Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen 27 March 2015

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RELAY FOR LIFE STORY AND PICS: PAGE 5

Sutton Street development approval divides councillors A MOTION to approve the develop­ ment of up to 36 units on 1.414ha at 125­131 Sutton Street, Warragul, was narrowly passed by a divided council on Wednesday.

With North ward councillor Dav­ id Balfour not present at the mee­ ting, councillors were split exactly in half on whether or not to approve the development. Warragul ward councillor Joe Gauci, Drouin's Terry Williamson, North ward's Debbie Brown and Mount Worth ward's Peter Kostos voted for the motion to allow the medium density devel­ opment, while Warragul's Mikaela Power and Gerard Murphy, Mount Worth's Murray Cook and Drouin's Tricia Jones opposed.

When a council's vote is tied, the casting vote goes to the mayor. With Cr Brown as mayor the vote passed.

Story continues on Page 4 ►

Dog days: Baw Baw approves off­leash trial

Above: jumping at the new Baw Baw Equestrian Centre's first competition.

Competition kicks off at new pony club facility

BAW Baw councillors have unanim­ ously approved a 12­month trial of designated dogs off­leash areas in the shire.

Brooker Park in Warragul, Bellbird and Alex Goudie parks in Drouin, Darnum Recreation Rese­ rve, Trafalgar's James Balfour Oak Tree Park, Dowton Park in Yarrag­ on, Kydd Parke Reserve in Jindivick and Dunstan Oval and St Phillack Reserve in Rawson will play host to the unfenced areas for the duration of the trial.

Mount Worth ward councillor Peter Kostos said a long cons­ ultation period helped determine where the off­leash areas would be, with 34 Baw Baw parks and rese­ rves initially identified as having

Above: representatives of the three clubs at the opening on Saturday.

Story continues on Page 4 ►

Closing the Red Door Page 2

Photos and article by William PJ Kulich

Jabbed: protecting Baw Baw Page 3

Snapped: weekend events Pages 6­7

Yarragon gallery recycles Page 8

THE NEW Baw Baw Equestrian Centre next to Lardner Park has been opened and quickly put into action.

The facility, which will be used by the Warragul Pony Club, Drouin Pony Club and the West Gippsland Adult Riding Club, features several large competition areas as well as plenty of space for parking and preparation.

At the opening on Saturday, Drouin Pony Club president Rich­ ard Stock said the support of many groups helped make the develop­ ment possible.

Baw Baw Shire contributed a $100,000 grant to the project, as well as a further $20,000 from its Community Development Grants Story continues on Page 5 ►

Ziggy + the Coffees from Mars Page 8

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WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN · 27 MARCH 2015

Closing the Red Door FOR almost 13 years the Red Door Bookshop has been a splash of colour on Warragul's Queen Str­ eet, but after long consideration proprietor Wayne Hardie has made the decision to close.

Mr Hardie told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen closing the shop was not an easy decision to make.

"There's a few reasons why we're closing," he said.

"The premises is going to be sold, and I expect when it's sold the purchaser will want vacant posse­ ssion so I've got to accommodate that. Trade for second hand book stores is not as robust as what it once was.

Mr Hardie said it was often a surprise to people when they found out the bookshop was actually a tourism business.

"In the past, about 15 per cent of the people who came through the front door were visitors to the town, but they spent about 85 per cent of the revenue of the shop," he said.

"What has happened over the last three to five years is the number of visitors to the town, particularly on the weekends, has significantly dec­ reased.

"The tourism­type attractions that would attract people to War­ ragul just don't exist anymore. The Gourmet Deli Trail, things like that.

"All tourism marketing these days tends to take people off the freeway at Sand Road and direct them to Jindivick, Neerim South, Baw Baw, Walhalla, perhaps Yarra­ gon, but it all ignores Warragul.

"And people are just not coming into Warragul at weekends, which at the beginning was our very busiest time.

"A shop like this cannot exist solely on the custom driven locally, it needs that additional traffic and we just haven't had it."

Mr Hardie is not new to doing business in Warragul. His family moved to the district in 1874 and his father ran a paint shop in Warragul with his brothers. Schoo­ led in Warragul, Wayne later atten­ ded Melbourne University and retu­ rned to Warragul to start business as a solicitor. That business ran for over 20 years until shortly after he was appointed chairman of commiss­ioners to the Baw Baw Shire Council for the amalgamation period of 1994­1997. He was a consultant until he started the Red Door Bookshop on 4 May 2002.

