principles! The noble councillor appears not to have heard of the American and French revolutions or, indeed, of the subsequent entrenchment of western democratic traditions. Milder challenges to liberty and equality once swiftly landed outspoken aristocrats beneath the guillotine, and without any such nonsense as a trial. Perhaps the good councillor should avoid repeating such provocations come the next council elections, lest he lose his privilege of representation. But set aside his anachronism, and focus on his high-born hypocrisy. I call on blue-blood Cr Wright to extend his stern reminder to the diversity of commoners using Bass Coast beaches: windsurfers with their dangerous, flapping gear; fishers with those lethal hooks on invisible lines; morally-degenerate teenagers in minimal clothing; yachties, jet-ski types, surfboard riders, innocent kite-flyers. Their privileged beach presence is intolerable! Send ’em to the Bastille, at least until trials can be organised. Maybe Napoleon wasn’t the only holder of high office to overreach himself. Ken Blackman, Inverloch.
SO CR WRIGHT considers the dog lobby is an unruly group that has got it wrong. How can anyone named Wright get so much wrong? Before Cr Wright burst into print solely for the purpose of taking the heat off Cr Crugnale, he could have at least got his facts right first but then again he has never done so in the past so why would he start now? His attitude is: “Don’t confuse me with the facts. My mind is made up”. If the dog lobby is so wrong councillor, why have we collected 2500 signatures on petitions telling you we are right and you are wrong? Why has council been inundated with letters and emails all telling you that you are wrong? Why are visitors who come to Inverloch every year with their dog cancelling their holiday bookings? Why do people have to clutter up the walkways to walk their dogs instead of the beach? Why are we told to provide risk assessments, planned actions to reduce the likelihood of the impacts when council has been carrying out surveys on dogs on the beach since 2001? Why is council carrying out yet another survey at ratepayers’ expense when it supposedly claims it has had many complaints of dog attacks and harassment. Surely council has the evidence to back this up. No Cr Wrong, sorry Cr Wright, you are the one who has got everything wrong. If Cr Wright bothers to check the facts which are clearly shown
E D I T O R I A L News worth the wait EXCITEMENT levels will be higher among walkers, cyclists and horse riders today, with news the Great Southern Rail Trail could be connected between Koonwarra and Meeniyan sooner than expected. The Star breaks the news today that South Gippsland Shire Council has commissioned an engineering study of the bridges along the old railway line and that report has found the bridges could be restored for a cost cheaper than expected. Until now, the rail trail was always mooted to follow the existing South Gippsland Highway route when VicRoads ultimately realigned that section of highway. But that project is a long way into the future. Diverting the rail trail along the bridges is clearly now the most logical and realistic option. Council is to be congratulated for taking the initiative in investigating the state of the bridges and producing a case for funding from the relevant authorities. The Advancing Country Towns program has endorsed the project and more than $340,000 in funding has already been committed. Council’s priority projects booklet estimated the total cost of replacing the existing trestle bridges with new steel bridges and completing the link would cost $2.3 million, with $1 million to be sought from the Federal Government. But the latest figures will be revealed when the report comes before council and if State and Federal governments are asked to contribute less, perhaps there will be greater incentive to find that funding sooner than later. Let’s hope that with information regarding the costs at hand, authorities move swiftly to open this section of the rail trail for everyone’s benefit.
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.
All walks of life: Lee McClenaghan, who has a beach house in Inverloch, and her dog Ryder, with Inverloch residents Kaye and Monica Saultry and Ollie, will all be affected by the ban. in the Analysis and Report of Dog Off-Leash Areas: Inverloch Community Consultation Survey dated July 15, 2013 prepared for council by Stubbs Consulting, even he should be able to read their terms of reference referred strictly to off leash areas. This was a survey to establish off leash areas only and had nothing to do with dogs on leash. The Domestic Animal Management Advisory Committee agreed with the consultants’ recommendations and was happy to run with an off leash time restricted trial. Let’s try once again to get the message through to Cr. Wright. This whole sorry mess has come about because Cr Crugnale wanted the banning of all dogs from the beach. If she had left the recommendation made by the council consultants and endorsed by the Domestic Animal Management Advisory Committee unchanged, none of this mess would have occurred. Cr Wright has stated council doesn’t have to supply data to justify its decision to ban dogs from the beach but the dog community will have to provide risk assessment and planned actions
to reduce the likelihood of the impacts if they want to go on the beach. Cr Wrong, sorry Cr Wright, where have you been all your life? Dogs have been walking on leash on the Inverloch beaches for more than 10 years and the fact council hasn’t gathered any data during that time would clearly indicate there have been no problems to record, an assumption confirmed by local authorities. The reason dog owners left the chamber prior to the Inverloch Design Framework discussion was purely that we could no longer sit, listen and watch one of the worst run council meetings most of us had ever experienced, plus the fact the establishment of off leash areas had already been created in accordance with both council and its consultants’ recommendations, something that Cr Wright has conveniently overlooked. Cr Wright is correct with one thing and that is council and the community must work together with mutual respect, but when we have one person putting up bans to satisfy her own bias this respect will never be achieved. Cr Wright, when council can demonstrate it is willing to listen
to and work with the community then we may begin to have the basis for respect and a sensible outcome. Ivan Hipworth, Inverloch.
Dog rethink vital AS RESIDENTS and owners of 57 Bayview Avenue, Inverloch we protest at the imposition of the no walking on a leash law between 9am and 6pm. This is a typical example of applying the lowest common denominator rule on all responsible dog owners because of an irresponsible view. The shire should enforce the pick up dog droppings and leash rules and leave the responsible majority to enjoy the beaches with their furry friends. Hopefully the shire will reconsider their decision in the interest of common sense. Robin and Gernot Schubert, Inverloch.
Best behaviour TO ANY tourist or holidaymaker who plans to come Inverloch in South Gippsland these holidays,
please take note our totally unreasonable and anti-social and antitourist council, the Bass Coast Shire Council, decided at its October meeting to bring in a law that prevents you from going for a stroll along the beach with your dog on a leash from 9am to 6pm, December to April. This decision was made with absolutely no evidence from past experience that a ban was needed. You can still walk your dog on lead through the crowded main street area and you can ride and pollute the air with noise and petrol burning smells, and cause adangerous saturations with your jet skis. And you can also leave all your broken glass, fishing knives, bits of line with fish hooks, plus all the other rubbish on the beach the council are okay with all that, but whatever you do don’t be a law breaker and go for a stroll along the beach with your family dog on a lead during the day or you will have our council hounding you down. Robert Scott, Inverloch.
VOXPOP! VOX What are your hopes for South Gippsland in 2014?
“I hope the roads will be fixed. I’d like to see the highway fixed at least.” Dannielle Cockerall, Leongatha.
“I’d like to see it become a bit better for the dairy farmers price wise.” Garry Hamlyn, Leongatha.
“The roads are pretty rough so I’d like to see the potholes fixed.” Joel Webb, Leongatha.
“I’ve been here for a while. It’s nice and quiet so I can’t criticise. I think just the roads need to be fixed.” Mel Plunket, Leongatha.
“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 13
Roads angst AN open letter to the Deputy Premier of Victoria Peter Ryan. South Gippsland roads are the worst in Australia. I have decided to send this letter to you with copies to local newspapers after prompting from many constituents of your electorate and on behalf of many visitors to the South Gippsland. These road issues have continued for over 12 months and still they are with us every day. We have had enough. You have had the opportunities to overcome the problems with the poor road conditions in South Gippsland but have done absolutely nothing tangible and failed miserably. Peter, if are you taking the constituents in the western end of the Gippsland South electorate for granted, don’t! Yes, we read where you have announced grants to overcome the deplorable roads situation, but what’s being done, absolutely nothing! It might have been said, “There has been maintenance occurring throughout the year” but we constituents and visitors say, “this is hogwash”. The repairs done on the roads are so temporary they only last to the end of the day or if we are lucky to the end of the week. Is this a joke? We know the road washed away near Fish Creek was an exception, but it’s still not completed and is dangerous. What has happened to the road repairs of the past where the whole roadway would be stripped down to the base, resurfaced and then sealed and would last for years? Peter, this is happening in your electorate, on your watch, you are the local member. But there’s more, you are also the Victorian Deputy Premier. But, hang on, where do you live, are you local? Are we in the western part of the Gippsland South electorate being treated fairly and squarely like everyone else or are we just an afterthought?
life
Peter, your roads were the biggest talking points over Christmas, especially among the visitors in the hotels and cafes. Most of the large and inescapable holes in the roads were there when they last visited South Gippsland back in the September school holidays and some are saying, “We are not coming back.” Listening to people talk about the roads over the weekend, I heard, “Your roads are the worst I’ve travelled on in Australia” and another, “The roads are nearly as bad as I experienced in India.” Peter, aren’t the comments an embarrassment to you? These holes in the roads are up to 400mm deep and many cover the whole lane you are travelling on. I watched two motorbikes hit a damaged section of road together last week in front of me. They had nowhere else to go. Luckily they both survived okay after the scare. It’s noticeable the traffic travelling through Meeniyan, Foster and Fish Creek to Wilsons Promontory, Sandy Point and Waratah Bay is well down from previous years and who knows, you Peter, may be one of the reasons for the fewer numbers? A business person from Fish Creek is annoyed at the treatment her car has suffered with the roads. Steering problems are costing many thousands of dollars to repair and she has been off the road over Christmas at the most busiest time, she is not a happy person. Another from Sandy Point is off the road too with damaged front tyres and wheels. These stories will be repeated throughout your electorate. Peter, I wouldn’t be taking your western end of the electorate constituents for granted and believe it’s going to be an easy ride for you into parliament again. Remember both Kennett and Howard took some of us for granted and they now they are history.
Doug Knez, Fish Creek.
New era begins for Archies
THE sale of the prestigious Archies on the Creek restaurant and function centre in October by Stockdale and Leggo Wonthaggi last year spells a new era for the iconic facility.
It is due to reopen early this year. Developed by former owner Vern Rickman in the old butter factory, the $8 million fine dining establishment in the small South Gippsland hamlet of Archies Creek closed on Sunday, May 27, 2012, failed to sell at auction on October 2012 and was passed in at $1.85 million. Wonthaggi selling agent Stockdale and Leggo’s Pat Barry told The Star last Thursday a Melbourne purchaser had bought the property for an undisclosed price and planned to reopen the facility early in 2014. Mr Barry said the Archies on the Creek venue would be run as previously with the bars and dining areas opened in stages. “It is a great facility and the sale represents the start of
Sale success: the sale of Archies on the Creek has certainly put a smile on the face of Wonthaggi Stockdale and Leggo selling agent Pat Barry, who maintains it will be great to see the prestigious venue reopened in Archies Creek early this year.
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a new era for Archies on the Creek,” he said. “The reopening of the facility will see jobs created in the area and that is something good for the whole area.” Mr Barry suggested the dining would be more casual but weddings would still be catered for as in the past. Archies on the Creek, situated on 3.36 acres, “is a grand facility with a fabulous reception area, quite a variety of bars”, large landscaped gardens and ornamental lake. In its heyday, Archies on the Creek boasted a lakeside restaurant, wine bar, sportsmen’s bar, 20,000 bottle wine cellar and private dining room, wedding and conference facilities with the stunning menus created by top Melbourne chef Paul Wilson. While the chandeliers, leather lounges, plush furnishings have all been sold off and the lovely fountains shut down, South Gippslanders can now look forward to the rebirth of the stately entertainment venue sometime soon.
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PAGE 14 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Music to South Gippsland ears Funding vital By Tayla Kershaw
QUALITY expertise in pianos and string instruments is no hassle to find. Inverloch's own piano tuner and technician Jonathan Parise is ready to provide efficient service. He is fully accredited after earning a high distinction in an exam covering aural tuning and piano action regulating and repair, through the Italian Association of Piano Tuners and Technicians (AIARP). He also completed a 12 hour exam for accreditation as an Australasian Registered Piano Tuner. Jonathan's passion for music was formed by his father Michele Parise, a highly respected tunertechnician, craftsman and musician in Prato, Italy. Mr Parise was also the owner of Parise Pianoforti Shop in Prato. While working with his father, Jonathan also gained his extensive knowledge of string instruments from local technicians. In Italy, he also went by the name “Johnny Guitar”, which he has kept as part of his business in Australia. After working in the family business until his late twenties, Jonathan took a huge step and moved to Australia in 2003. Since making the move, he has maintained his membership of AIARP, has become a full member of the Australasian Piano Tuners Technicians Association, and is an active member of the Piano Tuners and Technicians Guild of Victoria. Jonathan offers high standard service, the man of many talents tunes, restores, repairs and rebuilds pianos, repairs string instruments, and repairs and restores electric and acoustic guitars. He is not far away from reaching his goal of having the space to build guitars for clients as well. His reputation has soared in Australia and he services a considerable amount of private customers, a variety of local entities, recording studios, and respected artists and teachers. The father of two is also commissioned by organisers of live concerts and performances in
the local area to prepare pianos. However, he still finds many locals don't know about him. “When people find out what I do, the answer is always 'I didn't know someone did that here' and they are over the moon,” Jonathan said. He is mainly looking to service clients in the South Gippsland region but will regularly travel elsewhere for loyal customers.
SNAP Gippsland received $500,000 to resource and deliver programs for people with severe and persistent mental illness.
SNAP Gippsland has service outlets located in Leongatha, Sale and Bairnsdale, serving South and East Gippsland communities in addition to partnerships in the Latrobe Valley. Gippsland Medicare Local chair Dr Nola Maxfield congratulated SNAP Gippsland. “This is the second funding allocation under GML’s Partners in Recovery initiative and SNAP Gippsland has demonstrated to GML that it has the capacity to deliver men-
tal health recovery and rehabilitation services and educative programs to adults with severe mental illness.” The PIR Gippsland initiative is targeted at people who have severe and persistent mental illness in Gippsland over the next three years. “This funding will support those people with complex needs and we need to provide support for their carers and families as well,” Dr Maxfield said. “This is achieved by getting the multiple health care sectors, services and support structures they may come into contact with, to work in a more collaborative, coordinated and integrated way.”
Mental health boost: from left, Gippsland Medicare Local board member, Duncan Malcolm, SNAP Gippsland CEO Chris McNamara and Gippsland MP Darren Chester during the presentation of $500,000 for mental health services across Gippsland. Photo: Focus Photography.
Mental boost By Brad Lester Music expertise: Jonathan Parise can tune, repair and restore both pianos and string instruments such as guitars, banjos, ukuleles, violins, cellos etc.
Close to home: Jonathan Parise offers his piano tuning talents to South Gippsland and beyond.
THE State Government plans to invest more in Gippsland’s mental health system between now and 2015. The government will fund clinical and community based services and programs while ensuring more beds are available in regional areas, a spokesperson for Victorian Mental Health Minister Mary Wooldridge said. Most projects are centred in the Latrobe Valley but will service South Gippsland. The funding was announced as part of the report, Victoria’s Priorities for Mental Health Reform 2013–15. That report found “people in rural or regional areas of Victoria face particular challenges in accessing services due to distance and limited service offerings”. “A sustainable approach to service system development needs to recognise the significant differences between metropolitan and rural Victoria,” the report stated. “As highlighted in Victorian Health Priorities Framework 2012–2022: Rural and Regional Health Plan, mental health service utilisation is higher in rural areas, but services face many challenges in terms of accessibility and workforce availability.” The government will build a five bed mother and baby mental health unit and a $1.8 million four bed high dependency unit, both at Latrobe Regional Hospital, Traralgon. Both projects are due to be completed by 2015. The Traralgon Supported Accommodation Project will provide infrastructure funding for six mental health units funded by both the government and Eastcoast Housing. Service provider Mind will provide home-based outreach support from this site.
The government will continue to provide funding to mental health support services in the region, including: Mind, SNAP, Latrobe Community Health Service, Mental Illness Fellowship, GippsCare (Salvation Army), and Barrier Breakers. Over the two years 2012-13 and 2013-14, the government has provided $74.2 million to Latrobe Regional Hospital for clinical mental health services for Gippsland. In 2013-14, the government has provided a total of $5.1 million to organisations in Gippsland to provide community mental health support. This funding provides a range of services to those people with a mental illness, including: home-based outreach support, day programs, youth residential rehabilitation, respite in home and community, and Aboriginal youth suicide prevention pilot. Deputy Opposition Leader James Merlino said Victoria’s mental health facilities were under significant strain. He said the government’s failure to adequately care for these vulnerable people was more evidence of a health system struggling to cope. “The services have been described as fragmented, inflexible and inconsistent and the report raises concerns about ‘sustainability and timeliness of access’,” Mr Merlino said. “The fact is the Napthine Government hasn’t met the steady rise in demand and caseload at dedicated mental health facilities with a corresponding increase in funding. “As a result, many more people with a mental illness are now presenting to already clogged emergency departments or are encountering police and the criminal justice system. Any way you measure it, Denis Napthine has lost control of the system, which is failing vulnerable people suffering from mental illness.”
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“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 15
Rail trail extension soon By Sarah Vella THE construction of the Great Southern Rail Trail extension from Toora to Welshpool is expected to begin by the end of January. The final stage of the rail trail project will continue the trail around 10 kilometres and includes eight bridges. South Gippsland Shire Council community strengthening manager Ned Dennis said prospects are promising for the final stage of the project. “We would be expecting work on the next stage to commence during January. We have let the contracts for bridge demolition, building and for track construction,” he said. “Everything is working within the time constraints and budgets.” The final two stages of the project, from Toora to Agnes, then Agnes to Welshpool have been rolled into one, which may mean the project will be completed ahead of time. “If we have particularly favourable season, we will not be held up by the requirement to let another round of contracts, which will save time,” Mr Dennis said. Rachel Brown from the Toora Tourist
Park said the extension of the rail trail to Toora had definitely increased the numbers of visitors to the park. “It is fantastic. We used to get a few groups when it ended in Foster, but we are getting lots of riding groups now,” she said. “It will be great when it goes all the way through to Yarram and links up with Port Welshpool.” Ms Brown said however some people do not realise the trail has been extended to Toora. “The information available isn’t really up to date, but there is no doubt the rail trail is a great asset for the region,” she said. Mr Dennis said council was aiming to do more work on the marketing and branding of the rail trail in 2014. “We will begin working on this during the early part of the year and will be keen to involve local community groups and businesses who use the trail,” he said. Erwin Reschke from the Windmill Cafe in Toora said he thinks the rail trail may have increased visitation to the town. “But there is a bit of a problem in Toora, there are not many shops open. If we have more shops open, then more people may come to town,’ he said.
Dressed to impress: Clare Peterson, Jackie Kent, Alli Hayes, Deb Griffin and Kerri-Anne Gafa, all of Inverloch, enjoyed a day out at the Haze Boutique ladies marquee at Stony Creek Racecourse yesterday (Monday). For more Stony Creek racing action, turn to page 50.
Water tight SOUTH Gippsland’s water supplies are looking secure as hot summer weather finally arrives. South Gippsland Water storages are currently above 95 per cent full and the catchments are still relatively wet following recent rain. South Gippsland Water’s largest reservoir at Lance Creek, servicing Wonthaggi, Inverloch and Cape Paterson, remains at 96 per cent capacity. These levels are similar to 2010 and 2011. Storage levels are sitting slightly higher than at same time last year, when the region’s storages were starting to lower due to the dry and warm November and December. Rainfall recorded at South Gippsland Water’s storages from December 27 to January 3, 2014 was Lance Creek 15mm, Ruby Creek 14mm, Coalition Creek 12mm, Deep Creek 24mm, Little Bass 21mm and Battery Creek 9mm. Acting managing director of South Gippsland Water, Rob McKaige said, “Now is a good time to consider your water use and prepare to do your part and be water smart for the summer.
Family friendly: Bruno and Melissa Cupidon with their children William and Elsha from the Mornington Peninsula checked out the Great Southern Rail Trail in Toora recently.
2013 simply wet By Laura Gibb FISH Creek had 98mm of rain in December, well above the December average of 67mm, and reflecting the wet weather typical of 2013. “It’s better to be too wet than not, because if you have not got enough rain, you do not have the grass,” beef and sheep farmer and rain recorder Neville Buckland said. The beef and sheep farmer recorded 1235mm for 2013, higher than the average of 1029mm. Kay Puru recorded Leongatha’s December rainfall at 76.5mm, which is close to average. “Last year we had 53mm. In 2011 we had 64.4mm. In 2010 we had 67.1mm and in 2009 we had 62.8mm, so a similar amount for the last four years,” she said. “There were only six wet days for the month.” The biggest rainfall was 19mm in the gauge on the morning of the 5th. At Meeniyan, Lindsay Fromhold mea-
sured 74.5mm for December, collected over nine days of rain. The town received some fine weather, he observed, and farmers have been able to make hay. Mr Fromhold estimated the December rainfall was just slightly more than the December average. “It was a wet year,” he said, having measured 1132.9mm (or 44.6”) for 2013. He said a third wet winter in a row followed by a wet spring was “a bit too much” for those working the land, making conditions muddy. Mr Buckland of Fish Creek also noted the wet spring. He tipped 419mm out of his gauge for September, October and November 2013, the highest amount since he began keeping records in 1960. “For seven months of the year, we had 100mm for each month and the wettest month of the year was August at 234mm,” he said. Fish Creek got 1235mm of rain in 2013, higher than the average of 1029mm. Leongatha got 1151.1mm for the year, which is close to average.
Stormwater overhaul SOUTH Gippsland Shire Council will soon start much needed stormwater drainage works in Korumburra. The works along Melville Avenue, Swanson Street and Hawkins Street will alleviate long standing flooding issues. Works will be undertaken by council’s works depot staff commencing mid-January and may take between three to four months to complete. The $883,000 project has been funded in council’s 2013-14 capital works budget. There is an opportunity for anyone immediately impacted by the works to discuss the project with council engineers, especially residents living in the vicinity of Melville Avenue, Jumbunna Road, Hawkins Street, Swanson Street and Bena Road in Korumburra. “Council is conscious there may be disruptions to abutting residents during the project time frame, so notification via a letter box drop was conducted prior to Christmas to all immediately impacted residents,” said Paul Challis, council’s engineering coordinator. “While we have sent letters, and published media releases and adverts in our council noticeboard, we are really determined to improve our community engagement during such projects, so an open drop-in session will be held for interested residents to view our design drawings and discuss any aspect of the forthcoming works with our engineers. “These offer a great opportunity to explain the project, receive feedback and answer questions.” The open drop in session will be held at the Korumburra Library Meeting Room on Tuesday, January 14 between 5pm and 6.30pm. Anyone is welcome to attend. For further information on this project please contact Mohammad Chowdhury, asset engineer, on 5662 9200.
