Baw Baw Citizen - 23 March 2018

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23 March 2018 bawbawcitizen.com.au

Kids' business

Learning from the Warragul Kids' Farmers Market: P4 Food All about apples. P9

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Feature Always waiting: the history of West Gippsland Hospital. P2

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Feature

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23 March 2018

Always waiting: a brief history of our hospital In West Gippsland there are two kinds of hospital waiting times: the time taken for a doctor to see you, and the time waiting for a hospital to be built. It seems we have a long history of the latter.

With this month's launch of a fresh campaign for a new hospital to finally be built on a greenfield site, we took a look at the history of the existing Landsborough Road hospital. The story of the site and the proposed new building are already surprisingly similar.

This article covers main hospital building and operations. Linen and aged care services have grown with the hospital but are not covered here.

The 1800s Plans for a hospital on the present site were made in the mid-late 1800s, but the fact the building wasn't officially opened until 1908 gives some idea of the story to come.

A hospital was an early goal for the town, and by 1888 £1,800 had been raised for construction and three acres of land on Landsborough Road had been donated by Mary Sargeant.

Construction was underway by 1889, but the 1890 Royal Commission into Public Health saw major changes made to the Victorian health system. Critically, councils were given the task of enforcing sanitation standards, including waste disposal and

pollution prevention.

Sanitation standards might sound like something relatively easy to comply with, but site drainage was a serious factor. We all know how much this region likes to flood, so it's no surprise the newly completed hospital's water management was deemed inadequate. With no money left, the hospital was forced to remain closed after construction was completed in 1895.

Hospital, the original building was redeveloped in 1936.

A new brick hospital building on the same site was constructed and opened in December 1939. It still stands as a central part of WGH today, albeit with a large number of additions and modifications.

Money was constantly tight for many hospitals in the 1950s and 60s, but with extra help from community donations several significant upgrades were made to The 1900s facilities.

With funding difficult to secure, In 1970 WGH's eastern extensions it wasn’t until 1907 that the shire were opened, allowing for 144 beds engineer drew up plans to fix the on-site. But the hospital's growth drainage and satisfied the Board of and limited funding caused nurses Public Health. and accountants enormous stress in In 1908, Victorian premier the 1980s.

Thomas Bent visited the site and The 1990s saw the hospital's promised a state grant of £500 focus broaden to all community toward the hospital's completion. health in the region. The creation It was finally officially opened in of the West Gippsland Healthcare the winter of that Group in 1997 year. brought several The hospital of the region's building was health services nothing like what together. stands today - a Modernisation small wooden of the now-very house-like old 1939 building The new brick West Gippsland Hospital not long structure with after its construction. Photographer unknown. was a priority, just four beds. with stages being (Although some buildings on the completed in 1996 and 1998. site match that description, the original structure no longer stands.)

The 2000s It wasn't long until the facility Stage three, which included works on was expanded. After 1924's the high dependency and midwifery name change to West Gippsland units, was completed in 2006.

The opening of the Warragul District Hospital in the winter of 1908. Photographer unknown.

The 2010s There's no denying the West Gippsland Hospital is struggling with demand, and a move to a new site near the intersection of Princes Way and Lardners Track is viewed by many as its future.

Like the Landsborough Road site, the land belongs to the healthcare group thanks to the generosity of locals; a large, anonymous donation to the hospital 11 years ago allowed the site to be purchased in 2007.

A 2011-12 feasibility study for the hospital's redevelopment identified that land as the preferred site for a new hospital.

The emergency department extended between 2012 and 2013, and the high dependency unit was moved to the medical unit to increase the number of post-natal and medical unit beds in 2015.

The future West Gippsland Healthcare Group CEO Dan Weeks says the need for a new, larger hospital has become "really urgent."

"There are lots of indicators saying we’re already struggling to cope with the demand, and of course the

population is growing," Mr Weeks told the Baw Baw Citizen earlier this month.

"We would expect to treat somewhere about 80 per cent of the people in Baw Baw who need hospitalisation, and we’re running at under 60 per cent."

A comprehensive review of West Gippsland's healthcare needs was conducted in 2015, with state health minister Jill Hennessy saying other health services as far away as Berwick will be considered when deciding the future role of and potential upgrades to WGH. With the 2018 Victorian budget fast approaching and a state election in November, we may soon see a commitment to expansion.

