Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen 13 March 2015

Warragul & Baw Baw

Citizen

TWICE MONTHLY // FRIDAY 13 MARCH 2015

WARRAGULCITIZEN.COM

F

/WARRAGULCITIZEN

FREE PLEASE TAKE ONE

L @WARRAGULCITIZEN

TRAFALGAR SKATE COMP AND WARRAGUL SHOW PHOTOS: P6­7

Fashions on show at the Thorpdale Potato Festival

OVER 10,000 people headed for the hills last weekend to attend the Thorpdale Potato Festival.

The huge crowd watched and participated in spud picking, thro­ wing and racing activities designed for all ages. There was even a potato sack fashion festival ­ Hess-

ians on the Field.

A shearing competition, classic cars, market stalls and classic traction exhibitions also entertai­ ned festival­goers.

It was the first time the event, run to promote the region has been run in over a decade.

Above: Hessians on the Field entrants in their dresses. Image 1: Nansi Kunze in a dress made by herself based on a real 18th century dress. Image 2: Tara Brusco in a dress designed by Kim Pauly. Image 3 (top): Zali Fitzgerald and Stella Gould in family­made dresses. Image 4 (bottom): Sarah Betros and Jaci Hicken in dresses designed and made

by Moz Corrie. Image 5: Chantelle Schena, in a dress made and designed by herself, with Jasmina Giardina, in a dress designed by herself and made by Natalina Castello. Image 6: Selina Morley in a dress made by herself.

Photos by William PJ Kulich. More from the festival on Page 6 ►

Champion chopper cuts through

Progress in union talks with Baw Baw THE AUSTRALIAN Services Union has reported good progress with the Baw Baw Shire in discussions over the council's proposed restructure.

ASU Gippsland organiser Came­ ron Wright told media on Wednes­ day a Fair Work Australia concili­ ation hearing between the union, which represents staff members, and the council had been produ­ ctive.

"We took some really good, positive steps today," he said.

"Now we've got an agreed proc­ ess in place where all parties have agreed to not play this out with the

IF you attended the Warragul Show on Friday night you might have noticed one participant in the woo­ dchopping contests carrying a han­ dicap significantly greater than almost every other competitor. His name is Glen Gillam, a world record holder from Toongabbie, but Warr­ agul's show was something of a homecoming for him.

Story continues on Page 4 ►

Café couple serves last cup Page 2

Bad sign for good cause Page 4

Drouin's hidden history Page 7

WGAC opens doors to market Page 8

media."

The union and council will next meet on Friday to discuss the restr­ ucture, the draft of which flagged 35 potential redundancies in the short term.

Responding to a question from the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen, Mr Wright said the plan to confirm the changes by last Wednesday had been put on hold.

"What was made clear today by the executive management team was we're still in a consultation process," he said.

Story continues on Page 3 ►

2 · LOCAL NEWS ·

WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN · 13 MARCH 2015

Gippsland councils joining national refugee welcome movement

NOW TWICE MONTHLY IN PRINT NEXT PRINT EDITIONS Friday 27 March 2015 Friday 10 April 2015 Friday 24 April 2015 Friday 15 May 2015

By Saúl A. Zavarce L SaulZavarce

ADVERTISING RATES

Prices below for full colour and include GST Eighth page: $80 Quarter page: $138 Half page: $275 Full page: $550 Front page top: $230 Front page bottom: $110 Basic ad design is free!

Distribution across Baw Baw. Printing 5,000 copies.

Want WBBC to help promote your business to an audience of thousands? Email admin@warragulcitizen.com.

ABOUT

Formerly The Warragul Citizen Editor: William PJ Kulich editor@warragulcitizen.com PO Box 1111 Warragul, VIC, 3820 Also designer and owner Articles, graphics and photos without author credits are by the editor.

Please support those who support WBBC Know something you think WBBC should cover? Please email editor@warragulcitizen.com

Café couple serves last cup FOR Sue and Peter Northover, last Friday marked the end of an era.

The pair has run Good Habits Café on Warragul's Victoria Street for just over five years, having taken over the business in November 2009. They closed the doors for the last time last week, having sold the business to escape working seven days a week and to spend time with grandchildren.

"We came in five years ago and changed the menu because Pete's a chef, so we revamped the menu, which included a breakfast, lunch and children's menu, and a snack menu," Sue told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

Before taking on the café, Sue had worked as a business manager for primary schools for 26 years and Peter was working as a chef in Moe. In the years since they have seen a lot of change in the town and the coffee culture across the state grow significantly. Changes in the economy have also been visible.

