Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen 28 August 2015

Dogs offleash Worth the risks? WBBC investigates: Page 6

Warragul & Baw Baw

Citizen

TWICE MONTHLY // FRIDAY 28 AUGUST 2015

WARRAGULCITIZEN.COM

F /WARRAGULCITIZEN

FREE BECAUSE NE SHOULD BEWS

L @WARRAGULCITIZEN

Clay faces see artists explore

Photo by William PJ Kulich. PRN01036

Keltie Mullin and Nicole Smith are learning how to work with clay at the Yarragon Arts Hub as part of the People & Place project. Inset: Kim Pauly. Full story on Page 7

Read more local arts stories in the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen's new regular section, Baw Baw Life - Page 5 Also in Baw Baw Life: Gippsland's photographic same sex marriage campaign, style, an investigation into off leash areas for dogs and more

Forgotten fees will return: council

At Port Phillip we have loads of great Australian made Fathers Day gifts

We have something for every budget, including Opinel DIY utility knives for $39.95, oil skin vests for $150, gardening tool sets for $95 and, of course, great Australian made wool-nylon blend socks for $12.95 a pair Shop at Port Phillip for Australian made 1a Barkly Street, Warragul 5623 4369 www.portphillipshop.com.au

BAW BAW // NEW FEES for replacement sharps containers and other budget changes accidentally omitted from Baw Baw's 2015/16 budget will be pushed again for next financial year.

A report accepted by councillors on Wednesday noted that a number of new, modified and deleted fees and charges which were to be introduced in the new budget were left off budget documents.

While the changes were discussed with councillors and staff and recommendations were made to include them in the budget, they were omitted from the advertised draft

By William Kulich Keening_Product

L

budget and the final adopted budget.

Councillors unanimously accepted the report, as well as the referral of the forgotten fees for inclusion in the 2016/17 budget.

"This omission meant no public consultation [on the changes] occurred," Mount Worth ward councillor Murray Cook said on accepting the report.

"The council has not done a backflip - [the fees will be included] next time, and will go out for public

consultation as they should have done this year."

The report stated the plan to introduce a charge for an empty sharps container "has caused concern in the community, particularly for those residents with a chronic illness requiring this service."

Playing with semantics, the report also stated "at no time was the council considering a charge for the disposal of full sharps containers."

The council has started a review of its processes following the omissions with a goal of future budgets being released with all planned changes being included.

State's revised energy targets please environment groups P2 INSIDE

2 · NEWS ·

WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN · 28 AUGUST 201 5

Is Windows stealing Sparking changes to Victoria's energyreduction target your bandwidth?

SPONSORED IT COLUMN

HAVE you noticed a drop in your internet or computer performance since around the time of Windows 10's release? Then read on for a possible explanation and solution.

If you started the upgrade from Windows 7 or 8, your computer would have downloaded at least 3GB of files before you even performed the installation. After that, the installation may have used more internet to download updates.

Usually you cannot stop those downloads - they are a side effect of the upgrade process.

You also cannot prevent Windows 10 from downloading security updates and apparently random apps, as you could in previous versions of Windows.

This is to ensure your computer has fewer vulnerabilities, but is painful for those with metered and slower internet connections.

But there are some settings you can switch off to save your net connection, as well as improve privacy.

A feature which turns your computer into a Windows Update server for every computer on the internet - on by default - is the first thing you should switch off. Hit the Start button and type "Windows Update settings". Select the first result, then click Advanced options > Choose how updates are

delivered. There you will find the option to prevent your PC from sharing downloaded updates with others over the internet.

Clicking Start and typing "settings", then selecting "Security" will give you a list of other settings which can steal your bandwidth - webcam, microphone and so on. Switching them off will improve both your privacy as well as your computer's performance.

You can also improve performance and keep your internet bill under control by switching off Windows search's ability to scan the web for results.

Windows 10 has a raft of other features which can be turned off to improve performance and security, from needless animations and transparencies to internet-enabled feedback tools. Frustratingly, however, they are not all located in one simple settings menu.

In all, there are over 50 settings which can be changed to tune up Windows 10 to make it a very lightweight and enjoyable operating system. You can change those settings yourself, but when ITaffinity can do it for you for only $25, why pull your hair out?