We might also be facing yet more waiting.

Sources

Information predominantly sourced from Laele Pepper's 2008 book Of the People... for the People, published by the West Gippsland Healthcare Group.

Additional information was sourced from the WGHG's Annual Report 2016-2017.

Special thanks to Malcolm Dickson.

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Sitting on a generous 746m2 parcel of land, less than 1km from the Warragul CBD, this property is fantastic value. The master bedroom contains both an ensuite and WIR, while the other 2 bedrooms have BIR's and ceiling fans. New flooring has been installed in the kitchen and dining room, and the house has been freshly painted. The L shape lounge has an open study/formal dining coming off one side. The house is fitted with ducted heating. Outside is a double lock-up garage.

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$215,000 3/7-9 Berry Street, Traralgon $145,000 27 Mcmillan Street, Morwell $229,000 16 Fieldstone Ave, Warragul Less than 1km away from the Traralgon CBD, park- Offering outstanding views over Morwell this large Capitalise on the first home grants and stamp duty land and tennis courts and the train station; this 875m2 corner allotment is well located approxireductions with this 629m2 allotment in popular unit is a perfect buy for an investor or first-home mately 1.5kms from Mid-Valley shopping complex Waterford Rise Estate. Located in close proximity buyer. Open plan lounge dining and kitchen, two and 350m2 to other local shops including a fast to parks and wetlands and offering easy access generous size bedrooms with BIR. Small deck in food restaurant. Large side yard with subdivision to walking trails to Warragul and Drouin, this rear courtyard. Inspections sure to impress. potential. Ideal for entry level buyers and investors. outstanding block is sure to impress.

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$250,000 2/7 Lindman Street, Drouin $289,000

27 Fowler Street, Moe $249,000+GST 19PrincesHwy,Warragul $320,000 5 Princes Highway, Warragul $320,000 7 Princes Highway, Warragul

Located 500m from Drouin CBD and Train Station, An Impressive character home situated on a fantastic A large, flat commercial 2 zoned 853m2 allotment A great opportunity awaits the purchaser of this propthis unit is perfect as an investment property or (approx) 1,070m2 block under 1km from the Moe with great exposure to passing traffic in a prime erty. Located in a fantastic position, with a sporting first home. A surprisingly quiet spot, the unit has a Train Station, Racing Track and CBD. 3 spacious location. Approx. 20 metres frontage on main War- oval under 300m away, 1.5km approx. to the Warragul carport and rear courtyard. Inside has been updat- bedrooms and centralized bathroom. Gas heater and ragul road. Less than 1km to the Warragul CBD and Country Club and less than 2km from the Warragul ed with fresh paint and new carpet throughout. A floor ducted heating. Lengthy enclosed back yard, easy access to Drouin. The perfect opportunity to CBD. Perfect for an individual looking for a good reno split-system in the lounge services the whole unit. single carport, single lockup garage, and a tool shed. build your own shop/factory and stop paying rent. property to either flip, keep as an investment, or occupy.

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Modern Unit in fantastic location One of the best pockets of Warragul 2 3 SOLD SOLD AT AUCTION

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Located in an easily accessible part of Warragul, this home is ideal for renovators looking to occupy or sell. Just 2km from Warragul's CBD and under 300m away from a sporting oval, this property has the makings of a great family home.

Close to Schools and Parkland SOLD

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$349,000 90 Latrobe Street, Warragul $320,000 2/199 Albert Road, Warragul $481,000 16HallyburtonGrove,Warragul $289,000 12 Jeeralang Ave, Newborough $385,000 66 Charles Street, Warragul An outstanding 3-bedroom home, perfectly set in a quiet and convenient location; in close proximity to the Warragul Country Club, under 1km from petrol station and shops, and approx. 1.5km from the Warragul CBD. All bedrooms have BIR, central lounge with gas heating and an updated kitchen.

Under 1.5km from the Warragul CBD, this unit has quick access to cafes, restaurants, shopping, parklands, sporting grounds, gym, and public transport.

