The Warragul Citizen Issue 8 - 7 December 2012

ISSUE 8 | 7 DECEMBER 2012

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“Trying to get a taxi home on a Saturday night is always difficult.”

It’s an issue faced by many of Baw Baw’s youth: getting home safely and quickly after a night out in Warragul.

Warragul woman Debbie Bates is just one person who has been caught out by a lack of public transport and high demand for local taxis.

“Recently I left the Commercial Hotel at close on a Saturday night with a girlfriend and we called a taxi,” Ms Bates said.

“It was at least an hour wait before a taxi finally came.”

Many other youth have mentioned similar wait times to The Warragul Citizen.

Public transport does not run late in Warragul. The only exception is one Traralgon-bound train leaving at around 1am on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

This missing link means youth must arrange lifts or wait for a taxi to become available.

But a solution to the problem could be right on Baw Baw’s doorstep. A group of concerned residents, police, Morwell MP Russell Northe and Latrobe City

councillors started meeting after seeing the same transport issues in Traralgon.

Their meetings saw the rise of the Valley’s Night Rider bus service: a state-funded service which collects revellers in Traralgon early on Sunday mornings and transports them between Morwell, Churchill and Moe. The service, re-introduced in June after a successful trial, seems to be working: Latrobe Valley Bus Lines Business Manager Anna Tyben said the bus is popular and no unruly behaviour has occurred. “[The service, which runs three times per night] takes on average 45 people - that's high patronage and we're really pleased with that,” Ms Tyben said.

“The driver and two security attend on every service and we haven’t had any issues to date.

“It's matter of getting people out of Traralgon safely - they're not dwelling around the streets which ultimately reduces the risk for themselves and other people in town.”

Ms Tyben noted the role of MP Russell Northe, who made an election commitment to see the bus implemented.

Cont. Page 5.

Space for Easy Az

Playing safe [Photo] GOODSTART Early Learning Warragul kindergarten students Rylan and Will test the centre’s new bike track.

The track, a donation from one of the centre’s families, is designed to teach children about bike and road safety.

Children and staff have marked pedestrian crossings on the track.

Photo: William Kulich.

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Page 2 | 7 December 2012

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Baw Baw’s movellous effort

Shaving back the years: Jeff Miles has his 36-year-old moustache shaved off for Movember. Photo supplied.

By William Kulich.

BAW Baw Shire residents raised over $9,000 for men’s health through Movember last month, with the Warragul area alone raising at least $5,741.

Warragul man Jeff Miles raised the largest amount in Baw Baw, shaving his 36year-old moustache for $3,466 after being dared to take part by co-workers.

“I had it for 36 years, grew it just after we got married and it’s the first time my children have seen me without a moustache,” Mr Miles told The Warragul Citizen.

“A couple of our coworkers [dared] me to get

involved in Movember, and I said I’ll take it off for $1000 and they had to get the donations.”

Asked what encouragement he has for other men with decade-old moustaches to shave for Movember, Mr Miles said “it rejuvenates you, you get another innings.”

“It’s raising money for a good cause, for research for male health.”

Mr Miles said he might take part in Movember again next year, but one thing is holding him back: “I haven’t got a moustache! I might have to grow the moustache back on.”

Warragul men Chris Millis and Daniel Trevenen also

raised $1,475 and $800 for Movember respectively.

Neerim South area raised at least $970, Drouin area at least $922 and Trafalgar area at least $915.

At least 116 people across the shire registered to participate in Movember, with 74 of those registrations coming from Warragul.

Movember organisers told The Warragul Citizen the total amount raised by Baw Baw cannot be revealed by the charity as some participants choose not to reveal their location or the amount raised.

Story first published at www.warragulcitizen.com on Tuesday December 4 2012.

New truck for fire brigade at open day State Government.

“It is truly a state-of-the-art pumper that even has the capacity to supply aerial appliances operating in the Latrobe Valley and West Gippsland,” Mr Blackwood said.

The ceremony was interrupted by a callout which required several brigade members to attend an

By William Kulich.

THE Warragul Fire Brigade was officially handed the keys to its new heavy pumper last month at the brigade’s CFA Sunday open day.

