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For too long good writing by local authors has gone unnoticed in Warragul. For too long the wit and wisdom of townspeople has been left to gather virtual dust in blog servers. The Warragul Citizen is here to stop this, providing an outlet for local writers to get their work published and read by their neighbours. Anyone can write for the Warragul Citizen. Articles need not be news or analysis; poetry, short stories, cartoons, recipes, letters to the editor, even essays will be published here.
ISSUE 1
JUNE 2011
|| SUBMISSIONS: ARTICLES@WARRAGULCITIZEN.COM || CONTACT: EDITOR@WARRAGULCITIZEN.COM
need not be news or analysis; poetry, short stories, cartoons, recipes, letters to the editor and even essays will be published in the Warragul Citizen. The Citizen is seeking to publish articles written by people and groups from all parts of the community. From school students wanting their essays to have a readership of more than just their teacher, to up-and-coming journalists seeking an outlet, to tradespeople wanting to teach the basics of their trade to the masses. If it can be put to paper it can be sent in to the Warragul Citizen.
than just their teacher, to journalists and writers seeking an outlet, to tradespeople wanting to teach the basics of their trade to the masses. If it can be put to paper it can be sent in to the Warragul Citizen. To get your article published in the Warragul Citizen, head over to www.warragulcitizen.com
and click on the “Submit� button. If you have images which go with your story, email them to editor@warragulcitizen.com.
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to “like� the Warragul Citizen on Facebook so that you can keep up-to-date with what’s happening with Warragul’s newest paper. See Page 12 for publication details.
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Shovels and sand used for sandbagging the town during the February floods.
WHAT DEFINES BEING A WARRAGUL CITIZEN FOR YOU?
Is it something you see every day on your way to school or work? Something zaney? Something that happened only once but could only have happened in Warragul? What makes this town for you? Get your camera out and show us what it is! Send your pictures in to tome@warragulcitizen.com and your picture could be on the front page. Photos will be credited and you’re welcome to include contact details. This issue’s photo was supplied by the Editor.
ALSO INSIDE
News and Features
Investigations into youth services and the effects of online competition. Pages 2 and 3.
Community Groups News
Find out who’s doing what in and around Warragul. Page 6.
The Boredom Filler
Sideline the sighs with cartoons, puzzles and other entertainment.
Page 10.
Poetry and Short Stories Pages 6 and 7. Environment
Articles on environmental issues and money-saving energy use tips. Page 8.
Cooking
Mouth-watering meals to rival the creations on MasterChef. Page 9.
Community Radio Guide Page 11.
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The Warragul Citizen
By Louis Nelson. Local youth workers who say there is inadequate support for troubled young teenagers in regional communities, are moving to develop applied research in West Gippsland to address the issue. Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLEN) executive officer Michael Murphy said under-15 year olds experiencing problems in school are at risk of developing a serious disconnect with society, as there are limited alternative services in place for their educational development. In a joint venture between Berry Street Gippsland, Baw Baw/Latrobe LLEN, Monash University and the Department of Education, the initiative will begin with research indentifying the needs of local 12 to 14 year olds. “Local high schools ask us „what can I do with this 12 year old?‟, but the only option available is high school, and that‟s it,” Mr Murphy said. West Gippsland has been chosen as the study‟s focus area due to the rapidly growing population of Baw Baw Shire, which is putting a strain on dedicated youth support in a region which relies heavily on outreach services from the Latrobe Valley. “There‟s a significant complacency in Baw Baw Shire, where we are less willing to recognise the social problems that exist here … but West Gippsland proportionately has as much issues as everyone else," Mr Murphy said. Berry Street Gippsland education support and training manager Jane Barr said the number of younger teenagers in need of support services is growing. “Our average referral age used to be 15 year olds, now it‟s 13 and a half; we‟re getting referrals from 12 and 13 years old that have never been to school,” Ms Barr said. Mr Murphy said a new approach needs to be developed for the unique needs and maturity levels of younger
developed for the unique needs and maturity levels of younger teenagers struggling with the transition from primary to secondary education. “The role of educational training to date has been developing skills for kids, but not to develop kids as a whole people; we need to look at what the best learning model is to address that,” Mr Murphy said. Private funding is currently being sought by a steering committee to fund a pilot program in conjunction with the research findings, which Ms Barr said are integral to developing the right model. “Rather than responding to individual cases as required, we need to support a long term approach, and to do that we need to get some proper research behind it,” Ms Barr said. David Nott is manager of the Youth for Christ centre in Warragul, which runs the Youth Education for All Project (YEA), a program which aims to find pathways for young people who have dropped out of mainstream education, leading to outcomes such as a Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning or an apprenticeship. Mr Nott said the program, traditionally designed for teenagers 15 and above, recently began servicing a demand from 14 year olds, and said “there‟s definitely a case for kids even younger than that”. “This is a priority that needs to be looked at; there is a back log of interest from people coming to us from outside of school and the mainstream environment around the age of 13,” Mr Nott said. Mr Murphy said an integral part of any youth development is society‟s administration of responsibility, which he said needs to shift to a more holistic approach in which youth become “everyone‟s responsibility”. “The perception of young people in communities here has got to change. It‟s about changing the culture, and letting them know they are better than what they are perceived to be,” Mr Murphy said.
