Volume 37, Wednesday 4 October 2023

Wether win for Scottsdale handlers

“Tornado” winds whip up Flinders fire emergency

BY RACHEL WILLIAMS

CONSISTENT RAIN across the NorthEast on Tuesday morning helped ease the bushfire threat placing communities on Flinders Island in danger, after two days of scary conditions.

Flinders Island Mayor Rachel Summers

said a caravan and shipping container had been destroyed but no homes had been impacted by the fire. A number of power poles were burnt, leaving some residents without power.

As we went to print, there was a Bushfire Advice message to monitor conditions at West End Rd, Boat Harbour Rd and the

communities of Pine Scrub and Leeka on the north-west end of the island, with a fire burning in the Mt Tanner Nature Recreation Area.

Another bushfire at Palana was being monitored by the TFS.

At its worst there was an Emergency warning in place for residents to evacuate,

with Killiecrankie also receiving a Watch and Act alert as the threat closed in.

Cr Summers said the fire started when wind conditions on Sunday whipped up a previously lit fuel reduction burn.

“It just hit so suddenly – there were mini

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WE SERVE

20 Years Ago – October 8, 2003

CWA Celebrates 65 Years

On Thursday October 2, members of the CWA group came together for a special 65-year reunion. The group was formed in 1938 and meetings were held in the Bridport Hall. As membership grew, the North Scottsdale School was purchased for £50 and was transferred to Bridport where it became the CWA hall which is still used by a number of community groups as well as the CWA. Currently there are more than 40 members.

40 Years Ago – October 6, 1983

Branxholm Centenary an outstanding success

Branxholm is steadily recovering from the weekend of celebrations that marked the town’s 100th birthday and were an outstanding success. Visitors were present from many parts of the state, and former member of the Chinese community who pioneered tin mining, Mr. Bill Moy (90) of Western Australia, was made an honorary citizen of Branxholm. People of the district came to hear the Rosny Children’s Choir sing. A community luncheon preceded the unveiling of the plaque at the swimming pool playground, and 600 gas-filled balloons were released to mark the occasion.

60 Years Ago – October 8, 1963 Presbyterian Church Fair

The fair held in the Mechanics’ Hall, Scottsdale, last Thursday and organised by the Presbyterian Church, was an outstanding success with £230 being raised. It was obvious that much thought had gone into the arranging of stalls and the hall was packed with patrons almost all afternoon. Proceeds of the fair will go to Church funds and help to provide a new kitchen in the Sunday School Hall.

Members of the newly formed Thistle Club contributed to the success of the fair and provided an assortment of wares for their stall.

Letters must be short and preference will be given to letters of 250 words or less. Letters may be edited or not printed for space, clarity or legal reasons. Names, addresses and telephone numbers must be included. Unsigned letters or those with pen names will not be published.

THE GOVERNANCE OF TASMANIA

In Tasmania with population 541,071 (Sept 2020) there are 29 different Councils comprising 29 Mayors, 29 General Managers, 29plus planning officers, engineers (if you can get them) and supporting staff.

There is an overuse of consultants and legal representatives that is costing ratepayers a fortune.

There is currently a review of local government.

Who is going to make the tough decisions to realise that we are over governed?

In the ACT with a population of 472,000 (2023) there is one government with a local government branch responsibility for roads, waste collection, transport and city services, environment planning

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tornadoes of wind up the street and the wind was just howling,” Cr Summers said.

“We have been worried about family and friends and the volunteers who have left work to go and help fight the fires and we were very relieved when the rain arrived.

“It was scary because West End and Leeka are one way in and one way out

and health.

In Tasmania, during election time, candidates who are willing to represent their community because they believe that they have the intelligence and background experience to contribute to the issues put themselves forward.

They present their credentials to their constituents. As soon as they are elected, they become controlled by the Local Government Act, the Mayor and the General Manager.

Once elected, Councillors cannot speak about issues that they are familiar with unless they have the permission of the Mayor. It becomes the 'old guard' plus the General Manager vs the new elected Councillors who are told they have to have the numbers to vote on issues.

Councillors are told they are the policy

makers, and they are not to get involved in the operational side of Council. If any Councillor has more knowledge than the Council officers, outside consultants are brought in to refute their knowledge and if there is too much conflict it becomes a 'Code of Conduct'.

There needs to be a reduction in the number of Councils and a full review of their operation, however, there is also a danger in having super councils operated on four-year election terms.

There needs to be continuity and maybe we need to operate like the ACT.

It requires a government with the moral fibre to think outside the square. It is hoped that the Local Government Review Committee is able to bring about real change.

Wendy McLennan Dorset Councillor (2018-2022)

and fire crews had to actively defend houses.

“There were 27 to 30 people who evacuated and four decided to stay and defend their homes and thankfully there has been no loss of homes or lives.”

Containment lines were being constructed and waterbombing aircraft were being used to assist.

“I wouldn’t say we are out of risk

yet but it has eased significantly,” Cr Summers said late Tuesday.

“If the rain hangs around as it’s supposed to that would be great, but you never know what can happen.”

It’s another reminder about the importance of being prepared for a dangerous bushfire season. A community briefing will be held at Scottsdale High School on October 10, at 7pm.

Muir addition arrives safely

SPRINGFIELD’S DEYARNA and Matthew Muir have welcomed a new baby girl to the family.

Arriving safely and soundly on September 22, weighing 3.856kg, little Willow Violet is a baby sister for Mitchell, 13 and Lily, 8.

All are settling into a new routine, with Miss Willow reportedly sleeping well during the night.

• Deyarna and Matthew Muir pictured with Mitchell, 13, Lily, 8, and newborn Willow Violet.

Fun is only just beginning at Lilydale

THE LILYDALE District Progress Association has sought a playground for decades and it has finally come to fruition.

LDPA President Tony Naar said the project was largely thanks to the initiative of a group of local mothers, led by Daisy Barnett, with the support of City of Launceston Councillors Andrew Palmer and Danny Gibson.

The facility was declared open by Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood on Sunday.

“This marks a special milestone for the people of the Lilydale district,” Mr Naar said.

“Lilydale is a district that is experiencing rapid growth as young families take advantage of its relaxed, rural lifestyle and “Goldilocks” location just 20 minutes from Launceston.

“However, it has been a long time since Lilydale’s infrastructure has met the needs of its residents. In fact, the mothers of today’s young mothers have their own stories about unsuccessfully appealing for a playground for their children.”

A community grant from Hydro Tasmania to the Lilydale community expanded the budget to include seating.

The playground opening was attended by a number of Lilydale families, the Lions Club of Lilydale provided a sausage sizzle and there were balloons and face painting.

“The LDPA has already indicated that it is eager to work with the City of Launceston on “Stage 2” – to reopen the BBQ area at the rear of the pool and reconnect it with the new playground area and also to make the pool toilets available to playground users, even when the pool is closed,” Mr Naar said.

