CELEBRATING 21 years of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Nicky Bomba - Freeburgh resident and ringmaster of the 26-member-strong spectacle - says the collective have yet to run out of ideas for its future in keeping the Australian live music scene flourishing.
Talking with Regional Extra, Bomba looked back on the dazzling success of the band and the non-stop passion of its talented members as they tour Australia over the next few months.
“Every year this band continues and it’s quite remarkable,” he said.
“It doesn’t make sense having a band this size go for this long but we’ve got such a great brains trust of musicians and songwriters that we’re constantly coming up with ideas.
“It feels like the momentum is picking up with the possibilities of what we can do.
“I still feel fresh about this band and it’s not often you get 20 odd people onstage with new possibilities of instrumentation and theatrics.
“For this tour we’ve added a few new things so people will see something different but we’ve kept the things that worked well, live, over the 20 years.
“The live shows are what we love the most; it’s better and more succinct connection with the audience.”
Managing a group of this size should come with its own challenges, but for Bomba it’s simply made for an exciting mix of imagination and skill.
“The number one thing is you pick up peo-
ple along the way that become part of your inner core team,” he said.
“A strong team of people with distinct roles and then the band, and the genre of Ska, is all about connections with people and working together.
“Once the team was consolidated we’ve got quite a slick operation now.
“As far as members go, no one ever leaves the band; we’ve just have 40 people on the books.
“The hardest thing is the logistics of transporting 20 odd people from point A to point B.
“Having such a mix of musicians is pivotal in creating new music.
“Ska has had a lot of different influences and permutations from the original 60s in Jamaica, 80s American, the second wave in the 90s.
“We represent international Ska, being from multi-cultural Melbourne and so many nationalities within the band, we use that as our source for creating our sound.
“As far as the hybrid is concerned we’ve got a bit of funk, rock, African rhythms; there’s lots to explore and we’re getting better at that.
“Finding our own voice within Ska is about being active as composers, and the most important thing to us is our live shows.
“That’s out role as musicians; storytelling and connection with community is all the more vital these days and we do that well.”
As far as the live performance goes, Bomba has dubbed it an ‘experience’ rather than just a show.
“There’s no other band like it with that many people on stage and not static; we’re a crazy circus that happens on stage,” he said.
■ Continued page 6
◆ OUTLAWS AND OFFBEATS: Melbourne Ska Orchestra is on tour.
KIM
CORNER with DR LINDA
By LEAH ANDERSON-BYRNE
VET CORNER Scooting dogs
HAVE you ever noticed your dog scooting its bottom along the ground?
Many people assume the cause of this is intestinal worms, which can indeed be the case.
But there is another possible cause which we see quite frequently in small breed dogs, and that is overly full anal glands.
Dogs and cats have two scent glands, one on either side of the anus.
When the glands are working correctly they deposit a small amount of smelly liquid each time the animal passes faeces.
This is part of what allows dogs to identify information about each other via smell.
Sometimes the gland can become blocked, which causes discomfort as it becomes overly full.
The dog will lick its bottom obsessively, or scoot along the ground in an attempt to relieve the blockage.
The blocked gland can often be resolved by manual expression by your vet.
Sometimes blocked glands can become infected and form an abscess which is very painful, and requires treatment with antibiotics, and sometimes flushing or surgery under anaesthesia.
Sometimes older dogs can develop tumours or cancers involving the anal glands, particularly male dogs which have not been desexed.
Preventing blocked anal glands can be tricky.
Sometimes adding additional fibre to the diet every day can be helpful.
with Dr Linda Bradbury, Warby Street Vet
In other cases anal gland problems can be related to allergies (itchy skin), and may decrease in frequency if the dog’s allergy symptoms are medicated.
In dogs which are having very frequent anal gland problems, there is the option of surgical removal of the anal glands.
This tends to be an option reserved for severe cases as any operation involving the anus carries a risk of complications.
If you see your dog scooting repeatedly, a trip to the vet is worthwhile to determine the cause.
This Day in History, 1935
MORE WHEELBARROWS
THE Wheelbarrow Marathon up Mount Buffalo in June, 1935, produced a crop of imitators.
Almost every state in Australia had its barrow pushers.
It was also inevitable that the Parkinson-Evans endurance push up Mount Buffalo would remain unchallenged, and on this day on 1935, a man and wife team arrived in Beechworth to make an attempt on the record.
