Baw Baw Citizen - 17 May 2018

Podcast pushers

Towel tale

Whinnying photos

James Allen and Angelo Saridis investigate Gippsland's future.

Page 6

Turning recycling upside down.

Page 7

Drouin's Louise Sedgman on winning a major animal photography award. Page 4

Thursday 17 May 2018

No. 43

bawbawcitizen.com.au

tfi BawBawCitizen

Logging on hold

Rare quoll spotted near Erica

A frame from a video of the quoll recorded by Milan Stupar. The quoll is investigating a lure set up by Milan. Image used with premission, edited.

A spotted-tail quoll has been caught on camera in the Erica State Park, forcing VicForests to cease logging nearby.

By William Kulich @WillPJK

A shoe-in?

Baw Baw icon Carlo Ierfone has given shoe repairs the boot and is planning a tilt at state parliament. Page 5

Shoe, Watch, and Bag Repairs Keys Cut and Programmed 4 Smith Street, Warragul

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The endangered native hunter was spotted late last month by bushwalker and nature enthusiast Milan Stupar, who had set up a motion-triggered video camera and homemade lures to find out what was in the area.

The sighting is a big deal, and is enough to have seen active logging in the area cease while a protection zone is established.

"The record from Erica is the closest record of a Spotted-tail Quoll to Melbourne in decades,"

Weather TOMORROW

senior curator of mammals at Museums Victoria Kevin Rowe told the Baw Baw Citizen.

"Quolls used to be a common part of the Melbourne landscape.

Eastern quolls were in Studley Park until the 1960s, before they went extinct on the mainland.

"Spotted-tailed Quolls were also widespread through Melbourne."

What's surprising in this case is the relative ease with which Milan found the usually-nocturnal creature. After only finding a cat and a fox higher up in the mountains, Milan set up a bit lower down.

"To my surprise, I got one," he told the Baw Baw Citizen.

Continue reading on Page 2

Sourced from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Saturday 6-14 Shower or two Sunday 6-15 Possible shower

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Monday 7-15 Shower or two Tuesday 7-14 Shower or two

Greek Street Skewers 85 Queen Street, Warragul www.kala-maki.com.au.

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17 May 2018

About Edition number: 43 Publishng 5,000 copies Monthly May - June 2018, Fortnightly from 5 July 2018 Publisher/ Editor/ Designer William PJ Kulich The publisher takes responsibility for political comment made by this paper. Uncredited articles, photos, and editorial graphics (except in some What's On and Just Browsing listings) are by the editor.

FormerlyWarragul & Baw Baw Citizen

Contact us Mail PO BOX 1111, Warragul, Victoria, 3820 Social media (now also on cake.co!) @BawBawCitizen Email (all matters) admin@fpress.com.au Read online www.bbcitizen.com.au

Advertise New rates and new options!

Our full colour ad prices start from as little as $65 including GST! We also have new deals for repeat advertisers. See all the options at bbcit.co/advertise.

Next edition: Thurs 14 June 2018.

A photo of the quoll investigating the lure. Image supplied by Milan Stupar.

Paws-on with the lure.

Quoll spotting near Erica the closest to Melbourne 'in decades' Continued from Page 1

"I got a camera about a year ago, and I guess a quoll was one of the things I was looking for among other animals.

"I had a feeling there was some good old growth forest habitat. " I had mostly been setting up trail cameras with no lure, and I was still getting quite a lot of different animals.

"On this occasion, as an experiment, I thought I'd put some sardines in a canister I made at home and this quoll came around!

"The quoll couldn't get to [the sardines], I made the lure so just the scent coming out.

"It's exciting to know that they're there!"

A five square kilometre habitat protection zone and a 10 square

kilometre management zone are now on the drawing board. That sounds large, but it might not be enough.

"Males can patrol home ranges of up to 35 square kilometres," Mr Rowe said.

"They may travel even farther when dispersing to a new home range."

Milan has been frustrated by a lack of information and investigation of endangered species in the logging area.

"I don't know what this proves, but there just doesn't seem to be enough being done on the ground," he said.

"It might just be that the departments aren't well funded."

"It basically only [happens] if a university or some research organisation goes in and looks

for a specific animal. That's the extent of the research.

"There's no well-funded, complete biodiversity assessment of the area from my understanding.

And if there is, it hasn't happened for a long, long time.

