CFA Autumn 2023

The CFA would like to advise that Victoria’s drier than average conditions are expected to continue well into Autumn. This follows below average rainfall through much of the West and Central Victoria, as well as parts of South and West Gippsland, according to the Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Autumn.

Central and Southern parts of Victoria are recording the most significant grass growth, with the potential risk of fast running grassfires continuing.

The outlook forecasts below average in the North and West, along with average and warmer than average maximum temperatures.

A lack of rainfall coupled with warm and dry conditions could also see the potential for bushfires in some forests.

Victoria remains well prepared for the potential for fires, with a mix of water bombing aircraft, air supervision and air intelligence aircraft positioned across the state to support our dedicated volunteer and career firefighters on the ground.

Emergency services are keeping an eye on any changes in conditions, however the outlook of normal fire potential across the state is what we can expect in the Autumn Season.

The Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Autumn is developed by AFAC and supported by the Bureau of Meteorology along with state and territory fire and land managers.

It is important for communities to understand their local risks, and you can keep up to date with the Fire Danger Ratings on the Vic Emergency app and the Vic Emergency website.

As we are due to lose our fire restrictions in the coming weeks, it is a timely reminder that all care should be taken if we propose to have a burn off. Monitor conditions, and ensure sufficient clearance around any fire you may propose to light.

Frank Finger, winner of the ABC’s Muster Dog program, has been training working dogs for over 20 years on his Clermont, Queensland property. His passion for training working dogs is shared through his training schools which attract owners, breeders, and the next generation of trainers.

With more than 270,000 stock-herding dogs across rural Australia[1], the importance of working dogs to Australian farmers and property owners cannot be underestimated. This importance is also reflected in the strong sale prices of fully-trained working dogs, with some setting eye-watering auction records. Farmers are well-aware that a well-trained dog provides benefits to a farm well beyond its sale price.

Preferring to train dogs from puppyhood, Frank is a big believer in starting small in all facets of a dog’s training. Below, Frank shares his tops tips on training working dogs and working them towards their natural instincts.

From birth, Frank says it’s essential to nurture working dog pups through their early weeks and look after them with nourishing food and ensure they’re de-wormed.

“At six weeks pups are weaned and at nine weeks I start short bursts of training,” said Frank. “The initial training is all about showing them what to do until their instincts come out.”

As small and cute as they are, Frank notes it’s important to bond with them, but not too much until they are working. “If too much bonding occurs before they’re working, they can become accustomed to it and come to expect it too much later on,” said Frank. “There should be care, but I make sure I don’t become too close to them.”

When starting with pups, Frank encourages those training working dogs to think small. Training a small pup should incorporate small livestock such as goats or even ducks, while training should be limited to short periods. “You don’t want to overwhelm a small pup,” said Frank. “Training time and size of livestock can increase over time as the dogs grow. Once the dog is nine months of age we increase the cattle size and the number of them in the yard.”

Frank notes that one often overlooked aspect of training working dogs is that a dog’s line of sight extends no higher than a trainer’s knee when in close proximity. This is especially true for pups. “Remembering the dogs’ eye level when training them is important,” said Frank. “This is why we use a plastic garden rake to act as an extension of our arm and ensure we’re in their line of sight. The rake is also used as an indicator to get the dogs to stay next to the trainer and not move in front.”

Once trained, Frank notes well-bred working dogs will work instinctively. “Once the dogs are older, the rake can be replaced by calling their name if they get ahead of you. From there, it’s best to develop a good call with them that doesn’t include too many commands. Keep it short and simple.”

Frank appreciates a well-trained dog has to be healthy to fulfill their potential. Prevention is better than cure and Frank uses Simparica Trio®, a once a month chewable, to protect his dogs against heartworm disease and provide treatment and control of fleas, ticks and intestinal worms. “Simparica Trio is very convenient,” says Frank. “Heartworm treatment used to be a daily occurrence, but Simparica Trio makes it an easy-to-remember monthly treatment. My dogs have never had any problem with it.”

Available from veterinarians and pet retailers, Simparica Trio comes with a taste guarantee and is demonstrated safe for puppies as young as eight weeks old.

The Tannery Road Floodway in Scarsdale has reopened to traffic following the completion of extensive upgrade works.

Council contractors completed work on the new structure recently, with the floodway now able to pass double the capacity of flood water. The works also included rock beaching on both sides and concrete approaches with asphalt transition between concrete and existing road.