The ups and downs of Derby

VISITOR NUMBERS were picking up in Derby as a result of school holidays but forward bookings for accommodation and shuttle services are slightly down on previous seasons, Blue Derby Foundation Chair Chris Caffe said.

The impact of high interest rates was seen as the reason for the slight reduction in activity at the mountain bike town, which suffered through another bleak winter, he said.

“The forward bookings are solid and very positive but not quite as strong as last year and I think that is because of the interest rate rises and people don’t have as much money as they had before,” Mr Caffe said.

“A lot of interstate families are here which is encouraging because we have introduced more green trails for families,” he said.

“The trail crew has done a great job during the winter, sometimes working in appalling conditions to get everything refurbished – I think they are the best in the world.

“We have recently opened Dam Busters and they are still working on Blue Tier but that should be ready in late October, early November.”

With the increase in extra activity comes an increase in potential danger, with Tasmania Police responding to three serious crashes in the last week.

The first occurred on Friday where a man riding on ‘Air Ya Garn’ trail reported receiving

chest injuries from his crash and needed to be flown out by rescue helicopter.

Two separate calls for assistance were made within an hour on Saturday, with Police, five SES volunteers and two paramedics responding to calls from riders on the ‘Flickity Sticks Upper’ trail (a 56-year-old West Australian man) and then a 12-year-old Southern Tasmanian boy on ‘Kumma-Gutza’.

Police issued a reminder for riders to have a plan in the event that they are injured from a crash, to ensure someone knows where they are riding and when due back, to take a personal locator beacon or mobile phone and, if injured, to provide emergency services with an accurate location of where they are on the trail to expedite assistance.

“At the end of the day, mountain biking is inherently risky but it’s commonsense stuff that people should be doing, including riding within your ability, wearing a full helmet, gloves, knee pads and elbow pads,” Mr Caffe said.

“Most crashes are caused by fatigue when people come here and try to ride for three days straight which they don’t normally do.

“The emergency services and the local volunteers who have trained in emergency first aid look after everyone and do an amazing job.

“People should also know that there are a number of guides who can take you out and show you the pinch points.”

• Invited guests and local Lilydale community members, including committee members of the LDPA - Rudy Valentino, Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood, Freya Langford-Sidebottom, Dee Alford, Nick Duigan Windermere MLC, Launceston Deputy Mayor Hugh McKenzie, President of LDPA Tony Naar, Samira Parker, Daisy Barnett and son Tas, Moira Scott and other Lilydale locals. Pic: Kate Case.

Lulworth fire lighter violently bashes dad

A DRUG addicted son who viciously and repeatedly bashed his father at his Nabowla home, was the man responsible for a 2019 bushfire near Lulworth.

Jackson Cooper Cadman, 24, has pleaded guilty in Launceston Supreme Court to three charges relating to the assault of his 72-year-old father on September 18, 2022.

He was remanded in custody and will learn his fate tomorrow, Thursday October 5, when Judge Robert Pearce hands down his sentence for the crime.

Cadman admitted to the assault which included punching, kicking and stomping on his elderly father’s back.

The court heard he was under the influence of drugs when the incident occurred at Raymond Eric Cadman’s Nabowla Rd home.

There had been an incident the evening before when police were called to remove Jackson Cadman from the property.

Crown Prosecutor Felicity Radin outlined the 20-minute attack, which started on the veranda of the home, after his dad had collected him and driven him to the house from the LGH.

Jackson Cadman grabbed his dad around the throat in a headlock and started choking him and punched him 20-30 times in the attack.

“(Raymond) pleaded ‘I love you but you are killing me’ to which (Jackson) said ‘that’s what I intend to do’,” Ms Radin told the court.

Raymond Cadman crawled away from his son in an attempt to get to a neighbour’s house for help and he managed to flag down a passing car.

“He left his victim severely injured on the side of the road,” Ms Radin said.

“It was an unprovoked attack without any warning at a time he was trying to assist his son.”

Raymond Cadman was taken to the LGH by ambulance where he was kept for 11 nights, being treated for a subdural hematoma, multiple fractures to his ribs and vertebrae in his neck and lower back as well as abrasions from his head to his feet

Jackson Cadman was arrested in King St, Scottsdale.

The court also heard details about the deliberately lit fire in 2019, which Jackson Cadman was found guilty of by trial in the Supreme Court in late September. He is awaiting sentence for that crime too.

The fire started at Stony Head and resulted in a “Watch and Act” warning for residents in the area.

It burnt 500ha of privately owned and Crown Land and cost $170,000 in firefighting efforts.

Cadman’s lawyer outlined a heavy use of the drug methamphetamine and stated that he had a mild intellectual disability.

He has previously been admitted to a mental health institution when experiencing a drug-induced psychosis.

The court was told that Cadman’s father has been diagnosed with leukaemia with only months to live and was supportive of his son despite the attack.

“When his son is under the influence of methamphetamine he becomes someone else, not the man his father knows him to be,” Cadman’s lawyer said.

He will reappear in Hobart Supreme Court at 10am tomorrow.

Cadman was found guilty of unlawfully causing a large fire near Lulworth, setting fire to vegetation at Stony Head, which caused a large fire in the Lulworth area in November 2019.

On Sunday the 24th of November 2019 a 20 year old male from Mayfield was taken into custody in the Beechford area.

“Horrendous” and “disgusting” bestiality act

A BRANXHOLM man, who admitted to twice having sexual intercourse with a goat, had been sexually and physically abused as a teenager and was in dire need of therapeutic services to develop healthy sexual relationships, a Supreme Court Judge was told.

Jacob Heatlie Johnston, 21, pleaded guilty on Thursday September 28, to two counts of bestiality on June 10, 2022 and November 3, 2022.

Crown Prosecutor John Ransom told the court that the first offence took place in amenities block of the Centenary Park campground and involved a goat from a nearby animal farm.

A tourist saw a “tall man with black hoody” lead what he thought was a dog into the amenities at 2am.

“I heard a scream like I have never heard before,” the tourist said in evidence read to the court by Mr Ransom.

“It would stop and start for two to three minutes at a time.”

The tourist recalled at 4am seeing the animal run off – commenting at the time “f… me dead, it’s a goat!”

A Scottsdale vet was called to attend to the injured goat and prescribed anti-

inflammatories.

The second incident involved a pet goat on a family farm – the female owner woke to dogs barking at 1.30am but did not notice there had been an assault until 8.40am when she saw the injured goat walking oddly.

Swabs taken by the vet who was called to help found Johnston’s DNA.

The woman said her daughters had bottleraised the animal and were devastated that someone could hurt the animal so badly.

“The pain and suffering would have been horrendous – it is just so disgusting I can’t get my head around it,” she said in a Victim Impact Statement read to the court.

“They are absolutely devastated.

“We are fearful of what he could do to a person or other animals. As parents we don’t feel they are safe at home.”

Mr Ransom also outlined the “sheer embarrassment” they felt going out in public with people asking questions about the situation.

Mr Ransom has requested Johnston be put on the Community Protection Offender list for the rest of his life.

