ISSUE 6 | 3 AUGUST 2012
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Say it or spray it? Shout it out! Graffiti costs the council Hear from local opinion thousands in cleaning writers and columnists. bills, so should it be left Page 4. alone? Page 2.
Shake, rattlle and roll What is behind Gippsland’s recent earthquakes? Page 3.
Just Thanatos
“Visitors? At this hour?”
A short story by Fabian Cannizzo’s. Page 7. And much, much more!
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Say it or spray it? What does graffiti cost Baw Baw, and should the council bother removing it? Case study: The cost of cleaning Drouin’s Civic Park public toilets
Cont
Estimated cost of graffiti to council: $7000 per anum and rising
Gr ng a ff i ti-proof coati
Coun cil
t rac or
Cost of cleaning up Drouin public toilets after June’s graffitti attack: $1000
co sts
Contractor hire: $600 Reapplication of graffiti-proof coating: $300 Initial council cleanup: $100 Data source: Baw Baw Shire Council
A GRAFFITI ATTACK on the Civic Park public toilets in Drouin is set to cost the Baw Baw Shire Council one seventh of its usual annual graffiti cleaning bill. Baw Baw Shire Urban Maintenance Coordinator Garry Websdale told The Warragul Citizen the attack, which left the council with a $1000 cleaning bill, is one of the worst in recent years. “This case in Drouin’s Civic Park was close to the worst we have seen in some time,” Mr Websdale said. Mr Websdale estimates that graffiti costs the council $7000 per year and increasing, with school holidays the worst times of the year. “We find that school holidays are a time when this type of activity escalates,” Mr Websdale said. “Graffiti hot spots are generally public toilets, skate parks and signage, however we do have infrequent attacks on other public buildings
around sporting facilities and playgrounds.” The attacks on the Civic Park public toilets were messy and occasionally offensive, but other examples of graffiti in Baw Baw show more artistic talent. Baw Baw Shire Mayor Diane Blackwood said the cost of cleaning up any graffiti impacts “on the whole community.” “It takes council staff and money from other, more worthwhile projects,” Cr Blackwood said. Mr Websdale broke down the cost of the cleanup into three stages: $100 for costs incurred during an initial cleanup by the council. $600 for hire of contractors with specialised equipment. $300 to reapply a graffitiproof coating to the front walls. According to Mr Websdale, the types of graffiti seen by the
council are “generally texta or spray can.” Cr Blackwood said the Drouin public toilets graffiti put people off using the facility. “The graffiti makes the toilet blocks seem dirty, which puts people off using them,” Cr Blackwood said.
An example of stencil graffiti in Warragul, found in the laneway between Bling Me More and Roylaines. Some community members believe inoffensive graffiti should be left alone to save council money. For more, see Local Opinion.
Steamrail signals stops at Warragul and Yarragon Story on Page 11.
Cleaning up: The costs of cleaning up after graffiti attacks on public toilets in Drouin broken down into three stages: Council costs, specialist contractor and graffiti-proof coating.
Local opinion Should the Baw Baw Shire bother paying to clean up graffiti, and should society accept it?
Clean it up
Leave it up
By Rosemary Joiner.
By Thomas Gibbons.
WHEN IT comes to graffiti, Banksy is the exception which proves the rule. As an art-lover and a supporter of the arts, it grinds to argue against any craft which has the potential to produce artistic merit. Undoubtedly, that potential exists in graffiti. The importance and influence of British graffiti artist and political activist, Banksy, are undeniable. However, in the world of graffiti, we do not have to look far to see evidence that, for every Banksy, there are thousands of vandals who produce nothing but needless ugliness; and a massive clean-up bill. One study found that across Australia, Local Governments alone spend approximately $260 million annually on graffiti removal. Imagine how that money could contribute to supporting artists who practise their craft legally. So as a society, we must ask ourselves the difficult question; is the possibility of producing something with exceptional artistic merit worth the thousands of ugly tags which deface our public spaces? Is the possibility of a potential Banksy, worth the enormous cost on the public purse? It’s a difficult question to answer, but the answer must eventually be No.
PRESENTLY, THE Baw Baw Shire council spends upwards of $7,000 a year cleaning up graffiti. The cleaning of nonoffensive graffiti from a lot of surfaces in the area is not only expensive, but unnecessary. In 2012, graffiti or “street art” has moved beyond being considered by a large percent of the public as just the mindless vandalism of public property, it is a form of expression, a genuine art form. Famous graffiti artists, like English artist Banksy, have had their works valued in the thousands of dollars. If people were to stop treating certain kinds of graffiti as an eyesore and began to see them the same way one might treat a painting hanging in a house, we could not only save money on the removal of the works, but also add colour and beauty to what might otherwise be a boring old concrete wall or dingy alleyway. Discuss this topic online! Head to: warragulcitizen.com/i6gra and use the comment tool below the article to air your views. You know you want to.
