The Great Southern Star - January 27, 2009 by The Great Southern Star

Published at Leongatha for South Gippsland

36 McCartin Street, Leongatha 3953 PHONE: (03) 5662 2294, FAX: (03) 5662 4350 ACN 006 507 580 ABN 61 318 952 541 PRINT POST 336735 10006 Email - news@thestar.com.au advertising@thestar.com.au

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The Great Southern

Star

TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2009

PUBLISHED TUESDAY 56 PAGES

INSIDE

Power out ...Back Page

Storm hits ...Page 5 Proud Australians: clockwise from bottom left: Maddie, Maria, Ella, Molly, Helena, Brendan, Emily, Thomas, Richard and Thomas were preparing to raise the Australian ﬂag in McIndoe Park, Leongatha on Monday morning as part of the town’s Australia Day Ceremony.

Fire danger ...Page 15

Pool threat “Consolidation” cloud over outdoor pools

By Bert van Bedaf

INDEX Column 7...........10 Opinions............12 Kids’ Page.........20 Property Guide..25 Classiﬁeds........44 Sport..........48-56

SOME outdoor pools could be shut down in the South Gippsland shire if an option contained in a consultant’s draft report is adopted. Councillors were taken by surprise last Wednesday when the option of pool closure was included as part of a consultant’s preliminary report. For the past eight years council has had a policy of retaining all pools. The report made recommendations on

the future of South Gippsland’s outdoor pools and feasibility study for future stages of SG Splash, the shire’s swimming complex in Leongatha. The shire has ﬁve outdoor pools. They are in Foster, Korumburra, Mirboo North, Poowong and Toora. They are ageing and maintenance costs are rising. Last December the Mirboo North pool was temporarily closed because of leaks. It managed to re-open just before Christmas. The shock suggestion was couched in the language. Under the heading Future

Aquatic Strategy Options, one of three options read, “Extend SG Splash and consolidate outdoor pools”. The consultant Kate Maddock, of SGL Group Australia in Melbourne, had kept it until the end of her power point presentation, but the real meaning became clear when Tarwin Valley Ward Cr David Lewis asked, “You mean, there’s a possibility to shut them down?” “All pools are highly valued. We do not suggest any of the pools should be closed. We have put it up as an option,” Ms Maddock said.

The other two options are to extend the Splash complex and invest in the ﬁve outdoor pools, or retain Splash as is and invest in the pools. The improbable option to close outdoor pools has caused shockwaves in the community. At the Korumburra pool, grand-mother Helen Best watched over her granddaughter Paiten Best. She said there “would be uproar”, if the William St swimming pool was threatened. Continued on page 4.

PAGE 2 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

THE pit ponies that worked at the Wonthaggi mines were celebrated last weekend during a two-day workshop, held at the Rescue Station. Last Saturday and throughout the Australia Day weekend, a steady stream of visitors arrived at the station, which had become the centre for a range of activities organised for the mini-festival. John Duscher, the Mayor of Bass Coast shire council, opened the event in the morning with a stirring speech praising the gutsy ponies that had

worked the mine for many years. He also congratulated the committee of the State Coal Mine Rescue Station Arts group on their initiative “and the hard work in bringing this Pit Pony Festival to fruition”. He said to have secured “two celebrated artists and writers, such as Meg Viney and Elizabeth Honey to work with the festival was a real coup”. He also praised the photographic exhibition that showed the pit ponies’ history and the men who worked them. “Miners’ lives depended on these

specially trained horses,” Cr Duscher said. “They instinctively knew when something wasn’t right in the mine. “They knew their jobs so well. They were reliable. Each had their own character. They were powerful and tough animals.” He said the pit ponies would always be remembered. He noted one in particular that was called Cobber. “That word Cobber is an appropriate Aussie term. It means friend or mate, someone you can rely on, trust and respect, which was the very essence of the pit ponies.”

Pony memories: Mayor John Duscher, centre, shared anecdotes with Vic Benetti and Fred Brown, right, who both worked with the pit ponies during the post-war 1940s, when they were in their late teens.

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Little Gypsy: Lance Creek’s Jessica Bolding has owned 13-year-old Gypsy for four years. “I love her very much,” Jessica, who is also 13, said.

Painting workshop: These children had the great opportunity of painting a work of art using a live model at the festival last Saturday.

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Painting model: Wonthaggi model Bert Milligan was put in the right position by author and illustrator Elizabeth Honey for the painting workshop last Saturday.

Above: Felt workshop: President of the State Coal Mine Rescue Station Arts group Wendy Crellin and artist Meg Viney kick-started the maquette workshop

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“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 3

Venus pipi crackdown PIPI collectors at Venus Bay were stung by a massive operation on the Australia Day weekend to check licences and illegal collections. In a combined operation, an army of Fisheries Victoria and Parks Victoria ofﬁcers were patrolling Venus Bay beaches to ensure collectors had a current, valid Recreational Fishing Licence (RFL) when collecting pipis. Many collectors were given an information pamphlet outlining licence conditions. The Venus Bay beaches were awash with people collecting the

pipis by the van load. Local residents as well as holiday makers are outraged by the large-scale collection, and fear the pipis will be ﬁshed-out soon. “The activity focused on educating all visitors to the area about the rules and regulations governing the collection of pipis from the Venus Bay beaches,” Fisheries Victoria operations manager Peter Courtney said. “Venus Bay is a favourite location with recreational ﬁshers who are legally able to collect pipis from along the park’s wide sandy beaches. “Pipi collectors should ensure, unless they are exempt, that they have a current Recreational Fishing Licence

with them before taking any fish or shellfish.” “A licensed recreational fisher using only their hands or feet can then collect up to five litres of pipi in the shell or one litre of pipi meat. No spades, trowels or other digging implements are to be used. Substantial penalties apply to people who do not follow these rules.” A licence can be obtained for 48 hours, costing $5.50, 28 days at $11, one year at $22 or three years at $60. On Saturday afternoon dozens of collectors were filling out licence forms at the Venus Bay Surf Life Saving Club kiosk, which was an indication of how many collectors were gather-

ing pipis unlicensed. The collectors come to the Venus Bay beaches in huge numbers and locals fear the beaches will be stripped bare by commercial collectors from Melbourne. “Next year there won’t be anything left,” one resident said. She did not want her name in the paper, because she said most people in Venus Bay feared retribution from the pipi collectors, who were found to be intimidating. “Venus Bay pipis are sold at markets in Springvale, Footscray and Dandenong at huge prices,” she said. A resident having a coffee on Jupiter Boulevard said he watched a van

Catch checked: Fisheries Victoria and Parks Victoria ofﬁcers checked the size of pipi catches on Venus Bay beaches last weekend.

Doctors stay put By Matt Dunn

LOCAL doctors have vowed to keep the afterhours service at Leongatha Hospital alive, despite dire predictions last year that it could close.

The Leongatha Healthcare doctors have suffered losses of two experienced members, putting extra pressure on their ability to attend to the hospital. But the doctors have vowed to keep the emergency service alive, despite continuing difﬁculties. Leongatha Healthcare partner Tim Linton said the doctors were “hanging in and aiming to provide after hours services. “Services to the hospital have never been a question,” Dr Linton said. In spite of these proclamations, it is obviously a difﬁcult job servicing the hospital as well as the town’s medical clinics. Leongatha Healthcare recently announced that its doctors would not be able to provide doctors to the hospital after 10pm on Wednesday, February 4 to 8am on Thursday, February 5. “In the week that February 4 falls in, there are only two doctors doing on call and it’s too much to handle seven nights and still work effectively,” Dr Linton said. The inclusion of two new doctors has helped Leongatha Healthcare somewhat, but a void still exists. “Even with two new doctors we are a bit weak, but should be able to manage, as long

as none of us leave,” Dr Linton said. Dr Linton said Leongatha’s problems were indicative of the general doctor shortage to rural areas, but Leongatha had its specific problems – the main one being the need to provide afterhours service. “Australia is short of 1800 in rural areas and even with Churchill and Deakin producing graduates in 2011, this deficit will continue to be very large,” he said. “That is why a lot of communities are competing to attract doctors, and why it is hard for us to find doctors. The other difficult thing for us is that Cowes, Wonthaggi and Latrobe valley doctors generally do not have to do general after hours work, and few doctors choose to do that. “It makes us less attractive here in Leongatha, and we have to work hard to be competitive.” Rural Southern Healthcare CEO Gary Templeton said a government funded emergency service at the hospital was not on the agenda. “I don’t think DHS (Department of Human Services) would fund that locally,” he said. “They’ve made a decision that they will fund services at Bass Coast, and they’ve made a decision that they won’t do it here. That’s not to say we may not find ways to address the issue but we won’t get funding for it. “DHS made a decision that for South Gippsland and Bass Coast combined, it’s appropriate to provide that service at Wonthaggi. That’s their call, that’s not mine.”

full of pipis in buckets parked at the general store last Saturday. The sliding door was open and when he went to take a closer look the door was quickly slammed shut and the group of people drove off. “These people are not recreational collectors. They do a day’s work here. They use motorbikes on Cape LipTrap and walkie-talkies to communicate and warn each other. The beaches have become industrial sites,” he said. “There are as many as a hundred families involved. Collecting on this scale is a massive interruption of the eco-cycle. This is unsustainable harvesting by organised gangs.”

Information pamphlet: Many pipi collectors were given an information pamphlet outlining licence conditions.

Quilt Hanging at Loch Sunday, February 1 10am - 4pm

Minister asked to approve rezoning DEVELOPMENT of the saleyards in Korumburra moved a step closer last Wednesday. South Gippsland shire councillors voted unanimously to ask the State Minister for Planning, Rob Hulls to rezone the former saleyards from a public use zone and residential zone to Business 1 zone and apply for a development overlay to the site. The development overlay will enable the Rossi Group developers to build a shopping complex on the site, comprising a supermarket, shopping plaza, petrol station and convenience shop, convenience restaurant with drive-through facility, garden sales and supplies premises, car parking and landscaping. Cr Warren Raabe reminded councillors that they were asked to vote only on the rezoning request and any assumption that the former saleyards would become a shopping complex was premature. Construction of a shopping complex is yet to be put on public exhibition for comment and there are as many detractors as there are supporters. Former South Gippsland shire councillor and exmayor Nigel Hutchinson-Brooks reiterated his opposition to the development during presentations. A resident favoured a bulky goods store rather than a shopping mall, which he regarded inappropriate. Major concerns are that the shopping complex is a kilometre from Korumburra’s central business district. People fear the mall would suck the life out of the commercial centre.

Fashion Parade & Color Class Saturday, January 31 Enquiries:

B02963

By Bert van Bedaf

Quilter’s Barn Phone: 5659 4449

PAGE 4 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Webb Drive makeover WEBB Drive in Wonthaggi has had a makeover. The $733,000 cost came courtesy of property owners and Bass Coast Council’s capital works program. It has markedly improved the Inverloch entrance to Wonthaggi and construction of the section between Webb Drive and McKenzie Street, and the White Road town entrance will eventually enhance the overall appearance of Wonthaggi. Work at Webb Drive began in July and has resulted in improved access and commercial viability. Council infrastructure director Steve Piasente, said feedback from business owners and residents had been very positive and contractors, Sure Constructions had done an excellent job. Nicki Holtham of Gippsland Bus Services, said the improvements to Webb Drive were “unbelievable”.

“We have less dust and noise and it has lifted the proﬁle of Webb Drive as a commercial part of Wonthaggi,” she said. “Now, the median strips are level, as the open drains have been removed and the access out onto Inverloch Road has also been improved, which was a major issue for us with our large buses.” Nicki is keen to continue improvements to the streetscape, with a new front fence and the planting of vegetation. Bass Coast mayor Cr John Duscher, long a Wonthaggi resident himself, said the project showed how worthwhile work like that was. “I would like to congratulate the businesses in Webb Drive which have taken a lead role in getting this project underway and in improving the appearance and safety of the area. “This project was discussed for a number of years and council thanks all the landowners involved for their patience.”

Big improvement: Bass Coast mayor Cr John Duscher and Nicki Holtham of Gippsland Bus Services, admire the newly constructed Webb Drive in Wonthaggi.

Pool threat

Sunny swim: Helen Best shares a shady spot with granddaughter Paiten Best at the Korumburra pool.

Continued from page 1. “I live across the road and helped to build the pool with the swimming club,” Mrs Best said. “I’m in my seventies and my children used to swim here. Now I’m coming with my granddaughter. If the pool would close this would definitely be disastrous. There will be a fair few people kicking up. There would be a public uproar if the pool closed down.” Pool attendant Bec Muir said the 50-metre pool was an important venue for schools. “We teach students how to swim and hold school swimming sports here that lead on to the Melbourne inter-school competitions,” Ms Muir said. “This is a really nice pool. It’s the place to be in summer. To lose the pool would be a real shame” Cr Lewis quickly expressed his concerns. “The option of closing some of the outside swimming pools in South Gippsland was definitely raised by the consultant at the briefing session last Wednesday,” Cr Lewis said. “Although copies of the consultant’s presentation have not been made available, the general picture is that the combined cost of running the five outdoor pools is around $350,000 annually. The cost for the indoor Splash pool at Leongatha is about the same. “In addition there is a projected combined need for about $100,000 per year for capital improvements at the outdoor pools. “I believe all our swimming pools are strongly supported by many residents in the same way as libraries and parks and gardens are seen as core community services. In fact, I am disappointed that the terms of reference for the consultant’s study included looking at the rationalisation of pool facilities. The Star made inquiries following the presentation, and queried some figures. Council’s recreation co-ordinator Lew Wilson, who also attended the briefing session, confirmed some of the details. The construction of SG Splash was “approximately $6.5 million,” he said. “This figure includes the whole Leisure Centre and not just the pools. “It also includes Government grant funds of $1.9 million. Hence, the actual cost to council for the Splash construction was in round figures $4.6 million. This figure still includes about $700,000 of community fundraising and if we are to be very precise, also includes proceeds from the sale of the former (Leongatha)

basketball stadium, sold to the cinema developers.” Mr Wilson said the operational and maintenance costs for the five-year period, including the proposed budget for 2009/10, for the five outdoor pools was $1,679,549. The figure for SG Splash is $1,635,062. The consultant’s preliminary report stated that council would need to spend $2,815,000 over the next ten years to maintain the pools at current standards and condition. Mr Wilson said the report would more clearly answer other aspects of the strategy once it had become a public document by the middle of February or early March. Council’s chief executive, Paul Bawden said the purpose of the briefing session was “to provide an update on the initiative”. He said the options that were raised “at the close of the briefing sought to indicate some extremes in terms of future choices, ranging from extending the Splash centre “to some consolidation of outdoor pools. It could not be inferred that any one is a current proposal.” He said the draft document would most likely be finalised in the next four to six weeks. He said he purpose of the preliminary report was to assess “the current condition of the outdoor pools and buildings’ infrastructure, plant and equipment with a view to developing a strategic plan to either refurbish, renew, replace or rationalise outdoor pool infrastructure so as to best meet future demand and community need in keeping with council’s financial capacity”. The report would assess “the sustainability of five outdoor pools and extensions of SG Splash” and “the future of volunteer management for outdoor pools.” He said the report also took into account the ageing and condition of the existing outdoor pools; capital and maintenance costs of operating the ageing infrastructure; aquatic trends, demands and changing community expectations for outdoor pools; future council expenditure to maintain and operate outdoor pools at an acceptable or improved standard.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 5

Trail of destruction By Jane Ross

THURSDAY’S gale force winds blew half the roof off an historic house in Berrys Creek and twisted the rest of the home. Leongatha State Emergency Service crews spent ﬁve hours at the property, as well as attending to ﬁve more minor call outs. By 5.30pm, South Gippsland Council depot had logged 34 calls for trees down, most of them on rural roads. Hallston, Boorool, Walkerville, Fish Creek, Port Franklin, Foster North, Toora, Koonwarra and Buffalo were the most affected. The weather also played havoc with power supplies, with parts of Leongatha losing supply at 11am and others in areas of Foster, Toora, Welshpool, Hedley and Yarram at 1.30pm. A bowls game at Fish Creek was abandoned when the heavens dumped 19mm on the green. Weather recorder Neville Buckland, who lives 10kms out of Fish Creek on the Meeniyan Promontory Road, said the wind was racing at 100km/h. “It blew the roof off my hay shed, blew our trailer from up the yard to the front of our house and blew trees over. The iron roof of a neighbour’s shed blew off and another found their trampoline 1km away in a paddock.” Electricity wires to the Berrys Creek property were also cut and broken by the wind, which blew the garage roller

door apart and toppled a big pine tree onto fencing. Twelve Leongatha State Emergency Service crew worked to secure the home, owned by Don and Jeanette Chalmers. Jeanette was there at the time with some of her grandchildren, having called in to the Mt Vernon Road house whilst holidaying at Inverloch. No one was hurt. SES member Neil Warren, said the ﬁrst crew reached the house at 1.30; a second arrived an hour later. “Half the roof blew off and two thirds of the verandah,” said Neil. “We had to pull the twisted iron off the rest of the roof.” Ornate ceiling plaster was damaged and the power had to be turned off. That left the home without water because no pumps could operate. SES members secured the homestead by draping three large tarpaulins over it. SP AusNet communications and media advisor Natasha Whalley, said power was restored to the blacked-out parts of Leongatha by 5.45pm. Crews had to patrol the length of the line, before ﬁnding bark blown over it, just out of town. The problem between Foster and Yarram was caused by a tree having blown onto a main line. Power was restored at 5pm. Bass Coast Council crews were braced for action, but apart from a few minor problems, the damage there was minimal.

Meals return SOUTH Gippsland shire councillors restored the provision of hot meals to Mirboo North, following inquiries by The Star a month ago. Ward Cr David Lewis successfully moved a rescission motion that overturned a previous motion, of December 17, that saw frozen meals delivered to Mirboo North recipients. Council staff believed that Mirboo North’s aged care group, Aged Service Australia Group, was no longer prepared to provide hot meals. However, The Star was able to confirm that the group was prepared to continue the service and Cr Lewis acted immediately to restore the service. “I did put a call through to the chief executive officer of Mirboo North Aged Care and I understand The Star newspaper also put in a call at about the same time,” Cr Lewis said at last Wednesday’s council meeting. “Obviously the CEO knows where the power resides because he did not talk to me but talked to The Star, figuring they were a priority here.”

Above: Wind storm: Leongatha SES crew remove a damged section of roof from the historic Berrys Creek home damaged by wind. Photo by Val Bremner.

Left: Safe and sound: plastic tarpaulins were used to keep the weather out until repairs could be done.

PAGE 6 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Leongatha’s Australia proud By Chris Brown

MIKE Curley was recognised as the Leongatha citizen of the year on a glorious summer morning in McIndoe Park, Leongatha on Monday. Mike’s dedication to the town’s aged community and the thousands of hours he has volunteered, for more than 10 years, at Woorayl Lodge stood out. He has also been heavily involved in the Leongatha Progress Association. About 200 people attended the Leongatha and district Australia Day Ceremony. Master of ceremonies, Bruce Grainger said the event offered an opportunity to celebrate people who enhance the quality of the community they reside in. Former CEO of Scope, Viki Funnell was the Australia Day ambassador. “This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the diversity of Australia and (to work towards) building a community where everyone is included,” she said. Viki said Australians were fortunate to have magniﬁcent food, music, arts, sports, libraries, galleries and free-to-air television and radio. She said respect, a fair go and good citizenship were three things connecting, and making us, Australians. “Our community depends on people like you to actively contribute through friendship, collaboration and hard work

to make communities work,” Viki said as the Australian flag hung limply in the still of the morning. “The more we give, the better our communities are. “On Australia day we celebrate contributions, welcome new citizens and think of ways to build a better Australia.” Gippsland South MP, Peter Ryan said the most wonderful thing about Australia Day is that we can come together and do this. “The fact is in many other parts of the world people die in the streets just to come down and mark a piece of paper to elect a government,” he said. “We have some struggles, not only globally, but in our community as well, but we have a lot to celebrate. “We do live in the greatest nation on the planet and that is Australia.” As the dignitaries spoke, little girls ran around waving Australian flags, providing a beautiful illustration of their message. The South Gippsland Brass Band provided pre-event musical entertainment and the Scouts, Guides, Venturers and Rovers handed out Australian flags. Sisters, Katie and Madelaine Cantwell performed Advance Australia Fair, I am Australian and I still call Australia home. Many in the crowd hummed along and joined in to the rousing final chorus of I am Australian. Afterwards an Australian breakfast was prepared and distributed by Leongatha Apex, Lions and RSL clubs.

Above: Big crowd: plenty of South Gippslanders turned out for Australia Day celebrations in McIndoe Park, Leongatha.

Young Aussie: Leongatha’s Harry Scrimshaw with our national ﬂag after the celebration in Leongatha on Monday.

Oz spirit: Caitlyn McKean and Mark Ferguson, both of Leongatha, were dressed in their Aussie best. Right: Helping out: David Williams and Riley De Gues, both of Leongatha, were presenting ﬂags to attendees at Australia Day celebrations in Leongatha.

Australian flag: lifetime Leongatha resident, Alan Hyde was flying the country’s flag at the back of his scooter.

Fresh fruit: Rebecca Arnason, Leongatha, Steve Brew, Strzelecki and Kylie Buckland, Leongatha with a delicious spread of summer fruit.

Top local: Rita Franklin, Leongatha citizen of the year, Mike Curley and Margaret Wood, all of Leongatha.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 7

Paying tribute to heroes By Bert van Bedaf

MEMORIAL Hall in Leongatha was ﬁlled with patriotic fervour last Wednesday night, when a large crowd honoured its South Gippsland shire citizens, who received Australia Day awards for community service.

About 300 people attended the gala event. The Australian flag was prominent, representing “our laws and our language, not the flag of a faraway land”. It was waved about in high spirit. People clapped, cheered and sang their way through two hours of celebrations, which culminated in the three long-awaited announcements of the South Gippsland shire council 2009 Australia Day award recipients. In total 19 nominees were honoured. Nicole Harvey, 21, from Poowong, is this year’s Young Citizen of the Year, ahead of Kristy Lee Jones, Alanna McKinnon and Jemima Page. Ms Harvey congratulated the other nominees, whom she believed were equally as worthy of the award. Gil Trease, of Meeniyan, accepted the Community Event of the Year award for the Dumbalk and District Back-to celebrations last year, and Meeniyan’s Neville Meikle became Citizen of the Year, shading a large field consisting of Bruce Crowl,

Foster; Michael Curley and Janine Milkins, Leongatha; Ray Humphrey, Loch; Renae Littlejohn, Leongatha North; and Donna Gray, Foster. Mr Trease said planning for the Back-to had begun in February 2007 and many people had worked tirelessly to make the event the success it was. Mr Meikle said he was overwhelmed by receiving the award. “It is something you don’t work for,” he said. He received the award for an outstanding record of community services, including 47 years on the Meeniyan Hall committee, and paid tribute to the many volunteers who form the backbone of the shire. “We don’t do it for the glory. I feel humble standing here before you,” Mr Meikle said. The Events ﬁeld was also a close choice. Other nominations were the Bed of Roses Celebration, Meeniyan; Korumburra Secondary College 50th anniversary; Leongatha Daffodil Festival and 2008 Australian National Daffodil championships; Lock food and wine festival, Mirboo North Arty Gras and Poowong School’s 50th year in 2008. The occasion was also the 40th anniversary of the awards and the inaugural recipient, Otto Van Der Vorm was presented with a certiﬁcate to mark the occasion, along with Mr Graham Fixter, who presented the award

to him in 1969 in his role then as president of Leongatha Jaycees. Local band Beggs to Differ and duo Wendy Reed and Peter Hall treated the audience to some enduring Aussie tunes. They tugged nationalistic heartstrings with contrasting images. John Williamson’s Hey True Blue nostalgically tapped into an earlier history of Australia, with its “Is it me and you? Is it Mum and Dad? Is it a cockatoo? Is it standin’ by your mate when he’s in a ﬁght, or just Vegemite?” Judith Durham’s individual anthem, We are Australian, provided a more encompassing, multi-cultural image of Australia, saying, “We are one, but we are many and from all the lands on earth we come. We share a dream and sing with one voice: I am, you are, we are Australian.” Only four councillors attended the ceremony. David Lewis, Jeanette Harding and Bob Newton were present as well as Jennie Deane who was acting South Gippsland Shire Council Mayor in place of Cr Jim Fawcett, who is overseas. Other apologies were Kieran Kennedy, Mimmie Jackson, Warren Raabe, and Mohya Davies because of family circumstances. Master of Ceremonies was David Panther. Event co-ordinator was council’s communications ofﬁcer, Jeannie Hicks.

First Award: Leongatha resident Otto Van Der Vorm, left, was presented with the ﬁrst South Gippsland Citizen of the Year award by Graham Fixter 40 years ago. They received a commemorative certiﬁcate.

Award winner: Neville Meikle, of Meeniyan, was a proud and humble recipient of this year’s South Gippsland shire Citizen of the Year award. He received the award for outstanding community service over many years with various organisations, including the Meeniyan Hall committee, Leongatha Show committee, Lands Department committees and Tarwin Water Board. He also was a Poll Hereford steward at the Royal Melbourne Show for 20 years.

Left: Award winners: Young Citizen of the Year Nicole Harvey, Citizen of the Year Neville Meikle and Gil Trease, accepting the Events of the Year award, are congratulated by acting South Gippsland Shire Council Mayor, Jennie Deane.

PAGE 8 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Wonthaggi flies flag JOHN “Dabba” Taafe is, at 82, Bass Coast Shire’s Sports Person of the Year.

Congratulating him during Wonthaggi’s Australia Day celebrations at the Union Theatre yesterday, mayor Cr John Duscher described “Dabba” as “a gem of the community, a real sporting legend”. He discovered a love of bowls in 1976, representing the South Gippsland Bowls Association at the highest level for the next 20 years. He featured in four senior football premierships in his 200 senior games with Kilcunda Bass, starred in Country Week badminton, won ﬁrst division pennants in golf and maintained a keen interest in sport after losing a leg. “What a legend and what an inspiration!” said the mayor. Shire Citizen of the Year is the Reverend Bruce Charles, the Anglican Minister for Wonthaggi and Inverloch. “I don’t think I have ever seen or heard so much community support for a nomination before, with many testimonials glowing in their praise for the man and the work he does in the community. “He is truly an inspiration to others,” said Cr Duscher. “He has reached out across the shire to help people in need. He has this wonderful ability to mix with anyone and he is greatly respected

because of his integrity, his passion and dedication to local causes and individuals who need assistance.” The Young Citizen of the Year is Jarryd Blair, 18, who was co-captain of Gippsland Power Football Club, won their best and fairest award, won the Morris Medal for best player in the TAC competition and is a rookie with Collingwood Football Club. Cr Duscher described Jarryd as “modest, dedicated, well spoken, popular and extremely well mannered”. Rotary Club Citizen of the Year is John Lindsay, described as a “quiet achiever”, who was born and educated in Wonthaggi and a woodwork teacher for 30 years. He has also been a community leader in many ways including as secretary of the Wonthaggi Rovers Football Club (of which he is a life member), member of the board of management of the Miners Dispensary, Rose Lodge Committee of Management, Legatee and past president of South Gippsland Legacy Group, member of the Masonic Lodge and Probus. The shire Community Event of the Year has been won by Dreamnight at the Zoo at Maru Koala and Fauna Park in Grantville. More than 50 volunteers take part in the event to ensure ill, mentally and physically challenged and other special needs children and families have an opportunity to enjoy themselves and interact with animals. The park is run by the Heffer family.

Surgeon John Crellin, was named winner of the Rotary Club of Wonthaggi’s Community Service Award. “There is no doubt that John Crellin has made a signiﬁcant contribution to this community through his professional life, his voluntary work and in the close support given to his wife Wendy, who has made an outstanding contribution in so many ways within historical, the arts, cultural and environmental areas,” said the mayor. Wonthaggi artist Dennis Leversha, was named shire Arts and Cultural Ambassador of the Year. His murals can be seen in many Gippsland towns, including Korumburra, Leongatha, Mirboo North, Dumbalk, Loch, Wonthaggi, Yarram and Rosedale. “His work is highly prized,” said Cr Duscher. Mr Leversha has won the Bass Coast Shire Acquisitive Award ﬁve times. The Friends of the State Coal Mine were presented with the Rotary Club’s Spirit of Community Service Award, for their efforts in ensuring that the rich coal mining heritage of Wonthaggi is protected, maintained and shared. Made up of volunteers, the group undertakes a wide variety of tasks to keep the State Coal Mine in good condition. Members of the friends’ group are among those who have worked tirelessly to ensure that the mine is reopened to tourists in this, Wonthaggi’s centenary year.

Welcome visitor: Kent Goodwin (left) came down from Heidelberg to check on his brother Neville and attend the Wonthaggi Australia Day celebrations, run by the Rotary Club of Wonthaggi, of which Neville is a member. Kent is a Rotarian too.

Patriotic pair: Thea Cantale of Inverloch and Kent Goodwin of Heidelberg, were dressed for the occasion at the Wonthaggi Australia Day Breakfast outside the Union Theatre.

Thirst quencher: Ashlea Gray of South Dudley, was hesitant to accept a drink of juice from Bass Coast mayor Cr John Duscher, but the long time school teacher soon calmed her nerves.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 9

Australia all over AUSTRALIA Day was celebrated across South Gippsland. The Star was there to capture all the colour and excitement of our national day.

Above: Celebrations everywhere: this group of Australia Day revellers gathered just off the Bass Highway Dalyston, at the Ozone Hotel corner. Members of the Bass Coast Strollers, they were enjoying their ﬁrst walk for the year and were heading to Archies Creek for breakfast, at the same time raising money for cancer research.

All welcome: some enthusiasts cycled from Inverloch to the Kongwak Hall, where 100 people savoured a breakfast of fruit, cereal, scrambled eggs and sausages.

We remember: Alan (left) and John Bell grew up on the family farm in Kongwak. They’re pictured outside the primary school which they both attended. Alan, who was guest speaker at the town’s Australia Day celebrations, remembered planting a rose bush in the school grounds with Sir Robert Menzies. John, who founded Kongwak’s Paradise Enough Winery with his wife Sue, will soon begin studying medicine through a new post graduate scheme with Monash University Gippsland. He has a background in social work.

Quiet chat: The Star’s Dorothy Giles has a quiet chat with volunteer Frank Robinson after ofﬁcially opening the Times printing ofﬁce at Coal Creek yesterday, Australia Day.

Good times: Rhys and Josh Hanks helped prepare the big Aussie breakfast at Meeniyan.

Day celebration: Coal Creek volunteers Jean Axford, Eric Millar and Ben Peachey share a cool spot yesterday with Shirlee McPherson, who is the village’s curatorial ofﬁcer.

PAGE 10 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

WINDMILL Ag in Meeniyan hosted a popular client afternoon last Friday. A few beers and a barbecue were laid on for the many customers of the popular John Deere dealership. Pictured are (from left) Malcolm Gray, Tony Le Page, Ron Davison, Ben Thorson, John Mathieson and Simon Gurney. Down in the front row are Tiffany Blossom, Maverick and Nicholas Mathieson. THE ABC have scheduled to ﬁlm more of Bed Of Roses in Foster on Thursday Jan 29 and have requested 20 actual school students to be extras, a mixture of boys and girls aged 15 and over. If you are interested

or know school aged people who might be, please have them contact me by return email or phone on 5682 2862. WAYNE and Jackie Laurie wanted to give a timely warning to all residents in the town to be on the

lookout for snakes. They disturbed a snake in their back yard last Sunday. It was moving across a paved area and disappeared through the vents of the brickwork under the house. It was about three feet long and a dark grey brown colour. The Lauries have never seen a snake in their Eden Crescent yard before. IT was an unfortunate visit to Leongatha for

Hawthorn-Monash president, Glenn Jones with Premier Cricket League recently. According to a report in a Fairfax newspaper, all of the tyres of his vehicle were led down when his team played CaseySouth Melbourne. “The teams have such poor relations following player transfers, Jones requested Cricket Victoria’s umpiring manager Bob Parry to officiate in the match, which went without incident,” The Age report said. “But Jones had the last laugh as his BMW is fitted with a system that allows 100 kilometres travel on flats.” ST. Peter’s Anglican Opportunity Shop of Leongatha ended 2008 on a high note, having donated in total the sum of $24,000. Distributions of $12,000 in May and another $12,000 for Christmas have been forwarded to a wide variety of organisations. Earlier in the year, the op shop celebrated 25 years and conducted a successful Saturday morning garage sale in addition to the usual trading. All work is voluntary and all goods donated. Some of the al-

locations reach far and wide through the Anglican Church and its missions. Centenary House, Drought Assistance, Parkinsons Victoria, Mental Illness Victoria, World Vision Congo Crisis, Helimed 1 are among the many grateful recipients. CLEAR Springs, a beautiful Gippsland garden, will open on Saturday, January 31 and Sunday, February 1, as part of Australia’s Open Garden Scheme, a not-for-profit organisation promoting the knowledge and pleasure of gardens and gardening. Each year the scheme opens the finest and most exciting gardens across Australia to the garden loving public. Clear Springs is a well laid out hilltop garden providing plenty of interest and enjoys magnificent views of the Tarwin Valley. The emphasis is on both beauty and productivity. Sunflowers are making a good show in the formal potager, framed by hedges of silvery wormwood, lavender, and a mixture of rugosa roses and purple berberis. Elsewhere white and blue predominate in the mixed borders. Hydrangeas combine with shasta daisies, sea holly and pineapple lilies, making a beautiful display. A recently developed Mediterranean-style area adjoins the olive grove and a melaleuca rondel. Paths have been mown through the long grass in intentionally wild areas to invite exploration, and there is also a gully with indigenous plantings.