"In times of financial difficulty, people feel it's their right to buy personal items and come in and have their food and drink, and that's

what they spend their money on," Sue said.

"We have lots of regulars still, but yes we have lots of new people come to the town, they go around and try everywhere, and a lot of them come back, and they come back because they like to talk to you.

"We work hard with our staff so they always make people welcome, and I've had lots of people saying 'oh, we're going to miss you so much, and we love coming here because the staff are so nice and friendly.'"

Helping train Good Habits' many young staff members over the years has been a big highlight for Sue. "For us to see that, and to know that we have been a part of that, for me, is just fantastic," she said.

"Some of them have come in very shy and they've left confident and with skills. That's the bit we really, really love."

It's not last drinks for the pair quite yet though. While Sue expa­ nds her bookkeeping business and Peter continues to work as a chef they will continue to run the Good Habits coffee van.

GIPPSLAND local governments are declaring themselves Refugee Welc­ ome Zones as part of a national campaign to welcome and recognise asylum seekers.

Baw Baw Shire is bordered by three local councils that have declared themselves RWZs: Card­ inia Shire, Yarra Ranges and, as of earlier this month, Latrobe City.

Further south, Bass Coast has also declared itself a RWZ. Councillors from 112 of 565 Australian local government areas have declared their councils welcome zones in Australia.

David Langmore, Convener for the Latrobe Valley Asylum Seeker Support Group, told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen he believed becoming a RWZ had been a logical next step to Latrobe's commitment to the issue.

"I think it is a very important reaffirmation by council and the community to continue the type of work it has already been doing," Mr Langmore said.

Latrobe City mayor Dale Harrison said his LGA becoming a RWZ was a case of formalising and recognising the work that the community had already done in the last 30 to 40 years.

"We've got the multicultural festival that took place a couple of weeks ago at the Greek orthodox church, with 40 different nationalities represented there that presented foods and dancing and

musical shows from their country of origin," Mr Harrison told the Warragal & Baw Baw Citizen.

Mr Harrison said he believed that while becoming a RWZ was a per­ council decision, it would be a good thing for more councils in Gippsland to declare themselves a welcome zone in order to recognise the contributions of refugees to local communities. "[Latrobe City] discussed it, and since World War II we have had so many European refugees come over.

Then the Vietnamese and South East Asian people have come through and we've now got a lot of African refugees that have come through. It's part of helping them become part of the community is what it's all about."

Baw Baw mayor Debbie Brown said that while becoming a welcome zone was not yet on the agenda for the council she had had commu­ nication about the issue and intended to see where council would go on the issue.

On the issue of multiculturalism, Cr Brown told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen she believed Baw Baw was very welcoming to a diverse range of cultures.

"I think our council does very well because I think there were 11 different countries that were nomin­ ated to be made into Australian citizens on Australia day," Cr Brown said.

"When you have a look at where the diversity of those are, we are certainly welcoming to multicultural people."

Drama over Eisteddfod funding

By Jack Lacy L jack_m_lacy THE BAW Baw Shire has refused a Community Development Grant request from the West Gippsland Music and Drama Eisteddfod for its Parasteddfod, a special needs section of the annual eisteddfod that is unique in Victoria.

West Gippsland Music and Dra­ ma Eisteddgod president Pauline Hastings told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen she was disappointed with the council's decision to reject the group's application.

She said there had been no negative feedback after initially lodging her application.

"The grant application was not rejected in the time that the appli­ cation was lodged but after it was processed," she said.

"The response from the council

stated that the West Gippsland Music and Drama Eisteddfod was not a suitable organisation to rece­ ive a grant.

"We have received Community Development Grants from the council for the past three years.

Perhaps we didn't receive a grant this year because we are not struggling as much financially as we used to be," Ms Hastings said.

The Baw Baw Shire Council has said "applications which reflect the community vision and properties which contribute to the creation of stronger communities and enhan­ ced participation" will be successful in receiving a grant.

But following a council review to simplify the process and reduce red tape a new set of rules was implem­ ented. One of those new rules retrospectively applied a limit to the number of consecutive years a pro­

ject can receive funding.

"The most significant changes to the 2014 program included comm­ unity groups becoming ineligible for funding if their project had prev­ iously been funded three times”, Baw Baw Community Services dire­ ctor Liana Thompson told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

Other changes to the program included a one month window for applications, only one application per community group and the process being completed solely online.

