Regional Extra 090823

By BAILEY ZIMMERMANN

OPEN Door Neighbourhood House in Wangaratta hopes free community health checks can spring the community back to health leading into the change of season.

Starting on August 23, the Neighbourhood House will be running free community health checks for four Wednesday’s leading into spring to provide checkups on basic health and wellbeing concerns.

Representatives from Gateway Health, HMS Community and Mental Health and Wellbeing Local will be on hand across the four sessions.

The service will be available on every Wednesday from August 23 until September 13, running from 12pm-1:30pm.

Open Door Neighbourhood House project worker, Tanya Grant, said the Neighbourhood House has regularly visited community organisations to provide free community health checks, but decided this month to have them more available to the community at their Yarrunga based hub.

“A lot of the feedback we were getting as we went out to these community groups was that people weren’t necessarily seeing their GPs as often as they once were,” she said.

“Sometimes it’s not like there’s something wrong, sometimes it’s just checking on your blood pressure, how your pulse is, how you’re feeling mentally with your mood and how things are generally in your life.

■ Continued page 6

Pets and cannabis

We have been receiving a number of inquiries lately about the use of various cannabis products in pets, and would like to help clarify what is and is not currently legal for veterinary use in Australia.

There are three main categories: hemp oil, CBD and THC, each of which have different properties.

1. Hemp oil

Hemp oil is made from hemp plant seeds and is a source of essential fatty acids which can be helpful for dry itchy skin and arthritis (joint pain).

Hemp oil is available over the counter at the chemists as it does not contain significant amounts of CBD or THC.

There are numerous other fish or plant-based sources of essential fatty acids which are just as effective, and most are currently less expensive than hemp oil.

2. CBD (cannabidiol)

CBD is a compound found in cannabis plants which can sometimes be helpful for arthritic pain relief, epilepsy, anxiety, nausea and inflammatory conditions such as allergies.

CBD is not psychoactive (ie it does not cause altered consciousness/euphoria), and can now legally be prescribed for medical treatment of pets

with WARBY STREET VETERINARY HOSPITAL

by veterinarians in Australia.

Veterinary preparations of CBD are currently only available from a small number of compounding pharmacies and require a veterinary prescription to purchase them.

CBD products are currently quite expensive.

3. THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) THC is the compound in cannabis which causes the “high” associated with marijuana use.

It is illegal for veterinary use in Australia due to the psychoactive effects and the potential for toxicity.

Do not allow your animals access to THC containing products. If they accidentally gain access, please call your vet for advice.

Use of cannabis products for medical treatment of animals is a relatively new and evolving field.

Ongoing research is needed to determine how best too safely and effectively use them.

Please always check with your vet before considering them for your pet.

An eventful week at the snow

THERE are many activities to look forward to at the snow this week.

At Mt Buller there will be Chicks who Shred which encourages women and girls to push their snowboarding and skiing and snowboarding abilities and shred with some of the best female riders in the industry on August 10 and 11.

There will also be the Buller Slopestyle 2023 on August 12 which showcases the best of the Buller freestyle community.

Mt Buller Ski Patrol Volunteers will also be hosting their Red Party fundraiser.

For more information or to register for these events visit https://www.mtbuller.com.au/Winter/events-activities/event-calendar.

Mt Buller has an average natural snow depth of 17cm with snow showers expected later in the week.

There are currently seven snow lifts open.

Falls Creek has an average snow depth of 58cm with rainy weather expected this week.

Nine out the 15 ski lifts are open and all the snow activities from the Alpine helicopter tours to snow sports are available.

To celebrate the FIFA women’s world cup there will be Soccer on the Snow continuing on August 15 from 3:30pm to 5pm in the Village Bowl.

Mt Hotham is reporting an average of 49cm across the mountain with little snowfall expected this week. The fireworks show will also be on once again to-

night for all to enjoy.

Night skiing and snowboarding will also be taking place every Wednesday and Saturday.

Please note that guests are not allowed in the ski field after 5pm under any circumstances.

