Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen 15 August 2014

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Jim Fallon, Neville Cousins, Anne Plant, Ruby Griffith and Sue Griffiths with their scarecrows, which they made last weekend during Neerim Bower Arts Festival preperations.

Bower something to crow about

PAGE 3

Kez calls for calm Page 2

Budget response Page 5

Gippsland's Power Page 8

2 | THE WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN 15 AUGUST 2014

LOCAL NEWS

Have a news tip? Email editor@warragulcitizen.com

Kez takes her one punch campaign to the streets

DROUIN resident Kerry "Kez" Kistemaker has taken her cam­ paign to prevent deaths and inju­ ries from king hits to the streets of Warragul.

Kez sells bar mats and other paraphernalia emblazoned with the message "Be Smart, Don't Start, One Punch Kills" to pubs and clubs across Australia as part of the campaign.

She also promotes her message through a popular Facebook page called "One Punch Campaigns Aust­ ralia", which has gained just over 28,000 likes since its launch in January this year.

Kez took to the streets of Warragul late last month to promote the campaign and tell locals it was better to walk away from a fight than to throw a potentially lethal punch.

With her was a friend who filmed her discussions with locals. The finished video was uploaded to YouTube.

Kez told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen the reaction to her advocacy and the video had been entirely positive.

"It's the only street talk I've done, and afterwards I had people coming over to my Facebook page telling me they watched me and what a fantastic message it was," she said.

"It is always an overall positive response. I've not yet had a single negative.

"The reaction on the streets and social media is exactly how you see in the video."

Kez was inspired to start her campaign after a friend of her son's was killed after being king hit in Pakenham.

"My son lost one of his best friends, called Cameron, to one

punch in Pakenham," Kez said.

"I began a strong social media campaign for his family called Cam's Law, which I later handed to his family.

"That was where my social media spark came from and the passion I have for this cause."

The page and its message have

been shared by a number of celebr­ ities, and a number of pubs and clubs across the country have supported Kez's campaign by pur­ chasing her promotional material.

"All support I have was gained through social media," Kez said.

"My aim is is to get this message into pubs and clubs right across

Australia and continue to support victims and families."

Kez has big hopes for the campaign. On social media she has stated she aims to get material branded with her slogan into a maj­ ority of pubs and clubs in the country.

Everything going to plan, her efforts in Warragul could be the start of a larger, national street talk campaign.

"I would also like to be able to one day take to the streets in every major city across Australia," she said.

Kez is not trying to profit from her campaign and produces and sells artwork to help subsidise the merchendise she sells.

"I'm an artist and I sell my paintings on the page, and that money goes towards helping pubs and clubs purchase products with the 'one punch kills' message on them to put out at their bars," she said.

"No money is being made at all and I take no royalties from the artworks I sell."

Promotional products include bar mats, coasters, t­shirts, stubby holders, posters and stickers.

You can find the One Punch Campaign Facebook page at: facebook.com/KingHitCowards If you want to see Kez's Warragul street talk video, head to: goo.gl/hb7Mlb.

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Business group looks forward to year of improvement WARRAGUL Business Group president Dave Cann says local businesses can look forward to improvements in the local econ­ omy this financial year, but only if they work for them.

"It's safe to say that pretty much in all cases it's been a challenging, not just last 12 months but maybe last 24 or even 30 months, for most businesses sectors," Mr Cann told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

"However there are signs of life.

It's still pretty tough, but certainly I personally feel that we've botto­med out and we're on the other side."

"It'll be a slow recovery, but I think over the next 12 to 18 months we'll start to see some good signs."

Mr Cann said many indicators in the national economy were good signs for Baw Baw's retailers.

"We're starting to see retail figures pick up, business confidence is back, start ups are at some of the highest levels and there's growth back in the construction sector and housing sector too, which is encouraging," he said.

"While it has been challenging, certainly it appears the worst should be behind us and we should be improving into better times over the next 12 months."

"Personally I'm bullish about the next 12 months, but it's not going to be the case for every sector, it's not going to be the case for every business.

"It's still going a bit patchy and

it's still going to require a lot of tough work but I think businesses who put that in will start to see some rewards, I would hope."

Mr Cann said while things were looking up there were no sectors of the local economy that were performing particularly better than others.

"I don't think any sector is roaring at this stage," Mr Cann said.

"There are certain sectors that are associated with technology, some of the housing sectors are starting to show growth again and certain sectors in retail and even hospitality are showing decent figures, but you couldn't say any one sector is roaring ahead. It's been tough.

Beyond positive national retail figures there have been a number of changes locally which have contri­ buted to Mr Cann's more positive outlook, but he said whether the cause of the decline was from a poor economy, online competition or another contributor was unclear.

"I don't think that there's one factor," Mr Cann said.

"I think that for most businesses... the goal posts have changed in terms of how consumers look at the way they are spending their money, the way businesses are spending their money, and certainly you have generally less money being spent in the economy.

"But you also have a spreading out of the sources. Where tradit­ ionally there might have been

[multiple] businesses within a town that supplied a certain service, now in most cases there's only one of those businesses left, but you have a significant input from out of the area and also from online services.

"You're no longer competing against a neighbouring town or neighbouring business as such, you have a broader base that you have to compete against, and you have to be competitive not just in pricing but also in service."

Asked if opening hours were changing to encourage commuters to shop locally Mr Cann said retailers were coming to terms with changing demographics.

"I think there is a general movement, particularly within Warragul, about the realisation that the demographics of our clientèle base are changing, so consequently we need to be progressing," he said.

"You've seen more businesses opening on Sundays, more busin­ esses opening later on Saturdays, and looking at weekdays too, so the old concept of opening your doors at nine and closing them at five is certainly gone.

"A significant proportion of working people who live within Baw Baw are commuting, ...so as business owners you need to be prepared to service those people, so that's always a challenge within any business.

"Nine to five is long gone, along with a lot of other goal posts in many other businesses."

Neerim South celebrates creativity

Scarecrow makers of all ages with their creations last weekend.

A GRANT from Regional Arts Victoria is allowing the people of Neerim South to get together and get creative.

Having been awarded the Small Towns Transformations grant last year for the construction of a large roadside sculpture modelled after the nest of a bower bird, the Neerim District Progress Association has held a number of artistic activities for the community.

Keeping to the theme of "inspired by birds," locals have produced ceramic birds for the Neerim South Wetlands, scarecrows, mosaics, linocut artwork and more.

Association president Neville Cousins told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen the arts programs had been popular and were bringing the community together.

"The main thing is that we're getting the groups into town together to help us with this big

project," he said.

"We're getting a good response.

We've conducted about 25 workshops so far: mosaics, which has been very popular, jewellery, and we're now filling up workshops for the spring series.

"The whole idea of these workshops is that most of this work will be exhibited in the [Neerim Bower Arts Festival], which will run on the 25th and 26th of October.

"That weekend is the beginning of our whole event. It's a big art festival that will be run in this town that will be made up of school children exhibiting work, a major sculpture competition [with] a $10,000 prize and more.

"On that same weekend we will be opening the bower, which is being constructed at the moment in Warragul.

"It will be put up in around mid­ September and opened on 26

October by the Minister for the Arts.

"The festival itself will be made up of a lot of fun and games, including a battle of the bands competition, ...a lot of food stalls, and art workshops, so we're looking forward to a very good weekend."

The most recent workshop was scarecrow creation, which was held last weekend.

"This is a community enga­ gement process," Mr Cousins said.

"We are determined to use art to get the community together, strengthen it and have fun together.