Plants will be available for sale over the weekend to beneﬁt the local chaplaincy committee for schools. Clear Springs, at 40 Clear Creek Valley

Road, Mirboo North, will be open between 10am and 4.30pm on Saturday, January 31 and Sunday, February 1 at an entry fee of $5. Children under 18 admitted free.

Hot weather: Mitchell James, left, shoots at the Youth Olympic Festival earlier this month.

Bronze for archer OUTTRIM archer, Mitchell James picked up a bronze medal in the team event during the Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney earlier this month. He was part of the Australian men’s team. “It was very, very windy, so the ﬁrst arrow was crap,” Mitchell said. “We picked it up after that and we were competing against the Malaysians in the bronze medal and beat them by about 10 points.” Temperatures of 42 degrees created havoc with Mitchell’s archery equipment in the individual event.

On target: Mitchell James, far left, with his Australian archery teammates in New South Wales.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 11

Ripped-off workers BOSSES were forced to pay employees $39,000 in South Gippsland last year, due mainly to employment law negligence. In Leongatha $13,000 went to people working in areas such as building and construction, fast food, business services and transport industries according to the Workplace Ombudsman. A total of 23 businesses across the region were caught wrongly paying staff. Examples include underpayments of $3500 to a hospitality worker resulting from non-payment of superannuation and underpayment of hourly rate, and $1500 to teenagers in the fastfood industry resulting from non-payment of penalty rates. A hospitality worker and a retail worker were underpaid by $2500 and $2600 respectively. Management mispayments were caught through Workplace Ombudsman audits of speciﬁc industries, complaints by workers or groups voicing concerns. Workplace Ombudsman executive director, Michael Campbell said the amount of underpayments recovered by the organisation in South Gippsland has increased. “We believe this is largely due to employees’ greater understanding of their entitlements and to increased understanding of the Workplace Ombudsman’s role,” he said. “The vast majority of un-

derpayments are the result of ignorance of workplace laws and failure to keep up to date with factors such as changes in pay rates. “This is why educating employers about workplace laws is such a key part of the Federal Workplace Ombudsman’s role.” Businesses that breach workplace laws are not publicly named unless the Workplace Ombudsman launches litigation against the business or its name is already in the public domain. Mr Campbell said the level of compliance with workplace laws, including underpayment of employees, in South Gippsland is comparable to other regional areas in Australia. “Non-compliance with workplace laws in regional areas, including underpayment of workers, is an ongoing concern for the Federal Workplace Ombudsman,” Mr Campbell said. “We ﬁnd that in regional areas, employees are often reluctant to complain about their terms and conditions of employment for fear they may put their job at risk. “Similarly, they worry that if they make a complaint, it could impact on their social life, particularly in small communities where everyone knows one another.” Complaints to the Workplace Ombudsman can be made conﬁdentially. “It is important that workers are aware that there is an agen-

cy they can turn to if they are concerned they are not receiving their full entitlements,” Mr Campbell said. No Gippsland businesses were prosecuted in 2008 as all breaches of workplace laws, including those relating to underpayments, were rectified by businesses voluntarily. Mr Campbell said about 95 per cent of money recovered by the Federal Workplace Ombudsman for Australian workers last financial year was recouped without resorting to litigation. “As far as possible, we seek voluntary compliance and educate employers to ensure they comply with workplace laws,” Mr Campbell said. “Litigation is considered only in circumstances where a breach is significant, relates to a vulnerable worker or group or where one party is unwilling to recognise and rectify the problem.” In Victoria in 2007-08, the Workplace Ombudsman recovered $8.9 million for workers who had been found to be short-changed by their bosses, more than twice as much as the $4.035 million recovered in 2006-07. Workers who feel they are being forced to endure unacceptable workplace practices should contact the agency’s help line on 1300 724 200.

Million dollar Inverloch INVERLOCH’S property market reached a new height with a weekend sale. Agents, Harcourts Inverloch would not reveal the exact price to The Star, but said it was in the expected range, which was advertised as between $1.475m and $1.6m. Auctioneer, Lewis Stone said it was the highest price ever for a residential home in the township of Inverloch. He said while there was only one bidder the result was a conﬁdence booster for Inverloch. “There are certainly some areas of the Inverloch market that aren’t as good as they were and have certainly come off,” he said. “But the sale said to the rest of Inverloch it wasn’t dead and buried.”

Mr Lewis said the homes location; overlooking the water and only 400 metres from the Inverloch town centre were major selling points. About 250 people attended the auction with bidding starting at $1.3million followed by a vendors bid of $1.35million on which it was passed in. Mr Stone said the property was sold at a much higher ﬁgure to the highest losing bidder, who was from South Gippsland, shortly after the auction. “There were 120 people who went through the property during the open for inspections,” he said. A 40 hectare property at 300 Grandridge Road, Mirboo North, which was also to be auctioned on Saturday, was sold beforehand.

Big money: despite only one bid the property was eventually sold for a record price.

PAGE 12 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Public outrage Turbulent times THE (final) decision to kick the Wonthaggi Power Football Club out of the league is a sad day. Despite the fact that it may well be the best thing for local football (in a very broad sense) it also means many youngsters will drop out of sport. Those who cannot find a home at another club, or have parents who are unwilling to make the trek outside of town, will be the biggest losers in the long-running saga. As Wonthaggi secretary and Bass Coast Councillor, mayor John Duscher said to The Star: “If our club goes out of existence, which could happen, and our players all move to Inverloch or Dalyston, do they face the same sort of pressure and such because they’re a strong club? “If our players go to the clubs they’re going to be tremendously strong. Does that mean, now that this precedent’s been set, other clubs are going to be a risk?” It is perhaps inevitable that some country towns (and sporting clubs) thrive while others don’t. South Gippsland is a dynamic place and towns like Wonthaggi will only get bigger. There is not much that can be done to change this – but nor should it stop the young having the opportunity to play sport. Big town kids need sport as much as small town kids. While the decision to kick the Power out of the AFL will have a detrimental effect in Wonthaggi and its surrounds, the other clubs will hope their own fortunes are buoyed. Not having the Power in the league is an incentive for youngsters at other clubs to take to the field – they can play and have a real chance of winning. AFL president Graham Laird said there had been “no winners” in the fight to expel the Power. He was right, of course. This final ruling may well topple a proud club, while giving a fillip to smaller clubs who so desperately need it.

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

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

Advertising Manager: Joy Morgan Email: advertising@thestar.com.au ACN 006507580 ABN 61 318 952 541 Print Post 336735 10006

YOUR article ‘People power’ (page 1, January 20) accurately described the outrage felt by property-owners who have been told that companies associated with the Bald Hills power generator intend to install power lines across prime farming land between Bald Hills and the Leongatha sub-station. This is a matter which should deeply concern all South Gippsland residents, not just those whose properties are directly affected. Nothing was said of a power-line across farming land during all the hearings and discussions of the Bald Hills wind-powered generators. The impression was given that the power would be transmitted to the national grid through power-lines along local roads. No reason has been given why the power could not be transmitted through underground cables or by upgrading the existing road-side power-lines. When this proposal was ﬁrst mentioned, in November 2008, companies acting for the owners of the Bald Hills power generators, Mitsui Ltd, said that they would act ‘in close co-operation with all landowners and occupiers’ of the relevant properties. Soon afterwards, they sent a letter to the affected landowners quoting legislation which apparently gives them the right to

come onto land, without the landowner’s permission, to do whatever is necessary to erect the power-line. In short, they say that they can come on to anyone’s land and erect a powerline, regardless of the landowner’s wishes, regardless of the effect on the current or potential agricultural uses of the land, and regardless of the effect on the landscape. May I ask your readers to think about the implications? Perhaps you own some fertile land well suited to growing crops – anything from herbs or snow peas to plantation trees. How would you like to be told that a large power-line may be erected on this land, no matter how it affects your ability to tend those crops, such as by irrigation or spraying? Perhaps you have (like at least two couples on the proposed power-line route) put a great deal of time, money and effort into restoring a beautiful house, a significant part of the area’s heritage. Or perhaps you have put your dreams and hard-earned savings into a new home on a block with some of the magnificent rural or water views that attract both visitors and residents. How would you like to be told that a power-line may be placed metres from your house, destroying the finest view, one of the major reasons for coming to, and

WHERE would Leongatha be now if the Western families and other farmers on the Ruby Creek had campaigned successfully against the Hyland and Western reservoirs? Large lumps of prime land went under water and buffer zone in 1963 and the early 80s. Leongatha and especially Murray Goulburn were able to expand. The Ruby Creek farmers recognised their individual interests were subordinate to the broader community interest. There was heartburning ; there was sadness. Hyland reservoir made Jack Western’s farm unviable by itself. But the Ruby Creek farmers negotiated for fair compensation and made major adaptations to their farming plans. Easements for pipelines and power lines aren’t half as disruptive, but suddenly there’s all this rhetoric about individual rights and dignity.

It’s no surprise that Tim Le Roy is back in the thick of the latest outburst against Bald Hills. Tim has lost most of his battles against approvals for wind farms in Central and Western Victoria. His spiteful attacks on the federal environment minister published in metro newspapers show that Mr Le Roy has his own political agenda that has little to do with property rights in South Gippsland. Anti-desal campaigners have been piously claiming their main objection is the plant’s consumption of coal- ﬁred electricity. Will they make it even harder to replace coal ﬁred electricity with clean renewable power by joining Mr Le Roy’s campaign? Wilma and Peter Western Leongatha

Petrol poser

What is your favourite song about Australia?

I still call Australia home by Peter Allen. It has a lot of feeling to it and has naturally come into the list of songs we sing.

Rex Marty Leongatha

Elizabeth Coleman Leongatha

Peter Edwards Leongatha South.

Bigger picture

VOXPOP! VOX

I come from a land down under by Men at Work. It’s very Australian and it’s modern; as in the last 20 or 30 years.

staying in, South Gippsland? Perhaps you haven’t taken any of these steps yourself, but you are keeping your options open for your family or for someone who will acquire your property when the time is right. How will your plans for your retirement, your superannuation and your children’s inheritance be affected by the forced imposition of a power-line across your property, with no concern for its impact on agricultural potential or landscape values? If this power-line can be imposed on the landowners on the ‘nominated route’ between Bald Hills and Leongatha, similar injustices can be inﬂicted on anyone else. And what is this industrialisation of South Gippsland likely to do to agriculture, to residential investment and to tourism in the whole area, not just in the current economic crisis but for years to come? The coercive installation of this powerline would not only be a very costly and grossly unjust imposition on the individual landowners affected. It would also be a dreadful blow for all of South Gippsland’s residents, now and for future generations.

I am Australian. It should be our national anthem. I think it captures the spirit of Australia. Caitlyn McKean Leongatha

It would have to be I am Australian. I like the tune and the words. It brings tears to the eyes if it is sung well. Tom Courtney Leongatha

I AM addressing my letter to the CEOs of the two big fuel suppliers that supply Leongatha with fuel. The least I expected from you at the end of the year, is maybe a big Christmas thank you for our loyalty this past year. For the past year, the motorists in the Leongatha area have been paying about 10 per cent more for our fuel than the motorists in the city. I buy petrol once a week for about $50. Now, I will be conservative about this and say there are about 3000 motorists in town, so we spend on average 3000 x $50 = $150,000 per week on fuel. At 10 per cent extra, we pay $15,000 per week more than the same number of motorists would pay in the city. In a year that is a total of $15,000 x 52 = $780,000. Not a small sum by any account. I often wonder if we in the small towns are ever going

to get a fair deal on fuel. Of course, it is our own fault that we get ripped off. We pay the extra, whinge about it and then move on. I wonder what would happen if we were to boycott one major supplier to make our point? But there again, you know that will not happen, and so you can continue to have your hand in our wallets for another year. As a footnote. Of course, if it really does cost an extra 10 per cent to get every litre of fuel to the Leongatha pumps, I tender to you my sincerest apology. Brian S. Overmass.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 13

Many, but not always one By Bert van Bedaf

INCREASINGLY I approach January 26, Australia Day, with reservations.

It is the ofﬁcial national day of Australia, but a cursory check informs me that Australia Day is also known as Anniversary Day, Foundation Day and Invasion Day. Anniversary Day commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, which marks the start of British colonisation of Australia - not much of a day to celebrate being Australian. I can appreciate Invasion Day from an Aboriginal perspective. The meaning of Foundation Day remains obscure. It seems it has more to do with West Australia than the nation. But to accommodate it, it could well mean when Australia became a nation, which was at Federation in 1901 - but it was on January 1 rather than January 26. Over recent years I have seen the value and meaning of Australian citizenship being eroded by dubious or shameful Government actions, such as the children overboard affair, the detention of refugees in camps behind barbed wire, the involvement in foreign wars, in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the whipping up of anti-Islamic sentiments into riots. Australia is ideally placed to be a truly multicultural haven, but of late its Anglo-Saxon/Celtic core has contracted

to such an extreme to expose only a cold and bitter heart. What then about January 26? To me it is best captured in the enduring song that accompanies the emotional outpouring of wrought nationalism; Judith Durham’s personal anthem We are Australian. It always draws a collective patriotic tear from passionate audiences. Mark the chorus; “We are one, but we are many and from all the lands on earth we come. We share a dream and sing with one voice; I am, you are, we are Australian.” Those words “I am” are the reason

why I approach Australia Day with reservations. I am an Australian citizen (became one in 1974). But I am Dutch. Asked once who I was by an Irishman, I responded ‘Dutch-Australian’ and he commented I could not be both. Because I was born in The Netherlands I resolved from then on that I was Dutch and an Australian citizen. You are an Australian when you are born here – indigenous or otherwise. In an international sense, being an Australian is not particularly useful. When in a foreign jail, such as Schapelle Corby, the Bali Nine or persons in Singa-

pore, Thailand or Malaysia, the Australian government exerts little or no influence to assist its citizens. The noose will get you in the end. When I worked in England, the socalled ‘mother country’ in the late 1970s and early 1980s, officials stamped my passport with a work visa. But it was only valid for six months. I used to go to Paris for a weekend and had my passport re-stamped for another six months on return. When I went to work in Holland during the 1990s, I was classed as a foreigner, despite the excellent relations between Australia and The Netherlands. I needed to apply for residence and work permits together with the other ‘aliens’, from non-EU nations. There are people with dual or more citizenship, such as the British or Italians or people from the former Yugoslavia (Serbian, Croatian or Macedonian), having it both ways. I don’t agree with dual citizenship. It’s like barracking for Carlton and Collingwood at the same time. But having two bites of the cherry is handy. A European zone country passport is extremely practical, giving unrestricted access to residence and work, unlike Australian citizenship. At the moment I am non-existent as far as the government is concerned. My passport lapsed and to get one back I need my Australian citizenship certificate, which is long lost in too many moves. To get a replacement certificate,

I need to submit proof of identity. The Australian government wants proof that I do indeed exist. Also, I need to have my Dutch birth certiﬁcate translated into English. It goes to show that being Australian stretches only as far as a piece of paper. Don’t leave home without it. The push for citizenship continues to smack of an Australian cringe. There are many expat Australians living around the world who have never bothered taking out another citizenship, such as author Thomas Keneally, who lived in Ireland for decades, Germain Greer, Clive James, who are long-standing residents of England, or Australian artist Jeffrey Smart, who has been in Italy since the 1970s. Rupert Murdoch became a USA citizen in 1985, because of the love of money and not of country. It was the only way he could expand his American media empire. Only US citizens were permitted to own American television stations. Also, once a person has permanent residency in Australia, he or she is a full participant in the economic process, working and paying taxes and subject to the law. He or she can’t vote, but someone may not be interested in that. The bottom line is that I became an Australian citizen because I wanted to fully participate, but with hindsight I don’t think it was absolutely necessary. We are many. But we are not always one.

POLICE BRIEFS

Offenders caught in Mirboo North A POLICE operation caught numerous motorists for driving offences and outstanding ﬁnes in Mirboo North last week.

The Automatic Number Recognition Operation on Wednesday, January 21, involved members of the Bass Coast Traffic Management Unit, Mirboo North police and members of the Sheriff’s Office, of the Department of Justice in Melbourne. The police action used state-of-the-art equipment that reads number plates and provides fast information on the driver’s status. Bass Coast TMU Sergeant Jim Baum said the Sheriff’s officers executed 63 outstanding warrants, worth more than $24,000 in unpaid fines, and drink-driving was a major issue. “These operations will be ongoing throughout the year as well as specific drink driving offences in addition to other special operations that are being conducted,” Sgt Baum said. “We will do what it takes to ensure the safety of all road users in our effort to keep our local roads fatality and injury free. “It stuns me that we can still apprehend drunken drivers on our roads at any time, let alone during mid-morning on a Wednesday. It proves to us that we must be vigilant at all hours in an effort to address these issues.” Also as a result of a five-hour operation, police apprehended a Morwell driver who will be charged on summons with drink-driving offences. He will be charged with “failing to accompany for a breath test” after he was found to be more than five times over the legal limit. He had been part of a binge session in Morwell where he had ceased drinking at 6-7am. The 29-year-old man’s female passenger was found to have a reading four times the limit. They were apprehended at 9.40am. Six cars were found to be unregistered and a motorist was apprehended for being unlicensed.

Burglary charges

WONTHAGGI detectives have charged a Melbourne couple with a series of burglaries committed in the Bass Coast region. Members of the Wonthaggi Criminal Investigation Unit interviewed a 28-year-old man from South Morang relating to 36 charges of burglary. Goods of

up to $250,000 in value were found in his possession, when the man’s house was raided last week. A clandestine amphetamine laboratory was also located at the house. The man’s 26-year-old wife will be charged on summons with possessing drugs of dependence, possessing stolen goods and the proceeds of crime. Police are continuing their investigations to establish whether the recent burglaries at the Industrial Estate in Leongatha might be related.

Fuel theft POLICE are urging petrol stations to establish or increase their prepaid hours in a bid to reduce fuel theft. Police statistics show the State’s bowsers suffered almost 5600 petrol theft offences in the 2007/08 ﬁnancial year. The theft of number plates coincides with petrol theft. Offenders use the stolen plates at the station, driving off with the stolen plates showing. Police said between January 7, 7pm, and January 8, 10am, plates, ONZ 854, were stolen from a Holden Commodore parked at a house in Turner St, Wonthaggi.

Driving offences LEONGATHA police have charged a local man with several driving offences, following a hit-andrun incident. The 37-year-old offender rear-ended another car at the top of Roughead St near the Bair St roundabout on Monday, January 19, at 5pm. The offender drove away, leaving the victim, a Leongatha business man stranded, and police were called. Senior Constable Michael Thomas said their initial inquiries established that the car used had false number plates. However, they “unearthed” the offender’s vehicle and later spoke to the man. The man’s charges will include driving while disqualiﬁed, leaving the scene of an accident and failing to stop.

Daylight robbery A HOUSE in A’Beckett St, Leongatha, was burgled last Tuesday afternoon, but the goods meant to be

Air search THE Tarwin community was relieved to learn a local man was found in Leongatha last Tuesday after he had gone missing the previous day. Patrick Read, 66, was found at just before 3pm and was taken to Leongatha Hospital for observation. He was reported missing on Monday, January 19. There were concerns for his health. Mr Read suffers diabetes and is insulin dependent. He was driving a red 1987 Toyota Landcruiser. Air Wing police were called in from Melbourne to search for the car by helicopter last Tuesday morning. The air wing unit landed at Leongatha Recreation Reserve for refuelling around midday. taken were left behind. Police said the thieves had forced the lock on the property’s shed and removed some goods, which were left at the fence. Police believe the thieves may have been disturbed and taken off. Any possible witnesses are asked to call Leongatha police on 5662 2294.

smashing used furniture on the weekend. The used cabinet was standing in front of Vinnie’s opportunity store in Commercial St, Korumburra, when it was smashed. Police are hopeful they will be able to charge someone with wilful damage once they have examined security footage of the incident.

Tools stolen ABOUT $1500 worth of farm items were stolen from a rural property in Kardella South earlier this month. The theft took place between January 7-8 when unknown offenders forced open a farm shed and stole a substantial quantity of tools. The tools included a socket set used for repairing trucks, a horse saddle, trailer draw bar and several meat crates ﬁlled with small tools, nuts and bolts. Anyone with information regarding the theft is asked to contact Korumburra police on 5655 1244.

Smashed cabinet A NUMBER of drunken teenagers are suspected of

Police action: A major police operation involved members of the Bass Coast Trafﬁc Management Unit, Mirboo North police and members of the Sheriff’s Ofﬁce.

PAGE 14 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Parrot puts dredging in doubt THE Orange Bellied Parrot has thrown a spanner in the works of another major development in South Gippsland.

Orange Bellied Parrot

Dredging of the Toora Channel is on hold until environmental issues can be resolved and additional funds can be found. The permit application has been placed on hold by State and Federal Government departments, pending resolution of the Orange Bellied Parrot situation. In 2006, the tiny but precious parrot managed to stall the $220 million Bald Hills wind farm and recently it spread its little wings on the Wonthaggi desalination site, causing environmental concerns. On top of the parrot predicament, council has a budget shortfall of $170,094 to complete the project. Councillors were briefed on the dredging problems last Wednesday by council’s project engineer Tony Price. Council’s infrastructure director Antho-

ny Seabrook added a third complication. Dredging was not a one-off project. It needed to be done every seven years to ensure the channel was open at all times and not only at high tide, which was the present situation. “Because we don’t know the Federal Government decision, council is unable to proceed,” Mr Price said. The parrot habitat refers to areas of salt marsh near the Toora boat ramp. According to information by the Federal Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, the salt marsh is vital to the survival of the parrot, which is listed as a critically endangered species. Also involved are the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment, Parks Victoria and Birds Australia. A study has identiﬁed “a ‘brackish grassland’ that is a potential habitat for the parrot”, as an alternative to the salt marsh. Another issue is the spending of an existing grant. Council has been able to pursue the channel work because of a

$146,406 grant from Marine Safety Victoria. About $60,000 has been spent so far, but the rest remains. Cr Warren Raabe suggested that council should undertake an alternative marine project in case MSV wants the rest of the money returned. “You don’t give money back,” Cr Raabe said. A major concern is that the dredging project was undertaken to ensure the Toora channel became a 24-hour boat launching and retrieval facility, with emergencies services boat access. Coastal Promontory Ward councillors Mohya Davies and Jeanette Harding agreed deepening of the channel was vital to emergency services and tourism. “It is my patch and I’m passionate about it. It is a very important tourism attraction.” Council ofﬁcers will now also continue discussion with Gippsland Ports and consider Barry Point as an emergency services alternative.

World premiere for Swamp lady musical THE Australian premiere of a musical based on the story of the Lady of the Swamp, is likely to be staged in Fish Creek in the middle of this year. South Gippslanders Patricia Freeman and Jane Chambers have spent the past 18 months writing the musical, which was a ﬁnalist in the 2008 Pratt Prize Musical Competition. They have also just produced a CD, that will soon be available locally. Called Lady of the Swamp, the musical was one of seven selected from around Australia in the competition,

billed as the richest music theatre prize in the country. It is held every two years. Patricia Freeman told The Star she and Jane were thrilled. “It was absolutely fantastic,” said Patricia. They found out about the Pratt Prize on the internet. She described the play as “very funny”. It depicts the Clement sisters as “crazy, extravagant, eccentric girls”, focusing on the glory days of high society and entertainment at Tullaree, the Tarwin Lower property that became renowned for the sad, poverty stricken end of its inhabitants. Margaret, who lived there

alone after the death of her sister Jeanie, disappeared in 1952, in circumstances which remain a mystery. Patricia said the story had once before been woven into a play, but it had not met with success. “That was in the 50s,” she said, “it was called the Swamp Creatures.” Attempts have also been made to create a ﬁlm, with no success. Patricia and Jane believe it will be third time lucky. Their CD features 20 songs from the musical, sung by them, with Chris Wilson providing the male voice. Patricia and Jane wrote the words and the music.

On the front is a picture of a young woman emerging from the water. “A young woman with attitude,” is how Patricia describes it. She doesn’t think she will have any difﬁculty in ﬁnding outlets in South Gippsland to sell the CD. She said the songs are a “mixed bag” that includes classical, country and jazz. Patricia and Jane will soon be putting up posters calling for auditions. After the Fish Creek premiere, they hope to stage the musical at Phillip Island and in Melbourne. Those who attended last year’s book launch at the Riverview Hotel in Tarwin Lower, have already had a taste of the

play. Excerpts were performed when author Richard Shears signed copies of his second book about the Lady of the Swamp, called Swamp: Who Murdered Margaret Clement? Mr Shears has been invited to an open day at Tullaree on May 2. Owners Tim and Janet McRae, have renovated the gracious old homestead and are opening it for public interest and to raise money for the South Coast Christian College, which their children Joel, Ella and Bree attend. See story on Tullaree on page 22.

Victorian Desalination Project Update Melbourne's water storages are low and our population is growing, so we need a source of water that does not rely solely on rain falling into our storages.

Council consultation held at Pakenham

The Victorian Desalination Project will deliver rainfall independent water and economic security for Melbourne and parts of regional Victoria and will meet all environmental standards required.

The first meeting for 2009 of the Council Liaison Group was recently held with representatives from Bass Coast Shire, South Gippsland Shire, Baw Baw Shire, Cardinia Shire and City of Casey.

The desalination plant is a key part of the Victorian Government's water solution as it will provide more than third of Melbourne's total water needs regardless of rainfall levels.

Landowner liaison continues

Victoria's water plan also includes increased water recycling, water savings from irrigation upgrades, a network of pipelines to move water around Victoria and ongoing water conservation.

EES Minister's Report and next steps The recent approval of the Environment Effects Statement (EES) from the Minister for Planning will help ensure the Project is delivered with minimal impact on the environment. The Minister's assessment determined that the project could proceed subject to environmental management measures and other approvals being obtained. The Commonwealth Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts and the Victorian Government will make further determinations about specific areas such as culture and heritage, environmental management plans and matters of national environmental significance. The States have primary responsibility for environmental protection and management and the Federal Minister has authority over defined matters of national environmental significance under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC).

Site update Shortlisted bidders AquaSure and BassWater continue to make progress on establishing their pilot plants at the plant site. The plants will test reverse osmosis pre-treatment processes and other equipment. Both pilot plants are expected to be operating by the beginning of February. Terrestrial and marine geotechnical investigations continue to inform the development of the project and the two bidding consortia. The final contract will be awarded in the second half of 2009.

Investigations to assist environmental management of the project and landowner liaison have continued in order to ensure the project develops on schedule. The investigations include preliminary works on the plant site and cultural heritage and flora and fauna studies currently underway on the plant site, pipeline and potential grid connection power option. These studies are continuing as they contribute to environmental management plans and the development of a Cultural Heritage Management Plan as required by the Aboriginal Heritage Act.

No zone: Balloon business partyplanet is looking for new premises.

Australian desalination projects progress

Party off the planet

Large-scale seawater desalination projects are at various stages of development around Australia. Construction of the Gold Coast plant is nearing completion while work on the Sydney plant continues at Kurnell in order to begin operation by the end of 2009.

THE party could be over for balloon business partyplanet in Leongatha.

A developer has been announced and temporary pilot plant established at Port Stanvac, Adelaide. A Spanish led consortium has been contracted to construct and operate Western Australia's second plant at Binningup in order to deliver water in 2011. For more information: Desalination Project Information Office, 1 McBride Avenue, Wonthaggi (open Tuesday to Thursday, 9.30am to 3:00pm). Telephone (03) 5671 3900 or freecall 1800 811 214 DSE Customer Service Centre - 136 186 Email: desalination.project@dse.vic.gov.au Internet: www.ourwater.vic.gov.au Address: Desalination Project, Department of Sustainability and Environment, PO Box 500, East Melbourne 3002 For more information on the EES and the Minister for Planning's Assessment, write to: Department of Planning and Community Development, PO Box 500, East Melbourne, 3002, or telephone (03) 9637 9624. www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning

mitch25316

There are more than 13,000 desalination plants in operation or being built around the world including in Sydney, Perth, Gold Coast and Adelaide.

Councils continue to be briefed on the progress of the project.

Owners of the business, which operates from premises on McCartin St, have been told to move the business elsewhere. “We have written a note to the landlord saying that the business must cease operating by January 31,” South Gippsland shire council’s manager planning and environment, Chris Wightman said. The young operators, Anna Andronaco and Daniel Riccardi, conﬁrmed they would need to move because they are running a business not suited for a Residential One zone. They did not apply for a permit with council and as a result slipped through the planning net for a couple of months until last November, when the planning department became aware of the situation. “We don’t want to be obstructive, but the fact is that the business is inappropriate for the Residential One zone,” Mr Wightman said. Ms Andronaco said they were looking for other premises in town. “The business is next door to where we live. Unfortunately, we need to move. We have a couple of spots where we might go, but we haven’t decided as yet,” she said. Anyone who might be able to help the young entrepreneurs with other premises can call their business number 0418 316 412.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 15

CFA’s busy time LOCAL ﬁre brigades fought three ﬁres within 12 hours last week.

Star error A mistake was made in The Star’s For whom the bell tolls article last week. The article should have said that The Cheshire Regiment was a British rather than a Scottish one. The mistake was made by the reporter.

Leongatha fire brigade captain Andrew Kay said units from Nerrena, Koonwarra and Leongatha were called to a hay fire in Nerrena on January 22, at 3pm. The fire in a dozen hay rolls was caused by lightning during last Thursday’s heavy storm. The second fire happened at 9.30pm on the same day, when a hot water service caught fire outside a dairy shed near Ruby. Leongatha and Ruby units attended. Finally, Leongatha and Koonwarra brigades were called to a malicious fire on the old railway track in Leongatha at 2.30am last Friday. Someone had set a mattress alight just before the start of the rail trail.

Above, Hot stuff: these hot water units were blamed for last week’s dairy fire. Left, Hay fire: Lightning caused hay rolls to catch fire near Nerrena last week.

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

PAGE 16 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

EVERYONE who packed the Woolamai course last Saturday to witness the Picnic Races was a great fan of the big day out. They had come from far and wide by car or bus load and enjoyed sumptuous lunches. There was plenty of food, wine and beer enjoyed as the race program hoofed past them. Local favourite Call You Back thundered in ﬁrst, ridden by jockey Leigh Taylor. Glen Forbes owner/trainer Anthony Bolden and his wife Amanda beamed with pride when the young gelding entered the mounting yard. “It’s great. We’ve had a bit of a good run with him lately,” Mr Bolden said. He was later presented with a Cobb & Co weather station and barometer.

Big day: Amanda Bolden hugs Call You Back, with husband Anthony and jockey Leigh Taylor sharing the big win. On the right, Taylor rides Call You Back ﬁrst over the line. Far left, a festive crowd packed the Woolamai course. Below centre, race caller Adam Olszanski, Anthony Bolden and sponsor John Vasko, of the Royal Mail Hotel, pose at the presentation. Bottom right, Melburnian Leeyong Soo was elegantly dressed in an Asian-themed outﬁt.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 17

Inspiring food and wine THE region’s celebration of local wine and produce promises to be bigger and better than ever, according to the organisers.

Called Gippsland Inspired, the monthlong celebration will be held from February 1 to March 29 in Gippsland. “The event is in its third year and has grown in participation from businesses around Gippsland each year,” said South Gippsland shire council tourism co-ordinator Christian Stefani. “The proﬁle has been rising steadily among the local community and visitors, with the February and March months becoming synonymous with food, wine and events for our area. “The Bass Coast and South Gippsland shires have over 40 events, workshops, markets and dinners during that period, with some annual major events for the region also thrown in, including The Stony Creek Cup, South Gippsland Golf Classic and Mossvale Music Festival Series. Mr Stefani said council had distribut-

ed more than 20,000 brochures through the region. Planned around the theme Be Inspired, the program highlights will include The Inverloch Food and Wine Festival; Feast on East, Wildﬁsh Seafood Week, A Palate of Passion, featuring the Jindi Harvest of Gippsland and the Gippsland Signature Dish Competition 2009. Also on the program are the Gippsland Wine Show, Presentation Dinner and Forum in Wonthaggi February 11-12, Inverloch Jazz Festival, March 6-9, Inverloch Food and Wine Fest, March 14, Wood Fired Pizzas at Lyre Bird Hill Winery, March 1, Gourmet barbecue lunch at Clair de Lune Winery and Wine Options Game at Windy Ridge Winery, March 7, Opera at Djinta Djinta Winery, March 14, and Firing the Coals at the Creek at Coal Creek (March 21).