Both the Cobrunga Ski Slope and Peashooter Toboggan slope are currently closed as Dinner Plain awaits more snow.

The Howling Huskies tours sled dog tours are also available, bookings are required.

Mostly cloudy conditions, with some snow showers can be expected throughout the week.

Mt Buffalo is reporting patchy snow coverage. Both Cresta Valley and Dingo Dell are only open for snow play.

Dingo Dell Café is open for food and beverage everyday on the school holidays from 10am to 4pm.

There will be no toboggan rental at Mt Hotham this year with rental instead available in Porepunkah, Myrtleford and Ovens.

Chains are required to be carried for all resorts and fitted where instructed.

For the latest information on the mountains visit:

Dinner Plain: visitdinnerplain.com.au

Falls Creek: fallscreek.com.au

Mt Hotham: hotham.com.au

Mt Buffalo: visitmountbuffalo.com.au

Mt Buller: mtbuller.com.au.

This Day in History, 1893

THE old Waterloo veteran discovered living in Beechworth in 1891 and subsequently invited to Melbourne to be a real life relic of the Battle of Waterloo at the Cyclorama, turned up again. People in the North East thought that the old gentleman must have died.

Any man who has been at the famous battle in 1815, even as a drummer boy, must have passed on by 1893, they reasoned, not unreasonably.

◆ ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: The use of cannabis products for medical treatment for animals is a relatively new field that is still being researched.

Yet here he was, appearing in a Melbourne Court on this day charged with being a vagrant. His age was given as 101.

◆ SNOW PLAY: The snow guns at Mt Hotham have been firing during the night to create plenty of snow of the slopes.

◆ BEECHWORTH Bakery has a range of delicious recipes that you can make at home. This includes their carrot cake which is quick and easy to make with ingredients that can be found in the supermarket.

Carrot Cake

Ingredients:

Preparation Time:

1 cup apple, diced

Method:

1. Pre-heat oven at 160C

Back to Bangka with Georgina Banks

EDGARS Books and News are delighted to announce an upcoming event with author of Back to Bangka -Georgina Banks.

Georgina will be in Wangaratta on Saturday, August 19 – more information will be on our Facebook page and website shortly.

We have copies of the book in store, which will give you a couple of weeks to read it and prepare your questions for Georgina.

Our review this month on Back to Bangka was received from one of our lovely readers who is part of The Book Circle in Wangaratta.

Back to Bangka by Georgina Banks is a deeply moving inter-generational story, where the author searches for the truth regarding what happened to her great aunt who was killed in World War Two.

It is the story of the evacuation of Australian nurses, patients and families from Singapore aboard the ship the Vyner Brooke in 1942.

The ship is bombed; and the survivors (many badly injured) escape and land on Bangka Island where the Australian nurses were murdered; a story about which many of us are unaware.

It is not a ‘pretty’ story but definitely one that needed to be told and as locals we should read it as the main character Dorothy ‘Bud’ Elmes was raised in Cheshunt.

◆ VISITING AUTHOR: Author Georgina Banks will be visiting Edgars Books and News on Saturday, August 19 to discuss her book Back to Bangka.

2 ¼ cups carrots, grated (soft packed)

¾ cup walnuts, broken

¾ sultanas

2 cups brown sugar (soft packed)

3 x 50g eggs

2/3 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp vanilla essence

2 ½ cups plain flour

1 tsp cinnamon

3 tsp mixed spices

2 tsp bicarb soda

2 tsp cold water

Icing (Optional):

2 cups icing sugar

2 tsp Vanilla Essence

1/3 cup Margarine

1/3 cup cream cheese

½ cup crushed walnuts

ked)

2. Prepare cake tin – grease tin and line bottom with greaseproof paper

3. Mix together apple, carrots, walnuts, sultanas, brown sugar

4. Then add eggs, vegetable oil and vanilla essence and mix together well.

5. Dissolve bicarb soda in water. Add this mixture along with flour, cinnamon and mixed spice.

Mix together thoroughly, then place in tin and bake at 160C for approximately one hour and 40 minutes.