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Affordable Family Home 3 SOLD

This original Californian Bungalow is under 1km away Well-presented brick home on a flat 646m2 allotfrom the Warragul CBD, with schools, cafes, restau- ment, under 1km away from 3 parks, 2 schools, the rants, shopping and transport all at your fingertips. local milk bar and Leisure Centre. All bedrooms This 3-bedroom home is situated on a comfortable are well-sized. The home offers ducted heating, 879m2 block. The house inside has fantastic bones, evaporative cooling, air-conditioner, an L shaped like high ceilings with decorative mouldings. lounge and separate updated kitchen.

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A 618m2 allotment nestled in a tranquil pocket of Warragul North. This 2-story home is located in close proximity to St Paul Anglican Grammar and across the road from Brooker park which provides tennis courts, a football oval, a playground and a walking tracks.

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$223,000 59 Burton Street, Warragul $415,000 12 Buckland Drive, Warragul $700,500 8 Connor Street, Warragul $625,000 50 Clifford Street, Warragul $415,000 25 Linnea Drive, Yarragon Situated on an approx. 552m2 block, this entry-levIntroducing a less than 1 year old, 3-bedroom, el property is the perfect opportunity to invest or 2-bathroom home offering both ducted heating purchase your first home. Located only 1.5km from and split system A/C in Waterford Rise estate. Masthe Warragul CBD and in close proximity to multi- ter bedroom has both an ensuite and WIR. Kitchen ple bus stops. The property has both an enclosed complete with stone benchtops, gas cooking and front and back yard and laneway access. stainless-steel appliances.

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This period home has been renovated to offer a fusion of contemporary comfort & sophisticated design. Ideally located in this highly sought after residential pocket on approx. 655m2 block. An expansive entrance leads to the formal lounge & 3 bedrooms which offer BIR's.

Less than 1km from the Yarragon CBD, this Dennis Family built home sits on a comfortable 756m2.

The master has an ensuite and WIR, and other bedrooms have BIR. The study is large enough to be used as a 4th bedroom. There is ducted gas heating throughout the home.

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Cover story

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23 March 2018

Kids' Learning from the business Warragul Kids' Farmers Market Last Friday's Warragul Kids' Farmers Market gave Saturday's regular Warragul Farmers Market a run for its money!

Host school Warragul Primary welcomed hundreds of visitors with fantastic atmosphere and well decorated stalls.

But it was more than just fun and games. For the students, it was several lessons rolled into one.

"Our kids, who have been working on this for the past six or seven weeks, have really just thrown themselves into it," Warragul Primary School acting principal Scott Clode told the Baw Baw Citizen.

"Everything from marketing to promotion to growing and selling the produce, the kids have shown a real sense of pride in what they're doing.

"The kids have been able to incorporate maths, they've had to look at pricing, and they've had to look at how to market their fruit or vegetables.

"There has been a lot of collaborative work where they've had to work in groups, critical thinking, and creative thinking.

"It extends across all areas of the curriculum."

The little market dominated by little people is something special.

Not only does it bring together students from very different schools, but organisers say it's

the only market of its kind in the country.

"I've just really enjoyed the way the community comes together," Scott said.

"All the schools around the community have been a part of this, so it's great to see all these [students from] very different schools, such as Warragul, Buln Buln, Labatouche, and St Paul's, come together and make the event theirs.

"We had both government and private schools, we also had the very small rural schools. One of the schools brought a calf as part of their stall, so we've had a real mixed bag of stalls with a real mix of produce."

Organisers will now take a breath before looking at running the event for a third year.

"We've been rapt with the response we've had from the community and rapt with the way things went," Scott said.

"We had over 35 stalls, the kids and the parents have worked together really well, it has just been a really fun, family atmosphere."

Front page caption: Amalie shows off her stock of pumpkins at the Warragul Kids' Farmers Market.

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23 23March March2018 2018

Food

In Season with

Margaret Brammar Apple grower Variety: McIntosh Origin: Canada Eating & Cooking

Variety: Monarch Cross Origin: England Eating

Margaret Brammar (right) with daughter Cara Sanbell at the Warragul Farmers' Market.

There's a lot more to apples than you see on supermarket shelves.

How many varieties can you name? Three?

Four? Margaret Brammar is a collector, and she grows over 400 varieties of apple.

We caught up with Margaret, who runs Strzelecki Heritage Apples, at the Warragul Farmers Market to discuss the oftenunderestimated fruit.

