Scottsdale High School’s Working With Children students Adara Hall, Jordan Harris and Jordanna Tulloch with Charli Hughes, 4, of Scottsdale, at the Teddy Bears Picnic at the Children’s Reserve on Tuesday morning. The trio of students organised the event, with games, music and a picnic in the sunshine, as a way to engage with young people and families in the community.
BY RACHEL WILLIAMS
A DEED of agreement for a $600,000 State Government election promise was just weeks away as progress continues on plans for Bridport’s proposed new river entrance and marina plan.
The major infrastructure project was just one of 20 items showing progress in the quarterly update of Dorset Council’s 50-item Annual Plan.
The funding will be spent investigating and preparing engineering designs and costed construction plans for a new river entrance and look into the feasibility of the proposed marina within Trent Water, contingent upon the viability of the new river entrance.
General Manager John Marik said Council, in collaboration with MAST, had received a quote from a suitably qualified marine infrastructure consultant for
project initiation and scoping work for the new river entrance feasibility and design.
Pending confirmation of the consultant’s engagement, a preliminary community consultation phase would take place, Mr Marik said.
“Following completion of the project initiation and scoping work, Council will progress to tendering for project management and technical oversight of the new river entrance (and marina) feasibility and design project,” he said.
Another major project in the Council’s Annual and Strategic plans is the controversial North East Rail Trail.
Council officers have submitted for additional grant funding via the Precincts and Partnerships funding stream to fund a $2.8 million shortfall in the up-front capital cost of the proposed trail extension from Scottsdale to Lilydale.
Council will also be continuing
discussions with City of Launceston for a partnership approach to the project – with many detractors critical that Dorset would be funding infrastructure at Lilydale Falls, which is within Launceston’s boundary.
Dorset Council will present at COL’s November 7 workshop session to promote the partnership concept.
Mr Marik said public consultation on a new business case for the decade-old concept attracted a total of 93 submissions from individuals, businesses and organisations from across Tasmania and Victoria.
The responses were being collated with a summary to be presented at a future Council Meeting, but Mr Marik said the mix of opinions was “very balanced”.
He said suggested improvements and typographical errors had been forwarded to the consultants with the business case subsequently updated, while commentary
had been requested from the consultants “in regard to several inclusions/exclusions to the business case”.
Discussions were also held with Launceston and North East Railway (L&NER) to ascertain any potential areas of collaboration, he said.
An analysis and corridor assessment has also been undertaken to ascertain corridor conditions and identify alignment options for the proposed trail.
Commissioner Andrew Wardlaw asked about progress on the Scottsdale and Bridport Structure Plans, with an admission that Council was “under pressure” to have them completed within the financial year.
It’s hoped the Derby Master Plan project would receive Federal election funding at the upcoming election because it was a project of regional and state significance, Mr Marik said.
10 Years Ago – October 22, 2014
Mechanics gets new lease on life
An iconic Scottsdale building was set to get a new lease on life. The Mechanics Institute Hall in King Street had been a central part of the Scottsdale streetscape since 1888, however in recent years it has sat idle. In a move that will revamp this wonderful old building, Dorset Council gifted the hall to the James Scott Decorative Arts Society to re-invent the hall as a community-based facility. The great irony of the North-East is that while every small town and locality has a community hall, the main population and business centre of the North-East doesn’t have a hall at all.
40 Years Ago – October 18, 1984
Dennis wins best and fairest
Star Scottsdale rover Jamie Dennis has won the Scottsdale Football Club best and fairest for the second year in succession. He won by a margin of 70 from Danny Hall. During the year Dennis has won ever football award in the North, having taken the coveted Hec Smith medal, TNT9 award, Examiner poll and the Rex Lethborg Real Estate award. The awards were announced at the clubrooms, where a presentation of a silver tea service was made to Greg Lethborg in recognition of him playing 300 games. Larry Dilworth was a popular winner of the reserves best and fairest and youngster Michael Taylor won the under 19 award.
50 Years Ago – October 15, 1974 Humbug Point a national park.
The Minister for Forests Mr Frost told the Portland Council that Humbug Point on Georges Bay would be declared a national park. The area of 1000 hectares at the time Crown Land and was included in the timber concession of Tasmanian Pulp and Forest Holdings Ltd at Triabunna. Warden C.P. Fysh said council wanted the area to be declared as a flora and fauna reserve. Mr Frost who inspected the peninsula told the council that only about one sixth of the area carried timber, and this was low grade and unsuitable for commercial cutting. He said the Forestry Commission would release the land from the pulp concession.
All Emergency Services (fire, police, ambulance) 000 North Eastern Soldiers Memorial Hospital 6778 8522 Tasmanian Police – non urgent 131 444 Parks and Wildlife Scottsdale Field Centre 6352 6421
JANET CARMICHAEL BALD was born in Scotland in 1842 at St Andrews in Fifeshire, Scotland (yes, the town famous as the birthplace of golf).
Her father, Joseph Bald, was aged 34 and her mother Margaret (née Muir), aged about 33. She had an elder brother and was followed by two more brothers and two sisters.
In 1857 the Bald family, with Janet aged only 15, sailed from Scotland to Tasmania aboard the ‘Forest Monarch’, and eventually settled at Jetsonville.
In the same year Dugald McGilp sailed from Scotland to Tasmania on the ‘Broomielaw’. The two were to marry at the Bald family property in Jetsonville in 1865, the first recorded marriage in Scott’s New Country, with Janet aged 23 and Dugald aged 36.
Over the next 20 years Janet would give birth to 11 children (5 boys and 6 girls),
10 of whom would reach adulthood (the first born, Alexander, died of diphtheria at the age of 12). Over that 20-year period the longest time that Janet would not have been pregnant would have been just over two years.