6. For icing, beat margarine, cream cheese, icing sugar and vanilla together until light and fluffy.

7. Spread over top of cake when cake has cooled.

8. Sprinkle with crushed walnuts.

Her mum, dad and older sister Jean lived in Willow Cottage, Cheshunt (where much of Bud’s war correspondence went) after their first house The Willows burnt in the 1939 bushfires.

Bud left Cheshunt and started her nursing training in Corowa at 21, and from here enlisted as an Australian Army nurse.

Bud’s older sister Jean (grandmother of Georgina Banks), worked for a time as the librarian at Wangaratta and lived in Dixon Street.

Back to Bangka is extremely well researched and contains many original letters and photographs.

The author states “in researching and writing about the injustices inflicted on my great aunt and many others, the complexities of the historical record became clear to mewhat is hidden and what is told.”

The author’s anguish about this issue is at times palpable throughout the book.

I think most of us would recognise the name Vivian Bullwinkel - the only nurse who survived this massacre - however I had never heard of Bud or her friend Caroline Ennis who, having also lived at Cheshunt for a time, also died in this event.

Bud was only 27 when she died and the author makes clear the ripple effect of her untimely death.

These nurses gave the ultimate sacrifice for us and even though time has passed I was left wondering why our town has not memorialised this nurse and her family more.

Remember that book clubs, educators, readers buying a series, and those who bring in this article will receive a 20 per cent discount on their purchases.

As always, please shop local.

Bring in a copy of this article and receive 20 per cent off any book purchase.

Look forward to catching up with you soon.

Springing back to health

■ From page 1

“It can be overwhelming, you might think ‘I’m not feeling quite right’ or ‘my mood is off ’, but is that something going on in your life at the moment or something that might be worth looking into; and people sometimes don’t feel confident enough to ask those questions.

“It’s an opportunity for a very casual health check, make sure things are going well and get ready to get back out in the community for spring.”

The health checks fall under Open Door Neighbourhood House’s Connecting Community project which is aimed at re-connecting community members into being active with community organisations through a team of community connectors.

Ms Grant said community

café sessions held on Thursday mornings throughout school term at Madame Espresso has been a hit since starting earlier in the year.

“At the café we’re getting people who have been referred through the agencies, a couple who are brand new to Wangaratta and for other people they’re just a little bit lonely and just like the idea of sharing a coffee with a group of people rather than by themselves,” she said.

“We often find at the café that people come into the neighbourhood house and it’s not until you start chatting to them you find out they’re actually a carer or there’s something going on in their lives they could be getting support for but they don’t know what how to ask.

FEATURE STORY

“Connecting community is around helping people re-connect, but doing it at a pace and a way that suits them because we’re all different.

“Some of us will go straight to the lunch and not think twice, but for other people the idea of having to come out and do something that public is a little bit overwhelming, so the calls might be a better way to go.”

During the free community health checks at the neighbourhood house, visitors will also have a chance to connect with community services, have a chat with community connectors and a coffee.

Enquiries about the free community health checks can be made to Open Door Neighbourhood House by calling 03 5721 9175.

◆ LET US HELP: Nick Youings (HMS Community), Tanya Grant (Open Door Neighbourhood House) and Greg Milton (Gateway Health) will provide free check-ups on basic health and wellbeing during their free community health checks from August 23.

NorthEast JOBS

Positions vacant Manager

Contact Allan on 0400 501 434.

Important Notice

Discrimination in Advertising is Unlawful

The Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 2010 makes it unlawful for an advertiser to show any intention to discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, race, age, marital status, political or religious belief or activity, industrial activity, parental or career status, physical features, disability, lawful sexual activity/ sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or on the basis of being associated with a person with one of the above characteristics, unless covered by an exception or granted an exception under the Act. As we could be legally liable if we print an unlawful advertisement we will not accept advertisements that appear to break the law. For more information about discrimination in advertising, contact your legal advisor, the Equal Opportunities Commission on 1800 134 142.

OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP TRAINEESHIP –CERTIFICATE IV

Are you keen on working outdoors?

Are you interested in teaching young people?

