Regional Extra 120624

By CORAL COOKSLEY

She is a proud Wiradjuri woman who has gained a huge sense of belonging to community following completion of the course in Indigenous studies.

The graduate certificate with its 10-year anniversary this year is offered by Charles Sturt University and is an introduction to the Wiradjuri language where skills are developed to positively contribute to working in, support and empower Indigenous communities.

The course was developed with the collaboration of Wiradjuri Elders and the dogged determination and commitment of Uncle Stan Grant senior and university teaching staff

Cate said the course has grown and evolved over the last decade, making it a comprehensive and an ongoing developing one designed to empower and encourage its graduates to walk out into the world with a plan based in Wiradjuri principles of doing and being, and a deep connection to their culture.

■ Continued page 6

BEECHWORTH’S Cate Ferguson recently graduated from Charles Sturt University with a Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage.

◆ EMPOWERED: Beechworth’s Cate Ferguson gained a huge sense of belonging from studying the Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage at Charles Sturt University.

PHOTO: Coral Cooksley

VET CORNER Dental disease in dogs and cats

IMAGINE if we didn’t brush our teeth for years or never visited a dentist.

Dental disease is one of the most commonly diagnosed health problems in pets.

In fact, it affects at least 80 per cent of all dogs and cats over three years of age.

Dental disease is initially caused by plaque (made up of food, saliva and bacteria).

Plaque sticks to the surface of the tooth, and if not removed will calcify or set into tartar. There are many signs that can be suggestive of dental disease including:

• Bad breath

• Discolouration or crusting on teeth

• Red or inflamed gum lines

• Reluctance to chew or discomfort associated with eating

• Chewing on only one side of the mouth

• Dropping food, drooling or discharge from the mouth

• Difficulty swallowing

• Pawing or rubbing at the mouth

• Weight loss

The most concerning side effects of dental disease are much less obvious.

Bacteria associated with dental disease can enter the bloodstream lodging in heart valves, kidneys, liver and other organs and can result in organ dysfunction.

Prevention is always better than a cure.

There are many ways to help keep your pet’s teeth clean and maintain oral health.

• Dental diets and supplements

A fully balanced dry food plays an imperative role in your pet’s dental health.

Chewing dental kibble acts as a natural toothbrush by scraping plaque from teeth.

• Brushing

with Ovens and Kiewa Vets

Daily brushing of teeth with pet toothbrushes or a soft children’s toothbrush is best practice for removing plaque.

Starting this process from a young age (as a puppy or kitten) is recommended to get your pet used to this procedure.

Pet toothpastes are available and human toothpaste should never be used.

• Oral treatments

There are several types of gels, water additives and chews designed specifically for pets.

These products work to reduce the accumulation of plaque and quantity of bacteria in the mouth.

These products are often a much easier alternative to brushing.

• Chew toys

Safe chew toys can promote chewing action and the production of saliva.

Dental disease can be treated by your veterinarian.

Once tartar has formed, a scale and polish is required to remove it entirely.

This procedure requires general anaesthesia and an ultrasonic scaler to break and remove tartar and calculus.

Depending on the severity of disease, extractions can also be required where teeth are too diseased to salvage.

A clean and healthy mouth is essential to the overall health of our pets.

If you are concerned your cat or dog may be suffering from dental disease, please book in for a dental check with a veterinarian.

SNOW REPORT

Celebrating the start of the snow season

THE snow season has finally begun, albeit with less snow than expected.

Falls Creek and Mt Hotham alpine resorts both had snow on the ground - manmade and natural - allowing for snow play, but no runs or lifts open for skiing.

Forecasts of wintry weather this week hope to blanket the resorts in more snow, and get a step closer to those first runs for the season.

Meanwhile, there was still plenty to do for the opening of the snow season during the King’s Birthday Weekend.

Festivities over the weekend at Falls Creek included a Village Bowl Party featuring Pete the Dragon, scenic chair lifts on Halley’s Comet, the Board Lounge Rail Jam in Slalom Plaza and a fireworks display on Saturday night.

Only the scenic chairlifts at Halley’s Comet are currently open.

Mount Hotham also had a fireworks display

on Sunday night to celebrate the opening of the snow season.

This season at Mount Hotham will also include a new beginner area complete with the Bunderool magic carpet lift and Basin Terrain Park moving to the playground run.

Dinner Plain, Mount Hotham, Falls Creek, Mount Buller and Mount Buffalo are all expecting some snow showers over the coming week.