"It was really surprising. Where I found the quoll was, say, 200 metres away from a recently logged coop.

"I mean, who's out there doing surveys? It's just mind boggling.

"If you look at the current timber harvesting scheduling there was a lot of forest near there that was on the chopping board."

A VicForests media release states the forestry organisation is "delighted" by the discovery.

"We have halted harvesting in the area, and it is not expected to resume in that coupe until spring," representative Alex Messina wrote.

Environment minister Lily D’Ambrosio's office did not respond to questions, but the minister did tell The Age the sighting is a sign of the forest's good health.

"I've been on the ground in that area a few times now and disagree with that," Milan said.

"Where I found the animal is in a currently-existing special protected zone, but it's a very small zone designated for the sooty owl. The only reason VicForests doesn't log in there is because [of] that zone.

"Forest quality is no reflection on VicForests because if they could they would have just gone in there and logged the whole thing."

Milan has kindly supplied video of the quoll, which we'll have online soon. Get our free email updates to stay posted: bbcit.co/email.

Recent changes to Medical Treatment Decision making Stuart Davis Principal Lawyer SJD Law Everyone has the right to make their own medical decisions, however if due to a temporary or permanent injury or illness they are unable to make decisions, a medical treatment decision maker can be appointed.

As of March 2018, the way in which you appoint someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are incapable of doing so has changed.

The Medical Enduring Power of Attorney has been replaced with the Medical Treatment

Decision Maker Form and the Advanced Care Directive.

The Medical Treatment Decision Maker Form allows you to appoint someone to make medical decisions should you be unable to do so. This form should be discussed and prepared with your Lawyer. It is also important to discuss your values and preferences with your appointed person.

The Advanced Care Directive is an optional form that allows you to specifically list your values and preferences of medical treatment for your medical decision maker to follow. This form should be discussed and signed with your medical practitioner.

Please note the above advice is of a general nature and for further information please contact SJD Law on 0356 227899.

17 17May May2018 2018

Sand Road servo robbed at gunpoint

Council approves dog parks but has no money to build them

POLICE •A man is alleged to have threatened a Longwarry service station attendant with a hand gun during an armed robbery last week.

A police spokesperson said a man wearing a black hoodie with red face wrap and a baseball cap demanded money from the Caltex attendant.

They took a small amount of cash and left the site on foot.

No physical injuries were reported.

The incident occured at 8.47pm on Tuesday 8 May at the westbound Sand Road service station.

Anyone with information about the incident can contact Warragul Police on 5622 7111, or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at crimestoppers. com.au, or on 1800 333 000.

BAW BAW • Councillors have approved the creation of seven dedicated dog off-leash spaces across the shire, but when the project finally gets going is anyone's guess.

Dog off-leash areas are now on the cards for Darnum Recreation Reserve, Drouin's Bellbird Park, Rawson's Dustan Oval and St Phillack Reserve, Trafalgar's Linear Reserve, Warragul's Brooker Park, and Yarragon's Dowton Park.

The Warragul, Drouin, and Trafalgar sites will be fullyfeatured dog parks.

Councillors last week unanimously passed a motion modified

by East Ward's Darren Wallace and Central Ward's Mikaela Power.

The changes will see plans for some sites, including Trafalgar's

and Warragul's, go back to the public for additional consultation.

"These areas will allow dog owners to exercise their animals off the lead," Cr Wallace said on moving the motion.

"Some dogs require more vigorous exercise than others, and simply walking is not enough."

The full-scale dog parks will be "fully fenced, including dog litter bin and bags, signage, water, agility equipment, with the minor parks to have litter bins and bags supplied."

But while the motion has the council's full and enthusiastic support, it was Cr Wallace's next line that might have some dog owners frustrated.

"At this stage though, no money is within the budget for these

projects to be completed," he said.

"The three premium parks could cost anywhere up to $139,000 to complete, with another few thousand for minor equipment at the other locations.

"This project, like many others, will need to get into the queue for funding. Supporting this project tonight doesn’t guarantee funding in next year’s budget, it just puts [the off-leash areas] in amongst the many other worthy [projects seeking] funding."

During Baw Baw's 2016 offleash area consultation period, 124 submissions were recieved.

Of those, 69 per cent were supportive.

No timeframe for completion has been set, but works will be considered when Baw Baw drafts its 2018/19 budget.

POLICE • Investigations are underway after two unknown offenders stole a security camera from a Lardners Track address.

