The GEM - 19 January 2024 - Edition 92

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Where Community Matters 92ND EDITION JANUARY 19, 2024

OFFTO AGREAT START

Liz Novak, Joseph and Ryan Novak stopped in for lunch at the new Off the Wharf café on Bullock Island, which is now open and offering the best water views in Lakes Entrance.

Manager Kohn Kyriakou is serving up delicious food at Off The Wharf Seafood Café

LAKES ENTRANCE WELCOMES NEW BOAT-TO-PLATE SEAFOOD CAFÉ L AKES Entrance just got even more delicious, thanks to the official opening of the Off The Wharf Seafood Café, which is part of the new Seafood Precinct at Bullock Island.

At the soft opening, Tim Bull was joined by Rod Casement and

Peter Clarke. “The idea arose from a chat the three of us shared in a local coffee shop five years ago, around the long-term viability of the Fishermen’s Co-Operative,” he recently explained on Facebook.

“The idea started as a waterfront café and then developed to an on-

water café — and now here it is; it’s funny how some coffee chats come to fruition! It will become a major tourist attraction for the town and I have no doubt contribute to bringing a lot more people into the area.”

“There were a few (lot of)

hurdles, approvals and challenges to negotiate, but well done to all who helped bring it to fruition including builders Eastern Victoria Construction Group Pty Ltd,” Tim added.

Among those who deserve congratulations are a number

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02

JANUARY 19, 2024 The Great Eastern Mail

THE GREAT EASTERN

BAIRNSDALE • PAYNESVILLE • LAKES ENTRANCE • METUNG • SALE

Where Community Matters

Delivery throughout: Bairnsdale, Paynesville, Metung, Lakes Entrance and surrounds. Includes selected businesses and depot drops. Now in Sale.

Also find us at: Local newsagents, shops and businesses.

You can also view our latest publication FREE online at: www.holstadvertising.com/The-Gem along with previous editions.

Publisher: Holst Advertising Display Advertising: Jason: 0428 366 651 Rick: 0413 278 422 Office: (03) 9686 0858 Editorial Material: news@holstadvertising.com rick@holstadvertising.com Advertising Material: matt@holstadvertising.com Publisher’s Note: The views and opinions expressed by advertisers and opinion-writers in this publication are those of the advertiser/writer and do not necessarily reflect that of the publisher and its policies.

Editorial Note: The Great Eastern Mail encourages readers to send in their opinions and views on any matter relating to the region. If you have a story you would like to put forward, please contact our staff (above), and you may have your own piece published.

Advertising: Advertising material created by the publisher is not to be reproduced or distributed to third parties unless given written consent by the publisher or author.

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Call or SMS Jason on 0428 366 651

PETERPANRE-IMAGINED 'APANTOEXPERIENCELIKENOOTHER'

SmithCreative.com.au

By Shannan

I

N a burst of creativity, local playwright Tiffany Vatcher has transformed the classic tale of Peter Pan into a side splitting spectacle with her latest pantomime production.

Upstage Theatre School proudly presents "Peter Pan-to in the Park," a hilarious rendition that guarantees an interactive afternoon filled with laughter, mischief, and a sprinkle of fairy dust.

Vatcher's comedic genius shines through as she re-imagines J.M. Barrie's timeless characters with a twist, promising audiences of all ages an uproarious experience that will have them rolling in the aisles.

The talented cast from Upstage Theatre School has embraced the challenge of embodying the iconic characters in this whimsical interpretation. While Peter Pan, Wendy, Captain Hook, and the Lost Boys are all present, expect the unexpected as Vatcher injects her trademark humour into the script.

Upstage Theatre School has earned a reputation for nurturing young talent and providing a platform for local artists. "Peter Pan-to in the Park" not only showcases the skills of the school's budding actors but also highlights the collaborative spirit of the local creative community.

Tiffany Vatcher, a familiar name in the local theatre scene, is celebrated for her ability to blend wit with classic stories. Following the success of last year's "Snow White: A Pantomime in the Park," parents and children alike can anticipate an afternoon of interactive fun and the signature slapstick comedy that defines a

Pictures by smithcreative.com.au

great pantomime.

"Peter Pan-to in the Park" is set to take flight at Howitt Park North on the 19th, 20th, and 21st of January at 3 pm. Don't miss the chance to embark on a laughterfilled journey to Neverland, where the only rule is that there are no rules!

Tickets are available at the venue or online. Come to Howitt Park North and join Upstage Theatre School in an amazing swashbuckling adventure.

Meet fairies, pirates, mermaids,

Amazon warriors, and others on this fantastic, family-friendly school holiday journey through Neverland.

This is another UpStage traveling pantomime, and some walking is involved as you explore Neverland. There are plenty of opportunities for everyone to interact with the cast as they take you on this swashbuckling adventure for all ages. Grab your pixie dust and join Upstage Theatre School for a panto experience like no other.

Darren Chester Darren Chester Darren Che Putting Locals First Putting Locals Chester First Darren Putting Locals First #lovegippsland

Putting Locals First #lovegippsland www.darrenchester.com.au #lovegippsland #lovegippsland www.darrenchester.com.au

Authorised by Darren Chester, The National Party of Australia, Level 13, 30 Collins Street, Melbourne.

Authorised by Darren Chester, The National Party of Australia, Level 13, 30 Collins Street, Melbourne.

Authorised by Darren Chester, The National Party of Australia, Level 13, 30 Collins Street, Melbourne.

www.darrenchester.com.au

Authorised by Darren Chester, The National Party of Australia, Level 13, 30 Collins Street, Melbourne.

www.darre

03

The Great Eastern Mail JANUARY 19, 2024 Venue Manager Kohn Kyriakou is excited by the response from the community to the new seafood café.

FRESHOUTLOOK FOR SEAFOOD PRECINCT NEWOFFTHEWHARFSEAFOODCAFÉISOFFTHECHARTS –SERVINGTHEFRESHESTSEAFOODINTOWN! FROM FRONT PAGE ENUE Manager Kohn Kyriakou has been pleasantly surprised with how the café has captured such strong interest from the community in a short amount of time, and with little promotion to date.

“With regards to how the café has been received by the locals and tourists, we've been overwhelmed.

I honestly didn’t expect it would be so successful, so fast; especially having done very little to no formal advertising yet.”

“It's been running incredibly smoothly since we officially opened on 27 December; and that’s due to a combination of the team being trained, thrown in the deep-end, and running service all at the same

dining including evenings.”

“We've just recommenced construction on the viewing platform, and that’s estimated to be finished by mid to late February.

That will be a huge attraction for tourists — and locals too, for that matter — because it will enable people to have a great view over the township as well as watch the boats unload. So that’s really exciting.”

“Essentially, we [the café] are just one part of making Bullock Island a real destination for locals and tourists. The bigger picture is to really create an all-day tourism hub where people can quite happily spend the day. We want people to come down for a coffee in the morning, they can watch the sun rise, grab a bite to eat, bring a fishing

rod or throw a crab net in the lake, enjoy Tim Bull , Rod Casement and Peter Clarke got together in a café the barbecue and came up with the idea of developing an on-water café in the facilities, grab Lakes Entrance precinct to help attract tourism. some fish and that gives us a real competitive chips, have a drink, and watch the advantage because it means we're sun set. typically prepping in the morning “There’s so much to do here, and and battering fish by lunchtime — it the café really is just the first step doesn’t get any fresher than that.” of many to get people coming to “Our gummy fish and chips, and Bullock Island and really using and seafood chowder have become an appreciating the magic that is on instant hit with customers, so come offer here. It’s not just about our on in and try it for yourself,” Kohn business, but the rising tide lifting says. “Right now, there’s lots on every boat — that’s really what we're offer but we still have much more trying to achieve.” to come!”

“With respect to the produce Off The Wharf Seafood Café is that we've been getting, we're very currently open from 9am to 7pm, lucky to have a direct affiliation with food being served from 11am. with the Fisherman’s Co-operative;

Rate cap pressure on Council services

Minister forced to backflip to help the blind

V

E

AST Gippsland Shire Council has expressed its disappointment to the State Government following the recent announcement of a cap on rate increases of just 2.75 per cent in the 2024-25 year.

This comes at the same time as State Government increased its own charges substantially more, such as public transport fees by an average of 5 per cent, Ports Victoria fees and charges by 10 per cent, admission prices to zoos for schools by almost 10 per cent and electrical safety certificates by up to 11 per cent.

Deputy Mayor Cr Jane Greacen OAM said the rate cap is a vital component to developing the 2024-25 annual Budget which will be released for public comment in April.

“Our key focus is always to deliver high quality services to our community efficiently and sustainably and we will of course cut our cloth to size, however a rate cap of 2.75 per cent for 2024-25 is disappointing and doesn’t even

time! They’ve all come on board very fast, but it’s been terrific!”

“The lunches have been phenomenal; we're literally pumping out as many meals as our equipment enables us to do. We have an extensive menu designed to satisfy all tastebuds, including coeliacs and those with gluten intolerances.”

“Our dinners have been a bit slower but are picking up.

Obviously, we’re still in the infant stage of course, as we don't yet have our liquor licence, the outdoor dining space, or the viewing platform completed. But that’s all starting to take shape now; we’ve got permits in so, we’re heading in the right direction. Ultimately, we’ll be open seven days a week, for all-day

recognise the increased cost of maintaining the status quo, let alone delivering new services to meet community expectations,” Cr Greacen said.

“We understand rate increases are never popular. Our rates and charges revenue made up less than half (42 per cent) of Council’s operating revenue in 2022-23 so, and like all councils, we are reliant on grant to maintain and improve our services and assets. We are responsible for assets worth $1.2 billion.”

The State Government provides recurrent funding that contributes to specific Council services such as libraries, emergency management and school crossing supervisors. Many of these funding allocations have not seen inflation increases in 2023-24, or very limited increases.

The rate cap of 2.75 per cent in 2024-25 is a sharp decrease from the 2023-24 of 3.5 per cent and also lower than the Reserve Bank of Australia’s CPI forecast for 2024-25 of 3.4 per cent.

"We have already implemented numerous business efficiencies, such as internal restructures, adopting a Shared Services model of employment with Wellington Shire Council and undertaken collaborative purchasing projects such as our bulk electricity contract.

“We will continue to prioritise what the community wants through our public consultation on the annual budget. Combining the community aspirations while also delivering on our legislative requirements is a difficult balancing act each budget year.

It is disappointing to see while we are asked to work within a 2.75 per cent rate increase, the State Government has this month increased a number of its own charges well above 5 per cent,” Cr Greacen said.

Residents and ratepayers who would like to give feedback on Council’s draft 2024-25 Budget are asked to check Council’s website, social media and local newspapers in April for details.

I

N a significant step towards inclusivity and safe access, Victorians who’ve experienced total vision loss will soon be eligible for an Accessibility Parking Permit.