Apart from size and colour, how much variety is there in the flavours and uses of apples?

There's a huge variety of flavours and textures, from soft to really hard and crisp and crunchy, and variations in between. It's really up to the individual, by tasting it, to decide whether they like it or not.

Is there a favourite or is there a lot of variation in what people like?

There's certainly a lot of variation. Some people may have heard of the Crow Apple, which is one they often had as a child and which is a fairly mild-flavoured apple, but you can get others which have a more complex sugar and acid mix and, as an adult, they'll probably really appreciate that combination more.

Do you have a favourite apple for eating?

No, not one favourite. Every week there's something else that I find I really like, and the seasons kind of set the flavour of the apple. Some apples do better in a hot summer, while others are more suited to a cooler summer.

You're based in the Strzelecki Ranges, what do you find grows best?

They all grow very well. Obviously different seasons will affect them in slightly different ways. Most apples will have quite a heavy crop, and the following year they'll have a very light crop or even no apples. You can alter that by, in the heavy years, pulling them off the [tree] when they're quite small to reduce the number the tree has. We don't do that, we take them as they come.

What makes a good apple pie?

Some really good ones are Belle de Boskoop, which is a dutch apple, and they

are a dual purpose apple like your Granny Smiths, but they have a much more definite flavour. Another good one is Bramley's Seedling; that's actually a true cooking apple, so it'll break down a bit more than most other apples.

Variety: Ribston Pippin Origin: England Eating

When you're talking to people about apples, what's something they're often surprised by?

The fact we have so many varieties, we have over 400. I start picking the first variety just after Christmas and the last variety I can be picking in July, sometimes into August.

That's a surprisingly long season between them all!

It can be, but we're slightly cooler up in the hills there, so the season might not be quite so long if you're out on the flats or in a warmer area.

You also get some that are russeted...

Variety: Akane Origin: Japan Eating

What do you mean by russeted?

It's this brown [rough] skin. Often that's the sign of a pretty good apple.

A lot of people, if they saw that in a supermarket, would avoid it.

That's right, it's not attractive to many people.

Variety: Spartan Origin: Canada Eating

Would you describe yourself as an apple variety collector? What got you into this?

Yes. We started off with 12 varieties and have grown up since then, but there's various collectors around the country and slowly over the years we've built up the number of varieties.

So grow, swap, share, and sell?

Yeah, a bit of that, mostly just buying them off other collectors.

Partly it's just to keep the varieties around so they don't disappear and to bring back a bit of the past. I was a bit interested in the history of the varieties.

Margaret offers free tastings of many varieties of apple at her Warragul Farmers Market stall.

Variety: Blue Pearmain Origin: USA Eating

Origin information supplied by Margaret Brammar

9

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23 March 2018

Former healthcare group CEO joins campaign Hundereds turned out for a 'Where's The Funding' campaign photo in Warragul's Civic Park at short notice on Saturday

West Gippsland Hospital campaigners ask ‘WTF’?

NEWS • A group campaigning for a new hospital to be built in West Gippsland is asking “WTF?” That’s “where’s the funding?”

The “Sick of Waiting Action Team” is running the attention-grabbing WTF campaign to put the issue of West Gippsland Hospital’s capacity on the map for this year’s state budget, or failing that, November’s state election.

Retired anaesthetist and group spokesperson Rob Sinnett said the hospital is

struggling to cope with the region’s rapid population growth.

"The hospital is under tremendous pressure," Mr Sinnett told the Baw Baw Citizen.

"We’ve closed our high dependency unit, we’ve reduced the number of midwifery cases we can have, we have sent patients away for treatment they could have here if we had the facilities.

"Late last year the state government [finished] the business case regarding the

future of the West Gippsland Hospital. The results of that haven’t been released yet.

"Essentially, the thing to be decided is whether the hospital will be rebuilt on the existing site, or on the [earmarked] greenfield site.

"On the greenfield site it would take five years, on the existing site 10 years with associated massive disruption so that the hospital will be almost unable to work during that period.

"This is all in the context of a massive population explosion in the area."

I C YM I

EXTRA • A significant person donned a red "WTF" shirt at the Sick of Waiting campaign launch earlier this month.