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The Warragul Citizen
Shake, rattle and roll The science behind Gippsland’s latest earthquakes A MAGNITUDE 5.4 earthquake which hit south of Trafalgar in June unleashed a barrage of aftershocks felt across Gippsland. The strength of the aftershocks has varied, with the strongest being a magnitude 4.3 quake felt late in July; just over one month after the first earthquake. The Warragul Citizen talked to Geoscience Australia seismologist Doctor Jonathan Bathgate to get the scientific background of what is happening below our feet.
from just a few days to months so it really does vary. “We can just go on a general pattern that they do tend to decrease in frequency and magnitude over time, but as we saw [with the 4.3 magnitude aftershock] you can still get some larger aftershocks with those smaller ones.” “Before [the 4.3] it looked like it was settling down.” “Aftershocks... are essentially just the faults coming back to an equilibrium point after having moved... Which will stop the earthquakes once it has found Why are we getting so many that equilibrium.” earthquakes in Gippsland? “Once they die off the fault will start “The reason Australia in general gets to build up stress again, but you may not earthquakes is because the tectonic plate see activity there for quite a long while.” is moving north by about seven “It could be hundreds of years.” centimetres per year, and that movement basically imparts stresses within the Why do some houses shake when others do not? crustal rocks,” Dr Bathgate said. “That stress at certain places around “There’s a lot of factors at play there; the country gets released... along local building construction types can vary. A fault lines.” lot of it depends on the geology of the “So you get areas like the Gippsland area,” Dr Bathgate said. region, the Flinders Rangers and a very “Suburbs not too far apart may sit on active region south west of Western different geology types, and sedimentary Australia that are more susceptible to bases will amplify the effects of the quake earthquakes than other areas of the so it will seem stronger in some places country.” than others.” “The Gippsland region is historically “It’s dependant on what sort of reasonably active.” activities people are doing as well, so if it is felt quite weakly then some people How do you define an might not notice it based on what they’re aftershock and how long will doing at the time.”
they continue? The recent magnitude 4.3 aftershock “is basically in the same spot as the main shock... and it is smaller so it generally qualifies as an aftershock,” Dr Bathgate said. How long they will continue for “really does vary... the large one, the 4.6, has basically set off this siesmic activity that we have been seeing there ever since.” “Generally what we see from a magnitude 5, 5.5 or so size earthquake is that you do get quite a lot of aftershock activity, and that can continue anywhere
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How much of a factor is depth in an earthquake? “They’re all generally quite shallow, all of the earthquakes that occur onshore of Australia are generally in the top 15 to 20 kilometres of depth... basically because of the rock,” Dr Bathgate said. “Depth isn’t really a factor in what people feel because if it’s going to be very shallow to 10 kilometres, it’s not going to make much difference.” “Definitely more shallow ones can be more destructive.”
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Broadbent
unchallenged
LETTERS Send your letter in through the website: www.warragulcitizen.com/submissions.
Fmr Mayor calls for candidates VICTORIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT elections will be held on 27 October. Are you a community minded citizen, interested in a challenge and able to run for local government? Tired of reading letters complaining about council in the local paper? Do you disagree or support council’s decisions? Want to change things for the betterment of this community? You could be Warragul’s next Councillor. Nominations open Thursday 20 September. What does a council look like when it reflects the community? For a start, there’d be around an equal balance between women and men councillors; there would also be young people and the mix would reflect people from different ethnic backgrounds. For the sake of Baw Baws future, we need a diversity of candidates to run in the next election and when elected, to bring balance to the council table and secure a well-planned, confident future for our citizens. As a former councillor and Mayor, over the past few months I have been encouraging people from all walks of life to run for the upcoming council elections. People often say they don't have the skills to do it. However, I believe that if you come from a community background and have been active in groups such as kinder, school or church committees, sporting clubs or other volunteer roles you have the skills our community needs.
C’mon; think about stepping up! If passionate, motivated and committed community people don’t run for council; then who will? Local government is often accused of being run by councillors with vested interests. You just have to look at the reputation of some Victorian councils and see how developers, real estate agents and party-hacks-in-training for State and Federal politics can dangerously dominate debate; making decisions to the detriment of their citizens. Don’t let this happen in Baw Baw! There are resources to help candidates including the Municipal Association of Victoria, the Victorian Local Governance Association, and the Victorian Electoral Commission. Alternatively, if your circumstances don’t enable you to run for council yourself, perhaps support someone you think would make a good candidate. Go along to the Meet-the-Candidate forums which will be held in October and see who you think would make a great councillor for your area. Ask candidates about things like their community and financial experience, do they have a vision for Baw Baw and how would they work as a team to get things done? We all need to take an interest in local government for the sake of Baw Baw’s future and balanced decision making that reflects our community. Ruth McGowan, Jindivick.