This is following representations made by Local MP and Shadow Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Tim Bull, who said it was outrageous people who are blind or have low vision were previously excluded from accessible parking.

He said changes to the scheme in Victoria in 2021 resulted in this cohort being excluded.

Accessible Parking Permits allow bearers access to marked parking bays that are strategically located near to shopping centres, hospitals and medical centres, and other key places of importance.

“The 2021 exclusion made no sense. Anyone with half a brain can appreciate how difficult negotiating busy traffic environments would be for those whose sight is significantly

compromised,” Mr Bull said.

“Thankfully commonsense has prevailed and Labor has backflipped on this decision.

“After strenuously lobbying for the immediate expansion of the Victorian Accessible Parking Scheme, the Minister has now advised me that our state will recognise people with total vision loss in the eligibility criteria, now aligning our parking system with other states and territories in the country.”

However, Mr Bull said the fight was not over.

“While I am pleased with the reinstatement of permit eligibility for people who’ve experienced total vision loss, I am disappointed the Allan Labor Government has failed to recognise the daily challenges of people who have low vision generally, they should also be afforded access to this permit system,” he said.

04

JANUARY 19, 2024 The Great Eastern Mail

Hire A Hubby’s New Year ‘renovations’ East Gippsland skies sparkled as we farewelled 2023. Hire a Hubby Bairnsdale constructed, tiled, plastered, repaired and renovated last year. Our professionalism, polish and perfection helped to make us your No. 1 team-just check this google review “Couldn’t be happier with the renovation the boys did for us.

The team were an absolute delight, and their craftsmanship and attention to detail is second to none. Wayne and Rose were brilliant with quoting and communication.

We’ve found our handymen for life!”

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UR boys are qualified in all aspects of Carpentry, and now we have added a fully qualified painter with over 20 years of experience.

We are looking forward to continuing our excellent service throughout 2024.

There are plenty of ways you can get your house looking and feeling new again.

in areas such as the living room, kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms.

Renew the fence

Fresh coat of paint

To start off the New Year, why not give your home a fresh coat of paint inside and out?

Our team have just finished a full house paint. What once was a tired and dull 4-bedroom home has been transformed into a bright, modern home. The walls have been refreshed with a new colour, using only premium paints.’

The owners could not be more delighted. Our team can give you the best advice on colour schemes

Are you guilty of neglecting your fence? While a fence can give your home character, it also protects your property, so make it your resolution this year to repair, replace or renew your property’s boundary. If buying a new fence, consider noise pollution and neighbouring properties. Call Rose at Hire a Hubby Bairnsdale/ Lakes Entrance for a free no obligation quote.

Install a patio

Do you cross your fingers and hope that it won’t rain every time you plan a barbecue? If so, maybe it’s time you got the team at Hire a Hubby to construct a covered patio for you. This is a great way to not only be able to enjoy your outdoor area more often, but it will add value to your property in the long term.

If you are on a tight budget here are some ways your house can still be restored without emptying the wallet.

at your local home improvement store – ask Wayne from Hire a Hubby Bairnsdale/Lakes Entrance to advise and help with the choice and installation of sleek modern handles.

Revive the Kitchen (without the overhaul)

Fill the cracks and rid the creaks

Get cracking this New Year and touch up minor wall cracks and creaking doors that remind you of a horror movie. These aren’t a threat to your home’s structure but they will impact your property's sale potential when you’re looking to sell.

If you’ve discovered cracks and creaks get the team at Hire a Hubby to renew your walls and ceilings.

Kitchens and bathrooms don’t need brand new countertops to look fresh and state-of-the-art. Instead, new drawer handles are all you need. You can find a range of options

If you find any of these ideas interesting and would like further information or an obligation free quote, call Rose from Hire a Hubby Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance.

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The Great Eastern Mail JANUARY 19, 2024

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Venture Out celebrated its 10th summer by opening a pop-up shop in Metung over the Christmas and new year holiday period. Owner and chief shredder, Sarah Carlisle said of the pop-up, “It’s an extension of what we already doing in Lakes Entrance, with bike, kayak and stand-up paddleboard hire, as well as retail gear for outdoor enthusiasts.”

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07

The Great Eastern Mail JANUARY 19, 2024

opinion - across the table

The Impossible Dream Generally speaking, with Will Bedggood

A

USTRALIA’S transition to net zero carbon emissions is getting caught in green tape between layers of Labor governments. This is despite apparent alignment in the federation. The Victorian Allan Government has a commitment to wean the State off net carbon emissions by 2045 and close all coal generation by 2035. The Federal Albanese Government is aiming for 85 per cent renewables by then.

Central to the Victorian Government’s plan is the development of offshore wind, beginning with the huge Star of the Sea project off the Gippsland coast. Central to that step in turn was the construction of a build and supply hub at Hastings, on the north-west side of Westernport Bay. Just over a week ago Tanya Plibersek, Albanese’s Environment Minister, killed the hub.

Her rationale was to protect the mangroves where the hub was to be built. Not surprisingly, the proponent — the Victorian Government — confected outrage. Perhaps the new Premier, Jacinta Allan, did not recall that it was Victorian Government itself which killed AGL’s LNG import terminal in 2021, also proposed for Hastings. This was in order to protect the same mangroves it was happy to see threatened by the windfarm hub!

Victoria certainly needs an LNG import terminal before it needs an offshore wind industry, although considerations of public need and relative costs to customers have never stopped the Victorian Government, whose idea of responsible energy policy is mainly to do things that the Greens want to do.

Bass Strait is running out of gas. All observers agree that demand will exceed supply by 2027 at the latest.

Proscribing gas supply to new homes, which the Allan Government announced late last year, is not the end of the world if electricity can do

Hon Chris Bowen MP

the job instead. But tell that to industries which need gas or they go out of business, or to customers of renewable electricity without options to switch to cheap gas.

Instead of gas, Victoria is betting on offshore wind — the most expensive form of renewable energy there is and hardly useful for industries whose production processes require high temperatures. It’s obvious why offshore wind is so expensive: it breaks, it corrodes, it’s miles from anywhere, and you need costly boats and marine specialists to build it and service it.

Federal Climate Change Minister, Chris Bowen, is a great fan of offshore wind, just like the Victorian Government. He’s on record supporting offshore wind close to Portland on Victoria’s west coast.

Breathless advocates for wind projects there talk of powering the Portland aluminium smelter with the world’s first green energy supply. This of course is a classic net zero furphy.

Every watt of wind power needs reliable back-up that’s not wind or sun — if not the smelter’s potlines will freeze and that will be the end of the Portland smelter Instead of running offshore wind up their respective flagpoles, the Victorian and Australian Governments should be having a closer look at what is happening in the UK, for years the bellwether when it comes to the transition from oil and gas. Last year investors pulled the plug on the development of the 1.8GW Norfolk Boreas offshore wind project in the UK citing it as a ‘concerning example of the practical realities of the cost crisis facing the UK offshore wind sector’. Costs of offshore wind projects rose 40 per cent in 2023, reflecting the

realities of the sector’s innate inefficiencies after years when costs seemed to be declining.

Instead of wind, the British Government is turning full circle towards nuclear. Early in the New Year, it announced a four-fold increase in nuclear generation capacity, most of that to be produced by traditional large-scale reactors.

In addition, development funding will be dramatically expanded for small-scale reactor technology to be especially targeted towards high temperature needs of industry.

The Australian Government is still definitely anti-nuclear, as is the Victorian Government. This, plus the love affair with offshore wind, is largely driven by pressure from the Greens. But the fact is that Australia is an outlier.

Nowhere else in the world are governments actively pursuing the dream of 100 per cent renewable energy.

Australia is now handicapping even that impossible goal on account of other environmental values, such as preserving the biodiversity of mangroves.

Green politics are completely triumphant right now. But this won’t last.

Blackouts will plague Victoria after 2027 unless there’s an import LNG terminal built somewhere close to Melbourne, ridiculously expensive plans for offshore wind in Bass Strait notwithstanding. If not, then manufacturing will leave the state, while electricity prices will continue to rise to the point where ordinary people will be reluctant to heat or cool their houses.

The UK developments are salutary and an incoming UK Labour Government will not reverse them. Similarly, in Australia the pennies will drop for one party or another sooner or later. Winning elections will be about calmly explaining why energy is becoming so expensive in Australia and putting together policies to solve the problem — even if they are not greenest options. Common-sense plans to review recent policies will give political leaders decades of ascendancy — it’s just a matter of which party seizes the opportunity first.

advice - ask Emma

Emma Woodcock Counsellor Q: I am getting married in a few months and my dad hasn't been a big part of my life. But recently with the wedding plans he has been inserting himself into things and I'm not sure I want him as involved as he is insisting. I am uncomfortable and my fiancé thinks we should just go along with it to avoid conflict. How can I have boundaries with my dad?

What do I do? Then tension is becoming unbearable.

A: Thank you for your bravery in writing to me. Establishing and maintaining boundaries, especially during significant life events, is unfortunately an all-too-common concern.

Recognising the delicate balance between your comfort and your dad's wishes during the wedding planning process is undoubtedly challenging, especially considering your history. As adults though, we bear the responsibility for our own well-being, and establishing boundaries with older parents can be a necessary step to reclaim autonomy over our lives. That said, I am aware it can be easier said than done.

Consider taking some time for self-reflection on what would truly make you feel comfortable and content on your wedding day. Your feelings and desires are valid, and understanding your own boundaries will be the compass guiding your decisions.

When needing to set a boundary or new communication style, it can be beneficial to consider setting only one limit at a time to give your parents (and you!) time to adjust. Putting your growth and well-being first is essential, so do what makes you comfortable.

You might feel guilty for setting boundaries with your parents but try to withstand the negative feelings. You’ll likely feel grateful that you implemented them once the initial awkwardness wears off.

Boundaries Wedding plans not going to plan

INGImage Stock

It’s important that you are clear about what you expect of them and yourself, to prevent confusion or miscommunication. Try initiating an open and honest conversation with your dad and even, if you can, expressing gratitude for his interest while gently conveying your own preferences and boundaries could be the delicate balance to navigating your situation with respect.

Exploring potential compromises that honour both your father's desire to be involved and your need for autonomy is a compassionate approach. Finding a middle ground may contribute to family harmony, allowing you to celebrate this occasion with a sense of joy and unity. That said, it is important you clearly articulating your expectations for your father's involvement is crucial. Your desires are valid and deserve to be communicated assertively yet compassionately, as you strive to maintain a harmonious relationship during this special time.

Remember too that engaging in open communication with your fiancé is pivotal during these moments. Sharing your feelings and concerns will not only strengthen your relationship but also help you both navigate this together, presenting a united front as you address the situation.

