Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen 15 May 2015

Warragul & Baw Baw

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TRAF CENTRE LATEST VICTIM OF COUNCIL CUTS: PAGE 5

Paws to reflect on animal cruelty

By Jack Lacy L jack_m_lacy ON SUNDAY the RSPCA will host its Million Paws Walk fun­ draiser to fight against animal cruelty with events across the country.

Local dog lovers will have a chance to take part in Warragul with a one or five kilometre walk along the Linear Park Arts Disc­ overy Trail.

Over 25,000 people are expe­ cted to participate in the event ac­ ross 16 locations in Victoria.

Every year, approximately 28,000 lost, abandoned and res­ cued animals enter the RSPCA's animal shelters. The not­for­pro­ fit organisation requires strong financial support from the comm­ unity.

The RSPCA aims to raise $500,000 from the Million Paws Walk event in Victoria to fund the work of its inspectorate, rescues of abused or neglected animals, medication and a foster care pro­ gram which gives animals a sec­ ond chance at life.

Sharon Mackenzie of RSPCA Victoria told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen the 20­year­old event's fundraising goal was "reasonable."

"We take into account funds raised in previous years and how Story continues on Page 4 ► Right: Luke and Cassie Woodhouse take Rocky and Skully for a walk in Warragul Photo by William PJ Kulich

RATES RISE

3.6% Snug as a wombat in a rug Page 2

COUNCILLORS have en­ dorsed Baw Baw's 2015/ 16 rating strategy, which will see a 3.6 per cent rate rise.

The planned rate incr­ ease is only marginally lower than last year's pr­ ojection of 3.9 per cent, despite widespread cost cutting measures.

Councillors have relea­ sed the budget for Story continues on Page 4 ►

Gippsland Arts Festival 2015 Page 7

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ABOUT

Formerly The Warragul Citizen Edition number: 23

Editor: William PJ Kulich editor@warragulcitizen.com PO Box 1111 Warragul, VIC, 3820 Also designer and owner The editor takes responsibility for any political comment in this paper.

Articles, graphics and photos without author credits are by the editor.

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WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN · 15 MAY 2015

Native animals rug up for winter

By Jack Lacy L jack_m_lacy LOCAL endangered wildlife won't go cold this winter thanks to the Warragul Community House.

Warragul Community House cha­ ir Cathy Smith is sewing up a storm, using fabric to create blankets and pouches for young native wildlife residing in animal shelters.

On Saturday 30 May Ms Smith will teach members of the commu­ nity her skills in a workshop at the community house so they too can help the cause.

Ms Smith told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen she started sewing to help animals after meeting a carer in another community house prog­ ram.

"When I started teaching Publi­ sher and PowerPoint at the commu­ nity house there were two carers from the Jindivick Victoria wildlife shelter," she said.

"One of the carers, Gabby, brought in a wallaby she was looking after because they have to be fed every few hours.

"I was looking at the bag she had [the wallaby in] and said it was a lovely design. Gabby said they were always after bags because of the work they do.

"The pouches hang from a door handle and the animals able to jump inside.

"I had some material at home so I started whipping up these pouches and I brought them in to give to Gabby, who was really thankful. She wondered whether it would be worthwhile running a workshop, so I said 'we can only try!'"

A dinner plate is key to the design of the pouches.

"As a template I usually use a dinner plate or rubbish bin bottoms, as they provide a bigger circumf­ erence," Ms Smith said.

"However, I vary what I use to depending on the size of the animal."

Certain criteria must be followed while making the pouches to ensure the safety of the animals.

"There can't be any stitching inside the pouches because the animals can catch their feet or claws, and the material needs to be something that's warm enough to maintain their body heat, usually flannelette or faux fur," Ms Smith said.

"The swamp wallaby that is endemic to here doesn't have much fur, nor puggles (baby echnidna's) because they have are hairless and only have tiny quills."

Ms Smith said she would attempt to find a carer to speak at the

Fresh paint to improve events

By Matthew Sims L mjsim94

Above: A baby wombat from Jindivick Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo by Cathy Smith.

Below: the pouches. Photo by Jack Lacy.

workshop and introduce participants to the animals.

"I can give [the volunteers at the workshop] all the information when they turn up with their sewing machines and their enthusiasm, but it's nice to see an animal that they would be making it for," she said.

"It gives you the satisfaction of 'I know why we are creating these things and are actually doing som­ ething constructive,' and you have a visualisation."

Ms Smith hopes to run her own program where members of the comm­ unity not only create blankets and pouches but also witness the work of carers in animal welfare shelters in the future.

"I would like the event to become more incorporated, so it's not just the carers coming here ­ [we could] do excursions so we can see how the animals and carers interact between each other."