Defence lawyer Andrew Lonergan said that Johnston had an IQ that put him in

the bottom one per cent of the population and, combined with the use of drugs and alcohol, impacted his ability to exercise judgement.

Mr Lonergan said Johnston was born in NSW and his mother died of breast cancer shortly afterwards, leaving him in foster care before he moved to Scottsdale to live with his paternal grandmother.

“At 14 he befriended an older man…took up an offer of accommodation with him and he was exposed to extremely abusive behaviour – verbal, physical and sexual abuse,” he said.

Since he was 19 he has lived alone in a motorhome in the bush on his father’s property.

Mr Lonergan said Johnston had lost employment and friends after the incident.

A doctor’s report was presented to Judge Robert Pearce, outlining a mild intellectual disability.

“He maintains that he is not sexually interested in animals generally,” Mr Lonergan said.

“It was a spur of the moment decision influenced by intoxication.”

Mr Lonergan argued that prison would “extinguish any prospect of rehabilitation”

and said Johnston had indicated a willingness to engage in counselling.

Mr Pearce ordered a pre-sentence report and bailed Johnston to reappear on October 26 at 4.15

• Jacob Heatlie Johnston entering the Launceston Supreme Court where he will face sentencing for bestiality on October 26.

Heritage Day success at Springfield

THE MCCALLUM family held a successful Heritage Day last Thursday, with almost 300 people coming from across the north of the state to experience the Amish way of life.

Bethany McCallum said home school groups came to enjoy 20 different activities spread across 11 stations.

Guests were able to witness and take part in activities including shearing, spinning, knot tying, milking a cow, bullock displays, woodchopping, sewing, cheese, bread, ice cream and soap making, butter churning and farriering.

“Everything was done in a heritage

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manner and the children were able to have a go at everything,” she said.

“It was a really fun day and we finished with a strings concert in the afternoon in the Old Sunday School from St Pauls as well as our home-baked apple pie which everyone enjoyed with the ice cream they made during the day.”

Mrs McCallum said she was thrilled to see the event grow, after an inaugural day two years ago attracted 100 people from the home schooling community.

“I’d love to open it up to everybody next time but we need to take small steps,” she said.

The Board of Reconciliation Tasmania humbly asks Tasmanians to vote with their heart on October 14.

We believe the modest request from First Nations peoples as expressed in the Uluru Statement from the Heart will:

Enrich us all as we recognise 65,000 years of culture and history on these lands;

Empower First Nations people to have a say in decisions that directly affect them;

Unite Australia as it walks together for a better, stronger future.

In this historic referendum, we can choose to improve life for many First Australians who continue to be unrepresented and disadvantaged in their own country.

Please don’t let this once-in-a-generation opportunity pass us by. With respect, Reconciliation Tasmania Co-Chairs

Clair Andersen and Beth Gilligan.

[Authorised by M. Redmond, 1 College St, Sandy Bay.]

• Abby McCallum showing Violet Austin from Launceston the art of sewing on the pedal sew machine.

• Ann Gschwendtner from Tayene displaying her spinning skills.

• Baking bread rolls with Di Lette from Springfield.

• Vaughan Kettle from Scottsdale showing his axeman ability.

• Enjoying a buggy ride on the day with Michael McDonald from Launceston.

Photos by - Sarah Kirton, Momento Photography.

Sloyd system for Scottsdale High?

HISTORY REMEMBERED

SCOTTSDALE HIGH School opened in 1922, and was warmly welcomed and appreciated by the local community.

In 1928 the Principal, Carl Morris, recognised the people supporting the school, particularly the active Parents’ Association. Building work on the school had been very satisfactory, and all that was now needed was a shelter shed, science room, and a sewerage system!

Some members of the Parents’ Association asked the Education Department for the establishment of a Sloyd system at the school.

Sloyd is a handcraft-based system of teaching, mainly woodwork, originating in Finland in 1865 which spread worldwide.

Walter Biggs suggested that skilled work was a national asset, while unskilled work was a liability. Locals identified that the Scottsdale community was essentially agricultural, so technical skills were essential.

In 1928 the State Education Department showed little enthusiasm for supporting Sloyd at Scottsdale.

They replied that Sloyd classes were already running in Hobart and Launceston and further extensions to other schools would be beyond their finances.

• 'Pikey' Farrell threading a pipe at the School Farm in the 1940s.

They did however, pleasingly, report that plans were ready, and tenders would soon be called, for the sewerage system.

Scottsdale High School had previously set up agricultural and forestry areas, and the work of the school was being recognised across the State.

In 1929, the school purchased what is now the 66-acre Stronach View Campus for the school farm, which has been operating continuously since that time.

The institution has brought great credit and benefit to the Dorset region now for almost 100 years. It is a significant local asset.

The North-Eastern Advertiser is working with the Dorset Tasmania History Society to publish historical articles so that our history, in stories and images, is not lost.

Swim and Survive at Scottsdale Aquatic Centre

DORSET COUNCIL has launched a new learn to swim program in partnership with Royal Lifesaving Tasmania.

Scottsdale Aquatic Centre Manager Jane Kilburn said the outcome was in response to community demand for greater accessibility to local swimming and water safety programs.

The partnership with Royal Lifesaving Tasmania will see “Swim and Survive” as the new swimming and water safety education program.

Ms Kilburn said it would be a fun and dynamic program that focuses on the development of swimming, personal survival, basic rescue and lifesaving skills.

“Swim and Survive offers a learn to swim journey starting with water familiarisation and enjoyment for infants and toddlers aged 6 months to 3 years in ‘Little Wonders’, transitioning to independent participation and developing foundation skills for pre-schoolers aged three to five years, and finally extending to developing more challenging skills with a focus on increasing endurance and complexity for primary schoolers, teenagers and beyond!,” she said.

Adult classes will also be offered on a group basis.

“Learning how to swim is an

essential and potentially lifesaving life skill. Swimming lessons teach awareness in and around the water and help to prevent accidents by teaching water safety skills and building confidence. A foundation is built for a lifetime of enjoyment of water-based sports and leisure activities.

“This summer is set to be a warm one, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting higher than average temperatures from September into early 2024 - what better time to be in the pool.”

Ticket to Play is being offered, which provides two vouchers worth up to $100 each towards club membership fees for children aged 5-18 years who are listed on a Services Australia Health Care, Pensioner Concession Card or who are in Out of Home Care.

SWIMMING LESSONS OFFERED:

Little wonders: 6 months to 3 years, commencing January 8. Parents and carers must be in the water with their child.

Preschool, primary school and secondary school: 4 -14 years. A six-week lesson block (starting November 13 or February 12) and a 10-day intensive (daily lessons) starting January 8.

The facility will be closed to other users during lesson times.

Wether win for Scottsdale handlers

T FROM PAGE 1.

SCOTTSDALE HIGH School’s successful Food and Fibre Agriculture Program can lay claim to a new State title.

Students are celebrating being crowned Grand Champion at the inaugural Tasmanian Merino Wether Challenge, held at Campbell Town last week.