Mr Hardie recalled answering

Stay updated

Above: Wayne Hardie in his bookshop questions from what was then The Warragul Citizen in 2011 on online competition. Then he said business was not so bad and while online competion was an influence, he did not consider it to be a significant factor at the time. Not long after, trade became more difficult.

"I don't want to be an online bookseller, I want to be a shop front bookseller," he said last week.

"I remember you talked to me in June 2011 and you asked me then if online selling of books was making an impact on the book store, and I said no, but it may in the future.

Over the past four years there has been a change in the consumer's approach to buying books. It's interesting; we might sell a book for $10, they might find it online for $8 but with $10.50 postage and they'll buy it online for reasons that are a bit hard to understand. It's imposs­ ible to compete with that. "[As for] e­books, that market has become stable at about 11­12 per cent of the market. Clearly that has had some impact, but it's not the biggest cause of difficulties that we would find in this business.

"By far the biggest difficulty for our bookshop in Warragul is the lack of visitors to the town."

One big change Mr Hardie has seen in the local economy over the 13 years he has run the bookshop was the the rise of vacant shop­ fronts.

"Warragul as a commercial cen­ tre has diminished significantly in the last 10 years," he said.

"I think that local government has not been as attentive to the difficulties in the Warraugl CBD as

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

they should have been.

"I think, quite frankly, the local council has overseen the decay of Warragul as a commercial centre.

"I've lived in Warraugl all my life, my father had a shop in Warragul from the mid­1940s on, I've been in business in this town myself since the end of 1971. There are shops vacant now that have never been vacant in all my lifetime."

As shops have closed, the options available locally have diminished.

"Traditionally, Warragul has nev­ er had the benefit of really big booms, and it has never had busts, it has just traded in a nice oscillation around the middle and everyone has been comfortable," Mr Hardie said.

"My observation is that the businesses that are succeeding in Warragul at the moment are the ones that benefit from national advertising. The difficulty is that the other businesses are not succeeding, and people are finding that they are now going to other places to get what was once provided in this town."

He used the example of the decline of men's and women's wear shops, which he said he expected more closures of soon, as well as specialty shops.

He also noted the town could be reinvigorated if the Baw Baw Shire took a stronger approach to town planning but it may be difficult to draw big box retailers to the area at the moment.

"We have a major difficulty in Warragul with the non­devel­ opment of the former milk factory site," Mr Hardie said.

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"There are arguably many reas­ ons why that hasn't happened, but to my mind the council well and truly should have bitten the bullet by now and caused some develop­ ment to have occurred.

"Whether or not that's coming to an arrangement with the present owner of the property or whether or not the council should have compu­ lsorily acquired the land is another thing.

"I think it's a pity the council hasn't addressed that seriously over time. I don't know whether it's holding economic progress back, but it's inhibiting good design of the commercial centre and inhibiting opportunities.

"It used to be said that Big Ws and Kmarts and big box stores mig­ ht want to come to Warragul. I've got to say these days I would be very surprised if we could attract busi­ nesses like that Warragul having regard to the prevailing economic conditions in the town."

Other smaller issues have affe­ cted the viability of some parts of town for certain kinds of busi­ nesses.

"I think local government enforcing their parking rules would assist greatly," he said.

"We have great difficulty in this area with business owners and people who work in businesses in the area parking on the street but council seems to have other priorities than enforcing its parking rules.

"The duplicating of the lanes through the Queen/Smith Streets roundabout also made it incredibly difficult for people to walk across the street and people are tending not to do that. If they can't get a park in front of the bookshop, they won't cross the street. However, I think the duplication was nec­ essary and it would be inappr­ opriate to suggest that should not have been done to avoid impacting businesses on our side of the street.

"Any infrastructure work has consequences."

The final closure date of the Red Door Bookshop is yet to be determined, but when Mr Hardie finally shuts that door for the last time it will be at the end of a successful chapter of his life.

"It was never meant to be a huge money spinner, it was meant to be something that occupied me and something I enjoyed doing, and it has done that," Mr Hardie said.

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WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN · 27 MARCH 2015

· LOCAL NEWS · 3

Baw Baw's child immunisation rates best in Gippsland CHILD immunisation rates in Baw Baw are the highest of all Gippsland councils, according to statistics in the Australian Childhood Immun­ isation Register Coverage Report.