A police spokesperson told media on Monday that the DCSI site was accessed overnight on Friday 4/Saturday 5 of May.

The offenders, described as having slim builds and appearing to be around 20 years of age, cut a chain on the site gate and stole a $200 security camera.

Any information about the incident can be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or online at crimestoppers.com.au.

POLICE • A man was airlifted to Melbourne's Alfred hospital suffering from severe burns and smoke inhalation after being caught in a house fire in Drouin.

Emergency crews were called to the Main South Road address early on Saturday morning,

with CFA crews finding the man unconscious inside the building.

A police spokesperson said the fire is not being considered suspicious, and that an open fireplace appears to be the cause.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is encouraged to call Warragul Police on 5622 7111.

Security camera stolen from Man airlifted to hospital after Drouin house fire Lardners Track site

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3

Baw Baw jaw-jaw Tips, tidbits, and shout-outs.

Every step you take...

Queen Street's watching you In 1983 rock band The Police promised that "every step you take, I'll be watching you." Thirty-five years later and it's Baw Baw's police saying the same to people on Warragul's Queen Street.

Cameras have been installed between Smith and Mason Streets at a cost of $92,000. Misbehavers be warned: you will be Stung.

Ouch!

Hard one to swallow Local band The Spitting Swallows has performed with a temp drummer after Daniel "Stiv" Stivens injured one of his hands.

We'll spare you the details, but a post on the group's Facebook page says "Stiv is still a bit sore after impaling his hand." Wince.

Young contender Darnum kid in building comp Darnum 7-year-old Finnigan Young was one of just 36 kids chosen to compete in a national LEGO challenge judged by a "master model builder" in Melbourne last month!

Coaching Get warnings of (some) PT delays Want advance notice of planned alterations to rail and bus services?

PTV has a special weekly email bulletin which will let you know when to expect delays.

Subscribe for the free updates at bbcit.co/ptve18.

Skewering the dream Warragul has a brand new food venue, and it's something special.

"Kalamaki Skewers is more of a food truck but not on wheels," owner Foti Koutsotheodoros said.

Kalamaki is a family affair. Foti works in the kitchen with wife Leanne while son Dino handles logistics behind the scenes. If these names sound familiar, you were probably a fan of Liberty Inn - their other Warragul food venture.

"This was just a little concept I started thinking up three years ago," Foti said.

"Once we sold the Liberty Inn, we couldn't sit around out of the industry so it was time to bring this little thing to fruition.

"This is something I do out of passion. I love the hospitality industry."

Food at Kalamaki is simple but loaded with flavour. Skewers and souvlaki dominate the menu.

"Everything's cooked fresh and traditional," Foti continued.

"Our souvlaki meat is skewered and marinated by ourselves, we don't get anyone else to do it.

"It's not a big restaurant, it's more of a bar-style restaurant.

"We have a couple of carefully chosen drinks - three wines and four beers on the menu - just something so you can relax and have a drink while you're waiting.

"You can decide while you're waiting if you want to sit down and eat or take your meal away, we have no problems because it's all in the same packaging."

Aesthetics have been an integral part of Kalamaki Skewers' creation.

"We had to find the right colour scheme, find the right fit-out, and find a shop we would feel good in, and here we are at 85 Queen Street.

This site is amazing."

He's right - this is one of the bestlooking (and tasting!) food fit-outs in town, and people are noticing.

Foti has already had enquiries about small catered functions.

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17 May 2018

Strong themes In this new section, our editor is creating short music playlists to accompany our headlines.

The links might sometimes be tenuous, but the music will hopefully make up for that!

You can find each for these songs online, or subscribe for our free email updates (bbcit.co/email) for a version with links.

I Can Smell The Leaves The Olivia Tremor Control A lazy seasonal pick, but it's hard to go past this song's dreamy guitars and a sound that would please any fan of Pink Floyd's Ummagumma and Meddle.

Digging in the Dirt Liquid Horse (covering Peter Gabriel) We've featured this piece from local cover band Liquid Horse before, but with Louise Sedgeman's equine photography success and a feature about pot plants we'll take the chance to get their name out again.

A solid cover of the Gabriel classic with bonus points for featuing The Gloaming's Angelo Saridis on guitar.

The Gloaming Radiohead It would be remiss of us to not mention this song given our feature on a podcast with the same name!

