The GEM - 26 April 2024 - Edition 99

DARREN'S GOLDENERA

Mining lifestyle produces precious jewellery pieces

DARREN Sutton has been mining for silver, gold and precious gems his whole life. He’s also been making jewellery for around 40 to 45 years. “I’ve done it part time, full time, had a shop, took a break for a while to do some corporate work and have a family and raise the kids, but got back into it a number of years ago full-time,” he says of his jewellery making experience.

“When I was four years old, my

parents used to drag my sister and I around the hills looking for sapphires and rubies. Back then, we usually found more leeches and tiger snakes than precious gems, but it definitely set the mould for later life.”

At age 18, Darren got his own license to mine and the very next day he was up on the Goldfields with a metal detector that weighed the same as three hex bricks! “I found my first nugget on day four,

and I've been doing it ever since!” he says. “There’s still lots of gold to be found out there, and having a license ensures that whatever you find, you own; without it, the government actually owns anything you dig up.”

“There are also a lot of gemstones to be found throughout Gippsland, and all the way up in the high country and northeast Victoria. You just have to do lots of research to know where and what to look

for. Pre-computers, I used to go through the old paper reports from the 1800s at the Mines Department Library, but now it’s all digitised.”

“Of course, the easy-to-find stuff was taken back in the early days, but there's still a lot of gold out there that you can get. It just comes down to doing a lot more research and looking for what was left behind!”

Darren says back then, gold was priced at four pounds per ounce.

And with the cost to dig it out

being one pound, with another pound required to take the rock away, and one more pound for it to be crushed — it wasn’t worth the effort, which is why the miners left it behind. Today however, gold is worth around $3,600 per ounce, so it’s easy to see why someone armed with the right equipment, knowledge and hope wouldn’t hesitate to have a crack!

CONTINUES PAGE 3

Community at centre of Draft Budget preparations

EAST Gippsland Shire

Council is finalising its Draft Budget 202425 to be considered at the 30 April Council Meeting before being released to the community for feedback.

Chief Executive Officer Fiona Weigall said Councillors and officers have been working diligently over recent months to prepare a draft budget that aligns with the Council Plan and has a strong focus on managing within our means.

“We understand that cost-of-living pressures are impacting many people. We have developed a disciplined budget that keeps rates within a 2.75 per cent increase (rate cap) and aligns our fees and charges with inflation,” Ms Weigall said.

“We have put considerable effort into balancing community aspirations for more of some services,

while delivering on our legislative obligations and keeping the financial impact on community as low as possible.”

Ms Weigall said officers and councillors have been mindful of the challenges that continue to impact the community.

“We're part of the community, and we understand the challenges of our economic climate and cost-of-living pressures. We're continually looking at ways to improve the efficiency of our service delivery and innovate to ensure we remain financially sustainable,” Ms Weigall said.

“We're not immune to global financial challenges, including higher inflation and rapidly rising costs.

Through prudent budgeting and looking at our services, we have developed a program that proposes a range of continuing and new

initiatives that supports the delivery of the Council Plan and community aspirations.

“In 2024-25, we will continue to have a large capital budget as we finalise delivery of some externally funded major projects.”

Your feedback is important

“Our commitment is to work with the community to continue to progress what is important to East Gippslanders and use our budget prudently,” Ms Weigall said.

“We look forward to being able to share our Draft Budget and the detail around rates, fees and the investment in projects and services with the community after the 30 April Council Meeting. We invite the community to review the detail and provide feedback.

“We welcome feedback and are committed to explaining how suggestions can be progressed. We will also respond to all

submitters individually following the adoption of the budget.”

Community feedback will be open from 1 May to 29 May.

KEY DATES Tuesday 30 April: Council Meeting — consideration of Draft Budget

1 May: Community feedback opens 29 May: Community feedback closes Late May/early June: Councillors consider community feedback 25 June: Council Meetingadoption of Annual Budget 2024-25

July: Responses to feedback submitters.

The Draft Budget and supporting information and opportunities to provide feedback will be available on our website, YourSay engagement portal and at customer service centres.

Orbost Community College celebrates official opening

STUDENTS in the East Gippsland town of Orbost are enjoying an easier transition from primary to secondary school with the new Orbost Community College now open, thanks to support from the Allan Labor Government.

Member for Eastern Victoria Tom McIntosh today visited the new school, where three existing schools — Orbost Secondary, Orbost Primary and Orbost North Primary — combined to form Orbost Community College from Term 1 this year.

“These three schools have joined forces to create a great new site, offering many advantages for students,” Mr McIntosh said.

Orbost Community College has capacity for up to 400 students, and is located at the current Orbost Secondary College site on Arnold Street — with upgrades underway at the school to accommodate extra students and staff.

The $8.47 million project will deliver a new food tech building, multi-purpose classrooms, upgraded and expanded staff room, a new basketball court and an outdoor stage area.

The new school for the Orbost community opening will bring together Prep to Year 12s and provide more opportunities for students.

Peter Seal, the former principal at Orbost Secondary College, has been appointed

principal of the new school and has been in the role since January. He hopes to both carry over traditions from the three existing schools while establishing a new set of traditions, celebrations and milestones.

“One of the most exciting things about the opening of our new school is that all students will have access to a range of resources including new facilities, specialist teachers and support staff,” Mr Seal said.

“This transition will allow us to deliver education in ways that will give each student the best chance to succeed in life.”

The amalgamation has been a work in progress for several years, with the idea originally proposed by the

existing schools and their respective school councils due to declining enrolments over the past 40 years.

Orbost Community College has also consulted the local community on the school’s name, values, new logo and uniform.

Minister for Education Ben Carroll added, “The opening of Orbost Community College in 2024 will ensure students can access the best possible educational opportunities for the duration of their primary and secondary education.”

“Bringing Prep to Year 12 students together on the same site will make it easier for young people to manage their transition from primary to secondary school.”

From mining to market

DARREN works with both gold and silver in his handmade jewellery business. “Gold is much nicer to work with;18carat gold is like working with butter — it’s just beautiful. Yeah, you can really create unique shapes and forms because it's a little bit softer. It's just I love working with gold.”

Darren says you can often recognise real silver by its weight. “The weight of real silver will be heavier than a base metal that’s been plated in silver. “Silver will tarnish because it's silver. Plated jewellery will give you the itches — itchy ears, for example — but it can be hard to tell sometimes. You will quickly find out if it’s not real silver when you wear it in the shower and it goes rusty!”

While he gets his online shop organised, Darren is currently selling his handmade silver jewellery at the Metung Market, which is held on the second Saturday of every month on the Village Green in Metung. “I don’t

bring my gold jewellery to the market because with its high value — I’d need armoured guards standing by!”

Mining is a lifestyle choice. It's certainly not a way to get rich quick — I’m sure you can make a lot more money doing other things. But it is a lifestyle choice and I enjoy it. I’ve done it all my life and I'll never give it up. When they bury me, they’ll have to do so with a pick and a shovel!”

A HOME REMEDY TO CLEAN SILVER

Your local jeweller can polish your silver to remove tarnish, or you can buy a cloth from the jeweller to use at home. A home remedy Darren uses is to line a small glass or ceramic bowl with aluminium foil. Add some warm water and then mix a spoon of bicarb or electric soda in.

Dip your tarnished silver in and the clean result should be almost immediate.

Advocating for our region’s needs

SEEKING improvements to the region’s telecommunications infrastructure and coverage is one of seven critical priorities identified by East Gippsland Shire Council in its latest Advocacy Strategy.

Adopted this month, the strategy outlines the critical advocacy priorities identified by Council for our community. The strategy will support a strong program of advocacy targeted at key decision makers and at building a coalition of support around the issues of most importance for East Gippsland’s communities.

Mayor Cr Tom Crook said talking with Victorian and Australian government representatives, other elected representatives and other decision makers about the needs and aspirations of East Gippsland is an important part of Council’s role.

“Advocacy is not just telling people what we need as a region, it’s explaining to them why the improvement or change is needed, and what

the benefits will be,” Cr Crook said.

Of the 31 advocacy priorities, Council has identified seven critical priorities that will be the primary focus of advocacy efforts in 2024:

Digital connectivity — Increase the resilience of telecommunications infrastructure during disasters, improve the quality and extent of coverage to support regional living, provide equitable access to services and digital technologies.

National Disaster Recovery Funding reform — Disaster funding arrangements, at state and national levels, that ensure relief and recovery funds are directed to community resilience activities.

Asset management — Asset maintenance is funded through a non-competitive format by the Australian and Victorian governments based on need and local government size.

Housing availability for workers — Availability of

housing at reasonable prices to support the attraction of critical workers for support services, businesses, and industry.

Climate change mitigation and adaptation — To support net zero emissions by 2050.

State-wide flood mapping integration — That Victoria’s planning schemes include updated flood mapping to better identify and mitigate flood risks. This benefits all Victorians by helping us build more resilient communities and infrastructure.

Native timber industry transition — A new approach to native forest silviculture is adopted that provides for forest health, reduced bushfire risk and benefits for a range of forest users including high value timber production. That impacted workers, business and communities are effectively supported in their transition.

“All other priorities in the strategy will continue to be the focus of advocacy efforts and will be pursued as opportunity arises or further developed as

required,” Cr Crook said.

“Council provides a wide range of services and is responsible for a significant number of assets, including land and buildings, across the shire. However, as can be seen in the strategy, our advocacy efforts are not only limited to our areas of responsibility. Our aim is to press for improvements that will make a difference in the lives of people who live, work, visit or invest here.”

During this Council term, Council’s advocacy has resulted in improved telecommunications resilience in 35 communities; funding to lengthen and strengthen the Bairnsdale Airport runway; bushfire rebuild support and preparedness; funding to design the Lakes Entrance indoor stadium; and the establishment of the Gippsland Agriculture Centre. The Advocacy Strategy can be viewed on Council’s website, eastgippsland. vic.gov.au, or at Council’s customer service centres.

Important swimming services continue through winter

WHILE the extended summer swim season at Aqua Energy’s Sale Outdoor Pool will officially end on Sunday 28 April, Aqua Energy is excited to offer several swimming options throughout winter while its indoor facility undergoes a major redevelopment.

Lap swimming, hydrotherapy, Deep Water Running Group Fitness classes and swimming lessons will be available at West Sale Pool, while cold water lap swimming at Sale Outdoor Pool will be trialled during May.

Indoor lap swimming will be available at West Sale Pool in Fulham until the Sale Outdoor Pool at Aqua Energy is reopened in

September. From Monday 29 April, lap swimming will be available from Monday to Friday, between 6am to 7am, and 7pm to 9pm. There will be no lap swimming at West Sale on weekends or public holidays.

In response to community feedback, Aqua Energy will trial cold water lap swimming at Sale Outdoor Pool during May. Beginning Tuesday 30 April, cold water lap swimming will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6am to 9am, and Sundays from 9am to 11am. The pool will not be heated during this period, so this option is for dedicated swimmers. Aqua Energy will review attendance to determine future opportunities for cold

water lap swimming.

To accommodate additional services at West Sale throughout winter, there have been some minor adjustments to hydrotherapy session times. From Monday 29 April, hydrotherapy will be available from Monday to Friday, from 7am to 9am and 2pm to 4pm, and on Saturdays from 8am to 11am.

Deep Water Running Group Fitness classes will continue at Sale Outdoor Pool until Sunday 28 April, and will transfer to West Sale Pool from Monday 29 April, as per the current timetable.

Unfortunately, Aqua Energy cannot offer recreational swimming at West Sale due to the high volume of programming.

While there are no aquatic recreational activities available over the colder months, Gippsland Regional Sports Complex in Sale will host lots of family-friendly activities. GRSC’s inflatables will be available each Sunday during school terms, as well as Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays during school holidays. The cost is $15 per child for 2 hours, and no bookings are required. For more information, visit www. grscwellington.com.au/ inflatables

To stay up to date with programming at West Sale Pool, please visit the 'Service Updates' section of the Aqua Energy Facility Redevelopment Portal, found at www.aquaenergy.com. au/redevelopment-portal

YOUR SUPERIOR MULTI-SKILLED TEAM

ONE of the ways

Hire a Hubby is the superior multi skilled team is our pursuit of new technology and new materials. Wayne is constantly updating his qualifications with the Master Builders Association of Victoria.