Just over 96 per cent of children aged between 60 and 63 months in Baw Baw have been fully immu­ nised.

The figure is above the goal minimum set by Victoria's chief health officer Dr Rosemary Lester of 95 per cent.

The statistics are an important measure of the community's resis­ tance to diseases like pneumonia, polio, hepatitis, and other nasty bugs.

High immunisation rates also indicate a new law to be introduced by the state government banning children from childcare centres if their immunisations are not up­to­ date may be introduced in Baw Baw relatively seamlessly.

The Herald Sun has reported the policy will be introduced in 2016 following continuing consultations with New South Wales officials.

Child (60­<63 months) full immunisation rates: 30 September 2014 NSW introduced a similar policy last year.

That paper also found immunisa­ tion rates in some local government areas have dropped "well below 90 per cent."

The lowest rate in Gippsland was

Bass Coast Shire, at 90.1 per cent fully immunised.

Latrobe City was the only other Gippsland council to exceed Dr Lester's minimum target, with Wellington just over 1.5 per cent behind the recommendation.

In East Gippsland, 92.17 per cent of children are fully immunised, while in South Gippsland that rate is 91.89 per cent.

Gippsland's average immunisa­ tion rate was 93.86 per cent In Baw Baw, the number of children in the 60­63 months age bracket covered by the immunisat­ ion register report as at 30 Sept­ ember last year was 165 children.

That was the second highest number in Gippsland, second to Latrobe City's 238 and ahead of Wellington's 137.

Historical information on imm­ unisation rates in Baw Baw over the last decade were not available.

The statistics suggest parents who choose not to vaccinate choose to avoid all vaccinations, not just some. There is little difference between how many children have taken each jab, suggesting it is the same children receiving all the vaccinations.

Those statistics are similar across all Gippsland local government areas.

Getting health back at Farmworld FARMERS will be given the cha­ nce to learn belly dancing at Far­ mworld this weekend as part of a campaign to improve back health.

Agribusiness Gippsland will run the Foundation for Rural & Regi­ onal Renewal­funded lessons at its stand in the Health and Wellbeing pavilion.

The group runs the "Getabet­ taback" program with the intention

of improving back, spine and joint health among farmers.

In a media release an Agribu­ siness Gippsland spokesperson said "dodgy backs are the silent blight of farming."

A survey conducted by the group last year found 70 per cent of respondents had lived with pain for more than five years.

Thirteen per cent said back pain

was the biggest issue in their farming day, while only 40 per cent sought medical help for their bad back.

Less than 20 per cent took action to keep their backs healthy before developing a bad back.

"We’ve tackled tai chi with grizzled mountain cattlemen at Bairnsdale and now we’re trying belly dancing with the West

Gippsland farmers," the spokesp­ erson said.

"It’s a fun way of highlighting a serious subject."

Belly dancing tutoring will take place at the Agribusiness Gippsland stand in the Health and Wellbeing pavilion between 10:00 and 11:00 and 12:00 and 13:30 at Farm World, Lardner Park, on Sunday.

There are no age or gender restr­ ictions.

You can stay updated with Agribusiness Gippsland's campaign on Facebook. Simply search for "Betterspines4farmers" and hit like.

The Facebook page features updates and advice on how to keep a healthy back on the farm and at home.

4 · LOCAL NEWS ·

WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN · 27 MARCH 2015

New committee to fight domestic violence

Dogs to be allowed off­leash in trial

By Matthew Sims L mjsim94

◄From Page 1

SELECT figures of the Baw Baw Shire have united to form a new committee to work to end dome­ stic violence.

Representatives from the Baw Baw Shire Council, the local police, some media, church groups and service clubs attended the meeting to create a plan to prevent violence from occurring.

Domestic violence remains the major cause of death in women aged between 15 and 44 years, with a third of all women experiencing some form of physical violence in their lifetime.

Baw Baw Shire mayor Debbie Brown said that if the community stopped ignoring the issue and realised its impact “we are taking the next step in preventing violence and supporting those who are affected.”

Reported cases of domestic violence in Baw Baw increased by 44 per cent between the period of October 2012 and September 2013 and the same period the following years.

However, leading senior const­ able Brendan Clarke said approx­ imately 50 per cent of cases were left unreported.

Group member and Warragul & Drouin Gazette editor Carolyn Tur­ ner said the media played a key part

notifying the public about the problem.