"The good thing is we're getting the children working with the adults.

"But also we have another project down at the local hospital which is one for the seniors. We've employed an art therapist down there who is working with people who have Parkinson's, dementia, and their work will also be exhibited."

NEXT PRINT EDITION Friday 12 September 2014 Advertising and story tips: admin@warragulcitizen.com

4 | THE WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN 15 AUGUST 2014

LOCAL NEWS Gary to campaign on health and ed

Gary Blackwood outside his electorate office in Warragul.

LIBERAL member for Narracan Gary Blackwood says his focus should he be re­elected in November's state election would be on securing funding for projects at the West Gippsland Hospital and education.

This will be the third election faced by Mr Blackwood, who told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen he feels comfortable in the community.

"I've always been treated with respect and I feel very comfortable right through Narracan," he said.

"I enjoy the job because of the people out there in the community."

Leading into the election Mr Blackwood lists his focuses as education and health.

"I have a few things on my wish list that I would like to see deliv­ ered," he said.

"We delivered all the commit­ tments we made prior to the 2010 election, which is the upgrade of the emergency department of the West Gippsland Hospital..., the upgrade of the Lardners Track rail crossing, and the Warragul Railway Precinct Project was also promised at the election and is on its way, the car park should be opened in September this year. We've got the Sand Road Interchange funded.

"This coming election I'm pushing really really hard for a decision to be made on where the future of the West Gippsland Hospital will be ­ will it be re­ developed on the current site or will it be moved to a new site on the corner of Lardners Track and Warragul­Drouin Road?

"Kindergartens is also a big issue.

Over the last [term of] government we have put almost $1 million into kindergartens here in West Gippsland in Yarragon, Warragul, and Drouin.

"We are very keen to progress, where the opportunity arises, the setting up of education hubs, as we have done in Yarragon, where we are able to provide primary school education and early years education on the same site.

"Drouin Primary School is also being looked at as an option for that, so I'm keen to help that happen, and there's a couple of other opportunities being looked at at Warragul Primary School and Trafalgar.

I also think there are areas of the Warragul Regional College that

need upgrading. Neerim South Secondary College the same.

"The third stage of Trafalgar High School redevelopment has to happen too."

In addition to that list, Mr Blackwood is keen to improve bus services in the region. For more about the community's opinion of local bus services go to Page 8.

"Improved bus services are on my wish list as well. I've been calling for that for quite some time," Mr Blackwood said.

"There's two elements to that ­ one is the extension of the Warragul town bus service that goes to the hospital. We want that to go past the Lifestyle Village.

"Plus we're looking for a town bus service for Drouin. Drouin is the largest rural town (in Victoria) not to have a town bus service, so I'm really really hoping I can get funding allocated for that.

"I think in total those two proj­ ects need recurring funding of $1.8 to $2 million per year, so it's not cheap but it needs to happen.

"We've been lucky enough to expand the Warragul to Noojee bus service so it now picks up in Buln Buln, but we really desperately need extra services."

Mr Blackwood acknowledged that changes to TAFE funding early in the term, which saw the closure of a number of courses at what was GippsTAFE Warragul, was not as effective as hoped, but said it needed to happen.

"We made some structural chan­ ges to the way TAFE and VCAL courses were offered, in particular we were trying to restructure into courses that will actually lead to genuine jobs and apprenticeships," Mr Blackwood said.

"There's been some winners and losers in that, I understand that, it hasn't worked probably as succe­ ssfuly as we would've liked in all quarters, but having said that we are putting $1.2 billion into the TAFE sector where the previous Labor government allocated $800 million in their last year.

Mr Blackwood said he was motivated by those doing it tough in the electorate.

"In particular the mums and dads with children with a disability.

They're the [people who] really touch you as work through the work we do," Mr Blackwood said.

Warragul man arrested over death A MAN has been arrested follow­ ing a death in Warragul on Wednesday morning.

Police responded to a report of a seriously injured man on Churchill Street at around 6.45am, arriving to find a 53 year old Warragul man

deceased.

Acting Sergeant Julie­Anne Newman said in a media release a 26 year old Warragul man was arrested at the scene.

"He is assisting police with their enquiries," she said.

For breaking news between issues visit warragulcitizen.com

Q&A

with Baw Baw Shire Council mayor Murray Cook and Growth and Economic Development director Matthew Cripps on the Precinct Structure Plans

AFTER largely negative media coverage focusing on consultation levels, Baw Baw Shire councillors last week approved its Precinct Structure Plans for Warragul and Drouin with a number of amendments.

Among other changes, councillors ruled against plans to extend Lovell Drive and supported new plans that took park and recreation planning overlays off houses on Lillico Road, Warragul.

A plan to allow denser development in part of Drouin was however passed despite a number of opposition voices, but councillors will consider ways to improve how any new developments interface with existing properties.

The Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen sat down with Baw Baw Shire Council mayor Murray Cook and Growth and Economic Development director Matthew Cripps before the vote to discuss the PSPs and the community's reaction.

You can watch an extended version of this interview online at warragulcitizen.com.

William Kulich (WBBC): Matt, for those who aren't too aware what the PSPs for Drouin and Warragul are, what are they?

Matthew Cripps: The PSPs are a second stage to a larger strategic direction for the municipality. The organisation started off with its settlement strategy which draws a boundary around our townships of where urban growth can extend to.

The PSP sits over the top of that and provides the skeleton of where roads, parks, and some of that more high­level infrastructure needs to be located so that as the municipality, Warragul and Drouin in particular, expands we have greater certainty about where roads... drainage and public open space areas [should go.]

It's a document to provide that guidance, but it's not set in concrete.

WBBC: You said it's not set in concrete, and Murray, you have been frustrated by some interpretations of the plan as being exactly what's going to happen, but wouldn't it be fair for people to think that 'yes, that's what's going to happen in the long term' given it's in the council's long­term plan?

Murray Cook: It's important to realise that the landowner is definitely in the driver's seat. It's their house, they live in it as long as they want to, it's their choice as to what happens to that house into the future. It will probably get to the stage where the value of the land dictates in their interest that they make a move, but it's their call.

The plan is just a guide.

The problem we've got now is

individual developers are doing development in isolation. What we've done is looked at the bigger picture of Drouin and Warragul as a whole and looked at linkages and where we do need some certain infrastructure.

WBBC: Do you feel the consultation has been enough? You did have to extend the consultation period.

Cook: I've been led by Matthew and his experience in this area... but the feedback we got was that there needed to be a closer look at some of these situations, and we just allowed ourselves some more time to do that. Consultation meant that yes, there were some concerns, and we paid those concerns the interest they deserved.

Cripps: To clarify slightly, we didn't necessarily extend the consultation period. The consultation period officially started on the 18th of June, and ran for just over four weeks until the 18th of July, which allowed submissions to be made. The council determined it wouldn't determine its position on the submissions made for an extra couple of weeks. We were originally going to discuss this with council on the 23rd of July. The councillors and officers had a discussion and decided no, to give enough time to consider all the submissions, which is a total I think of 216, we just needed additional time so we could hear from submitters through a public meeting and then to refine our views.

WBBC: There were a number of people who told councillors they looked at this document on their own accord and said 'oh, there's something about my property. I wasn't aware of that.' Why were these people not informed?

Cripps: We did directly send out mail to... properties that were impacted directly by the plan, as well as people abutting the boundary between the existing residential areas and the future expansion. The consultation that we provided we believe, and with discussions with the Metropolitan Planning Authority (MPA), is well and truly above what would normally occur in a lot of these situations. You can provide the

information but if people don't read it it's sometimes a difficult scenario.

