The Great Southern Star - October 5, 2010 by The Great Southern Star

Celebrating 120 Years

I N S I D E

Locked out Page 5.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2010

Wonthaggi g feature Eight pages

$1.20

Bank ﬁre suspicious Page 3.

Lives at risk By Chris Brown

LEONGATHA is short of ambulance paramedics and lives are being put at risk.

Milking the moment: Eastern Victoria MLC Peter Hall beat Bass MP Ken Smith in the hand milking competition at the South Gippsland Dairy Expo at Poowong last week. For full coverage, turn to page 18.

A firefighter was forced to drive an ambulance to Leongatha Memorial Hospital as paramedics performed CPR on a patient in the back, early last Wednesday morning. Also during a recent four day period, only one paramedic was working at Leongatha for several shifts, according to the ambulance union. In the Bass Coast Shire, the paramedics union and Bass MP Ken Smith are anxious about paramedic numbers during peak holiday times. Last Wednesday, Ambulance Victoria received a call at 3.56am to attend a cardiac arrest in Leongatha. A Leongatha-based ambulance arrived at 4.03am. The Leongatha Country Fire Authority, which was called to lift the patient, and a backup ambulance from Korumburra, arrived at 4.20am. A CFA officer helped perform

compressions on the patient and then drove one of the ambulances to hospital as paramedics worked in the back. An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said the CFA was used in emergency situations. Ambulance Employees Australia Victoria general secretary, Steve McGhie, said CFA officers were used about once a week statewide. “It’s a last resort in regard to utilising the CFA,” he said. “They have their duties and it takes them out of their role for a while. Ideally we would say it shouldn’t happen, but obviously it does.” Mr McGhie said a member sent him a document detailing recent concerns about understaffing at Leongatha. He said members were telling him about the under staffing because they were worried. “They’re really concerned about what’s going on, on a day-by-day basis, about not having appropriate ambulance services and they are worried about their colleagues working on their own and being sent to calls where

they need two people,” he said. Paramedics have been concerned by such cases as: • on Thursday, September 23 one crew at Leongatha was not ﬁlled; • on Saturday, September 25 there was only one paramedic on day shift instead of two and at night, there was still only one; • Sunday, September 26 there was only one paramedic instead of two; and on • Monday, September 27 only one paramedic was working when there should have been four. Ambulance Victoria group manager of South Coast, Eddie Wright, said there was a high level of sick leave on the weekend of September 25 and 26, especially Saturday. “Paramedics are just like any other people and do get sick,” he said. “We used a number of measures to try to cover the shifts and on the weekend made close to 100 phone calls or text messages to try and get staff.” Continued on page 2.

PAGE 2 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Local favourite: Author Alison Lester attracted many loyal readers.

Kids meet author idol FORMER South Gippsland author Alison Lester was at Inverloch library on Saturday to discuss her collection of children’s books. A large crowd of children and adults gathered to meet the renowned writer, and Amy Box of Leongatha was fortunate to win a copy of Alison’s book, Quicksand Pony.

Crowd pleaser: children ﬂocked to Inverloch library to meet author Alison Lester.

Sun and fun: Leila and Bella Houston from Leongatha enjoyed the sunshine at the Koonwarra Farmers Market on Saturday.

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Lives at risk Continued from page 1. Mr Wright said stations were fully staffed in the lead up to the weekend and during the day on Monday. He is looking forward to 234 new paramedics starting work in regional Victoria to help provide relief. Mr McGhie said additional paramedics are not rostered during the peak season. “There doesn’t seem to be any additional resources put on during the peak season,” he said. “The inﬂux of tourism is enormous and they should put on additional resources.” The lack of manpower during holidays and events at Phillip Island is also a concern for Mr Smith. He said the ambulance situation was at crisis levels. Mr Smith said the Island’s population of 12,000 swells to 100,000 during the Grand Prix, Pyramid Rock music event and the summer holidays. “Every year, our ambulance station paramedics plead for more resources and every year, the bureaucrats tell us that there is no need for extra staff,” he said. Mr Smith said some ambulance branches had a workload growth of more than 40 per cent. He said an additional four paramedics and two cars during peak periods would help to relieve the pressure. Mr Smith estimated another 25-30 ambulance ofﬁcers were needed to meet normal demand. “Every station in this region, from Grantville to Cowes, Wonthaggi to Yarram is understaffed,” he said. “Paramedics are already doing double shifts and getting called in on their days off because there is not enough staff on the ground.” Mr Smith said recently one paramedic was available to cover Pakenham to Yarram. This was due to staff being sick, case load pressure and other ambulance resources being unavailable. “This is crazy and it is not an isolated case. It is happening more and more,” he said.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 3

Bank fire declared suspicious By Isaac McCallum and Brad Lester A FIRE in a Leongatha bank last week is being treated as suspicious.

CFA investigators and Wonthaggi detectives are still investigating the blaze, which caused up to $20,000 damage. Leongatha CFA captain Andy Kay said the fire had the potential to be a repeat of the devastating Henrietta’s fire, had firefighters not arrived so quickly on the scene. More than 25 firefighters from seven brigades battled the blaze last Tuesday week.

Detective Sergeant John Rose of the Wonthaggi CIU said: “The fire is believed to be suspicious. There was definitely not an electrical fault. “Detectives are investigating the incident further. We currently have a number of leads we’re looking into.” Captain Kay said the outcome could have been more serious if the fire had been allowed to burn for another 15 minutes. “Soot had settled about a foot above the ground and if it had got any hotter, we would have had a flash-over and there would have been more intense flame. Possibly then we would have lost the ceiling,” he said.

The blaze was contained to just the one room by fire crews, who made quick time in answering the call of a security guard at 9.05pm. The damage is expected to amount to around $20,000 with computers and other office equipment damaged beyond repair. The blaze broke out in the manager’s office. Closed doors restricted flame damage to that room. Security officers were called to the bank after the smoke alarm sounded, but not a burglar alarm. They found the bank full of smoke and notified the CFA. Leongatha CFA was first on the scene. The fire was deemed serious and back-up units from

Tower siting angst By Isaac McCallum

A 36m TELECOMMUNICATIONS tower proposed to be built overlooking Leongatha’s central business district has upset nearby businesspeople.

Business owners and lessees were given 14 days to voice their objections on October 14, meaning they only have 10 days to do so. The tower is mooted for Canty Lane, behind Bair Street There will be numerous complaints made to South Gippsland Shire Council with residents and business owners claiming the tower is too tall for the location. The tower was deemed unsightly to be built in Hughes Street, Leongatha and on top of Colliers Carpets, just 15m away from the current proposed site. “Shifting the tower from one side

of town to a business area on the other doesn’t fix the visual impact it may have when the tower is 36.3 metres high,” owner of Beveridge Williams’ building, Jim Williams said. “When entering the business centre from the east on the South Gippsland Highway, it will be in the line of sight, where visual impact will be at its greatest.” The tower will stand five and a half times the height of the Beveridge Williams building, the double storey office next door to the proposed location. “Other councils in Queensland have knocked them back,” said Darryl Lyons of Leongatha Used Furniture. Although the tower meets the Australian standard of electromagnetic radiation exposure, the tower’s electromagnetic exposure will stretch 323m. “This will encumber most of the

New team: Mayor Cr Jim Fawcett (left) with South Gippsland Shire’s new directors from left, Jan Martin, Anthony Seabrook, June Ernst, Tim Tamlin (CEO) and Phil Stone.

shopping precinct of McCartin and Bair streets, and areas to the south and west,” Mr Williams said. “Surely a rural location would provide more distance, coverage and have less impact on residents, shoppers, visitors and owners of business property now and in the future. Mr Lyons added: “I’m a bit concerned about the health effects for people in general.” Council still has to vote on the proposed tower. “The community needs to know about this proposal. If they have any concerns please speak to your local councillors,” Mr Williams said. “If this tower is approved, it will set a precedent and open the door for proposals from other telecommunication providers in the business area.”

Leongatha South, Nerrena and Koonwarra were called, along with the Inverloch communications vehicle and the breathing apparatus support unit from Traralgon to refill oxygen tanks. The fire was brought under control by 11pm. Carpets sustained substantial water damage as a result of firefighting efforts. The bank was ventilated in a bid to remove smoke. No neighbouring buildings were affected. The bank re-opened Thursday. Westpac customers who withdrew money from other banks’ ATMs were compensated upon showing the receipt of their withdrawal.

Not happy: Jim Williams, Brian Collier and Darryl Lyons point to the proposed site of the telecommunications tower. Artist’s impression.

Shire ‘still sustainable’ By Jane Ross

SOUTH Gippsland Shire Council CEO Tim Tamlin, has denied sustainability has been downgraded. He said this on Friday when introducing his new executive team to the press. There is no longer a director for sustainability. That responsibility belongs with the new director for community services Jan Martin. In a press release announcing the four-person squad, sustainability and environment is tacked on

the end of her portfolio of community strengthening, aged and disability services and early years program. Nevertheless, Mr Tamlin said sustainability “holds the same weight as before”. When The Star asked Ms Martin how she planned to work with former director of sustainability Andrew McEwen given his altered status, Mr Tamlin responded with: “That’s not a fair question.” He said he will “work with Andrew to determine the opportunities available for him in South Gippsland Shire”. The new team is an old

one for Mr Tamlin. Both Ms Martin and the director for corporate services June Ernst have worked in the past with Mr Tamlin at Greater Dandenong Council. The two other new directors are Anthony Seabrook and Phil Stone. Mr Seabrook, who has been with South Gippsland Council for 11 years, is director of engineering services. Mr Stone, who has been with Baw Baw Shire, will direct development services. With the shire’s recent history of comings and goings in the top echelons, Mr Tamlin said stability is

at the forefront. Ms Martin and Ms Ernst start on November 29, with Mr Stone taking up his role on October 25.

PAGE 4 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Keeping up appearances By Isaac McCallum

JOHANNA Haasjes is a woman on a mission. She will not stop in her bid to make poverty history until every last man, woman and child is satisfied. In speaking with The Star last week, Johanna made it obvious that her passion still burns, even after 30 years of fundraising, educating and petitioning. “Sometimes I think of myself as a tap - just drip, drip, dripping away. I’ll just keep at it and at it,” she said. But the retiree is far from annoying like a leaking faucet might be, her knowledge and enthusiasm is quite engaging. And while she admits she is neither a “fluent nor gifted speaker or writer,” she simply “can’t keep quiet”. “It’s something inside me I think,” Johanna said. It’s hard for her to put her finger on the exact reason that drives her, but one quote comes to mind. “Hugh Jackman once said that he wonders why he was born in Australia. He asks himself what would happen if he’d been born elsewhere,” Johanna said. “When I heard that, I felt privileged. I felt like I had to do something.” Johanna has a fond smile as she remembers all the groups she has worked with, the various programs she has organised and been a part of. She has worked closely with groups including Make Poverty History, TEAR, Caritas, Christian Blind Mission, Amnesty International, Oxfam, the Micah Challenge and many more.

“There are so many that it is impossible not to find one that appeals and suits any individual who wants to do their bit,” she said. Johanna started her work in high school, when as a student she organised lunch-time activities to raise money for the social service. Her ideas and desire came after she had heard and read stories as a young girl of missionaries helping the less fortunate. But, as one would expect, trying to convince the world to change comes with its challenges. “It can get frustrating, but it just drives me more,” she said. “I noticed that during the financial crisis people became a lot more compassionate, that they knew what those overseas were going through. But unfortunately it didn’t last.” Johanna believes that greed and apathy are the two most significant reasons for a lack of change, and that it is a mindset issue more than anything else. “Not everyone is greedy, but it is involved. People also feel that they can’t change anything,” she said. And when asked whether curing world poverty was an achievable goal her answer was firm. “It’s definitely possible. There are lots of good things happening out there,” said Johanna. “While I have health and strength and can speak – I will, because I can. “I don’t want to look back on my life with regret that I didn’t act or speak when I should have.” And as she thanks The Star for the “one more opportunity to speak”, one thinks that Johanna will never live with regret.

History for history: Johanna Haasjes spends time reading what others have to say about poverty, so she can spread the word in South Gippsland.

The young and directing By Chris Brown NATHAN Eva is embarking on his biggest challenge yet. The 22-year-old will direct Leongatha Lyric Theatre’s 2011 production of Jekyll and Hyde. He was chosen by the Lyric committee to provide fresh insights for the local production. Despite his young age, Nathan has directed shows in Melbourne and is currently working towards a November open night for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Foster. “I’ve learnt with directing that because of my age and my position I automatically have that respect and it’s up to me not to lose it,” he said. “With theatre it’s a collaborative process, so I have to let the actors ﬁnd their own way and characters.” He was excited to be offered the directing position for Jekyll and Hyde. “In musicals stories can often be ﬂuffy or not there at all, but with the story of Jekyll and Hyde it is very deep and the music strengthens it,” he said. “It also has a large and involved cast. I think we are looking for people from as young as 11 to well into their 80s.” The team for the production is being assembled and they are working with Colin Mitchell on set designs and costumes. Nathan names Colin as a local directing inspiration. “He is able to explain what he is trying to achieve to the cast in very few words,”

he said. Nathan’s ﬁrst performance with Lyric was as a choir member for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat in 2001. He is working towards a PhD in business and economics, and teaching at Monash and Deakin universities. With a 30 hour a week commitment to Jekyll and Hyde needed as opening night approaches on July 15 next year, he will have to carefully manage his time. “I was very busy as a kid growing up in Leongatha, so I’m used to prioritising my time,” Nathan said. “Although it is volunteering, it is a fulltime job, but we love it and that’s why we do it.” Nathan himself is looking forward to choosing the cast and starting rehearsals followed by marketing the show to get South Gippslanders excited about watching it. “I saw Jekyll and Hyde probably six or seven years ago and was amazed,” he said. “Anthony Warhol was the original Jekyll and he was incredible. “The songs are written in that big ballad style and are uplifting and moving.” Dates for Jekyll and Hyde are: information day, Sunday, February, 6 2011; and auditions Sunday, February 13, Monday 14 and Thursday 17. There are 10 leads and a large chorus with singing and speaking parts. Volunteers are being sought to assist with costumes and set building. For information contact Lyric president Mark Eva, Nathan’s father, on 0422 894 149.

Lyric association: Nathan Eva (right), as Kenickie, has been involved with Lyric since 2001 including Grease in 2007.

Angus McLaren: will appear in Leongatha in December.

McLaren to host PACKED to the Rafters star Angus McLaren will guest host at the Gippsland Associated Theatre Awards. The Seven Network star will join the director of 2011 production Jekyll and Hyde, Nathan Eva, as master of ceremonies. Leongatha Lyric Theatre will be hosting the event on Saturday, December 11 at Mesley Hall. All theatre groups from around Gippsland will be attending the award ceremony. During the night there will be extracts from the shows by each of the groups. Anyone is welcome to attend in formal dress for $25. Contact Bron Beach on 0408 529 581 for more details or to book. Also Lyric is looking for budding directors to direct one act plays in March 2011. The theatre group is hoping one of them will be a youth one act play. If anyone is interested in directing, contact Leongatha Lyric Theatre president Mark Eva on 0422 894 149.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 5

Population boom tipped By Brad Lester LEONGATHA’S population could increase by 3000 people if a proposal to develop more land proceeds.

That would be an increase of a massive 65 per cent on the town’s population of 4667, recorded at the 2006 Census. At least 1537 residential lots could be created south of the town, on 188ha of mostly farm land. The growth could prompt the need for a school, kindergarten, childcare centre or aged care home, and would satisfy the town’s residential land needs for more than 40 years. Council is now seeking public comment on the proposal, listed in a discussion paper about the Southern Leongatha Outline Development Plan. That plan will guide development of 203ha west and east of the South Gippsland Highway, between the township and Boags Road and Simons Lane. At least one landowner has received interest in 18ha of commercial land from existing businesses considering relocating from the town’s central business district, freeing up land in town. Council’s acting planning manager Paul Stampton said the developments would change Leongatha. “We’re currently building 40 to 50 houses a year in Leongatha and we have to provide land for that to continue. That’s quite a few houses for a small country town,” he said. Mr Stampton believed the town’s

existing sewerage, water and electricity systems would be able to meet the extra demand. “We have referred this to all the utility providers and they have provided no negative comment,” he said. Council has received 10 public submissions about the plan, mainly with concerns about the poor state of Simons Lane. Council will receive submissions until the end of November and has commissioned a trafﬁc study of the area, to be completed next month. Council could approve the plan by the end of the year. The discussion paper states the likelihood of: • two new roundabouts on the highway between the hospital and Simons Lane/Boags Road; • work at the existing intersection of the highway and Simons Lane and Boags Road; • sealing of the full length of Simons Lane and safety improvements at the Bass Highway intersection; • likely enhancement of the intersection of Koonwarra Road and Greenwood Parade; • constructing Tarwin Ridge Boulevard through to Parr Street; • possibly building a walking track along Coalition Creek; • reducing the speed limit on the highway from the existing town boundary to Simons Lane to 80km/h; and • building a pedestrian/cycle foothpath from the hospital to Simons Lane. Substantial interest in the land is

expected, said town planning consultant Gary Chisholm, of Beveridge Williams land development consultants. That company is representing several owners of the land concerned, seeking rezoning to enable development. “Council did a study four or ﬁve years ago which said there was interest and I would only anticipate there is strong interest out there,” Mr Chisholm said. “It would be the availability of land that would generate the next range of things.” Mick Hanily of real estate agency Stockdale and Leggo, Leongatha, is receiving more enquiry about blocks in the existing Springs Estate. Land in stage three is considered by the discussion paper. “We’re always getting demand for that. It’s all nice land and it’s all fairly level,” he said. Established Leongatha business Hartley Wells Furniture would not move to the new zone and remain at its current Anderson Street site, said owner Darren Fox. But he welcomed new businesses coming to Leongatha. “I think the town needs to have land opened up to bring more of these big franchise stores to town. Any bulk size business coming to Leongatha would be great,” Mr Fox said. “I’m not sure 100 per cent that the spot (on the highway, south of town) is the right spot but I’m all for growing more business in the town.”

Money steel: Leongatha’s Andy Grayden believes the galvanised steel gates closing Ruby Road are unnecessary.

Road closed for good RUBY Road has closed, again. And this time it looks permanent, with the erection of two galvanised steel gates in front of the bridge. The initial farm gates that were set up to stop would-be Ruby Road travellers were torn down within days by protesting locals. So South Gippsland Shire Council hit back and set up steel gates to permanently block trafﬁc, which has upset many locals, including Andy Grayden. “They’ve closed the road because they think the intersection is too dangerous. Well I’ve never known of an accident there,” he said. “This fence has cost us as rate-payers. They repaired the bridge not too long ago and now they’ve gone and closed the road.” Council has conﬁrmed the closure is permanent, despite three gates having been torn down. “There will be ongoing work done, but the closure

of the road is permanent,” said Jeannie Hicks, council’s communications co-ordinator. According to the council, an independent consultant deemed the road was not safe and a public liability, so the council took action and closed the road. But Mr Grayden says he has never been concerned about his safety when joining the South Gippsland Highway from Ruby Road. “I’ve driven trucks, motorbikes and cars along here and I’ve always felt safe. It’s a look before you leap mentality. It’s common sense,” he said. “For the few thousand they’ve spent here, they could’ve put extra lanes up here on the Ruby straight for cars to pass. That’d make it safer.” Council will be making efforts to ﬁx up the triangle of land that was ripped up outside the Ruby Hall, but the gates look certain to stay, and the road will deﬁnitely stay closed.

PAGE 6 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Poor decisions risk coast By Jane Ross THE Victorian Coastal Strategy is being interpreted differently from the way its authors intended. Roger Thorrowgood tried to make this point to Bass Coast Council recently. But, he was stymied by the lateness of lodging a written question to councillors, having instead to scribble a hasty note that did not get to the point. Mr Thorrowgood said Rob Gell, one of the authors of the coastal strategy and a respected oceanographer, had made the remark about incorrect interpretation, citing an independent panel report into the Cape Paterson Ecovillage as a glaring example. Mr Thorrowgood, of Inverloch, has passionate views about development along the coast and is a strong supporter of the ecovillage. Having stood for Bass Coast Shire Council at the last election, he has not yet decided whether to do so again in 2012. “Development is going to happen along the coast in Bass Coast Shire and we have to ensure it is sustainable development. “Population pressures are coming on us. There will be intense pressures on the coast and on council. “Business as usual in energy requirements Having a say: Roger Thorrowgood has strong views about development along the Bass Coast. It is not sustainable.” must be sustainable, he says. Pilot projects like the ecovillage are vital

and he would hate to see such a major opportunity lost. He said he thought the panel hearing into the ecovillage made some “completely arbitrary” interpretations of the Victorian Coastal Strategy. Mr Thorrowgood believes people are increasingly interested in green issues. It is his view that population pressures will continue to prompt development on the Bass Coast. “We have to ensure it is sustainable development. Business as usual with subdivision is not sustainable in energy requirements.” He is concerned about process too. Mr Thorrowgood cannot see why residents could not have a say once the ecovillage panel report was published, instead of merely making submissions beforehand. He said the report raised new issues and he and others wanted to address council on those. “Council staff decided that would not be fair.” Mr Thorrowgood thinks that decision was not right and resulted in councillors having to make a decision without having all the available information. “To me, the whole process was wrong. Councillors don’t have to accept poor reports. “I’m not an idealist, but I dislike seeing illogical things hold sway. “The Cape Paterson Ecovillage not getting up is a failure of government process at a state and local level.”

Ecovillage lives on By Jane Ross THE Cape Paterson Ecovillage is by no means done yet. Brendan Condon, the man behind the venture, is pressing ahead with detailed designs and a study on how to effect its carbon neutrality. The probe, which looks at detailed modelling on how the project will be carbon neutral, is expected to be ready in six weeks. Mr Condon said the results will be launched in Melbourne and Cape Paterson and will be made available to the community. He said design work will cost in

detail such as are the solar panels sufﬁcient to deliver energy to the village. In the planning for a number of years, the ecovillage was trounced at the end of July by Bass Coast Council following an independent planning hearing. Cr John Duscher was the only councillor who voted for a planning amendment that would have allowed the village to go ahead. He said the plan had the potential to “benchmark coastal development across the nation”. Mr Condon has not wasted any time lamenting. He has just launched a company

called Bioﬁlta, which offers a way of treating storm water on a large scale. He said he is driven by the thought that “we fundamentally need to change the way we’re living”. “We are out of balance with the global carbon cycle and we’re further in debt with the planet.” Mr Condon believes we need good demonstration projects for housing, such as the ecovillage. And, with the rapidly rising cost of energy and water, the economics of building sustainable housing look better and better.

Proud piece: Ken Mackenzie and his work.

Woodworkers turn heads THE new clubrooms of the Wonthaggi Woodcrafters were declared open by Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Peter Paul on Saturday. The facility features meeting rooms and a workshop, where the club’s 50 members indulge in woodturning, carpentry, pyrography, scroll sawing and other techniques. Located at the Bass Coast Adult Education Centre, the new meeting rooms will enable members to hold monthly meetings in comfort and undertake computer generated tutorials, plus access a library and kitchen.

The club paid for the new rooms with support from Bass Coast Shire Council, the Australian Government Volunteer Grant Fund, and Rural and Regional Communities Small Grants Foundation. The club began in 1989 by a group of people interested in woodturning and other woodcraft. The group will hold a Christmas shop at the former Wonthaggi railway station from November 29 to December 31.

Day out: Eric Hornsby enjoyed the clubrooms’ opening.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 7

Leongatha growing: the Shinglers Ridge estate from the South Gippsland Highway.

Houses on the move

By Chris Brown

REAL estate interest is strong in both Leongatha and Korumburra, with the spring selling season underway. Agents in both towns report demand for properties, with renewed interest from people relocating from the Mornington Peninsula. Stockdale and Leggo Leongatha is reporting a “quite strong” real estate market. Agent Christie Bowler said listings are still in demand. “There have been quite a few sales (of properties) that have only been on the market a few days,” she said. Most demand is in the mid-price

range of $250,000-$350,000. “Blocks have been in demand once again and we are ﬁnding it hard to meet that demand, particularly for bigger blocks,” Ms Bowler said. Lifestyle listings and small acreages are in good demand. Ms Bowler said there were a lot of buyers seeking a lifestyle change from the Mornington Peninsula. “They are seeing strong sales in their area and they are retiring down to the country with a bit of cash in their pockets,” she said. Property investors are also making a return to the market. Retiring farmers often scale down to a couple of acres near town and then scale down again to a big town block with views and a good shed.

Stockdale and Leggo’s Mick Hanily said there were only seven blocks left at Springs Estate. “Smaller blocks have jumped from $110,000 to an average of $130,000 to $140,000 for a better one,” he said. “The bigger blocks have jumped from $150,000 to $170,000, so blocks have really taken off.” The Panorama Estate is almost sold out, but there are still several stages to go there. Blocks are still available in a few other estates around Leongatha. Thirty acres off Shingler St is a possible site for new homes under the Leongatha urban structure plan. Licensed estate agent at Alex Scott and Staff Korumburra, Dean Goad said the market was going “pretty good” in

Cyclist crashes in USA A FORMER Mardan woman was last week involved in a cycling accident while taking part in a charity ride in the United States of America. Narelle Couper was taking part in a cross country cycling tour supporting a charity to bring clean drinking water to communities. With only ﬁve days of the tour to go, she collided with a car in the state of Nevada, sustaining serious injuries. Narelle was riding with her two closest American friends at the time. Her sister Natalie Couper was devastated. “All the girls are feeling disheartened, disappointed and frustrated, to be so close to completing their so far successful challenge,” she said.

“With so much effort and organisation already put in and many days of hard riding where the girls have been riding in excess of 120km in rain, endless uphill mountain ranges, coping with heat and crossing isolated deserts. “The accident has left the girls feeling shaken and at a loss due to the determination they have made to ensure this trip has been worth every sore muscle, tired limb and sheer physical and emotional strain.” Narelle had been cycling from Portland at the top of the USA to the bottom of California, raising awareness to improve the lives of others and addressing the shortage of clean water. They stopped along the 9600km journey educating communities, schools and individuals. “The girls have been amazed by

the generosity and support that people have been giving them to reach their mission and achieve their goal of raising US$5000, enough money to build one well that will supply water for a community of 250 people for the next 20 to 35 years,” Natalie said. Narelle has been doing self funded charity work for the past ﬁve years, from building infrastructure in remote parts of Costa Rica to working in Guatemala raising money for remote school communities. “Even though Narelle is bike less, and in need of time to mend her injured body, she is determined to complete this tour. To follow Narelle’s recovery, see the online blog spot and Facebook pages. Blog: www.watercycle2010.blogspot.com Facebook: “Water Cycle 2010

his town. “It quietened down for everyone with the election and cold weather, but it was still ticking away,” he said. “But it has picked up in the last couple of weeks really good.” Mr Goad said there was competition for large homes at lower prices. Recently a home for under $200,000 went for $15,000 more than its asking price and another was only listed for a week when it sold $10,000 above its price of $240,000. “There’s been a bit of a battle with people wanting places at the lower end of the market and it ends up as a Dutch auction and goes to the highest bidder,” Mr Goad said. He said soon there will not be any residential houses in Korumburra

under $200,000. New houses in new estates, priced between $300,000 and $390,000, were selling steadily. Investors are showing interest in properties in the low $200,000s. Mr Goad said there are a lot of people moving from Melbourne to Korumburra at the moment. “They sell up down at the peninsula and they end up with a bit in their pocket,” he said. “Korumburra is still affordable. We’re not far away from anything; we’re central to everything.” Residents of the town are also upgrading to other houses in the town and new estates. Units are attracting attention at the moment, but farm sales are slow.

PAGE 8 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

POLICE BRIEFS Shotgun stolen A SHOTGUN was stolen from a house in Cantor Drive, Venus Bay between Friday and Sunday morning. The 12 gauge shotgun was taken along with alcohol as offenders burgled the house. Inverloch Police are interested to hear from anyone who may know anything about the theft.

Car jumpers VANDALS damaged the bonnet of a car after running across it at about 1.30am Sunday. The car was parked in Pier Road near the intersection of Inverloch Parade, Inverloch.

Kilcunda brawls

Burnt out: this Hassett Street home was severely burnt.

House ﬁre A FIRE in Hassett Street, Leongatha on Sunday night was believed to have been started from an open

fire. Leongatha Police said the fire did not have a screen in place. The fire caused significant damage to the house, inside and out.

TWO scuffles broke out on the Bass Highway in Kilcunda at about 1.30am Sunday. The first involved up to 20 people and police were forced to use capsicum spray to subdue the people involved. A separate fight involving several people started at the same time. One person was given two penalty infringement notices. The 59-year-old man from Koo Wee Rup was charged for being drunk and misbehaving on licensed premises.

Prom accident

A Melbourne woman has suffered leg, neck and back injuries after crashing her motorbike along Promontory Road, near the Darby River bends about1.30pm Sunday. The rider failed to negotiate a right hand turn and was thrown off the bike and into an embankment. She was taken via air ambulance to the Alfred Hospital where she is being treated for the numerous injuries.

Man charged A 27-YEAR-OLD Foster man has been charged with burglary, criminal damage and unlawful trespass on a nearly completed house in Foster yesterday. The crime occurred late Saturday night. Wonthaggi CIU teamed up with Foster Police to interview and charge the offending man, who damaged plaster and broke windows of the home.

Asphalt steal PARTS were stolen from an asphalting machine over the weekend. Two hydraulic hoses, two hydraulic rams and a ﬂashing beacon were taken from the machine, which was left in Sanders Street, Korumburra. Police are after any information.

Police on video POLICE from the Bass Coast High-

way Patrol are now using an in-car video system to record offences committed. Senior Sergeant Jim Baum said the system, which is ﬁtted into an unmarked vehicle at the front and rear, will be a valuable tool for Highway Patrol ofﬁcers. “It will be an important tool in corroboration with charging drink drivers, cars going through stop signs and things like that,” he said. Within 30 seconds of the emergency lights or siren sounding off, the video will start to roll, which will help with court cases and charging offenders. Members of the patrol team will be rigged up with microphones, so conversations can be recorded. They are currently undergoing training to use the equipment.

Bike safety

OCTOBER is Safe Cycle Month, and police will be out in force cracking down on any illegal bike behaviour, such as not wearing a helmet. They will also be rewarding young people who do the right thing. Each child that is seen riding safely will receive a wrist band and go into the draw to win cycling equipment and other bike related items.

Rain’s just average DARK and cloudy days in September made us think we had lots of rain. But in fact towns in South Gippsland had just on or below the monthly average. In Ruby for example, rain recorder Margery Robson tallied 92.5mm over 21 days of rain, giving a cumulative total for the year of 878.1mm. Last September, 139mm fell. Leongatha had 52.6mm over 20 wet days, but Kay Puru said on checking her records, she found it was the lowest September fall for a few years. Last year, 115.1mm was recorded, with 68mm the year before. Even the dry year of 2006, recorded 68mm. The yearto-date total is 603.6mm. Fish Creek had 21 days of rain in September, totalling 86mm, but recorder Neville Buckland said that was below the town’s average of 106. Nevertheless, the tally for the year is 894mm, which is 150mm more than for the same period last year. Meeniyan’s rainfall is about average, with 73.3mm over 18 days of rain. Lindsay Fromhold said last September’s ﬁgure was 121, while the previous year’s was 47mm. Rain so far this year is 690.4, up a bit on last year and well up on the year before. Two of the district’s water storages are no longer totally full. Korumburra’s Coalition Creek has dropped to 99 per cent, as has the Foster Dam at Deep Creek. That’s unusual because of South Gippsland Water’s six reservoirs, the Foster Dam is normally the closest to capacity. But there’s an answer. Authority managing director Steve Evans, said the prime lagoon at Foster was being desludged. Leongatha’s Ruby Creek, Fish Creek’s Battery Creek, Wonthaggi’s Lance Creek and Poowong/Loch/ Nyora’s Little Bass, are all at 100 per cent. If you thought last month was cold, you were right. It was the coldest September in 16 years, with the freeze going in to the night as well.

Upgrading The Glade

WORK will start soon on upgrading part of the Inverloch foreshore known as The Glade.

The project is costing $80,000. Bass Coast Council spent $15,000 on a landscape plan, which includes extra picnic and barbecue shelters, new planting and seating. Radiata Pine will be replaced over time with more suitable Norfolk Island Pine. The Federal Government has put $80,000 into the cost of the work and the Inverloch Lions Club $40,000. Cr Ross Smith praised that contribution during discussion at the September meeting of Bass Coast Shire Council. Work will also include levelling the surface, and installing underground power and water to three points in the reserve. Councillors received a report on the landscape master plan.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 9

Gas billions hopes By Matt Dunn

PORT Welshpool could be home to a $3 billion investment if Queensland-based Icon Energy finds liquefied natural gas in the region. The company has been granted an exploration permit to look for onshore petroleum, and already has an agreement with China’s SinoGas to supply 40 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) over 20 years. Port Welshpool has been touted in

the company’s plans as the most likely site for future export facilities. “If we can prove there are commercial quantities of gas here then we can potentially use the LNG to be used in Victoria and if we can find it in sufficient quantity, we could use the gas to fill our Chinese contract,” managing director Ray James said. Mr James said the investment would mean “jobs and a plant and investment”. “It would be very good for the area if we can prove up those reserves,” he said.