“Warm dry conditions over the summer months can place pressure on the region’s water supply systems. “Customers of South Gippsland Water can assist by being aware of and abiding by the Permanent Water Use Plan Rules, which are in place across all South Gippsland Water townships.” Under those rules, customers can use sprinkler watering systems on any day of the week between 6pm and 10am. Hand held hoses with a trigger nozzle can also be used on any day of the week at any time. “People must still be sensible with their water use. For example, paved areas can only be cleaned for health and safety reasons or to remove stains once a season, using either a hose with a trigger nozzle or a high pressure cleaner,” Mr McKaige said. Summary of Permanent Water Use Plan rules: • water residential or commercial gardens or lawns using a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle at any time, on any day of the week. Hand-held hoses must be in good condition and leak free; • water residential and commercial gardens and lawns with a watering system only between 6pm and 10am on any day; • water public gardens, lawns and playing surfaces with a watering system between • 6pm and 10am on any day of the week. Councils and sporting clubs may choose to water under a water use plan instead which provides the flexibility to water when most appropriate, while ensuring water is used efficiently; • operate fountains and water features that recirculate water; and • only clean paved areas for health and safety reasons or to remove stains once a season, using either a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or a high pressure cleaning device.
No health win GIPPSLAND Southern Health Service would most likely not benefit from a $15 million funding boost to elective surgery announced by Victorian Health Minister David Davis last week. The government will fund hospitals to provide an extra 2200 operations early next year in the third stage of a $101 million elective surgery initiative to shorten waiting times, Mr Davis said. But Gippsland Southern Health Service CEO Gary Templeton did not believe the funding would suit the hospital’s operations. “Whilst we have spare theatre capacity, we can’t provide additional staff at short notice to do additional work,” he said. “Our work is probably 90-plus per cent planned. Even if we could address that issue we don’t have resident surgeons with spare capacity and the same issue exists for theatre nurses. “If we had a number of months to prepare it is likely we could respond. The process generally doesn’t suit this type of health service.”
PAGE 16 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Popular spot: enjoying Inverloch’s Foreshore Camping Reserve as they have done for the past 12 years last week were, from left, Rebecca Wass, sister Lauryn Wass and mother Kerrine Wass of Yarragon, and friend Kaicee Stokes of Pakenham.
Powlett campers: from left, Lily, Coffey, 8, Ellia Somers, 6, and Annie Wills, 9 have been camping at Powlett River with their families for years and were having a ball riding around the park on Friday evening, awaiting their barbecue dinner. They said they love staying at the Powlett River Caravan Park and the best part is riding around, the river and eating toasted marshmellows.
Aah, the serenity CAMPING in South Gippsland is a popular tradition for many families, with a plethora of locations to choose from.
Readers spoke of their beloved camping destinations on The Star’s Facebook page last week, with Inverloch and Wilson’s Promontory among the favourites.
Island road money blown million, some locals say.
THE new tourist road near Phillip Island was a waste of $50
The road, which is not yet named, is part of VicRoads’ Bass Highway
duplication project. Opened just in time for the Christmas tourist season, it connects the Bass Highway with Phillip Island Road, bypassing the
roundabout at Anderson. Road users say the new thoroughfare has made travel from Melbourne to Phillip Island slightly quicker and simpler but, at this busy time of year, it has also made travel from Phillip Island to Wonthaggi more difficult. During peak traffic seasons, motorists heading from Phillip Island to Wonthaggi are struggling to turn right through the heavy traffic between Melbourne and Phillip Island. The new intersection is “an accident waiting to happen”, according to several commentators on The Star’s Facebook page. At times the holiday traffic is stationary, banked up past the intersection and along the new section of road. The bottleneck occurs because the new road, which is two lanes wide, quickly narrows to a single lane on Phillip Island Road. The Star asked VicRoads acting regional director Harvey Dinelli how VicRoads plans to alleviate traffic congestion during busy times like Christmas or the Motorcycle Grand Prix. Mr Dinelli responded, “When large scale events
occur on Phillip Island, such as the Motorcycle Grand Prix, VicRoads operates the blue line traffic management scheme which allows for two lines of traffic to travel in the Melbourne bound lane. “These operations are limited to events that generate a concentrated flow of traffic over a short period of time and include the Superbike World Championships and the V8 Supercars. “The blue line treatment will still be utilised during these peak events along the outbound lane of the Phillip Island Road as well as the Melbourne bound lane of the new link road.” The Star also relayed complaints signs on the new section of road are unclear and drivers did not know what to do. Mr Dinelli responded, “Directional signs around the new link road were installed in accordance with VicRoads standards. “We appreciate, especially at this time of the year, many motorists may not be familiar with the new road and we are reviewing the area to determine if additional signs will assist motorists in navigating their way.”
Health Insurance now available GMHBA Retired Discount for home and contents 63 Bair Street, Leongatha Phone 5662 4222
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Have you driven to Phillip Island through the new tourist-road intersection? How well was the traffic flowing? Coral Jones: “It would have to be the worst idea I have seen, with the Wonthaggi traffic having to try to get across between the oncoming Phillip Island traffic. It is an accident waiting to happen.” Helene Hayes: “Huge amount of money spent to create a nightmare for the locals wishing to go to Wonthaggi. Our taxes at work... sigh.” Donna Dunbar-Carew: “An absolute waste of money.” Kim Geddes: “It seems poorly thought out for the locals. Great for city people coming to and from the Island, just so long as you don’t have to turn to head in the Wonthaggi direction.”
Rego stickers out the window VICTORIAN drivers will soon start receiving their registration renewal notices without the traditional stickers, as the abolition of the label to cut red tape comes into effect, Minister for Roads Terry Mulder said last week. From January 1, 2014, registration stickers have been abolished for all light vehicles, bringing Victoria into line with most other Australian states. “This means when the annual registration renewal letter arrives in the mail, it will no longer contain an adhesive label,” Mr Mulder said. “Gone is the yearly chore of ripping off the old registration sticker, struggling to rid the window of gummy, sticky residue and replacing it with a new sticker. “Registration stickers were introduced in the 1920s and they’ve been overtaken by technology.” Mr Mulder said all Victorian motorists will still be
sent registration renewal certificates, as they always have been, to remind them to pay their registration. The abolition of the labels was announced by Premier Denis Napthine in July 2013 as part of the government’s commitment to reducing red tape. The scrapping of the traditional stickers will save Victorians, particularly operators of company vehicles, an estimated $19.5 million each year in lost time and inconvenience. Drivers can visit the VicRoads website and enter their number plate to check when their registration will expire. While the search will also provide other details including make, model and colour of the vehicle, no personal details are provided on the website. You can check your vehicle’s registration status by entering the registration plate details online at www.http://vre. vicroads.vic.gov.au For more information about the registration label changes go to the VicRoads website www. vicroads.vic.gov.au
“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 17
PAGE 18 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Rangers share summer passion PARKS Victoria’s new crew of seasonal rangers are heading out to parks around the state to help out during its busiest season. The team of 38 rangers includes 11 marine specialists who will be based at various coastal parks and reserves to help with summer visitor programs. The Foster office, which manages Cape Liptrap Coastal Park through to Nooramunga Marine and Coastal Park, and many parks in between, will host two seasonal rangers this season: Nick Daines and Franca Weise. Nick and Franca will be delivering the district’s summer discovery program and assisting in the day to day operation of the parks, as well as asset maintenance and wildlife management, including a hooded plover monitoring program. In just their first few weeks, Nick and Franca have been busy with a wide range of work including investigating an injured seal, banding and releasing about 700 Caspian and Crested Terns with the Victorian Wader Study Group and scuba diving to contribute to an on-going monitoring program
HEAT BEAT THE
of seagrass in Corner Inlet. Nick has moved from Canberra and his role in the Commonwealth public sector to work as a ranger and explore more of Victoria while Franca, Foster’s marine seasonal ranger, is studying at Monash University completing a double Bachelor degree of Arts/Science majoring in Ecology and Conservation Biology. They are both looking forward to working as rangers and delivering the summer activities over January, including the Sea Days Festival in Port Welshpool last weekend. Gerard Delaney, ranger in charge at Foster, said having the extra help is a real bonus during the busiest months of the year to make sure Parks Victoria provides the highest quality services to the parks and their many visitors. “It is a win-win for us as we get extra visitor coverage in our busy coastal towns and the seasonal rangers learn practical and management skills through a wide range of projects. For those aspiring to become full time rangers it’s also a great hands on and fun experience,” Gerard said.
Out there: Parks Victoria summer rangers Nick Daines and Franca Weise are adding to visitors’ experiences at Wilsons Promontory.
Rugged up: Alyce Tack from Inverloch beats the summer heat wrapped in her towel at Cape Paterson.
Our beaches are best
THE Star last week asked readers via Facebook for their favourite beach in South Gippsland and Bass Coast this summer.
Leongatha plan advances Work is now underway to have the study integrated into the South Gippsland Planning Scheme. Development services director Phil Stone advised officers had prepared Planning Scheme Amendment C95 to go on public exhibition from Thursday, January 9 until Monday, February 10. “The study is a reference document that will be particularly useful for real estate agents, industrial land owners, developers and investors,” he said. “This exhibition provides a strong signal of council’s support for new industrial development in Leongatha.” By referencing the study and incorporating the key recommendations, Leongatha will be able to grow its industrial spaces in an orderly way. The land has been assessed to deliver the best return on investment for developers and makes the best use of roads, complementary industries and other services to help the long term growth of the industrial sector. “Areas north of Koonwarra Saleyards and Leongatha Airport were found to be suitable for businesses benefit-
Money saver for life savers INVERLOCH Surf Life Saving Club has received $1000 from the Victorian Government’s Victalent grants towards volunteers’ travel expenses. Bass MLA Ken Smith said volunteers were the lifeblood of the community. Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty announced the club received $500 each for two nominees in the first phase of the 2014 Country Action Grant Scheme and Victalent grants. “Each day thousands of Victorians go above and beyond to support their local sports,” Mr Delahunty said. “A great example of this commitment is the distance covered by the many rural and regional teams, coaches, and athletes just to compete in their local competitions. “The Victalent grants help these Victorians with travel costs removing potential barriers to training, competition and realising their sporting dreams.”
ting from their location,” Mr Stone said. “For example, agricultural retail would fit best near Koonwarra and air services would fit best near the airport. “However, council wants to see the land already with services in place used up before new areas are opened up. Then we would look for expansion north west of Leongatha.” The study will go on display at council offices, Leongatha Library and at www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au Enquiries to Nick Edwards at council on 5662 9368 or nicke@southgippsland.vic.gov.au
Beat the heat with
B & L WINDOW TINTING Sustainable Happy New Year to all!
Nyora NYORA Primary School recently undertook a professional development session to reflect on the schools’ sustainability achievements. Through participation in ResourceSmart AuSSI Vic (Australian Sustainable Schools InitiativeVictoria) since 2011, Nyora Primary has a strong focus on its energy usage, waste and recycling issues and water use. ResourceSmart is a State Government funded initiative to assist schools with embedding sustainability into everyday school life. Nyora’s existing sustainability achievements include: • the implementation of non-use area and holiday energy shutdown regimes; • the installation of 58 solar panels to reduce electricity bills; • a community collection point for printer cartridge recycling; • a compost bin for the school’s organic waste with the composted material used to fertilise its vegie garden; • paper recycling boxes in class and staff rooms and collection points for cans which are then recycled; • rainwater tanks are connected to the toilet blocks, and • waste water is used on the school orchard. “Nyora Primary is excited to keep moving along its sustainability journey and to build on what has already been put in place,” principal Mick Hussey said.
BLW2410018
SOUTH Gippsland Shire Council is advancing the Leongatha Industrial Land Supply Study.
Michaela Stretton noted Waratah Bay at The Gap for its peace and beauty, and Rebecca Arnason agreed. “Less people and amazing coastline,” she said. Susan Ward recommended Shallow Inlet, where the fishing is good by land or by boat. Kylie Hughes-Martin said Venus Bay, “but when it’s not holidays so I can have the beach to myself.” Therese Baker finds the surf better at Sandy Point.
Still servicing Leongatha, Inverloch, Phillip Island and Wonthaggi
“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 19
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Water games: Sam Fennell and Hamish Dastey from Warragul splashed in the shallow waters of Cape Paterson beach recently. The cape is a popular spot to cool off this summer.
SUPER
Summer Specials ON
DAVEY PUMPS HP 45 Medium House Pump
HS60-08 Large House Pump
RRP $875
RRP $1226
$695 INC
$950 INC
Super Large House & Garden Pump
PJ240 Farm Pressure System
RRP $1727
RRP $3382
$1,395 INC
$2,800 INC (WITH TANK)
OUR PRICE
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FIRE FIGHTING PUMPS
TWIN IMPELLER OUR PRICE
$895 INC ACTION PUMPS & IRRIGATION
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ACT9170091
Sustainability Victoria offers these tips for operating refrigerative air conditioners efficiently. • keep window and doors closed when the system is operating to avoid wasting energy; • thermostats should be set between 24 and 26°C – every degree lower in summer will increase running costs by around 10 per cent; • turn your system on only when it is needed, and don’t leave it running when you are out during the day as this wastes energy and your money – it’s a myth that running your air conditioner 24/7 throughout summer means that it runs more efficiently; • avoid running your air conditioner all night unless you need to for medical reasons – a fan can generally keep you comfortable during the night at a much lower running cost; • turn the air conditioner off when the outside temperature drops, and open doors and windows to let the cool air in; • use the economy setting if your system has one – this setting reduces energy use by maintaining moderate rather than cold temperatures in appropriate conditions; • keep the area you are cooling to a minimum by closing doors to other rooms not requiring cooling; • use portable or ceiling fans wherever possible – they are much cheaper to run than air conditioners and can also be used in conjunction with your air conditioner; • use the zoning options of a central cooling system if they are available to reduce the area of your house you are cooling at any one time; • if your air conditioner’s compressor unit (the part located outside) is exposed to full sun during the day, shade it with an awning, shade mesh, or a similar structure – be careful not to restrict air movement around the unit; • refrigerative air conditioners and evaporative coolers should be regularly serviced and maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions to keep them operating effectively; • filters should be cleaned regularly and replaced in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions; and • ensure any ducting is free of air leaks— escaping cool air will cool your roof space instead of the inside of your home.
PAGE 20 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
LEAVE AND LIVE. To the rescue: aircranes ready for the bushfire season.
Fire aid in the skies
FOUR
OUT OF
FIVE
BUSHFIRE DEATHS HAPPEN CLOSE TO HOME. Don’t wait. Leave early. Pack your Emergency Kit so you’re ready to go. Listen to local radio and check the Fire Danger Rating so you know when to leave. Stop making excuses.
LEAVE AND LIVE. visit emergency.vic.gov.au call 1800 240 667 download the FireReady app
TWO powerful aircranes dubbed ‘Delilah’ and ‘Malcolm’ have arrived to protect Victoria from the threat of grassfires and bushfires this summer. Minister for Justice Michael Keenan said the Commonwealth’s $14 million annual investment in aerial firefighting aircraft provides a major boost to the emergency response efforts of the states and territories. “The National Aerial Firefighting Arrangements are an example of the cooperative approach taken between the Commonwealth and the states and territories in addressing and responding to Australia’s bushfire risk,” he said. “By working together with the states and territories and sharing specialised resources, we are ensuring Australians are protected by the best aerial firefighting equipment possible.” Victorian Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister for Bushfire Response Kim Wells said the helicopters would lead Victoria’s 42-strong air fleet which will support firefighters on the ground this summer. “The distinctive orange Aircranes have been brought to Victoria especially for the summer period and will be deployed from Essendon and Ballarat to bolster the state’s aerial water-bombing capabilities,” he said. The Erickson Aircranes are equipped to carry up to 7500 litres of water or foam, can hover-fill in 38 seconds, and are capable of cruising at 212 km/h.
Two Sikorsky S61 helicopters, which each carry 3500 litres of water, have also arrived for the summer and will be deployed from Colac and Mansfield. Mr Wells said last summer more than 4,000 bush and grassfires burnt 190,000 hectares of land in Victoria and the risk of fires this summer would be similar. “Spring rain is not a reason to become complacent. The high rainfall has resulted in significant grass growth and forecasts show parts of Victoria are at above average risk of bushfire and grassfires this summer,” he said. “No matter where you live, you need to understand your fire risk and be ready to act if fire breaks out. The message is simple: leave and live.” Mr Lapsley said the Aircranes and helicopters could be deployed quickly. “These four machines are the powerhouses of Victoria’s extensive air fleet. The remainder of the fleet will assist with bushfire first-attack and major fire suppression activities,” he said. “Victoria has the best air fleet in Australia, with a flexible mix of aircraft for the different fire situations crews encounter across the state.” Mr Wells said along with Victoria’s fleet of 24 helicopters and 18 fixed wing aircraft, more than 100 contracted aircraft can be called upon as required. “Our fire services are well prepared for this summer and the airfleet is just one part of the state’s resources that will work hard to protect the state, but all Victorians still need to ensure they have their own plan and are prepared for the risk of fires,” he said.
BBQs can spark injuries THE Country Fire Authority is urging people to double check their barbecues to avoid the risk of an explosion or fire this summer. The warning came after three men were hurt at Point Cook when a gas leak caused a barbecue fire. The barbecue fire caused burns injuries to three men in their 40s and 50s who were treated on scene by Ambulance Victoria, with two being later transported to the Alfred Hospital burns unit for treatment. In this instance both the barbecue and the gas cylinder were in good condition, however it appears the connecting hose was not sufficiently secured which caused
gas to escape. Energy Safe Victoria was notified. Senior station officer Bill Robertson said: “Everyone needs to remember to check the safety of their barbecue, not only at the start of summer, but every time they use it. Gas cylinders can be very dangerous, so it’s important they are stored, serviced, and used correctly. Take care by: • checking the connections to make sure they’re secure and firm; • listening for any leaks; and • spraying or painting on the connection some soapy water - if bubbles appear, there’s a leak.
“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 21
See you at the
WONTHAGGI SHOW
SATURDAY, JANUARY 11
Talent on show By Tayla Kershaw THE Bass Coast Summer Agricultural Show will be buzzing with excitement on January 11. Come along to the Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve for a day jam packed full of fun and entertainment. “It is a beautiful ground,” the show society’s Rosemary Loughran said. “Whether it is footy, cricket or the show held there, it is a credit to the Bass Coast Shire and the crew who maintain it.” The weather is looking promising and if the luck of previous years is any indication, it shouldn’t be too hot. The wonderful volunteers at the show society work hard to make sure everyone is comfortable. This year’s show is offering a range of high quality entertainment the whole family can enjoy. The Dog Flyball competition and woodcrafters will be in their own arena and should be spectacular. The entertainment area will boast a number of amazing talents to witness. One of the standouts will be the Motocross Stunt Performers from Echuca. The uplifting atmosphere will be maintained by local musician Tom Green who recently secured the lead role in the Wonthaggi Theatre Group’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Tom plays a range of music catering for all, including the old classics and modern chart toppers. Joining him will be Bethany Fisher from Melbourne.
Her music is targeted towards the younger generation, so she will be singing and dancing to all the favourites including One Direction, High School Musical and Hannah Montana. Buskers will be joining music festivities around the venue. Magician and comedian Nick Nicholas will also make an appearance. His humour will give the adults of the crowd a good chuckle but he will interact with children as well. Paul Macphail will keep the crowd entertained with his kelpies, ducks and sheep, and the African drummers are predicted to once again be the crowd pleaser. For the exceptionally brave, Coates Hire is proudly supporting the Black Snake productions. For those who prefer cuddlier animals, there will be a petting zoo including alpacas and pigs. The full equestrian program will be running and Clydesdales will be found along the perimeter of the main arena. “It will be a great day. We work hard all year round and are always coming up with something new. It won’t disappoint,” Ms Loughran said. The organisation of the show is a credit to the volunteers in the show society, but they are always looking for more people to lend a helping hand.
Top right, Nice and neat: Renee Reiter and her pony Dunelm Temptation made a lovely pair at the Wonthaggi Show in 2013.
Bass Coast Summer Agricultural Show Saturday, January 11, Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve ENTRY: Group Ticket $30 (2 adults, 2 kids). Adults $15. Pensioner (card required) and child U14 $5. Enquiries: 5672 3259 basscoastagshow@hotmail.com. Website www.basscoastagshow.org.au Follow us on Facebook and Twitter Check the timetable on the day
Island Marquees & Island Marquees and Wonthaggi Amcal Pharmacy Woodchop- Including a Victorian State title qualifying Event Wonthaggi Amcal Pharmacy
10am - Trimmer Tree, Coastal Fresh Peas & PD Allan 4pm Entertainment Arena- Music ,Entertainment & Fun
Woodchop Arena - near Alex Scott Pavilion. Trimmer Tree, Coastal Fresh Peas & PD Allan Entertainment Arena
All Day All Day All Day All Day All Day
Cute and cuddly: Lucy, Ava and Florence Patterson hold up their soft toy prizes at the Wonthaggi Show last year.
Alcohol interlocks
Show
(RTA-AU25482)
82 GRAHAM ST WONTHAGGI
Jewellery Watches Gifts Trophies & Engraving Cookware Musical Instruments Proud supporter of the Wonthaggi Show
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63-67 Commercial Street Korumburra Ph: 5655 2328 Fax: 5655 2087 Email: parrysjw@dcsi.net.au
Dog Flyball Arena. No 2 Oval Island Secure Storage Dog Flyball Adjacent to Main Arena CFA and SES demonstrations and displays Holden Australia Arena Holden Australia Equestrian Show Poultry Pavilion Poultry Exhibition, egg laying, ducks Perimeter, Main Arena Clydesdales/heavy horses Harry Fergie Tractors; Bass Coast Vintage cars Perimeter, Main Arena All Day Leongatha Medieval Tournament All Day Coates Hire proudly supports Black Snake Productions Near Alex Scott Pavilion 10am - KFC supported clown; stilt walker; circus workshop All over the place 2pm Alex Scott & Staff Creative All Day Alex Scott & Staff Creative Arts, Craft needlework Arts Pavilion (Table Tennis Rooms) Wylies Truevalue Hardware Horticulture Bakers Delight Home produce Angling Club Rooms All Day RACV Wonthaggi Shop Photography Exhibition Dell Icious Nolan (Insanknitty) Display and yarn bombing All over the place All Day Stockdale & Leggo Beef Cattle judging Stockdale & Leggo Cattle Exhibition Arena VLE Junior competitions - handling, rearing and grooming. All Day Doug Goodman One Man Band Near Show Rooms All Day Buskers All over the place All Day Barn Buddies Animal Nursery, alpacas and pigs Near Poultry Pavilion All Day Nick Nicholas magician and comedian Everywhere All Day Carnival, sideshows, showbags and rides Perimeter Main Arena All Day Commercial stalls and stands - huge variety All over the place All Day Devonshire Teas, sandwiches - Wonthaggi Tennis Club Show Rooms verandah Alex Scott Pavilion All Day Wonthaggi Historical Society, Aust Rare flora & fauna and verandah South Gippsland Animal Aid – Paws Galore 10.30am LIVING HEALTHY- BASS COAST - Healthy Alex Scott Pavilion -12.30pm Communities Innitiative with Bass Coast Community and verandah Health Service & Wonthaggi Community Garden Cooking demos of healthy summer recipes Near Dog Fly Ball All Day LIVING HEALTHY – BASS COAST BCSC Healthy Communites Innitiative with Bass Coast Community Health Service Frisbee Golf course, clinics at 11am & 1pm. All Day South Gippsland Hydro (water) Station near main arena Perimeter of Main Arena All Day Woodcrafters Woodturning and Children with Wood Angling Club Rooms All Day Tubby The Robot All over the place All Day Island Marquees Sun shade for general public use All over the place Sunday John and Margaret Oldham Equestrian Arena featuring Main Arena Landmark Open Hack and pony Rings
TRIMMER TREE, COASTAL FRESH PEAS PD ALLAN REGISTERED BUILDER ENTERTAINMENT ARENA PROGRAM 6 hours of continuous fabulous entertainment engaging with the Show day crowd
JANUARY SALES NOW ON
UP TO
70% OFF
FAR6740001
Gus Kirk 0428 639 873 172 White Road, Wonthaggi
Ph/Fax: 5672 3674 guskirk@hotmail.com
145-147 Graham St., Wonthaggi
5672 1137
Program may be subject to last minute changes, and times are approximate. Apologies for any inconvenience
WON2590073
are proud to support the ‘Putting t’ Wonthaggi Show service firs
Proud to support the Wonthaggi Show
WRE8380024
G & S FARM SERVICES
10.00am Wonthaggi Citizens Band 10.30am Geoffrey W. Graham (also entertains & MC between acts ) 11.00am Bethany Fisher –"Interactive, non-stop singing and dancing for the whole family to your favourite songs by One Direction, High School Musical, Austin and Ally & Hannah Montana." 11.45am WHIP Industries –Motocross stunt performers with amazing natural ability and a huge bag of tricks. Exciting daredevils and just breathtaking 12.30pm Official opening-Honorable Ken Smith Presentation to recipients following the Show Ball 12.45pm Nick Nicholas magician and comedian 1.15 m Tom Green – years of guitar playing and oves singing…… Music is his life 2.00pm Paul McPhail Kelpies, sheep and ducks 2.45pm Wulaba African Drummers 3.30pm WHIP Industries Stunt Motor Bikes
PAGE 22 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Feels like summer WHEREVER you are in South Gippsland and Bass Coast this summer, there are plenty of places to relax and unwind.