Bad binning WE HAVE AN amazing number of op shops in Warragul which suffer with huge fees to dump unsalable rubbish that people give them.
I have seen bags or genuine rubbish being dumped at the door of op shop collection points. It is my belief that in the rush of moving or cleaning up, people have overlooked that one bag actually contains rubbish and was not intended for the shop. I recommend people check the bags they donate, or use different bags when cleaning. Black for rubbish and orange to donate. Our town is supported by an army of people who donate their time and skills to prepare goods for sale in op shops, and support people in need with the funds raised. The friendly banter and welcoming smiles of the staff in the shops is one reason people shop and browse around. I have noticed that the busiest shops in the towns are the op shops. Warragul Citizens are very generous. They recycle an amazing amount of quality goods, clothing, books, furniture through our op shops. I once purchased a 60cm camel with a saddle made from leather that was a souvenir from the Middle East. Not something everyone wants but to me a gem. My grandchildren think it is cool to play with and I use it in the art room for students to draw. Not bad. Finally, I was recently booked for parking outside Mawarra Opportunity Shop on Mason Street. $144.00. I would like to inform the public that the sign which says loading zone does not include loading or unloading goods for the op shop. The volunteers have told me many people are booked here. Have fun shopping! Annie Nielsen-Grogan, Warragul.
LIBERAL MP FOR the federal seat of McMillan, Russell Broadbent, says a rumoured preselection challenger ended up not standing against him. The Age political editor Michelle Grattan wrote in December last year that party members opposed to Mr Broadbent’s liberal attitudes might mount a preselection challenge. In an interview for Agora, The Warragul Citizen’s online current affairs Web TV program, Mr Boradbent said no challenger came forward. “It didn’t come to a point of preselection though it was muted that someone would stand against me,” Mr Broadbent said. “They looked at the situation and realised they wouldn’t have
a hope of winning.” Mr Broadbent also said he does not believe recent increases in conservative members of the seat will swing the numbers against him. “They know I don’t take a step backwards in what I believe is the right and saying what is the right,” Mr Broadbent said. “In doing that I am going to cross across a few in my own party... and there will always be those who, when someone comes in and takes the most marginal seat and turns it into one of the safer seats [in Victoria], of course there’re going to be people who covet that position. Preselection is the process by which a party chooses which candidate to represent it at an election.
WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW ONLINE warragulcitizen.com/i6broad
NATIONAL TREE DAY is a great cause – but why have one special day a year to plant trees? If you have got a spare weekend, why not get down to your local nursery, select some native plants and pop them in your backyard? A wattle tree in full bloom will give your garden just as much colour and aroma as a rose will, and eucalypts offer shade on hot summer days. Native flora is perfectly adapted to Australia’s environmental conditions, so it is hardier than introduced species, a lot of which become weedy and take over your garden anyway! Native flora prevents salinity and erosion, takes in pollution and provides important resources to native mammals and birds. Planting native vegetation along creeks and streams can increase the health of the water and will prevent erosion
and reduce the impacts of flooding as the trees soak up a surprising amount of water. When planting natives in your backyard, it is important to select species that are indigenous to the area, not just Australia. Planting a gum tree is better than planting a pine tree, but if it’s from Western Australia you will still be decreasing the natural biodiversity of the area. Large trees such as silver wattles and swamp gums are adapted to the Warragul area, as are shrubs and smaller plants like Hop Goodenia, Kangaroo Apple, Snow Daisy Bush, Tasman Flax-Lily and native raspberry (Rubus parvifolius). Go to the ‘Native Vegetation’ section of the Baw Baw Shire Council’s website to download the shire’s guide to the native vegetation of Warragul and surrounds.
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3 August 2012 | Page 5
Community Groups COMMUNITY GROUP?FEATURE HERE AND ONLINE FOR FREE! Email editor@warragulcitizen.com for deets.
Brain Injury Awareness Week Supplied by Headway Gippsland. TO RAISE AWARNESS of the ongoing issues relating to any injury to the brain, Headway Gippsland Inc. will be holding their Annual General Meeting on Mon. Aug. 20th at 11 am at the Trafalgar Community Centre, Princes Highway, Trafalgar. Guest Speakers from the Road Trauma Support Service will be of
interest to any person or family who have been touched by the road toll. Headway Gippsland is an Association for people with an Acquired Brain Injury, providing many support programs for both the individual and their carers. Brain injury can be acquired from a wide range of causes, including vehicle and sporting accidents, stroke, brain tumour, infectious diseases, and heart attacks. Headway Gippsland has been operating for 31 years and the history of the association has been compiled into a book. The book, Making Headway in Gippsland written by Thelma Kingwill, details the growth of Headway for the past 31 years. The book will be available for sale at the Annual General Meeting. All members of the community are invited to the meeting and a light lunch will be served. RSVP by Aug. 15th to 5127 7166.