Brigade Captain Paul Tandberg told The Warragul Citizen the $700,000 CFAfunded truck can carry more fire fighters and water, is computerised and makes fire fighting safer.

“It actually carries more water [and] has more technology to make it more user-friendly so we don’t have to have somebody constantly standing in the truck to make sure it’s working properly,” Mr Tandberg said.

Mr Tandberg said the new truck was “state-of-the-art technology making our lives

No dampened spirits: CFA Volunteers demonstrate how to use a fire hose. Photos: Author.

safer to be able to save others.”

The new pumper will soon be joined by a new forward command vehicle and a new HAZMAT truck, replacing the

brigade’s present 20-year-old truck.

The keys to the truck were handed to Mr Tandberg by Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood on behalf of the

Online: More photos and audio of interview with Mr Tandberg.

Head to http://goo.gl/KBkIj

incident in Drouin.

Volunteers presented fire plan information to open day visitors and treated children to truck tours and hose demonstrations.

Approximately 50 people attended the open day.

Story first published at www.warragulcitizen.com on Sunday November 25 2012.

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7 December 2012 | Page 3

Celebrating 30 years of the Under New Ownership West Gippsland Arts Centre The Bring in this coupon

By David ‘Wombat’ Lyons.

THE West Gippsland Arts Centre has reached its 30th Birthday.

A vision for the future of the area back in the 1970’s and 80’s saw the creation of the Centre: a vision which was celebrated last month in a community event.

As Art Gippsland, the art show of the Warragul Rotary Club bumped out of the foyer of the building, it was replaced with press clippings from the 30 years of the Baw Baw Shire’s arts venue.

The headlines are a mix of positive and negative reports, from successful local arts displays to big-dollar losses on touring shows: all part of the rich history of this community facility.

In his opening speech at October’s anniversary event, Baw Baw Shire Manager Arts and Culture Rob Robson reflected on a recent realisation he had while showing a local scout group around.

He realised the people who planned the Centre were not building something for their time, but for future generations.

Mr Robson noted the valuable role community contributions from businesses, fundraising events and individuals in funding the Centre, as well as a significant investment of State Government funds.

The West Gippsland Arts Centre was built at the same time as other similar institutions around the state, all supported by the Hamer State Government which left a lasting legacy for the state’s performing arts groups.

Following Mr Robson’s presentation, the audience was treated to a concert performance by Australian favourites of stage and screen Rachael Beck and Ian Stenlake, in their show “You & I”.

The performance was a collection of love songs from musical theatre and included a special singing of “Happy Birthday” as part of the Arts Centre celebrations.

For me, the highlight of the night was something that has been on display for a long time at the Arts Centre: the historical wood carving by Eva Schubert.

I often attend events at the Arts Centre in the small space known as the Board Room, on the side wall of which this huge carving stands.

The dividing wall between the Board Room and the Park View room is often opened when large events are on, putting this work on show.

At the 30th celebration night LED lighting was used to highlight this significant historical pictorial.

Mr Robson noted in his closing remarks that a tape recording explaining the events depicted in the works had been resorted and was available for those interested in hearing more about the sections and factual aspects depicted in the work.

The carving is however best viewed as a fantastic work of local art, as some historical milestones have been omitted in the journey the carving takes you on.

It depicts the original dense forests of the area, early clearing of the land and the building of settlers’ homes.

It shows the beginnings of Warragul and milestones like the first train and first school.

Farming, harvesting and agricultural activities are profiled along with the development of the town along with the construction of landmarks like the Warragul Hospital and Queen Street.

The timeline ends in the 1980’s with the then-new Arts Centre making an appearance.

This work often leaves me wondering: if more panels were to be made of the post- amalgamation period, what events would be added? The closing of the Warragul Outdoor Swimming Pool, the building of skate parks and housing developments?

As the 30th celebration of the West Gippsland Arts Centre shows, it is a venue which plays an important role in the community’s life.

I look forward to attending its mid-life crisis at 40 years, its golden 50th and, if I am lucky, I’ll be fit and healthy and enjoying a beer at its diamond celebrations.

Congratulations to those who made the 30th event possible, from the community leaders in the 1970’s who valued the arts, to the present staff who host the venue’s events.