“A better­informed community could understand that everyone can play a role and can make a differ­ ence,” Ms Turner said in a Baw Baw Shire media release.

“If we all play a role then together we can make a difference and stop this insidious and preventable sha­ me.”

The Gippsland Women's Health Service's health promotion project coordinator, Sarah Corbell, said the issues facing women should be recognised more in the area.

“Through training and develo­ pment, promotion of key messages and celebrating women, commu­ nities can make the link and make a difference in the lives of women, girls and families,” Ms Corbell said.

“All of society benefits when women thrive.”

Violence against women can also lead to homelessness and poor mental health.

If you or anyone you know is experiencing family violence you can call 1800 737 732 for family violence counselling.

For more information on the committee, you can contact Tanya Kilgower or Kerry Irwin at Baw Baw Shire Council on 5624 2411.

For more on domestic violence in Baw Baw, search “domestic violence an issue for all” at warragulcitizen.com.

potential for off­leash areas.

“I believe it's taken a good 18 months to get to this stage,” he said at Wednesday's council meeting.

“Out of that, we've got to the recommendation where we're sitt­ ing here tonight with quite a lot of potential areas deleted from the list.

“There are no designated areas on sports grounds.”

Concerns had been raised by sporting clubs about dogs contam­ inating play areas.

A report by council staff said the community's response to the trial during the consultation period had been mixed, with 48 per cent in support of off­leash areas and 37 per cent against.

Time restrictions were also suggested, but 54 per cent of people were not supportive of the idea.

The cost of introducing the off­ leash areas with fencing would be significantly higher than without.

Without fencing, it would cost $900 to set up Brooker Park, which includes bins and signage. It would cost $13,500 if fencing were added.

Bellbird Park in Drouin would cost $18,850 with fencing, or $850 without.

Some parks are already fenced.

Warragul ward councillor Joe Gauci stressed this was only a trial, and the costly installation of fencing

Major Sutton Street development approved ◄From Page 1 The approval followed an alternative motion to disallow the development moved by Cr Cook, which was defeated with the same vote in reverse.

In that motion Cr Cook said the development “fails to appropriately respond to the objectives and standards of Clause 55 of the Baw Baw Planning Scheme, with specific regards to neighbourhood character and infrastructure, site layout and building mass, amenity impacts, on­ site amenities and facilities and detail design.”

He also said the development provided inadequate car parking, would have a detrimental affect on traffic in the area, failed to have due regard to abutting properties and its interface with the street and Brooker Park, and was an over development of the site.

A string of submitters told councillors at Wednesday's council meeting they were concerned about parking, the increased traffic and parking on Sutton Street and a number of other issues.

One submitter said it was an “inhumane proposal” and the “population centre will not work.”

Another said “it takes the council's planning to the extreme” and was “out of kilter with the neighbourhood.”

A neighbour said she was conce­ rned about the height of fencing. “I don't want to live in a jail,” she said.

But a representative of developer South Eastern Homes Py Lty, Lois Lowe, said the development was appropriate for the site.

“This site is within an established area, it's an in­fill site relatively close to the town centre. It ticks the

boxes for medium development in an area quite well serviced,” she told councillors.

“This land has been vacant for many years so what residents experience now will change.

“The development is in part in response to the slope of the land and meets the requirements for public open land.”

Asked by Cr Cook what the average amount of open land per dwelling was, Ms Lowe said 55 square metres.

Cr Murphy in his questioning said “I'm looking at the plans and I'm trying to see the footpaths,” the response to which from Ms Lowe was “they're not public roads, so it's quite usual to have roadway shared paths.”

Speaking for the approval of the development, Cr Gauci said it complied with all state and local regulation, especially after plans were modified in response to com­ munity concerns.

“Does it comply with state regulation, local regulation, do our officers recommend it? Yes it is legal,” he said.

“The original proposal was 46 units, came back with 38, reduced to 36. All that consultation was with planners for successful outcomes.

“Council planning indicates we need to have alternative housing for everyone. Does this comply and satisfy that need? Yes. We already have facilities in place.

“We need, as a council, to take on the recommendations that have been taken on by our officers.

“We are going to get more and more and more of these. We can decide whether we're going to put them in the too hard basket.”

But Cr Cook said while high

density was needed, this was not the right approach and could put the community off­side.

“I'm not against medium or even high density dwellings, but it has to be the right development in the right place,” he said.