ITaffinity.com.au - PC sales and repairs 2 Smith Street, Warragul 0499 999 869

News online: warragulcitizen.com

STATE // VICTORIA'S government has announced plans to extend the state's pollution reduction scheme, the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target, which aim to reduce emissions and electricity bills for home-owners and businesses.

State energy minister Lily D'Ambrosio unveiled the changes at Victoria's first Energy Efficiency and Productivity Summit on Tuesday.

The Labor government's alterations will extend the VEET from three to five years and boost the target by 20 per cent over five years from 5.4 million certificates in 2017 to 6.5 million in 2020. Each certificate represents one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent abated through specified energy saving activities.

"The strengthening of the VEET scheme reflects our commitment to energy efficency as a way of helping

Victorians reduce their energy bills and create more Victorian jobs," Ms D'Ambrosio said in a media release.

The VEET provides an incentive for homes and businesses to save energy, offering certificates in return for eligible energy efficiency activities, including draft reduction, insulation and installation of efficient lights, heating systems and appliances.

Changes to the VEET scheme have been welcomed by the energy efficiency industry, following a period of apprehension under the previous state government.

The Napthine Liberal government proposed scrapping the VEET entirely after a review in May 2014 suggested the scheme had minimal benefits.

But Energy Efficency Council Chief Luke Menzel said he supported Labor's plans for the VEET. "The ECC welcomes the Victorian government's commitment to raise the VEET," Mr Menzel said in a media release.

“As Lily D'Ambrosio... said, this will lower bills for homes and businesses while creating more jobs in the energy efficiency sector.”

Environment Victoria CEO Mark Wakeham also expressed his support for the measures, reportedly saying the government's move was "sending a strong signal that it wants clean energy jobs and less pollution."

BAW BAW // COMMUNITY campaigns calling for improvements to bus services in Warragul and Drouin may see success in the next year, according to one long-time campaigner.

"We'll just keep our fingers crossed for the future."

Public Transport Victoria recently conducted a community consultation session in Warragul to identify shortcomings and success stories in the network as part of the Regional Network Development Plan.

A report from sessions conducted across Gippsland was released earlier this month. While acknowleding commuters' main concern in Warragul was reliability of rail services, especially those travelling to Melbourne, a town bus service for Drouin - the largest regional centre without one - was also mentioned early in the report.

Across Gippsland, "participants in

several areas said buses and rail services don't coordinate well, with earlier and later services needed."

A local social media campaign on Facebook and Twitter, called the Warragul & Drouin Town Bus Forum, has asked supporters to fill out a survey asking how they use local bus services.

A majority of those surveyed so far said they have never caught a town bus service in Warragul, do not know where they could catch a town bus from, and think service timetables could be improved.

The Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen has been running a petition calling for service improvements. You can add your name to those of 199 others at https://goo.gl/NcebE2.

By JackLacy jack_m_lacy jack.lacy@warragulcitizen.com

L

Bus campaigner says route to success clear Jim Chapman of Warragul visited the Public Transport Victoria office in Melbourne last week to follow up on community discussions about improvements.

"I caught up with [staff at] PTV and they told me they have to finish the program they're on at the moment, which finishes in September, but things look a little bit brighter than they did in the past and I'd like to thank them for their help," Mr Chapman told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

28 AUGUST 201 5 路 WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN

Council briefs

路 NEWS 路 3

NAYOOK // Councillors have agreed to the closure ofan unused road.

The unmade government road abuts crown land managed by the Department of Education as an outdoor education facility.

With no services covered by the road, which does not provide public access to the land, it has never been properly constructed and is unlikely to ever be required in the future.

Council officers said the road "appears to be proposed from the original parish plans."

WARRAGUL // THE WARRAGUL municipal band's request that it be given a lease for its present band room, located on council land near the West Gippsland Arts Centre, has been approved.

As part of the lease agreement, the band will be allowed to liaise with council officers to hire the building or rooms in a similar way to how public halls are hired as a way of supplementing income.

Council officers have found no tenancy agreement exists for the band to use the site. On Wednesday councillors unanimously voted to secure the band's long-time home.

The band will pay $1 per annum for use of the building, while the council will pay for insurance and the structural upkeep.

Councillors were enthusiastic in their support for the lease.

"The Warragul Municipal Band is one of the best assets... for putting our name out there throughout Victoria and Australia," Warragul ward councillor Gerard Murphy said.