First published at www.warragulcitizen.com on Sunday November 11 2012.

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THE Editor wishes to thank all those who contributed to the The Warragul Citizen in 2012 - without your submissions this would be a dull and empty publication.

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Diane Blackwood to continue Council No additional paramedics for as Baw Baw Shire mayor in achieves West Gippsland on New 2012 landslip repair Year’s Eve goals through 29 December 2011.

Healthcare Group 8 December 2011. spokesperson told The temporary WEST Gippsland will not see Warragul Citizen in an email BAW Baw Shire Councillors any additional paramedics on today it is unlikely the area will voted unanimously at New Year’s Eve despite require additional paramedics. yesterday’s mayoral election road re“I would advise that we are roughly 150 extras being to keep Warragul ward Councillor Diane Blackwood rostered across the state to not anticipating an abnormally opening busy period over this time as as mayor in 2012. work the night.

The council also voted unanimously for Drouin ward Councillor Tricia Jones to become deputy mayor, replacing Warragul ward Councillor Tony Wolfe.

The special council meeting organised for the event lasted just 10 minutes, with the decisions having been made in a private meeting of councillors on Sunday.

In addition to electing the leadership team, councillors approved new councillor committee representatives.

Cr Blackwood and Cr Kostos will sit on the new Baw Baw Business and Tourism Voice committee.

Cr Blackwood told The Warragul Citizen she hopes her next term as mayor will be more stable than the last.

“I think that we’re able to probably be a little bit more organised with our councillor group now going forward,” Cr Blackwood said.

I’m hoping that nobody

22 December 2011.

Diane Blackwood and Tricia Jones after the vote. Photo: Will Kulich

else is planning on retiring any time soon and with the elections next October we will have to go into caretaker mode in September so we only have a short period of time to do some fairly significant things before the next election,” Cr Blackwood said.

Cr Blackwood said the council’s budget is a primary concern for next year.

“We certainly have got a lot of work to do with our budget as a group,” Cr Blackwood said.

More: warragulcitizen.com (Including audio of interviews)

ROGERS Road in Trafalgar South has been temporarily re-opened after a severe landslip caused the road to be closed earlier this year.

The road will be closed again in January for at least two weeks for sealing.

McDonalds Track in Mountain View has also been re-opened after another landslip saw the road closed early last month.

Reinstatement works on the slip located 2.7 kilometres from Mountain View Road began on the 12th of December.

The Baw Baw Shire Council announced late last month that Rogers Road, McDonalds Track and Yarragon-Leongatha Road in Yarragon South will be reopened by the end of the year.

More: warragulcitizen.com

Extra crews have been rostered on in other regional centres, including Lakes Entrance, Phillip Island and Bendigo.

In a media release yesterday Ambulance Victoria paramedic Paul Holman said the extra paramedics were being rostered to deal with an anticipated “surge” of calls on the night.

“New Year’s Eve is the busiest night of the year, and paramedics urge people to be responsible when calling for an ambulance,” Mr Holman said.

A West Gippsland

Warragul is not typically a popular tourist spot for the Christmas/New Year’s eve period (unlike many of the coastal towns in the area),” the spokesperson said.

Mr Holman also warned of the risks of home fireworks.

‘Fireworks cause horrific burn injuries including facial injuries which can have lifelong consequences,’ Mr Holman said.

‘Going to hospital by ambulance won’t get you seen in emergency any faster.’

From: warragulcitizen.com

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7 December 2012 | Page 5

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Baw Baw’s Night Rider From Page 1.

Mr Northe’s local counterpart Gary Blackwood did not return requests for an interview.

Latrobe City council was instrumental in the introduction of Traralgon’s service, however new Baw Baw Shire Council Mayor Murray Cook said pushing for a similar service in Baw Baw was a low priority in the short term.

“The community have clearly stated that one of the main priorities they've put out is roads and drains,” Cr Cook said.

“That doesn't mean we are not interested and we can't facilitate something happening.

“It would be good [to] refer that sort of thing to the Youth Council and let them do some research.”

The cost of the Latrobe Valley’s service is a little more than a regular service.