“My view is that this is in the wrong place. It's sloping. Already some of the neighbours have expressed concern on the storm water.

“Allowing this development to go ahead may jeopardise further med­ ium and high density development.

If we get it right at the start, we bring the community along with us.

“You do what's right for the site, and you do what's right for the community, and that's where you stand.

Cr Cook said an argument made by other councillors that the two years spent planning the development justified its approval was unsound.

“We should not get weak at the knees after two years,” he said.

“The fact it's two years tells us it's a difficult situation.

“Why, if it's so close [to being right], can't we side on behalf of the community and good planning and get it right?”

Cr Murphy said “it could look bad for us in three, four or five years' time.”

Cr Brown questioned why other councillors considered the site inappopriate.

“If we can't infill and build in our major town in the shire and have the diversity of housing, I don't know where we're going to be able to do this,” she said.

“It's so central into the town we do need to look at it as something we need to do.”

may be considered at the end.

Drouin ward councillor Tricia Jones spoke strongly in favour of fencing, saying it would improve safety for dogs and other park users.

A large number of people used the council's community participa­ tion time at Wednesday's meeting to tell councillors their thoughts on the planned trial.

One Trafalgar resident said: “I beg the councillors not to allow dogs off leash in... any park where there are any playgrounds for children” and the theory that dogs socialise better off leash “is absolute rubbish.”

Trafalgar Community Develop­ ment Association president David Lyons said there had been some concerns raised about some sites considered, but suggested Linear Park also be considered to become an off­leash area.

“The TCDA would support Oak Tree Park, but there was concern about fencing because it would change the look of the park,” he said.

“Some members of the comm­ unity were concerned about some parks suggested during consulta­ tion, especially around playgro­ unds.”

A Drouin resident said he supported the plan, and said the onus on dog control lies with the owner.

“Everyone forgets that people whose dogs are not controllable should not have them off lead,” he said.

“It's almost universal veterinary opinion that dogs off lead is good for the dogs.”

“Happier dogs are less likely to develop bad behavioural habits.”

Mount Worth ward councillor and former mayor Murray Cook used the motion as a chance to take a swipe at previous councils.

“This is a sensitive issue,” Cr Cook said.

“This council said at the very start [it would] address some of the sensitive issues other councils have gone so far on.

“We will address this and other sensitive issues.”

Cr Cook also said some comm­ unity members needed to be more responsible dog owners.

“Houses that back onto parks that just allow the dog to go out [are irresponsible,] which leads me on to the topic of enforcement.

“There's no good in us making these hard decisions without us following through.

“Select a breed that is suitable. A lot of the problems that we have are not the problems of the dogs, they are the problems of the owners.”

North ward councillor David Balfour was not present at the meeting.

New proposal for Baw Baw staff BAW Baw staff affected by the council's planned restructure, wh­ ich is set to see up to 35 people made redundant, have been prese­ nted with a new proposal, but little has changed from the first draft distributed last month.

A representative of the Australian Services Union, which represents the Baw Baw staff, said the proposal had been put to staff and a new round of consulatation had begun.

"The organisation has moved on a couple of items, which is promi­ sing from our point of view," ASU Gippsland organiser Cameron Wri­ ght told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

"A couple of positions have been kept, but then they've [removed] a couple of others.

"It's three in, three out kind of stuff."

Mr Wright said a final proposal may come next month.

"We've got some agreed timelines

in place and at some point in time, probably post 14 April, they may be in a position to put out a final proposal as to how the structure will look like from their point of view," he said.

Mr Wright declined to say how negotiations with the Baw Baw executive were going.

Asked what the union would do for those staff members who wan­ ted to take a package and leave, Mr Wright said: "we're not going to stand in the way of an individual who wants to take a package if it does eventuate. We'll only obviously fight for the people who want to stay."

He said an exit agreement would be defined by the staff's enterprise bargaining agreement.

Mr Wright said other councils considering restructure "have loo­ ked at what happened here and they're doing things a lot differ­ ently."

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WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN · 27 MARCH 2015

· LOCAL NEWS · 5

Community comes together for cancer relay

By Matthew Sims L mjsim94 MORE than 350 people parti­ cipated in the West Gippsland Relay for Life held over the weekend to celebrate people who have battled cancer and raise funds for research.

The walking relay ran from 18:00 Saturday until 10:00 Sunday and raised $27,000 for the Cancer Council.