"Notwithstanding that, all the events they go to, all the things they do, it's all volunteers. They are gold and really do help the shire."

There's no train like the Snow Train

BAW BAW // RAIL enthusiasts, history buffs and curious onlookers alike flocked to see Steamrail Victoria's special Snow Train service pass through WestGippsland earlier this month.

The service ferried tourists from Melbourne to Baw Baw's wineries and Walhalla, as well as to Moe, Morwell and Traralgon. The image above was taken at Warragul station on the service's return to Melbourne.

By William PJ Kulich. PRN01038

ERICA // THE LEASE of the Erica Caravan Park will remain the same, but councillors have left the door open for changes in the near future.

Council officers had recommended a new 21 year lease with the current leasee of the park while retaining an 18 metre wide strip of land for use by the Walhalla Goldfields Railway in the future.

North ward councillor David

Balfour moved an alternate motion at Wednesday's council meeting, calling for the lease to remain the same, at least for the short term.

Councillors discussed the future needs of the railway's restoration project when making their decision.

CROSSOVER // AN HISTORIC bridge over the former Noojee rail line may soon be restored.

Councillors approved a plan to fund the application for a heritage permit on behalf of the Rokeby and Crossover Friends Group Inc for the Crossover Trestle Bridge.

The bridge is the last remaining original bridge of the 23 built for rail and road traffic along the line. Other surviving bridges, including the one near Noojee, are not original, having been rebuilt after bushfires.

WBBC on social media Twitter, Instagram and Minds @WarragulCitizen

Facebook

search 'The Warragul Citizen'

Snapchat

warragulcitizen

4 · NEWS ·

WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN · 28 AUGUST 201 5

Nominations open for Australia Day 2016 awards BAW BAW // AS nominations for Baw Baw's 2016 Australia Day Awards open, the council has supported a move to hand coordination of the 2016 Warragul event to a community subcommittee as part of a 12 month trial.

Representatives from several community groups have submitted expressions of interest in becoming involved with the organisation of the Warragul community event to the council.

Mayor Debbie Brown said having the people run the event will strengthen the Warragul community.

"Establishing a Warragul Australia Day event subcommittee gives the Warragul community a greater sense of ownership of the event and will strengthen the ties between the event and its importance and value to the Warragul community," Cr Brown said in a media release.

By JackLacy jack_m_lacy

"The trial presents an excellent opportunity for the subcommittee to maybe try something different or to just really make it their own.

"The representatives will bring many different strengths to the table, with a diverse set of knowledge and experience (sic) that can all be used to effectively plan and coordinate the event."

For Baw Baw's 2016 awards, the council has encouraged residents to nominate citizens and community groups who have made a significant contribution to the community.

The awards will be divided into five categories; Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Australia Day Medallion, Community Event of the Year, and Community Contribution.

Baw Baw's Community Contrib-

ution category has been broken into three sub-categories; environmental, sporting and cultural achievement.

Cr Brown said the Australia Day Awards were a way to recognise people who contribute to their communities throughout the year.

"I encourage our residents to nominate their local heroes and standout events for an Australia Day award to thank them for their tireless efforts and congratulate them on a job well done," Cr Brown said.

Visit Baw Baw Shire council's SmartyGrants page, bawbawshire.s martygrants.com.au, to submit your nomination before the 16 October.

All submissions will be reviewed by the Australia Day Community Panel and the winners will be announced at the Baw Baw Shire Awards Ceremony on Monday 25 January.

times caused by overall occupancy rates being greater than the effective parking supply (85 per cent of total parking volume).

• "Unless corrective actions are taken, by 2027 all parking within the study area on average will be inefficient (average value greater than 85 per cent [with] peaks of 100% occupancy).

• "There is a need to undertake investigation into the feasibility of multi-storey parking at potential off street development sites and implement an amendment to the planning scheme to introduce potential 'cash in lieu parking scheme.'

• "Council [should] investigate short term means of increasing parking supply, efficiency and accessibility, reduce parking demand and increasing enforcement areas, for example time restriction changes."

The research area of the study consisted of 2,847 defined parking spaces, excluding additional informal pricate parking areas such as gravel and private parking spaces.

The study was conducted over four days in October last year with information collected every two hours over the study area, and collected every 30 minutes in a smaller centralised area.