“We’d need an LNG plant floating onshore or just offshore and all the facilities that go to put that together. All those things cost in the vicinity of $2 billion to $3 billion to put together. “I can’t say how that will translate into jobs at this point, but there’ll be a lot of them. Then there’s the building of pipelines and the bringing of gas under the ground.” From go to woe, the process would take between four and five years, with exploration work done first, then drilling in “a year or

Bus returns at last THE community bus linking Venus Bay and Tarwin Lower with Leongatha and Wonthaggi will be reinstated.

The first service will be on Wednesday, October 13, South Gippsland Shire Council announced last week. The decision follows substantial community opposition to the scrapping of the bus service, vital for elderly, disabled and disadvantaged people, said council chief executive officer, Tim Tamlin. “I’m always willing to listen to the community and from consideration of their comments plus analysis of the Transport Connections trial bus service usage statistics, it is quite evident that the two services attract different sectors of the community,” he said. “The Community bus service is about assisting council’s Home and Community Care (HACC) clients with their transport needs, whereas the Transport Connections Service is a public transport facility open to the public and operated by the State Government. They are two very different services.” This service will be available on Wednesdays only and will alternate the destination of travel weekly to provide greater choice of shops and services. On the first week,

the bus will travel to Wonthaggi, and on the second week it will travel to Leongatha. HACC clients wishing to travel on the community bus can book their places by calling 5662 9359 on the day prior to travel. The cost of the trip will be $4.20 and this will be invoiced monthly. “On the day of travel, the bus will start to pick up passengers at 9am and the time you will be collected from your residence will depend on how many are travelling that day,” Mr Tamlin said. “The bus will commence the return trip from its destination at 12.30pm promptly.” Letters have been sent to HACC clients with a timetable and other details to assist them to access the service. For further information on the service, call 5662 9359 Council has also integrated co-ordination of the Corner Inlet community transport service into council’s centralised booking service at its aged and disability services ofﬁce in Leongatha. While the community car will continue to be based at Foster, the move will provide better efﬁciencies for the service and clients. “It means we can make better use of the cars to improve services to our community. By centralising bookings

across the shire, it may be that the Foster car can link up with a Leongatha car to take Home and Community Care clients to Melbourne or Valley appointments, freeing up the vehicle for the rest of the day to service other Corner Inlet clients,” Mr Tamlin said. “We can also see opportunities where the community car could be used in our learner driver program to provide driving practice for young people after work or on weekends with a nominated mentor. “HACC clients will always be the priority but it’s about thinking outside the square and maximising our efﬁciency in providing better service.” All HACC clients will receive a letter to explain the changes to the system which will transition into effect last Thursday. Any questions or concerns regarding the service can be directed to Jeanette Draper, council’s acting manager of family services on 5662 9275.

Tasty fun: Matt Luscomb with a geology sandwich creation made during a lesson at Leongatha Secondary College, proving there is more to science than beakers and white coats.

so’s time”. “If those ideas work successfully, we’d step up the pace,” Mr James said. But Icon is not the only player in the region, with Lakes Oil recently announcing a joint venture with Beach Energy to explore gas reserves in the region. Lakes Oil and Beach Energy will collectively spend $100 million in the initial phase. Lakes Oil chief geologist Ingrid Campbell believes there could be room for all players in the market. “I suppose you could say that

they’re competing with us, but it doesn’t mean we won’t or can’t do a joint program with them, which we may well do once they start getting into operational mode,” she said. “We don’t know what their program is. We don’t have access to that until it’s made public. The government is obliged to do that some time in the near future. “There is a lot of synergy between the two areas and we would like to get involved in some shape or form. That’s about how it stands.”

PAGE 10 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

GOLFERS from near and far will be hitting off in the annual Seniors Festival of Golf in Wonthaggi this Thursday for Singles Stableford. Registration will be at 10am for an 11am hit off. A Four Ball Better Ball

event will follow on Friday, with registration at 8am for a 9am shot gun start. Entry each day includes lunch and a complimentary showbag. If you would like to join in and have a great day of golﬁng contact the Won-

thaggi Golf Club on 5672 1437.

Liam Wisdom, who won a silver medal in the National Goshian Judo competition for boys lightweight on Saturday. Liam is the son of Shane and Cathy Wisdom of Adelaide, and grandson of Eileen “Wizzy” Wisdom of Leongatha.

A MEETING to discuss the State Government’s Gippsland sustainable water strategy will be held in Bair’s Hotel, Leongatha on October 12. The meeting will start with dinner, so guests should arrive at 7.30pm if they wish to have a meal as well.

THE GRAND Cabaret on the Ridge held at the Hallston Hall was a wonderful success. Event organisers Jeanne Dekker and Kelly Marsh thank the community for their support. Local band Fossil Fuel kept the guests dancing for hours.

AS part of the Meeniyan Cup Weekend Art Exhibition there will be a Jazz among the Arts night on October 30 at 8pm. Guests are asked to be seated earlier than this time, the cost will be $18 and bookings are essential.

AS THE beautiful weather starts to shine down, the season for ﬁshing has arrived. Fishermen have turned out in good numbers at Anderson Inlet in the hope of catching some ﬁsh, or even just for a relaxing afternoon.

LAST Tuesday was the celebration of Blue Ribbon Day, commemorating all the police officers who had lost their life on the job. Since 1853, 151 Victoria Police officers have died in the line of duty, making the ultimate sacrifice while working to make Victoria a safer place.

Stars of the show: Paul Hendry and Avril van Wamel ham it up in their Umbrella comedy skit.

AN ENCORE performance of The Umbrella by the Meeniyan Amateur Dramatics Society, will be presented at the Meeniyan Hall on Sunday, October 17 at 2pm. All proceeds will go to the further improvement of the Meeniyan Hall. The program includes song and dance acts,

a sing-along and comedy drama plays written by Cerise de Gelder of Comedy Club fame, directed by Avril van Wamel, Pat and Paul Hendry. Please support this worthy cause and have an enjoyable afternoon while you are at it. The cost is $15, with children and concession $10. For bookings and enquiries contact Tarnya Wilson on 5664 7473 or 0427 646 473.

Years of service Long service: Bass Coast corporate services director Danny Luna (centre) has been with local government on the Bass Coast for 30 years. He is with Mayor Cr Peter Paul (left) and CEO Allan Bawden. Mr Luna received a milestone award, as did other council staff: major maintenance supervisor Charlie Ware, 25 years; ﬁnance manager Jim Farr, 15 years; and Richard Clarkson (parks supervisor), Alan Wright (home maintenance ofﬁcer), Helen Bowes (town planning), Tony Boreham (gardener), and Ken Hore (tourism manager), 10 years.

HAPPY birthday to Leongatha’s Will Ziebell, who turned 19 yesterday (Monday). Will has currently deferred his university course and will be attending Melbourne Uni next year. CONGRATULATIONS to

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“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 11

Fully grown: the Adult Australian Plague Locust. Image courtesy of Australian Plague Locust Commission.

Plague potential By Matt Dunn WINDS could decide whether a locust plague descends on South Gippsland. That is the belief of Murray Goulburn chairman, Grant Davies. “In South Gippsland it won’t be about getting them before they band together and fly. Your major issue will be them coming in on the wind,” he said. “We’re in the hands of Mother Nature and anything can happen.” Mr Davies was unwilling to speculate on the potential damage of locusts attacks to the local dairy industry. “We certainly have to be aware of the potential of them to cause severe damage. I wouldn’t like to see the damage that was caused in the north-west in the autumn affect the whole of Victoria,” he said. “They literally just ate pastures out overnight. No one really knows how damaging that effect could be. I don’t think anyone can think they are immune. It’s just that some areas will be affected more than others.” State controller for locusts Russell McMurray said the “very intuitive” insects like “very rich food” and will fly anywhere to feed. “When the greener pasture is running out in those (northern) areas, they’ll get up into the high winds and literally fly hundreds of kilometres overnight,” he said. “If you’re talking about a point by

which they could fly, you’re probably talking about November. But that would only be the start of them. “It would really depend on wind directions, because they can’t fly those distances by themselves. They have to get up into the hot air streams and come down with those.” Mr McMurray said there was little doubt the locusts would reach all parts of the state. “The effects would be on the green pastures and the green crops – any sort of green vegetation. They’re very difficult to treat, because they are swarming. It’s like swatting flies. Your success is very low,” he said. “That’s why we’re trying to encourage the community in the North and Mallee and Wimmera regions to treat them while they’re actually banding on the ground and they can’t fly.” The locusts are a native species to NSW and Queensland, but have migrated to Victoria, flying down “in good quantities” on Good Friday (April 2). They are drawn by the promise of “lush green pastures to chew on”. “By virtue of what they are – the Australian Plague Locusts – it is a plague and we are trying to minimise the impact of that plague,” Mr McMurray said. The Australian Plague Locust was declared an exotic pest under the Plant Health and Plant Products Act 1995. The ruling puts an onus on landholders to notify DPI of locust activity on their land. Notifications can be made by calling the DPI Locust Hotline on 1300 135 559.

Rain delays sewerage By Isaac McCallum THE MEENIYAN sewerage scheme has been further set back by heavy recent rainfall. The halted project is the lagoon and wetlands system that will treat the wastewater to a standard that is available for reuse in the community. The construction of the Lagoon system commenced in November 2009, and it is expected to cover an area of five hectares. Eventually it will have a combined volume of 64 million litres made up of the three treatment lagoons, and three wetlands ponds. Construction of the lagoons has been delayed due to the significant rainfall over the past seven months, completely saturating the site. These waterlogged conditions have made the site completely unworkable for the earth works contractors. A key part of the construction of systems such as these, is the requirement for the lagoon surface to be dry compacted to ensure it is watertight and meets EPA standards. “This is an impossible process when it keeps raining,” said South Gippsland Water’s acting managing director, Philippe du Plessis. There is about three months of work remaining to be done on the lagoon construction. “South Gippsland Water is making every effort possible to complete these lagoons as soon as we can,” Mr du Plessis said. “Ultimately this will result in a system that will be a great long term benefit to the community, the environment and tourism to the region.” The sewerage system construction process is made up of three parts; the first is the town reticulation system, which collects the waste from the houses and businesses. Second is the pump station and rising main, which pumps and transports the waste from the reticulation system to the lagoon system. The lagoon and wetlands system is the last project that is to be completed. Of the three parts of construction, the town reticulation system and the rising main and pump station were completed several months ago.

PAGE 12 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Unlawful tactics

E D I T O R I A L

Generosity should only go so far VOLUNTEERING is a great way to give to community and to meet other people. Finding an activity around town that one loves also leads to a greater sense of belonging and higher self esteem. According to the 2006 Census, there were 6385 adults - or about 31 per cent of the adult population - who volunteered in South Gippsland Shire. That is above the Gippsland average of 23.5 per cent. An analysis of volunteers for council-managed services such as Meals on Wheels, showed that in the last year, about 600 volunteers gave 25,696 ordinary hours and 9963 hours on weekends. Council estimates those contributions would be valued at $678,399 and is now employing a full-time volunteer coordinator to oversee volunteers. But sometimes too much is asked of those who help for free. Early last Wednesday morning, while most people in the region were sound asleep, a CFA volunteer was called to help paramedics treating a patient in Leongatha. The firefighter was asked to drive an ambulance to hospital, while paramedics performed CPR on the patient. The firefighter had already attended the Westpac bank fire in Leongatha the previous evening. Soon after returning home from helping the paramedics, he was called back to the bank to assist with another matter. The fact firefighters are willing to give a lot of their time to attend fires and also train regularly is already generous enough. The State Government should not be calling on them to fill voids in the rosters of government paid officers, especially when so many people are trying to become paramedics yet are being turned away. Paramedics often work long hours with minimal breaks between shifts, and given they are attending to medical emergencies and driving as part of their duties, they cannot afford to be at risk of making wrong decisions as a result of fatigue. Proper staffing arrangements should be in place to ensure resources are not stretched. Ambulance Victoria states in The Star this week that many paramedics were on sick leave at the same time recently, but surely given the vital importance of this service, planning should be in place to ensure numbers can be made up? After all, we are talking about lives being at risk. Bass MLA Ken Smith continues to call for adequate staffing levels in the Victorian ambulance service. It’s about time his requests were heeded.

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.

Political points IN October, 2009, Leongatha council’s transport division did a little late Friday afternoon ring around to all community bus clients to inform them the (Venus Bay) bus was being terminated. The following Monday it was replaced by a V/Line trial service. The second such trial. Council has maintained there was wide consultation with the community on the cancellation. They refer to general discussions dealing mainly with the introduction of V/Line services to give the impression, it was always intended the community bus would be replaced by V/Line. The strange thing about that is, community bus clients and volunteer drivers were ofﬁcially told, it was not the intention that V/Line would

I THOUGHT it was time I put pen to paper and tell you about my concerns for the people in the shire since the C48 amendment, telling us we can’t build on our land. Things have not improved, instead they have got worse. Now we are being told, to get a building permit we must sign an agreement. This Section 173 agreement sounds innocent enough until you take the time to read into it. The C48 amendment was about denying us a permit to build. The S173 is about restricting your movements on your own land. The reality is you do not own the land you thought was yours, leaving you with land you can step on and look at, but have no control over it. Why would you work your whole life on the land knowing the State Government and the shire council are watching you, controlling every move you make. By signing this S173 you agree to let the council and its ofﬁcers or workers enter your property, day or night without warning. They will be able to use the Local Government Act,

the Heritage Act, the Health Act and any other act they dare to dream up, all this and much much more, just so the State Government and the Local Shire can control everything you do. According to the shire, you will have no say in how you use your land. If the powers to be think that you have broken this S173 agreement, they think they will have the right to take you to court, jail and or ﬁne you. What I have written is no joke, it’s reality and no one seems to care. If you don’t take up the challenge, you will have nothing left to hand down to your kids. If the shire carries out any investigating on your land, taking soil samples, checking trees and undergrowth or just plainly keeping an eye on you, the shire expects you to submit a bond of guarantee which will be forfeited if the owner fails to fulﬁll his or her obligations arising from the agreement to the satisfaction of the responsible authority. The owner of the land is expected to pay all costs arising out of any investigations on your property. Ken Irwin, United Christian Constitutional Law Group.

Recognition warranted SINCE being conscripted to ﬁght in Vietnam aged 20, I have worked hard and long to reconcile the many contradictory political and social issues that our communities and individuals face. At this time I still grieve when I see stories of the tragic return of Australian casualties from our politically inspired war on terrorism. The casualties return with such expression of gratitude, grief and ceremony that seem to be such a poor substitute for a young life. Our Vietnam casualties were returned to Australia in a shroud of shame and silence that has lasted to this day. Many Vietnam veterans have never been able to reconcile the loss of their mates standing by a grave, share a funeral ceremony or meet their family. Our feelings of loss have never been reconciled. This October I plan to attend our ﬁrst Delta Company 2 RAR (67/68) for 42 years. A real test to see, share and reconcile how old mates are travelling. Peace has been a long time coming. There are those in our community who talk so much about our right to life in spite of the

fact that so much of our human history is written in blood and sacriﬁce. Tens of thousands of 20-yearolds were conscripted to live or die by the simple roll of a political marble. Those who worked for peace were described as unpatriotic traitors or unchristian. Human beings obviously lead such fearful and contradictory lives. This creates the strange combative, contradictory and political theatre that dominates our political and social debate. I trust that most citizens do their best according to their positive life experience, education and sense of well being. Let us get over the idealogy of winner takes all. Our current political state of play in Canberra seems to be a valuable opportunity for more open and honest debate on so many issues. I feel that often real social change can take over 20 years to realise. Therefore let us seize the moment, to move forward. I believe our politically inspired war on terrorism will foil and the legacy is the cost of the brutalisation on all sides. Debate and goodwill are powerful antedotes to dispute. All power to those with independent thought, conviction and real sense of a fair go, for all. Richard Lester, Leongatha.

VOXPOP! VOX Do you think the AFL grand ﬁnal should have been replayed? Did you watch it again?

I really enjoy the festivities so I’m glad it’s on again. I like how the replay works. It really does decide who is the better team. Brenton Arnup Leongatha

replace the community bus. Council’s recent media release by the CEO Tim Tamlin distinguishes the difference between the two services quite succinctly and the reason for the reinstatement of the community bus. He also clears up another very important issue making a distinction between the two different bus services. That is, that the community bus is not the V/Line service as described by Peter Ryan MP, who recently stated publicly he would petition the government to extend the V/Line community bus service until December. One would also hope that Ken Smith MP, is also assisted by the media release, to understand the difference as well. Although, I might add, extensive attempts by me to communicate this, to the pair of them since January this year, fell on deaf ears. By reinstating the community bus

Yeah, I love watch it and having a few beers with my mates. I think they should play a ﬁfth quarter though. Nick Phelan Leongatha

run to the aged and disability members of our community, council has conceded it had handicapped them by removing the service to begin with. This development now brings council into line with its own stated policies in relation to disadvantaged persons and they also adequately address the matter of not attempting to force patrons to shop in Leongatha only. So we also have returned to us the democratic process to make a choice, where we choose to shop or access other services. As for the V/Line service, it was never under threat from the community bus from the outset. This was a perception of the State Government in view of introducing V/Line Services to South Gippsland and negotiating with council, funds it would beneﬁt from. It was council’s fear of reduced funding that led it to fall into line with State Government policy not to have two competitive bus runs operating,

I watched both matches. I think they should go with overtime, probably 10 minutes each way. Matt Wilson Leongatha

so council removed the perceived threat: the community bus. This is despite, no such steps were undertaken by Bass Coast Shire Council which has always operated both services, side by side. I might add, what Peter Ryan has done in an attempt to extend the V/ Line service until December, given the election is in November is to extend a service in Tarwin Lower/Venus Bay that has failed, not once, but twice, and this is backed by records. If Mr Ryan had taken the time to consult with Tim Tamlin before reaching his own conclusions, he might have understood a whole lot better, what the transport issues really were all about. They certainly were not about attracting votes. Robert Field Venus Bay.

Yes I went to the game, I was there last week as well. I liked the draw. It’s only happened three times in all those years so I think it adds to our game. Anne Read Dumbalk

Here’s an idea AFTER reading the latest update from Aquasure about the plan to spend $4.3 million on “The biggest green roof in Australia”, I have a few suggestions to make. Instead of wasting the money on a roof that does not reﬂect light why not use Colorbond? The 26,000 square metres of roof with an annual rainfall of approximately one metre would collect 26,000,000 litres of clean water, which could be easily pumped down the same pipe to the Cardinia Reservoir. In regards to the environment, the said roof covered in solar panels could power the desal plant and Wonthaggi and Inverloch. Ron Funnell, Wooreen.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 13

River money helps fish By Jane Ross

NEWLY announced river health funding will help protect the endangered Australian grayling in the Tarwin River. Populations of the ﬁsh in the Tarwin are among the best in Gippsland. With projected climate change, the river could be increasingly relied on for stocks of Australian grayling.

West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority water manager Kylie Debono, made these comments recently. She said $902,000 of a State grant of $4.6 million would be spent on river water quality improvements in South Gippsland. The rest will be used on restoring the Latrobe, Thomson and Macalister rivers. The money is about the same as that

allowed for similar work last year. Ms Debono said plans for South Gippsland included fencing off wetland and salt marsh on the lower reaches of the Tarwin and Powlett rivers, as well as fencing along the length of the Tarwin, which is the biggest river system in South Gippsland. Fencing to exclude stock and stabilising the bed and banks of the Franklin and Lower Albert rivers will take place and there will be more fencing

and revegetation on the Tarra and Agnes rivers. The Franklin, Lower Albert, Tarra and Agnes ﬂow into Corner Inlet and improvements in river water quality is expected to have a positive impact on the inlet. But, as Ms Debono pointed out, this does not happen overnight. It can take 10 years of river improvements to result in a more natural riparian environment.

Fire fight starts now FLAMMABLE bushland and restricted access roads make five coastal communities high fire danger zones this summer. Inverloch, Venus Bay, Walkerville, Waratah Bay and Sandy Point are among the 52 top fire risk towns in Victoria. The Country Fire Authority will hold community meetings in those towns this week, urging residents to prepare their fire plans for the coming fire season. The CFA will roll out draft town protection plans for community discussion, said CFA’s township protection planning co-ordinator for Gippsland, Gary Burns. “People need to have a fire plan and that can be as simple as on very bad fire days, not being there,” he said. “People are still leaving it too late to leave.” The town protection plans will

Thinking ahead: the Country Fire Authority’s Bill Alards and Gary Burns with a draft plan.

have information about fire information, maps, guidelines for preparing personal plans, what to do on high fire danger days and park closures. The process came out of the 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission. The towns are surrounded by coastal scrub and heath, and include

many holiday homes. “A lot of the absentee landowners are only there for the holiday period and do not undertake their preparation as they should,” Mr Burns said. The meetings will be held at: • Sandy Point Fire Station, Thursday, October 7, 10am to noon;

• Waratah Bay Foreshore Park, Thursday, October 7, 1-3pm; • Walkerville Hall, Thursday, October 7, 4-6pm; • Venus Bay Community Centre, Friday, October 8, 11am-1pm; and • Inverloch Hub Atrium, Friday, October 8, 3-5pm.

“You can certainly see a river system without willows and with cattle excluded, looks healthier.” Willows block river systems, forcing water onto the ﬂood plain, increasing the return of unwanted nutrients to the river. “Australian systems need diversity in vegetation structure.” The money is about the same as that allowed for similar work last year.

Farming not forgotten LEONGATHA Secondary College has welcomed the inclusion of agriculture in the national curriculum. Principal Brett Windsor said the subject was vital to the education of rural students. Concerns about the lack of understanding of agriculture issues in the wider community have convinced education policy makers that the changes were necessary. The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority will now develop curriculum that teaches students about resources and enables children to pursue careers in agriculture. LSC’s agriculture program has been affected by stafﬁng changes and falling student interest this year, not due to changes in curriculum. “We are running an agriculture program in years 9 and 10,” Mr Windsor said. The school is also incorporating horticulture. Schools have been working with competency based training providers such as the National Centre for Dairy Education Australia to provide practical education pathways for students keen to pursue a career in agriculture.

PAGE 14 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Art offers Italian flavour AN EXHIBITION with an Italian theme will feature at Foster’s reputable Stockyard Gallery this month. Allora! Italy and More will include paintings by South Gippsland artists from a trip to the European country this year, as well as works by other artists. Some of the artists embarked on a painting tour to Palagano in May and returned with pieces depicting landscapes, streetscapes, homes and churches. “We’re all excited about the exhibition – it’s like an extension of our European experience,” artist Pauline Farries said. Many of the works were painted in the ﬁeld, capturing the Italian light and the inﬂuence of the European atmosphere. The artists – all friends – are pleased visitors from Melbourne and Sydney – fellow artists who also joined the Italian

tour – will attend the exhibition of at least 70 pieces. The participating artists are Pauline, Johanna Miles and Anita Booth, all of Venus Bay, and Elizabeth McIntosh and Kate Taylor of Inverloch, Fleur Wheeler of Foster, and Olive Ormerod of Leongatha. Pieces in pen and wash, watercolour, oil, acrylic, textile, drawing and mosaic will be on show from October 7 and continues until October 26. The opening will be held from 2-4pm.

Creative passion: Olive Ormerod, Fleur Wheeler, Elizabeth McIntosh, Kate Taylor, Pauline Farries, Anita Booth and Johanna Miles are staging a group exhibition.

Seniors can save money SOUTH Gippsland Shire Council, in partnership with Environment Victoria, is calling for expressions of

interest from its Home and Community Care (HACC) clients who wish to receive a free sustainability audit of

their home. Nine of Council’s home carers recently underwent Home Sustainability Audit training that qualiﬁes them to conduct the home audits based on a program developed by Environment Victoria. The audit-trained carers then will undertake a 30 minute session at the client’s home to assess ways that the cost and impact of water and energy usage can be reduced, and to identify any other ways to reduce waste of resources. “Some of our clients need support in adapting to the changing climate and its associated impacts,” said acting family services manager Jeanette Draper. “Utility costs are expected to signiﬁcantly increase in the next three to four years, which will affect people on low incomes. In short, we are endeavouring to support clients to use fewer resources and move towards a more sustainable lifestyle.” The audit may identify a

selection of jobs which can be funded by Council and Environment Victoria. These jobs may include the installation of a watersaving showerhead, reducing a draft under a door or fixing a leaking tap. A copy of the Audit and the Order Form is sent to the client by post for consideration. Once the order form is signed and returned to council, the works can be scheduled. “We are excited to be able to offer this service that aligns with our corporate commitment to sustainability,” Ms Draper said. “We are appreciative of the funding support from Environment Victoria which makes this program possible.” HACC clients should leave their name, address and phone number with a Customer Service Officer on 5662 9200. To find out more, contact Georgina Kibble on 5662 9230 on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

Discover the magic of words SIX published authors will discuss the magic of words at the third annual Coal Creek Literary Festival this Saturday, October 9 from 11am. Honey Brown, Bert van Bedaf, Liz Rushen, Jillian Durance, Yvette Stubbs and Peter Sharpe will be talking about their work, and participating in question and answer sessions and discussions during the day. There will also be a book fair and book signings - all this for the modest cost of a $10 ticket which can be purchased at the door of Coal Creek Community Park and Museum at Korumburra. (For details on the speakers, go to www.coalcreekliteraryfestival.com) But wait, there’s more! For a further $20 you can stay and enjoy a lively evening of entertainment at the Pig and Whistle Hotel within the grounds of Coal Creek, with all proceeds to go to Relay for Life from 6pm onwards. Pre show and interval entertainment will be provided by well known musician Willy Golightly, and the Leongatha Lyric Theatre will present a hilarious short comedy, The Droitwich Discovery from 7.30pm. Finger food, tea and coffee will be available, and drinks at bar prices. Seating is limited for the evening enter-

tainment, so book early on 5655 1811 to avoid disappointment. Winners in the writing categories will be announced and awards presented at 6pm. The Literary Festival is proudly supported by South Gippsland Shire Council and Coal Creek, the Great Southern Star, Djinta Djinta Winery and Mushroom Crafts. And as well.. • bring your eskies and shopping bags to buy some farm fresh goods from the inaugural Coal Creek Farmers’ Market which will be running in the Coal Creek car park from 8am until 1pm; • there will be plenty of treats to enjoy as a picnic lunch in the park, or you can buy refreshments at the Pig and Whistle throughout the day; • be sure to pop your head in and enjoy the exhibition in the Coal Creek Community Gallery while you are there too; • buy trick or treat tickets for Coal Creek’s Halloween event on October 31; • collect an entry form for the Scarecrow Competition; and • have a giant game of chess in the garden, visit the General Store, explore the collections.

$40 million

in community contributions and it all starts with Bendigo Bank’s national network of locally-owned Community Bank® companies recently exceeded more than $40 million in contributions to their communities. These funds have helped lawn bowlers, budding artists, knitting groups, pre-schoolers, footballers, learner drivers, golfers, musicians, students, trainee medical professionals and many, many others to achieve great things. And they’ve provided much-needed financial support to the community groups, clubs and not-for-profit groups that are the backbone of local communities. To find out how you can support your local community call into your nearest branch or phone 1300 BENDIGO (1300 236 344). Bendigo and Adelaide Bank ABN 11 068 049 178 AFSL 237879 (S30935) (09/10)

www.bendigobank.com.au/snapshots

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 15

PAGE 16 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Seeking country workers By Chris Brown

TWO Melbourne bakeries have turned to South Gippsland to provide them with apprentices.

Talent time: the acting ﬂair of boys and girls will impress parents when St Laurence’s Primary School presents the annual school production. Rehearsals for the November event are now well underway, with gymnastics, dance, music and drama to feature. Practising their hip hop routine at the Leongatha school were Christian Pouw, Lockie Smith, Rubi Panozzo and Eliza Loy.

The Baker’s Delight franchises in South Melbourne and Port Melbourne placed situation vacant advertisements in regional newspapers across the state. The ads called for budding bakery apprentices seeking a move to the big smoke. Owner of the South Melbourne franchise Biddy Cunningham said they were seeking people who wanted to make a long-term commitment to a trade. “Country people in my experience have a much better work ethic and ﬁt into our environment a lot better,” she said. “Also some come from farming backgrounds where it’s early morning starts and it’s producing something from scratch - it’s not a desk job - which can be worth-

while.” Both of the businesses have strong teams, but they have struggled to ﬁnd good quality apprentices as they grow rapidly. Only a few responses have been received to the advertisements, but one of them, a 17-year-old from Bairnsdale, started a work experience type placement at South Melbourne last week. “We really want great people in the team and we want the guys to get along,” Ms Cunningham said. “We’re in an environment where it’s small and busy, and you rely heavily on each other.” Ms Cunningham comes from the West Gippsland town of Nar Nar Goon. Mick Russell, owner of the Port Melbourne franchise, comes from Wagga Wagga. Baking apprentices work and undertake training for about three years and earn a nationally recognised qualiﬁcation.

When will the analog TV signals be switched oﬀ in my area? The analog TV signals will be switched off between 2010 and 2013, and replaced by digital TV signals. The switch off will be rolled out progressively around the country, region by region. The map ap and the table show you when and where the switch off will happen.

Apprentices wanted: inner city Baker’s Delight franchisees were searching in South Gippsland.

Mayor’s message Cr Peter Paul

Broadband push HIGH quality and affordable broadband infrastructure is today recognised as a key building block for a community wanting to be more productive, liveable and sustainable.

Mildura

Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin & Sydney

Switched off 15 Dec 2010 5 May 2011 2nd Half 2011 1st Half 2012 2nd Half 2012 1st Half 2013 2nd Half 2013

Remote Central and Eastern Australia, Regional and Remote WA and all other areas

2nd Half 2013

Areas of Regional SA & Broken Hill Areas of Regional VIC Areas of Regional QLD Areas of Southern NSW & ACT Areas of Northern NSW Perth, Brisbane & areas of Tasmania

Where do I ﬁnd out more? • Call 1800 20 10 13 • Visit www.australia.gov.au/digitalready Authorised by the Commonwealth of Australia, Capital Hill, Canberra

In a global world, broadband technology gives people access to information, products and services worldwide without having to leave the comfort of their home or office. Bass Coast Shire Council is at the forefront of advocating for improved broadband infrastructure for the whole of Gippsland under the Gippsland Regional Plan. The Gippsland Regional Plan has been put together by the six Gippsland councils and aims to help Gippsland reach its full potential. As a region, we are well known for our abundant natural resources, broad range of primary production capabilities and a great range of lifestyle, recreation and tourism options. In Gippsland we have a very high number of communities and towns of less than 1000 people. Under the present National Broadband Network Guidelines, these communities will not have direct access to high speed broadband. As a council and a region, we believe that Gippsland should be given the highest priority for the rollout of high speed broadband that will benefit both our big and small communities. In Bass Coast we have already been successful in advocating broadband for our larger towns as a result of the desalination project. Over the coming years we will work with the government to encourage the roll out of broadband infrastructure to all communities in Gippsland. One of Bass Coast’s most high profile events, the Moto GP will be held soon. This week on my weekly radio show on 3MFM, I interview Frank Angarane, our special events coordinator, about the arrangements and entertainment for the GP. The show runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8.30am and 4.30pm, so there is plenty of opportunity to catch it. To check the frequency in your area, log onto www.3mfm.com.au Cr Peter Paul, Mayor Bass Coast Shire Council

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 17

PAGE 18 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

THE weather could have been kinder but the dairy farmers were still smiling at the South Gippsland Dairy Expo in Poowong last Wednesday and Thursday. The Strzelecki Lions Club run the event that has successfully showcased the local dairy industry for many years. There was light hearted rivalry when professional, politicians and the public tried their hand at hand milking in the hand milking competition. Peter Hall,

Nationals MLC for Eastern Victoria won the event against a good sport, Bass MLA, Ken Smith. The competition became keener when the Apex milkman Chris Lancey took on Bill Loughridge of the Strzelecki Lions, chairman of the event. Chris had milk ‘running in his veins’ but he was beaten by the dairy stalwart. Many local industries were represented and although the day dampened at times there was plenty to buoy the spirits of those attended. Brian Keeton of WOPA Australia

demonstrated a crush system that he supplies. He also trains farmers to identify hoof issues and trim feet to reduce lameness in dairy herds. Major sponsor Murray Goulburn

a hospitality marquee. Courtesy buses ferried people to and from the event, sponsored by Burra Foods. Children seemed to be having a great time at the event, enjoying the

Showtime: Aria DeLongeville and Joshua Kindred appreciated the exhibits.

jumping castle and the mobile animal nursery. Community involvement and industry support made a winning combination again at the Dairy Expo.