Sixteen teams of all ages, includ­ ing survivors, carers and members of the West Gippsland community, united at the Warragul Velodrome to show their strength in numbers towards cancer.

The event began with the “Survi­ vors and Carers Lap”, in which those who have conquered the disease, and those that helped them along the way, were celebrated and cheered.

The Spirit of Relay award, which recognises remarkable dedication and work with the Relay for Life,

was awarded to Stefan Gregory.

The award for best team went to Team Harold, which raised $4,000.

There was plenty of entertain­ ment with cover band Jam 821 and local musician Emily Murdica playing throughout Saturday night.

Members of Warragul Youth Theatre also performed “Robin Hood” for the participants.

The Cancer Council raises funds from the community for research and to support people living with cancer. Several Relay for Life events were held across the country.

The charity works closely with the Australian Government to develop better ways to prevent, treat and support those diagnosed with cancer.

Half of all Australian men and a third of all Australian women will be diagnosed with a form of cancer at some point in their lives before they reach the age of 85.

If you would like to donate to the Cancer Council, you can do so at relayforlife.org.au.

New equestrian centre meets requirements

Above: all smiles for the relay.

Above: walking for the Darnum/Ellinbank Fire Brigade. The brigade carried an old piece of equipment with them as their baton.

Photos by William PJ Kulich

Above: walking for Gregory's Fitness.

Icy Creek toilet out in the cold

By Matthew Sims L mjsim94

Above: Jacqui Panozzo.

Photos and article by William PJ Kulich

◄From Page 1 program. The state government contributed $100,000, while the Drouin and District Community Bank also made a contribution.

Many other local groups also helped.

“Without these generous funds, this wouldn't have happened,” Mr Stock said.

“What you see here today is a great example of a community working together to deliver a great value outcome for the entire community.

“The combined in­kind labour that assisted to deliver these facilities is over 800 hours. It's amazing. Without that work this would just be a shed.

“Along with the labour came the support of our local suppliers. These people have worked with us taking into consideration our budget and timeframe.

“The future is incredibly bright for the three clubs.

“We're incredibly thankful for the amazing facilities we've been able to deliver in conjunction with our partners. We look forward to inviting you back for competitions in the future.”

Works on the site began in October, with the need for better equestrian facilities having been identified in 2006.

On Sunday the first competition

to ever be held at the centre took place. Mr Stock told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen the facility worked well.

“It's the biggest event we've ever run as a club, so to have so many rings means we can absolutely get through everybody,” he said.

“We didn't have to put anyone on a waiting list or anything like that, so it's been amazing.

“Four arenas, a big show jumping area, plenty of room ­ it's been awesome.

“Each club has had a rally here, but this is the first comp. Warraugl's having another one in May, and the Gippsland Adult Riders is having one in May too.

“We've tested the grounds for the other clubs for sure.”

Baw Baw mayor Debbie Brown said in a media release all three clubs had been integral to the development.

“The knowledge and enthusiasm of the committee has created a high quality facility that can cater for many different groups and attract high profile events,” she said.

“Key features of the new centre include a clubhouse, dressage arenas, a cross country course, horse stalls and improved parking and access. With these features combined, we now have a centre that will allow for an increase in participation and membership year­ round.”

BAW Baw Shire Councillors have ruled to put a block of council­ owned land in Icy Creek, which includes a public toilet, up for sale.

During the council meeting held on Wednesday, the recommend­ ation to sell the land at auction was moved by Warragul ward councillor Joe Gauci, but was not unanimous.

Councillors Cook, Brown, Kostos, Gauci and Murphy voted for the sale, while councillors Power, Jones and Williamson voted against it.

Warragul ward councillor Joe Gauci said “the policy of this council has been to utilise anything that's not needed and then [make use of the funds from that.]”

“The state of the toilet is actually in quite bad repair.”

The council ruled that the toilet would be permanently shut down at the end of the 2015 winter season and that the pull­off zone for cars and garbage disposal would be kept out the front of the premises.

Drouin ward councillor Terry Williamson raised concerns about tourists' use of the road.

“It feels we're deserting a little outpost,” he said.

“Years ago, tourism was just as important as it is today.

“If the septic tank has been going for 30 years it's doing well.

“It shouldn't cost much to fix.”

The council welcomed submissions from those who live close to the property, as well as those who own sites at Mount Baw

Baw Alpine Resort.