While far from the best song on Hail to the Thief, we can recommend the album as a whole for its well structured mix of incisive and melancholy styles. Assuming you can overlook Thom Yorke's recent childishness, that is.

What would you pick? Let us know on our Facebook page!

Louise Sedgman's whinnying photography INTERVIEW • Don't work with animals? Nobody told Drouin's Louise Sedgman that, and just as well!

Louise recently won a notable photography award, the Australian Institute of Professional Photographers Victorian Professional Pet and Animal Photographer of the Year, for her work with horses.

The title recognises the countless hours of work and stiff competition entrants face.

Louise's four entries netted her the coveted award, and she now has the chance to compete for the national title in August.

"I was a horse person long before I was a photographer, so I've had horses around me all my life," she told the Baw Baw Citizen.

"If I didn't have my knowledge and skills around horses then I wouldn't be a horse photographer."

That understanding of her subject has been critical to Louise's success, as has her creativity and persistence.

"When you are trying to choose an image for the awards, you kind of look for something that has lots of impact, good composition, good colour range, tonal range, the judges look for good control of shadows and highlights so nothing that's too bright or blocked up," Louise said.

"There's storytelling appeal and all of that stuff too. There's quite a lot.

"Probably the hardest thing is to choose which images you're

actually going to put in. It's very, very difficult."

To photograph horses well you not only need to be good with your camera: you must really understand your subject.

"I find horses usually very easy to work with because I know their behaviour and I can predict their behaviour very easily," Louise said.

"The hardest horses to work with are usually pony club ponies because they've been there and done that and not much phases them. I carry with me an array of toys that help me get [their attention].

"I have a whole heap of things from plastic bags, tape measures, a little tupperware container with rocks in it, I have a recording device with horse sounds in it, and I use my reflector.

That's again where your knowledge base [comes in] - you need to know when to back off with the stimulus because horses frighten very easily, some more so than others."

After the effort of posing the horse and getting the shot comes the most time consuming part: editing.

"There's a lot of drafts that go into creating an award print," Louise said.

"I pick the image, edit it, send it off to get printed, it gets printed... and comes back to me. Then I will look at it for

a week, turn it upside down, flip it around, and write notes all over it about what I'm going to change.

"The AIPP runs critique nights, so you can actually take your award images and have them judged unofficially, and they will give you comments and feedback as to what they think needs improving.

"So then you come home and tweak it again and send it off to print, and then you print it again and send it off again, and three or four drafts later you finally have

something that you feel is awardworthy."

Louise has exhibited her work professionally for around 10 years now, having taken up photography as a hobby around a decade before that. A number of successful award entries over recent years are getting her noticed.

"I actually had a few photographers who I really highly respect... approach me and say that in the three years I've been entering my style has improved and changed quite significantly in their eyes."

Louise Sedgman with her winning works.

Photo: editor.

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Winter's in the bag!

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The printer which saves you money Epson's EcoTank printers run on bottles of cheap ink, meaning you can use them as much as you like and not worry about expensive cartridge replacements!

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17 17May May2018 2018

Carlo gives shoe repair the boot FEATURE • After 19 years running Warragul Shoe Repairs, Yarragon's Carlo Ierfone has sold up and is looking for something new to do. A tilt at state parliament is on his list.

Carlo has spent most of his working life repairing shoes, having got a taste for it at his older brother's repair shop in Mount Waverly.

He moved to Yarragon from Dandenong North 20 years ago. It wasn't long until he started the business which, along with his playing for Yarragon Cricket Club, helped make him a household name to many locals.

After almost two decades, two landlords, and most stores on his block changing, Carlo has sold Warragul Shoe Repair. Keys changed hands late last month.

"I'm just tired of it," Carlo told the Baw Baw Citizen.

"I'm 50 now and want to try something different.

I've got a chance now and if I don't do it now I'm not going to do it."

Carlo's departure surprised many of his regulars, who had grown used to his dry sense of humour, indecipherable filing system, and quick and affordable service.

"I've enjoyed the people.

The people are good around

Behind the scenes: Carlo at his workbench.

here. You get some nutcases, but that's part of life.

"I still enjoy [this work], but you get to a stage where you've had enough."

So, what's next? Carlo said he didn't have much planned, just that he wanted to "try something different for a while."

Oh, and he plans to be an independent candidate for Narracan in November's state election.

"I'll have a go what have I got to lose?

"It's meant to be, I think.

Everything's happening at once."