The Star explored the region recently to bring you some summer delights.
1
1, Family bonding: Emily and Kim Doam enjoy the lively atmosphere at the Rainbow Park in Inverloch. 2, Fancy a fish: Tanya Brown cast her line off the Inverloch jetty. 3, Safe surf: the Inverloch beaches are well protected by surf life savers Josh Latto and Nicholas Foon. 4, Hang on tight: Peter Appla helps his daughter Maisha cross the monkey bars at Inverloch’s Rainbow Park. 5, Cheers: Kelly Arundel and Caleb Adams share a drink together at the Inverloch Esplanade Hotel’s Captain’s Lounge. 6, Set sail: Inverloch’s Abbie Smith and Shaun Freeman enjoy a day out on the water at Inverloch’s South Gippsland Yacht Club.
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7, Playground fun: Simon and Harvey Arnold spend their Sunday afternoon together at the Rainbow Park.
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4
5
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“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 23
STAR Real
THE GREAT SOUTHERN STAR
Fully equipped
Page 27
Toora
8A CR
ES
Alan Steenholdt 0409 423 822
Peter Dwyer 0428 855 244
Carly Hurst 0417 382 979
5662 0922 45 Bair Street LEONGATHA
LI N ST EW IN G
LI N ST EW IN G
Andrew Newton 0402 940 320
2A CR
ES
60 GARVIES ROAD, NERRENA
25 ROSS STREET, PORT WELSHPOOL
128 McCARTIN STREET, LEONGATHA
33-39 KOOKABURRA DRIVE, KOONWARRA
• 3 BR brick home on 8 acres • Great lifestyle property with views • Just minutes drive to Leongatha
• Beach house – 3 bedroom • Short walk to water • Low maintenance – in excellent condition.
• • •
• • •
$475,000
$370,000
$455,000
Fully renovated 5 Bedroom home 2 living rooms, master bdrm with ensuite/spa Central location to CBD
9A CRE S
4 bedroom fully refurbished solid brick home Vaulted ceilings, large open living Set on 2 acres of park-like surrounds
$599,000
1.7
ACR
ES
1315 NERRENA ROAD, NERRENA
15 OGILVY STREET, LEONGATHA
285 GARVIES ROAD, LEONGATHA
16 HORN STREET, LEONGATHA
• 4brs, 2 bathrooms, study + rumpus room • 10 mins from Leongatha on sealed road • Approx 9 acres, lots of shedding
• Immaculate home, 3 Bedrooms plus Study • Extensive Renovation • Flat block - Rear lane
• 1.7 acres (approx) • 4 bedroom weatherboard home • Panoramic rural views
• Gorgeous period style home • 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms • Outstanding location overlooking school oval
$390,000
$450,000
$389,000
$370,000
PAGE 24 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
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“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 25
STAR Real
ADVERTISING FEATURE
INVERLOCH 25 Venus Street
3
2
2
Chance of a lifetime R
ARELY do blocks of this calibre come onto the market. Newly created and alal
LEONGATHA 10 Bent Street Insight Real Estate 5662 2220 1,252m2
$265,000
Large two-storey home First time offered in over 30 years Over 1,000m2 allotment Owner built and occupied until now Sea views, easy walking distance to beach & shops
LJH8880021
DECEASED ESTATE ? ? ? ? ?
Auction: Sunday, January 26, 2014 11am on site Terms:10% Deposit, Balance 60 days Contact: Allan Mann 0409 855 753
most ready to go, this magnificent elevated block of 1,252m2 overlooks beautiful McIndoe Park. All services will be available. Build your dream home and take advantage of a north easterly aspect, park environment and pleasant views. With a gentle lay of land and set amongst an executive group of homes, this is an opportunity waiting. There’s no other block like this in town.
LJ Hooker Inverloch 6 Williams Street, Inverloch (03) 5674 2888
JEWELS IN THE CROWN 48-50 Surf Parade INVERLOCH
Secure arguably one of the finest positions on the beach front with easy access to the Inlet and Surf beaches, plus potential water views. This 3 bedroom double storey residence is ideal for renovation, build your dream home or develop a luxury residential compound or townhouses (STCA). Total area 1186 square metres.
Asking $1,250,000
CONTACT A/H Dennis Ginn 0412 317 360
Inverloch Office
7 A’Beckett Street Inverloch
5674 1111
landmarkharcourts.com.au
SARAH PRICE GLENYS FOSTER BARRY REDMOND 0439 885 078 0477 622 298 0477 622 292
47 BAIR STREET. LEONGATHA OFFICE 5662 2292
NEW LISTING
MEENIYAN, AFFORDABLE IN MEENIYAN
LEONGATHA, FLAWLESS PRESENTATION LEONGATHA, 6 STAR RATED QUALITY HOME LEONGATHA, STUNNING & SECLUDED
$215,000
$465,000
? ? ?
2
Updated 3 B/R weatherboard home on 869m block R/Cycle air cond. and solid wood heater 24’x 18’lockable shed with concrete floor
? ? ?
3 b/r 2 bthrm 2 living zones plus study brick home Great location close to local schools & town centre Ducted heating, 2 r/c a/c
? ? ?
968m² block boasting 4 big bdrms, 2 bthrms, 3 toilets. Double glazed windows, ducted natural gas heating, Professionally sound proofed for a cinema room.
$439,000
PRICE ADJUSTMENT
? ? ?
Solid brick home on over ½ acres of exquisite gardens 3 bedrooms, ensuite, dual living areas All weather outdoor entertainment area with spa.
$550,000
AUCTION
Friday, January 17, 2014 1.30pm on Site Prom Aged Care Facility 25 Welshpool Rd, Toora OFI: Saturday January 11 10.30am - 11.30am
MEENIYAN, 2.7 ACRE FAMILY RETREAT ? ? ?
3 bdrms plus study, two spacious separate living areas Solid wood heater, R/C split system, renovated kitchen Established garden, native trees, paddocks for stock
$375,000
? ? ?
Large land holding of 5643 m² situated on two (2) Titles Includes 18 room facility (accommodating 30-32 residents) Large fully equipped commercial kitchen & laundry
MEENIYAN, FABULOUS OPPORTUNITY
? 1 acre (approx) block, gorgeous setting with 2 bdrm cottage ? Open plan living with sun room & doors to the verandah ? Ideal place to renovate, built in the 1970's timber floors
$229,000
PAGE 26 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
STAR Real
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Your ideal property W
hen people talk about their ideal property, there are some common themes we hear repeatedly.
Most want a country style home within 10 kilometres of town with good views, a large shed or “man cave” and that intangible “charm” that invites you in. This 25 acre property ticks all of these boxes and more. It is located on the ever popular Leongatha North Road, with sweeping views back over the Leongatha township. The weatherboard homestead offers three bedrooms and a study, with a separate self contained bungalow offering extra accommodation.
A 900mm free standing stove services the country kitchen, while the solid fuel heater adds its charm to the separate lounge. A full length verandah runs down the east side of the house and the covered outdoor area looks out over the paddocks to the west. The 9m x 15m shed has fantastic access, and offers high clearance and a drive through facility. Excellent fencing subdivides the land into seven paddocks. Coupled with a reliable water supply, this productive land would suit any agricultural pursuit. You’ll feel that intangible charm from the moment you turn into the driveway.
LEONGATHA NTH 445 Leongatha North Road Alex Scott and Staff Leongatha 5662 0922
$695,000
STAR RealEstate www.thestar.com.au
3
1
Real Estate Sales Joy Morgan e: joy@thestar.com.au For more information on Advertising in The Star phone Joy on 5662 2294
D N SE LALEA RE
Live where your neighbours are wilder than you. Cape Paterson Ecovillage is a national benchmark in modern sustainable living. Fronting South East Victoria’s spectacular Bass Strait coastline and just 1 hour and 40 minutes from Melbourne. Cape Paterson Ecovillage combines the best of sustainable design, habitat restoration and genuine community spirit. Choose from 10 best practice designs or you can work with our talented builders to customise your environmentally friendly, quality home. All houses have been independently rated at 7.5 star energy efficiency.
Stage 1 and 2 home sites are now selling. Sizes from 445m2 to 1037m2, LAND now selling from $202,500. Sales Centre Seaward Drive Cape Paterson. Open Sat & Sun 2pm - 4pm or by appointment
CapePatersonEcovillage.com.au 1800 701 471
4
“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 27
STAR Real
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Unique development opportunity T
HIS Private Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Centre is a Landmark property in a prominent position overlooking Corner Inlet and Wilsons Promontory National Park and will be up for auction on January 17 on site at 1.30pm. Set on a large block of land holding 5643 m², it is situated on two titles. It is an 18 room facility that can accommodate up to 32 people and includes a large, fully equipped commercial kitchen. The dining room and formal lounge has exceptional bay windows to capture the breathtaking views. It is currently being amended to Rural Activity Zone by the South Gippsland Shire Council. Proposed uses include (STCA) accommodation/
backpacker’s facility or hostel, conference or reception centre, a private nursing home or rehabilitation centre. The property is well situated with catchment population to Wilsons Promontory National Park major tourist destination, fishing village Port Welshpool, boat ramps at Corner Inlet, Welshpool and Toora. The South Gippsland Shire attracts an estimated 1.1 million visitors annually, composing of 577,000 day trip visitors, and 573,000 overnight visitors. Almost half of all over-
night visitors stay in holiday homes. Another 18 per cent are staying in caravans and camping and 16 per cent stay in cabin accommodation. Visiting a national park and going to the beach were the most popular activities for guests. In accordance with the South Gippsland Shire Council Rural Tourism Development Strategy
2010 it has been identified there is a gap in backpacker accommodation, country guest house or farm stay accommodation in rural areas. The terms include a 10 per cent deposit on signing to be balanced in 60 days or earlier. The property will be open for inspection from 10.30am until 11.30am on January 11.
AUCTION
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 15, 11am ONSITE
Old Boiler Road, Cape Paterson
‘WRECK BEACH FARM’ • • • •
TOORA 25 Welshpool Road
132 acres in prime coastal location Walk to pristine beach Opposite foreshore reserve Many home sites with ocean views
• 25 acres trees, balance grazing ideal for horses, cattle etc • Excellent weekend accommodation
PRICE: AUCTION
Landmark Harcourts Leongatha Glenys Foster 0477 622 298
AUCTION
WEB ID: 6076300
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 22, 11am ONSITE
Auction 18
6
431 Territory Road, Strzelecki POOWONG - WARRAGUL DISTRICT
49 ACRES - TURNOUT / GRAZING OPPORTUNITY • Excellent fencing to 5 paddocks • Watered by dams
• Stockyards and holding paddocks • Superb treed shelter plantations
EXPECTED PRICE RANGE: $220,000 PLUS Elders KORUMBURRA - 5658 1894 11 Commercial Street
WEB ID: 6076598 Elders LEONGATHA - 5662 3523 16 McCartin Street
Don Olden - 0417 805 312
LEONGATHA VENDOR SAYS ‘SELL’ An absolute bargain! Originally for sale at $140,000 with some earthworks already completed. Top side block in a quiet court location. Now just $105,000. Approximately 904m2, it is ready to go. Build your dream home. Pleasant views can’t be built out. Within easy walking distance to shops and pre-school. Take advantage of what has already been done and the terrific price.
$105,000 Sole agent
Insight INS2200089
LEONGATHA A REAL BEAUTY 3 BR family home in close proximity to schools, rec. reserve and park. Light-filled lounge (with solid fuel heater) and kitchen/dining room. New curtains throughout. Private and sunny wrap around patios and delightful cottage gardens. Separate covered BBQ area. Powered workshop/studio and garden shed.
$255,000 Sole agent
TRIDA SOMETHING SPECIAL! 24 ACRE ACRES
ELD9240435
LEONGATHA FAMILY DREAM HOME, HUGE SHED TOO
24 acres of clear, undulating to part steep land. Stockyard/loading race, 3 dams, good pastures, machinery/hay shed with garage attached. Older cottage in need of some renovation. Good kitchen, laundry and bathroom. Partly furnished, 2 BRs. Just 17 km on sealed road from Leongatha. Potential galore.
Modern, spacious 4 BR family home on large corner block. 40’’x 22’ shed (own access) and double garage. Huge open-plan family living. Extra large master bedroom and en suite. 3 BRs in separate wing. Ducted heating, air con. and electric boosted solar hot water system. A well maintained and low maintenance property.
$350,000 Sole agent
$425,000 Sole agent insightrealestate.com.au
Lindsay Powney 0428 515 103
Robyn Powney 0488 454 547
5 McCartin Street LEONGATHA
5662 2220
PAGE 28 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
STAR Real
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Up for grabs W
RECK Beach Farm is a very rare property of 132 acres adjoining the Harmers Haven Cape Paterson foreshore reserve on the stunning Bass Coast. Pristine sandy beaches are only 500 meters walk from the property boundary. This stunning property has many home sites with ocean views and is complemented by approximately 25 acres of fenced natural trees, flora and fauna. Wreck Beach Farm is an ideal property for horses, cattle or most other rural interest; the potential for tourism is enormous.
The farm is fenced into nine paddocks for cattle and horses, and has an excellent water supply with six dams. There is comfortable weekend accommodation already set up with power, full bathroom facilities, a separate bedroom and a second storey living area and deck to enjoy the view. Wreck Beach Farm is within five kilometres of Wonthaggi township and two kilometres from Cape Paterson. Wreck Beach Farm has been in the same family ownership for 60 years. The auction will be held on February 15 at 11am on site. Inspection is strictly by appointment.
CAPE PATERSON Old Boiler Road Elder’s Real Estate Leongatha Don Olden 0417 805 312
HOT13052
Auction
To other builders it’s just a kitchen, to us it’s your sanctuary. The Erskine
BUILD NOW
Enjoy forever
FAMILY BAKERY & CAFE
The Hotondo Homes new Forever Sanctuary range of homes has been created to provide the perfect living environment for you and your family. Visit our sales centre at Shop 2 Ramsey Boulevard, Inverloch
Find us at hotondo.com.au or 1800 677 156
Licence: DBU3480 / CBU1330
“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 29
Falls something special MEMBERS of the Friends of Agnes Falls gathered at the falls scenic reserve recently for a social get-together, and to hear an update on the progress of the proposed improvements. These improvements will be funded by the recent $180,000 Regional Growth Fund Grant. Members brought along drinks and nibbles, salads and sweets, and were treated to a delicious barbecue, provided by Parks Victoria. During the evening, those present were given an update on the progress of the planned improvements by Gerard Delaney, Parks Victoria ranger in charge. Danielle Todoro, South Gippsland Shire Council tourism development officer said council has consultants currently en-
gaged in developing an economic impact analysis based on current and future development proposals for the reserve paid for by council’s Community Grant fund. Work on the new toilet block and picnic shelter should start soon after Christmas and be in place by the end of February 2014. The new toilet block will be located on the eastern side of the carpark, making easy access for all visitors, and the new shelter/rotunda will be situated alongside the base of the current steps, with two tables under cover. These new structures will be attractive and user-friendly. Several new picnic tables will also be installed on concrete slabs and a new large welcome sign should be in place soon, a little way down the entry road to the carpark. Last month, in No-
Making it happen: Friends of Agnes Falls Reserve hard at work beautifying the reserve. vember 2013, the friends group received a welldeserved “pat on the back”, having been nominated for the Prime Super Community Group of the Year Award at the Regional Achievement and Community Awards function held in Bendigo.
Although not winning the award, the group is thrilled to have been recognised and congratulated. Of the 2500 promotional postcards, sponsored by the customers of Toora and District Community Bank Branch, and Foster Branch, Bendigo Bank, 1800 have
already been distributed widely across Gippsland, and have proved to be most popular. Similarly, the Friends of Agnes Falls Facebook page has been well received, having received 279 ‘likes’ to date. If you have access,
please take a look at all the photos and information, post your own comments, and give us a like! Anyone interested to join FoAF Inc would be welcome (annual fee is $10 per adult, or $25 per family), and entitles members to attend and vote at
meetings, and to assist at the occasional working bees held on-site at the Agnes Falls Scenic Reserve, under the auspices of Parks Victoria. Contact Kathy on 5688 1400, or email kathleencw@dcsi.net.au for a membership form.
Prom’n’aides cap off eight year project A BAND of volunteers dedicated to Wilsons Promontory National Park were thanked by Parks Victoria for finishing eight years’ work monitoring vegetation at the Prom. The group, the Prom’n’aides, have been at work since the 2005 fire that spread from Tidal River to the Light Station. A meeting of rangers and representatives from La Trobe University, Arthur Rylah Institute and Melbourne University decided to do some post-fire monitoring of the vegetation, looking at fire severity and vital attributes. A group of volunteers from the South Gippsland Conservation Society and Friends of Wonthaggi Heathland began assessing vital attributes in September and the work continued until December. In December 2005, Frank Burrows, an exchange ranger from Parks Canada, arrived and took over the project of post-fire monitoring. He designed a project and the Prom’n’aides started work in February 2006 and have been working once a month since then, apart from interruptions caused by fire in 2009 and flood in 2011. They were joined in 2010 by more volunteers from the Latrobe Valley Field Naturalists. The original team included 10 people, but by the end of eight years there were 60 volunteers. Generally there were 18 to 24 people prepared to work each month. The volunteers have been amazing. They have worked under all conditions of weather from hot to pouring rain. They were remarkably dedicated to the work and they scrambled without complaint through some uncomfortable bush to get to the sites. There have been a few different rangers in charge of the project since Frank returned to Canada. The Prom’n’aides’ good fortune has been to have the dedicated ranger Dan Jones, for several years, through another fire in 2009 and the flood in 2011. All the data has been entered on an excel database stored on the Parks Victoria computer system. The original project was to monitor the recovery of grassy woodland and dune scrub after the 2005 fire. After our first year, other projects were added including: • recovery of vegetation after the use of seawater on the Larkin Cove 2006 fire; • vegetation monitoring of small mammal trapping sites; • vegetation monitoring of exclusion plots for Eastern Spider Orchid sites; • Big Hummock restoration of grassy woodland; and • pre- and post-fire monitoring at various sites. Analysis of the results may give answers to management questions such as: • how long does it take vegetation to recover from fire? • does dousing the fire with sea water affect the recovery of vegetation? • is there a correlation between vegetation recov-
ery and small mammal abundance? • are grazing exclusion plots effective in protecting threatened orchid species? and • can the invasion of Coast Tea-tree into grassy woodlands be managed using fire as a management strategy? This has been one of very few long-term projects monitoring vegetation in Victoria. The database holds a vast amount of information about recovery after fire.
The volunteers, with a wide range from nothing to expert botanical knowledge, have been able to carry out the recording, measurement and assessment with a remarkable degree of accuracy. Group volunteers have enjoyed two overnight stays at the Light Station, working during the day on the way there and again on the way back. They had several lunch breaks on Five
Mile Beach or at the end of Springs Track on Corner Inlet, and tours of areas affected by fire and flood. To quote Professor Jones of Hull University: “Research is organised play for adults.” The group has completed the original project and the sites have become inaccessible because of the regrowth. Thank you to Parks Victoria for facilitating the work.
Out there: Prom’n’aides have lunch on a rainy day working at the grazing exclusion site in October 2011 with ranger Dan Jones.
Festive spirit shines at Meeniyan ON CHRISTMAS Day 2013, the combined churches of Meeniyan and Mirboo North again conducted a full Christmas dinner function for community members who would otherwise be without company on Christmas Day. This was the 10th consecutive time this lunch had been organised and it was a great success. At the first Christmas Day meal in 2004, there were 18 guests. The numbers have gradually increased and last year 66 people enjoyed each other’s company and the wonderful Christmas Day lunch. In addition a further four full Christmas meals were sent to residents who could not attend. People came from Cowes on Phillip Island,
Foster, Fish Creek, Leongatha, Mirboo North and Meeniyan, and there were even a few visitors from Brisbane. The atmosphere is friendly and family-like, with all who help with various jobs including the serving of food or clearing. There are always people who are not necessarily attending themselves, but who help beforehand with cleaning up the church hall and setting up the tables and chairs, peeling the potatoes in preparation for baking as well as donating soft drink, table nibbles and chocolates. There are a number of supporters who have generously donated the major dinner ingredients such as the baked meats including chicken, turkey and ham this year, fresh seasonal fruit, potatoes, pumpkin, Christmas puddings, chocolates and everything else that goes to-
wards a wonderful Christmas lunch. All guests received a small present and it is wonderful, but sad, in a number of instances this is the only gift these people receive. There are a number of generous people in the community who donate money to offset costs. There is no charge to the guests, but a donation bowl is provided with any money in excess of costs going to the Christmas Bowl Appeal. The Meeniyan Uniting Church is privileged to have the opportunity to provide this function for our community and it will hopefully be staged again next Christmas. The Meeniyan Uniting Church acknowledges the wonderful support from all of the churches involved and the residents who give food and their time to make this a wonderful occasion.
PAGE 30 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
School honours Grade 6 By Grade 6 teacher Kylie Strickland
THE Grade 6 students from Wonthaggi North Primary School were warmly farewelled at their graduation ceremony held at the Wonthaggi Community Arts Centre recently.