In 1886, when she was 44 years of age, Janet gave birth to a son, James. According to the family history James was born premature but survived. Janet was not so fortunate, she died during the night after the birth, the official cause of death being later recorded as ‘puerperal convulsions’.
Soon after her death a letter appeared in the Launceston Examiner, offering sympathy to Dugald and the remaining family, and noting the difficulties of the pioneer life, the hardships endured and the early death of Janet. The writer noted he had attended the mourning at the Muskfield property (Jetsonville), and witnessed her coffin being carried
out as he reflected on the fact that 20 years earlier he had walked from Myrtle Bank to Scottsdale, through dense scrub most of the way, to attend their wedding.
Janet Carmichael Bald was interred at the Ellesmere Cemetery, the same resting place as her parents Joseph (interred 1879) and Margaret (1870). Dugald McGilp did not remarry. He died in 1907 at the age of 77.
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.
CIRCULAR NORTH is rallying the community to dispose of everyday chemicals around the home, with a series of free collection events taking place across the region .
Circular North Steering Committee Chair Shane Power said common household products like cleaning agents, pool treatments, and gardening chemicals contain substances that can be volatile or toxic, which makes placing
these in regular rubbish or recycling bins extremely dangerous.
“The reactive nature of these chemicals can lead to fires or toxic fumes in collection vehicles and at waste transfer stations, endangering workers, residents, and the environment,” Mr Power said.
Even small amounts of improperly discarded hazardous waste can contaminate large volumes of otherwise recyclable materials, which is why
residents are being urged to take part in the free collections guided by a qualified chemist, storage, and transport provider
To take part, residents should package their waste safely and can visit the below stations for disposal.
Scottsdale Saturday, Oct 26, 9am –12pm. George Town Saturday Oct 26, 1:30pm – 4pm. St Helens Saturday 2 Nov, 1:30pm – 4pm.
AROUND 800 people flocked to the Lilydale Football Ground last Sunday to celebrate Children’s Week at Lilydale’s second Big Day Out event.
Organiser Jenny Storay said it was a fun family day which received great support from donors, volunteers and community members.
“You could ride a pony, try out karate or gymnastics, kick a footy, fly a kite or have your face painted and Lilydale Playgroup had lots of fun things to keep the young ones entertained,” she said.
“There was lots of yummy food to enjoy as people checked out the great display of trucks, classic cars, motorbikes or a tractor.”
While the event takes a lot of work to ensure its success, Mrs Storay said she hoped it would become an annual event.
REALITY TELEVISION star Cody Gunton will bring the music to Bridport later this year.
Tickets will soon go on sale for a Dave's Devils Shitbox Rally Team fundraiser at the Bridport Bunker Club, which is raising money for Cancer Council Tasmania.
Gunton, a Launceston musician, made it past the battle stage on TV show The Voice, only to be knocked out before the finals.
He will perform at the event on Sunday December 22 from 2pm to 5pm.
NORTH EASTERN EVENTS CALENDAR 2024/2025
October 25
• 60 Years of Seniors in Scottsdale Northbourne Hall, 1:00pm
October 26
• Ruby’s Marathon for Suicide Prevention Scottsdale Rec Ground, 8:30am
• Spud Fest Launch Bo & Barn, 6:00pm – 10:00pm
October 27
• Scottsdale Choir Annual Concert Mechanics Hall from 2:30pm
November 2
• Gladstone Hotel Rodeo Gladstone
November 9
• Ringarooma School & District Show Ringarooma
November 15/16
• Scottsdale Show Scottsdale Rec Ground
November 29
• Scottsdale Senior Social Club, Xmas Northbourne Hall, for 11:00am
December 6
• Christmas Market Scottsdale Mechanics Hall
December 7
• Mannalargenna Day Festival
– 10th Anniversary Tebrakunna Country, Cape Portland
December 8
• Rotary Dorset Christmas Celebration, Scottsdale Rec Ground, 11:00pm – 2:00pm
December 15
• Lions Club of Bridport Carols by the Sea Bridport Village Green, from 5:00pm
• Christmas Market
Mathinna School, Mathinna
January 4
• Bridport Niche Village Market Bridport, 9:30am
THE FUTURE look of the Scottsdale Railway Station precinct is in the community’s hands, with Dorset Council set to open consultation to gather feedback on what could be included in the development.
The consultation will focus on the open space surrounding the former Scottsdale Railway Station between Ellenor St and Coplestone St.
Feedback is also being requested on behalf of the Rotary Club of Scottsdale for community input into the future usage options for the derelict building.
Commissioner Andrew Wardlaw
said the former Scottsdale Railway Station Redevelopment was a Rotary led project with Council providing financial assistance.
“The two projects are intertwined so it makes sense to collaborate with Rotary for the consultation,” he said.
“Council received funding of $138,000 from Round 2 of the Open Spaces Grants Program for the railway precinct development so this will form the majority of the budget for the project which will focus on transforming the area from a grass wasteland into a usable community space.
DORSET COUNCIL’S fate now lies in the hands of a new Local Government Minister after Nic Street resigned from his ministerial responsibilities to focus on his health.
Former Sorell Mayor Kerry Vincent will be sworn in at Government House today, Wednesday, October 23.
Suspended Dorset Mayor Greg Howard said he was pleased to see Mr Vincent take the role but admits the Board of Inquiry into the Council could now stretch into 2025.
“He is a good bloke and very competent. He is not woke in any way – he’s a bit more practical and he’d be a welcome addition to Cabinet I’d think,” Mr Howard said.
Mr Howard said Mr Vincent would need to be fully briefed on the history of the Inquiry which started in August 2023 and has left Dorset without elected representation since.