Carlo has been considering facing an election for around six years, but found

extra motivation when a VEC staffer told him he recieved two votes at the last council election. That sounds awful until you realise he wasn't actually a candidate.

But what does Carlo stand for? The rather fitting central message of his campaign is "just do it." "[We have] what I call lazy government," he said.

"Just fix the f---ing problems, it's not hard is it? You need a road? Let's build it.

"Politicians don't want to build anything anymore, they want to privatise it all.

"We used to build things when I was a kid and everyone had a job, now we don't build anything. It's all about money.

"There's more to life than money."

Third party antivirus for Windows finally a thing of the past?

Microsoft's Windows 10 will celebrate its third birthday in June, and as is typical of the company's operating systems it has taken all of these three years to mature; especially when it comes to security.

Windows 10 has featured built-in antivirus from day one, but for a very long time it proved to be more than lacking. Third-party antivirus programs have remained a musthave for most people as a result.

However in the last few months there has been an unprecedented change, as Jon Cavell from Warragul Computer Repair explains: "We have seen Windows 10 security breaches become more common on systems 'protected' by paid third-party antivirus than on those with just the free, built-in Windows Defender," he said.

"Finally, Windows 10’s built-in antivirus just works! In fact the OS as a whole is now fully self-servicing and no longer benefits from enduser interference.

Microsoft Office, Skype, and loads of free games.

We’ll have more on Windows 10 store apps in a future article.

Your data, your responsibility: don't neglect your backups

Image: the Windows Defender Security Centre

recommendation that people run the latest version of Windows 10 and ensure the system stays updated and fully backed up."

Editor’s note: when someone who makes money from a product tells you not to waste money on it, it’s best to listen up!

"We know updates can be frustrating for users with limited connections, but we have created a button to help with this."

This doesn't mean you can go ahead and wildly open that dodgy thing you were emailed or start clicking on flashing ads. What Windows 10's security improvements mean is you now get the same, if not better results with the free antivirus built into the system.

"After much deliberation, and while keeping with best practice, we have decided to stop selling third party antivirus almost entirely.

Stronger malware defences "Instead, we're making the strongest

5

Microsoft has made some other big security changes to Windows

to help people avoid potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) and malware.

"A post-launch update introduced a setting which allows you to get warnings when attempting to install nonMicrosoft Store apps. The service is presently opt-in and needs to be turned on; if you're interested you can ask us how to get it going."

What's so special about store apps? They're filtered by Microsoft to be easily added or removed and free of malware and viruses, just like apps on Apple's App Store or Google Play. That means the chances of you installing an app you didn't mean to or which does more than you bargained for are greatly reduced.

The store has seen great expansion over the years and now carries popular apps like iTunes,

Security measures aside, backups are essential for all electronic data devices, including phones, tablets, Macs and PCs. Hardware failure, theft, and fraudsters are risk factors capable of wiping out all your family photos and financial records.

It's a good thing Jon can help you with the options to keep your files safe.

“Nothing will substitute for a good backup and/or online sync solution - it's like keeping a spare tyre in your boot,” he said.

"Just drop into 6 Smith Street, Warragul and ask us.

"We can provide the complete backup solution, with training, on the spot.

"The basic training continues to be free of charge for anyone buying a backup solution from us or whose computer is sold and serviced by us.”

Carlo identified the need for a new West Gippsland Hospital as the key issue facing Narracan, and lamented what he sees as token efforts to help the Latrobe Valley as coal power plants close.

"Buy [the Hazelwood power station] back, start the coal up again for 10 years, and build a solar factory down there so people are employed.

"Convert the f---ing thing (Hazelwood) to gas for cheap electricity and people will start investing again.

"Let's build solar panels here ourselves, why import them? We've got a thousand people out of work, let's build them. Let's put them on the power poles. Put two up on each, imagine the power we'd get!

"It's not hard, is it. There we go, we just solved the problem - just build it."

Nationalisation of privatised assets is key to Carlo's politics, as is personal responsibility. But the rest of his platform is less clear.

Asked what voters could expect of his campaign policies he said "not much."

"All I can say is I'll give you a voice in Spring Street (parliament)," Carlo said.

"I'll do what's good for the state and the people. It's not just about Narracan, we're a big state you know."

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17 May 2018

More online!

Head to bbcit.co for more local news coverage, including: Move over McMillan: our seat set to be renamed and redrawn, video coverage of the Baw Baw Pet Expo, and much more.