The Warragul Community House

will host the Bags and Blankets Event, run by Cathy Smith, on 30 May from 10:00 to 14:00. 138 Normanby Street, Warragul.

Anyone can attend the event with a $2 donation, which will cover the cost of materials.

RENOVATIONS on several public halls in Baw Baw made through the Victorian Government's Regio­ nal Health Fund have been comp­ leted.

Town halls across the region received $128,000 to improve their kitchen and bathroom spaces.

Halls in Jindivick, Yarragon, Trafalgar, Rokeby, Neerim South and Shady Creek were renovated, among others.

Baw Baw Shire mayor Debbie Brown said the halls needed a revamp to remain functional.

"These upgrades will not only meet the needs of the current users but can encourage more community members to make use of the great facilities available," Cr Brown said in a media release.

The individual committees for each town hall, the Baw Baw Shire Council and the State Government co­operated to complete the refurbishments.

The works concentrated on fulfilling the Disability Discrim­ ination Act by fixing and updating the bathroom and kitchen areas of each hall to accommodate those with a disability.

The secretary of the Jindivick Hall Committee, Michele Baker said the upgraded services would lead to a rise in helping hands for community events.

"The improved areas will also encourage increased hiring of the hall which is vital to help support the on­going maintenance and improvements of the facility,” Ms Baker said in a media release.

15 MAY 2015 · WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN

· LOCAL NEWS · 3

Awareness will help reduce Alzheimer's stigma

By Jack Lacy L jack_m_lacy WITH prevalence of dementia set to skyrocket in Gippsland, Alzhei­ mer's Australia will host its first education session in the region.

According to the latest Gippsland Dementia Action Plan (2011­14), there are over 2,837 people living with the neurodegenerative disease.

In Baw Baw alone there are approximately 714 people living with dementia, a figure which is predicted to rise by an astounding 1000 per cent in 2050.

"By 2050 we will be looking at 7850 people [with dementia]," Alzheimer's Australia Gippsland facilitator Michelle Foster told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

"Australia has an ageing population and people are living longer."

Ms Foster said that while the services available in the Baw Baw region were to be commended, gre­ ater funding and education was required.

"The facilities that I go to are fantastic and the services that Gippsland has are amazing, but as the prevalence [of the disease] incre­ ases we need more awareness and more funding to support people," she said.

Next Wednesday Ms Foster will make a presentation at an education session in Drouin, in conjunction with Alzheimer's Australia.

Ms Foster said the aim of the seminar would be to educate volunteers affiliated with dementia support services.

"The intention of the seminar is to further educate volunteers about dementia, to try and raise awareness of dementia, and de­stigmatise it," she said.

"It's important for volunteers to receive education because it does empower them in their work and makes it worthwhile for the people they visit."

Ms Foster's seminar will address triggers associated with the disease and identify behaviours of concern.

"A few signs include being unkempt, performing a function or activity you have normally been able to quite well but are having trouble with knowing what to do next, not knowing what household items are for, ie. putting the keys in the oven not absent mindedly, anxiety and distress."

Alzheimer Australia's event will also equip volunteers with strategies for communication to improve their interaction with the people they visit.

"If someone repeatedly tells you the same story or the same question three times within a very short space of time, as if it was the first time you had asked it, understand that its due to the dementia rather than getting annoyed or short," Ms Foster said.

"Speak to the person adult to adult, not as an adult would to a child. You don't need to raise your

voice, they might not understand a particular word or might need longer to comprehend it. The rule of thumb is five seconds to wait to give them time to come up with a response."

"Also it helps to immerse yourself in the person's world. Join them in their reality."

Program Coordinator of the Community Visitors Scheme for MS Australia Rosemary Joiner echoed that sentiment.

"One of our volunteers visits an old lady with a severe form of dementia," Ms Joiner said.

"On one occasion she thought she had lunch with the Queen of England. Instead of criticising or correcting her behaviour, which would provide her with great discomfort, the volunteer went along with what she was saying."

Ms Joiner is responsible for organising and running the education session in Drouin.

"Part of my role is to run events like these several times a year, across Victoria, including in East Gippsland. However, this is the first event to be held in conjunction with Alzheimer's Australia."

While Alzheimer's Australia's event is primarily geared towards volunteers, Rosemary Joiner and Michelle Foster believe that the general public can also benefit from the discussion.

"In the past, we have had members of the community attend previous education sessions, who

have a family member, friend or acquaintance diagnosed with dementia. People living with dementia are not only old, they can be young as well', Rosemary Joiner said.

At the latest session I presented there was a couple; one of them had their father pass away from dementia and the other had a father diagnosed with [the disease.]