Hire a Hubby co-owners, Wayne and Rose are constantly searching high and low for the ‘perfect tradesmen’— ones with the necessary qualifications, years of experience, The Hire a Hubby work ethic and the ability to lead a team with confidence.

Whether you’ve been in a trade for decades or are just starting your career, there

are always new skills you can learn. Industries, practices, and technology can change quickly, and those who stay up-to-date on what’s going on won’t fall behind others in the industry.

Hire a Hubby Bairnsdale/ Lakes Entrance are constantly

evolving, we attend seminars, trade conferences and watch demonstrations from industry experts, we have access to all the new and improved products. Our employees are encouraged to participate in new study courses.

The Hire a Hubby network is affiliated with many industry leaders eg: Diablo, Bunnings, AEG powertools, Kango, British Paints, Sika and Kaboodle (this is just a small sample). These companies provide exclusive training possibilities using the latest

methods and materials, for the Hire a Hubby franchises and Hire a Hubby Bairnsdale has and will continue to take full advantage of this opportunity.

Call Rose at Hire a Hubby Bairnsdale to arrange a free no obligation quote 0466 412 323.

Protecting biodiversity in the energy transition

THE Allan Labor Government is taking action to protect Victoria’s unique wildlife while building new renewable energy projects that will bring down emissions and deliver cheap and reliable power across the state.

To achieve this, the Labor Government will develop a new suite of tools and guidelines that will ensure native wildlife are not harmed by renewable energy projects.

By July 2024, the Government will release new state-wide maps that identify key habitat areas for native wildlife which will help renewable energy developers and planners to build renewable energy in areas that will have the least impact on wildlife.

By October 2024, research will be completed to better understand how wind turbines could impact threatened bird and bat species - this will determine

the flight height of the Southern Bent-wing Bat, ways to reduce bird and bat collisions with turbines and detailed research on Brolga breeding sites, so they can be protected.

This research will inform the Handbook for the development of renewable energy in Victoria — new guidelines on the planning and construction of renewable projects in Victoria which must be followed.

This will include a new list of at-risk wildlife that renewable energy developers will need to consider in their planning and measures they can take to prevent harm to those species. The handbook will also include a template for bat and bird management plans.

This will give industry access to the best scientific and mapping information available so they can factor the protection of our precious wildlife early on in the planning phase —

resulting in a more efficient and timely approval process.

The handbook will be finalised following public consultation and engagement with Traditional Owners and industry.

Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio said “This is about giving communities and industry certainty that native wildlife will be protected while we build the renewable energy required to drive down power bills and cut emissions.”

Backed by a $3.8 million investment these new measures build on the Labor Government’s move to streamline planning approvals and help get renewable energy build faster.

Minister for Environment

Steve Dimopoulos added, “Victoria is home to fantastic species indigenous to our lands and waters — we’re making sure they’re best protected as we head towards net-zero emissions.”

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Metung’s new bowling green here for the long run

EAST Gippsland Shire Council joined Metung's bowling community on Sunday, April 14 to celebrate the successful completion of the Metung Bowls Club’s green upgrade.

The previous surface had reached the end of its lifespan and the rink suffered from an uneven subsurface.

$200,000 grant from Sport and Recreation Victoria and $39,890 from the Metung Bowls Club — during the opening Council commended the club on its impressive financial contribution to the project.

With the vision to create a durable and quality surface, Council’s contractor, Tiger Turf, has delivered a high-quality green for the bowling community.

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Deputy Mayor Cr Jane Greacen OAM, Council CEO Fiona Weigall, and Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull spoke at the official opening before Mr Bull undertook the ’Roll Up’ with past president and life member David Kelsey. The project was managed by Council. It was funded by a

Cr Greacen told the attendees, "The upgraded facility is a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration and community spirit. It will undoubtedly become a focal point for both sporting and social activities in Metung."

Victorians’ chance to apply for unclaimed money

THE Allan Labor Government is encouraging the thousands of Victorians who are eligible for a surprise windfall to search the State Revenue Office’s register and apply for their share of the unclaimed money.

Every year millions of dollars end up in the Victorian Unclaimed Money Register — with substantial funds to be claimed across Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Greater Geelong has the most unclaimed money — with more than 33,000 entitlements valued at over $4.3 million, followed by Ballarat (more than 14,000 entitlements, $1.8 million), Greater Bendigo (13,000, $1.8 million), Latrobe (13,000, $1.5 million), Greater Shepparton (9,000, $1.2 million) and Mildura (7,000, $1 million).

In metropolitan Melbourne, the City of Melbourne is the

council area with the most unclaimed money – more than 67,000 entitlements worth over $17.7 million — followed by Boroondara ($9.8 million), Stonnington ($6.9 million) and Whitehorse ($6.6 million).

One Bendigo local has just over $137,000 waiting for them, while a Box Hill individual has a claim to more than $880,000, someone from Nunawading is owed more than $670,000 and a person in Mount Martha can apply for more than $232,000.

The State Revenue Office Victoria holds records of money that remains unclaimed after 12 months in Victoria from sources including share dividends, salaries and wages, rents and bonds, debentures and interest, proceeds from sales, and Tattersalls, Intralot and Tabcorp winnings and prizes.

IThanks to the installation of a new subbase foundation and top-of-the-line synthetic turf, the Metung Bowls Club now boasts a durable playing surface that meets competition standards set by Bowls Australia. This transformation has not only enhanced the club's capacity to host competitions but has also attracted new members, reinforcing its status as a vibrant hub for community engagement.

Jim Beale, Metung Bowls Club President said, “This project was a team effort from a lot of club members to get us to this position. As a result of this upgrade and bringing the rink up to standard,

we have already attracted a few new members. Our green is the talk of the bowls community — people want to come here and bowl.”

Past president and life member Rae Whelan said the club has been able to play finals on the new rink. “The upgrade is A1, it plays beautifully,” she said. The investment in this community facility promotes healthier lifestyles and social connectedness, both key elements in Council’s Health and Wellbeing Plan: Well placed for Wellbeing. It is also expected to boost local tourism, further supporting Metung's economy for years to come.

Maintenance works for

Bastion Point groyne wall

N response to the deteriorating condition of the groyne rock wall, East Gippsland Shire Council is working on a remediation project at Bastion Point boat ramp. This initiative is not only aimed at ensuring the safety of boat ramp users but also at safeguarding the integrity of this vital coastal asset.

Since construction, the boat ramp has served the needs of the community, visitors, the abalone industry and is a crucial emergency evacuation point, as demonstrated during the 2019/20 fires.

The breakwater has suffered damage over time from wave action. Repairs and rock clearances have been undertaken on the head of the

breakwater and in the boat access channel. Recently, large rocks have washed off the groyne wall during storms.

Mayor Cr Tom Crook said by addressing issues affecting the breakwater, Council is committed to extending its lifespan and maintaining it as a crucial piece of infrastructure for Mallacoota.

“The works will not change the location or design of the rock wall but are considered a maintenance function to maintain the integrity of the existing structure. This work is proactive maintenance and is focused on boater and community safety,” Cr Crook said.

Planned work has been informed by investigations

by a reputable coastal engineering company who conducted thorough site investigations. These investigations were crucial in securing grant funding from Better Boating Victoria for the design of these immediate remediation works and maintenance efforts.

“We are grateful for the support from Better Boating Victoria, which allows us to proceed with the remediation works in a timely manner.

This support underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in safeguarding our coastal assets,” Cr Crook said.

Remediation works will include the construction of a new rock armour on the seaward side of the existing

breakwater to reduce wave action.

"The completion of the design phase marks a significant milestone in these remediation works and will ensure that the work is fit-for purpose. We are now moving forward with the tender process and we aim to commence construction as soon as possible. The proposed timeline for works will be advised prior to construction and will avoid the high tourism season and the main abalone season where possible.

“We will keep the community informed throughout the project, and address concerns raised by residents.”

Metung Bowls Club president Jim Beale (centre) and club members celebrate the opening of their new green with East Gippsland Shire Council’s CEO Fiona Weigall, Deputy Mayor Cr Jane Greacen and Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull.

Past Presidents and life members Rae Whelan, John Roelofs and David Kelsey. Rae described the new green as A1 and said it plays beautifully.

Deputy Mayor Cr Jane Greacen OAM spoke about the collaborative effort between the club and Council that has resulted in the fantastic new green.

Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull helped the bowls club celebrate their new facility. He spoke at the opening and undertook the 'Roll Up' part of the proceedings.

Same great team, new name

Adynamic team of agents in Lakes Entrance and Metung is bringing a fresh perspective to real estate.

Formerly recognised as LJ Hooker Lakes Entrance / Metung, the company now operates as East Gippsland Real Estate Pty Ltd. This change reflects the company’s commitment to better serving real estate, investors and the local community by stepping away from the franchise model.

Sales agent Brendan King, who has more than 40 years’ experience in the industry, said it was an exciting change.

“While our team remains unchanged,

we are proud to step forward as East Gippsland Real Estate, carrying forward the same dedication, expertise, and an extensive network,” he said.

“Our dedication to our vendors, purchasers, rental providers and renters remains the same and we are still the same people that have been trusted within the industry for a long time now.”

Owner-operators Renee Shine, Brendan King, Jess Stevens and Ryan Hooper said: “The affiliation extended further than East Gippsland with connections to Wellington Real Estate

in the Wellington Shire and through to Melbourne, which further fortifies the agency’s ability to deliver exceptional service and ensure clients’ needs continue to be met with the highest standards.”

“You will see the same people with a different brand and an energetic approach to marketing and managing real estate — whether that be buying, selling or renting.

“We look forward to continuing our valued relationship and involvement in the community under our new banner as East Gippsland Real Estate.”

Foster fire station funds go missing

THE Allan Labor Government is being asked to explain what happened to funds previously promised for the Foster fire station rebuild as the Minister for Emergency Services confirms the project is currently unfunded.

Responding to questions raised last August by The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien, the Minister advised that the project is “not currently funded for replacement, including land acquisition, and have no firm timeframe for funding at this time”*. Mr O’Brien said the Allan Labor Government must now explain where funds previously set aside by the CFA for

the project have gone.

“The Foster brigade and wider community celebrated when a new fire station was scheduled in the CFA capital budget for completion in the 2023-24 financial year, so it is extremely disappointing to all involved to hear that that money has been pulled,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The current Foster fire station, along with those in Korumburra and Mirboo North, are too small and insufficient for modern needs.

“The flow-on impact of failing to provide new fit-for-purpose modern stations means that these brigades are also denied much-needed new fire trucks as the new

modern trucks simply can’t fit through the out-dated fire station doors.

“There is also an OHS issue in that there is not enough space for volunteers to change into fire gear next to moving trucks.”

Mr O’Brien said after working with the Foster community for years to secure these funds, he is now calling on the Allan Labor Government to provide answers as to why this project is no longer funded.

“The Foster community deserves a new fire station and it should now be funded in the coming state budget.

“This is a matter of community safety and is not a project where funds should be being cut.”

Service centre and library hours unchanged, expanded mobile service permanent

EAST Gippsland Shire Council has made the expanded mobile library service permanent and will maintain library and customer service centre opening hours.

Council’s decision follows a 12-month trial of opening hours, put in place following the completion of a review of the service in November 2022.

The trial included additional investment from Council into the service.

Mayor Cr Tom Crook said the decision includes allocating additional budget to support the community in being able to access what was important to them.

“Our centres provide a wide range of services. You can participate in programs, enquire about any of our services or projects, use a range of facilities, read, and borrow a book. And our libraries and service centres are a wonderful place to connect socially,” Cr Crook said.

The 12-month trial included the addition of a second mobile vehicle in May last year.

“This additional service has been very well received and is reaching more people in more locations; 40 per cent more locations than previously. It is making it easier for people to access Council services in their own, often remote, communities and the feedback has been positive. It is fantastic that we can make this expanded service permanent.”