Finally, the importance of boundaries cannot be understated. It can help to think of boundaries as the fences in the garden of your life. Just like a garden needs

its own space to flourish, you too deserve a designated area for growth, happiness, and self-care. These fences define your personal space, marking the areas where you feel comfortable, respected, and able to blossom. They're like garden paths, guiding you toward positive connections while preventing you from getting lost in someone else's wilderness. By tending to these boundaries, you're essentially nurturing the unique flowers and plants that represent your well-being and individuality. So, let your boundaries be the lovingly tended fences that safeguard the beautiful garden of your life, ensuring it thrives with vibrancy and authenticity.

Essentially, boundaries create a parameter around that which is sacred and important to us. That is what makes them so necessary.

Your wedding day marks a significant milestone, and it's essential to prioritise your well-being and comfort throughout this process. It’s okay to assert your voice and needs for your wedding day, after all this day is about you and your fiancé embarking on a lifetime together.

Hope that helps, Emma ‘Ask Emma’ is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your GP, mental-health professional, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. By submitting a question, you are agreeing to let The Great Eastern Mail use it and we may edit it for length and/or clarity.

You can find Emma on Instagram @emmawoodcockcounsellor and Facebook at https://www.facebook. com/emmawoodcockcounselling

Emma Woodcock is a Registered Counsellor working with adolescents and adults with a broad range of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, stress, self-esteem difficulties, amongst many others. With experience in several evidence-based therapy modalities, Emma utilises skills from CBT, ACT, DBT, motivational interviewing, polyvagal therapy and more. Emma offers a practical approach to therapy, helping clients develop a personal 'toolkit’ of strategies and skills, so that they feel empowered to deal with life’s challenges everyday.

Time to put your health first

P

GLCH allied health professionals (from left) Nara, Amanda and Zac will be presenting the PD Warrior and DESMOND programs this year.

UT your health and wellness on top of your 2024 to-do list by starting an exercise program that puts you in the driver’s seat.

If you live with Parkinson’s disease, or type 2 diabetes, Gippsland Lakes Complete Health (GLCH) offers locally run exercise and wellness programs that can help you manage your symptoms, be more active and improve your overall quality of life.

PD Warrior is a game-changing activity and support program for people living with Parkinson’s.

Starting this later month, the innovative 10week course combats the progress of symptoms with an exercise regime based on specially designed exercises, a positive mindset and

support provided by GLCH’s skilled movement therapies team.

Tailored to individual needs, structured around personal goals and the type of Parkinson’s you have, this unique therapy approach can help you build confidence, improve mobility and help control symptoms.

Parkinson’s is a degenerative condition in the brain that affects movement and often presents as muscle stiffness, poor balance or coordination, speech difficulty and tremors in the limbs.

Regular exercise is one of the few known ways to slow symptom progression.

DESMOND (Diabetes Education and Self-Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed) is another evidence-based

education program designed to support people living with type 2 diabetes by helping them learn practical skills for managing the chronic illness.

GLCH’s two freshly trained DESMOND program facilitators, Melissa and Amanda, will present four sessions this year starting on Tuesday February 20. Look out for more information on this course soon.

Does someone in your family live with either of these conditions? Spread the word and tell them about these ground-breaking programs that will help make 2024 a year of revitalised health and wellbeing.

To learn more or to register your interest in any of these programs, contact GLCH’s service access team on 5155 8367.

09

The Great Eastern Mail JANUARY 19, 2024

body and mind "A lot of people avoid dealing with their grief. They put it on a shelf, thinking it’s going to be too difficult, or they fear that if they start crying then they may never stop."

Guardians of Your Green Oasis: Shade, Protection, and Vigilance in Summer Gardening

SUPPORT FOR GRIEF AND LOSS NOW AVAILABLE IN BAIRNSDALE

K

AREN Ellingsen is a counsellor who specialises in working with people with grief and loss; trauma; and hoarding disorder and clutter. She also supports people through the process of clearing out deceased estates, as well as helping to coordinate the extensive — and often stressful — administration that is required after someone passes away.

“After 30+ years’ experience as a case manager, I finally opened my own private practice in Bairnsdale, in October 2023. It’s a very peaceful space that is conducive to doing some wonderful work. Of course, for people who aren’t comfortable with a traditional office-based therapy setting, I also offer ‘walk and talk’ sessions where we, literally, go for a walk for the duration of your session.”

“Grief isn’t always due to someone having passed away,” Karen explains.

“Essentially, grief is ‘a change you didn’t want’; it may be that your house burned

down, your dog died, your relationship broke down, you lost your job, you've become a paraplegic, your family has moved overseas… all of these changes that you didn’t want, can produce feelings of grief and loss. And that’s what I’m here to help you work through.”

“Generally speaking, we don't do grief well in the Western world. No one wants to talk about it. We all want to hide from it. We feel awkward and don't know what to say.

So, what often happens is the person who's trying to support someone doesn't know what to say, and then the person who's grieving doesn't feel supported. And no two people will ever grieve the same, even if they’re grieving over the same person. For example, if John died, well everyone has a different relationship with John — he was someone’s husband, father, brother, son, friend, colleague etc. And all those different relationships that John had with all of those different people, are all individual — so the grief felt by all those people will be

Love and Loss Grief Counselling

Karen Ellingsen

equally as unique.”

To get the most out of grief and loss counselling, Karen recommends that people simply be as open as possible, and willing to face their emotions and feel all the feelings. “I use the analogy of trying to keep a beach ball under the water,” she explains. “Emotions always want to come to the surface, but people think they should try and keep them contained within; but it’s much like trying to keep a beach ball under the water — you can’t keep it there forever; it takes an enormous amount of effort to keep it down, and eventually it will make its way to the surface.”

“A lot of people avoid dealing with their grief. They put it on a shelf, thinking it’s going to be too difficult, or they fear that if they start crying then they may never stop. But… you will eventually stop crying. And until then, crying is what your body needs to do to release the pain, stress and sense of loss.”

To find out more visit www.loveandloss.com.au

A

S the sun beats down during the sweltering summer months, your garden can be vulnerable to the elements. To safeguard your precious plants, it’s essential to provide shade and shelter, conduct regular inspections for signs of stress, pests, and disease, and consider garden protection measures. In this article, we’ll explore how these practices can help you maintain a thriving summer garden.

In the scorching heat of summer, providing shade and shelter is crucial to prevent sunscald and overheating in your plants. You can use shade cloth, umbrellas, or even DIY shade structures to shield sensitive plants during the hottest part of the day. These protective measures help your garden stay cool and thrive, even when the sun is at its fiercest.

Vigilance is the key to early pest and disease detection. Regularly inspect your plants for signs of stress, discolouration, or wilting. Keep an eye out for unwelcome visitors like aphids, mealybugs, and other pests that may be lurking. Early intervention can prevent

a small issue from becoming a large infestation and help you save your plants from unnecessary damage.

If you’re growing crops or vegetables in your garden, consider garden protection methods. Netting is a fantastic solution to guard your crops against hungry birds and other wildlife.

By creating a physical barrier, you can protect your hard-earned harvest and enjoy the fruits of your labour without sharing them with uninvited guests.

In the heat of summer, providing shade and shelter, conducting regular inspections, and implementing garden protection measures are essential for your garden’s well-being. The shade keeps your plants cool and prevents sunburn, regular inspections catch issues early, and garden protection ensures you enjoy your harvest. Visit our Garden Centre for advice on the best shade solutions, pest and disease control, and netting options to protect your crops. With these strategies in place, your summer garden can be a refuge of green tranquillity, free from stress, pests, and unexpected surprises.

Talking helps. I'm here to listen to and witness your grief.

I offer a free, no obligation, 15-minute phone call so you can ask the questions that will let you know whether I’m the right person for you.

Address: 180 Macleod Street, Bairnsdale Phone: 0438 353 229 admin@loveandloss.com.au www.loveandloss.com.au

Monday - Friday: 8am - 5:30pm.

Saturday: 8am - 4pm Sunday: 9am - 4pm 14 Dalmahoy St, Bairnsdale Ph: 03 5152 9000

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11

The Great Eastern Mail JANUARY 19, 2024

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF E

AST Gippsland local and resident school bus driver for 20+ years, Peter Hardy, is a prime example that it’s never too late to do hard things, to challenge yourself, smash big hairy audacious goals, learn new skills and have fun along the way — no matter what your age!

“It was about 10 or so years ago, when I found one of my children's old mountain bikes, and so I jumped on it went for a ride. It was a weekend, and I took off thinking I’d just ride that bike along the along a local road that led towards Princes Highway.

After an hour on the saddle, I felt like my backside was going to fall off! But, as much as my legs were burning, I realised that it left head buzzing — in a really, really good way!”

At the time, Peter was facing some life challenges, and was in need of strategies to help him cope with the stress.

“I’d always ridden bikes, but never as a fitness or a feel-good thing – for me, riding was just a practical way for me to transport myself between my home and my workplace. It was convenient, and it worked really well, which is why I did it for years when I had my butcher shop. That time I spent on the bike, I found myself truly in the moment — not thinking about anything other than what I was doing right there and then. It was quite amazing.”

“It was almost like a revolution to me, when I realised that riding a bike could actually serve as exercise AND de-stress me at the same time. It was a very stressful time in my life back then, and so I grabbed hold of this, and ran with it — or rode, as it were!”

“Then what happened, was the more I did, the more I wanted to do, and the more challenges I went looking for. It was kind of addictive.

It’s hard to describe but when you're challenging yourself, each time you succeed, you feel this elation and sense of accomplishment. And it feels great, and so then you want more.”

Aged 58 at the time, Pete started looking for more challenges and as he stepped further and further into that world, he found himself meeting other people with the exact same mindset around the fact that the mental health benefits of physical activity, almost outweighed the physical benefits. “In measurable terms, the physical benefits you could see through the development

of aerobic capacity and muscle power and the rest of it,” he explains.

“But in terms of mental health, it left me feeling so strong, and my wellbeing and general state of mind was just so much better — so these people I was meeting understood and felt exactly the same way as me, which was great.”

It wasn’t only cycling that gave Peter the feel-goods. “I’m also a rock and roll dancer,” he says. “That came about by accident actually. I was doing the Great Victorian Bike Ride — I did three of them on the trot — and as an aside, if anyone is remotely thinking of doing one – do it! They say it’s like spending 10 days in another world and that’s exactly what it was like; it was absolutely mind-blowing; just brilliant!

Everyone should do it once in their life. Anyway, so I did three of them and then I went up to Queensland to do their version for three years in a row too. The Queensland one is essentially just a smaller version, with not as many people.”

“On the Great Victorian Bike Ride there is a lot of music and socialising at night. And there’d be people dancing — occasionally a few rock and roll dancers, which I always thought was cool.