The issue of drunken behaviour by people on Warragul’s streets led to the establishment of the Clean up Queen Street campaign by Warragul business owners earlier this year.

The group said

antisocial behaviour, which has led to urine, faeces and vomit being left for Queen Street business owners to clean up, is getting worse and has pushed for improvements to late-night transport.

But Warragul Police Senior Sergeant John Brookes OAM said a Night Rider-type service would not work in Baw Baw. “My personal view is that a night rider bus could not cope with the many and varied locations it would be required to transport people to,” Sgt Brookes said.

Mr Brookes said there is a risk involved in people loitering while waiting for transport.

“The adults leaving Licensed venues face the obvious risks of antisocial behaviour that occurs around these places and the places that attract their patronage afterwards, such as petrol stations and food venues,” he said.

Mr Brookes noted taxis are in short supply at other times of the day.

Mother Rhonda Despetovich said a late night bus service would help protect young adults.

Warragul has ‘very poor’ bus service WARRAGUL Bus Lines General Manager Philip Radford has criticised the Baw Baw’s bus timetables.

“We’ve got a very poor town service in Warragul,” Mr Radford said “Our town service first runs at 9.15 in the morning and finishes at 2.45 in the afternoon.

We only have a town service Monday to Friday,” Mr Radford said.

Mr Radford said plans for services running in Warragul from 6am to 7.30pm weekdays, services on weekends and the addition of a Drouin town service drawn up in 2010 by the previous State Government had stalled.

“Nothing ever happened with that. It’s sitting on a shelf somewhere in the Department of Transport,” he said.

Mr Radford also criticised Baw Baw Shire Council transport provisions.

“The council here are shocking when it comes to public transport,” Mr Radford said.

“If you look around any developments in Warragul there is never any thought of busses.

All this Masters thing... they haven’t made provision for buses to stop there even though they go past there all day.”

The Baw Baw Shire Council did not return an interview request.

“I drive down to collect my boys so trouble does not find them or my worse fears they could do wrong them selves,” Ms Despetovich said.

“Youth are youth and all can do wrong no matter how you raise them.”

Several club owners told The Warragul Citizen they have seen hour-long waits for taxis from their venues.

The Warragul Downtowner is combating this through a courtesy bus for patrons which is used by up to 60 patrons on busy nights.

“It (a bus to Drouin or Trafalgar) would help to take pressure off the taxis,” General Manager Jenny Smith said.

West Gippsland Taxis declined to be interviewed for this story.

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I AM writing this from Auckland, New Zealand. The thing that strikes me about Auckland, and New Zealand in general is how proud they are of their beautiful country. They value open space and trees even in their busiest cities. During every activity or tour I have been on here I have been asked to be careful of the environment, to care for it and to respect it. Kiwis take pride in this little country of theirs for its beauty, its uniqueness and for the fact that it is irreplaceable. And it shows.

At one point it seemed that the nation wanted the country to be just like England or Scotland, and with the rolling paddocks filled with sheep in a lot of ways it is. But the nation soon came to realise that the giant Kauri trees that stood tall in the native forests were ancient and should be preserved, not felled. They realised that the glaciers and Milford Sound and the forests were like no other and should be kept for all the world to see. And with tourism such a big part of the economy, it is clear that decisions to preserve, not exploit have served the little nation well.

So with landscapes that match the beauty of New Zealand's, why doest Australia not feel the same sense of responsibility for its natural wonders?

The thing that makes us special as a people may seem to be our footy, BBQs, singlet tans and sense of humour, but without the eucalypt leaves swaying in the background and the cockatoos flying overhead we may as well be anywhere.

But we are not just anywhere. We find ourselves in the lucky country and we need to behave that way. I hate to get political on you so close to Christmas, but think of this: nearly 30 per cent of New Zealand is protected as national parkland.

Compare that to the meagre 4 per cent of Australia which is protected national parkland.

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This is especially disappointing when you think that New Zealand's population density is about 16.2 people per square kilometre, whereas in Australia we have 2.8 people per square kilometre.