WBBC: Another criticism of the PSPs was the involvement of the MPA. How much of this was planned by the MPA and how much of it was by local planners?

Cripps: It was actually a partnership. The MPA has a significant amount of experience and they've provided their in­ depth knowledge to assist our planners.

Cook: If we hadn't had the help of the MPA we probably would've had to employ some consultants to do this high­level work.

WBBC: Murray, are the councillors united as to what the focus of the plans are?

Cook: As with all questions that come before a council, until you have hands in the air... it is very difficult to find out exactly what's going on.

WBBC: Nonetheless there's a lot of discussion that goes on before the council meetings to try to become as unanimous as possible before the meeting, so you would have an idea how most other councillors feel.

Cook: You're talking about the information gathering phase and yes, that is very much a shared time... but we are definitely nine individuals with minds of our own and I'm looking forward to the debate on Wednesday night.

WBBC: Another complaint about the plan was regarding the houses in the Lillico Road area with the recreation [zones] placed over houses when they would be better placed a few metres away from those houses. How did those zones end up covering those houses in the first place when it seems a pretty basic operation to move them?

Cripps: From a planning perspective the starting point for the growth areas is to almost consider it like a blank canvas. Look at topography, look at the natural environment, look at where the water features are...

WBBC: But even considering the topography, there are some areas that are arguably flatter for sporting areas to go to.

Cripps: There are a number of issues in terms of topography, but in terms of working through our consideration, we've considered it without having any real consideration for the details of lot boundaries or where potential buildings are. It's really looking at the general principles, which have been based around best location for certain uses and certain types of activities.

If you would like to see this interview in full, head to warragulcitizen.com.

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Council wrap BAW Baw's councillors met last Wednesday for a general meeting.

Here's what happened: (Cr Mikaela Power was not present at the meeting.)

Petitions presented Two petitions from the Drouin ward were presented to councillors.

One, signed by 25 people, expressed concerns about a number of Sheoak street trees on Hunter Close.

Petitioners called for council to replace the trees, raising concerns about clogged gutters, falling branches and fire.

The other petition, signed by 134 people, called for an increase in the car parking available to parents and caregivers taking their children to and from Drouin Primary School.

Baw Baw mayor Murray Cook said "a report will come back to council on both those matters."

Western Park Recreation Reserve a tip Councillors voted to formally recognise Warragul's Western Park oval was built on a former tip site.

The acknowledgement came in the same motion as one approving payments to repair damaged water pipes at the site, which broke due to the unstable ground.

In moving the motion Warragul ward councillor Joe Gauci said recognising the tip would help clarify who pays the bills for future damage.

"Western Park is built on a former tip, the ground moves all the time," he said.

A data logger will also be fitted to the park's water pipes to detect future leaks.

"What the data logger will show is if they're using water for showers or if there is a leak."

Buln Buln reserve grows Councillors also supported a motion to accept a donation of land to be included as part of the Buln Buln Recreation reserve.

The land was bequeathed by the late Mrs Jan Rawlinson.

North ward councillor Debbie Brown said the extra size will bring sporting facilities closer to regulation.

"The late Mrs Jan Rawlinson... desired to donate this, and it's only a small section of the land, to the recreation reserve. I think the reason for that is the reserve at present doesn't meet AFL regulation standards," she said.

Rawson cop shop to change hands The Erica and District Progress Association will lease the former Rawson Police Station building from the Baw Baw Shire after councillors approved the commu­ nity group's use proposal.

The primary use of the building will be as the offices of the Thompson Times newspaper, which will move from the nearby West Gippsland Healthcare Group premises.

The Times had recently been informed by the WGHG its use of their building could no longer be accommodated.

North ward councillor David Balfour thanked the West Gippsland Healthcare Group for its hosting of the Times.

"I must acknowledge the WGHG because they've been fantastic," he said.

"Since about 1977 they've helped the Thompson Times. They've made available one little room and we don't realise exactly how much money that little contribution has cost the group."

Mr Balfour said Landcare and the local Lions Club had also expressed interest in using the building.

Service road to close A service road off Burke Street near Marist­Sion College in Warragul will be closed.

The street is located between Cornish and McCulloch Streets and was to be used in a small commercial development, but that never reached the building phase.

Cr Gauci said the road was of no benefit to the community except for a small number of people who used it as a pick up and drop off zone for students.

"This service road... has been identified as a service road in Warragul really serving no benefit," Cr Gauci said.

"The developers are now propo­ sing to put units on the site and the roadway.

"We were sort of under the impression it was a heavily used road, but after investigation we found that it was only a limited number of people who actually used it as a pick up and drop off zone.

"I believe in this particular situ­ ation I believe it'd be better if it was sold off to the developer and not be a burden on the council."

Australia Day Advisory Committee disbanded Councillors unanimously supp­ orted a special motion by Cr Brown to disband Baw Baw's Australia Day Advisory Committee.

"It's not in any way intended to diminish the work of this committee over the years," Cr Brown said.

A community panel, bound to less council formality than the form­ er committee, will be set up in its place with the same membership.

Cr Brown was on the committee.

Broadbent reports few budget complaints from McMillan LIBERAL member for the federal seat of McMillan Russell Broad­ bent has said few people have raised concerns with him about his government's new budget.

"There hasn't been a lot said to me directly about budget issues," Mr Broadbent said.

"A few have raised some issues, but it hasn't been the number one topic of conversation.

"I think voters are watching inte­ restedly how the Senate is going to play with its role in this nation."

The Abbott government's first budget has been controversial, incl­ uding changes to welfare and support payments as well as prop­ osing a $7 GP co­payment.

A number of key senators have threatened to not pass parts of the budget unless changes are made.

"I think the Senate will do what the Senate will do and what the Senate's always done ­ they will be obstructionist when they want to be obstructionist and supportive when they want to be supportive," Mr Broadbent said.

"We'll just have to see how that goes."

When asked how he thought the

Senate was likely to behave, Mr Broadbent said "obstructionist."

The co­payment issue is complex and despite the government initially saying there would be no compr­ omise on its introduction, changes that would see the fee to be waived for the poor and elderly are now under consideration.

Mr Broadbent said there may be concerns in the community and it was important to look after people.

"I'm sure there are concerns in the community," he said.

"We need to make sure that those who need support in the the community get the support.

Asked about his own view on the co­payment, Mr Broadbent said: "the co­payment's the government's policy and my view is I support the government's policy."

LLEN stats bad news for Baw Baw students A REPORT prepared for the Baw Baw Latrobe Local Learning and Employment Network shows Baw Baw students and young job seekers will be worse off under the Abbott Government's first budget.

The report states that the planned cut to higher education course subsidisation by the federal government, plus the "compou­ nding effects of changes in household incomes, coupled with issues of distance and rurality, will further increase barriers to parti­ cipation and attainment."

Changes to the Newstart support payment could affect thousands of young people in Baw Baw and the Latrobe Valley.

"There is (in the budget) an increase in eligibility age for News­ tart from 22 to 24, forcing young people to remain on the lower Youth Allowance," the report states.

"This will potentially affect an additional 1,358 young people between the ages of 22 and 24 in the Baw Baw Shire, and 2,912 young people in Latrobe City.

Baw Baw Latrobe LLEN CEO Mick Murphy told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen he was concerned income support changes would have a particularly bad impact on youth in a difficult jobs climate.

"I'm concerned about the potential changes, although they haven't got though the Senate yet and there's a lot of debate on whether they will or not," he said.