Throughout the trial, data

was collected on how and when people engaged with each site. This data was shared with the community in December 2023 and March 2024, ahead of Council considering the outcomes of the trial.

“Community use of libraries and service centres fluctuates, but what we are seeing is that the service is well used,” Cr Crook said.

“Changes made to resourcing at sites has also provided greater capacity to reintroduce library programming at Mallacoota and Omeo, and limit unplanned site closures.”

Cr Crook thanked all community members and Friends of the Library groups for their feedback and involvement in the service review and trial.

“There is a real pride and passion in our library service and that has certainly shone through during the service review and trial,” Cr Crook said.

Data will continue to be collected on library and service centre use to inform future service delivery improvements and efficiencies. The Council Report, including the 12-month trial data and comparisons, is available on Council’s website.

Throughout the trial Council has worked to find efficiencies so the added cost of the additional service has been reduced by about half.

Opening hours for all sites are available on Council’s website.

The team at East Gippsland Real Estate, formerly LJ Hooker Lakes Entrance / Metung, consists of Ryan Hooper, Jessica Stevens, Renee Shine, Lynette Coulson, Alison Dingwall, Brendan King, Breana Dooley and Vicki Barrett.

Dahlsens Garden Centre to close doors after 25 years of service to East Gippsland community

AFTER 25 years of serving the East Gippsland community, Dahlsens Garden Centre will close its doors for the last time on Saturday, April 13th, 2024, at 4:00 PM. The decision comes as part of a strategic realignment of Dahlsens' business operations - as Dahlsens continues to specialise in the supply of building materials.

In a separate venture, the Dahlsens family remains committed to its investment in East Gippsland through the Quest Hotel now under construction opposite the New Leaf Cafe.

Since its inception, Dahlsens Garden Centre has been a valued establishment within the local community. However, the Dahlsens business strategy no longer aligns with the operation of a standalone garden centre.

The Dahlsen family recognise the importance of the services offered by the Garden Centre to East Gippsland residents and have diligently worked to ensure continuity of service under alternative arrangements.

The Dahlsen family has collaborated closely with Jacqui Sanson, owner of the beloved New Leaf Cafe located within Dahlsens Garden Centre, and Lachlan Bull from Lucknow-based Bulls Botanics, to ensure that key offerings from the Garden Centre remain accessible to the community through their businesses.

New Leaf Cafe will continue trading at its Dalmahoy Street site. Additionally, it will expand its offerings to include giftware and the House of Bloom florist, providing residents with access to gifts and fresh flowers, as well as the coffee and meals it is already well known for.

Lachlan Bull and the expert team at Bulls Botanics will expand their operations to provide a comprehensive garden centre from an upcoming date, ensuring continued access to a large nursery and essential gardening supplies and expertise.

Speaking about the transition, Lachlan Bull expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Our centre, adjacent to the Lucknow Exchange House Food Store, will be a familiar and welcoming sight

to the community. We are dedicated to restoring the site to its former glory and establishing a new, familyowned garden centre."

Jacqui Sanson shared her excitement about enhancing the offerings of New Leaf Cafe, stating, "I look forward to complementing the cafe experience with the continuation of the House of Bloom florist service and a giftware range for our community. This year marks 30 years of being in the hospitality industry and I am proud to continue to serve our customers."

Both Bulls Botanics and New Leaf Cafe are owneroperated by passionate East Gippslanders who are deeply committed to providing exceptional service and contributing to the community's well-being.

Dahlsens Managing Director Geoff Dahlsen said he extends heartfelt gratitude to all past and present team members of Dahlsens Garden Centre for their hard work, dedication and commitment.

"We are actively working with our current team members to secure employment opportunities wherever possible moving forward. We are also closely working with New Leaf Cafe and Bulls Botanics to ensure a smooth transition of service for our customers. For customers who have earnt Dahlsens Garden Centre rewards points, these can be redeemed at the garden centre before April 13th, and at our Dahlsens Bairnsdale or Lakes Entrance trade stores before expiry," he said.

As one of more than 65 Dahlsens trade centres across Australia, the Dahlsens building centre on Forge Creek Road will remain committed to supplying building materials to the community, welcoming everyone.

"Bairnsdale is where our business first began in 1877, and it is with the support of the East Gippsland community that we have been able to grow. We are immensely thankful to everyone who has shopped with us over the years and look forward to proudly supporting this region for many years to come," said Geoff.

Callout for regional, rural and remote women

LOCAL film director Danielle McAlpine Johnson and her company, CheekyMac Productions, have issued a callout for 1,000 rural women to participate in a social research project to substantiate her next feature-length television documentary titled ‘Rural Daughters’.

“Rural Daughters is an unflinching exploration of the barriers and success stories of remote, rural and regional women in their leadership journey for social impact,” Danielle explained on her Instagram page.

In the lead up to production Danielle and her team will be surveying 1,000+ regional, rural and remote women to ensure their research is robust, providing this story with depth and voices from a broad range of women nationwide.

“We are incredibly honoured to have teamed

Correction from last issue:

up with Professor Joanne Porter, Director of the Collaborative Evaluation and Research Centre (CERC) and her research team at Federation University.”

This documentary will unpack topics such as gender inequality and traditional gender roles; distance and isolation; domestic and family violence; racial prejudice; technology and digital literacy; tall poppy syndrome; gender bias; limitations to healthcare services; limited access to education and training; employment and lower wages; childcare and support services; lack of networking opportunities; and limited role models and representation.

“If you are a woman or ally passionate about social change and/or have a network of women living in regional, rural or remote Australia we want to hear from you,” Danielle

Return to work Victoria to support injured workers

THE Allan Labor Government recently announced the establishment of Return to Work Victoria, dedicated to helping injured Victorians recover and get back to work safely.

Return to Work Victoria will focus on promoting effective occupational rehabilitation of injured workers, encourage employers to provide suitable job opportunities for workers who have been injured, and identify innovative injury prevention and return to work strategies.

Return to Work Victoria will deliver the Government’s commitment to create and trial new programs and initiatives to improve return to work outcomes, with an initial program budget of $50 million for its first three years. An annual review will evaluate pilot programs to ensure they are delivering outcomes for workers and value for money. The pilot programs include a worker support hotline where workers can access mental health support for work-related stress and burnout, and an initiative that will provide small and medium sized businesses with tailored support to build mentally healthy workplaces.

says, who was responsible for the production of the successful ‘Beyond the Fire’ a documentary series that followed the stories of Australia’s unsung heroes as they band together to create life from ashes after the Australian Black Summer Bushfire Crisis.

“Join us in telling this important story and shaping our next generation of world changers with PURPOSE!” Danielle adds.

“I have to say a huge thank you to David Impey and Fiona Beck with Elmi Bendigo Bank Community Enterprise Foundation, for their continued support in commissioning this important piece. As well as Julia May and Sarah Anderson from Visibility Co. for helping hatch this concept out of my heart and head, pulling it into reality.”

To express your interest contact Danielle McAlpine Johnson via www. cheekymac.com

In our article about the new Idle Lake House (on-water accommodation in Lakes Entrance), it was stated that the former business — the Floating Dragon — ceased operations due to pandemic-related issues. This statement is inaccurate and we apologise for any confusion caused, or impact this may have had on the former business and its reputation.

WorkSafe’s claims management, recovery and return to work functions will be centralised in Return to Work Victoria, enabling WorkSafe to better target support and interventions.

A Return to Work Advisory Committee will also be established to provide advice to the WorkSafe Victoria Board on return to work initiatives.

Jason Lardelli has been appointed Return to Work Victoria’s Executive Director. Mr Lardelli has been at the forefront of improving return to work outcomes throughout his career and will be key to improving outcomes for Victorian workers through his leadership of Return to Work Victoria.

Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC Danny Pearson said, “Establishing Return to Work Victoria delivers on our promise to provide dedicated support for workers that’s focused on injury recovery and helping people return to work safely.”

“These changes mean Victorian workers will continue to get the help they need, when they need it — while also making sure employers get the right support to keep their workers safe.”

ACCOMMODATION Floating

IDLE Lake House is the newest luxury on-water accommodation at 160B Western Boat Harbour, 160 Esplanade in Lakes Entrance (co-located with KOHO Floating Sauna).

Formerly a floating restaurant, Idle Lake House is owned by newly married, creative powerhouses Nephelle and Daniel Wallis, who are both East Gippsland locals from boatbuilding and fishing families.

“Idle Lake House was born out of a desire to create an authentic experience that could be shared with all. We dreamt up a vision to honour the location, embrace the unique and celebrate our local community. What we have created is not only a beautiful place for travellers to rest their heads, but a true coming together of what makes this place so amazing — a place full to the brim with vibrant, inspiring and imaginative creative makers, artists and craftspeople.”

As the designer, creative director and visionary behind this exquisite on-water accommodation, Neph says, “I have absolutely loved the entire process of revitalising this iconic Lakes Entrance landmark, and it was really cool to do so in the most sustainable and conscious way possible. It was my first attempt at interior design and the first project I’ve designed from start to finish; I’m so happy with the outcome and I definitely look forward to doing more interior designing in the future.”

From the gorgeous golden handshaped towel holders from America (which were selected because they reminded Neph of the hands that held the jackets in the Charlie and Chocolate Factory film), to the red perspex-looking bathtub boasting uninterrupted 180-degree water views, to the Gucci wallpaper in the toilet (“that was big splurge — I wanted something that when you sat down on the toilet you could look at that would make you go ‘whoa!’ — which it does!”) Neph’s natural flair for design is immediately apparent from the moment you step onto

"Such an incredible, unique experience like no other. The photos just don’t do it justice"

unique and high quality; from the mermaid door handle to the Gucci wallpaper and cloud-like beds. Walking distance to everything you need, but you won’t want to leave this floating sanctuary anyway. Highly recommend; I’m already planning my next stay!”

Lisa agrees, saying, “Overall staying at Idle was a rejuvenating experience, full of laughs, water and good times! Idle Lake House is the ultimate holiday destination! Situated right on the waterfront of the Gippsland Lakes, this unique floating house will have your crew having the time of their lives. We loved swimming to our hearts content, relaxing on the deck, enjoying some drinks and chats, listening to tunes on the record player and just overall having an excellent time in each others company, in such an idyllic space. The retro interior also added to the fun, summery vibe!”

Key features include a private boat mooring; east, south and west-facing decks; split system air conditioning; fully equipped bar/kitchenette including toaster, kettle, coffee percolator and BBQ; Wifi / Netflix / Smart TV; and a Marshall wireless speaker.

The Lake House sleeps four when set up as accommodation or for functions it can comfortably accommodate around 40 people. Catering packages are also available through nearby restaurants, Albert & Co and Sodafish.

To find out more or book your stay or function visit www.idlelakehouse.com.

hot cold and in east gippsland

What is being said on the socials

Great to see Lakes Entrance being developed in so many new ways!

Closing Dahlsen’s Garden Centre. Another fantastic business lost.

Thanks to the Gippsland Centre for the “Pop-Up” Play space. My kids loved it.

Big shout-out to Bairnsdale Bunnings. All the staff are so helpful.

I was really upset by the sexist cartoon placed in the Advertiser on the 10th of April of our council’s new CEO. I thought in our modern times we had moved beyond this negative 'humour'.

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

Wellington Shire prioritises community and future in renewable energy plans

ELLINGTON Shire

WCouncil continues to prioritise the community's views in its considerations of renewable energy and transmission options.

In line with the findings of the Wellington Renewable Energy Impact and Readiness Study, published 23 March 2023, Council has outlined its support for the transition to renewable energy within Wellington Shire. This support relies on thorough consultation with the Wellington community and adherence to all statutory approval processes for individual projects. Council’s position statement on renewable energy recognises the need to integrate new onshore transmission lines into the Latrobe Valley electricity network. It is also committed to working closely with the Victorian Government to ensure that any expansion to the electricity network is wellcoordinated and aimed at preventing what could end up

as a chaotic 'spaghetti effect' in transmission infrastructure.