Top of the class: the Wonthaggi North Primary School graduation award winners were Kayleigh Allworth, Mea Pitts, Emily Turton, Liana Finnegan, Karinah Poole, Brogan Tiziani, Louise Shearman, Trent Wilson and, front, Jai Henry.
The graduates enjoyed a dinner provided by the schools supportive Parents and Friends Association with the Wonthaggi North staff prior to their ceremony. There were more than 370 family and friends in attendance at the ceremony, with the students performing a song and a dance for their families and friends. The 2013 graduates have had a fantastic year with many successes. The staff and students of Wonthaggi North Primary School would like to congratulate them achievements and wish them all the best as they move onto secondary school and beginning working on their future endeavours. The award winners for 2013 were as: • Overall Academic Award – Mea Pitts; • Maths Award – Trent Wilson; • English Award – Liana Finnegan; • Science and Technology Award – Louise Shearman; • Arts Award – Emily Turton; • Physical Education and Sports Award – Brogan Tiziani; • Personal Growth Award – Karinah Poole and Jai Henry; • Citizenship Award – Kayleigh Allworth; and • Community Engagement Award – Tahlia Higgins.
Lots of character HALFWAY along the Grand Ridge Road, Mirboo North is a small community with lots of character. One reason to stop here is the delicious food at Strzelecki Bakery, Dalliance Chocolaterie and Escargot Cafe, and the excellent meals and beer at Grand Ridge Brewery. Another reason is the specialty shops where you can browse small treasures handmade in the local area such as cards, jewellery and scarves. The large grassed area of Baromi Park
offers play equipment for the kids and shade trees for relaxing beneath. At the 25 metre outdoor swimming pool there are free electric barbecues. In addition, the pool at Mirboo North, surrounded by trees, is widely regarded as the most beautiful outdoor swimming pool in Gippsland. For those looking to get active, the Grand Ridge Rail Trail is suitable for walkers, runners and cyclists. The Grand Ridge Road offers vistas across hilly countryside, tunnels of tree branches and a little bit of windy, adventurous driving.
Great fun: Mirboo North Primary School Grade 2 students, from left, Darby, Jesse, Jesse and Blake explore rockpools at The Caves near Inverloch during a recent school excursion.
Play with nature at Inverloch
SURF beach, inlet and plenty of space to relax. What more could one want for summer?
Find it all at Inverloch. The surf beach is a haven for family fun, offering a wide stretch of rolling waves with plenty of space for children and board riders alike, and with surf life savers at hand, visitors can swim safely. Nearby Anderson Inlet is a water sports hub with swimming, kayaking, fishing, boating water skiing or jet skiing on offer. The variety of channels ensures navigating the inlet is intriguing, while the plethora of sandbanks means people can find their own desert island – at least until the tide comes in. A popular picnicking location is the distant destination of Point Smythe, far away from the crowds on the more accessible inlet beaches. Families can choose a variety of beaches, from Point Norman right at the entrance to the inlet back to Pensioner Point and the
popular angling club. The latter offers more sheltered waters free of boat traffic but is fast becoming popular with kite surfers, so keep your eyes peeled! The new jetty is ready for the summer boating season, and hopefully will make launching and retrieving a more enjoyable experience. If the weather turns cool, consider Screw Creek Nature Walk, a relaxing, easy walk throughout remnant coastal vegetation, across the creek estuary and up to Townsend Bluff for broader coastal views. For another coastal stroll or even a bike ride, jump on the concrete path from the angling club carpark towards the start of the inlet. This is an ideal cycling venue for children, free of cars and other obstacles. The Ayr Creek walk offers a pleasant morning or afternoon amble. Start from either the Surf Parade bridge by the foreshore or at the Bass Highway, within the bush between Domain Seahaven aged care home and the highway. The easy going trail takes in bush settings and
a wetland, and takes you to lesser known parts of town. A trail the locals prefer to keep to themselves can be found at the entrance to Broadbeach resort off Lindsey Close. Look for the entrance between the bushes on your left. This trail becomes a boardwalk and follows the shores of Little Screw Creek through
kangaroo habitat. The Inverloch township offers a variety of interesting stores and services, perfect for window shopping or for filling in wet days, and has a reputation among locals as an eating destination. Tennis courts are located in town and golf clubs are a short drive away, offering plenty of chances to unwind.
A relaxing stop: Natasha Draper and Thomasin Bales release their young charges at Baromi Park.
C4G marks year of achievements THE Committee for Gippsland has topped off a busy year of member workshops, policy submissions and projects with a successful Annual General Meeting in Traralgon. The meeting featured Olympic gold medal winning Oarsome Foursome member and Australia’s Chef de Mission at last year’s London Olympics, Nick Green OAM, as the keynote speaker. The 2014 board is comprised of 10 members, and includes chairman Harry Rijs from Patties Foods in Bairnsdale, deputy chairman Jon McNaught from GHD in Morwell, Grant Crothers from Burra Foods in Korumburra, Robert Radford from Radfords Meats in Warragul, Toni Wakefield from Safetech in Moe, David Lowe from Business Insight Group in Drouin, Rohan Hubbard from Warren Graham Murphy in Bairnsdale, Manny Gelagotis from the Committee for Moe, Dr Peter Whitley from GippsTAFE in Traralgon,
and Rowan Dowland from bankmecu in Moe. Around 70 C4G members and stakeholders were presented with a review of the year, which included C4G taking on several projects, like the Buy Local Economic Study, which is about to be released, a Freight Infrastructure Master Plan, the Gippsland Investment Prospectus, as well as many policy submissions that put a strong voice on behalf of Gippsland to State and Federal government discussion papers. C4G CEO Mary Aldred reported membership had increased over the year to nearly 80 C4G member organisations, and that events and functions included a lunch with the Victorian Treasurer and a dinner with the Victorian Deputy Premier at Bairnsdale, a Getting Gippsland to Market workshop in Korumburra with Victorian shadow ministers for Agriculture and Freight and Exports, a higher education and skills forum in Warragul with the then Federal Shadow Minister, and an energy and resources forum in Traralgon with the
Victorian Energy and Resources Minister. Member events had also included industry leaders like the chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry event in Sale. Chairman Harry Rijs confirmed CEO Mary Aldred had been reappointed by the board, after her three year contract comes up at the beginning of 2014. Mr Rijs added C4G remained committed to its top three strategic priorities, including a new hospital for West Gippsland, securing the 2018 National Surf Life Saving Championships for Lakes Entrance, and its roads and infrastructure projects, which include gaining commitment for the completed duplication of the Princes Highway between Traralgon and Sale. Keynote speaker Nick Green spoke about his successful sporting career as an Olympic and World winning rower, and more recently his leadership role in sports administration, including for Major Events Victoria.
“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 31
Gamers unite
GIPPSLAND Gamers is the new home to all things board games.
Based at Coal Creek Community Park and Museum, Korumburra, the weekly meeting of wargamers, role players, board gamers and players of all manner of ‘geek gaming goodness’ is growing in popularity after starting in October. For just $2 a session you can get an insight into the board gaming world and talk to like minded individuals “We aim to be an inclusive and friendly club, providing somewhere for local gamers to play and get to know one another, regardless of age or ability,” mem-
Back then: an aerial image of the entrance to Anderson Inlet in 2012. Gippsland Ports has commissioned current images when weather improves and urges mariners not to rely on the channels depicted by this image. Photo: Foons Photographics, Wonthaggi.
ber Owen Top said. Thursday nights from 4pm to 9pm is the time and Coal Creek’s Mechanic Institute is the place. Sessions will start up again on January 9 after the Christmas break. For those who would like an introduction into the world of gaming, the club is holding sessions on Thursdays throughout the school holidays, touching on a range of skills. Bookings are essential and gamers get to take something home from each session. Call Coal Creek on 5655 1811 to book your spot.
Right, Dangerous spot: a boat crosses the risky entrance to Anderson Inlet at Inverloch.
Mariners, beware this summer GIPPSLAND Ports is urging mariners to exercise caution when navigating the region’s waterways this summer. Anderson Inlet at Inverloch is of particular concern.
Game face: Owen Top has a roll of the dice at a recent Gippsland Gamers session.
Drowning prompts lifejacket reminder TRANSPORT Safety Victoria (TSV) has described the Coroner’s recent finding into the 2011 drowning of a male kayaker as a safety wake up call for retailers of kayaks, canoes and other paddle craft. The warning comes as paddlers prepare to enjoy Anderson Inlet and other South Gippsland waterways this summer. The Coroner has released her findings into the death, which occurred on March 26, 2011 on Lake Eildon. In her recommendations, the Coroner highlighted the link between the increase in drowning involving canoes and kayaks and the absence of wearing lifejackets. The Coroner has recommended greater awareness of and compliance with lifejacket regulations among operators of human powered vessels, such as kayaks and canoes. TSV incident statistics show 13 human powered vessel operators drowned on Victorian waters between January 1, 2000 and November 30, 2011. A lifejacket was not worn by the operator in more than half of these incidents. Peter Corcoran, director of Maritime
Safety, said the Coroner’s finding supports the regulator’s committed approach to improving paddling safety and emphasises the need for retailers to play a more active role in educating their customers. “TSV fully endorses the Coroner’s findings and recommendations. We have already identified paddling safety as a key area of focus and developed a program aimed at providing safety information at the point of sale,” he said. “Retailers of vessels and marine equipment should ensure their customers are provided with adequate information on how to operate their vessel safely. “We expect the retailers to contribute to paddling safety by providing information about lifejacket wearing and safety equipment requirements,” Mr Corcoran said. Mr Corcoran has reminded paddlers it is a legal requirement they wear a lifejacket at all times when underway. The findings can be obtained from the Coroners Court of Victoria website (http:// www.coronerscourt.vic.gov.au/) Visit the TSV website (www.transportsafety.vic.gov.au) to download the Paddle Safe Paddle Smart brochure and other information relating to paddle safety.
Gippsland Ports CEO Nick Murray cautioned vessel operators the entrance to Anderson Inlet changes in position, its depth is unreliable and navigation can be dangerous. “Conditions on the bar can cause steep and breaking seas, can change quickly and without warning. Accordingly, crossing the bar is an activity necessitating extreme caution and should only be attempted by competent and experienced operators,” he said. Information will be distributed to bait and tackle outlets, marine service centres, service stations and visitor information centres at Inverloch to enable mariners to make informed decisions as to whether they should contemplate bar crossings. It must be remembered no amount of experience or boat type makes crossing a bar safe. In all locations, mariners are encouraged to make use of available technology such as the Gippsland Ports website, www.gippslandports.vic.gov.au, as well as wind, tide and wave height information.
JASON Nathaniel Jose was born on December 24 at Leongatha Hospital. He is the first child for Jose and Agnes of Leongatha.
Other information about Gippsland waters is available from the Port Albert Weathercam and weather information established and operated by the Port Albert Light Game and Sportfishing Club Inc, www.loveportalbert. com.au/weathercams; and the Bureau of Meteorology www.bom.gov.au/marine for a comprehensive array of weather, tide and forecast information. Wherever vessels are fitted with marine 27MHz radio or VHF radio, mariners are encouraged to maintain a listening watch for weather information. Gippsland Ports also encouraged boat operators to respect time limits on public wharves and destination jetties and the principle of a “fair go”, and not to overstay or berth in restricted areas. Gippsland Ports’ harbour master Bevis Hayward said, “We know most vessel operators do the right thing and respect the rights of other recreational boating enthusiasts to access public wharves, jetties and moorings. “We have clearly marked any facilities where time limits apply and have placed explanatory signage at each facility. We will be conducting regular patrols of popular areas to monitor compliance, and if and where necessary, we will use our authority to move vessels on.” So that the boating experience over this summer is enjoyable and safe, all boaters, including vessel masters and their passengers, are encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety. This includes checking the boat and equipment before you leave home or your jetty berth, get a current marine weather forecast, ensure you are carrying the prescribed safety equipment, you consider wearing a PFD at all times whilst on a vessel and certainly at all times where required. Be sure to maintain a weather watch and be prepared to change your plans if conditions deteriorate, abide with prescribed alcohol limits, never refuel with persons on board and only refuel at designated refuelling facilities. In the event you are stranded on the water, stay on the boat and use your marine radio in preference to a mobile phone to call for help. In the interests of courtesy to other vessels, for the safety of passengers on board those vessels, and to minimise damage caused to berthed vessels, operators of vessels underway are encouraged to “watch their wake”. Many vessel operators fail to understand or appreciate the effect that wake their vessel generates can have on other vessels, quite often some distance from where they are operating. Mr Murray said, “I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to enjoy the iconic, extensive and beautiful waterways of Gippsland, whether for swimming, fishing, kayaking, sailing, water skiing and boarding, cruising to remote locations, observing nature in a coastal park or taking in a meal at a waterfront restaurant to do so with their own safety and the safety of others as front of mind. “At Gippsland Ports we are also very keen to receive your feedback on vessels overstaying, damage or other issues with jetties or navigation aids or marine pollution. These can be reported to feedback@gippslandports.vic. gov.au or at one of the emergency contact numbers listed on the Gippsland Ports website. We are also keen to receive good news and constructive suggestions as well.”
PAGE 32 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
HOT
THIS SU MMER
Bite into Island fun Above and right, Discover dinosaurs: step into the past these school holidays at Churchill Island.
Strike it lucky BOWL them straight at Morwell Tenpins and you’re almost certainly guaranteed to be a winner. Enjoy a social game with your mates or siblings these school holidays. Bumper bowling is ideal for kids
All gear supplied Unlimited paintballs
with no more gutter balls. The facility offers wheelchair accessible and ramps available to help with bowling. The alley is located at Chickerell Street, Morwell. Phone 5134 6450.
Bookings Essential
STOMP, chomp and romp your way back to the Jurassic period when Dinosaur Adventures comes to Churchill Island, January 21 to 27. The life-sized animatronic dinosaurs are set to thrill kids and adults alike with their true to life walking, roaring and reptilian skin. Children can also become a palaeontologist in an interactive prehistoric land and embark on a fossil finding adventure. Dinosaurs appear from 10.30am to 2.30pm. Entry is free with a 3 Parks Pass. From January 2 to
19, join education rangers from Phillip Island Nature Parks for a series of family fun activities, including Churchill Island pirates, Bush Crea-
0413 693 376 FOR BOOKINGS www.basscoastpaintball.com.au
Get your body into bowling and have fun at
Morwell Tenpins
Glow in the dark bowling Saturday nights
DODGE paintballs these summer school holidays. Bass Coast Paintball at West Creek near Wonthaggi offers outdoor fun with family and friends in a bush setting. Fire paintballs at your opponents and stay out of the way of theirs.
For $50 per one hour session, SplatMaster packages cater for people aged 12 plus, offering unlimited paintballs and games. All gear is supplied, including goggles, camouflage clothing and a padded vest, as a well as a referee. Just be sure to bring an adult to supervise.
Summer of Events 2014 Phillip Island Nature Parks welcomes summer with a selection of outdoor events for the young and young at heart.
January 2–28 School holiday program 21-27
February
March Penguin Month – free daily activities 22 – 23 Dads ‘n’ Daughters Churchill Island 29 – 30 Dads ‘n’ Daughters Churchill Island
April
SUNDAY SPECIAL
2 Games 4pm to late
5 – 21 school holiday program 19 – 20 Easter Fun Festival at Churchill Island, meet Pepper Pig Saturday and a giant Easter egg hunt Sunday
$10.00 PER PERSON
Birthday party packages available Bookings Essential
44-48 Chickerell St Morwell Phone 5134 6450 MOR7330059
Be sure to book early during the school holidays to avoid disappointment. Phone 5672 4109 or 0413 693 376 or email info@basscoastpaintball. com.au Bass Coast Paintball is at 426 West Creek Road, West Creek, just out of Wonthaggi towards Loch.
™
15 – 16 Dads ‘n’ Lads Churchill Island 22 – 23 Dads ‘n’ Lads Churchill Island
Bring the family, play together
$8 for adults and a family of two adults and two children is $25. To find out more, see www.penguins.org.au/ conservation/education
Take aim at paintball
Holiday fun • Ideal birthday gift • 12 years & up
BASS COAST PA I N T B A L L
tures and Features, Koala Prowls and Rockpool Spotlights. Activities around the nature parks. Cost is $6 for children (four to 15),
For more details call
(03) 5951 2879 or visit
penguins.org.au
“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 33
Explore, discover at swap meet ONE of the highlights of South Gippsland’s calendar is on this Sunday, January 12. The Korumburra Swap Meet will attract 4000 people to the Korumburra Showgrounds. They will be drawn by the promise of parts for vintage, classic and modern cars and motorcycles, and stationary engines. However the swap meet now also offers a diversity of domestic items, such as remote control cars, fishing rods, lawnmowers and gardening equipment. The swap meet’s reputation for having hard to find parts for older vehicles attracts people from as far as Darwin in the Northern Territory, Cairns in Queensland and even overseas. The South Gippsland Historical Automobile Club stages the event and club publicity officer Gerard Bruning said this year’s event will be the 31st. “It’s the biggest crowd puller on the shire calendar,” he said. “From what I have heard, it is one of the best swap meets around because it still pulls in such a diverse range of items.” There is something to
entertain everyone: young, old and families. “There are even children selling their used toys and then going out to buy something else,” Gerard said. Fortunately the rise of the internet and the ability for people to find hard to source items online has not impacted upon the swap meet’s success. Gates open to shoppers from 6am and the swap meet will most likely continue until 2pm to 3pm. Funds raised from previous swap meets have enabled club members to renovate the interior of its clubrooms at the Leongatha Recreation Reserve. Those facilities are also used by other groups, including the Leongatha Table Tennis Club and the South Gippsland branch of the Australian Plants Society. “It’s just a wonderful investment in the local community,” Gerard said. The club has 130 members and up to 60 members will help on the day of the swap meet. One of those members is Robin Williams. He discovered his Wolseley 4/44 advertised in a local newspaper in the Wagga Wagga area of New
Pride and joy: South Gippsland Historical Automobile Club member Robin Williams at work restoring his Wolseley 4/44. South Wales. Robin rang the owner, thinking the vehicle would be ideal for spare parts for the car he already owned. “After a long conversation I discovered he was the original owner who had purchased the car
from Peter Lloyd Limited, Sydney, in 1955,” he said. “He told me the car had done 100,000 miles trouble free, only replacing wearing parts as required and still with the original number plates.” The car had not been
driven much over the last 20 years, only clocking up about 200 miles a year, and was still registered. He was reluctantly selling the car due to ill health. “After my inspection of the car, I found the old girl was too good to wreck
and decided to buy her and commence my second restoration,” Robin said. “The body work was straight and in original condition with some rust of the front doors and sills, which was expected. “The mechanics were
all in working order, but with some repairs needed. On the positive side, the interior was in reasonable condition. “I look forward to spending the next two to three years bringing it back to her former glory.”
Coal Creek FARMERS’ MARKET HOLIDAY FUN AND FABULOUS LOCAL FARE
The South Gippsland Branch of GIPPSLAND HISTORICAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB INC. presents
Bring the family and relax under the shade of the gumtrees, play in the playground, climb on board a fire engine, and stock up on local produce.
Gippsland Hills CWA is on the cake stall, Ruby CFA on the BBQ. COA1310005
31st ANNUAL
WON4580365
All Day – Ruby CFA will have its new tanker to explore, plus fire behaviour demonstration (weather permitting). 10.00am – Veg growing tips with Meredith from Grow Lightly. Pick up some free-range eggs, cakes, chutneys, artisan cheese, wines, seedlings, herbs to plant, hand-made soaps, and venison is back too.
SWAP DAY Sunday, January 12, 2014 at Korumburra Showgrounds VINTAGE & CLASSIC CAR DISPLAY
Stallholder enquiries phone 0459 629 000
THE BOOK THIEF (PG)
s w e i v e R
Grounds closed 10pm Saturday till 6am Sunday
START 6 AM TO INCLUDE ALL CATEGORIES (Auto, motorcycle, stationary engine, farm machinery, antique) ANYTHING MECHANICAL
Genre: Drama/War. Starring: Sophie Nélisse, Geoffrey Rush & Emily Watson. By her brother's graveside, Liesel's life is changed when she picks up an object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Gravedigger's Handbook, and it is her first act of book thievery. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel learns to read with the encouragement from her new family and Max, a Jewish refugee who they are hiding under the stairs. For Liesel and Max, the power of words and imagination become the only escape from the tumultuous events happening around them in World War 2 Nazi Germany, a lifeaffirming story of survival and of the resilience of the human spirit. THE BOOK THIEF is based on the beloved international bestselling novel by Australian author Markus Zusak.
Jump onto the Stadium 4 website for more information! www.stadiumcinema.com.au
Enquiries: 5657 3294 5657 3371 0427 341 497
ADMISSION: $5 per person Under 16 FREE $15 per site (includes one person entry)
Bric-a-brac, car books and much more in pavilion
LIGHT REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE FROM 6 am — GATES OPEN 6am
SITES ALLOCATED ON ARRIVAL - NO PRIOR BOOKINGS No dogs allowed
SOU9450020
HERE'S MY CARD
PAGE 34 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
ELECTRONICS
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“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 35
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T O TA L
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at Capeview Mitre 10 Store, Cape Paterson Rd., Wonthaggi Email: jean.jackson@cv-bp.com.au
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PAGE 36 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Farming Insight
Farmers vow to look forward IMPROVING conditions and positive commodity prices are keeping Victorian farmers’ optimism levels high, according to the latest Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey released recently. Overall, of the Victorian farmers expecting conditions to improve over the coming 12 months, 43 per cent cited commodity prices as the reason for their optimism – the majority dairy farmers. Leongatha North dairy farmers John and Linda Fiddelaers are enjoying the current season, with Mr Fiddelaers pronouncing it as the best they have had in years. “The price (for milk) has also lifted, which we hope will continue for this season and hopefully into the next,” he said. “We have had a really good hay season so far and have still got some to do. We have managed a second cut this year; some farmers have managed three.” The Fiddelaers had to buy in hay last season, which was a big expense, but Mr Fiddelaers said this year fodder reserves are back on track. “We have got more hay and silage than we have had for a couple of years. Unless we have an exceptionally bad season, we should be good,” he said. “Many farmers are still getting over last year’s summer/autumn period, but the feeling seems to be we are having the best
season we have had in a long time. “The price always plays a part, but the season plays a big part as well.” Mr Fiddelaers said the increase in positivity among dairy farmers was likely to have a positive flow on effect on the town as well. “Now is a big opportunity for farmers to make improvements on farm they haven’t been able to do for years,” he said. Mrs Fiddelaers said farmers are optimistic, helped by the improving season as well as the increase in farmgate prices. “We are now being paid the price we should be getting paid for milk,” she said. “Hopefully this season is not just a one off, which will help the confidence in the industry to continue.” Nerrena dairy farmer Michael Holloway said while farm gate prices are getting better, the costs associated with dairy farming continue to rise. “I have been in the industry all my life and have seen enormous changes throughout that time,” he said. “We are established farmers, so for us we can ride out the tough times, but for younger farmers with a lot of debt to manage, I believe there is still a fair bit of catching up to do.” Mr Holloway said enticing young people into dairy farming today was one of the big issues facing the industry going forward. “Many years ago, you could go share farming and get enough equity and put a good deposit on a farm but that is near impossible
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On the up: John and Linda Fiddelaers are positive about the outlook for dairy farming, helped by higher farmgate prices and improved seasonal conditions. today,” he said. “The costs of our industry, like power and fuel, are one of the major things we have got to battle against, as well as the weather and the export market. “When the prices keep going up, it is hard to ab-
sorb the costs all the time. That is the hardest thing now.” Rabobank state manager for Victoria Todd Charteris said confidence was highest amongst those in the dairy sector – with 52 per cent of dairy farm-
ers expecting conditions to improve. “After emerging from a tough period, cash flows are still tight for many dairy farming businesses, but this should be alleviated in the short to medium-term on the back of
improved market dynamics,” he said. “All the global fundamentals are positive, particularly in relation to China – with their domestic market restrained by production issues while demand continues to in-
Quad bikes and children don’t mix THE Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is warning parents and carers to keep children away from quad bikes over the summer holidays. A recent Medical Journal of Australia study indicated children do not have the physical and cognitive capacity to operate quad bikes safely. The study found children under 14 made up a third of hospital emergency departments visits for quad bike-related injuries in Victoria. Sadly, 18 quad-bike related deaths have been reported in Australia this year. Two of these deaths were children under 14. In 2012, 19 quad bike-related deaths were reported in
total with children under 14 accounting for five of those deaths. “Quad bikes are especially popular during school holidays when they’re used recreationally but the ACCC is encouraging parents and carers to choose a safer, alternative outdoor activity,” ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard said. “Uncertainty of terrain and where a child is up to in terms of their development, including their reaction times, increases the risk of accident.” The ACCC is urging parents and carers to follow these three key safety tips to keep children safe: • never let children ride quad bikes that are meant for adults – it’s not worth the risk;
• never let children be passengers on quad bikes; and • do not ride anywhere near children. To stay safe on a quad bike, the ACCC recommends always wearing a helmet and protective clothing and gear such as goggles, long sleeves, long pants, boots and gloves/ hand protection. Riders should be aware quad bikes are not all-terrain vehicles so they cannot go safely on all types of terrain. Do not carry any passengers on quad bikes that are meant for one person. Ensure children are supervised at all times near any quad bike activity, don’t let children be passengers on quad bikes and ride on familiar tracks and beware of obstacles.