"The couple had real life experience with dementia, witnessing it first­hand and when they came to the session it reassured them.

"The session helped confirm that their cause of action and the decisions they made for their loved was right."

Ms Foster said she hoped informing and educating the community about dementia would improve tolerance of the disease in the community.

"Hopefully we will become a more dementia friendly community," she said.

"If you can let one person know about it, hopefully they will talk about it and other people will understand what goes on, which will encourage them to support people who live with the disease."

Alzheimer Australia's education event will be held on 20 May from 10:00 until 13:00 at Lyrebird Village, Drouin.

If you are living with dementia or know someone who needs support

you can call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.

You can also visit Alzheimer Australia's Drouin office, 2B/35­37 Princes Way.

4 · LOCAL NEWS ·

WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN · 15 MAY 2015

Getting What to do when social a storm sets in IF you have a social life, chances are you haven't had a chance to chase down local social media accounts to follow for news, updates and discussions.

Luckily for you, WBBC's editor does not. Below is his list of local politics acc­ ounts to follow.

Accounts not used for over a year and councillor accounts have not been included in this list.

WBBC will look at accounts of other key groups and organisations, in future editions.

Mary Aldred Committee for Gippsland CEO T @maryaldred Tweeting on local issues, events and cycling.

Helen Anstis Baw Baw Shire CEO T @HelenAnstis Tweeting about local, state and national issues and events.

Baw Baw Shire Council Official accounts of the Baw Baw Shire Council T @BawBawCouncil f /bawbawshirecouncil Posting local news, weather and emergency updates. Questions sent to these accounts are answered by the council's media team.

Gary Blackwood Liberal MP for Narracan T @GaryBlackwoodMP f /garyblackwoodmp Baw Bore Councillor Watch f /BawBawCouncilWatch Commentary on council issues.

Russell Broadbent Liberal MP for McMillan T @BroadbentMP f /russell.broadbent.94 Committee for Gippsland T @C4Gipps Industry and not­for­profit lobby group based in Warragul tweeting about meetings and events.

Matthew Cripps Baw Baw Shire Growth and Econo­ mic Development director T @CCasbourn Tweeting about Baw Baw events and conservative politics under the pseudonym "Charles Casbourn."

Drouin & District Business Group f Search for page title Updates from networking group the Drouin & District Business Group.

Harriet Shing Labor MP for the Eastern Victoria Region T @ShingvWorld Warragul Business Group T @BroadbentMP f /russell.broadbent.94 Updates from networking group the Warragul Business Group.

West Gippsland Waffle Microblogging at its finest T @WGwaffle See Baw Baw through the eyes of a newcomer ­ comment, reviews, photos and more from a community­minded blogger.

Also often amusing: Group hug at Warragul

11 April 2015

By Matthew Sims L mjsim94 THE STATE Emergency Service (VICSES) has warned Gippsland residents to plan ahead and be prepared for the upcoming storm season.

With high wind warnings in place across the area during the week and more likely to come, there are several ways to prepare the property and ensure your safety.

All household items found in your backyard should either be tied down or moved inside to prevent potential damage to the house.

Branches or trees which could fall and hit people or valuable items such as a car or building should be cut or shortened.

Indeed, cars should be moved undercover if possible or kept away from trees and electrical lines.

External drainage should be unblocked to prevent flooding or damage to the roof of the house.

If a house is damaged during a

storm, the insurance of the home and its contents should be verified as soon as possible.

When damaging storms are likely to occur, keep the radio on at all times and regularly visit the VICSES website for information.

All members of the family, including animals, should remain indoors for the entire duration of the storm.

A loss of electricity should be expected and torches, candles and charged mobile phones should be kept close to hand.

If you are driving during a storm, move off the road into a clearing away from large trees and electrical wires, turn the engine off and the hazard lights on.

If you are unable to reach a shelter, find a space as far away from drains, creeks, trees, power lines and other loose materials as possible.

Water from a flood should never be entered or swum in as it could be toxic, fast moving or hiding

something dangerous.

Small repairs to the roof of the house or any other area should always be carried out with extreme caution.

Emergency repairs should be referred to the SES. Regional manager of the VICSES eastern region Jamie Twidale said the SES was be ready to respond to any weather event at any time of the day.

“Community members are advised to call 132 500 if they require assistance from Victoria State Emergency Service volunteers due to storm related damage,” Mr Twidale said.

“If it is a life threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000).”

Following a storm, houses and surrounding property should be examined to see if any damage has occurred.

Even if the storm seems to be over exercise extreme caution aro­ und fallen trees, power lines, destroyed buildings and waterways.

ress."

Drouin ward's Terry Williamson said the lower than expected rise showed councillors were "mindful of ratepayers' concerns."