Mr and Mrs Williams were from Toowoomba in Queensland and declared themselves fit and ready.
Mr Williams was 42 years old and his wife was the passenger in the wheelbarrow.
When the attempt got under way a few days later, it was so successful (the trip being completed in slightly under three days)l, the pair subsequently tackled the Albury and Melbourne wheelbarrow record, beating the previous time by nine days.
GONE FISHING
Trout season opens Saturday, with plenty of rivers to fish in region
THE big news in the fishing scene this week is the reopening of the Victorian trout season this Saturday.
The streams have been closed since the King’s Birthday Weekend in June to help protect spawning trout.
Thanks to quite a dry winter, the larger rivers will be worth fishing this weekend.
The Ovens River upstream of Bright, the Kiewa River upstream of Dederang, the Buffalo River upstream of Lake Buffalo, the King River upstream of Lake William Hovell, the Mitta Mitta River upstream of Eskdale, and anywhere along the Buckland River will all be worth a try.
The smaller tributaries will also be worth fishing although they may be a bit more hit and miss than the larger rivers which are general a bit more consistent early in the season.
yellowbelly, however I am happy to catch anything and often pick up a few carp and other species as a by-catch.
Murray cod will still take worms, but usually it is the smaller ones that are not spawning, and if I do catch a larger one, it isn’t often and is released quickly.
Now that September is here the Murray cod season has closed.
We can still go fishing in the rivers that have Murray cod in them, however we are not allowed to target Murray cod.
I fish the Ovens River a lot during the spring time.
I leave my heavy cod fishing gear at home, including lures, and just focus on bait fishing with worms for the next three months.
My main target species is
The good news is that if you wish to target Murray cod during spring, both Lake Eildon and Lake Nillahcootie have had their closed seasons lifted as there is little evidence in either lake of cod actually spawning.
Both lakes are stocked heavily with Murray cod, so the closed season does not apply to either of those lakes.
And for the record, there is no longer a closed season on Murray cod in Lakes Eppalock or Cairn Curran either.
◆ BACK IN SEASON: Trout season opens this weekend and there will be many keen anglers hitting the water on Saturday morning.
with Rob Alexander WANGARATTA
SPRING is here and there’s no better time to take the next step toward your dream wedding smile.
At Evolve Orthodontics, we understand that your wedding day is one of the most important moments of your life a day where every detail matters, especially your smile.
While you plan your walk down the aisle, now is the ideal time to ensure your smile is as radiant as your love story.
Under the expert guidance of specialist orthodontist Dr Seerone Anandarajah, Evolve Orthodontics offers personalized treatment plans designed to enhance your smile, fitting perfectly into your wedding preparations.
Their experienced treatment coordinators, are here to support you every step of the way, ensuring that your orthodontic journey is smooth, stress-free, and perfectly timed for your big day.
Timing is everything
Ideally, they would like to start your orthodontic treatment at least 12 months before your wedding.
But what if you’re now closer to your wedding day?
Don’t worry spring is the perfect season for quick yet effective treatments that can still give you the confidence to smile brightly in all your wedding photos.
Clear aligners, minor adjustments, and tooth-coloured braces are excellent options that can produce noticeable results in just a few months.
Every smile is unique, just like your wedding day.
CHAULK STUDIO
Whether you’re looking to correct minor alignment issues, close small gaps, or simply enhance the overall appearance of your smile, our team at Evolve Orthodontics is here to help.
They offer a range of advanced orthodontic options, including clear braces and aligners, that are both discreet and effective.
Their goal is to ensure you feel your best, not just on your wedding day but for years to come.
Even if your wedding is just around the corner, it may not too late to achieve a smile you’ll love.
With their innovative dental monitoring system, you can track your progress weekly without frequent in-office visits, giving you more time to focus on your wedding plans.
This technology allows us to keep a close eye on your teeth remotely, ensuring that your treatment stays on track, even with a busy schedule.
While they’re focused on helping you look your best for your wedding, their orthodontic treatments also offer long-term benefits.
A well-aligned smile can improve your oral health, boost your confidence, and provide lasting results that will keep you smiling brightly long after the wedding festivities are over.
Start your journey today
As you finalize your wedding plans this spring, remember that your smile is one of the most important accessories you’ll wear on your big day.
Let us help you achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of at Evolve Orthodontics.
Their team is ready to create a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your timeline and goals.
Spring into action and take the first step toward a weddingready smile today.