LICENSED REAL ESTATE AGENTS LIVESTOCK AGENTS AUCTIONEERS, PROPERTY MANAGERS
Dave Reynolds or Mark Reynolds
0407 460 756
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Now buying for China - Unjoined Holstein Heifers - Unjoined Jersey Heifers China protocols applied, 190kg plus on time of delivery into Quarantine middle of January. Also buying for immediate delivery & no blood testing - 100kg – 150kg - 150kg – 170kg Top prices paid
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crease. “This has translated into expectations farmgate milk prices will be 30 per cent up on last season, and we have already seen some positive step-up in prices since opening prices were announced.”
Michael Stevens ...5687 1466 .....0418 553 010 Bill Egan ...............5662 3219 .....0418 553 011 Terry Johnston .....5664 0239 .....0418 561 290 Mario Arestia........5657 7290 .....0417 600 222 Brian Kyle ............. ......................0427 708 291` Owen Kindellan ... ......................0428 212 311 Nick Lafferty......... ......................0419 112 573
David Piggin ..........5682 1809....0418553 016 Neil Park ................5663 6279....0408 515 117 Paul Wilson............5655 2807....0407 865 202 Kane Sparkes..............................0427 830 035 Rod Draper.................................0427 824 733 James Kyle ..................................0427 826 491
PAKENHAM
WARRAGUL
Bruce Petersen .....5629 9720 .....0418 346 907 Dan Cameron ...... ......................0408 141 611
Paul Phillips ..........5997 8353 .....0418 553 123 Jim Harvey........... ......................0408 342 658
STE3810632
By Sarah Vella
“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 37
ADVERTISEMENT
Line-X can bring old equipment back to life FACED with the prospect of forking out close to $10,000 on a new spreader, Lance Creek farmer Brendan McRae turned to familiar ally, Line-X, to repair his existing machine. With two descent sized holes in the tub, Line-X repaired the spreader as good as new and saved the local farmer $6000. “It is the best $3000 I have ever spent. The spreader was working well but you couldn’t use it because you lose too much fertiliser out of the holes,” Brendan said. “To buy a new spreader would of cost me about $9000 so you can’t beat it. We have saved $6000 and it’s as good as new. Dick Pendlebury does a fantastic job.” It wasn’t the first time that Brendan and his wife Mandy had called on Dick’s services. He repaired a large hole in their concrete water tank four years ago. “The tank holds our main water supply for the milking shed, or at least it does now after the successful repair works. “The old concrete tank was constantly leaking, but we plastered up all the holes and Dick sprayed his liner on it. “We did the tank four years ago now and it’s perfect. “Cost wise, if we had bought a new tank and then a new spreader, it would have cost us a fortune, but we have saved so
much money. “At some point in the near future I am going to take my tandem trailer down to Dick at Bass to get fixed. “I have seen him fix them up well and the best thing about it is the animals don’t slip on the surface so it’s safe.” Line-X specialises in multipurpose sprayon coatings that provide superior protection for virtually any surface including aluminium, fiberglass, metal, Styrofoam and wood. Line-X permanently bonds to most materials at the molecular level, creating a unique composite unlike any other. That makes Line-X perfect for protecting virtually anything that you care to protect: recreational vehicles, trailers, motorcycles, RVs, motor homes, boat hulls, sound systems, work tables and more. Line-X Spray-On Coatings are designed to create an impenetrable barrier between valuable equipment and nature’s harshest elements such as high humidity, saltwater and extreme temperature changes. Line-X is chemical resistant, corrosion resistant, anti-skid and anti-slip as well as, obviously, water resistant. So give Dick a call to find out if he can help you and save you some money in the process.
“The tank holds our main water supply for the milking shed, or at least it does now after the successful repair works carried out by Dick Pendlebury of Line-X. The old concrete tank was constantly leaking, especially at ground level but we plastered up all the holes and Dick sprayed his liner on it. It’s been fantastic.” said dairy farmer Brendan McRae of Lance Creek.
Lance Creek farmers Brendan and Mandy McRae with the spreader which was brought back to life thanks to a Line-X coating that repaired holes in the tub. J304413.
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PAGE 38 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Farming Insight Cold summer confuses berries Berry grower Michael Procter, of Inverloch, said “the poor old strawberries do not know what to do”. “We have got red and white strawberries, because we get a nice sunny day and the strawberries start to colour up, and then the next day it’s cold and they stop developing,” he said. While the weather may have prompted strawberries to fruit later than usual, Michael has generally been pleased with the quality and quantity. He grows two varieties: albion, which fruits in flushes, and camino, which fruits in a single wave. “You are really looking for that big yield in Decem-
Preliminary Notice 30TH ANNUAL FEATURE STORE CATTLE SALE VLE LEONGATHA
Thursday January 23 at 10am Elders will offer quality consignments of cattle, held especially for this annual sale
FURTHER ENTRIES INVITED Contact:
Rohan McRae 0417836664 Alex Dixon 0409581935 Michael Foote 0427162370 Don Bowman 0429801138 Dean Foat 0488732181 Ross McRobert 0418838454 Clay Mabilia 0439383091 Office 56581894
ELD9240436
Leongatha Korumburra Yarram
CLEARING SALE A/c G BOND
8455 BASS HWY, LEONGATHA FRIDAY JANUARY 10, 2014, 10.30AM Massey Ferguson 178 tractor with forks & bucket; Massey Ferguson 240 tractor; Yamaha Bear Tracker quad bike; Silvan Selectra 50lt spray unit with boom; JTS slasher offset 5ft x 5ft; MTD 20 ton log splitter; Masport 5hp hand Rotahoe; farm trailer for quad bike; Massey Ferguson 3 point saw bench; treated pine posts; barbed wire (assorted rolls); post rammer – 3 point; steel posts; Stihl M5311 Farm Boss chainsaw; Husqvarna 137 chain saw; Stihl pole saw with hedge trimmer attachment; angle grinder; electric plane; belt sander; power drill; circular saw x 2; cordless drill; mitre saw; drag chains; gates – 2 x 3600, 1 x 3800, 1 x 4200; diesel fuel tank – stand bent; electric fencing materials; gate hinges; poly pipe & fittings; grader blade, 3point; wooden extension ladder; aluminium extension ladder; brush cutter; steel & plastic jerry cans; 1900 x 1500 trailer; Bridgestone Desert Dueller tyres,A/T 275/65 R17, 4 x used, 1 x new; carryall (3 point); scrap metal; left hand golf clubs, bag & buggy; outdoor setting; 6 x kitchen chairs; 2 x sliding internal doors (glass panels); rola roof racks; fire stand (shovel, tongs etc); lateral thigh trainer; beach shelter; portable BBQ; plastic outdoor table & 2 chairs; small blackwoodTV cabinet; numerous sundry items. Outside vendors: 2009 McCormick tractor, 1400 hrs, 6 cyl, 120 HP, front end loader, bucket & forks (withdrawn from sale); 6 x 4 trailer crate; 2 x pressure pumps; calf feeder; shovels; crow bars; flame thrower; poly plough; 3hp elec motor; 2” Davey dairy douser. Outside vendors welcome. GST applicable. Terms - Cash or cheque on day of sale. Photo ID for registration, number system.
STORE SALE VLE - LEONGATHA
LAN2851102
Wait for MG
MURRAY Goulburn’s existing offer to acquire all the issued shares in Warrnambool Cheese and Butter for $9.50 remains the highest current value offer for WCB shareholders.
MG managing director Gary Helou said, “We urge WCB shareholders to not rush their decision to sell their WCB shares”. “WCB shareholders should wait until the outcome of the merger application authorisation process has been determined so MG’s offer can be consid-
ered on its merits. “MG remains committed to acquiring WCB and believes the combination of WCB and MG will deliver an Australian owned and operated globally competitive dairy company.” MG believes there is a significant risk Saputo will not achieve the 50 per cent, 75 per cent or 90 per cent ownership level in WCB required to trigger an increase in total offer price to $9.20, $9.40 or $9.60 cash per WCB share respectively. This risk is heightened due to the presence of a number of industry participants on WCB’s share register,
1000
Preliminary Notice
THURSDAY, JAN 9, 2014
CLEARING SALE
1000
CATTLE Starting at 10am
ENTRIES INCLUDE: A/c N B & L J Smith, Pound Creek: 120 Euro and Angus/Shorthorn X mixed sex weaners, 10-12 months old. (SEJ). A/c Vendor: 20 Angus X steers, 12 months. (Elders). A/c Lionel Holdings: 55 Angus cows with Limousin calves at foot (spring drop). 20 Angus cows with Angus calves at foot (spring drop). 17 First calved Angus heifers with Angus calves at foot (spring drop).
A/c B & B BROWN
SHEEPWAYS ROAD, KONGWAK
who currently own approximately 46 per cent of WCB in total. MG notes that Saputo’s latest offer is now “last and final” and cannot be increased. The panel has required Saputo offer withdrawal rights for those WCB shareholders who accepted Saputo’s offer on or before December 17. MG suggests all WCB shareholders who have accepted Saputo’s offer on or before December 17, to exercise their withdrawal right in order to keep their options open. MG also notes it has now filed its application for merger authorisation with the Australian Competition Tribunal in connection with its offer. The tribunal is focused on delivering its decision on the merger authorisation process by the end of February, which is within the statutory time frame of three months. MG remains confident in its approach to obtaining authorisation from the tribunal.
FRIDAY JANUARY 31 FOR SALE 10.30AM Charolais Bulls, 2 years old. Asking $2,000+GST
(Outside vendors welcome)
SOU6660548
5662 4033
Landmark Leongatha 5662 2291 Glenn Wright 0439 622 245
Productive season: Michael Procter inspects his strawberry crop at his Karingal Berries property at Inverloch.
David Phelan & Co. Pty. Ltd.
0429 050 349
5655 1677 5662 2291 5658 1894 5662 3523
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Glenn Wright 0439 622 245, Eddie Hams 0407 414 235 Bill Brown 0407 881 025
Dane Perczyk 0408 176 063
ALE5760193
AMPLE rain and warm summer days have produced plentiful berry crops this season, although the strawberries at Karingal Berries would have preferred more consistent weather.
ber and January period for strawberries,” Michael said. Black berry varieties – hybrids such as young, logan, marion, silvan and boysen, have likewise yielded pleasing crops, and will fruit for at least another week or two. “They were late but when they came, the yield was really good,” Michael said. “It was certainly comparable with last year.” Summer is a busy time of year for berry growers and often Michael will be picking before breakfast to satisfy customers who stop by throughout the day. “The two weeks before Christmas and the two weeks after Christmas is so frantic because there are so many people around,” he said. Boutique berry growers such Michael and his wife Barbara sell berry varieties typically avoided by the supermarkets. Aggregate berries – those with multiple bumps - have a higher risk of perishing during transport. By selling from the farmgate, the Procters deliver quality produce. Michael picks all berries by hand – “the patch is my gym” – and by doing so can keep a keen eye on quality. “You get pretty quick at picking them when you’ve been doing it for a while,” he said. Black berry varieties not only grow flora canes that produce this season’s fruit but also prima canes – the canes that will bear next year’s berries. Flora canes are woven over a trellis of five wires at various heights to allow for easy picking and for sunlight to reach berries. “You might have 20 canes coming out of the crown and you might put five canes on a wire. One cane can be up to three metres long,” Michael said. Watering is undertaken via a drip irrigation system and the amount adjusted according to rainfall. “If the plant gets really stressed, and that can also apply to tomatoes, the plant will start to drop its fruit because it’s all about survival,” Michael said. “This year we’ve had a lot of rain so there has been less need to water, at least until this point.” An order of 500 strawberry plants is due in February. Those will be delivered frozen and kept in the fridge until Michael is ready to plant. “We plant in February to fool the plant into thinking it has had a full year’s growth and they will then give a good yield the following summer,” Michael said. Berries are understood to be high in antioxidants, renowned for cancer prevention and anti-aging properties. The Procters transform some berries into preserves and make chutneys for sale at the farmgate and at the Koonwarra, Coal Creek and Inverloch Community farmers’ markets. They also treat their bed and breakfast guests to berries for breakfast year round. The Procters began their business three years ago after relocating from Melbourne where Michael was a marketing and supply chain manager with Nylex and Barbara a primary school teacher.
LAN2851103
By Brad Lester
“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 39
On show: Gendore manager Tim Burgess with the new Series T5 tractor from New Holland that will be on working display at the Tooradin Tractor Pull on Saturday, January 18. The tractor is also on display at the Leongatha and Tooradin dealerships.
Hear tractor engines roar HANG on to your seats for a fuel filled day of fun at Tooradin. Lock in a visit to the Tooradin Tractor Pull and Truck Show on Saturday, January 18 at the town’s Rutter Reserve. The show has been an annual event since 1998 and has grown into a fabulous family day packed with lots of fun things to see and do. The non-profit event is run by a committee of local community people, putting all proceeds back into local clubs, schools and charities. See custom made tractors bursting with grunt pull a machine that becomes heavier the further it is pulled down a 100 metre track. The weight transfer, or sled as it is commonly known, looks like a standard flat bed semi-trailer with a weight box instead of a standard load. This weight box weighs about 14 tonne. When the tractor is unable to pull the
sled any further, the distance pulled is measured using laser surveying equipment. This provides an accurate reading to within a centimetre, and sometimes only a centimetre separates first from second place. The truck show will feature many categories, from the coveted rig of the show to best prime mover, best tipper and best tilt tray. This year’s event will include the Tooradin Car Show, including a burnout display. The event will be fully catered and offer childrens’ amusements and helicopter rides. There will be no BYO but alcohol will be available on the day. Trucks will be on show from 10am-3pm and tractors from 3pm-10pm. Early bird ticket specials are offered before 12pm, with adults $15, kids $10 and a family $40. General pricing after 12pm is adults $25, kids $10 and a family $60. Children under 10 are free.
Action packed: a competitor chases first place in a previous tractor pull at Tooradin.
(MELWAYS REF 144 C4)
1109582-LN49-13
RUTTER RESERVE TOORADIN
The ALL NEW T5 Series from See on display at the TOORADIN TRACTOR PULL & TRUCK SHOW
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18 Rutter Reserve, Tooradin
GEN87200238
• 100-115 HP • Semi Powershift transmission • VisionView™ cab
Also on display at our L eongatha and Tooradin dealerships
GENDORE
TRACTORS AND MACHINERY
82 - 84 Yarragon Road, LEONGATHA 5662 4044
A/H Kevin Smith 5664 5463 www.gendore.com.au
PAGE 40 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
BAG A BARGAIN in The Star!
public notices
public notices
situations vacant
BOAT LICENCE COURSE
AFTERNOON TEA
LEONGATHA CHILDREN’S CENTRE INC
Vic. Marine Licence with Jetski endorsement
INVERLOCH
FREE CLASSIFIED ADS
FRYPAN. Sunbeam Banquet. Never used. $50. Ph. 0466 965 992. CORNER TV UNIT. Baltic pine, exc. cond. $50. Ph. 0466 965 992. ROCK for landscaping. $30. Ph. 0418 791 840. ROCKING CHAIR, wooden. $40 ONO. Ph. 5668 1571. KITCHEN TABLE. Metal legs, laminated top, 90cmW X 130cmL extends to 2 metres. $45 ONO. Ph. 5668 1571. ENTERTAINMENT UNIT. Baltic pine stain, 210W X 125H X 62D. GC. $50 ONO. Ph. 5662 4810. HP PSC1350 COLOUR PRINTER/SCANNER/COPIER. GC, with extra black cartridge. $30. Ph. 5662 4810. NEWHAVEN COLLEGE Girl’s summer dress. $40. Ph. 0438 982 729. BABY CAR SEAT. Built to Australian Standard. Cost over $200. very good cond. $50. Ph. 0411 439 856. SADDLE, BRIDLE & LEAD ROPE. $50 the lot. Ph. 5674 5601. LPS UNIFORM, size 6/8. Exc. cond. Trackpants, t-shirts, shorts, jumpers, vests. 25 items. $50. Ph. 0448 623 888. STORAGE UNIT, white, lowline with 3 open compartments, 160cm x 39cm x 37cm. Exc. cond. $25. Ph. 5664 9295. PIANO or ORGAN STOOL, padded timber. $45. Ph. 5662 3807. WASHING MACHINE. Hitachi large top loader. Good cond. $50. Ph. 5662 3807. SOUTH COAST CHRISTIAN COLLEGE SPORTS UNIFORM. Size 16. $30. Ph. 0468 354 145. DECK CHAIRS. Two. Powder coated steel frames. Blue and white striped canvas. as new never used. $50 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. 2 recorders, 1 tin whistle, 1 harmonica and 1 guiro. 5 items for $25. Excellent condition. ph. 5662 5141. GIRLS CLOTHES. Size 8 to 16. $5 a bag. Ph. 5668 1886. BOYS CLOTHES. Size 8 to 18. $5 a bag Ph. 5668 1886. 2 CUPBOARDS/SELFING MAL/CHIPBOARD. $25 each ono. Ph. 5668 1886. CRICKET SPIKES. Size 10. Excellent condition $30. Ph. 0437 891 243. GUITAR. Valencia. Acoustic. Youth size. $50. Ph 0427 313 813. PRINTER. Canon. With cables and new ink. Pixma IP3000 $50. Ph. 0488 069 004. DISHWASHER. $50. Ph. 0418 515 342 BEDSIDE TABLES. x2. $50. Ph. 0418 515 342.
SIDE BY SIDE OVEN AND COOK TOP. $50. Ph. 0418 515 342. BASKETBALL RING. Adjustable. old but still working. $50. Ph. 0439 361 718. LSC WOOLEN SCHOOL JUMPER. Size 16. new condition. $50. Ph. 0439 361 718. AUTO RADIATOR. XD XE XF. $50. Ph. 0438 578 107. SINGLE BED. Ensemble. Good clean condition. $30. Ph. 5659 8297. MICROWAVE. Daevoo. 2 years old. $50. Ph.0413 452 686. JAPANESE LOW DINING ROOM TABLE. $50. ph. 0413 452 686. BABY BOUNCER. With cute hanging character. Calming vibration. Near new. $20. ph. 0458 942 517. JOLLY JUMPER & BABY FLOOR GYM. Plays music with hanging characters. near new. $35. Ph. 0458 942 517. 3 WHEEL STROLLER. Double. swivel wheel. Birth to 4 years. Harness. Adjustable back rest. $50. Ph. 5663 5439. MATTRESS. Double bed. Good condition. Hardly used was in guest bedroom. Tarwin Lower. $50. Ph. 5663 5439, HONDA RACING TEDDY BEAR. Brand new in box. $20. Proceeds to Royal Children’s Hospital. Ph. 5674 2010. CAROLS FOR A CURE Christmas CD. $4 each. Proceeds to Royal Children’s Hospital. Ph. 5674 2010. ANTIQUE VICTORIAN LADY’S ARMCHAIR. VGC. $50. Ph. 0428 285 304. TWO ANTIQUE DINING CHAIRS, balloon back, VGC. $40 the pair. Ph. 0428 285 304. HP PRINTER, SCAN, COPY PRINTER. Very good condition but needs new print cartridges. $10. Ph. 5662 5141. CANON PRINTER. With four as new print cartridges and all cables. $40. ph. 5662 2954. SODIUM HYDROXIDE/CAUSTIC SODA. 2kg. For soap making or cleaning. Loch. $12. Ph. 5659 6127. FULL VINYL BACK SEAT COVER. To suit Holden Omega 2006. $50. Ph. 0407 825 488. JARS. Fowlers Vacola. Size 27. $2 each. Ph. 0427 506 446. COFFEE TABLE. Solid pine. Smoked Glass top. 18” high x 2.5ft2. $40. Ph. 0458 142 301. MARY MACKILLOP COLLEGE GIRLS SUMMER UNIFORM. Size 10. $40. Good condition. Ph. 0438 982 729. CEILING FANS. Two. White. 48”. complete. Reversable for summer/winter. $25 each.