You can also view our Anzac Day march photos from Warragul, Drouin, and Trafalgar.

Stay updated with our free email updates at bbcit.co/email.

Oh, by the way...

Long-time readers might have noticed something a little odd about this edition: it's officially out on a Thursday afternoon/evening instead of a Friday.

We are moving to a Thursday afternoon release to get our stories to you sooner, because quite frankly we can't wait!

And you're about to hear a lot more from us too. We're presently publishing monthly, but when July rolls around we will start printing fortnightly!

More regular releases will make it easier for advertisers to get in the paper. If you are interested in placing an ad, visit bbcit.co/advertise or email admin@fpress.com.au.

Podcasting light on Gippsland's future INTERVIEW • When you think of Gippsland's future, what issues do you see? How can we tackle and make the best of them? Baw Baw's James Allen and Angelo Saridis are searching for answers.

They're doing so through their new podcast The Gloaming, a term which describes the time just before the sun sets when you can't quite be certain of anything you see. With issues of food security, climate, energy, and more all facing Gippsland, the pair see the region as being in its own period of gloaming.

The Baw Baw Citizen caught up with Angelo and James to discuss what they have found with four episodes under their belts.

What prompted you to start producing the show?

Angelo: We'd see each other every day at work, and there'd be conversations all the time about issues, as well as about podcasts.

At one point we just said 'hey, why don't we just do it?'

James: We were both immersed in thinking about local issues, and trying to understand where is Gippsland at with its development.

One of the main motivators was to try to create a regional narrative.

How do you figure out what Gippsland's narrative is?

James: We've come at it from a particular angle; we have a future which is potentially affected by a bunch of different kinds of crises.

They all present certain challenges for any region of the world, but let's have a look at Gippsland and see how it might affect us and what

If you look at it through that lens, it means we're touching all aspects of society. Anything we depend on for the good life is the stuff we have to think about.

Of Mics and Men: James Allen (left) and Angelo Saridis (right) in Angelo's home studio.

people might be doing in response.

The one thing we didn't want to do was completely sideline the negatives. If there are issues there we need to talk about them, but then talk about what the manageable ways people are dealing with those issues are.

That's kind of the flavour of the podcast; it's set against the backdrop of [the fact] there are going to be some quite significant challenges for us in Gippsland, but we're having a look just locally at what can be done or already is being done, that's where the positivity is and that's where the hope lies.

Your first episodes focus on agriculture - is that your main focus?

James: Even though we've

probably ended up talking a lot about food or agricultural themes here in Gippsland, we've also tapped into other themes [we want] to talk more about. We look for those triggers.

Angelo: In the first show we lay out a few of the themes we want to tackle. It's broad, but it's all captured under the banner of resilience.

If you've got the potential for crises in the future, be they economic or ecological or the advent of automation which might take jobs, what are the components of a community that have to be [ready]?

If you build resilience into your community, then should that shock manifest you're going to be able to cop a bit of that hit and bounce back, or transform into whatever you need to be.

Do you feel Gippsland is on the same page with how to deal with big issues, or are there just lots of little groups?

James: I'm not sure it's important we're on the same page about everything. I think that if you're looking at a future where — and this is the idea of the gloaming, it's kind of the twilight — you're not able to see everything in your future, you can't plan exactly for that. Ideally, you want to have as diverse a range of options in your future as possible.

Angelo: One thing that's really common about the people we have spoken to here in Gippsland is they do see there's much promise. There are so many opportunities here for this community to be resilient and to bounce back.

James: I think that's the beauty too in looking at the local perspective. When you think about climate change, or any huge issue, as the average punter... it is despairinducing. It's almost overwhelming.

But when you bring it to the local level, all of a sudden there's stuff you can do. Just think and act local, because that [issue] on the human scale is manageable; here are my two hands and I can make a difference here!

You can listen to The Gloaming using your favourite podcast app, or by visiting thegloaming.com.au.

YOUR LOCAL EXPERTS IN: Shoe Repairs Passion for repair key to renewed biz Key Cutting Car Key and Remote Programming Engraving Bag Repairs Watch and Jewellery Repairs It takes a special kind of person to get into the repair business, and Luke and Lucy of Warragul Multi Service are keen to get to work.

Luke took over Warragul Shoe Repair last month, and already he's enjoying welcoming many new and old customers to the renamed and expanded store.