While there is an urgency to expand the existing transmission network, Council understands that with estimates, a need for up to 12GW of additional transmission capacity to support the region's renewable energy goals, planning the routes through Wellington, and Gippsland more broadly, is critical.

Last month, VicGrid announced that it had recently commenced a public consultation process for the first stage of transmission to support offshore wind in Gippsland, with further details to be made public in the Victorian Transmission Plan (due mid-2025).

Initial assessments by VicGrid have favoured overhead transmission solutions due to cost considerations. However, Council is keen to understand the broader implications for the Gippsland region, questioning whether current plans offer a sustainable solution for the

future or merely serve as a cost-cutting measure for the present.

Wellington Shire Council

Mayor Ian Bye says Council remains focused on ensuring the community’s perspective is heard when considering all transmission methods.

“While final decisions may lie with the Victorian Government, all viable options, including underground transmission in particularly sensitive areas must be explored to lessen impacts on the community. When considering overhead transmission projects, we will always push for industry bestpractice compensation for affected landowners” Cr Bye said.

Council is advocating for a comprehensive and integrated approach to planning the region's transmission infrastructure. This would not only provide clarity and certainty for the community, but also investors in Gippsland, and ensure that the region's energy future is built on a foundation of strategic, long-term thinking.

“It is essential we work towards solutions that not only meet our immediate needs but also align with the long-term interests of the Wellington Shire community and the environment. This approach will ensure a sustainable and thriving future for the region”. Cr Bye added.

Council believes it was a missed opportunity not to assess AusNet’s Gippsland Renewable Energy Zone (GREZ) transmission corridor, despite its advanced stage and significant private investment. This project, set to generate 3-4GW of power, aims to facilitate connections for various new renewable generators to the planned infrastructure, supporting both offshore and onshore renewables.

An upfront, comprehensive transmission plan that includes advanced projects like AusNet’s GREZ would offer a logical approach to meeting long-term needs and ensure the community has clear expectations regarding infrastructure impacts.

Health - Varicose veins

What is it?

Varicose veins occur when veins just below the skin’s surface are damaged, become swollen and fill with too much blood.

Veins are the blood vessels that return blood to the heart. Arteries carry blood away from the heart to the rest of the body, Varicose veins most commonly occur in the legs.

In about 50 per cent of cases, the condition runs in families, and probably is related to an inherited weakness in the veins’ walls or the valves inside veins that keep blood from backing up.

Pregnancy is another common cause of varicose veins. Also, occupations that require uninterrupted standing may force leg veins and valves to work against gravity for hours, increasing the risk of pressure-related vein and valve damage.

Varicose veins are 2 to 3 times more common in women than men. Obese people

are more likely to develop varicose veins.

Symptoms

A dull ache in the legs in some people, varicose veins do not cause any symptoms. However, other people may experience one or more of the following:

• a feeling of pressure or heaviness in the legs

• swollen feet and ankles

• itching skin near the damaged veins

Prevention

You can help to prevent varicose veins by maintaining a normal weight and by avoiding situations where you must stand for prolonged periods. Even with these preventive measures, however, you still may develop varicose veins if this condition tends to run in your family.

If you already have varicose veins, you can prevent symptom flare-ups by periodically lying down or sitting down with your legs

elevated above the level of your chest. Some physicians also recommend that you wear support stockings or more specialized compression stockings when you walk or stand for long periods of time. The stockings prevent blood from pooling in the veins, and prevent strain on the valves and leg swelling.

Treatment

Treatment for most people with mild symptoms of varicose veins includes:

• elevating and supporting the legs periodically throughout the day

• wearing compression stockings.

Prognosis

Varicose veins are a long-term problem, but their symptoms often can be controlled with leg elevation and therapeutic stockings. Surgical procedures remove varicose veins permanently, but they leave scars, and they cannot prevent new varicose veins from forming.

advice - ask Emma

Managing anxiety

Q: Hi Emma, I wanted to write to you to ask for some guidance regarding anxiety. I feel increasingly worried lately with the cost of living going up, the wars, the polarising opinion on politics. It just all feels so uncertain and I feel like I am living with constant buzz of fear in background of my life. It’s tiring and distracting. What can I do to make it stop?

A: Thank you for reaching out with your concerns about anxiety. It's understandable that with so much uncertainty and turmoil in the world, you're experiencing heightened levels of worry and fear. I can assure you that you are not alone in feeling this way. Many people are experiencing this same distress.

First and foremost, it's important to recognise that what you're feeling is a natural response to the current state of the world. Anxiety often arises when we perceive threats to our safety, stability, or well-being. The issues you mentioned — increasing living costs, global conflicts, and political polarisation — are indeed significant stressors that can contribute to feelings of unease.

It's also worth acknowledging that anxiety, while often seen as an enemy, can also be viewed as a friend in disguise. At its core, anxiety is a natural alarm system designed to alert us to potential threats and motivate us to act. Like a smoke alarm in our homes, we need it. Only we want it going off when there is a danger, not a burnt toast. In this sense we learn that anxiety serves as a valuable signal that something in our environment may need attention or adjustment. By

reframing anxiety as a friend offering valuable insight, we can learn to listen to its message without being overwhelmed by it.

Embracing a compassionate and curious attitude toward our anxiety allows us to explore its underlying causes and respond to it with kindness and understanding. Through this process, we can cultivate a more balanced relationship with our emotions and develop greater resilience in the face of life's challenges. To specifically address your concerns and alleviate some of the anxiety you're experiencing, I would suggest practicing the following to bring some peace to your life:

• Limit Exposure to Stressful Information: While it's important to stay informed about current events, constant exposure to negative news and social media can exacerbate anxiety. If the watching the news is confronting, consider reading it on a website or app instead. Set a limit of only checking once a day or three times a week. By setting boundaries on your media consumption and limiting exposure to sources that trigger distress you can help you find a balance that doesn’t overwhelm you.

• Practice Gratitude and Grounding Techniques: Grounding exercises can help bring you back to the present moment and reduce feelings of overwhelm. Techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness meditation can be effective in calming the mind and body. Practicing gratitude also helps challenge the perspective the of our minds and broadens our focus from the things that feel like a threat. Make a habit of noticing the things in your life that brighten your days. Writing these down can be beneficial in

training the brain.

• Focus on What You Can Control: It's natural to feel powerless in the face of global issues, but focusing on aspects of your life that you can control can help restore a sense of agency. This might include setting personal goals, establishing routines, or engaging in activities that bring you joy and fulfilment.

• Seek Support: Don't hesitate to reach out to friends, family members, or a mental health professional for support. Talking about your feelings with others can provide validation and perspective, and a counsellor can offer additional coping strategies tailored to your individual needs.

• Engage in Self-Care: Prioritise self-care activities that nurture your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. This might include getting regular exercise like walking, swimming or Pilates, eating nutritious meals, practicing good sleep habits, and engaging in hobbies or activities that bring you enjoyment. Self-care also includes treating yourself like you would your friends, with kindness, compassion and support.

Remember, you're not alone in experiencing anxiety, and there are resources and strategies available to help you cope. Take small steps toward self-care and seek support when needed. With time and effort, you can learn to manage your anxiety and regain a sense of calm and control in your life.

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

A diesel in the shed

You can have your solar panels and your turbines on the hills; You can use the warmth of sunshine to reduce your heating bills. You can dream you’re selfsufficient as you weed your veggie bed; As long as you make sure to keep a diesel in the shed.

WHEN I was a kid living on a small dairy farm in Queensland, we relied on green energy — horses and human muscles provided most motive power; firewood and beeswax candles supplied heat and light; a windmill pumped water and the sun provided solar energy for drying clothes and growing crops, veggies and pastures. The only “non-green” energy used was a bit of kerosene for the kitchen lamp and the dairy lantern, and petrol for a small Ford utility for a trip to town every fortnight. Our life changed dramatically when we put a diesel in the dairy. This single-cylinder engine drove the milking machines, the cream separator and a small electricity generator, which charged 16 lead-acid 2-volt batteries sitting on the veranda.

Our 32-volt DC system powered our “modern” marvel — bright light, at any time, in every room, at the touch of a switch.

There were no electric self-starters for diesels in those days — just a heavy crank handle and a big fly wheel. But all that effort, noise and fumes were superseded when the house and the dairy got connected to clean silent “coal power by wire”. Suddenly the trusty “Southern Cross” diesel engines disappeared from

Australian sheds and dairies.

In less than one lifetime, firewood, candles, horses and kerosene were replaced by diesel and petrol engines plus clean, silent coalpowered electricity.

Today, after Aussies have enjoyed decades of abundant reliable cheap electricity from coal, green energy gambling has taken Australia back to that era which kept a diesel in the shed.

Green energy has a union that works to rules. If winds are too strong or too weak, they down tools and the turbines go silent. And their mates running the solar panels won’t work at night and also produce nothing on cloudy days.

Then if we try to fill the gaps with battery power, where do we get the electricity to recharge the batteries, AND pump the hydro water back up the hill AND keep the lights on?

Tasmania and South Australia are the greenest states of Australia. SA demolished their last coalfired power station with glee and Tasmanian Greens even oppose hydro and wind power.

Tasmanians get their electricity mainly from hydro assets created long ago by their more productive ancestors. When a long drought caused a shortage of hydro-energy they became reliant for up to 40 per cent of their electricity needs on the Bass-link undersea cable bringing electricity from reliable coal-fired stations in Victoria and NSW.

However, the overloaded Bass Link cable failed, and an old gas-powered station was brought back into service to keep the lights on (importing gas from Victoria). Subsequently Tasmanian politicians hurriedly put 150 diesel generators in their sheds.

South Australia is the next greenest state in Australia, hosting about one third of

Australia’s wind turbines. These were force-fed into existence by mandatory green energy targets and tax benefits. In a burst of green destruction, they also closed their gas-fired power stations and gleefully demolished their last coal-fired station. However, they were left in the dark when wind power failed and a storm tore down their life-line bringing reliable coal power from Victoria. So Green South Australia also bought a heap of diesel generators for their shed. Many residents followed this lead.

Question: “What did South Australians have before candles?”

Answer: “Electricity”. The UK has also been badly infected by the green energy virus. Engineers warned that this intermittent and unpredictable supply had increased the risk of blackouts, so the UK government offered subsidies for emergency backup power. This subsidy, plus consumer concerns, put so many diesels in British sheds that they now provide a major backup capacity for UK electricity. Many Spaniards also found a diesel in the shed was very profitable. Their government had been drinking green-ale and offered attractive subsidies for any solar power produced. The subsidy was very successful — so successful that someone eventually noticed that some suppliers were even producing “solar” power at night. It was coming from the diesels in their sheds. Finally, our green media likes to feature some green energy enthusiast who is “off the grid”. But it usually emerges later in the show that there is a diesel in their shed too.

Those who remember the days of relying on a noisy smelly diesel in the shed have no wish to be dragged back there by green zealots.

Emma Woodcock

Emma Woodcock Counsellor

INGImage Stock

Viv Forbes The Salt Bush Club

Is that dental pain an emergency?

AGONISING tooth pain, sharp jaw discomfort, a dull ache in your gums — each one is a sign of dental trouble or something even more serious. Unfortunately, many people put off a call to the dentist — a potentially risky move, since dental problems can be more advanced than you realise.

Here’s more on what causes dental pain, how to identify it, and when you should call your dentist.

Tooth pain

Tooth pain can stem from several problems. Perhaps the most common is a cavity, a tiny hole in the tooth.

Plaque — a sticky mix of food particles and bacteria covering the outer layer of a tooth, the enamel — creates

chemicals that break down the enamel. The deeper the cavity, the more likely the nerve in the tooth will be exposed, resulting in sharp pain and sensitivity to hot or cold foods. Those symptoms can also come from a cracked tooth or a cracked or loose filling, which can expose the nerve.

Jaw pain

Jaw pain can be sudden and sharp, or a chronic tenderness that gradually increases over time.

Dull, chronic jaw pain usually comes from a problem with the temporomandibular joint, where the jaw bone meets the skull on either side of your head. Trouble related to this joint is called a temporomandibular

Public Notice

disorder, or TMD.