Are you keen to learn new skills and gain a qualification in Outdoor Leadership?

Outdoor School – 15 Mile Creek and Bogong Campuses are seeking young, enthusiastic people who have an interest in Outdoor Education to apply for their 2024 traineeship intake.

Positions are available at both campuses for a 12 month appointment starting early December 2023

Further information and how to apply is available by phoning 03 57666247 or emailing rhys.evans@education.vic.gov.au

Applications close Thursday 31/8/2023 at 5pm.

CLASSIFIEDS WORK! 5723 0101

GREAT JOBS FOR GREAT PEOPLE

The following opportunities now exist for enthusiastic, safety focused people with suitable experience and qualifications. Please visit our website to find out more about current positions available across Mawsons business divisions.

Shepparton Country Concrete – Agitator Truck Drivers – SHCC005

Shepparton Country Concrete – Site Manager – SHCC003

Mildura – Concrete Cartage Services – CCSMILD05

Mansfield – Concrete Truck Driver – MANS005

www.mawsons.com.au/careers/join-us

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.

in order to meet the physical requirements of this role. 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 Allyce at:

Circulating in Wangaratta, Myrtleford, Bright, Mt Beauty, Beechworth, Yackandandah, Rutherglen, Chiltern and districts

ASSOCIATE NURSING UNIT MANAGER –(Residential Aged Care)

Permanent Part Time – 0.60 EFT

ENDORSED ENROLLED NURSES

Permanent Part Time Contracts available. For further information please contact Angela Clement, Director Clinical Services(03) 5728 0316

ALLIED HEALTH ASSISTANT –(Primary Health)

Permanent Part Time – 0.20 EFT

For further information please contact Louine Robinson, Primary Health Team Leader(03) 5728 0312 Application instructions can be found on our website.

Closing Date: 11/8/2023

As we are an Aged Care Facility, the COVID 19 vaccinations and booster vaccination is mandatory for all staff. A copy of your covid19 vaccination status is required upon application. All staff who work in our residential aged care units also require a current NDIS check To apply and for full details on the positions, please log on to: www.beechworthhealthservice.com.au

Senior Journalist/ Editor Career Opportunity Full

North East Media, an award-winning publisher of community newspapers, has a position for an experienced journalist Victoria.

We are seeking a journalist with editing experience to produce our award winning

addition to several other publications. The position requires a strong work ethic and well-rounded skill set with experience managing small teams, a passion for community newspapers, and sound news and editorial judgment.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the leadership team and mentor cadet journalists, set working tasks and work closely with the local community and council.

Excellent writing, editing, photographic, communication, time management and organisational skills, and the ability to generate ideas into relevant news coverage that matters most to a local readership, will be among your strongest attributes.

The successful applicant must also have a valid driver’s licence.

North East Media is an independent media group publishing award winning publications in print and online across North East and beyond.

Applications, including covering letter and resume, should be forwarded to:

Jeff Zeuschner, Group Editor, North East Media via email at jzeuschner@nemedia.com.au

CLASSIFIEDS 5723 0101

Medical Practice requires a PART-TIME

MEDICAL RECEPTIONIST

(Three permanent days plus relieving) Previous General Practice experience advantageous but not essential as training will be provided.

Good communication and interpersonal skills essential.

Please forward CV with minimum 3 referees to: admin@wangmed.com.au Or Business Manager PO Box 693 Wangaratta 3676 Applications Close: August 16, 2023.

RELIABILITY TECHNICIAN (MAINTENANCE FITTER)

About us: Brown Family Wine Group is one of Australia’s most loved and respected wine companies built on over 130 years’ experience in quality winemaking, market leading innovation and family values that are at the heart of everything we do as a business.

Our portfolio has grown over time to now include market leading wine brands such as: Devil’s Corner from the East Coast of Tasmania, Tamar Ridge and Pirie from Tamar Valley Tasmania, Innocent Bystander from the Yarra Valley and of course Brown Brothers from Milawa Victoria the spiritual home of our business.