While Monday 6 October, Wednesday 8 October and Friday 10 October averaged 66 per cent occupancy,

Saturday 11 October recorded a much more comfortable 36 per cent occupancy.

Peak occupancy rates were recorded at approximately 12:30, when the central CBD area was at 85 per cent capacity and outer CBD areas were at 70 per cent.

Warragul ward councillor Mikaela Power said a multi-storey car park could fix capacity problems into the future.

"Having worked in Traralgon for a portion of my life and seeing the impact of the milti-storey there, it did actually ease the stress of the commuters and those needing longer to shop," Cr Power said.

Warragul ward councillor Joe Gauci and Mount Worth ward's Peter Kostos both spoke in favour of private investment in a multi-storey car park.

"This is a great opportunity for a private operator to come in and investigate," Cr Kostos said.

"I think in Traralgon it's free to park at bottom, and a fee on top."

Cr Gauci said while it may sometimes be difficult to find spaces in the middle of Warragul, "if you walk two minutes you will generally find a space not too far away."

Cr Kostos also advised parkers to be aware of parking limit changes.

"People need to understand that we may be going from 2 hour to 1 hour to assist with traffic in CBD."

L

Families face kinder Seven responses to funding shortfalls parking study BAW BAW // NARRACAN Liberal MP Gary Blackwood has called for extra funding for kindergartens in regional communities.

"There is currently a mismatch between the operational costs of running a kindergarten and the funding allocated from state and federal Governments," Mr Blackwood said in a media release.

"Small regional kindergartens are the hardest hit by the disparity between operational costs and the often low number of students that attend a kindergarten."

Mr Blackwood said he believed small rural kindergartens were struggling to cope with variations in student numbers from year to year.

He recently met with staff from Willow Grove Kindergarten, one of several local kindergartens facing issues with funding operational costs.

"This year [Willow Grove Kinder] has 12 children in its four-year-old program and faces a deficit of more than $10,000," he said.

"Next year 19 children are already enrolled, but the following year it is projected there will be far fewer students, again leaving a difficult

By JackLacy jack_m_lacy

L

deficit to cover."

Mr Blackwood said families were being asked to pay large contributions and volunteer time to cover staffing and maintenance needs at the school.

"Parents who rely on Willow Grove Kindergarten pay $1,100 to send their children for the year," he said.

"They also go on a roster to help undertake cleaning and ground maintenance duties to keep operational costs of the kindergarten to a minimum."

Mr Blackwood said addressing the issue of operational funding would provide security to regional kindergartens and allow them to deliver outstanding service.

"Funding that reflects the true cost of running a kindergarten program in these small rural kindergartens and takes into account the burden that only a small number of parents have to share is essential if these programs are going to continue to be delivered in country Victoria," he said.

Affordable, effective advertising

Email admin@warragulcitizen.com

WARRAGUL // BAW Baw Shire received just seven responses to its draft Warragul Parking Study report.

The final report was adopted by councillors on Wednesday with no changes from the draft. A summary of community responses was included in a separate report to coucillors.

Responses centred around what people said were inadequate disabled parking spaces, limited provision of all-day parking spaces, and limited short term parking spaces.

Requests for a multi-storey car park in Warragul's CBD were also made through the feedback process.

Feedback was submitted through the council's online Have Your Say forum.

Authors of the report found the community feedback was "generally in line with the proposed recommendations of the report and hence no changes have been made in finalising it."

The key findings of the study were: • "During peak [times] vehicle parking within the principal CBD area is above effective capacity with little or no free availablespace.

• "In general, the parking supply within the entire Warragul research area is at times nearing the limit of an effective parking regime.

• "By mid-2016 it is expected the research area overall will start to experience inefficiencies during peak

LIFE

BAW BAW

Citizen

W Waarrrraagguull & & BBaaw w BBaaw w

LLiiffeessttyyllee A Arrttss D Deessiiggnn FFeeaattuurreess C Coom mm meenntt

BAW BAW'S LIFE & LIFESTYLE PAGES // FRIDAY 28 AUGUST 2015

Same sex support GIPPSLAND // WHEN most people think of a petition they imagine clipboards, pens and spreadsheets, but for one group ofGippslanders a petition can be a much bigger statement.

How big? Try a potentially record breaking 40 metre photo print of people from Gippsland who support same sex marriage.