No word BASS Coast Council still hasn’t heard when VicRoads will start its $1 million repair works to the Bass Highway between the Anderson roundabout and Wonthaggi. Infrastructure director Steve Piasente, said he hadn’t been told a date. Mr Piasente, his staff and councillors have long been concerned about the degradation of that section of road. Cr Gareth Barlow refers to it as a death trap. Their alarm has been heightened by the prospect of heavy vehicle movements resulting from construction of the Wonthaggi desalination plant, due to start later this year. VicRoads regional director Patricia Liew, said work was scheduled for February to April.

Inspired program: Business support ofﬁcer, Alycia Stivic and tourism coordinator, Christian Stefani have distributed more than 20,000 brochures promoting the Be Inspired program.

It’s bigger than ever Entries are open for various categories, including classic cars and trucks, vintage cars and trucks, motorbikes, hot rods, utes, muscle trucks, big trucks, prime movers, and tractors. Cash and prizes to the value of $2000 is up for grabs in the various sections.

Chill out on roads IF you’re planning a picnic or a day out on Sunday February 1, steer well clear of Phillip Island. Up to 5000 people are expected at the annual Chill Island Festival at Churchill Island. Bass Coast Council’s special events co-ordinator Frank Angarane, said there would be long delays on Phillip Island Road between Newhaven and Cape Woolamai, particularly between 10.30am and 1pm and again at around 7.30pm. Mr Angarane joined council’s community safety manager Peter Laydon, in pleading for road us-

ers to take care and look out for pedestrians. “We realise that motorists can be frustrated by trafﬁc delays around events such as these, but speeding up to get past the pack is just putting yourself and other road users in danger,” said Mr Laydon. Shuttle buses will run from San Remo and points on Phillip Island. Parking at Churchill Island will cost $10. Festival-goers are encouraged to walk or cycle if possible.

Funds raised are to go towards cancer research and Gippsland Rotary Centenary House, Traralgon. Gates open at 8.30am with egg and bacon rolls available. Judging will commence at noon, with winners presented at 2.15pm. A family day has been organised with free entertainment, kids activities, market stalls and various food stalls. The SuperCruise 2009 is attending the day, with last year over 60 cars participating. This event is a combined event of various car clubs and individual enthusiasts.

Discounts and special offers are now available to make your home more energy efficient. Ask for the Energy Saver Incentive. SaveEnergy.vic.gov.au

They will be travelling from Latrobe Valley and plan a lap of the main street, before presenting at the Show and Shine. A great display of cars, trucks and motorbikes are expected on the day and it is hoped that everyone in the area will pop in for a look, as the entry fee is only $5 per person. There is no entry fee for the exhibitors’ vehicles and drivers. For further information contact Don Bruce 0418 595 130 or John Mackie 0408 512 353.

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LEONGATHA Rotary Club is presenting its third annual fund raising Show and Shine at Leongatha Recreation Reserve, bottom oval, on Sunday March 1.

PAGE 18 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

The new Australian Sylvia Munro reckons she has been Australian since not long after she arrived from England almost 40 years ago. But it wasn’t until last year she made it ofﬁcial and took the oath of citizenship. The Star spoke to her before her ﬁrst Australia Day about why she and her husband Brian decided to take the big step. We’ve been in Australia since 1971. My husband went back to England last year and when he came back he said “we’ve got to do it now, I don’t want to live back in England”. So we made the choice and did it. Why did it take so long to come to that conclusion? Everyone assumed we were Australians anyway. We’ve lived here, we’ve worked here, our son was born over here. What do you like about being an Australian? I love Australia. Everybody is so friendly, it is a beautiful lifestyle down here. The best thing we ever did was move to South Gippsland. Growing up in England, Sylvia experienced a lifestyle totally different to the Australian way of life. Travelling to the other side of the world is a big step when most people from her home town spend their lives within a few kilometres of where they were born. I was one of six children in Leighon-Sea in Essex. It was tough, really tough. We had nothing. When I got married we decided we would come to Australia to improve any family we had. What was the country that greeted you in 1971 like? It was hot. It was snowing when we left England and we had no one

Meals roster (Leongatha) Christian Revival Crusade, Joy Hayward, S. Birch (2nd 4th 5th & 6th), and National Bank (Tues Feb. 3) will be responsible for the delivery of meals on wheels, the week beginning February 2, 2009.

(Meeniyan/Dumbalk) Meeniyan Catholic Women’s League will be responsible for delivery the week beginning February 2, 2009.

here, we came out completely by ourselves. We had no family, no anything. There were people from a church who came to welcome us and settled in to a Williamstown hostel, but we decided we had to get out of there and moved to Dandenong. I don’t remember the ﬁrst Australia Day, but we had only been here a few weeks.

the citizenship test until September, we got the letter in October and it happened in November. I felt proud to become an Australian alongside all the other people there. There were about nine of us altogether. One of the questions on the test was how many Australians have come to Australia since 1952?

How did you feel about Australia when you ﬁrst arrived? Unfortunately, when I ﬁrst got here I was quite sick, taken to hospital and wasn’t expected to live. My mum, unbeknownst to me, arranged for me to go back, but I refused to go. We had come here for two years and I ended up never wanting to go back.

I’ve got no idea. We had multiple choice. There was 22 million, which I knew it wasn’t because that is how many people are in Australia, one million and a number someone in the middle.

What are the lives of your siblings back in Essex like compared to your life here? I haven’t been back there for 15 years, but I know it has got a lot tougher over there. Nobody has moved away, I’m the only one who has gone further than 10 miles away. Everybody envies us that we live in Australia and they wish they had done it themselves. They envy the sunshine and the fact that, to them, we seem to have made something of ourselves. We live in a bigger house, we have ﬁve acres, we have our own horses on the property – they couldn’t imagine any of that. They just think it is impossible to do that. Having lived here for so many years, passing the citizenship test was not the ordeal it would be for some new arrivals on our shores. Sylvia even knew who Don Bradman was. Having waited 37 years to become an Australian, the whole citizenship process seemed to happen in the blink of an eye. It happened so fast. We didn’t do

I’ll go the one in the middle. That’s the one I went for (laughs). I thought they were easy questions. Unlike some immigrants, Sylvia does not see her birthplace through rose coloured glasses or obsess about the old country. She is adamant she is totally Australian not English/Australian. She found the grass really is greener over here and has never looked back. I’ve considered myself an Australian for the last 30 years, but now I can get an Australian passport. We live in a very lucky country, no question. Let’s not spoil it here. What about Nyora. I love Nyora. There’s nothing here, but I love it (laughs). It’s lovely and quiet as you can see. We moved here from Hampton Park, fell in love with it and that was it. You hardly sound like a whinging Pom. (Laughs) No, but I can.

A centenary of faith at Toora CENTENARY Celebrations of St Agnes’ Catholic Church, Toora will be held on Sunday, February 15 with 11am Mass, and a light luncheon in the church grounds afterwards. In its100 years, the Toora institution has seen some interesting times. The following is a brief history of the church: As with Foster in the early years, Toora settlers were visited by priests coming either

by boat or on horseback from Tarraville, and then later from Yarram. In June 1888 during a visit in aid of the newly established Diocesan Fund, Bishop Corbett and Fr O’Donahue, while proceeding to Toora from Tarraville, were met ﬁve or six miles outside Toora by a cavalcade and escorted to the township. After that visit, arrangements were made for Toora and Foster to have a monthly mass. In May 1891 the Advocate reported that:

“Catholics in and around the fast-rising township of Toora are rapidly increasing in numbers, and look forward to the time when they can build a church. In June 1907 it was reported that the Catholic residents of Toora had bought the old State school site for 81 pounds and ten shillings from the Public Works Department, with the intention of the immediate erection of a church. Mr Eric Matson’s tender of 290 pounds

for the construction of a new Catholic chapel was accepted. By the end of 1908 the church had been built and it was opened and blessed by Dr Corbett, Bishop of Sale in January 1909. Settlers were generous in their support of their churches. Thomas Stanley Sheppard was remembered as a generous benefactor to several churches. Contact Brendan Scott 5686 2661, Bernie Olynne 5686 2414 for further information.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 19

On to higher ground By Chris Brown

SOUTH Gippsland’s class of 2008 found out which higher education institutions had offered them places early last week.

Melbourne bound: Korumburra’s Tim Green will begin a physiotherapy course at Melbourne University.

Leongatha schools said their students had been offered opportunities in a diverse range of courses. People unhappy with their courses are likely to hope for better offers in the second and third round of offers over the next month. Korumburra Secondary College dux, Tim Green discovered he had been accepted into his first preference, physiotherapy at Melbourne University, via the internet on Monday night. “I was pretty excited. After waiting so long I can have a plan. I have my accommodation, so I have a roof over my head,” he said. A scholarship will help the lifetime Korumburra resident stay with 129 other students at Whitley College in Parkville, which specialises in rural students. Mr Green said he should be right financially while he studies and may return to South Gippsland once a week to work at IGA. “This year was the best year of high school, so it’s good to move on and keep growing,” he said. “Since school has finished there’s been no routine, so getting back into one will be good.” The 18-year-old’s interest in physiotherapy began with learning about muscles in Physical Education a couple of years ago. He would like to assist people with sports injuries when he obtains his degree in four year’s time. “I’m a country boy, so I’ll hopefully be back unless I really like the city,” Mr Green said. Leongatha Secondary College teacher,

Lucy Collins: will do science at Melbourne University. Tracey Summerton said students had been able to get into an enormous range of job training options. “A number of students got into teacher education, nursing and arts,” she said. “But we also have students in myotherapy, which is muscular skeletal therapy, social work, film and television screen production, agricultural sciences, tourism, nutrition and dietetics, aerospace engineering and massage. Sixty-two per cent of LSC students received offers in their first or second rounds. “Some of our students are very ambitious and set a high bar for themselves and have done very well,” Ms Summerton said. Tarwin Lower 19-year-old, Lucy Collins received her second preference of science at Melbourne University. Her first preference was for vet science. Ms Collins was camping early last week and lined up at the Walkerville Caravan Park Kiosk at 9am on Tuesday to check the paper

for her offer. “I was relieved to know I got in somewhere. I already knew I didn’t have the score for vet science,” she said. “I’m really interested to see where I end up with the science degree. There’s so many ways you can go with it.” Ms Collins battled a long-term spinal injury throughout the year, which made it difficult to study. “Receiving an offer has made it a nice ending and made all the effort that has gone in over the year, with the school really supporting me, worth it,” she said. Mary MacKillop College principal, Michael Delaney said the class of 2008 had done well. “There were 36 students who applied through VTAC and 21 of those kids got a first choice and six kids got their second choice,” he said. “It’s good to know most kids have opportunities and a choice, so their hard work has been rewarded.” Mr Delaney said students had received offers in a whole range of areas including Occupational therapy, law, rural social welfare, arts, business and commerce and event management. South Coast Christian College principal, Peter Russell said 85 per cent of the college’s students gained either their first or second preference tertiary placement. “It was also very encouraging to see several of our students fulfil long-term goals: one student gained a chef’s apprenticeship; one has secured a traineeship with Cricket Victoria; and another received a scholarship with Bond University to study law,” he said. More than half of the college’s students received an ENTER score over 70, with the highest being 87.55.

A scientific decision LEONGATHA’S Jamin Heppell can’t wait to move to Melbourne and begin a science course at Melbourne University. “I just want to get into it and meet some new people in the city and live a different lifestyle,” he said. “It’s been real good in Leongatha, but there’s only so much you can handle.” The 2008 Leongatha Secondary College student hopes to complete his course, get into post-graduate medicine and eventually become a sports doctor. “I’ve had a lot of knee injuries, so I’ve always been interested in that stuff and in sport,” he said last week after accepting his course offer via a laptop computer on the dining table. This summer Jamin has been working at the Esplanade Hotel in Inverloch and staying in the family holiday house. He was watching a brother play basketball in Port Macquarie when tertiary offers were announced on Monday night. “I had a friend who checked it out on the net and rang me up and gave me the news. It was pretty exciting,” Jamin said.

The 2008 school captain said he was aiming to get the highest score possible for his VCE. “Year 12 was a huge year, not only academically but also socially. It was about ﬁnding that balance of when you study and socialise,” Jamin said. “My attitude was to leave with no regrets; work as hard as possible.” A mid-year knee re-construction saw the keen footballer sidelined, but provided an opportunity to focus on study. “In the end it was hugely beneﬁcial. With football out of the way I only had my study to focus on,” Jamin said. Being school captain, along with Michelle Gordon, sometimes increased the pressure, with the responsibility of running student representative council, and organising assemblies, casual clothes days and end of year activities. But he thrived on the pressure of being a role model. “Within today’s youth there is too much emphasis on trying to impress people and on being cool, rather than having your own style,” Jamin said.

Science course: Jamin Heppell will study at Melbourne University.

ENROL NOW FOR 2009 Get training tailored for our region and our people. 2009 courses available now: • • • • • •

Accounting Business Administration Financial Services Information Technology NEIS Building and Construction (Pre-apprenticeship)

• • • • • •

Events and Hospitality Training and Assessment Childcare Aged Care Community Services Traineeships

Plus a range of short courses

Come to our Information Evening

6pm to 8pm February 5 Free career advice For further information or to enrol phone Chisholm Bass Coast on 5671 2300. Corner White Road and South Dudley Road, Wonthaggi. (Also at Frankston Dandenong Cranbourne Berwick Rosebud)

www.chisholm.edu.au 5671 2300

PAGE 20 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 21

Banking on the future By Jane Ross

THE people of Dumbalk are interested in a Bendigo Community Bank. That and several other matters of importance to the town, were discussed at a public meeting held in the former kindergarten and organised by the progress association. Dumbalk identities and progress association stalwarts Ed and Bev Hanley, said they were disappointed at the

turnout of 25, but quite a few apologies were lodged. Cr David Lewis chaired. Those at the meeting agreed to liaise with the Department of Education about the Dumbalk Primary School buildings. The school has been closed for three years. There are pavers owned by local families and a time capsule at the school, which would need to be moved to another public part of the town if the school is sold. A spokesperson for the department

said no decision has yet been made about the facility. Ed said in the event of a sale, the community would seek compensation for the school’s multipurpose building, which was built and paid for by the townspeople. The former kindergarten, which closed at about the same time as the school, was also discussed. The building, which also houses the former infant welfare centre, is owned by South Gippsland Council and leased

by the Dumbalk Progress Association. The lease expires in March. Those at the public meeting ﬂoated 10 ideas for the use of the kinder, all of which would beneﬁt the community. A decision was also made to conduct a competition for the design of a town logo. There will be open, primary and secondary school sections. Volunteers were sought to distribute Neighbourhood Watch material. The Hanleys said the progress association was encouraging the people of

Dumbalk to support the Tarwin Valley Camp Draft’s ﬁrst event at Dumbalk. This will be held on Saturday February 28 and Sunday March 1. “They’ve done an enormous amount of work at the rec,” said Bev. The progress association will hold its annual market in the Dumbalk Hall on the Saturday of the camp draft. Members of the town’s CFA gave details of their new junior branch, which is open to those aged 11 to 16.

• OBITUARY

She cared for others By her nephew Len Hanks

THERE were many outstanding qualities about Dorrie, as she was called by all who knew her.

Her endearing traits were her bright, cheery nature, her hospitality, her cooking which was legendary, but most of all her love and compassion, which was given freely and unconditionally. She just loved to help others. Like her husband, she made do with whatever they had and made the best out of any situation. Born at Mornington on May 22 1922, she was the youngest child of Annie and Harold Chenoweth and had three older brothers, Edgar, Roy and Alan. The Chenoweths were rail-

way people and worked at various places across Victoria before coming to Koonwarra in 1926, where her mother ran the station for many years. Her father was a ganger on the line between Leongatha and Stony Creek. One of his jobs was to inspect the line every morning before the ﬁrst train came through. Her eldest brother died in his early teens, while her other brothers also worked for the railways. Along with her brothers she attended school at Koonwarra, and after leaving school she helped her mother working around the station. She also took up playing badminton at the Koonwarra Hall, and during a match she met her future husband, Jack Allen. Romance blossomed, and shortly after her 18th birthday they were married, moving into a small three-

roomed cottage built by Jack and his brother Eric on the Allen family farm at Nerrena. With a few additions and alterations, this was to be her home for the next 44 years, where she and Jack raised their family of four children, Mervyn, Margaret (Mrs Fred Hanks), Robert and Graham. She quickly settled into farm life, helping to milk the cows which in the early years were still milked by hand, and later on when Jack was involved in agricultural contracting, she would often take her turn at driving the tractor, ploughing, seed sowing or dam sinking. In 1984 after many happy years living on the farm and being heavily involved in the community life at Nerrena, they moved to No. 15 Shingler Street, Leongatha, leaving their youngest son Graham to run

High times: Overnight hike on the Bogong High Plains, from left, Paul and Annie Chisholm, Steve and Paula Horton and Josie Lomagno.

On foot to adventure THE South Gippsland Walking and Adventure Club has had a very busy and varied program over the last couple of months, with excellent attendances. The annual cup weekend in the high country around Mt Bogong was attended by half a dozen strong walkers who carried a backpack for the four days in challenging weather conditions and varied terrain. The combined Gippsland walking clubs’ weekend was held at the Powlett River campsite. Clubs were well represented and all enjoyed a choice of activities which included bicycling, canoeing, walking and an excursion to a local rainforest area. A barbecue and social evening on the Saturday night was a lot of fun.

New Year’s Eve was celebrated at the Bass River Shack. Kerry has organised two bike rides exploring the paths of Melbourne. Even though the travelling distance is quite a way, there is always time for a coffee and cake stop, and always a good lunch stop with wine for those who like a little bit of luxury when they ride. Coming events include an evening walk to Cape Woolamai, cycling the Warburton rail trail, an overnight cycle to Walkerville, overnight hike to Lake Tarli Karng, twilight bowling at Korumburra and several day walks. The club meets at the Leongatha Community House at 8pm on the fourth Thursday of the month. New members are always welcome. President Val can be contacted on 5672 2752.

the farm. Life now revolved around helping family and friends, which included Jack’s older brother and sisters during their declining years. Their car became known as nana’s taxi, taking grandchildren wherever they wanted to go, often giving them a bed for the night. Her husband predeceased her by four years, ending 64 years of a wonderful partnership. She entered Leongatha hospital three weeks prior to her passing on November 26, 2008. She was the last of her generation of the Chenoweth and Allen families, and will be sadly missed by her children and their partners, 21 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, her nieces and nephews, and her many friends.

Dorrie Allen: loved to help others.

PAGE 22 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Family home: Tim McRae is thrilled that his children now have the chance to enjoy living in the home of his childhood. With him are his wife Janet and Joel, Bree and Ella.

Out house: Tim McRae calls the original Tullaree toilet “Margaret’s en suite”, a reference to the woman known as the Lady of the Swamp.

Great run: Tim McRae said you can reach full speed in the hallway of Tullaree.

Swamp’s grand old lady By Jane Ross

THE paddocks are unusually ﬂat for South Gippsland and it’s easy to picture the landscape as the swamp that it once was.

The homestead looks unprepossessing from a distance, but its place as perhaps the region’s most historic property becomes clear once the visitor is close enough to see the name painted high on the archway over the front steps. Tullaree was once the venue of high society gatherings, then the sad scene of degradation and death. Now, the grand old lady has been restored to its former glory and the results are breath taking. Modern comforts and Victoriana have been juxtaposed in a pleasing mix that is providing Tim McRae’s three children with the setting for the idyllic childhood he himself enjoyed there. Tim, his wife Janet and their offspring Joel 14, Ella 12 and Bree 10, moved in to the renovated Tullaree at the end of last year. They held a New Year’s Eve party and plan a public “open house” on May 2. That will give those interested the chance to see the home, as well as raise money for the South Coast Christian College, which the McRae children attend. Tim and Janet hope author Richard Shears will be there to sign copies of

his books about Tullaree and its Lady of the Swamp mystery. They have invited him so that he can see the house in its renovated state. A band will play and there will be a vintage car display. During that party, the McRaes were enjoying a drink on the wide verandah of Tullaree, when they saw a stately horse drawn carriage, complete with driver in livery, coming up the road. They wondered whether one of the Clement sisters, whose father Peter had built Tullaree, had come back to be the life of the party. Instead, Janet’s friend Aileen Hughes alighted from the carriage, owned and driven by Col Rump. Aileen, who loves an occasion, was suitably attired and for the duration of the party, was referred to by the McRaes as “Lady Hughes”. The restored manor is just the place for such a “lady”. Tim’s parents, Clare and the late Bob McRae, bought Tullaree in June 1967. “This was a very happy place to grow up. There was space, the farm, ﬁshing, I like the view,” he said, adding that the hallway was long enough for you to “get up full speed” before having to slow down at the far end. Tim is the seventh of eight children, two boys and six girls. The back garden of Tullaree bears tangible proof of his years at the (now

closed) Buffalo Primary School. He was fascinated with acorns and oak trees and remembers as a very young schoolboy, watching wide eyed as acorns sprouted. He brought some home and gave them to his mother, who tossed them out the back. One grew. It now provides a cascading canopy, shading the original meat house and the crumbling outdoor brick toilet, which Tim refers to as “Margaret’s en suite”. Margaret Clement lived her later life at Tullaree in impecunious circumstances, disappearing in 1952. Not far from the big oak tree, is a cracked concrete dome, sheltering the original homestead well. Tim wants to restore that too. Beside it grows a fig tree, boasting the biggest fruit imaginable. Tullaree faces east/west. The house covers 38 squares, 55 if you add the verandah which is nine feet wide. There are 200 square metres of flooring, nine fireplaces and mantlepieces, which were stripped and French polished in Melbourne. Tim and Janet took them there by horse float. Cast iron inserts have been added, because the McRaes prefer hydronic heating, to open fires. The heating will run on recycled oil burners. There’s no need for air conditioning. The heating, spa in the master bedroom en suite and an outdoor, inground pool are the concessions to 21st century living. The kitchen has been mod-

ernised too, although Janet insisted on retaining the original AGA cooker, which takes up the best part of one wall. A family room has been created at the back. As far as possible, original fittings such as door handles have been retained. Tim and Janet bought Tullaree from Tim’s brother Rod, who lived there between April 1989 and July 2007. Tim, Janet and their children had lived in a cottage on the farm, Janet undertaking research and collecting antiques in anticipation of renovating Tullaree. She consulted widely and had “great fun” overseeing the job. Tim and Janet were sensitive to raising their children in a house that had such a sad history. Tim belongs to a men’s prayer group and he and his friends conducted prayer sessions to help cleanse the home. He and his wife say it is a happy, joyous place in which to bring up a family. The visitor feels that too. Joel, Ella and Bree each have their own bedroom, decorated to reflect their individual tastes, yet in keeping with its 1890s design. “The house was well maintained and quite livable,” said Tim, “but time had caught up with it.” There were borers in the floor and some of the window frames. Skilled interior decorators advised on drapes and furnishings. There was

little structural change, although Janet was diplomatically insistent that the door to the master bedroom be moved to accommodate a big four poster bed. An adjoining long, narrow room that the McRaes think was once an ofﬁce, has been divided and converted into a walk-in robe and en suite. The master and guest bedrooms are at the front of the house, each with a triple window. Janet has realised a long held dream of having a blue and white bedroom, not in her own boudoir because white is not a practical shade, but the guest bedroom looks fresh and inviting with its blue and white décor. The McRaes made a particular effort to use local trades people and are grateful for their patience and expertise. They include builders James Noorbergen and Murray Nicol, electrician Paul Eldred, plumber Mark McCarthy, painter Brian Byrne, ﬂoor sander Warren Doyle, plasterer Terry Oakley, landscaper Paul Bracken, brickie Steve Johnson, interior decorators Anne Marie Heppell, Jayne Scott and Suzanne Simpson, whose husband Dave did the tiling, Compass Pools, John Jenkin of AGA Man Services and hydronic heating tradesman Andy Larkin, who is a former South Gippslander. Their task was challenging, as it was for Tim and Janet. Would they do it again? “Yes,” said Janet.

Original well: Bree McRae stands on the original Tullaree well beneath a proliﬁc ﬁg tree.

Mighty oak: Tim and Janet McRae stand in front of an oak tree at Tullaree, which grew from a sprouted acorn Tim brought home from Buffalo Primary School.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 23

Underground power chance THE Power Grid Option Group believes they are “genuine contenders” to have the power supply for the desalination plant put underground. Electricity will be taken from high voltage wires at Tynong and through South Gippsland to the plant. The group said statements in Planning Minister, Justin Madden’s assessment of the desalination plant were good news. Mr Madden said overhead and underground technologies both provide

viable means to deliver power to the desalination plant. “I also note that the visual impact of power supply would be reduced through use of pole technology and/ or underground technology in certain locations,” he said. The minister also said public-private partnership bidders can give further consideration to options to reduce power supply impacts on landscape and visual amenity. Power Grid Option Group chairman, Alan Fraser said the underground option was a genuine contender.

“It is line ball as to the direction the power will go and we are doing everything we can to push us over that line,” he said. “Getting this far has been very much down to our strategy of offering solutions and being collaborative and constructive in our communications. “It is a very hard road and we are not there yet. I cannot emphasise enough how much the group’s willingness to stay with our strategy of not making this a media circus has helped open doors for us.” In the last ten weeks Mr Fraser has

spent an average of three days each week in Melbourne. Meanwhile National party leader and Gippsland South MP, Peter Ryan said the State Government must make undergrounding power supply to the Wonthaggi desalination plant a top priority to protect the natural beauty of Gippsland and to do justice to affected landowners. “The government’s own Environmental Impact Assessment of the desalination plant acknowledges that above ground power lines would conﬂict with a number of local planning

priorities which are intended to protect and enhance the landscape quality of the area,” he said. Mr Ryan said the global financial crisis will probably make financing of the project cheaper if the funding can be attracted in the first place, so undergrounding the power lines should be more affordable than ever. “Victoria is supposed to be the smart state and, according to Mr Brumby, also the state of innovation, so here is a chance for the Premier to live up to his own rhetoric,” he said.

Shave for hope ★★★★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★ ARIES—March 21-April 20 Every old saying has a new meaning, from beauty is in the eye of the beholder, to haste is to waste. Expected payment may be slow in coming. Healthwise, don’t laugh off aches and pains. TAURUS—April 21-May 22 Work mates are inconsistent and a loved one is surprisingly dramatic. Be alert to a financial opportunity in the domestic environment. Will power is low, particularly regarding diet.

ON Friday March 6, local Mirboo North hairdresser, Jane Speed (formerly Fitzpatrick) will be shaving off her hair, all in the name of charity. The charity is the Leukaemia Foundation. The foundation holds the World’s Greatest Shave event each year in March. The aim is to raise money for the foundation to help with the many people diagnosed with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood disorders. Jane will be doing the shaves and also having her hair shaved at Koorooman House Aged Care Facility

in Leongatha on Friday, March 6 at 2pm. People are welcome to attend and give a gold coin donation, with all proceeds going to the Leukaemia Foundation. Anyone else wanting to participate in this event by shaving or colouring their hair is welcome and can contact Jane on 0409 682 442. Donation tins are also located at several businesses around Mirboo North including Strzelecki Bakery, Craig Young’s Butchery, Bendigo Bank, Nana’s Cupboard Café, Ridgway Takeaway, Gordon Burdekin Newsagency and Ridgway Discounts.

GEMINI—May 23-June 21 Your ideas are valuable things, so guard them closely. On the other hand, express love more freely - to your romance partner and especially to youngsters. News of an upcoming visit brightens the weekend. CANCER—June 22-July 22 Emotional strain eases up during this very social week, with activities ranging from the very earthy to the glittering and glamorous. By the weekend you stumble on a solution to a domestic dilemma. LEO—July 23-August 22 This is a week of mystery. Among the offerings a sullen acquaintance turns into charm personified. A missing object is found in the unlikeliest place. A trip becomes more surprising with each twist. VIRGO—August 23-September 22 Your memory plays games with you so double check your facts. You bring a touch of class to a weekend happening. A romantic debate is settled by the end of the week. Selling is favoured all week. LIBRA—September 23-October 22 Your taste is impeccable - but also leans to the expensive Your parties, intimate dinners or grand buffets are memorable. Spend more time encouraging loved ones to realize their potential. SCORPIO—October 23-November 21 Don’t feel obligated to defend a point of view to a critical friend. The weekend accents nostalgia - a loving gesture puts you in a sentimental mood. Your status at the workplace increases. SAGITTARIUS—November 22-December 22 Every rule has an exception, as you see throughout the week. Someone you love may need a health hint - issue it by Friday. A favourable financial announcement arrives when least expected. CAPRICORN—December 23-January 20 You could find yourself wearing a new hat by the end of the week, taking on the role of consultant, writer or artist Opt for more spontaneity on the weekend. Contact outof-town relatives, even if not your turn. AQUARIUS—January 21-February 19 Remember those recent ventures? Well, this is the week to realize substantial gains. It’s also a week that favours real estate hunting, expanding educational horizons and avoiding gossipy types. PISCES—February 20-March 20 If possible, tackle whole jobs rather than single sections. A loved one may be cynical, but don’t press. Intuitive gifts are especially strong after the weekend. BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK Your approach to life and above all, to romance is one of optimism. You are rarely at a loss of words, which in your case is both a positive and negative trait. Imagination was your best friend last year, using it to develop personal and professional relationships.

QUICK PUZZLE NO. 8153

Church Times ANGLICAN: Wednesday, January 28: 11am St Peter’s Mid-Week HC. Sunday, February 1: 8am St Peter’s HC; 10am St Peter’s Contemporary Family Service with HC; 10.30am St Andrew’s, Tarwin Lower Uniting Service. 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. Poowong: First and third Sundays, 11.30am. ST GEORGE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH: Wonthaggi. Sunday, 10.30am: Holy Communion & Sunday School; Monday, 7.30pm: Holy Communion; Wednesday, 8.45am: Christian prayer & meditation, 10am: Holy Communion. CHURCH OF ASCENSION: Inverloch, Sunday, 9am: Holy Communion & Sunday School; Tuesday, 9am: Christian prayer & meditation; 10am: Holy Communion; Thursday 7.30pm: Holy Communion. 5th Sunday services, alternating at Wonthaggi & Inverloch, contact Rev Bruce Charles for details, 5672 3984. THE CHURCH AT ARCHIES CREEK: Meeting every Sunday at Archies Creek. Morning Communion Service 11 am: Evening Holy Spirit Revival 6pm: Phone: Ps. Chris Chetland 5674 3867 or 5672 4660. ASSEMBLIES OF GOD: Prom Coast Community Church Inc. - Foster Community House, Station Street, 10am: Sunday. Sunday School and Creche operates. Pastor Bill Watson 5686 2248. A.O.G. Inverloch - Cnr Bear and McIntosh Street, Inverloch. Sunday Service 10am; Imagine Christmas Day Service 9am. Contact: Jeff Robertson, 0418 125 832 or Imagine Burwood 9888 7466. Korumburra Southern Hills A.O.G. - 4 Mine Rd, 10am and 6pm: Sunday. Also Children’s Church and Creche. Contact: Pastor Vic Butera 5655 2478. Youth: Neville Stuart ph. 0407 343 219. Leongatha South Gippsland Liberty Fellowship - 17 Michael Place, Leongatha. Sunday services: 11 am and 7pm. All enquiries contact Pastor David Stegmann 5662 2785. Office: 5662 3100. Wonthaggi A.O.G. - Billson Street, 10am: Sunday. Contact: Pastor Barry Smith 5672 3984. CHRISTIAN REVIVAL CRUSADE: 40 Hughes Street, Leongatha. Sunday, Morning Service 10.30 am: Inspirational Service, 6.30pm: Children’s Church 10.30am: Home cells weekly; For all enquiries contact 5662 4371 or 5664 5455. SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST: Sat-

urdays, Church service 10am., Leongatha Sabbath School - 11.30am. CATHOLIC: St Laurence’s Parish Leongatha: 5 pm Mass Saturday, 11am Mass Sunday. Tarwin Lower: In St Andrew’s Union Church, 5pm winter, 6pm summer Mass Saturday. Meeniyan: 9.30am Mass, 1st, 3rd, 5th Sundays and 11am, 2nd and 4th Sundays. Mirboo North: 11am Mass, 1st, 3rd, 5th Sundays and 9.30am Mass, 2nd and 4th Sundays. St. Joseph’s Parish Korumburra: 9.30am Sunday Mass. Loch: 5pm/6pm Daylight saving Sunday Mass. Wonthaggi: Saturday evening 6.30pm: Evening Mass; Sunday, 10.30am: Mass. Inverloch: Sunday 9 am: Mass. KORUMBURRA’S WOMEN’S AGLOW: First Monday every month at Korumburra Day Centre, Korumburra Hospital, Bridge St., Korumburra at 7.45pm. Inquiries phone 5657 2214. GIPPSLAND CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP: Strongly family oriented church meets at the Senior Citizens Centre, Mirboo North, Tuesday evenings: 7-8pm Communion, 8.15-9pm Bible Studies for Adults, Youth and Children. Friday evenings: Home Fellowships 7.30pm; Youth Activities. Enquiries: 5662 2388 Bob Stevens. SALVATION ARMY LEONGATHA COMMUNITY CHURCH meets at 52 Anderson Street (South Gippsland Highway) - Sunday: Family Worship at 10am: Kid’s Club - Tuesday, 4 - 5pm; mainly music, Thursday 10am. All welcome. Please contact Captain Martyn and Heather Scrimshaw, ph. 5662 5122. SALVATION ARMY WONTHAGGI COMMUNITY CHURCH meets at 149 McKenzie Street every Sunday at 11am for Family Worship. Kids' Club - every Tuesday at 4 pm, Women's Group - Wednesday at 1.30pm, and Playgroup - Friday 9.30am. Evening Ladies' Fellowship - First Monday each month and Youth Groups held monthly. All welcome. Please contact Lt. Robyn and Max Lean. Ph. 5672 1228. PRESBYTERIAN: Weekly Worship Service 10am Sunday, corner Bent and Turner Streets, Leongatha. Phone Rev. Dr D.