So it is not like we are too crowded to reserve any space for parks. What is apparent though is we tend to not see the forest for the trees, and by trees I mean money. The expansion of the coal industry is threatening one of the most breathtaking places on earth: the world heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. Or what about gas fracking in the Kimberley? These are unimaginably destructive actions with dire consequences. It is time for Australians to realise that we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world and we cannot afford to allow industry and economics to take that away. As a citizen, you have the power to tell the government what is important to you. Write letters, sign petitions and think carefully about why you love Australia. I recently heard someone say that you would not send a picture of a hole in the ground or a wad of cash on a postcard overseas, would you? No, you send a postcard of any one of the amazing landscapes found in Australia.

As I have been travelling around New Zealand I have met a lot of fellow travellers. Europeans tend to ask about snakes and spiders and I feel pretty good saying 'I am 22, and I have not been bitten by a snake yet... and the spiders! They won't hurt you if you don't bother them'.

Australia is unique, we need to care for it and appreciate it at all costs.

And if nothing else, we need to start showing those Kiwis (bless their cotton socks) the proper order of things! They may have the All Blacks, but we have this great southern land, and as far as I am concerned it is our most precious asset.

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The Warragul Citizen

OPINION

Why gender is an issue in Local Government

By Nicolette Davey IRAQ, Afghanistan, Rwanda, Sweden and Finland have something in common. They all have a greater proportion of women in parliament than Australia.

In the weeks leading up to Baw Baw Shire’s latest local government election, both local and social media touched on the issue of female representation in Council.

Perhaps in response to an all-male united ticket - the prospect of which has some concerned about a genderimbalanced Council.

Surprisingly, there are others who wonder why gender is even an issue.

To deny gender equity within any level of representative government is contrary to modern human rights. Women in Australia are still considerably underrepresented in all levels of government.

Gender matters.

Not because men are incapable of making excellent decisions, but simply because men and women, together, make for more equitable decisions.

Gender matters because the statistics are very clear.

Women are paid, on average, 17 per cent less than men in the same job and are largely excluded from higher-level decision-making positions in both the private and public sectors.

Women account for 51 per cent of Baw Baw’s population.

They are more likely to be tertiary educated than their male counterparts yet the majority are in part-time work, do more than 15 hours of unpaid domestic work per week and are more likely to live in poverty.

Gender matters because our present social systems continue to lock women into specific roles.

At the end of the 2008 Council, 44 per cent of Baw Baw Shire councillors were women, which was one of the highest rates in Local Government in Victoria. After the election that number has gone down to 33 per cent.

Overall, less than a third of Victorian councillors are women, and it’s a similar figure in other Australian states. At an organisational level, women hold a fifth of executive level positions with female Council CEOs making up only 7 per cent of Australian councils.

The assumption that an all-male or majority-male council can adequately make decisions for the community ignores the unique capacity of women’s contribution to community life. Research by the UN shows that increasing women’s participation in local government results in a tendency towards more equitable distribution of community resources including health, nutrition and education.

The excuse that there aren’t women in local

government because they don’t nominate themselves means we must reflect on what the barriers might be to female participation. What is the current dialogue like?

One candidate in Baw Baw’s election stated you needed “the balls” to make decisions in council while another suggested a return to “the 1950's”.

These are not the types of conversations that make for collaborative, future-looking or inspiring decision-making.

The 1950's was a time in which women were subjected to significant levels of discrimination and subjugation – the women’s role was to take care of the husband, home and children. They were encouraged to give up work for men returning from the War, were paid less for the jobs they did do and were often relegated to low-status employment positions.

Australia’s adversarial style of politics – a common characteristic of Westminster systems that were traditionally constructed by men – discriminates against women and contributes to community disenchantment.

Women have to fight for representation in a system that they neither constructed nor are comfortable with.

Political research suggests most female parliamentarians want to see more consensusbased politics.

Australia was the first country in the world where

women had both the right to vote and to stand for parliament, however the right to vote was only afforded to white women, Indigenous women were excluded in some states (New Zealand was the first to give women the right to vote in 1893).

Although this happened in 1902 it took another forty years before Australians voted a woman into Federal Parliament. In Victoria, it wasn’t until 1979 that the public elected a woman to the upper house.