Services such as the YEA program, coordinated by the team at the Youth for Christ centre in Warragul, are under increasing demand from under-15 year olds. (Pictured left to right) Kate Boyer (LLEN Baw Baw), centre manager David Nott, Christie Humble, Denise Spink, Deb Jephson, Chris Hobbs (director) and John Van Der Marel.
The Warragul Citizen is seeking CITIZEN JOURNALISTS! It’s the idea behind the paper – locals writing local news. So what does it take to be a citizen journalist? The Citizen believes that anyone can be a journalist so long as they keep just a few key points in mind at all times: 1.
2.
3.
ALWAYS be impartial. Always show both sides of the story. This extends to self-promoting; the opening of a new shop in Warragul is NOT newsworthy unless there is something to make the opening significant. Be polite. Not only does this make everyone feel better at the end of the day, but if your interviewee feels that you’re a good person they might give you that extra bit of information that will make your story great. With that in mind, don’t let a difficult or smoothtalking subject give you the run-around. Assert your position as a merchant of truth. Be succinct. News is not all about trying to make yourself look smart – literary flourishes and long words only serve to make the news harder to digest. Be short, sharp and to the point.
But the most important thing to remember when writing for the Citizen is the publication date. The Citizen is a quarterly paper and as such news pieces can easily become outdated before printing. If you need your news piece to be timely, email the Editor. Spaces in the paper can be set aside to be filled closer to the publication date. For more information, email editor@warragulcitizen.com.
June 2011
The Warragul Citizen
Page 3
Disappearing online? Is Warragul’s retail sector threatened?
William Kulich looks at the threat of internet shopping to Warragul’s retail sector and how business has to change to cope. Local retailers competing with online businesses need to change what services they offer to survive, according to Warragul Business Group President David Cann. The recent closure of the Music Store Warragul was partially due to online competition, and the closure of Hobby Heaven is understood to have been for the same reason. Mr Cann said that Warragul’s retail sector is being affected by online competition, but that the level of competition varies from sector to sector.
Mr Cann suggested that Warragul’s population boom presents new challenges for retailers, and that longer opening hours might encourage more people to look in shops before going online. “I think that they’ve got to be clever about what they offer. I think one of the things that we have been slow to is really assess is the change in demographics in Warragul, where we have a lot more people working outside of the area and living in town,” Mr Cann said.
Speaking on the rollout of new technologies to rural businesses, Mr Cann warned that “sometimes businesses in a rural environment don’t pick up on them as quickly as some of the city-based businesses, and once you miss the boat in some of those sectors it can be hard to fight your way back into it.” Mr Cann also said that online competition in country areas is a greater threat than in the city. “I think more regional (businesses are) under threat because, I suppose that lack of convenience of bigger shopping centres, or the apparent lack of convenience of shopping centres could push people online,” Mr Cann said. Former owner of the now defunct Music Store Warragul, Mr Jason Kellett, echoed Mr Cann’s sentiments. “A small country store can only afford to keep so much stock in the shop, whereas on the internet there’s an infinite amount of choice. So it becomes more appealing to buy online as opposed to going into your local (store),” Mr Kellett said.
The Music Store Warragul closed early this year because the retail outlet was not proving to be commercially viable. Mr Kellett argues that online competition was a contributor to slow business in the Music Store, as well as the tendency since the Global Financial Crisis for people to spend less money. “The business closed because the internet is taking a big chunk of business, (with fewer) people walking into the store. Business is slow because the economy isn’t doing that fantastic,” Mr Kellett said. The Citizen was unable to contact Hobby
anyone from Hobby Heaven to discuss that store’s closure. The book retail sector’s competition with online sales is an area which recently came to the fore with the collapse of Red Group; the body responsible for Borders bookshops and some Angus and Robertson bookshops nationally. However, Warragul’s booksellers are largely unaffected. Owner of the independent Warragul bookshop Book’d on Smith, Jenny Hotchkin, said that it was the size of Red Group which caused its companies to be hit badly by online competition. “I think the issues that affected Red Group are not really relevant to small retailers. They had massive overheads and stock holdings and the danger with big chain stores is loss of the personalized aspect. Being an independent bookshop means that you get to know your local demographics and stock the shop accordingly,” Ms Hotchkin said. Ms Hotchkin also noted that their customer service helps reduce online competition. “Of course the internet is a threat to bookshops - it is pretty easy to buy a book online and the pricing is very competitive. We are aware of this and again, customer service has to become a focus. You can’t get advice on what book would suit your nine year old child who is struggling to learn to read from an internet site. If you want advice on what book to buy for some one, you need to go to your local bookshop,” Ms Hotchkin said. A business owner in Warragul since 1971 and owner of The Red Door Bookshop, Wayne Hardie, says that the appeal of online shopping is a false reality. “The prices that I charge… are very much commensurate with what you can buy online, except you don’t have postage prices. So, somebody can come into my shop and say ‘I bought that book a dollar cheaper online,’ but they forget they paid six dollars fifty for postage,” Mr Hardie said. “I tend to think that the people who come into (the Red Door Bookshop), on the whole, would like to see what they’re buying before they get it. One of the difficulties with buying online, particularly in the second hand market, is that you can’t be certain of quality.”