Led by photographer Pollyannar Gibson, who grew up assembling family photos for people who could not be together by using a plain white background, the Sale-based group has photographed supporters in their home town, Traralgon, Bairnsdale, Walhalla and, last weekend, Warragul.

Over 50 people were photographed for the Warragul shoot, adding to Walhalla's five and Sale's 100.

"The response has been overwhelming and it's been people from all demographics," Pollyannar told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

"We never anticipated such a diverse group of people would come out and support.

"There have been a lot of families, which has just been great."

The group set out with a plan to photograph people from across

By William Kulich Keening_Product

L

Gippsland, and will soon set up in Kilcunda, between Phillip Island and Wonthaggi.

"We definitely want to cover as much of Gippsland as possible. We all have jobs, so this is done in our spare time," Pollyannar explained.

"This is my second big picture. I do them to help put a face to the statistics and give the general public an opportunity to just look at pictures and think 'oh, well how actually do I feel about this issue, and these are the people who support it, so maybe it's not so bad.'

"We've been invited to most towns, so it's not like we're banging on doors.

"It's about starting a movement and giving it to the people, and saying 'well we're here, let us know what you want.

Unsurprisingly, the group has recieved harsh criticism from conservative parts of society, but that has not shaken their motivation.

"Haters are gonna hate," Pollyannar said.

"We have actually had a really positive response on Facebook, and we are not anti- anyone who doesn't

support gay marriage at all, we're here to support gay marriage.

"We're not here to change anyone's opinion, we're just here to inspire a bit more understanding and to support our local gay, bi, transexual, transgender community by showing them that they are loved and everyone supports them."

Fellow campaigner Martin Baldock added: "everyone's entitled to their opinion, and I think some of the haters they want to focus on the children, but it's about marriage equality plain and simple, it's not about how children are being brought up because that argument, even within straight society, is not a good argument."

"There is absolutely no research to back it up. I'm in a same sex relationship and I have a nine year old son who understands exactly what we're doing and supports what we're doing.

"He's nine, but he understands that both his parents want to get married and he wants to be like the other kids at school. And he wants to wear a blue suit at the wedding."

That feeling of inclusion is a common theme; the group recently met a mother of two gay children who wanted "the same right as the

woman next to her to go to her children's weddings."

The campaign has a strong social element to it, but also has a political role. Recently Gippsland Nationals MP Darren Chester and Gippslandbased independent senator for Victoria Ricky Muir have expressed their support for marriage equality.

The big picture and associated traditional petition - Martin said "the photo itself is a petition, but we also wanted to get a hard copy; the petition is just confirming... the people are locals" - are intended to support those MPs while empowering the community.

"We have behind it Darren Chester and Ricky Muir, who basically did the right thing and asked the people of Gippsland what they wanted, and a huge amount showed they wanted marriage equality," Martin told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

Asked about McMillan MP Russell Broadbent's opposition to changing the marriage act, Martin said: "Again, it's people's opinions.

It's what he believes in.

"It's about giving all the Australian people the right to marry who they love, and everyone having the same rights." Continued Page 6 >

Corey Alexander, Kevin O'Bryan, Gia Collacchi, Martin Baldock and Pollyannar Gibson at the photo shoot. The chalk on the pavement reads 'I do support gay marriage in Gippsland.' PRN01035

Same sex couples report marriage in census NATIONAL // DATA from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows a small number of same sex couples in the country identify as married.

The bureau created the new "Relationship as Reported for Couples" classification for data from the 2011 census to collect information on how many same sex couples occupying a dwelling identify as married.

Before the 2011 census all same sex couples were classified as de facto parners.

A report from the ABS states the reasons for same sex couples identifying as married is unknown, but could be due to self determination or marriage in other jurisdictions.

Nationally 1,338 same sex couples identified as husband or wife while 32,377 reported as de facto partners.

In Victoria 403 same sex couples reported as married, while 8,319 reported de facto status.

A break down of the national figures shows male and female same sex couples were just as likely to report being husband or wife (675/661) as de facto (16,908/15,470).

6 · BAW BAW LIFE ·

NEXT PRINT EDITIONS

Friday 11 September 201 5 Friday 25 September 201 5 Friday 1 6 October 201 5 Friday 30 October 201 5

BOLD colour, strong patterns and quirky accents have become a feature at Factory Oneto createarefreshingretailexperience.