Mr Street had previously said the Inquiry report and recommendations would be handed down before Christmas but Mr Howard said that was unlikely.
“We haven’t seen the updated report after Council made its submissions but I would imagine it would be very different to the original report given the breadth and volume of the response from Council,” Mr Howard said.
“He will have to send it back to everyone impacted by the findings and then send it to the Solicitor General for advice and it may even go back to the Board of Inquiry again because we have some very valid arguments about why some findings and recommendations can’t be made legally. I reckon it will be February at the earliest.”
A spokesman for Mr Vincent said he could not comment until he became Minister for Local Government.
“It’s currently a bit of an eyesore so it will make a significant impact on the appeal of the area. The town link pathway, completed earlier this year, and of course the former station will form key elements of the concept plan.
“We would really like to see the community engaging with this project as there is a significant amount of history in the station and the surrounding area that could be showcased.”
Further consultation is expected to be held once a concept plan has been drafted with precinct construction set to be completed by December, 2025.
Rotary Club of Scottsdale President Guy Jetson said Rotary was excited to be progressing with the redevelopment in conjunction with Council’s precinct project.
“We are interested to see what the community thinks the future looks like for the former station building and the precinct. We have funding from Council ($100,000) and from the State Government ($150,000) with which to get the railway station redevelopment project underway.”
Feedback can be provided via Council’s website with consultation open until Wednesday, November 20.
THE COMMUNITY is invited to join Scottsdale’s Ruby Hall this Saturday as she leads the fourth annual Ruby’s Marathon for Suicide Prevention at the Scottsdale Recreation Ground.
The 17-year old created the event when she was just 14, as part of a project she undertook in Year 8 at Scotch Oakburn College.
Ruby, who is also a member of the Tasmania Devils Coates Talent League Under 18 Girls side, lost her grandfather Ken Hall to suicide back in 2017, at the age of 68.
Ken was a member of the famous 1973 State premiership winning Scottsdale Football Club, which became the first club ever to be inducted into the AFL Tasmania Hall of Fame. Hall also coached Scottsdale to their last NTFA senior premiership back in 2001.
Just 12 months ago Ruby also lost a close team mate to suicide.
The motto for the event is “one person can’t help everybody but all of us together can help somebody”.
on Saturday at Scottsdale Recreation Ground.
It’s hoped around 200 people will join Ruby across the day – for one lap or the entire 57 to complete a 42.2km marathon.
The event starts at 8.30am with money raised going to the Dorset Suicide Prevention Network.
A FORMER volunteer firefighter who died in a tragic incident on Flinders Island in August has been posthumously honoured for 30 years of service.
Governor of Tasmania, the Honourable Barbara Baker was kept busy presenting dozens of awards to Flinders Island firefighters who had reached milestones with their volunteering.
She presented a special award to David Bailey, which was accepted by his brother Greg, for his contributions.
Chris Bowman from the Whitemark brigade received acknowledgement for 60 years of service while Leslie Pitchford notched up 55 years. The presentations took place at the Finders Island Show – see full coverage on page 6-7.
A RECORD crowd enjoyed glorious spring sunshine on Saturday as they attended the friends of St Pauls’ annual PlantFest at Springfield.
“We had a marvellous day,” Organising committee member Merrilyn Lette said.
“There were lots of worried faces on Friday when it rained so much, but when Saturday dawned we had sunshine and blue skies and the ground was firm – no mud!
“An estimated 1200 people visited during the course of the event, there was a broad variety of stalls with plants for sale as well as timber pieces for the garden, art and craft and food.”
The event was officially opened by local identity Wayne Harper, who spoke of the immense value of volunteers to our community before an auction was overseen
by Mark Coniston.
“He is a man with the gift of making you part with your money and laugh about doing so! The auction is always very entertaining and run in good spirits,” Mrs Lette said.
“Dorset Tasmania History Society and Dorset Timber Getters of Bygone Days were set up inside St Pauls with framed photographs of the early timber harvesters drawing a lot of attention.
“The grounds were ablaze with little faces painted as unicorns, dogs, butterflies and flowers following visits to the Face Painting with Sam and Tracey stall, and the results were really beautiful.
“It was a very successful day with funds raised helping to maintain and improve the St Paul’s Springfield site so it can be available for more events in the future.”
A NEW zebra crossing should be installed before the end of the year after Dorset Council approved changes to Bridport’s Main St traffic management.
The lawful speed limit will be reduced to 40 km/h along the portion of Main Street from the roundabout at the entry to Bridport Hall along the street to join up with the existing school zone near the Bridport Food Truck Park.
A pedestrian crossing will “remove confusion as to who has right of way” at the bottom of Henry St.
During public consultation, six submissions were not supportive of the changes compared to one that was, but Community and Development Director Rohan Willis said that result was “inconsistent with feedback we have had over the years”.
Commissioner Andrew Wardlaw said the issue had been on his radar and said the change was fair and reasonable.
Pedestrian crossings for George St and King St in Scottsdale should have designs ready for public consultation shortly, with hopes of progress on those developments before June 30, Mr Willis said.
COUNCIL RESOLVED in a closed session of Monday’s meeting to delegate authority to the General Manager to “unconditionally negotiate and execute” best price contracts for small electricity connections and public lighting electricity procured through the Local Government Association of Tasmania’s (LGAT) tender process.
Commissioner Andrew Wardlaw said that participating in the LGAT market tender would assist Council to attain better value for money.
He said the General Manager required delegated authority from Council to enter a contract at short notice, to allow Council to take advantage of favourable fluctuations in the electricity market.
“This is because the energy market is a heavily traded commodity, and prices can change daily,” he said.