“If they’re buying an expensive item (online) and they find that it’s not up to the quality they expect, they don’t have recourse. Whereas if they come into this shop and it’s not really of the quality they want then they just don’t buy. So from that point of view there are certain benefits in buying in a shop like this as against online.” Despite this, Mr Hardie said that his shop is having competition from online sellers. “Attracting a market is really the most difficult thing to do,” Mr Hardie said. “The difficulty is… that people have a tendency to go to the internet first.” The Warragul Citizen has been told that the
The Music Store Warragul: Undercut by Online Competition. change in ownership of Collins “So we would actually directly booksellers earlier this year is bring things into Australia not related to online through a company we set up competition, and Warragul overseas. Which is the only Office Smart’s exit from book way we can compete, because sales is due to local then we wouldn’t be paying competition. Australian wages, Australian Manager of Sanity Warragul, rates, rents and so on,” Mr Sherrilyn Jones, does not see Nicholson said. online competition as an issue for the music store. Ms Jones has not identified any decline in sales due to online competition from the likes of the iTunes shop or Sanity’s own online shop. Ms Jones instead identifies parking times as the biggest hindrance to Warragul’s retail sector. Mr Cann argues that businesses which find themselves competing with online shops should change their sales pitch. “I think that the sad fact of the matter is if you find yourself competing with online business you’ve got to look at other avenues. There is very limited capacity to compete with online. The prices can be ripped up straight away and the consumer can find 15 prices for the one product very quickly… and if you’re trying to compete with that it’s going to be very very had to do. You’ve got to look in other areas, you’ve got to look at what’s not provided online.” One Warragul retailer is planning to create an offshore-based online business in order to compete with online sellers, and also as a form of political stunt to encourage the government to change its import tax laws.
“I think top-end retail is suffering against the internet because you can spend up to a thousand dollars ten times a week (without GST) if you want, to import stuff from any country in the world.” Mr Cann suggested that Mr Nicholson’s move, as well as suggestions that other retailers like Harvey Norman could go offshore, is not a just a stunt. “It’s not a stunt at all – it’s the sheer fact of they’re trying to compete with an unfair marketplace,” Mr Cann said.
The outlook for Warragul’s retail sector is not all doom and gloom though, with some local businesses finding great success online. Proprietor of Port Philip Shop Mr Ian Wenzel has had great success in extending his retail shop online. Port Philip has an online customer base of 1,600 customers, mostly from within Australia, whilst having a customer base of only 300 people for his the retail outlet.
Mr Wenzel said that when selling online it is important to have a unique brand and unique products, as well as a strong advertising campaign.
“At the moment online sales only represent about three per cent Former Head of Independent of the retail market (in Australia), Sports, Mr Peter Nicholson, is but they will represent a lot investigating creating an more than that in the future,” offshore business to compensate Mr Wenzel said. TWC
for lost retail revenue.
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A Draining Problem
In 2010, residents of the Baw Baw Shire met in a wide range of forums to address the issues of drainage in the community, and called on the Shire to fix the problem. The Baw Baw Ratepayers Association and the Yarragon and District Community Association have written letters to the Council and informed councillors present at their meetings of local concerns. The Warragul & Drouin Gazette has been full of letters to the Editor calling on the Shire to take care of its drains. Things looked positive when the Yarragon drainage review was conducted; however the lack of further action or consideration of community feedback considered in the plan has lead to flooding this year. I understand that rain of 110mm is a surprise event, but when my property is flooded for hours after just 50mm of rain I have to wonder what caused it. Is it the drain, which has not been de-silted in years and is full of blackberries? Is it because the drain is small and only designed for a few farms and gravel roads and now has to cope with a housing estate on one end? I go to meetings around the community, from Drouin to Trafalgar, and the concerns about drainage are the same. The Shire is silent and the councillors try to pass the buck to State Government bureaucracies. Instead of the Shire taking responsibility and resolving the issues as our wet year continues, residents are left constantly cleaning up 'flash flooding', which should be renamed „drain flooding.‟ Roads that should draw tourists to our attractions are blocked with water, and farmers are left watching good land, that they pay rates on, become unusable. It‟s time that the Shire swung into action. If the Shire can afford to ban smoking in public spaces and send the mayor on a sister city overseas trip, it can afford to fix the drains causing flash flooding around the Shire. ~David “Wombat” Lyons, Yarragon. About Mr Lyons (in his own words): “David Lyons is manager of Yarragon Goats and is sick of having water to the walls of his home. Maybe the Shire will reply to one of his letters on drainage or, even better, fix the drains.”
CLASSIFIED Demand permitting, the next issue of the Warragul Citizen will include a small number of classified ads. Free ads will be published on a firstcome-first-served basis. Email classified@warragulcitizen.com to place your ad. Up to ten words: FREE. Additional words: $8 surcharge + 10c per additional word. Photograph: +$7.50. (Small B&W image only.) A contact number is required to accompany the entry. This will not be included in the word count. Free classified advertisements are available only to private citizens. Commercial advertisements are charged according to the rates on page 4. If demand is high, only the earliest ads and paid ads will be published.