ADVERTISING RATES

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

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

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

Weather From the Bureau ofMeteorology TODAY

Showers Min 6, max 12

SATURDAY Showers Min 2, max 11 SUNDAY Shower or two Min 4, max 11 MONDAY Possible shower Min 3, max 13 TUESDAY Possible late shower Min 5, max 15 WEDNESDAY Shower or two Min 5, max 13

Had your picture taken?

ADVERTISEMENT

Prices below include GST. Discounts available when booking multiple editions.

Eighth: B&W: $80 Colour: +50% Quarter: B&W: $1 38 Colour: +50% Half: B&W: $275 Colour: +50% Full: B&W: $550 Colour: +50% Front page top: Colour: +50% Front page bottom: Colour: +50% Basic ad design is free!

Distribution across Baw Baw. Printing 5,500 copies.

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

Formerly The Warragul Citizen Edition number: 30

Just email the five digit photo reference number or a description and page number of the photo or photos you want to

admin@warragulcitizen.com and we will get back to you.

< From Page 5

Mr Broadbent does, however, support a conscience vote on the issue.

The big picture campaign using the images the group has taken will launch in November.

"Originally this was just a digital campaign through social media.

We're now going to try to print the print," Pollyanar said.

"It will be a 40 metre print, it will be one of the world's longest photographs, and it will probably be the most photographs in a photograph.

"It's pretty exciting stuff. I'm still not 100 per cent sure my printers can print a photo like this but we will give it a shot."

Magazines of the photos will be printed and the group has just registered its interest in using the image as a float in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

You can keep up with the project on Facebook, just search for "I Do Support Gay Marriage In Gippsland".

Factory One is decorated and stocked with one off furniture pieces, beautiful throws and gorgeous cushions, as well as works by boutique artists, designer homewares, sculpture, jewellery, delightful candles, leather handbags, cow hides and rugs, all personally sourced and picked for this unique space.

Pictured are vibrant abstract expressionist prints by renowned Melbourne artist Rowena Martinich which can illuminate any space, a two drawer bone inlay sideboard by Ruby Star Trader, a company which has pushed strong patterns and created bohemian and contemporary furniture pieces, and items which are artistic as much as they are functional including cushions (couch candy) from Hart + Barnes.

Also seen are pieces from On the Side, Happy Tiff, Nerida’s Interior Plantscaping and love Moroccan Rugs.

All are available from Moving Pictures Factory One, 14 Alfred Street, Warragul.

Come and be inspired, enjoy a coffee, or even have your hair styled at Babooshka Studio.

Instagram: FACTORYONE_ . .

Do offleash areas actually achieve what councils hope they will?

BAW BAW // THE BAW Baw Shire By Matthew Sims mjsim94 Council has recently reminded residents its 12 month trial of off leash areas is limited to nine parks A Baw Baw Shire spokesperson around the LGA. said the council would inform the

L

At the introduction of the areas in march, some in the community questioned the worth of the areas.

The debate provoked strong emotions from off leash area fans and opponents, so the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen set out to answer the question: do off leash areas actually achieve what they are set up to achieve?

The answer, in short, seems to be off leash areas have long-term benefits for both dogs and humans, as well as the surrounding community, so long as they are appropriately policed.

A practising veterinarian who is writing a doctorate of philosophy at the University of Melbourne on anxiety in dogs, Dennis Wormald, told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen off leash dog areas needed strict rules to ensure dogs and humans got the most out of the spaces.

He also said people needed to have common sense when walking more aggressive dogs – one of the concerns frequently raised by objectors to allowing dogs to run free.

public to not walk dogs in the off leash areas if they could not be controlled without enforcement.

"This is a decision that every responsible pet owner must make," the spokesperson told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

However, he said available evidence that dogs in off leash areas proved to be dangerous to wildlife was not sufficient.

A report by the Wildlife Hospital at Healesville Sanctuary concluded that 115 attacks on animals were made by dogs between 20 September, 2008 and 31 January, 2010.

A further 79 attacks on animals were made by cats, suggesting dogs have a bigger environmental impact than cats.

Mr Wormald said if the necessary fencing was installed, the same biodiversity could be maintained, even though some of the wildlife may vacate from fear of the dogs.

The Baw Baw spokesperson said fencing would be installed if the trial was successful and if the council saw it necessary.

COMMENT

train.