The tender will close on November 13. LGAT and its consultants will evaluate the offers and provide a recommendation to participating councils within two days and councils will then have a few business days to accept the offer, noting that it would lapse if LGAT do not get confirmation from all councils.
AN APPROPRIATE reprimand is being determined for Barnbougle developer Richard Sattler after revelations he had impacted some marram grass on a sand dune during construction of the first of 20 new units at the Bridport site.
But any question of the project being developed outside its planning permit boundaries have been quashed by a new survey, undertaken after a question at the August Council meeting by Bridport resident Lou Brooker who questioned if setbacks were being adhered to.
Community and Development Director Rohan Willis said the original planning permit approved at the September, 2023, Council Meeting was granted on the basis of a three-metre setback from the property boundary but earlier this year it
was amended to increase the setback to 13 metres to accommodate bushfire hazard management setback requirements.
“The report has confirmed that the location and development footprint of the approved building is consistent with the setbacks and design approved under both the existing planning permit and the building permit – being 13 metres from the boundary,” Mr Willis said.
“The report has also confirmed that the northern elevation of the constructed building footprint (i.e. the portion of the building closest to the dune) is located behind the toe of the dune. The location of the building is therefore considered to be compliant with the existing planning and buildings permits that authorised its construction.”
Mr Willis said vegetation removal works of coastal wattle and marram grass undertaken around the periphery of the approved building was “lawful and is necessary”.
But he confirmed that during construction activities at the site an area of marram grass atop the dune and upon the public reserve was impacted by excavator activity.
“This area has since been replanted with marram grass individuals. Council remains in contact with Property Services upon this matter and is discussing appropriate measures of reprimand to ensure that no further activity upon, or disturbance of, the adjoining public reserve occurs without lawful authority to do so,” he said.
DORSET COUNCIL has approved around $50,000 in grant funding to a range of community and sporting groups.
Sport has been the big winner in the Dorset Community Matching Fund Grants stream of the Community Grants Program.
Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (SSAA) Scottsdale will receive $5000 towards a $14,000 shooting bench project, $9,886 will go towards the $21,835 cost of new fencing and drainage at Moorina Golf Club, while Dorset Field and Game gets $14,750 to assist with the remediation and renewal of access roads, expected to cost $37,625.
An application for playground
improvements at Jetsonville Playgroup will go into the Council’s next budget process as it is a council-owned facility while Ringarooma Golf Club missed out on a contribution towards a new lawn mower because the club has received assistance through the program previously.
Under the Dorset Councillors Discretionary Grants stream, the North Scottsdale Hall Committee will receive $9,890 to assist with floor restoration, while $2,487 will go to Dorset Tasmania History Society for plaques for unmarked graves at Stronach Cemetery.
A new heat pump requested by the Red
Dirt Café for Nugget Sellers Pavilion was not recommended for a grant and will instead be sent for Council budget considerations.
In the small grant section, Ringarooma Netball Club had $2000 granted towards new uniforms; $2000 will go towards Fingal Valley Neighbourhood House to deliver a Baby and Child First Aid program in Dorset; Scottsdale Lions Club Inc will receive $2000 to help clean up Northeast Park; $2000 will also go to the Scottsdale and Community Men’s Shed for improved security while $1,948 till go to Lions Club of Bridport to fund a new laptop.
DORSET COUNCIL was in a “really strong” financial position with low levels of debt and a solid cash position despite recording an underlying defecit.
The audited financial statements for the Council were presented at Monday night’s meeting, an act that Commissioner Andrew Wardlaw said hadn’t happened in previous years but was “the correct approach”.
Finance Manager Allison Saunders told the meeting that Council recorded an underlying deficit of $182,000 for the year ended June 30, 2024, compared to an underlying surplus
of $678,000 in 2022/23.
She said the first major renewal of the Blue Tier mountain bike trail and the fresh municipal valuation impacted the results, while Council’s capital income decreased by $1.3 million and expenses increased by $1.8 million.
She said the result actually exceeded budget expectations by $170,000 from an expected underlying deficit of $352,000.
Council’s net assets increased by $27.2 million driven largely by an increase of $26.7 million in property, infrastructure, plant and equipment assets – a
revaluation of stormwater assets saw an increase of 39 per cent while the indexing of land was up 39.3 per cent.
She said this would impact on depreciation expenses into the future, which had been budgeted for.
Council’s net financial liabilities sit at $2.4 million.
General Manager John Marik praised the “broader effort” of council to achieve the result and highlighted $5.8 million in election and grant funding received since July 2022, which he said was “amazing for a council of our size”.
WITH A wet and wild theme of Surf’s Up, the Flinders Island Show lived up to expectations on Friday.
Boots were a must as the Flinders community and a large group of visitors who flew in for the day or weekend, celebrated the best of island life.
“The locals on Flinders Island are not made from paper bags, we embrace the weather,” Show Society Creative Director Claire Castle said.
“Rain equals happy farmers and a day off to socialise.”
The event was attended by Her Excellency, the Honourable Barbara Baker, Governor of Tasmania and Emeritus Professor Don Chalmers, who referred to the rainy conditions as a ‘sunny day’ in Scotland.
Her Excellency presented Jenny
Cooper with Life Membership of the Show for her association with and support of the event for 50 years.
After being introduced to the show as a Pony Club mum she has held roles including Equestrian Steward and Cut Flowers and Floral Art Steward and still attends the Home Industries working bee each year.
The show featured a tip shop fashion parade and a new-look merry-go-round which had a facelift after 50 years of fun as well as the traditional arts and craft pavilion.
The “prettiest puppy” competition had a large contingent of entries this year, with old hound McLovin’ finally taking the honours after years of coming last.