The West Gippsland and Drama Eisteddfod was not the only community group unsuccessful in receiving a grant this year.

"There were 15 unsuccessful or ineligible grants and two were withdrawn", Ms Thompson said.

Despite not receiving a grant this year, the West Gippsland Music and

Drama Eisteddfod continues to gain popularity amongst performers and attendees.

At last year's Parasteddfod there were 70 participants from across West and Central Gippsland and around 300 audience members.

Eisteddfod organisers plan to apply for a Community Develop­ ment Grant again next year.

Ms Hastings said she hoped this year's outcome would not be repeated.

"Hopefully the council will change their mind next year," she said.

"We will submit another applic­ ation and closely follow the newly enforced guidelines."

Ms Thompson advised commu­ nity groups interested in applying for grants to thoroughly review the assessment criteria and tailor their applications accordingly.

WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN · 13 MARCH 2015

Progress in union talks with Baw Baw

· LOCAL NEWS · 3

◄ From Page 1 "No decisions about redundan­ cies have been made.

"It might be weeks away until a final decision is made.

"It was a worthwhile discussion with the assistant [Fair Work] commissioner.

"We were there for two or three hours going through our concerns and their concerns.

"There was a fair bit of misinf­ ormation; as you can appreciate with a document this large the rumours and the lunch room disc­ ussions might not be exactly what's happening.

"I think today (Wednesday) was a useful exercise in terms of we are now (sic) on the same page on how we want to move forward. It's a case of us now sitting down with them and going through all the things we have discussed for the last couple of weeks."

Mr Wright said he had "walked out with a really positive mindset moving into Friday's discussions."

A staff briefing chaired by ASU branch coordinator Michelle Jack­ son was held on Wednesday afte­ rnoon in Civic Park, Warragul.

At the meeting Ms Jackson said "no timeline for the consultation period has been set by the commis­ sion."

"It's when it's done it's done," she said.

"It could be a month, it could be longer."

A number of staff expressed con­ cerns about the indefinite consult­ ation period, with one staff member saying some would simply like to take the redundancy package and questioning whether staff "had any

A union flag flies at Wednesday's meeting, which took place outside the council chambers.

Photo and article by William PJ Kulich trust or faith in the organisation anymore."

Ms Jackson told staff the union did not believe the process had been conducted properly up until Wedn­ esday.

Baw Baw CEO Helen Anstis was approached by WBBC to answer questions on the proposed restru­ cture but she declined to comment.

Ms Jackson said while there was no place for consultation for the 45 positions flagged as outsourceable, there would be a chance for staff who could be made redundant to challenge their redundancy once the replacement position descripti­ ons were finalised.

"There will be a chance to argue there is no new position, that is my position and I should stay in it," she told staff.

"Unfortunately we can't stop the restructure."

It was not all positivity from the union though, with representatives saying the Fair Work Commission

could not tell an employer how to run a business "even if it's stupid" and "the Fair Work Act isn't fair."

Ms Jackson encouraged staff and members of the public to like the "Save Baw Baw Shire Services" Facebook page, which she was involved with running.

Asked by the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen if he was aware of other councils looking to make similar structural changes to Baw Baw, Mr Wright said there were discussions happening across Gipp­ sland.

"I'm meeting with East Gippsland Shire next week to discuss a potential restructure," he said.

"I was also on the phone with South Gippsland Shire earlier today, they were looking at how they do their business. That's no different to anywhere else in Victoria though I suppose.

For more on the restructure visit warragulcitizen.com.

Be seen with WBBC Promote your business to an audience of thousands!

The twice monthly, 5,000 run Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen is the perfect, low cost way to show Baw Baw what you have to offer.

We value your business, so we do not charge extra for colour advertising and provide basic ad design for free.

THE RATES Prices below for full colour and include GST Eighth page: $80 Quarter page: $138 Half page: $275 Full page: $550 Front page top: $230 Front page bottom: $110 Interested? Email admin@warragulcitizen.com.

4 · LOCAL NEWS ·

WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN · 13 MARCH 2015

Bad sign for good cause

Advertise with WBBC Great rates with great exposure. Email admin@war ragulcitizen.com for deets.

ERRORS in a new wayfinder sign installed outside the West Gipp­ sland Arts Centre on the corner of Smith and Albert Streets in Warr­ agul might not be fixable, acco­ rding to the Baw Baw Shire Council.