with Jackson Hadley There has been a lot of attention paid to racism in the media lately, with the Japanese nuclear disaster not yet under control, there have been many families who have taken refuge in Australia and other neighbouring pacific countries. I must ask, why is Australia seen as a country that others can move to and be protected in, when so many Australian citizens are, from my experience, racist Bogans? I'm not saying that all Australians are racist and ignorant, but a majority are. Why are so many people being racist? It makes no sense to me why a different language would offend somebody, apart from fear possibly. Facebook has become a very large ground for expression of racist views, not just from Australia but from many western countries. Recently on Facebook I have seen comments like “I hate goin somewhere and you see a group of asians and they start speak like chinese speak our language or get out!” Worst of all, these comments were getting positive feedback from other people whose English usage is equal to that of a 5 year-old. Personally I had quite a chuckle when a friend of mine (who is Asian) replied to this thread, with perfect spelling and grammar (more than what can be said of the creator of the above comment), asking why people don't have a right to speak whatever language they like. I applaud this person, being brave enough to say something even though they opened themselves up to abuse from this ignorant group of young Australians. If you have ever made a comment about or had a bad opinion of someone in 'your' country for not speaking 'your' language then I ask you this: If you were to go somewhere else, either on holiday or because there is trauma in your home country, would you bother to learn and exclusively speak the language native to whatever country you go to? I seriously doubt it. If you or a friend were the victim of racial vilification, would you have the bravery to stand up to it? Or would you simply see it as being the ignorant behaviour of an ignorant person? I don't think that my background should matter, but if any readers think that I am part of a racial minority or the victim of racism ranting, you should know that I am born and bred Australian. But my nationality doesn't mean I have a right to put anybody else down. Racial vilification in particular is a despicable act and should not be tolerated in any country whatsoever. Many Australians believe in camaraderie and mateship as an Australian 'code' that dates back to the First World War. Is it right for a 'true blue' Aussie to have a strong mateship only with people whose races are acceptable to them? If it is „Australian Spirit‟ to taunt another human because of their skin colour, origin or native language, then I honestly don't want anything to do with Australia at all. I conclude my rant with one final message; all racists should get out of MY country! TWC
The Warragul Citizen
Page 6
June 2011
License to Rhyme: Poetry The Baw Baw Arts Alliance
Established in November last year, the Baw Baw Arts Alliance (BBAA) is a rapidly expanding arts community group which already has over 140 members. Based in Drouin but servicing all of the Baw Baw Shire, the BBAA acts as an advisory body for local artists, with the aim of encouraging public ownership of the Shire’s communal spaces. Any art forms are represented, including painters, sculptors, musicians and even knitters. The BBAA liaises with the Baw Baw Shire Council, schools and other community groups to arrange art projects around the Shire. The group is aiming to establish an arts
“Arts Hub” in the Baw Baw Shire; a space in which artists and the community can connect and express ideas. Until September, membership to the BBAA costs only $5. Membership forms can be picked up at Tritec Art Supplies, Yarragon. TWC
DO YOU REPRESENT A COMMUNITY GROUP? You too can get in on the act! The Warragul Citizen will showcase at least one community group in every issue. The “Community Groups” section aims to inform the public of local community groups and explain how people can get involved.
Email community@warragulcitizen.com if you would like your group to be involved.
SHADOWS
Hiding in the shadows Watching, waiting I see you walk in Silently debating
By Cassandra Eggens You smile at her Practically salivating You dance close to her Hips gyrating
Should I approach you? The feelings baiting Then she walks in The one you are dating
I feel my heart breaking It’s excruciating It’s not your fault I wish I was hallucinating
My eyes never leave her Burning, hating Your eyes fill with love Your lover, placating
I hide in the shadows My hatred culminating I have to end the temptation For vociferating
This doesn’t change things The pain is still grating I need to get stronger Emotional armour plating
I sit in my corner Hyperventilating I close my eyes I’m through investigating
How can I begrudge you The life you’re creating I smile sadly My rage not deflating
I up and leave Quietly vacating You will never be mine This I’m silently stating.
Are you a POET and want everyone to know it? Well, get published in the Warragul Citizen!
Helen Timbury, Roger Terril and Ingrid Thomas of the Baw Baw Arts Alliance entertain the public at the Shire Council’s Draft Town Plan Day in February.
REVIEWS Cover
The Warragul Citizen publishes poetry written by anyone – you need not have a name in literary circles to command the attention of the Citizen! Just send your poem in at the following address: www.warragulcitizen.com/submissions
Just listened to, watched, read, saw, experienced or tasted something new? Tell us about it in a review! You can submit a review by going to www.warragulcitizen.com/submissions.
The Gravy Train Kenny Joe Blake
introspective country. And he lives the same way.