Horses enjoyed a wet track in the
equestrian events while a bullock team from Oatlands paid homage to efforts of the beasts that once cleared the island’s paddocks. Bullock Bucks was a novel way to raise money for the pony club and whoever had bought the grid he landed his bovine patty cake on, scored $500.
Children were kept entertained and enthralled all day with face painting, laser tag and wonky bikes while the adults enjoyed the new extension on the roof of the bar.
“In case we were not wet enough from the rain, our local police, our Council General Manager, Bass MHA Simon Wood and a handful of local cool cats got dunked into freezing water in a tank built by our local Community Shed members,” Mrs Castle said.
ESTATE for the late Sally Maree Warren. Saturday 26 and Sunday 27, 57 Main Road Pioneer, not before 9:30am, this week a lot of homemade cards will be for sale.
WOODEN walking stick with deer antler handle lost in Scottsdale town centre. If found, please contact 0418 135 151.
OLD fashioned garden hoe, at the North Scottsdale turn off last Friday. If you have any information, please contact 0431 557 910 - Rewards offered if found.
• 10x5 trailer with cattler hurdles
• 6x4 trailer with sheep hurdles
• Hydraulic log splitter
• Wacker Packer
• Rotary hoe
• Tip tray ute
• Jackhammer ...plus more!
Seeking expressions of interest for multiple Bridport paper kids starting January 2025. The role will require a reliable and committed individual. Parent or Guardian assistance will be required at times. A perfect way to make extra pocket money. If you would like more information contact the office on 6352 2642 or email admin@northeasternadvertiser.
The Dorset Suicide Prevention Network wishes to thank the following generous supporters of our Take Some Time Trivia Night 2024.
•
• Scottsdale Football Club
• Ringarooma School Assoc.
• Chics&Bics
• Darling Irrigation
• Scottsdale Veterinary Services
• Pilgrim Blue Accommodation
• Mulberry Lane Pantry
• Dorset Council
• Dorset Community House
• Muirs
• Elders
• Fonterra
• Nutrien Ag Solutions
• Stagoll Transport
• North-Eastern Advertiser
• NE Jewellers
• Teazed Hair
• Anna Lovitt
• Michael Ferguson MHA
• Maria Branch
• Van Brecht Family
Get your Christmas advertising wrapped up early! Contact admin@northeasternadvertiser.com
FARMERS TAKING a day off for the Flinders Island Show were happy about the less than ideal weather conditions for the big day.
Grant Hall said it was a relief to see the rain, with around 18mm recorded in gauges on Friday.
“To be honest it’s a fantastic rain. We need it desperately,” Hall said.
“We have had a very dry autumn and through the winter it was dry, which is not a bad thing, but the trouble is when that happens you need a hell of a lot of rain in the spring and we haven’t had that up until now.
“Most people on the island would have used all their fodder reserves last summer and autumn, including us.
“Because we are an island, off an island, off an island, everything is more expensive, so we are hanging on this rain and hopefully we get a good amount
out of it.”
As a judge of cattle at the event, Hall said the island was still punching above its weight when it comes to livestock.
“They are well bred cattle. There are some very good Angus genetics sourced from Tasmania and that is represented in the cattle today.
“We just run good, practical, grassfed cattle. I am biased, but I think our reputation for our cattle is increasing year on year.”
Hall said the island was home to some of the largest herds in Tasmania.
“You have got one herd that runs 7000 breeeders, there’s a couple of herds that run 3000 and there’s quite a few that run close to 2000. It’s a pretty intensive livestock production on the island.”
He said he couldn’t comment on any whispers about who had purchased a 4626ha aggregation of three farms which
about 10 per cent of Flinders
An EOI period for Tiree, Reedy Lagoon and Durris closed earlier this month.
“Hopefully it stays local, that’s all I can say,” he said.
For the
most
A FARM at Pipers River has been chosen as one of two trial sites for a Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture experiment that aims to address the impacts of climate change and sustained periods of dry conditions and how they’re putting stress on pastures for livestock production.
Pasture 365 will determine whether growing a large number of diverse pasture species can result in drought resilient pastures and enable a feedbase that can provide year-round feed for livestock.
Briefing of Decisions made at the Council Meeting held on 21 October at the Bridport Hall
• Approved funding contributions under the Dorset Small Grants stream of the 2024/25 Community Grants Program to the Fingal Valley Neighbourhood House – funding a program within Dorset ($2,000), Scottsdale Lions Club Inc. ($2,000), Scottsdale and Community Mens Shed ($2,000), Lions Club of Bridport ($1,948) and Ringarooma Netball Club ($2,000).
• Approved funding contributions under the Dorset Community Matching Fund Grants stream of the 2024/25 Community Grants Program to the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia Scottsdale ($5,000), Moorina Golf Club ($9,886) and Dorset Field and Game ($14,750).
• Approved funding contributions under the Dorset Councillors Discretionary Grants stream of the 2024/25 Community Grants program to the North Scottsdale Hall Committee ($9,890) and the Dorset Tasmania History Society ($2,487).
• Received, noted and adopted the audited financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2024.
• Adopted reviewed Policy No. 43 – Cash Management.
• Resolved to request the Commissioner for Transport reduce the speed limit along Main Street, Bridport (from number 75 to 121 Main Street) from 50 km/hr to 40 km/hr, and install a pedestrian wombat crossing treatment on Main Street, adjacent to the Henry Street junction.
• Resolved to delegated specific powers and functions to the General Manager under the Strategic Infrastructure Corridors (Strategic and Recreational Use) Act 2016 and Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993, to the General Manager, revoked previous powers and functions and delegated revised functions and powers under Section 57(6) and (7) of the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 to the General Manager, Director – Community and Development and Town Planner, and received and noted the reviewed Master Delegation Register, version October 2024.