"Certainly the changes to income support to young people, partic­ ularly if they haven't got emplo­ yment, concerns me.

"They may end up without income for six months. I don't know many people in that situation who can last six minutes, let alone six months without some degree of

support in terms of survival.

"It's almost blaming a younger person for being unemployed, even though in many cases there's not the option to be employed. That is there's not opportunities available, particularly in regional areas.

"More often than not there's not [many jobs] to apply for, particularly if you are under­ qualified, and for younger people the cost of becoming qualified is increasing as well."

Mr Murphy said regional youth seeking higher education faced greater financial pressure than their Melbourne­based classmates.

"We've been doing a lot of work over the last several years on the impact of the cost of participating in higher ed, not the cost of education itself because that's [covered by a] HECS debt, but the cost of having to relocate associated with going to a university outside the area," he said.

"And our deferral rate, those young people who defer their offer, is much greater than metropolitan areas.

"Our data suggests about a third of the kids don't end up taking that offer, but it equally suggests that those who do take it up from regional areas are in many cases just as successful, in many cases more successful, than metropolitan students.

"So it's not as if they're not capable, it's just the cost of doing it.

"So now the potential additional barrier of a higher HECS debt will turn people off. 'Why would I bother? It costs me too much and I can't afford it while I'm doing it, and then I have to pay it back.'"

Mr Murphy said young people who pursue higher eduction may have to move to Melbourne for better salaries to pay their debts.

6 | THE WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN 15 AUGUST 2014

PROPERTY & LOCAL LIVING

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Baw Baw handed new Anne Pascoe park for Drouin Citizen of the Month

Dianne Howard, Marcos Sanz, Shirley Burnell, Stephen Craig, Murray Cook and Kevin Spencer at the handing over ceremony last month.

A NEW park situated in the middle of the Jackson's View est­ ate has been handed to the Baw Baw Shire Council.

Ownership of McNeilly Park, which includes wetlands and a sensory adventure playground, was officially transferred to the council from the estate's developers in a ceremony last month.

The ceremony included the planting of an Eucalyptus tree by mayor Murray Cook and managing director of Cartagen properties Pty Ltd Shirley Burnell.

Cartagen will continue to be responsible for maintenance of the

park until 29 July 2015, despite the change of ownership.

The park and wetlands, situated next to the estate's country club, is a key selling point of the estate, which is still under construction.

"McNeilly Park is a real asset for the community and provides the natural experiences of the native bushland, at the same time acting as another focal point for Jackson’s View residents and others to catch up, meet new friends, exercise, walk the dogs and get to know one another," Ms Burnell said in a media release.

The name of the park was chosen

by the Baw Baw Shire Place Names Committee after a 'Name the Park' competition, which was held in 2012. McNeilly Park was suggested

by Drouin resident Ruth McDonald.

The name carries a strong local link, acknowledging the McNeilly family which first settled in the area in the late 1800s.

Another link to the past is the developers' attempt to partially restore the bushland that once covered the valley the estate sits in.

McNeilly Park covers six hectares, cost $3 million to develop and brings Baw Baw's public park count to 104.

ANNE Pascoe does not take volunteering lightly.

The Warragul resident dedicates over 40 hours a week to running the Baw Baw Combined Churches Emergency Relief service.

Operating out of a Pearse Street warehouse, the group assists people experiencing difficulties providing their family with food and only requests a $7 donation per visit to assist with overheads in return.

People can use the BBCCER up to eight times per year, after which they are required to undertake a budget review before recieving any more food.

Last month the group celebrated its 13th birthday.

Anne started volunteering with BBCCER as a helper, but quickly ended up running the group.

"This is my eighth year of running food relief," Ms Pascoe told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

"We started off in a shed at the back of the Tarwin Street church.

We found it was getting too small, so I made a bigger area for food relief. But of course the church was packing everything up every day we were operating.

"We were only operating one day a week... then after two or three years we started operating two days a week, and then three days a week,

and the church couldn't handle us.

"So we found these premises... last year in October. Now we've expanded to be even bigger!"

A number of local groups helped with the move to the new premises, which also feature a public opportunity shop.

People are often introduced to the food bank through a referral from Centrelink or another local assistance provider.

"We put an order in to Food Bank Victoria every fortnight, we of course pay for that which is why we ask for a donation," Anne said.

"We also ask schools for can dri­ ves, we ask for donations of food."

Anne also has a long history of volunteering and serving the community outside of the BBCCER, and has been recognised for her contributions a number of times.

She was a nominee for the 2012 Victorian Honour Roll of Women, a recipient of the 2011 Baw Baw Shire Australia Day Medallion and was a torch bearer for the Sydney 2000 olympics.

The BBCCER is based at Factory 17/11 Pearse Street, Warragul.

Citizen of the Month features locals with a story to tell. Know someone deserving of a profile?

Email your suggestion to editor@warragulcitizen.com.

ENVIRONMENT

Nature Note: Australia, the land of honeyeaters Words and photos by 'Gouldiae'.

SOMETIMES in bird watching circles this wonderfully diverse continent of ours is referred to as "The Land of Parrots."

A quick look in any bird field guide will however show that Australia's approximately 30 species of parrots are easily

The Lewin’s Honeyeater is a rainforest specialist where its machine gun­like call often tells its presence before being seen.

surpassed by the over 50 species of honeyeater. And with spring just around the corner, the honeyeaters will soon be back in full flight.

In gathering their diet of nectar, honeyeaters provide a vital role in fertilising many of our native flowering trees and shrubs, particularly the hakeas, grevilleas, bottlebrushes, banksias, eucalypts,

The Eastern Spinebill, with its long curving bill, is perfectly adapted for reaching the nectar deposits in tubular flowers.

heaths and so on.

Nectar is not their sole diet though ­ many honeyeaters also eat insects, pollen, fruit and seeds.

Those species of honeyeater that are heavily reliant on a diet of nectar tend to be highly mobile, even migratory, as they follow the bloom of their favourite flowering tree or shrub around the country.

New Holland Honeyeaters are a locally nomadic species that likes to feed in the lower bushes and shrubs.

Some honeyeaters are able to survive on a nectar­poor diet for many months, relying on insects and fruits, and may remain in the one locality for the whole year.

The tendency for gardeners to plant Australian native species these days has aided many different honeyeater species to stay longer in some places. Rainbow Lorikeets for

example were once a very transient species in Gippsland, but now there are numerous populations of these birds that are quite sedentary.

Honeyeaters are often colourful, active birds and are always a delight to observe.

For more from the author visit warragulcitizen.com and gouldiaesblog.blogspot.com.

Yellow­tufted Honeyeaters are closely related to Victoria’s fau­ nal emblem, the critically enda­ ngered Helmeted Honeyeater.

Musk Lorikeets have the typical brush­like tongue of all honeyeaters and are active noisy feeders. They particularly like the nectar and pollen from flowering eucalypts.

8 | THE WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN 15 AUGUST 2014

SPORT

For breaking news between issues visit warragulcitizen.com

Powering Gippsland: Josh Patullo

By Greg Pretty WARRAGUL and Gippsland Power AFL player Josh Patullo has shown a lot of maturity in his determined approach to rehab­ ilitation after an ankle injury kept him off the field for the first half of the 2014 season.

The lanky 197 centimetre boy from Lang Lang turns 17 next month, which gives him another year in Power’s Under 18 TAC Cup squad.

Josh started playing again mid­ year, first with the Warragul Under 18s, then in recent weeks back at Power where he has performed well.