About the role: Reporting to the Maintenance Manager you will be tasked with troubleshooting and completing a range of preventative and reactive maintenance tasks and implementing improvements and upgrades as and when required across a broad range of production plant, equipment, and infrastructure.

About you: Ideally, the successful candidate will be highly motivated and have a background in engineering, maintenance, and mechanical technologies. You will have qualifications and experience in a mechanical / engineering / infrastructure trade preferably in a food and beverage or similar manufacturing industry, the ability to maintain a safe, efficient, and tidy working environment as well as being able to research, develop, and implement innovative solutions and continuous improvements. You will also have:

Strong attention to detail.

Administrative and organisational skills including computer literacy across all platforms, and experience with computer-based operations and maintenance systems.

Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team, use initiative and work without direct supervision and to communicate professionally and effectively at all levels.

Ability to build strong cross-functional relationships across the business.

Driver’s Licence.

Forklift License (desirable but not essential).

What’s on Offer:

Work within one of Australia’s leading wine companies

Career development

Be part of a passionate and dedicated team

Generous employee benefits including discounts on all products.

Apply Now!!

More Information:

Further information and a position description may be obtained by emailing Allyce Henwood at careers@brownfwg.com.au.

Applications will close on 18 August 2023

Scan to Apply

Self-care… What is it and why do we need it?

or meditation allows us to process emotions, may help to reduce anxiety and boosts overall emotional resilience.

Self-care can also positively infl uence our relationship with others.

Cut through anything with Milwaukee chainsaws

NORTH East Fasteners has the perfect chainsaw for all your landscaping needs.

The M18 Fuel Chainsaws are now available in store and is designed to meet the performance, durability and ergonomic needs of a professional arborist, farmer, and landscape professional.

It provides users with fast cut speeds and the power to cut hardwoods, while eliminating the headaches associated with petrol engines with the POWERSTATE Brushless Motor and M18 FUEL technology.

The M18 FUEL technology allows the chainsaw to reach full throttle in less than one second allowing the user to have ultimate control and fast application speed.

The chainsaw is also equipped with

REDLINK PLUS Intelligence which allows for full-circle communication between the tool and battery, providing the user with maximum levels of performance protection and productivity.

It’s also optimized for REDLITHIUM-ION HIGH OUTPUT batteries allowing for highquality performance.

The chainsaw also has pull starts, low noise, no emissions when in use, no need to mix petrol and oil and no regular engine maintenance making it both easy to use and maintain.

However, in the midst of trying to look after everyone else we often forget how important it is to look after ourselves.

We commonly hear the term self-care thrown around, but what really is it and why do we need it?

Self-care is not about regularly going on a spa date or indulging in your favourite ice cream- though no judgements here if that is what is important to you.

Self-care is about recognising our limits, valuing our well-being and fostering a healthy balance between our personal, professional and social responsibilities.

It serves as a crucial foundation for leading a balanced, fulfi lling and productive life.

Physical self-care involves trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle through good nutrition, suffi cient rest and regular movement.

Prioritizing the health of our bodies will usually result in increased energy levels, positive eff ects on our immune system and a reduced risk of burnout.

Mental self-care can involve embracing self-compassion and allowing ourselves to unwind without guilt.

Taking time to embrace hobbies, relaxation

By honouring our needs, we can become better equipped to off er support, empathy and compassion to those around us.

By embracing self-care, we can also set a positive example for those around us.

Self-care really should become non-negotiable.

It is not a luxury- it is a lifeline.

By prioritising self-care, we are investing in our well-being, mental clarity and happiness.

This ultimately enables us to lead more enriched lives and positively impact those around us.

◆ PRACTICING SELF-CARE: The team at South Wangaratta Medical Centre have recently started to engage in regular movement and meditation during the work week.

◆ HIGH PERFORMANCE: The M18 Fuel Chainsaws are designed to be easy to use while also offering high quality performance.

with Teresa McMahon CLINICAL PHARMACIST AND PRACTICE MANAGER AT SOUTH WANGARATTA MEDICAL CENTRE

with Russell Ferguson NORTH EAST FASTENERS

YOUR HEALTH