Advertisements must be received at The Star by Friday 12 noon *The Star reserves the right to refuse any advertisement PRIVATE ADVERTISEMENTS ONLY - NO BUSINESSES Max. 2 advs. per week - Single phone number for contact NOTE: No advertisements for animals, birds or fish accepted
MAXIMUM 15 WORDS STAR OFFICE - 36 McCARTIN STREET, LEONGATHA EMAIL : bagabargain@thestar.com.au
OR PHONE :
5662 5555
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL Phone Bob: 0417 524 005 Approved TSV course www.abcboating.com ABN 43080057923
SOUTH GIPPSLAND ULYSSES
Bikers Ball
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 15 LEONGATHA MEMORIAL HALL 8PM Band: IC Rock TICKETS $15 PER PERSON PRE PAID
BYO drinks & nibbles Dress code: Denim or leather Contact Val Grayden 5662 3519, 0407 623 515
An afternoon tea to celebrate her life and all that she was, 20 years on. NEW DATE:
25th January 2014 From 2-4pm at the CELIA ROSSER GALLERY Promontory Road, Fish Creek RSVP: 15th January 2014 to ensure sufficient catering Samantha on 0409 832 475
CHIROPRACTOR NORMAN G. VRADENBURG
is currently seeking suitable Educator applicants for the following positions: •
5 month maternity leave position with the possibility to extend • Relief educators The successful applicants must be able to demonstrate excellent skills, show enthusiasm and a genuine desire to work in the early childhood field. Current police check, WWC and first aid training is essential. Don’t miss your chance to work at this fantastic facility, with a great team. For a job description please phone (03) 5662 3533. All applications should be addressed to: Leongatha Children’s Centre Inc Committee of Management 7 Symmons Street Leongatha VIC 3953 Applications close on Tuesday 14 January 2014 by 5pm
“NON-FORCE PRACTITIONER” 28 Reilly Street, INVERLOCH HOURS - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday by appointment Phone and fax 5674 3666 South Gippsland Chiropractic Services & Adjunctive Therapies P/L
Classified advertising closes 12 noon Mondays
Art Show
UnitingCare Gippsland is a quality accredited community service agency. The Agency has a vision of a healthy Gippsland, where disadvantage and inequity are challenged. UnitingCare Gippsland has the following vacancy at Dala Lidj Woolum Bellum Kindergarten Morwell:
Kindergarten Teacher Further information is available at: www.ucgipps.org.au or call Pam Porter on 5152 9600 UnitingCare Gippsland interviews in the interests of safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
BEAUTY THERAPIST LEONGATHA
A major art show of wildlife & landscapes by
Di & John Koenders
The Leongatha Terry White Chemist is seeking a motivated and passionate part time Beauty Therapist to join its team. The successful candidate will be fully competent with skin care, waxing, meeting the beauty needs of our customers and have a strong sales focus. This role would see you building and maintaining a loyal client base through highly developed people skills and the desire to drive the business to the next level. If you are customer service focused, have a professional approach and exceptional references, please contact the chemist on 5662 2183 to arrange a copy of the position description, prior to sending your resumé and covering letter outlining your previous experience, current certificates and how you would meet the criteria within the position description.
“Escape to the Country” On now until Feb 2, 2014
31387
TOTAL VALUE OF ITEMS PER ADVERT MUST NOT EXCEED $50
Tuesday, January 21 6pm - 10pm
A Celebration of Life: Marking the 20th Anniversary of Ann Bright
situations vacant
Including all public holidays Open daily: 11am to 5pm
JOURNALIST
MAYFIELD GALLERY
A full time position exists for a journalist on the award winning South Gippsland newspaper, The Great Southern Star, Leongatha.
585 Fairbank Rd, Arawata Ph: 5659 8262 www.mayfieldgallery.com.au
situations vacant
situations vacant
DEVELOP A CAREER IN THE MEAT INDUSTRY Meat Processors, labourers and Skilled Staff Required For large Export Meat processing facilities in the Wonthaggi Region. Stability and Long term Employment Opportunities Available Duties include: • General Labouring • Process Work • Rendering • Boning/Slicing/Knife Hand • Picking & Packing Experience not essential. Full training provided. MUST be Australian citizen or permanent resident. Full time & casual positions available. Early starts. MUST be prepared to attend INFORMATION SESSION. Eligibility Criteria Applies. To apply please call 8398 1728 or email your most recent resumé to madmin@miss.vic.edu.au
The successful applicant will need to live in or close to Leongatha, be highly motivated and have excellent communication skills. The Star welcomes applications from recently finished VCE students with a high English score to study a cadetship through the newspaper or from experienced journalists. THE POSITION WILL COMMENCE MID TO LATE JANUARY All applications to: Manager Helen Bowering Email helen@thestar.com.au Enquiries phone 0418 556 038
“THE STAR�, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 41
for sale
for sale
MOWERS We stock the largest range of New push and ride-on mowers in South Gippsland, including - Honda,Victa, GreenďŹ eld, Deutscher, Cab Cadet, MTD, Masport, Toro, Yard Machines & Rover from $149. Professional repairs and service for ALL mower makes and models. Husqvarna Specialist. Also stocking a large range of parts and accessories. We also have a large range of secondhand mowers available.
MOTORCYCLES & POWER EQUIPMENT Cnr Allison & South Gippsland Hwy, Leongatha. L.M.C.T. 2714
Ph: 5662 2028
www.marriottsmpe.com.au
situations vacant
for sale
used machinery
SEWING MACHINE
HAY $8 per bale, excellent quality. Free local delivery for 100 bales or more. 0419-313483.
FREE QUOTES
HAY: small squares, excellent quality, shedded, suitable for horses. New season, $10 each. Can deliver, conditions apply. 5664-1320.
REPAIRS & SALES
WONTHAGGI SEWING CENTRE
167 Graham Street Wonthaggi
5672 3127
CATTLE WEIGH BARS (2) with AC/Int battery read out station, $250. 5668-5281. ENGEL FRIDGE/FREEZER large size, great for camping, ac/dc sockets and insulated cover included. Works perfectly. New $1,000 sell for $250. Located at Waratah Bay. Ph: 0407-528192. FIREWOOD Local messmate / stringy. Discount for bulk loads, cut and split, $90 per metre. Ph: 0437-176187. FIREWOOD, redgum & local wood, Ph 0408-980711, A/H 5662-5175.
situations vacant
SLEEPERS, treated pine, 200x50x2.4 $12.10 each, 200x75x2.4 $16.75 each, 200x75x3.0 $ 20.90 each. Free delivery for pack lots. Phone Joe 0417-530662. TIMBER Kiln dried blackwood, silver wattle, cypress, celery top pine, most sizes for furniture and craft, also slabs and structural pine. Ph: 56812261.
used machinery
MACHINERY FOR SALE Tractor and Loader: Case MX120 3500 Hrs with Pearson Quick detach FE loader. Bucket, bale forks amd silage grab. Tandem Discs: Taylor Way 22' cut, heavy duty 58 plate, Hyd fold to 16' easy to pull, leaves a level ďŹ nish. Laser Grader: JN & R 11' 2'' ďŹ nishing bucket with hyd mast, rotating head laser, sensors, control panels & rod-eye. Direct Drill: Great Plains 15' Solid Stand 30 run, 3PL, with $4000 of new press wheels included. Small Square Baler: Case 8545 Inline Baler ďŹ tted with inoculant tank & in chamber moisture meter, 6-700 bales per hr.
Hay Tedder: Kuhn 5mtr Gyro tedder. Chaff Cutter: Jas Smith 6'' with bagger and electric motor. Forage Harvester: New Holland - suitable for cutting chaff. PTO driven. Boom Spray: Jetstream Computor Spray 40', 2000lt tank, tandem axle with foam marker, reco pump. ScariďŹ er: Alfarm 3PL Hyd. Folding Wing, 5.7mtr cut, folds to 3.75mtr. Combine Drill: Chamberlan Mk3 24run with spring tyne harrows. Hay Forks/Lifting Arm: Bonel hay forks, 3PL, lifts bales or pallets to approx 12'.
For further details phone - 0428 489 230
situations vacant
situations vacant
used motorcycles XT 250 1980, very neat bike, runs like new, needs very little. First to ride will buy, $600. James 0458465070.
situations vacant
Latrobe Community Health Service is one of the largest community health providers in Victoria. We provide professional and career development, salary packaging, an employee assistance program, work life balance and much more. We are currently offering the following career opportunities:
Senior Quality OfďŹ cer (17899) Full Time, Fixed Term position, base location Morwell Reporting to the Manager Quality and Front OfďŹ ce the Senior Quality OfďŹ cer will be hands on and is responsible for identiďŹ cation, promotion, support and advice in continuous improvement outcomes, legislative compliance and risk management throughout the organisation and will have a signiďŹ cant role in accreditation and review processes. The Senior Quality OfďŹ cer will also have a lead role in the management of the Risk Management System (RiskMan/VHIMS) and in the Documentation Management System (Ekey).
used vehicles Affordable cars at drive away prices
SG CHEAPEST CARS Geary Road Leongatha LMCT 10804
Phone Judy or Geoff 0428 920 095 for full range of vehicles Or visit: www.sgcheapestcars.com NOTE: drive away means no more to pay. All on road costs paid.
FREE CAR REMOVAL Will pay up to $300 for complete car Buyers of scrap metal All machinery Bins provided
FULL TIME INVENTORY & PRICING ASSISTANT Capeview M10 - Wonthaggi
Bass Coast Metal Recyclers
A full time position exists as an Inventory and Pricing Assistant, stationed in our Wonthaggi Head OfďŹ ce. The successful applicant must have the following attributes: • An extremely high propensity for data analysis • Should be able to demonstrate a minimum level of intermediary Excel skills • A high degree of knowledge in retail pricing structures, speciďŹ cally in a hardware/DIY environment, would be considered a distinct advantage • Strong analytical skills • Highly organised with the ability to meet deadlines efďŹ ciently and consistently • Demonstrate strong communication skills across levels • An approachable and friendly nature • Be team orientated
TOYOTA COROLLA Ascent wagon, 1.8L, 2003. Good family car, in good condition, 244,000kms. RWC valid until 18.1.14, registration until February 2014 (SCN931). Leongatha South, $3,900 ONO. Contact 0409-423604 or 0408-402639.
If you believe you have the qualities we are looking for, you are invited to apply in writing by Friday 24th January 2014 to: Tony Cruickshank, CEO Capeview Hardware Pty Ltd, Cape Paterson Road, Wonthaggi, Vic 3995, or by email to tony.cruickshank@cv-m10.com.au Only successful applicants will be contacted
5672 2946 0417 556 593
situations vacant
DUMP TRUCK DRIVER Must have all relevant tickets and licences Phone 0438 056 987
Project management is also a component of this position. If you are looking for the opportunity to work within a highly motivated and supportive team, this may be the perfect role for you. For further information in regards to this position please contact Janene Havers, Manger Quality and Front OfďŹ ce on 0428 404 502.
Trainers Required
Applications close 4.30pm, Friday 17 January 2014.
Assessment Clinician (17866) Full Time Fixed Term or Permanent position, base location is negotiable Latrobe Community Health Service’s Gateway program is seeking a self-motivated, enthusiastic individual with highly effective communication, computer and time management skills to join our Aged Care Assessment Service team in Gippsland.
Community College Gippsland is looking for a number of professional, enthusiastic trainers and assessors to provide quality training at our various campuses throughout Gippsland. Opportunities currently exist in the following program areas:
This role is responsible for comprehensive assessments and recommendations regarding the care needs of aged persons and eligible younger people with a disability. If you are passionate about improving health outcomes and access to services for members of your community, we would like to hear from you. For further information in regards to this position please contact Deborah Harvey, Manager Gateway on (03) 5136 5441.
Beauty Therapy * Nail Technology * Business Children’s Services * Warehousing & Logistics
Applications close 4.30pm, Friday 17 January 2014.
Quality OfďŹ cer (17901)
These rewarding positions offer variety and a chance to work as part of a vibrant, energetic team. Successful applicants will have relevant industry experience and Assessment - TAE40110 (preferred). The positions will involve travel between campuses and workplaces.
Permanent, Full Time position, base location Morwell Reporting to the Manager Quality and Front OfďŹ ce the Quality OfďŹ cer is responsible for the day to day management and operations of the LCHS Document Management System (eKey). A lead role in the day to day administration of the Board Assurance Compliance e-system (BACeS). A key component of this role is the day to day monitoring of incident, community feedback and of risks within the risk register through RiskMan/VHIMS. The role also encompasses the promotion of continuous improvement activities and a key contributor in accreditation and review processes. The role will provide assistance to the Manager in community engagement activities.
Registered Training Organisation.
Project management is also a component of this position.
For further information in regards to this position please contact Janene Havers, Manager Quality & Front OfďŹ ce on 0428 040 502.
Applications close 4.30pm, Friday 17 January 2014. • For further information and copies of each position description visit our careers page www.lchs.com.au/careers. • Applicants must address the Selection Criteria and lodge their application online. • No late or hard copy applications will be accepted.
ZO342193
If you are looking for the opportunity to work within a highly motivated and supportive team, this may be the perfect role for you.
For a position description please visit www.ccg.asn.au or contact Joanne Kingwill, Director Executive Assistant on 5622 6000. Applications and resumes can be emailed to: jobs@ccg.asn.au and will close at 9am on Friday 10th January 2014. PO Box 249 Warragul VIC 3820 P: 03 5622 6000 E: jobs@ccg.asn.au W: www.ccg.asn.au
livestock PULLETS Wednesday, January 29 Commercial crossbreds. Fully vaccinated. Not debeaked. 12wk (black, red, Isa Brown) $15 Available from Elders Past., Leongatha 11am Phone 5662 3523 to order now (Brian Larkin Poultry)
RAMS Southdown, Poll Dorset, Border Leicester. Flock registered, brucellosis accredited, well bred, established breeder, from $150 each. Can deliver. 0428-356376.
garage sales
GARAGE SALE The “STAR� can help you promote your event with our
$27.50 GARAGE SALE KIT KIT INCLUDES 5cm x S/C advert (valued at $33.00) • 2 x A4 Garage Sale Signs • Garage Sale Tips (dos and don’ts) • Sheet of Price Stickers • Star Carry Bag
Total package valued at $41 ADVERTISE by calling 5662 5555 or emailing classiďŹ eds@thestar.com.au or call in to 36 McCartin Street LEONGATHA to pick up your kit when you place your advertisement
GARAGE SALE Saturday, January 11
4 Shingler Street, Leongatha Kitchenware, craft, small freezer, garden - plants, pots, tools, furniture, fountain, mower. ALL MUST GO Not before 8.30am - 4pm GARAGE SALE Continuous from Monday, January 6, 18 Ritchie Street, Leongatha, 10am start. Pianola with 250+ rolls, furniture, beds, crystal cabinet, 2 x old buffets, old old bedroom suite, wardrobe and red bricks 50c. All must go. INVERLOCH Uniting Church, Williams Street (opposite Post Office,) Saturday, January 11, 9am. Car boot sale, cakes, Devonshire teas, sausage sizzle etc.
wanted to buy AAAA OLD MOTORBIKES road, trail, motocross, farm, scooters, 4 wheelers, minis, wrecks or just parts. Cash paid. 5668-2232 or 0488-294894. CASH PAID farm four wheelers, ag bikes, trucks, 4WDs and ride-on mowers. Any condition. Phone Matt 0401-194601.
Most photos that appear in The Star can be purchased by calling 5662 2294
PAGE 42 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
What a night: music fans revel in the atmosphere. Photo: Jason James Bryant (Jayse the Ace What a scene: the view from the site of the concert. Photography).
1500 party on the hill Learning Stone opened FISH Creek and District Primary School marked the opening of their Learning Stone project with a smoking ceremony recently.
meetings
message of hope “BLESS the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits.” Psalm 103:2.
MEENIYAN & DISTRICT RSL SUB-BRANCH will hold its
Annual General Meeting at 1.30pm on Tuesday January 28, 2014 in the Supper Room of Meeniyan Hall Contact Treasurer Tarnya Wilson 5664 7473 for RSVP and membership
marriage celebrant CAM ABOOD Leongatha 5662 4191
PAM HERRALD 5662 2553 0438 097 181
Jenny Milkins All areas - 5672 3123 jenny_milkins@hotmail.com
deaths
births ALLAN (Ball) Congratulations to Brett and Zoe on the arrival of a beautiful baby boy, Jordan Archie. A little grandchild to love and cherish for Sue and Barrie. KEMPER (Lubitz) - To Erin and Gary a daughter, Bonnie Nardia, 3.6 kilos on January 2, 2014 at Mitcham Private. A big welcome from the Kemper and Lubitz families.
deaths PARRY- Lorna Grace (Wheeler). Passed away aged 88 on December 28, 2013 at St Elmo’s, Yarram. Late of Welshpool and Leongatha. Beloved wife of John (dec). Loved mother and motherin-law of Kay and Graham (Roberts), Norma and David (Hobson), Frank and Trish, Heather (dec) and Steve (Ronaldson), Mark and Ilda. Grandmother of 20 and great grandmother of 13. Rest peacefully.
A creation of Koorie engagement support officer for South Gippsland, John Murray, the Learning Stones project was designed to create an indigenous cultural safe space for awareness and community participation in South Gippsland and Bass Coast schools. There are numerous benefits and opportunities associated with Learning Stones. They include strengthening local indigenous and non-indigenous community partnerships and capacity building of students and community members. The project also helps to develop a supportive mechanism that assists both the primary transition to secondary college, and the leadership and skill development of secondary students, to lead primary students in their cultural journey sharing their experience and perceptions. Fish Creek’s Learning Stone area is surrounded by totem poles, painted by the students. The four colours used on the poles – brown, yellow, red and green – represent students, family, community and the school around them respectively. Fish Creek Primary School’s totem poles also have a blue section to represent the creek that gives the town its identity. The Learning Stone project has already been established in more than 40 schools across the region.
THE inaugural New Year’s Eve on the Hill party at Krowera was a huge success. More than 1500 enthusiastic party goers enjoyed a New Year’s Eve to remember on the McLarens’ family farm near Loch Village. Three days of perfect weather and an amazing line up of more than 20 Melbourne and interstate acts made the event something to remember.
To see what all the buzz is about check out #nyeonthehill on Instagram or visit the NYE on the Hill Facebook page. The folks behind NYE on the Hill are pleased with how the event ran and are once again looking forward to hosting The Hills Are Alive event on March 29 and 30. The concert also benefitted the Korumburra Rotary Club, which helped with catering.
Out there: hip hop artist REMi pumps out a tune. Photo: Jason James Bryant (Jayse the Ace Photography).
The signal: musicians from indie pop group Loon Lake from Melbourne were superheroes in their own right. Photo: Jason James Bryant (Jayse the Ace Photography).
deaths
Paul & Margaret Beck proprietors Caring for our Community, personal dignified service to all areas 5662 2717 Pre-need Funeral Plans available Office and Chapel: 24 Anderson Street, Leongatha hfs1@vic.australis.com.au MEMBER OF AUSTRALIAN FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION
Making difference: Koorie engagement support officer for South Gippsland, John Murray, creates the smoke, which students walked through during the smoking ceremony at Fish Creek and District Primary School.
ANNIE-MAE Short was born at Leongatha Hospital on December 11. She is a daughter for Warwick and Natalie Short (nee Chalmers) and a sister for Hudson, Sahara and Japheth Short. The family normally lives and works in Niger, West Africa, but is home for six months living in Leongatha. Both Natalie and her father Don Chalmers of Berrys Creek were born at the old Leongatha hospital.
“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 43
Sea fun for all
CORNER Inlet and its fascinating maritime past was the focus of the Sea Days Festival held in Port Welshpool over the weekend.
Locals and tourists alike were drawn to the event on both Saturday and Sunday for a number of sea based activities. Parks Victoria was on hand with its marine life touch tanks and wildlife displays, while festival coordinators, the Port Welshpool Australian Volunteer Coast Guard, held live fish displays.
Children were encouraged to come and try fishing, as well as enjoy a range of show bags and other activities. Live music entertained the crowds while guest speakers touched on the areas rich history with the water. Deputy Premier Peter Ryan gladly opened the festival on Saturday, saying it was a highlight of the year for Corner Inlet. “It is great to see everyone, especially the children, celebrating the history and the future of this wonderful part of Victoria,” he said.
On hand: David Grylls and Ron Leach from Welshpool CFA were showing the crowd the ins and outs of their tanker at the Sea Days Festival at Port Welshpool.
All smiles: Jeremy Brown loved colouring in at the Sea Days Festival while holidaying in Port Welshpool. Fun for all: from left, Drew Herbert, Wonthaggi, Jonah Wright, Harmers Haven and Bailey Herbert, Wonthaggi enjoyed the fabulous display of Hot Rods and Kustom cars at the San Remo Beach Party on Friday evening.
Top technology: members of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard at Port Welshpool, David Smith and Rocco Maruzza, were showing state of the art technology used by the group. Hot coupe: Sally Cowan, formerly of Foster, and partner Peter Holden both of Narracan enjoyed the San Remo Beach Party on Friday evening where they had their impressive 1930 Ford Coupe on show during the 12th Kustom Nationals.
Kustom Nats party in Sanny SAN Remo turned on the sun and the fun when it hosted a big beach party to celebrate the 12th Kustom Nationals on Friday evening.
Look at that!: Tyler and Mathew Underwood check out some of the sea life at the Sea Days Festival on Saturday.
The annual Kustom Nats event at San Remo and on Phillip Island on the weekend attracted thousands of people. Hundreds of amazing and colourful kustom cars and hot rods took over the township for the annual beach party. Saturday night saw a show of modified vehicles of all makes and models exhibited in Cowes. During the day, events were held at the Phillip Island race track. There was music and dancing and lots of fun to be had all weekend. As always, the Kustom Nats event proved a big success and drew huge crowds for the
three day event. Enjoying the party atmosphere in San Remo on Friday evening was Sally Cowan, formerly of Foster and her partner Peter Holden. Sally, a well known endurance rider, was out of the saddle after competing in her 9th Tom Quilty endurance competition near Gympie recently. She hit the road with Peter and travelled to the Island from their home at Narracan in their 1930 Ford Coupe hot rod that Peter took seven years to build. Their vehicle was much admired with its tear drop trailer, housing their two dogs who came along for the weekend. The car was a labour of love for Peter. He said they enjoy touring around in their hot rod even though the ride isn’t the most comfortable. Peter said, “Hot rods are made for losing the girls and customs are made for getting the girls.”
PAGE 44 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Chill out: John and Ellen Wilson took the morning to relax at the Koonwarra Farmers’ Market with their children Patrick and Clara.
Market booms THE Koonwarra Farmers’ Market kicked off 2014 in style with an outstanding number of patrons walking through the gate. Market manager Rod Faudell speculated there were
1700 visitors to the market on Saturday. “No doubt the traders all did very well,” he said. The farmers’ markets in South Gippsland host a great range of local produce and are well worth a trip.
On the grill: George Witherow, Ross Considine and Wayne Walker from the Koonwarra CFA had breakfast covered at the Koonwarra Farmers’ Market.
Lego lovers flood library LEONGATHA library hosted the first session of many of the exciting Lego Club for kids on Thursday. Dozens of young minds dived into construction with thousands of pieces of Lego in the fun-filled hour of creative play. Parents were encouraged to get down on their hands and knees and get amongst the popular toy as well. These clubs are set to run at Wonthaggi, Warragul and Drouin libraries in the future. Colin Waring, Bass Coast principal librarian, is the brains behind the clubs. “Lego clubs have been run successfully around the world in all manner of community spaces, and we’re really hoping the new monthly clubs around West Gippsland will encourage children to get down to their library,” he said.