Clarnette 0409 236 981 or elder Col Rump 5662-2107. CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH: Reformed Church meeting at the corner of Peart and Brown Streets. Sunday family service at 10.30am. (10am daylight saving time), creche and Sunday School available. Teaching service at 7.30pm. Fortnightly youth activities. Home Bible Fellowship groups. Contact 5662 2762. Minister: Rev. Ron Nauta. UNITING CHURCH: Leongatha: Services from December 21 until the end of January will be at 10am. Mirboo North: 9.30am. Meeniyan: 10am. Wonthaggi: Sunday 9.30am and 11am, Family Service, all welcome. Inverloch: Sunday 11am: Korumburra: Sunday, 10am: Rev. Deacon Tom Kirchner, 5655 1997. BAPTIST CHURCH KORUMBURRA: 39 Mine Rd, Korumburra. Service and Sunday School 10.30am. Pastor Ian Wilkinson. Phone 5658 1366. BAPTIST CHURCH WON-THAGGI: 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.

6. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 16. 20. 22. 23. 24. 25.

ACROSS Make up (10) Gas (4) Brass instrument (4) Flower (5) Shout (4) Flattering (9) Throb (9) Plant (4) Short (5) Meat (4) African tribe (4) Shortage (10)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 7. 13. 14. 15. 17. 18. 19. 21.

DOWN Plump (6) Attack (7) Bone (6) Garment (6) Coin (5) Merry (5) Fuel (3) Plug (7) Spurious (5) Unanchored (6) Penetrate (6) Threefold (6) Room (5)

CRYPTIC PUZZLE NO. 8153 ACROSS 6. Intend to keep an eye on? (4,2,4). 8. Thought I had started eating (4). 9. Go ahead and give the OK to (4). 10. Had destroyed the evidence that one had made a hash of it? (5). 11. Captives don’t find them funny! (4). 12.Listening attentively to every word while waiting? (7,2). 16. Did it, being unable to back out (9). 20. Very little notice (4). 22. What the experienced pearl-stringer knows? (5). 23. Having one name the club (4). 24. On Sunday, again dropped in for a yarn (4). 25. Found unsheathed? (10). DOWN 1. Presreve the name of the country (6). 2. News would seem to have got out about the gas explosion (7). 3. In winter, need I say, will be shut up (6). 4. In which you’ll see a lot of French nippers (6). 5. Having no score, the footballer is unsettled (5). 7. The evergreens start running riot in the border (5). 13. Stick up a fool (3). 14. Marked in the various dates for holding it (7). 15. Drops the flowers (5). 17. Sit on the work counter (6). 18. For many, a race-course that’s lucky (6). 19. Eaten, naturally (6). 21. The traffic at the time, dear, was all snarled up (5).

PAGE 24 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Major sponsors: San Remo District Community Bendigo Bank manager, Michael Scott said they are proud to be the major sponsors of the annual San Remo Channel Challenge and are expecting huge crowds for the event to be held this Saturday, January 31 at 5 pm.

Challenging times ahead for Bendigo WHILE banks worldwide are struggling in the light of the ﬁnancial global crisis, it seems it’s all smooth sailing for the San Remo District Community Bendigo Bank, that is going from strength to strength. As major sponsors of the San Remo Channel Challenge for the past two years and supporters for the past six, local branch manager Michael Scott is excited to again sponsor the 24th 2009 Channel Challenge to be staged this Saturday, January 31 at 5 pm. Mr Scott sees a bright future ahead for the Bendigo Bank in the local region, with plans underway to see branches in Cowes and Grantville. “There is deﬁnitely community support for the two new branches, and things are moving quickly in Cowes,” Mr Scott said. “There will be a prospectus meeting held in Cowes at the start of February and we have high hopes for the branch to be open early next year,” he said.

“It is all very exciting. We are getting very good support from local businesses and Cowes is deﬁnitely well on the way.” The San Remo branch was ofﬁcially launched on Friday June 27 2003 and Mr Scott joined the bank in December 2006. Born and bred in Wonthaggi, Mr Scott now lives in Cowes and works in San Remo and said he loves his job. “It is fantastic working in San Remo. There are not many other work places where you can look out over the water,” he said. As for the Channel Challenge event, Mr Scott said they are very proud to be the major sponsors and look forward to continuing the partnership in future years. Mr Scott and the local Bendigo Bank team will be very hands on this Saturday at team headquarters in the main street, recording all the entries.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 25

Big opportunity Read about the development potential of this Jeffrey Street, Leongatha home on page 29.

PAGE 26 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Weekender or full time fantasy? T

HERE’S a wonderful secret in Koonwarra village.

Set well back and out of sight from the road, with a balcony that overlooks a permanent native reserve, is a versatile and characterﬁlled property on a private, half acre block. Positioned to take advantage of all that Koonwarra has to offer, with

close proximity to Inverloch and ready access to the Prom, this property makes an ideal luxury weekender, or a comfortable permanent home that sits in perfect harmony with its surrounds. The home has been built to ﬂow with the land over three levels, with balconies and doors cleverly connecting you with your environment, and picture windows that bring the outside into

every room. The main living area, on the top level, comprises a modern kitchen (with two door dishwasher and pantry), meals and living space. Ceilings are stunning, in light, limed timber and soaring to blend with the treed outdoors. The two lower levels have a combination of living, bedrooms and bathrooms, providing enticing choices for accommodation depending on your own individual needs. There are carpets and tiles throughout, attractive glass panelled internal doors and plenty of storage cupboards. Ducted reverse cycle heating and cooling, halogen lighting, timber venetians and modern bathrooms add to this home’s appeal and value. Separate to the house,

but close by, is a fully lined studio (approx 6m x 4m) ideal as a work-from-home option or as an extra bedroom or hobby room. Adjoining this is a double carport, and there is room for additional vehicles if required. The surrounds are mostly native shrubs and trees, offering privacy and a haven for bird life and supported with a 5000 litre water tank: it’s also on town water. This property, offered to buyers in the range $285,000 - $315,000, is open to inspect this Saturday 11am to 11.30am and Sunday 1pm to 1.30pm, or a private inspection can be arranged by contacting the agents. The secret is out now, so don’t dally. The agents sold the last property in this price range in Koonwarra before the ﬁrst open day.

At a glance Location: 11 Koala Drive, Koonwarra. Price range: $285,000 - $315,000. Agent: Prom Country Real Estate, Meeniyan. Contact: 5664 0224.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 27

Big home; all the extras L

OCATED in sought after Brumley Street, Leongatha this home is dressed to impress and entertain. From the moment you walk in the door you are met with the feeling of style and flare. The home has about doubled in size from its original design and has been rebuilt inside and out. Every feature of the home internally reflects its modern design. Features include four generous sized bedrooms, plus a study area, and a formal lounge with an additional rumpus or entertaining room, plus a family room. The stunning kitchen has gas Technika hot plates and electric Technika oven, dishwasher, beautiful spotted gum timber floors and overhead rangehood. The master bedroom features a full en suite, which includes a spa. All four bedrooms boast built-in robes and three of the bedrooms have ceiling fans. Adjacent to the kitchen is the central dining area with spotted gum floors, which overlook the split level family room. Outside you will be pleased to find not one, but two garages.

Garage one is 6m x 4m, with garage two being 8m x 6m. Other features of the property are rear lane access, three level outdoor entertaining deck, which could cater for large family gatherings, landscaped gardens, and much, much more. This is a great family home with a great yard for kids, entertaining friends or housing pets. It is close to the schools and McIndoe Park. No expense has been spared here and the home must be inspected to be fully appreciated.

At a glance Location: 42 Brumley Street, Leongatha. Price: $385,000. Agent: Alex Scott & Staff, Leongatha. Contact: Andrew Newton 5662 0922 or 0407 940 320.

PAGE 28 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Side lane access to large block T

HIS three bedroom brick home is located in popular Bent Street, Leongatha. This location is close to schools, parks, the recreation facilities and from here it’s only a short walk to the shops of Leongatha.

The home offers three spacious bedrooms, good sized bathroom, open living/dining and kitchen area with reverse cycle split system for heating and cooling. Outside there is a patio area that is perfect for barbecue entertaining.

One of the main features of this home is the side lane access, which runs the entire length of the large 1624 square metre block. There would still be plenty of space on the block even after the construction of a large shed. This home would be a perfect investment opportunity or it could suit a discerning ﬁrst home buyer. Contact Zel Svenson at SG & P Real Estate on Bair Street, Leongatha for further details.

At a glance Location: Bent Street, Leongatha. Price: $268,000. Agent: SG & P Real Estate, Leongatha. Contact: Zel Svenson 5662 5155 or 0438 636 290.

big or small, new or old, call us to get your property sold!!! www.promcountryrealestate.com.au mt eccles

1880 grand ridge road

Private farm cottage with plenty of ﬂexible living space & uninterrupted panoramic views. 4 bedrooms, sunroom, utility room, e laundry, r wc and bathroom, u n&dlevel house verandas t gardens.

cont

rac

welshpool

suit buyers $285,000 - $310,000

meeniyan

110 meeniyan-prom rd

D L O S

2.5 acre allotment with gentle fall with north and east aspects. Well fenced, powered & outllooks across farmland. Between the Prom, Leongatha and Inverloch. Reasonably priced Rural living is rare. Very suit buyers $140,000 - $155,000 Happy Sellers :)

‘ﬂoydale - an historic welshpool residence’

leongatha

16 young street

D L O S

Beautiful heritage home, with high ceilings, period ﬁttings, light ﬁlled interiors, and outdoor entertaining environment. 3 bdrms, 2 bthrms, formal lounge, open plan living. Quality town Property. Very suit buyers $350,000 - $385,000 Happy Sellers :)

‘what a treat in brendan street!’ On the Leongatha side of Meeniyan township is this picturesque 3 acre “farmlet with the lot”: immaculate 4 bedroom home, shedding, gorgeous gardens, great paddock areas for ponies or stock, stock yards with ramp, pool, covered verandah with rural outlooks. Town water, town convenience, rural privacy!

for sale $470,000

80 Whitelaw Street, Meeniyan

(03) 5664 0224

Level 2 acres perfect for ponies! New plumbing, stumping, wiring, septic, colourbond roof, watertank, and with permits and insurance for your security. 3 bedrooms, close to race track. Very suit buyers $245,000 - $270,000 Serious Sellers.

‘koonwarra’s best kept secret - until now! this place is great!’

Iconic local residence on manicured half acre. Comprises 2 living areas, magniﬁcent kitchen, 3 bedrooms, study & 2 bathrooms + separate studio/bungalow with full 3rd bathroom. High ceilings, north facing patio, double garage, substantial shedding and workshop with side lane access, suit buyers & more. $275,000 - $300,000 meeniyan

stony creek

Just Listed! See it on our website, come to the open or do both! Overlooking a native reserve, a well presented character ﬁlled property on a private, half acre in perfect harmony with its surrounds. Living spaces & bedrooms have stunning outlooks and soaring ceilings. The light-ﬁlled lower levels have a mix of living, bedrooms and bathrooms, providing choices for accommodation. Ducted suit buyers heating & cooling, $285,000 - $315,000 attractive kitchen and bathrooms, separate inspect: sat 11-11.30 sun 1-1.30 or by appt studio (approx 5m x 5m), dble carport, 5,000G 11 koala drive water tank, town water. koonwarra

allen: 0417 274 624

kaz: 0417 516 998

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 29

Develop near town centre F

OR the second time in a hundred years 2 Jeffrey Street, Leongatha is for sale and will be auctioned on February 21 by SEJ. The 1200 square metre block in the heart of town is ripe for development (STCA). Four units or eight townhouses would fit on the land, which is bordered by Dr Wood Lane on the side and Blackman Lane at the back. The railway station, with its walk bridge access to the CBD, is across the road. Schools are in close proximity in the other direction. The north facing block has a fine four bedroom family home, and has been rewired and partly restumped. Nine foot ceilings, two living areas, spa, gas heater and a three bay garage with power and concrete floor begin this impressive residence. A timber kitchen features a slow combustion stove, Stanley Waterford wood stove and dishwasher. Established landscaped gardens

and good quality fencing are some of the outside features. The land title for 2 Jeffrey Street was created when the colony of Victoria was coming out of the 1800s gold rush. The title describes the size of the allotment as being ‘one rood and eight perches’ or a huge 1200 square metres in today’s language. Successive generations of the Blackman family were raised in what was still essentially a four roomed cottage when it was sold to the current owners in 1983, but has been extended to include four bedrooms and two living areas. There are no covenants or vegetation restrictions affecting the property. Renovate and enjoy a distinctive family home with plenty of backyard space or realise the development potential of a block ﬂanked by street and lane access. Inspections are by appointment with the selling agent and prior offers will be considered.

An antique and clearing sale will follow the property auction. Items include Federation Beaconsﬁeld robe and dressing chest, eight upholstered Bentwood chairs, French Oak round casino table that seats eight, cedar wardrobe, assorted tools and collectables, and general household items.

At a glance Location: 2 Jeffrey Street, Leongatha. Auction: Saturday, February 21 at 11am, on site. Agent: SEJ, Leongatha. Contact: 5662 4033, Lyle Miller 0408 515 665.

PAGE 30 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Top dairy opportunity A

WONDERFUL dairy opportunity presents itself on Clear Creek Road, Mirboo.

The property on two titles consists of about 213 undulating acres subdivided into 31 paddocks, with a good gravelled laneway linking the paddocks to the dairy. The dairy is a 15 swing over herringbone with a 30 tonne silo, feed system and a 7700 litre Alfa Laval milk vat.

The property boasts water galore, with a permanent creek, spring and two main dams. The property is neat and tidy, well fertilised and fences are mostly electric and in good order. There is a hayshed, machinery shed and calf rearing shed. There are two houses on the property. The main one is a comfortable three bedroom home with a new huge lounge/games room and a bungalow. There is a neat and tidy two

bedroom second home for a worker or tenant. The vendors are currently leasing about 180 acres next door, which should be able to be continued. Gippslee is a neat and tidy productive dairy farm with all the necessary ingredients. The vendors have the property realistically priced at $5570 per acre. Landmark at Leongatha is the Sole Agent.

At a glance Location: Clear Creek Road, Mirboo. Price: $5570 per acre. Agent: Landmark, Leongatha. Contact: 5662 2292

Elegant home on 99 acres N ESTLED in the hills of Archies Creek is this elegant four bedroom homestead on 99 acres.

The superb homestead has long, ranch style timber verandahs that will be ideal for you to relax under and view the extensive garden consisting of rare trees and shrubs. The home features 9’6” ceilings, timber floors, leadlight window and doors, master bedroom with en suite and walk-in robe. There’s a lounge family room, magnificent kitchen, family bathroom with claw foot bath, plus you’ll find a charming upstairs attic ideal for relaxing and reading. The main features of Mistlea Park include a central lane way and thousands of trees designed through Landcare projects for protection, privacy and ambiance.

There are two hay sheds, excellent covered stock yards, four bay machinery shed, ﬁve dams and a winter running creek.

Mistlea Park is a high producing property due to fertile pastures and a sheltered environment. It offers a perfect lifestyle farming

opportunity and is only 10 minutes from Wonthaggi. Inspect the property through Inverloch Harcourts.

At a glance Location: 30 Koetsvelds Road, Archies Creek. Price: $1,050,000. Agent: Harcourts, Inverloch. Contact: 5671 1212, Lewis Stone 0407 505 141 or Heather Atkins 0409 741 607.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 31

PAGE 32 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

By Karen Haw Town Centre Nursery

Smart decision: Zoe Davies from Mirboo North Cleaning Services is interested in the health beneﬁts of growing her own Goji Berries.

THERE is a current trend to grow your own fruits, nuts and vegetables.

While most people are aware of the usual every day varieties, there are many not so common but still delicious and useful foods and herbs that can be grown at home. A recent introduction onto the Australian market - but something that has been used in Oriental medicine for over 3000 years - is the Goji Berry (lycium barbarum). The Goji Berry lays claim as a “miracle food” and is a very rich source of vitamin C, claiming to have 500 times more vitamin C per ounce than oranges. They are also a superb source of vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, and E: they are becoming a famous antioxidant and claim to help with cancer treatment and prevention. In Oriental medicine, they are said to correct chi deﬁciency, meaning that people with low energy, insomnia, heart palpitation, are more comfortable after consuming goji berries. If all this can be proven to be true they certainly deserve the title of Miracle Food. Goji Berry plants are easy to grow. They are frost resistant and tend to lose their leaves in winter. The Goji Berry grows in a thick bush with tall vines. Heavy pruning will keep this bush looking nice and will also help

it produce more fruit. Goji Berries are also drought resistant once established. They can be planted in full or part shade but will produce better when planted in the full sun. They ﬂower in spring and the berries are produced in summer. Fresh Goji berries are incredibly sweet and juicy. If you have a large backyard that is protected from strong winds it is worth trying an avocado. Avocados are rich

in oil (mono-unsaturated/the good oils), protein and Vitamins A and B, are low in sugar and cholesterol and contain large amounts of minerals, calcium, iron and potassium. There are many varieties available but it is better to choose the varieties that are most cold hardy such as bacon, hass and/or fuerte. Due to ﬂowering habits, avocado varieties are categorised into A and B

groups. One variety is sufﬁcient to produce adequate crops for the home garden; however by planting a tree from both groups the harvest will be much greater. Avocados begin to ripen once picked and may take up to 10 days to reach maturity. To enhance ripening, place in a paper bag with a banana or apple. Sloping ground provides an ideal site to grow avocados because they are very fussy about their soil conditions and will not tolerate wet feet or heavy soils. It is essential to prepare the ground for an avocado well before planting. Young trees are susceptible to sunburn and damage from frost, so a small shelter while they establish is a very good idea. Avocados can produce lots of fruit, (ideally a seven year grafted tree can bear in excess of 200 fruit annually), therefore the tree needs to be fed well. Use a complete organic fertiliser, with a bit of extra potash or a citrus and fruit tree fertiliser in January, February and March. Watering is also important, particularly during heatwaves. Avocados like to have a top-up during the heat of the day. A grafted avocado plant will usually fruit within three years, whereas a seedling will take at least 10 years to fruit, without any certainty of the quality of the fruit. The best time to plant is in spring or late summer but they can be planted at any time of year. Prune the tree as it grows to stop the lower branches from hanging on the ground.

If space is limited there are many fruit bearing shrubs that do not take up much space. Chilean Guava (Ugni molinae) was very popular in the 1800s in England, but only recently has begun to regain popularity as a fruiting and ornamental plant. Fruit is very tasty and can be eaten fresh or added to other fruits in desserts. They can also be added to juices, made into jams and jellies or added to yoghurt or ice cream. The Chilean Guava is a frost hardy plant that is generally pest and disease free. Prune after fruiting to maintain a bushy shape. Pepino (solanum muricatum) is a member of the tomato family and is a small growing shrub to one metre high and wide that has a taste similar to a cucumber, cantaloupe, and a honeydew melon. Because of this, other common names for the pepino include melon shrub, tree melon, mellowfruit, pear melon, and the sweet cucumber. It grows well as a container plant, will fruit within a year in best conditions. Avoid hot, dry conditions. Pepinos tolerate moderate shade and have some frost tolerance. These are just a few of the not so common fruits and berries available. For anyone wanting more information there is an interesting web site called Incredible Edibles or just ask at your local nursery.

Super food: the Goji Berry is a delight to the eye and tastesbuds.

Feel super SUPERFOODS are foods that are crucial to healthy living. Some of these can be grown in the backyard. Blueberries These brightly coloured fruits deliver high levels of antioxidants which have been shown to lower cholesterol, prevent blood clotting, protect body cells and decrease the effects of brain ageing. Spinach Contains a synergy of phyto-nutrients and antioxidants including vitamin K, coenzyme Q10, folate, iron, and the carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin. Folate is especially important for women planning pregnancies, heart health and cancer protection. Nuts Nuts contain healthy oils, ﬁbre, vitamins and minerals, potent phytochemicals and the amino acid arginine.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 33

Berries attract Brit pickers THREE British backpackers are picking blueberries at Leongatha North as they combine work with an Australia-wide holiday. Owners of Koorooman Blueberries, Sue and Chris Howard, recently advertised for pickers and were inundated with replies. As a result Katharine Birdseye, Louise Stephenson and Laura Tapping arrived in early January to pick for three weeks. The girls are taking a break from study and work in the UK to travel for at least 12 months, but have no real time limit. The girls have been cheerfully going about their duties as pickers and hope to complete three months worth of agricultural work to extend their visas into a second year. Since arriving to the area the girls have visited Wilsons Promontory and Phillip Island as well as swimming regularly at SG Splash in Leongatha and heading to the movies. So far there have been no mishaps during the picking except that Chris had to move one snake which came a little bit too close. The biggest fright came when one of the girls accidentally touched a

huntsman spider! Before heading north along Australia’s east coast the girls are hoping to visit “Ramsey Street” in Melbourne where Neighbors is ﬁlmed. “We’re big Neighbors fans and we also loved Summer Heights High,” Katharine said. “It’s been a pleasure working for the Howards, they’ve made us feel at home,” she said. “We are hosting a farewell dinner for Chris and Sue before we ﬁnish up.”

The last picking day is tomorrow, Wednesday, January 28. At that point the girls will be setting off in their ﬂash Magna Executive they call Diego and looking for more adventure. The blueberry season has been huge this year, said the Howards, with berries still available for purchase well into February. Koorooman Blueberries is a member of the Organic Growers of Australia.

Back packers: Chris Howard talks over this year’s blueberry crop with, from left, Katharine Birdseye, Laura Tapping and Louise Stephenson.

Good fun: Louise Stephenson is enjoying her three weeks blueberry picking at Koorooman Blueberries at Leongatha North.

Nerrena gets ready for fires

THE Nerrena community is “ﬁre ready” after 35 people attended a CFA Fire Ready Meeting, open day and barbecue at Nerrena Fire Station recently. Several questions were raised at the January 18 meeting by community members, who were provided with comprehensive information and advice on how to prepare their property should a ﬁre strike in the area. “It was pleasing to see so many of the community of all ages attending the information session and actively joining in the discussion,” Nerrena Fire Brigade captain Vince Campisi said. “We hope that the residents never have to put

their fire plans into action, but if they do they will now be better prepared.” While at the station, residents also took the opportunity to inspect the fire fighting vehicles from Nerrena, Berrys Creek and Ruby brigades and other equipment that was available should there be a fire emergency. The brigade has recently received from the CFA a new model trailer pump, which will be another asset for the district. An information session was also given on the need for community members to support their local brigades by offering their services as volunteers not only as fire fighters but in various other roles such as community education, administration or just being available to check and tidy the trucks occasionally.

Anyone interested in becoming a ﬁre ﬁghting volunteer is asked to contact Captain Campisi or the CFA on 1800 232

636 or www.cfa.vic.gov. au and follow the links to volunteers.

Fire ready: Community members of Nerrena attended a ﬁre ready meeting recently, organised by the local ﬁre brigade.

Jack Geoffrey Cashin was born on January 14 at the Leongatha Memorial Hospital. He is the ﬁrst son for Tim and Grit of Leongatha South and a little brother for Charlotte. Excited grandparents are Elva, Klaus and Renate.

Fred bowls them over MEMBERS of the Leongatha Bowling Club were invited to Lord Brassey Lodge as guests of the new Worshipful Master Fred Sauvarin, a past bowling club champion. Bob Leslie gave an excellent presentation in the lodge room, describing the furnishings, the history and the development of Freemasonry over the ages. He pointed to the honour board, with its names of local freemasons who have served as master since 1896. Charlie Blogg showed spectacular pictures of his recent trip to Canada and Alaska and John Kennedy from the Duke of Connaught Lodge in Loch, sang some ﬁne renditions of well known songs.

Enjoyable company: members of the Leongatha Bowling Club were guests of the Lord Brassey Lodge. Enjoying the conviviality are from left, Don and Ellie McIntyre, Elaine and Graham Greenway and Stan and Eileen Elliott.

Festive event in Meeniyan THE combined churches of Meeniyan and Mirboo North thank those who made generous donations to their fifth annual Christmas Day Lunch. Hosted by the Meeniyan Uniting Church, the event provided a friendly, festive meal for those who would otherwise be without family on Christmas Day. The first attracted 18 guests; in 2008 there were 51. Bill Comans, who is one of the organisers, said, “The support by community members, many of whom are not associated with the local churches, continues to be tremendous. All food and cash are donated, individuals and families turn up to serve at tables, wash up and do all the things that are necessary to efficiently serve a full Christmas lunch to all who attend.” Everyone enjoyed a traditional Christmas lunch of ham, turkey, vegetables and gravy, Christmas pudding with cream and/or ice cream and/or fruit salad. The tables were decked with fresh seasonal fruit, Christmas cake, fruit mince pies, soft drink and home-made chocolates. Everyone received a small gift. Mark and Kerrie Tudor led the singing of Christmas carols and some guests have already booked for next Christmas.

Alyssa Maree Blackshaw was born at Leongatha hospital on January 1, 2009. Alyssa is a sister for Katie and a beautiful daughter for Jarrod and Allison.

PAGE 34 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Painting memories green MEMORIES of the Green Man go back more than 35 years.

Quirky style: The unusual paintings by David Pringle (pictured) are on show at Coalﬁelds Art Gallery.

The famous cafe on High St, Armadale, stood for ‘Alternative’ and was never far from the gentler edge of things. Folk music, food and drinks, chess and cushions; everything was at one’s leisure and pleasure in the small hours of Friday and Saturday night/mornings. They were as Melbourne as meat pie in the 1970s, but popular fare for different strokes. How welcoming is it then to hear that Wonthaggi artist David Pringle was a Green Man devotee. “Yes,

Record entries for portrait prize THE fourth Great Southern Portrait Prize attracted a record 67 senior works and another dozen junior entries, well up on last year’s total. Presented by the Prom Coast Arts Council, the prize was again held at the War Memorial Arts Centre in Foster on the weekend of January 17-18, in conjunction with the Tastes of Prom Country. The winner of the $1000 Great Southern Portrait Prize 2009 in the open section was Chris Beehag with Stitched Up, a textile portrait of Geoff Robson. Runner-up was Teresa Murphy with Bruce, a painting of her husband Bruce Richards. Highly commended was Siobhan Duivenvoorden with Fighting Cancer, a touching painting of Pam Summers. Patrick Murphy won the $1000 South Gippsland Shire Acquisitive Award with Jack and Zoe, Mates, a

painting of Jack Cowley and his dog. The people’s Popular Choice in the open section was Sally Gibson with Cliffy, a pastel of Cliff Falck, while in the junior section Darcy Jones won with Brett,

Portrait winner: Chris Beehag won the Great Southern Portrait Prize 2009 in the open section with Stitched Up.

a pastel of Brett Adams. In the junior section ﬁrst prize went to Sam Dobson for a charcoal drawing of his friend Daniel. Highly commended was 10-year-old Jasmine Susic with a pencil self-portrait.

we often frequented The Green Man coffee lounge, listened to folk music. It was fantastic stuff,” he recalled. Coalﬁelds Art Gallery director Janice Orchard calls him “an enigma. “After working in Melbourne for Australia Post, he moved to Wonthaggi in search of a quieter life,” Janice said. David is holding his third solo show in Wonthaggi at the Coalﬁelds gallery, entitled Works, and gauged by the interest it has created it does (work). “David’s quirky style is unique,” Janice said. “His

paintings are filled with experiences, people and the animals that fill his life.” At home he is surrounded by his paintings. “I try to keep the whole thing simple, respect the mystery and let it flow,” David said. “It seems to work for me.” “They’re things that I like. People and animals often appear. I suppose all the ideas, worries and feelings we carry in ourselves, get channelled into expressions.” Born in Yallourn in 1948, David grew up in Malvern and spent the 1960s and 1970s there. He studied art

at Prahran Technical College and had his ﬁrst solo exhibition in 1974. His success continued into the 1980s, when he also owned the Plum Gallery in Camberwell. He also had successful exhibi-

tions at Delshan Gallery in Melbourne. The exhibition will run until the end of the week. The gallery is open Thursday to Monday, 11am5pm. For inquiries, call 5672 4004.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 35

PAGE 36 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 37

Lifeline asks for help THE global ﬁnancial crisis is starting to bite, with a sharp jump in the amount of people calling Lifeline Gippsland.

In light of the escalating need for the counselling service, the organisation is calling for more volunteers to man its phones. “We really need more councillors. We’re finding more and more people are ringing, particularly with this financial crisis at the moment,” Lifeline Gippsland CEO Patricia Nalder said. “We have people call who have lost their jobs. People are really quite concerned.” The service, which is in its 41st year, is offering an information session on a volunteer counsellor training course. The session will be held on Monday, February 9, from 7pm to 9pm at Garnham House (in the grounds of the Wonthaggi Hospital). But even before the effects of the financial crisis were beginning to be felt, there was a greater need for the service in the Gippsland region.

“Last year we had a 20 per cent increase in the amount of calls we answered,” Ms Nalder said. “If I’ve got one councillor on the phone for 20 minutes and another person rings in that time, they can’t get answered. We can’t answer every call. “We’ve got three sites – Drouin, Wonthaggi and Morwell - and some nights I could have all operating and still not answer every call. We retain a 24 hour coverage, 365 days a year. It’s difﬁcult.” Ms Nalder said despite the sometimes harrowing nature of calls, there were great rewards for councillors. “But it isn’t the role for everyone,” she said. “It’s not like you’re sitting around cutting up vegies for Meals on Wheels, or a similar type of volunteer role. Not everybody can be a telephone councillor, but if people can learn and take on a role that is challenging, it’s certainly very rewarding. “Our councillors say they get far more out of it than they give.” For more about the information session call 5134 8278.

Ready to listen: while being a councillor is not for everyone, the rewards can be great.

Moving and grooving A GROUP of young Lisa Pellin dance students spent an exciting ﬁve days at the Ministry of Dance in Melbourne, a new school run by Jason Coleman of So You Think You Can Dance fame. The budding stars had the time of their lives. They were tutored by Jason himself, Collette Mann who was in Priscilla the Musical and the television drama Prisoner and some of the contestants from So You Think You Can Dance. They learnt hip hop, jazz, neo classical to contemporary dance, tap, jazz and singing. At the end of the ﬁve days, the students took part in a concert and featured in a video clip that will be posted on the internet.

When they return to their vari-

Coast Christian College and St

ous schools including Inverloch

Laurence’s next week, they’ll have

and Mirboo North primaries, South

plenty of holiday stories to share.

Starry eyed: these Lisa Pellin dance students spent ﬁve heady days in Melbourne, being tutored at the new Ministry of Dance with Jason Coleman and school director Kelly Akyers. The children are from left, Jasmine Susic, Morgan and Claudia Bolam, Madelyn Krausz, Xavier Pellin, Lauren Mitchelson and Jade Waaldyk.

Big cheque helps out SINCE Michael’s IGA in Korumburra and Leongatha began its community rewards program eight years ago, a total of $602,473 has been donated to various South Gippsland causes. Representatives of the Leongatha State Emergency Service and Leongatha, Koonwarra, Korumburra, Leongatha South, Loch, Poowong and Ruby CFA brigades, gathered outside IGA Leongatha on Friday, happy to share the $18,000 which makes up the most recent tally for their causes. This brings to $108,323 the total given to the SES and CFA. IGA marketing manager John Markham, described the overall total as “extraordinary for one small businessman”. “It’s because people care,” he said. “And we think the CFA and SES do a fantastic job.” More than 3000 local families are donating points to the program through their supermarket shopping.

Big money: big cheque, large sum. Representatives of Leongatha SES and Leongatha, Koonwarra, Korumburra, Leongatha South, Loch, Poowong and Ruby CFAs are grateful for the $108,323 that has been shared between them since the Michael’s IGA community rewards program started.

PAGE 38 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Marketing for sales success

ALISON Hescock, husband Rob and their three children run a commercial Angus herd at Orbost in East Gippsland.