"A last minute bus was put on for some of the non-reserved passangers, but the photo shows that it still left the train packed to unsafe conditions."

Mr Wormald said allowing dogs to run around parks and other areas without the restrictions of a leash provided for more than twice the exercise than a walk with a leash provided.

"Off leash areas are beneficial to both humans and animals, as it takes only 45 minutes off leash to provide the same amount of exercise of 2 hours on a leash," he said.

Baw Baw mayor Debbie Brown said in a media release the balance between the wellbeing of others and the satisfaction of dog owners needed to be kept throughout the trial.

"Of course, this balance can only be struck if dog owners continue to exercise caution by only allowing their dogs to be off leash if they are able to control them," Cr Brown.

Mr Wormald said off leash parks would encourage dogs to socialise more and the animals would be able to engage in playful behaviour, but more restrictions needed to be placed on those with unfriendly dogs.

He said the benefits of off leash dog walking areas, including an increased life span for both pet and owner, and higher attendance and use of amenities outweighed the negatives, so long as there was

sufficient infrastructure.

He said deterrents for owners who do not clean up after their dog or bring hostile dogs to the areas could be introduced.

The council said the success of the trial depended on the actions of the community.

"If everyone obeys the rules and respects the right of other park users to enjoy the parks, there is no reason why the trial would not be successful," the council spokesperson said.

Dog owners seen leaving waste at any park will be fined $200, but Mr Wormald said enforcement was a major issue in dog behaviour restrictions across the state.

"There is a complete lack of policing of dog walking at the moment," he said.

He said the main message was "be smart" around and with dogs at all times.

Baw Baw's trial off leash areas are at Brooker Park in Warragul, Bellbird and Alex Goudie parks in Drouin, Darnum Recreation Reserve, Trafalgar's James Balfour Oak Tree Park, Dowton Park in Yarragon, Kydd Parke Reserve in Jindivick and Dunstan Oval and St Phillack Reserve in Rawson.

Anger over 'third world' rail service PAUL STRICKLAND has written to the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen to express his concerns about overcrowding on Gippsland rail services.

You can now purchase high quality digital copies of many photos taken by the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

Same sex support

FACTORY ONE

OFFERING GREAT ADVERTISING DEALS

ABOUT

WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN · 28 AUGUST 201 5

"Gippsland V/Line travel approached third world levels on the Sunday 16 August 18:16 Bairnsdale train.

"The service was at standing room from the start of the trip at Southern Cross.

"With two football matches and other events it was predictable that there would be high demand and reserved seating was booked out by 11:30 that morning.

"The morning train from Bairnsdale had similarly been packed and busses were added from Warragul to ease the crowding somewhat, but no arrangements appeared to be made for the evening

Caught in the web

f

Harriet Shing MP

State Labor member for Eastern Victoria /harrietshingmp or search Facebook to find page Conscientious objection just doesn't cut it - legislation to deliver on our "No Jab, No Play" promise for childcare and kinder kids will be introduced this year and come into effect from 1 January 2016.

Under the new law, all children must be fully vaccinated to be enrolled in childcare and kindergarten.

Only children who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons will be able to be exempt from No Jab, No Play.

16 August 2015

Have something to say?

Email admin@warragulcitizen.com

28 AUGUST 201 5 路 WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN

Clay faces see artists explore

Inset: works by Joanne Watt. PRN01039

YARRAGON // BRINGING the local artistic community together to create an exhibition is standard fare for the Baw Baw Arts Alliance, but a new exhibition is seeking to engage the wider community in art creation.

The social Wednesday clay group, which meets at the Yarragon Station Gallery every week between 10:30 and 13:30, is putting together a joint exhibition called People & Place. One of the most inclusive projects put on by the alliance, People & Place is open for everyone to participate and, thanks to government funding, materials and firing are completely free.

"The idea was to do an exhibition inspired by people and their place in our community, and the way the arts alliance is its own mini community of people with different arts interests but a lot in common," group spokesperson Joanne Watt told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

"The idea was that people with or without art experience of other sorts could come together and give clay a try and work on the idea of making a human figure for a group piece where we use many, many small humans, and also the opportunity to exhibit some larger individual stand alone works for [the exhibition in] February next year.

"It is open for the general public, and a number of us are a bit more experienced with clay and help people if they need help on how to make things.