Local lads: Sterling Holman and Callum Lancey.

Shared fascination: DPI’s Frank Mickan, Adam Fisher and Peter Notman from Notmans Seeds study some trial results.

● Callous/corns ● Diabetic feet ● Children and flat feet ● Digital gait technology for orthotics ● Ingrowing toenails Specialised footwear for work and pleasure! Available at 10 locations throughout the south east of Victoria!

IN STORE NOW!

(Warragul only)

“the professional foot care centre”

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● WARRAGUL ● LEONGATHA ● PAKENHAM 5623 4677 5662 0899 5941 7899 Milk fever: Apex member Chris Lancey tried to beat Bill Loughridge.

Friendly family: Kevin Gray from Leongatha Motorcycles and his kids Sharni and Rhys.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 19

IGA keeps celebrating service THE celebrations continue at Michael’s Supa IGA in Leongatha and Korumburra this week.

Hundreds of extra specials are available at the supermarkets with weekly prize draws and exciting Thursday community days. Michael’s Supa IGA supermarkets provide a superior level of service through a model that delivers more staff for customers without paying more for it. There’s more staff in-store during the trading day to ﬁll shelves and maintain the products offered throughout the day to satisfy customer demand. Greater numbers of checkouts are open throughout the day, meaning smaller queues. Michaels IGA continues to grow the grocery range with up to 25,000 items from all the known and loved brands. Michaels IGA gives customers a

fair and true choice to shop from, not just a shop full of generic imported store brands. A customer enquiry system is used to look into new lines and every customer is personally phoned with the outcome whether it is to be stocked or not. Fresh produce is sourced from the Victorian wholesale market along with some local products from the Gippsland region. Dairy and frozen foods have also undergone expansion in Leongatha with the inclusion of new cabinets and an up-to-date refrigeration plant with the latest power saving technology. The company has invested several million dollars in the past year to expand the fresh foods offered in the Leongatha supermarket. This was after the recent expansion and refurbishment at Korumburra in fresh foods. The addition of Lenards “The Best Fresh Chicken” department was

another ﬁrst for Leongatha, offering the ﬁrst extensive range of poultry in the district. The new delicatessen and seafood selection offers customers a great range, personalised service and above all, goods are sliced on demand to provide customers with their exact requirements. Bakery is another expanded department at Michaels Leongatha, with great freshly made bakery goods available daily. This department was added in the redevelopment and now offers a comparable range to the award winning bakery department in Korumburra. This supermarket is close to home for Korumburra residents with the pricing the same as Leongatha. Independents have always supported smaller towns with viable and competitive offers servicing the needs of the immediate community.

Light in the community

ONE of the many community groups to beneﬁt signiﬁcantly from Michael’s Supa IGA is the State Emergency Service (SES). They have already received $18,449 from the community rewards program after only a few years of involvement. Late last month it was announced the SES had been given a $3000 grant to go towards a new lighting tower as part of the 2010 community fund distribution. South Gippsland unit controller Tony Lindhard said the support from IGA was wonderful.

“It’s the community helping the community and that’s the right sort of thing,” he said. “The community rewards program is to support local organisations that need a little bit of money to run their community minded projects.” The SES has used their almost $20,000 worth of donations to purchase new and better equipment, which allows them to provide enhanced services to the community. As for the lighting tower, the extra $3000 means the SES will hopefully be able to purchase the lighting tower in time for the Christmas holiday period. They still need about $8000 to pay the full cost

of the $40,000 portable light tower. Its main role will be to illuminate accident scenes at night. With almost enough funds to purchase the lighting tower, the SES will ask for an updated quote soon. The SES will be at the Korumburra IGA asking for people to donate their reward points to them next Thursday. Overall the Michael’s Supa IGA community rewards program has made more than $850,000 worth of donations. These have gone to about 60 groups across the region from health services, social services groups, schools and kinders, CFA brigades, aged care homes and sporting clubs.

An extra $20,000 worth of grants was distributed among several local groups with projects that deserved support this year including for the SES lighting tower. The Michael’s Supa IGA rewards program was launched nine years ago and now 3000 families shopping at IGAs donate their points to the community. As one cent for every dollar spent is converted into points and bonus points can be collected more than one per cent of a total shop is for community groups. IGA does not increase prices to pay for these rewards for the community.

Working together MICHAEL’s Supa IGA partners with other businesses in the South Gippsland community to create beneﬁts for residents. One example of this is the four cents per litre off fuel offered in conjunction with the Leongatha-based Evans Petroleum at their BP branded outlets. The relationship is about two South Gippsland businesses that both employ locals working together for the beneﬁt of everyone. Michael’s Supa IGA aims to work with partners rather than run other people out of business. They know that Evans Petroleum is run by local people who support lots of other local people in the town. Evan’s Petroleum’s Stuart Evans said the four cent per litre fuel offer was

businesses working side by side. “I think it’s probably like lots of other businesses where you work in together,” he said. “We’re locals and we support a lot of clubs and associations through sponsorships, as Michaels Supa IGA do in a different way.” The fuel offer began when Michael’s Supa IGA approached Evan’s Petroleum and they saw it could be beneﬁcial to them both. It came at a time when national supermarket retailers were moving into the petrol retailing market and created a truly South Gippsland petrol discount option. The four cent per litre off fuel offer is available at Evans Petroleum BPbranded outlets in Leongatha, Korumburra and Wonthaggi.

Catch V/Line’s new timetable from Sunday 10 October 2010

A new timetable will be introduced for the Bendigo, Ballarat, Geelong and Gippsland lines from Sunday 10 October. The new timetable will also affect coach services across various parts of the state. In the new timetable some services will:

All smiles: Danielle and Lenni Mackie, and Laura and Heidi Nicholas were having fun.

Delight: from left, Kathy Hardy, grandson Henry Wynne and Dolly Jones enjoy the day.

Award winners: produce team leader Karl Misale and Tyson Tootell with fresh apples.

• depart earlier, • depart later, or • have different stopping patterns. Downloadable copies of the new timetable are available now at vline.com.au/timetables Timetable booklets will also be available from early October at your local staffed V/Line station or ticket agent, or by calling 136 196.

Call 136 196 vline.com.au Sausage sizzlers: SES members, Mandy Powney and Tony Lindhard.

V/Line Pty Ltd ABN 29 087 425 269

Ref: 26524VLN

PAGE 20 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

WHEN it comes to your wedding day, the image of perfection is instantly conjured in your thoughts. The Gilded Lily Restaurant and Bar in the picturesque village of Loch, provides the perfect setting for intimate weddings for up to 60 people. The Gilded Lily is a beautifully restored Victorian cottage with ornate ceiling roses, cornices and chandeliers

providing a romantic setting for your special day. The cottage garden is a lovely place for your wedding ceremony or photos. Kerri Reid who owns the restaurant, takes great pride in assisting bridal couples with their plans to create an ideal reception. “It is important to me that your needs are met and all functions are planned around what is important to

you. “I like to put together a menu based on your budget and can offer a range of options to help you achieve this without the cost of your wedding reception getting out of control!” explains Kerri. She describes her menu as “full of temptations”. Each wedding menu is planned with a complimentary consultation with Kerri, who cooks each dish herself.

“I try to avoid typical function menus with the service of 50/50 meals to your guests. Together we will plan a menu to give your guests a ‘Gippsland’ dining experience.” The Gilded Lily’s function room comes to life at night with ambient lighting, large architectural windows that bring the moonlight and stars inside, adding to the cosy atmosphere. The friendly staff at The Gilded

Lily will ensure that your guests are welcome from the time of their arrival to the end of the night. Loch is readily accessible from Melbourne and many other locations in South Gippsland and beyond. So if it’s quality food and wine, friendly service and a romantic setting that you want to remember from your wedding day, make sure you speak to Kerri at The Gilded Lily.

the

gilded lily restaurant & bar • Weddings & Engagements

for 8-60 guests • Quality food … Friendly service • Gourmet catering at your venue or ours • Professional advice for your special day • Functions a passion & a specialty! • Great menus, for all budgets, to choose from • Large open plan or intimate dining rooms for your special celebration

FOR someone with a perfectionist nature, the only way to do things is properly. Long time Leongatha jeweller Denis Hawkins has been handcrafting exquisite and exclusive jewellery in Leongatha for more than 30 years. He trained in Christchurch, New Zealand during the 1950s and was taught how to make

jewellery that would last a lifetime. Known for his no compromise quality, his reputation has spread widely and he is sought by those who know they can get the piece they long for from Denis. A true artisan, he has been able to satisfy the whims of a wide diversity of clientele, both locally as well as interstate and abroad. Traditionally trained and truly trusted by many, it is clear Denis still delights in what

“We promise you a wonderful dining experience for your special occasion”

35 victoria rd, loch

p. 5659 4488 www.gildedlily.com.au

Still got the spark: jeweller Denis Hawkins.

he does. He has been carving stone and wood as well as making and repairing jewellery. Custom work is his speciality. Every piece he creates is guaranteed, and his service is what many would describe these days as ‘good old fashioned’. You won’t be disappointed if you deal with Denis Hawkins.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 21

Many ways to buy gifts at Smiths

Wide choice: sales assistant Mel Pressnell with some of the stock at A.W. Smiths in McCartin Street.

THERE are a number of ways you can buy a wedding gift at A. W. Smith and Sons. You can wander through their shops in McCartin and Roughead streets in Leongatha, buy a voucher, or consult their wedding registry. The latter works in consultation with the bridal couple. They are taken on a tour through the stores, noting down the gifts they would like. These are then listed on a registry and those who are buying a gift can consult that, knowing they are purchasing something the couple wants. Joan Smith said the registry appeals to some wedding guests, but others like to

give vouchers so the couple can accumulate them and buy a bigger ticket item. The Roughead Street store stocks outdoor furniture, barbecues and the like, which are popular with young people. But the McCartin Street business is the one where you will ﬁnd a wide range of homewares and decorative pieces. They are stunning. “We have new stock coming in all the time,” said Joan, adding that whatever is in the store can be listed on the registry. “There are lots of lovely things around.” Joan loves the beautiful range of cushions, doonas and throw rugs. “There’s a colour for everybody.”

Traditional anniversary gifts CELEBRATING wedding anniversaries is very important and A.W Smith and Sons has the perfect range of gifts to mark this important occasion. The traditional gifts given for each anniversary

are: first – paper, second – cotton, third - leather, fourth - fruit/flowers, fifth - wood, sixth - candy/ iron, seventh - wool/copper, eighth - bronze/pottery, ninth - pottery/willow, tenth - tin/aluminum, eleventh - steel, twelfth - silk/

linen, thirteenth - lace, fourteenth - ivory, fifteenth - crystal, twentieth - china, twenty-fifth - silver, thirtieth - pearl, thirty-fifth - coral, fortieth - ruby, forty-fifth - sapphire, fiftieth - gold, fifty-fifth - emerald and sixtieth – diamond.

PAGE 22 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

’Burra knows fashion KORUMBURRA is the onestop fashion destination for the women and men of any bridal party.

Visit Modern Male Menswear for the men and Your Style Store for the ladies. Style conscious wedding guests seeking to look the part will also find plenty of options at the Commercial Street businesses. Both the bridal party and guests will benefit from the staff’s dedication to ensuring customers leave satisfied and dressed with flair.

The latest styles are also suitable for spring carnival racing and country race meets. Rob Buchan of Modern Male Menswear knows what is in fashion, stocking a range of suits and shirts from the young and funky, to the contemporary classics suitable for father of the bride. Slimmer ﬁts, lighter colours, skinny ties and microﬁbre are in vogue among today’s younger men. “We have a lot of success in ensuring that all of the guys in the group look the same through attention to detail, even though they may be built

differently,” Rob said. With such a huge range of shirts and ties in store, Rob can match men’s outﬁts with brides and bridesmaids’ dresses. Customers can choose suits from such labels as Romano, Vincere, Mattino, Shoreditch and Mullers, and there are ranges of shirts, shoes, belts, ties and cufﬂinks available. Hire and buy options are available, and a discount of 15 per cent is applicable to bridal party packages purchased (no time limit) on all suits and accessories. “Service is what I build my repu-

tation on. We go above and beyond,” Rob said. Jenni Denney of Your Style Store proudly stocks the popular Mr K bridesmaid program which offers a variety of dress styles, colours and fabric options for sizes 6-26. The 2010-2011 range has just been released with new sample dresses, catalogues and colour swatches in store now. Dresses are manufactured and delivered within 12 weeks and can be paid off using lay-by. Jenni also stocks a wide range of outﬁts to suit the all important mother

of the bride or groom, along with other family members and guests. It’s not all wedding though. Jenni and her staff can help you dress for the races, Christmas parties and school formals. “Many people don’t realise we also have some fabulous dresses available for the party season and formal occasions such as graduations,” she said. Modern Male Menswear is at 37 Commercial Street. Phone 5655 1025. Your Style Store is located at 107 Commercial Street. Phone 5655 2663.

Fashion passion: Jenni Denney of Your Style Store.

Looking handsome: Rob Buchan of Modern Male Menswear.

White wedding still popular AUSTRALIA has many wedding traditions and one that has survived is the white wedding tradition. In the past a white wedding gown represented purity, these days it has just become a tradition and the popular choice for most brides. It is however quite acceptable for brides to choose any color or style they want on this day . Wedding fashions come and go, but the white bridal gown remains. The advent of bridesmaid comes from old pagan rituals with the bridesmaid

used to distract and confuse any evil spirits that may be after the bride during the ceremony. As for the wedding veil, the origin remains somewhat unclear and it has been suggested the wedding veil originated centuries before the wedding dress. One explanation for the veil dates back to when the groom would throw a blanket over his bride’s head when he captured her and carried her away, a more believable theory is that during the times when arranged marriages were still in vogue, the bride’s family would cover her face until the groom was committed during the wedding ceremony.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 23

A HONEYMOON is i the th perfect f t chance to embark on a dream holiday, a special time for newlyweds to celebrate their married life together.

Limited ﬁnances can be a barrier to making such a holiday a reality, but Jetset Leongatha offers a gift registry to help. Jill Carmody of Jetset Leongatha said the honeymoon registry has been operating for several years, with success. “Not everybody is comfortable with asking people to contribute to their honeymoon but we are ﬁnding that more and more couples are living together before they are married,” she said. “Therefore they have usually furnished their home and have all the accessories they need and have selected those according to their colour scheme. “Gone are the days couples receive six crystal bowls and put them in cupboard, never to be seen again. “The registry gives couples something to enjoy and sometimes gives them more options when they are on a limited budget.” Couples are presented with a choice of decorative paper from which to create their honeymoon registration cards to send with wedding invitations.

Guests wishing to contribute to the honeymoon are able to do so through Jetset, and they will also receive a card to put with the wedding card, indicating they have done so. Guests’ contributions lower the cost of the honeymoon and in some cases, couples maybe in credit, allowing them to add extra experiences or options to their trip. Jetset consultants are able to offer guidance about romantic destinations, and the most comfortable and cost effective way of getting there and back. Honeymoons can be enjoyed anywhere in Australia and around the world; trips to Asia and the South Paciﬁc are particularly popular. “We always recommend that our clients book as far ahead as they can. Then they have got the best chance of having the most economic airfares because at the end of the day, everything comes down to being available,” Jill said. “The longer booking is left, the higher the fares generally.” Many resorts offer pamper packages and these are the perfect way to help make the wedding more relaxing after a stressful lead-up to organising the wedding.

Your dream honeymoon WEDDING plans for many start at least a year ahead and every detail is carefully looked at to make sure the wedding is perfect. Most happy couples will tell you their wedding day seemed to be over in a ﬂash and that their dream honeymoon was the perfect way to start their life together. Making sure you have time after your special wedding day to relax and spent time together is very important and those wonderful memories will last a lifetime. Whether you choose to spend time to-

gether in the sun on a secluded island, have an urge to discover far off lands or cuddle up by a ﬁre side in the snow, Jill Carmody and her professional and friendly team at Jetset Leongatha can make your dream honeymoon come true. Booking your honeymoon with local consultants gives you peace of mind and the Jetset staff will make sure your honeymoon planning will be stress free. You may like to get some tips from friends and family, but Jill and the staff have a smorgasbord of stunning locations if you are looking for something very special.

Holiday winners: Nelson Caneleo and Donna Schaarschmidt were the lucky recipients of a holiday to Thala Beach in far North Queensland from this year’s Leongatha Wedding Expo. Jill Carmody of Jetset explains the details of their trip.

PAGE 24 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Love letters THE style of your wedding invitations sets the tone for your special day, allowing your individuality to shine through.

Personal touch: Carolyn of Psst Secretarial with some of her personalised stationery range.

Psst Secretarial is a local business producing wedding stationery of excellent quality designed just for you, reﬂecting the theme and colours of your choice. Carolyn of Psst Secretarial offers a lovely range of stationery at an affordable price, without the inconvenience of having to travel for hours to view the display and try to make a choice. “The stationery you choose generally reﬂects the type of wedding you are planning, whether it is a traditional wedding or a more casual occasion,” Carolyn says. So, your stationery can be designed around your interests and personality. “You can set the theme for your wed-

ding months before the big day, with the design and colour of your invitation,” Carolyn explains. She offers a personalised service that suits the bridal couple. She arranges not only the invitations, but also the RSVP slips, return envelopes, ceremony booklets, place cards, bomboniere gifts for your guests and thank you cards. All of these can be co-ordinated to suit your theme. The stationery Psst Secretarial produces is given a personal touch with the guests’ names and printed envelopes included. Carolyn brings the display to your home, so that you have time to mix and match different colours or designs. Start by making an appointment with her on 5659 6316 or leave a message on her answering machine.

Old, new, borrowed, blue SOMETHING old, something new, something borrowed, something blue is a tradition many brides like to keep on their wedding day and it is thought to bring good luck on the day.

Exquisite cakes: professional wedding cake designer and creator Melva Smith can help put the icing on your wedding by providing the wedding cake of your dreams. Melva has created many award winning designs that have won her accolades from near and far.

The something old represents the link with the bride’s family and their past and many brides like to wear their mother’s or grandmother’s ring or piece of heirloom jewellery. Some choose a traditional hand-embroidered handkerchief or family bible passed on through the generations and some bride’s may even choose something old from their partner’s family. Something new represents success and good fortune for the bridees new life with her husband and family and the most obvious and easy choice is the wedding gown, while for something borrowed (which reminds the bride that family and friends will always be there for her when she needs help), is very much up to the bride and her family and friends. Whatever the item borrowed, this must be returned for good luck. Something blue - the colour blue is the symbol of loyalty and faithfulness, and most brides these days choose to wear a blue garter.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 25

Popping the question FOR OR wedding ddi ceremonies i and d garden photography The Gables, located near Warragul is among the region’s prettiest venues. Intimate and relaxed leafy surrounds enable guests to wander at leisure before and after the ceremony to meet and greet friends and family, before moving on to one of the many reception centres located in close proximity,

as are overnight i ht accommodation d ti providers. id A quaint summer house, elegantly decorated with climbing roses makes for a delightful setting for couples to exchange their vows at this romantic venue. The gardens were designed and developed by the present owner whose love of plants and natural beauty is appreciated as soon as one wanders through this pretty English style haven of tranquillity.

Memorable moments: wedding photography will be spectacular, if taken at The Gables.

After Aft severall requests t ffrom bbrides-to-be id t b to use the garden for their wedding, over 20 years, The Gables has become one of the most popular venues for ceremonies and photography in the area. Explore the website at www.thegablesgarden.com.au to ﬁnd the photo gallery containing many more romantic photos of this popular garden wedding venue.

Serene setting: for a wedding to remember, book The Gables.

WHILE it is traditional for the man to propose to the woman, these days it seems more acceptable for either partner to pop the question. For those who would like to stick with correct wedding etiquette then the groom-to-be must first ask the father of the bride if he will grant his daughter’s hand in marriage. However there is a small window of opportunity for girls and that exists in a leap year when the bride-to-be may pop the question. As to the engagement rings and wedding rings, generally they are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was once thought that a vein in that finger led directly to the heart.

PAGE 26 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Cheese champions again

Tucking in: Doris Hastie enjoys her hot dinner.

BARRY Charlton of Berry’s Creek Cheese is clearly a gifted cheesemaker.

Cheesy grins: Barry Charlton and Cheryl Hulls proudly receive their Dairy Industry Australia Award.

He and his partner Cheryl Hulls have enjoyed considerable success in their operations despite their small scale. Since ﬁrst showing their cheese two years ago, they have won twenty one medals and one trophy. They have just taken a silver medal in the Royal Melbourne Show for their Tarwin Blue and a bronze for another of their blue cheeses, Mossvale. Earlier in the year Tarwin Blue received a Dairy Industry of Australia award and was the highest scoring blue cheese of the competition. The prestigious perpetual trophy was also awarded at the Royal Sydney Show earlier this year, Tarwin Blue taking the gold medal there also. As well as blue, they make cheddar and washed rind styles of cheese that are becoming increasingly popular with discerning consumers. Made without preservatives and using non animal rennet, their cheeses are suitable for vegetarians and all connoisseurs of gourmet food.

Lots on LAST week council forwarded its annual report to the Minister for Local Government, in compliance with standard regulations. This document is our formal report card to the Minister and to our community, and we offer it for your scrutiny. The report will be on public exhibition at council reception and on our website during October, and will be presented to council for adoption at its meeting on October 27. Last Wednesday we had an informal meeting with Bass Coast councillors and their CEO Alan Bawden who has just recently accepted a further term of three years. Alan is one of the longest serving CEOs in Victoria and I congratulate him on his achievements at Bass Coast. This is the second such meeting and is a valuable exchange of information between two communities who regularly use the services of both councils. It’s an events packed week in the area this week. Five public information sessions will take place on Thursday and Friday to discuss Town Protection Plans in Sandy Point, Waratah Bay, Walkerville, Venus Bay and Inverloch, and representatives of council, the CFA and DSE will be on deck to answer residents’ concerns. It is Seniors’ Week as well and we’re delighted to provide a free concert and afternoon tea on Friday, October 8 for our seniors in recognition of their contribution to our communities over the years. Entertainer Wendy Stapleton will perform at the Korumburra Recreation Centre and bookings can be made by phoning 5662 9200. Doors open at 12 and the concert runs from 1pm-2pm. Coal Creek will be a hive of activity on Saturday, with its inaugural Farmers’ Market running from 8am to 1pm, and the third annual Literary Festival starting at 11am and running throughout the day. In the evening the Leongatha Lyric Theatre will present a hilarious short comedy in the Pig and Whistle Hotel in the park, with funds going to Relay for Life. Seating for the evening program is limited, so book early on 5655 1811. It’s a big day out and should be lots of fun. Cr Jim Fawcett Mayor

Cooking up community FRIENDSHIPS are forming over pots and plates of shared food at the Korumburra Community Kitchen. The Community Kitchen is held at the St Pauls Anglican Church Hall in Korumburra on the last Thursday of each month. Reverend Jenny Ramage said it was all about bringing people together to enjoy good food and the social beneﬁts of preparing and enjoying a meal together. “We decide what we will cook together next time and write little notes about improving each recipe,” Reverend Ramage said. Those who come put in ﬁve dollars,

cook together and then sit together to talk and enjoy the meal. When The Star visited, those there were enjoying beef casserole and potatoes stuffed with a ricotta cheese and chive ﬁlling. Doris Hastie has been a regular and was enjoying the afternoon. Gippsland’s Southern Health Service has supported the service, and Reverend Ramage invites members of the Korumburra community to call her if they would like to participate in this terriﬁc and tasty meal time. The next community kitchen will be held on Thursday, October 28. Reverend Ramage can be contacted on 56 55 1007.

Money to spend THE NEWLY formed Mirboo North and District Community Foundation is inviting local community groups to apply for grants. Applicants can apply for up to $5000, and all applications must be received by 5pm on Friday, October 8. The community groups to beneﬁt from the grants must be not-for-proﬁt organisations, and must be incorporated as a group. The communities included in the funding program are Mirboo North and the townships of Boolarra, Darlimurla, Dumbalk, Mirboo North, Thorpdale and Yinnar, as well as smaller localities in the area. The foundation was created as a legacy of the Bush Nursing Hospital and the Mirboo North Aged Care facil-

ity, and is committed to enhancing the social and economic strength of local communities. “At the moment we have had a few enquiries. Applications are definitely coming in,” said Derrick Ehmke, CEO of the Mirboo North and District Community Foundation. “The organisations can be a registered Tax Concession Charity or auspiced by one that is, but it is not essential.” Community groups are urged to contact the foundation’s chief executive officer, Derrick Ehmke on 0418 301 092, or email info@mirboodistrictfoundation.org.au to discuss proposed applications and determine whether they fit within the strict guidelines set down by the Australian Tax Office.

Find dream job Meals roster (Leongatha) Reformed Church (Oct 11, 13, 14, 15), National Bank (Tues. Oct 12), Leongatha Red Cross and St Vincent De Paul will be responsible for the delivery of meals on wheels, the week beginning October 11, 2010.

Classified advertising closes 12 noon Mondays

YOUNG people will able to ﬁnd out more about career paths at a careers expo in Inverloch next week.

The Youth in Transition Expo will showcase opportunities for students, parents and disability service providers in the South Gippsland and Bass Coast shires. The expo will speciﬁcally cater for students taking part in the Futures for Young Adults program, offering tips about gaining skills and employment beyond school, and information on education, training and employment. The expo will be held at the Inverloch Community Hub, Thursday, October 14 from 1-3pm and then 5-7pm. The event is being presented by the South Gippsland Bass Coast Local Learning and Employment Network, together with Gippsland Youth Commitment, South Gippsland Shire Council, Yooralla, Education Centre Gippsland, Bass Coast Shire Council and Moonya Community Services. To ﬁnd about more contact the learning and employment network on 5662 5500.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 27

First class fund raisers By Jane Ross

Hard workers: some of the members of the Wonthaggi Hospital ladies auxiliary, seated from left Marg Hender, Dawn Murphy, Sylvia Mattock and Joy Whitehill. Standing at left is Rachel Rowe and kneeling at right is Lyn Martell.

EVERY year, the Wonthaggi Hospital Ladies Auxiliary raises an average of $10,000.

The money is spent on various items of equipment, some of which is used by visiting specialists. And that means local people can be attended to in Wonthaggi, rather than having to travel to Melbourne for their medical needs. “It’s amazing what a small committee can do,” said its president Marg Hender. She and her colleagues are busy preparing for the auxiliary’s 100th birthday celebrations on October 8. They’re hoping to raise enough money to buy a tonsil tray, a series of complex-looking instruments that cost a total of $4552. They’ll kick up their heels at a dinner at the Wonthaggi Workmen’s Club and invite the community to join them. Sadly, one of the much-loved members who devoted 59 years of her life to the auxiliary, won’t be among them. Doris Menzies died just before marking her 60th anniversary with the auxiliary. A delightful and gentle soul, Doris was still knitting on ﬁne needles until

close to the end of her life. Her auxiliary friends plan to recognise her contribution – which included being their president – but they haven’t yet decided how. Longevity of membership seems to be a hallmark of the auxiliary. Maureen McKenzie, for example, has belonged for 20 years. She’s the trea-

surer. Dawn Murphy, Sylvia Mattock and Lyn Martell have all been members for 15 years. Lyn said she was walking down the street in Wonthaggi one day and “saw a couple of girls selling rafﬂe tickets”. They said there was an auxiliary meeting that afternoon and Lyn’s been going back ever since.

Bargains galore at Bass Coast Auctions JASON Barker’s a busy man He sees the constant activity of his business Bass Coast Auctions as a reﬂection of the growth of Wonthaggi. “This town is ﬁring up,” he said. “Wonthaggi is growing rapidly and it’s good for us and for others.” Jason ran a huge auction on Sunday at the old Cyclone factory in Korumburra Road, Wonthaggi. This Sunday, he’ll be at a lifestyle property in Holgate Road, Leongatha South, where a whole house lot will go under the hammer. The property covers eight acres and was being developed as a bed and breakfast venue. Items for sale include a collection of antiques and art, cars, building materials and two pinball machines, as well as six alpacas and three minia-

ture horses. Yes, he’ll auction the livestock too. Jason said the antique collection offers a Victorian sideboard, dining suite, chiffonier, display cabinets and china. The following Sunday, he will auction off a container full of brand new furniture including dining

and bedroom suites. That is all housed at his auction rooms and much of it is still in boxes. That auction is unreserved, so there’ll be plenty of bargains. Jason set up Bass Coast Auctions in 2006. “There used to be an auction room here and it was popular. That’s why

we started up.” He said more and more people are coming to his auctions because they are realising that buying this way is much cheaper than ordinary retail. He’s looking forward to the opening of a bigger Big W over the road, because that will bring more business to him.

Come and buy: Greg Greenaway at Bass Coast Auctions, where the pile of new furniture in the background will be auctioned on Sunday October 17.

Out of a group of six who spoke with The Star last Thursday, all had had close connections with the Wonthaggi Hospital. They’d either been in there as patients themselves, had had loved ones cared for there, or their children had produced grandchildren in the midwifery ward. They all love the place and sing its praises.

“It still has that rural touch,” said Rachel Rowe. Fellow auxiliary member Mary McQuade, is a patient at the moment, while Maureen McKenzie is in hospital in Melbourne. Marg said the members are a bit concerned about the impact of sub regional status on the Wonthaggi hospital, but it’s just a matter of wait and see. The State Government has declared that the hospital will be given sub regional status, but when that will happen is a matter known only to the Department of Health. Money is raised by the auxiliary in various ways. There’s a trivia night, and two fetes are held each year; one in May for Mother’s Day, the other in November. “We sell craft, knitwear, beautiful cooking, plants, white elephants, vegetables and fruit,” chorus those at The Star interview. Every few years, the auxiliary hosts a visit by the police or naval band. There are rafﬂes and on Saturday, the ladies lined up to bake for a stall at a Wonthaggi Woodcrafters’ display. “They invited us to have a cake stall, so we thought we would,” said Marg. Every little bit of fund raising helps.

PAGE 28 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Go Saints: St Kilda fan Sarah Harrison of Kooweerup burst into tears when Wonthaggi Toyota dealer principal Tony Cuzzupi handed her the free double pass to the AFL Grand Final. For Sarah it was a dream come true and she told the crowd gathered at the special Grand Final footy fun morning how she wanted to share the moment with her mother Michelle Boyd, also a mad keen Saints fan, who has just undergone surgery following a cancer diagnosis. Michelle works at Big W in Wonthaggi.

Go Tiges: proudly donning yellow and black were Richmond supporters Emmet, Samara and Sandy Taranto. They enjoyed the AFL Grand Final footy fun morning and barbecue breakfast courtesy of Wonthaggi Toyota on Friday.

Footy fun: Tony Cuzzupi, dealer principal of Wonthaggi Toyota, was thrilled to offer mad keen Collingwood supporters Tyson Andrighetto, Nicholas and Heath Dobbie, William and Kylie Steevens, Kim Grinham and St Kilda supporters Luke Barron, Sarah Harrison, Jett Lazzaro and Hayden Pallot the chance of winning AFL grand ﬁnal tickets last Friday at a special footy fun morning.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 29

PAGE 30 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Chaos at business association By Chris Brown THE resignation of long-time Wonthaggi Business Association president Gordon Muller is imminent.

But replacing him may be a problem for the struggling association, which is ﬁnancially ﬁt even as it struggles to get members to participate

actively. The group has not had a meeting for almost 12 months. “I’ve had the role for three or four years now and I’m getting that old I just want to get out of it,” Mr Muller said. “It’s hard to ﬁnd people to do anything these days. Everyone seems to be busy and there are that many activities going on, they

don’t want to get involved in these things; they want other people to do it for them.” Mr Muller said he has approached a few new members of the business association about becoming president, but they wanted to be part of the group for a year or two before they considered that position. Mr Muller said getting locals involved in the Wonthaggi Business Association had been hard. “We haven’t had a huge amount of members, but what members are there, seem to think they pay their dues and that’s all they need to do and they expect everyone else to do things for them,” he said. The business association has been trying to acquire a speaker system for the town recently. Mr Muller said the system would create atmosphere in the town. “The aim of the speaker system is so that on weekends we can have a bit of music in the town or at Easter when we have things on, you can put a broadcast over the thing, saying that specials are on or that something’s going to be happening at the

Needing leadership: Gordon Muller will resign as Wonthaggi Business Association president this month after about four years in the role. recreation oval,” he said. “We’ve got a fair bit of ﬁnance for that too, but we’ve been having lots of problems getting people to give us a quote on it.” Mr Muller said the business association has achieved quite a bit since it began. “We kept getting asked ‘What are you going to do for us?’ And I would say it’s not a matter of what we can do for you, you

have to do something for yourself,” he said. “There have only been four or ﬁve of us driving it the whole time and the same four people turn up to every meeting. “You start to run out of ideas; you want some other input from other people.” Mr Muller said the group received good results from council. “Council has been supportive in trying to get

the business association up and running, because they want us to thrive, so it can put input into them as well,” he said. “When you have a really difﬁcult point to put to council and they know you only have four people, they bloody near laugh at you. “If you have 20 or 30 traders going to meetings you have a real voice and they know people are

pushing.” A Bass Coast business association encompassing Grantville, San Remo, Wonthaggi an Inverloch has been successful. Successes of the WBA include Christmas street event, ofﬁcial visitor’s guide and town maps, employing a membership coordinator and implementing a project for online shopping.