• Received and noted the 2024/25 Annual Plan September quarterly report.
• Amended conditions that ratepayers must satisfy to qualify for the maximum increase cap set out in the clause 1.4a of the 2024/25 Rates Resolution and resolved to delegate powers to the General Manager to implement the updated conditions via a remission of rates, if required.
• In the closed session portion of the Meeting, resolved to delegate authority to the General Manager to negotiate and execute new small electricity connections and public lighting electricity contracts for Council whereby the best available pricing will be attained through a market tender process conducted by the Local Government Association of Tasmania.
The recording of the Council Meeting can be downloaded from this link: https://bit.ly/40dIAFL
For further information on any of these items, please contact Commissioner Andrew Wardlaw (0408 766 019) or General Manager, Mr John Marik (03 6352 6500).
Nine experimental sites in high and low rainfall regions across Australia will evaluate a range of pasture mixes, with sowing recently completed at Campbell Town and Pipers River.
The Tasmanian component of the project is being led by TIA Senior Research Fellow Dr Rowan Smith.
“We’re looking to see if we can find some pasture species mixes that are more resilient to extended and more regular periods of dry times,” Dr Smith said.
“In many regions, livestock producers rely on just a small number of pasture species for their grazing livestock.
“It’s been more common for farmers to focus on two or three species. More recently in cover cropping and regenerative practices it’s become more popular to sow a much bigger and wider range of species. We want to see whether that will work in a perennial pasture system.”
The five-year series of experiments and demonstrations will evaluate both simple and complex pasture mixes and assess productivity.
It’s hoped the project will address shortages in summer feed for livestock and increase the resilience of grazing enterprises to cope with droughts and climate change.
The trial site at Pipers River in the State’s north-east has medium to high rainfall.
“In the high rainfall zone, like at Pipers River, it’s common to sow perennial ryegrass and white clover so we’re using that as our benchmark,” Dr Smith said.
“We’re trialling diverse mixes and we’re altering the amounts of legume species, grass species and herbs in those mixes.
“Can we successfully include a large range of species including grasses, legumes and herbs in a pasture and does that diversity help during those dry times? Or is diversity across the farm in a range of simple mixes more valuable than high diversity within paddocks?”
A WINNALEAH single father who drove repeatedly without a licence was last week sent immediately from Scottsdale Magistrates Court to prison, where he will serve more than four months in jail.
Matthew James Richards-Youd pleaded guilty on Tuesday, October 15, to one count of driving whilst disqualified, one count of using a motor vehicle with no premium cover and one count of using an unregistered vehicle.
Police Prosecutor Kate Springer told the court that Richards-Youd, who didn’t hold a licence, was pulled over by police in Rocherlea on April 16 and was found to be in breach of a suspended sentence.
The court heard Richards-Youd had driven “without thinking” after his brother requested assistance for a sick nephew.
The accused’s lawyer requested home detention or a deferral of sentencing to allow for rehabilitation, arguing RichardsYoud was a single father and that a jail sentence would impact his eight-year-old daughter and their Housing Commission placement.
Magistrate Ken Stanton was not swayed, saying it was a problem Richards-Youd had brought on by himself with “deliberate defiance”.
He agreed to Sgt Springer’s request to activate two suspended sentences.
“This is the 16th time you have defied the court’s orders and 31st occasion of driving when not allowed to do so without a licence,” Mr Stanton said.
“You didn’t give sufficient regard to the fact it is abundantly clear that you are not allowed to drive under any circumstances.
“This offence is put in context by your deliberate and continued defiance of court orders.”
He was convicted and sentenced to two months imprisonment on the Rocherlea
offence.
Suspended sentences from March 19, 2024, and November 28, 2023, were activated.
Richards-Youd will spend three months and six weeks in prison and was disqualified from driving for 12 months.
In other matters:
Dylan Kyle Boxer pleaded guilty to driving an unregistered vehicle and not having premium cover.
The court heard he was pulled over on Wattle Grove, Winnaleah, on April 27, for driving a vehicle with no front or rear number plates.
Boxer said he had bought the Mitsubishi Triton and was taking it for a test drive after putting a new motor in it. He said he was 30m from his driveway when he was intercepted by Police.
He was convicted and fined $300.
Caleb Holden Chilcott was given a strict warning from Mr Stanton to continue improving his attitude or risk going to jail, after he pleaded guilty to driving with the illicit drug THC in his oral fluid on Bridport Rd, Jetsonville.
Chilcott admitted he had a bad record but said he had “settled down”.
Mr Stanton convicted him, fined him $1200 and disqualified him from driving for eight months – warning him not to drive while disqualified as the consequence could be prison.
Brad Luke Kelly pleaded guilty to driving on Bridport Rd at Scottsdale whilst his licence was suspended, saying he wasn’t aware it had been.
He was convicted and fined $400.
Pioneer’s Christopher Mark Wright will hear his fate on February 4 after Mr Stanton ordered an extended pre-sentence report following guilty pleas to multiple charges including driving with THC in his
system on May 9, on Rose St, Scottsdale.
At the time he was using an unregistered vehicle and did not have a licence.
He was also charged with those same two offences after being pulled over on the Tasman Highway near Winnaleah on July 7.
The court heard he had never held a driver’s licence, but Wright argued he was “only driving to and from work”.
Mr Stanton said as it was “the 15th and 16th time you have driven without a licence” an extended pre-sentence report would allow him to consider options other than prison.
Liam Dennis Farrell pleaded guilty to possessing a dangerous article in public and possessing a thing used for administration of a controlled drug after Police discovered capsicum spray, an axe handle and a gunshaped smoke device in his possession.
He had been in a vehicle pulled over on King St, Scottsdale on June 11 when the items were located.