The new Civic Precinct sign has three faces with writing on them detailing the history of the site and what is in the area, however there are several errors.

One face has a history spiel which, while interesting, is difficult to read due to a typo: "In March 1928 with West Gippsland Gazette reported the installation of swings in Civic Park, then called Warragul Park the Gazette reported..."

Minor in comparison is the directional pointer for the West Gippsland Arts Centre, which reads "Art Centre" ­ singular.

The sign was funded as part of the council's three­year healthy communities project, which has since been discontinued.

A spokesperson for the council told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen they were disappointed with how the sign had turned out, but correcting the errors might not be

possible as it "would be costly to do so."

The spokesperson did however say they would look for ways to fix the sign.

The sign is the most advanced and visually striking of several planned wayfinders. The council spokesperson said they have been designed to encourage physical acti­ vity by showing places where people can run, walk, cycle and exercise.

"The signs are important in getting the community to walk and cycle more," the spokesperson said.

The sign also highlights the location of the Eastern Park Com­ munity Garden, which was partially funded by the same program.

Funding allowing, there will be several other less­advanced wayfinder signs erected throught the Warragul and Drouin CBDs. The new sign features maps, which will also be available online, local history, pictures, a small chalk board as well as distance estima­ tions.

The spokesperson said a wayfin­ der sign would also be erected at the Warragul Station precinct as part of the site's redevelopment.

Champion chopper cuts through

Above: the sign, despite its errors, helps encourage a healthy commmunity.

COMMENT Advertorial policy

THE Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen newspaper does not publish unmarked advertorial content.

While uncited positive news coverage of advertisers is often fou­ nd in newspapers, WBBC feels it is important to acknowledge when paid content is published so readers can make informed decisions.

Paid articles will be avoided. If needed to fund the paper they will be clearly marked as advertorial.

Positive stories on local busin­ esses will be run when the editor sees fit, not when advertisers pay.

The Warragul Larder insert in this edition is a paid advertisement written, designed and edited by the group responsible for its creation and not the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen. It is distinguishable by its significantly different page layout.

Editorial cartoon: the Australian Services Union has questioned the spending priorities of the Baw Baw Shire as the council looks to cut staff to make savings. The ASU has suggested expensive projects like the "refurbishment" of the council's Drouin office and even the pay increase for CEO Helen Anstis should have been delayed to make the savings Ms Anstis has said the council needs to make. Baw Baw mayor Debbie Brown, who has supported expensive council spending projects like the construction of a multi­million dollar outdoor pool in Warragul, has supported the CEO.

Stay updated

Stay updated with Baw Baw's latest breaking news from the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

Just search Facebook for "Warragul Citizen", follow @WarragulCitizen on Twitter and Instagram, add warragulcitizen on Snapchat, or subscribe for email updates at warragulcitizen.com/email

Have your say You can send letters to the editor to editor@warragu lcitizen.com, or tweet your opinions to @WarragulCitizen

◄ From Page 1 Glen was born in Boolarra and grew up with an axe in his hand "since I could walk, basically."

His mother recalls him and brother Nigel chopping down trees on their property from an early age, inspired by their woodchopping father and now­Axe Choppers Hall of Fame inductee grandfather.

"It's just part and parcel," Glen told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

"It's family heritage and you just grow up around it all your life."

The family history is not, howe­ ver, a source of pressure for Glen.

"No, it's more just passion," he said.

"It's something different, but eve­ ryone has their forte in sporting thr­ oughout the community, from golf and cricket to football, and this is just something that I do."

His history might not be a pres­ sure but he has certainly lived up to it, recently breaking the foot stand­ ing block world record in Tasmania.

"There was $50,000 up for grabs to beat the record down there, which was 13.7 seconds, and I broke it in 12.12 seconds," he said.

That's 12 chops in 12.12 seconds, including time taken to turn around half way through.

Glen was less successful at this year's Warragul Show, which he predicted would be the case before the event as he was "a little down on form" after a busy working week.

But it was not Glen's first time at the show. Having moved to Neerim South for school he has competed locally from a young age.

"I lived at Neerim South growing up as a kid, so every year since I was about 10 or 12 right through to my early 30's now."

Watching from the crowd on Friday was his young son, still in nappies, who plays with a toy axe when at home. Another generation likely to continue the wood chopp­ ing tradition.