After playing junior footy for Lang Lang and Hallora, Josh went to Warragul in 2012, starting with the Under 16s.

Warragul Seniors has recently lost some good players, which has left the team struggling. But Josh feels there is some good talent coming through from the lower ranks.

He believes that if those younger players stay, they will help renew Warragul’s competitiveness at sen­ ior level. But he says Warragul will also need to recruit before the team can become a serious premiership prospect.

Like all the young players in the TAC Cup system, Josh is aiming for an AFL career. He played with Power’s under 15s and 16s before being selected to join this year’s

Josh (left) at a Gippsland Power v NSW/ACT Rams game in Morwell earlier this month. Photo by Kate Mitchell.

under 18 squad, to which he will most likely return next year.

“The pace is quicker at TAC Cup level than in the Gippsland League," he said.

"The play is quicker and the players hold their positions more.

They’re more focused and disciplined.

“There’s a lot more movement

and the strength of the opposition teams is a lot more intense.”

Josh very keenly studies profes­ sional players like Nick Riewoldt and, as a Sydney fan, Kurt Tippett.

His own game is deep in the forward and sometimes in the ruck.

Gippsland Power coach Leigh Brown described Josh as “a competitor. He really wants to compete.”

“With his injury he’s worked hard at rehab and is diligent at making sure he gets to his appointments.

So he’s very organised and driven.

“His marking is a real strength and he can also play in the ruck.

He’s athletic and quite mobile.

“He needs to build up his body strength in the next year. A good pre­season will set him up well for 2015.”

Power’s talent manager Peter Francis agrees.

“He is a very determined young fellow,” says Peter.

“He worked religiously on his rehab after the ankle injury so he’s done everything he can to get back as quickly as possible.

“I think it’s his athleticism that sets him apart. He can really run around the oval like a ruck rover and he’s got a beautiful set of hands and a good leap.

“He should develop into a real key forward for us.”

Josh is profuse in his admiration and appreciation of Leigh, Peter and the trainers and staff.

“They are all very supportive and helpful,” Josh said.

“I love being with everyone at Power. They are all great people, the staff and the players.”

COMMENT

Busloads of responses Polling THE Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen has been inundated with responses to last month's edito­ rial, which called for improv­ ements to be made to local bus services. Here are just a few:

Frank Ahern

Via Email. Shortened.

Town buses run from 9.15am, which does not help anyone get to work by 9am. In the afternoon they don't run after 2.45, which means people going down the st­ reet shopping cannot get home.

Going from Warragul to Drouin is okay, but what about the people at the new Waterford Rise and Crystal Waters estates?

Buses don't stop there because there are no bus stops!

'Ned'

Posted at warragulcitizen.com

I can do up to eight trips a day, driving my teenagers between Drouin and Warragul, especially on weekends. Our youth should have access to reliable, regular bus services, without having to walk 2­3km to the nearest bus stop. School holidays leave kids stranded at home, unable to go places as there’s no way to get anywhere until Mum/Dad come home from work.

You want to add 20,000 homes Baw Baw Shire, how about addressing immediate transport needs now. Gary Blackwood needs to get on this and campaign harder!

GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?

Christine McLaren Posted at warragulcitizen.com

LAST month WBBC asked readers how they rated the provision of bus services in Baw Baw. Here are the results:

I’ve known many young people who have great trouble getting to jobs as they need parents to drive them as buses and trains are so poor.

If we are to be peri­urban and on the outer edge of the metropo­ litan area, as our council and state government tell us, then we need public transport improved by 1000 per cent!

'Abysmal' 82 votes/76%

108 responses 'Poor' 22 votes /20%

Marcia Townsend

Posted at warragulcitizen.com

The services are not frequent enough, nor do they service enough area. Even mini buses could be useful for some areas.

I'm sure once a decent service is set up people will realise it's easier than getting the car out and parking. I see a lot of elderly people with walking frames struggling up Albert Steet into town. Quite a hike ­ I'm sure th­ ey would rather jump on a bus!

Di Elders

Posted at warragulcitizen.com

Moving here from Mount Waverley and still working full­ time in Clayton, it would be really useful if ‘trains’ could run more frequently, and buses too.

The Warragul/Drouin area is growing and the community needs to cater for this growth!

'Excellent' 1 vote/1%

'Okay' 3 votes/3%

This month the WBBC asks: do you support the federal government's $7 GP co­payment as outlined in May? Head to warragulcitizen.com to vote.

Advertorial policy THE Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen does not publish unm­ arked advertorial content.

While uncited positive news coverage of advertisers is common in the news industry, WBBC feels it is important to acknowledge when paid content is published so readers can make informed decisions.

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

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

Send a letter to: editor@warragulcitizen.com

GUEST COLUMNIST John Murrell West Gippsland Regional Libraries Corporation CEO

Libraries: no longer full of shhh LIBRARIES have changed, and the pace of change is quickening.

No longer are they silent stuffy buildings filled with books and dark corners. The libraries of today are evolving into light, open spaces with banks of computers, creative "maker spaces," gaming consoles, dedicated study and meeting areas and even access to high speed Wi­Fi to take your home business out of the spare room.

We've had to evolve to keep up with the way that people are consuming their information. While there is no decrease in the need for physical books, there is simultaneously an increase in the desire for eBooks. Even eAudio books are no longer just used by the vision impaired. Many people listen to audio books in the car, the truck, at work and while they are out walking. The way we use our time is changing the way we read.

This is happening around the world. It's an exciting time, and West Gippsland Regional Library Corporation is embracing the change.

I have been fortunate to be part of "Tomorrow's Library" ­ a landmark review of public libraries.

Some of the proposals include a state­wide single library card, allowing Victorians to borrow and

Text: 0457 971 103 or

or

return at any library. In addition it proposes the same access to digital content, further opening up the collections and allowing 24/7 access. The rollout of this initiative is reliant on new State government funding so we are anxiously awaiting announcements by the State Election.

At a local level, we are introducing innovative programs to appeal to a broader cross­section of the community. This year our libraries will be celebrating The Reading Hour with a special Story Time session in six of our libraries including Warragul. We are calling it the "Bloke's Reading Shed". We hope to encourage dads, grandads, big brothers and male carers to come in for some stories and fun.

The Bloke’s Shed will run from 6­ 7pm on Tuesday 19 August. Visit www.wgrlc.vic.gov.au for further information.

Libraries have come a long way, and with over 400 people using libraries like our local Warragul library every day, the Corporation and the Baw Baw Shire Council are striving to provide the services that support and nurture community connectedness and creativity.

The national Children's Book Week will run from 16 August until 22 August.

Tweet to: @WarragulCitizen

15 AUGUST 2014 THE WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN | 9

ARTS & RECREATION

What's on The amazing

GIG GUIDE

DOMINIC FINLEY 15 August @ Middels, Drouin SWEETLIP 15 August @ BANK Warragul WEST GIPPSLAND MUSIC & DRAMA EISTEDDFOD 15, 16 and 31 August @ West Gippsland Arts Centre DANNY EDDY 16 August @ BANK Warragul JARBEQUE ROCKS O&H 16 August @ O&H Bar & Bistro, Warragul 2014 TRAF EAST WINTER BLUES 16 August // Tix: 0417 034 076

Warragul Famers' Market

SATURDAY 16 AUGUST 2014 Civic Park, Warragul Web: warragulfarmersmarket.com.au

Yarragon Market

SATURDAY 23 AUGUST 2014 Yarragon Public Hall

Jindivick Country Market

SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014 Jindivick Country Kitchen grounds, Jackson's Track, Jindivick

Longwarry Fire Brigade Market

SUNDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2014 Bennett Street, Longwarry

WARRAGUL FARMERS' MARKET ­ WRC STUDENT MUSIC ACTS 16 August @ Civic Park, Warragul

EVENTS

BEN SMITH 22 August @ BANK Warragul

ALL AUGUST See story on Page 10 for deets.