Gum pain

Gum pain tends to be an achy soreness rather than a sharp pain. It has many potential causes. It might be as simple as having sensitive gums, brushing your teeth too vigorously, or having irritation from a bit of food (such as a piece of popcorn) stuck in your teeth or in the space between your gum and teeth.

Gum pain can also come from a cut if something poked you (such as a corn chip), irritation from toothpaste that contains sodium laurel sulfate, or canker sores (aphthous ulcers).

Pain in the gums can also be due to dentures or partials that don’t fit well or aren’t cleaned regularly.

Public Notice of Praecipe, Tacit Acceptance and Reconveyance

Ben McMahon© of Bayswater, Victoria is not a voluntary transactor in commerce and is the irrefutable Holder in Due Course of my properties and all associated copyright protected Trade Names BEN MCMAHON, MCMAHON Ben, BEN McMahon, Ben McMahon, Ben, BEN, MCMAHON BEN, B.M., BM, silverfox11, thesilverfoxtrust, silverfoxshop, thequickbrownfox76, Silver Fox Skate & Sport, silverfox_shop, Online Industry, onlineindustry, The Silver Fox Trust, Silver Fox, Benny, Beno, Ben Mc Mahon, BEN MC MAHON, Ben MCMAHON, and all other variations however styled, punctuated, spelled, ordered, or otherwise represented as pertaining to me and my estate Since unrebutted lawful Reconveyance to the Land and Soil jurisdiction of Terra Australis also known as the Commonwealth of Australia, Public Recording Number RPP4463900051002908130603, Proclamation Date 27th February 2024 Thus severing usufruct subjugation ties with the occupying corporate government of Australia in its entirety. Immediately cease and desist any further infringement upon these copyright protected financial instruments and cease and desist misaddressing Ben McMahon© in fraudulent debased Dog-Latin, GLOSSA.

Sense of humour

Dear Albo,

Iam a simple soul and I want to better understand the logic behind your grand economic plan which you state will be the biggest reform in generations and decades. It sounds fantastic and implies that it will be a dramatic solution to the failing economics of our country and its international competitive position. Your Treasurer is very smart, articulate and persuasive.

My concern is that is reminds me of The Voice Referendum which created a massive divide in this country and weakened our great social cohesion. I think social cohesion is a competitive advantage and division is not. It appears that all the wise men of this country have expressed concern about your plans, but you believe that they are flat earthers. I know some of these people and I think they may be contemplating defamation proceedings. I hope they will follow Lehrmann and sue because we may get more public attention on the issue and that might help me, and other simple souls understand your logic. I would prefer not to join the chorus of the left-wing doubters. They are very intimidating people and will jump on my crazy logic.

from the private sector to the public sector is likely to be of anti-productivity nature. The private sector drives productivity not the government. I would have thought rather than subsidising or helping those miracle investments it would be far better using these funds to reduce the massive amount of regulation, blockages to investment and fixing the growing cost of energy and labour. Energy policy is like a witches’ cauldron comprising a mix of ideology and utopia paying its respects to the devil and evil. We are witnessing many companies

failing, investment falling and the mix of public to private investment exacerbating.

Banks are lending less to business because of APRA’s anti-competitive policies. More than 70 per cent of our population are in financial distress and probably more with emotional distress.

Our country is divided into lifters, enablers, and beneficiaries of your government’s largesse. Should we not be using our resources to improve our competitiveness rather than weakening it with taxpayers paying more to subsidise anticompetitive or anti productivity activity.

You have assured us that your proposal to offer tax subsidies to encourage certain sectors of the economy will be far more nuanced effective and will not have the effect of increasing taxes for others or employing more public servants. My problem with this is that your plans and past history seem to suggest that the share of GDP will continue to shift to the government as is currently happening. This seems to suggest that you are much smarter than me and my fellow travellers. You are better able to pick winners and invest taxpayers’ money much more effectively. The difficulty is for every dollar diverted

Take for instance, housing where you have the admirable objective of increasing housing, cutting its cost including rental cost. The difficulty with this is that you are doing magic taking from one pocket and putting it into another. It is estimated that the cost of housing is at least 50 per cent State Federal Government direct and indirect taxes. Government is using this massive cashflow to subsidise people into getting into housing.

So, this is simply a transfer of government funds from one activity to another and in the process of deflating supply and inflating demand. One is trying to out do the other and it will only compound. Take also defence. We are back ending our defence expenditure and capability for at least 10 years to give China plenty of time to raid our defenceless country; with our vast country there are multiple places to attack from Darwin to Hobart. We love the Chinese they have

been very successful settlers in Australia. The difficulty is that 7 per cent of the Chinese population have 100 per cent of the power. Unfortunately, Paul Keating is not good at arithmetic and does not understand the difference between 7 and 100. Labor productivity is another disaster. I want our workers particularly the lowincome workers to receive more money. Personally, I do not understand how many of them are coping except by exacerbating their position with more debt or dramatically lowering their standard of living. I think the average worker would be very happy to exchange productivity gains for extra wages. To the worker this is plain common sense. To think otherwise is selfish. The selfless approach is to say I will try to improve the standard of living for everyone else but suggesting ways in which I can be more productive in what I do. I know the details of my job and role intimately and I know what steps can be taken to make me more productive. But it seems that the government is not interested in this. This worries me because of the massive influence some of the powerful unions have over your decisions. For instance, the CMFU could not care less about anyone else other than its own members and is using all of its power to increase the salaries and outrageous benefits of its members and at the same time weaken productivity to the detriment of the standard of living of others. This is not my idea of mateship and the hardworking character of many of our workers who are conscious of the interest of others and out country. What would Banjo Paterson say about this. It seems Albo there is so much you can do to drive productivity and get out of the way of those that are capable of doing it. This will only improve our competitiveness, standard of living and reinforce the great cohesiveness of this country. Our country in world terms has some incredible opportunities, improve, and strengthen our sovereign state relative to most other countries of the world. Please don’t waste those opportunities.

Yours sincerely,

The

(Otherwise

Simple Soldier

known as John Dahlsen)

John Dahlsen

INE public schools across Gippsland are set to share in more than $7 million in Federal Government funding for much-needed upgrades, according to local Member of Parliament Darren Chester.

Mr Chester said it was a win for hard working school communities which had secured funding under the latest round of the Federal Government’s Schools Upgrade Fund.

“This is a great result for the parents and teachers on school councils who have been working hard to secure funding for projects,

often ignored by the State Government, which is primarily responsible for public school funding,” Mr Chester said.

“Our Gippsland school communities have been neglected by the State Government and I’m looking forward to these projects being delivered in a timely manner.

“We will see everything from toilet blocks to playground upgrades from one end of Gippsland to the other.

“Hopefully, there will be local tradespeople employed to undertake the work to deliver additional

economic benefits to local communities.”

Briagolong Primary School, $422,735; Lindenow South Primary School, $900,000; Mallacoota P-12 College, $1,290,451; Maffra Secondary College, $799,249; Rosedale Primary School, $349,759; Swifts Creek P-12 School, $1,025,642; Sale College, $810,233; Traralgon Liddiard Road Primary School, $1,160,923; and Yinnar South Primary School, $272,179 are among the 67 Victorian public schools set to receive a grant under the Commonwealth’s Schools Upgrade Fund.

food & wine

PREP:1 5 MINS | COOK: 15 MINS | MAKES: 16-18

Anzac Biscuits

ingredients

• 1 cup plain flour (all purpose flour)

• 1 cup rolled oats

• 1 cup desiccated coconut, unsweetened

• 3/4 cup white sugar, preferably caster / superfine

• 150g unsalted butter

• 4 tbsp golden syrup

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan forced). Line 2 baking trays with baking paper. Mix flour, oats, coconut and sugar in a bowl. Place butter and golden syrup in a saucepan over medium high heat and stir until butter has melted. Add baking soda and stir to combine - it will fizz up, this is normal. Immediately remove from heat.

PREP: 50 MINS | COOK: 40 MINS | MAKES: 4

Meat Pie Aussie

ingredients ingredients method method method

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 large brown onion, finely chopped

• 500g extra lean beef mince

• 1 tbsp Cornflour

• 1 tsp baking soda (bicarbonate soda)

2. Pour butter mixture into flour and mix until just combined. Roll level 1 tablespoon mixture into balls, flatten into patties. Place balls, 2.5 cm apart, on prepared trays.

3. Bake for 15 minutes, or until deep golden. (Bake 12 min for chewy biscuits!)

4. Stand on trays for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool - they harden as they cool!

• 3/4 cup beef stock

• 3/4 cup tomato sauce

• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tbsp barbecue sauce

• 1 tsp Vegemite

1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 1 large brown onion, finely chopped. Cook for 3 minutes or until soft. Add the beef mince, cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon, or until browned.

2. Mix 1 tbsp Cornflour and 1 tablespoon of stock to form a paste. Add remaining 3/4 cup beef stock. Add stock, 3/4 cup tomato sauce, 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce,|1 tbsp barbecue sauce and 1 tsp Vegemite to mince. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 8 minutes or until thick. Cool.

• 2 sheets frozen shortcrust pastry, thawed

• 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed

• 1 egg, beaten

3. Preheat oven to 220°C. Place a baking tray into oven. Grease 4 x 8cm base measurement pie pans.

4. Cut 4 x 15cm circles from 2 sheets frozen shortcrust pastry, thawed. Use to line bases and sides of pans. Fill with mince. Brush rims with water. Cut 4 x 15cm circles from 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed. Place over meat. Press to seal. Trim. Brush with 1 egg, beaten. Place pies onto hot tray. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden. Serve.

PREP: 10 MINS | SERVES: 6

Shandy Cider

Raise a glass with this light, sparkling cocktail

• 2 x 345ml btl pale ale, or other beer, chilled

• 330ml sparkling apple juice, or non-alcoholic cider, chilled

• 500ml (2 cups) lemonade, chilled

• 1 small lemon, thinly sliced

• 1 small red apple, thinly sliced

1. Combine the 2 x 345ml btl pale ale, or other beer, chilled, 330ml sparkling apple juice, or non-alcoholic cider, chilled and 500ml (2 cups) lemonade, chilled in a large jug. Add the 1 small lemon, thinly sliced and 1 small red apple, thinly sliced slices. Gently stir to combine. Divide among glasses.

Tip: Add a few slices of fresh ginger for a zingy lift.

Annual Barista Day

WITH debates raging around the rising price of takeaway coffee, and the Melbourne International Coffee Expo fast-approaching, it’s an ideal time for a Gippsland Jersey dairy farm in Gippsland to open its farm gates, in a unique initiative to teach urban-dwelling baristas about the milk production process.

While the coffee industry typically places significant emphasis on the quality and origin of coffee beans, it's essential to remember that milk comprises a significant portion of the final cup!

“Unfortunately, many people are disconnected from the source and production methods of cow’s milk,” says Sallie Jones, Co-Founder/ Director of Gippsland Jersey.

“Last year, our inaugural event attracted approximately 100 baristas, many of whom had never visited a farm or encountered a real-life cow before!” Sallie adds. “When we shed light on the journey from the farm to the bottle, the true cost and effort that goes into producing one litre of milk captivates most people.”

“Our farmers take immense pride in hosting these out-oftown baristas. Interestingly, the field of barista work

seems to attract individuals from various Asian cultures who have a deep appreciation for the creativity and precision involved in crafting excellent coffee,” Sallie says.

“Individuals from the coffee industry are invited to join us on the dairy farm, around one hour east of Melbourne.

There, they’ll gain a handson experience in milking a cow, and have the chance to partner with a farmer in a friendly competition for the title of ‘Best Farm Barista’! Whilst it is sure to be a fun-filled day, the main goal of this event is to raise awareness about the vital role of dairy farming, by educating

May in your garden patch

TIME to plant some winter wonders — think about some leeks, beetroot, celery, lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, turnips, onions, kale, kohl rabi, spinach and silverbeet. Give peas a chance this May, they are a top addition to any patch. Just keep them away from onions and garlic!