Photo gallery Warragul Show ­ Page 7

WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN · 13 MARCH 2015

· LOCAL NEWS · 5

Council wrap: from tennis to trains

This is the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen's complete run­down of Wednesday's public Baw Baw Shire council meeting. All council­ lors were present at the 25­minute meeting with the exception of Mount Worth ward representative Peter Kostos.

Neerim South thanks Baw Baw for bower MEMBERS of the Neerim South Progress Association (below, with mayor Debbie Brown) presented the Baw Baw Shire Council with a framed photograph of the new Nee­ rim Bower sculpture installed at the entrance of the town last year.

The members said the project would not have been possible wit­ hout the council's support.

Traf tennis pavilion renam­ ed after Molly Ryan TRAFALGAR'S Tennis Club Pav­ ilion will now be known as the Molly Ryan Pavilion in honour of her lifetime of work.

On moving the motion to rename the pavilion, Mount Worth ward councillor Murray Cook reflected on Ms Ryan's contributions and his own experience as a young student of her's.

"It's my pleasure to move this," he said.

"Molly Ryan is a very long standi­ ng member of the club and she put a lot of time and effort into junior

tennis. Many people [were helped by her]. I was one of her least successful junior tennis players.

North ward councillor David Balfour noted her contributions to a number of other sporting clubs in the town.

"She did a lot of work," he said.

"President and secretary of the tennis club [and] has been awarded the Traf Citizen of the year too.

"The recommendation has been supported by her family."

Meeting procedure local law review COUNCILLORS unanimously a­ pproved the adoption of the revised Meeting Procedure Local Law. A review of the document, which underpins council meeting operat­ ion, was required to be conducted two years after it came into oper­ ation.

The review was conducted in­ house. A full version of the revised local law with modifications mar­ ked was published in the meeting minutes.

Drouin ward councillor Tricia Jones said the laws made a "plat­ form that guides us" and added she was pleased councillor behaviour meant differences of opinion were "dealt with appropriately."

Community participation time review ADOPTED after the meeting pro­ cedure local law review was the community participation time rev­ iew.

A council officer report presented to councillors said there was no chance of community impact in the changes "because the amendments made reflect minor grammatical corrections and internal advertising process improvements."

Warragul ward councillor Mika­

ela Power said the review also maintained compatibility with the procedure local law.

Mid­year budget review BAW Baw's finances are in good shape, according to the mid­year budget review 2014/15.

A report to councillors, who noted the review at this week's council meeting, said the budget surplus had seen a $1.507 million increase when compared to the adopted budget.

The year­end forecast for 2014/15 "is expected to result in a surplus of $23.034 million."

But the figures aren't as simple as that, according to Warragul ward councillor Joe Gauci.

"It looks like we're miles in front, but there's a lot of carry­over," he said.

"We're fairly well on track."

Cr Gauci said the review had been through the council's external audit committee.

"They're very happy with how the council's carrying on," he said.

He noted there were many budget reviews throughout the year, and the mid­year review was "basically a snapshot in time, as of the 31 December."

"We're basically right on track as to where we should be," he said.

Wet and sensible A REVISED Environmental Significance Overlay for water catchment areas (ESO2) has been endorsed by councillors.

The changes seek to rectify inco­ nsistencies in the Baw Baw Plan­ ning Scheme as it relates to water catchments, improve water quality protections and make a consistent overlay across Baw Baw and neighbouring South Gippsland and Latrobe council areas.

Council staff said in a report to councillors the changes would also help improve transparency and there would be cost reductions for landowners though new planning permit exemptions.

North ward councillor David Balfour said "this brings the whole catchment together and it all comes under the same regulation as our neighbouring shires do."

Safer Queen Street crossing discussed CR JONES said the council's Disability Advisory Committee had recently discussed its draft terms of reference, the changes to the Warr­ agul Leisure Centre and the acce­ ssibility of the Warragul CBD from the station precinct.

A safer Queen Street crossing would be key to improving access­ ibility, the councillor said.

Rail overcrowding IN general business, Cr Power moved that Baw Baw write a letter to Victorian public transport mini­ ster Jacinta Allan about:

1) our concerns regarding overcrowding during morning and afternoon peak services and to seek urgent assistance to increase the number of carriages on these trains, and 2) the safety and comfort of commuters travelling on trains on the Gippsland line, where some patrons have been affected by alcohol or consuming alcohol and the impact that this has on quality ofservice for other passengers.