After women first entered State Cabinets they were allocated ‘nurturing’ portfolios such as health, education and welfare. By the 1990's women held more diverse portfolios – except in Victoria where they are under-represented in economic roles.

Apparently women control households budgets but can’t manage the state’s figures.

The private sector is even worse. The latest census of women in leadership shows women account for around 8 per cent of board of director positions in Australia’s top 200 ASX-listed companies.

The percentage of companies with boards that have no women is increasing - more than half (54 per cent) of Australia’s top companies don’t consider it necessary to have female representation.

The progress in this area is considered “glacial” by the Australian Government and highlights the “under-

OPINION

Council has a role in community health

By Mikaela Power Warragul ward councillor Submitted prior to 2012 Baw Baw Shire election.

IN the towns strung out along the Princes Highway, we have developments going up as fast as spring grass. The new housing estates offer choice, reasonable value for money and generate jobs and wealth.

Many young families have taken up the opportunity and moved to this area in recent years because quality new housing is available.

It is great that we are seeing people move into the area, but our council and government agencies must plan and invest in facilities which will support a healthy community.

Parents of kinder-aged children are struggling to find places and the facilities under construction will only just meet forecast demand next year.

Adding to the pressure, one of our established kindergartens in Warragul will have to find a new venue in two years’ time when its lease runs out.

Did you try to book an appointment with a doctor this winter? Council is not to blame for a shortage of doctors – but it is a sure sign that our vital services are struggling to keep up with demand.

I asked my 12 year old son what the council could do for kids. He said: “Fix up the skate park and put the bins next to the seats, not out in the car park” and “Help kids find jobs when they need them.’” I started to explain that the council doesn’t have a role finding jobs, but when I thought about it, it does, indirectly. If a community is functioning well, people shop locally and businesses thrive.

Business owners will have the capacity to employ more kids in that after-school or

weekend job and possibly in the full-time roles that keep our younger people closer to home.

The council plays a leading role supporting the ‘health’ of a community. If a council functions well, invests wisely and listens to its constituents, then its projects will be seen as benefiting the community and confidence will grow.

Alternatively, if a council is seen as secretive, controlling or ‘doing what’s best’ without consulting, then we lose a terrific opportunity to draw on the strong sense of pride and goodwill that has been the hallmark of our community for many years.

And about the bins: I agree with my 12 year old. At the moment, the bins in most of the parks in Warragul seem to have been put in places which suit the rubbish collectors, rather than where people might best be able to use

them. The skate park is a mess and the bins are in the wrong place – this is not a coincidence. We can do more to encourage good behaviour by balancing the needs of residents and the service providers.

While we are talking about service provision, its time council took more responsibility and stopped blaming their contractors and key stakeholders for breakdowns in service delivery. Partnership is about sharing success and being accountable when things don’t go to plan.

The council has a leadership role advocating for this region as a great place to live and do business. The lack of protest from council about the impact of proposed cuts to the TAFE, including the closure of the Wattleseed restaurant is remarkable. The cuts to TAFE will have a far

utilisation of the talents of the vast female workforce”.

Society is taking bold steps, albeit slowly, toward consensus that the overt and more subtle forms of female suppression are unacceptable. To deny that gender doesn’t matter in local government ignores the prevailing levels of existing gender inequity.

Agree? Disagree? You can comment on this article online: http://goo.gl/6wCne More election coverage from www.warragulcitizen.com Which councillor swore on what: Religion and our new councillors New councillors on Baw Baw advisory committees Murray Cook elected Baw Baw mayor, Deborah Brown deputy [Video interviews] New Baw Baw Shire Councillors sworn in 2008-2012 Baw Baw Councillors thanked at last meeting [Pictures] Video interview: Diane Blackwood talks after Baw Baw 2012 declaration Bill Harrington to retire in 2016 [Video interview] Vote declared: Baw Baw, this is your new council!

[Video interviews] Sexism and misogyny in Baw Baw election campaigns: Councillor Councillor contravenes caretaker policy Read the stories and watch the videos at warragulcitizen.com/ elections deeper impact than first meets the eye. TAFE is an engine room for employment in our community and we should not let the changes be rung with barely a whimper.

Agree? Disagree? You can comment on this article online: http://goo.gl/2f9ux

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