Veggies: You can still plant cabbage, Asian greens like mizuna, mibuna, tatsoi or pak choi, lettuce, rocket, spinach, carrots, celery, cauliflower, spring onions, leek, onions, radish, turnips and swedes. Plant peas of all varieties and broad beans.

Herbs: Parsley is an amazing plant for remaining productive in winter, even in part-shade. All the perennial herbs can be planted like rosemary, oregano, thyme and mint.

Companions and flowers: Add some colour to your garden bed and salad, attract beneficial insects, and suppress disease with some flowering plants.

Some multi-purpose flowers (most, not all, edible) include cornflower, calendula, pansies, viola, nasturtium, yarrow, daisies including chamomile, and marigolds.

Green manures: If your soil has been a little overworked, rest it with some ‘green manure’ crops, who’s express purpose is to be turned into the soil come spring. At this time of year try broad bean, lupins, vetch, field pea, oats and wheat.

Fertilising, mulching and watering

If there are any remaining defeated of the summer veggies, it’s time to pull them out. When you pull out the veggies — and weeds in between — don’t let those wonderful nutrients leave your system. Chuck anything other than diseased plants into the compost.

Deciduous trees are loosing their leaves! Sweep them up in bags from street trees for the year’s mulching.

About 3-5cm is a good amount for most mulches. Make sure to pull it away from the trunks of plants and small seedlings to keep them dry. There’s no longer as much need to water as much as in summer, so water only when needed.

Hero plant this month: Cyclamens

While it’s getting colder and darker outside, why not bring the outdoors inside?

Research shows that plants inside make us feel good and also improves the air quality inside. One of the great indoor plants with loads of colour are cyclamens. They’ll add beauty to your home and are delightful to look at. They are and quite hardy, however don’t over water and keep them away from direct heat. A good tip is to take them outside to give them some cool air every now and then. Once the leaves start to turn yellow, stop watering the plant and allow the leaves to die back. It’s also a good idea to allow the soil to dry out completely, and don’t water the plant during it’s dormancy.

and enlightening the coffee industry about the full story behind their moo-juice.”

Gippsland Jersey’s On-Farm Barista Day is being held on Monday 6 May at Jindivick (in the Shire of Baw Baw). For full details or to RSVP go to https://wholesale. gippslandjersey.com.au/ baristaregister

Recipe FOR SUCCESS

TWENTY-sevenyear-old Lilli McCamley is a local celebrity around Metung, thanks to her exemplary baking skills that she’s been sharing for the past ten years via her family’s café, Effloresce.

“I’ve been baking since I was a child. My love for food came from my mum Angie. I was always surrounded by the most delicious creations because mum made wedding cakes when I was growing up. The first thing she taught me was a Swiss roll and the importance of a gentle hand when folding in the flour and cocoa powder — ‘Don’t knock the air out of the egg whites,’ she’d say! I’d trial my cooking on my neighbour Elsie — her favourite cake was always carrot cake, and to this day I still use that same exact recipe!”

Effloresce began as a very small florist and coffee shop. Angie’s original idea was to be surrounded by flowers whilst quietly making coffees. A decade later though, and the café has grown a lot bigger, offering a breakfast and lunch menu in addition to all the sweets!

“Mum and I have very different baking styles, so the combination of her and I doing sweets works very well. I tend to bake things using a little more creativity, but I will never beat mum’s classics like her apple pie. I don’t think I could ever make pie pastry, mixed berry jam or quince jelly as good as she does!”

Angie was a chef while Lilli was growing up. She later then moved on to making wedding cakes and arranging flowers. “Mum will always be my biggest inspiration in the kitchen. She’s taught me so much and shown me that ‘simple is often the best way to go’ — although I do tend to add my special touches to my weekly recipes.”

Despite not having any formal cooking training, Lilli’s culinary creations attract customers from far away as Ballarat, Bendigo, Melbourne and Dargo, with many of her mouth-watering sweet treats also catering to customers with gluten intolerances.

“I’ve mostly read books, watched cooking shows, and followed pastry chefs on YouTube who I’ve been inspired by. Most of my learning has come from trial and error — a lot of it during COVID lockdowns, when I had the time to really ignite

my passion and start testing my own recipes. Back then, I wanted to give the locals something to look forward to during lockdowns, and so ‘Cake Friday’ was born.”

In 2021, East Gippsland voted Lilli’s vanilla slice the best in the region in the Great Gippsland Vanilla Slice Bake Off, which was coordinated by local dairy producer Gippsland Jersey and What’s On In Gippsland, and sponsored by Vanrooy Machinery.

“It was really exciting and the support of all the locals was so humbling. I worked so hard to create the perfect custard with the right balance of egg yolks, sugar, milk, whipped cream and cornflour. I had many failings and spent long hours getting the puff pastry right, but it definitely paid off when I won!

experimenting with flavour combinations.”

The most popular sweet treats at Effloresce are the long-standing pear chocolate and almond tart that Lilli has been making since the café first opened, along with

peppermint crisp roulade, marble mousse meringue, cheesecakes (with different flavours each week — although Lilli’s favourite is the lemon and raspberry), and lemon meringue tart. “I also make a Russian Honey Cake (Medovik), which always sells quickly; I haven’t made it in a while so I should put it in the rotation soon!”

“The appreciation and support I feel from my customers is what keeps me baking each week — they really are why I love what I do; I’m very lucky,” Lilli says.

“Patronage at Effloresce most definitely sky-rocketed immediately afterwards but, sadly, I couldn’t keep up the demand — it takes days for me to single-handedly hand roll all the pastry folds, which leaves no time to make any other cakes. So, I’ve taken a break from the vanilla slices at this stage, but it won’t bet forever!”

“What I love most about baking is the joy it brings to my customers. The feedback I get gives me the most incredible feeling, and it makes me so excited to create something that people look forward to every week. It’s really special to me and I feel very lucky for the incredible support that I have within the community.”

Lilli’s favourite creations are her mousse cakes. “I love creating different textures, adding new elements such as caramelised white chocolate clusters or a jelly, and

Anzac Day

Lest We Forget

Background and History

25 APRIL is the national day of commemoration of Australia and New Zealand for victims of war and for recognition of the role of their armed forces. It marks the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.

ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces became known as ANZACs.

Anzac Day is a commemoration of the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli, Turkey on 25 April in 1915. When Great Britain declared war against Germany for its invasion of Belgium in 1914, Australia and New Zealand, as Dominions within the British Empire, regarded themselves automatically also at war.

At dawn on 25 April 1915, the first of approximately 70,000 soldiers from the Allies landed at Gallipoli. The objective was to drive through to Istanbul, take Turkey out of the war and to provide supplies to Russia in its fight against Germany. Out of these 70,000 soldiers, more than 20,000 were Australian and New Zealand soldiers. What had been planned as a bold stroke became a stalemate after the invading troops failed to reach their objective on the first day. For the next eight months they clung to the land they had captured, before eventually withdrawing at the end of 1915.

After both sides had suffered heavy casualties, the Allied forces were evacuated. It is estimated that 8,700 Australian and 2,700

New Zealanders were killed.

One year later, in 1916, the first anniversary of the landing was observed in Australia, New Zealand and England and by troops in Egypt. That year, 25 April was officially named ‘Anzac Day’ by the Acting Australian Prime Minister, George Pearce.

Today we speak of an ‘Anzac tradition’, meaning the ideals of courage, endurance and mateship that are still relevant to this day.

Early commemorations

In 1916 the first Anzac Day commemorations were held on 25 April. The day was marked by a wide variety of ceremonies and services across Australia, London, and Egypt. For the remaining years of the war Anzac Day was used as an occasion for patriotic rallies and recruiting campaigns, and parades of serving members of the AIF were held in most cities.

Later, Anzac Day also served to commemorate the lives of Australians who died in the Second World War, and in subsequent years the meaning of the day has been further broadened to include those who lost their lives in all the military and peacekeeping operations in which Australia has been involved.

Anzac Day was first

commemorated at the Memorial in 1942. At the time, government orders prohibited large public gatherings in case of a Japanese air attack, so it was a small occasion with neither a march nor a memorial service. Since then, Anzac Day has been commemorated at the Memorial every year.

The Dawn Service

It is often suggested that the Dawn Service observed on Anzac Day has its origins in a military routine still followed by the Australian Army.

The half-light of dawn was one of the times favoured for launching an attack. Soldiers in defensive positions were woken

in the dark before dawn, so by the time first light crept across the battlefield they were awake, alert, and manning their weapons; this is still known as the “stand-to”.

As dusk is equally favourable for battle, the stand-to was repeated at sunset.

The National Ceremony

At the Australian War Memorial the National Ceremony begins with the traditional order of service, including the veteran’s march, Commemorative Address, laying of wreaths, hymns, the sounding of the Last Post, and observance of one minute’s silence, and the national anthems of New Zealand and Australia.

5 facts about Anzac Day

In 1916, 25 April was officially named Anzac Day.

There is no town called “Gallipoli” however, it is the name of the area...

The site where the Anzac’s landed at Gallipoli was renamed Anzac Cove.

The Anzacs were all volunteers.

The first dawn service for Anzac Day was in 1923.

Lest We Forget

AT the time you are reading this, I will be at Gallipoli, spending a few days outside tomorrow’s official ceremonies to visit a few of our fallen locals.

As we approach this day, we should all remember the men and women who have served in all theatres of war, and particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice and survived but carried the scars of their service.

One of the challenges is that outside our own families, it is difficult to comprehend the scale of loss that was experienced as they are names on honour boards.

Hence, in this column, I would like to introduce you to some of the men who fell at Gallipoli and whose graves I am currently visiting. I’m able to visit due to the outstanding work of the volunteers at the East Gippsland Family History Group. They are a group of dedicated local historians who have done some incredible work in researching the stories of our servicemen and women.

The first two are Basil Hooper and Vern Brookes, both with Orbost connections. It is doubtful they knew each other pre-war as they had separate upbringings, but would have almost certainly known each other heading to battle.

Vern was originally from Ballarat and had been teaching at Wangrabelle school and rode to Orbost to enlist. Basil was born in Orbost, but was working on a farm in Mooroopna with his brother Will when war broke.

However, both were assigned to the 7th Battalion and were both on board the Hororata, sailing to Egypt for training before heading to Gallipoli.

The 7th Battalion was in the second landing party on that fateful morning of April 25. By the time it was called into action, the Turks were ready as any element of surprise was gone.

Vern was shot in the landing boat and never made it to shore, while Basil made it to shore, but was one of the many cut down on the beach. His brother Will was also later killed in France, and their sister, Katherine Smith, of Bairnsdale, was awarded a memorial plaque.

They are both buried at the No.2 Outpost Cemetery. Basil has his own grave, and Vern a Special Memorial headstone, meaning he’s buried in that cemetery, but the exact location is unknown.

Thomas Bell, from Lakes Entrance, was a telephonist by trade and therefore it was no surprise he was a signaller in wartime. He too was on the Hororata, but unlike Vern and Basil was in the 6th Battalion.

Thomas made it ashore but was also killed in the heavy fighting of April 25 and is buried at the Lone Pine Cemetery. His brother Algernon was later killed at Fromelles in July 1916, and his cousin William Bell was killed in 1917 in France also.

Thomas Haylock was a 30 year-old fisherman from Raymond Island and, being a member of the 21st Battalion, was sent to Gallipoli as a reinforcement.

The ship he was travelling on was torpedoed by a German submarine forcing the crew to take to the rescue boats, many which overturned.

The survivors arrived on September 7, but sadly Thomas was killed on October 12, leaving a widow he married before embarking. He is buried at Shrapnel Gully Cemetery.

They are just four of an extraordinary number of East Gippslanders who rest on the shores of Gallipoli.

Try and make it to your local service tomorrow to pay your respects.

Lest We Forget

Tim Bull, wreath laying at Gallipoli

GEM movie review

DAMSEL

NETFLIX'S Damsel takes the classic damsel-in-distress trope and throws it head-first into a dragon's lair. Led by the ever-feisty Millie Bobby Brown, the film boasts a feminist twist and stunning visuals, but struggles to fully balance humour, action, and social commentary.