The court heard he told Police the items were for self-defence.
He was convicted and fined $300.
Michelle Dawne Faehrmann told the court she was driving on Gladstone Rd on July 7 at 6pm without a licence in an unregistered and uninsured vehicle to access food for her three children because the person in their community who usually drove was sick and unable to.
The South Mount Cameron woman was convicted and fined $200 for driving offences.
Ralph Lewis Buggins pleaded guilty to driving without a licence and speeding on Ringarooma Rd at Scottsdale on August 8, after being recorded driving at 77km/h in a 60km/h zone.
The court heard he admitted he was speeding to “get up the hill” but was not
aware tht his licence had expired. He was convicted, fined $300 and was given three demerit points.
Bridport man Anand Jiuanta Todd was disqualified for driving for 10 months and fined $1500 after recording a blood alcohol content of 0.032 when his licence required him to have no alcohol in his system.
His application for a restricted licence was denied by Magistrate Stanton.
Noel Douglas Millwood was fined $200 for driving whilst his licence was suspended. The court heard the 73-yearold was subject to a fitness test before his licence was “unsuspended”, which has since occurred.
Montana Rose Johns pleaded guilty to driving with illicit drugs in her system on May 5 in Ellenor St, Scottsdale. The court heard she had THC in her oral fluid. She was convicted and fined $390.
Luke Moss pleaded guilty to six driving offences including speeding, not holding a drivers’ licence and driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle. He was detected driving 25km over the speed limit on the Tasman Highway near Legerwood on May 28. He was convicted, given three demerit points and fined $900.
And Joshua Michael Moss will be assessed for community service after he pleaded guilty to driving with illicit drugs in his system and not holding a driver licence as well as driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle.
The court heard of two separate incidents – one on June 11 when he was intercepted on King St, Scottsdale, and found to have methamphetamine and amphetamine in his system, while on August 8 he lost control of a Holden Rodeo on the Tasman Highway and crashed into a tree.
Magistrate Stanton will sentence him on February 4, 2025.
BREAK O'DAY Council been awarded the 2024 Community Award at the Annual Local Government Professionals Conference in Hobart, in recognition of its Volunteer Film Festival.
The project highlighted and celebrated the invaluable contributions of volunteers within the community, bringing together local community groups and individuals to
share stories of volunteering through short films.
Mayor Mick Tucker expressed his pride and appreciation for the recognition.
"This award is not just a win for Council, it's a win for every volunteer in Break O'Day who gives their time, energy, and passion to make our community stronger,” he said.
“Volunteers are the backbone of small communities like ours, and this project was our way of giving back to them."
The festival was held during National Volunteer Week and invited community groups to create short films capturing the essence of their volunteer work.
From charity efforts to recreational clubs, the films demonstrated the wide
variety of opportunities available for people to step up.
"This project showed that volunteering truly is for everyone, no matter your age or background. The films brought to life the stories of connection, dedication, and community spirit, and we couldn’t be more proud of the impact they’ve had," said Mayor Tucker.
DORSET COUNCIL has opened a new amenities block at Bridport’s Eastmans Beach, after a five-month construction period, with facilities for both the public and Bridport Seaside Caravan Park patrons to use.
Constructed by local contractors, the building replaces a toilet block which was the oldest in the area and housed only a male and female toilet.
Commissioner Andrew Wardlaw said the new build was not only suggested by Councillors during their 2023/24 budget infrastructure tour, but also by local community groups such as Bridport Innovations.
“With increased visitation to not only
the Bridport Seaside Caravan Park, but the Bridport foreshore in general, the requirement for improved public and Park facilities was a high priority for Council,”
Commissioner Wardlaw said.
“The provision of a public hot water shower was highlighted by the community and incorporated into the design for use by day visitors to the area.”
The public will have 24 hour access to an all-access unisex toilet / shower and one dedicated shower stall. Park patrons have pin code access to the remaining facilities including four toilets, one shower and one disabled unisex toilet / shower.
Bridport Seaside Caravan Park Managers, Phil Coleman and Kate Snow
said they were excited to see the new amenities block open.
“We are thrilled!” they said.
“Council’s commitment to improving public infrastructure aligns with our goal of providing top-notch amenities for our guests. This modern facility not only enhances the experience for our park patrons but also serves the broader community and we believe this new addition will significantly contribute to the comfort and convenience of all visitors to Bridport.”
The project received $220,000 funding via Phase 4 of the Federal Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure funding stream.
THE NORTH East Cricket Association will hold its Annual General Meeting on Monday, October 28 at 7 pm at Lords Hotel.
President Jason Sarich said the meeting would involve discussions around the upcoming cricket season for both juniors and seniors.
All participating clubs need to have representation on the night.
Any interested parties including parents of juniors are invited to attend, with an invitation also extended to Cricket Tasmania representatives.
“The association, especially the juniors, will be needing people/parents to help run the competition this year as we have lost some players from each club as they have grown out of the age group,” he said.
BY
BRIDPORT BOWLS season is finally underway with the premier side having their game postponed due to some of East players playing for the State in New South Wales.
So it was up to Div 5 to get the ball rolling, but they found the Invermay side a bit too strong, coming home with only two points for the day.
Division 5 - Invermay 65 (10) def Bridport 47 (2). Sulzberger 31 def Archer 10. Illingworth 17 def Sankey 16. Triffett 17 lt Glover 21.
Well done to Turtle and Lawrence Archer for winning the club drawn pairs on Sunday.
BY JAN FOSTER
WELCOME READERS to the new 24/25 Pennant season for the Scottsdale Bowls Club. This year is looking like a great year with new players and some long-time veterans returning to once again enjoy Saturday and Thursday Bowls.