Joe Gauci, Warragul Ward, said the council had resisted doing what he claimed other councils had done in not hiking rates higher in light of the state government's planned rate capping.

"A lot of other councils have actually gone the other way and... tried increasing their rates over that rate," Cr Gauci said.

"We've kept to our rating strategy.

"There's been no money grab at all in our rating strategy."

Warragul's Gerard Murphy was a bit less specific: "We are about delivering, and we're delivering. This group deliv­ ers."

Opera House there," Cr Williamson said.

"There will be lots of workers bu­ sying themselves about their com­ puters.... and whatever our staff do." $35.2 million from the budget, including $5 million carried forward, has been committed to council infrastructure renewal.

The 2015/16 budget will also pay for: • stage two of the Warragul Leisure Centre reconstruction, • design work for the redevelop­ ment of the West Gippsland Arts Centre, • construction of a new kinder at Drouin Primary School • construction of a new animal pound at Lardner.

• upgrades and expansions of three of Baw Baw's waste transfer stations, • improvements at eight bad road safety locations, • consultation on and design of streetscapes in Warragul, • Longwarry drainage works, • a new footpath program to provide approximately 700m of new footpath at sites across the region, • Dowton Park Yarragon Oval 1 upgrades, and • road repairs.

A report by council officers said the council was continuing to seek savings through moves to online service delivery.

Total operating expenditure in the budget comes in at $64.4 million.

Community asked to Paws to rate proposed budget reflect on animal cruelty ◄From Page 1

community consultation and feedb­ ack.

The ratingstrategy strategy features some other key changes this year, not least the introduction of two new rating categories.

Properties deemed to be in the Urban Living category will have a rates discount of 10 per cent on the general rate, while those in the Residential Development category will have a 30 per cent surcharge.

A report by council officers said the introduction of the new zones was appropriate with the approval of Baw Baw's settlement strategy, the precinct structure plans, and growth in Warragul and Drouin.

Property owners with land covered by the Vacant Land differential will have less incentive to take action with a cut in the surcharge from 80 per cent to 60 per cent."

Commercial and industrial prop­ erties will still be covered by a 30 per cent surcharge and farms will continue to receive a 10 per cent discount.

The seven farms covered by the Urban Farm differential will be removed and folded into the general farm differential. Both had a discount of 10 per cent.

Eligible pensioners will continue to receive a $50 rebate from Baw Baw in addition to the state gover­ nment's rebate.

The waste service charge for rub­ bish collection will remain in place.

The February lump sum payment option abandoned last budget will not be reinstated, with the quarterly payment requirement remaining in place.

The ratingstrategy strategy was passed unanimously by all nine councillors, though Warragul ward councillor Mikaela Power spoke against the motion with concerns about the reduced vacant land surcharge.

"The extra charge on vacant land is an incentive to do something with that land," Cr Power said.

"My concern is around some large areas of vacant land that have been sitting there for ages.

"We need something to happen there and I am reluctant to change anything that might cause prog­

Proposed budget Councillors also gave the nod to Baw Baw's proposed 2015/16 bud­ get at Wednesday's meeting.

Moving the motion to endorse the proposal, which is now open to public submissions, Mount Worth ward councillor Murray Cook said the council had made significant savings, including "$1.5 million in salary savings," despite pressure from other levels of government "This budget is the result of this council listening to the community," Cr Cook said.

"One of the tasks of rural govern­ emnts is to fight the cost shift of state and federal government.

We've had to top up the grants even more."

Drouin ward councillor Tricia Jones emphasised that "the council plan now goes way beyond rates and roads" while Cr Gauci talked the councillors up.

"As a group we've been through every single line item of this budget, every director has been to us to explain every cent," he said.

"Don't think this has been a process that we've gone through overnight. It's a very very long process."

Cr Williamson highlighted capital works in Drouin, especially the "refurbishment" of the council offices in the town.

"We'll have our own [Sydney]

Making submissions The proposed budget is open for public comment until 17:00 on Friday 12 June.

Written submissions should be sent to: Chief Executive Officer, Baw Baw Shire Council, PO Box 304, Warragul 3820.

Emails can be sent to bawbaw@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au.

Written submissions can be spoken to at a special council meeting, which will be held at 18:00 on Monday 15 June.

Those interested in speaking should say so in their submission.

What do you think of the proposed budget? Let WBBC know on Facebook (search "Warragul Citizen") or at warragulcitizen.com.

◄From Page 1 they were distributed and what would be a reasonable ask from our fantastic supporters for the current year," she said.

"This is our biggest fundraising event each year.

"Some of the funds are distributed to help with the rehabilitation and medical care for animals seized because of cruelty."