A great night’s rest

NEW Swisstek pocket spring mattress technology results in a remarkably comfortable rest.

New technology: Talia Abraham of Melbourne Furnishing Co has a range of remarkable new Swiss mattress technology that provides superior support and comfort.

It has seven dedicated posture zones that offer maximum shape-conforming comfort. The ﬁrst two weeks of October sale of half price, combined with the blissful cloud of mattress magic, proved to be an irresistible drawcard. Melbourne Furnishing Company’s buying group Beds R Us is the ﬁrst to import the new technology to Australia. Talia Abraham of Melbourne Furnishing Co is delighted to be able to offer a range of the mattresses to her South Gippsland customers. Talia said so many of us have bad backs and the new mattresses are ideal because they offer perfect spinal alignment. “Each of the posture zones has a different level of resistance.” That is achieved by the numbers of turns in each spring and the use of a thicker grade of spring wire. Body pressure points are reduced and the lower back supported. Swisstek technology uses 67 per cent more wire (totalling nearly 1km) in its mattresses. And the best part is, when he (or she) tosses and turns next to you, independent pocket springs greatly reduce the disturbance.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 31

Close to Leongatha on ﬁve acres, this farmlet is as rare as they come. See page 32 for more.

PAGE 32 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

As rare as they come S

ITUATED only 11.5kms 5kms from Leongatha on a sealed road, lifestyle properties such as this are few and far between.

At a glance: Location:315 Nerrena Road Leongatha Price: $455,000 Agent: Stockdale and Leggo Leongatha Contact: 56625800

Boasting a sizeable three bedroom home on five acres complete with town services and 280 degree views towards the lights of the town, the house comprises a large living area with wood fire, built in bar and new floor coverings, country kitchen including combustion stove, walk in pantry and a bathroom with separate shower and spa bath. The rural view can be enjoyed from the new deck and shed lovers will be impressed by the three bay work shed, carport and adjoining garage with storage rooms or games room. There are garden and wood sheds plus many other handy outbuildings for chooks or a dog pen. There is a circular driveway for larger vehicles, cattle race, three watered paddocks and good fencing, making this a fantastic working farmlet, easily convertible for horses. There are a lot of features to inspect for yourself. Contact the office for an appointment.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 33

PAGE 34 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Cottage style, town convenience L

OVE the convenience of Leongatha but don’t want that “hemmed in” feeling?

The solution could be in this really cute, three bedroom, cottage-style home that’s tucked away down a quiet laneway, within walking distance to all that is the “Leongatha lifestyle”. Presenting “as new”, in traditional cottage style with an elevated return verandah, gabled colourbond roof and weatherboard-look, hardiplank cladding, this welcoming home is framed by beautiful mature trees. Décor is warm and friendly throughout, with soft down lighting, higher ceilings and carpets to living and bedroom zones. A central hallway, with polished hardwood ﬂoors,

sets the cottage tone with its dado wall treatments and higher than-normal ceilings. Off the hallway to the right is a master bedroom, ensuite with timber vanity, and an L-shaped walk in robe. To the left, a big sitting room features large colonial windows dressed with quality scallop-edged blinds, and has a timber ceiling fan and down lights. The hallway opens up into a very generous informal living expanse which incorporates kitchen, meals area and sitting areas. The kitchen zone has hardwood ﬂoors, gorgeous stainless steel 5-burner range with matching rangehood, panelled cupboard doors, dishwasher, pantry and microwave shelf. There is a split system air conditioner in the living area providing good heat throughout the

house. There are two more bedrooms off the family zone, each with built in cupboards. There’s a main bathroom, separate second toilet and separate laundry. Two enclosed porch areas double as extra storage space and sheltered indoor-outdoor zones, each with security doors. Outside, you will ﬁnd the utility zone with washing line and garden shed. To the left of the back garden, is a fenced off area running the full length of the block, with carport at rear. This zone would be ideal for family pets, chickens, extra vehicles, or veggie gardens! Alternatively, it can be opened up to become part of the overall garden, on a level, 651sqm block. In all, this property represents great value in a wonderful position.

At a glance Location: 3 Leslie Crt, Leongatha Price: $265,000 $285,000 Agent: First National Prom Country Contact: Kaz Hughes 0417 516 998

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 35

Prom Country Prom Country

WIN $25,000 OF HOME FURNISHINGS WITH FIRST NATIONAL

Presents

THROUGHOUT October, First National Real Estate is offering the chance for one lucky individual or family to update their home with $25,000 worth of brand new furniture and energy efficient appliances. All entrants have to do is visit the First National Prom Country Real Estate website, follow the prompts, answer a couple of simple questions and submit their entry form to be in the running for the $25,000 home furnishings voucher. ‘Lots of First Home Buyers bought homes last year as a result of the stimulus package and many more Australian families are putting off the replacement of old, inefficient appliances. So, we thought we’d give one lucky family or individual a helping hand’ says Allen Bartlett, principal of First National Prom Country Meeniyan and Mirboo North. First National Real Estate adopted an energy efficiency stance in 2009, providing its national network of offices with an Energy Efficiency Kit to assist its agents to

promcountryre.com.au

reduce energy consumption in their offices and their customers’ homes. ‘An important part of the kit is a booklet printed on recycled paper that shows Australian homeowners and tenants how to lower their home’s energy bills’ says Allen. ‘The book was so popular, our office soon ran out of copies but customers can still download a copy, or see all our energy efficiency and sustainability advice, by visiting firstnational.com.au/energyefficient’. The website, booklets and brochures help people choose, and better use, more efficient appliances, solve design problems in older homes, and create more sustainable Australian native gardens. To enter the competition, participants should visit promcountryre.com.au and follow the links to the Super Massive $25,000 Giveaway. ‘You can enter as many times as you like between 1 October 2010 and 31 October 2010. It’s that simple, there’s no skill required and all entrants have an equal chance to win’ says Allen.

Terms and conditions apply, competition runs from October 1 - 31 2010, visit www.firstnational.com.au/win for details Permit No.: NSW LTPS/10/7262 VIC 10/2774 SA T10/1852 ACT TP10/3374

N AY PE D O SUN IS TH

4 BR Home on Half Acre!

Cottage Style – Town Convenience

Located just one street from Baromi Park, is this meticulously-kept BV home in a manicured garden. North-facing living & dining, elevated verandah, dbl carport plus sep. paddock for pets or chooks. INSPECT Sunday @ 12.00 - 12.30pm Address 19-21 Bourke St, MIRBOO NORTH $245,000 $265,000 - $285,000

Love the convenience of Leongatha but don’t want that “hemmed in” feeling? The solution could be in this really cute, three bedroom home in a quiet laneway, easy walking distance to Leongatha’s CBD. Federation-inspired character complements modern comforts resulting in a very liveable home on a 650sqm (approx) level block. Featuring 2 very spacious living zones, 2 bathrooms, fully ﬁtted kitchen with 5 burner range, carport and garden shed. Lots of inclusions, excellent value. INSPECT Sunday @ 1.00 - 1.30pm Address 3 Leslie Court, LEONGATHA Y N DA PE R O ATU S IS

Lifestyle Plus! This multi-level home is full of drama, including a stunning exposed timber ceiling in the lounge. 3 double BRs, 2 bathrooms. study, 2 living rooms, undercover alfresco dining, and great views! INSPECT Sunday @ 1.00 - 1.30pm Address 10 Scarlett Street, MIRBOO NORTH $350,000 - $375,000 N AY PE D O SUN IS TH

Selling Properties

24/7 “Owner Says Sell”

Position! Potential! Perfect!

Freshly painted, newly carpeted 3 brm home. Wood heater & air con, lots of built-in robes, timber decked front verandah, low maintenance gardens, & carport. Primary school over rear fence. INSPECT Saturday @ 12.00 - 12.30pm Address 19 Bastin Street, BOOLARRA $160,000 - $175,000

In the heart of Mirboo North, this vacant allotment runs the entire length between Burchell Lane and Ridgway - approx 85m x 25m - or around .5acre / 2125sqm in size. The property is well-suited to those wanting a sizeable home in a large garden setting or alternatively, for a unit/townhouse development (STCA).With near-level living within easy walking distance of medical and aged care facilities, shops, parks and schools, 14 Ridgway presents a unique opportunity not to be missed.

Address 14 Ridgway, MIRBOO NORTH

N AY PE D O SUN S HI

Central & Substantial A short stroll to the shops, this substantial home has ample living space, 3 bedrooms, study, 2 bathrooms & big garage + storage. Rural views, manicured gardens, huge allotment & access to Burchell Lane. INSPECT Sunday @ 1.00 - 1.30pm Address 31 Giles Street, MIRBOO NORTH $310,000 - $335,000 $210,000 - $230,000

Thinking of Selling in Spring? We’re friendly and helpful, with plenty of great ideas to assist you in preparing to sell.

Opposite Rail Trail on Quarter Acre-Plus

5664 0224

kaz hughes 0417 516 998

We’ll develop a Plan that’s designed, with you in mind, to get you a great result.

Become a member of this charming, eclectic row of originals and renovations on the road into Meeniyan, where the rail trail is right across the road and the pub and eateries of Meeniyan-Town are just a stroll down the street. This 3 bedroom sweetie, on a near-1200sqm level block features a sunny north facing lounge and big country-style kitchen with room for the family table. Huge shed with extra height door, large rain water tank, and fruit trees. INSPECT Sunday @ 12.00 - 12.30pm Address 135 Whitelaw Street, MEENIYAN

allen bartlett 0417 274 624

And it will be professional.Your success depends on it. Call our ofﬁces, or our mobiles direct, any day, any time.

lisa williams 0438 133 385

$240,000 - $260,000

93 Whitelaw Street, Meeniyan 84 Ridgway, Mirboo North promcountryre.com.au

5668 1660

PAGE 36 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Sweet treat

HIS home represents an excellent opportunity for someone looking for a neat little home in a great location.

Up the top end of Turner Street it is situated on a neat little 600 square metre block (approx). Constructed of hardiplank, it boasts a well established garden which creates privacy from the front and an enclosed backyard has that is easy and low maintenance. Inside boasts two spacious bedrooms, one with built in robes, the other with ample space to install built-in robes. The kitchen which is located central to the lounge and dining area is bright and of a good size, with excellent storage. It offers an electric stove, pantry and breakfast bar. Adjoining the kitchen is a good sized dining area, which would easily accommodate a 6-seater table and

windows allow a view out into the back garden. The lounge is also a good size and has a reverse cycle split system for heating and cooling comfort along with a fire place. Next to the lounge there is a small sunroom which would be ideal as an office alcove or studio. The bathroom has been renovated in the last few years and has a large corner spa bath with shower and lots of feature mosaic tiles. Coming off the dining area, sliding doors open up onto the new outdoor patio area. Ideal for outdoor entertaining, it is paved and is undercover. There is space to get a number of cars parked off the road, as well as a single carport. This property would make an ideal rental, first home, or perhaps to retire into. Close to schools, and McIndoe Park. Inspect now.

At a glance Location: 62 Turner Street Leongatha Price $239,000 Negotiable Agent: Elders Leongatha 56 62 3523 Contact: Zel Svenson 0438 636 290

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 37

Charm in Jeffrey Street T

HIS north facing property offers much promise, situated in a well held street, close to schools and shops.

At a glance Location: 46 Jeffrey Street, Leongatha Price: $249, 000 Sole Agent: SEJ Contact: Lyle Miller 0408 515 665 Barry Redmond 0418 515 666

It is constructed of solid rendered concrete and interior rendered brick with a tile roof. The three large bedrooms all have built in robes with dressing table centres. The original bathroom has separate shower. The toilet is also separate. The lounge has a curved feature wall and a solid fuel heater Plenty of cupboard space is available in the kitchen and it has an electric oven and adjacent dining area. The majority of the home interior has been freshly painted and there is a good sized laundry There are aluminium windows in front rooms, timber in the balance. A concrete drive leads to the 40’x12’ garage/workshop and store area. The established garden includes a water tank on a level average sized block. There is plenty of potential as a ﬁrst home or investment property.

Home Sweet Home L

OVINGLY maintained since the day it was built, this 3 bedroom brick veneer home is as sweet as they come.

A white fenced portico greets you from the garden path of this Ritchie Street home. A step to your right from the entry foyer takes you down into a sunken lounge complete with natural gas log ﬁreplace, and to the left, into a formal dining area. If entertaining is your passion, a servery window accessing the kitchen will make meal times a breeze. An updated kitchen has been well thought out with a breakfast bar blended into a table, loads of cupboards, and a side by side oven/gas cooktop/griller, with microwave shelf above. From there you can step through the sliding door onto a covered outdoor area ﬁtted with bistro blinds to ensure year round practicality. Wander through the manicured back gardens to a double brick garage complete with a fernery off the side. Located all within a 400 metre walk from the CBD, down the quiet end of Ritchie Street, this home really is as sweet as they come. At a glance Location: 23 Ritchie Street, Leongatha Price: $320,000 Agent: Sole agent Alex Scott & Staff, Leongatha. Contact: 5662 0922.

PAGE 38 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 39

Gangs, a dream, 1891 By Matt Dunn

WONTHAGGI author Chrissie Michaels is a busy person.

While many writers slave over one book, Chrissie will have several on the go at once, sometimes working up to 14 hours a day. In Lonnie’s Shadow is her latest work of fiction. Aimed at the young adult market and published through Ford Street, the novel is a bit “racy and violent” for some people’s tastes. But Chrissie believes the work is reflective of a place and time (Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, in 1891) that was both dangerous and intriguing. “There was a big museum exhibition that really inspired me and it started from there. I like writing for kids, basically. The other books I’ve written have been for children around 12 years of age, so this is a bit of a shift for me,” she said. Much of the story revolves around Lonnie McGuiness, a stable-hand who dreams of being a jockey. He gets caught up in an illegal street race, which he discovers has been fixed. The story is one of struggle, but more importantly, survival. Husband Michael Gaunt plays the biggest role in Chrissie’s writing career, albeit in a relatively unheralded way. “We’re a team now, aren’t we?” she asks him. “Michael does a lot of research for me and criticises and edits. He does

Happy team: Wonthaggi author Chrissie Michaels and husband/researcher Michael Gaunt immersed themselves in history to create a believable narrative about life in Melbourne in 1891. heaps of things. You really hold me to it, don’t you?” Chrissie said her husband was a valuable sounding board, and had helped steer her away from “mushy” writing toward something that was

more action-based. “Consequently all the violence is Michael’s,” she said with a laugh. “Little Lon was a rough area. It was a pretty dark area, but I’ve tried to make it pretty uplifting. Michael held

Desal’s garden roof A BLEND of indigenous plants will create a 26,000 square metre roof on the Wonthaggi desalination plant. The roof garden is costing $4.3 million. It is designed to blend the plant into the landscape and will help provide acoustic protection, corrosion resistance and thermal control, as well as cut maintenance. Fytogreen of Somerville has won the contract but most of the plants will be sourced locally. A prototype roof has been growing in Gippsland since 2009.

Grand prix coming THE eighth Barry Sheene Memorial Ride is expected to attract 1000 participants. The event heralds the annual Phillip Island Motorcycle Grand Prix. The ride will leave Bairnsdale at 9.30am on Thursday October 14 and is expected through Inverloch between 1.30 and 2pm and Wonthaggi between 1.45 and 2.15. Bass Coast Council’s special events coordinator Frank Angarane, said the grand prix will be felt across the shire.

Green roof: Geoff Heard of Fytogreen, tends the Wonthaggi desalination plant prototype green roof.

me to account a few times. “Michael has ownership over this book. Lonnie is his son.” Michael said the area was alive with gangs and violence was a constant reality.

Chrissie’s journey as a writer has been a long one that began when she was about 15. Unlike many other authors, her entry into published life was a relatively easy one. “I actually sent something off in pencil to a children’s magazine and it was published. I thought, ‘Oh, this is easy.’ I started entering writing competitions and with the Ibis writers’ group I started producing a few things locally,” she said. “We were making up our own little books and selling them at the meetings and things. “I entered a few competitions and won a few prizes and thought, ‘This is good.’ But then, of course, there was this great chasm of time when nothing much happened.” She believes the time she began writing in earnest, during the 1990s, was “because of the chronology of it”. “That’s what was happening in the world. We’re all a bit more hedonistic now, we’re all a bit more up the pyramid, as we say,” she said. “We tend to want to amuse ourselves in different ways – with painting, with writing, whatever. I think that’s what we do, really. We live such comfortable lives. “So many people seem to be writing.” But not everybody does it well. Chrissie Michaels is one of those exceptions.

PAGE 40 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Desal plant on schedule

By Jane Ross

THE Wonthaggi desalination plant is still on schedule. Thiess Degremont stakeholder and community relations manager Serena Middleton said so. She said this is an “extremely busy time” at the Williamsons beach site and construction is forging ahead “at an extremely hectic pace”. Recent strong wind temporarily prevented the operation of large tower cranes and all-terrain cranes, with

all cranes on site being equipped with their own wind speed monitoring equipment. Additional wind monitoring readings are supplied by the operators of the Wonthaggi Wind Farm next door to the desalination construction site. Ms Middleton said rumours that construction had to stop when the site doctor took ill were just that: rumours. To date, 16 apprentices have been taken on through Apprentices Group Australia and 370 Degrees Group.

Of these, seven are from the Cape Woolamai, Inverloch, Wonthaggi and Nyora areas, with the rest coming from the wider Gippsland region. Several are indigenous. Ms Middleton said up to 40 more apprentices will be taken on over the next year, mostly in electrical trades. She said Thiess Degremont welcomed community interest in the site and an open day will be held when construction is “more amenable to community access”.

Learning: Thiess Degremont workplace trainer Allan Quinn (right) chats with desalination plant apprentices from left, apprentice boiler maker Tom Bawden, apprentice carpenters Luke Edmonds, Adrian Iannantuono and Mark Grifﬁn.

Worry: Neil Rankine and Sue Saliba beside a shearwater burrow on Bass Coast. They are worried that light spill from the desalination plant and a jack up barge off shore will confuse short-tailed shearwaters.

Desal light alarm THE arrival of an offshore jack up barge at Williamsons Beach, Wonthaggi has conservationists alarmed about the safety of bird life. They are particularly concerned about short-tailed shearwaters (mutton birds) that return to the Bass Coast in October/ November, after a 15,000km journey from the Aleutian Islands near Alaska. The barge is part of desalination plant construction. Neil Rankine, a member of protest group Watershed Victoria and the Greens candidate for Bass, said the birds use their strong sense of smell to identify their own burrows. They mate for life and lay just one egg each year in their own burrows in colonies along the Bass Coast. Will the plant and the barge distract them from ﬁnding their burrows? “We know that the young ﬂedglings are particularly confused by bright lights when they leave their nests to set out for Alaska in April,” said Neil. Lights from the desalination construction site spill over a wide arc at night. Mr Rankine said shearwaters could be attracted to lights on the barge and killed by colliding with its structures. He said there was no “good research” into the impacts of bright lighting shining into the night sky on arriving birds.

Knowledge of the bright lighting impact on chicks when they leave Bass Coast in April is such that the lights on the Phillip Island Bridge are turned off during their migration period. Mr Rankine has called on AquaSure to do likewise when the chicks are migrating. He said AquaSure had committed to treating injured birds on a “case by case basis”, taking them to a vet or Phillip Island Nature Parks wildlife hospital. “But these aren’t open at night and so they can’t do much without an on-site vet and a wildlife treatment facility.” Mr Rankine said addressing the lighting issue might make driving on the Bass Highway safer for humans too. “I’ve been known to be distracted from the task at hand by bright lights as I’ve been going about my business.” Desalination construction contractor Thiess Degremont, has announced that the 55 x 32m jack up barge arrived in Western Port this week. It’s been moored off the Cowes Jetty. It will be ﬁtted out and towed to Williamson Beach where it will remain for about six months. The barge, which is coming from Rotterdam, will be surrounded by a temporary marine exclusion zone. It will be used to install intake and outlet structures on the sea bed.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 41

Desal, wind farm lure visitors TOURISTS to Wonthaggi are particularly fascinated by the desalination plant and wind farm. Visitors to the town frequently enquire about those two points of interest at the Wonthaggi Information Centre. Visitor service ofﬁcer Brooke Love said most people wanted to know where the plant was.

She said Wilsons Promontory, camping options and the State Coal Mine were also popular inquiry topics. The Wonthaggi information centre had 15,534 walk-ins in the 20092010 ﬁnancial year compared with 16,532 in 2008-2009. While the Wonthaggi centre had a slight drop, overall Bass Coast visitor information centres recorded an increase in 2009-2010.

Ms Love nominated the Bunurong Marine Park as one of the highlights of the region. “It’s one of the best places to dive in Victoria,” she said. There are gummy sharks, marine animals and reefs in good condition. Wearing a wetsuit in the cold water is highly recommended. Another nearby option are walking tracks at Cape Liptrap.

Bird watching: Anne Looney and Geoff Glare of Cape Paterson saw a family of Australasian Shoveler ducks from the bird hide recently.

Back to nature THE Wonthaggi Heathland and Coastal Reserve is a hidden treasure on the edge of the bustling Bass Coast town. It includes the Rifle Range Wetlands, which were planted with indigenous seeds in 2005. According to the official guide produced by the Friends of Wonthaggi Heathland and Coastal Reserve, many shrubs flowered, set seed and provided food for birds, insects and mammals with a strike rate of 20,000 plants per hectare. Trees at the site include Coast Manna Gum, Swamp Gum and Messmate.

Brooke Love: the visitor service ofﬁcer in Wonthaggi information centre on a recent weekend.

White Road – suitable at last? By Jane Ross PITY the poor business people in White Road, Wonthaggi. A scheme to ﬁx the road in front of their premises, add a service road and drainage dragged on for years. Bass Coast Council was at loggerheads with VicRoads which had offered a ridiculously small ﬁnancial contribution. Enter the desalination plant, which is not far from there and State money was miraculously forthcoming. The works took ages – and ages.

Blitz on signs BASS Coast Council is cracking down on excessive advertising signs. This is because they are ugly and unsafe for motorists. Council’s community safety manager Philippa O’Halloran, said the clutter created by an overload of advertising signs is detrimental to the character of the area. A local law restricts advertising signs on footpaths to one per business. “All signs on the footpath must have a permit and meet sign requirements,” said Ms O’Halloran. “This might seem onerous but the process is simple.”

Now that they are ﬁnished, the traders still aren’t happy. Thirteen of them signed a petition complaining to the council about a number of things. Firstly, they want the no parking signs on the highway side of the service road removed. The no parking signs at 305 White Road need an “immediate” review. The no turning signs into the two middle entrances to the service road need reviewing too and the petitioners want the service road opened to two-way trafﬁc.

Infrastructure ofﬁcers reported to the September council meeting that most of those matters rest with either VicRoads or the Australian Road Rules. But the issue of parking can be addressed by council. On the motion of Crs Gareth Barlow and Veronica Dowman, councillors agreed to remove the no parking restrictions on the highway side of the service road and line mark the parking bays on the highway side of the service road.

Wattles, tea trees and paper barks make up the under storey. At least 93 bird species have been sighted on the wetlands including the Red-kneed Dotterel, Brown Falcon and Richard’s Pipit. Other fauna seen include yabbies, wallabies and bush rats. Park off Reed Crescent and take an easy walk to the Butts Lookout or go further to Harmers Haven and Cutlers Beach. More information about the Riﬂe Range Wetlands and Wonthaggi Heathland and Coastal Reserve is available from the Wonthaggi Information Centre.

PAGE 42 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

RAISING funds for prostate research was the aim of a barbecue in Wonthaggi. The CFA hosted event was in the Guide Park and was part of a nationwide barbecue effort.

Fireﬁghter Wendy White said the event was also to raise awareness. “We’re trying to give something back to the community. Usually when we fundraise it’s about us (the CFA),” she said. Wendy’s father had prostate can-

cer, as did the father of fellow organiser Jane Dell. “As well as many people I know and some of the older members of the brigade,” Wendy said. Food for the barbecue was donated by organisations.

Learning ﬁre lessons: Bill Barbour with junior CFA members Emily Parkes, Coral Gordon, Louise Parkes and Ethan Senior.

Raising money: Jane Dell and Wendy White at the barbecue for prostate cancer research.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 43

• OBITUARY

His was an extraordinary story BY the time Silvestro Torcutti made it back to his native Italy several months after the end of World War Two, his parents had given him up for dead.

It took him three days to reach his home village of Monteprato, travelling by train and on foot, but he managed to send a telegram to his parents letting them know he was on his way. As he walked the ﬁnal stretch to his village, he heard the church bells ringing and thought there must be some sort of festival going on. Villagers lined either side of the roadside, clapping and cheering. Then Silvestro saw his father running towards him, a big demijohn of wine slung over his shoulder. The village “festival” was for him. The son his parents feared was a casualty of war, had come home. No matter how many times Silvestro passionately related that story, his children were moved to tears. It was told again on September 22 in St Laurence’s Church Leongatha, as friends and family gathered to farewell a man who will be remembered for his hard work, devotion to family, extraordinary war experiences, his home grown fruit and vegetables and his amazing, dry sense of humour. Silvestro died on September 17, not long after celebrating the 60th anniversary of his arrival in Australia. He was 85.

Born in Udine, Italy, he had five brothers and one sister. His was a hard life; Silvestro worked in the coal mines in France from the age of 12 and enlisted in the Italian Navy when he was 16-and-a-half. He served the first part of the war with the Italian Navy and the balance with the Allies, giving him dual war service. He spoke little about those years which, on the positive side, took him to many corners of the world including Africa and the Asia Pacific Region. When the war ended, Silvestro remained on active naval duty for more than six months, returning prisoners of war and displaced people to their homelands. After his own home-coming, Silvestro spent more time with the Navy, before migrating to Australia with his wife Nilda and baby daughter Paula. The family spent time at Fish Creek and Leongatha South, before settling in Parr Street, Leongatha. As more children were born, Silvestro added more rooms. He and Nilda raised four children. With his background as an engineer in the Navy, Silvestro soon found full time work with the local sewerage authority, later the Leongatha Water Board. He was employed there for nearly 30 years. In order to provide for his family, he also took on contracting jobs, so he often worked seven days a week.

Silvestro remained true to his Italian roots with an annual end-of-year gathering to make salami and sausages. He also made wine from home-grown grapes, swearing the result was better than any on the market. He ate little in the way of fruit and vegetables, but enjoyed seeing things grow in his garden and derived pleasure from giving the produce away to family and friends. When Silvestro retired, he began charity work with St Vinnies, adding a lively touch with his sense of humour. He also shared his life experiences with others, mentoring many, including the children of friends who saw him as an “uncle”. Silvestro was one of the longest standing members of the Leongatha Bowling Club, playing pennant and winning a number of premierships. As his health failed, Silvestro moved into Woorayl Lodge, where he quickly became a favourite with staff and residents. He is survived by his children Paula, Carl, George and Robert and four grandchildren. None of his offspring lives locally. When they returned to farewell him, they discovered just how many people in the community held him in high regard. Silvestro is buried at the Leongatha Cemetery.

Wide inﬂuence: Silvestro Torcutti mentored many during 60 years in his adopted country, all spent in South Gippsland.

Teens put to test MIRBOO North Secondary College’s Year 9s were put through a rigorous interview process recently. The students were explaining to the panel, which included a community member, a student representative and teacher Mr Allan Risely, about their experience in the Community Breakout Program.

The aim is for the students to increase their knowledge of the wider community, and also their interaction with it. The program takes up 10 sessions per week, and students are able to decide whether they wish to be involved with Community Service, Fish for the Future, CFA or Landcare. Of the 85 students, the four

groups had even distribution. The kids also kept visual diaries, which was a key part of recalling events and how they felt about certain experiences. As a whole the students responded well to the program, and have found themselves improving their team work, conﬁdence and organisation.

Well done: Venturer leader Stephen Butler and Genevieve Abbot.

Venturer honoured Talk to me: Carina Beyer (left) is interviewed by teacher Allan Risely, school representative Dani Hilliar and Rotary Club member Terry Lee.

From pages past Historical snippets from The Star 30 years ago, October 7, 1980 THE LEONGATHA Christian School ofﬁcially opened its doors last Thursday in Horn Street. The idea for the establishment of the school came in 1975. **** CWA members cooked 60 dozen (720) eggs every morning while they were catering at the Royal Melbourne Show. The eggs were one of the dishes available on the breakfast menu for exhibitors and side show workers who were living in the grounds. 10 years ago, October 3, 2000 WILD storms at the weekend have helped boost Leongatha’s water storage levels to the best they’ve been for years. We had 18mm of rain to 9am Sunday and another 13mm to the same time Monday

morning. **** KORUMBURRA CIU police are pursuing the men who bashed and robbed the publican of an isolated local hotel last Friday night. They expect to lay charges within days. Five years ago, October 4, 2005 40-YEAR ambulance paramedic, Geoff Lawson of Leongatha, is alarmed at the dangerous state of the South Gippsland Highway. And he has accused Vicroads of failing to properly maintain the busy route in a timely fashion. **** NEIL TREASE of Mirboo North has been named Victorian Senior Citizen of the Year. Presenting the award to him at Government House

last Friday, Premier Steve Bracks said Neil epitomised active, positive ageing. One year ago, October 6, 2009 SOUTH GIPPSLAND’S economy is on the cusp of huge growth, with housing, business and population all expected to boom. The development of a massive employment corridor between Cardinia and Casey, offering up to 75,000 jobs is the major reason behind the potential growth in the local economy. **** Earthworks have begun on Wonthaggi’s $3.5 billion desalination plant. The media was not allowed to take photos, but AquaSure, the consortium building the plant, provided some via Thiess Degremont.

GENEVIEVE Abbot has been named Venturer of the Year for South Gippsland. The Tarwin River Venturer received the title at the recent district AGM at Phillip Island Scout Hall. Genevieve has worked hard throughout the past few years, working

towards her Queen’s Scout Award. Genevieve is a valued member of the Tarwin River Unit and her dedication is outstanding. All Tarwin River Venturers are happy and pleased with her efforts and believe this outstanding award is well deserved.

New dining offers By Jane Ross

TWO planning applications before South Gippsland Council promise new dining in Leongatha. One is for a Thai restaurant and bar on the ﬁrst ﬂoor of McCartin’s Hotel. The other will provide a 60 seat licenced restaurant and café in the new GippsTAFE building on Nerrena Road. Decisions are expected soon. The Thai restaurant will seat 120. The planning application cites the “serving of modern Thai cuisine and cocktails and full table service”. Proposed opening hours are 6pm to midnight Wednesday to Sunday. Under normal circumstances, such a facility would require 30 car parking

spaces, but the application seeks exemption from these, partly on the grounds that because the restaurant would only be trading in the evenings, there would be ample car parking in the surrounding area. The TAFE restaurant and café is for the training of students, where the public would be welcome. The application points out there is no liquor licencing category designed speciﬁcally for training providers, so seeking a permit for a restaurant/café is the closest. A maximum of 278 patrons could be accommodated, but most sessions would cater for up to 75. The licence is needed “to ensure enrolled students are able to fully meet national standards when undertaking training and assessment”.

PAGE 44 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

$1.4m station to open THE $1.4 million new Inverloch Fire Station will be ofﬁcially opened on Saturday, October 23.

The opening will take place at 11am with Eastern Victoria MLC Matt Viney, and dignitaries from the Bass Coast Shire Council and CFA to attend. The station will improve fire response times, and provide Country Fire Authority staff and firefighting volunteers with state-of-the-art facilities to satisfy demand for the next 50 years. Captain Allan Williamson said the new remote control doors raise while members are dressing for an incident, enabling firefighters to be on the road within three minutes. Doors are closed by remote control from the truck, saving further time. “Our callout time used to eight minutes, so this is a big improvement,” he said. Stephen Howell of TS Constructions, Wonthaggi, said the station was built for the future. “The station has been designed to meet the growth of Inverloch. It’s for the future members of the brigade,” he said. The station features two storeys due to the space restrictions posed by the block

and features front and rear access, from A’Beckett Street and Bolding Place. Firefighters no longer have to reverse trucks into the station from A’Beckett Street and delay traffic. Downstairs, the station boasts a spacious three-bay parking area with ample room for the brigade’s tanker, pumper and mobile communications vehicle. A twin cab ute is stored in a shed at the rear of the station. The previous parking bay was so small, firefighters were unable to open the doors on vehicles inside. “The reason the old station was torn down was because the brigade had outgrown it,” Mr Williamson said. A fire equipment maintenance room, office for regional CFA staff, toilets, a drying area for gear, laundry, communications room, cleaner’s room and a storage room are on the ground floor. The second storey is accessible via an elevator or stairs, and has a small storage room, disabled toilet, plus a modern meeting/function space complete with a 2.5m projector screen, and two rooms for planning and logistics. The well equipped kitchen has a dishwasher, fridge, mi-

crowave and sea views. Training will be greatly improved with dedicated facilities. Inverloch CFA contributed $27,000 to the new station. Residents will be invited to a future public meeting in a bid to lobby the CFA for the successful return of the fire siren, to alert the community of a fire. Now, firefighters are made aware of incidents by pager, leaving the community unaware. Mr Williamson praised Mr Howell and the team from TS Constructions. “They’ve been great and have worked well with us,” he said. “TS Constructions has done a bit more for the brigade then they should have and the brigade appreciates that.” Mr Howell managed the project and Paul Jamieson served as site foreman. The brigade has operated from the industrial estate while the new station was built. Firefighters and other volunteers constructed the previous station, which opened in 1990. Previously, the brigade operated from an old hut.