The council was sent eleven recommendations concerning the site.

Ten of those recommended that the toilets should remain open, as the Noojie public toilets were not situated on the main thoroughfare.

However, a council report said there were three public toilets at Tanjil Bren, Noojie and Willow Grove which were “within a reasonable distance” of Icy Creek.

Seven of the recommendations mentioned the site was one of few places in the area where drivers could pull over to rest, and there was a risk of the area becoming a place for littering without amenities.

Cr Gauci said there would still be plenty of space at the side of the road for people to pull over.

6 · ARTS & RECREATION ·

GIG GUIDE IN ORDER OF PERFORMANCE DATE

Snapped!

WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN · 27 MARCH 2015

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

Warragul North Primary School fete

Vika Bull, one of Australia’s most respected, powerful soul singers tells the story ofone ofthe most influential soul singers ofall time: Etta James.

Above: Bec Vandyk paints Holly Norris' face.

Above: Taj crosses the ball pit.

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 songwriters, fronting the superb Crown ofThorns.

His instrumental gifts have oft been utilised on recordings by the likes ofJames 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.

Tonicfest music festival, Warragul Above: Wigz and Birch.

Tix: $15 presale from Bank, $20 on door CHARLIE BEATS 02 Apr @ Commercial Hotel, Warragul

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

Free event.

PLEASE NOTE: This event is not at the O&H as published in the 13 March 2015 edition ofthe Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

Above: the Baw Baw Blues Club.

Above: Daniel Calabro.

STEVE & JAY 02 Apr @ Bank Warragul/Euphoria MIC AND GRAHAM SHOW 04 Apr @ Bank Warragul/Euphoria BEN SMITH 10 Apr @ Bank Warragul/Euphoria DOM FINLEY 11 Apr @ Bank Warragul/Euphoria

Rock­a­Jerry fundraiser, Warragul

JON ENGLISH 15 Apr @ Bank Warragul Tix: $25 presale from Bank, $30 on door THE COMPLETE CARPENTERS 17 Apr @ West Gippsland Arts Centre Close to You is a narrative concert tribute Karen and Richard Carpenter.

Tix: wgac.com.au

Above: Travis Demsey.

STEVE McCULLOCH 17 Apr @ Bank Warragul/Euphoria GRAHAM HAWES 18 Apr @ Bank Warragul/Euphoria LUKE MATTHEWS 24 Apr @ Bank Warragul/Euphoria GRAHAM HAWES 25 Apr @ Bank Warragul/Euphoria 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 and right: 1950s style.

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

WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN · 27 MARCH 2015

Above: Riley takes the giant slide.

Above: Rebecca and Thomas Lilford.

· ARTS & RECREATION · 7

Above: The winner of last year's Mawarra Jindivick Community Garden Acquisition, David Doyle's 'Snowcatchers, Waiting for Winter'.

Photo by Graham Duell

Sculpture show to bring more art to Jindivick

By Matthew Sims L mjsim94

Above and right: The Animators.

Above: Charlie Beats.

Above: Gin Club.

AFTER more than 10 years of showing local art, the Travelling Jindivick Sculpture Show will return from May to September this year.

Entries for this year's compet­ ition, to be held in Jindivick and at Narkoojee Winery, are now open.

Entries must comply with a theme, which this year is “sharing food, wine and music.”

With a total prize pool of $8,500, the sculpture show is an integral part of the culture of the Gippsland arts scene.

This year's awards will be presented at the show's opening at the Jindivick Public Hall on Saturday 9 May at 14:30.

The show will culminate in a con­ cert to be performed by the Melbou­ rne Chamber Orchestra at Narkoo­ jee Wines on Sunday 27 September.

The first exhibition will be held around the Jindivick Country Gardener and Jindivick Harvest Kitchen, as well as inside the Public Hall from Saturday 9 May until Sunday 24 May. A second exhibition will run at Narkoojee Winery from Saturday

30 May until Sunday 27 September.

The winner of the Narkoojee Acquisition will be awarded $5,000 and have their piece installed at Narkoojee Wines for public display.

The sculpture which wins this prize must display all aspects of the “sharing food, wine and music” theme.

The artist awarded the Mawarra Jindivick Sculpture Acquisition will receive $1,500 and their work will be placed in the Jindivick Community Garden.

The Nangara Acquisition sees the winning entry situated in the Nangara Reserve Art Precinct in Jindivick for $1,000.