Warragul man Luke Woodhouse has participated in the event in the past and believes there needs to be greater awareness about inhumane animal trade and smuggling operations, which the RSPCA aims to combat.

“I have direct involvement with Soi Dog, which works to combat the illegal dog meat trade [in Thailand] by both raising awareness of the issue and looking after dogs that are rescued,” Mr Woodhouse told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

“Dogs are often taken off the street, crammed into cages and smuggled into neighbouring coun­ tries where they are brutally slau­ ghtered and eaten.”

Mr Woodhouse also emphasised the importance of animal shelters like the RSPCA that look after animals in need.

“People should think about helping or donating to local animal shelters. I adopted my dog Rocky from the Keysborough animal shelter, which has a no kill policy.

He had been at the shelter for a long time.”

“To do their work, animal shelters need donations.”

Warragul's Million Paws Walk event will begin at 14:00 at the Lardner Park Discovery Trial on Sunday.

Registration on the day commences at 1:00pm.

Everyone is eligible to enter and can sign up via the Million Paws Walk website.

Donations to assist the RSPCA in its efforts are also welcomed and can be made at rspcavic.org/giving

15 MAY 2015 · WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN

Trafalgar to lose council contact TRAFALGAR will lose its council customer service centre after councillors voted in favour of closing it at their public meeting on Wednesday.

Seven councillors voted in favour of the officers' reccome­ ndation that the centre be closed, with Mount Worth ward councillor Peter Kostos and North ward councillor David Balfour the only two to vote against.

The move means the centre, based in the Trafalgar Technology Centre will be closed from 1 July, just six weeks away.

Operation times of the service centre will be reduced to eight hours per week until then.

All residents will receive a letter detailing the change.

The customer service centre has been a point of contact for council services including animal registr­ ation, health registration and renewals, rates payments and debtor payments.

The centre has had an average of 10.8 transactions per day over the past six months, a total of 9.95 per cent of Baw Baw transactions.

The service centre costs $346.80 per active day to operate, with the average cost per transaction coming in at $32.11.

Councillors who supported the motion said residents could use other methods of paying bills with the same results.

"The cost per transaction for the council as per the best value report 2013 for the whole of the shire was $4.38, and at Traflagar it's $32.11," Mount Worth ward councillor Mur­ ray Cook said on moving the motion.

"Because the services provided at the centre can be provided in other ways it makes sense for us to rationalise the situation.

"I recommend this particular move. The main thing of course is the transition period. There may be people who find it more difficult than others.

"It is important for us to note that that transition period is traversed carefully."

Drouin ward councillor Terry Williamson said: "it's just a reflection of the changing times ­ you can pay rates with BPay now."

Cr Kostos said the move would be a loss for Trafalgar.

"Baw Baw Shire is a large shire, it's also a very long shire," he said.

"Trafalgar happens to be quite a large and significant town on our eastern boundary. I do agree that the cost is high.

"I still think we need to have some kind of representation in Trafalgar.

"I think the people of Trafalgar deserve to have some kind of representation."

Cr Balfour said nearby small towns would also be disadvantaged.

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· LOCAL NEWS · 5

Returning home

Meredith Krygger, Max Hine and Ila Hine outside their former home and workplace. Photo: William PJ Kulich

DROUIN celebrated its history earlier this month with the Open House Drouin event, which drew large crowds curious about the town's past.

A number of buildings were opened up for visitors over the first weekend in May, with information displays and local historians at hand to inform people what was what.

The croquet club, old butter factory and several churches were opened up, as well as the former State Savings Bank of Victoria building and other buildings.

The bank closed many years ago and the upstairs area was converted from a residential area for bank managers to commercial.

It was that change that struck Max Hine, the last bank manager to live in the building, when he retur­ ned to the building on the Open House weekend for the first time since leaving.

"It is [surreal] because I haven't

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been up here since the whole place was redone as­is," he told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

"I couldn't believe the way it has come from the way it was to [new shops moving in].

"Structure­wise the building is almost exactly the same."

Mr Hine, his wife and two daughters lived in the building bet­ ween 1977 and 1987, after which the policy of bank managers living on­ premises was abolished.

While parts of the early­1900s building have remained unchanged, the same cannot be said for the town since the family moved out.

"The roundabout out the front had traffic lights, and I remember in the night quite often you would hear cars screeching to a halt," Mr Hine said.

"I know they had quite a few prangs out there and I remember my wife and Terry Williamson, who's next door, they met down

below in their night attire."

Mr Hine, who still lives in Drouin with his wife Ila, said living above the bank and raising a family "was good."

"I consider it to be a reasonable way to live because, even through you're at the call of your customers, you're still away from them," he said.