Cover
Cinema
The Cat Empire
Proof in point is the title cut. Steeped in Label: EMI sarcastic melody, Blake prods at the Man, Year: 2010 the Firm and the Government – the fiddle rich ode cuts when it shares its known truth: Reviewed by: Reviewed by: George Peden Harriet Kulich “Bought yourself a ticket and climbed on board and all they did was say “shovel the Aussie performer, harmonica and guitar coal”…they waste your taxes….the Gravy Australian band The Cat Empire’s most player, writer, radio host and fringe legend Train runs on ego and greed that’s why it’s recent album, Cinema, is their first studio Kenny Joe Blake has a new album. As can so damn long…” album since So Many Nights in 2007 expected from this self-proclaimed and is well worth a listen. daydreaming, carousing and hard drinking Other nuggets in this musical mine include talent, it’s a winner. This musical veteran “George Brown & C501” a parochial tale of a The band explores a slightly different who is happiest when he’s singing about preserved diesel locomotive, which saw first genre in this album than in their previous indifference, culture, trains and trucks has service on 14th May, 1977, the indigenous releases; I would classify the band’s new delivered on his ambition here with 12 self- rich imagery of “Song of Western Wind” and songs as ‘alternative’, however they inked efforts. the historical shades of the sinking of “The have possibly delved a bit further into Pride of Portland, Maine”. The album ends, rock in this album. The album, The Gravy Train, is out now. fittingly, with “Days Work’s Done”. Produced by Geoff Peterkin (Pakart Productions) and primed and shunted along Hop on board. The Gravy Train is a steady The singles distributed by the band with a cast of musical somebodies (The ride, offering crafted musicianship and before the album itself was released, Drifting Nobodys), the album is pleasing thoughtful songs, showcased with a voice while very good, are surpassed in quality tuned for those who prefer their music open, by other songs in the album. For me, the and reflective. real and provoking. stand-out song is All Hell, which draws you in with an exciting introduction which More larrikin than corporate, KJB isn’t a A ticket to ride will soon be available through CMT cowboy. There are no fat belt buckles continues as an underlying rhythm Kenny Joe Blake’s Facebook page: and big hats. There’s no need. His passions throughout the song. http://tinyurl.com/6jgwzhe. TWC are real. Simple. Honest. He writes how he feels. Rather than cueing for tunes George Peden is country music host of The Cinema is a great album both for fans manufactured for radio play and label Bunkhouse Radio Show, heard on 103.1 and those new to the Empire. TWC dollars, Blake writes his own brand of 3BBR FM. Label: (Independent) Year: 2010
The Warragul Citizen
slow down, they know they're onto a good thing and will not falter. My less than subtle tactic has confirmed their suspicion. And the Chicken Lane will come up regardless of my speed. So I floor it. Glorious speed. For a while I enjoy the simple pleasure of this unrestricted movement, and the car purrs with equal satisfaction. As one, we melt into the blur of scenery - whizzing past in a way I'd not experienced for a long, long time. My convoy remains intact, tracing
my every move. They are extensions of my body now. We share the excitement of this moment, as close to flying as any of us are likely to get, spending too much time driving and working and sleeping to plan a holiday.
Chicken Lane Part one of a short story by Stephen Currie. I'm running late again. The traffic ahead is looking pretty dismal, and it'll take at least another hour at this rate. Ever since the Chicken Law was introduced drivers avoid most large intersections. We used to call them busy intersections. Now they're just large, deserted. This particular road takes a long and meandering path to my destination, but every other route will take me through a right-hand turn at a large intersection at some point. A green arrow flashes into my mind and I cringe at the thought. Just put up with the traffic jams, I tell myself. Better late than dead. I stick to the left lane, reluctant to activate the indicator's glowing arrow in the dashboard unless absolutely necessary. The vehicles ahead of me patter along another couple of car lengths. I roll into the newly formed space, turning the radio up another couple of decibels. Ahead a car peels off to the left, giving in and risking the more dangerous path. Or perhaps they see only left turns ahead. Two others follow, opportunists wagering on the former scenario and hoping to take advantage of the second Chicken Lane law that exempts them from the first law if they're not first in line. Like a slider puzzle, other vehicles take up the empty space and we push forward with collective relief at the sudden bonus distance covered. The dance continues, and for another 20 minutes I endure it as I have day in, day out for years. I even become bored enough to overlook my fear of the flashing indicator arrows and merge between lanes a couple of times. Just for kicks. But soon a familiar sign approaches, a street I used to take in the old days. It squirms by every day, and never escapes my longing gaze. It could easily get me where I'm goin in barely ten minutes. But as with every other turn, it would lead me to potential doom. But today, it is harder to ignore its temptation. I'm fed up with the drudgery that comes with taking the safe route. A reckless part of me just wants to take off into the freedom of the open roads. The turn-off inches closer, and still I cannot peel my eyes away from it. I try to stay anchored in my common sense, but it is waning ever so gradually. A sense of anticipation builds up within me. My mind is already made up, and I
Not far down the road reality dawns again. Those dreaded black rectangles, with dual columns of round glowing orbs. I brake too suddenly and the cars behind me swerve to miss, all of us coming to a halt, with one car either side and just ahead of me and two behind. Nobody moves for a moment. I initiated this journey, so I must lead us to its conclusion. Glancing at one another we silently acknowledge the situation. We may be puppets, cogs in a machine so vast that wetofail to comprehend its true purpose, bribed we fail comprehend its true purpose, bribed into into ancycle endless cycle of autonomy, mind-numbing an endless of mind-numbing but but right now we a bond that right autonomy, now we share a bond thatshare transcends the the fabric of ourin routine, our fabrictranscends of our routine, our solitude which other solitude which other people butreal a people are butina concept. Today we areare more concept. Today we arewemore to each to each other than anything havereal experienced than anything we have experienced sinceother the laws were introduced. since the laws were introduced.