“Lego is a fantastic educational tool that enhances fine motor skills, encourages creativity, problem solving and team work but don’t tell the kids that! For them it will just be a fun way to spend time with friends, parents and carers.” The clubs are being launched after an overwhelmingly successful appeal for unwanted Lego saw more than 50kg of Lego donated to libraries in Baw Baw, South Gippsland and Bass Coast shires. With the supportive response from the community so far, the library corporation is hoping the program may be able to expand in the future. Lego clubs will launch at the Drouin Library on Wednesday, January 8 at 4pm, at Warragul Library on Saturday, January 18 at 10am and at the new Wonthaggi Library on Tuesday, January 21 at 4pm. The next session at Leongatha will be on February 6 at 4pm.
Helping hand: Peter Walker assists Phil Dicker to load pallets into a trailer which will go to Milpara Community House.
Pallets on sale BURRA Foods donated 260 pallets to Milpara’s Men’s Shed at Coal Creek, Korumburra, recently. This amounted to $15,000 worth of pallets. The men’s shed will be selling them to raise funds at $10 each. Moriarty Transport delivered the pallets to the Korumburra Showgrounds free of charge, and from there they will be moved and sold. Fifty had been sold and moved within
a week. Six went to Milpara to create a vertical children’s garden. The funds raised through selling the pallets will go towards the men’s shed, and will supply new tools and equipment. The concept came about because the pallets no longer served any use to Burra Foods and donating them to the men’s shed was a more useful alternative to simply burning them. “The men’s shed is very excited,” men’s shed supervisor Peter Walker said.
From pages past
Historical snippets from The Star 30 years ago January 4, 1984 A HELICOPTER and six fire trucks attended a blaze at Venus Bay last Wednesday after a campfire got out of control. The fire on Anthony’s Avenue began at 6.15pm. A visitor on a friend’s property was cooking his evening meal when his campfire spread to surrounding grassland and nearby tea trees.
10 years ago January 6, 2004 MURRAY Goulburn has reviewed its emergency plans for handling milk supplied to its Leon-
gatha factory in the wake of a $5 million fire at the Energy Brix Australia plant at Morwell on Boxing Day. Energy Brix is the only supplier in Australia of the brown coal briquettes used to power the factory’s steam plant.
5 years ago January 6, 2009 TOURIST dollars are flooding into Leongatha as cold weather forces holidaymakers inland. Hundreds of extra shoppers have inundated the cinema, supermarkets and stores, insulating the local economy against the downturn. Last Friday was so busy there was
Build it boys: Tommy Nicholas, Will Anthony, Anton Shields and Toby Gale get amongst the Lego fun at the Leongatha Library.
barely a parking space free and crossing the road was problematic.
1 year ago January 8, 2013 KORUMBURRA’S Marty Snooks has taken out the Victorian 48kg School Boy Boxing Title after just 14 months in the sport. The young gun faced up against Reagan Paterson of Bairnsdale recently in this his sixth fight in the sport, to take the title. After the first two rounds, scores were even but Snooks turned up the heat in the final round, bringing home a two point win.
Fun times: Tom and Riley Harris get into the Lego with Spencer Lomax at Leongatha Library on Thursday.
“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 45
| SPORT
thestar.com.au
The Anstey family: five in all, who play in A Grade and A Reserve, from left, Steve, Claire, Zach, Leonie and Luke.
A Grade pennant finalists: from left, Dirk Holwerda and Glenn Bolam (winners); Fred de Bondt and Zach Anstey (runners-up).
• Wonthaggi Table Tennis
Presentation night A BIG crowd turned up at Wonthaggi Table Tennis Centre recently for the end of year presentations and a break-up barbecue. Junior players dominated the evening and were excited to receive due recognition for their commitment to table tennis in 2013.
Mackenzie Gardner received a record six trophies which included Under 13 singles champion, B Grade leading player and B Grade singles champion. Sean Michael and Daniel Park went home with three trophies each. Jesse and Micah Condron (both playing in A Reserve this year) were presented with four trophies between them. The Anstey family needed a large
box to collect their 11 trophies. The A Grade semi finals and grand final were absolutely stunning. The grand final was eventually won 3-2 by Dirk Holwerda and Glenn Bolam against Fred de Bondt and Zach Anstey. It has been good to see some girls back this season. Mackenzie Gardner and Claire Anstey are showing great potential. The country week champion-
ships in June are already on the agenda for both girls. Wonthaggi is intending to keep up its long standing record of accomplishments at this tournament and players are even booking ahead for accommodation in Melbourne. Leading players for last season were: A Grade Bruce Harmer, A Reserve Steve Anstey, B Grade Mackenzie Gardner
and Daniel Park (equal). The 2014 year is gearing up to be a great year. Junior coaching commences on Thursday, February 6. New juniors (8-14) are very welcome, just turn up, 6pm to 7pm at the Wonthaggi Table Tennis Centre. Practice for A Grade, A Reserve and B Grade commences in the following weeks and dates to be decided.
Multiple winners: Mackenzie Garner, six trophies.
A Grade winners (tournament): from left, Bruce Harmer, Luke Anstey, Steve Anstey and Zach Anstey, (missing: Michael Ede, Case de Bondt, Andrew Donohue and Dean Snelling).
A/R open singles: Nancy Pattinson.
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.
WTTA A Reserve presentations: from left, Jake Franklin, Claire Anstey, Steve Anstey, Sean Michael, Michael Park, Caitlyn Taylor and Jacob Methven (missing: Heitor Hilberto and Tharma Balasunduram.
B Grade and Junior winners: pictured are some winners including Leigh Allamby, Matthew Kent, Daniel Park and Rory Gow; front, Beau Allamby, Will Turner, Juan Lacanaria and Leit Rivers.
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
JANUARY Time
height (metres)
Add one hour for daylight saving
8 WED
9 THUR
10 FRI
11 SAT
12 SUN
13 MON
14 TUE
0449 1043 1720 2248
1.65 0.24 1.48 0.38
0530 1130 1820 2332
1.58 0.23 1.43 0.48
0613 1215 1920
1.51 0.25 1.38
0017 0657 1302 2019
0.59 1.42 0.29 1.35
0105 0745 1353 2118
0.68 1.34 0.33 1.32
0200 0839 1451 2217
0.76 1.27 0.37 1.33
0309 0938 1554 2316
0.81 1.22 0.38 1.35
All times shown in 24 hour clock 0001 - 1200..................AM 1201 - 2400..................PM
PAGE 46 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
SPORT | GOLF THERE were 58 players for the stroke monthly medal competition played on Saturday, January 4, and trophies were by Laurie and Sandra Webster. A Grade: A. Brocklebank (11 hcp) 64 net, runnerup on countback D. Sorrell 67 net. Balls down the line: G.J. Best 67, C. Clements 69, T. Marotti 70. B Grade: T. Marotti (15 hcp) 75, runner-up A. Brocklebank 64. Balls down the line: S. Bowler 66, J. Little, P. Hornibrook 69; N. Spargo 71. C Grade: B. Perks (29 hcp) 67 net, runner-up on countback R. Gallagher 65 net. Balls down the line: B. Maskell, D. Gow, J. Newton, B. Perks 67; D. Hislop 70, A. Worthy 67. Putting: A Grade C. Clements 23, B Grade S. Bowler 26, C Grade W. Hopkins 22. Nearest the pin: 1st S. Bowler, 7th N. Perks, 10th R. Olsen, 13th M. Wrigley. NAGA: T. Humphrey 87 net. Tuesday’s winner was John McDougal (WGL) 41 pts and Thursday’s winner was L. Sharp 41 pts. Notices: 4BBB knockout qualifying January 26, Tyler Marotti eagled 18.
Korumburra ladies AS it was New Year’s Day the usual women’s golf event on a Wednesday, was changed to a mixed competition. There was light drizzle early and then some lovely fine weather. Unfortunately, the last couple of players weren’t quite finished, when the rain fell. From the small field of eleven, the winner, after a three way count-back, was Chris Rickard (23) with 36 points. Runner- up was Chris Clements (7), followed by Lee Sharp (10). Nearest the pins for the women were Lee Clements, 1st, Joan Peters, 7th, Kath Welsh, 10th and Chris Rickard, with a lucky ricochet shot from a tree branch, landing the ball close to the hole on the 13th. Five women were amid the large field of men in the Tuesday competition. The weather was perfect for golf and the fairways in great condition, providing a nice amount of run. Results will be in the men’s notes. Saturday’s results will be in next week’s report. Next Saturday, January 11, will be South African Modified Pairs. There have been some alterations to the fixture for January. Wednesday, January 8 will be a Par event. The 15th remains Stroke and Monthly Medal day. Wednesday, January 22 will now be a two person Ambrose event as the new Golf Link system will come into effect at that time. Due to wet weather, the Moulton Bowl has been rescheduled for Friday, February 7. If you are interested in playing, please contact Lee
Clements. Pennant for 2014 is due to begin on Monday, March 17 and finishing May 12, with a break for Easter. Lee would be very pleased to hear from you, if you are able to play some or all of these days. Thursday was only our third night of twilight golf for the season, as weather conditions have disrupted most of the other weeks. It was good to have many of our regular players, as well as some new people, to experience the enjoyment of the twilight competition. There were some good scores and the winners with 23 points were Dawn and Tyler Marotti. Runners -up were Jean White and Allan Perks with 22 points, on a count-back from Julie and Don Hislop. Nearest the pins went to Noel Walker and Jean White on the 10th and Andrew Meyer and Lee Clements on the 13th. The time-sheet is in the foyer for those people able to play next Thursday night. This is a very social and often entertaining game of golf and evening and members and non-members are most welcome to play. Participants can bring a plate of food to share and provides a diverse buffet dinner eaten after presentations.
Leongatha IT was a big week of golf at Leongatha this week with big fields each day, as members and visitors enjoyed the course at its magnificent best. On Tuesday Nic Cairns (3) took out the A Grade event with 39 points. Jack Howard (13) from Woorayl was successful in B Grade with 37 points and another visitor, Michael Wilkinson from The Heritage, took out the C Grade with 38 points. Local Ted Bruinewoud (23) won D Grade with 37 points. NTP’s were R Brown on the 14th and Garry Sharrock on the 16th. Balls were won by Doug Clemann, Peter Hart, Russell Hughes, Ian Murchie, Darrell Prior, Jacob Drummond, Neale Gillon, Steve Wong, Ryan Thomas, Trevor Rickard, Mick Oliver, Grant McRitchie, Philippe Du Plessis, John Eabry, D Griffiths, Sam Nesreddin, John Dalton, Tim Carberry, Phil McNutt, John Housey, Warren Dummett, Linda Shannon and N Mitchell. Thursday was also a Stableford competition with Terry Miller (14), a visitor from Riversdale, successful in A Grade with 38 points. Bryan McCorkell (15) took out B Grade with 35 points, Will Norden (19) won in C Grade with 36 points and Ryan Thomas (27) was successful in D Grade with 40 points. In the women’s event Lynette McFarlane swung smoothly all day to win with 35 points. NTP’s were David
Forbes on the 14th and Dean Brown on the 16th. Balls were awarded to Craig Watson, Robert Le Clerc, Bryan Langsford, M Keating, Grant Cameron, Howard Jones, Caine Salemin, Ken Gardner, Rita de Bondt, Peter Jaspers, Fred Debono, Keith Finney, Peter Seth, Chris Leaver, Ash Hall, Wendy Parker, Mick Oliver, Bill Warren, Henry Sedelies, James Wilson, Ron Martin and Geoff Maher. On Saturday 111 players took part in another Stableford event with Jason Drummond (9) successful in A Grade with a very good score of 40 points. Steve Fisher (13) took out B Grade with 35 points, Peter Jaspers (20) won in C Grade with 40 points and Phil Baron (28) took out D Grade with a very good 41 points. The Pro Pin on the 14th was won by G Sanders and Will Norden was NTP on the 16th. Balls went down to 31 points and were awarded to Peter Rayson, David Forbes, Trevor Steer, Neale Gillin, Fred de Bondt, M Sheedy, Peter Hartigan, Rob Jenkins, Bill Howson, Grant Handley, Frank Gill, Ian Watson, M Bowey, Gordon Morrison, Sam Nasreddin, Evan Jenkins, Renato Monacella, Andy Bassett, D Summers, Sam Saykan, Bob Prowse and Ron Paice. Visitors to our region are most welcome to come and enjoy one of the premier regional courses in the state. Men’s competitions are held every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday with women also welcome. The women’s competitions are held on Wednesday and Saturday. There are also tee times allocated for social players on all days. Contact the Club on 5664 3314 to book a tee time.
Leongatha ladies WEDNESDAY was a Stableford event with a mixed field. Winner were, in A Grade Wendy Parker on 38 points and, in B Grade Bruce Gibson on 35 points. Down the line balls went to Gary Peters on 37 points, Ross McRobert 36, Val Brydon 35, and Paul Churchill, Toni West, Dean Comrie and Coral Gray 34 points on a count back. Nearest the pins were Wendy Parker and Dot Stubbs. Saturday’s winner in A Grade was Julie Tuck with 31 points. B Grade was Jo Baron on 37 points. Down the line balls went to Vicki Miller on 36 points, Marg Griffiths 30, Cathy Jones and Val Brydon 29, and Rita de Bondt 28 points on a count back. Nearest the pin was Cathy Jones.
Mirboo North THE day winner of the stableford competition played on Thursday, January 2 was Neil Whitelaw (11) 41pts.
B Grade: Mason Lont (18) 40 pts. Down the line: R. Robbins, T. Tomada 40 pts; C. Bracecamp 39 pts, N. Fox 38 pts, I. Evison 37 pts. Results for Saturday, January 4: Medal winner (A Grade) was Garry Shandley (13) 65 net, B Grade Eddie Dudek (23) 69 net. Down the line: G. Kavanagh, R. Hoskin 70; R. Matthews, N. Whitelaw 71; G. Watson and T. Donnison 72 countback. 2nd shot nearest the pin 1st hole: R. Funnell. Nearest the pin: 4th S. Mills, 6th I. Evison, 13th R. Matthews, 16th J. Kus.
Wonthaggi I TRUST everyone had a terrific Christmas and a very happy new year, I certainly did. The golf course is great and business through the pro shop could not be better with our members support and a heap of green fee players. Saturday’s event was our January monthly medal and our medal of medallists. Congratulations to Doctor Ben Clark on winning the medal of medallists, what a great effort to beat such top players of Green, Turner and the like. One hundred players competed in the monthly medal and the results were as follows: A Grade winner R. Sheean 72 net, B Grade N. Cook 71 net, C Grade J. Davies 67 net plus monthly medal. Balls down the line: T. Scholey, L. Strosser, S. Laing, B. Clark, S. Tiziani 71; K. Curran, J. Richardson, I. McDonald 72; J. McEachern, D. Crellin, D. Garry, N. Garnham, I. Baker, M. Tiziani, D. Dye 73. Nearest the pin: 2nd D. Williams, 8th J. Davies, 13th L. Strosser, 17th M. Loughran. Putting: K. Bayley. This Saturday’s event is stableford and I look forward to seeing you all on the course. Good luck to Liam Sawyer and his fiancee Tamara who are getting married on Saturday. Enjoy this special day and all members wish you both the best day ever and a great future together.
score of the day. Ross Winkler took out B Grade with 41 points and Mick Johnston won C Grade also with 41 points. We gave balls to C. James, G. Fennell, J. Howard, Dale Burge, P. Carter, M. Collins, B. Thomas, J. Bolge, A. Hillis, R. Hughes and T. Charlton. Nearest the pins went to Rob Gourlay and Brendan Robjant. The ladies event was won by Pauline Lancaster with 40 points and we gave balls to Shirley Thomas and Janet Thompson. Nearest the pins went to Janet Thompson and Dot Jarvis. Next week is stroke and is also the seventh round of the summer trophies. The day will be sponsored by Frank Schwarz. Get well soon Gary.
Meeniyan SATURDAY was medal day, kindly sponsored by Messrs. Kuhne and Vandermeer. The A Grade, and medal, winner with 73 was J. Wilson (16) with P. Johnson
Foster WITH good weather and just the right amount of regular rain the course now has plenty of bounce but also has nice green grass cover too – and the good scores reflect the excellent conditions. On Tuesday Athol McGrath (19) showed glimpses of his old form after a lean period to win with 37 points. DTL balls went to G. Hutchinson (11) and Noel Black (7) both on 36 points and Ray Prain (16) on 35 points. NTP was Pat McKay. Thursday Robert Fulton (13) had a narrow win on 38 points on a countback from Kevin Witheridge (13) and Murdoch Menzies (18), with the other DTL ball being Larry Giddy (19) on 37 points. NTP was K. Newman. Friday Steve Kent (25) got the men’s chook with a sparkling 24 points, sneaking in over the unlucky Gary Phelan who also had
(12) runner-up with 76. B Grade winner was D. Gregg (19) with 74 and F. Peile (27) was runner-up with 75. Putting was won by I. Warman with 27 and NTPs went to A. Kuhne, L. Hemphill and C. Stewart. Balls to I. Warman, B. Dewar and C. Stewart. Both the pro pin and member’s draw went to B. Dewar. Tuesday’s event was won by B. Fiek (19) with 36 pts from J. Wilson (16) and W. Bullock (13), also with 36. NTP was C. Eagle and best nine was F. Peile. The four-ball was won by W. Bullock and L. Redpath. On Thursday A. Kuhne (13) won with 33 points from R.Hannay (21), also 33. Best nine and NTP both went to C. Eagle. The twilight winners were (men) P. Hutcheson with 22 points and (ladies) S. Hoskin with 18 points. Balls to P. Gilder, C. Olden, A. Hamilton, G. Cope, B. Shatten and D. Byrne. NTP to P. Hutcheson and B. Shatten.
Sunday was the 20th annual Hammo’s Power Pod Day, sponsored by N. and J. Ramsey. This four person ambrose event was won by C. Graeme, D. Baggallay, L. Carswell and A. Richardson with 54.125. Runners-up were P. Robinson, S. Sinclair, T. Zukovskis and H. Kamphuis with 54.625. Ladies winners were H. Helms-Boyle, H. Findlay, M. Kuhne and V. Park with 62.125. Best nine out were P. Deering, S. Waddingham, G. Cook and W. Bloch with 24. Best nine in were L. McKenzie, A. McKenzie, H. Poletti and S. Hoskin with 24.8125. The power pod driving events were won by C. Christie and H. HelmsBoyle. NTPs went to R. Thomas, A. Shatten and H. Sullivan. A big thank you to the sponsors for keeping this event going for 20 years.
24 points. Steve will be off 13 handicap for the next three Friday events he plays. DTL balls were James Freeman 23 points, Kevin Witheridge 22 points, Trevor Punchard 21 points and Ross Mackenzie 20 points. The ladies chook went to Barb Fuller (31) with 20 points, with DTL balls to Mary Ellis and Merle Barham both on 18 points. The NTP’s were James Freeman and Scott Rathjen. Saturday was Medal Day for trophies provided by Robin Taylor. Robin has been ill and we send him our best wishes. In only his second round in the last eight months Dean Walker showed great touch in windy conditions to win the medal and B Grade with 94-25-69. A Grade was won by Kevin Witheridge with 8313-70. DTL balls were Fred Tyers and Terry Jewson on
72 net, John Mathers and Greg Cox on 73 net, Peter Cambridge, Paul Spencer and Dave Hutchinson on 74 net and Bruce Knee on 75 net. Best scratch scores were Kris Drangsholt 81 in a Grade and John Mathers 87 in B Grade. The putting went to Kevin Witheridge with 26 putts. NTP’s were D. Dolton, Ray Prain, Lloyd McKenzie and Greg Cox. The encouragement award went to N Connellan with 89 net. Liz Kindellan was not there to collect the $900 available in the Friday evening members draw, so it will be $950 next week. Terry Parnall was there to collect the $200 available in the golfers Saturday afternoon cash draw, and the card draw for the stubbies went to teetotaller Athol McGrath – I understand he had plenty of offers to help him drink them.
Woorayl WE golfed in the new year when the club sponsored a stableford event. Golfers faced hangovers and the weather before Jim Newton was victorious with 39 points winning from Max Wood. Balls went to G. Fixter and P. Burgess. Nearest the pins went to Graeme Calder and Geoff McKinnon and the ball raffle went to the Fixter syndicate. On Saturday we had another stableford. Brendan Robjant’s 42 points won A Grade and was the best
Hard luck: Trevor Punchard was in a tricky spot as he surveyed his ball stuck well off the ground in the branches of a bush behind the fifth green at Foster.
LEO800028
Korumburra
thestar.com.au
“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 47
BOWLS | SPORT
thestar.com.au
On the rail: George Napier, Jo Laurda, Will Stefani and Robert Daly watch over the Fish Creek Bowls tournament on Saturday.
Leongatha FRIDAY, January 3 saw the first of the 2014 Kitty Club teas underway and the next one will be on Friday night, February 7.
Friendly: Ray McGannon of Leongatha and Phil Stimson of Mirboo North were battling it out on the green at Fish Creek.
Saturday, January 4 saw the first of the social bowls in action with eight teams taking to the greens. Winners on the day were G. Drury (s), F. Filomeno and E. Coulter with three wins plus 12. Runners-up were B. Davidson (s) and B. Harry two wins plus two. Congratulations are the order of the day for the club’s 2013/14 pairs champions, Ray McGannon and Wayne Walker, who defeated Russell Trotman and Mark Coulter for the title. Friday, January 10 will see the ladies’ president invitation day underway, commencing at 10am and sponsored by Hartley Wells. Sunday, January 12 sees the first of the 2014 tourna-
ments underway, the Nicholsons pairs with a 9.30am start. Tuesday, January 14 sees the ladies pennant resume with Division 2 ladies away to Corinella and Division 3 at home to Korumburra ladies. Men’s pennant resumes on Saturday, January 18 with Division 1 away to Inverloch, Division 3 at home to Tarwin Lower and Division 4 away to Inverloch against Inverloch White. Until the next report, good bowling - ‘Jackhigh’.
Loch & District OUR men’s annual three day open tournament took place through Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with three bowl triples on the Friday to open the event. The best last game went to Finlay Luke and his team. There were no three game
winners, so the best winners of two games saw the Loch team of Jim Riddell, Col and Margaret Cochrane as runners-up and the winners were Alan Cherrett (s) of Korumburra, Max Crawford and Graham Turton of Loch. Saturday saw mixed two bowl triples of four games. There were bowlers from all over Victoria competing, enjoying the camaraderie and the lunch. After a happy day the best last game went to the Korumburra combination of Keith March, Judith Nicholl and Alan Cherrett. Runnersup were regular visitors from Mordialloc, P. van der Byl (Zulu), W. Southey and M. Harley. The winners were the combination team of John Tuckfield and Alan Center (Loch) with Ian Sievers (Richmond Union) as skip. Sunday’s pairs best last game went to Alan Bartlett and Kaz Hughes (Mirboo North). Runners-up with two games and a draw were Mordialloc’s ‘Zulu’ and Loch’s Brendan McNamara, and the winners were John Tuckfield and Col Cochrane (Loch), the only three game winners. It was a pleasure to have foundation member Gloria Spinks as our guest on the Saturday when she had a lovely day reminiscing of her days in Loch. Thank you to all our sponsors, members and visitors, with special thanks to the greens committee, match committee and the catering ladies for the satisfactory completion of a happy tournament. Well done to Rob, our club champion, for competing at Phillip Island, and best wishes to Angie, her turn comes on Wednesday.