A growing realisation that good product without appropriate marketing won’t necessarily result in good returns inspired Alison to participate in the practical beef marketing course by Rural Industries Skill Training and delivered by the Department of Primary Industries. “The course was an opportunity to increase our knowledge of different marketing strategies to maximise our returns,” Alison said. She learnt about fine tuning in the fat score and grading of animals, ph and colour of meat and understanding that what is standing on four legs with a pretty coat was meat underneath, measured differently to external appearances. “Previously we had focused on growing out all our steers to bullocks, but we have begun to explore other options such as selling to the supermarket trade through a local abattoir and a Melbourne-based butcher shop chain,” Alision said. An added bonus was meeting other producers with their own experiences and knowledge, which was shared at the eight sessions. While Alison feels they haven’t reached their optimum marketing strategy yet, the course moved them forward from where they were. RIST and DPI development officer at Leongatha, Claire Geri is offering the practical beef marketing course to producers in the Leongatha/ Buffalo area from March this year. During eight sessions the course will cover: industry language, selling and marketing systems, eating quality and cattle handling, feeder steers, marketing responsibilities, interpreting feedback, and strategic price risk management tools such as forward contracts and value-based marketing. To gain an edge in your beef marketing, contact RIST program co-ordinator Jane Mercer on 5573 0943 or Claire for more course details on 5662 9908 or 0448 335 479. RIST is a Victorian rural training provider based at Hamilton offering courses addressing a range of issues to positively affect the profitability of agriculture. For more information on RIST and its courses, traineeships and Diploma of Agriculture, go to www. rist.com.au

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 39

Prices cheaper despite fall in cattle numbers DESPITE a big fall in the supply of young and grown cattle, demand was still poor, and prices were 3c to 12c/kg cheaper over varying classes of cattle at VLE Leongatha last week Prices at the young cattle sale looked reasonable on paper but the yarding was of good to very good quality. Prices for B muscle vealers were only between 166c and 189c, and most other cattle made from 135c to 165c/kg. Even though the penning of bullocks was a lot smaller, prices were still 2c to 6c/kg cheaper. Prime bullocks made from 156c to 163c/kg. However, the demand for cows was steady, and prices were unchanged to 3c/kg lower. Better quality beef cows made from 125c to 138c with most of the plainer 1 and 2 score cows making between 84c and 122c/kg.

Wednesday, January 21 and Friday, January 23 BULLOCKS

9 2 3 2 2 1

C. Taylor & D. Mueller, Mirboo North D. Perczyk, Leongatha J.R. & M.C. Austin, Mirboo North T. Taylor, Inverloch G. Teumissan, Nerrena A., J., P. & J.M. McCormack, Ranceby

691 610 622 602 708

162.6 1122.84 162.0 988.20 160.6 998.40 158.2 952.00 155.0 1096.63

610 155.0

945.50

451 360 530 578 365 544

172.0 165.0 165.0 163.3 161.6 157.0

775.91 594.00 874.50 946.50 589.84 854.00

525 605 525 560 675 690

149.6 142.0 138.0 137.0 137.0 136.6

785.40 859.10 724.50 767.20 924.75 942.54

STEERS

9 1 1 24 1 5

W.G. & C.M. Elliot, Leongatha R. & M.E. Richards, Korumburra T.R. & P.A. Hancock, Wonthaggi G.J. & J.C. Briscoe, Mirboo North I. Coric, Nerrena T. Taylor, Inverloch

COWS

1 1 1 1 1 2

G. Campbell, Mirboo North Strathbrae Equity P/L, Inverloch R. Dummelow, Allambee East D.L. McIndoe, Leongatha J.S. & A.J. Kenny, Allambee East N. Marriot & Co., Drumdlemara

HEIFERS

1 1 8 1

R. & M.E. Richards, Korumburra T.R. & P.A. Hancock, Wonthaggi A.J. & B.R. Moyle, Lance Creek A.H., S.L., C.C. & R.M. Castle, Jeetho 1 T. Taylor, Inverloch 10 Strathbrae Equity P/L, Inverloch VEALERS 1 S.D. & K.D. Martin, Jumbunna East 1 N. Marriot & Co., Drumdlemara 2 K.A. & J.E. McAlpine, Leongatha 2 R.W. & L.J. Cowie, Fairbank 1 N.T. & S.A. Cook, Toora 3 G. & M. Lomagno, Leongatha South BULLS 1 L. & J. Rathjen, Flynn

1 1 1

1 1

N. Stuart, Nerrena G. & L. Licciardella, Hallston A.H., S.L., C.C. & R.M. Castle, Jeetho H.M. & E.M. Price, Boolarra P.M., J.A. & V.R. Johnston, Mirboo Nth

345 165.0 505 156.6 422 150.0

569.25 790.83 632.81

425 148.0 445 148.0 448 147.6

629.00 658.60 661.25

338 390 333 383 370

188.6 185.2 185.0 184.6 182.6

636.53 722.28 615.13 706.10 675.62

362 182.0

658.23

710 152.0 1079.20 935 151.6 1417.46 785 148.6 1166.51 895 148.0 1324.60 920 147.2 1354.24 945 146.6 1385.37

Lamb and sheep market Thursday, January 22

South Gippsland Stock Agents Association yarded 4250 lambs and 415 sheep at the lamb and sheep market on January 22. The next sale will be Thursday, January 29 at 11am. Prices: I. & R. Hengstberger, Dumbalk, 27 @ $96; N. & M. Baillie, Boolarra, 50 @ $95; R. & H. Harrison, Korumburra, 27 @ $92.

See hundreds of studs THIRTY beef cattle breeds will be on display at 217 studs throughout Victoria and the Riverina during Stock & Land’s Autumn Beef Week from January 30 to February 6. And in a move to assist visitors to plan their trips, information on each of the participating studs and the location maps are now available on www.beefweek.com.au. Many seedstock producers rely on Beef Week as their major marketing activity for the year, offering bulls and females for private sale while those with autumn onproperty sales take the opportunity to display the lots available over the following weeks, according to Beef Week director, Geoff Phillips. “This is one of the best results ever for Beef Week and although the widespread December rains have eased the situation somewhat, the entries were lodged during a very difﬁcult spring, clearly indicating the importance seedstock producers place on Beef Week,” he said. “Beef Week is a low cost high value event and serves to showcase south-east Australia’s seedstock industry.”

Geoff Phillips: the Beef Week director said the week is a low cost high value event allowing south-east Australia’s seedstock producers to demonstrate their cattle to potential buyers. In the 20 Beef Weeks conducted since the ﬁrst in 1992, there have been a total of 3723 stud openings in an outstanding showcase of what seedstock producers in Victoria and the Riverina have to offer the commercial industry. Thirty different breeds will be on display, which equals the greatest number ever, demonstrating the

growing diversity of genetics available in south-east Australia. Two breeds, Speckle Park and Twinners, will be making their Beef Week debuts. Both originate from North America and the breeders claim they have much to offer the Australian industry. Speckle Park steers regularly win the carcass competition at the Calgary Stampede and Twinners, selected for the ability to have twins, were developed at the internationally renowned USA Clay Centre. The most numerous breed is Angus with 50 studs displaying black Angus, while another 12 have Red Angus, for inspection. The whiteface breeds have increased their numbers, with 36 Poll Hereford and 30 Hereford studs opening their gates to the public over the eight days. The Limousin breed is the next most numerous, with 14 studs open, highlighting the importance of the grass fed domestic trade in southeast Australia. Charolais has 10 studs open, with Charolais studs available for inspection on all days except days one and ﬁve.

A new Charolais exhibitor is Noelene King, chair of the Melbourne Royal beef cattle committee who has her Hazel Downs Charolais and Grangeview Herefords on display on her West Gippsland property at Loch. The Blonde D’Aquitaine, Shorthorn and Simmental breeds all have a strong presence, with eight studs each, while ﬁve Murray Grey studs will open up. Gelbvieh, Santa Gertrudis and South Devon each have four entries. Other breeds represented are Belgian Blue with three each plus Balancer, Bazadaise, Beef Shorthorn, Brahman, Buchan Blacks, Composite, Lowline, Maine Anjou, Piedmontese, Red Poll, Salers, Simangus and Wagyu. Last year cattle producers from all states visited properties and indications are they’ll be back to inspect cattle and discuss breeding programs with southern stud masters. Beef Week opens in Gippsland and ﬁnishes in the Western District in a reversal of the pattern that has prevailed in recent years. More information is on www. beefweek.com.au

Poll Hereford stalwarts WITH more than 50 years of breeding, spanning three generations of the Meikle family, the Tarwin Poll Hereford herd is still focused on producing sound stud cattle able to successfully meet the commercial needs of the market place. The Meikles have been stalwarts of the Poll Hereford breed over the years, with each generation playing a role. At the Sale and District Agricultural Society Gippsland Beef Challenge, Tarwin Poll Herefords won best Poll Hereford Steer and best Poll Hereford hide. One of the ingredients for the success and longevity of this herd is a willingness to adopt modern practices. This is a Breedplan herd, with all calves weighed at 200, 400 and 600 days, plus ultrasound scanned for eye muscle area. Breedplan ﬁgures on all cattle are available on request. “I believe that buyers should make best use of all information when making their decisions” David Meikle said. The Meikle family have also taken on the Johnes Disease, Market Assurance Program. Their herd is currently at MN1 status and managed in accordance with this program. An extensive AI program is routinely incorporated into the management program for this herd. This is seen as a means of gaining access to wide ranging genetics suitable for their breeding objectives.

These objectives include producing muscular, well grown cattle suitable for use in crossbred and purebred herds. Bulls currently in use through this program include, Merewah Titanic, Heatherdale Kansas, Kayne Winter and Studbrook Dartagnion. Bulls of their own breeding successfully used include Warrior W016 (son of Merranlee Sundance), Ziggerman Z053 (son of Heatherdale Caretaker) and Symphony S019 (son of Wiranya Verdi). O’Sullivans Zephyr (a Hustler son) was added to the sire battery in 2006. A feature of these cattle is their ability to perform on grass, the stud has a practice of grass feeding their sale bulls and steers. Ease of temperament is also a feature of these cattle. Poll Herefords are noted for their quiet temperament and easy management. The pursuit of sound commercial cattle has also seen the stud develop a policy of culling unproductive females. Coupled with careful sire selection, this has seen a line of cattle developed with greater ease of calving, an important feature for today’s commercial cattleman. This is a great opportunity for people to visit one of Gippsland’s oldest Poll Hereford herds and discuss their breeding program with the stud principals. Tarwin Poll Herefords is located at Parrys Road, Meeniyan. For more details contact David Meikle on 5664 7556 or 0429 800 756.

PAGE 40 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Functional, productive cattle

Amberley Park: Galloway senior sire AP Bullseye V18 is part of the beef breeding operation at Hallston.

BILL and Minnie Kee established their Warringa Hereford Stud at Yarram in 1991. Foundation females were from Widgiewa and St. Gabriels. Initially sires and semen were from Widgiewa, but subsequently from South Boorook, Racovolis and Courallie. Home bred bulls are also used. They calve about 30 cows in March and April, which are managed under commercial conditions and culled heavily, striving for functional productive cattle. Particular emphasis is placed on temperament, moderate birth weight, growth and carcass. To achieve their goals they use superior genetics through artiﬁcial insemination. This allows them to have a short calving period. They also join selected cows naturally and are particularly pleased with the progeny of current stud sire, Racovolis Tom Thumb Y555 who boasts breed leading Breedplan ﬁgures and Selection Index Values. They are also anxiously awaiting the arrival of progeny from new stud sire, Bowmont Storm B720, who was purchased at the Wodonga National Show and Sale in May 2008. Heifers are joined to calve at two years.

Hereford stud: rising two-year-old bulls for sale from Warringa Hereford Stud. Notwithstanding tough seasonal conditions, which occur in the area regularly, they believe heifers should calve at two years. Hereford cattle are fertile, which allows the Kees to achieve this goal and enables them to introduce new genetics at an earlier age to advance genetic gain in herds. All animals are Breedplan recorded as they are strong believers in Breedplan and performance recording. It provides them with the beneﬁt of selecting superior genetics and assists clients in the selection process. The Warringa herd enjoys MN3 status under the BJD Market Assurance Program. Bulls are sold at two years of age privately and also at the Hereford

National Show and Sale at Wodonga in May each year. They decided to breed Herefords, because of temperament and ability of Hereford cattle to perform under harsh conditions, produce a calf annually, their exceptional carcass quality and growth for age and consistency in meeting market demands. All cattle will be on

display, including cows and ﬁrst calving heifers, yearling heifers kept to breed, stud sires and rising two-year-old sale bulls. Bill and Minnie are proud of their herd’s achievements and look forward to welcoming visitors on Friday, January 30 (Day 1 of the Beef Week Field Days).

Yarram productivity: a cow and her eight-monthold bull calf recently on the Kee’s property.

KISS for Amberley Park THE Amberley Park beef breeding operation at Hallston, just north of Leongatha, has had to give its breeding program the KISS (keep it simple stupid) principle. Malcolm Cock, principal at Amberley Park, said “having moved from operating 2500 acres at Buchan to now only 250 acres and recently losing our leased farm, we had to have major change.” The resulting changes were the dispersal of the well known Shorthorn stud in November this year along with the small Angus herd. “It was sad to see the Shorthorns go after 40 years good service, but they have been bought by other breeders in three states, so the blood line will continue,” Mr Cock said. “There are only eight Shorthorn bulls for sale this autumn and that will be it.” Galloways have always been the mainstay of the Cocks’ beef operation, with Victoria’s ﬁrst herd started by his father Hainsworth T. Cock in 1962 in the Yarra Valley, just 14km from Melbourne’s GPO. The Galloway herd expanded to 450 stud females at Buchan and became well known for producing the Blueroans

(Shorthorn X Galloway) that topped the markets most years at the East Gippsland calf sales. Asked why Galloways, Mr Cock said: “They are very easy care, low maintenance cattle that have proven to produce a top quality and yielding carcass. They have also shown to cross very well with most breeds, even with Brahmans.” Once again change came into play at Amberley Park with the introduction of Angus into a cross breeding program to produce now what is called the Buchan Blacks. This was after testing a number of different breeds crossed with the Galloway cows. The resulting progeny were performance tested, including in the Gippsland Grazing Trials. The performance was very simular, with Amberley Park steers having the ﬁrst and second highest weight gain in the GG Trials. Angus was decided on because of the better marketability and versatility of breeding programs that Buchan Blacks can be used in.

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

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 41

Structurally sound and guaranteed THE basic and simple objective at Yancowinna Angus, at Cape Paterson is to breed high performance seedstock cattle that improve the proﬁtability of their commercial producer clients’ herds. Therefore, they must be highly fertile, structurally sound, quiet temperament, easy calving and thrive under all conditions. All Yancowinna Angus bulls possess these traits, but at the same time there is a strict adherence and concentration on muscling, ﬂeshing

ability and high quality carcass traits. As an ongoing commitment to ensuring they deliver on expectations, Yancowinna provide a two year working guarantee and free delivery on all bulls sold in Gippsland. To ensure a quality assured working age Angus bull, Yancowinna weigh all calves at birth, 200 and 400 days of age, all animals are scanned for rib and rump fat, eye muscle area, plus intramuscular fat, as well as being measured for scrotal size. Young bulls are then veterinary checked for structure and natural

Baleze stud: has been at the forefront of the development of the Bazadaise breed in Australia.

Baleze Bazadaise breeding for quality Research Station in Rutherglen in 1998. Prior to the advent of these genetic markers, Bazadaise/Angus cross 12-monthold cattle showed excellent score for marbling, tenderness and taste. Testing by DNRE in 2002 for cholesterol levels showed full blood Bazadaise beef 51, Bazadaise/Angus beef 53, while the average cholesterol for beef is 77. Obviously, the lower cholesterol level is better for human health. In finished crossbred cattle, dressing out is around 60 per cent or better. Even more outstanding is the saleable meat yield of around 80 per cent. Butchers remark on the extra length of eye muscle which normally extends from the 12th rib to the seventh rib, but in Bazadaise, it extends to past the fourth rib. Backing up these findings to show what a Bazadaise bull can do in a cross breeding program, Baleze Bazadaise has won both Champion and Reserve Champion Carcass at several Carcass competitions in the last five years and, in fact, over a number of years has always scored extremely well in every carcass competition entered. Baleze take pride in breeding quality cattle with quiet temperament and have bulls, females, embryos and semen available for sale. For further information or to discuss any of your proposed breeding programs contact Faye Tuchtan on 5678 8366, mobile 0411 732 987, fax 5678 8247, email fmt@dcsi.net.au and website balezebazadaise.com.au.

THE Baleze stud is proud to be breeding this exceptional breed of cattle, the Bazadaise. Bazadaise cattle arrived in Australia in 1991 and Baleze were at the forefront of their development here, with their first Bazadaise cross calves on the ground in 1992. Through careful breeding programs, which include flushing and importing embryos and semen from France, Baleze has established itself as a premier Bazadaise stud in Australia. Bazadaise are an ancient breed of cattle, dating back to at least the middle ages in the southern part of France, near the old walled city of Bazas, south of Bordeaux, close to the Pyrenees, where for centuries they have been exposed to all extremes of weather. They are excellent foragers and food converters, thriving in the extreme heat of northern Australia as well as in Tasmania and all states in between. Bazadaise are easy calving with muscle development starting at about three weeks. Due to their short coat and thick hide, Bazadaise have been found to be tick and fly resistant in northern Australia. Baleze have had a number of cattle tested with Gene-Star for genetic markers for tenderness, marbling and feed efficiency, with outstanding results. About 120 Bazadaise have been tested so far, and all have shown extremely high markers for both tenderness and marbling. This confirms the testing done earlier at the Department of Agriculture

VISIT www.beefweek.com.au Hay

NEW SOUTH WALES

Balranald

Narrandera

Goulburn Wagga Wagga

Ouyen

Echuca

Charlton

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

DAY

Mansfield

Ararat

DAY

Geelong

Colac

Portland

Eildon

At the cutting edge...

Bega Omeo

DAY Bairnsdale

DAY

Warragul

Orbost

DAY 3 Sunday February 1 2009

DAY 4 Monday February 2 2009

Over 200 of the nation’s leading seedstock producers display their genetics

Morwell At the cutting edge...

DAY 2 Saturday January 31 2009

THE TOP 200

Cooma

Corryong

Mt Buller

Melbourne

Warrnambool

DAY 1 Friday January 30 2009

Tullagoota Pearl: has more than 40 progeny, with even more to come.

Seymour

Avoca

Tarraleaha Limousin Stud was established with the purchase of females from Keystone Genetics, Tueong Park Limousins and Ingleside Limousins. The last cow that was added to Tarraleaha stud was Tullagoota Pearl. She is a true matron of the breed, with more than 40 progeny and more to come. This 15-year-old cow can be seen with ﬁve ET calves by Ramses and there are embryos of that joining also for sale. Also available for sale on the day are a number of males and females sired by Malibu, Nenuphar, Opera, Jockey and Junior. Tarraleaha Stud are

members of the Limousin Assurance Program. Their aim is to produce cattle with good temperament, sound structure, softness and good doing ability. They use ET, AI and the best French genetics to help achieve those goals.

Canberra

Benalla

Ballarat

Hamilton

Wangaratta

Bendigo Stawell

COLIN and Pam Willmott look forward to seeing you on Saturday, January 31, the second day of Beef Week 2009.

Wodonga Shepparton

St Arnaud

Horsham

Tumut

Limousin leaders

Finley

6 4

Kerang

Warracknabeal

DAY

DAY DAY

Swan Hill

Yass

KMK Alliance: is a sire of the Yancowinna Angus bulls on display at Beef Week and will be sold on April 17.

service capacity by local independent vets. All animals are run in large contemporary groups of more than 100 head to obtain high accuracies. The majority of cattle are bred via a large scale AI/ET program, and all cattle to be offered for sale have been tested free of Arthrongryposis Multiplex (AM), commonly referred to as Curly Calf Syndrome. Many of the Yancowinna client’s cattle are livestock sale price leaders, with the recent Elders 25th Annual Feature Store sale held at VLE Leongatha, Koonwarra no exception. Long time clients, Rod and Coral Donat topped the sale with a pen of 19 Yancowinna blood, 14-month-old steers with average weight 470kg, for $835 per head, with spirited bidding from locals and the feedlot industry. Over 30 per cent of the total yarding, and 50 per cent of the total Angus cattle offered of 1200 head sold were by high performance Yancowinna bulls. An open invitation is extended to all cattle producers to inspect a selection of young working age bulls next Saturday, January 31 during Beef Week, with the Eighth Annual Bull Sale to be held at Yancowinna on Friday April 17. Contact Dennis Ginn on 0412 317 360 or through your preferred livestock agent.

DAY 5 Tuesday February 3 2009

DAY 6 Wednesday February 4 2009

SCALE OF KILOMETRES 20 40 60 80

DAY 7 Thursday February 5 2009

100

DAY 8 Friday February 6 2009

PLAN NOW TO VISIT

PAGE 42 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Reminders for dairy farmers Pastures and forages Ryegrass leaf appearance rate: 10-15 days per leaf (depending on soil moisture). Excessive daytime temperatures and dry conditions will suppress rye grass growth rates and leaf size, while very dry conditions may shut the plant down all together.

Estimated grazing rotation length: 30 to 45 days between each grazing. Area of farm to graze today: 1/30 to 1/45 of grazing area in 24 hours. Recommended pregrazing decisions: Graze ryegrass at, or near, three leaf stage (Note: graze to dominant species). Recommended post grazing decision: Graze

down to 5cm pasture height between the clumps, 9cm within the clumps and no more than 30 per cent of the area occupied by clumps. If more than 30 per cent of the paddock is clumps, then topping is recommended. Seasonal management tasks: If pastures have dried off and growth rates are near zero, consider set-

ting up a sacriﬁce feeding system or stock containment area for feeding the herd. Estimated soil temperature: 18 to 20 degrees Celsius. Estimated daily evaporation: 8 to 10 mm per day without rainfall (hot days). Average daily pasture growth rate: ﬁve to 15 kg DM/Ha/day (normal year). Those with irrigated rye grass pastures can expect an estimated 30 – 40 kg DM/Ha/day.

Cows Manage heat stress for your dairy herd, select a shady paddock on hot days, install sprinklers over the yard and maintain a plentiful clean stock drinking water supply. Even dry cows require at least 40 litres per day of water and even more during periods of hot weather. Lactating cows will require an additional four to ﬁve litres of water for every litre of milk produced, above that required by dry cows. Read the weekly grain and hay reports on the Dairy Australia website (www.dairyaustralia.com. au)

Calves Apply NLIS tags and dehorn your dairy heifer calves, the younger the better. Check your calves and heifers twice a week for signs of pink eye. Early treatment and the use of eye patches will increase the likelihood of a full recovery of the eye.

Young stock Pregnancy test the heifers and cull the empty ones. As pastures dry off, it is important to maintain adequate energy (10 MJ/ kg of dry matter) and protein levels (13 per cent) in the diet of young stock.

Water issues Continue to check water supply dams for signs of blue green algae. If present, avoid using the water, prevent stock access and get the algae identiﬁed. Assess your current water storage quantities to determine if sufﬁcient to get through to next winter. Continue to plan for your water needs over the next few months and de-

velop ongoing options for alternative water supplies.

Fodder crops Keep watch for caterpillar pests on brassica crops like turnips or rape. If damage is being done then a decision needs to be made about grazing off quicker or controlling with insecticides. Being mindful that insecticides will have withholding periods to adhere to. If fodder crops are being moisture stressed then an application of dairy efﬂuent may well be useful in promoting more growth. If grazing crops off then an estimate of the amount being eaten can be obtained by cutting a representative sample, weighing fresh and doing a dry matter on them. For example if a sample of a turnip crop weighs 7 kg fresh from one square metre this is equivalent to a 7 tonne DM/ha crop (at 10 per cent DM).

Fertilisers Study last spring’s soil

test results, consult your fertiliser representative and make an informed decision on this year’s fertiliser application. Order and spread PKS fertiliser while the soil is dry and the likelihood of water runoff and nutrient loss is low. Save money and time, avoiding spreading fertiliser unnecessarily on high nutrient sites such as cattle camps, around water troughs and gateways. These areas will already have adequate soil nutrients for pasture growth. If you have already applied dairy efﬂuent to your paddocks, soil test these paddocks so you can tailor the fertiliser application to these areas.

Forward planning for February

Check if your milking machinery liners need replacing. CountDown DownUnder recommends they should be replaced after 2500 cow milkings.

What does ‘Beef Only’ imply? THE January weaner sales are in full swing and a number of vendors advertise their cattle as ‘Beef Only’, so what does that indicate? The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) district veterinary ofﬁcer, Jack Winterbottom said beef cattle, which meet speciﬁc eligibility requirements ensuring they have a low risk of having or spreading Johne’s disease, are sold as ‘Beef Only’ to ensure that they can be freely traded into New South Wales and Queensland. “‘Beef Only’ cattle are beef cattle that have had no contact with dairy cattle or dairy cross cattle, and have not grazed pasture that previously was used to run adult dairy cattle,” Mr Winterbottom said. “As Johne’s disease mainly occurs in dairy cattle in southern Australia, ‘Beef Only’ recognises that there are very few pure beef herds known to have Johne’s

disease and that testing of these types of herds has found that a great majority of them contain no test positive animals.” The assurance from ‘Beef Only’ comes from each herd’s own biosecurity and a history of trading only within that low risk sector of the cattle industry. Mr Winterbottom said as a result of experiences with testing beef herds and following extensive trials of ‘Beef Only’ sales, the beef cattle industry and state animal health authorities agreed that cattle from herds that qualify as ‘Beef Only’ represent a low risk for bovine Johne’s disease. “They also agreed that breeding cattle originating from herds that qualify as ‘Beef Only’ will be able to be traded into New South Wales and Queensland without the herd of origin having to be tested,” he said.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 43

Heifer sale marks 20 THE 20th annual heifer sale, featuring beef breeds and F1 heifers, will be held at VLE Leongatha next week.

Left: First sale: the advertisement in The Star for the ﬁrst heifer sale in late January 1990.

About 1000 joined heifers will be auctioned on Monday, followed by 1000 unjoined heifers on Tuesday. Livestock agent, Eddie Hams said it will be an exceptionable yarding of cattle this year. “The season has been very good and the cattle are well grown,” he said. “We haven’t got the numbers of last year or previous years, probably because people are milking more cows and rearing Friesians instead of Angus Friesian crosses, but that might change next year.” Mr Hams said vealers have been selling particularly well this year. “We had one of Landmark’s clients sell

First report: a story about the ﬁrst heifer sale in The Star in February, 1990.

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

VLE LEONGATHA KOONWARRA

Sale Draw January 28, 29 & 30 1. Elders 2. SEJ 3. Rodwells 4. Landmark 5. Alex Scott 6. Everitt & Seeley 7. David Phelan & Co

80 vealers and they averaged $780, so it’s a fair return,” he said. A strong sale next week is crucial for the survival of this part of the beef industry. “Our producers of these particular heifers need a good sale this year to keep in the job,” Mr Hams said. “If they don’t make enough money they won’t stay in it. They will turn to other aspects of the beef industry.” But the number of cattle for sale at the moment due to dry conditions has been decreasing prices. “But as soon as the numbers drop off they

should improve,” Mr Hams said. Most vendors at this year’s sale have sold their cattle at previous heifer sales. There are no cattle from East Gippsland due to a bad year in that area. “We’ve had buyers come from all over the place to buy our cattle, because they’re very good,” Mr Hams said. “This year will be no exception because it’s been a great season in South Gippsland and we’ll have some very good Angus Friesian and Hereford Friesian cross heifers. We’ll have some outstanding unjoined ones too.

“We have some very good vendors and they do it year after year and become professional at it.” The ﬁrst feature heifer sale was held on February 5, 1990 at 12.30pm according to an advertisement in The Star the week before. A report following the sale said 1157 heifers were yarded for the ﬁrst annual sale. The top price of $770 went to R. Rolinson for seven Simmental heifers. “Close up calved heifers sold to very strong demand, but heifers joined to calve in April were not as keenly sought after,” the report

in The Star on February 12 said. “Buyers came from western districts, eastern and northern Victoria and NSW.” Mr Hams said the sale began to cater for people who reared their Angus Friesian and Hereford cross heifers. “Most dairy farmers ran a few vealers down the back paddock and the beef farmer would buy the heifers off the dairy farmer and then they would join them to an Angus bull,” he said. “But these days most of our heifers are joined to Limousin bulls.”

PAGE 44 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Classifieds

Sell it in the "Star"

PHONE 5662 5555 P FAX 5662 4350

public notices

Hear Peter Stevens of FAMILY VOICE (orig. Festival of Light) Sunday, February1 * Bring and Share Luncheon * LEONGATHA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

10am Worship - 12 noon Luncheon 5662 2107 Rev Dr Dallas Clarnette, Minister

public notices

QUIT SMOKING Without Willpower, Cravings, Drugs, Tablets or Patches In just 75 minutes finally break your smoking habit

WEIGHT LOSS Tried everything? Enjoy instant success & learn long term control in 75 minutes of practical explanation and Hypnosis

Clinical Hypnotherapist - John Simmons Separate Group or Private Sessions for each program WONTHAGGI - THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5 LEONGATHA - FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6 Bookings - (OPEN 7 days) - 1800 110 660 or 5333 1565

WANTED! MORE ORGANIC DAIRY FARMERS In 2002 a group of dedicated Organic Dairy farmers formed a co-operative to market their certified organic Milk and develop the “True Organic” brand. We have established strong alliances with other co-operatives such as Murray Goulburn, Bega/Tatura and with leading milk processor Parmalat. Demand for Organic Milk has overtaken supply and now the next wave of entrants into this exciting industry of the future is about to begin. If you want to be part of this fast-growing sector of Agriculture and wish to work closely with likeminded farmers who seek sustainable farming practices in harmony with nature and do not trust GMOs in the production of food - then we invite you to join us. GIPPSLAND INFORMATION SESSION The Organic Dairy Farmers Co-op welcomes your enquiry and asks you to consider joining other like-minded dairy farmers in a shared journey in our “Conversion to Organic” program with incentives for ‘in conversion’ milk. A FREE ‘obligation-free’ Information session will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2009.

WE ARE FARMERS WHO CONTROL OUR OWN DESTINY For more information or to register for the information session, contact Organic Dairy Farmers of Australia Phone: 03 5623 6622. Email: ofﬁce@trueorganic.com.au www.trueorganic.com.au

public notices

SOUTH GIPPSLAND WATER CORPORATION PROPOSED ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MEENIYAN SEWERAGE DISTRICT Notice is hereby given that the South Gippsland Water Corporation, pursuant to Section 122M of the Water Act 1989, proposes to establish a sewerage district around the existing Meeniyan Township. A plan of the proposed sewer district is available for inspection, at South Gippsland Water’s offices at 14-18 Pioneer Street, Foster, during normal office hours of 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, excepting public holidays. Submissions are invited on the proposal and should set out the grounds on which it is made. All submissions must be received by the Corporation on or before Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 5pm. Steve Evans Managing Director South Gippsland Water Corporation

public notices LAND ACT 1958 Notice is hereby given that it is the intention of the Department of Sustainability and Environment to grant a licence under Section 130 of the Land Act 1958 to Peter and Sharon Miller over Government Road south of Lot 1 on PS526434 Parish of Jumbunna for the purpose of grazing. Further details are avail from the case manager. Any comments must be lodged with the case manager within 14 days from the date of this advertisement. Tamika Darragh, phone 5172 2189 Case Manager.

Classified advertising closes 12 noon Tuesdays

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 45

public notices

MDUFNC

CHIROPRACTOR NORMAN G. VRADENBURG

KONGWAK MARKET

SENIOR NETBALL TRAINING Commences Wednesday, January 28 at 6pm Meeniyan Courts Junior & new players welcome

JUNIOR BOOTCAMP Saturday, February 7 2.30pm Waratah Bay Enquiries phone Sarge 5662 4754

WATERCOLOUR CLASSES FOR BEGINNERS & INTERMEDIATES Commencing February 4 Wednesdays & Thursdays 9.30am - 12pm Wednesday Night 6.30pm - 9pm Cost $120 per term After School for Secondary Students 4pm - 5.30pm Cost $100 With local artist Florence Stone Ph: 5664 2466 Mob: 0447 306 090 http://flostoneart.zaca.id.au

Mirboo North COUNTRY MARKET Baromi Park 8.30am - 1pm

Last Saturday in each month Stalls may be set up from 7.30am Plants, toys, bric-a-brac, books, crafts, flowers

Contact Maxine 5668 2203

STORYTIME FOR KIDS at

MCINDOE PARK Wednesdays 10am Marg 0439 628 053

“NON-FORCE PRACTITIONER” 28 Reilly Street, INVERLOCH HOURS - Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday by appointment Phone and fax 5674 3666 South Gippsland Chiropratic Services & Adjunctive Therapies P/L

FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC GROUP Dr Dylan Adams Chiropractor has commenced practice at 60 Bair Street, Leongatha Free spine checks until end of February Call 5662 2497 for appointment

CHIROPRACTOR

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

Lisa Pellin Dancers Parents Social Club AGM & SOCIAL NIGHT Thursday, January 29 AGM 7.30pm Anyone who wants to go for tea at 6pm is welcome

RSL MEETING ROOM Enquiries 0438 348 133

South Gippsland Branch United Dairyfarmers of Victoria

DINNER

Thursday, February 5, 2009 6.30 for 7pm start Fish Creek Hotel Guest speaker: Mr Bill Pyle - Founding President of the United Dairyfarmers of Victoria Meal $20 - Drinks at bar prices Bookings are essential RSVP January 30 to Snow 5682 2353, Keith 5664 7256 ALL WELCOME

RESUME CLASSES FOR 2009 On Monday, February 2 Classes available in all dance styles Beginners to advanced Enrolments will be held in Foster at FWMAC on Thursday, January 29, between 4-5, and Leongatha at LPD studio on Friday, January 30, between 4-5. For further information contact Lisa 5662 3667

free

Sunday 10am

Inside and out It's fun - come! Come early if it's hot! Collectables, vintage, retro, books, plants, local veg, organic dried things, Hopefarm bread, curry, coffee, live music and more... Call Jane for more info 0417 142 478

situations vacant

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

CHAINSAWS AND STATIONARY ENGINES ETC. Repairs and services

Phone JOHN GOULD 5664 0012

situations vacant

South Gippsland Shire Council you'll come for the beauty and stay for the lifestyle Opportunity to make a difference in your regional community Great team environment Fantastic employee benefits

Infrastructure Maintenance

Kongwak Market is a smoke free event

situations vacant

The Infrastructure Maintenance Team has vacancies for the following positions:

situations vacant

DRAFTS PERSON

Team Leader – Area Maintenance Total package up to $51K plus RDO

QUALIFIED OR AS TRAINEE COMPUTER SKILLS AND AUTO CAD AN ADVANTAGE

You will be responsible for the supervision works of the Leongatha area road infrastructure maintenance in accordance with the South Gippsland Shire Council's Road Management Plan.