gradually. A sense of anticipation builds up within me. My mind is already made up, and I have no say. I'm going to turn. Two cars are ahead of me. I pray they take the turn first, as it would make the move less risky. But in turn, each of them continues on their prefabricated journey. It's my turn now. My hands grip the wheel tighter, a feeble attempt at keeping them two of Chicken Lane will be published in fixed in place for just another couple of minutes Part Part two of Chicken Lane will be published in 2 of the Warragul Citizen. TWC until the next traffic flow. Only another metre or IssueIssue 2 of the Warragul Citizen. TWC two and the turn-off will no longer be an option. Yes! Almost. Almost.Some Some distance ahead, the next gap ripples ahead, its way leisurely in my direction. The distance the car ingap next front ripples of me its begins way to move. I press my foot to the leisurely in accelerator. my direction.But before I know it, my car iscar steering left.ofMyme arms have a mind of their The in front own, and the steering begins to move. I press wheel can nought but obey. It's my foot finalto - I'm the taking the shortcut. A number of cars accelerator. But follow before behind I me, as expected. In moments we car are cruising at a comfortable know it, my is speed along steering left. a My straight armsroad. The exhilaration of real velocity! well under the speed limit, have a mindWeofaretheir but already this steering is a luxurious improvement over own, and the the slower-than-walking wheel can nought but pace I have become accustomed to. - I'm obey. It's final taking the shortcut. A Although there arefollow lanes either side, the others number of cars behind me will me, not risk as overtaking by merging into another.InI halve my speed, hoping someone expected. moments may are become impatient we cruising at aand cruise ahead of me. No dice. No matterspeed how much I slow down, they comfortable know they're along a straight onto road. a good thing and will not falter.exhilaration My less than subtle tactic has confirmed The of real their suspicion. velocity! We are And well the Chicken Lane will come up regardless of mylimit, speed. So I floor it. under the speed but already this is a Glorious speed. luxurious improvement For a while I enjoy the simple pleasure this unrestricted movement, and the over theof slower-thancar purrspace walking with equal I have satisfaction. As one, we melt intoaccustomed the blur of scenery whizzing past in a become to. way I'd not experienced for a long, long time. My convoy remains Although therein tact, are tracing my every move. They are lanes either extensions side, the of my body now. We share the excitement thiswill moment, as close to flying others behind ofme as any are likely by to get, spending too much not riskof us overtaking time driving working merging intoand another. I and sleeping to plan a holiday. halve my speed, hoping someone may become Not far down road, reality dawns again. impatient and thecruise Those of ahead dreaded me. Noblack dice. rectangles, with dual columns round glowing orbs. I brake too No matterofhow much I suddenly slow down, andthey the know cars behind me swerve to miss, all onto of us acoming they're good to a halt, with one car
The Warragul Citizen
ENVIRONMENT
SAVING MONEY AND ENERGY
ZLWK 0DJJLH 5LGGLQJWRQ The world’s rainforests are disappearing at an alarming rate. Rainforests used to cover for 14 per cent of the world’s surface but due to extensive clearing they now cover a mere six per cent. Perhaps this is why 2011 has been declared the International Year of Forests by the United Nations General Assembly.
Sometimes it’s hard to figure out where you fit when it comes to the environment, or to understand how it effects you. But the role of forests in the health of the earth and of us is an easy connection to make. The trees that make up the forests provide us with clean air and store the massive amounts of carbon that we are harmfully pumping into the atmosphere. Eighty per cent of the world’s biodiversity can be found in forests.
Jackie Timms explains ways that you can help the environment and save money too!
Everyone has noticed rising energy costs, and many are concerned about climate change and increasing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Do you want to do something about it but don’t know where to start? It is possible to reduce energy usage and costs by 10 per cent or more with little or no spending, and no loss of life’s pleasures. Simple changes to habits can save electricity. Why would you want to spend money on electricity you get no benefit from? Turning off lights in rooms not being used, especially halogen downlights, and turning off appliances at the wall can immediately gain you at least a 10% reduction in bills.
Computers and all the appliances that go with them, the TV and the attendant DVD, VCR, antenna, and set top box (however be careful when using the wall switch for the set top box – some models lose all their channel settings), music systems, cordless phones, even washing machines, dryers and vacuum cleaners have standby power usage. Very You have the chance to connect with these beautiful few electronic items need to be on standby. ecosystems. South-East of Warragul stands Mount Worth The computer and TV with their attachments can use 20 watts per hour State Park, a Mountain Ash forest. South of Trafalgar is (w) or more, especially when combined with surround sound systems. Tarra Bulga National Park, a breathtaking temperate Over a year this amounts to 175 Kw and at 22 cents/Kw will cost rainforest made up of Mountain Ash, Myrtle Beech and $38.54, not to mention creating 227.5 Kg of carbon dioxide. A power tree ferns. You can join the friends groups that care for board with a single switch makes it easy to switch off a TV or computer these parks and play your part in 2011, the Year of with their accessories all at once, or you can buy remote control Forests. systems for inaccessible switches such as built in microwaves. For more information about the International Year of the Forests you can visit the United Nations Website; www.un.org/en/events/iyof2011/.
Waterford Rise; Strzelecki Fall
Keryn Riddington takes issue with the felling of threatened trees at a new Warragul housing estate.
Simply setting heating levels 1º C lower reduces heating costs by 10%, as does turning up the air conditioning temperature by 1º C. These changes in temperature are not noticeable.
Finding where drafts enter rooms and sealing draft entry points can cut heating costs by up to 25%. Use a lighted incense stick to detect drafts round doors, windows and skirting boards on a windy day. Seal gaps round the architraves and skirting boards with a gap filling substance - check with your local hardware store. There are products for sealing ill-fitting doors and a gap at the bottom of a door, whether interior or exterior, can be plugged with a ‘sausage,’ You can get one of these from your local ‘$2’ shop for $3.00.