Ormond Pearson was CEO of the West Gippsland Healthcare Group for 14 years, leading the organisation when it started looking at alternative sites to build a new hospital.

"The board decided that with the population growth that was happening here, we really needed to look at some alternative sites to see where we could relocate and build a new hospital," Mr Pearson told the Baw Baw Citizen.

"With the amount of money that has been invested in the old hospital over a period of time, you do get to a point where you can only do so much with the facilities you have. Certainly going to a greenfield site is by far the best option, and also the cheapest option from the

Ormond Pearson speaking to the Baw Baw Citizen

masterplan that was done in my time at the hospital."

Asked if he was surprised by how long the process has taken, Mr Pearson said no.

"It's disappointing we don't have a commitment from government at all levels..., but it's not surprising that we actually have this time span because it is a major project," he said.

"It's a multi-million dollar project, and it does take a lot of planning and commitment. But

all of the planning work has now been done as I understand it, so it's really time for government to make a commitment and fund this to support what is a significant, growing population."

Asked of the significance of the hospital, Mr Pearson said "it's a critical thing for a region like this."

"If we're going to have a population of 80,000 plus in years to come, you must be able to serve those people in the community in which they live.

"We do have reasonable transport options, but people need to be cared for within their own community, and I think that's one of the commitments the government has, that they want people to be able to access services in their local communities. Part of that is making sure you have the right facilities and equipment to provide those services."

The burning car captured by reader @aussiepics. Image used with permission.

Car fire at service centre The Baw Baw Citizen publishes written and video news updates online!

We have included extracts from a few recent stories in this edition, but there is much more online!

NEWS • A petrol station in Longwarry was evacuated after a car burst into flames while at a pump last Friday.

Emergency services were called to the Caltex service

station just after 5pm.

A police spokesperson said the Nicholson driver was refuelling their car when they noticed smoke and flames coming from the engine bay.

Snapped!

You can read and watch more at bbcit.co.

Don't miss a story - subscribe for our free email updates at bbcit.co/email

Sable at the Warragul Farmers Market

Service station employees implemented safety features, shut down the pumps, and evacuated the site.

The fire is believed to have been caused by a mechanical fault in the car.

About

23 23March March2018 2018

The Gloaming gets going

Edition number 42 Publishng 5,000 copies Publisher & Editor William PJ Kulich

The publisher takes responsibility for political comment in this paper.

Uncredited articles and photos are by the editor.

Formerly The Warragul Citizen and Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen

Contact us

Mail PO BOX 1111, Warragul, Victoria, 3820 Social media @BawBawCitizen

Email (all matters) admin@fpress.com.au

Read online www.bbcitizen.com.au

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Casey & Cardinia

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DOWNTIME •What does the future hold for Gippsland?

That's what Angelo Saridis and James Allen are planning to explore.

In a new podcast called The Gloaming, the pair will talk to the people of Gippsland to investigate what's coming for us.

Centred around the uncertainty of several transitions happening in the region, energy not the least of them, the series looks set to provide some valuable insight when it launches in coming weeks.

Visit thegloaming.com.au for details, or search Facebook or Instagram.

This art stares back!

DOWNTIME • Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out Dani Till’s exhibition at the Yarragon Station Gallery!

Dani’s work includes striking images of people and animals, and the exhibition is completely free to view.

With no formal training, Dani paints without a formula. But that doesn't make the impact of her work any less immediate.

Dani is also new to painting. Yes, I know that's hard to believe with those eyes at the top of the page staring into you. Her works are impressive.

Visit bawbawartsalliance.org.au for details.

A Production by Christine Harris & HIT Productions Australia’s Premier Theatre Touring Company

Their lives could have been written so differently: the story of Henry Lawson and Mary Gilmore’s lost love.

PROMPT & RELIABLE EXPERTISE & ADVICE COMPETITIVE PRICES “A gently eloquent but deeply moving story” - STAGE WHISPERS Part of West Gippsland Arts Centre’s 2018 ‘Outside the Walls’ program

Wednesday 18 April 7:30pm - Trafalgar Public Hall Thursday 19 April 7:30pm - Jindivick Public Hall Bookings: www.wgac.com.au - Ph 5624 2456 All My Love is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria

FRIENDLY ON-SITE SERVICE

Call David Edelman 0407 362 274

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