Fish Creek bowls OUR main news this week is to report on the singles championships. Most unusually we had father and son (Robin and Lee McKenzie) playing off in the men’s final. After a very close game Robin defeated his son in the last end. Our ladies president Meree Bath and treasurer Faye McKenzie played the ladies’ final and it was a very close game. In the last end Faye was two shots in the lead but Meree scored four shots to take the championship from her. Well done ladies on reaching the final and we are all looking forward to supporting Meree in the Champion of Champions at Phillip Island. Due to the champion of champions taking place on January 8 we have had to postpone our ladies’ meeting until Tuesday, January 21 when the ladies return from pennant at Post Welshpool. We are proud to be hosting the State Singles at our club on Wednesday, January 15. Our club tournament is in process at the time of writing this report so I hope to have information about it in time for next week’s papers. Finally I would like to wish all our members and friends a very happy and healthy new year.
Meeniyan bowls THURSDAY, January 2 was our monthly triples, sponsored by Domina Ins. With only two three game winners locals Bob Wylie, Peter Hill and Neville Meikle won on shots up from Peter Shaw, Allen Banes and Allan Maclean
(Inverloch). Friday was the annual ladies tournament which was played in ideal conditions. The days sponsor was Moos of Meeniyan. There were three threegame winners. Tarwin Lower’s Heather Marshall ,Bev. Martin, Terri Morris and Mary Massier won the day with runners up Foster’s G. Facey, B. Tyers, J. Roffey and J. Taylor runners up. A Wonthaggi team of Joan Clarkson, Joan Burns, Ketha Bird and Ketha Sloan was third. A big thank you to Inverloch for providing extra teams. Our singles championships are now done and dusted. In the men’s semi Col Hair defeated Alan Hanks and Mick Scott defeated Max Brown. The final saw Col Hair win his second club championship. The ladies final was played on Sunday and proved to be a marathon with Marj Pearson winning in a very close game against Leonie Hanks. This is Marj’s sixth singles title. Our corporate bowls triples begins on Tuesday and Wednesday with good field for both nights. Tuesday pennant resumes on January 14 with division one home to Inverloch and threes away to Tarwin Lower. Saturday pennant resumes on January 18 with both teams home. Division two play Toora and division three play Port Welshpool. Sunday is a very important day of celebration on Meeniyan Bowling Club’s calendar - our 50th Anniversary.
Woolamai Warriors take on Anglesea By Tayla Kershaw THE Woolamai Warriors achieved second in the under 23 women’s event in the third round of the Victorian arm of the Navy Australian Surf Rowers League. Fifteen clubs were represented from across the state in Anglesea on Sunday. Over 50 crews raced across all divisions. Nine carnivals will be held in this series. The Navy rounds are qualifying events for the chance to represent the state at the Navy ASRL Interstate Championships at Stockton in February. There were five races on Sunday conducted as a round robin, followed by elimination and a final. Seaspray took out
first in the under 23 women’s division. The fourth round will be held in Jan Juc on January 12. The Warriors worked hard in the lead up to the third round, training three nights a week under coach and sweep Trevor Claucen. “The girls were excited for Sunday. They trained hard after Christmas,” Mr Claucen said. Training involved two nights of training dedicated to racing and various exercises in the boat. The third night was spent running, swimming and practicing surf skills. The Woolamai Warriors are looking forward to a good year in 2014. They are set to compete against 70 crews in the Australian Titles held in Perth in April.
Life members: Bill Garner and Albert Kelly.
Allambee Mirboo & District Tennis TENNIS will be back after the Christmas and New Year break.
Above, Rowers ready: Trevor Clausen (sweep), Joanna Sinz, Sarah de Bondt, Kayla Wesley and Eilish Devers take on wild waves. Photo credit Andy Berry Photography. Left, Woolamai Warriors: Eilish Devers, Kayla Wesley, Sarah de Bondt, Joanna Sinz and Trevor Claucen came in second in the under 23 women’s division.
This Saturday, January 11 - mens and ladies doubles, Sunday, January 12 - mixed doubles. A social two days to start 2014. We all have our diaries for 2014, so please mark April 5 the Hallston Centenary in yours. Hallston Centenary is now only three months away. Hallston has five life members; Albert Kelly and Bill Garner are both deceased. Albert was a great support to the younger players during his tennis years. Bill was secretary for many years, and along
with Jess opened their garden for many garden parties for the club. Jean Rodwell helped juniors, Frank Dekker was one of those young juniors. John Kenny also helped with the juniors when his family Russell, Suzanne and Peter were players. John played on for a number of years. Mary Jepson, a player back in the 50s and then again more recently is still active in fundraising. A small club needs members as these, to keep teams in competition and juniors keen to play. We are hoping John, Jean and Mary can all attend this celebration.
PAGE 48 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
SPORT |
thestar.com.au
Tennis tournament entries top 100 LEONGATHA Tennis Club has had more than 100 entries in its junior tennis tournament. The three day tournament began in excellent weather on Sunday with competitors coming from as far as Sale
and Pakenham to compete. The club was out delightfully overwhelmed with the number of entries in the tournament which ends today (Tuesday).
Tennis times: Evie Dekker and Zara Littlejohn were having a top time at the Leongatha Junior Tennis Tournament.
Visitors: players from Sale included Jack McCaughey, Laura Jones, Taylor Stephenson, Tom Foley and Charlie Pritchett.
Hello Santa: the big man in red visited Corner Inlet Pony Club for its 2013 break up.
Horse riders celebrate 2013 CORNER Inlet Pony Club finished the year with a fun filled rally day in December.
The boys: local tennis players Trent Westaway, Hayden Jones, Joe Howard, Vinny Monaghan and Noah Strentz (front) chill out between matches at the Leongatha Junior Tennis Tournament.
Sunshine tempts shooters TOORA NETBALL CLUB ALBERTON FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE Welcome Applications for A Grade Coaching Position for the 2014 Season We are looking for an A Grade coach for the 2014 Netball season, We are offering a negotiable remuneration package for the right applicant. For More Information Please Contact Kelly Boyd (Club President) 0417165163 or Send CV Directly To PO Box 72, Toora 3962
THE first Sunday of the month for 2014 and South Gippsland Field and Game members were presented with a superb morning for their monthly 75 target shoot. Unfortunately in typical South Gippsland fashion the afternoon turned to heavy rain. The sunshine tempted 85 shooters to try their luck at our shooting range at Hallston for the first shoot this year. Unfotunately late last year the club lost one of its founding members with the death of Leith John-
son. Leith was a great supporter of juniors within the club and has always sponsored the junior champion trophy within the club. This award will be continued by the Johnson family and Leith’s daughter Dianne was on hand on Sunday to present the 2013 junior champion, Kurt Pentland, with his trophy. A Waterfowl Identication Training course will be run by the club in February. Advertisements with details will be in this paper in the coming weeks. Anyone interested should
After morning lessons in dressage and jumping everyone enjoyed a barbecue lunch followed by a surprise visit from Santa. Club members received lollies, carrots and horse treats from Santa and a Horse Deals Diary from the club. President Tim Hicken thanked the committee and club members on a wonderful year and district commissioner Deb Collins awarded efficiency certificates to Amber Rerden and Mia Price (D certificate) and Eliza Vitols (D, D* and C certificates). Our state games team riders who competed at Drouin and Bacchus Marsh in 2013 were awarded PCAV State Level competitor badges. The afternoon mounted games were hotly contested with the Santa race (where the riders rode relay style to retrieve a pile of Christmas decorations and a Santa suit)
providing great entertainment. Our instructors Emily Hill and Janelle Dorian plus club member Darcy Nicoll kindly volunteered as the Santas and had the crowd in fits of laughter as they donned their suits and decorated the team Christmas tree. The fancy dress competition was popular as always with young Emily Rerden riding Lady Sarah taking first prize. The final activity of the day was a game of big ball soccer which showed just how versatile some of our pony club mounts can be. Corner Inlet club has a busy year coming up with the big weekend of horse trials in March; the Labour Day gymkhana and the annual three day instructional camp in April. These events are open to pony club and open riders and entry forms are available on http://www.cornerinlet.ponyclubvic.org.au and the PCAV website.
contact Geoff Cooper on 0408 623 738. Sunday’s results included: AA: S. Busana 68. A: S. Silver 64, A. McDonald 58, S. White 56. B: G. Kent 53, B. Gardiner 52, D. Thompson 50. C: J. Walton 57, D. Rodriguez 55, R. Pearson 53. Vets: K. Archibald 57, G. Hart 57, R. Carmody 52. Ladies: K. Mathies 45, T. Jacobs 43, D. Wood 35. Juniors: K. Pentland 60, B. Lilley 34, D. McMahon 27.
Fun and games: members of the Corner Inlet Pony Club participated in a game of big ball soccer while on horseback to round out 2013.
“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 49
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Diggers win in dying minutes THE only game of LDCA cricket on the weekend turned out to be a thriller with Outtrim Moyarra Kongwak taking a three run win over the Wonthaggi Workmens.
Up and over: Adam Miller tries to beat this ball to the boundary but it ends up as a Workmens’ six on Saturday.
OMK won the toss and sent the Workmens into bat on the Butch West Oval. David Britt and Gavin Bolding started things off. Britt managed to slot three fours around the ground before being taken for 13 after a catch from Jason Wilson off an Alan Jenkins delivery. Bolding couldn’t hold on much longer falling for 12 while Baker and Gavin Britt couldn’t get past unlucky 13 either both falling for 13 and 12 respectively. Ryan Thomas and Sam Huitema set up a good partnership with Thomas smashing some excellent boundaries including a six which saw OMK fielder
Adam Miller collide with a shed going for the catch. Thomas and Huitema walked for 25 and 24 respectively leaving OMK’s Russell Greaves and Peter Dell to clear out the Workmens tail end. The Workmens were all out for 140 in the 38th over. OMK opener Adam Miller set a sober start to his sides innings walk-
ing for a duck after Ryan Thomas bowl was called LBW. Fellow opener Jesses Van Rooye was performing well however hitting 57 off 93 balls including five fours and a six before he was run out. Young gun Tom Wyatt was the second highest scorer for the Diggers with 32. Paul Dyer and Peter
Dell were the pair that got OMK over the line in the dying overs however and secured their team a three run and five wicket victory ending their 40 overs at 5/143. OMK d WON WORKMENS 1st innings Won Workmens D. Britt c. J. Wilson b. A. Jenkins .........................13 G. Bolding c. P. Dell b. J. Wilson ...........................12 J. Baker c. P. Dyer b. P. Dell ...............................13
Well played: Ryan Thomas was the highest scorer for the Wonthaggi Workmens with 25.
G. Britt c. R. Greaves b. S. Jenkins .........................12 R. Thomas c. R. Greaves b. S. Jenkins .........................25 S. Huitema lbw. b. P. Dell ........24 S. Williams c. A. Miller b. R. Greaves ..........................3 J. Thomas r.o. .............................4 J. Liddle n.o................................0 L. Volpe b. P. Dell ......................2 M. Thomas b. P. Dell................23 Extras ........................................9 Total .......................................140 Bowling: A. Jenkins 1/11, R. Greaves 1/30, N. Cant 0/34, J. Wilson 1/13, P. Dell 4/15, S. Jenkins 2/34. 1st innings OMK
A. Miller lbw. b. R. Thomas ....10 J. Van Rooye r.o. ......................57 D. Lloyd c. R. Thomas b. M. Thomas .......................15 J. Wilson c. L. Volpe b. S. Williams .........................5 T. Wyatt c. J. Thomas b. R. Thomas ........................32 P. Dyer n.o. ...............................19 P. Dell n.o. ..................................2 Extras ......................................13 Total ....................................5/143 Bowling: R. Thomas 2/34, M. Thomas 1/22, J. Thomas 0/15, S. Williams 1/17, L. Volpe 0/21, G. Britt 0/25, G. Bolding 0/8.
Paceman: OMK’s Nathan Cant fires a delivery down the pitch on Saturday.
W I N D Y R A C E S AT STRONG winds didn’t stop hundreds of racegoers making the trip to Woolamai on Sunday for the club’s first meet of 2014. Close races entertained families and racing diehards at
the racecourse while the sunshine throughout the early afternoon brought some fantastic warmth. The children were entertained by a classic clown with balloon art while community groups raised money serving the
patrons. The Woolamai and District Racing Club also hosted a special visitor in American Tom Miscannon who is touring a number of Victorian and South Australian race tracks in the recent months.
Mr Miscannon has now visited 50 race tracks in Australia and 336 worldwide. The next race at Woolamai will be on January 18 which will feature a number of children’s activities as well as a great day of racing.
Below right, Close call: Argentinean Storm managed to hold on over Note Shredder to win the first race of the day at Woolamai on Sunday.
Leongatha District Cricket Association Umpire Appointments EVANS PETROLEUM Round 9 - January 11 Home team Grade A1 Inverloch Phillip Island Imperials Grade A2 Koonwarra-RSL Poowong-Loch Glen Alvie MDU Grade B1 Won Miners Town Nerrena Won Workmens Grade B2 Korumburra Fish Ck-Tarwin Kilcunda-Bass Foster Grade C1 Inverloch OMK Phillip Island Imperials Grade C2 Won Miners Glen Alvie Korumburra OMK MDU
Fun day: Stuart and Megan Dowel of Korumburra were enjoying their time at the Woolamai Races.
Eagar to see: punters lined the track at Woolamai in anticipation of the first race.
Stalwarts: familiar Woolamai races faces Paul Grima, Bill Wilson and Steve Bridgen were having a great day.
Away Team
Ground
Umpire
v Nerrena v Town v Korumburra
I Turf Cowes EC
S. Lanyon A. Jordan T. Rogers
v v v v
Kilcunda-Bass Foster Fish Crk-Tarwin Won Miners
L Turf Bass 1 GA Meen
C. Salmon B. McDonald A. Roberts V. Baskerville
v v v v
MDU Phillip Island Inverloch OMK
Won Nth WC 1 Nerr Outt
M. Heenan A. Stride N. Barnes B. Bek
v v v v
Imperials Glen Alvie Koonwarra-RSL Poowong-Loch
Kor Rec FC Turf Bass 1 FGC
TBA TBA G. Stabb TBA
v v v v
Nerrena Won Workmens Town MDU
Inv Rec Outt Newh L Velo
TBA TBA M. Wishart N. Graydon
v v v v v
Kilcunda-Bass Won Workmens Inverloch Koonwarra-RSL Bye
Won Nth Dalys KSC Koon Rec
TBA TBA TBA TBA
ANY PERSON INTERESTED IN UMPIRING CONTACT GRAHAM LAIRD 0408 454 741
PAGE 50 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
SPORT |
thestar.com.au
Stony Creek makes fashion statement By Tayla Kershaw THE theme was glamour and fashion at the Stony Creek Races’ Ladies’ Day. The Haze ladies’ marquee flourished this year with 160 guests attending. This is the third year the marquee has been running at the Ladies Day event and 100 more guests attended than their first year. Coordinator of the day Kate Adkins from Events By Kate would like to thank the major sponsor Haze Boutique and all other sponsors including Rusty Windmill, the Duck Hut, Influence on Dusk, Body First Health and Fitness just to name a few. “It’s a fantastic day for women to have a day out and support the Stony Creek Racing Club,” Ms Adkins said. The ladies were joined by CEO of Carman’s Foods and guest speaker Carolyn Creswell. Ms Creswell is an inspirational leader who proves you can run a multinational business and maintain a genuine work-life balance. She is a proud mother and wife and has developed Carman’s to become the number one muesli brand on Australian supermarket shelves. “Despite the dreadful weather we have several hundred people who have come to watch the races and enjoy the day. They are clearly feeling the cold but they are here,” Stony Creek Racing Club CEO Ralph Gallagher said.
Black and white beauties: Glenys Allum, Judy Stone, Leanne Du Plessis, Marg Ryan and Rhonda Evans keep warm at the Stony Creek Races ladies’ day.
Happy Birthday: Fish Creek Hotel owner Simon Peavey (far right) celebrated his 40th birthday at the Stony Creek races with Nikki Catmull, Travis Trewarne, Ben Brown, and Abby Innes.
Final stretch: La Saverne and Jake Bayliss took out the first race “Quirky Graphics” closely followed by Jade Darose on I’m Leaving, and Jason Benbow on Invidia.
Colourful hostesses: Haze Boutique owner and main sponsor Kylie Hodge and coordinator of the day Kate Adkins had an excellent turnout at the Haze Ladies’ Marquee. Left: Group outing: the lovely ladies from Inverloch gathered at the Haze Ladies’ Marquee at the Stony Creek Races.
“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - PAGE 51
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RODEO READY TO RIDE
THE Stony Creek Football Netball Club (SCFNC) is excited as the days count down towards the SG Offroad Stony Creek Rodeo on Saturday, January 18. “We would like to thank Glenn Markley from SG Offroad and the team for their commitment to our big draw card event for South Gippsland,” organiser Neil Cope said. “He sees the value in having his name up there in front of thousands and on the big screen. We also thank all our other sponsors who will be getting amongst it as well.” This year will be bigger and better with plenty of afternoon entertainment from 2pm. “Roy Beaumont will be running a sheaf tossing competition which will add some laughter and entertainment for the patrons coming in early,” Mr Cope said. Australia whip cracking champion Wayne Campbell is joining the entertainment as well. “He's a bit of a freak apparently on the whips,” Neil said. This will be the third year for the now annual event coordinated by the Stony Creek Football Netball Club.
Good for golf: Leongatha Golf Club’s new manager Josh Hall took over the reins last week.
Hall took up the position on December 30 and said he was enjoying his time at the club. “It is a great club with really strong support from the members and volunteers helping out around different parts of the club so that’s obviously really good,” he said. “I have stepped right into the busy time of the year with yesterday being really busy and today having 100 players in a competition and then green fee players on top of that.” Hall comes to the club from the Riverside Golf and Tennis Centre in Ascot Vale where he was the head pro. “That was more of a coaching role than managing the course,” he said. “I was doing a lot of coaching and because people are generally keeping office hours in Melbourne when they have a golf lesson it is either very early or very late so the hours were pretty long. “Don’t get me wrong, I love coaching but I wanted to get into the management side of things.” Hall will continue coaching at Leongatha along with management but will also aim to get more young people interested in the game. “I am looking to set up a good junior and beginner program,” he said. “We had up to 200 kids at Riverside in our program, I know we won’t get as many here but it is something I enjoy doing.
136 MCKENZIE ST WONTHAGGI PH 5672 5899
STONY CREEK RODEO SATURDAY JANUARY 18, 2014 2000 SOUTH GIPPSLAND HIGHWAY | STONY CREEK
GATES OPEN AT 2PM
FULL RODEO EVENT UNDER LIGHTS Events include whip cracking, dog jumping and sheaf tossing STO4660061
LEONGATHA Golf Club’s new manager Josh Hall is thriving in the role he took over last week.
“We just want to try and continue to grow the club.” The passionate golfer has been in love with the game since the age of 10 and has held many positions in the industry. “I first started out of high school at Brighton Golf Course and I have had a number of jobs on courses since then,” he said. “I have been playing since I was 10 and I started out just playing club golf and had every teenage boy’s aspirations of being a touring pro but didn’t really do well enough to warrant that. “I have just always loved being around the golf club and the industry. It really just started as a part time job and grew from there.” Hall is pleased to be working in Leongatha South. “Getting a manager’s job is a fairly tough nut to crack and this one popped up. I had applied for a couple of other positions recently but was lucky enough to get this one,” he said. “I know the area a little bit, my parents in law have a house in Venus Bay so I am staying there in the interim. The location isn’t too bad; we live in Moorabbin so it’s only an hour and a half so it’s not too bad.” The new manager is yet to play a full round of golf on the course this decade but hopes to in the near future. “I played a junior tournament here about 20 years ago but I don’t really remember, a lot has changed since then,” he said. “I had nine holes out on the front which was good but I still need to get out on the back nine some time soon.”
“It's not just about the footy club though,” Neil said. “It's about the area and the community and getting people into our district. “Other groups can benefit from the event.” Family and children's activities run throughout the afternoon including animal nursery, jumping castles and more. Enjoy a meal before settling into all the rodeo action which commences at 7pm. The lights will later be switched on with action through the night including saddle bronco riding, bareback, rope and tie, and the spectacular bull riding. If entries exceed expectations some qualifying events may be held in the afternoon. Truckin with Tim will be providing the musical entertainment straight after the rodeo so you can kick on well into the night. Camping is available on the site with toilets and showers on both Friday and Saturday. “There's no need to book for camping; there's plenty of room. We just ask for a $10 fee on each campsite,” Neil said.
2 TILSON CRT, LEONGATHA PH 5662 5554
Golf manager on board By Jacob de Kunder
Round them up: the SG Offroad Stony Creek Rodeo is set to be an action packed event. Photo credit Mark Drury.
ACTIVITIES FOR THE KIDS - BIG SCREEN VIEWING
BAR & FOOD AVAILABLE. NO BYO ADMISSION PRICES:
Adults $30, Pensioners $15, 13-18 years $15 and Under 12 FREE CAMPSITES AVAILABLE - $10 TOILETS AND SHOWERS AVAILABLE
ENTERTAINMENT PROVIDED BY TRUCKIN’ WITH TIM For further information call Neil - 0408 634 239. Affiliated with the Australian Professional Rodeo Association
PAGE 52 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 7, 2014
OMK WIN NAIL BITER Page 49
sport@thestar.com.au
On the ball Local boys off to Open By Jacob de Kunder LACHIE Scott and Jacob Methven will have one of the best seats in the house for the upcoming Australian Open after being selected as ball kids for the tournament. The pair has been picked from more than 2500 hopefuls to make up the final
350 person squad. Lachie, who hails from Kongwak, is happy to make it through to the tournament in his first attempt while 15 year old Jacob from Wonthaggi is stoked to make the cut after his third attempt. “It was a big selection process,” Lachie said. “We just had to do a whole lot of rolling and servicing in the trials.” The boys started their orientation into the tournament yesterday (Mon-
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day) and will be prepped before games officially start next week. Both boys are keen tennis players and have been playing for six or seven years which drew them to being a ball kid. “The whole thing just sounded really appealing,” Jacob said. “The experience will be pretty exciting,” Lachie added. Both boys will be working the baseline and servicing the players on the
courts over the tournament. “My favourite player is Roger Federer but I would have to be pretty lucky to get him,” Lachie said. Jacob added: “I am a big fan of (Rafael) Nadal but yeah I will be lucky to get him too.” The pair will get feedback from supervisors throughout the qualifying matches and hope that will be enough to secure them a role in some of the finals. Both said they have been practicing
their reflexes and techniques in the past weeks in anticipation of the big event. The boys also are hopeful they will get along to watch a few of the matches in between ball kidding others.
Above, Net, set, go!: local duo Lachie Scott and Jacob Methven have been selected as ball kids for the Australian Open starting next week.