“On one of the nights during the Great Victorian Bike Ride, I went to a pub with some friends, and a man came up and asked the ladies who were with us, if they wanted to rock and roll dance with him. When one of them said ‘yes’ and then started doing it, it blew my mind because I didn’t realise you could just get up and dance like that with someone you’d never met before; I thought you had to have practised together for ages to be able to dance together like that.”

“When I got home to East Gippsland, I found out that friends I knew through the local CFA (of which Peter was involved with for 50 years, on and off), had been going to rock and roll dancing lessons in Lakes Entrance, and they asked me if I wanted to come along. Well, that was 10 years ago now, and I’m still going and still loving it! Because guess what? The side effects of dancing are the same as those that I get from riding. The positive impact on my mental health and wellbeing from the endorphin release, is just wonderful. Your legs might be burning while you do it, but then you end up on a natural high afterwards,

where your mind is relaxed, and that feeling stays with you for hours.

There’s really nothing quite like it.”

“In the early days, when I started challenging myself, I looked at the ‘Around The Bay’ ride, which was 210km. Now I was flat out doing 50km or 60km at that time, so I thought 210km would be impossible.

I tested myself out on a 100km organised bike ride from Bairnsdale to Orbost along the Rail Trail. It nearly killed me, but I did it! And once I recovered, I started reading up on how to develop stamina and fitness for long distances and I discovered it’s all just about doing

“My next challenge became the Three Peaks Challenge, which is the ultimate one-day endurance challenge, organised by one of the tourist associations in northern Victoria. They were advertising it through Bicycle Network and back then, the challenge was to ride three peaks in our alpine region.”

“The ride starts in Falls Creek and takes you down to Mt Beauty, over Tawonga Gap to Harrietville, climb Mt Hotham to the halfway point at Dinner Plan, then to Omeo and back to where the Blue Duck is, up the back of Falls Creek. It’s a full 235km circle with 4,000m of climbing and

more of it! So, I kept riding more and more locally and then I found the training plan to prepare for the ‘Around The Bay’ ride and I started following that.”

“When I went in my first ‘Around The Bay’ ride, I still wasn’t convinced I would make it; in fact, I had organised for one of my children to pick me up at the halfway point. But when I got to Queenscliff, which was the halfway mark I felt pretty good.

When I made it to the end, I really surprised myself; I couldn’t actually believe I’d done it. And that was the light bulb moment, where I realised that if I could ride 210km, then how much farther could I go?”

you have to complete it within 13 hours, making it a course that is comparable to the toughest stages of the Tour De France!”

To help him prepare for the Three Peaks Challenge, Pete undertook the Seven Peaks Ride, which is a selfpaced cycling challenge that you do in your own time — it’s not a race — you simply record each of your rides online, and you get them signed off by certain people at the top of each summit to confirm that you rode those peaks.”

The Seven Peaks Ride will see you reach the top of Mt Baw Baw, Mount Buffalo, Mt Buller, Dinner Plain, Falls Creek, Mt Hotham and

Lake Mountain, and Pete completed this over several months as a way to help him train for the Three Peaks Challenge.

Peter says the training was more challenging than the actual event because “It was so intrusive in my life but you had to commit to it — especially at my age — because if you didn't, then I wouldn’t have had a hope of finishing — and if you go longer than 13 hours to complete the course, you get pulled off because it’s a safety issue by then, with darkness and the like. The satisfaction of achieving this challenge was enormous.”

“What really inspired me was being around people doing the same thing who were older than me. For example, at that first Around The Bay ride, I met a couple aged in their 70s who were doing it and I just realised that we really can be limited by how we feel and see age in our own mind.

If you feel well and are generally fit, it’s a mindset as to what you can and can’t do.”

To someone who is looking at getting started, the now 68-year-old Peter says “Start slowly with small steps. Don’t do too much too fast.”

“Remember, if you see someone and it looks like they’re doing it easy, that’s because they’ve done it a lot already! To begin with, just start small and progress in small increments.

Otherwise, you risk hurting yourself, which will deter you from persisting.”

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13

The Great Eastern Mail JANUARY 19, 2024

crossword

Gentle giants looking for homes

ACROSS

1. Fluid seepage 5. Fright (5-2) 9. Come up with the goods 10. Beyond earth, outer ...

11. Objects 12. Tense 13. ... or famine 15. Out of order 17. Belittle 20. Annoy 21. Catch (thief) 23. Walks in water 27. Chimney sweep's tool 30. Bawls 32. Run-of-the-mill 33. Persistent person 34. Small letters, ... case 35. Non-analogue watch 36. Extracted (information) 37. Cringed

A

LANAH Parker is currently working with Greyhound Racing Victoria to rehome greyhounds. The process includes a desexing and dental scheme, prior to the transfer of ownership of these gentle giants.

“Greyhounds are such gentle souls. They’re calm and very tolerant of being handled.” Alanah explains.

“And I’m really passionate

DOWN

1. Excuses from duties (4,3) 2. Valuable wool 3. Fervent 4. Make bigger 5. Rescuer 6. Vulnerable (2,4) 7. Slacken (4,2) 8. Throb 14. At ... & sevens 16. Sharpshooter, ... Oakley 17. Dawn moisture 18. ... liver oil 19. Affirmative 22. Dying down (of storm) 24. Took reprisals for 25. Flexible 26. Seized (throne) 28. One of a kind 29. Stiffen 30. Lily-livered 31. Attorney

about finding good homes for greyhounds who weren’t cut out for the racing industry,” “Because of the racing industry, many people expect this breed of dog to be energetic all the time. But more often than not, they’re energetic one per cent of the time — when out for a quick run or walk — and once they’ve expended that short energy burst then they’ll lounge around for the rest of

HEAT PUMP HOT WATER

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JUST GOT EVEN BETTER!

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6 YEAR

REPLACEMENT WARRANTY DynamicX8 260L RapidX6 210L

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DJOKOVIC NADAL FEDERER AGASSI

the day!”

Alanah adds, “People or families who are capable of and can commit to walking a greyhound every day, or at least letting them have a big run around in a large open space on a daily basis, will make an ideal family for these beautiful dogs.”

To find out more email alanahjparker@hotmail. com or visit gap.grv.org.au for adoption information.

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15

The Great Eastern Mail JANUARY 19, 2024

Onto a winner at Sale Centre Lotto

J

ENNY Gilbert has owned Sale Centre Lotto in the Gippsland Centre for around 4.5 years.

"Originally, we moved from Drouin to Briagolong," she explains. "My husband had retired and so we were looking at a business that I could run."

Jenny's sons used to work in the business with her, but they've since grown up and she now works full-time with three part-time employees.

"In addition to lotto and scratchies, we also offer a selection of Henderson greeting cards as well as gift packs for special occasions," Jenny says.

"Christmas is usually an extremely busy time for me and my team, and last year was no different. We handmake Scratchie Christmas Trees, gift bags, stockings and baubles — and we sold around 1,200! They were very popular."

“We were very fortunate to be helped by our local Westpac branch this Christmas. Linda and her team spent a precious Sunday making up a huge stock of tinsel Scratchie Christmas Trees for us. We were very much under the pump, so their help was very gratefully received.”

"Since taking on the business,

E

some things have definitely changed. "We've got our store syndicates online now, which means that people can purchase our local syndicates from home.

"Engaging with our lovely, regular customers is what makes us different to all the other lotto shops out there," Jenny says. "It's our personalities — we're all very friendly and helpful; we really do pride ourselves on our customer service and delivering service with a smile!"

Drop into the Gippsland Centre and say "hi" to Jenny and her team at Sale Centre Lotto, which is open every day except Sundays.

Australia Day Awards set to shine at Eagle Point

AST Gippsland Shire Council’s Australia Day Awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, January 20 at the Eagle Point Foreshore Hub from 10.30am.

The shire-wide awards recognise the contributions East Gippsland residents make to the wider community.

This year, 16 nominations received and all contending for the honour of winning the 2024 Australia Day Award for Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, and Community Event of the Year.

The ceremony will include musical entertainment by East Gippsland Brass, a flag raising ceremony by the Bairnsdale and Paynesville Scout Group, a barbecue provided

by Paynesville Lions Club, coffee van by Coffee Trix, a Welcome to Country by Aunty Glenys Watts and keynote address from Australia Day Ambassador Adam Bloem.

Mr Bloem is founder and director of the East Gippsland Winter Festival (EGWF).

He is a passionate advocate for East Gippsland's unique identity. With a background in

premier food and wine events, real estate, and community service, Mr Bloem is dedicated to showcasing the region's strengths and fostering its growth.

Mr Bloem's leadership has been instrumental in transforming the EGWF into a month-long extravaganza featuring over 100 events that celebrate the region's diverse art, food, people, and culture.

His vision, passion, and innate marketing expertise have made EGWF a highlight of East Gippsland’s events calendar.

The festival attracts thousands of overnight visitors during the traditionally quiet off-peak period.

"I am so proud to be this year’s Australia Day Ambassador and to be part of a community that always rallies together in times of need and celebrates its unique identity.

These awards showcase the efforts of so many people in our community who dedicate their time to making East Gippsland a great place to live," Mr Bloem said.

“People can give back to their community or support

others in so many different ways, as evidenced by the nominees for these awards each year. I am looking forward to the ceremony and the opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of this year’s nominees,” Mr Bloem said.

Mayor Cr Tom Crook thanked Mr Bloem for taking on the ambassador role.

"We are thrilled to welcome Adam Bloem as our 2024 Australia Day Ambassador.

His commitment and determination to build an event from the ground up and bring others along on the journey is inspirational," Cr Crook said.

This year's awards will take place at the newly completed and eagerly awaited Eagle Point Foreshore Hub. "We are very excited to host the event at Eagle Point Foreshore Hub, where, alongside the broader East Gippsland community, we can come together to reflect, respect, and celebrate our wonderful community," Cr Crook said.

The East Gippsland Australia Day Awards are

supported by the National Australia Day Council and the Australia Day Victoria ambassador program. Tickets for this free event are booking fast, see Council’s website for details www.eastgippsland. vic.gov.au COMMUNITY EVENTS A number of communities will hold Australia Day events on Friday January 26. A list of these events is available on Council’s website.

hot and cold ineastgippsland What's being said on the socials Thanks to Chant’s, the carnival at lakes has been amazing!

To the dedicated retail workers over the holiday period, you did an amazing job.

Thank you to the man that accidentally hit my car and waited for me to return from shopping, you have restored my faith in people doing the right thing.

Just want to say thank you to the Gippsland Centre, your school holiday displays have been the best. My kids loved the reptile display!

To the teenage boy trying to break into our car. Our camera’s caught you very clearly!

People need to slow down in the back streets of Bairnsdale, someone is going to get hurt.

So disappointed with people littering in the beach area, take out what you bring in!

Adam Bloem, founder of the East Gippsland Winter Festival, is this year’s East Gippsland Australia Day Ambassador.