"It was in their (his daughters') formative years and from working in the bank and moving around, I think they were able to converse with people more."

Mr Hine also has a son, who once while visiting spotted a robbery, not of the bank but of the electronics shop next door.

"They were breaking in... and the roofs were about the same height and my son was looking out of the window and happened to see him."

There is no longer a building with the same roof line on either side of the state bank building.

6 · COMMENT ·

Your questions answered WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN · 15 MAY 2015

flexible and provides opportunities for families to have their children immunised at Drouin, Warragul or Trafalgar at different times, particularly out of hours and on Saturdays.

The public immunisation schedule is located on our website.

"This contract provides the citizens of Baw Baw with a tremendous accessible service, which costs the ratepayers $102,392.00 service previously supplied by the less over a three year period". shire's accredited nurse immuniser Q: In response to WBBC's story was working brilliantly. So why in all their wisdom has the Baw Baw on the closure of the Red Door Shire made them all redundant, cut Bookshop and its owner Wayne back the service to sessions per Hardie: "I wonder could the month and outsourced the service Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen get and print a response from Baw to Casey Shire?"

A: From Liana Thompon, Com­ Baw Shire Council on Mr Hardie's munity Services Director: "Many comments? Particularly around the people over many years have decline in business in Warragul worked hard to obtain these great and what the shire is planning in order to reduce the large number of immunisation rates.

"The Council has not contracted vacant shop fronts and buildings in to Casey Council. It is Kernow town?"

A: From Matthew Cripps, Environmental Services.

"Council has been looking at Growth and Economic Develop­ every service that it provides to the ment director: "The closure of any community to determine if Council business within the Baw Baw Shire should be the ones delivering it or if is not something that Council there are others who can provide wants to see occurring.

"While individual businesses are the service more efficiently. The contract with Kernow Environm- responsible for their own business ental Services is a case in point. model and success there are also They provide us with highly effi- many other factors impacting cient, experienced and dedicated operations. Outside factors include immunisation nurses that run the things like rent, the Australian unemployment, entire public and school immunisa- Dollar, tion service, and as a company, competition from other businesses, they are committed to providing etc.

"While Baw Baw Shire Council is excellence in public health and promoting the importance of not directly responsible in suppoimmunisation. The service is very rting private enterprise it does play A LOT of WBBC readers leave comments on Facebook and at warragulcitizen.com asking furt­ her questions on stories.

Most questions relate to council issues. We have sought answers to a number of them from the Baw Baw Shire Council. Those responses are below: Q: In response to WBBC's story on excellent immunisation rates in Baw Baw: "96 per cent? Clearly the

GALLERY: ANZAC DAY · Warragul

an important role in promoting the area as a destination. In 2014/15 Baw Baw Shire Council has undertaken a branding/promotion campaign focussed on encouraging people to visit the municipality. The visitbawbaw.com.au campaign has aimed at promoting Baw Baw and its attributes to metropolitan Melbourne."

Q: In response to WBBC's story on the installation of gates between Smith Street and Club Lane in an attempt to stop vandalism and public urination: "Will they open up

public toilets around here now, since all the hotel patrons will have to be forced to urinate in the actually street now?"

A: From Vishal Gupta, acting Community Assets director:

"Council’s rationale behind the night-time closure of the lane was to prevent antisocial behaviour, including urination, occurring along the lane.

"Council received a petition from nearby businesses that highlighted safety and amenities issues within the lane at night including graffiti, urination and vandalism. Public toilets are open for use generally between dawn and dusk in the Warragul CBD. Outside of these times, hotel patrons are encouraged to use the facilities within the hotel."

Q: In response to WBBC's story revealing the Warragul Leisure Centre refurbishment would cost over $10 million: "How is this

money going to be repaid, if the $10 million is borrowed the interest

alone would be a killer."

A: From Vishal Gupta, acting Community Assets director: "Costs

time was up. The Editor apologies for the mistake.

associated with the development of and ongoing operation of the Warragul Leisure Centre have been accounted for in Councils short and long term financial plans.

"Funding for the project will come from several sources including grants from the State and Federal Government and THE Warragul & Baw Baw CitiDeveloper Contributions, with the zen newspaper does not publish balance being raised through loan unmarked advertorial content.

While uncited positive news cov­ funds.

Advertorial policy

We will finish on something of an editorial note: regarding the quote on Page 4 of this paper from Drouin ward councillor Terry Williamson describing the refurbished council offices in his town as "our own [Sydney] Opera House there." On a very superficial level ­ overlooking other potential problems with the site ­ that building does not come close to the appearance of even the building there before it, let alone the Sydney Opera House. With the ugly brown corrugated iron facade the building might be better known as the "Drouin Brown House."