Cr Power identified the 06:37, 07:20 and 07:36 ex­Traralgon and 16:58 ex­Melbourne services as particularly badly overcrowded, with passengers having to be repea­ tedly told by conductors to keep wa­ lkways clear.

In supporting the motion Cr Cook said rail was "the most efficient way of getting to Melbo­ urne," and "the comfort of the travelling public is very important."

Councillors unanimously supp­ orted the motion, but Cr Balfour said there should have also been a recommendation to duplicate the track between Bunyip and Longw­ arry. He claimed some services had to "wait for an hour sometimes" because of the single track section.

WBBC can say from experience the wait is nowhere near that long, but the single track section certainly is a bottleneck.

Praise for roads THIS is something you don't hear every day: at Wednesday's meeting Cr Balfour reported praise for Baw Baw's road maintenance.

He said an Aberfeldy Progress Association meeting attended by about 30 people on the long wee­ kend heard praise for work the shire had done to improve roads in the region.

Error prompts apology THE CEO will send a letter of apology to several companies after an error was made in the distrib­ ution of confidential meeting min­ utes at a previous meeting.

Tenders Brownlie Holdings Pty Ltd's tender for the reconstruction of Settlement/Middle Roads in Trafa­ lgar for $322,208.70 ex GST was accepted by councillors.

Audit committee Councillors moved to appoint Dr John Purcell as an Independent member of the Audit Committee from 1 September this year until 1 September 2018.

6 · ARTS & RECREATION ·

WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN · 13 MARCH 2015

What's On in Baw Baw

GIG GUIDE IN ORDER OF PERFORMANCE DATE

BEN SMITH 13 Mar @ Bank Warragul/Euphoria CALIFORNIA DREAMING ­ THE MUSIC OF THE MAMAS AND THE PAPAS 14 Mar @ West Gippsland Arts Centre Time: 20:00

Their music weaved its magic across the world and epitomised the 1960’s and the flower power movement. Now 40 years after the tragic death ofMama Cass Elliot, California Dreaming - The Music of the Mamas and the Papas, is a tour de force concert celebrating all things Mamas and Papas.

Deets at wgac.com.au

DOM FINLEY 14 Mar @ Bank Warragul/Euphoria SPITTING SWALLOWS 14 Mar @ The O&H, Warragul Time: 22:00

SNAPPED:

Thorpdale Potato Festival

songwriters, fronting the superb Crown ofThorns.

His instrumental gifts have oft been utilised on recordings by the likes of James Reyne, Hunters and Collectors, Vika and Linda, Renee Geyer, Archie Roach, X, Deb Conway and Ross Hannaford's Dianna Kiss. Chris has enjoyed the company ofAustralia's best musicians on stage and in the studio when realising his own visions in song.

Above: the potato picking race finals

Tix: $15 presale from Bank, $20 on door CHARLIE BEATS 02 Apr @ The O&H, Warragul

Charlie Beats are a fresh, new eclectic Aussie Hip Hop, reggae, rock, acapella & pop act.

Above and right: sack racers Serena, Michela and Aiden

Free event.

STEVE & JAY 02 Apr @ Bank Warragul/Euphoria JON ENGLISH 15 Apr @ Bank Warragul Tix: $25 presale from Bank, $30 on door

Local band returns to the O&H HAVE A GIG OR EVENT COMING UP? Get it listed here. Email deets to editor@warragulcitizen.com.

The Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen supports local live music.

Above: Sophie and Adrien take part in the popular potato and spoon race

Below: tug of war.

EVENTS Above: Spitting Swallows. Photo:

William PJ Kulich

THE HEARTSTRING QUARTET 19 Mar @ West Gippsland Arts Centre Time: 20:00

Direct from Ireland. Two renowned duos, two gifted sisters, two extraordinary guitarists, a multi-faceted, unique quartet.

Deets at wgac.com.au

STEVE McCULLOCH 20 Mar @ Bank Upstairs, Warragul GRAHAM HAWES 21 Mar @ Bank Warragul/Euphoria

Above: Hawes playing Bank in

January. Photo: William PJ Kulich LUKE MATTHEWS 27 Mar @ Bank Warragul/Euphoria CALEB CLUA 28 Mar @ Bank Warragul/Euphoria AT LAST ­ THE ETTA JAMES STORY 28 Mar @ West Gippsland Arts Centre Time: 20:00 Deets at wgac.com.au CHRIS WILSON + SHANNON BOURNE 01 Apr @ Bank Warragul

Chris Wilson has been an essential part ofblues and rock music in Australia since taking the stage with the Sole Twisters twenty years ago. Stints with Harum Scarum and Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls followed, and the end ofthe 80s saw Wilson as one ofour finest vocalists, harmonica players and

CLEMENTINE FORD 13 Mar @ The Fountain Room, West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul Time: 12:00. Free event.