SWEETLIP 22 August @ Middels, Drouin TWO GRANDS, FOUR HANDS 22 August @ West Gippsland Arts Centre JACKIE V AND JAYDEN B 23 August with Patric Evans and Suzette Heft @ The Royal Hotel, Drouin THE BOYS IN THE BAND 24, 25 August @ West Gippsland Arts Centre MARCIA HINES 26 August @ West Gippsland Arts Centre EM & NAT 29 August @ BANK Warragul LUKE MATTHEWS 29 August @ Middels, Drouin PHIL MANNING & FIONA BOYES 3 September @ BANK Warragul Performing for First Wednesday Blues & Roots Club. See Page 12 for story.

MELBOURNE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA ­ ELEGIES AND DANCES 3 September @ West Gippsland Arts Centre ADAM BRAND ­ MY SIDE OF THE STREET 4 September @ West Gippsland Arts Centre GINA HOGAN ­ WOMEN OF THE '60S 5 September @ West Gippsland Arts Centre 'JOHNNY CASH ­ THE CONCERT': GOLDEN GREATS OF THE MAN IN BLACK 6 September @ West Gippsland Arts Centre HAVE A GIG COMING UP? Get it listed here. Email deets to editor@warragulcitizen.com.

The Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen supports local live music.

MARKETS Drouin Craft and Produce Market

SATURDAY 16 AUGUST 2014 Civic Park, Drouin Phone: 0419 428 564

Marcia Hines

Walhalla Vinter Ljusfest

Annie

FRIDAY 15 AND SATURDAY 16 AUGUST West Gippsland Arts Centre Chairo Christian School presents the much loved musical Annie.

The production features students from Years 6­12 from the school's Drouin Campus and will be directed by White Oak Theatre's Tracey Gaylard. wgac.com.au for deets.

Neerim Bower Winter Arts Workshops ­ Reeds and Sticks SUNDAY 17 AUGUST Neerim South

Participants will explore various materials collected locally to create baskets. neerimbower.com.au for deets.

Ancestry workshops MONDAY 18 AUGUST Warragul Library

Join library staff and a representative from the West Gippsland Genealogical Society for this special class to help you grow your family tree and your knowledge of the amazing resources to be found on the Ancestry Library Edition database. wgrlc.eventbrite.com.au for bookings.

CIRCUS OZ 2014: BUT WAIT...

THERE'S MORt

SUNDAY 29 and SATURDAY 30 AUGUST 2014 West Gippsland Arts Centre Following an action­packed national tour crossing Arnhem Land, a Sydney Big Top season, then a smash­hit international tour across America to Montreal, Circus Oz rockets into Warragul with their brand spanking new show, 'But Wait…There’s More'. wgac.com.au for deets.

Suggest an event: email editor@warragulcitizen.com.

Marcia Hines performing 'Remedy', a song from her new album. Image via YouTube.

RENOWNED singer/songwriter Marcia Hines will be playing the West Gippsland Arts Centre on Tuesday 26 August as part of her "Amazing" tour. Earlier this week The Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen had a chat with Marcia about performing in regional areas, working with Russell Crowe and op shops.

William Kulich (WBBC): What can people expect from this tour?

Marcia Hines: Hopefully, first and foremost, fun and some great music. I've got six really great guys that I work with and we put the show together. We practised and rehearsed for a month. One of the most important things about the show is we've put in a lot of the old songs, because I think that's very important to do. So we've sprinkled the show with a lot of the old songs and some new songs and some other things in between, and a lot of fun and dancing.

WBBC: How much time do you usually put into planning tours?

Marcia: It all depends. I'm a bit of a stickler for getting it right, so I could've done it for two months but that would've been too much. In the end when we were rehearsing we all agreed it was time to stop rehea­ rsing and take it out on the road.

WBBC: How does this tour compare to others you've done?

Marcia: It's different because it's a brand new band for me, so that's different, and also I've made sure the guys are very integral to the show. Two of the guys who wrote the album with me, the keyboard player who is our musical director is on tour with us as well, and one of the other writers, and one guy called Chris who came up through Australian Idol, and he's one of my singers as well.

WBBC: Are there many other people you're still in contact with from Idol?

Marcia: Yes, some. We were so deeply entrenched in their lives, it was pretty full on. You make friendships and I've been able to maintain several.

WBBC: You've played across the world in many venues. What's the appeal of playing in Warragul? I was looking at your tour list and it's the furthest east in the state you're coming.

Marcia: It's important we go to rural areas as well. I think a large part of my success in the beginning was because we'd go to areas nobody else would go to and I'm a great believer that those areas deserve to see you, if not more than than the city centres because they don't get as much. They're not spoilt and they appreciate what sort of show you bring to their towns.

WBBC: What's the best crowd you have ever played to?

Marcia: There have been several but I have to say there was one really great show one year when my mum was still alive, and I closed the big parade at the Sydney Mardi Gras, the dance party of Mardi Gras, I closed it. There were many thousands of people when I walked on and I couldn't sing because they cheered so much. I got home after the performance... and my mum said 'how was it?' I said 'I think I could die now, I know what it is to be loved. The audience just lifted the roof with their applause.

WBBC: What kinds of crowds do you enjoy playing to?

Marcia: Every crowd is different, and that is really fascinating to me. I like different audiences because they bring something so different to the table. I love seeing people's reactions, I love standing on stage and seeing people mouth the lyrics to my song and I think 'wow.' That's very moving for me, I don't know what it is but it's very moving for me.

WBBC: You've done many, many tours in your career. Do you still approach touring in the same was as you did when you started?

Marcia: Uh­huh. I don't drink, I don't smoke, I'm a vegetarian and I exercise as much as possible when I can. My instrument is my body so I cannot plug it in, so at the end of each night I go back to my accommodation and I go to bed. I have never been a person who stays up late at night or who rages or something like that.

WBBC: Do you get much time to poke around the places that you visit?

Marcia: No! If I do get time to poke around the place I have to get in at around 11 o'clock in the morning or something. I like op shops, so if there's an op shop I might go check out an op shop, or if there's a jewellery shop, when I say jewellery I mean, you know, just stuff. I'm just an ordinary girl.

WBBC: I'll give you a heads up: Warragul's got five really good op shops in it.

Marcia: Really?!

WBBC: I've had friends who do city op shops come to Warragul and they're like 'woah.'

Marcia: Okay, I'm there. See,

you're feeling me. I love op shops, they're brilliant.

WBBC: So, 'Amazing' the song, album and tour. Is that how you feel these days?

Marcia: I'm feeling good, and maybe amazing every once in a while, you know. It was just a great song to write about love, when things are beautiful and you're really happy ­ it is an amazing time.

No matter what happens, when you're in love it's just all wonderful.

WBBC: You've now done a duet with Russell Crowe, the question was going to come up, I'm sorry,....

Marcia: Oh no please, by all means. I'm very proud of it.

WBBC: It's a great song, but is he really as unreliable a caller as the song suggests?

Marcia: (laughs) I couldn't really answer that because I've not had a love affair with Russell Crowe.