If you go for a walk along the Drouin-Warragul Two Towns Trail you will see a sign that tells you about the threatened local tree species and what they look like so that you can watch out for them. If you continue to walk The Baw Baw Sustainability Network runs free energy saving workshops for along the Lardner’s Track to Warragul section of the path, groups. Contact Steve Walsh email stevew@dcsi.net.au. you will see land which has been bulldozed and scraped clear. I know it was once beautiful agricultural land by road, or because they might drop limbs where houses are going to be built. the deep red colour of the soil. You will have trouble working out if, of 83 trees, 33 trees in the estate will If I had walked along there in January 2011 I would have be protected, or just 30. seen beautiful Strzelecki Gums, which are listed as a threatened species. If I had taken that same walk on the 8th March, I would have seen the first trees cut down and pushed into a windrow. The very next day there would have been another pile of trees in another area, this time set alight. Within a day or two it was goodbye threatened species. Depending on which issue of the Warragul and Drouin Gazette you read, you will be told that there were either 32 or 38 trees cut down. You will find it hard to determine if the Shire gave the okay to cut these trees down or if they said no but the application was approved by a higher body regardless. It is hard to work out if the trees were cut down because they were in the way of the soon-to-be constructed ring
Felled Strzelecki Gums await their burning at the future site of the ‘Waterford Rise’ housing estate.
It seems we are not being told the real reason they were felled. I am very troubled by the conflicting information being relayed by the Gazette. Why is the Shire promoting the Strzelecki as a ‘threatened species’ whilst allowing more than thirty trees to be removed? Additionally, the trees were burned en mass, not giving anyone the chance to use the wood as firewood or for furniture.
One of the reasons given for removing the trees is that they tend to lose branches when young. But the resulting hole provides a habitat for native animals. Were the trees checked by anyone before being felled? Also, this type of tree usually grows in a swamp area, which these ones were until the natural water flow is diverted into large pipes. Does this mean that the other locally threatened species of burrowing crayfish and giant earthworms were destroyed in the development?
Many comments have been made of the sadness that people felt and still feel as they drive past ‘Waterford Rise’. Someone said that it looked like a ‘mass murder’ scene on the day the beautiful trees were burned. Many people now hate the whole estate. It is all very well putting advertising pages of drawings of lakes surrounded by large shady trees, but by the time any native vegetation gets to the size of those trees the houses will probably have fallen down. People live in the Baw Baw Shire for its natural beauty, so why is this being ruined? Surely in this day and age there is an architect who can draw up a plan that takes the environment into account?
The Warragul Citizen
June 2011
Page 9
COOKING Delicious Dhal for Lazy Vegos By Sarah Muschamp As a (somewhat picky) vegetarian, I have a hard time in pursuit of that "perfect vego recipe." The recipe must be easy (you're looking at a girl who once managed to mangle banana pancakes and almost set the kitchen on fire!), relatively fast, and it must fit into my very narrow tastes (no peas, olives, or artichoke, basically). My fussiness and general lack of culinary skill narrows the choices somewhat, so imagine my delight when I found this treasure.
You'll need:
What you'll need to do:
-Vegetable oil -Salt and pepper -1 chopped onion -2-4 crushed garlic cloves -1 long red, finely chopped chilli (this may be a touch strong for little mouths and can be taken out) -2 tsp grated ginger, fresh -1 can diced/chopped tomatoes -1 1/4 cups vegetable stock (store-bought is good, but tastes great if home made) -1 tsp of cumin, ground -1/2 tsp turmeric -Chopped fresh coriander (1/4 cup) -1/2 cup red lentils, 1/2 cup green lentilsrinsed, soaked
(Timing gets tricky when frying the onion, so doing a little preparation before helps to de-stress.) 1. Rinse the lentils, let soak in water until needed (makes cooking easier.)
Predictably, I found the answer in Indian food. Ah, glorious delicious Indian food, adapted to suit my Western intolerance to really spicy things. You really can't go wrong with lentils and garlic! I love this simple recipe - it's addictive, can be made (or modified) with the ingredients in the cupboard, and even I haven't managed to mess it up. Make it with the kids or partner, for a dinner party, or just for yourself - you'll find it hard not to eat it all! Serve with plain yoghurt, chutney, and rice or naan.
Do you know a young employee who is making a positive contribution in a local workplace? Acknowledge their efforts by nominating them for the 2011 SP AusNet Baw Baw Business Excellence Awards
YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD CATEGORY For further details contact Mike Jungwirth at the Baw Baw Latrobe LLEN Tel: 56332868 Email: mike@bblllen.org.au NOMINATIONS CLOSE ON WEDNESDAY 27th JULY Proudly sponsored by Baw BAW Latrobe LLEN and co-sponsors: GippsTAFE, ECG McMillan, MEGT, Apprenticeships Group Australia, NCDEA Print Solutions, Warragul.