The school was given six Merino sheep from Roger Bignell and Sons’ breeding stock at Waterhouse and students were charged with preparing them for the competition over the past six months.

Eleven schools from across the State, including Winnaleah, took part and teacher Kylie Rattray said it was an honour to win.

“To bring the trophy back to the NorthEast was pretty impressive. Obviously we need to give credit to the breeders, we only looked after them for six months!” she said.

While Roger celebrated the news in Japan, sons Nick and Ben were back on the 2000ha property, Kananga, which runs 3000 Merino ewes bred over three generations for their fleece quality.

“It is great to get some young kids involved. It is pretty exciting for them to

win,” they said.

“It’s the first time we have done it and we will be happy to do it again to get kids involved.

“It is pretty hard for anyone to be interested in Merino sheep and there are not many people coming into the industry because they are hard work but they are very rewarding.

“Dad has been breeding for wool for a long time with a focus on genetics - we won the Bendigo Show best commercial fleece in Australia in 2012.”

Ms Rattray said the preparation had involved breaking in the wethers to lead in the show ring, as well as providing a suitable feeding plan and monitoring their health over the past six months

“The wethers had grown between 60 and 70mm of fleece in that time and the fleece quality and yield of the fleece was critical in the win,” she said.

The challenge was organised by the Midland Agricultural Association, The Stud Breeders Association of Tasmania and Australian Wool Innovation.

On the day, the sheep were assessed on

their micron score and fleece length.

They were shown in groups of three for breed characteristics and were judged on hoof presentation, carcase value and fleece value.

Scottsdale Sheep B Team (Shakira, Molly, Maigen) were awarded 1st place in fleece value ($47.91) and Scottsdale Sheep A Team (A’jana, Nikayla, Adara) won 3rd place in fleece value ($43.59). The sheep were placed 10th and 11th in the carcase value category.

Scottsdale A team placed 4th in presentation category.

The Grand Champion Team of three sheep was determined by the aggregate of the points scored across the three judging categories and was won by Scottsdale High School Team B, with total points of 97.94. Scottsdale Team A placed second with 97.12 points.

“This program has extended on the existing food and Fibre Agriculture Program at Scottsdale High School and provided another dimension to the agricultural enterprises and systems students are exposed to. The program has

given the students with a real insight into the process of Merino wool production and possible career pathways in this industry.,” Ms Rattray said.

“A special thank you to Roger, Nick and Ben, from Kananga Pastoral for supplying the sheep, Liz Stanfield for accompanying the team, Keeley Lester from Winnaleah for providing student transport and Matthew Cassidy for transporting the sheep to the competition.”

Sharing a vision of a thriving community

CONNECTING LOCAL people with employment, training and career opportunities across the region is a major thrill for the two women at the helm of the Dorset Employment Connect jobs hub.

Employment Connectors Kate Brill and Lauren Summers have settled into new offices in King St, Scottsdale, to deliver the free service which is already proving successful.

Kate started with DEC in March 2023, with Lauren joining her in June. An initiative supported by the State Government and Jobs Tasmania, it’s one of eight regional hubs across the state.

The pair have already enjoyed a great number of positive employment matches and are excited about the long-term benefits of their endeavors.

“Our mission is to provide Dorset with a multi-faceted service, that leads to meaningful outcomes for all involved,” Lauren said.

“We have so many businesses and organisations in our area with some amazing employment opportunities available.

“We want to showcase these and let people know that there are really genuine options for them, within our own community.”

Adds Kate: “A big focus of what we do is working with local business and industry to identify the barriers that they are facing within their sector and assist them in finding a solution.

“It might be that they are struggling to find suitable employees, to access relevant training, or advising them on funding opportunities that may be available.”

Both Kate and Lauren reside in the area with their families and are genuinely passionate about

the service they provide.

Lauren grew up in the North-East, spending her childhood in Ringarooma and then later in Scottsdale.

She was employed in local pharmacy for 13 years, seven of those as the retail manager at Scottsdale Pharmacy.

After having children, Lauren moved into Early Childhood Care and Education, working at Explore Learning Educational Care at Bridport. Through both roles, Lauren has developed many meaningful relationships with people in our Dorset community. She understands that great relationships are a critical element of any successful business and believes that open, respectful communication is key. Through conversations with their clientele, Lauren uses this understanding of communication and relationships to create connections between businesses and prospective employees.

Kate has lived and worked in the area for 23 years. She has a long professional history, both as a small business owner at Bridport Café and as an adult education facilitator, delivering various programs and nationally accredited courses.

Through her experience she has gained a strong understanding of the barriers that local businesses face during recruitment and the ongoing upskilling and retainment of staff.

Kate understands how important it is for a business to have a skilled and capable team of employees and is so passionate about assisting our local businesses to reach their full potential. Through Dorset Employment Connect, she consults with business owners, to identify

are enjoying a successful start to the business hub. their unique needs within their individual business and assists them in providing effective solutions, to achieve positive results

Both Kate and Lauren pride themselves on developing meaningful relationships with people and they are committed to the area’s future – so much so, they have organised an inaugural Dorset Careers and Education Expo in

Scottsdale on October 26th.

“Our aim at Dorset Employment Connect is to look at the bigger picture for our community and bring together a holistic approach starting at a grass roots level,” Lauren said.

“Whether you are looking for a career change, re-entering the workforce, leaving school or looking for an apprenticeship - we are keen to chat.”

Lauren - 0499 714 782

Kate - 0417 155 201

Email: admin@dorsetec.org.au

E @Dorset Employment Connect

www.dorsetec.org.au

• Lauren Summers and Kate Brill from Dorset Employment Connect

• Scottsdale High School during judging at the inaugural Tas Merino Challenge.

Make mental wellbeing a priority

BY LAUREN TAYLOR Leadership and Human Behaviour Specialist

The Australian Bureau of Statistics undertook a National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing from 2020-2021 and found that over two in five Australians aged 16-85 years (43.7% or 8.6 million people) had experienced a mental disorder at some time in their life.

One in five had a 12-month mental disorder. Anxiety was the most common group of 12-month mental disorders and almost two in five people aged 16-24 years had a 12-month mental disorder.

As humans there is no more important job than building a healthy relationship with self. Or putting this another way, building our self-concept or self-esteem which is the reputation that you have with yourself.

Did you know that the quality of our lives is determined by the quality of our emotional health? Being accredited in the

Emotional Fitness Formula™, this is the core of how I work with clients.

As humans, no one really teaches us how to drive ourselves.

It’s like going on a drive without having a GPS or map showing us how to get to a destination. Most of the time, we ‘drive’ along unconsciously behaving in ways that have been passed down through generations.

Identity is the most powerful emotional force in the human condition. What we say and believe to be true about ourselves, we will become.

Therefore, our thoughts are creating our self-concept - and we will behave to stay in alignment with them. We are powerful as humans, and there is an opportunity here we are not accessing. We must take control of our thoughts.