Contact us via our Facebook page to submit your hot or not in 30 words or less

16

JANUARY 19, 2024 The Great Eastern Mail

music & theatre

Coal Miner's Daughter comes to Bairnsdale

I

N floor length gowns adorned with tassels and rhinestones, with hair as close to country music heaven as possible, where country music started and still should be, in the theatre, just like the Grand Ole Opry and it's coming to Bairnsdale!

On Thursday, 1st February, 2024 Amber Joy Poulton (as Loretta Lynn), Lizzie Moore (as Patsy Cline) and The Preacher Denis Surmon (as Conway Twitty and Willie Nelson) along with kickin' band The Holy Men, will sing the story of a champion of women’s rights, a mother of six and a lifetime of chart topping hits to the country music lovers in Bairnsdale!

This inspiring theatre show was a smash hit at the 2023 Tamworth Country Music Festival and played to packed theatres in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane throughout 2022/2023, as well as regional centres.

Coal Miner’s Daughter celebrates the incredible life of the late great Loretta Lynn, from her early days in the hills of Kentucky to her tempestuous marriage, tragic losses

LIZZIE MOORE AS

PATSY CLINE

- Amber Joy Poulton star of Coal Miner's Daughter

and enduring bonds with such luminaries as Patsy Cline, Conway Twitty, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson, across a stellar career, till her final send off to country music heaven in October 2022.

On their latest tour, Amber Joy Poulton & the cast of Coal Miner’s Daughter played to more than 10,000 people across Australia and in an eerie twist of fate, were performing opening night at the very moment of Loretta’s sad passing in Tennessee.

Audiences will be captivated by the masterful storytelling, performances and catalogue of hits, including 'Don't Come Home A-Drinkin' With Lovin' On Your Mind', 'I Fall To Pieces', 'You Ain't Woman Enough To Take My Man', 'Crazy', 'Silver Threads & Golden Needles', 'Walkin' After Midnight', 'You're Lookin' At Country', 'One's On The Way', 'Stand By Your Man', 'After The Fire Is Gone' and more.

This is a show not to be missed and with the passing of the great Loretta Lynn, there is no better time to celebrate her music.

TOUR DATES

AMBER JOY POULTON ON LORETTA LYNN Her Songs Loretta Lynn, arguable the most under rated country music star considering that at the start of her career, many female singers were given songs to record by the record label but Loretta managed to push the envelope and record mostly songs that she had written or cowritten. Which in turn was the birth of controversial songs like, 'You Ain't Woman Enough To Take My Man',

"Loretta Lynn paved the way for women like me in country music, to take centre stage"

'Don't Come Home A' Drinkin' With Lovin' On Your Mind', 'One's On The Way', 'The Pill'. When she wasn't being controversial singing songs about her own life, she was part of some beautiful duets with Conway Twitty, 'After The Fire Is Gone', 'Lead Me On' and also some beautiful collaborations with powerhouse singers like, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and more.

BAIRNSDALE FORGE THEATRE THURSDAY 1ST FEB 2024 BENDIGO ULUMBARRA THEATRE SUNDAY 4TH FEB 2024 MORE DATES AT: WWW.COALMINERSDAUGHTER.COM.AU

Her Collaborations But, it's her friendship with Patsy Cline that has my heart. A large portion of the show is where Brisbane's own Lizzie Moore takes the stage as Patsy Cline and the whole crowd lights up. Patsy was a protective influence for Loretta and without Patsy, it's quite possible there would be no Coal Miner's Daughter.

DENIS SURMON AS

CONWAY TWITTY

Loretta To Me Loretta paved the way, all those years ago, for women like me to have a place on the main stage. She showed us, in the most difficult of times that women can have it all, we can have the home life, the kids, the husband, the friendships and the career but she also made it very clear we'd have to fight for it and we'd likely be exhausted at the end. I love

LIZZIE AND AMBER portraying her life, her cheekiness, her sass and her heartbreak through the years until her very sad induction into Country Music Heaven last year.

I always say, "If you like country music, you'll love this theatre experience. If you don't like country music, you will after".

A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO LORETTA LYNN & FRIENDS THROUGH MEGA-HITS & STORIES THURSDAY 1ST FEB

AMBER JOY POULTON STARS AS

LORETTA LYNN

FORGE THEATRE - BAIRNSDALE

5152 1482 WWW.COALMINERSDAUGHTER.COM.AU

17

The Great Eastern Mail JANUARY 19, 2024

music & theatre

community notice - viewpoint

Who is EGRRA?

Burlinson Sings Sinatra with his Swinging Big Band BURLINSON SINGS SINATRA SUNDAY 4 February 2024, 3:00pm - Forge Theatre Auditorium.

PERFORMANCE DURATION: 1 Hour 30 Minutes (No Interval) TICKET PRICES: Full: $45, Concession (Seniors/Pensioners) & Groups 8+: $40, Students (High School/Uni): $35, Child ((14ys & Under): $22 FORGE FRIEND Adults: $40 Concession: $35

25th Anniversary Special Event

T

WENTY-FIVE years after he created the hugely successful 'Frank - A Life in Song', Tom Burlinson will once again honour the musical legacy of one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th Century, The Voice, The Chairman of the Board, Ol' Blue Eyes, the incomparable Frank Sinatra.

Tom has proven time and time again that he is one of the best in the world at doing justice to the legacy. Accompanied by his Swinging Big Band Tom will sing

all the hit songs from throughout Sinatra's extraordinary career.

Simply one great song after another!

'Pure class and highly recommended' — The Sun Herald 'Hugely enjoyable' — The Age 'The next best thing to Sinatra' — The Courier Mail

EGRRA is short for EAST GIPPSLAND RATEPAYERS AND RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION INC. a dedicated community group of locals committed to making a difference in our community, you could say "Championing Your Concerns with Local Government" Our aims are to advocate for improvements in local government and beyond, to seek best value for our rate dollar whilst striving to obtain the best services and infrastructure possible in our community. To have projects administered on time on budget and to be of value to the community. When appropriate to have questions asked of our leaders and to receive full truthful answers.

We need straight answers to straight questions from our leaders. We need open honest discussion with our elected representatives. We deserve both.

How will EGRRA do this? With your help and support as ratepayers and residents, we will tirelessly advocate for policies and decisions that align with the needs and interests of all in East Gippsland. We’re your voice at the local level, working to create positive change in our region.

Communication is the key and utilising the power of community engagement, EGRRA Inc. will host regular informative meetings, provides essential updates, and encourages active civic participation. Together, we can shape the future of East Gippsland.

Effective and prudent financial management is vital to ensure best value for our dollar. Keeping a watchful eye on expenditure of your tax dollars, and holding local government accountable for their actions, ensuring transparency and responsible governance.

EGRRA Inc is not afraid to ask the hard questions such as; Why do so many projects fail to be completed on time and on budget? Why it is most project expenditure exceeds budget and is delivered in stages? Why do we as ratepayers and taxpayers carry the risk of over expenditure? The list of currently

budgeted projects gets longer every year with lesser percentage of budgeted dollars actually being less every year?

EGRRA Inc. believes that Council should concentrate on necessary improved productivity and efficiency dividends. Ratepayers and taxpayers should not carry the risk of over the expenditure?

EGRRA Inc. will take a cause to the next level by active lobbying and publicity efforts together with any required legal action to protect your rights and the rights of our members, if necessary.

Your concerns and priorities will be ours, we will represent you in discussions with local government authorities and agencies, whilst keeping you informed about local matters that impact your life and property. We will maintain and publicise the latest updates and insights.

Together Everyone Achieves More.

Join us and let’s build a brighter future for East Gippsland together! As a resident or property owner in East Gippsland, your voice matters, we invite you to become an active part of our community at the East Gippsland Ratepayers and Residents Association Inc. Visit the EGRRA website (EGRRA.org.au) to register and join our community organisation.

Keep a look out for more articles affecting our community, which of course is your community.

East Gippsland Ratepayers and Residents Assoc. INC. | ABN 80960270283 PO BOX 501 Metung 3904 | Email: secretary@egrra.org.au Social Media: Facebook – East Gippsland Ratepayers and Residents Assoc Inc.

Forge Theatre and Arts Hub presents Tom Burlinson will once again honour the musical legacy of one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th Century.

The Voice, The Chairman of the Board, Ol’ Blue eyes, the incomparable Frank Sinatra.

Sunday 4 February, 3:00 pm 80 McKean Street BAIRNSDALE

18

JANUARY 19, 2024 The Great Eastern Mail

Metricon ignites Bairnsdale's summer spectacle at The Denver M

THE GEM QUICK QUIZ 1. GEOGRAPHY: WHICH CITY IS NICKNAMED THE "WINDY CITY"?

A) CHICAGO B) NEW YORK CITY C) LOS ANGELES D) MIAMI 2. HISTORY: WHO INVENTED THE LIGHT BULB? A) THOMAS EDISON B) ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL C) MARIE CURIE D) LEONARDO DA VINCI 3. SCIENCE: WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF PLANTS CONVERTING SUNLIGHT INTO ENERGY CALLED? A. PHOTOSYNTHESIS B. TRANSPIRATION C. RESPIRATION D. NITROGEN FIXATION

proud to be part of this journey.

We build hundreds of homes for Gippsland region residents each year, thanks to our exceptional team of trades and staff in the area. We would love to extend a special invite to any of those Metricon customers and trades to join in the fun at this event too.

Lakester’s Hot Rod & Custom Car Club President, Anthony Forehan added, “This promises to be an epic day for the whole family. Joining forces with Metricon to showcase our

4. LITERATURE: WHAT WAS THE FIRST HARRY POTTER BOOK PUBLISHED? A) HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE B) HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS C) HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN D) HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE

Hot Rods and Custom cars at 'The Denver' is a golden opportunity. The picturesque backdrop of Lucknow will only enhance the charm of our classic cars. We're counting down the days!”.

The Summer Day Out extravaganza will unfold from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at 67 Princes Hwy, Lucknow, VIC 3875 on Sunday 21 January. To secure your spot, visit Metricon’s Summer Day Out Event Page https://www.facebook.com/ events/858739409064621

5. MUSIC: WHICH INSTRUMENT IS TRADITIONALLY USED TO KEEP RHYTHM IN A DRUMLINE? A) SNARE DRUM B) BASS DRUM C) CYMBALS D) TIMPANI

Highly acclaimed speaker and leader of community change, Mary Crooks, AO, is visiting East Gippsland

M

ARY Crooks, AO, will be visiting East Gippsland to speak at a community event in Lakes Entrance on the 10th February to be held at local artist, Josephine Jakobi’s, Bungalook Studio.

Mary will also lead a follow up workshop on the same day.

Mary has offered her time to support a recently formed community group called, “Voices of the East”, (VotE). VotE is a group of local volunteers of different political persuasions who share a commitment to building a strong democratic culture that gives all Gippslanders a say.