2. Chop onion, ginger, garlic, chilli combine in bowl. Mix cumin and turmeric together in bowl. 3. Prepare stock, ready for pouring. 4. Heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan on high heat. SautĂŠ the onion, garlic, ginger and chilli for four minutes. DO NOT BURN THE GARLIC. 5. Add cumin and turmeric; stir together for 1 min. The house will smell amazing. 6. Pour in tomatoes, stock and lentils (drained first). Bring to the boil and cover. Reduce heat to low. 7. Stir about every five mins for 30-40 minutes, until lentils fairly tender. If they begin to burn, pour over a little water every once in a while. Mix in coriander. This is a seriously easy recipe and it tastes so good too. If you want, you can throw in some split peas, fennel seeds, or more herbs/spices. Delicious in the cold weather. Enjoy, my fellow picky vegos! (Serves 2) TWC
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It’ll search your mind and tickle your ribs… in a non-invasive way.
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June 2011
include the letter in the centre. There is at least one nine letter word.
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Finish These Q uotes A movie quiz by Naomi Mynard A FEW GOOD MEN "You can't handle… APOLLO 13 "Houston, we have a… AUSTIN POWERS "Yeah… BATMAN "Have you ever danced with devil in the… BLUES BROTHERS "We're on a mission… BRAVEHEART "They can take our lives,… BRUCE ALMIGHTY “So tell us mama, why make Buffalo's… COOL HAND LUKE "What we've got here is failure to… CROCODILE DUNDEE "That's not a knife, … DIRTY DANCING "Nobody puts Baby… DIRTY HARRY "Do you feel lucky… DODGEBALL “At Global Gym, … ET "ET… FIGHT CLUB "First rule of fight club is:… FINDING NEMO “Fish are friends, … FORREST GUMP "Life is like a box of … GHOSTBUSTERS "Who you gonna call? … GLADIATOR "At my signal, … GONE WITH THE WIND "Frankly, my dear, … GOOD MORNING VIETNAM "Good morning… HAPPY GILMORE “It’s all… HARRY POTTER “Who are you, and what have you done… HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL “Look, that Gabriella girl just… JAMES BOND "Martini. Shaken, … JAWS "You’re gonna need a... JERRY MAGUIRE "Show me… KARATE KID "Wax on, …
LORD OF THE RINGS “Always remember Frodo, the Ring is trying to… MADAGASCAR “All hail the… MAE WEST "Is that a gun in your pocket,… MURIELS WEDDING “You're terrible… OLIVER "Please sir, … OVER THE HEDGE “Don’t go… PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN “Me? I’m a dishonest man, and a dishonest man… SCARFACE "Say hello… SHARK TALE “Yeah, Yeah. Exactly how it looked, … SHREK “You definitely need some Tic Tacs or something, … SILENCE OF THE LAMBS "I ate his liver with some fava beans and… SIXTH SENSE "I see… STAR WARS "May the force… SUDDEN IMPACT "Go ahead, … SUPERMAN “Is it a bird? Is it a… TERMINATOR "Hasta la... THE CASTLE "Tell him… THE ELEPHANT MAN "I am not an animal…. THE GODFATHER "I'm going to make him… THE SHINING "Here's… TITANIC "I'm the king… TOP GUN "I feel the need, … TRANSFORMERS ’Why are we fighting to save the humans? … WIZARD OF OZ "Toto, I've got a feeling we're not…
ANSWERS: Page 12. .
The Warragul Citizen
COMMUNITY RADIO GUIDE 6FKHGXOHV PD\ FKDQJH GXH WR XQIRUHVHHQ FLUFXPVWDQFHV
West Gippsland Community Radio - 103.1 3BBR FM
(Weekend guide at www.3bbrfm.org.au)
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY The Sounds of West Gippsland (Includes News, Weather and Community Programs.)
7am – 6pm 6pm – 8pm 8pm – 10pm 10pm – 12am
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*Shows alternate every month or every fortnight. For fortnightly shows, the show listed first is on the first week of the month.
Vision Australia Radio (Warragul) – 93.5 FM (Weekend guide at www.visionaustralia.org.au) MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY Insight for Living 6am Eye Opener with Robyn Winslow: early news, TV highlights, newspaper previews and special features 6.30 The Age 7.30 News 8am Movement to Music 8.55 News 9am The Herald Sun 9.05 News 10am The Herald Sun (continued) 10.05 A Morning Conversation (RL) Hear This (RL) 10.30 News 11am The Australian 11.05 The World: News Round-Up 12pm The Australian Financial Review 12.10 Stock Market Report 12.50 News 1pm Letters to the Editor: Warragul and Drouin Pakenham and Berwick South Gippsland Sentinel The Weekly Times: 1.05 from Gippsland newspapers
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Today in Focus with Arthur Higgins: includes Community Spotlight with Stock Market report at 5.50 4pm Vic News 6pm Today in Focus: (continued) sport and special features The AFL Show 6.15 Opinion Hour: Letters to the Editor from The Age and Herald Sun 7pm Age Green Guide Talking Law Music World Get About Travel (RL) 8pm Planes, Trains & Automobiles The Uncertainty 8.15 New Horizons The World Around 9pm Behind the Scenes(RL) Principle Us As it Happened... 8.30 Don’t Hold Back Education 9.30 Book at Bedtime 10pm Morning Conversation(R) The Funny Side (R) 11pm Money,Money,Money(R) Wednesday Feature (R) Hear This (R) Time of Your Life (R) Hear This (R) 11.30 BBC World Service (until 6am) 12am (RL) = Repeated Later
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The Warragul Citizen
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June 2011
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