The asphalt is protected by cement stabilised crushed rock, both on upstream and downstream sides to minimise losses during future flooding.

Mayor Cr Brett Cunningham said road works and road improvements would continue across Golden Plains Shire over the coming weeks and months.

“The Tannery Road Floodway is a significant upgrade of what was previously there, and Council will continue to identify and complete similar projects to improve safety and access on our roads.

“The roads maintenance teams have been doing a lot of work on the Shire’s 1700km road network. We are responding to all requests for road works, however roads will continue to be repaired on a priority basis based on traffic volume and road usage.

“Council values and appreciates residents’ feedback on our road networks, and we appreciate your support as the teams complete these essential works.”

Council has applied for State Government funding to support road works and has recently completed works in Haddon, Rokewood, Scarsdale, Dereel, Ross Creek, Teesdale, Napoleons, Corindhap and Mount Mercer.

In March, we celebrated World Wildlife Day and Wildlife Victoria wanted to introduce everyone to the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis).

Listed as vulnerable under the Flora Fauna Guarantee

Act and threatened by habitat fragmentation, loss of suitable hollows and attack from feral cats, these bushy-tailed tree-dwellers glide between trees for up to 100 metres using membranes stretching between their front and back legs.

Often preferring to live amongst iron-barked eucalypts, squirrel gliders feast on caterpillars, beetles, stick insects, pollen, nectar and sap. When breeding, they create a bowl-like, leaf-lined nest in tree hollows.

Recent nocturnal surveys by the volunteer organisation Platypus Project have recorded two squirrel glider sightings in the Northern Grampians area - one in Ledcourt and the other near Dadswell Bridge, Glenorchy. These are the first records for the area since the 1980s.

If you’re out nightwalking in these areas, listen out for the soft nasal call and gurgling chatter of the squirrel glider.

Find out how you can help to protect squirrel gliders and other native wildlife at: www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/protecting-wildlife/protecting-wildlife www.inaturalist.org/people/eadb

The studios are usually now open the first weekend of the month. Check their Facebook site for updates of opening times.

Parenting a child or adult with a disability can be challenging, but sometimes asking for help can be even harder.

Carers are offered free counselling from a range of carer support services, but many do not take up these offers of support for a range of reasons. In order to remove some of the barriers for carers to access counselling support, we are running an information session that will cover the following topics:

What counselling actually is, and what it is not

Why carer counselling is beneficial

When it is time to seek help

Where to access counselling

When further support is needed

Accessing other services - pathways/funding etc.

Session details:

When: Wednesday 3rd May, 10.00 am – 11.30 am Or 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm

Venue: Pinarc Disability Support Boardroom, 1828 Sturt Street, Alfredton

The Pinarc Parent Support Program is proud to host Georgina Anderson, Child & Family Psychotherapist, for these important information sessions. To register for either session, email rpaton@pinarc.org.au

Venues to be announced for Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th

Across the Golden Plains Shire, artist studios will be open on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th May, so make sure you put this in your calendar! More details will be announced soon, so keep checking https://gpartsinc.com.au/ events.php

Five artist studios banded together under the name of ‘Hidden Gems Studios’ with the artists working together to provide an outing for visitors from Ballarat and beyond. And autumn is a lovely time for a visit.

The studios are nestled in the countryside in the North of the Golden Plains Shire, Hidden Gems Studios includes:

Kate Wise - inspired by her travels and local environment, Kate creates calm, colourful, abstract, botanical and landscape paintingswww.katewiseart.com.au 32 Kent Drive. Haddon PH: 0417 309 545

Vida Pearson - a printmaker whose passions are Australian birds and flora - www.vidapearson.com

Fred Ross - a timber artisan whose love of timber is evident in his beautiful bespoke furniture - www.fredrossfurniture.com Phone: 53 424 629 or 0418 864 516

Stella Clarke - a landscape artist working in oil and acrylic. Her inspiration is both local and coastalwww.stellaclarkestudiogallery.com 29 Stephen Street. Haddon Phone: 0475 521 501

Red Echidna Studios - ceramic artist Barry Wemyss has a particular love for teapots and beautiful forms which are expressed in his tactile works -www.redechidnastudios.com 95 Kirks Road. Smythes Creek, Phone: 0487 225 881

Raintree Art -offers unique Aboriginal paintings and an array of designed art product - www.raintreeart.com.au 64 School Lane. Cambrian Hill, Phone: 0409 846 200 https://gpartsinc.com.au/index.php