Mary’s speech when she visits Lakes Entrance is entitled: “Turning up and taking part: the importance of respectful engagement in the democratic culture.” It is a very pertinent reminder for all in our community following recent campaigns that have left many people feeling a bit bruised and questioning how we can move forward in a positive way.

After an extensive public policy career, Mary became the Executive Director of the Victorian Women’s Trust at the end of 1996. She has designed and led ground-breaking

SPACE

community engagement initiatives, such as the Purple Sage Project and Our Watermark Australia. These were two early examples of the Trust’s Kitchen Table Conversation model which has since become a nationally lauded approach to democratic engagement as exemplified in the successful application of the model in 2012/2013 which saw the election of Independent Cathy McGowan to the seat of Indi.

Mary has led other major Trust initiatives including the exhibition, Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Lives; the creation of the Rosie website for girls; and

the development of Club Respect as a harm-prevention initiative for community sports clubs across the country.

In 2012, Mary authored “A Switch in Time — Restoring Respect to Australian Politics” which was distributed widely across Australia. She also authored the Trust’s publication of a one-page advertisement in four national newspapers called “Credit Where Credit is Due”, which paid tribute to the leadership and capacity of Julia Gillard as the nation’s first female prime minister.

In June 2012, Mary was appointed

an Officer of the Order of Australia, for her distinguished services to public policy and advocacy for the advancement of women.

In 2016, Mary won the Public Policy category as part of the AFR/ Westpac’s 100 Women of Influence for her years of work in shaping public policy in Australia.

It is a great honour to have Mary offer her time and knowledge to support East Gippslanders in the process of engaging people to participate in a positive and active democracy which benefits all in our community.

Everyone is welcome to attend the event and hear Mary speak at Bungalook Studio, 125 Colquhoun Rd, Lakes Entrance on Saturday 10th February. Although much of Mary’s work has a strong focus on women’s issues, she also has extensive experience working on broad community projects. The focus for the event in Lakes Entrance is on respectful engagement in our democracy and has relevance to all in our community.

More information regarding this free community event can be obtained by contacting: voices. eastgippsland@gmail.com

6. FOOD: WHAT IS THE MAIN INGREDIENT IN GUACAMOLE? A) AVOCADOS B) TOMATOES C) ONIONS D) CILANTRO 7. ART: WHAT IS THE MONA LISA MOST FAMOUS FOR? A) ITS ENIGMATIC SMILE B) ITS USE OF PERSPECTIVE C) ITS HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE D) ITS VIBRANT COLOURS 8. MYTHOLOGY: WHO WAS THE GREEK GOD OF THE SEA? A) POSEIDON B) ZEUS C) HADES D) APOLLO 9. ANIMALS: WHAT IS THE COLLECTIVE NOUN FOR A GROUP OF OWLS? A) PARLIAMENT B) MURDER C) POD D) COLONY 10. SCIENCE: WHAT IS THE ELEMENT ON THE PERIODIC TABLE WITH THE SYMBOL FE? A) OXYGEN B) GOLD C) CARBON D) IRON

QUIZ ANSWERS 1. A) CHICAGO. 2. A) THOMAS EDISON. 3. A) PHOTOSYNTHESIS. 4. A) HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE. 5. A) SNARE DRUM. 6. A) AVOCADOS. 7. A) ITS ENIGMATIC SMILE. 8. A) POSEIDON. 9. A) PARLIAMENT. 10. D) IRON.

ETRICON, Australia’s leading home builder, is set to transform Bairnsdale's summer landscape with an unforgettable Summer Day Out at 'The Denver,' their spectacular Lucknow display home. This free, public event promises a fusion of style, speed, and family-friendly fun on Sunday, January 21st.

The highlight of the event will be the showcase of Lakester Hot Rods and Customer Cars, featuring a fleet of over 10 Hot Rod wonders sure to captivate both car enthusiasts and casual admirers alike.

But that's just the beginning.

Metricon's Summer Day Out promises to go beyond the ordinary, offering an immersive experience for the entire family with an array of free family-friendly activities, including a BBQ, coffee cart, face painting for the kids, giant lawn games, and kids colouring station, as well as free showbags and plenty of giveaways.

Construction aficionados will have the chance to tap into the expertise of various industry professionals, ready to answer burning building-related questions.

Speaking about the event, Gippsland Regional Manager Jason MacGregor commented, “We're thrilled to host this community event at 'The Denver' in Lucknow. Metricon thrives on community engagement, and this event embodies our commitment to bringing people together. Partnering with Lakester’s to showcase stunning Hot Rods adds another layer of excitement.

Whether you're a car enthusiast or simply looking for a day of family fun, this free event has something for everyone. We can't wait to welcome local families on the day."

As the popularity of the Bairnsdale region continues to surge, Metricon recognises the community's growth and success. Jason MacGregor acknowledged, "The 'treechange' phenomenon is thriving, and we're

GEM Kids

19

The Great Eastern Mail JANUARY 19, 2024

GEM Kids

E C A P S

www.facebook.com/TheGreatEasternMail

JOKES 1. HOW DO YOU MAKE A FAKE POOL? JUST SPRINKLE WATER ON THE FLOOR AND ADD SHARKS WITH YOUR IMAGINATION! 2. WHAT DO YOU CALL A HAPPY PANCAKE? FLIP-FLOPIN' FUN! 3. WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS A SNOWMAN AND A VAMPIRE? FROSTY THE BITE-ME! 4. WHAT DID THE LEFT EYE SAY TO THE RIGHT EYE? BETWEEN YOU AND ME, SOMETHING SMELLS! 5. WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A JOKE AND A PIZZA? A PIZZA CAN FEED A FAMILY OF FOUR!

6. WHAT DID THE BABY CORN SAY TO THE MAMA CORN? WHERE'S THE POPCORN? 7. WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU MIX UP A LIBRARY AND A BAKERY? A BOOK OF BREAD! 8. WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE PLAYGROUND? TO GET TO THE OTHER SLIDE! 9. WHAT HAS TO BE BROKEN BEFORE YOU CAN USE IT? AN EGG! 10. WHAT DID ONE WALL SAY TO THE OTHER WALL? I'LL MEET YOU IN THE CORNER!

GEM KIDS GA M E R EVIEWS

SUPERSTARS

MY BABY DRAGON

[PLAYED ON NINTENDO SWITCH] WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THE GAME? I LIKE THAT EVERY DRAGON IS DIFFERENT AND NEEDS DIFFERENT THINGS. WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE CHARACTER AND WHY?

THIS FORTNIGHT IN AUSSIE HISTORY January 19th: 1808: Governor Lachlan Macquarie arrives in Sydney, ushering in an era of public works and economic development in the colony.

January 20th: 1788: Governor Arthur Phillip proclaims British sovereignty over the whole of Australia, sparking debate about its historical implications and indigenous land rights.

January 21st: 1968: The Holt government announces that all remaining Australian troops will be withdrawn from the Vietnam War, marking a significant shift in foreign policy.

January 22nd: 1901: The first federal Parliament of Australia officially opens in Melbourne, signifying the birth of the Commonwealth of Australia.

January 23rd: 1854: The Eureka Stockade Uprising ends after a clash with colonial troops, leaving behind a legacy of labor rights and a controversial narrative in Australian history.

January 24th: 1874: Queensland officially separates from New South Wales, becoming the fourth colony in Australia.

January 25th: 1828: Australia Day, originally marking the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, becomes a public holiday. Today, the date is increasingly contested, with debates about its colonial origins and impact on Indigenous Australians.

January 26th: 1788: The First Fleet, carrying British convicts and personnel, arrives at Sydney Cove, marking the beginning of European colonization in Australia.

January 27th: 1907: The White Australia Policy is officially implemented, restricting immigration based on race and ethnicity until its abolition in 1973.

January 28th: The Gold Rush Begins (1853): On January 28th, 1853, prospector Edward Hargraves discovered gold near Bathurst, New South Wales. This sparked the Australian gold rush, a momentous event with far-reaching consequences for the nation.

January 29th: 1979: Prime Minister Fraser declares national mourning for the death of Elvis Presley, reflecting the rock legend's immense popularity in Australia.

January 30th: 1788: Governor Phillip orders the first execution in the colony, marking a tragic start to the legal system and relationship with Indigenous Australians.

January 31st: 1916: Australian troops land at Gallipoli, Turkey, marking the beginning of the country's involvement in World War I and a defining moment in national identity.

February 1st: 1973: The Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) launches its new FM radio network, expanding media options and diversifying radio content for Australians.

puzzle answers SOLUTIONS: FROM PAGE 13

SUDOKU: 3096

I WANT TO BECOME A DRAGONWARD!

BLAKE AGED 10

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THIS GAME? YES. WHAT RATING WOULD YOU GIVE IT OUT OF 10?

I WOULD GIVE IT A 7 OUT OF 10.

KUKOOS LOST PETS

[PLAYED ON NINTENDO SWITCH] WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THE GAME? THAT YOU GET TO PLAY AS MULTIPLE CHARACTERS. WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE CHARACTER AND WHY? I LOVE THAT YOU GET TO PLAY MULTIPLAYER WITH FRIENDS. WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THIS GAME?

ASHER AGE 11

YES. WHAT RATING WOULD YOU GIVE IT OUT OF 10?

I WOULD GIVE IT A 7 OUT OF 10.

SPONGEBOB THE COSMIC SHAKE [PLAYED ON NINTENDO SWITCH]

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THE GAME? IT’S GOT A GREAT STORYLINE. WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE CHARACTER AND WHY? SPONGEBOB. WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THIS GAME? I LOVE THE CHARACTERS, SO YES.

C HAR LI AGED 12

WHAT RATING WOULD YOU GIVE IT OUT OF 10?

I WOULD GIVE IT 8 OUT OF 10.

NEW STOCK JUST ARRIVED

3097

Puzzles supplied by Lovatts Publications Pty Ltd www.puzzlexperts.com

172 Main St, S Bairnsdale B i d le VIC 3875 3 Phone: (03) 5152 3369 | www.toyworld.com.au/pages/toyworld-bairnsdale

20

JANUARY 19, 2024 The Great Eastern Mail

viewpoint

Legislation Process - Delegates

T

HE so-called Closing Loopholes Legislation is one of the most profound and wide-ranging legislation that has ever been put to our federal parliament.

It is a mixture of activities which have no relationship to each other than most of the changes are in the interest of unions. There is no integrative theme that helps to understand the overall intent of the legislation.

It is a shame that the deceptive and misleading conduct under consumer law does not apply to the process of legislating by Parliaments.

The ACCC would have no difficulty in finding multiple offenses.

It is totally unreasonable to expect our politicians and their staff to understand in such a short space of time the effect and implications of the various changes. It would be impossible for a member of parliament to explain to his/ her electorate what is going on.