Tix to Mayoral Charity Gala Supplied by the Baw Baw Shire.
Headway’s book will be available at the organisation’s AGM later this month.
THE 2012 MAYORAL Charity Gala will be held on Saturday 18 August at the Lardner Park Conference Centre. (Continued on Page 10.)
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Warragul: A town cut in two But the Warragul Business discussions with the owner For one local business with the Petersville Milk Factory shop frontage in both the abutting Queen Street, the Group is prepared to provide and we just don't seem to be THE BUSINESSES, THE CBD and on the other side of factory is the public face of a detailed reason why Mr able to progress things. I think Turner’s last request for an he’s still at the moment council, the developer. It's the challenging the [new rates] extension failed. western-style showdown Probably the biggest concern... is “Basically the Town differential with VCAT, so we dividing townspeople and Masterplan don't seem to be able to driving newcomers and it creates somewhat of a black hole Centre disregarded the planning negotiate anything.” business away. For over a between... developments. permit that was currently decade the former Petersville David Cann, Warragul Business Group ***** being held by the developer Milk Factory on Queen Street and placed its own view over has been a political talking The factory has occupied point evoking strong the old “Bonlac” site, as many what many consider a chasm what should happen on that its Queen Street frontage responses from townspeople refer to it, the delay in swallowing the viability of site,” says Mr Cann. “If that planning permit since 1923, only closing and the business community. redevelopment of the site has business in the town. His most The factory, once a part of thwarted business plans. The recent and final purchase was wasn't enacted and it lapsed, operations near the end of last Warragul’s thriving dairy business owner, who has made in February 2005. He the council was never going century. If the future of the industry, is now the scene of declined to be named amidst applied for a planning permit to extend it because they site was uncertain in the a fight between the Baw Baw the politicking of the issue, later that month and received wanted to see a different 1990s, it is still much the same over a decade later. development in there.” Shire Council and the site’s bought the land expecting it in November. Much attention has been In this time Mr Turner was On top of that, the council developer and owner. The development would have given to what the site might involved with several other is driving a hard bargain. developer has planned a happened by now. “Now the planning permit be used for now, which might “I think it was just more the sites. He was director of multistorey mall-like Marketing is no longer in existence, it see Warragul unified or shopping centre for the site timeframe. It has been Livestock and adjacent land, while the undeveloped now for such a Australia, which bought the allows for [sic] a bit more compromised. council has outlined different long period of time, it was Warragul cattle sale yards not lateral thinking as to what can ***** plans in the Warragul Town always touted as the next far from the factory in March happen on that site,” says Baw major development and so we 1999. The new ownership was Baw Shire Mayor Diane Centre Masterplan. If what is ultimately built Caught in the crossfire are thought… this would be a to be relatively short-lived. Blackwood Cr Blackwood, local retailers, some itching good spot to be, because over Two years after the takeover, but it seems the council might on the site is not properly for customers to stay in the time people would come a disagreement between Mr have already done much of linked to the rest of town, Mr town with the proposed down there, and it’s still Turner and stock agents led to that thinking for the Cann believes the division seen at the moment could be development of a shopping sitting there,” says the Mr Turner locking them out. developer. The agents had been looking The Masterplan outlines cemented in. centre, others simply wanting business owner. “If you put a development The business owner, who at moving to different sales the council’s own vision for to be part of the town. But on that site without working businesses do agree the has lived in Warragul their on those linkages, particularly disused factory, opposite a car entire life and has seen ...it was always touted as the next pedestrian access between park and the railway line, is development stall, says the creating a “black hole” in council has done as much as major development... and it’s still those two sites, then you will a drive-and-park option retail frontage that is splitting possible to force development sitting there. create where people will choose to on the land. “I still think it’s the town in two. Business owner go to one space or the other to But who is causing the obviously years away so I shop or they will drive delays, and what is the future don’t know how they can go for businesses and the town if about forcing somebody to do yards. Police were called in to the entire town, including Mr between the sites, and then keep the agents out, and they Turner’s land. Plans include a that's not going to help at all,” this site is or is not developed? it,” they say. So whose fault is the stand- didn't return until the site was multi-story car park, the Mr Cann says. “Probably the biggest But no matter what concern… is it creates off? According to the sold to a new owner in May extension of Palmerston somewhat of a black hole developer, whose planning 2002. Mr Turner’s decision to Street through the middle of happens, the council is between existing permit for a shopping centre lock agents out only the site and a small amount of optimistic the wait will not be developments, or the existing expired in November 2010 encouraged them to hold sales CBD, and those developments and was refused extension, the elsewhere while the dispute [The] community is being unfairly that are occurring further council has been causing the