Brown shines as Elodie, a princess-to-be who discovers with horror that her seemingly charming marriage proposal is a ruse. She's meant as a sacrifice to a fire-breathing dragon, appeasement for an ancient debt. Thrown into a cavern with the beast, Elodie must rely on her wit and resourcefulness to survive.

The film's greatest strength

Movie Reviewer

CHALLENGERS

LUCA Guadagnino's Challengers serves up a potent cocktail of athletic tension, psychological intrigue, and scorching romance. Zendaya shines as Tashi, a former tennis prodigy haunted by past failures, who finds herself drawn back to the court for a high-stakes match against her estranged best friend, Dario (Josh O'Connor). The catalyst? A mysterious benefactor, Art (Mike Faist), who offers to coach Tashi and reignite her career — with a twist. Art's true motives become entangled in a web of unresolved feelings and unspoken desires, transforming the upcoming tournament into a battleground for love, ambition, and self-discovery.

The film excels in its portrayal of the emotional weight that professional sports can carry. Guadagnino masterfully captures the gruelling physicality of tennis, the roar of the crowd

LOTS OF FUN FOR A CASUAL MOVIE NIGHT

lies in its subversion of expectations. Elodie is no wilting flower. She's resourceful, quick-thinking, and fiercely independent. The script, however, falters in its attempts at humour. Jokes often land flat, particularly when delivered by the dragon, voiced with surprising monotony by Shohreh Aghdashloo.

The dragon itself is a marvel of CGI, its scales shimmering and its roars echoing with menace. However, the creature's motivations remain frustratingly opaque. Is it simply a monstrous guardian, or something more? The film never quite decides.

Visually, Damsel is a treat. The production design by Patrick Tatopoulos is breathtaking, creating a world that feels both fantastical and grounded. The opulent palace, complete with hidden passageways and secret chambers, contrasts beautifully with the stark, cavernous lair. Costume designer Amanda Monk deserves praise as well, especially for Elodie's

transformation throughout the film — her initial, almost suffocating wedding gown a stark contrast to her later, battle-worn attire.

While the film champions female empowerment, its message gets muddled at times. The supporting cast, featuring Angela Bassett and Ray Winstone as the King and Queen, is criminally underused. Their roles offer intriguing possibilities for exploring themes of family, duty, and the cycle of violence, but these threads are left frustratingly dangling.

Damsel is a film with a lot of potential. It boasts a strong central performance, impressive visuals, and a story that flips the script on classic fairytales. However, the uneven humour and underdeveloped supporting characters hold it back from being truly great. It's an entertaining watch, particularly for fans of Millie Bobby Brown, but ultimately leaves you wanting a bit more bite.

RATING

A TENSE, EXCITING WATCH!

amplifying the pressure each player faces. The oncourt action is visceral and electrifying, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats as rallies unfold. However, Challengers transcends the realm of pure sports film. The real drama lies off the court, where the characters grapple with personal demons and long-suppressed resentments.

Zendaya delivers a captivating performance as Tashi. She embodies the vulnerability of a fallen star, desperate to reclaim her glory, while hinting at a steely determination lurking beneath the surface. The chemistry between her and O'Connor is palpable, their past friendship laced with a hint of lingering affection that adds another layer of complexity to the narrative. Faist brings a captivating ambiguity to Art, his charisma tinged with a touch of menace. The interplay between these three characters keeps the audience guessing, constantly questioning their motivations and loyalties.

Guadagnino's signature visual style is on full display. The film boasts a sleek and stylish aesthetic, with the opulent world of professional tennis serving as a backdrop

Let's Never Speak of This Again Written by Megan

Williams

Afor the characters' emotional turmoil. The soundtrack, featuring music by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, perfectly complements the film's tense atmosphere, building crescendos during matches and underscoring the emotional turmoil brewing beneath the surface.

Challengers does have its shortcomings. The non-linear narrative, while initially intriguing, can feel disjointed at times. Certain plot details remain underdeveloped, leaving some unanswered questions by the film's conclusion. However, these minor flaws do not detract from the film's overall impact. Ultimately, "Challengers" is a gripping exploration of ambition, betrayal, and the intoxicating allure of second chances. It's a film that will resonate with fans of both sports dramas and character-driven narratives. With its stellar performances, captivating visuals, and thought-provoking story, "Challengers" is a winning match point for Guadagnino and a must-watch for anyone seeking a film that's both exhilarating and emotionally resonant.

debut novel by Brisbane based author, Megan Williams and the 2022 winner of the Text Prize for Young Adult & Children’s Writing. ‘Let’s Never Speak of This Again’ is shortlisted in the Young Adult category for the 2024 Children’s Book Council of Australia book awards.

Reading this book is like seeing through the mind of a 16-year-old girl. The book is based around Abby, who lives with her sometimes dysfunctional family, enjoys hanging out with her small, close group of friends and does OK at school. Her main angst is her hair, which she thinks is uncontrollable frizz. She thinks she should be more concerned about more important things, such as climate change and human rights, but in reality, spends more time googling different hair products which promise to tame her frizz. What worries her more than her frizz is a gut reaction she has where she wishes bad luck or disappointment on someone she loves. Abby refers to this as her ‘sick and twisted mind’. She feels guilty for thinking such thoughts and tries to assure herself that everyone must get these thoughts, but they just don’t talk about it. Abby wonders if this is her ‘true self’. That one day her friends might

find out she is not such a nice person after all. A new girl joins their school and Abby is keen to show her around and introduce her to her friends. The new girl starts to develop a close friendship with Abby’s bestie, Ella. Abby and Ella have been best friends since grade 1 and now Ella is becoming distant. Something terrible happens to Ella and Abby thinks it could be all her fault, as she wished something bad would happen to her. This novel navigates life as a 16-year-old teenager in this real-life story based on relationship issues, family, friends, school, sport, sexuality, consent and a rollercoaster of emotions. Megan’s writing style flows easily and would be good for reluctant readers. It’s written in subheadings, like a diary, rather than longer chapters, so it is easy to stop and start reading.

Suitable for ages 14 upwards. Teacher notes are available on our webpage www. schoolworkssupplies.com.au

Jason Cherry

Jason Cherry

book review

Book review by Charlotte Tiffin, Schoolworks Supplies

GEMSKids PACE

1. WHAT DID ONE HAT SAY TO THE OTHER? YOU WAIT HERE — I'LL GO ON AHEAD!

2. WHY DON'T THE CIRCUS LIONS EAT THE CLOWNS? BECAUSE THEY TASTE FUNNY!

3. WHAT DID THE PIRATE SAY WHEN HE TURNED 80? "AYE MATEY."

4. WHY DID AN OLD MAN FALL IN A WELL? BECAUSE HE COULDN’T SEE THAT WELL!

5. WHAT’S RED AND SMELLS LIKE BLUE PAINT? RED PAINT! 6. WHY COULDN'T THE SKELETON GO TO SCHOOL? HIS HEART JUST WASN’T IN IT. 7. WHAT DID ONE PLATE SAY TO THE OTHER? DINNER IS ON ME! 8. WHY DID THE PONY GET SENT TO HIS ROOM? HE WOULDN’T STOP HORSING AROUND!

9. WHERE DO COWS GO ON FRIDAY NIGHTS? THEY GO TO THE MOO-VIES!

10. WHY CAN’T A LEOPARD HIDE? BECAUSE HE’S ALWAYS SPOTTED!

April 26th: 1788: The first European settlers, led by Captain Arthur Phillip, landed at Botany Bay, New South Wales, marking the beginning of British colonization in Australia.

April 27th: 1904: The Australian Labor Party won the federal election, forming the first majority government in the newly formed Australian Parliament.

April 28th: 1996: The Port Arthur massacre occurred in Tasmania, where 35 people were killed and 23 others were wounded by a lone gunman, leading to significant changes in Australia's gun laws.

April 29th: 1770: Captain James Cook first sighted the east coast of Australia, near Point Hicks in present-day Victoria, during his voyage aboard the HMS Endeavour.

April 30th: 1901: The inauguration of the Parliament of Australia took place in Melbourne, marking the commencement of the Commonwealth of Australia.

May 1st: 1942: The Battle of the Coral Sea began during World War II, where Australian and American naval forces engaged Japanese forces in a significant naval battle in the Pacific theater.

May 2nd: 1788: The first official European settlement in Australia was established at Sydney Cove, now known as Sydney, by Captain Arthur Phillip and the First Fleet.

May 3rd: 1802: Captain Matthew Flinders became the first known person to circumnavigate Australia, completing his journey aboard the HMS Investigator.

May 4th: 1880: The death of Australian outlaw and folk hero, Ned Kelly, occurred after his capture following the infamous Glenrowan shootout in Victoria.

May 5th: 1987: The Australian government formally announced the establishment of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, aiming to investigate the circumstances surrounding Indigenous deaths in custody.

May 6th: 1856: The Eureka Rebellion occurred in Ballarat, Victoria, as gold miners revolted against the colonial government's oppressive mining license system, resulting in a significant moment in Australian history for democratic rights.

May 7th: 1915: The sinking of the RMS Lusitania by a German submarine during World War I prompted anti-German riots in Broken Hill, New South Wales, leading to the only enemy attack on Australian soil during the war.

May 8th: 1942: The Japanese began their bombing raids on Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory, marking the beginning of a series of air raids during World War II. May 9th: 1901: The Australian Parliament passed the Immigration Restriction Act, which established the White Australia Policy, aimed at restricting immigration to only those of European descent.

Nagle College: A thrilling adventure at Karoonda Park Gelantipy

IN an exhilarating shift from tradition, this year's Year 8 camp traded the familiar landscapes of Banksia Peninsula for the rugged terrain of Karoonda Park Gelantipy. This bold move aimed to challenge students further afield, providing them with an array of new experiences and opportunities for personal growth.

The relocation not only changed the scenery but also elevated the level of activities, designed to test the students' limits while fostering essential skills, resilience, and camaraderie. From horse riding to abseiling, flying fox adventures to orienteering excursions, the camp offered a diverse range of challenges to suit every taste.

with nothing but a map and compass, students navigated through rugged terrain, collecting letter markers that eventually spelled out words. This exercise not only tested their navigation skills

zones. The opportunity to repeat activities, such as the exhilarating flying fox, was particularly well-received, allowing students to conquer fears and build confidence. However, it wasn't just about individual achievements; the sense of community thrived throughout the camp. In the mess hall, students bonded over shared tasks and responsibilities, contributing to the overall enjoyment of the camp experience.

One standout activity was the orienteering walk, a demanding 3-kilometre trek up Dingo Hill. Armed

OWNING a cat can bring unconditional love and companionship to your life. Having a feline friend can also bring health benefits, helping to relieve stress and improve your heart health.

Owning a cat

Owning a cat can be an extremely rewarding relationship. A cat has the ability to both calm you and provide an immediate outlet for fun and play. Although cats are independent animals they are also very affectionate with their owners and people they trust. Any cat owner will tell you just how much their furry friend helps them to relax and unwind.

Why cats make great pets

The versatility of cat ownership is one reason why so many people enjoy feline companionship. Cats make great pets whether you live in a big house or tiny apartment, and they provide all the fun and play of larger animal companions.

If you’re thinking of owning a cat, these are some of the key benefits: Cats are low maintenance. Cats’ most alluring quality is that they are lower maintenance. They are also perfect for apartments or city living. They don’t need lots of space to play and explore.

but also emphasized the importance of teamwork and perseverance in the face of uphill challenges. Feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing enthusiasm for trying new activities and pushing themselves beyond their comfort

One heartwarming tradition that has emerged from the camp is the planting of a tree to help regenerate areas affected by bushfires. This act of environmental stewardship has become a symbol of each school's commitment to giving back to the land that hosts them. This year, two outstanding students were selected to undertake this

honour, recognising their exemplary participation and dedication to the camp's values.