The fact that the Government was not prepared to split the legislation into more relevant subjects enabling proper and different scrutiny of each subset is alarming and any politician will be justified in calling this an abuse of power.

One of the multiple themes is a grab bag of powers to grow and entrench union power in workplace relations.

The one missing ingredient in the legislation is that the Government has not released any economic analysis of the impact of the change. The cost and impact to business, industry, government, and the economy is immeasurable, and we should know what it is. It is merely a grab for power and to hell with the consequences; it is all about union power at any cost.

If the legislation was unpacked it would be easier to understand each subject and do an economic analysis of each subject. It is only with an economic analysis that you can understand whether the subset of the legislation is in the national interest or just the unions.

The way in which the Government is dealing with this legislation is likely to further disrupt the cohesion in our country alongside other events like “The Voice”, the Palestinian / Jewish conflict and the cost-of-living crisis with its differential effect with no connection to the cause.

Australians do not like one sector of our community exercising too much power.

We have seen that with the resentment of corporations taking sides in the debate of The Voice and it is only further eroded the business's reputation in the community.

Dirty Deals We discover on Wednesday,

6th December that Minister Burke has done a deal with Senators Jacqui Lambie and David Pocock passing the same job same pay wage theft and the delegate provisions of the IR Loophole Legislation.

The clear understanding by the public was that these issues where to be deferred until February 2024. Is this appropriate when many organisations had invested a huge amount of time and effort in debating these provisions and preparing for a February 2024 finalisation to be so blind-sided. This raises several issues: Should Senators Lambie and Pocock should have agreed to this deal when they were part of the group wanting the legislation deferred to February 2024.

Does this raise ethical issues for them? It is acknowledged that the Senators were prepared to pass immediately some of the uncontroversial like the first responders and the asbestos legislation immediately.

• Of greater concern is that a Senate Committee was set up to study all of the legislation reporting back on the 1st of February 2024, so the Senators have rubbished the processes of this committee and the Senate processes generally.

What does this mean for the integrity of the legislative process. This is a criticism of both Minister Burke and the two Senators and making a joke of seeking submissions from the public to that Senate Committee.

There has been a huge debate on same job same pay and wage theft but nothing about the delegates. Do the Senators understand the implications of the delegates provisions to the same degree as the same job same pay wage theft provisions.

It is possible that Minister Burke with his supreme knowledge has manipulated the Senators into accepting the delegate provisions. This is compounded by the fact that there has been little commentary on delegates by the press so there is an atmosphere of ignorance.

Does this mean that if the Senators where to be properly informed there would be some chance of amendments in February 2024.

What is clear that this is a major gain for the union movement, and it is noteworthy that there is huge silence about the union’s arguments in favour of delegates.

It is noteworthy that most major companies already have delegates so they would be way less concerned that the thousands of mid-sized and small companies that do not have delegates and have no understanding of their role

and power.

The delegate provisions are forever whereas the same job, same pay and wage theft provisions can be absorbed fairly quickly. At least with the wage theft provisions intent must be proven and with the same pay, same job provisions the economics will resolve this issue in that increased pay simply increases prices and inflation.

There are also considerable nuances to the concept of the same job.

Unions We have a paradox in that union power is declining in the country with only 10% of employees being a member of a union but on the other hand union officials and staffers represent 58% plus of our elected Government.

Without union support, the Government would not have the funds to fight an election so there are powerful economic, values and ideological reasons why the Government must pursue these changes with legislation benefits for money received.

The unions have been negotiating their position with the Government in private and there is little knowledge of the details of what the unions want as opposed to what the Government thinks is reasonable and can be adopted by Parliament.

It is noteworthy that the public had to make submissions on the legislation from the 7th – 27th September less than 4 weeks.

This is quite ridiculous having regard to the complexity and far-reaching nature of the legislation.

So, the unions are having probably daily and close contact with Minister Burke and his staff whereas the conduit by the public particularly business and their associations to the Minister is time constrained and open to the public.

This is unwise for the Labour Government as it is showing skewed access where unions are advantaged and business disadvantaged.

This has long-term implications for the Labour Government raising the fears that unions have preferred and too much influence to the disadvantage of the public particularly as unionists are only 10 per cent of workers.

But clearly the legislation is substantive, complex, and difficult to understand involving disparate areas requiring specialised attention and months to negotiate the detail to ensure that there are not too many unintended consequences.

It is important for the Government to get this legislation through quickly otherwise the greater the exposure and discussion of the legislation the more the public will understand and

resist the union's influence of Government.

Elections have been won or lost in the past on the role of unions, but this is less relevant today because their declining influence. But it is this decline that makes the unions and representatives in Government desperate to get change to increase union power even if it damages the Government in terms of this emerging issue of community cohesions.

Union Delegates There are multiple examples of the dangers of the legislation and one of the many is the role of union delegates and how are they appointed.

Organisations split into two categories. Those with 15 or more employees and those with less.

Under the legislation any employee who is a member of a union can be appointed by that union to automatically become a delegate and multiple delegates can be appointed to the same business. For instance, every chain store within a group could have a union delegate appointed.

For businesses spread across Australia, the delegates could be appointed on a geographical basis.

As from the 1st of July 2024, all enterprise agreements and awards and similar arrangements will be deemed to have been amended to have provisions entrenched which will regulate the rights, duties, and obligations of union delegates. None of the proposed amendments have been published. It is not clear, but it is possible that the FWC can lay down definitive conditions or regulations reflecting the changes in the Act. Under the legislation employers are obligated to allow a reasonable time for the delegates to undertake their duties and for them to be trained. Employers must not restrict in anyway the delegate in carrying out his / her duties which may be further expanded by the FWC. Delegates must be given time not only to carry out their duties but to be trained in how to carry out their duties at the business's expense.

This in many cases will take place away from the site. It is here where those organisations with less than 15 employees have a reprieve from this obligation in terms of offsite training. For all other businesses, this must be reasonable for instance in terms of amount, where and cost.

If a workplace delegate alleges that a business has breached their obligations, there is a reverse onus of proof imposed on the business (i.e. guilty until proven innocent).

The reality of the above is that over time the unions will ensure that there are delegates in every company.

It will not be difficult for a union to find an existing employee who is acceptable or indirectly have the company recruit one that is acceptable to the union.

The difficulty about this process is that the employer can have no influence on the process even though only a few, if any, employees may want the employer to engage one or more union delegates.

You can understand the need to appoint union delegates if that is what the employees of a company want but say 10% or less want a delegate, is it democratic or fair to override the overwhelming view of employees who prima face trust their employer to do the right thing? Implicit in the employment is an element of mistrust and trust is something that many companies take very seriously and do the right thing for their employee in every respect.

Successful companies particularly those who have a high number of employees place huge significance on their employer / employee relationships. HR or P&C Departments exist where one of the objectives is to continuously monitor and research employee contentment. A lot of thirdparty suppliers have risen helping employers navigate and enhance employee satisfaction. For those that invest this way it is an insult where the company has a trusted relationship with employees for union delegates to intervene in that relationship as the very nature of a union delegates role is to check on the employer. Where trust is removed the relationships become noisy and adversarial.

Any economic analysis on the legislation should have a huge component of productivity gains. It is noteworthy that the Hawke / Keating Government introduced a lot of IR change by trading productivity gains for employee benefits. For a few years this enhanced both productivity and employee satisfaction.

Here, there is no sense of any productivity gains for employer benefits in terms of driving profitability instead it is all about the union rights, duties, and obligations - a lawyer’s feast.

The legislation is a great test of our independence in Parliament. No matter what their ideology a bare minimum they should see that the legislation is properly analysed, its economic benefits understood and can be explained to the public. It is helpful there will

be sufficient Independents no matter what their ideological position will insist on due process which means the legislation will be unpackaged enabling a proper and fair analysis.

Because of the literally thousands of union delegates that will need to be appointed there needs to be great clarity about their role because the reality is that few companies and manly the larger ones have delegates so there is little experience more broadly in market about the role of union delegates.

Is a union delegate subject to the same confidentiality provisions as other employees. In other words, what is it that it can and can’t report back to his / her union.

Is the employer entitled to know what the union delegate is reporting? What obligations are existing employees under to answer questions of the union delegate.

Given the importance of this role and the huge impact a delegate can have on the business is extraordinary that the employer cannot have some influence over the union delegate appointed and is to where he / she fits into the company and his / her general reporting obligations.

If the union delegate is not an appropriate person for that role, he or she could do a lot of damage to that company and the other employees who seek a good relationship with the company and their fellow employees. This raises the question of the employers’ rights in respect to discipline.

More generally it is very clear in the legislation what the union wants but there is no counterbalancing of what is fair, reasonable, and appropriate for the employer and the reversing of the ownness of proof so far as the union delegate is concerned is an extraordinary imbalance and is quite unprecedented.

More generally with the thousands of union delegates appointed across the country which represents a substantial new role in most companies what is the likelihood of some kind of association of union delegates that grows like a union itself. Afterall this is an extraordinary change in workplace relations in Australia. It is highlighted by the fact that neither the employer or employees can have any influence over the role and the person appointed. Surely as with employers’ employees must have some rights and there must be some minimum number of employees wanting a union delegate. It would not be unreasonable for this to be say more than 5 per cent of the workforce.

Matt J. — Stratford

The Great Eastern Mail JANUARY 19, 2024

GLCH: Stay COVID safe

C

OMMUNITY transmission of COVID-19 is increasing across Victoria with a surge in hospitalisation of COVID-19 cases.

This increase in community transmission is linked to a new variant, JN.1, causing similar impacts internationally.

Gippsland Lakes Complete Health's chief executive officer, Anne-Maree Kaser, understands the angst and frustration that comes with the latest COVID spike but says it’s essential that we look out for

each other, particularly people with underlying health conditions.

“There are people in our community — loved ones and friends — who are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 and need to be protected,” Ms Kaser said.

There are some simple things you can do to protect yourself and at-risk community members, including: • wearing a face mask if you have symptoms or in high-risk settings • taking a test if you have symptoms • staying at home if sick

21

• meeting outdoors or letting fresh air in when indoors • staying up to date with your COVID-19 vaccination • talking to your GP about COVID-19 medicines, especially if you are at risk.

In response to this latest surge, GLCH is encouraging visitors to wear a mask when accessing their health services to protect people who may have underlying health conditions.

For more information, visit health.vic.gov.au/

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JANUARY 19, 2024 The Great Eastern Mail

boating and fishing

PrincePhilipCuppreview

Jeanette Severs

A

strong fleet of Australian champion sailors is converging on Metung to contest the Prince Philip Cup, in a regatta on January 23-28.

The Prince Philip Cup is an Australian Championship regatta. It is contested between crews sailing International Dragon class yachts, which became an Olympic class yacht at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

Metung will see one of the largest fleets of International Dragon class yachts and their crews compete — already 18 yachts are registered, and other sailors are expected to confirm their boats’ participation.