continued. penalised because of this site down Queen St,” says delays. The council says the ***** Warragul Business Group developer was stalling. The remaining undeveloped. spokesperson and former claims are hotly disputed, Diane Blackwood, Baw Baw Shire Mayor Mr Turner is moving more with the developer raising the president David Cann. cautiously this time, declining “The concern is if sites like issue to VCAT. much longer. VCAT’s decision did not to comment on most site residential development that don't develop and [larger] “Certainly in the last 20 killing the retailers still want to come to help them, with the tribunal issues at risk of jeopardising effectively years people have been saying town is where they end up? naming the developer as the his latest attempt for a new mall-style layout proposed. planning permit. “It's a prime site that needs 'when's it going to happen Do we end up splitting our cause. Although initially to be developed sooner that when's it going to happen?’ retail sectors between ***** supplying one comment on later, but of course it needs to Well I can say it's not going Warragul and Drouin, do we the issue for this article, the work in with whatever's to be very long for sure end up with standalone sites That developer is Warren only comment from a three- happening around it as well,” because you can't have like what happened in Morwell because there was a Turner. A hard-bargaining and-a-half hour interview to says Cr Blackwood. In something like that sitting in lack of development in the landholder and owner of be flagged as on the record, February Cr Blackwood said the middle of a town not being main precinct?” Mr Cann Warren Turner Vehicle Sales, Mr Turner recently declined the “community is being developed, it just doesn't asks, before issuing a stern Mr Turner began purchasing to comment. He says he is unfairly penalised because of make any sense,” Cr site remaining Blackwood says. TWC warning on how development the plots of land which would “not prepared to make this should proceed. “A become the expansive empty comment through [this] article undeveloped.” Three months [Planning Panels later nothing has changed. standalone site is going to kill block that divides the town in until Stay informed 1998. His first purchase was Victoria] has made a decision.” “We've had numerous any small town.” www.warragulcitizen.com By William Kulich.
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The Warragul Citizen
3 August 2012 | Page 7
SHORT STORY
Just Thanatos By Fabian Cannizzo. SIX DAYS SINCE bourbon under a blue sky. Six days since he’d heard English, out loud, or considered making a trip for supplies. How he yearned to stare into the centre of a solar flare and be swept away from abstinence and his stubborn persistence. Or drive his fingers into the silty bank of the Morwell River, and burrow until he hit molten rock. The papers were walling him in, growing in cities around him as he lost himself further in the nonsense he called his Work. It seemed that people were willing to give him just enough support to keep him in a prison of fresh ink and dead wood, but no further. One day, he supposed, he’d build himself a house somewhere in that city and be rid of the Work forever. He often sat with his face against the printer, allowing the pages to run all the way down his cheek as they feed through. The scent of fresh ink and living paper. The heat of this pregnant machine caressing him, humming a lullaby that he must have heard a lifetime ago. The cessation of humming snaps his eyelids to the back of his skull. It’s morning – not because there might be light outside, but because the silence says so. No tapping of laptop keys. No whirring of desperate fans. The dead silence of the cityscape is a rebirth. He rocks in his silent womb, under the sway of rippling nirvana. He would have drifted into a coma, but the shock of a chime put him to pieces, like a busy stiletto. Visitors? At this hour? This far from deadline? Thieves, he thought, snatching up his nowcooled pages. He fumbled his manuscript into the third draw of a lockable cabinet and threw the keys into an obscure pile of tapes that contained hours of security footage from a local mall. He reached the door with an Oxford surplus dictionary raised above his head as the bell rang a second time. “Who the hell is it?” Silence, and rumble of a
passing truck. The vibrations sinking deeper, closer to the rhythm of his own bloodwork. Looking through stained glass, he could discern no silhouette, nor sound. No breathing. Just silence. Until the bell rang a third time. “What do you want? I’ve already accepted Jesus Christ as my lord and savoir,” he lied. He felt his hand grasping the handle as might a child, stumbling upon its parents in that carnal Freudian scene. And there stood a short mancreature in black suit and tie. “My name is Thanatos,” it spoke. “Thanatos who?” The creature smirked and lowered its finger, still poised at the doorbell. “Just Thanatos,” it assured. “May I enter?” It would later be relayed to police by the neighbour across the road, the excitable Mr Giddens, that a ‘stocky’ individual in a black suit had indeed gained access to the premises with no resistance on the owner’s part. Though, Mr Giddens had certainly restrained himself from telephoning the authorities. You have high blood pressure, Mr Gidden’s GP had advised – Try to relax! “So, who are you with, Thanaros?” “I beg your repetition,” the creature seethed, softening to a smirk. The air grew musty, dense – like the inside of a vacuum. Herbert chewed his tongue a moment before speaking. Building thick clods of saliva like a tobacco chewer. This quick-tempered intruder wasn’t a publisher, Herbert was sure: too conservative; not keen to please. So who? Insurance salesman? The AFP? ASIO? His heart began chugging machinegun fire. Creditors. “I’m not here for your money,” the smirk spoke at last. “I thought by now you would be able to pronounce my name, Her-bert.” Herbert’s pupils receded into their origin, draining blood from his heavy legs. The musk had coagulated into a fine dust field, replacing the oxygen with dead skin and mites.