RENOWNED feminist writer, public speaker and broadcaster Clementine Ford will discuss the empowerment of women and girls in Warragul next month.

The free International Women's Day event on Friday 13 March has been supported by the state govern-ment, Gippsland Women's Health, the Baw Baw Shire Council and the newly reinvigorated Women in Gippsland group.

Ms Ford has written extensively for Fairfax's Daily Life, the ABC and and her own blog (clementinef ord.tumblr.com). She has also appeared on ABC radio, The Drum and Q and A, as well as commercial morning shows.

No bookings are required for the event.

THE PARIS UNDERGROUND 18 Mar @ West Gippsland Arts Centre Time: 20:00

The Paris Underground Cabaret is a subversion ofthe classic French cabaret and variety show, bringing together a diverse range of performers.

Tix: $35 for adults. More deets at wgac.com.au PERFECT REVENGE BURLESQUE SHOW 20 Mar @ Euphoria/Bank Warragul Tix: $20 from Bank WARRAGUL NORTH PRIMARY SCHOOL FETE 22Mar@WarragulNorthPrimarySchool Time: 11:00 ­ 15:00

Featuring laser skirmish, charir-oplane, obstacle course, devonshire tea, face painting, BBQ, silent auction, trash & treasure, craft, food, a fire truck and more.

Unlimited ride wristband: $20 pre purchased or $25 at gate.

You can find this event on facebook, just search "Warragul North Primary School Fete".

SNAPPED: Gippsland Regional Series skate comp in Trafalgar

SNAPPED:

WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN · 13 MARCH 2015

· ARTS & RECREATION · 7

Warragul Show

Above: small dog high jump winner Turbo with his trophy and entourage Rhona Hendrick stands on the Drouin Family Hotel's historic staicase.

Photo by Jack Lacy

Drouin looks to its history to welcome new residents

By Jack Lacy L jack_m_lacy DROUIN will host tours of its historic buildings in May as part of an event to preserve and raise awareness of the town’s history.

Open House Drouin has been organised by the Committee For Drouin and will open up 12 of the town's oldest buildings for public inspection.

According to Chief Organiser Rhona Hendrick the idea for Open House Drouin stemmed from a similar event in Melbourne.

"I attended the Open House event in Melbourne and wanted to recreate the concept in Drouin, on a smaller scale," she told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

"The Open House Drouin event is

Above: dog jumping

all about the community coming together, residents and visitors.

"The event also serves as a welcome to those who have recently moved to our town."

One of the buildings to be featured in the tours will be the Drouin Family Hotel, which was established in the 1800s.

The hotel is currently undergoing considerable renovations ­ the function area is being redeveloped ­ but the main staircase and old hotel rooms will be preserved.

"The Drouin Family Hotel used to be an operational hotel and would have guests staying from all over on a regular basis," Ms Hendrick said.

Another site to be put on show will be the Drouin Croquet Club building. The club was founded in

1903 by Dr Lionel Druitt.

"The club is the oldest croquet club in Victoria that continues to run," Ms Hendrick said.

Ms Hendrick said Open House Drouin would provide an opportun­ ity for newcomers to learn about the town’s history and allow attendees to hear tales from the past.

"We want the event to encourage newcomers to join our clubs and become immersed in community life," she said.

"The older generation will also be sharing personal stories about growing up in Drouin and the public will have the chance to ask questions."

Open House Drouin will be held on May 2 and 3 from 10:00 until 16:00. Event details are available facebook.com/C4Drouin.

Easter show to draw art buffs to Walhalla

By Jack Lacy L jack_m_lacy

WALHALLA'S Heritage and Deve­ lopment League will host an art show in the Mechanics Institute Hall over the Easter weekend.

Walhalla's Easter Art Show showcases local artists and photographers and has run for the past three years.

“We have many different artists using varying mediums,” show coordinator Barbara Hood told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

“The event to me is a chance for many local artists to showcase their works to the vast array of visitors Walhalla has over the Easter period.”

Ms Hood said there were established artists who participate in the event every year.