With two camps held across the week, Year 8 students had ample opportunity to immerse themselves in this unforgettable adventure,

The joys of owning

They’re quiet. Cats tend to meow when they’re hungry, but you rarely have to worry about being woken up or distracted from a task by a cat begging for attention. This makes them an ideal pet. They’re independent. A cat will be there for you when you need them but they’re also perfectly adept at entertaining themselves. Most don’t need constant attention. They have long life spans.

Their longer lifespans mean you’ll get to have more time with them — up to 20 years, in fact.

How to care for your cat

Although cats are more independent than many other pets, owning one is still a major commitment. They need a devoted owner to keep them as happy and healthy as possible. Cats need:

A fresh litter box. Most house cats are indoor cats, which

forging lasting memories and friendships along the way. As they returned home, beaming and smiling, it was clear that the Year 8 camp at Karoonda Park Gelantipy had left an indelible mark on their hearts and minds, preparing them for the challenges that lie ahead.

a cat

means you will need a litter box. A litter box is convenient, but needs to be cleaned every day to avoid unpleasant odours.

Consistent grooming. Although a cat might not need the same amount of grooming as a dog, it still takes work to prevent your house from turning into one big hairball. A weekly cleaning is usually enough, and you can find easyto-use cat grooming tools at

most pet stores. A scratch pole. Many cats have a tendency to scratch and paw at drapes, furniture, and just about anything else that takes their fancy. Investing in a scratch pole or post will not only provide your cat with the scratching outlet they need, but also save you lots of money and frustration.

A well-balanced diet. Work with your vet to ensure your feline is getting a nutritional

diet. Avoid overfeeding that can lead to obesity and other serious health issues. Also, be sure to keep their food and water bowls far away from their litter box to prevent any risk of contamination.

A safe environment. Cats are small, delicate animals that do well living mostly indoors. Although many cats love to roam free outside, other predatory animals and traffic, for example, can threaten their safety. How to choose the cat that’s best for you Do your research first, and then choose your cat from a reputable breeder, shelter, or rescue group.

Things to keep in mind while choosing a cat: Kitten or an adult? Kittens are able to adapt quickly to their surroundings, but will need house training and much more attention than an adult cat. An older cat might be a wise choice if you have a strict work schedule and don’t have time to fully care for a kitten. Health concerns. A healthy kitten or cat will have bright eyes and a shiny fur coat. Personality and disposition. Just like people, cats can vary in their personality and character traits. Look for one that seems to be a good fit with you and your lifestyle.

Practical pointers about protein

FOR optimal heart health, pay more attention to the quality of your protein sources rather than the quantity.

Popular diets often encourage people to cut back on carbs or eat less fat. When it comes to protein, however, advice about the ideal daily amount has been mixed.

People who take weight-loss drugs and people with kidney disease — many of whom also have

cardiovascular disease — may need to track their protein intake more closely. But in general, it’s more important to focus on the source of your protein than worry about the quantity.

Why quality matters

Even if you include animal-based protein sources like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products in your diet, it’s increasingly clear that an eating pattern that features plenty of

plant-based protein is superior for cardiovascular health. That’s because beans, nuts, and seeds are high in fibre, unsaturated fats, and other nutrients closely linked to a lower risk of heart disease.

To keep your heart healthy, experts recommend limiting protein sources that are high in saturated fat (such as processed and red meat), which raise harmful LDL cholesterol. Chicken and turkey are healthier

choices. But fatty fish like salmon and tuna, which contain heartprotecting omega-3 fats, are an even better option. Eating an egg a day doesn’t seem to affect heart disease risk. That’s also the case for full-fat dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, although limit yourself to one or two servings a day. A simple take home tip Include some protein in every single meal and snack. Aim for roughly

equal amounts of protein and carbohydrate, such as half an apple and a handful of mixed nuts, crackers and cheese, or hummus and carrots. Wondering how to get more plantbased protein in your diet? Baked tofu (which is firmer and more flavourful than plain tofu) and tempeh (a fermented soy product) are easy to add to salads or stir-fries in place of meat. Try different veggie burgers to find one you like.

World Asthma Day

WORLD Asthma

Day (WAD) is on May 7, 2024 and is organised by the Global Initiative for Asthma, (GINA) (www.ginasthma.org), a World Health Organization collaborative organization founded in 1993. WAD is held each May to raise awareness of Asthma worldwide.

In celebration of World Asthma Day 2024, the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) has selected the theme of “Asthma Education Empowers”. GINA emphasizes the need to empower people with asthma with the appropriate education to manage their disease, and to recognise when to seek medical help. Health care professionals are called upon to increase their awareness of the continuing avoidable morbidity and mortality from asthma, and the published evidence on effective management of asthma, so they are equipped to provide reliable information and optimal treatment for their patients.

Asthma is one of the most common chronic noncommunicable diseases that affects over 260 million people and is responsible for over 450000 deaths each year worldwide, most of which are preventable. In lowmiddle-income countries, lack of availability of inhaled medicines and especially inhaled corticosteroidcontaining inhalers is a major contributor to the fact that more than 90 per cent of asthma deaths occur in these countries.

Policy makers and pharmaceutical industry are called upon to increase their awareness of the continuing preventable morbidity associated with this common disease in spite of the existence of highly effective controller treatments, and to increase their efforts to ensure that environmentally friendly inhaled medications are made available in all countries, “leaving no-one behind”.

Fast-tracking more homes for more Victorians

THE Allan Labor Government is getting on and delivering homes where they are needed — with planning now approved for hundreds of new social, affordable and market homes near the heart of Melbourne. Minister for Housing Harriet Shing this month announced the Government has fast-tracked the approval of more than 500 new homes at Simmons Street in South Yarra. The 522 new homes are the first new homes to get underway as part of the Ground Lease Model 2 and will be delivered across multiple apartment buildings.

The new one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes will be modern and energy efficient — meaning residents will be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer,

while also saving on power bills.

The redevelopment will deliver a 34 per cent increase in social housing on the site and will also feature communal gardens, recreational rooms, playgrounds, cafés, and gym facilities. There will also be 18 Specialist Disability Accommodation dwellings for people with high physical support needs.

The Government’s nationleading Housing Statement reforms are creating the conditions for 800,000 new homes to be built over the next decade, where people want to live — close to transport, schools and jobs. This project delivers on this, being well connected to public transport and giving residents easy access to services, schools and jobs close by and across Melbourne.

racing & sport

Paris 2024 Olympic flame handover ceremony

ON Friday 26 April, the Olympic flame for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 will be officially handed over to a delegation from the Paris 2024 Organising Committee during a symbolic ceremony in Athens, Greece.

The handover ceremony will take place at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, Greece. Following the handover, the flame will spend the night at the French Embassy in Athens, before boarding the three-masted ship Belem the following day to head for Marseille, France, where it will arrive on 8 May.

The flame will then travel across France and visit overseas departments and regions of France before arriving in Paris for the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games on 26 July! What is the Olympic flame handover ceremony?

The Olympic flame handover ceremony is just what it sounds like!

In a ceremony held at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens (the site where the modern Olympics were first opened in 1896), the Olympic flame is passed to a delegation representing the country that will host the Games—for 2024, this is of course France.

This ceremony marks the end of the 11-day Olympic Torch Relay through Greece, which began on 16 April as the flame for Paris 2024 was lit in a ceremony at the archaeological site of Olympia: the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games.

After the flame enters the stadium, the last torchbearer (Tokyo 2020 water polo silver medallist Ioannis Fountoulis) will light a cauldron, from which the “high priestess” will light a final torch and pass it to

Committee of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This gesture marks the culmination of the 11-day relay across Greece, and at the same time the beginning of the countdown to the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on 26 July, 2024.

O’Brien slams “mean and stingy” Government on power payments

TThe project is being delivered as part of the Allan Labor Government’s landmark $5.3 billion Big Housing Build which has delivered 436 new homes with a further 677 homes under construction across the City of Stonnington. Across the state, the Albanese Government is working to ensure more Victorians have a safe and affordable place to call home. In January, applications opened for the first round of funding for social and affordable homes under the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund and the National Housing Accord.

The Federal Government has already delivered almost $500 million to Victoria through the Social Housing Accelerator, which will help to build up to 769 new social homes across the state.

HE Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien has slammed the Allan Labor Government for its “mean and stingy” approach to supporting businesses affected by recent power outages.

Mr O’Brien has been working with a number of home-based businesses in the Mirboo North area who have been seeking access to the business component of the Prolonged Power Outage Payment (PPOP).

“While some home-based businesses received the full business payment of $2,927 early on, I have now been advised by the Government that about a dozen further home-based businesses will be rejected after the criteria was evidently tightened.

“The Government says to receive the payment businesses must have a specific business electricity

account. How many home-based businesses would bother having a separate business electricity account?

“This is mean pennypinching from a State Government that can’t manage money, has blown the budget and it’s now Victorians who are suffering.

“The difference between the residential payment and business component is about $1000 – nothing to the government, but substantial for home-based micro-businesses.

Approving the small number of home-based businesses who were without power for more than seven days state-wide would be lucky to cost the government $20,000 in total. Yet every day, millions are wasted on cost over-runs on Labor’s city mega-projects.

“We were already critical of the Government’s

criteria that homes had to be without power for at least seven days before any payments could be made.

“To find out that homebased businesses who lost considerable earnings when their power was out for more than a week are not going to be eligible for the business component is simply atrocious.

“These are predominately young mums running businesses from home and it’s just not fair that they are being denied support. These are hairdressers, photographers, bookkeepers and similar businesses.

“I have written to the Minister for Energy demanding the Government review this criteria immediately and ensure that these businesses who were affected by the power outage actually do get compensation.”

the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Mr. Spyros Capralos, who in turn hands it to the Organising

PLENTY OF PEP IN PEPPINO

GRAND old Sale galloper, Peppino notched up his eleventh win with an extraordinary last to first sprint up the Pakenham straight. It was shades of Kiwi in his Melbourne Cup and reminiscent of that great Gippsland champ, Precious Robe. But the amazing thing about Peppino's victory is that he is a nineyear-old and was having his 105th start!

Jack and Debbie Walkley have got their veteran galloper back racing at his best after a few indifferent runs and probably why he started around

the 125 to one mark. Peppino doesn't read form guides though and couldn’t have cared less that he knocked 99 per cent of punters out of the quaddie. He will be the pin up boy for three lucky enough to have included him with the quaddie paying a whopping $74 thousand.

Peppino has had an amazing journey. He was sacked by his first trainer after 24 starts without winning his maiden. Even with Jack and Debbie it took him 17 starts to win a race at Woolamai, but he has now also won at Moe, Cranbourne and Pakenham. It is Stoney Creek

though where he really excels and where he has won four races. All of Peppino's eight wins for the Walkleys have been over 1600 metres.

Where Gippsland's favourite old timer goes next is unsure, but there will be certainly a few more wary punters not game enough to leave him out of the quaddie.

Bairnsdale wrapped up its racing season with a very competitive Monday meeting. Riding honours went to the girls with five of the eight winners including doubles to Jackie Berriman and apprentice

Lauren Burke. Evergreen rider and Bairnsdale specialist, Sally Wynne completed the set of five with a $26 winner, Saufiana for Sale trainer, Adam Hanley. That made it 57 winners for Super Sal on the Bairnsdale track. That is legendary.

Lachie King kicked off the day with a winner and the brothers Cartwright, Luke and Matthew won the last two races.

Jackie Berriman's two winners, Zapurple Groove and Superset were for Cranbourne trainer, Shawn Mathrick and were both well supported, tens into sixes and sixes

in to fours. Shawn is an astute trainer who does a great job with a small team.

Only a bit over a length from Superset was the locally trained Shooter McGavin who was a little unlucky. With the winner drifting out and another runner laying in on him, Shooter was cramped for room for most of the straight. Trainer, Jackson Pallot will have him cherry ripe for his next run, likely to be at Sale over 1500 on May 5th.

Hopefully we get a local winner before Bairnsdale goes into hibernation for the winter months.

Peppino ridden by Teo Nugent wins the G'Day Ink Tattoo Studio Pakenham Handicap at Pakenham on April 18, 2024.Picture: Morgan Hancock/ Racing Photos

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