warragulcitizen.com/emailup The day’s local headlines delivered straight to your email inbox! And did we mention it’s free? “Death!” “Yes, Herbert,” the creature opined. “I am Thanatos. I am death.” He wanted to reach for a letter opener or a pair of scissors, but found himself drawn to the creature. Black upon black upon a human face. “Why me? Why now?” “No,” the beast assured. “Not now.” And with a sigh it approached the city of dead wood. “I’m here to look over the paperwork.” Herbert would wake several hours later in IC unit of the Dandenong Hospital with a scar on the side of his spine, and a name on his mind. The specialists will relate the risks that Herbert had put on himself – speak of the ‘unhealthy’ life dear Herbert had led – why surgery was necessary for a clot this severe. It will be a couple of months before he forgets Thanatos, just enough to breath musky air and live in the city of dead wood – but nothing more. A rehabilitation nurse will ask him, complaining of his lack of compliance to a recovery
routine: “What are you doing with yourself?” And Herbert, with a smirk he might not quite recognise, will say simply: “I see to death.”
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REVIEWS The Third Day, The Frost By John Marsden.
Review by Lia Marshall. THE THIRD DAY, The Frost is the third book in John Marsden’s ‘Tomorrow’ series. The novel sums itself up at the start with a quote: “‘The third day comes a frost, a killing frost…’ (King Henry VIII, William Shakespeare.)” The novel is packed with dangers one could scarcely imagine; it follows the lives of seven seemingly ordinary teenagers who have been thrust
into the ravages of war. Marsden has sculpted his characters perfectly in this novel and in the series. He makes each character react in a different way to the war, making it impossible for the reader to not relate to at least one of them. From the very beginning of the novel the reader seems aware that danger is coming. The reader is thrown into Ellie’s world, a world that is plagued with boredom. Ellie wonders whether she and her friends have become adrenalin junkies, as they set off in search of something to do as guerrilla fighters. And they do find something; they blow up a shipping container at Cobblers Bay, which incidentally lands them in prison. Throughout the prison term they are sent to near madness in solitary confinement and by the news that Ellie and Homer will be put to death. Miraculously they escape the day before their sentences would be carried out, but Robyn is forced to give her life to save the others when they’re caught by an enemy guard. The reader never quite escapes the action of the novel; it
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lives on in their mind long after it is put down that final time. I give this novel a 10/10 and highly recommend it, and the rest of the series, be put on the reading lists of any reader.
byBy bygones.
Review by William Kulich.
resemblance to popular punk groups. The band’s music amazingly complex, especially given it has only two members; Nick Reinhart on guitars, Zach Hill on drums, and both singing. Reinhart is also the guitarist for Tera Melos, and the stylistic link between the two bands is obvious. But where Tera Melos only injects occasional movements of manic math rock, bygones are probably capable of causing seizures in those not knowing what they are getting into. But that isn’t criticism. At all. If you’re not after easy listening and are a fan of any of the bands of Omar Rodriguez Lopez (that includes the Mars Volta), I cannot recommend this album enough. It’s one of my favourites, and probably the last thing you will hear on the radio.
Scenic Road and Gloucester Place, this so-called “park” is an exhibition of concrete and desolate, weedy embankments. At one end a creepy playground juts off the dead straight footpath like a cancer of blind, unsupervised corners. The other end unceremoniously spews anyone unfortunate enough to walk through the place out onto the street. As if to highlight the insignificance of this microscopic should-be service lane, Gloucester Park sits right next to the magnificent Scenic Park. If this is what passes for a park these days, I look forward to the swing set being installed between Bling Me More and Roylaines.
Gloucester Park
THINK IT’S TIME to move to space? Well bygones think so too. bygones describe themselves By Baw Baw Shire. as a punk band, but their sound, an organised chaos of complex THIS IS THE most miserable guitar rhythms and crazy park in Baw Baw... and possibly drumming, bears little the world, too. Smeared between Warragul’s
Worst. Park. Ever. Review by William Kulich.
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3 August 2012 | Page 9
The Warragul Citizen
COMMUNITY RADIO GUIDE Weekday programming only. Schedules may change due to unforeseen circumstances.
West Gippsland Community Radio - 103.1 3BBR FM MONDAY 7am-6pm
TUESDAY
(Weekend guide at www.3bbrfm.org.au) WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
The Sounds of West Gippsland (Includes News, Weather and Community Programs.)