CORRECTION IN THE 24 April 2015 edition of the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen the story "'Use it!'" said a bell was presented to Baw Baw councillors as a criticism of the amount of time being given for submissions.

WBBC has been informed that interpretation was incorrect and the bell was presented to allow speakers and the gallery to better hear when

erage of advertisers is often found in newspapers, WBBC feels it is impo­ rtant 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 businesses will be run when the editor sees fit, not when advertisers pay.

Ad rates 5,300 copies distributed across Baw Baw. Prices full colour, 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

WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN · 15 MAY 2015

Drouin

Drouin photos by Libby Rogers.

Warragul photos by William PJ Kulich.

More online

Full galleries for Warragul, Drouin, Yarragon and Trafalgar services: warragulcitizen.com

More photos to view and download free at warragulcitizen.com

GIG GUIDE IN ORDER OF PERFORMANCE DATE EXCUSE FOR AN EXIT 16 May @ O&H Warragul Time: 21:30. Free CHARLIE BEATS 23 May @ Commercial Hotel, Warragul NOMAS TEGRO 23 May @ O&H Warragul Time: 21:30. Free LOBES OF JULIA 30 May @ O&H Warragul Time: 21:30. Free BAW BAW TRIO AND FRIENDS 31 May @ Wesley of Warragul

Featuring Brian Chapman on piano, Joan Evans on cello and Daniel Stefanski on violin.

Time: 14:30 Tix: trybooking.com/123800

DEWAYNE EVERETTSMITH + SIETTA 05 Jun @ West Gippsland Arts Centre

Descended from both the Aboriginal community ofCape Barren Island and the Gunai/Kurnai people, Dewayne's music is influenced by his heritage and shaped by his tough early years and love ofmany musical styles and great singers.

Time: 20:00. Tix: wgac.com.au THREE OAK ROAD 06 Jun @ O&H Warragul Time: 21:30. Free PLAN B 20 Jun @ O&H Warragul Time: 21:30. Free NOMAS TEGRO 27 Jun @ O&H Warragul Time: 21:30. Free IAN MOSS 07 Jul @ Bank Warragul/Euphoria

Six strings classics tour.

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.

OTHER EVENTS WARRAGUL CAMERA CLUB 42ND NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION 16 ­ 17 May @ St Paul's Anglican Grammar School, 150 Bowen Street, Warragul Time: 10:00 to 19:00 Sat, 10:00 to 16:00 Sun Official opening: Sat 15:00

Entries from all over Australia, including prints and projected digital images.

Official opening on Saturday afternoon rather than usual Saturday evening.

WARRAGUL STAMP AND COIN FAIR 06 Jun @ Exhibition Hall, Howitt Steet, Warragul Time: 09:00 to 16:00

The Warragul Philatelic Society presents the Warragul Stamp and Coin Fair.

With free admission and our annual raffle to be drawn. Children are most welcome. Buy, sell and swap: stamps, coins, postcards, militaria and swap cards.

For general enquiries contact 0409793081.

· ARTS & RECREATION · 7

Finding place in a travelling exhibition 15 MAY 2015 · WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN

By Matthew Sims L mjsim94 GIPPSLAND is feeling the love with an exhibition of works by Briagolong printmakers celebra­ ting the region.

Fifteen artists from the town of Briagolong, almost two hours east of Warragul, have each created a unique piece which shows how they see the region. The exhibition, “Genius Loci ~ Spirit of Place,” is now on display in the West Gippsland Arts Centre.

Through works ranging from abstract representations of spirits dancing to a lone deer in the pitch black night, each artist from the Freestone Printmakers group shows what Gippsland means to them.

The group is made up of like­ minded artists from Briagolong who have collaborated over the past two months to create the exhibition.

Printmaking remains one of the oldest forms of art, where an artwork is pressed or printed onto a piece of paper using a variety of mediums and materials.

The works in the exhibition have been made using many different printmaking techniques, including etching, copper plates and linocuts.

Freestone Press Printmaking

Studio owner Gillian Kline told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen each artist displayed what they considered importat in Gippsland through their work.

“Each artist has chosen a place which has a certain attraction and gives them a certain indefinable sense of wellbeing,” Ms Kline said.

She said some were more poignant or political, while others conveyed the beauty of the region.

However, the focus of the pieces remained the meaning of “place” in relation to humans and animals,

and indeed, the “spirit”.

This is exemplified by Kye Handley's piece “The Enduring Ancestor”, which depicts a massive bird­like dinosaur skeleton buried under a mountain range.

Dominated by an orange hue, looking almost like blood, the print speaks volumes about the cyclical nature of life.