Apply to:

HULLS ENGINEERING AUST. PO Box 319 Leongatha Phone 5662 2639

Team Leader - Sealing Total package up to $51K plus RDO You will be responsible for the supervision of the Spray Sealing unit to complete the Annual Road Reseal Program and the Private Works Sealing Program.

SHOP ASSISTANTS FULL TIME / PART TIME

To be an ideal candidate for these roles you will need: • Good written, numeracy communication skills • A reasonable level of computer skills

SOME WEEKEND WORK Potential for management 1st or 2nd year apprentice baker

• The ability to work as part of a team • Certification in Red Card, traffic management • A heavy rigid/combination vehicle licence

Contact Andrew 5674 2500

• Experience in either Area Maintenance or Sealing

Slice of Paradise Bakery INVERLOCH

Rose Lodge

Team Members - Maintenance & Construction

SITUATIONS VACANT

Total package up to $47K plus RDO

Due to the expansion of this facility, Rose Lodge is seeking applications from interested, enthusiastic and suitably qualiﬁed people to ﬁll permanent and relief positions in the following areas.

Two Positions Vacant

• Registered Nurse Division 2 (Endorsement - Medication Administration)

• Personal Care Attendants (Certificate III or IV in Aged Care Work) Applicants are required to have a current Police Check (relevant to Aged Care Work). Successful applicants will be required to work a variety of shifts to cover day, evening and night shifts. For further particulars please contact Mrs Ella Duder on 03 5672 1716 between the hours of 9am - 3pm Tuesday to Friday. Applications close on Friday, January 30 and should be addressed to: Mrs Ella Duder Acting Administrator Rose Lodge 225 Graham Street Wonthaggi 3995

As a team member, your primary responsibility is to assist in the delivery of Council's maintenance and construction works. You will need good written, numeracy and communication skills, and the ability to work as part of a team. Experience and/or knowledge of road infrastructure maintenance and construction techniques, Red Card, traffic management certificate, heavy rigid/combination vehicle licence and grader operation experience is desirable.

Administration Officer Total package up to $50K We are also looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Administration Officer to provide administrative support to our Infrastructure Maintenance Team based at the Leongatha Depot. You will have experience in invoicing/purchase ordering, database maintenance, customer service and administration in an office environment. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and competency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook is essential.

Home Carers – Casual

Management Accountant

Leongatha Area $20.20 - $21-45 per hour

• $64,000 - $71,000 + Superannuation • Permanent Full time We are seeking an experienced and tertiary qualified individual to replace the Management Accountant in our Finance Department. The successful candidate will be responsible for rates, accounts payable and accounts receivable, supervision of staff, asset accounting and involvement in Council’s budgeting processes. For a position description and key selection criteria go to www.basscoast.vic.gov.au or contact us on 1300 BCOAST (226 278). Written applications should be emailed to to jobapps@basscoast.vic.gov.au or posted to Caroline Bousfield, Human Resources Coordinator, Bass Coast Shire Council, PO Box 118, Wonthaggi, 3995 by 5pm Friday February 6, 2009. 10838

As a member of the Health and Family Services Team, your primary responsibility is to assist frail aged and disabled persons with practical tasks and support including Home Care, Personal Care and Respite Care. Primarily working in Home Care, with some Personal and Respite care, you will have obtained, or will be in the process of obtaining a qualification in the Aged and Disability field (Certificate III Home and Community Care), Level 2 First Aid Certificate, a current driver's licence and access to a reliable vehicle. This position requires satisfactory completion of Police and Working with Children Checks. All positions are subject to a satisfactory pre-employment medical. We welcome direct discussion with Fred Huitema in regards to these positions or Jodie Pitkin for Home Carer enquiries. To find out more about these positions, please visit our website on www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au If you are interested in applying for any of these vacancies, please submit an application addressing the selection criteria by COB 30 January 2009, addressed to Human Resources. South Gippsland Shire Council Private Bag 4, Leongatha Vic 3953 e-mail - council@southgippsland.vic.gov.au Phone (03) 5662 9200

www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au

PAGE 46 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

situations vacant

PROFESSIONAL RESUMÉS

South Gippsland Shire Council

School Leavers / Careers in Progress / Top of the Trade or Corporate Ladder FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT - introduce yourself with a professional Resumé & Letter GET THAT INTERVIEW - the first step to your dream job! EMPLOYERS NOTICE - a proactive approach Resumés / CVs Application Letters Letters of Introduction Career Advice Recruitment Services Contact Kaye Ellery - 0413 084 169 RIGHT CHOICE RECRUITMENT

you'll come for the beauty and stay for the lifestyle

Supported Playgroup Facilitator Temporary Part Time - 15.2 hours per week Temporary 18 month appointment with possibility of extension An exciting opportunity exists within Council to develop and implement Supported Playgroups programs within the Shire.

BOILER MAKER POSITIONS

Tertiary qualified in Early Childhood Development, you will demonstrate experience in the development of appropriate play experiences for children, have an ability to work with a diverse range of stakeholders and local community members, and have a high level of interpersonal and communication skills. This position is also subject to a satisfactory police check and Working with Children Check.

WELDER POSITIONS Apply to:

HULLS ENGINEERING AUST.

This is a great opportunity to display your talents in a work environment that offers great employment benefits, professional development and job satisfaction.

PO Box 319 Leongatha Phone 5662 2639

We also welcome direct discussion with Linda Jamieson regarding this role. Applications addressing the selection criteria are to be submitted by COB 6 February addressed to Human Resources. Visit the web site below for a full job information kit and position description.

www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au

South Gippsland Shire Council Private Bag 4, Leongatha Vic 3953 e-mail - council@southgippsland.vic.gov.au Phone (03) 5662 9200

Invites caring people to become

VOLUNTEER TELEPHONE COUNSELLORS • Training provided • Make a real difference • Increase your skills

Careers @ Justice CAREER AS A COURT REGISTRAR VPS Grade 2, $38,235 - $49,101 + superannuation

Take the first step to becoming a qualified Court Registrar and build an exciting longterm career in the Victorian Justice System.

• Successfully complete the Certificate IV in Government (Court Services). • Provide exceptional levels of customer service to key stakeholders including the judiciary, police, the legal profession, and members of the public with diverse backgrounds and experience. • Work alongside the judiciary in the courtroom, performing a wide range of administrative duties. What are we looking for?

• VCE (or equivalent). Post secondary qualifications in a relevant field are desirable. • Commitment to providing exceptional levels of customer service. • Team players with the ability to meet tight deadlines with attention to detail, demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills, and competent computer skills. • Ability to organise and prioritise daily work and demonstrated problem solving abilities. • Willingness to work at different Court locations within the State.

Please visit the Magistrates’ Court website for further information and to download the application form: www.magistratescourt.vic.gov.au

Fast Art 78763-v1

Applications are to be forwarded by 4pm Monday 2 February 2009 to: Court Registrar Coordinator CarlyleYoung Group Level 5, 461 Bourke St Melbourne Vic 3000

ads@thestar.com.au

MARY MacKILLOP girl’s school uniform, size 16. Ph: 5662-4457.

HAY, small square bales $5 each. Fully shedded, suitable for horses, never been wet. Quality guaranteed. Mardan 56641320.

for rent LEONGATHA: Fully furnished home close to schools, 4 bdrm, 2 bathrm, double LU garage, available now. 3 bdrm home, centrally located, r/cycle air con., $225 p.w. available now. Contact Kellie at Holderhead Stockdale & Leggo on 5662-5800.

PRAM, Emmaljunga Nouvelle, VGC, green, toddler seat, storm cover, $130. Ph: 0438-232440.

PRAM, Steelcraft 3 wheel jogger, VGC, suit newborn onwards, toddler step included, $90. Ph: 0438232440.

SEWING MACHINE REPAIRS & SALES

FREE QUOTES WONTHAGGI SEWING CENTRE

167 Graham Street Wonthaggi

5672 3127

VENUS BAY - house, short stroll to beach and shops, sleeps 7. Contact: 0408320001.

situations vacant

SANDBLASTER / PAINTER POSITIONS

Contact Sandra Luxford on 5134 8278 lifelinegipps@llg.org.au

HULLS ENGINEERING AUST.

Apply to: PO Box 319 Leongatha Phone 5662 2639

WONTHAGGI

Medical Receptionist Permanent Part Time A Medical Receptionist is required for our General Practice

2 days per week - Monday and Friday The successful applicant must also be available for relief work. Medical Receptionist experience preferred but not essential. Must be computer literate, have excellent communication skills, and have a professional and caring manner. Email resumé to: wendyn@hazelwoodhealth.com.au by February 4, 2009

Contract Advisor – 12 Month Fixed Term

Visit the Magistrates’ Court website to download and complete the application form. Please include a current resume, written references and education results. Applicants are required to undergo aptitude tests prior to interview and employment is subject to a satisfactory criminal record check.

Email your adverts to “The Star”

HAY - small square bales. New season, organic, and in shed. $6 per bale, pick up Berrys Creek. 56688288.

Discover a career with real energy.

How to apply

www.justice.vic.gov.au

HEN HOUSES, fox proof, good quality, 6-8 chooks. 5664-2443.

LEONGATHA

Trainee Court Registrar Requirements

Our Values: Community - Together - Integrity - Respect - Happen @ One Justice

HAY - square bales, $6 per bale. 5664-4246, 0458320522.

Information Night Monday, February 9 Wonthaggi

Safeway is currently looking for Baker / Apprentice to work in their Leongatha Supermarket. Baker: (Job No. 65167) Fulltime position available for applicants who are highly motivated, enthusiastic and able to work unsupervised in a challenging environment. Apprentice Baker: (Job No. 65168) Apprenticeship will suit motivated self reliant applicants with a mature attitude and a willingness to learn. Apprenticeship training & wages will apply. For further information and to apply, visit www.woolworths.com.au and click Careers search for the applicable job number. For any further details please contact Tony Wight @ Safeway Leongatha on 03 5662 3504

The Magistrates’ Court of Victoria has a long and proud history of providing justice for the people of Victoria across the State. The Court aims to provide an efficient, modern and responsive service to the public.

Closing date for applications is 2 February 2009

for sale

HAY - 5x4 round bales $77 inc. GST. Grant 0428300367.

BAKER / APPRENTICE BAKER

Working in the Magistrates’ Court

www.careers.vic.gov.au

for sale CEREAL HAY, Trit hay, 5’x4’ rolls, $180 per ton. Phone Geoff 0428-595761.

TRUenergy is one of Australia’s leading energy companies. The Yallourn Power Station, part of TRUenergy’s portfolio of energy assets, is a four unit 1480 MW power station fuelled from the adjacent TRUenergy open cut mine. This exciting fixed term role is located at TRUenergy’s Yallourn site, located approximately 135km east of Melbourne in picturesque Gippsland. As a key member of the Yallourn contracts team, you’ll contribute to negotiation and review processes and contract developments aimed at meeting our business objectives. Your key responsibilities in this role include working with various teams to ensure project or contract scopes are developed and negotiated in a timely manner, reviewing and drafting contracts for presentation to both internal and external stakeholders, establishing contracts to achieve maximum commercial performance benefits and providing expert advice on all other contractual matters. You’ll also be developing contract awareness amongst other personnel to ensure that business risk is minimised, ensuring compliance with the company’s business practices and procedures and maintaining a strong working relationship with the company’s legal team. With tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline, you will have at least five years experience specialising in contracts, including tendering, contract negotiations and contracting processes. Experience in a heavy industry or project driven environment would be advantageous. A high level of initiative, commitment, and professionalism, backed by strong verbal and written communication skills are essential. Success in this position of responsibility will also depend on your hands-on approach, attention to detail and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced operational environment. Please note: This role is for a fixed term of twelve months. For further information regarding this role, please contact Luisa Caprara, Commercial Manager, on (03) 5128 2221. To apply, please direct your resumé to: yallourncareers@truenergy.com.au or mail to: Human Resources Team, TRUenergy Yallourn, PO Box 444, Moe Vic 3825. Applications close Friday, 6 February 2009.

For a full position description, visit: www.truenergy.com.au

52415

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 47

for sale

SILAGE: Sep-Oct, some second cut, 4’x4’4” approx. solid bales, quantity available. Negotiable for qualities. Loaded approx. $66 per bale + GST. 0427302773.

SLEEPERS, treated pine, 200x50x2.4 $11.10 each, 200x75x2.4 $15.75 each. Free delivery for pack lots. Phone Joe 0417-530662. SUFFOLK flock rams, 1 - 2 yrs old, well grown (Allendale bloodlines), reasonable prices, brucellosis accredited. 5659-6382.

HAY

Northern, top quality oaten hay, lucerne, oats, clover and vetch ALSO LOCAL HAY AVAILABLE

G. & P. HILDER TRANSPORT For delivered price ring Greg 0429 822 544

BOOK SALE All stock in shop 20% off RAMALAMA BOOK EXCHANGE Wonthaggi (opp. Safeway) Phone 5672 4790 Sale on until January 31

agistment AGISTMENT - cattle, 45 acres, Mardan. 5664-1320.

livestock ALPACAS for sale: 2 white females sired by top Peruvian sire, Don Julio; 1 white female, Running Creek Stud breeding; 2 guard animals. Must sell, property sold. Price negotiable. Ph: 5169-6293.

used vehicles COMMODORE VL, reg. to July DDI556, sold as is, $1,500 ONO. Ph: 56642302 after 5pm. HOLDEN Commodore s/ wagon Berlina, 2003, auto, a/c, cruise control, 6 stack CD, elec. tinted windows, towbar, cargo barrier, roof racks, alloy wheels, new tyres, 5 months reg. SWO548, colour Turbine. $12,800. Ph: 0428-642442.

wanted to buy FEED SYSTEM and silo for 15 double-up herringbone. Contact John 0428646523.

work wanted HAY CARTING, reliable worker. Call Richard Denbrok on 5668-6205 or Marg’s mobile 0417154057.

Classified advertising closes 12 noon Tuesdays

tenders

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

Bass Coast Metal Recyclers 5672 2946 0417 556 593

tenders

Mail Delivery Contract

FOR SALE Bedroom suite - Queen Australian made 5-piece, solid timber Bed, 2 bedside drawers, tallboy and cheval mirror. Very good condition. Paid $5,000 - sell $1,500. Phone 5662 5593 or 0417 376 475

training

CHOOSE

training

Australia Post is seeking tenders from companies, or persons willing to form companies, to deliver mail under contract arrangements in the Delivery Area listed below. Australia Post has a commitment to providing a consistent and personal service to its customers. Therefore, as far as practicable, the successful tenderer should be able to supply the same personnel to deliver the articles each day in the Delivery Area. The successful tenderer will have sufficient time to make arrangements to comply with the conditions of the contract, including the procurement of a suitable vehicle. Training will initially be provided to the successful tenderer, who is then required to train its own personnel. All genuine tenders and enquiries are welcome. However, Australia Post is not obliged to accept the lowest or indeed any tender, and reserves the right to accept or reject any or all tenders if it considers that it is in the interests of Australia Post to do so. INVITATIONS TO TENDER FOR MAIL DELIVERY SERVICES: Tenders are invited for the delivery of MAIL ARTICLES from July 1, 2009 for the following area/s: STREET MAIL DELIVERY SERVICE *MS: V03662 - LEONGATHA (Round 1) - (Bid Number 2613) PARCEL DELIVERY SERVICE *MS: V00006 - SAN REMO - (Bid Number 2766) ROAD SIDE DELIVERY SERVICE *MS: V00105 - MEENIYAN - STONY CREEK - (Bid Number 2439) *MS: V00913 - LOCH RURAL - (Bid Number 2403) *MS: V01721 - COWES RURAL - (Bid Number 2535) For tender forms, full details and further information, contact: * The Manager, Leongatha DC, 17-19 Hughes St, Leongatha. Tele: 03 5662 5694. ** The Manager, Warragul DC, 1/151 Queen St, Warragul. Tele: 03 5624 6435. ***The Manager, Morwell DC, 8-20 Bridle St, Morwell. Tele: 03 5128 5546 or contact the MAIL CONTRACT CENTRE, Locked Bag 13000, SOUTH MELBOURNE, 3205. Telephone 03 9299 8980. Tenderers can also obtain tender details and forms and submit their tender via the Internet by registering their details online at www.auspost.com.au/etendering. This Mail Service can be viewed on the internet by referencing the Bid Number noted above. Tenders must be submitted in the envelope provided, to the MAIL CONTRACT CENTRE, Locked Bag 13000, SOUTH MELBOURNE, 3205 or online via the Australia Post e-tendering website by the closing time and date. TENDERS WILL CLOSE AT 2PM ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY, 20, 2009

www.auspost.com.au

garage sales ADVANCE NOTICE

MIRBOO NORTH (Darlimurla Estate)

Saturday, February 7 9am to 3pm

FARM CLEARANCE / GARAGE SALE See next week for details Ph: 5668 2356

GARAGE SALE Saturday, January 31 9am onwards 26 Brumley Street LEONGATHA

Electrical items, antique desk, toys, dolls house, books, clothes, cards, car bits, and heaps more No early birds

GARAGE SALE 22 Korumburra Road Wonthaggi Saturday, January 31 8am start Heaps of bargains: including plants, ladies’ clothes, men’s clothes, children’s clothes, toys, children’s books, shoes, plus more Come for a look

garage sales YANAKIE COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE Saturday, January 31 Lots of stalls, come and grab a bargain Egg & bacon sandwiches available from 8am Some items include: jet ski, household goods, kid’s toys, and lots more

YANAKIE HALL 8am - 2pm For a stall or to donate call Erin Maskell 5687 1186 or Kristy Cocksedge 5687 1410 LEONGATHA, 5 Sawyer Street, Saturday, January 31, 8am - 2pm.

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 $30.80) • 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 $37 ADVERTISE by calling Marg on 5662 5555 or call in to 36 McCartin Street LEONGATHA to pick up your kit when you place your advertisement

meetings STONY CREEK FOOTBALL CLUB Ladies Committee

AGM Stony Creek Rec Reserve Dining Room Wednesday, February 11 Dinner 7pm Meeting 8pm All welcome Contact Kim Byrnes 5663 6252 for any enquiries

marriage celebrant

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

PAM HERRALD 5662 2553 0438 097 181

CAM ABOOD Leongatha 5662 4191

LEONGATHA BRANCH OF THE NATIONAL PARTY

MERLENE STRATTON

Annual Meeting

personal

Wednesday, January 28 At 7.45pm Uniting Church Hall Leongatha

LEONGATHA FOOTBALL CLUB Ladies Committee

AGM

Tuesday, February 10 at 7.30pm at the FOOTBALL CLUBROOMS

Leongatha 5662 2574

WANT LONGER LASTING

SEX? Talk to the doctor at AMI about Nasal Delivery Technology Men Call

1800 20 40 90 Women Call

1800 20 50 80

births

HULLICK (Short) - Jason and Sarah and Charlee of Cape Paterson would like to announce the safe arrival of their son and brother, Robert Maitland on 21/1/09. A beautiful 8lb 15oz grandson for Brendon, Lal and Zena. New baby cousin for Jake and Nicholas. All well.

O’DOHERTY (Scholte) Sjaan and Gerard Scholte proudly announce the early but safe arrival of identical twin boys born to Jenny and Liam O’Doherty in Brisbane on January 16, Max Gerard born at 3.02 at 1137gm and Levi Kenneth born at 3.04 at 1520gm. Small but strong.

engagements

DARLOW - OPRAY Miriam and Peter (Bendigo) together with Annette and Ed (Dumbalk), are thrilled to announce the engagement of Briallen and Michael.

HEMMING - THORNTON Sue and Richard, Barb and Rob, Graeme and Dianne are thrilled to announce Joanne and Steven’s engagement.

INDIAN - SIMON Evelyn and Roger, Jeanette and Gordon are delighted to announce the engagement of Fiona and Brendan. Our congratulations and best wishes to them.

in memoriam

BATH - Stanley Thomas. Passed from his loved ones on January 26, 1993. Time is the traveller, memories hold still. Thank you for your example of courage to go forward every day; for courtesy - so great a part of love. Also remembrances of George and Muriel Tatterson, Des and Patricia King. These special people remain in the circle of our hearts forever. Meree and family.

deaths

JAMES - Leslie Richard. Of Inverloch. Passed away peacefully on 25/1/09 at Wonthaggi Hospital, aged 85 years. Special friend of Mavis Zenner and family. He will be sadly missed. We shared so many good times, leaving memories to keep and treasure always.

PIASENTE - Ralph. Dearly loved father and father-in-law of Jason and Robyn. Dearly loved Nonno of Tom and Will. We will miss you Nonno.

PIASENTE - Ralph. Happy memories of Ralph. Deepest sympathy to Teresa and family. Ron, Jeanie and family.

PAGE 48 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Sport • WONTHAGGI TABLE TENNIS

Presentation night AROUND 50 Wonthaggi players and family members enjoyed a break-up barbecue at the table tennis association rooms recently. A good crowd turned up for the presentations of trophies for the 2008 spring pennant. Young players ﬁgured prominently in the awards. A highlight of the night was the presentation of the A Reserve winning team trophies to Henry Donohue on behalf of his son Keith and grandson Jarrod. Keith and Jarrod were away on the Great Victorian Bike Ride. Henry is a past president of the association and played a big part in establishing the table tennis centre on its present location 44 years ago.

The most valuable club person award went to B Grade player, Rick Stanbridge, who is moving to Shepparton with his family. Rick has long been a valuable player in the club despite being only 13 years of age. He has always been willing to umpire, complete the score sheets and ﬁll in if a player is absent. This season he was second to Jarrod Donohue on the leading players’ list for B Grade. Rick’s sister Tahlia was Jarrod’s partner in A Reserve until she moved to Shepparton to work some months ago. Jarrod’s dad Keith ﬁlled the vacant spot for the remaining weeks of the season, with a resulting premiership win. Some of the trophy and medal winners are featured on this page.

Beginner winner: gold and silver medal recipient, Niki Neducic.

Above: A Grade: trophy winners, from left, Will Joplin, Ashley Hewlett, Justin Licis. Will and Justin were A Grade premiers, while Ashley was Under 18 champion.

Above: Future champions: back, from left, Ella McRae, Georgia Filippi, Niki Neducic, front, Caitlyn Taylor, Daisy Filippi, and Holly McRae.

B Grade: trophy winners, from left, Brittney Taylor, Ellen McIntosh. Ellen played in the B Grade grand ﬁnal with a broken arm!

Rick Stanbridge: although only aged 13, Rick took out the Most Valuable Club Member award. Rick was also a trophy medal winner in the B Grade championships.

Many trophies: Daniel Chetland collected multiple trophies in B Grade. Left: Most reliable: joint recipients of most reliable players, from left, Rick Stanbridge, Jayden Hallet.

crossword solutions CRYPTIC PUZZLE NO. 8155 - SOLUTIONS Across - 7, Desert island. 8, Pa-ten-t. 9, Da-she-s. 10, Warfare. 12, Bo-ot-y. 15, D-E-lay. 16, We-stern. 18, In st-ep. 20, Silver. 22, Certainly not. Down - 1, Sepa-rate. 2, H-ere. 3, Sta-tu-re. 4, Asid-E. 5, Pass-port. 6, Edge. 11, Flat-ters. 13, Turned on. 14, Pe-asa-nt. 17, S-peak. 19, Nick. 21, Lays (laze). QUICK PUZZLE NO. 8155 - SOLUTIONS Across - 7, Experimental. 8, Dawdle. 9, Sailor. 10, Paucity 12, Jiffy. 15, Peony. 16, Seagull. 18, Speech. 20, Victor. 22, Unprejudiced. Down - 1, Excavate. 2, Mend. 3, Liberty. 4, Least. 5, Striking. 6, Also. 11, Contempt. 13, Follower. 14, Fervour. 17, Shrew. 19, Pour. 21, Chic.

Looking happy: Sam Watson was a multiple B Grade trophy winner at just 10 years of age!

Top performers: left, Daniel O’Connell and, right, Bruce Harmer. Daniel played in the A Grade premier runners-up team with Bruce Harmer and also the runner-up A Reserve team playing with Nei Wright. He was also leading A Reserve player. Bruce was leading A Grade player and in the runners-up A Grade team.

A Reserve: father and son premiers, Jarrod and Keith Donohue. Jarrod also won the B Grade teams premiership with Ellen McIntosh, was leading B Grade player and the Under 14 singles champion.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 49

Sport San Remo’s twilight challenge- a first FOR the first time in the 24 year history of the San Remo Channel Challenge the event will be staged as a twilight competition on Saturday, January 31. A major fundraiser for the Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club, this popular event attracts hundreds of competitors and this year there is a lot of interstate interest, with many people already in town, having celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Woolamai club last weekend. Attracting some 600 competitors and hundreds more spectators, the event creates a real carnival atmosphere in San Remo, with fun rides for the children, live musical entertainment, Rotary market, a big hole-in-one competition, fashion parade and loads of food and refreshments. Organisers are putting the finishing touches to the event and will have a final meeting this Friday to make sure all is in place. As for competing, the event is open to young and old. So long as you are 15 years of age on the day you can enter and one of the organisers said they get some competitors in their 70s and 80s. The twilight swim and run challenge will be started at about 4.45pm by celebrity guest, Paralympics swimmer Amanda Drennan of Cowes, and well known local identity Ray Dickie will be called on to release the usual flare to herald the start.

Challenging: longtime San Remo Channel Challenge organiser, Dennis Harris has been helping to arrange this popular swim run event for 24 years and is looking forward to the ﬁrst ever twilight competition next Saturday, January 31.

Comprising a 500 metre swim across the channel starting on the San Remo side, and a 2.5 kilomtre run back across the bridge from Newhaven, the race certainly puts competitors to the test. Due to the strong tide ﬂow through the Channel, the swim can only take place on the slack water of the appro-

priate high tide. The swim ﬁnish comes ashore at Newhaven, Phillip Island on the north side of the Channel. Slack water of the high tide lasts approximately ﬁfteen minutes, in which time competitors must complete the swim. Once across the channel, competitors

quickly pull on their sports shoes, run back across the Phillip Island Bridge and take in the glorious sea vistas across to Woolamai and San Remo. Huge crowds cheer the competitors along their journey from atop the bridge and in boats out on the water and hordes of people gather at the ﬁnish line in the

main street of San Remo for the exciting sprint to the end. Long time challenge organiser Dennis Harris said to look out for local San Remo swimmer and reigning 2008 junior challenge winner Chloe Butt this year. “Chloe is fresh from her recent and very impressive third placing in one of the State’s major events, the Portsea 1.2 kilometre swim,” Mr Harris said. “Chloe would have been competing against some of the best swimmers in the country, so to place third out of some 2500 swimmers is a real triumph,” he said. Some $5000 in cash and prizes are up for grabs and prizes will be awarded in all categories at about 6.30 pm by Ms Drennan. The Channel Challenge is part of the Bass Coast Series that includes the Cowes Classic and Island Swim Classic held on the weekend of February 14 and 15, and prizes are awarded to the best male, female, junior and over 40 competitors with the most points accumulated in the three events. While Mr Harris has his focus on this year’s event, he is already excited about the 25th anniversary Channel Challenge in 2010. “You can’t help but think about this big milestone event and we will deﬁnitely have some big things planned. It will be a big one,” he said.

Watchorn - Woolamai‘s first life saver

Proud: well known Leongatha identity, Terry Watchorn, proudly displays his father Herbert Watchorn’s life saving certiﬁcate, The Royal Life Saving Society dated April, 15 1930. Herbert was recognised as being Phillip Island’s ﬁrst life saver this weekend during the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Woolamai Surf Life Saving Club

WHEN Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club celebrated its milestone 50th year on the weekend, recognition was paid to its first member, Herbert Watchorn (dec), father of Terry and Leon of Leongatha. Terry and Leon are well known identities in Leongatha, having run the Leongatha Newsagency for years, and longtime major players in the now defunct Leongatha Cycling Carnival, their father indeed made himself a name on the Island. While Terry will attest that their father was very much a quiet achiever, Herbert was definitely a mover and shaker. During his time on the Island he was not only credited with being the first life saver in 1929, he was instrumental in the revival of the Phillip Island Race Track, and Terry still has his father’s number four membership badge. “He was the first president of the Phillip Island Football Club after the war in 1946 and was one of the instigators of the club joining the Bass Valley League,” said Terry. Herbert started the Phillip Island Tourist Service along with Bern Denham, a success partnership that lasted 30 years, and in that time they opened up the Cowes to Dandenong bus service, a service that is still in operation today. Branching out from the tourist service Herbert, along with Bert West, helped establish the Phillip Island Penguin Parade. “Back in those days dad would spend hours on the beach with a torch trying to get the penguins used to night lights,” Terry said. “Dad also played bass in the Phillip Island Band and competed in many eisteddfods including at Ballarat,” he said. “Before the bridge was built, dad and the band boys built the rotunda on the Cowes foreshore.” This was no mean feat as “all the

work was done by hand” and the engineering for the dome roof was supplied by the then owner of the Cowes Newsagency, Mr Hislop. Herbert was also a member of the Island riﬂe club and helped establish the club at the race track site and was a”champion shot”. He joined the Coburg riﬂe club when he moved to Melbourne and went on to represent Victoria. He still holds a record today. “He’s never been beaten,” Terry said. Terry said his father was an equal winner of the prestigious Queens Prize in 1959, the equivalent of winning an AFL premiership today. “The Queens Prize was an annual national competition and dad was always up in the top 20,” he said.

“He was selected to represent Australia in Bisley, England. This was the ultimate, but illness prevented him from going.” Herbert was born in Cardiff in Wales and at two years of age moved with his family to Richmond before making their home at Cowes, where his mother established the Cora Lyn Guest House, now the site of the Island Caravan Park. “Dad never really said much but he was very interested in the promotion of Phillip Island,” Terry said. Woolamai Beach is the longest and most exposed beach on Phillip Island, and is the site of the island’s only surf life saving club, founded in 1959.

Mover and shaker: Father of Terry Watchorn of Leongatha Herbert Watchorn (dec), a former Phillip Island resident, helped establish the Phillip Island Penguin Parade along with Bert West.

PAGE 50 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Sport Golf reports Leongatha ANOTHER good turnout of 94 players. Good to see some less familiar names among the winners. Ken Wardle took A Grade with 37 points, a good effort in very strong wind. Denis Stanes was our B Grade winner on 35 points, but the big score of the day came in C Grade where Grant McRitchie managed an excellent 40, C. Watson won D Grade on 33. Nearest the pin went to Peter Stivic, and pro-pin to Peter Hartigan. Ball winners: J. Coulter 39, P. Hartigan, R. Monacellia, N. Savino 35; G. Carcour 34, D. Hanna 33, D. Bethune, J. Westaway, J. Malone, I. Sutherland, E. Jenkins, P. Hobson, J. Smith 32; D. Lonnie, P. Blackney, I. Murchie, M. Davis, C. Baldwin 31.

Tuesday Despite the heat, a number of golfers had very good scores. Bruce Gibson and Noel Smith played together, and their rivalry on the course must have spurred them on. Bruce won with 40 points, while Noel was runner-up on 39. Don Farrell won nearest the pin. Ball winners: D. Clemann, D. Vorwerg, D. Bethune 38; B. Hutton 37, P. Hartigan, G. McDonald 36; A. Newsome 34.

Thursday After a hot start, a sudden deluge caught many on the course, and only the hardy completed 18 holes.