Russell and I are buddies, and this song, when I wrote it I said to him 'look I've got this song, I would love you to sing it with me, it's truly tongue­in­cheek.' When you listen to women all they ever say is 'he doesn't call me enough, I wish he'd call.' Russell directed the film clip, so it was just great fun. It was pretty astounding to work with someone with such an incredible work ethic ­ I've not met someone who works like that in my life.

WBBC: It sounds a really fun thing to do. What do you have planned in the near future in other recordings and so on that you're working on?

Marcia: I'm not working on anything at the moment because I think you can only do one thing well at a time, and right now Amazing is out. We've written about four or five songs, but we'll start to formulate something maybe early in the [next] year.

WBBC: What's the most recent album you bought?

Marcia: Me? Sam Smith.

WBBC: What do you like about him?

Marcia: He's a pure singer. The guy's a great talent. His album is definitely on repeat.

WBBC: What do you enjoy in the music industry most? Is it the touring or recording?

Marcia: My favourite thing in the world is live performance because there's nowhere to hide. It's a very honest way to go about performing.

10 | THE WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN 15 AUGUST 2014

ARTS & RECREATION

Backyard Tourism

Dancing with lions Words and photo by Greg Pretty AN IDEA from Sweden involving lots of lights has brought the sleepiest month of the year alive at the tourist town of Walhalla.

We are half way through the fourth annual Walhalla Vinter Ljusfest, or "festival of lights," which has done wonders for visitor numbers and accommodation bookings at the totally tourism­ dependent town.

August used to be the quietest month for Walhalla and the time when its business owners would close doors and take holidays. But not anymore. At the start of the month, the Star Hotel was fully booked on each of its five weekends.

And it’s a similar story for the tow­ n’s other accommodation places.

President of Walhalla and Mountain Rivers Tourism, Michael Leaney, said "to now have 300 or 400 people walking down the street

on a Saturday night is phenomenal."

"Over the last three or four years the word has spread and people are now coming here from all around the world to see it.

"So as well as lifting August, it has helped Walhalla develop a reputation for being an out­of­ season destination in winter."

Walhalla doesn’t have street lights and is normally very dark at night, so to visit the town in August and see its features lit up and images on the sides of buildings is quite a spectacular sight.

Each year the festival has a theme and this year it’s China. As well as the lights there are red lanterns in the town’s park and streets and Yum Cha at the Greyhorse Cafe every night. A pair of lions from the Bendigo Chinese Association’s drag­ on and lion team (seen in the photo above) even came down to open the month and bless the businesses.

One of Walhalla’s popular

features at any time of the year is its Goldfields Railway, which takes visitors through the picturesque Stringers Creek Gorge. For the Vinter Ljusfest, the train is rigged with lights and runs twice each Saturday night, lighting up the gorge as it goes.

There are Chinese Lantern Heritage Tours on Wednesday nights, taking visitors back to Walhalla's gold rush to uncover how the Chinese community influenced the town.

On Friday nights a lantern tour goes deep underground for special evening tours and on Saturday nights you get a free giant glow stick if you join a Walhalla Vinter Ljusfest Ghost Tour.

You can also write messages of peace and goodwill on ribbons and tie them to the Moon Gate in Stringers Park.

Being a Swedish concept, it was only fitting that the theme for the

first Vinter Ljusfest in 2011 was Sweden. Then in 2012 the town celebrated the 40th anniversary of Neil Diamond’s number one charting album Hot August Night.

Last year saw a nod to Walhalla’s 150 years of gold.

The next few years have already been planned: 2015's festival will be dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the film The Sound of Music, 2016 will have a Rio/Brazil theme for the Olympic Games and 2017 will celebrate the life and music of Elvis Presley on the 40th anniversary of his death.

The 100th anniversary of the end of World War I will be acknowledged at the 2018 festival.

The 2014 Walhalla Vinter Ljusfest continues until the end of August, so rug up and head for the hills to see what is bringing people to the town on cool August nights.

For more stories by Greg visit easternvic.blogspot.com.au.

Parasteddfod popularity grows THE NUMBERS of people atten­ ding and performing at the Warr­ agul parasteddfod ­ a section of the annual West Gippsland Music & Drama Eisteddfod ­ each year are contunuing to rise.

President of the eisteddfod's organising committee, Pauline Has­ tings, told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen the section has grown rapidly since its creation three years ago.

"It's doubled in size each year we've done it, so this year's is the longest session we've ever had, which is a full morning and a bit," Ms Hastings said.

"There were about 20 acts this year [and] probably about 70 or so participants. This was a bumper year. I really don't know how many people were in the audience but I would hazard a guess at about 200 to 300 people."

The parasteddfod category pulled performers from across west and central Gippsland and is the only one of its kind in the state.

"Performers have come mostly from around Warragul area, but Morwell is our furthest distance," Ms Hastings said.

"The idea evolved a few years ago at an eisteddfod conference. We heard about a few other eisteddfods interstate, I think we're the only one in Victoria doing a parasteddfod, doing sections for special needs.

"We thought 'well, people who do have special needs aren't entering our mainstream eisteddfods,' so we felt we would like to make a special division for them and we made up the name."

Unlike many other categories, the parasteddfod is non­competi­ tive, giving only encouragement and participation awards.

Anyone with a disability can enter.

"There's a lot of support in the community and people with family members who have disabilities are all behind us. Everybody's got such joy and they are so excited about it," Ms Hastings said.

'Prominitions' brings artists together LOCAL painters, photographers, sculptors and musicians have taken part in an art exploration project looking at the Wilsons Promontory National Park.

A group of local artists took three trips to the Prom over 18 months to inspire a set of works which are now on display in the West Gippsland Arts Centre foyer as part of the 'Prominitions' exhibition.

Exhibition organiser Sandy Ward told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen the trips had inspired a large number of artworks.

"It was very casual. People just did what they want when they wanted," Ms Ward said.

"I think they (the artists) just used it as a time maybe not to do finished artworks but maybe to generate ideas and just mess around and see what other people are doing.

"There was a lot of good food and good wine had, and laughing ­ it was really relaxed.

While the artists had travelled to the Prom to experience the environment there was no escaping its harsher side.

"We had some really extreme weather when we were there but I think that was really the most enjoyable [trip] for me," Ms Ward said.

Photographer Melanie Crookston and painter and organiser Sandy Ward at the Prominitions exhibition.

"It was like we were intrepid explorers, and while it was [raining] ferociously outside we were all warm inside and relaxed and

enjoying it."

The expeditions were not just about creating art; photographer and drawer Melanie Crookston said

the networking side was just as impo­rtant.

"I took it as a place to generate ideas, but also to connect with other

people interested in the same kinds of things as I am," she said.

"We had a Bollywood night where we all dressed up in saris and ate curry, and then we had epic games of Pictionary where everyone started yelling at each other, in a friendly way of course.

"It's just the kind of fun that comes out of having a group excu­ rsion and ideas generation (that makes it good).

"I've had these works come out of it which was quite cool."

A number of artists have agreed the sharing and comparing work as a group had been a positive experience.

At the exhibition's opening earlier this month musicians who visited the Prom performed while people viewed the other works.

Ms Ward said there were plans to make similar trips elsewhere in Gippsland.

"We have two more trips plan­ ned, but this time we're going to Mount Baw Baw," she said.

"We will be staying at the summit of [the mountain] in November and February.

"Hopefully an exhibition from that later in 2015."

Artists interested in joining in for the Mount Baw Baw sessions can contact Ms Ward on 5623 9900.