"What the grant has allowed us to do is provide clay and firing, as well as glazes for the finishing of pieces especially for this exhibition. Usually people bring their own clay, but for this project we provide it."

The response to the project has been positive - it has attracted a few artists who had not tried working with clay before.

"We've had a handful of people come in who are usually painting or doing digital art or other art forms who are happy to come in and experiment with clay," Joanne said.

"I think artists sometimes forget that if they are an artist in any medium, if they come in to use clay they already have design ideas, they already know about form and composition, all they need to work out what their idea is and find out what that material can do to express their idea."

The relaxed and friendly clay group is a perfect stepping stone for those wanting to become involved in the local arts community.

"Sometimes there's two or three of us, sometimes there's ten of us," Joanne said.

"Some people will work on something the first time they come, then they leave it a couple of weeks ready to come back when it's a bit

stronger."

The Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen discussed the People & Place project with a number of people at this week's gathering.

Keltie Mullin WBBC: How did you come to be

involved?

Keltie: It was actually my partner Nicole. We went out to Laurie Collins' [sculpture gallery] in Jindivick and picked up a brochure and decided to come out and give it a go.

WBBC: Had you done anything like this before?

Keltie: No, never worked in clay before. I primarily work in digital 3D, and thought 'yeah, might come out and give it a crack.'

WBBC: You're doing well! (You can see Keltie's work on Page 1.)

Keltie: I've never touched clay before, not since high school anyway, so I just came in and gave it a go and there's something coming together.

WBBC: What is it you're making?

Keltie: I have no idea. I threw a block of clay on the table last week and that's what came out of it. But a lot of my work is inspired by like H. R. Giger (a Swiss surrealist sculptor, painter and designer), so what I'm actually looking at doing is bringing some of the 3D stuff I do on the computer and actually making some sculpture.

Nicole Smith WBBC: Have you worked with

clay before?

Nicole: No, I'm a painter.

WBBC: What made you decide to come along?

Nicole: Keltie and I have been talking about working in other mediums for a while, and this came up.

It wasn't as scary as the normal meeting clay group, it was 'come along if you're new at it.' So, we thought, we've been talking about it for long enough, we should just do it.

WBBC: You also seem to be doing well.

Nicole: It's a different medium to painting, of course, but the same design principals are there.

Kim Pauly Kim: It has been a good opport-

unity to start because it's cheap and friendly.

WBBC: Had you been involved in local arts stuff before?

Kim: Well, I've done a little bit of felting and painting.

WBBC: But this is a bit more of a step into the community.

Kim: Yeah, that's right. It's social as well. Because I'm a carer for my mum, I really look forward to coming here and having the social side and just having a play because you don't really need to think about things and there's plenty of people to help you.

路 ARTS 路 BAW BAW LIFE 路 7

Big ship wins big prize

8 · BAW BAW LIFE · ARTS ·

WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN · 28 AUGUST 201 5

LONGWARRY // ARTIST Wayne Foenander has taken out best in show at the 2015 Derinya Art and CraftExhibition.

"It's usually always a painting that wins best in show, so it was quite rare for a sculpture to win," the Longwarry-based artist told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

"I think it's the first time a sculpture's won best in show at Derinya.

To my surprise, to my joy."

His winning piece, 'Big Ship 1,' is one of several ships the Longwarry man has created from recycled materials, and represents a strong nautical theme in his work.

Wayne started sculpting after he was involved in a car accident.

"I had a motor vehicle accident nearly three years ago which laid me up, and part of recovery was using my brain and getting back on track and I started making sculptures," he said.

"I love the sea, I love boats and I love fishing, so I've turned my hand to making would-be ships."

Wayne also produces sea-themed artworks and furniture from any materials he can get his hands on.

"I make furniture out of wine barrels. I also make fruit bowls, candelabras."

"I'm a terrible junk collector and now I've found a use for it," he added with a laugh.

Wayne said anyone thinking of throwing out junk should not do so.

“No, they should bring it here!”

You can catch Wayne at the Warragul Arts Market.

Food

Wayne Foenander with 'Big Ship 1'. Photo by William PJ Kulich. PRN01037

The Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen's monthly Food section will appear in next fortnight's edition.

If you have a suggestion for seasonal content or would like to submit a recipe, email admin@warragulcitizen.com.

If you would like to advertise your business or publish your menu in the section, email admin@warragulcitizen.com.