Geoff McDonald’s group, caught in hail and thunder after completing the 16th hole, decided to seek the shelter of the clubhouse. Geoff was having a ripping round, square with the card at that stage and already with 40 points on the card. As it turned out, he won the event by four points without playing the last two holes - a great effort. Bruce Gibson (36 points) was runner-up. A nine hole comp was created as well and this saw John Westaway with 21 points getting the prize on a countback from Gary Sharrock and Peter Hartigan. Players to win balls were J. McKay, R. Nelson, A. Barratt and D. McDonald. Thursday’s event is 4BBB par, and stableford again on Saturday.

Ladies WEDNESDAY, January 21 was a perfect day for golf. A Grade winner was Anna de Bondt with 31 points on a countback from Trish Owen and Toni West. Kit Boag won B Grade with a good score of 38 points. She also broke her handicap. Down the line ball winners were Jean Chaplin 37, she also reduced her handicap; Carol Sowden 35, Pat West 35, Margaret Danks 34, Anne Gibson 34, Jill Steer 34 on a countback from Elaine Dempsey. Jill Steer was the nearest the pin winner on the 16th with a great shot that was almost a hole-in-one. Saturday’s A Grade was won by Reanna Matthews with 38 points. Barbara Lee was the B Grade winner with 37 points. Down the line ball winners were Lisa Collins 35, Coral Gray 35, Brenda Powell 35 and Anne Gibson 31. Opening day of the new season is Wednesday, February 4. Please ring the clubhouse to enter your name for the fourball ambrose which is sponsored by Henrietta’s of Leongatha. Arrive at 8am for an 8.30 shotgun start. All players welcome to our new season.

Woorayl LARKIN Printers sponsored our stableford event on Saturday. The winner of A Grade and best score of the day was Lance Lancaster with 43 points. The winner of B Grade was Stuart Hall with 40 points and C Grade went to Pat Wallace on a countback with 41 points. Balls went to N. McKenzie, A. Trease, B. Wilson, G. McKinnon, B. Stubbs, M. Grist, G. Fennell, J. Howard, K. Riseley, N. Lovie, O. Vandervorm and J. Redmond from many others. Men’s nearest the pins went to G. Winkler and T. Hemming respectively. The ladies winner with 37 points was Sue Wakeﬁeld, with balls to Ann Poole and Sue Herrald. The ladies nearest the pins went to S. Thomas and S. Herrald. Ladies, don’t forget there is an open meeting on Tuesday February 3, starting at 10am and the ladies 2009 competitions start on Wednesday February 4. The Thursday bar voucher went to Glenn Fitzpatrick, with balls to V. Haasjes, B. Fitzpatrick and Ted Jackson. The weather cleared for the chicken run with M. Wilson winning a chook and balls to D. Clemann and T. Walters. Next Saturday is our January monthly medal and the ninth round of the summer trophies.

Mirboo North THERE were 35 starters for the par event played on Saturday, January 24. CCR was 69. A Grade winner was Ian Evison (11) +5, B Grade Trevor Bailey (28) +4. Down the line: Noel Fox (15) +2, Graham Watson (6) +2, Tom Whitelaw (6) +2, Gordon Graeme (14) +2. Nearest the pin: 4th Joe Kus, 6th Tom Whitelaw, 13th Ian Evison, 16th Peter Sanderson. Pro pin Joe Kus; 2nd shot 1st hole Graham Watson. Eagle - Dave Woodall (17th). Birdies: Peter Sanderson (16th), Terry Bradshaw (4th), Joe Kus (6th), John McFarlane (13th), John Blunsden (4th).

Mirboo North THERE were 32 starters for the midweek stableford on January 22. CCR 69. A Grade winner was Maree Thompson (16) 43, B Grade Martin Sullivan (34) 47. Down the line: Tom Traill (10) 41, Phil Garlick (22) 39, Trevor Bailey (28) 39, Ian Evison (11) 38 countback. Birdies: 4th Tom Traill, 4th Peter Chapman, 16th Ian Evison, 6th Gordon Graeme.

Meeniyan Ladies DURING the past couple of weeks there has been some good golf played. January 14 saw Sheila Constantine win with 38 points from a very happy golfer in Gwen Heppell also with 38 points. The best nine went to Nancye Hammett with 22points.

January 18 saw Annual Drummond Day 4BBB. Coral Stewart and Bev Shatten had a great win, with Gwen Heppell and Robyn Grifﬁths runners-up. On January 21 Gwen Heppell once again put those new clubs to great use, winning the stroke round with 71 net. Irene Holm was runner-up with 72 net. Grace Benson had an eagle on the par 4 5th hole. Congratulations Grace. It is great to see our new ladies out enjoying the game of golf. Some have already received their handicaps and are part of the competition now.

Foster Tuesday January 20 stableford winner: Neville Thompson (9) 41 pts. Down the line balls: Bernd Amesreiter (25) 39 pts. Nearest the pin: 17th Michael Malady. Thursday January 22 – par, winner: Gary Clavarino (15) +5. Down the line balls: David Hutchison (14) +3, George Draeger (26) +1. Friday January 23 – twilight stableford men’s winner - Lester Rootsey (32) 22 pts on countback, ladies winner - Pam Mathers (45) 19 pts on countback. Down the line balls: Paul Robertson (10) 22 pts, Joy O’Sullivan (36) 19 pts, Phil Schoﬁeld (17) 18 pts,Isobel Dean (36) 17 pts, John Mathers (13) 17 pts on countback. The jackpot will be $550 next week as there were no lucky winners. Saturday January 24 – single stableford, Eddy and Judy Fah. Trophy winners A Grade: Jamie Freeman (6) 40 pts, B Grade: Doc Menzies (17) 38 pts. Down the line balls: Lloyd McKenzie (10) 40 pts, Paul Robertson (12) 38 pts, Don Cripps (19) 37 pts, Tony Vanin (7) 37 pts, Andy Johnston (17) 35 pts, Ray Prain (14) 35 pts. Nearest the pin: 4th Phil Schoﬁeld, 6th Ray Prain, 13th Noel Black, 15th Andy Johnson, 17th Jamie Freeman. Money hole: Ray Prain.Ladies Saturday January 24 – par winner: Jenny Johnson (16) -1. Runner-up: Judy Prain (21) -2. Down the line balls: Beth Crompton (24) -2, Anne Grant (28) -3. Nearest the pin: 4th Jenny Johnson, 6th Ineke de Graaf. Money hole: Judy Prain. Sunday January 25 – mixed Canadian. Pam and Kevin Witheridge trophies. Winners Judy Fah and Ray Prain (17¼) 63¾. Runnersup: Neville Thompson and Fran Allott (19⅞) 71⅛. Down the line balls: Judy Prain and Eddy Fah (11⅝) 71⅜, Margaret and Robert Blake (12¾) 72¼, Kevin Witheridge and Val Gow (17⅝) 72⅜. Nearest the pin: 6th Margaret Blake, Lloyd McKenzie, 17th Judy Fah, B Simmons. Coming events Thursday January 29 open single stableford. Friday 30 – twilight stableford. Saturday January 31 – single stableford. Second round Stig Nelander trophy. Ladies Saturday January 31 – stableford.

Off and running: a huge ﬁeld begins the race.

Ideal conditions for aquathon THE 13th Cape Paterson Aquathon was held in perfect conditions on Sunday, January 18. Almost 180 entrants completed the 400m swim and 3.5km run, with many more spectators giving support and enjoying the sunny and calm day. Once again, many previous entrants returned to compete and enjoy the friendly atmosphere. Others tried the event for the first time, many forming teams, and vowed to return. Brett Cooper won the event in a super time of 16.40 minutes. San Remo’s Chloe Butt (20.55) won the Overall Female event in magnificent style and was also the first local home. First local male home was Mark Rowe (17.12). Young Guns, Ryan Smith (16.53) and Krystal Davie (23.45), took out the Junior section and Rob Fleisner (19.25) and Bernadette Spinks (23.28) once again won the Masters. It was great to have Phil Hanley (19.56) back competing and he and Sally Trembath (28.57) won the Veterans category. Full results can be found at www. cpslsc.org.au Local identity, Cape Paterson’s Peter Ferguson, was given a special award for

Results Overall winners: male Brett Cooper 16.40, female - Chloe Butt 20.55. First local home: male Mark Rowe 17.12, female Chloe Butt 20.55. Senior (18 to 40) male Brett Cooper 16.40, female - Chloe Butt 20.55. Junior (14 to 18) - male Ryan Smith 16.53, female Krystal Davie 23.45. Masters (40 to 50), male - Robert Fleisner 19.25, female - Bernadette Spinks 23.28. Veterans (50 +) male Phil Hanley 19.56, female - Sally Trembath 28.57. Male teams: swimmer Grant Ranole 18.52, runner Robert Gilﬁllan. Female teams: swimmer - Georgia Kaye-Helmot 21.28, runner Emma Plumb. Mixed teams: swimmer - Patrick Savage 19.51, runner Georgia Hastings.

Above right Happy winners: Emma Plumb of Wonthaggi and Georgia Kaye-Helmot of Inverloch, won the female teams section. They receive their trophies from one of the organisers.

Right Veteran male: winner, Phil Hanley of Cape Paterson crosses the line.

competing in 10 consecutive aquathons. He vowed to keep going for another 20! Fergus O’Connor and Simon Manning were rewarded for competing in ﬁve consecutive Cape Aquathons. The Cape Aquathon, run by Cape Paterson Surf Life Saving Club, thanks the major sponsors Southcoast First National Real Estate, The Cape Tavern, 2XU, TQ Trekking Kokoda Adventures in PNG, Bendigo Bank, Thinking Printing and Bass Coast Shire Council. They were also blown away by the phenomenal support from local businesses. Thank you. The Cape Aquathon could not operate without the support of many local residents and holiday makers. About 100 people volunteered their time on the day and should also be thanked for their efforts. All monies raised will contribute towards the running of essential life saving services. The Cape Aquathon is the ﬁrst leg of the Bass Coast Series (with the Channel Challenge on Saturday, January 31 (500m swim/2km run) and Cowes Classic on Sunday, February 14 (500m swim/4km run). We wish the Cape Aquathon competitors all the best in the next two legs.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 51

Sport Bowls reports Meeniyan

MONDAY, January 19 was our affiliated two bowl triples which was sponsored by Morrison Jefferis & Associates Accountants of Leongatha. Winners were Lee McKenzie (Traralgon), Robin McKenzie (Fish Creek) and Henry Scheerle (Foster). Runners-up were Leongatha’s Fred Sauvarin, Murray Blackburn and Frank Filomeno. Ladies pennant on Tuesday resulted in a ‘heat out’ for both teams playing at home. This Tuesday is the penultimate round before the finals. Ones are away to Lang Lang and currently in fourth spot, and threes are home to Foster and just out of the four. In our third week of corporate bowls Tuesday night’s winners were Espy, with Meeniyan Gentlemen’s Club again runners-up. The encouragement award went to Windmill Ag 1. Mitre 10 was Wednesday night’s winner with Wattlebank and Robert Brown runners-up. The encouragement award went to Dumbalk North. Fifteen people played social bowls on Wednesday. The winners were Ev Thorson, Morrie Parry and Grace Kuhne. The competition winner was Doreen Meikle. With no pennant this Saturday, it would appear that Division One will be facing relegation unless they can pull out wins in the next two matches. On January 31 they play Inverloch Blue at home followed by Foster away. Division 4, in the middle of the field, play the very strong Phillip Island Blue at home, followed by Korumburra Maroon at home. Division 5 have a chance

of making the four, playing Toora at home, followed by Inverloch away. Thursday, January 29 is the second of our Division 3, 4, 5 and bankers triples, with the second of our married couple events on Sunday, February 1. Congratulations to bowler and former president Neville Meikle who this week was named Australia Day Citizen of the Year for South Gippsland Shire. Etiquette tip: skippers have the best ears of all players and may not appreciate their directions being disputed. Upshot 2.

Buffalo indoor ON Wednesday January 21, 17 bowlers were split into six teams for six bowl triples. Very good bowling saw four teams with two wins and on countback the winners were: Bill Wolswinkel (s), Glenys Pilkington, Gemma Poletti (WWL), 18 ends, then Toni Heldens (s), Andrew Hanks, Steve Teylor (WLW) 16 +8. Then Karl Kappes (s), Tamara Teylor, Jim Atkins (LWW) 16 -2. Next, Sebastian Terranova (s), Graeme Tobias, Carolyn Benson (WLW) 15 ends, then Ian Benson (s), Peter Heldens, Illene Tiziani (LWL), followed by Peter Tiziani, Barbara Kappes (LLL). Best ﬁrst game, Sebastian 13/3, best second game, Ian 12/9 and best third game, Toni 12/6. Lucky ticket winners: Glenys Pilkington - chook, Bill and Steve - ﬂowers, Peter Tiziani - oregano, Illene - zucchini, Gemma - snow peas, Sebastian and Carolyn - eggs. Many thanks to donors of prizes. Happy birthday was sung to Glenys Pilkington.

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

JAN / FEB Time

height (metres)

Add one hour for daylight saving

28 WED

29 THUR

30 FRI

31 SAT

1 SUN

2 MON

3 TUE

0134 0724 1313 1922

1.42 0.64 1.23 0.31

0209 0803 1359 1959

1.46 0.55 1.28 0.32

0241 0838 1442 2033

1.50 0.46 1.34 0.34

0313 0911 1523 2107

1.52 0.38 1.39 0.37

0344 0943 1604 2144

1.52 0.32 1.42 0.42

0415 1015 1646 2222

1.50 0.26 1.43 0.48

0446 1048 1731 2301

1.47 0.22 1.43 0.55

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

All are welcome for an enjoyable night of bowls at Buffalo Hall on Wednesdays at 7.30pm.

Tarwin Lower BAREFOOT bowls: The footy club award this week was won again by Venus Bay Rock Rollers. The dinner was on Saturday night and 65 members and friends enjoyed the superb meal. Well done to the cooks and helpers. Twilight bowls is on again this Friday 30, please assist caterers by having names in early. Players must have names in by 3.30pm for a 4pm start. Ladies club champion, Maureen played in the Champion of Champions last week at Wonthaggi. Maureen won her ﬁrst round game against Leongatha, but lost her second to Port Welshpool. Pennant: The ladies lost by 23 shots at Port Welshpool, this week they play at home to Inverloch. Men’s section: Division 2 travel to Wonthaggi, Division 4 are home to Wonthaggi, Division 5 home to Corinella.

Fish Creek A BAD week to try to get bowls results. Tuesday ladies pennant at Foster was called off after a couple of ends because of the heat. On the same day at Leongatha, where the men’s Over 60s was being played, the temperature at one stage hit 37 degrees. Luckily, a cooler wind in the afternoon allowed play to go on. On Thursday, a totally opposite scene followed at our men’s turkey triples. The morning session was played in quite good conditions but when bowlers started to play after lunch, a little shower at ﬁrst turned into a storm with thunder, lightning, plenty of wind and heavy rain, which eventually ﬂooded the green. Cards had to be handed in after one and a half games and the eventual winner was Peter Holden (skip), Bob Everett and Peter Tiziani. The runner-up was Ray Lecher (skip), Don Lawson and Allan Spooner. Our series of barefoot bowls starts this Tuesday and Wednesday at 6pm and will run for six weeks. Our next club function is on Sunday February 15 for the Lindsay and Anne Williams sponsored catered day. Bowlers, please get your club games played.

Inverloch ladies BEFORE Christmas I was privileged to watch the final of our club championship between Joy Brown and Anne Tschiderer. It was a magnificent game, the best I personally have ever seen. The game could have gone either way, with both ladies playing some fabulous shots. Joy ended up taking out the honours to win the championship. Last week in a very bad seniors moment, I stated that Anne Tschiderer would be playing in the Champion of Champions. I sincerely apologize to Joy for this error. Last Thursday and Friday the Champion of Champions was played at the Wonthaggi club. Joy played the young up and coming Rebecca from Phillip Island in very difficult weather conditions. Joy won

this match and advanced to the semi ﬁnals. Friday Joy played Iris Donohue from Wonthaggi. Although Joy had a slow start she came back with some lovely shots to close the gap. It was a great game to watch, with Iris eventually winning the game. The club is proud of you Joy for the effort you put in. Joy has asked me to thank all the spectators on both days for their support. It was much appreciated. Good to see Pat Stoneham amongst the spectators. Last Tuesday 1st and 2nd Divisions played at home and it was a very hot day with the game being called off after it reached 36 degrees. As 45 ends had been played we were able to have a result,with Inverloch winning both divisions. Division 3 had a bye. Wednesday was our monthly triples sponsored by Keepsake Kreations. We had 30 bowlers, with Ken Peterson helping us to make up the numbers. There were two three game winners. The winners for the day were Carol Hughes, Dorothy McIntosh and Veronica Muir. Runnersup were Maureen Paynting, Ken Peterson and Carol Waters. A good day was had by all. It was lovely to see Estelle Stewart come down to watch for a while. Friday saw a close 100Up game played and Sunday a good pairs game. So everyone is getting into the competitions, which is pleasing to the match committee. Saturday only six ladies turned up for social bowls. We used this time to have a good practice for next Tuesday’s pennant. Friday, January 30 is the Inverloch tournament. Una would like some help with the teas, so please give her a ring and help out on this day. We don’t want to have to get down on bended knee (which gets harder to do, the older you get) and beg you to help.

Proved triumphant: John Hall on his way to winning the ﬁnal.

Local into last 16 LEONGATHA’s John Hall won the semi final of the Victorian Singles Championships at Wonthaggi Bowls Club on the weekend. John moves into the last 16 of the State Singles Championship, which will be played at Numurkah Golf Bowls Club on Wednesday, April 1 and Thursday 2. The club hosted both the Group 8 semi finals and finals of the Victorian Singles and Fours Championships. Play throughout the morning saw semi finals of both events. In the singles, John Hall (Leongatha) easily accounted for his opposition John Skeen (Sale Golf Bowls Club), winning 25 to 10 over 19 ends. The other semi final, Kevin Dowie (Lakes Entrance) outlasted his opposition in a marathon game over 28 ends, winning 25 to 24. The semi finals of the fours saw the midGippsland team of John Leighton (skip); Noel Jensz (third); Jeff Davey (second) and Robbie Burke (lead) 17 defeat Yarram’s Wayne Lynch (skip); Anthony Banik (third); Jeff Amos (second); Toly Banik (lead) 16. In the other semi final the South Gippsland team of Ron Burge (skip); Ron Lawson (third); Chas Buccilli (second); Herb Barclay (lead) 16 defeated Lakes Entrance John Snell (skip); Peter Coulton (third); Greg Roberts (second); Geoff Robinson (lead) 14. Following the lunch break play got underway for the finals.

In the early stages of the singles, Kevin Dowie (Lakes Entrance) got off to a flyer winning three of the first four ends and led five shots to two. By the 13th end, he had won only a further two ends, and John Hall (Leongatha) simply outdrew his opponent time after time. At this stage of the game John Hall led 15 to seven. From then on, John Hall shut his opponent out of the game by not conceding a further shot, and won the Group 8 Singles 25 to seven. John is having an exceptionally good year, having won the South Gippsland Bowls Association Singles Championship at Wonthaggi three weeks ago. The Group 8 finals of that event will be played at Yarram Bowls Club next weekend. In the Fours final, mid-Gippsland’s John Leighton (skip); Noel Jensz (third); Jeff Davey (second); Robbie Burke (lead) take on the South Gippsland team of Ron Burge (skip); Ron Lawson (third); Chas Buccilli (second); Herb Barclay (lead). With play over 18 ends, the Mid Gippsland team proved far too strong, winning 16 to seven. The last end was conceded by South Gippsland. The mid-Gippsland team move through to the final 16 of the State Fours Championship at Bairnsdale Golf Bowls Club on Saturday, April 4 and Sunday 5. The Wonthaggi greens are simply in excellent condition and were an excellent choice for playing such an important event.

South West Gippsland Midweek ONLY 37 players went to Korumburra on Tuesday, January 19. This drop in numbers was caused by the heat that was forecast. The number of ends was also reduced. The day was sponsored by Dr Henry Teow, with vouchers to be used at Wonthaggi Cellars. Other prizes were awarded by the Midweek Group. President Malc Scott thanked Les and George for looking after us on the day. There was only one twogame winning team and this was John Madden, Cliff Harding, Betty Derooy and June Lyons. The runners-up with one win and a draw were Biddy Gissing, Ted Parker and Hans Bischofberger. The best one game winners also had a draw. The players were Ivan Bateson, George Rhodes, Charlie Woods and Jean Hill. Eric Wild, John Derooy and Trevor Cummings took the encouragement award. Dora Kelly won the rafﬂe. We looked pretty smart in our new midweek shirts. John Derooy did a great job organising them. After San Remo on January 27, we will be going to Tarwin Lower on February 3.

Group 8: Kevin Dowie (runner-up of Lakes Entrance club), John Lewis (Chairman Group 8 Committee) and John Hall (winner of Leongatha club).

SGDLBA pennant RESULTS for January 20 Round 12: Division 1: Wonthaggi 77 (18 shots) d Leongatha 59 (I. Donohue 31 d E. McIntyre 21, K. Simpson 22 d F. Turner 17, L. Milkins 24 d J. Todd 21). Inverloch 56 (33 shots) d Phillip Island 23 (J. Hargreaves 26 d P. Davis 5, A. Tschiderer 12 d P. Francis 10, S. Cook 1 d A. Green 8). Foster v Lang Lang (inclement weather) 1 pt each. Meeniyan v Korumburra (inclement weather) 1 pt each. Division 2: Wonthaggi 77 (19 shots) d San Remo 58 (D. Yarley 41 d W. Brunsden 13, E. Thompson 19 drew D. Barnes 19, L. Marsh 17 lt S. Carvosso 26). Phillip Island 63 (29 shots) d Corinella 34 (R.

Viney 24 d H. Anderson 12, V. Pumphrey 13 lt M. Dillon 14, W. Braun 26 d V. Deigan 8). Port Welshpool 80 (25 shots) d Tarwin 55 (M. McDonald 34 d M. Atwell 11, A. Collins 30 d H. Twite 15, L. McLaine 16 lt G. Bright 29). Inverloch 52 (11 shots) d Loch 41 (J. Brown 18 d V. Kennedy 14, D. McIntosh 22 d G. Garry 13, D. Gilﬁllan 12 lt M. Fraser 14). Division 3: Phillip Island 44 (8 shots) d Wonthaggi 36 (E. Clark 25 d B. Merlin 13, E. Stephenson 19 lt M. Eurell 23). Foster v Fish Creek (inclement weather) 1 pt each. Toora v Korumburra (inclement weather) 1 pt each. Meeniyan v Leongatha (inclement weather) 1 pt each. Inverloch had the bye, 1 pt.

Ladders

Division 1 Foster................................+71 19 Wonthaggi ......................+134 18 Phillip Island..................+140 17 Meeniyan...........................-44 15 Lang Lang ..........................-62 10 Inverloch ...........................+16 8 Leongatha.........................-113 6 Korumburra ......................-142 3 Division 2 Wonthaggi ......................+112 18 Port Welshpool ..............+141 17 Inverloch ...........................-15 13 Phillip Island.......................-8 12 Loch ...................................-10 10 Corinella.............................-33 10 San Remo ...........................-77 8 Tarwin ..............................-110 8 Division 3 Fish Creek ......................+130 19 Phillip Island..................+144 15 Toora .................................-40 14 Korumburra ....................+25 13 Meeniyan.............................+2 12 Foster..................................-53 12 Wonthaggi ...........................+4 11 Leongatha.........................-109 11 Inverloch ..........................-103 5

PAGE 52 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Sport O’Reilly top scores, Wise 131 not out

A Grade Division 1 WONTHAGGI Miners hard hitter Jason O’Reilly top scored on the weekend in his team’s A Grade Division 1 against Town, notching up a massive 147.

O’Reilly hit 16 fours and two sixes on his way to the total, before ﬁnally being claimed by Town’s Ellicott. The Miners ended the day in a solid position, with a total of 338. Miners’ batsman Paul Hammer had a good day out too, scoring 63, -56 of those runs from boundaries. Imps’ champion Gary Sauvarin was the driving force for his team, with 73 runs under his belt before being run out in his teams’ clash with Korumburra. The premature departure was a blow to his team. Among his team mates, only Luke Rogers could post a signiﬁcant score – ending the day with 46. For Korumburra, Matthew Olden was the most effective bowler, with four wickets for 55. Olden did the damage early and was a big reason the IMPs could manage only 176. Inverloch’s Mark Anderson helped his team to a healthy 228 in the game against Nerrena. Anderson made 72 runs not out, helping his team mates brave the Nerrena bowling attack, led by Tim Wightman who took four wickets for 69. Nerrena lost opener Mitchell Clark at the beginning of play when he was deemed to be out LBW. Nerrena ended the day 1/26.

Wonthaggi Workmens got off to a ﬂier in its match against OMK, with Gavin Bolding top scoring with 103. He was solidly supported throughout his innings as Workmens ﬁnished the day at 6/276. KORUMBURRA v IMPERIALS 1st Innings Korumburra D. Salmon stp. D. Davis b. D. Connelly.........................16 M. Olden c. M. Malloy b. D. Connelly.........................23 J. Cook n.o. .................................. 2 U. Weerasinghe n.o...................... 4 Extras ........................................... 2 Total........................................2/47 Bowling: J. Pellicano 0/15, M. P. Malloy 0/12, M. J. Malloy 0/4, D. Connelly 2/11, X. Davis 0/3. 1st Innings Imperials B. Rayson b. M. Patching..........10 X. Davis c. D. Wyhoon’ b. M. Olden ............................... 4 D. Davis c. A. Balfour b. M. Olden ............................... 0 G. Sauvarin r.o. K. Rigby ..........73 L. Rogers c. P. Edwards b. U. Weerasinghe...................46 T. Williams c&b. D. Scott ........... 7 M. Lafferty c. U. Weerasinghe b. M. Olden ............................... 9 M. J. Malloy c. A. Balfour b. M. Olden ............................... 1 M. J. Malloy c. A. Balfour b. K. Dorman ..........................18 D. Connelly b. M. Patching......... 0 J. Pellicano n.o. ............................ 2 Extras ........................................... 6 Total.........................................176 Bowling: M. Olden 4/55, M. Patching 2/29, K. Dorman 1/26, U. Weerasinghe 1/30, D. Wyhoon 0/24, D. Scott 1/6. MINERS v TOWN 1st Innings Miners M. Donohue b. S. Ellicott..........29 P. Hammer b. A. Hickey ............63 J. O’Reilly c. C. Bruce b. S. Ellicott ..........................147 K. Smith lbw. N. Johnston.........32 M. Johnson c. C. Bruce b. W. Turner ............................37

C. Thomas c. C. Bruce b. A. Hickey .............................. 9 R. Todd c. C. Bruce b. A. Hickey .............................. 3 J. Trevisi b. S. Ellicott ................. 1 D. Foon c&b. A. Hickey.............. 1 R. Thomas n.o.............................. 1 B. Zanella n.o............................... 1 Extras .........................................14 Total......................................9/338 Bowling: N. Johnston 1/74, S. Ellicott 3/76, J. Malone 0/37, A. Hickey 4/46, L. Bowman 0/52, W. Turner 1/43. NERRENA v INVERLOCH 1st Innings Nerrena M. Clark lbw. .............................. 0 T. Wightman n.o. .......................16 G. Murphy n.o.. ........................... 8 Extras ........................................... 2 Total........................................1/26 Bowling: Not available. 1st Innings Inverloch W. Taberner b. S. Checkley .......36 J. Smith c. M. Clark b. S. Checkley .........................27 B. Debono r.o............................... 3 D. Clark c. S. Checkley b. T. Wightman .......................21 D. Ruffin c. J. Trease b. T. Wightman ......................... 8 L. Cummins c&b J. Trease .......... 0 M. Anderson n.o. .......................72 N. Cant lbw. b. G. Murhphy ......45 J. Ogden c. G. Murphy b. T. Wightman ........................ 6 A. Hall c. D. Symmons b. T. Wightman .......................... 2 E. Everingham r.o. ....................... 0 Extras ........................................... 8 Total.........................................228 Bowling: C. Rump 0/32, J. Trease 1/25, R. Clark 0/26, R. Stubbs 0/21, S. Checkley 2/38, T. Wightman 4/69, G. Murphy 1/11. WONTHAGGI WORKMENS CRICKET CLUB v OMK 1st Innings Wonthaggi Workmans Cricket Club S. Brann c. K. Kerr b. B. Wyatt ................................ 9 D. Brann b. P. Dell .....................35 G. Britt c&b. P. Dell ..................25

J. Baker lbw. b. J. Wilson ..........35 G. Bolding c. D. Creed b. J. Wilson ............................103 C. Harvey b. B. Wyatt ...............17 R. Thomas n.o............................20 T. Hooper n.o. ............................ 11 Extras .........................................21 Total......................................6/276 Bowling: T. Creed 0/46, J. Wilson 2/69, B. Wyatt 2/55, A. Miller 0/21, P. Dell 2/44, K. Kerr 0/23.