6pm-8pm
Sweet Soul Music / Music Cafe*
Geof’s Country
Move ‘n Groove / Sam’s Alternatives*
Turn Up Your Radio / All Stars Jazz Festival*
Soul Connection
8pm-10pm
The Catch Up / Night Sounds of West Gippsland*
Classic Rock Corner / Night Sounds of West Gippsland*
Prog Spectrum / Wednesday Night Live*
Golden Mega-Mix / Trad Jazz@Oak Street*
The Dance of Life
10pm-12am
Night Sounds of West Gippsland
Night Sounds of West Gippsland
Night Sounds of West Gippsland
Play It One More Time
Night Sounds of West Gippsland
TUNED IN:
12am-7am Night Sounds of West Gippsland *Shows alternate every month or every fortnight. For fortnightly shows, the show listed first is on the first week of the month.
Move ’n Groove
Sam’s Alternatives
103.1 3BBR FM, Wednesdays
103.1 3BBR FM, Wednesdays
If you enjoy pop music and always have, Move ’n Groove is the drive-time show for you. Host Rob Fraser plays a wide selection of popular music, from the 1970s to the present day, so no matter what you like in the world of pop you will feel at home.
Sam’s Alternatives is a mix of metal, rock and even sometimes pop music. Presented by Sam Horner, who wears his System of a Down shirt while playing artists from Gotye and Wolfmother to Metallica, no matter what your tastes are you will find something you like
Play It One More Time 103.1 3BBR FM, Thursdays Denny Hughes is not content with just playing music. Mixed in with his musical selections, Denny recounts jokes, recommends movies and reviews life.
Vision Australia Radio (Warragul) - 93.5 FM (RL) = Repeated Later (R) = Repeat (Weekend guide at www.visionaustralia.org.au) MONDAY
6am 6.30 7.30 8am 8.55 9am 9.05 10am 10.05 10.30 11am 11.05 12pm 12.10 12.50 1pm 1.05 2pm 2.05 3pm 3.05 3.30 4pm 6pm 6.15 7pm 8pm 8.30 9pm 9.30 10pm 10.30 11pm 11.30 12am
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY Insight for Living Eye Opener with Robyn Winslow: early news, TV highlights, newspaper previews and special features The Age News Movement to Music News The Herald Sun News The Herald Sun (continued) A Morning Conversation (RL) Hear This (RL) News The Australian The World: News Round-Up The Australian Financial Review Stock Market Report News Letters to the Editor: Warragul and Drouin Pakenham and Berwick South Gippsland The Weekly Times: Gippsland newspapers Gazette/Trader Gazette Sentinel Times Gippsland news News Afternoon Live: Short Story at 2.05 and Horoscopes at 2.50 News Bits and Bytes Latrobe Valley Express Wednesday Feature(RL) West Gippsland Talking to Gippsland History Time of Your Life (RL) Talking Vision Philip Island Advertiser Today in Focus with Arthur Higgins: includes Community Spotlight with Stock Market report at 5.50 Vic News Today in Focus: (continued) sport and special features The AFL Show Opinion Hour: Letters to the Editor from The Age and Herald Sun Talking Law: includes Music World Get About Age Green Guide Travel (RL) ‘Rumpole’ reading Health 8.15 New Horizons Consumer Talk Planes, Trains & Automobiles Behind the Scenes(RL) The Uncertainty 8.30 Don’t Hold Back The World Around Us Principle As it Happened... Education Book at Bedtime People of Note The Entertainers People of Note A Morning Conversation (R) The Funny Side (R) Hear This (R) Money,Money,Money(R) Wednesday Feature (R) Time of Your Life (R) Hear This (R) BBC World Service (until 6am)
Page 10 | 3 August 2012
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Lost cockatiel in Darnum on 17/7/12 “Buddy”, grey, white, orange cheeks, yellow head. Much loved, pls call Pet Search on 1300 309 004 with any sightings or info. Free classifieds. Clearly not being fully utilised. Next
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FREE TREAT WITH PURCHASE OF 2KG OR MORE OF MEAT From Count Dogula’s Warragul Shop 2 McLennan’s Arcade, Warragul Valid until 4/10/2012
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PRESENT THIS COUPON FOR 10% OFF ALL STOCK From Port Phillip Shop Warragul 1a Barkly Street, Warragul www.portphillipshop.com.au Valid until 3/9/2012
10% OFF STORE WIDE ON PRESENTATION OF THIS COUPON From Warragul Baby Shop 25b Victoria Street, Warragul PH: 5623 1566 Valid until 3/9/2012
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BUSINESS CARDS $50 FOR 250 ON PRESENTATION OF THIS VOUCHER (Excl. artwork, one side laminated) From Easyaz Print PH: 5623 3261 E: sales@easyaz.com.au www.easyaz.com.au 2/132 North Rd Warragul
groups (cont.) COMMUNITY GROUP? FEATURE HERE AND ONLINE FOR FREE! Email editor@warragulcitizen.com for deets. (From Page 5.) The Gala will be a fun night featuring live music, an auction and a delicious meal. The Mayor of Baw Baw Shire Councillor Diane Blackwood has chosen the West Gippsland Hospital to specifically boost hours for the Breast Cancer Care Nurse as her beneficiary. “The nurse is currently only funded for 24 hours per fortnight and the number of women requiring this service is increasing,” said the Mayor. “The hospital has been trying to get more funding assistance and has put their case forward to the State Government and the McGrath Foundation, but until these are forthcoming the hospital still only has a minimal service. “With such alarming national statistics, which estimate around 14,610 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012; this shows just how important getting extra hours for the Breast Cancer Care Nurse is. "More commonly money is often raised to go to a bigger pool of funds through the
McGrath Foundation, however the money raised from the Mayoral Charity Gala will directly benefit the service we receive at the West Gippsland Hospital as a community. "I hope that we are able to make this event as successful as last year, in which we raised over $33,000 for Habitat for Humanity." To book your ticket phone the Arts Centre on 5624 2456 or visit www.bawbawshire.vic.go v.au Individual tickets cost $70.00 or book a table of 10 for $650. Please RSVP by Friday 10 August. Donated auction items are being gratefully accepted up until Friday 10 August.