15 AUGUST 2014 THE WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN | 11 Stay updated with email updates: warragulcitizen.com/email

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Making, and selling, local radio RADIO GA GA with Greg Pretty

Aritcle not available in online version

A MOVE to sell Warragul­based radio station 3GG fell through earlier this month.

The station, known as 3UL until 1989, will remain in the ownership of Resonate Broadcasters after a deal to sell to new company Watermark Media fell through.

The wheels were in motion to make the sale, but two weeks ago Resonate reported it had terminated the process.

In a statement Resonate said: “Watermark Media defaulted under the terms of the agreement by failing to make payment under the Agreement for Sale.”

The attempted sale had no impact on Star FM, which despite sharing a building with 3GG is owned by a different company.

Budgets are a big issue in radio, and one of the changes that new technology has brought is the ability to broadcast 24/7 on the cheap.

Professional radio is fairly expensive to do. Salaries for country radio announcers and other staff have improved greatly and electricity costs are high, particularly for power­hungry AM transmitters. Then there are hefty licence fees for music, spectrum space and so on.

There are four stations with studios within the Baw Baw Shire: commercial stations 3GG and Star FM and community stations 3BBR and Vision Australia Radio. ABC Gippsland broadcasts into Baw Baw from its Sale studios.

Listeners at the east end of the shire can also hear commercial stations TRFM and GOLD 1242, which primarily transmit to central and east Gippsland. Morwell community station Gippsland FM can also be heard in Trafalgar, and

occasionally even in Warragul.

All of these stations use two main forms of new technology to various degrees to maintain a 24/7 service: computerised playout systems and satellite links to central program hubs.

All four commercial stations use a system called NexGen in their studios. Using a computer, producers can control entire programs ­ songs, ads, promotions, features and all. Announcers can even record voice tracks and let the computer play the whole show, which is handy if they need a break or even a day off!

Such systems allow for great flexibility and the best utilisation of staff. There are no CD players or other devices in sight ­ everything is on computer servers.

ABC and community stations employ such technology to various degrees as well, although you’ll generally still find a CD player or two in their studios. Perhaps even a turntable!

3GG, Star FM, ABC Gippsland, and Vision Australia Radio only broadcast from local studios for a limited number of hours a day. The rest of their airtime is pulled from a network programming source via satellite, with local ads or promos inserted into “windows.”

TRFM and GOLD 1242 maintain a high amount of local hours but, interestingly, the stations that are almost totally locally produced are the ones with the smallest budgets.

Community access stations 3BBR and Gippsland FM are manned by volunteers who do it for fun, not a living. All day there are presenters wandering in and out of studios in Drouin or Morwell with boxes of CDs and records, filling their allotted hours.

Greg has worked in the radio industry for 38 years.

Arts Centre bags big names JIMMY Barnes, Leo Sayer and Jimeoin have annoucned perfor­ mances at the West Gippsland Arts Centre, adding to the list of big names due to visit the venue in coming months.

Warragul has been named as one of only 10 stopping points on Barnes' national 30:30 Hindsi­ ght/Flesh & Wood Acoustic tour, which will reach Warragul in December.

Sayer will return to the WGAC in

February 2015 as part of a series of shows in regional Victoria and New South Wales.

And comedian Jimeoin will bring his show YES, YES, WHATEVER?! to the region in November this year.

The Arts Centre announced the performances earlier this month, having already announced perfor­ mances from other big names: Marcia Hines will perform here later this month and Reece Mastin will visit Warragul in September.

12 | THE WARRAGUL & BAW BAW CITIZEN 15 AUGUST 2014

ARTS & RECREATION

Jimi Hocking covers Jimi Hendrix for over 100 people at Bank Warragul's inaugural First Wednesday Blues & Roots Club. Photo by article author.

Banking on blues

By William Kulich THE BAW Baw region is not known for its live music scene, but one local venue is determined to change that.

BANK Warragul, which opened its doors near the Smith Street taxi rank in June, has started the First Wednesday Blues & Roots Club ­ a monthly gig which, if attendance at the first performance earlier this month is an indicator, is set to be something big.

Venue owner Declan Flannery is not new to hosting live music. Bef­ ore opening BANK he ran the Kazbah Lounge in Sale, which also hosted monthly blues and roots performances.

"It was a very successful club with great artists, but we also had local blues acts to help us along too," Mr Flannery told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.

Approximately 110 peo­ ple attended the first blues performance at BANK and over two thirds of the tickets for next month's

Image not available in online version

show have already sold, prompting Mr Flannery to look at putting the show on in a larger room at the venue.

"If that's the case it means over 150 people, 200 people will be coming for these blues nights on a Wednesday night," he said.

The first act to perform for the club was former Screaming Jets guitarist Jimi Hocking, and other big names are planned. But Mr Flannery said he was looking to get local performers on the bill.

"Because I'm new to the area I have to get the contact... so just trying to work out who's who," Mr Flannery said.

"We've made contact with people but they're a bit slow getting back to us, but I'm sure over time when they see what we're trying to achieve here, and if we can help each other out, that will be great.

"All the money on the door goes to the artists and for us we're just here to promote our venue."

"The little twist we're doing is we're recoding all our music... and we're going to create a CD, and we

Getting in with

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want to sell the CD and donate that money to a charity."

"We want it to be the BANK Upstairs Blues & Roots Club charity.

We've got a big banner, and we want all our artists to sign it, and then we'll aucton that off too. So all the money that generates, every year at around Christmas we will give the money to a charity.

"The charity hasn't been picked yet, but at this stage we're looking at maybe the hospital, the local CFA, but making sure the money stays in Baw Baw." But blues is not the only genre of music the venue has on the cards; expect jazz, rock and even punk.

"When the warmer days are heating up we are really after having live music in our venue Wenesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday," Mr Flannery said.

"Once a month we want to do the 1920s/1930s swing jazz up on the terrace bar. So you can imagine just a nice feel, about 3pm, warm afternoons, having some nice bub­ bles, some nice cocktails, listening to some nice jazz swing and easy

Gig Guide Page 9

listening stuff and just getting back to basics and enjoying some good live music.

"When I first came here in '98 the live music scene in Gippsland was very strong, it was pretty good, and somewhere between now and then it's gone a little amiss.

"It's not from a lack of musicians because there's still plenty out there, and they're very good too, the calibre's very very high in the area, so we're just wanting them guys to come forward and play here.

"On Thursdays we also want to introduce a bit of a bluegrass scene, so people rock up and have a jam.

"It's a bit like the Irish folk scene.

You rock up to a pub in Ireland and over time as the day goes on you might listen to a story, a limerick, and then all of a sudden someone sings, and then someone pulls out an instrument and before the night's out there's about 20 people and they're all playing an instru­ ment. That would be really cool."

Young punk and heavy rock groups will also get a look in.

"Come September we're probably

going to launch our Euphoria bar, which is going to be aimed at the 18 to 30 age group, because there's going to be more, bigger live bands and DJ's, because it's a bigger space," he said.

"I think that style, punk and stuff, would be ideal in Euphoria. Even local bands ­ we were told about the Spitting Swallows, apparently they're very good. I haven't heard them yet but I can see those guys fitting in nicely.

"We want to put all local acts and local musicians as best we can.

We're all about supporting live music, and DJ's as well of course because they do put a lot of hard work and effort into research and what they need to play and play to.

To keep that dance floor moving is pretty hard."

"So we're new to Warragul and I think it's slowly kicking off. We're very happy with the way things are going.

It's going to be very busy co­ me the silly season."

Dancing with

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