A Grade Division 2 Koonwarra RSL ended its innings against Wonthaggi Workmens with a solid 7/287. Led by the in-form Clinton Wise, who notched up 131 not out, Koonwarra RSL looked good all day. Sam Sperling also had his eye in, with a respectable 40 runs. Sperling has been scoring in the single ﬁgures in recent times and the knock was a welcome return to form. Fish Creek Tarwin opener Graeme Watkins helped save his team from collapse, knocking up 69 in the clash with Miners. While there was an upper order collapse, Fish Creek Tarwin innings was again salvaged when lower order batsmen Danckert and Coates hit 68 runs between them. Danckert was not out for 38. Miners’ bowler Dean Jagoe was on song with 4/56. MDU’s Michael Dower was at the forefront of bowling attack that saw opponents Poowong Loch all out for 184. Claiming 4/35, Dower was a big reason for the spattering of small scores that marked the Poowong Loch innings. Top scoring for Poowong Loch was Russell Greaves with 44. Greaves was also bowled LBW by Dower. MDU started

Opening miss: Workmens’ opening batsman, David Brann was still getting his eye in during last Saturday’s opening over. its own innings shakily, losing its two openers, ﬁnishing the day at 2/27. Phillip Island made a paltry 154 after a blistering Glen Alvie bowling attack cut a swathe through its ranks. Andrew Donohue (3/250 and Adam J Ware (3/20) could do no wrong as they decimated the Phillip Island batsmen. Phillip Island’s Craig Cooke was able to save his team from complete disaster with 66 runs. The Phillip Island boys were buoyed, however, by claiming two easy wickets, with Glen Alvie ending the day on 2/37. KOONWARRA RSL v WONTHAGGI WORKMENS 1st Innings Koonwarra RSL S. Hughes c&b. A. Sartori .......... 2 G. Sperling c. A. McLean b. R. Birkett ............................25 J. Hughes b. A. Sartori ................ 0 C. Wise n.o...............................131 S. Sperling b. S. Coldabella ......40 L. Sperling b. S. Coldabella ......19 M. Robjant b. A. Sartori ............18 B. Anderson c. J. Sherrin b. A. McLean ..........................32 B. Davison n.o. ............................ 3 Extras .........................................17 Total......................................7/287 Bowling: A. Sartori 3/65, S. Coldabella 2/50, A. McLean 1/43, R. Birkett 1/42, J. Sherrin 0/46, J. Bolding 0/13, C. Rigby 0/15. FISH CREEK/TARWIN v MINERS 1st Innings Fish Creek/Tarwin

G. Watkins c&b. D. Jagoe .........69 M. Lynch c. N. Waters b. M. Loos................................. 7 J. Law c. D. Jagoe b. C. Honeysett ......................... 4 M. Watkins c. L. Earl b. D. Beesey .............................. 1 J. Danckert c. N. Waters b. D. Jagoe ..............................19 J. Staley c. W. Howson b. D. Beesey .............................14 W. Cocksedge c. M. Loos b. D. Jagoe ................................ 7 B. Anderson b. D. Beesey ........... 0 M. Danckert n.o. ........................38 B. Coates c. M. Wright b. D. Jagoe ..............................30 D. Rubenis b. M. Loos ................ 0 Extras .........................................16 Total.........................................205 Bowling: D. Loos 0/18, M. Loos 2/29, D. Beesey 3/38, C. Honeysett 1/38, D. Jagoe 4/56, L. Jones 0/13. POOWONG/LOCH v MDU 1st Innings Poowong/Loch M. Healy b. S. McRae ............... 11 M.Adderley c. B. McKnight b. T. Gordon ............................24 P. Dyer c. S. McRae b. M. Dower.............................. 5 C. Knox c&b. M. Cantwell .......28 M. Hutchison c. A. Baillie b. M. Dower.............................. 0 R. Greaves lbw. b. M. Dower ....44 G. Poynton b. B. McKnight ......17 A. Jenkins c. W. Prosser b. M. Cantwell ......................... 5 B. Hancock n.o. .........................25 S. Jenkins c. A. Baillie b. C. Hoober.............................. 1 N. Owens c. M. Cantwell b. M. Dower.............................. 5 Extras .........................................19 Total.........................................184

Bowling: M. Dower 4/35, T. Gordon 1/26, S. McRae 1/29, B. McKnight 0/24, M. Cantwell 2/24, B. Thomas 0/16, C. Hoober 1/18. 1st Innings MDU B. Spokes c. N. Owens ..............10 C. Hoober c&b. R. Greaves ........ 2 W. Prosser n.o. ............................. 6 M. Dower n.o............................... 4 Extras ........................................... 5 Total........................................2/27 Bowling: A. Jenkins 1/13, R. Greaves 1/14. PHILLIP ISLAND v GLEN ALVIE 1st Innings Phillip Island R. Cleeland c. K. Simpson b. P. Roberts ............................. 4 C. Cooke c&b. A. Donohue ......66 L. Keating lbw. b. P. Ware ........... 4 T. Hornsby lbw. A. Donohue .....23 C. Wilson stp. R. Arestia b. A. Donohue ........................... 1 R. Velardi c&b. A. Ware .............. 0 A. Matthews c. P. Ware b. A. Ware ................................. 0 S. Boyack b. A. Simpson ............. 8 C. Viljoen b. A. Simpson ........... 11 J. Broomhall b. A. Ware ............22 A. Dimech n.o............................13 Bowling: A. Simpson 2/46, D. Hynes 0/24, P. Roberts 1/23, A. Donohue 3/25, P. Ware 1/16, A. Ware 3/20. 1st Innings Glen Alvie P. Roberts b. S. Boyack ............... 4 C. Tait c. J. Broomhall b. A. Matthews.......................... 3 A. Donohue n.o..........................19 P. Jordan n.o. ................................ 8 Extras ........................................... 3 Total........................................2/37 Bowling: S. Boyack 1/14, A. Matthews 1/9, C. Wilson 0/5, C. Viljoen 0/7, R. Velardi 0/0.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 53

Sport LDCA cricket scoreboard B Grade

IMPERIALS v KORUMBURRA 1st Innings Imperials N. Eddy b. A. Meade..................7 A. Moles b. A. Meade ................1 J. Roughead lbw. S. Hayes .........6 B. Lim c&b. D. Bailey .............23 A. Hosking c&b. I Osman .......49 S. Vagg c&b. P. Green ..............17 T. Pedlow r.o. .............................0 J. Tuckett c&b. A. Meade...........0 C. Roughead n.o.........................3 N. Slater b. A. Meade .................4 J. Fiddelaers b. S. Hayes ............0 Extras ....................................... 11 Total .......................................121 Bowling: S. Hayes 2/24, A. Meade 4/26, D. Bailey 1/17, S. Phillips 0/25, M. Loader 0/10, P. Green 1/13, I. Osman 1/0. 1st Innings Korumburra I. Osman b. J. Fiddelaers............3 H. Wyhoon b. N. Eddy ..............6 C. Bailey r.o. ............................23 C. Stevens b. N. Eddy ................0 B. Hayes c&b. J. Fiddelaers .......0 M. Loader lbw. N. Eddy.............6 S. Hayes b. N. Slater ................64 S. Phillps c&b. N. Slater ..........22 D. Bailey b. N. Eddy ..................4 A. Meade n.o. .............................0 P. Green n.o. ...............................6 Extras .......................................14 Total ....................................9/148 Bowling: J. Fiddelaers 2/15, T. Pedlow 0/28, N. Eddy 4/30, C. Roughead 0/20, J. Roughead 0/26, J. Tuckett 0/13, N. Slater 2/10. OMK v PHILLIP ISLAND 1st Innings OMK G. Miller c. ................................8 P. Miller n.o. .............................76 K. Rothier b. ............................13 T. Smith stp. ............................26

N. Audino b. ..............................8 A. Rose n.o................................1 Extras .......................................14 Total ....................................4/146 Bowling: Not available. 1st Innings Phillip Island Bowling: K. Rothier 1/4, A. Rose 5/20, D. McMeekin 2/28, D. Jeffries 0/3, T. Wyatt 0/11. TOWN v GLEN ALVIE 1st Innings Town B. Moore c. Smith b. C. Beasley ...........................3 M. Smith n.o. ...........................32 M. Borschman n.o. .....................1 Extras .........................................5 Total ......................................1/41 Bowling: S. Nippers 0/5, J. Hales 0/16, C. Beasley 1/18. 1st Innings Glen Alvie C. Charles c. T. Willcocks b. S. McCallum .......................0 S. Smith b. S. McCallum .........19 G. Chappell b. M. Willcocks ....56 M. Hull r.o. M. O’Malley.........16 R. Ould c. T. Willcocks b. J. Schelling ..........................9 E. Sheerin c. T. Willcocks b. J. Schelling ........................39 S. Nippers c. D. Burge b. J. Schelling ........................19 L. Genicarro n.o. ......................34 J. Hales lbw. J. Schelling ...........0 A. Hamilton c. T. Willcocks b. J. Schelling ..........................2 C. Beasley lbw. S. McCallum ....0 Extras .......................................19 Total .......................................213 Bowling: S. McCallum 3/80, M. Willcocks 1/25, B. Moore 0/20, J. Schelling 5/61, S. Westaway 0/21. INVERLOCH v NERRENA 1st Innings Inverloch B. Phillips ret. n.o. ...................55

LDCA ladders

A Grade Division 1 Inverloch .......................... 115.52 Won W’mens CC.............104.03 Miners ................................99.52 Imperials ............................99.04 OMK ...................................93.91 Nerrena ................................87.56 Korumburra .........................84.67 Town....................................57.62 A Grade Division 2 Koonwarra RSL ..............137.56 Glen Alvie.........................125.65 MDU .................................107.98 Phillip Island....................101.19 Miners .................................87.56 Fish Creek/Tarwin ...............85.82 Poowong/Loch ....................60.77 Won Workmens ...................31.04 B Grade OMK.................................135.36 Inverloch ..........................121.41 Glen Alvie...........................99.32 Phillip Island......................83.92 Nerrena ................................80.86 Town....................................77.85 Korumburra .........................69.97 Imperials .............................58.53 C Grade Koonwarra RSL .............. 147.97 Poowong/Loch ................. 107.80 Foster................................ 106.69

Won Workmens ................. 99.53 Miners ................................. 72.81 MDU ................................... 71.80 Fish Creek/Tarwin ............... 69.25 Phillip Island ....................... 58.10 D Grade OMK................................. 135.29 Korumburra .................... 123.64 Imperials .......................... 118.64 Nerrena ............................ 110.84 Glen Alvie ........................... 81.67 Koownarra RSL .................. 70.21 Town.................................... 60.44 MDU ................................... 21.47 E Grade Updated ladder not supplied. Under 16 East Zone Imperials ............................ 85.62 MDU ................................... 81.39 Town ................................... 77.72 K’warra/L’gatha RSL....... 60.92 Fish Creek/Tarwin ............... 23.36 Foster................................... 20.17 Under 16 West Zone Won Workmens Gold........97.40 Phillip Island......................83.20 Korumburra .....................57.96 Glen Alvie...........................36.71 Won Workmens Blue ..........35.81 OMK/Inverloch ...................35.24

T. Thornby c. J. Richards b. B. Croatto .......................... 11 W. Rankin n.o...........................97 S. Lucas n.o. ...............................2 Extras .........................................7 Total ....................................1/172 Bowling: Z. Trease 0/16, W. Telfer 0/18, T. Mackie 0/14, B. Croatto 1/14, B. Castles 0/13, J. Holloway 0/13, J. Richards 0/18, C. Baudinette 0/16, J. Renden 0/16, T. Trotman 0/30. 1st Innings Nerrena J. Richards c. J. Dalmau b. W. Williams .........................4 Z. Trease c. L. Addison b. W. Williams .........................8 T. Trotman b. J. Courtenay.......19 W. Telfer lbw. b. J. Dalmau ........9 J. Renden b. L. Addison .............9 B. Castles b. L. Addison.............1 T. Mackie c&b. L Addison .......15 L. Jongebloed c. J. Jackson b. J. Dalmau .............................0 C. Baudinette b. L Rankin ..........4 J. Holloway n.o. .........................3 B. Croatto b. L. Addison ............1 Extras .........................................6 Total .........................................79 Bowling: J. Dalmau 2/7, W. Williams 2/11, J. Jackson 0/9, J. Courtenay 1/11, J. Dennerley 0/16, L. Addison 4/16, L. Rankin 1/4.

C Grade Wonthaggi Workmens 3/16 (S. Arnup 1/6, J. Tomada 2/2) lt. Koonwarra RSL 176 (S. Arnup 32, B. Heppell 47, S. Paterson 24; N. Tessari 1/21, D. Beaumont 3/25, P. Huitema 2/40, M. Cadwallender 2/29, M McCall 1/4, R. Stein 1/0). Miners 9/311 (S. Jobling 48, J. Burke 35, J. Loos 44, S. Webster 50, A. Zanella n.o. 56, W. Dye n.o. 20) v Fish Creek/Tarwin. Foster 4/66 (W. Smith 19; E. Bourke 3/29, P. Francis 1/5) lt. Phillip Island 134 (L. McFee 51, E. Bourke 31, C. Daw 23; R. Johnson 4/20, P. Jervies 1/47, G. Collis 1/23, W. Smith 2/24). MDU v Poowwong/Loch 8/317 (S. Dinger 48, P. Duffus 132, N. Hancock n.o. 27, R. Knox 21, C. Fraser 23, G. Frandsen r.o. 22; S. Browne 1/65, S. Riley 1/77, C. Harris 1/57, N. Hill 1/12, R. Olden 2/16).

D Grade Nerrena 5/303 (G. Giliam 154, G. McGrath 47, T. Clark n.o. 53, G. Wightman n.o. 20; S. McLennan 3/83, G. Wright 2/65) v Imperials. Korumburra 4/47 (S. McKenzie 25; G. Adams 1/7, C. Paterson 3/22) lt. OMK 144 (G. Adams 49, M. Chizzonitti n.o. 22; S. McKenzie 1/36, L .Williams 4/36, H. James 4/42, S. Hall 1/34). Koonwarra RSL 9/216 (L. Enter 37, L. Hughes 21, P. Kennedy 57, G. Davison n.o. 29; M. Luscombe 1/54, L. Ashton 1/41, L. O’Brien 3/40, D. Goss 1/15, M. Warren 2/37) v Town. Glen Alvie 203 (D. Holden 26, G. Chisholm 36, M. Green 48, B. Davidson n.o. 24; S. Dunlop

1/39, C. Boyd 3/37, D. Tuckett 3/57, C. Hughes 2/27, J. Dean 1/22) v MDU.

E Grade Town 158 (B. Davies 33, J. Schelling 47, J. Goss 20; D. Perryman 3/17, C. Gooch 2/16, J .Piasente 1/16, B. Pugh 2/15, C. Taylor 2/0) d Miners 3/48 (J. Cornish 17; T. Lomax 1/18, N. Tuckett 1/0, M. Borschman 1/4). Foster 3/320 (A. Youl 158, B. Youl 73, D. Dower n.o. 39, S. Jones n.o. 23; P. Cashman 2/45, C. O’Neill 1/40) v Phillip Island. Wonthaggi Workmens 9/191 (S. Osborne 80, D. McGuirk 22, P. Wade 43, T. Gennaccaro r.o. 21; M. Holloway 1/19, J. Poynton 1/37, R. McKenzie 3/43, G. Birnie 1/18, S. McKinnon 1/42, H. Singh 1/15) v Poowong/Loch. Imperials 138 (B. Vagg 49, T. Burgess 23; A. Jones 1/41, C. Bulter 2/12, J. Bertuliet 7/20) d Inverloch 2/52 (C. Bulter n.o. 19; M. Jones 2/16).

Under 16 East Zone MDU 178 (M. Clark 31, T. Gordon 69; J. Staley 3/30, J. Lowe 3/30, D. Clearihan-Jervies 1/33, J. Gurnett 2/53, S. Chaseling 1/9) d Foster 8/105 (T. Harris 1/16, M. Olden 1/13, M. Clark 3/16, J. Opray 1/15, S. Cole 1/0). 2nd innings: MDU 1/17. Koonwarra/Leongatha RSL 136 (J. Van Rooy 24, S. Dooney 22; J. Pellicano 2/13, R. O’Loughlin 1/11, M. O’Loughlin 1/20, R. Higgins 1/23, J. Stewart 2/13, P. McCaughan 1/7, N. Pye 1/2, D. Westaway 1/10) lt. Imperials 8/166 (H. Langenburg 1/18, J. Moore 3/25, L. Sperling 4/38). Town 3/244 (L. Bowman r.o. 52, N. Moore 49, M. Ellicott n.o. 67, J. McMillan n.o. 11) d Fish Creek/Tarwin 41 (B. Edwards 24; M. Willcocks 4/13, J. Armstrong 2/5, J. Burge 1/2). 2nd innings: Fish Creek/ Tarwin 6/82 (J. Burge 2/28, J. Armstrong 2/11, L. Bowman 1/18, M. Borschman 1/14).

Under 16 West Zone Phillip Island 8/123 (E. Richards n.o. 52; A Meade 3/27, B. Twyford 1/22, I. Osman 2/29, D. James 1/6) d Korumburra 118 (K. Rigby 24, C. Wood 2/21, E. Richards 3/8, M. Francis 4/25, T. Kenter 1/17). Wonthaggi Workmens Gold 6/330 (S. Huitema n.o. 6, S. Roche n.o. 8; B. Nation 1/46, J. Kolb 1/27, R. Wyatt 1/26, T. Wyatt 1/26, D. Wylie 1/19) d OMK/Inverloch 116 (T. Wyatt 21, B. Brewer 29, J. Harris r.o. 22; N. Tessari 1/34, M. Thomas 2/22, J. Sherrin 3/25, J. Thomas 1/20, S. Roche 1/0, M. McCall 1/4). Glen Alvie 6/199 (D. Holden 28, L. Jones 42, G. Grant 21, D. Gilbert 33, J. Loos 34) v Wonthaggi Workmens Blue.

• ALLAMBEE MIRBOO AND DISTRICT TENNIS

First win for Hallston HALLSTON has been close in some matches all season, but winning the tie-breakers this week against Inverloch gave the team the win. A good effort, team.

Leongatha North are having a lean time and will need to score a few wins in the last rounds to have a game in the ﬁnals. Leongatha won two tie-breakers and the match by two games. Koonwarra also won two tie-breaker. The sets were well contested and games level after the men’s and ladies sets. Koony did better in the mixed to take the points. A Reserve: Berrys Creek and Inverloch had a good match. The ladies sets were very close, two tie-breakers, one each way. Berrys Creek

have been playing well since Christmas. Foster kept Koony alert. Well done Flo, winning three sets. The men’s sets were won by Koony, and the match by four games. Wakkers ladies set up the win for the team and keep top spot on the ladder. Leongatha’s win over Baromi keeps them in third position. Two tie-breakers in this match too. B Grade: Well done Leongatha, Rebecca had her ﬁrst senior game. Good team effort against Foster. Koony had another win but Cyclones are making all teams earn their points. Mardan is another club that have all teams adjusting to the wind. Outtrim won the match against Youngones, tiebreaker each way but a few 0s each way too.

Tomahawks had no answer for Baromi and didn’t worry the scorer this week. Nearly all matches had tiebreakers or 7/5 sets. A good week of tennis. Berrys Creek are holding the club’s annual cent night this Saturday, January 31 at the Berrys Creek hall. This is a great night and a good fundraiser. Fun begins at 7pm, so bring a plate of supper to share and join in the fun.

Results A Grade: Koonwarra 6.60, Baromi 3.54; Leongatha 6.59, Leongatha North 3.57; Hallston 6.61, Inverloch 3.57. A Reserve: Berrys Creek 6.51, Inverloch 3.43; Leongatha 6.47, Baromi 3.35; Koonwarra 5.43, Foster 4.39; Wakkers 6.47, Korrine 3.31. B Grade: Koonwarra

6.50, Cyclones 3.42; Baromi 9.55, Tomahawks 0.21; Outtrim 6.46, Youngones 3.31; Leongatha 5.42, Foster 4.35.

Ladders A Grade Koonwarra ...........................84.5 Leongatha ............................81.5 Baromi ..................................78.0 Inverloch ..............................70.0 Leongatha North ...................65.5 Hallston .................................49.5 A Reserve Wakkers ...............................92.0 Koonwarra ...........................88.0 Leongatha ............................83.0 Berrys Creek........................74.5 Foster.....................................62.5 Inverloch ...............................60.5 Baromi...................................55.0 Korrine ..................................54.5 B Grade Koonwarra .........................101.5 Outtrim ................................91.5 Hasbeens ..............................84.0 Baromi ..................................76.0 Cyclones................................70.0 Foster.....................................64.5 Leongatha..............................59.0 Tomahawks ...........................50.0 Youngones .............................45.0

Got through: Miners’ opening batsman, Matthew Donohue lets this one ﬂy past in the ﬁrst over.

Power gets the boot Continued from page 56. “As a council we haven’t discussed it yet but I think the council is already prepared to get into a discussion over it.” Mr Duscher said his club was still in “a holding pattern” until the Victorian Country Football League handed down its decision on the future direction of the league. The recommended changes may mean more than one club could be advised to ﬁnd another home. He described the decision to kick Wonthaggi out of the league as “unprecedented”. “Our position at this stage is that the club needs to look at the picture, and it’s not a full picture,” he said. VCFL chief executive Glenn Scott described the saga as “an extremely long and drawn-out matter”. “However the Wonthaggi FNC wished to have all their avenues explored which was their right under the terms of the agreement, which was signed off by the three parties in March 2008,” he said. “There was a certain process that had to be followed under the terms of the agreement with respect to any dispute resolution and that has taken longer that we originally thought. “The delay hasn’t had any serious effect on anyone, being deep in the off season and the decision itself not directly effecting the 2009 season, however it is good to have it cleared up for the all the parties concerned.” Mr Scott said the VCFL board would discuss the South Gippsland review at its upcoming meeting on February 7. “We hope to have some possible recommendations or scenarios that will ﬂow from that meeting that can then

be discussed with the various football bodies in the broader South Gippsland area,” he said. AFL president Graham Laird “no one was winner” in the long-running dispute. “It’s cost people money and friendships,” he said. “I think all we’ve got to do is look to the future, and the next stage, which is the answer to the (VCFL) review. Wonthaggi is still part of the league in 2009. People have just got to accept them as one of the 14 clubs and treat them as such. “I feel that we can just get back to what we want to be doing, which is running football without legal issues.” Stony Creek Football Club president Greg Burge said the recruiting process would be a lot easier for smaller clubs like his. “The first thing people ask you is, ‘Oh, that Wonthaggi, are they still in?’ That’s the first question you get,” he said. “We can move on now and everyone’s got a fair chance. Everyone can regroup and have a fair chance of winning a flag. It will make it a more even competition.” Mr Burge is expecting some big changes when the findings from the VCFL review are handed down. “I believe there’ll be changes in the league. Let’s hope they get it right. It’s for the benefit of football, not for individual clubs,” he said. “We want to keep kids playing football. I honestly believe the kids who play football have got to able to play against players of a similar size and enjoy their football – and not be belted. “Alberton is a small town league.”

PAGE 54 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Sport Leongatha cycling TRACK season was back in action on Friday night, with perfect conditions encouraging the riders to put in some good efforts.

Competitive spirit: Lachie Wright is among a young band of swimmers at the club who love the sport.

Sharks want new blood THE Leongatha Swimming Club is inviting swimmers to sign up today (Tuesday) and on Thursday evening at Splash Leongatha from 5.30pm. The club has been training hard during the off season and is ready again to take to the pool. Club president Steve Brew said the club was about having fun rather than setting world records. “We’re going through a transitional stage at the moment. Many of the seniors have either left the area or focused on other sports.

We’re really fostering the juniors through a core strength and development program,” he said. “That has met with pretty strong support from the juniors. “I still maintain that the heart and soul of the club is very much about participation, personal best. It’s great to see that ahead of a focus on competition.” Steve said the club was blessed with “a great core of coaches. “We’ve had some new coaches who have expressed an interest in taking the juniors through,” he said.

However, several riders were short on condition after the Christmas break. First event of the night was a one lap time trial and Riley Smith, sporting some new glasses managed to put together a personal best to lead the night off. Thomas McFarlane was suffering a little after a few days paddling a kayak around at Inverloch but was still quick

South Gippsland Bridge Club Tuesday – Tarwin Lower. 1st Norma Hannay, Marj Freeman. 2nd Frank Arndt, Clive Hope. 3rd George Geekie, Rewa Pedersen. 4th Colin Cameron, Ian Leonard. 5th Mavis Parks and Partner. Thursday – Leongatha: 1st Faye Rowlands, Frank Arndt. 2nd Barbara Axten, Pat West. 3rd June Metcalf, Clive Hope. Friday – Inverloch, North/ South: 1st Jack Kuiper, John Farr. 2nd Phillip Chapman, Hilton Jupp. 3rd Margaret and Noel Smith. 4th Faye Rowlands, Althea Drew. East/West: 1st Richard Poole, Paul Congues. 2nd Norma Hannay, Marj Freeman. 3rd Maureen Stiles, Vivienne Westaway. 4th Betty and Frank Murphy. Note: subscriptions are due and payable now. Annual General Meeting – Friday February 20 at 11.30am. Come and support your committee.

enough to just pip Mitchell Gin for the best time in the junior B section. In the junior A division Elliot Gin clocked a slick 33.67 sec to be clearly ahead of Morgan Clark and Ben Patterson. The handicapper then gave the riders a three lap scratch race for Junior B and Mitchell Gin powered home in the last lap for an easy win ahead of Thomas and Riley. In the Junior QA over five laps, Elliott surprised the others, hitting out with 1.5 laps to go. Morgan Clark chased hard and got to Elliott’s back wheel but a lack of racing for five weeks saw him fade on the final run to the finish line. The one lap handicap saw Riley Smith lead from his handicap to score a great win, with Thomas McFarlane holding on for second just ahead of a flying finish from Elliott from the scratch mark. The two lap handicap once again saw a great ride from Riley but an even better ride from Elliot as he grabbed the win just before the line. Ben Patterson also put in a good ride to grab third place. With a new motor bike for training and pacing the riders, club coach Tony Smith was

able to give the junior B riders a seven lap motor paced race. Mitchell Gin had a good tussle with Thomas McFarlane over the closing lap and managed to just stay in front for the win. The junior A race over 10 laps saw the pace up a bit and the riders enjoy the work behind the bike. Once again it was Elliott too strong in the dash to the line. The Kelvin John’s award for the best rider of the night went to Riley Smith for his determined efforts. Tuesday night will see the postponed club meeting held at the Love residence. This will allow some members to get back from watching the Tour Down Under. With all the great holiday weather, club members doing the Murray to Moyne relay have recently stepped up the training effort. If you have decided to get out and get ﬁt there is bound to be some others to join and make the ride a bit more enjoyable – so don’t procrastinate, get on the bike and make a coffee at Koonwarra, Inverloch or the Kongwak market a target for next weekend.

Korumburra Soccer rego day THE Korumburra City Soccer Club will hold its season 2009 registration / open day on Sunday February 15 at 10am at the Recreation Reserve, Richards Street, Korumburra. Age Groups: males/females 8-12, 14-16, females 14 and Over, Senior Reserves, Seniors. Wanted: players, team managers, coaches, referees and canteen volunteers. Contact secretary: 5659-0240 after 6pm or email korumburracitysoccerclub@aapt.net.au

Fitness is the challenge LEONGATHA community members are being encouraged to make a commitment to improve their health and wellbeing by signing up for the next Challenge Fitness Camp run by South Gippsland SPLASH YMCA. Already, a healthy list of people have benefited from previous camps, with many including Janice Bouquet, using the gains made to continue a healthier and more active lifestyle. Janice, 41, has participated in three previous YMCA camps at the centre and used her increased fitness as motivation to kick-start an interest in running. She has now completed two events, the six-kilometre Toora Fun Run and the 10-kilometre event run in conjunction with the 2008 Melbourne Marathon. “It was the first time I ever attempted anything like that but after I started getting fitter at the YMCA camps, l needed a goal and the 10-kilometre run was a good aim,” Janice said. She added that the camps were a good starting point to regain fitness and also good fun, with the schedule making it easier to participate. “The early morning times are good for families because one parent can always be home with the kids while the other does the camp. “Meeting the other people on the camps has also been great and some of us girls have done some training together between camps.” The YMCA Challenge Fitness Camp is a ‘boot camp without the boot’. It is a six-week outdoor group fitness program comprising of three sessions a week with a qualified YMCA fitness instructor. Each session involves a variety of exercises and activities ranging from circuit training, boxing, endurance running, obstacle courses and team based activities. The program is based on mutual support and designed to create an inclusive and supportive environment. The next camp will kick off on Monday, February 2. For further details please contact South Gippsland SPLASH on 5662 4055.

Stony petition grows By Matt Dunn

RACING Victoria said it does not want to close any country racing clubs, despite protests from Stony Creek that its future was being threatened. The club is not the only one with concerns. Other country clubs have also bucked at the changes to the industry Racing Victoria has proposed through its Directions paper, which included the downgrading of race meetings and the loss of funding for track and training facilities. Chief operating ofﬁcer of Racing Victoria, Bernhard Saundery said the peak body was trying to ensure the viability of the industry through the proposed changes. “It’s a recommended position and we’re looking forward to hearing the racing club’s views. If Stony Creek think they can do things in a different way we’re happy to listen to that,” he said. “We’d encourage the club to respond to the directions paper. We want to ensure all clubs are sustainable for the future. We don’t want to close any clubs. We want clubs to be managed appropriately and grow their revenue lines so they can sustain themselves for the future.” Mr Saundery said that Stony Creek had run “some very good event meetings. “We want those protected going forward for Stony Creek,” he said. But other demands may be taking precedent. “We’ve got demands on us to ﬁll other slots, particularly at night, where there’s a growing market.”

Mr Saundery conceded that part of that pressure was the push into the Asian market, which will televise city meetings. A spokesperson for Racing minister, Rob Hulls, said the issue had nothing to do with the State Government. “The Racing to 2020 proposals have been put forward by Racing Victoria Ltd (RVL) and Country Racing Victoria, who are independent of Government and are responsible for setting race dates and funding racing infrastructure,” she said. “The creation of RVL as an independent entity was supported by the Opposition. “RVL and CRV are undertaking a process of consultation, engaging with country racing clubs and relevant stakeholders. We would encourage all members of local communities and the racing industry to engage with that process”. The petition to save Stony Creek Racing Club’s race meetings has been gaining ground, with more than 500 signatures added from its last two meetings. The petition has been passed around in both hard copy and electronic form. “People can complete them themselves and send them to Racing Victoria and members of Parliament. People can also attend a public meeting on February 10 at Meeniyan Hall,” Stony Creek Racing Club committee member Rob Armstrong said. “We’re consulting widely with local sporting and interest groups, particularly those who have an ongoing relationship with Stony Creek Racing Club, in terms of providing

their resources on race days – particularly in regard to maximizing their revenue base. “The overall cascading effect of Stony Creek’s reduction of race meetings and the withdrawal of track maintenance funding will permeate down into the local community.” The club has been told it will lose $90,000 a year in funding from its training facilities and track maintenance budget and a TAB meeting. The club’s list of annual races has been cut from eight to ﬁve, with one of those swapped from a TAB meeting to a non-TAB meeting. The petitions the club has drawn up are variously addressed to Racing Victoria’s chief executive Ron Hines, Racing Minister Rob Hulls, members of the state opposition, and a “more generic form that can be addressed to a range of other state parliamentarians recognising these letters can circulate on a much wider basis than South Gippsland, given their electronic form”. The petition states that the “further reduction to ﬁve meetings will mean that Stony Creek Racing Club and the community of South Gippsland will have lost three meetings since season 2006/7, some 37.5 per cent of all race meetings held then!” Mr Armstrong said that people he had spoken to were in “absolute dismay” about the continuing erosion of race funding and meetings at Stony Creek. “People are outraged and bewildered,” he said. “It’s more of the same certainly, in regards to what’s going on in the country for a number of years now. And it would be so easy to just roll

Ready to ﬁght: Stony Creek Racing Club committee member, Rob Armstrong and Meeniyan businessman, Lindsay Fromhold with the petition against proposed changes by Racing Victoria.

over. “Unless we draw a line in the sand now and voice our strongest protest they may well go ahead and do what they’re going to do, but by the same token at least we can say we did put up a very strong argument and a voice of opposition.” Mr Armstrong said the club had an “added value” for the local economy, with many local clubs and sporting organisations helping out on race days and turning a tidy proﬁt. “In addition it has an added value within the tourism industry in South Gippsland. It provides the basic training facilities for some very capable trainers to undertake a lifestyle and a profession,” he said. *The Stony Creek Racing club petition is available at The Star.

“THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - PAGE 55

Sport

SWIMMERS competing in the first ever Anderson Inlet Swim Classic were treated to perfect conditions, with Inverloch turning on the warm sunny weather, calm seas and perfect water temperature for the Australia Day event. Some 127 competitors lined the beach in front of the Inverloch Anglers Club House. The race got underway at 8.30am when the first group of swimmers hit the water for the 600 metre swim up to the jetty and on the return, along the channel, the next wave of swimmers started off for their 1.2 kilometre swim. First to the finish line in the first wave of competitors was Venus Bay swimmer, Graeme Armstrong with a time of 15 minutes, 22 seconds. First female was San Remo competitor, reigning 2008 junior San Remo Channel Challenge,

and top three place getter in the recent Portsea 1.2 kilometre swim, Chloe Butt. Many of the swimmers commented on the perfect swim conditions and were pleased that on the return from the jetty swim, the current made for an easier last leg to the ﬁnish line. Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club organised the event and were pleased with the number of entries. They are certain after the success of the inaugural swim that they will attract many more next year. Event manager George Misson was pleased with the number of entries for the running of the ﬁrst swim. He said he had “nothing but positive feed back from the entrants, many saying they will bring back their friends next year”. Mr Misson said the event would stay as a 1.2 kilometre swim again in 2010, even though there was some talk of the event becoming an aquathon. The Inverloch Surf Life

Aussie spirit: all competitors in the Anderson Inlet Swim Classic were presented with an Aussie ﬂag by Inverloch lifesaver Jen Lotz on completion of their race.

Making a splash: the ﬁrst wave of swimmers hit the water for the 1.2 kilometre Australia Day Anderson Inlet Swim Classic at Inverloch.

Saving Club has decided after the success of both the fun run and the swim classic, these events will be on the calendar next summer. All proﬁts from the events will go towards the $1.6 million needed to build the club’s new club house. Along with the assistance of the Inverloch RSL, an Australia Day service was held and the setting was perfect for such an event.

Off and running: swimmers hit the water for the ﬁrst ever Anderson Inlet Swim Classic at Inverloch on Monday.

Winners: first over the finish line after the inaugural Anderson Inlet Swim Classic at Inverloch on Australia Day was Venus Bay swimmer Graeme Armstrong and first female was competitor Chloe Butt, of San Remo.

On duty: Inverloch surf lifesavers Alex Monacella, Lindsay Ritchie, Bec Morris, Emily Shand, Tim Evans, Jason Ritchie, Daniel and Beau Van Agtmaal and Thomas Malan were on patrol during the swim classic at Inverloch on Monday.

Line honours: racing to the ﬁnish line after the inaugural running of the Anderson Inlet Swim Classic are Graeme Armstrong, of Venus Bay and Chloe Butt, of San Remo.

PAGE 56 - “THE STAR”, Tuesday, January 27, 2009

STONY Creek’s “Mower Madness” lived up to its name on Sunday, with competitors from around Australia competing in cut-throat races. This spectacular crash, captured by keen photographer Gerard Bruning, saw mowers and riders heading in every direction. Fortunately no-one was hurt. Gavin Barry from Berrigan in NSW was the all-in champion on the day.

Power gets boot By Matt Dunn THE vote to kick the Wonthaggi Power Football and Netball Club out of Alberton Football League has been upheld. The matter was referred to the Victorian Law Institute, which was given ﬁnal say on the matter. While 10 of the Alberton Football League’s 14 clubs said the Power

should go after 2009, the club’s lawyers argued that the two-thirds majority vote was not valid because of the alleged insolvency of the Yarram Football Club. Victorian Law Institute appointee Robert Wright has rejected the claim, decreeing: “My decision is therefore that Yarram was entitled to vote. As there is no dispute about any other member’s vote, the vote on the question ‘That Wonthaggi Power Football Club

Inc. be removed from the Alberton Football League in 2010 and beyond’ (as set out in the terms of settlement) was resolved in the affirmative.” But Wonthaggi may not be finished yet. Club secretary and Bass Coast Shire Council mayor, John Duscher, would not rule out fighting on, though he would not be drawn on whether the club would take the decision to court. He did say, however, that Bass Coast Shire Council may yet challenge

the decision. “We don’t want anything like that to happen (a legal challenge). We want to have a look at the best possible option for our club. We’ve got to look after juniors, our netballers, and what’s best for a competitive club in our area,” he said. “We haven’t discussed this as a council yet. I’ve been speaking as the mayor of the town (about the issue of the club’s future). I want to ensure we’ve got the capabilities or the oppor-

tunities for kids to play sport. Part of the brief was to involve the community in the discussion. “That included local government and that hasn’t happened. What I’ll be doing, depending on the outcome of the restructure, will be bringing it to the council chamber for the support of the council to follow that up and to make some very, very strong and vigorous advocacy for this end of the community. Continued on page 53.