Thoughts are just a psychological construct or mental representation of information that helps us make sense of the world.

We can put weight on thoughts that

matter and less weight or no attention at all to other thoughts and just let them go.

That power is awareness and hindsight to bring our thoughts ‘into perspective’.

We create our emotional world by the interpretations we put on any given situation. We choose our perspective.

So, in our emotional world - how are thoughts, feelings and emotions creating our reality? It is through the meaning we put on our thoughts. What are you making your thoughts mean?

It is important to look at the difference between feelings and emotions.

Did you know that feelings are made up?! They come from our thoughts and what we choose to focus on. We give power to our thoughts which create a feeling based on our interpretation of what we experience and what we choose to focus on.

Emotions, however, are not made up, they are an organic emotional reaction that live in our bodies and are our organic reactions to our experiences. Think tears, goosebumps, sweating as examples here.

Trivia test for Dorset Suicide Prevention Network

THE DORSET Suicide Prevention Network once again looks forward to hosting its annual Trivia Night on Friday, October 13, at the Scottsdale Football Clubrooms from 6.30pm - 9.30pm.

For just $5.00 per person, teams of six-eight people can enjoy a night of fun laughs, thought provoking trivia, spot prizes, raffle, auction and supper.

DSPN Chair Cheryl McCartie is encouraging people who might already be part of a group or workplace to put a team together.

“Or come along and jump on a table and make some new friends, build new connections, or just hang out with some mates - just let me know you are coming on 0467532401,” Cheryl said.

The theme of ‘Awareness, Belonging, Connection’ very much represents what DSPN is about.

“Now in our sixth year the DSPN looks

forward to seeing some of our competitive Trivia regulars come along as well as some new teams to challenge them, also hoping a couple of the wooden spoon regulars have been quietly mastering their general knowledge and mental health expertise,” she said.

“The Building Connections Trivia Night is a great example of local collaboration with the support of the Scottsdale Rotary Club, Scottsdale Football Club, Mental Health Council Small Grants program and Mental Health Service Providers who work in Dorset and who come along on the night to join in the fun and meet our community.

“We are also very lucky to have a very knowledgeable team of Trivia question creators who provide the challenge of 12 rounds of Trivia for teams on the night. We also are very grateful for the generosity of locals that donate prizes for

the raffle, items for the auction and their time on the night.

“The DSPN has been very grateful to receive support from local businesses and organisations that has enabled three locally held workshops in Self Care and Mental Wellbeing and Mental Health First Aid.

“These, along with a fantastic R U OK Day BBQ at the Dorset Men’s Shed, has meant over 50 people have participated in activities that aim to reduce the stigma of mental illness and also raise awareness of suicide prevention.”

A new version of the Community and Health Service Directory is now available with forty pages of information – hard copies are available from Cheryl and online via Dorset Council and Dorset Community House webpages.

So, the power in controlling our thoughts and choosing what weight we put on them is just like choosing a meal at the pub! It is called the Meaning Making Menu. What meal are you choosing? Or, what meaning are you choosing to put on your thoughts? You might be the person who always chooses the parmi or are you the person who has something different each time?

We can do this with our feelings and thoughts… how would you choose a different feeling? What if this was easy? What if I chose to respond with calm love? What if I choose to be in a good mood today? What if I choose to focus on what I have rather than what I believe is missing?

There are seven key ingredients in the Emotional Fitness Formula, which I am running a free masterclass on via zoom on Wednesday October 18 via this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81154576275

Skate for mental health

YOUTH WILL be the focus of a fun Mental Health Week event at Bridport Skate Park next Wednesday, October 11.

A workshop will be facilitated by Drop in Skate School for children aged 12-18 to learn to skate or refine their skills.

Dorset House Youth Development Officer

Charlotte Jory said participants will also learn to develop a better understanding of mental health and the importance of taking care of themselves.

“One of the magical things about learning to skate is that the part of the brain you use is the same part you use when recovering from trauma, to learn the skill of skate, one needs stamina, resilience, and perseverance, which can cross over to mental health,” Ms Jory said.

“The event's highlight is going to be watching the young people develop valuable life skills and support each other as the day progresses and hopefully within their journeys beyond the day towards better mental health.

“They will learn how to support and encourage each other building a sense of community and

peer support that will hopefully continue to benefit their lives past this event.

“We are proud to have collaborated with Drop In Skate School, Royal Flying Doctors Service, Health Consumers Tas, Dorset Suicide Prevention Network, and other wonderful service providers in the youth mental health space … it’s a testament to the importance of collaboration and community partnerships in supporting young people’s mental health and wellbeing.”

The event will run from 11am to 3pm and participants must bring a helmet to take part.

A BBQ lunch and skateboards are provided, but participants can bring scooters or roller blades.

A bus run will pick up at Gladstone Town Hall, Pioneer Town Hall, Winnaleah Town Hall, and Branxholm Town Hall - bookings are essential by emailing charlotte@dorsethouse.org.au or calling 0474 100 219.

Permission forms must be signed by a parent or guardian.

Free activities from Christian Leaders

A FREE family fun day will be held at Scottsdale Recreation Ground on October 17 to mark Mental Health Week.

The Dorset Christian Leaders Network has organised the event which includes activities for the whole family – and the best thing is that everything is free.

Starting at 3pm, the afternoon includes a barbecue and fruit salad, line dancing, nail painting by Teen Challenge and biscuit decorating.

There will be representatives from Dorset Suicide Prevention Network, a social worker from Local Mojo, Dorset House with Sowing Seeds of Kindness and Health Consumers Tasmania.

There will also be an opportunity for local musicians. DSLN thanks the Dorset Council and Mental Health Council of Tasmania for providing funds to support this event.

• Jayden Wihongi, 12, of Bridport gets some air behind his brother Maui, 10, and Max Partridge with Youth Development Officer Charlotte Jory in readiness for next Wednesday's special Mental Health Week event planned for the Bridport Skate Park.

WANTED – Cleaner to take over regular house cleaner role, DVA client at Ringarooma, 3 hours per week, $55 per hour, call Joanne on 0473 096 536 to discuss.

Two fully furnished and spacious offices. Off-street parking. King St, Scottsdale. Available immediately. Contact 6352 2642.

Henny

Annual General Meeting

Professional design and printing services

We can produce everything from logos and business cards to timesheets and docket books.

BRIDPORT VILLAGE NICHE MARKET

SATURDAY 7th October 2023

9:30am – 1:00pm

Over 30 stalls offering home grown produce, handmade merchandise alpaca woollens, handmade jewellery, clothing, plants, gifts and much more. Coffee, sausage sizzle and music. Bridport Community Hall, Main Street Bridport

Proudly supported by the CWA Bridport Branch

BRIDPORT EX-SERVICES, BOWLS & COMMUNITY CLUB Inc

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Bunker Club

Sunday October 22 at 3.30pm

CWA BRIDPORT HALL FOR HIRE

4 Main Street, Bridport

Available for all events including meetings & special occasions. Catering can be arranged.