"People are often shocked by how little we charge for repairs," he said.

"They will bring a pair of shoes in for repair thinking it'll take too long or it'll be too expensive. It's great to see the surprise and happiness when they realise repair makes sense."

With a background of running

repair shops and watch repair training from Rolex and Omega, Luke's passion for repair is undeniable.

It's infectious too. Lucy took a job with Luke two years ago and hasn't looked back.

"I'm just in love with the job," she said.

"People are keen to hang on to jewellery with sentimental value or comfy shoes they've had for years, and being able to restore that is a great feeling."

Coming from suburban shopping centre repair kiosks, Luke and Lucy are keen to get to know their customers and start getting involved in the community. Come say hi!

Find us on Facebook and at 4 Smith Street, Warragul

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Espana-el Vito Spirit of Spain

Madame Butterfly in Warragul

Spanish classical and flamenco concert featuring guitarist Matthew Fagan and pianist Nicholas Young.

Drouin-based lino print artist Helen Timbury's Sky Above Me is now on display in Foster!

The exhibition shows Helen's passion for national parks and wild bush.

A man enchanted by the beauty of the East. A woman in love with the promise of the West. Separated by a vast ocean and many years, what will become of their love?

Madame Butterfly is a love story that reaches across cultures, across oceans, across time. U.S. Naval officer B.F. Pinkerton is ashore in Japan, and enchanted with its beauty and freedoms. He decides to take a wife, and when the gorgeous geisha Butterfly arrives, he is transfixed by her charms.

She falls hopelessly in love, and a passionate marriage begins. Years later, Pinkerton has returned home.

Abandoned by her family, Butterfly waits faithfully for her husband to return. Dawn breaks on a ship in the harbour. What will become of her great hope?

One of Australia’s greatest theatrical minds, John Bell, directs this English-language production. Hear Opera Australia’s wonderful singers perform with a chamber orchestra, along with a children’s chorus, drawn from local communities.

Where: Stockyard Gallery, 12 McDonald Street, Foster When: Until 21 May

Where: St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School, 150 Bowen Street, Warragul Book: www.wgac.com.au

Where: Wesley of Warragul When: 2 June, 8pm. Doors: 7.30pm Cost: Adult $35, Conc $30, Member $25, U18 $20, Group 10+ $25pp Book: wgac.com.au / 5624 2456

Helen Timbury brings exhibition to Foster

17 17May May2018 2018

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Green pots a towel tale HOME • Want to make your garden even greener? Check out these upcycled pots!

If you're not keen on using plastic or new materials in your garden, or simply want something vibrant and unique, Graeme Sandford has the thing for you.

We met Graeme at last month's Gippsland Rare & Unusual Plant Fair in Jindivick, where he was selling hand made, upcycled pots made from old bath towels and concrete.

"The towels are cut to suit what size design we want, according to the base plate that's on the bottom to form them," he said.

"Then the towels are soaked in a concrete solution and hung over the upside down plate.

"They are then hand formed and left to set and cure before being spray painted with an exterior house paint."

It sounds fiddly, but apparently the pleats on the pots largely form themselves.

"The vases are the ones that take the time because they have a lot of finer pleats which make them quite time consuming."

If you think a bath towel pot will need gentle care and take to water like a cat, you're not alone.

"People say it's unbelievable," Graeme said when asked how others react to his work.

"A lot of people find it hard to imagine that they're going to last outside because they were originally a bath towel, but the towels are well and truly coated

with concrete and there's no cloth exposed.

"They're fine outdoors. They're quite durable once coated with concrete."

Graeme has been upcycling old towels for four and a half years now, originally in Perth but now in Gippsland. But where do all the old towels come from?

"Op shops, friends doing cleanouts, anywhere we can get them," Graeme said.

Upcycling, where old products are reworked or repurposed, has regained popularity in recent years thanks to fashion and environmental concerns.

Finding new uses for old textiles is important, as Australian Bureau of Statistics data suggests this country sends as much as over half a million tonnes of textiles and leather to landfill every year.

Graeme's pots help address the side-effects of fast fashion and throw-away attitudes. The more old towels that are

Above: Graeme Sandford of Kool Kreations Below: just a few of Graeme's pots on display at the Rare Plant Expo.

made into extravagant pots, the better!

But Graeme doesn't consider himself an environmentalist; for him the upcycling is just a fun little project.

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