Visit our website to schedule your free consultation with their dedicated treatment coordinators, Erin and Denise, and let’s make your dream smile a reality for your big day.
Your journey to a stunning wedding day smile begins now because every beautiful moment deserves an equally beautiful smile.
For more information, visit www.evolveorthodontics.com.au.
WE have designed many home renovations in our years of practice and learned many useful things along the way.
Many of our lessons learned, which I’m delighted to share, can save prospective home-buyer-renovators thousands in the long run.
A few years ago, friends purchased a house at a frenzied auction.
The week following they engaged us to transform the house into their dream home.
Excited, we all jumped in the car and headed out to inspect the new house.
It turns out the doublestorey house was built with concrete and load-bearing blockwork throughout –moving any wall was going to be difficult and expensive.
That leads me to lesson number one – when buying a house to renovate, first check its structural make-up.
The easiest houses to renovate are timber framed, timber trussed with non-load bearing internal walls that enable internal layouts to be adjusted without expensive structural gymnastics.
Lesson number two - be clear on how you would like to arrange your future home and look for a best-fit as some plans lend themselves to transformation better than others.
For instance, many older homes had smallish living rooms at the front and leantos at the rear.
These are often successfully converted by converting old living rooms into bedrooms and replacing the
lean-to with a new open living space.
And lesson three - it’s good to find a house that has the basics right so you’re starting out with the most upward potential.
Things like poor orientation, narrow hallways, low-ceiling heights and dampness are difficult to overcome and can affect the amenity of the final design outcome.
We’re always happy to help our clients with pre-purchase inspections as it’s better to understand potential before you buy rather than deal with an unnecessarily difficult renovation.
For more advice or help with your building needs contact us on 0408 300 106 or email kim@chaulk. com.au.
Evolve Orthodontics
DREAM
with Kim Mickelburough
CHAULK STUDIO
6.00
Melbourne Ska Orchestra celebrates its 21st year
■ From page 1
“Put in great musicianship, dedication to connection with audience and the love we have for what we’re doing and you’ve got something special.
“We’ve never had a hit song on the radio but with ARIA awards and internationally sold-out shows it’s clear that our chemistry and energy translates onstage.
“The audience is as much a part of the performance as the band is.”
The current 21st anniversary tour; Outlaws and Offbeats also comes off the band’s most recent single; John Wayne, which takes their sound in yet another new direction.
“We always have one foot in paying respect to the Ska sensibilities, and for me that’s the exciting thing
of where we can go to next,” Bomba said.
“John Wayne is spaghetti western Ska; we have two members who used to be in an outfit that played those theme songs lived and toured so seemed like an obvious well of information to dive into.
“It worked out backwards though; before we had the single we had the tour name.
“The offbeat is a hat tip to the Ska genre and really the whole genre came from the danger associated with it; born from the independence of Jamaica in 1962.
“My co-manager Wally and I had the John Wayne single sitting there for awhile and the whole thing just wrote itself.
“The disappointment of gun culture with this John Wayne character
macho-gun-toting image isn’t relevant anymore, yet so prevalent.
“Our group is a mixed bag; the riff and the raff and a beautiful collection of personalities and nationalities like a musical UN.
“We really encourage people to support live music, come see a magnificent show and invest in the music of Australia.”
Melbourne Ska Orchestra is touring now, get your tickets at https://www. melbourneskaorchestra.com/shows/.
* For your chance to win two tickets to see Melbourne Ska Orchestra at the Theatre Royal in Castlemaine on Saturday, September 14 email your name address and contact phone number to sdouthie@nemedia.com.au. Competition closes on September 6 at 5pm
• Free orthodontic consultation to discuss your options
• Personal Treatment coordinator to assist on your journey
• Interest free payment plans
• Specialist provider of clear aligners and 3D
• Customised treatment plans by our
TALENTED ORCHESTRA: The competition for free tickets to the Melbourne Ska Orchestra closes on September 6.
FEATURE STORY
NorthEast JOBS
To place an ad, phone 5723 0101 or email classifieds@nemedia.com.au
Cellar Hand
About the Company: At Brown Family Wine Group, we are passionate about our quality wines and our amazing people, and we are committed to the core family values of our company - Wellbeing, Respect, Innovation and Pride in What We Achieve Together.