Enquire:

cwabridporthire@gmail.com

Proudly supported by the CWA Bridport Branch

"Meet the Coach"

northeasternadvertiser.com /printing-and-design

CARTAGE

THOMPSON’S

TILT TRAYS & CONTAINERS

Container hire (on or off site)

To be held

Saturday 14th October 2023 at the Don Dickenson Northbourne Community Centre, Northbourne avenue, Scottsdale Commencing at 2.00pm.

Annual Meeting

Scottsdale and Community Men’s Shed

2 Christopher St. Scottsdale

Friday, October 13 2023

Barbeque 12.00 All welcome.

Annual Meeting 1.00pm

Business: Annual reports, Election of Office Bearers, Election of committee, General Business.

Contact: Secretary

Mervyn Chilcott 0417 542 152

Agenda to include: Welcome; apologies; minutes 2022 AGM; President's Report, Financial Report, Auditor's Report, Election of Committee: President, vice president, Secretary, Treasurer and 5 general reps, one to serve one year. Nomination forms available from The Bunker. All nominations plus any notice of motion to be in the hands of the Public Officer by 6pm

Wednesday October 11

Simon Hirst, Public Officer

Mark Prior, senior women's coach, wishes to meet with past & prospective players on Saturday October 14 at 11.00am.

BBQ at clubrooms to follow.

Dorset Community Care

Contact

Breakdown vehicle recovery service

General carting up to 12 tonne

Call Keran on 0429 729 753

POSITIONS VACANT FINANCE OFFICER

dorset council

• Base salary starting from $70,137 p.a. pro-rata

• 12 month maternity leave cover position

• Great opportunity to develop skills and experience

We are looking for a Finance Officer to join our team on a fixed term basis for 4 days per week (3 days by negotiation). In this role you will assist the Finance Manager to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, accounting standards and internal policies and procedures by providing quality support across a broad range of activities including:

• Contributing to the preparation of financial and management accounting reports, State and Federal grant deed reporting and Council’s annual

Budget Estimates

• Reconciling Council’s general ledger, bank accounts and business units

• Assisting to administer Council’s fixed asset register

• Assisting with BAS and FBT compliance activities

Ideally you will have experience in a similar role and a sound knowledge of accounting principles to allow you to quickly become autonomous in the performance of your duties. The following attributes would help you to be most successful in this role:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills

• Ability to quickly learn and apply new information, processes and skills

• Highly developed attention to detail, accuracy and pride in own work

• High level time and task management skills with ability to prioritise workload

• Certificate IV in Accounting & Bookkeeping or equivalent experience

If the prospect of this role excites you but your experience and skills don’t align perfectly with the requirements, please consider applying anyway or contacting us for a confidential conversation.

For more information or to obtain a copy of the position description, please visit our website. Your cover letter and resume can be emailed to dorset@dorset.tas.gov.au and enquiries can be directed to Allison Saunders on (03) 6352 6500.

Applications close on Wednesday 18 October 2023. We may proceed with interviewing prior to this date, so applicants are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience.

dorset council

COMMUNITY AND DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION OFFICER

• Salary range from $66,381 to $72,196 p.a.

• Work flexibly on a 9 day fortnight or 19 day month

RDO structure

• Ample opportunity for personal and professional development

We are currently looking for a resourceful, motivated and efficient Community and Development Administration Officer to join our team. In this full time role you will provide a diverse range of support to the broader Community and Development team including:

• Assisting to administer and deliver Council’s community programs including grants, scholarships and events

• Assisting to administer Council’s regulatory programs including dog and food licence renewals, infringements and abatements

• Assisting customers and community groups to compile complete and compliant regulatory, planning, building and plumbing applications

• Carrying out administrative requirements, requisite approvals and mandatory notifications within statutory timeframes

You will be provided with extensive on the job training and external training as required, however to be most successful in this role you will need to be able to demonstrate:

• Outstanding customer service skills with a professional presentation and attitude

• A disposition that is solutions-focused and geared towards assisting people

• Highly developed attention to detail, accuracy and pride in own work

• High level time and task management skills with ability to prioritise varying workload

If the prospect of this role excites you but your experience and skills don’t align perfectly with the requirements, please consider applying anyway or contact us for a confidential conversation. For more information or to obtain a copy of the position description, please visit our website. Your cover letter and resume can be emailed to dorset@dorset.tas.gov.au and enquiries can be directed to Lauren Tolputt on (03) 6352 6500.

Applications close on Friday 20 October 2023. We may proceed with interviewing prior to this date so applicants are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience.

ROHAN WILLIS, Director – Community and Development

Building Connections TRIVIA

NIGHT

Friday, 13th October 2023

Scottsdale Magpies Football Clubrooms

6.30pm for 7.00pm start

$5 per person

Hosted by Dorset Suicide Prevention Network & Scottsdale Rotary Club

To book your table call Cheryl 0467 532 401 or email dorsetspnetwork@gmail.com

NORTH EASTERN EVENTS CALENDAR 2023

Every Friday

• Purple Frog Art & Craft Group 10:00 – 2.30pm

Scottsdale Men’s Shed

• Launching into Learning Sessions 9:00 - 10:30am

Kinder block, Scottsdale

Primary School

• Pre-Kinder sessions

10:30 -11:30am

Kinder block, Scottsdale

Primary School

First Friday Each Month

• Free Women's Legal Service

Dorset Community House

• Ladies of Dorset Coffee & Chat

Scottsdale Art Gallery Café

October 7

• PlantFest - Friends of St Paul’s Springfield

Tasman Highway, Springfield

• Basketball Half-Court Official Opening 4:00pm

Bridport, Foreshore

• Mental Health Comedy Road Show 7:30pm

Mechanics Institute Hall

• Bridport Village Niche Market

9:30am – 1:00pm

Bridport CWA Hall

October 8

• Scottsdale Rotary Club 60th

Anniversary

Scottsdale Art Gallery Café

October 11

• Skate Workshop

Bridport Skate Park

October 13

• Building Connections

Trivia Night

Scottsdale Football Club Rooms

October 14

• Back to Branxholm

Branxholm Hall

• Winnaleah Football Day

Winnaleah

October 17

• Family Fun Event - 3.00pm

Scottsdale Recreation Ground

October 20

• Flinders Island Show

Flinders Island

October 26

• Careers Expo

Scottsdale

November 4

• Gladstone Hotel Rodeo

Boobyalla Park

Proudly brought to you by... Bridget

• Bridport Village Niche Market

9:30am – 1:00pm

Bridport CWA Hall

November 11

• Ringarooma School & District Show

Ringarooma Primary School

November 17 + 18

• Scottsdale Show Scottsdale Recreation Ground

November 26

• Book Launch for Legerwood Days

Legerwood Hall

December 2

• Bridport

December 8

• Late

Scottsdale

Shopping &

December 9

• Wood Chopping & Family Event

Gladstone

can be made over the phone, in person or via email. Each event can only strictly advertise: date, location and name. For more information about events, please see our website. Contact: admin@northeasternadvertiser.com

ALLISON SAUNDERS, Finance Manager

Auton joins women’s agriculture board

THE NORTH-EAST is the quiet achiever in the state’s agricultural landscape, according to the newest board member of Tasmanian Women in Agriculture, Springfield’s Fiona Auton.