Job well done: Stephen Howell of TS Constructions is congratulated by Inverloch CFA captain Allan Williamson on completion of the new station.

WONTHAGGI building ﬁrm, TS Constructions, took control of the eight month, $1.4 million Inverloch Fire Station and hardly had any trouble completing the project.

“There was a bit of awkwardness with cranes coming in and out. Other than that it has been just another building,” project manager Stephen Howell said. The new structure was built as a double storey construction due to space constraints, and now has everything the Inverloch CFA needs. “To ﬁt in everything that needed to go, we had to make it double storey. There was nowhere else to put it,” Mr Howell said.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 45

The upstairs area is accessible via the stairs, or a lift for the disabled, and is available as a crisis area, should it ever be required. The state of the art building comes with a nice view of Andersons Inlet, which is another perk of going double story. There were quite a lot of issues, getting the special planning approvals from Bass Coast Shire Council, but the construction was deemed fit to go ahead. The outside of the structure has large amounts of alucobond, which is a composite metal cladding, and has been applied for its longevity and toughness. The new building is set up with all the rooms firefighters could want, including a spacious motor room and

Sea views: the vista from the upstairs meeting room.

turnout room, as well as a kitchen, two planning offices, a large common room, communications rooms, training rooms and more. “There’s also a hose drying tower, which is good for the firemen because they used to do it all manually,” Mr Howell said. A water tank, sitting below another car port, reticulates the water that is used, meaning it can be recycled and used again. The building is one that will stand the test of time, and should provide Inverloch with a sustainable home for firefighting endeavours. TS Constructions has put together a fantastic building, and Inverloch CFA are very proud to have been involved with them throughout the process.

PAGE 46 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Station known as “Milesy’s” office THE new Inverloch CFA headquarters is a tribute to one man’s devotion to the organisation.

The late Allen Miles spent 40 years of his life with the Inverloch CFA and the new premises were a long held dream. Not that the others didn’t help, but he was the driving force. He used to love telling the story about how he joined the brigade. He was a young man and his house was on fire. Eagerly awaiting the firefighters to turn up and put his blaze out, Allen became impatient. “I was going crook!” he used to say. But after he had calmed down, another thought occurred to him. Perhaps the brigade needed a hand. So, he offered his. His wife Joyce and children John and Kim became involved too. And his son-in-law Allan Williamson is now the captain. Tenders for the new station closed late last December and Allen lived just long enough to see that his dream would finally come true. Allen was brigade captain for 38 years, group delegate and group secretary for 34 years. He received the National Medal in 1990. He was known to all as “Milesy” and his legacy has been honoured by a plaque on the front of the station. His helmet is to be encased in glass and displayed in the new upstairs meet-

ing room, a suitably inscribed plaque attached. “Milesy” was a character, and some of his closest CFA friends recalled fond memories of him at his funeral early this year. One paid tribute to his crowd control skills and to the Thursday Lunchtime Think Tank that he and a couple of others shared each week. They liked to think that they’d solve every problem the CFA has had, will have, or might have! He was remembered as a man who loved the CFA and who had a great heart for volunteers. Over the years, he trained countless firefighters and had a reputation for driving some regional CFA officers batty with his requests for equipment. He was renowned for his lobbying to improve resources, and the new Inverloch station is testament to that. Another of Allen’s legacies is the annual Inverloch Santa run. Families provide the gifts and two brigade members dress up in full Santa regalia. Nothing less than proper Alaskan beards are worn by these Santas. They drive around the town in the fire trucks on Christmas Eve, ho-ho-hoing, delivering presents to delighted children. “Milesy” isn’t around to see the opening of his dream. But his spirit is still there.

New plans: the late Allen Miles (right) with his son-in-law Allan Williamson looking at plans for the new Inverloch CFA Station just after tenders had closed at the end of last year.

First class: Inverloch ﬁreﬁghters James Clark, captain Allan Williamson and Peter Roetz in the spacious new truck bay.

Safety comes first

THE new Inverloch Fire Station boasts the latest in technology, not only saving time but also volunteers’ backs.

The three engine bay doors are mechanically operated and equipped with warning lights to let firefighters know when the doors are fully raised and they can drive out safely. Being mechanised, firefighters can prepare for a fire while the doors raise, instead of having to raise them manually. Warning lights outside the station let passers-by know trucks will soon enter A’Beckett Street and that they should keep clear. Captain Allan Williamson said the new station would lead to a safer fire response, both for volunteers and the general public.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 47

New members sought THE Inverloch Country Fire Authority is hoping its modern station will attract new members. The brigade currently has 34 active firefighters and five brigade support volunteers. Captain Alan Williamson al-

ways welcomes more. “Membership is up by five percent and we are getting a lot of the old members back now,” he said. The brigade accepts junior members from the age of 11 and once they are aged 16, they are eligible to become firefighters qualified to respond to incidents.

“We have taken on five teenagers in the last few years and two of them have moved into the paid fire service with the CFA,” Mr Williamson said. The brigade’s last major incident was responding to a fire in the Westpac bank in Leongatha last Tuesday evening.

The community continues to generously donate to the brigade. Of particular note are Lois and David Parker, owners of the nearby Central Motel. The couple provides drinks to members year round.

New gear: Inverloch CFA fourth lieutenant James Clark and firefighter Peter Roetz show new structural firefighting uniforms. Captain Allan Williamson displays the outdated attire.

Keep clear THE public has been urged not to park in the parking spaces at the new fire station’s Bolding Place entrance. The 12 spaces are dedicated for firefighters’ private vehicles during an emergency. During a callout on a recent Saturday night, the carpark was fully occupied by the public, delaying firefighters as they searched for an alternative park. Drives are also asked not to use the concrete apron at the front of the fire station to turn their vehicles around.

New CFA chief welcomed VICTORIA’S CFA volunteers have welcomed the selection of Euan Ferguson as their new chief fire officer. Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria, representing the 60,000 CFA volunteers, believe he is an excellent choice. VFBV’s Andrew Ford says Euan Ferguson understands working with a volunteer-based organisation. “Euan has plenty of experience here in Victoria. He has high level firefighting and organisational

experience, and he understands what it takes for CFA to work effectively as a volunteer-based organisation,” Mr Ford said. “The CFA needs strong operational leadership and Euan will bring this - the volunteers want the CFA to give highest priority to ensuring they get the training and the equipment they need, to be able to get on with the job they volunteered to do. “Euan has a reputation as a good listener and a good communicator, and we invite him to strengthen the CFA’s connections with its volunteers and

make the most of their professionalism, their knowhow, their experience and their motivation to protect Victoria.” Euan Ferguson is currently the chief officer of the South Australian bush firefighting organisation, the CFS, and is a former deputy chief officer of Victoria’s CFA. While the CFS is predominantly a rural firefighting service, Euan’s CFA experience makes him well versed in its role of protecting more than half of suburban Melbourne and regional cities as well as country Victoria.

VFBV has also praised acting chief officer Steve Warrington, who has filled the CFA’s operational leadership role over the past six months. “Steve Warrington is a very capable senior officer and has done a good job of preparing the CFA and the communities its brigades represent, for the coming fire season,” Mr Ford said.

PAGE 48 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

THE boys and girls of Inverloch Primary School enthralled the crowd at this

year’s school concert. The production took on a different theme, with Steve Schulz, a highly acclaimed drummer and performer,

working with children and teachers. He demonstrated drumming and taught children skills and routines. Both concert performances at the

Classic piece: students perform a piece from Oliver!

Leading way: Jay on bass.

Looking for majestic bush THE upper reaches of the Tarwin River catchment are the focus of a project aimed at protecting highest quality remnant vegetation and improving water quality.

Funding for this project has been provided from the West Gippsland Catchment Authority and is being delivered through the South Gippsland Landcare Network. The project is targeting landholders in the upper reaches who have high quality areas of remnant vegetation on their property requiring protection. Fencing assistance and herbicide will be made available to protect these areas and to control weeds within them. There is also help available to landholders in these areas to fence out and revegetate creeks or waterways that are closely linked to existing areas of remnant vegetation. As well as protecting high quality remnant areas of bush land, the project also aims to help improve the quality of water ﬂowing into the Tarwin River. It is a great opportunity to further protect some of the hidden treasures of

In demand: Landcare ofﬁcers want to protect high quality remnant vegetation in the Tarwin River catchment. bushland that exist in the steeper upper catchment areas of the Tarwin. To help deliver this project, Jill Vella and Geoff Trease of the from South Gippsland Landcare Network are seeking interested landholders, assessing sites and providing advice to property owners as to the most appropriate ways of dealing with these sites.

A number of public meetings will be held in October, to discuss the project with interested people. Projects which gain approved for funding assistance will be required to be carried out by no later than September, 2011. For more information please contact Jill Vella or Geoff Trease on 5662 5759.

It will be held in the main car park and picnic area from 8am-1pm, and will be plastic bag free, so BYO your trolleys, baskets and shopping bags. So far the line up of spring produce includes Warragul spuds and asparagus, Korumburra goats’ cheese, Yarragon sourdough bread, Bena roses, Dalmore organic asparagus, Koonwarra handmade preserves, local wines, free range eggs from Grantville, Fish Creek olives and olive oil plus

fresh pasta and vegetables from Thorpdale South. “And that’s just the beginning because as the season unfolds, we can look forward to berries, stone fruit, apples, free range meat, fresh ﬁsh and even a dairy stall selling local milk,” said an excited Rowena Ashley, Coal Creek’s dynamic coordinator. “As well, the fabulous cooks among our CWAs, school communities, service clubs and community groups will be fundraising for their projects, running the monthly cake stall and cooking up a hearty brekkie. “The Coal Creek

Literary Festival is also on the 9th, giving another good reason to visit Coal Creek.” The market is being established in line with Victorian Farmers’ Market Association accreditation a guarantee that stallholders grow or make the goods they sell and that the quality of produce is of the utmost importance. Applications are always welcome from prospective stallholders who meet the criteria. The idea for the market came from the Bena Community Group in early 2009, to celebrate local produce, farmers and regional businesses. A number of people interested in producing and

purchasing locally grown foods formed a working party to develop the concept of health, economic, social and environmental beneﬁts in a successful local farmer’s market. Many sites were surveyed for a suitable location, with Coal Creek being the chosen option as an easily accessed prominent venue with aesthetic appeal and public amenities. A successful application to Regional Development Victoria for grant funding and the support of the South Gippsland Shire Council, through Coal Creek, allowed the project to take shape.

the occasion and thoroughly enjoyed the concert. Some described it as the “best concert ever”.

Creative group: Kongwak students show their talent.

Weed threat at Walkerville THE Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is asking people at Walkerville to check ponds and dams for the highly invasive aquatic plant, water hyacinth, after it was recently found in the area.

Inaugural farmer’s market this Saturday MARK this Saturday, October 9 on your calendar for the ﬁrst Farmer’s Market at Coal Creek.

Inverloch Community Hub were sold out. Parents, friends and families of the school community got into the spirit of

A local weed spotter recognised the plant pest and notified the DPI, which removed more than 100 plants from an ornamental pond. The plants were removed by hand and DPI officers were trying to determine the original source. Water hyacinth is declared a State prohibited weed in Victoria. The highly invasive aquatic plant is one of the fastest-growing aquatic species in the world. Water hyacinth can double its population in two weeks, quickly covering and potentially blocking waterways. Dense mats of water hyacinth can lower water oxygen levels, reduce sunlight penetration, and limit the ability of other plants and aquatic animals to survive. DPI weed alert contact officer Kim Gowers said it was unclear where the plants came from. “Since the declaration of water hya-

cinth as a noxious weed, it has been banned from sale,” she said. “However, due to its attractive appearance, it is unfortunately still sometimes found for sale at markets, garage sales, pet stores and even on the internet. “While these plants may look attractive in the garden and seem harmless in a home pond or dam, many new infestations of State prohibited weeds can be traced back to gardens. “That is why we want people to report any sightings of State prohibited weeds so that they can be removed to eliminate this risk. Please do not attempt to control or dispose of this weed in any way yourself.” Water hyacinth is a free-floating perennial plant. It is characterised by its leaves, which have swollen air-filled bladders at the base, and by its attractive purple flowers which have six petals and a distinctive yellow spot on the upper petal. DPI is responsible for the treatment (including associated costs) of State prohibited weeds. Anyone who thinks they might have water hyacinth in their pond or dam, or believes they may have seen it being traded, is urged to contact DPI on 136 186.

Water hyacinth: attractive purple ﬂowers with six petals and a distinctive yellow spot on the upper petal.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 49

Author praises artist

ART lovers and friends attended the successful opening of Julie-anne Armstrong-Roper’s exhibition Soliloquy, Sanctuary and Silhouette at the Meeniyan Art Gallery.

Among the friends was well known journalist, Bert Van Bedaf and his partner, Lerida Watt, of Leongatha. He stated: “Lerida and I have known Julie-anne Armstrong-Roper for over 12 years and greatly admire her work. We are very happy to be here today at the opening of her exhibition at the Meeniyan Art Gallery and encourage others to come and see her work.” Bert went on to say that he was happy to be among friends at the gallery again and wished to thank everybody for their good wishes and support during his illness over the past year.

Artists alike: Bert van Bedaf presented Julie-anne Armstrong-Roper with a copy of his book Ghosts and Angels which is to be launched at the South Gippsland Literary Festival at Coal Creek this Saturday, October 9 at 1pm. From left: Lerida Watt, Julie-anne Armstrong-Roper, Bert van Bedaf and Winsome Richards.

Painting amongst history VIBRANT volunteers have enlivened Coal Creek since its inception and the Coal Creek Community Arts Group is no exception.

Starting young: children enjoy free art at the Rescue Station.

They have a studio space in one of the old railway carriages and can often be found quietly working away whilst the park is open. They have a shared studio time on a Thursday morning and enjoy teaching and learning from each other in a supportive and convivial atmosphere. Some of the group are mature age beginners like Doris Leslie. “I’ve always wanted to paint”, she said.

“I’ve been too busy until now but I thought, I am going to do it. My grandchildren thought my work was awesome.” Other members of the group have had more experience and are a source of inspiration. Lois Wust has been painting and exhibiting for many years, and won a ﬁrst and a second prize at the Korumburra show earlier this year. Rob Vertigan was formerly in the pottery group based at Coal Creek and hopes to get it started up again within this group. There is certainly enthusiasm and enjoyment in the air and the group are keen to welcome new members.

Kids get creative AN exciting range of children’s art classes will be conducted during school terms at the historic State Coal Mine Rescue Station in Wonthaggi commencing on October 12.

The Rescue Station is in the centre of the original Wonthaggi Coal Mine operation and is an ideal venue for children’s art. The Rescue Station has ample space and shortly will be the venue for major art exhibitions. Children’s art co-ordinator and tutor, Leesa MacDonald, has been teaching children’s art in Wonthaggi for many years. Leesa conducted the children’s classes for the Bass Coast Artists’ Society at the Goods Shed Art Space and is an accredited children’s art teacher. She is also an artist in her own right, having exhibited in many exhibitions throughout the Bass Coast and South Gippsland Shires. Leesa will be assisted by artist, Fleur Speed, and metal sculptor, Andy Furneaux. All materials will be provided. The classes will be

conducted on Tuesday afternoons from 4.30pm to 5.30pm beginning on October 12 and can be attended casually or for the full term. The Rescue Station is situated off West Area Road, Wonthaggi; pass the hospital and follow the signs. For full information and bookings, contact Leesa on 5657 3394 or Wendy Crellin on 5672 1949.

Art of community: from left, Doris Leslie, Roy Molden, Rob Vertigan, Margot Parry and Lois Wust.

PAGE 50 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 51

PAGE 52 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Wendy Stapleton to sing Spring time AS part of the annual Victorian Seniors Festival, well known Melbourne entertainer Wendy Stapleton will entertain South Gippsland Seniors with foot tapping music at a free concert this Friday (October 8).

Wendy was the popular guest entertainer at the Meeniyan Australia Day celebrations this year, delighting the audience with her broad repertoire of popular melodies from stage shows such as The Sentimental Bloke and the Dusty Springﬁeld Story, through to pop music from

the seventies and eighties. The concert, which has been held at the Stony Creek Racecourse for the past two years, will this year be held at the Korumburra Recreation Centre. The venue offers better weather protection, wheelchair access and ample parking for guests. “The concert will run from 1pm until 2pm, but doors will open at noon, and guests are welcome to come early, bring their lunch to have with friends, and settle in place for the show,” said council’s organiser Liz Walker. “Council will provide afternoon tea after the concert, so we’d appreciate if people could book on

5662 9200 by Tuesday, October 5 so that we can cater appropriately.” The event is organised by South Gippsland Shire Council and sponsored by the Ofﬁce of Senior Victorians Now in its 28th year, the Victorian Seniors Festival runs from October 3 to 10 and includes more than 1000 free or low cost events across metropolitan Melbourne and regional and rural Victoria. Festival programs are available at libraries and at council. For more details about the metropolitan programs visit the Ofﬁce of Senior Victorians website Coming back: popular singer, Wendy www.seniors.vic.gov.au. Stapleton.

FOR the first meeting of the Tarwin Red Cross for spring, president Margaret Fisher welcomed 23 members. After the pledge, it was down to business. The unit had two fundraisers for August. We catered for the Neighbourhood House meeting at Venus Bay and also raffled a basket of fruit and vegetables on election day, raising $602, won by Peter Emmett. Telecross is enjoyed by six clients who are telephoned every day at 8am for a cheery “Hello” and to see if they are okay. The highlight for the day was each member talking about spring. There was a baby lamb, flowers, poem, even spring cleaning products. Margaret closed the meeting which was followed by a lovely afternoon lunch. The next meeting is on Tuesday, October 5, all welcome.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 53

ROBYN and Stephen of Inverloch have been blessed with the safe arrival of Sophia Jewel Rosalyn Gow on September 23, at Leongatha Memorial Hospital. She is a little sister to Ayla, 14, Sienna, two and Bob (deceased).

ALANA Louise Sage was born at Leongatha Memorial Hospital on September 19 and is the ﬁrst child for Cameron and Nicole of Whitelaw.

TYSON Max Tumino was born at Leongatha Memorial Hospital on August 27. He is a son for Kaye and Gary, and a brother for Casey, aged two-and-a-half.

JACOB Adam Dean was born at Leongatha Memorial Hospital on September 26 and is the ﬁrst son for Kate and Adam of Nerrena. He has a big sister Ebony, aged two.

Church Times ARIES - March 21 - April 20

In business, look for the obvious and express your ideas with clarity. Subtlety is not the current approach. Romancewise, however, make your moves based on sharp intuition. TAURUS - April 21 - May 22

A friend may involve you in a personal problem. Be cautious about a conﬂict of interest situation. Your social life perks up. A sarcastic colleague mellows and may actually become an ally. GEMINI - May 23 - June 21

You can be too offbeat for your current companions, but your advanced ideas will soon pay off. Plans may be broken at the last moment. A romantic commitment may be delayed. CANCER - June 22 - July 22

Mystery is the theme of the week. You may learn something new about an old friend. No going in a straight line on the weekend - there are detours everywhere. LEO - July 23 - August 22

On Thursday and Friday you could be unexpectedly lucky in the areas of friendship and romance. A ﬁnancial favour is returned at long last. Friends are crying on both your shoulders. VIRGO - August 23 - September 22

Tempers are ﬁred up easily - your partner’s family and your own. The key is to maintain a warm sense of humour. In romance, the light touch is crucial. LIBRA - September 23 - October 22

A reluctant friend becomes surprisingly enthusiastic about your latest grand idea. If arranging a function, it’s crucial that the guest list is carefully planned. SCORPIO - October 23 - November 21

Travel for business is a possibility and a renewed friendship is a probability. Creative writing can be enjoyed for fun or proﬁt. Your ﬁnancial judgement may be a bit fuzzy. SAGITTARIUS - November 22 - December 22

Emotions take charge now and you are acting more from the heart than from the mind. Compromise is the keyword in family matters. Educational expansion is highlighted through the week. CAPRICORN - December 23 - January 20

You are ready to ﬁght for a cause - and such a cause emerges after the weekend. A stubborn streak surfaces. A loved one is becoming more understanding of the present situation. AQUARIUS - January 21 - February 19

For health’s sake, think about signing up for a recreation program. A new acquaintance may be demanding of your time. An old friend supports your latest controversial idea. PISCES - February 20 - March 20

An unpleasant surprise may have a cheerful ending and an optimistic outlook is all important. Recent financial moves benefit from a review. A volunteer assignment has some fringe benefits. BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK

You change your moods, your plans and your ideas. That’s part of your charm and your fascination, but it’s hard for others to keep up with you - and sometimes to understand you. The end of this year could see you more ﬁnancially independent.

ANGLICAN: Wednesday, October 6: 9.30am Woorayl Lodge HC; 10.15am Koorooman House HC; 11am St Peter’s Mid-Week HC. Sunday, October 10: 8am St Peter’s HC; 10am St Peter’s Exploring Worship; 10.30am Union Church St Peter’s Contemporary Worship with HC (St Andrew’s), Tarwin Lower HC. Tuesday, October 12: 7pm St Andrew’s, Dumbalk / St David’s, Meeniyan Fellowship. ST MARY’S ANGLICAN CHURCH: Mirboo North. Phone 5668 1346. Holy Communion 8.30am: Worship and Sunday School 10am. ST PAUL’S ANGLICAN CHURCH: Korumburra: Sunday 9.30am and Wednesday 11.30am. Poowong: Second and fourth Sundays, 11am. ST GEORGE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH: Wonthaggi. Sunday, 10.30am: Holy Communion & Sunday School; Monday, 7.30pm: Holy Communion; Wednesday, 8.45am: Christian prayer & meditation, 10am: Holy Communion. CHURCH OF ASCENSION: Inverloch, Sunday, 9am: Holy Communion & Sunday School; Tuesday, 9am: Christian prayer & meditation; 10am: Holy Communion; Thursday 7.30pm: Holy Communion. 5th Sunday services, alternating at Wonthaggi & Inverloch, contact Rev Bruce Charles for details, 5672 3984. ASSEMBLIES OF GOD: Prom Coast Community Church Inc. - Foster Community House, Station Street, 10am: Sunday. Sunday School and Creche operates. Pastor Bill Watson 5686 2248. A.O.G. Inverloch - Cnr Bear and McIntosh Street, Inverloch. Sunday Service 10am; Imagine Christmas Day Service 9am. Contact: Jeff Robertson, 0418 125 832 or Imagine Burwood 9888 7466. Korumburra Southern Hills A.O.G. - 4 Mine Rd, 10am and 6pm: Sunday. Also Children’s Church and Creche. Contact: Pastor Vic Butera 5655 2478. Youth: Neville Stuart ph. 0407 343 219. Leongatha South Gippsland Liberty Fellowship - 17 Michael Place, Leongatha. Sunday services: 11 am and 7pm. Office: 5662 3100. Wonthaggi A.O.G. - Billson Street, 10am: Sunday. Contact: Pastor Barry Smith 5672 3984. CHRISTIAN REVIVAL CRUSADE: 40 Hughes Street, Leongatha. Sunday, Morning Service 10.30 am: Inspirational Service, 6.30pm: Children’s Church 10.30am: Home cells weekly; Kids Club Wednesdays 4pm Guide Hall. For all enquiries contact 5664 5455.

THE CHURCH AT ARCHIES CREEK: Meeting every Sunday at Archies Creek. Morning Communion Service 11 am: Evening Holy Spirit Revival 6pm: Phone: Ps. Chris Chetland 5674 3867 or 5672 4660. SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST: Saturdays, Church service 10am., Leongatha Sabbath School 11.30am. CATHOLIC: St Laurence’s Parish Leongatha: 5 pm Mass Saturday, 11am Mass Sunday. Tarwin Lower: In St Andrew’s Union Church, 5pm winter, 6pm summer Mass Saturday. Meeniyan: 9.30am Mass, 1st, 3rd, 5th Sundays and 11am, 2nd and 4th Sundays. Mirboo North: 11am Mass, 1st, 3rd, 5th Sundays and 9.30am Mass, 2nd and 4th Sundays. St. Joseph’s Parish Korumburra: 9.30am Sunday Mass. Loch: 5pm/6pm Daylight saving Sunday Mass. Wonthaggi: Saturday evening 6.30pm: Evening Mass; Sunday, 10.30am: Mass. Inverloch: Sunday 9 am: Mass. KORUMBURRA’S AGLOW: First Monday every month at Korumburra Day Centre, Korumburra Hospital, Bridge St., Korumburra at 7.45pm. Inquiries phone 5657 2214. GIPPSLAND CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP: Strongly family oriented church meets at the Senior Citizens Centre, Mirboo North, Sundays: 4-5.10pm Communion, 5.15-6pm Bible Studies for Adults, Youth and Children. Friday evenings: Home Fellowships 7.30pm; Youth Activities. Enquiries: 5668 2226 Bob Stevens. SALVATION ARMY LEONGATHA COMMUNITY CHURCH meets at 52 Anderson Street (South Gippsland Highway) - Sunday: Family Worship at 10am: Kid’s Club - Tuesday, 4 - 5pm; mainly music, Thursday 10am. All welcome. Please contact Captain Claire Emerton or Lieutenant Rachael Collins, ph. 5662 5122. SALVATION ARMY WONTHAGGI COMMUNITY CHURCH meets at 149 McKenzie Street every Sunday at 11am for Family Worship. Kids' Club - every Tuesday at 4 pm, Women's Group - Wednesday at 1.30pm, and Playgroup - Friday 9.30am. Evening Ladies' Fellowship - First Monday each month and Youth Groups held monthly. All welcome. Please contact Lt. Robyn and Max Lean. Ph. 5672 1228. PRESBYTERIAN: Weekly Worship Service 10am Sunday, corner Bent and Turner Streets, Leon-

gatha. Phone Rev. Dr D. Clarnette 0409 236 981 or elder Col Rump 5662 2107. CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH: Reformed Church meeting at the corner of Peart and Brown Streets. Sunday family service at 10.30am. (10am daylight saving time), creche and Sunday School available. Teaching service at 7.30pm. Fortnightly youth activities. Home Bible Fellowship groups. Contact 5662 2762. Minister: Rev. Ron Nauta. UNITING CHURCH: Leongatha: Sunday, October 10, 9am and 10.45am. Tarwin Lower: 10.30am. Mirboo North: 9.30am. Meeniyan: 10am. Wonthaggi: Sunday 9.30am, Family Service, all welcome. Inverloch: Sunday 11am: Korumburra: Sunday, 9.30am: Rev. Pastors Gavin and Sue Sharp, 5655 1997. Arawata: 11.30am 1st & 3rd Sundays. Kongwak: 11.30am 4th Sunday. BAPTIST CHURCH KORUMBURRA: 39 Mine Rd, Korumburra. Service and Sunday School 10.30am. Pastor Ian Wilkinson. Phone 5658 1366. BAPTIST CHURCH WONTHAGGI: Cnr McBride & Broome Crescent, Wonthaggi. Morning Service & Children’s Activities, Sunday 10am. Weekly activities see www. wonbaptist.org.au, Pastor Geoff Pegler 5672 4769. MEENIYAN CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP: Sunday, 10am: Meeniyan Youth Club Hall. COMBINED CHURCHES WONTHAGGI / INVERLOCH: 4th Sunday each month at 7pm. SCOTS PIONEER CHURCH: Mardan South. Pleasant Sunday Afternoons on the last Sunday of each month at 2pm. See occasional ad in this paper for details. For enquiries phone 9853 6627. FISH CREEK UNION CHURCH: 1st & 3rd Sundays, 9am; 2nd & 4th Sundays, 7pm. Contacts: Fran Grimes 5683 2650, Sue Poletti 5663 6325.

QUICK PUZZLE NO. 8242

1. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 14. 18. 20. 23. 24. 25.

ACROSS Erect (13) Multitude (5) Toffee (7) Foam (6) Harangue (6) Accumulate (5) Title (5) Turmoil (6) Japanese garment (6) Accept (7) Prize (5) Daydreaming (4-9)

DOWN Relish (6) Perch (5) Incessant (7) Cut off (4) Dog (5) Medical complaint (7) 7. Wave (6) 13. Country (7) 15. Stir up (7) 16. Groove (6) 17. Takeaway (3,3) 19. Oscillate (5) 21. Animal (5) 22. Exploit (4) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

CRYPTIC PUZZLE NO. 8242 ACROSS 1. Where it’s not all work and no play! (6,2,5). 8. Fired again, the building worker retired (5). 9. The drink, hurried, is knocked back (7). 10. Return for, having got well (6). 11. It is, dear, not a real bird (6). 12. Saw and hurried one inside (5). 14. Taking a drop, if you’re a cricketer, is wrong (5). 18. Cries from the many sheep herded together (6). 20. Open up with a pin, say (6). 23. Attack a sailor in our hearing (7). 24. Are not factual about, for instance, the foreign city (5). 25. Has it never had more than one sheriff? (4,4,5). DOWN 1. Slightly damage the car in a jam (6). 2. Allshout out a greeting (5). 3. Draft that’s taking the wrong track (7). 4. Get rid of, in turn, to accommodate us (4). 5. Say mother will take her back (5). 6. Gets notices about the dog (7). 7. She has the part of the accountant (6). 13. Keep urging don’t stop! (5,2). 15. Senses they’ll be popular with the little boys (7). 16. Write a quarter; make very slow progress (6). 17. What you smilingly say is a snack (6). 19. Flows from the little holes spoken of (5). 21. Mislead a girl (5). 22. By mid-September Nat is off to the mountain (4).

PAGE 54 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

• VLE LEONGATHA

Strong demand for cattle FEWER cattle were penned, and the quality was much more varied with a good representation of prime bullocks offered. However, there were a lot of poor condition cows sold. The competition was

unchanged, and demand was strong for all classes of cattle, which saw prices average at equal rates. The small penning of 21 vealers sold very well, with most making between 185c and 226c/kg. The yarding of 150 heifers sold in the trade section of the market included a number of older and grown heifers. There were a few pens of very good quality yearlings sold between 175c and 190c, which was 2c/kg higher on average. Heifers of plainer shape made from 141c to 175c, and most of the grown heifers

were between 146c and 173c/kg. Bullocks continued to sell very well, with a large number of prime C muscle steers sold in the smaller number of 400 head. Prime C3 and C4 bullocks made between 184c and 193c/kg, with heavy bullocks over 700kg lwt selling at the lower end of this scale. There were several sales of C2 prime bullocks between 178c and 188c, while most of the manufacturing bullocks made from 162c to 178c/kg. There were only 420 cows penned, and most of

VLE LEONGATHA KOONWARRA

Sale Draw

JERSEY DISPERSAL SALE

October 6 & 7 1. SEJ 2. Landmark 3. Elders 4. Alex Scott 5. David Phelan 6. Rodwells

SALE DATES LEONGATHA

Wednesday, October 6 Prime Sale - 8.30am Thursday, October 7 Store Sale - 10am Tuesday, October 12 Dairy Livestock Services Dairy Sale

PAKENHAM

Monday, Oct 11 Prime Sale - 8am Tuesday, Oct 12 Export Sale - 8.30am

Monday 18th October at 11.00am Koonwarra Selling Centre

TARRALYN JERSEYS a/c A & J Appleyard, Mardan Road, Leongatha

141 Superior Quality Jerseys 141 “21 years of Pure Jersey Genetics” Selling: 105 Cows, calved from May & rejoined 29 Heifers joined for May on calving 7 Bulls - 2 3yo, 5 18 months

•

Selling many dtrs of Brookbi, Jepine, Jace, Comerica, Paramount, Astound, Apache, Berretta, Megastar

• Selling cows with production to 7780 litres 384kgs fat 294 kgs protein Very low BMCC, JD Score 7 all born prior to ‘06 are Score 6. EBL negative Catalogues available please contact DLS Office 03 9338 9259 Vendor: Andrew Appleyard 0429 649209 Terms are cash or cheque on day of Sale or settlement by your Agent - Letter of Introductions MUST be provided. Brian Leslie 0418 365 934 Andrew Mackie 0419 595 932 Luke Russell 0408 313 815

COMPLETE MILKING HERD DISPERSAL Tuesday 12th October at 11.00am

KOONWARRA VLE a/c P & A Calder, Wild Dog Valley

110 Friesian & FriesianX Cows & Heifers 110 Selling: 110 Friesian, Friesian-GuernseyX and Friesian-JerseyX cows and heifers. Calved June-Sept. Not rejoined. Current production 23 Litres 4.2 Fat 3.1Protein CC 100,000 - Ranked 17th out of 425 suppliers at Murray Goulburn Leongatha Factory Herd Ave 09-10 - 5800Litres 244 Fat 191 Protein EBL Free - JD Non Assessed The herd has bred for 28 years based on Stud bulls from ‘Wandilla’ and recently used Stud Guernsey and Jersey bulls. A Feature of the herd is 70 Heifers on their 1st Lactation Terms are cash or cheque on day of sale or settlement by your Agent - Letter of Introductions MUST be provided.