As a proud and passionate business, who is strong on values and culture, we are honoured to have been identified by the workplace culture authority, Great Place to Work, as one of the 100 Best Workplaces in Australia for 2024. We have also maintained our certification as “A Great Place to Work” for the sixth year in a row and are committed to honouring this recognition throughout all aspects of the business.
The Role: Reporting to the Cellar Supervisor and working alongside a dedicated team of Cellar Hands and Winemakers, your primary responsibility will be to perform a variety of cellar procedures and operate equipment in accordance with wine handling guidelines. There will be an opportunity to step into a supervisory role during the busy vintage period once you have the skills and confidence to do so.
Key Responsibilities:
• Manage all duties allocated by the Cellar Supervisor or Team Leader in a safe, hygienic and efficient manner and ensure wine handling practices and procedures are adhered to.
• Assist in training and supervision of casual staff, and take an active supervisory role at vintage if required.
• Maintain winery upkeep and hygiene, ensuring equipment is maintained to a high level.
About You: Physically fit and highly motivated, you must be able to demonstrate a mechanical aptitude and can communicate effectively at all levels. Your reliability, integrity and the capability to work cohesively as part of a team are key to success in this role. There is also an expectation that you would have the flexibility to work shifts when required. Knowledge of winery operations and previous supervisory experience in previous jobs would be an advantage.
If you feel you’re the person we’re looking for, we’d love to hear from you ASAP.
Further information and a position description may be obtained by emailing careers@brownfwg.com.au or by calling Allyce on (03) 5720 5500.
THE ROLE OF PUBLISHERS
Advertisers please note!
Much hardship and difficulty is caused to job seekers by misleading advertising placed in the employment columns. Our Employment column is reserved for advertisements which carry a specific and genuine offer of employment. Ads for 'Business Opportunities', 'Commission Only' training courses and employment services should be submitted under those headings. Placing misleading ads is an offence against the Trade Practices Act and state/territory fair trading acts and all advertisements are subject to the publisher's approval. For further advice, contact: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on 1300 302 502 or your state consumer affairs agency.
NorthEast JOBS
WORK WITH US SEASONAL FIRE CREW
Alexandra, Benalla, Myrtleford & Shelley
Applications are sought for Seasonal Fire Crew (Summer Plantation Workers) for the 2024/25 fire season. The paid limited tenure positions will run from early November 2024 to late March 2025 and will include physical outdoor work and firefighting.
The successful applicants:
•Must possess a current manual drivers licence
•Live within 30 minutes of their nominated work depot
•Be able to pass a pre-employment medical check and a drug and alcohol test
•Be available to attend all compulsory training throughout November
•Be available for regular rostered weekend standby within 15 minutes of the nominated depot
Plantation work is varied and involves four wheel driving, spraying, assisting with helicopter fertilising operations, track clearing, mapping, fire response and fuel reduction burning!
Current accreditations in chainsaw use, chemical use, first aid, firefighting and a MR license are favourable.
How to Apply!
Please send applications via our HVP Careers portal hvp.elmotalent.com.au/careers/hvp/jobs
Please scan the QR code for the Skills Summary Form to upload as a Cover Letter.
Applications close 6th September 2024
CASUAL ASSISTANT GARDENER
An exciting opportunity exists for a motivated all-rounder to join our busy gardening team at the Brown Family Wine Group’s HQ in Milawa.
What’s involved: Reporting to our Horticulturist your primary responsibilities will be to support the gardening team with the day-to-day management of our extensive grounds, including mowing, weeding, spraying, irrigation, assisting in the Kitchen Garden and a range of horticultural enterprises. In addition to this you may be asked to assist with the set-up of our on-site events.
About you: Enthusiastic and motivated you will have previous gardening/ landscaping experience, enjoy working outdoors and able to work unsupervised or as part of a team. Ideally you will have a ChemCert Accreditation, Working at Heights, and Chainsaw tickets as well as a HR Forklift Licence. It’s also essential that you have excellent health and fitness in order to meet the physical requirements of this role.
What’s on offer: For the successful candidate we offer a great work culture, above award wages and generous product discounts just to name a few.
More Information: Further information and a position description can be obtained by emailing careers@brownfwg.com.au or by calling Allyce on (03) 5720 5500.
APPRENTICE CHEF
Winery Restaurant
Brown Brothers is looking for a motivated and energetic individual looking to start or complete their Apprenticeship journey.