Mrs Auton, who has a farming enterprise with husband Scott, said she joined the board because she knows how crucial the role of women is in the success of farms and industries.

“Women have such varying roles in agriculture - from the woman doing a dinner delivery to the paddock late at night, to the ones running the dairies, your agronomist, banker or the educator that teaches our future farmers about the importance of sustainable food systems,” Mrs Auton said.

“Not one of these roles is more crucial than the other.”

The aim of TWiA is to connect, support and celebrate Tasmanian rural women.

“That really speaks to me,” Mrs Auton said.

“One of the most special things about rural communities is the connection and support aspects, but these are becoming increasingly hard for busy women to make time for when there are so many conflicting pressures.

Mrs Auton fostered her love of wide open spaces on her mother’s family farm,

“Harwood” at Dairy Plains. She met Scott through Rural Youth Tasmania and they now operate a beef and cropping farm, as well as agricultural contracting company Auton’s Agricultural Services.

She said she could see lots of possibilities and opportunities for rural women, adding that they already account for 30 per cent of the workforce across the sector.

“But there are many gender-specific obstacles such as financing, lack of access to land, education and training and lack of representation in the industry bodies which puts the female farmer at a significant disadvantage before they even sow a seed,” she said.

“Decreased time in the workforce and decreased opportunities due to pregnancy and childrearing obligations, gender paygap issues, and decreased land inheritance opportunities are all contributing factors to women being able to compete with large producers in the farming land acquisition race.

“I hope to help support women to be able to push some of these access issues aside.”

Mrs Auton also wants to help farmers prepare property and business models for climate resilient decision making.

“This needs to be a focus for all farmers including us in the North-East so we can predict the wider consequences across the

range of industries we have here.”

She said she was positive about the region’s farming future, calling the NorthEast the “quiet achiever of the state”.

“We are often overlooked for areas where more broad-acre farming opportunities are,” she said. “However, when you pay attention to the cyclic nature of things, these companies end up coming back around.

“In the North-East our climate is more

stable and although we have smaller areas of production, when these are added up they create a reliable and sustainable area.”

Mr Auton said the AgriFutures Australia Rural Women's Award and Acceleration Grant program was now open and she encouraged locals to apply.

“I can think of so many women in NorthEast Tasmania that I know personally who are doing amazing things on farm as well as in our industry and community,” she said.

Shifting Climate and Global Supply key factors in Ag markets

BY OLIVER ROBERTS-SWAIN XLD Commodities

Tasmania and Australia have enjoyed three consecutive record crop production seasons. What a difference a year can make.

Some Northern Midlands farmers have written off their canola crop to bales, as they were too wet for too long. In contrast, soil moisture south of Ross is currently extremely low.

Across the state, expect harvested area and yield to be down year-on-year.

Livestock gross margins were competitive with cropping last year, but have collapsed following a year of freefalling meat prices. If this trend persists, anticipate a reluctant shift from livestock to cropping in the North-East, where livestock has traditionally dominated.

Local fertiliser demand will reach its

seasonal peak in the coming weeks.

On the mainland, demand has far outstripped supply, with reports of major suppliers defaulting on sales contracts.

Let’s hope there is enough supply in the state to satisfy demand.

BOM has declared that El Niño and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole are underway.

These climate drivers increase the likelihood of a dryer, warmer and longer summer.

Water requirements for the maturing crop will reach their peak in the coming weeks.

With soil moisture below average for the majority of Australia’s growing regions, yield estimates will continue to be adjusted downward the longer the absence of rainfall and cool temperatures

2023 - 2024 Irrigation Season Notice

Tasmanian Irrigation Pty Ltd as the responsible water entity for the: Winnaleah Irrigation Scheme

hereby notifies that the 2023-24 Irrigation Season will open on 10th October 2023 and the 2023-24 Season will close on 7th May 2024.

Pricing is available at www.tasmanianirrigation.com.au and www.winnaleahirrigationscheme.com.au

David Skipper Chief Operating Officer

continues.

Tasmania is generally less affected by El Niño than the mainland, and in years of high prices, the economic case for irrigation (and the increased yield it can bring) is often a simple one. Not all El Niño patterns have an identical effect, but one thing is certain: the recent years of La Nina-driven record yields are over.

Some bulk carriers have safely left Ukrainian Black Sea ports carrying small cargoes of grain, following Ukraine’s announcement last month of a ‘humanitarian corridor’ for grain bound for

African and Asian markets.

At time of writing, Resilient Africa (3kt) and Aroyat (18kt) have arrived safely in Israel and Egypt, respectively. Small quantities, sure, but likely to embolden larger consignments going forward.

Traders are watching whether or not China, the world’s largest nitrogen producer, will export urea, following a government mandate to restrict new export deals. Such a restriction is likely to hit India hardest, but China’s influence on global prices will be felt here in Australia too.

• Fiona Auton with dog Clancy at her Springfield property. Pic: Cameron Auton.

North East Indoor Bowls award winners

AFTER A successful season the North East Indoor Bowls recently held a presentation evening at the RSL Scottsdale.

The season started on May 4 and finished the rostered matches on August 1, followed by finals.

Five teams competed from Bridport, Scottsdale, Legerwood and Ringarooma with season matches played in all towns.

Ringarooma played Bridport in the finals, with Bridport crowned champions with a five point win.

SEASON WINNERS - Singles: John Dennis, Ringarooma. Pairs: John Dennis and Luke Singline, Ringarooma. Triples: John Dennis, Luke Singline and Ken Burr, Ringarooma. Fours: David Glover, Jenny Binns, Louise Beattie and Clare Barnett, Bridport.

Maiden win for Seannafair

North-East Eightball

BY TED WHELAN

THE NORTH-EAST Eightball doubles final was held last Thursday evening at the Hub and again a large turnout of players and supporters were in attendance for a social night out.

It was open slather, so teams could nominate as many pairs as they liked and I believe some almost headed for the milking shed when they went home.

There were some very close tussles throughout and the use of the cue ball by most brought many hands out of trouser pockets to applaud and rightly so.

To me, doubles is a thinking affair and while some recruit two star singles players that have a mortgage on games I differ.

BRIDPORT TRAINER Kate MacLeod tasted success at Mowbray on Sunday, with Seannafair claiming a win in just her second race start.

“She’s a work in progress, we’re trying to mould her into a racehorse, so to pick up a maiden and win a Tas Breed Bonus was great, but I think there’s a lot more to come,” Kate said.

“She’s a bit of a rev head and pulls hard, so I think once we get her settled in her races, it might be exciting with what’s to come.”