Community group notices online COMMUNITY GROUPS ARE advised that The Warragul Citizen runs community notices online as well as in print. If you have an event or group which needs promoting, just email the details to: editor@warragulcitizen.com
One per customer. Valid until 31/8/2012
W
$8 OFF COUPONS WHEN PURCHASED WITH ADVERTISING From The Warragul Citizen editor@warragulcitizen.com www.warragulcitizen.com One discount per customer. Valid until 2/10/2012.
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3 August 2012 | Page 11
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The Warragul Citizen
Steamrail signals stops at Warragul and Yarragon
Image: phunnyfotos via Flickr. Stop by next time: Steamrail’s annual Snow Train steams through Warragul on its way to Moe and Traralgon. Steam services could soon be stopping in Warragul and Yarragon.
The
Boredom Filler
Jumping someone else’s train
sad-garden.blogspot.com
ADDITIONAL TOURIST steam train services with stops in Warragul and Yarragon are on the cards following the annual Gippsland Snow Train service on the weekend. The service is being considered a success by Steamrail Victoria and the Baw Baw Shire Council, despite the service not stopping anywhere in Baw Baw. Responding to questions from The Warragul Citizen, a Baw Baw Shire Council spokesperson said Steamrail is discussing new projects in the region. “Streamrail has indicated that this was a roaring success and conversations about future additional train services have begun, with potential stops at Warragul and Yarragon being
considered,” the spokesperson said. “Steamrail are now keen to explore how we can bring more steam trains into the region.” Over 120 people crowded Warragul station to watch the Snow Train pass through, while others watched from the Aldi car park, Trinca Lane and other viewing points throughout Gippsland. Although the train did not stop until Moe, passengers were given the chance to disembark to visit Baw Baw Shire townships. One hundred and fifty passengers visited Erica and Walhalla for lunch, and the Walhalla Goldfields Railway was booked out. The Baw Baw Shire Council part-sponsored a carriage to
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Words must be at least four letters long and include the central letter.
___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________
___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ Congratulations to Chris Emmerson, who found the most words in last issue’s word hunt. He found eight words, including the nine letter word; conundrum.
Story first published at www.warragulcitizen.com, 27/7/2012.
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Sudoku Word hunt
encourage passengers to return to the area. “We had Wild Dog Winery providing wine tastings and selling wine, Trafalgar Butcher Shop selling cabanas, and [The] Baw Baw Shire Council manning the tourism information stall armed with a collection of various brochures,” the spokesperson said. “We are hoping that this would encourage return visitation to the Shire, as we are in close proximity to Melbourne and the South Eastern Suburbs.” “There was a great response with many of the brochures being taken by the tourists.” Jindi Cheese and the Warragul Travel Club were also represented.
Solution on Page 12.
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Page 12 | 3 August 2012
The Warragul Citizen
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GOOD HABITS CAFE Great food and coffee - catering available Peter & Sue Northover 35 Victoria Street Warragul 3820
OPEN 7 DAYS
Phone: 5623 1768 Mobile: 0401004725/0428275532 ghcafe35@gmail.com
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COFFEE VAN NOW ON THE ROAD! www.goodhabitscafe.com.au
87 Queen Street WARRAGUL
P: 5623 5344 OPEN 7 DAYS
1 DAY giftware clearance sale coming up Sat. Sept.1. Put it on your calendar now for some early Xmas shopping! Only 1 or 2 of most items, so hop in early for a bargain.
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