Andrew Mackie 0419 595 932

Ben Bowman 0427 510 342

Ph: (03) 9338 9259 PO Box 462, Tullamarine Business Centre, Tullamarine VIC 3043 www.dairylivestockservices.com.au

these were dairy cows in poor to very poor condition, with a large variation in weight. The few better quality beef cows made from 150c to 166c, while the larger frame dairy cows of better quality were from 144c to 158c/kg. Away from these, very

lean 1 score cows, which will have a poor dressing percentage, made between 92c and 145c/kg for most sales. Restockers put a ﬂoor in the market, with several buyers purchasing a large range of cows between 120c and 148c/kg.

Wednesday, September 29 BULLOCKS 13 A. & T. Derham, Traralgon 81 O’Loughlin Bros. Buffalo 11 Fitzgerald & Fitzgerald, Korumburra 31 R.J. & R.M. Findlay, Leongatha 30 Merlewood Angus P/L, Mirboo North 5 N.R. & M.A. Staley, Yarram STEERS 1 J.W. & B.M. Beaumont, Alberton West 1 H.J. & D.E. Bolding, Lance Creek 1 G. & M. Lomagno, Leongatha South 1 Coolaman P/L, Bena 3 T. & D. Flint, Longford 2 G.I. & C.A. Campbell, Mardan COWS 8 T. & D. Flint, Longford 1 Coolaman P/L, Bena 1 C.A. & J.R. Moore, Yarram 2 G. & M. Lomagno, Leongatha South 1 G.E. & L.J. Simmons, Woodside 1 Lackenby Nom P/L, Leongatha HEIFERS 1 J.W. & B.M. Beaumont, Alberton West 1 H.J. & D.E. Bolding, Lance Creek 1 Coolaman P/L, Bena 2 T. & D. Flint, Longford 1 C. & J. Buxton, Leongatha South 1 G.L. & Y.M. Humphrey, Allambee BULLS 1 Redmond Dairies, Inverloch 1 P.R., G.L., I.G. & C.H. Benson, Meeniyan 1 R.L. & P.J. Olsen, Poowong East 1 Adval P/L, Anderson 1 W.J. & J.M. Berry, Wonthaggi 1 L.M. & T.S. Albutt, Yarram

581 685 647 631 582 640

191.6 191.4 191.0 189.9 189.7 188.0

$1055.00 $1312.00 $1235.00 $1198.00 $1104.00 $1203.00

395 370 240 315 318 310

224.6 212.0 200.0 199.6 194.6 190.6

$887.17 $784.40 $480.00 $628.74 $619.48 $590.86

516 515 730 540 575 680

166.0 $855.94 162.0 $834.30 162.0 $1182.60 160.0 $864.00 160.0 $920.00 160.0 $1088.00

330 320 310 298 395 295

225.6 224.6 215.0 195.2 190.0 185.0

$744.48 $718.72 $666.50 $580.72 $750.50 $545.75

970 970 785 615 490 820

172.6 170.0 168.6 164.6 161.6 160.0

$1674.22 $1649.00 $1323.51 $1012.29 $791.84 $1312.00

Award chance A GIPPSLAND woman could be among the nominations for the RIRDC Rural Women’s Award. Entries close on October 15. Women with a passion for primary industries or resource development are being encouraged to nominate. Women with ideas, enthusiasm and commitment have the chance to be recognised for their contri-

bution to rural Australia, with a $10,000 bursary awarded in every state to help women contribute more effectively to leadership and decision making in primary industries and resource development. The RIRDC Rural Women’s Award, sponsored by Westpac, recognises and encourages rural women’s contribution to primary industries, resource development and rural Australia.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 55

Nitrogen potential discovered A FOUR-YEAR $3 million State Government and industry project has revealed results that could save the dairy industry nationally more than $70 million, Agriculture Minister Joe Helper said. Speaking at the Dairy Science in Action conference at the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Dairy Research Centre at Ellinbank, Mr Helper said the Accounting for Nutrients project was an excellent example of high impact research. “Nutrients are a key driver of dairy productivity, but when used in excess can result in an environmental cost to our water resources and atmosphere,” Mr Helper said. “This DPI-led proj-

ect has brought together all the leading national players in the area of managing nutrients on dairy farms, from every state and industry group across Australia. “It has also worked in partnership with 44 dairy farmers from around Australia, including ones in far north Queensland, south-west Western Australia and northern Tasmania, as well as many farms here in Victoria.” Mr Helper said the research found the average nitrogen use efficiency on Australian dairy farms was 28 per cent, but ranges from between 15 and 50 per cent. This indicates the potential for the efficient use of nitrogen on dairy farms. “The researchers found that a three per cent increase in the utilisation of nitrogen can be worth an estimated

$24,000 for the average dairy farmer – or $70 million nationally,” he said. “An extra benefit was that improved nutrient use efficiency can mean less fertiliser and hence decreased CO² emissions and potential loss of nutrients to the environment.” Mr Helper said over two-thirds of Australia’s 8800 dairy farm businesses are located in Victoria. “Victoria’s dairy exports were valued at $1.8 billion in 2009/10 – with exports to more than 100 countries,” he said. Key funding partners of Accounting for Nutrients with DPI were Dairy Australia, the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Land and Water Australia.

Vital research: Dr Martin Auldist, Agriculture Minister Joe Helper, Dr Bill Wales and Dr Chris Korte at the Ellinbank research centre.

Bigger pond, maybe? DAIRY farmers should be using the current wet conditions to plan the expansion of their efﬂuent ponds, according to an expert from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

DPI’s leader nutrient extension Barrie Bradshaw said the seasonal soaking was giving farmers insights into how much water and efﬂuent their farm should be designed to handle. “Of course it’s too wet now to put

excavators onto the paddocks, but it’s an ideal time to test your farm’s waterholding capacity,” he said. “In my experience, around 60 per cent of farms have inadequate effluent-storage capacity. Generally, farmers underestimate the amount of water they use. “As farms increase herd sizes and intensify, they need to reassess their effluent ponds.” To more accurately assess your requirements, consult a locally qualified service provider.

Cows sell to $2050 LANDMARK Leongatha conducted a successful 80 cow clearing sale account of Greg Hogan, Koonwarra, on Monday, September 27. The herd comprised Jersey, Jersey Aussie Red and Jersey/Friesian cross cows, with about 90 per cent artiﬁcially inseminated and bred over 30 years. The top cow sold to $2050, with 28 making $1300 or better. The herd averaged $1180 with buyers coming from from Hedley, Toora, Mardan, Nerrena, Yanakie, Korumburra, Poowong and surrounding areas. A. and S. Bright of Meeniyan also had 10 Friesian entries. Four sold for $1900, one at $1850, four at $1300 and two for $1250.

Classified advertising closes 12 noon Mondays

PAGE 56 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Classifieds

Sell it in the "Star"

PHONE 5662 5555 P FAX 5662 4350

public notices

LEONGATHA SWIMMING CLUB REGISTRATION EVENING

Leongatha Lyric Theatre Is seeking expressions of interest for

DIRECTORS and CAST MEMBERS for their One Act Play season in March 2011 Here is an opportunity for first-time directors to work in a supportive environment. One of the three plays is hoped to be a YOUTH production. Reply to Leongatha Lyric Theatre Inc. PO Box 236, Leongatha 3953 or phone 0422 894 149

at SG SPLASH 5.30 - 7pm Tuesday & Thursday, October 12 & 14 Ours is a dynamic, enthusiastic club with a strong focus on encouraging personal best. If you enjoy your swimming and wish to compete in a positive, encouraging environment, why not join our team! Bring your bathers for an in-pool coach assessment. All enquiries: Emma Harry 0400 366 213

To celebrate National Water Week in 2010, South Gippsland Water are holding an open day at

Lance Creek Reservoir When: October 17th - 10am - 2.30 Where: Lance Creek Reservoir, Kongwak Road, Glen Alvie • View South Gippsland Water’s largest Reservoir [some walking is required] • Learn about your local water supply • See the treatment plant; tours run hourly from 10am to 1pm

• Free tea and coffee available For more information visit www.sgwater.com.au or call 1300 851 636

Classified advertising closes 12 noon Mondays

public notices

Rock n Roll DANCE LESSONS

Every Thursday night 7.30pm Masonic Hall - Leongatha No partner necessary Cost $5 (New Beginners Classes start each new school term) Starting again October 7 Enquiries to: John and Judy Kerville 5662 4004 (AH) Diane 5662 2136 (BH) Neil Olsen 0428 552 284

MEENIYAN GROUP FITNESS MEENIYAN BASKETBALL STADIUM Tuesday, October 5 & Thursday 9am-10am DURATION - 8 WEEKS $12.50 a session or $160

Suitable for any ﬁtness level! Come along and join the fun! Please contact Kayla McIndoe to secure your position 0408 536 572

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

0422 998 025 1800 611 368

CHIROPRACTOR NORMAN G. VRADENBURG “NON-FORCE PRACTITIONER”

personal $ 70

HOURS - Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday by appointment Phone and fax 5674 3666 South Gippsland Chiropratic Services & Adjunctive Therapies P/L

personal day time special

hallam

28 Reilly Street, INVERLOCH

pca 4609b

public notices

penthouse make us your 1st stop

9702 4744

7 rimfire dr. hallam

â&#x20AC;&#x153;THE STARâ&#x20AC;?, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 57

situations vacant

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situations vacant

DIRECTOR OF NURSING

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Birch Ross & Barlow Birch Ross & Barlow currently has a vacancy in its busy mortgage department at the Leongatha office. The successful applicant will need to have a bright personality, be able to accept responsibility and be able to work as part of our team. Computer skills are necessary. Experience in conveyancing or finance would be an advantage; however, not a necessity, as full training will be provided.

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Applications should be addressed to the Office Manager, Birch Ross & Barlow, Private Bag 16, Leongatha Applications will be received up to Friday, October 8, 2010

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â&#x20AC;˘ Grade 7 role â&#x20AC;˘ Dynamic rural health service â&#x20AC;˘ Attractive remuneration package Our client, South Gippsland Hospital (SGH), is seeking an experienced and senior nursing professional to fulfill the role of Director of Nursing. The successful candidate will join a dedicated management team committed to the quality of its clinical service delivery and the professional development of its employees. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Nursing assumes full responsibility and is accountable for the efficient and effective provision of clinical services in the Acute, Maternity Theatre and Urgent Care areas. The position also provides advice and oversight of nursing clinical services in primary care which is managed by the Community Health Team Leader. Candidates should hold a Division 1 Nursing registration in Victoria, have senior management experience in the health industry and a strong background in relevant industry standards, practices and funding streams. Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to lead and manage change, a commitment to quality improvement and a strong sense of ethics and integrity are essential. An attractive remuneration package is being offered to secure the right candidate seeking to further develop their managerial experience at a senior level. If you have the background and skills for this challenging role then we would like to hear from you. For full details of the roles see our website at

www.hrsa.com.au or contact Mr John Bowman on: 0407 835 747

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Email applications may be lodged at: hrsa@hrsa.com.au

Sales and Logistics Administrator Maternity Leave Position

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Latrobe Community Health Service are seeking enthusiastic and highly motivated individuals for the following position: ABNÂ 74136502022

Carer Support Coordinator Ref. no: 14539 Fixed Term Full Time, 76 Hours per fortnight Based in Sale 2 x Positions Available 1 x Full Time and 1 x Part Time Sale and Morwell/Korumburra Contract until 30 June 2011

We are a growing Australian based company, which produces a range of premium dairy products for the domestic and international market. Reporting to the Logistics Manager, the ideal candidate will have excellent organisational and computer skills with an advanced understanding of Microsoft Excel. Experience with a good understanding of export shipping processes and the ability to work well with external customers is essential. Principle responsibilities include: â&#x20AC;˘ Processing direct sales, quotes, and prices and arranging deliveries/shipping in accordance with company practice. â&#x20AC;˘ Handling and following up sales and customer service enquiries. â&#x20AC;˘ Assisting in the co-ordination of the manufacturing activities (e.g. forecasting and material requirements planning) to satisfy sales orders. â&#x20AC;˘ Managing stock to satisfy product allocations to customers â&#x20AC;˘ Communicating with third party logistics providers regarding all stock transactions. If you are looking for an opportunity to work for a friendly medium-sized business in Korumburra then apply via post or email to: Burra Foods Pty Ltd PO Box 379 Korumburra, 3950 or to helena@burrafoods.com.au Applications close: Wednesday, October 13

SITUATIONS VACANT

Technical Support OfďŹ cer Permanent Full Time with option of 9 day fortnight $50k total salary package Council is seeking an enthusiastic, energetic and friendly customer focused individual to join the Information Technology Team. This is a great opportunity to undertake a secondary level IT role in an environment that will facilitate many learning opportunities. Your responsibilities will include: â&#x20AC;˘ Providing second level technical support for PCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, PC peripherals, printers, copiers and faxes â&#x20AC;˘ Ensure all backup processes are maintained â&#x20AC;˘ Maintain and update the IS Asset Register â&#x20AC;˘ Contribute to enhancing Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s customer service and IT environment â&#x20AC;˘ Assistance in the purchasing of equipment and consumables in response to service requests You will have a CertiďŹ cate IV in Information Technology, or equivalent work experience or be willing to undertake training. In addition to this you will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the Microsoft suite of products, including WindowsXP, OfďŹ ce 2003, MS Explorer and MS Exchange. We welcome direct discussion with Iain McDougall, IT Coordinator, on (03) 5662 9200 regarding this role.

Customer Service OfďŹ cer Permanent Part Time $22.90 per hour

Building a Healthy Community

Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Worker 0.6 EFT ZO061997

Carer Support Coordinators work with people who care for a friend or family member who has dementia, a disability, mental illness, a life limiting illness or is frail and aged. You will help carers to take a break and provide information and support. As well as working with individual carers you will work collaboratively with service providers, become part of a regional team, and work to continually enhance the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre's capacity to deliver respite services in Gippsland. One position will be based at our Sale office and theÂ other will work across our Morwell and KorumburraÂ offices. There may be opportunity to work at other sites. Please have a look at the position description at www.lchs.com.au and note the minimum qualification requirements. Please Contact Alison Skeldon on 03 5152 0510 or Wendy Marshall on 03 5152 0523 for more information. Closing date for applications is 4:30pm, Friday 15 October 2010. Applications received for the above positions MUST address the stated Selection Criteria on the Position Description. Please visit website www.lchs.com.au for further information and to lodge your electronic application. â&#x20AC;ŚBetter health, Better lifestyles, Stronger communitiesâ&#x20AC;Ś

situations vacant

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

Ongoing subject to continued funding BCCHS seeks expressions of interest for the part time employment of an enthusiastic person to provide comprehensive assessment and case summaries of clients with drug and alcohol issues, and to provide support to clients living and participating in the Maremont Supported Accommodation and Recovery Program. Drug & Alcohol working experience highly desirable. Remuneration for this position as per relevant professional qualifications. Enquiries can be directed to Karley Oakley, Coordinator Drug & Alcohol Services.To obtain a position description and employment application form, please telephone reception 5671 3500 or refer to our website: www. bcchs.com.au Applications close 5 pm Monday, October 18, 2010 and should be addressed to: HR Administrator Bass Coast Community Health Service 1 Back Beach Road, San Remo 3925 Or by email to: HR@bcchs.com.au

Council is seeking an enthusiastic, customer focussed and team oriented individual to join the Customer Services team to work part time (15 hrs per week) Monday to Friday. You will provide frontline reception and telephone services to residents and visitors to the Shire, assisting with general enquiries, processing payments and providing administrative support to the organisation. You will have completed secondary education or equivalent and have either experience in a customer service or administrative role or a CertiďŹ cate in Business. You will also possess effective communication and computer skills. We welcome direct discussion with Lorelle Logan, Customer Service Team Leader, on (03) 5662 9200 regarding this role.

Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crossing Supervisor Casual - $22.85 per hour A rewarding opportunity exists for casual Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crossing Supervisors across the South Gippsland area. Your priorities will include supervising the morning and afternoon use of school crossings throughout school terms, limiting the trafďŹ c ďŹ&#x201A;ows in accordance with VicRoads instructions and promoting a positive community attitude to crossing supervision by motorists and pedestrians. You will also develop good relationships with the children whilst encouraging road safety. A current driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s licence is essential along with a satisfactory Police and Working with Children Check (WWC). We welcome direct discussion with Ian Nicholas, Acting Manager Environment & Community Safety, on (03) 5662 9200 regarding this role. Applications for the above positions addressing the selection criteria are to be submitted by 5pm Wednesday 20 October 2010 addressed to: Human Resources, South Gippsland Shire Council, Private Bag 4, Leongatha 3953 or emailed to careers@southgippsland.vic.gov.au Further information and position descriptions are available from Human Resources or visit www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au

www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au

PAGE 58 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

situations vacant

for rent

3 BDRM HOUSE in Meeniyan township, $230 pw. Phone Paddy 0427647534.

SALES PROFESSIONAL Due to business expansion Leading Edge Computers Leongatha currently has an opening for a Sales Professional. The following attributes are essential: Previous sales experience. Outstanding work ethic. Ability to work as part of a team. Ability to work within our existing business structure. Ability to provide exceptional customer service. Computer industry knowledge would be an advantage. In return we will provide a relaxed and enjoyable working environment in our modern, customer focused store. Duties may vary but will include sales, pre-delivery set-up of computers, housekeeping, inwards goods handling, etc. Remuneration will initially be at the award rate plus bonuses with regular reviews. Applications close 15/10/10 Please submit written applications to: “The Manager” Leading Edge Computers 32 Bair Street, Leongatha 3953

3 BEDROOM HOME, Dumbalk North 4.8km. Quiet, spacious surroundings. Ph: 56623541 a/h.

LEONGATHA

FULL TIME Capeview currently has a full time position available which consists of 3 days during the week and Saturday and Sundays. We require someone who has excellent customer service, computer literate, and willing to learn all aspects of the hardware industry. Retail experience would be preferred, but not essential. Please forward resumés to: Capeview Mitre 10 Attention Ben Davey Lot 2 Cusack Road Leongatha, 3953 Applications close October 15, 2010

VENUS BAY - house, short stroll to beach and shops, sleeps 7. Permanent rental also available. Contact: 0408-320001.

Classified advertising closes 12 noon Mondays

situations vacant

CASUAL WAITRESS required Bairs Hotel. See Khris or Greg 5662-2017.

SITUATION VACANT

MOTOR-AG OF LEONGATHA

Horticulture (Parks & Gardens) Apprenticeships Apprenticeships Group Australia in conjunction with the South Gippsland Shire Council Parks & Gardens are seeking enthusiastic people to commence apprenticeships in Horticulture. AGA is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping people gain a qualification and get their career started through apprenticeships with host employers, in this case the South Gippsland Shire Council Parks & Gardens Department. These positions are a great opportunity to kick start your career offering 4 years of guaranteed employment in an exciting industry whilst earning a Nationally Recognised Qualification (Certificate III Horticulture Parks & Gardens). We are seeking intelligent, committed and motivated people with a sense of initiative who possess a genuine interest in Horticulture. No previous experience is necessary. The positions are located in Leongatha & Foster. Further information may be obtained by calling Steve Missen at South Gippsland Shire Council on (03) 5662 9104. To obtain a position description please visit www.agaustralia.com.au/careers To apply please complete an application form located on the Apprenticeships Group Australia website. Applications close Friday 15th October 2010.

We require a FULL TIME DIESEL MECHANIC with experience in tractors or heavy machinery, and computer diagnostics. Must be able to work out in the field and carry out services and repairs competently. Manufacturers’ training will be undertaken for the right person. Wages over and above competitors $ Top dollar for the right person $ Current driver’s licence essential. Flexible working hours with some overtime required. Immediate start. All applications will be held in the strictest confidence. If this is you, please send a copy of your resumé to: The Manager, PO Box 315, Leongatha, 3953 Or email: dealerprincipal@dcsi.net.au

Sales Consultant EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER Permanent position 2011 for 3 x 3 year old groups Maternity Leave Position 2011 for 1 x 4 year old group

Applications close October 22, 2010 and should be addressed to: The President Inverloch and District Preschool PO Box 42, Inverloch, 3996

Wonthaggi Showroom A position exists for a Sales Consultant in our Wonthaggi Showroom. Reporting to the Showroom Manager, you will maintain the showroom and displays, provide information to customers on the range of Capeview products, coordinate the installation of completed orders and assist with the preparation of quotes. You will have outstanding customer service abilities, articulate communication skills and a high standard of personal presentation. You will be a confident communicator with attention to detail. Applicants should have competent computer skills with the ability to learn in-house programs. This position may require some weekend work. Applications close on Friday, October 15, 2010 and should be forwarded to: Peter Sheerin C/- Capeview Building Products PO Box 115, Wonthaggi 3995

PARTS & ACCESSORIES MANAGER

Environmental Ofﬁcer - Biodiversity Full Time – Ongoing Traralgon The Environmental Officer - Biodiversity role requires you to have a strong understanding of natural resource management, particularly related to catchment management, biodiversity and pest plant and animal issues and processes. The remuneration range being offered for the position is at WGCMA Level 4 classification ($63,802 – $75,742), which includes 9% superannuation and a full private use vehicle option. A laptop and mobile phone are offered in addition to your remuneration, along with an encouraging work environment that actively supports personal and professional development. A Position Description can be obtained via our website or by emailing kellyr@wgcma.vic.gov.au For further information contact Shayne Haywood, Land Team Leader. Applications addressing Key Selection Criteria should be marked; 'Environmental Officer - Biodiversity' c/ HR/Payroll Officer and must be received by 4pm on Wednesday 20th October. Email applications may be sent to kellyr@wgcma.vic.gov.au Geoff Hocking Chief Executive Ofﬁcer

A Junior Car Detailer is required urgently. No previous experience is needed, but a willingness to learn all aspects is required. The successful applicant must be honest, hardworking, and physically fit. Casual hours. Award wages apply. For all enquiries, please phone 5662 5325 All applications to: EIV Leongatha (6-7 / 18 Smith Street)

INVERLOCH & DISTRICT PRESCHOOL

Applicants are invited to apply for either or both of these positions. Diploma or Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, current Working With Children Certificate and First Aid Qualifications essential. For full job description phone Kate Dwyer 0418 592 305.

www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au

JUNIOR CAR DETAILER

ZO900000

Correspondence PO Box 1374, Traralgon VIC 3844 Telephone 1300 094 262 Facsimile (03) 5175 7899 Email westgippy@wgcma.vic.gov.au Web www.wgcma.vic.gov.au

• Attractive salary package • Leisure and lifestyle industry

Works Supervisor/Foreman Fulltime Salary: $61,012 per annum, plus 9% superannuation Gippsland Ports is the port and waterways manager responsible for operation of the local ports of Gippsland. It is seeking a suitability qualified and experienced replacement staff member to assist in the construction and maintenance of Gippsland Ports assets and of the operation of South Gippsland Ports and waterways. The ideal candidate should have marine construction experience and supervisory skills and knowledge and be able to work both individually and in a team environment. To be considered for this position, candidates should address the key selection criteria found within the position description at www.gippslandports.vic.gov.au Applications close at 9am on Friday 8, October, 2010. Applications should be mailed to: Private & Confidential: Attention, CEO, Gippsland Ports, PO Box 388 Bairnsdale Vic 3875 Or applications can be made via the website

A position has become available for a Parts and Accessories Manager to head up the Parts Department at Inverloch Marine. As leader of our Parts Department you will be responsible for the day to day running of this division including: • Sales, Purchasing and Stock Control • Customer liaison • Supervision of shop staff • Providing technical support and training to shop staff • Parts department efficiency, productivity and budgets Requirements: • an extensive Parts background • exceptional customer service skills • strong computer literacy • excellent communication skills (written and oral) • a strong track record as a self motivated, friendly and proactive team player • attention to detail combined with a professional work ethic Industry software training provided onsite. Please email your application and cv to: info@inverlochmarine.com.au

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 59

for sale

RAMALAMA BOOK EXCHANGE 29A Murray Street Wonthaggi

20% OFF Books, DVDs, CDs, Videos October 5 - 12 When presenting this ad

RIDE-ON MOWER, hardly used, $1,300. Ph: 56645497. SLATE TILES - 200 x 300mm, 400 per pallet (42 sqm). Tractor avail. for loading. Ph: 0408-387859. SLEEPERS, treated pine, 200x50x2.4 $12.10 each, 200x75x2.4 $16.75 each. Free delivery for pack lots. Phone Joe 0417-530662. TANDEM TRAILER, 10x5 ft - new, fully gal, new tyres including spare, disc brakes, LED lights, $4,400. Phone Paddy 0427647534. TIMBER - kiln dried blackwood, clear pine, silver wattle. Most sizes for furniture and craft. Also builder’s graded structural pine. Phone 5681-2261.

free

FREE STUDY DESK In gloss white/pink, near new condition, can also be utilised as a computer desk, has separate pull-out keyboard drawer with CD rack Contact Kylie 0419 622 585

$400

SEWING MACHINE REPAIRS & SALES

FREE QUOTES WONTHAGGI SEWING CENTRE

167 Graham Street Wonthaggi

5672 3127

FIREWOOD - Redgum, split and delivered. Ph: 0409-218775. FIREWOOD, redgum & local wood, Ph 0408-980711, A/H 5662-5175 HAY - small square bales, $6 each. Fully shedded, suitable for horses, never been wet. Quality guaranteed. No weeds. Mardan - 5664-1320, 0428-999691.

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

CHAINSAWS AND STATIONARY ENGINES ETC. Repairs and services

Phone JOHN GOULD 5664 0012

used machinery FORD TRACTOR 68 10, cab, FWA loader, 5,900 hrs, GC, 90hp, $26,000 inc. Reg. TGI143. Ph: 56832507.

used vehicles

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

Bass Coast Metal Recyclers

HAY - small square bales, VG quality, $7 per bale. Ph: 5662-2074. HAY - lucerne 8x4x3, A1 quality, Rosedale. Ph: 0448-441952. KING CHARLES Cavalier Spaniels, 4 males (1 Ruvy male, 3 Blenheim males), 3 months old, wormed, not vet checked or vaccinated, $450 each. Assorted adult colours also available. Looking for a buyer to buy all. Will sell puppies separately. Looking for a buyer to purchase future litters, will sell at bulk rate.

situations vacant

5672 2946 0417 556 593

lost ELDERLY lady lost mid brown leather driving gloves, wool lined, in Venus Bay area. Great sentimental value. $50 reward. Ph: 0418-321566.

wanted to buy FURNITURE: Parker, Noblett, Tessa, Chiswell, Moran, or any quality brand name used furniture. Phone Wendy on 0409-234482.

situations vacant

MOTOR MECHANIC QUALIFIED Apply to: South Gippsland Motors, Wonthaggi Phone: 5672 1555

FULL or PART TIME

DAIRY HAND An additional person is required for safe, modern and well maintained dairy with the opportunity to join an experienced team and learn the industry’s best practice. No special qualifications are required but must be adaptable, willing to learn and physically fit. Generally rostered 5 days on, 2 days off, 1 milking per day, paid weekly by the hour. KOONWARRA AREA Punctual habits and own reliable transport are essential. Contact Pauline 0438 745 593

wanted PERSON to share house in Leongatha area. Ph: 0417396762.

garage sales

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

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

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

GARAGE SALE 2 HOUSEHOLDS

Kids toys Clothes - newborn to 8 DVDs and books General household items

Headland Way INVERLOCH Saturday 9th 8 - 2pm

meetings WOORAYL GOLF CLUB LADIES Annual General Meeting will be held on

Tuesday, October 19, 2010 at 10am at Woorayl Golf Club All members welcome

DUMBALK HALL COMMITTEE

AGM

Thursday, October 21- 8pm IN THE HALL Everyone most welcome

UDV DC6 and VFF South Gippsland DC

Dinner and Water Forum

Bairs Otago Hotel Function Room Tuesday, October 12 7pm for 7.30pm Speaker: Richard Anderson Chair VFF Water Council Contact: Meg 0408 514 048 or jamoney@bigpond.com

message of hope LET us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12: 1(b).

marriage celebrant

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

PAM HERRALD 5662 2553 0438 097 181

CAM ABOOD Leongatha 5662 4191

MERLENE STRATTON Leongatha 5662 2574

engagements HOSKIN - James, Rod and Bernadette together with Sue and Graham are delighted to announce the engagement of Melissa and Greg. Love and best wishes to them both.

bereavement thanks TORCUTTI - Silvestro. Paula, Carl, George, Robert, and families wish to thank everyone for their kind messages, condolences, cards and donations to the Cancer Council of Victoria, on the passing of their much loved father and grandfather. A special thanks to all at Woorayl Lodge, Leongatha Hospital, Paul Beck, Catholic Women’s League (catering). Please accept this as our personal thanks.

in memoriam DWYER - Shirley. 3.10.2002 Loved, remembered and missed every day. Peter, Terry, Susan, Mark, and families.

deaths FIELD - Frances Jea. Passed away at Sale September 30, 2010. Sadly missed by Barbara and Alan, Terri and Wayne, Graham and Wendy, Wayne and Marian, Marty and Amber, and families. Sleep peacefully. HOLT - Allen Francis (Mac). Son of the late Rupert John (Jack) and Doretta May Holt. Loved brother of Dorothy (dec.), Fred, George (dec.), Nessie (dec.), Cath (dec.), Linda (dec.), Gwen, Olive and Eileen. Forever in our hearts. HOLT - Allen Francis (Mac). Loving brother of Gwen, brother-in-law of Jim (dec.). Fond uncle of Jack and Lyn. Sleeping in God’s garden beneath the roses of peace. Loved brother of Olive. Treasured memories. HOLT - Allen Francis. Beloved brother of Fred, brother-in-law of Merle and loved Uncle Mac of Glenda and Maree. HOLT - Allen Francis (Mac). Brother of George. Loved uncle of Bev and John, Sandra and Greg. Rest in peace. HOLT - Mack. Passed away peacefully September 26, 2010. Your love and kindness will stay with us always. Deepest sympathy to Gwen. From Jack, Helga, and families.

deaths HOLT - Allen Francis (Mac). Passed away 26.9.2010. Lifelong friend and Uncle Mac of Grant and Chris McDonald, Megan, Kelly and Jason, Laura and Paul. Sadly missed. HOLT - Allen Francis (Mac). 10.6.1921 - 26.9.10 89 years. Deepest sympathy to Gwen on the passing of her partner of 60 years. Pat and Ray Harvey and children Matt and Jim (dec.), Glady and Emmett (dec.) Hannon. Happy gardening Mac. ROBERTS - Bernard. Passed away peacefully at Domain Seahaven, Inverloch on September 30, 2010 in his 93rd year. Late of Meeniyan. Loving husband of Vera (dec.). Loved Dad of Vincent, Dorothy and Shirley. Loved father-inlaw of Hilda, Merv and David. Wonderful and treasured Pop of 10, great grandfather of 24 and great great grandfather of 1.