Visitors to the resorts are reminded that chains are required to be carried 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, 1978

EDUCATION SERVICES BUILDING, WANGARATTA

IN a burst of wintry weather, the Victorian Government Cabinet arrived in town for a country meeting in the new council chambers building, and Premier Hamer took the opportunity to officially open the Education Services building in Wangaratta.

◆ IT’S OPENED: With snow on the ground and fireworks in the air, Mt Hotham welcomed the official opening of the season over the King’s Birthday weekend.

◆ GET

See music legend Alain Johannes in Beechworth

LEGENDARY ChileanAmerican multi-instrumentalist

Alain Johannes is bringing the magic of his music to Australia, and you won’t have to go far to catch the show.

He will be performing at Tanswell’s Hotel in Beechworth on Monday, June 24.

Johannes is a master behind the scenes, who wrote and had a hand in some of the world’s biggest artists, both past and present including Queens of the Stone

Age, Chris Cornell, PJ Harvey, Them Crooked Vultures, Mark Lanegan, No Doubt and Arctic Monkeys as well as his own amazing band Eleven (just to name a few).

In high school he was in bands with Flea, Hillel Slovak, Jack Irons, all of whom would form the Red Hot Chili Peppers with mutual friend Anthony Kiedis.

Johannes will be performing solo in this show with a set featuring selections from

his incredible musical history as well as his own amazing solo catalogue.

The Cigar Box Guitar genius will be supported at this show by local legends My Left Boot in a stripped back and semi-acoustic mode.

Don’t miss your chance to catch this historic show in the back room of a great old country pub.

Tickets are on sale now and are extremely limited at tickets.fuzzface.com.au.

and Caleb, enjoy making damper together.

with Beechworth Bakery

Dan Kelly Damper

BEECHWORTH Bakery’s Dan Kelly Damper is perfect to bake with the whole family while paying homage to the history of the region this winter.

Follow along and watch how our master baker Marty Matassoni (Beechworth Bakery managing director) and his children, Finley and Caleb, take you through the process of making delicious damper at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=muO6WYqXCE4.

INGREDIENTS

Group 1

3 cups plain flour 2 tablespoons margarine ¼ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon baking powder

Group 2 ⅓ cup milk ½ cup water

Group 3

85g to 100g or ¾ cup fetta cheese (crumbled pea size) ½ cup lightly packed grated tasty cheese

¾ cup lightly packed frozen spinach

METHOD

Pre-heat oven 190ºC.

Place group 1 in a bowl and rub margarine with flour, salt and baking powder.

Add group 2, as this comes together to form a dough add group 3.

Mix/knead to form a dough for 1 or 2 minutes, then roll up to form a log or a cigar shape.

Place on a baking tray then cut down centre around 2cm deep.

Dust with flour lightly and bake.

EXCITED: Music legend Alain Johanness will be performing solo at the Tanswell’s Hotel, Beechworth on Monday, June 24.

◆ FAMILY BAKING: Managing director at Beechworth Bakery, Marty Matassoni, and his children, Finley

◆ DELICIOUS DAMPER: Come into Beechworth Bakery this winter to try Dan Kelly Damper.

DELICIOUS DAMPER C i tBhthBkthi i ttt

Cate’s empowering Indigenous journey

■ From page 1

“With an eye to the future of the Wiradjuri Nation, graduating students move forward into the world being able to incorporate their language, secure in their connection to country, knowing who they are and where Wiradjuri people have come from, and how the process of reclaiming the Wiradjuri language provided the foundation for the future of Wiradjuri People,” she said.

“Without the commitment and passion of our Elders, we would not have been able to achieve success in this course and without the work done undertaken to reclaim our language, we (the students) would not have been able to contribute as we will in the years to come.”

Cate says to graduate students need a plan or an idea around support for projects that will help continue the work of those who have done so much in the past.

“This helps to ensure the future of the Wiradjuri people –the Elders and youngsters who will grow up in an enriched environment, knowing who they are, where they came from and what their future will look like,” she said.

“I am so grateful to be able to look forward knowing that every year students are graduating with a plan for their future and that of the Wiradjuri Nation.”

Cate grew up in the NSW’s town of Junee and says the course draws students from right across Wiradjuri Country and also from other states.

“On their journey home graduates take with them a deep sense of belonging, carry a new set of skills and an understanding they can bring to their workplaces and communities,” she said.

Cate undertook the twoyear Graduate Certificate together with her sister and her niece, who both live in the Riverina.

She said her mother had been a wonderful inspiration for her studies as a fully mature woman.

“My mother uncovered more of her Indigenous heritage as a Wiradjuri woman and embarked on Indigenous studies at TAFE in the Riverina,” Cate said.

“She hooked up with these amazing people who were her kith and kin, became very

involved in her culture and taught little kids the language, and was just astounding.”