Fiona Reynolds' simple depiction of a deer in “Night Vision” represents the overall isolation of nature and gives a real sense of the spaciousness of the night time.

YARRAGON'S Town & Country Gallery is playing host to an exhibition by two artists this month.

"Inspirations from Africa & Australia" has been put together by pencil and ink artist Janet Matth­ ews and sculptor Darren Gilbert to show their latest works.

Gilbert provides the Australia side of the exhibition, but it was Matthews who instigated the exhibition and tackled Africa.

She recently explored southern parts of Africa and this exhibition is the first outing of her works from that trip.

"The theme is about Africa because I went to Africa in July and wanted to do a whole lot of artworks to talk about what I experienced over there," Ms Matthews told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

"I wanted to launch them as a unit rather than just speckle them out among all [my] Australian ones.

"We went though seven countries.

"We were there for a month on a motorbike tour that was organised so I was in the backup vehicle because I can't ride a motorcycle because I have a back injury.

"We did South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Zambia, then back into South Africa."

Riding in the support vehicle proved a mixed result for Ms Matthews, with the motorbikes far ahead kicking up dust and scaring

off the animals she wanted to draw.

"It was a bit of a two­way thing," she said.

"Because the motorbikes were quite a way in front of us the animals were gone by the time we got there, but I had more opportunity to take photos.

"I learnt how to take photos very fast through the windscreen as we were hurtling down the dirt roads."

"It was two­fold."

Ms Matthews does not paint from photos, preferring to interpret the nature of the animals herself.

"Photos are to serve the memory," she said.

"I did a lot of sketching and ideas while I was over there. Not actual artworks, but I got it all down on paper so I could know what I wanted to say about them, and then I used my photos for the details.

"Mostly I do Australian animals and birds.

"I always work on images when I've met the animals because I like to meet them and find out what their personalities are like.

"My work is more like a story and

Fiona Reynolds and Judy Dorber at the exhibition opening. Photo by William PJ Kulich

The deer is a stark white figure, looking for food, against the absolute black of night.

Other works concentrate on the human race's ability to be a destructive force on nature.

For instance, Maxine Salvatore's “Breathless” portrays two power plant cooling towers, using a dark black and white contrast.

“Bridge of Separation,” created

by Adelaide Macpherson, paints a dark and dreary picture of a bridge destroyed by the violence between Aboriginal people and European settlers.

The exhibition is made up of of several beautiful artworks, some simple and definitive and others complex and more symbolic.

However, it is obvious within each frame and in the exhibition as a whole that the artists find solace in their place in Gippsland.

“Genius Loci ~ Spirit of Place” is a diverse and often strikingly beautiful exhibition which illustrates the need to acknowledge and appreciate one's place in life.

The exhibition will be open every Monday to Friday until 29 May from 09:00 until 17:00.

For more information, please contact the Baw Baw Shire Council on 5624 2407.

From Africa to Yarragon

Stay updated

Paintings by Janet Matthews on display at the Town & Country Gallery

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a personality rather than 'this is a bird.'

"See how they work together, see how they hang out, see how they move, all that kind of stuff."

Ms Matthews lives in Narre Warren North but grew up in Gippsland.

Mr Gilbert is from Yea. The pair has been exhibiting together for over five years.

Inspirations from Africa & Australia will run until 31 May at the Town & Country Gallery, Yarragon.

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

8 · ARTS & RECREATION · WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN · 15 MAY 2015

Small works in big festival

HAVE a small amount of spare time in Yarragon? Check out this exhibition of small works!

Artists from Wellington Shire have staged a mini invasion into Baw Baw ­ an exhibition of artworks no bigger than 15cm x 21cm "Miniatures in May." The exhibition will be on display at the Baw Baw Arts Alliance's Station Gallery in Yarragon until 24 May. In exchange, BBAA exhibition "Hot to Trot" is presently on display at the Courthouse Gallery in Yarram.

The exhibition exchange is part of a wider cross­border movement at this year's Gippsland Arts Fest­ ival, which has the theme of "Swap" or "Exchange".

The exhibition delivers what was promised: small artworks. Some

take the form of miniature images in traditional, larger painting style, while others have abandoned tradit­ ional forms altogether to play with the small format.

A number of simple lino prints are joined with stunningly detailed sketches of giraffes, surprisingly well­detailed miniature landscapes, mixed media and interactive works (shown above).

Miniatures in May is an interesting display of an often more rudimentary form of community art. A variety of styles and skill levels are on display, with stand­out pieces playing on creativity as much as artistic experience.

You can catch Miniatures in May at the Yarragon Station Gallery from 10:30 to 16:00 Wednesday to Sunday.