VERBOON - Leanne Gaie. From our first kiss to our last, you have always been my inspiration. Your strength and love never faltered. Love you always - Bill. You are the best Mum. We miss you. Our moments together and your mannerisms will always be cherished. Love - Loretta and Chad, Alison and Dale, Andrew and Rebecca, Wayne, Christopher and Eleni, Jessica and Dave and Renae. Love you heaps Nanna - Ashby and Clare VERBOON - Leanne. You are the greatest wife and mum. You were and will always be so very special to us all. Nothing was ever too much trouble for you. You gave us love, support, guidance, strength, laughs, encouragement and always your undivided attention. Our home is our haven. We will never ever forget you. Love Bill, Loretta and Chad, Alison and Dale, Andrew and Rebecca. Wayne, Christopher and Eleni, Jessica and Davie and Renae. We love you Nanna from Ashby and Clare. VERBOON - Leanne Gaie (Riseley). After a courageous battle Leanne passed away at the Korumburra Hospital on 29.09.10 at age 54. Dearly loved daughter of Maie and the late Phil. Loving sister and sisterin-law of Meg and Jude, Kevin and Jenny, Narelle and Graeme, Trevor and Catherine, Allen and Cyndi. Loved aunty and great aunty of her nieces and nephews. Lovingly remembered. VERBOON - Leanne. “Little Sis”. Together with Bill you worked hard on the farm and also raised a family to be proud of. Now it’s time for a rest. Love you always. “Big Sis” - Meg and Jude.

deaths

VERBOON - Leanne Gaie. Loved sister of Kevin, sisterin-law of Jenny, aunty and friend of Marsha, Marshall, Hugh, Angus, Frazer, Trina, Brock, Froley, Chelsea, Lee, Belinda, Chris, Elisha, Beau. Memories forever, now at peace. VERBOON - Leanne. Dear Sis, so many special times shared, with memories to cherish forever. Love Narelle, Graeme, Michelle, Ash, Karlie, Kurt and Tim. Isloa, Levi, Sari, Rhien, Jonah and Luke. VERBOON - Leanne Gaie. An inspirational mother who gave everything. Our lives are enriched because of you. Love, thoughts, prayers are with Bill and all the family. Trevor, Catherine, Georgia, Sara, Luca and Cambell Riseley. VERBOON - Leanne. My visits to the farm were such happy times. Your soul will still be there. You were such an important part of my life - the perfect sister. Allen. VERBOON - Leanne. A precious thing between us that finished too soon. I’m honoured to know you and proud that you’re my friend. I treasured every moment and will miss you. Thank you for being a dear friend. Kim, Patrick and family. VERBOON - Leanne. Passed away September 29, 2010. President and members of the Lions Club of Leongatha regret the sad passing of our esteemed fellow member and friend, Leanne. Our deepest sympathy to Bill and family. VERBOON - Leanne. Passed away September 29, 2010. Deepest sympathy to Bill and family on your loss. You are all in our thoughts, we will miss Leanne too. Ken, Glenda, Suzi, Peter, David and Jai. VERBOON - Leanne. A truly inspiring lady now at rest. Our love and thoughts are with Bill, Loretta, Allison, Andrew, Wayne, Christopher, Jessica, Renee; their partners and families. Deepest sympathy also to the Riseley and Verboon families. We will miss your smiling face and our chats. Mark, Jo, Liam and Heidi Brookes.

VERBOON - Leanne. Our deepest sympathy to Bill and family. Leanne was a truly remarkable woman and will be deeply missed by us all. - Neil, Jo, Chloe and Rebecca. VERBOON - Leanne. To dear Bill and family. Our heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your gorgeous lady wife and your fabulous mum and nanna. Leanne will be missed so much by so many. Love Bob and Jo. VERBOON - Leanne. To Bill, Loretta, Alison, Andrew, Wayne, Chris, Jessica, Renae and partners. Sympathy to you and your families on the loss of a beautiful lady and a wonderful member of the Stony Creek FC Family. The committee, players and supporters of the Stony Creek Football Netball Club. VERBOON - Leanne. To Bill and family, I’m so sorry for your loss of your beautiful wife and mother. With all our love, Jacqui, Alex and Oscar Bowler.

funerals

VERBOON - The Funeral Service for the late Mrs Leanne Gaie Verboon will be held at St Andrew’s Uniting Church, Peart Street, Leongatha on Wednesday, October 6, 2010 commencing at 11am. The Funeral will leave at the conclusion of the service for the Leongatha Lawn Cemetery. All Stony Creek Football and Netball Club and Leongatha Lions Club members are respectfully invited to attend.

Crossword Solutions on Page 61 Most photos that appear in The Star can be purchased by calling 5662 2294.

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

5662 2717

FOSTER

5662 2717

WONTHAGGI / INVERLOCH

5672 1074

PHILLIP ISLAND

5952 5171

MEMBERS OF AUSTRALIAN FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION

PAGE 60 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Award winners

Seniors Best and Fairest, Peter Grant. Runner-up Best and Fairest, Mark Glowrey. Most Determined, Linden Dyson. Best Utility, Jamie Pullin. Most Consistent, Troy Allott. Leading Goalkicker, Steven Kohlman. Most Improved, Luke Grylls. Coach’s Award, Nicholas Green. Best 1st Year, Tyson Kirwan. Reserves Best and Fairest, Peter Hollier. Runner-up Best and Fairest, Hayden Hanratty. Most Determined, Mitchell Hilder. Best Utility, Taylor McKenzie. Most Consistent, Mitchell Daly. Leading Goalkicker, Peter Hollier.

Most Improved, Dean Brett. Coach’s Award, Matt Brown. Best 1st Year, Jake Cripps. Ian Wiggins Memorial, Anthony Bravington. Thirds Best and Fairest - Club, Samuel Whatley. Best and Fairest - Umpires, Samuel Whatley. Runner-up Best and Fairest - Club, Matthew Brown. Most Determined, Jakeb Grifﬁn. Best Utility, Christopher Round. Most Consistent, Wade Stoitse. Leading Goalkicker, Craig Hanratty. Most Improved, Konstandinos. Coach’s Award, Shawn Brett. Best 1st Year, Josh Toner. Team Manager Award, Angie Holmes. Best in Elimination Final, Brandon Scammell. Best in Semi Final, Samuel Whatley.

Netball Awards A Grade Best and Fairest - Jeanette Bath. Runner-up Best and Fairest - Helen Nicholls. Coaches - Brooke Jolly. B Grade Best and Fairest - Denise Bravington. Runner-up Best and Fairest - Nicole Platt. Coaches - Tarley Elmore. C Grade Best and Fairest - Jamiee Clavarino. Runner-up Best and Fairest, Madeleine Doran. Coaches - Jacquie Woods. Under 17 Best and Fairest, Ashlee Bohn. Runner-up Best and Fairest (and Players Award), Donna Sparkes. Coaches Andrea Rerden. Jan Smallman Award (Best Club Person), Tara Hollier.

B Grade: award winners.

A Grade: award winners.

C Grade: award winners.

Seniors: award winners.

17 and Under: award winners.

Reserves: award winners.

Thirds: Best and Fairest winner Samuel Whatley.

Tara Hollier: winner of the Jan Smallman Award (Best Club Person).

Angie Holmes: Toora & District Football Club Best Club Person.

Seniors: Best and Fairest winner Peter “Cat” Grant. Left Thirds: award winners.

New life members: Mick Kirwan and Phil Need, pictured with Toora and District Football Club president Peter Hollier (centre).

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 61

Top guns share skills SIXTEEN enthusiastic shooters tried their hand at clay target shooting during the special Come‘n’ Try Day at the South Gippsland Field and Game Club at Hallston on Sunday. Members created a range featuring static and ﬂying targets to test the visiting shooters’ skills. Co-ordinator of the day, Rob Hemphill and Bruce Wood with the assistance of fellow members demonstrated the knowledge

and safety for the correct handling of a ﬁrearm. As the day progressed the new shooters were guided around the main range and given a chance to shoot a competition program. Club member David Thompson and his staff set up a range that was enjoyed by some 78 regular shooters. The nine stations were changed as many times as possible to create the different ﬂights of game birds and there were some impressive scores recorded.

During the next ﬁve months and over the summer season the club will run a series of 75 shoot competitions and a highlight will be the Christmas shoot in December, with the Hallston club showing its appreciation for the great support given by its sponsors and faithful members. Shooting takes place on the ﬁrst Sunday of every month at 11.30am and you don’t need to own a shot gun to enjoy this sport. Spare equipment can be supplied at the range.

For more information contact David Thompson 5668 6206 or Robert Brown 5662 3624. Winners A A Grade Kevin Jacobs 69/75 A Grade David Munday 61/75 B Grade Robert Hemphill 61/75 C Grade Graham Kent 60/75 Vet Grade Gordon Hart 56/75 Ladies Dianne Wood 44/75 Juniors Charlie Batten 55/75

Above: Ready aim ﬁre: Alan Vodden of Kernot gets a few shooting tips from South Gippsland Field and Game Club members Russell Bradley, Steve Burge, Jim Spinks and Rob Hemphill on the weekend.

Young gun: Archie Leggett, 11 of Cape Paterson enjoyed the clay target shoot try out day at Hallston on Sunday.

Top shot: from left winners at the Come’n’Try day competition hosted by the South Gippsland Field and Game Club at Hallston on Sunday were Graham Kent, David Munday, Charlie Batten, Dianne Wood, Kevin Jacobs, Rob Hemphill and Gordon Hart.

And the winner was friendship LEONGATHA KeenAger Table Tennis hosted the Drouin Keen-Agers at the table tennis centre on Tuesday, September 21 for a hectic day of table tennis.

Table tennis: Drouin and Leongatha players enjoyed their matches.

Doubles games were played between the two clubs, some with a DrouinLeongatha combination, mixed doubles, men’s and women’s doubles, with players who have 50 plus years of experience to beginners who had been playing only a few weeks. Over 40 players attended. Everyone had fun and enjoyed the friendship and got lots of exercise. We thank the Leongatha ladies for a lovely morning tea and impromptu luncheon. No one went home hungry. Play continued after lunch until

At the games WITH the Commonwealth Games underway in New Delhi, India, several South Gippslanders are ﬂying the Australian ﬂag in competition. Linda Ryan: the Kardella South resident is in India. She is holding the medals she won at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

Among them is Kardella South resident Linda Ryan who will compete in the team 25m pistol women on the ﬁrst day of the games. Also competing are Kalia McKnight who is running the

1500m (from Foster), Chris Roberts competing in the 10m air pistol singles and pairs (Mirboo North) and Dale Stevenson in the shot put 121kg class (Wonthaggi) according to information in the proﬁle handbook. If you know of any other South Gippslanders or former residents of the region competing at the Commonwealth Games in India, let The Star know via sport@ thestar.com.au

exhaustion set in. A great day, and the winner was friendship. Another great weekend coming up with a Keen-Agers table tennis event at the magniﬁcent Bairnsdale Table Tennis Centre on Saturday, October 30 from 10am. Men’s, women’s and mixed doubles in round robin format. Entry is $5 per event and close on Wednesday, October 20. Entry forms available from Ian Rasmussen 5662 5578 or the Leongatha Table Tennis Centre. On Sunday, October 31 the 2010 East Gippsland Table Tennis Tournament will be held at the same centre, 10am start. Open men’s and women’s, B, C and D Grade singles. Open mixed doubles, junior boys, junior girls and novice Under 14 junior singles. Entry forms as above or enquiries to 0418 566 021.

Rockpecker’s return GIPPSLAND trainers are still striving for their first city win of the season and couldn’t have come any closer than the weekend with Rockpecker (trained by Ken Fythe) finishing second in a listed race at Flemington Sunday. It was the seven-year-old’s best run for some time and augurs well for the upcoming spring carnival. At Moonee Valley Friday night, Gippsland trained Mo’ Money (Tracey Tampleton) and Alpharari (Allison Bennett) finished second as well.

Well done: Dawn and Ian Rasmussen are thanked for their efforts.

crossword solutions CRYPTIC PUZZLE NO. 8242 - SOLUTIONS Across - 1, School of music. 8, Re-lit (rev.). 9, Si-decar (rev.). 10, Pro-fit. 11, Pet-re(a)l. 12, Sp-I-ed. 14, A-miss. 18, C-heeps. 20, Broach (brooch). 23, Assault (a salt). 24, Li-eg-e. 25, Lone star state. Down - 1, Scrape. 2, H-all-o. 3, Out-line. 4, O-us-t. 5, Mad-ge (rev.). 6, Se-cur-es. 7, CA-role. 13, Press on. 15, Marbles . 16, S-crawl. 17, Cheese. 19, Pours (pores). 21, Adel-a. 22, (Sept)E(mber)-tna. QUICK PUZZLE NO. 8242 - SOLUTIONS Across - 1, Perpendicular. 8, Crowd. 9, Caramel. 10, Lather. 11, Tirade. 12, Amass. 14, Baron. 18, Unrest. 20, Kimono. 23, Receive. 24, Award. 25, Wool-gathering. Down - 1, Pickle. 2, Roost. 3, Endless. 4, Dock. 5, Corgi. 6, Lumbago. 7, Roller. 13, Morocco. 15, Agitate. 16, Furrow. 17, Hot dog. 19, Swing. 21, Okapi. 22, Feat.

PAGE 62 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Mirboo North presentation night MIRBOO North Football Netball Club held its annual presentation night at W J Tuck Reserve’s Tigerland headquarters on Saturday, September 18. Nearly 100 people attended the successful evening. Superbly-attired master of ceremonies, Paul Pratt eloquently highlighted the Tigers’ successful season on and off the field, including participation in four grand finals and organising and running Mirboo North’s annual debutante ball. Profits from the ball were shared between MNFNC and Mirboo North’s school chaplaincy fund. Mirboo North’s B Grade netball premiership team was given a standing ovation by the enthusiastic gathering for its outstanding victory over archrival, Morwell East, on grand final day. B Grade netball premiership captain, Kim Shiels, received the mighty Tigers’ best club person award for her superb up-front and behind-the-scenes work throughout the season. Tom Dalliston won the annual George Clark Netball Award. Sadly George passed away earlier in the year. The juniors football and netball presentation night, which was hosted by former star footballer and current committeeman, Michael Watt, took place the previous evening and was also well attended.

Memorial George Clarke Award: Tom Dalliston.

Seniors: Kal Nash (Best First Year), Joe Brooks (Most Improved), Don Webb (Best and Fairest and Best in Finals), Daniel Taylor (Most Determined), Alex Windsor (Coach’s Award) and Jake Nash (Coach’s Award). Absent S. Peters (runner-up Best and Fairest), D. Gardener (Most Consistent) and D. Turner (Most Determined).

Reserves: Brent Harriage (Best in Finals) and Simon Lawson (Coach’s Award). Other winners: D. Banks (Best and Fairest), A. Tangusso (runner-up Best and Fairest), B. McKean (Most Determined), S. Helms (Most Consistent) and M. Richardson (Most Improved).

17 and Under: Alice Pratt (Best and Fairest and Best in Finals), Hayley Rogers (runner-up Best and Fairest) and Mikki Windsor (Coach’s Award). Absent: M. Carney (Most Improved).

Thirds: Peter Taylor (runner-up Best and Fairest), Ben Joustra (Most Determined), Jake Peters (Coach’s Award), coach Damien Turner, Jake Farrington (Best and Fairest, and Best in Finals) Joel Graeme (Most Consistent) and D. Ross (Most Improved).

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

At Port Phillip Heads

SEPT / OCT Time

height (metres)

Add one hour for daylight saving

6 WED

7 THUR

8 FRI

9 SAT

10 SUN

11 MON

12 TUE

0205 0931 1451 2200

0.49 1.30 0.60 1.31

0329 1035 1614 2316

0.54 1.34 0.48 1.43

0451 1132 1722

0.55 1.39 0.33

0022 0558 1225 1817

1.56 0.53 1.45 0.20

0119 0652 1313 1908

1.67 0.51 1.50 0.11

0211 0739 1358 1956

1.73 0.50 1.52 0.07

0259 0823 1441 2042

1.73 0.49 1.52 0.08

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

Above: 15 and Under: Louise Rogers (runnerup Best and Fairest), Laura Robins (Coach’s Award) and Emily Loh (Best and Fairest).

Fourths: Coach Wightman, Joel Vanderzalm (Coach’s Award), Jesse Peters (Coach’s Award), Nick Gervasi (Best and Fairest), Brad Taylor (Most Consistent), Tom O’Loughlin (Most Improved) and Mitchell Wightman (runner-up Best and Fairest). Absent: J. Hough (Most Determined), D. O’Keefe (Most Improved) and J. Abbey (Best Utility).

D Grade: Kirsty Koene (runner-up Best and Fairest), coach Leanne Taylor and Carlie Arnold (Best and Fairest). Absent C. Davidson (Coach’s Award).

A Grade: Beccy Dyke (Coach’s Award) and Shona Chila (Best and Fairest). Absent A. Nash (runnerup Best and Fairest and Best in Finals).

Right: B Grade: - Hayley Rogers (Coach’s Award and Best in Finals), Mirj Geisler (Best and Fairest) and Alice Pratt (runner-up Best and Fairest).

C Grade: Melissa Robins (Best and Fairest), coach Jess Hilliar and Libby Pratt (Coach’s Award). Absent: L. Andrews (runner-up Best and Fairest).

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 63

SGDLBA pennant Results - Round 1 28.9.10 DIVISION 1: Foster 63 (18 shots) d Port Welshpool 45 (L. Vignocchi 17 drew L. McLaine 17, R. Richardson 20 d M. McDonald 17, M. Climas 26 d A. Collins 11). Wonthaggi 84 (11 shots) d Phillip Island 73 (I. Donohue 34 d R. James 18, J. Clarkson 28 d P. Francis 23, K. Simpson 22 lt D. Wagner 32). Meeniyan 104 (57 shots) d Lang Lang 47 (M. Pearson 37 d R. Geyer 11, A. Van Wamel 33 d D. Motton 19, L. Hanks 34 d J. Prowd 17). Inverloch 85 (11 shots) d San Remo 74 (A. Tschiderer 22 lt S. Carvosso 32, I. Sheppard 32 d C. Thorn 25, C. Hughes 31 d K. Hale 17). DIVISION 2: Phillip Island 93 (41 shots) d Loch 52 (W. Braun 36 d B. Boucher 19, J. Boyce 23 d M. Fraser 19, E. Stephenson 23 d M. Fraser 19. Corinella 74 (20 shots) d Wonthaggi 54 (T. Durbridge 36 d E.

Thomson 13, E. Johnston 19 drew M. McBain 19, M. Dillon 19 lt J. Brusamarello 22). Inverloch 51 (5 shots) d Fish Creek 48 (D. Patterson 28 d F. McKenzie 8, E. Miller 16 d L. Harper 14, S. Phillipson 7 lt D. Buckland 24). Leongatha 88 (36 shots) d Tarwin 52 (T. McCormack 46 d G. Bright 9, F. Turner 26 d H. Twite 13, E. McIntyre 16 lt D. Barnes 30). Korumburra - bye (1 pt). DIVISION 3: Korumburra 56 (9 shots) d Inverloch 47 (N. Gilbert 26 d V. Muir 22, M. Wrench 30 d L. Dowson 25). Phillip Island 49 (3 shots) d Wonthaggi 46 (J. Christie 30 d D. Yarley 22, J. Stubbs 19 lt G. Mitford 24). Toora 44 (3 shots) d Leongatha 41 (B. Curran 23 d D. Emmerson 19, K. Barwick 21 lt M. Jepson 22). Tarwin 35 (3 shots) d Foster 32 (S. Browne 23 d A. Horstra 12, J. Stafferton 12 lt F. Fiati 20).

Leongatha

TUESDAY, September 28 saw the start of the South Gippsland District Ladies Bowling Association pennant season, with Division 2 at home to Tarwin Lower who managed a win overall, while our Division 3, also at home to Toora, went down three shots. Tuesday, October 5 Division 2 ladies have the bye, while Division 3 teams journey to Tarwin Lower. Wednesday, September 29 saw 18 players take to the greens in a triples event and the winners were F. Sauvarin (s), A. Brown and B. Davidson on two wins plus 24, while the runners-up were G. Drury (s), J. Rayson and D. Dunkley, also on two wins plus seven. Sponsors for the day were Leongatha Rural Supplies, and the club sincerely thanks them for their valued support. Saturday, October 2 saw the start of the South Gippsland Bowls Association pennant season, with our Division 4 teams travelling to

Korumburra parlor

THE club`s parlor bowls group attracted 21 bowlers to its fourth round of social competition last Thursday night. The only undefeated team for the night, with two wins and seven shots up, was led by Joe Occhipinti and very ably supported by Joanna Lomagno, Joe Ringeri, Laurie Wyhoon and Lee Armstrong. On Monday, September 27, the bias bowls group again had a closely contested round of games, and the only undefeated team, with three wins and 11 shots up, was that of Arc Gammaldi (skip), Lance Waller, Connie Occhipinti and Ashley Van Duffelen. Runners-up were Rob Armstrong (skip), Joyce Occhipinti and Mary Tumino with two wins and also 11 shots up, while third place went to the team of Charlie Tumino (skip), Andrew Hanks, Lynn McCord and Sally Gammaldi with one win and 11 shots down. Three games were also played in the 75 up singles event, where Mary Tumino defeated Joyce Occhipinti, Sally Gammaldi defeated Joe Occhipinti and Rob Armstrong defeated Arc Gammaldi.

Score watch: Fish Creek’s Nellie Van Dyk and Doreen McKenzie.

All bowls: Joyce Arnold and Gloria Growse were playing for Inverloch last week. Meeniyan 46 (3 shots) d San Remo 43 (J. Cocking 21 d M. Bates 16, G. Densley 25 lt B. De Rooy 27).

Ladders Division 1 Meeniyan .........................+57 Inverloch .........................+11 Wonthaggi .......................+11 Phillip Island ....................-11

2 2 2 0

San Remo ..........................-11 0 Port Welshpool ..................-18 0 Lang Lang .........................-57 0 Division 2 Phillip Island ...................+41 2 Leongatha ........................+36 2 Corinella ..........................+20 2 Inverloch ...........................+5 2 Korumburra ..............................1 Fish Creek ...........................-5 0 Wonthaggi .........................-20 0 Tarwin ...............................-36 0 Loch ..................................-41 0

San Remo, but they lost. Next Saturday, October 9 Division 1 starts the season, with Leongatha at home to Mirboo North, Division 2 away to Inverloch White, and Division 4 at home to Korumburra. Friday night, October 1 was our monthly Kitty Club tea. Members along with friends said farewell to life member and dedicated member for many years, Frank Lane, who is leaving Leongatha for warmer fields in Queensland. The club’s chairman, John O’Connor, spoke briefly of Frank’s achievements and dedicated service to the club and bowls in general within the South Gippsland area. The chairman was followed by long-time member and close friend of Frank, Fred Sauvarin, who outlined some of the fine achievements of Frank as a bowler, such as being B Grade champion in 1984 and club champion in 1990. Frank had been a great asset to the club and its many members over his years with the club.

Division 3 Korumburra......................+9 2 Meeniyan ...........................+3 2 Phillip Island .....................+3 2 Tarwin ...............................+3 2 Toora ..................................+3 2 Foster ...................................-3 0 San Remo ............................-3 0 Wonthaggi ...........................-3 0 Inverloch .............................-9 0

President of Leongatha Bowls Victoria afﬁliated section, Harry Forrester, also spoke of Frank Lane being a great man as an organiser, with one of his many attributes being the welfare and well being of the club’s members. Over the years he was also a great mentor and coach to many of the club’s new bowlers and it would be fair to say that when he departs he will take a fair chunk of the Leongatha Bowls Club and many great memories with him. All speakers on behalf of the club wished Frank the very best for the future and ‘thanks for being Frank Lane’. This was also carried with acclamation by those present. Frank responded, thanking the club and those present for their kind words and wishes and said he will sadly miss the great association and friends he has made over the years. Frank was accompanied on the night by his daughter Rosaline who also expressed on behalf of the family sincere thanks to the club.

Buffalo indoor

Korumburra

WEDNESDAY, September 29 saw 16 players, on a wet night bowl in four teams of four. There was a countback fourth and third, also second and first. In fourth (LLW) eight ends, skipper Rod McConchie, Charlie Tumino, Glenis Densley and Joyce Occhipinti; third (WLL) 12 ends, skipper Bill Wolswinkle, Lee Armstrong, Ian Benson and Sebastian Terranova; second (LWW) 13 ends, skipper Toni Heldens, Andrew Hanks, Carolyn Benson and Joe Occhipinti; first (WWL) 15 ends, skipper Rob Armstrong, Peter Heldens, Glenys Pilkington and Mary Tumino. The best first game - Bill 17-4, second Rob 12-4, third Toni 12-7. Hope to see you all next Wednesday at 7.30pm.

THE ladies pennant had an excellent result for the Division 3 girls, with a nine shot win against the Inverloch lasses.Both teams had wins. Mary’s lasses, Marj, Mae and Natalie had a ﬁve shot win against Lorraine Dowsin’s lasses and Nancy’s lasses, Marg H., Johanna L. and Judith a ﬁve shot win against Veronica Muir’s lasses. The Division 2 lasses had the bye, but their support on Tuesday was greatly appreciated. With the ladies back on the greens on Wednesday in very trying conditions, after two games there were two two-game winners, with Shirley Martin and Judith Nichols having 15 ends taking the trophy, Jan McLaren and Natalie Opray the other two game winners, 14 ends. The lads on Thursday had fewer lads on the greens and after three games the winners with two wins plus 15 shots up were Chas Blogg and John Myors, with the drawn card going to Peter Hearn and Ross Lomagno. Dates to remember: Counter tea this Friday, names on the sheet early please. Guest day for the ladies on Wednesday, October 13. The club is holding a trivia night on Friday, October 22, tables of eight with a 7.30pm start. Pennant next week will see the ladies in Division 2 home to Wonthaggi, with Division 3 lasses home to Tarwin Lower. The men on Saturday, October 9 have Division 1 home to Wonthaggi, Division 3 away to Wonthaggi and Division 4 away to Leongatha. Ladies there will be no bowls on Wednesday, October 6 as our greens will be in use for state singles games. The same will apply on October 20 for state triples day. The ladies on these days are welcome to play on the Thursday, on the men’s pairs day, names in by 12.30pm. The men in Division 4 started their pennant season against the lads from Mirboo North, in brilliant sunshine, and playing at an earlier time to accommodate that ‘big game’. The Burra lads had a good day with a win by 32 shots, with the three teams having a comfortable win. Bruce McLaren’s squad, Chas Blogg, Alan Cherrett and Bill Thomson having a 10 shot win over Doug Berryman’s lads was our best result.

Tarwin Lower INCLEMENT weather saw the Monday triples abandoned after one game; the cards were then fanned to ﬁnd the winners for the day, which was sponsored by Tarwin Fuel Supplies. The ﬁrst round of the ladies pennant was on Tuesday, September 28. In appalling conditions Division 2 played Leongatha and lost. The inaugural game for Tarwin ladies Division 3 was played at Foster again in terrible weather, which caused the game to be abandoned after the 21st end with Tarwin coming out the winners by three shots. The men went to Fish Creek for a practice match on Saturday morning, with all of Division 5 losing and Division 3 winning two rinks and losing one, giving Fish Creek a win overall.

Division 2: Margaret Smith (Fish Creek) and Cynthia Hensley (Inverloch) last week.

Watching on: May Young, Cur Van Dyk, Robert Staley and Audrey Truscott at Fish Creek.

Inverloch celebration THE Inverloch Bowling Club celebrated its 50th anniversary of its founding at a luncheon held at the clubhouse on Sunday, October 3. Close to 100 people including Bowls Victoria deputy president, Betty Collins OAM, ofﬁcial representatives of Bowls

Victoria, South Gippsland District Bowls Association members, councillor Ross Smith, and past and present members of the club enjoyed the festivities. A commemorative certiﬁcate was presented to the club presidents, John Hedley and Veronica Muir by Betty Collins. More details and pictures soon.

Inverloch ladies

TUESDAY, September 28 saw the start of the pennant season, with all playing away. First division had an 11 shot win over San Remo. Second division played Fish Creek with rain shortening play to 60 ends. Inverloch won by five shots. Third division went down to Korumburra by five shots in a hard fought game. Wednesday, September 29 16 ladies played three bowl pairs. Winners were L. Marsh and E. Perrett. Welcome to our club Lola. Runners-up were B. Kurrle and G. Growse. Next event is the club Gala Day on Sunday, October 10, more teams are needed to fill both rinks. Format is mixed fours with a lady skipper. The first round of club ladies singles championships are on Sunday, October 17.

PAGE 64 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Sun shines for captain and president Woorayl LAST Saturday we again played a stableford event because of the AFL grand ﬁnal replay. The day was sponsored by Steve Cornellisen Landscaping.

A Grade was won by Col James with 40 points, B Grade, and keeping it in the family, was won by Mark James with 39 points, and C Grade and best score of the day went to Michael Collins with 43 points. Balls went to R. Hughes, R. Fisher, G. Winkler, G. Calder and T. Burgess on a countback. The nearest the pins went to A. Clemann and T. Burgess. Thursday saw Nev McKenzie win with 40 points from Ed Poole. Don’t forget next Saturday we will play for the September medal, the day

will be sponsored by Terry Lund Auto Electrics.

Ladies ON Wednesday, September 29 a Captains and Presidents Day stableford was played. The event was sponsored by Lois and Ann and the AWCR was 72. The A Grade winner was S. Wakeﬁeld 20/32, B Grade J. Riseley 27/29 and C Grade M. Martin 40/35. The President’s team won the daily challenge. Nine holes out - E. McBride. Nearest the pin: 8th T. Scoble, 17th A. Patterson, 2nd shot on the 11th J. Riseley. Down the line balls: A. Patterson, T. Scoble and P. Harvey on a countback. Next week, Wednesday, October 6, monthly medal, putting, 8th round Hays Jewellers Trophy.

Wonthaggi welcomes golfers WONTHAGGI Golf Club is celebrating the annual Seniors Festival this week and invite all interested golfers to join in the fun this Thursday and Friday.

Now in its ﬁfth year of hosting this event, co-ordinator Don Burke said he is looking forward to another successful event and invites any keen golfers 55 and over to come along and compete. Players will converge on Wonthaggi this week from all round the state and Mr Burke said there are still places available for anyone who would like to play in this event. Each golfer will receive a special event showbag with information and pamphlets promoting the region and good health. South Gippsland Water has donated 216 drink bottles. Thursday’s event will be a Singles Stableford and registration will be at 10am for an 11am hit off. A Four Ball Better Ball event will be held on Friday, with registration at 8am for a 9am shotgun start. Entry each day includes lunch and complimentary showbag. Some great prizes are on offer for both days of the event, including smaller prizes to be awarded for other competitions on each day. If you would like to hit off in Wonthaggi’s Seniors Festival of Golf or want more information on upcoming events just call the Wonthaggi Golf Club on 5672 1437.

Captain: from left Woorayl golfers Thel Scoble, ladies captain Ann Poole and Dot Jarvis enjoyed the annual Captains and Presidents Day last Wednesday at the Woorayl Golf Club.

Happy golfers: from left Woorayl Golf Club members Melinda Martin, Heather Sullivan and Pat Harvey were pleased the sun shone last Wednesday for the Captains and Presidents day competition.

New member: from left Woorayl Golf Club’s newest lady member Jill Linklater enjoyed competing in the Captains and Presidents Day event with fellow members Jenny Riseley and Karin McKenzie last Wednesday.

President: from left Woorayl golfers Marg Tuckett and Sue Wakeﬁeld joined ladies club president Lois Young for 18 holes of golf last Wednesday.

Leongatha AN 8.30am hit-off and a welcome sunny morning greeted the Saturday golfers, and the fairways are coming back to their best. Bruce Hutton was best of the A Grade field with +2. Bruce is not happy about his handicap reaching double figures and maybe he has rectified that. Glen Marsham took B Grade on +1, while the day’s top scorer was Rob Martin who played with great steadiness to record an impressive +5 in C Grade. Rod Brown won nearest the pin and visitor Rod de Bondt won the pro-pin. Ball winners: M. Westaway, F. Debono +2; S. Nicolson +1, G. McDonald sq; D. Clemann, D. Hastings, P. Hart -1; I. Watson, K. Castwood, D. Malone -2.

Tuesday A small ﬁeld, but plenty of action. Kevin Scott began his round on the 14th hole, and after one shot he was off to the 15th. Well done Kevin, an ace with your ﬁrst shot of the round. The winner of the day’s event however was the in-form Keith Finney who scored 42 points for the second time in a week. Keith also won nearest the pin on the 16th hole. No prizes for guessing who won on the 14th. Ball winners: K. Scott, J. Cummins, P. Hobson 37; G. Maher, J. Eabry 36; J. Lowell 34.

Thursday

Jon Smith was winner of A Grade thanks to a 39 point performance, while it was Keith Finney again scoring a mighty 42 points for success in B Grade. Doug Clemann (14th) and Peter Hartigan (16th) were nearest the pin winners and the following won down the line balls: P. du Plessis 38, M. Stubbs, G. Maher, P. Walsh, D. Clemann 37; I. Watson, A. Edney 36; J. Mackay, K. Castwood, J. Eabry 35; G. Sharrock, R. Davies, D. Reeby 34. John Mackay’s effort on the 7th hole is worthy of note. After spraying his tee shot into the trees, he hit his provisional ball into the cup on the ﬂy to pick up a simple three for four points. This Saturday we will get around to playing the October monthly medal. The nine hole team’s event starts on Sunday and the Kit Boag mixed is coming up on Sunday 17th.

Sunday nine hole competition The ﬁrst round of the Sunday nine hole competition was played in magniﬁcent weather, 10 teams competed. The ladies’ best gross was shared by Rebecca Thomas, Sharyn Rayson and Toni West, with 44 strokes each. Nic Cairns, with a great 37, won the men’s best gross. he also won the best net with 37-7½-29½. Wendy Brown, with 46-13-33, took out the ladies’ best net. There were many broken handicaps on the day. The winning team

was All But One 137, The Young Guns were in second place 140, The Sharks with 143 came third, while the 7-Up team was in fourth place on 144½. All the other teams scored two points. The next round will be played on Sunday, November 7. Individual players are invited and new teams can enter.