Division1 played its first game away, heading off to Exeter on a very warm day and unfortunately did not have the best of days with only one team out of our three being successful. All players were trying their best to get back into the game after having the winter off.
Team 1 – skip John Dennis, Phil Hay leading, with Julie Kean, one of our newbies 2nd and Arch Ranson 3rd went down 26 to 14.
Team 2 - skip Neville Lynch, lead Steve McMullan, 2nd Chris Coates, 3rd Helen Pola battled all day but had a disappointing outcome, losing 35 to 15.
Team 3 - skip Craig Bennett, lead Tony Giunta, 2nd Merv Chilcott and 3rd Matt Slager, another of our new players, were down midway through but fought strongly to come home winners 21 to 19.
Division 3 and Division 6 played at home on a glorious summers day, with all teams on both sides struggling with the heat.
Div.3. team 1 skip Kerry Hayes, lead Brad Jacobs (new player), 2nd Vilma Fogarty and 3rd Barney Wise had a great win, 20 to 15 - a great game by new lead Brad.
Team 2 with skip Tony Williams, lead Robert Sutton (new player), Cindy Walsh 2nd and 3rd Peter Fogarty won well 23 to 18.
Team 3. Skipped by Graeme Walsh, lead Jan Foster, 2nd Kath Ginn and 3rd Kevin Coates also had a great win 28 to 16
Div.6. Team 1 skip Trevor Jessup, lead Pat Bennett, 2nd Hannah Ride (new player), 3rd Peter LeFevre (new player), also had a fantastic day winning 27 to 14.
Team 2 skipped by Nigel Chorley, lead David Ezzy, 2nd Karen Gibson and 3rd Mel Austin (new player) had a win 23 to 19. Great job Mel.
The div 6 games were slow and exhausting and everyone was pleased to get off the rink. I don’t think we were quite ready for such a warm start to the season.
Congratulations to Div. 3 on top of the ladder and Div. 6 equal leaders after week one.
SCOTTSDALE GOLF CLUB
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19
MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS ROUND 3 (FINAL ROUND)
2024 Champions A Grade (Club Champion) - S Krushka, 215 Gross.
B Grade - G Booth, 277 Gross.
C Grade - C Dobson, 287 Gross.
Day’s Event Winner: W Howlett 71 nett. R/Up: S Krushka 72 c/b D Knight. Others - C Dobson 73, B Fahey. NTP 5/14: G Booth. Longest Putt - R Kerrison. Putting - S Krushka 27 putts. Eagle (6th) - S Krushka.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15
Women’s Winner: N Lette 35. R/ Up: T Hall 29 c/b Heather Lack.
Men’s Winner: P Beattie 38. R/Up - D Wells 31 c/b G Blackwell & M Hope . Longest Putt - H Lack, C Mackenzie. Gobblers - H Lack, N Lette, P Beattie. BRIDPORT GOLF CLUB
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 AMBROSE NTP: Individual Men 1/10: N Hayes; Individual Women 6/15: A Kent; Team 8/17: Alexander & Team S Curtis. Longest Drives on 2nd: Men: A Turner; Women: Kent. 4th Place: T Chugg, J Goodyer, R Goodyer, M Goodyer 57. 3rd Place: S Curtis, H Leedham, Dl Egan, I Thompson 56.69. 2nd Place: A Manion, A Turner, C Manion, D Leary. Best Score: T Sarich, J Sarich, K Airey, S Hill 53.5.
Bradman’s Trophy: D Etchells, B Atkinson, G Gurr, B Laird 66. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16 Women - Winner: H Davies 33, A Kent 32, K Cuthbertson 30, J Atkinson 30. NTP Div 1 1/10: Karlene Cuthbertson. NTP Div 2 6/15: Helen Davies. Longest Putt over the Field 3/12: A Kent. Men: M Lambert 33 c/b P Claridge. Croquet - Draw: R Charlton. Good shot: J Foster. MOORINA GOLF CLUB
MENS FOURSOME CHAMPIONSHIP
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19
DAY EVENT STROKE
Winner: G&M Taylor 68.5. 2nd K Wagner & D Donnelly 76 c/b L&J
Rattray 76. Men's Foursome 2nd Round A Grade: G&M Taylor 92+80 /172, L&J Rattray 92+87 /179, A Youd & R Nichols 96+94 /190. B Grade: K Wagner & D Donnelly 95+100 /195, S Percy & J Balfe 111+98/209. C Grade: A Thompson & B Holbein 107+109 /216. B Grade 5/14 J Balfe/ S Percy. C Grade 2/11 A Thompson / B Holbein RINGAROOMA GOLF CLUB
SUNDAY OCTOBER 20 STABLEFORD 1st
FORMER BRIDPORT Primary School pupil Tandi Dunn has lifted her way to national glory and already has the Olympics in her sights.
The 12-year-old took part in the National 2024 Australian Weightlifting Federation Under 15 and Youth Championship that was held in Hobart on Sunday.
As the only female representative for Tasmania and the youngest at the event, Tandi shone on the stage to record a 50kg clean and jerk and a 42kg snatch – giving her a 92kg total to claim gold in her category.
“I like lifting weights and having the confidence to go out and do it,” she said.
“I was the only female to put in six clean lifts for the competition
so I am pretty proud.
“I want to lift 100kg total in the next competition I have in four weeks’ time in Hobart.”
Tandi took up the sport two years ago after watching the Olympics on TV and she has been training four days a week at Launceston PCYC under Coach Mark Brown and Assistant coach Jewel Banks.
She has competed at four competitions since February this year, winning gold at the State under 15 junior championships in September.
While she also participates in basketball, weightlifting is her passion.
“I’d really like to make it to the Olympics in Brisbane in 2032,” she said.