Competitors are mostly Australian but include British sailors.

Metung Yacht Club will host the PPC regatta, with sailing on Bancroft Bay and Lake King. This makes the racing readily accessible to viewing from the shore and provides space on the water for people to watch without interfering in the sailing course.

One of the leading contenders is Nick Rogers, from Tasmania. Rogers has won the PPC more times than any other sailor.

Rogers sailed at Metung last year when he contested and won the Victorian Championship in this class.

Rogers has won 49 national and international regattas in his career, and 82 podium finishes. He has won the Prince Philip Cup 13 times, including 12 as helmsman, and will travel with his crew from Tasmania to compete at Metung.

Rogers’ crew includes Leigh Behrens who has won nine PPC championships, including eight alongside Nick Rogers.

Last year, Rogers and his crew finished third in the PPC regatta, held in Sydney.

They will be up against the crew that bumped them into third place last year — Trio, a wooden Dragon, with Matt Whitnall at the helm and crewed by Michael Bartley and Peter Bevis.

Trio is a 57-year-old timber veteran of Dragon racing and is owned by Bartley.

Whitnall is a past winner of the PPC, in 2013 on Akula, and in 2000 on Imagination, as crew.

He also skippered Trio to second place in last year’s PPC, with his crew of Michael Bartley and Peter Bevis, who will be competing alongside him at Metung.

Bartley and his crew also won the 2022 NSW Championship sailing Trio, relegating Rogers to third

place in that year.

They will be competing against the runner up for the 2022 Championship, Liquidity, and her crew including Richard Franklin on the helm.

Also in the competition is this year’s NSW Championship team, Wicked II, a local yacht helmed by Fred Haes and with Adrian France and Will Crooke as crew.

Hugh Wardrop is bringing Riga to contest the PPC. Wardrop is familiar with Rogers’ tactics, having crewed for him in 2004 when they won the PPC on board Leander.

Richard Lynn, a past winner of several PPC regattas, is bringing his yacht Gordon to Metung. Lynn won the PPC in 2010 and 2007 on board Puff, in 1995 on Red Baron and in 1988 sailing Aeolus.

He and his crew of Adam Brenz-Verca and Ethan Prieto-Low are considered front runners for taking out the PPC. Prieto-Low was the 2022 Perth Youth Cup awardee and was in the team that won the Western Australian Championship in the Etchells class in 2023. He has also sailed with Sandy Anderson in Dragon class and has a history of match racing Dragons around the world.

Brenz-Verca also has a strong history of match racing and is a sailing coach for Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club.

Charles Stanton, Damien Daniel and Hugh Howard are experienced Gippsland Lakes sailors.

Stanton brought his boat, Amazing Grace, to Metung last year to contest the Victorian Championship, and raced in 2021 at Paynesville.

Howard and Daniel are local sailors.

Daniel, sailing Imagination, placed fourth in the PPC last year and is a past winner (twice) of the Victorian Championship.

Another past PPC winner, Sandy Anderson, is bringing her all-women crew, of Caroline Gibson, Deb Henderson and Susie Parker, from Western Australia to contest the PPC. Anderson won the PPC in 2006 and finished runner-up to Rogers in the Tasmanian Championship in 2020.

Anderson’s Dragon, Plum Crazy, was sailed by her allwomen team in the Victorian Championship regatta at Metung last year and has been stabled locally ever since.

Anderson and her crew have since competed in the United Kingdom.

To compete in the PPC, Ian Malley will bring his yacht,

Damien Daniel and his crew, on board local boat, Imagination, will be looking to impress.

Images: Jeanette Severs

John Spencer will bring considerable years of experience to the role of Race Officer at the regatta.

Saphira, and his crew across the Nullabor from Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club to Metung.

The Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club has the largest Dragon fleet in Australia, and several of its members are contesting the PPC at Metung — including Malley and his crew, Anderson and her crew and Gerry McGann and his crew.

Malley has been sailing Dragon yachts for 20 years, and with crew member Graeme Farden’s 40 years sailing in the same class, bring a very experienced crew to Metung. Their remaining crew for Saphira are Jenny Willis and Margot Matthews.

Stephen Locke (helm), Bradley Stout, Mark Cubitt and Wendy Campbell are another team driving Pennyfarthing across the Nullabor Plain. They will bring considerable experience to the championship regatta.

Cubitt sailed with Anderson when she won the PPC in 2006 and Locke performed well in another crew in 2019.

Sydney to Hobart veteran Alan Watkins will be sailing on Sea Joy, another wooden Dragon, owned by local sailor Terry Grundy. Watkins, Grundy and another local, Clive Bury, bring a lot of sailing experience in PPCs together in their crew.

There are some very experienced sailors among the officials recruited for the regatta.

John Whitfield has been an official for Australian Sailing for more than 25 years, including participating in America’s Cup events and international match racing.

His sailing experience includes dinghies, catamarans, harbour and coastal racing, and two Olympic campaigns.

Whitfield has also been selected in the Umpiring and Jury teams for Olympic, ParaOlympic and America’s Cup

competitions.

Rob Ware has more than 60 years sailing expertise and backs that up with National and International judge roles.

John Spencer will be race officer for the regatta.

Originally from England, his sailing career has spanned two continents and includes a number of Melbourne to Hobart races.

Spencer started race managing at Royal Brighton Yacht Club and has been a race officer for the past eight years.

In the last five years, he has officiated at State and National Championship regattas across a range of yacht classes. Spencer regularly officiates for the racing at Gippsland Lakes

Stephen Locke (helm), Bradley Stout, Mark Cubitt and Wendy Campbell are another team driving Pennyfarthing across the Nullabor Plain.

Sandy Anderson and her all-women crew will be looking to finish well aboard Plum Crazy.

Yacht Club. This is the second time Metung Yacht Club has hosted the PPC. It successfully hosted the Australian Championship regatta only a few years ago, in 2018.

The International Dragon class is a three-to-four-person daytime one design racing class, with a weight limit of 285kg.

The regatta combines the three-race series for the Ted Albert Memorial Cup with the eight-race series for the Prince Philip Cup. The Ted Albert Memorial Trophy regatta will precede the Prince Philip Cup regatta and be held as a series of three races on January 23.

Ted Albert was a keen Dragon sailor and was twice winner of the PPC. In his business life, he founded the Albert Record label and went on to promote rock and roll bands and music from its infancy in Australia.

Some of his star bands included the Easybeats and ACDC and singers included John Paul Young.

The trophy was donated by Ted Albert.

Fred Haes, president of the Australian International Dragon Association, is looking forward to a very well attended event at Metung.

“Metung is a popular venue because of its relatively flat seas and steady summer seabreezes,” Haes said.

“Unlike Sydney Harbour, or other city harbours where the PPC regatta has often been held, Metung’s waterways aren’t congested with other boat traffic interfering with the race course.

“Spectators can also watch the race from the headlands, shoreline and spectator boats in comfort and safety, without interfering in the race course.”

Nick Rogers and his team aboard Karabos IX bring the most experience to the PPC regatta at Metung.

23

The Great Eastern Mail JANUARY 19, 2024

racing & sport

magic drum WINner!

Magic Drum ridden by Caitlin Hollowood wins the Sanlam Wealth BM58 Handicap at Sale. Pictures: Ross Holburt/Racing Photos

Kasey wilson black banr!jo WINne

Stevie Payne with Melbourne Cup winner, Prince Of Penzance.

Picture courtesy Racing Victoria

Christine Puls returns to scale on Black Banjo

I

PRINCE TO ATTEND CUP

MAGIC DRUM, W PA RUM PUM PUM PUM CHRISTMAS MAGIC FOR LOCALS Trainer Kasey Wilson after winning the Sanlam Wealth BM58 Handicap at Sale

T has been a festive season to remember for local owners and trainers, highlighted by Magic Drum's back-to-back wins at Sale and Joltin Joe's second metropolitan victory at Moonee Valley.

Locally trained, Magic Drum won at Sale at the Christmas meeting on December 23rd and followed up with a second win at the Kids Day Out meeting on January 14. Kasey Wilson has her small Bairnsdale team firing with her last three runners returning to the winners stall. Black Banjo also

won after making the long trip to Burrumbeet on New Years Day. Magic Drum's victory brought up the sixth career win for young apprentice Caitlin Hollowood, who kicked off her riding career with her first rides at Bairnsdale.

Joltin Joe can now claim to be a dual city winner with his last to first victory at Moonee Valley just before Christmas.

John and Glenda Barrett of Lakes Entrance can be rightly proud of their six-year-old son of Stryker, who brought up his sixth win and in doing so topped the $300 thousand

mark in prizemoney.

It has been a lucrative Summer so far for the locals with Joltin Joe's city win, Magic Drum's two Sale wins, Black Banjo starting the new year with his Burrumbeet win and Flying Basil's December win at Traralgon.

Word on Baz has it that he is packing his picnic basket and heading to Hanging Rock for their Cup meeting on Australia Day. With a likely gear change and ridden aggressively with a lighter weight on the tight turning track, the little master might just bounce back to his winning ways.

The January Sale meeting saw a return to racing for Bairnsdale Cup winning trainer, Brenda McPhan with seven-year-old mare, Love Is Eastside, lining up for her first start. It would have been Brenda's first runner since June 2016, but unfortunately it was not to be.

Love Is East side was kicked by another runner at the barrier and withdrawn on veterinary advice. It was disappointing for connections as the mare had shown ability in a jump out at Pakenham.

Let's hope we see her on debut soon.

RACING ROYALTY HERE FOR THE 2024 BAIRNSDALE CUP

HILE rumours are afoot that King Charles and Queen Camilla will attend the Melbourne Cup this year, Bairnsdale Racing Club have pulled off a major royal coup of their own.

Special guest of honour at this year's Cup, on Sunday, March 24th, will be the prince, Prince Of Penzance, 2015 Melbourne Cup winner.

Although he started around a 100 to one shot, Prince Of Penzance is one of the most popular winners ever of the great race.

He is even a movie star with the film, "Ride Like A Girl", being made about his story.

Some argue it was about his rider, Michelle Payne, the first female in history to win the Cup. Without the Prince there would have been no Michelle; or Stevie, who reached legendary status as

Prince's strapper. Who could ever forget Stevie drawing the number one barrier for his big sister? Michelle was able to give Prince Of Penzance a gun run from the inside draw and she became a household name. It would have been great to see Michelle and Stevie on course, but unfortunately they aren't able to fit it in to their busy schedules. It is hoped some of Prince's owners can make it.

It will be an historic occasion as veteran local racegoers cannot recall a Melbourne Cup winner coming to Bairnsdale. We were honoured with a visit

by Cox Plate winning local champ, Family Of Man who drew a crowd of around 4000 people.

Lock Sunday, 24th of March in to your diary and come and get up close to a Melbourne Cup winning legend.

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