Besides developing a sense of belonging to community, Cate said other study outcomes from the course included a discovery of strong, deep connections people have with each other.

“With technology, we don’t necessarily have to be in the same place but it’s more fun if you get together,” she said.

“My mum died in the second semester of me doing the course, and from that day, I was never on my own for one moment.

“Someone was always with me, being there for support, having a cup of tea with me or just sitting with me holding that space or while taking course notes and I am so grateful to

FEATURE STORY

them all during that difficult time.”

As a volunteer Cate aims to help manage the classroom with next year’s cohort.

“In the classroom you’re hearing the language and histories again,” she said.

“A student will spot someone struggling or being a bit overwhelmed and when its spotted, they will sit with the person in need and help out, or just let them know support

is there if needed – this is the Wiradjuri way where no-one left behind.

“There’s a great diversity of life experiences among students, and deep relationships developed with each other during the course as well.”

Besides developing a sense of belonging to community, Cate said other study outcomes included a discovery of strong connections people have with each other.

◆ PROUD: Beechworth’s Cate Ferguson (right) at her graduation with Charles Sturt University Vice-Chancellor and president Renée Leon.

GREAT JOBS FOR GREAT PEOPLE

Get high quality tools for low prices today

NORTH East Fasteners will once again be hosting its annual tax time tool sale.

The sale is for today (Wednesday, June 12) only and all the prices of all Kincrome branded products will be slashed.

Kincrome has an extensive range of products that suit both the casual DIYers and industry professionals.

With their products, you are promised quality above all else as the Kincrome team goes above and beyond to ensure all their products meet the highest quality standards of craftsmanship and durability through rigorous testing and quality control procedures.

Kincrome is a brand trusted by professionals and has earned themselves a reliable reputation through maintaining long-standing relationships with tradies, mechanics, builders, and other industry experts who rely on their products day in and day out.

The Kincrome team also dedicates themselves to innovation to enhance efficiency,

precision and safety in a way that makes every task easier for you.

With everything from hand and power tools to automotive and industrial equipment, the Kincrome range has something for every job.

So, come down to North East Fasteners and check out the Kincrome products that are on sale for today only.

While taking advantage of the deals, also enjoy the displays, product demonstrations and free sausage sizzle that are available today.

ALPINE/INDIGO SHIRE RESIDENTS.

Sale items are extended until Friday afternoon for residents of Alpine and Indigo shires.

◆ Scan to learn more about the Kincrome range:

Why do my hearing aids whistle?

HAVE you ever heard your hearing aids or someone else’s hearing aids whistle?

The technical term for this is feedback and today we will take a dive into why it occurs and how to avoid it.

Is the earpiece inserted into the ear properly?

When a hearing aid is not in the ear securely, it leaves room for the amplified sound to leak out of the ear canal.

This escaped sound enters the hearing aid microphones and is re-amplified, frequently creating a high-pitched squeal.

Simply pushing the earpiece of the hearing aid in a bit further often will solve this problem.

You may have lots of wax in your ear canals which can block the sound travelling through the canal to the eardrum.

Instead, this sound bounces out of your canal and makes a squeal.

Ask your audiologist or your GP to check for wax problems and get it removed with a professional (please do not use cotton buds to clean your ears).

Sometimes the tubing of the hearing aid may be split or broken.

Take your hearing aid into your audiology clinic to have it fixed.

Re-tubing will often resolve the problem

Sometimes all of these things have been checked, but you may still get feedback.

If this is the case, consider booking in to see your audiologist.

We can run a feedback test to help your hearing aids recognise when feedback occurs and adjust the aids so that you are less likely to get the squealing.

If you take your hearing aids out, perhaps because you are in a very noisy place, and put them

in your pocket, they will probably start whistling.

People around you might hear the whistling quite loudly and sometimes the person with the hearing loss will not hear it at all. Instead, I would suggest turning the volume down in very noisy places so you can leave them in.

If you really need to take them out, turn your hearing aids off so they do not whistle.

However, please be careful. We have had stories of several people losing their hearing aids or having them put through the wash after they were put into a pocket.

It can be helpful to take your hearing aid case with you if you expect to take the aids out.

If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment at Wangaratta Audiology, please call us on (03) 5722 4433.

◆ AVOIDING FEEDBACK: There are many ways to avoid hearing whistling noises from your own or someone else’s

◆ HUGE SALE: For today (Wednesday, June 12) only, all Kincrome products will be on sale at North East Fasteners.

with Michael Baillie NORTH EAST FASTENERS

with Emma Rayner WANG AUDIOLOGY