“Last year we had Lois Brown and Laurel Foenander, two local artists, and Ruth Burleigh, noted local photographer, all enter,” she said.

But the show is not just for the professionals – it also encourages entries from aspiring artists and photographers.

“The event is open to anybody,” Ms Hood said.

“After comments last year and at other shows I have attended, people think amateurs should get a better go, so I have a prize an amateur prize in both art and photography as well as 17 and under awards.”

Profits generated by the show will be donated to the Walhalla Heritage and Development League, which aims to protect and preserve the history and heritage of the township.

“We are currently trying to raise funds to build a Geneaological Research Centre to keep our records safe for the many descendants of the town's pioneers who come looking for that special piece of history”, Ms Hood said.

Cost of entry for the event will be $5 for adults and all artwork on display will be available for sale.

“Last year's event, which included a raffle, raised $7,000 and we had over 500 people through the doors over the course of the weekend”, Ms Hood said.

There will be $4,500 in awards across three different categories including general mediums, works depicting Walhalla and works commemorating the Anzac Centenary.

The Walhalla Easter Art Show will run from 3 April to 6 April.

Planning an event in Baw Baw? Let WBBC know. admin@warragulcitizen.com

8 · ARTS & RECREATION ·

WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN · 13 MARCH 2015

WGAC opens doors to market crowd

THE WEST Gippsland Arts Centre will trial conducting backstage tours in a bid to bring more people to the facility.

Starting from Saturday 21 March, two tours will be run on every day the Warragul Farmers' and Arts Markets run.

The move will seek to take advantage of the popularity of the markets, which bring huge numbers of people to the Arts Centre precinct and Civic Park every month.

"It's really energised and activa­ ted this arts precinct on those days," West Gippsland Arts Centre mana­ ger Rob Robson told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

"The Farmers' and Arts Markets are attracting lots and lots of people and I guess, in a way, we feel a little bit guilty; we've got this activation of the arts precinct but currently we are closed.

"It doesn't seem right.

"Clearly we don't want to cut the lunch of the markets, we don't want to ambush them, but we asked 'is there something we can do to comp­ lement that?'"

For Mr Robson, the tours would be a chance to introduce new people to the Arts Centre and its potential refurbishment.

"There are a lot of people who come to the markets from out of town, visitors, people who don't usually come into the Arts Centre, so there's an opportunity there to just bring them in," he said.

"So we will be conducting a couple of backstage tours on the day, the building will be open and we will be inviting people to pop in

Rob Robson shows off the WGAC's wall of fame. and have a look.

"We would like people to come and try a seat in the auditorium, see how it feels, so sort of an easy entry.

Then I will walk them around back­ stage.

"It's more the bits people wou­ ldn't usually see. When you sit in the auditorium you're not necess­ arily aware of what's back there.

"Because we're moving toward

this consultation on our refurbi­ shment into the future, it would be a great opportunity to get some feedback from the community.

"I can sort of one­on­one or one­ to­20, talk about our plans, what our hopes are, and people can hear what the dream is and give me their feedback."

Mr Robson said key attractions on the hour­long tours would be the

Photo and article by William PJ Kulich wall backstage signed by many of the performing arts groups to have used the space since it opened, as well as the Arts Centre "ghost."

"Every good theatre should have a ghost," he said.

The trial will run for three months and, if successful, more attractions will be added. But measuring success will not be a simple matter of counting heads.

"We've committed to doing three, if it gets interest we may think of other things we might do on the day," Mr Robson said.

"We might have some music in the building, or our local commu­ nity arts groups might want to come in and rehearse on those days which gives them an opportunity to show off a scene to people who might not have bought a ticket yet.

"But we haven't really discussed that.

"At the moment it's opening the doors, blowing the air out of the place and getting people to come in and have a look.

"Success will be measured by community engagement. If I reach five or six or 10 or fifteen people who were not aware of the place and as a consequence of that now want to know more, that will be the success."

The times of the tours are yet to be finalised but will be advertised with A­frame signs on the day as well as on the West Gippsland Arts Centre's Facebook page. The tours will be free and people will be able to just turn up on the day.

Mr Robson said the Farmers' and Arts Markets had reacted positively to the tours idea, as well as a number of other arts projects planned for Civic Park.

"They're great. We had a meeting with them the other day on the new sculptural installation in the park, Footsteps of Giants, and they're very enthusiastic about these things," he said.

"I'm finding them terrific to work with."