BRIDPORT GOLF CLUB

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

STABLEFORD

Winner: Dean Curtis, 37

Runner Up: John Wadley, 36

9-hole Winner: Maree Bauld, 18

NTP 1/10: Raylene Taylor

NTP 9/18: Jeremy Curtis

Longest Putt: Maree Bauld

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

Div 1 Winner: E Walker, 38 pts

R/up: D Freeland, N Hayes.

Div 2 Winner: T Alexander, 34 pts

R/up: O Freeland

Women:M Hall: 33pts

Longest putt OTF, 9/18: J Lefevre

Seannafair is owned by John, Jill and Brooke Hammond from Windermere.

“I’ve been good friends with Brooke for about 25 years . We’ve trained together a fair bit over the time and I used to do a bit race driving for Brooke with horses she trained.

“I’ve driven a few winners for them, but Seannafair is the first one I’ve trained for them, so it’s a good start.

“Driver Gareth Rattray has been really good with helping to try and educate her at trials and her two race starts, so it’s great

Men's NTP 1/10: D Freeland

NTP OTF 3rd shot, 9/18: N Hayes

Women NTP 5/16: L Noonan

that we’re all on the same page , with trying to mould her into a racehorse.”

The victory puts Kate in second place on the North-East Pacing Club Trainer of the Year tally.

NEPC TRAINER OF THE YEAR

TALLY UPDATE

Kent Rattray 102

Kate Macleod 13

Rohan Hadley 10

Kyle Pratten 10

Max Wadley 10

SPORTS RESULTS

Next week, 2nd round Trophy and stableford

Friday Flappers Chicken run only on Friday, cards in by 6pm.

SCOTTSDALE GOLF CLUB

SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

STABLEFORD

Day’s Winner: Graeme Booth, 41 pts

R/Up: Lorissa Dobson, 39 pts

Others: T Collins, R Shea & R Kerrison, 33 pts,

C Dobson & D Knight 31 pts

NTP: 1/10: C Styles, 5/14: T Collins

Longest Putt: C Dobson

Next Week: Medal Day Stroke & Putting

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

3-PERSON MIXED AMBROSE

Winners: Craig Styles, Julie Collins, Bill Fahey, 65 1/3

R/Up: Graeme Booth, Cheryl Mackenzie, Kate Gofton, 65 2/3

Longest putts - Marie Nuttall, Craig Styles

Gobbler - Kate Gofton

Next week - President’s trophy Round 1 (Stableford)

RINGAROOMA GOLF CLUB

MOORINGA SHIELD

Winner Ringarooma: T Harper, 38 pts

R/Up K Barrett, 35 pts

Winner Moorina L Rattray, 36 pts

R/Up: P Michael, 35 pts

NTP 7/16: Dan Walsh

I feel you need a good potter and one who holds their calm and plays the hard ball stuck along the cush, leaving the cue ball in a very awkward position for the next opposing player.

Anyway, two teams from the Robins nest won through to the final with Snowy Bennett and Maril McDougal against father and son combination Lyndon and Jarrod Smith.

The title went to McDougal and Bennett in a see-sawing affair.

NTP 9/18: G Taylor

Shield points

Ringarooma 170, Moorina 169

Next weekend Club Champions: 9.30

SCOTTSDALE LAWN BOWLS

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 30

Turtle game winner: Chris Coates

5 teams won both their games this week.

1st: Marie Charlton & Merv Chilcott, +14

2nd: Natalie Wise & Mike Hansell, +13

3rd: Trevor Jessop & Tony Giunta, +10

4th: Steve McMullen & Chris Coates, +7 and 10 ends

5th: Neville Lynch & Barney Wise, +7 and 9 ends

• Bridport was the overall winning team in the North-East Indoor Bowls season.

• Fours winners David Glover, Jenny Binns, Louise Beattie and Clare Barnett, from Bridport.

• Pairs winners Luke Singline and John Dennis, from Ringarooma.

• Seannafair claiming a maiden win on Sunday for Bridport trainer Kate Macleod. Pic by Stacey Lear.

NEJBU players have a ball in winter comp

THE NORTH-EAST Junior Basketball Union has completed its winter season, with more than 100 children taking part in a 10-week roster during Term 3. Players from across Winnaleah, Ringarooma, Bridport and Scottsdale took part, playing in three age categories.

Grades 1 and 2 enjoyed a skills-based session and then a practice game each week, while grade three/four and grade five/six each had their own competition. All children were presented with a medal after their last games, with finals not offered in a bid to focus on skill development and team work.

• 1-2 Jack Jumpers.

• 5-6 Warriors.

• 3-4 Falcons.

• 5-6 Bulls.

• 3-4 Wildcats.

• 5-6 Kings.

• 5-6 Lakers.

• 3-4 Taipans.

• 3-4 Crocodiles.

• 3-4 Dragons.

• 5-6 Knicks.

• 1-2 Turbo Chooks.

• 5-6 Timberwolves.

SPORT

Putting for professional status

BRIDPORT GOLF prodigy Xavier Nicholls has returned from his first interstate golfing championship with a wealth of experience under his belt and a prize for winning the putting competition.

Nicholls, 14, last week took part in the US Kids Australian Open at Rockhampton Golf Club, competing against 130 children from across the country as well as golfers from New Zealand Sri Lanka, India, America and Canada.

He played 18-holes on each of the two days of competition, with his rounds being a true tale of two stories.

“After day one I was in second position with 82, just one off the leader, which was exciting,” Nicholls said.

“But my second round didn’t really go to plan. I carded a 91 and I ended up finishing in sixth.

“Everything went wrong – the heat got the best of me as it was 32 degrees and the conditions were quite different to at home, plus I just couldn’t hit the ball straight!

“It was a bit disappointing because the actual competition was a qualifying event for the Word Championships at the Pinehurst Golf Club in America and you had to finish in the top three to win a spot there.”

There was a silver lining to the experience for the Scotch Oakburn student though.

“I won the putting competition where you had to putt 8m and it ended up being a three-way tie so we had a play-off and I got the closest so I won which was cool.

“I got a voucher to Top Golf on the Gold Coast for six people and $100 food and drink voucher so we will use that when I go up in April next year to play in the Junior Age Division Championship at Royal Pines,” Xavier said.

“I also went within 100mm of wining the nearest the pin competition from 70m.”

Nicholls has been playing golf since being introduced to the sport as a 10-year-old at Bridport Golf Club by his dad, Curt.

Under the guidance of Mandy Hall and Lindy Lockhart he developed his game and a year later he had his first handicap.

He’s now on a mission to one day become a professional player – getting in as much time on the course as possible.

Over the school holidays he is competing across four days in the Betty Bradley junior competition, on Friday he will represent the North in a North v South match play event and he’ll be back at his beloved Bridport for Saturday’s competition.

“I love the challenge - but it can be a very frustrating game,” he said.

“It’s teaching me to keep my calm!”

• Xavier with dad Curt at the recent US Kids Australian Open.

• Xavier driving off a tee at Rockhampton Golf Club.