Ladies THE main event on Wednesday, September 29 was the Grandmothers Trophy. It was played in conjunction with a stableford event kindly sponsored by Joan Scott. Marea Maher was our Grandmother extraordinaire. She scored 37 points on a rapidly drying course to also win B Grade with 37 points. Wendy Surman won A Grade with 32 points. Joc Howson, who must be getting dizzy from watching her rapidly descending handicap, came in with 38 points to win C Grade. Shirley Welsford won nearest the pin on the 14th. Shirley Welsford 36, Di. Williams 34, Jill Steer 34, Jan Bissett 32 and Ann Blundy 31 all won balls. Wendy Surman was the winner of the par event on Saturday with plus three. Coral Gray, square, and Anna deBondt minue one, both won balls down the line. Marilyn Williams was nearest the pin.

Mirboo North

THERE were 22 starters for the stableford event on Thursday, September 30. The CCR was 70. The winner was Malcolm Payne (12) 44 pts, great round Mal, and he missed eight birdie putts. Down the line: Dave Woodall (6) 41, Wayne Reynolds (14) 40, Bruce McClure (27) 40. Birdies: 4th Dave Woodall, 16th Gordon Graeme.

Saturday, October 2

The event was monthly medal and play-off for the club championship. There were 33 starters and the CCR was 70. The club champion was David Woodall by ﬁve strokes. Congratulations, and great golf throughout the ﬁnals. A Grade winner was Graham Watson (4) 71 net, B Grade winner and monthly medal was Jeff Hughes (19) 69 net. Down the line: Doug Taylor (24) 70, John Blunsden (24) 70, Gary Shandley (36) 70 and Stan Evison (21) 72. Nearest the pin: 4th Steve Mills, 6th Dave Woodall, 13th Wayne Reynolds, 2nd shot 1st Terry Donnison. Pro pin - Doug Taylor. Birdies: 4th Dave Woodall, 6th Noel Fox.

Carts for courses WONTHAGGI Golf Club had a few keen players out and about on a recent Sunday morning. It was a good opportunity for some to practice their swing for competitions and enjoy time with family.

Wonthaggi game: Peter Brasher (Seymour) and grandson Ruben Brasher (Leongatha) play a round.

Weekend golf: Wendy and Jim Jordan (Inverloch) at Wonthaggi Golf Club.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 65

Junior tournament a big hit BRILLIANT sunshine and a magniﬁcent course greeted the young golfers at The Aussie Golf Ranch in Cowes for the South Gippsland Junior Golf Tournament on Sunday. The fast links style greens put all players to the test, with Jack Ross winner on the day. PGA golf professional

and host Rohan Walker congratulated the juniors on their course etiquette. Junior clinics are run every Saturday at the Aussie Golf Ranch from 9.30am and if you are interested you can phone Rohan 5952 1393.Or if you would like to have a game on one of the country’s ﬁnest par 3 courses, the ranch is open to all every Sunday. Results PGA Golf Professional

winner Best Scratch Jack Ross (AGR) 65. Runner-up James Fowler (AGR) 70. Third Christian Bennett (PI)-73. Best net Jack Ross (AGR) 51. James Fowler (AGR) 52 net. Travis Jones, Korumburra 52 net. Nearest the pin 8th/17th Christian Bennett, Phillip Island.

WEDNESDAY, September 29 saw 13 ladies play American foursomes.

Winner: Jack Ross shows his winning style during the South Gippsland Junior Golf Tournament on the weekend.

Big hit: Young Korumburra golfer Travis Jones in action during the South Gippsland Junior Golf Tournament on Sunday.

Competitors: juniors golfers from all around the region competed in the South Gippsland Junior Golf Tournament at the Par 3 Aussie Golf Ranch in Cowes last Sunday.

South Gippsland ladies host All Gippsland Championships THE Lang Lang Golf Course was the venue for the All Gippsland Championships with the foursomes held on Monday, September 27.

With 32 pairs in the ﬁeld and the weather not conducive for golf, the J. Russell Perpetual Salver Trophy was won for the fourth time by Rebecca Thomas (Leongatha) and Anne Walker (Wonthaggi) with gross 91. The runners-up were Gale Tyers and Anne Horstra (Foster) with 92. The bronze champions for the F. Clark Perpetual Trophy went to the mother and daughter team of

Beth and Fiona Curram (Foster) with gross 97. The runners-up were June Woznica and Alix Williams (Moe) gross 98. The foursomes net G. Main Perpetual trophy went to Beth and Fiona Curram (Foster) with 74 ½ net from Chris Mundy and Helen Ross (Maffra) with 76 net on a count back. Down the line balls to R. Stewart and R. Wilkinson 76 ½, H. Amott and C. Stewart 78, L. Clements and N. Little 78 ½, P. Hocking and B. Miller 79 ½, A. de Bondt and D. Stubbs 81, I. Thomas and M. Purcell 82. Tuesday, September 28 the

Foursomes champions: Anne Walker and Rebecca Thomas (also 27 hole champion).

Meeniyan ladies

singles 27 hole championship was held in damp and windy conditions. For the fourth time Rebecca Thomas (Leongatha) took out the Pearson Shield perpetual trophy with gross 129 the minor champion. The Salver Shield Perpetual trophy went to Marg Johnson (Wonthaggi) gross 138. Silver Division 27 hole handicap Anne Renehan (Maffra), 114 ½ net, silver division 18 hole handicap Anne Renehan 77 net, silver dpivision nine hole handicap Sara Beale (Lang Lang) 36, bronze divison 27 hole handicap Marg Johnson (Wonthaggi) 108, bronze

Fiona and Beth Curram: bronze champions and foursomes net champions.

division 18 hole handicap Sevie Piasente (Wonthaggi) 72 net, bronze division 9 hole handicap Diane Grimmond (Wonthaggi) 35 ½. Down the line balls H. Russ 74, J. Adams 77, G. Tyers 77, D. Grimmond 77, D. Gray 77, M. Clark 77, L. DeHay 78, J. Cashman 78, H. Amott 78. Thank you to the Lang Lang superintendant for the presentation of the course, Anne Walker and Gale Tyers our All Gippsland reps, Carolyn Cripps SGLGA secretary and the Lang Lang ladies committee for their work in hosting such a big event.

Marg Johnson: 27 hole minor champion.

The winners were Maureen Hams and Jan Trease with 78 5/8. Runners-up were Irene Holm and Veronica Park on 79 1/8. Down the line balls went to Faye LePage and Mary Trease with 84 ½ net. Don’t forget the goods and services auction at the Meeniyan Town Hall on Saturday, October 16 from 6.30 pm; $25 per person with a great meal and the auction of luxury and practical items commences at 8pm sharp. For bookings ring Denise on 5664 7490.

PAGE 66 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Heppell continues to shine DYSON Heppell’s AFL future is looking more certain by the day, with the youngster impressing at the AFL’s draft combine in Canberra last week.

Gippsland Power winners: back: Patrick Jones (Most Improved), Jordan Staley (Best First Year Player), Shaun Marusic (Coach’s Award), Dean Macdonald (Leading Goalkicker) and Dale Hoghton (Trainer’s Award); front: Tim Northe, Dyson Heppell (Best and Fairest), Clay Smith (runner-up Best and Fairest) and Aiden Lindsay (Most Disciplined Player).

The Herald Sun printed a predicted top 10 draft, in which the Gippsland Power captain was taken at pick six, meaning he would be on Richmond’s list in 2011. But it is purely speculation; with most believing he will be taking higher than that, especially after his draft combine performances. The draft camp, held at the Australian Institute of Sport, included fitness and skills assessments, psychomotor tests, interviews, medical screening and recovery sessions. Heppell was one of 100 players being watched by about 150 recruiters and coaches. His best efforts came in the clean hands test where he recorded a 93 per cent accuracy rating, which meant he was second overall, and his running vertical leap of 86cm put him third overall. AFL National Talent manager Kevin Sheehan was impressed with Heppell, and told the AFL

BigPond Network that everyone had learnt a lot about the potential draftees. “Kids like Josh Caddy or a Dyson Heppell have had wonderful All-Australian years, (excellent) national championships and have continued to build their reputations,” he said. “They’re super competitors, very good athletes and wonderful-sized players that you can play in so many spots. “You could go through so many of them and say that there’s no fault there and they should play a lot of AFL footy.” The draft experience was full on, with the five days filled with interviews, recovery and testing. Heppell was confident that he performed well, but was more happy to meet the other players. “I thought I tested really well, I’m confident about it all. I was most pleased with breaking the three second barrier in the 20 metre sprint,” he said. “I enjoyed the whole experience, especially chilling with the boys from other states that I’ve been playing against.” Heppell’s success has not just stopped with a good draft performance however, as the Leongatha

resident took out Gippsland Power’s Best and Fairest award held recently at the Morwell RSL. The TAC Cup Morrish Medallist had a stellar season where he was an integral part of the club midfield. “Dyson is a professional player whose strength, hardness, discipline and commitment allowed him to play state football, make All Australian as well as being one of the best midfielders in the whole competition,” said Gippsland Power scribe Bryan Mitchell. The Most Disciplined Player award was won by the hard working Aiden Lindsay, a former Wonthaggi player. Heppell and Lindsay will be moving on after this season, along with other local boys Kele Asa Leausa, Tom Corry, Blake Carew, Ben Eddy, Troy Harley and Kane McCarthy. Heppell was back to reality today, with three weeks of school left before exams. The draft hopeful’s last exam is on November 12, with the National Draft on November 18.

Mt Eccles netball awards AFTER another successful netball season, the Mt Eccles Netball Club held their presentation night/AGM last month. With more than 100 people, a great night was had by all, with some fun games organised by Sue and Alex Ritchie for the juniors kicking off the

evening. Before presentations could proceed the AGM was held, with a new committee for the 2011 season formed. Co-presidents Sue Ritchie and Nicole Lomas will lead the way, with Sharon Spencer as secretary and Jessica Perry as treasurer. Gifts and thank yous were given to

the outgoing executive committee of Kate Gourlay, Melinda Price, Kirsten Herrald and Kellie Matthews, who have put in a lot of time and effort over the past four years helping the club to grow. Their efforts of implementing new uniforms, the only change in over 30 years, was a huge and

successful task. The outgoing committee wished the new committee the best of luck for the 2011 season. With the formalities out of the way, presentations commenced, with trophies and awards being presented. Encouragement awards were given to players in the U/13 and

U/15 teams. All U/11 players also received a medallion, a certiﬁcate and photo of their team and a CD with pictures of their netball season kindly compiled by Peta Pollard. Well done to all people involved in the club this year and we look forward to seeing you next year.

U/13 Pink: Chloe Hogg (runner-up Best and Fairest), Jessie Van Hammond (Encouragement Award) and Tanya Derrick (Best and Fairest). U/13 Purple: Brittany Price (Encouragement Award), Paige Matthews (runner-up Best and Fairest) and Mikaela Cornelissen (Best and Fairest).

U/15 Navy: Sophie McAlpine (Encouragement Award), Chelsea Moscript (Best and Fairest), Charlotte Brew (runner-up Best and Fairest) and Monica Fleming (Most Disciplined Player Award).

B Grade trophy winners: Aqua: Brydie Bourke (runner-up Best and Fairest) and Tegan Brammar; Navy: Anne Marie Wall (runner-up Best and Fairest) and Carly O’Malley (Best and Fairest) (absent); White: Kylie Kenzi (Best and Fairest), and Emma Windsor, Kate Norton, Zoe Sargant (absent) and Caitlin Goodwin (absent) (Equal Best and Fairest; Pink Jo Callister (absent; Best and Fairest ) and R/up B&F Danielle Standeven (absent).

A Grade trophy winners: Kristy-Lee Jones (White equal runner-up Best and Fairest), Rebecca Murray (White equal runnerup Best and Fairest), Jessica Perry (Aqua equal runner-up Best and Fairest), Kate Gourlay (Aqua equal runner-up Best and Fairest), Sue Mills (Aqua Best and Fairest) and Nicole Lomas (White Best and Fairest).

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - PAGE 67

Leongatha Little Athletics returns LEONGATHA Little Athletics is back for season 2010/11, with close to 100 enthusiastic young athletes turning out at the velodrome oval in beautiful weather last Saturday for the ﬁrst competition meet.

Clearly inspired by the onset of the Commonwealth Games, all athletes took to the track and field with great enthusiasm and spirit. Three centre records were broken, including Michael Green smashing a five-year-old record in the Under 16 boys’ discus with a 34.40m throw – 13.42 metres ahead of the 20.98m record Mark Coulter notched up in 2004/05. Mark’s long-standing record in the 100m dash was also broken last weekend, with Kodie Spokes shaving 0.21 seconds off the previous best mark with a blistering 12.78 second sprint. With his first jump in the sandpit for the season, Wes Graeme set a new record in the Under 13 boys’ long jump with a 4.51m leap, passing the benchmark set by Ben Hopcraft in 2006/07 by 2cm. New members are always welcome at Leongatha Little Athletics, with anyone interested in joining encouraged to attend this Saturday’s meeting, October 9, starting at 9.30am at the velodrome oval. Events are held for children in Under 6 through to Under 17 age groups, with the emphasis on ‘family, fun and fitness’. A special ‘On Track’ program for beginners aged 5 to 7 is also held, and aims to provide a strong level of motor skills and confidence in running, jumping and throwing before starting competition. Please ring Helen Patterson for more information on 5662 4797. A selection of results from last weekend’s meeting (two from the four events held) is as follows:

Under 6 boys 100m: H. Herbert 23.36, M. Bath 2443. H. Barnes 24.59. Vortex: H. Herbert 10.95, M. Bath 2.61, H. Barnes 2.59. Under 6 girls 100m: N. Crisp 23.64, T. B. Matheson 24.31m, B. Tudor 30.94. Long jump: N. Crisp 1.43, B. Tudor 1.13m. Under 7 boys 200m: M. Molloy 42.28, M. Bennett 44.21, A. Battersby 46.66, B. Peace 46.87, L. Marshman 47.33, K. Deering 54.13. Shot put: B. Peace 4.14, M. Molloy 3.85, A. Battersby 3.83, M. Bennett 3.79, L. Marshman 3.39, K. Deering 2.61. Under 7 girls 100m: J. Findlay 21.92, A. Ritchie 22.51, F. Burgess 22.70, J. Standfield 23.47. J. Zubcic 24.60. Long jump: A. Ritchie 1.64, J. Standfield 1.63, J. Findlay 1.13, J. Zubcic 1.00. Under 8 girls 200m: S. Parker 42.29, N. Martin 45.41, E. Bath 47.00, C. Geary 47.85, L. Richmond 50.67, A Crimp 55.16. Discus: L. Richmond 7.50, S. Parker 5.84, N. Martin 4.76, C. Geary 4.71, E. Bath 4.28, A. Crimp 3.47. Under 9 boys 100m: O. McLean 18.25, A. Herbert 18.72, C. Murrell 19.26, A. Ritchie 19.44, L. Deering 20.13, R Frank 22.89. High jump: C. Murrell .96, A. Herbert .90, R. Frank .85, L. Deering .85, A. Ritchie .80, O. McLean .80. Under 9 girls 100m: C. Standfield 19.06, M. Smith 19.68, A. Marshman 19.87, M. Cruickshank 20.21, E. Lyons 20.81, K. Thomas 21.75, N. Barnes 22.69, J. Wolf 23.86, L. Colwill 24.77. Discus: C. Standfield 11.51, M. Smith 7.94, A. Marshman 6.39, N. Barnes 6.22, K. Thomas 5.94, M. Cruickshank 5.81, E. Lyons 4.43, J. Wolf 3.82, L. Colwill 3.13. Under 10 boys

100m: M. Bentvelzen 15.89, S. Kennedy 16.16, J. Burgess 18.20, N. Matheson 18.83, E. Douglas 19.04, E. Zubcic 19.70, M. Boasman 21.92. Long jump: S. Kennedy 3.40, M. Bentvelzen 3.20, J. Burgess 2.83, N. Matheson 2.78, E. Douglas 2.41, E. Zubcic 2.40. Under 10 girls 100m: R. Martin 16.74, H. Wight 18.32, L. Bennett 18.75, T. Brown 19.07, L. Graeme 19.29, S. Beecroft 19.38, L. Riseley 20.68, A. Tudor 24.73. Shot put: R. Martin 5.46, T. Brown 4.95, S. Beecroft 4.62, L. Riseley 4.11, L. Bennett 3.90, H. Wight 3.77, L. Graeme 3.75, A. Tudor 3.72. Under 11 boys 100m: T. Harris 18.63. High jump: T. Harris 1.05. Under 11 girls 100m: S. Mellings 16.05, S. Riseley 160.5, G. McLean 18.83, A. Standﬁeld 19.20, B. Deering 20.51. High jump: S. Riseley 1.20, A. Standﬁeld 1.08, S. Mellings .95, G. McLean .95, B. Deering .77 Under 12 girls 100m: L. Akers 20.74 Javelin: L. Akers 8.55 Under 12 boys: High jump: J. Norton 1.20, E. Parker 1.08, H. McLean 1.08. 300m hurdles: H. McLean 58.40, J. Norton 1.00.00, E. Parker 1.02.00. Under 13 boys 300m hurdles: W Graeme 54.15, J Patterson 1.01.00, B Green 1.03.03. Long jump: W Graeme 4.51 (record), B Green 3.91, J Patterson 3.83. Under 13 girls 100m: G. Riseley 15.44, G. Martin 15.74. Triple jump: G. Riseley 6.90, G. Martin 6.38. Under 16 boys 100m: K. Spokes 12.78 (record) M. Green 13.66. Discus: M. Green 34.40 (record) K. Spokes 28.00.

Allambee Mirboo and District tennis OPENING day of the season was played in perfect weather.

Most teams played early, the Footy had prime time. Leongatha North took the points against Hallston. Justin has stepped up, playing A Grade this season. Marcus helped out in A Grade this week. Leonie you are a star, back after quite a break and still able to win a set. Koony won the other match against Leongatha. A tiebreaker in the ladies to Koony. Travis and Scott did well to win the first men’s set by 12 games, next time with a few games played could see different results. Well done to Mardan, with a win. Korumburra won an extra set but Mardan won by a game. The young boys at Mardan played well against the experienced Korumburra men. Baromi and Outtrim had a good match. Outtrim is playing A Reserve this season. Well done. Leongatha had a big win over Berrys Creek. Berrys Creek had to call on fill-ins for the first match. I’m sure they will settle their team in the coming weeks. In B Grade Koony started the season with a win. Outtrim were only 10 games away.Mardan Red played well to win against Korumburra. Foster had to forfeit against Baromi.

Young Ones were pleased with their win over Blue. Revised rule: Fill-ins can play two matches with any given team, but the first team they play three matches with will be the club they can play finals for. They may play any number of matches with other clubs but will be ineligible to play finals for those clubs. This rule opens up players to be able to play as a fill-in for different teams all season. Don’t forget fill-ins sign the score sheet. Late scores lose the team two points. Results A Grade: Leongatha North 7.64, Hallston 2.41; Koonwarra 6.63, Leongatha 3.51. A Reserve: Baromi 6.45, Outtrim 3.38; Mardan 4.42, Korumburra 5.41; Leongatha 8.60, Berrys Creek 1.20; Koonwarra - bye. B Grade: Young Ones 6.45, Mardan Blue 3.33; Mardan Red 6.45, Korumburra 3.32; Koonwarra 6.49, Outtrim 3.39; Foster forfeited to Baromi, Hallston - bye.

Ladders A Grade Leongatha North ...................... 9.0 Koonwarra ................................ 8.0 Leongatha.................................. 3.0 Hallston...................................... 2.0 A Reserve Leongatha................................ 10.0 Baromi ....................................... 8.0 Mardan ...................................... 6.0 Koonwarra ................................ 5.5 Korumburra ................................ 5.0

Outtrim ....................................... 3.0 Berrys Creek............................... 1.0 B Grade Baromi ....................................... 9.0 Koonwarra ................................ 8.0 Mardan Red.............................. 8.0 Young Ones ............................... 8.0 Hallston....................................... 5.5 Outtrim ....................................... 3.0 Mardan Blue............................... 3.0 Korumburra ................................ 3.0 Foster .......................................... 0.0

Junior tennis starts MIRBOO North & District Junior Tennis starts this Saturday. This year we have six teams in A Grade, 12 teams in B Grade and nine teams in C Grade. A few changes have been made to encourage players and also improve their tennis. In A Grade the age has been lifted to U17 at October 1. A late change, but it has allowed a few A Grade players to continue this season. Singles has been introduced to B Grade, but it has been done on a rotation basis so that players do not play singles every week. We found this format a good way to familiarise the players with the singles game. If there are any queries on the singles please ring Tarnya Wilson 5664 7473. We wish players old and new a great season.

Lily Akers: sends the bar wobbling but makes a successful clearance in the Under 12 girls’ high jump.

Ben Green: lets the discus ﬂy in the Under Josh Smith: ﬁnds his balance in the ‘On Track’ program. 13 boys’ throwing event.

Midweek ladies tennis HOPE everyone had a good break and ready to get back into it. We had a drawn match just before the holidays, which is very unusual. Must have been a good match. Happy hitting ladies.

Ladders Up to September 14 Section 1 Inverloch Silver ...................57.0 Westernport .........................50.0 Wonthaggi Rosellas .............46.0 Inverloch Gold.....................40.0 Phillip Island .........................38.0 Foster Yellow ........................21.0

Foster Blue ............................20.0 Wonthaggi Swans..................14.0 Section 2 Inverloch Madﬁsh ...............63.5 Korumburra ........................53.0 Bena ......................................47.0 Wonthaggi ............................33.0 Phillip Island Penguins .........31.5 Inverloch Red ........................28.0 Inverloch Blue.......................21.0 Phillip Island Koalas ............. 11.0 Section 3 Outtrim ................................49.0 Nyora ....................................44.0 Leongatha ............................37.0 Grantville .............................35.0 Wonthaggi .............................33.0 Inverloch ...............................27.0 Fish Creek .............................23.0

‘Gatha night tennis teams THE Leongatha Tennis Club’s popular summer night tennis competition begins in the third week of October. Section One’s first night of play is October 20, organisers have endeavoured to make the 11 teams as even as possible and reserves the right to alter teams should some unevenness occur. All players are requested to bring a plate of supper for the first night, and team sheets and draws will be available on the first night of play. Team and individual entries are still being taken for our Section 2, 3 and 4 grades, and the Leongatha Tennis Club is anticipating a bumper season. For any enquiries regarding night tennis call Greg Marshman on 5662 3558.

Good hitting to all players. Shorthorns have the ﬁrst round bye in Section 1. Teams as follows: Brahmans: W. Littlejohn (c), E. Swift, J. Monahan. Limousin: G. Marshman (c), J. Krohn, M. Giles. Shorthorns: F. Dekker (c), R. Murray, M. Stone. Simmentals: A. Littlejohn, M. Krohn (c), R. Callister. Friesians: N. Langstaff (c), P. Munro, S. Charlton. Galloways: D. Hayes, J. Langstaff (c), W. Hemming. Angus: A. Zuidema, G. Kleeven (c), J. Gibbons. Herefords: D. Bateman, G. Edwards (c), A. McEachern. Aryshires: G. Bainbridge (c), S. Wilson, K. Simpson. Guernseys: T. McNamara (c), S. Caughey, J. Comrie. Jerseys: S. Johnson (c), P. Cash, D. Bennett.

Wonthaggi table tennis ladders A Grade (to 21.09.10 inc.) Eleven Love............... 12 13 (58) 50s Mixed .................. 12 9 (41) Maggies ....................... 8 9 (44) Ours (bye) ................... 8 8 (39) A Team ......................... 4 8 (45) Combos ........................ 4 7 (34) The Island..................... 0 6 (28) 28.09.10 still to complete A Reserve Odd Angry Shot........ 16 16 (57) Kool Bananas............ 16 16 (54) Bejays ........................ 12 14 (51) M & K ......................... 8 9 (36) Go-Go Girls ................. 4 11 (41) Whiskers ...................... 4 9 (31) B Grade Sprink ........................ 24 20 (46) Hippo Crew............... 20 19 (41) Smithereens............... 16 21 (47) Slugs .......................... 16 17 (33) B Team ....................... 12 16 (38) Mario Brothers ........... 12 15 (36) Choc Monkeys (bye) .... 8 16 (35) Rainbow Tim Tams ...... 4 9 (25) J & N ............................ 0 7 (18) Players ladders A Grade

Justin Licis ......................... 6 (27) Michael Ede ....................... 6 (24) Mick Wright ....................... 6 (22) A Reserve Beau Thompson ............... 10 (30) Nancy Pattinson ................. 8 (26) Dean Snelling ..................... 7 (25) Jarrod Donohue .................. 6 (19) Michael Veal ...................... 5 (17) Stephen Cannon ................. 5 (15) B Grade Tanya Milnes .................... 12 (25) Daniel Chetland ............... 11 (23) Brittney Taylor ................. 10 (21) Micah Condron .................. 8 (18) Heitor Hilberto ................... 8 (18) Ed Beischer ........................ 8 (16)

Juniors

Round the table - Ella McRae, Hit the bat - Freddy Mariajoseph (record 5), Top shot - Rory McRae, Ella McRae, Doubles - Harrison Burns / Freddy def. Jesse Condron / Hector Hilberto.

South Gippsland Bridge Club results

MEENIYAN – Monday evening: 1st Susan Rufﬁn, Clive Hope. 2nd Noel and Margaret Smith. 3rd June Metcalf, Colin Cameron. 4th Brian and Sally Hoskins and Kathryn Smith, David Baggallay. Tarwin Lower – Tuesday: 1st Marj Freeman. Margaret Bray. 2nd Margaret and Noel Smith. 3rd Julie and Ian MacPhee. 4th Alan Johnston, Althea Drew. 5th Faye Rowlands. Pat West. 6th Colin Cameron. Kathryn Smith. Inverloch – Friday afternoon. Graded pairs: Caravan Park side: 1st Alan Johnston. John Sullivan. 2nd Richard Poole, Ann Dujela. 3rd Hannah Martin, Clive Hope. 4th Faye Rowlands, Pat West and Jack Kuiper, Jean Barbour. Beach side: 1st Julie and Ian MacPhee. 2nd Margaret Bray, Marj Freeman. 3rd Dawn Jolly, George Geekie. 4th Noel and Margaret Smith

PAGE 68 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Cricket ready for start THE executive of the Leongatha and District Cricket Association will meet tomorrow night to ensure enough grounds are available for this weekend’s season start. LDCA president, Russell Matthews said, apart from the turf wickets, about “70 to 80 per cent of grounds should be available.” “We are pleased that we decided months ago to have our opening round a bit later. We would have had a lot of trouble on the wet grounds getting all grades onto the pitch,” he said. “As it turns out we’ve had a bit of warmer weather and the grounds have improved a lot.” Mr Matthews said the priority was to have all A1 and A2 matches played and, if insufﬁcient grounds were available, the executive could decide to play some of the B and C grade games on a Sunday. “The weather is looking pretty good this week, they are starting to dry up quite well. Everything is

tracking really well.” He repeated his tip that Wonthaggi Workmens would be the team to beat in A1 as they had recruited well, including former Geelong district player Richie Hassett, who will coach the side. “We welcome Kilcunda-Bass to the Association this season and they are raring to go.” Mr Matthews said the Association still had to deal with about 10 to 15 clearances. He noted the competition between MDU and Koonwarra/Leongatha RSL for players. “There’s obviously a bit between these two clubs, Koony has lost a few to MDU and viceversa.” Russell said Imperials could struggle a bit in A1. “Apparently they have lost both Davis boys who are staying in Melbourne, Brett Pedlow who may come back after Christmas and two players, Michael Malloy and Justin Pellicano are both injured.”

Leongatha District Cricket Association Umpire Appointments EVANS PETROLEUM Round 1 - October 9 Home team Grade A1 Nerrena Koonwarra-RSL OMK

Away Team

Ground

v Imperials Nerr v Won Workmen’s Koon v Won Miners OMK

Korumburra v Grade A2 Glen Alvie v Poowong-Loch v Phillip Island v Kilcunda-Bass v Grade B1 Imperials v Won Workmens v Won Miners v Inverloch v Grade B2 Fish Crk-Tarwin v MDU v OMK v Town v Grade C1 Nerrena v Inverloch v Foster v Phillip Island v Grade C2 MDU v Imperials v Phillip Island v Town v Sunday, October 10 Poowong-Loch v

Umpire

Inverloch

Kor

Alan Jordan Graham Laird Clive Salmon / Terry Rodgers Ken Lester

Fish Crk-Tarwin MDU Foster Town

GA Loch Cowes Bass

Michael Heenan Luke Sullivan Alan Roberts Brendon Thomas

Nerrena Phillip Island OMK Glen Alvie

EC McM WFG I Turf

Daryl Sinclair Paddy Cummins Ian Thomas Les White

Koonwarra-RSL Poowong-Loch Korumburra Kilcunda-Bass

Tar Meen KSC WC1

Stephen Lanyon John Lea Bob Allan Herb Roberts

Town Won Workmens Won Miners Korumburra

LV Inv Rec FGC New

TBA Marion Wishart Geoff Wyatt TBA

Glen Alvie OMK Won Workmens Koonwarra-RSL

Dum MM Rhyll WC2

TBA TBA TBA TBA

Kilcunda-Bass

Loch

Clive Salmon

Sweet victory: Jarryd Blair, on the dais next to coach Mick Malthouse, celebrates the Collingwood premiership. Photo courtesy Herald Sun.

Dreams really do come true By Isaac McCallum ONLY four months since making his debut for the Collingwood Magpies, on Saturday Jarryd Blair stood on the premiership dais with a medal around his neck and a huge smile on his face. The former Wonthaggi Power player played just his 12th game, and second grand ﬁnal in what has been a whirlwind year for the 20-year-old. Homes in the area were lit up with the cheers of “Blairy” when he went near the ball, and when the siren sounded they all had a soft spot for the little engine that could. “In the last 15 minutes of that last quarter it started to sink in a little bit. It was amazing,” he said post match. “It’s what you dream of your whole life, and I can’t believe it has happened. I was just happy to play senior footy, let alone win a premiership. It’s not going to sink in for a long time.” Blair is known as the Aardvark for his small stature and the way he burrows himself beneath packs. The name was given to him by captain Nick Maxwell, who mentioned Blair in his post game speech. “There’s so many good stories to come out of today, blokes like Jarryd Blair, who wasn’t even in our best

30 players at the start of the year. For him to come out here and play so well is amazing,” he said. Fellow South Gippslander Brent Macaffer also took the field; the fellow Kilcunda-Bass player was excellent in his contribution to the game, with 14 possessions, five marks and two goals. “I just remember that final siren going and it being the best feeling of my life, and just getting around all the boys - awesome. Best feeling ever,” he said after the game. “We had a taste of it last week, and that settled the nerves a bit coming in to this week. Everyone stood up today and that’s what won us the premiership.” Former Stony Creek player-cum St Kilda grand finalist Robert Eddy felt the heartache of another grand final without a win. The tough customer played the last half with what is suspected to be a broken arm. Eddy had five possessions but concern about his arm affected his normal game. He was brave enough to have continued to contribute. Magpie honour Former Magpie ruckman Trevor Steer was honoured to be a part of the grand final replay cavalcade which wound its way around the MCG on Saturday as part of the build-up

Player medal: Jarryd Blair receives the spoils of victory. Photo courtesy Herald Sun. to the big match. The cavalcade featured some of the players who figured in the famous 1966 grand final won by St Kilda by one point. Trevor was vice-captain that year. After the cavalcade Trevor enjoyed watching the mighty Pies take out the replay in a “cakewalk”. Local fan Of the many Leongatha Magpie fans there couldn’t be many more devout than Pat Higgins. Pat watched the grand final at home with his wife Marg and son Gerard. “I’m on top of the

world”, Pat told the Star on Monday. Pat retired from the Leongatha Primary School in 1986 where he had served many years as principal. “Since I retired I’ve been lucky enough to see Collingwood win two ﬂags,” Pat said. He was at the ground in 1990 with Noel Smith to see Collingwood defeat Essendon. He stayed at home and watched Saturday’s win on the television. “My whole family is Collingwood, they wouldn’t have lived here had they barracked for anyone else.”

Pat, whose sign “Collingwood forever”, still sits in the front window, was intent on not letting anyone disturb the peace while he watched the grand ﬁnal replay. “I had to tell a couple of callers to ring back after the game because I was watching the footy. I hope I didn’t sound too rude!” Pat is so mad Collingwood that even his miniature foxy, Marnie, is black and white. “I told myself “Be humble, Pat” as I didn’t want to gloat but I am so pleased with their win.”