About the Restaurant: Brown Family Wine Group is one of Australia’s most loved and trusted wine companies. Our Brown Brothers Restaurant was recently awarded a hat at the 2023 Good Food Guide awards. We are an iconic tourist destination recognised for our outstanding diversity around food and wine experiences, exciting event calendar, and host approximately 100,000 visitors per year, with our Restaurant and Cellar Door central to our offer.
AT INDIGO
GREAT JOBS FOR GREAT PEOPLE
About the role: This is an exceptional opportunity for an Apprentice Chef - a school leaver that is ready to take on the 1st year of your apprenticeship OR a 2nd year eager to continue learning from experienced professionals in a dynamic, award-winning restaurant and functions venue based in Milawa.
Guided by the Head Chef, Bodee Price the successful applicant will gain exposure to a wide variety of cooking techniques including our fermentation program around miso and sourdough, the culinary art of charcuterie as well as cheese making.
What’s on offer:
• Work within one of Australia's leading wine companies
• A supportive and innovative learning environment where you can develop your skills and achieve your goals
• Learn the benefits of growing and harvesting vegetables from our onsite kitchen garden
• A flexible and supportive working environment including access to the Company EAP
• Generous product discounts
• Lunch provided on rostered days
More Information: Further information and a position description may be obtained by emailing careers@brownfwg.com.au or by calling Allyce on (03) 5720 5500.
Job DescriptionSkills Summary
Upgrade your toolkit
AT North East Fasteners, we offer all the basics to help you get the job done.
This includes Kincromes 12 Piece Permanent Marker Case Set that is the perfect addition to any garage workshop, wood-shop or to just have around the home
They are equipped with specially formulated ink that is water, heat and UV resistant, allowing you to write on any surface including metal, concrete, timber and more under a range of oily, dusty or wet conditions.
The markers are also manufactured with ultra-durable tips in fine, chisel and bullet variations that will resist drying for 72 hours with the cap off The marker set comes with 10x assorted black, blue, green and red markers and one white paint marker all in a convenient marker case.
Kincrome also has a 12 Piece TorqueMaster Screwdriver Mixed Bundle that represents decades of fastening technology. The screwdriver bundle
has a range of professional grade features including colour coding and drive indicators making it easy to find the screwdriver you need in your toolbox from any angle. Other features include, up to 50 per more turning power in comparison to conventional screwdrivers, a triLobe design that dovetails with the hand, and magnetic Tips for greater fastener control.
To grab both these items, come into North East Fasteners today and upgrade your toolbox.
Transforming our world through love and compassion
IMAGINE a world where love and compassion
flow freely from every heart, touching all souls daily.
This September, South Wangaratta Medical Centre joins the global “Love and Compassion for the World” movement and invites you to join this transformative journey.
In a divided world, we can offer the antidote: genuine love and compassion.
Picture a community where:
• Disagreements lead to understanding, not violence
• Helping hands reach across all borders
• Teenagers find self-worth in meaningful connections
• Destructive behaviours diminish in the face of belonging
• Schools become havens of acceptance
Our mission is to inspire individuals to spread love and compassion, transcending barriers of religion, race, and ideology.
You might wonder, “How can I make a difference?”
It’s simpler than you think:
1. Start small, spread big: Offer a warm smile to a stranger, volunteer locally, or donate to a cause you care about.
Every act of kindness creates ripples of positivity.
2. Embrace empathy: Practice active listening, especially with those who hold different views. Strive to see the world through others’ eyes.
3. Celebrate diversity: Embrace the rich tapestry of cultures and backgrounds that make our community unique.
Let’s move beyond tolerance to genuine celebration of our differences.
Together, we can ignite a global movement, empowering individuals and promoting empathy.
We can rewrite our world’s narrative, fostering understanding and positive change.
Don’t wait, act now.
Start with a simple gesture.
Share your stories using #loveandcompassionfortheworld.
Inspire and be inspired.
Join us this September to create a world where individuals thrive, communities flourish, and humanity unites for a peaceful future.
This isn’t about grand gestures but consistent, small acts of love and compassion and your participation matters.
We can transform our world one compassionate act at a time.
Will you answer the call?
Together, we can turn this vision into reality.
◆ LOVE AND COMPASSION: Join South Wangaratta Medical Centre in the “Love and Compassion for the World” movement.
◆ TOOLBOX BASICS: Rodney Dean, from North East Fasteners, recommends Kincromes marker case set and TorqueMaster screwdrivers.