One piece will be selected as best in show for a $1,000 cash prize without acquisition.

The Baw Baw Arts Alliance will select the winner of the “Best Interior Piece” for a reward of $500.

The awards will be judged by the senior curator at McClelland Sculpture Park Penny Teale and the curator of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show Sculpture Exhibition, Mark Cowie.

A member of Narkoojee Wines will also judge the Narkoojee Acquisition.

Pizzas to celebrate sustainability

Above: Clancy and Matthew.

Stay updated

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

THE BAW Baw Sustainability Net­ work will acknowledge Earth Hour 2015 with pizzas and the launch of a new aquaponics system on Satu­ rday.

The group has invited members of the public to join them for local music and pizzas cooked in their cob oven.

The event is free, however atten­ dees must bring their own toppings, rolling pin, tray and crockery and donations are sought.

The aquaponics system was designed by a Warragul Regional College student and is now home to 15 trout.

A grant from the Baw Baw Shire Council made its installation possi­ ble and the group has put around 30 man hours into its construction.

The designer will be at the event to explain how aquaponics works.

Just search Facebook for "Warragul Citizen", follow @WarragulCitizen on Twitter and Instagram, add warragulcitizen

The Baw Baw Sustainability Net­ work works to promote and achieve sustainable living in the region. The group oversees a bulk food buying group, re­skilling workshops, dome­ stic energy workshops, gardening and more, as well as running events.

Above: the aquaponics system.

Photo supplied.

Location: Fozigobble Cafe, Yarra­ gon.

Time: 16:00, Saturday 28 March.

To register visit bbsn.org.au and follow the links.

on Snapchat, or subscribe for email updates at warragulcitizen.com/email

8 · ARTS & RECREATION ·

WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN · 27 MARCH 2015

Something old from something new at Yarragon's station gallery

By Matthew Sims L mjsim94

& Baw Baw Citizen.

Recently, she said she had moved more towards mosaics.

Her work “Fragmented Dreams”, AS THE saying goes, “everything a piece which uses an old tray old is new again”. bought at a This is cert­ garage sale ainly true of and shards of “Recycled”, a crockery fo­ new exhibi­ und in Broken tion featuring Hill, is one of works from many artwor­ members of ks utilising di­ Artists on the scarded mate­ Move, a local rials. collaboration, Used tea ranging from bags, labels, painting to biscuit tins furniture to made into ins­ sculpture. truments and The install­ nests made ation at The out of twigs Station Gall­ and bush nuts ery in the Yar­ are given the ragon station same value as building will paintings of be open to the acrylic or pas­ public until tel.

Monday 30 Others do March. not recycle Celebrating material, but their tenth reuse ideas of year together, "Recycled" exhibitor Alene Bonser.

Photo by Carol Monson artistic expre­ Artists on the Move consists of 13 artists from the ssion in new mediums and with new materials.

Baw Baw area.

All of the artworks are available Founding member and promi­ nent artist in the showcase Alene for purchase, ranging from $50 to Bonser said she had drawn since $1,000.

The exhibition is free to visit and she was a child.

“No particular reason, just I felt I is open from 10:30 to 16:00 until had to do it,” she told the Warragul the end of the month."

Ziggy and the Coffees from Mars DAN McPherson loves his coffee.

He also loves David Bowie.

Working at Sticcado Café in Yarr­ agon, he makes many, many coffe­ es. When there are not too many people waiting he likes to show off his artistic flair, creating coffee art ­ drawings in the froth of the coffee.

He recently started working colo­ ur into his designs too, starting with the face of David Bowie, but he has had many requests.

"A zombie cat, and another was for a map of India," he told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

"I'll give anything a crack.

"I've been making coffee for about two and a half years now, so it's come down to a lot of learning, getting the right amount of foam, working quickly.

"I've watched other people do this kind of thing, and a lot of it has come down to experimentation and trying to find the technique by myself.

"Practice is the big one."

As well as the traditional fern leaf, Dan has also created dragons, Indian chiefs and even more complex designs.

"It's getting more and more intensive," he said.

The Trafalgar High School gradu­ ate and actor hopes to have a career as a barista.

"It's something I have a huge am­ ount of passion for," he said.

"I would love to go to the Melbo­ urne scene and learn from and tea­ ch the baristas there.

"That's the great thing about hospitality, you learn from each other."

Anyone can request any design "if we're not too busy."