Regional Extra 220524

Call goes out for more volunteers

◆ VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

Pangerang Community Hub has a diverse range of volunteering opportunities to suit people’s busy lives.

NATIONAL Volunteer Week highlights the vital role volunteers play in our community.

Volunteer contributions have helped Pangerang Community Hub in Wangaratta work with and support vulnerable community members over the past 30 years.

The organisation works towards its vision of ‘connected people, strong communities’ by providing welcoming opportunities for people to connect, create and learn.

Executive officer, Tennille Hall, said vol-

By JORDAN DUURSMA

unteering is so rewarding, and that no-one has gotten through life without some form of support.

“Whether it’s having a junior sports coach as a child or a cooked meal during difficult times, it’s nice to pay that forward,” she said.

“People supporting each other is essentially

what shapes a community.

“It’s a great way to get out and about, meet new people, help support someone else, learn a new skill or share a skill.

“There’s a volunteering role for everyone and we try to match people up with the right role for them.”

Pangerang Community Hub offers both free and low cost activities, programs and workshops which provide opportunities for social connection, acquiring new skills and

support good physical and mental health and wellbeing.

It is based in Ovens Street and also operates through various locations via its mobile hub visiting townships and engaging with groups, clubs and schools in outlying areas.

Pangerang Community Hub runs on a small budget with low numbers of paid staff relying heavily on grants and generous time given by volunteers.

■ Continued page 6

◆ ALL ARE WELCOME: Executive officer, Tennille Hall, encourages everyone to volunteer, even the smallest amount will make a difference.

VET CORNER

Are your animals included in your emergency survival plan?

EMERGENCY planning for pets is an important part of emergency household preparations and greatly increases the likelihood of evacuating your pets to safety, if that is sadly necessary.

As well as being prepared for the need to evacuate, you should also be prepared if you need to shelter in place (if it’s safe to stay at home but you cannot leave as travel is unsafe or not possible and services like running water and electricity are unavailable).

It’s crucial to be prepared by having a pet emergency plan for your companion animals.

Here are three steps to get you started.

1. Include companion animals in your Emergency Survival Plan.

This should include: determining where your companion animals will be relocated to if you need to evacuate; getting your pet accustomed to the car, crate, or cage; organising emergency contacts; up-to-date vaccinations and certificates; and making sure your pet is microchipped and has an ID tag (and registration) and that your contact details on the microchip register are current.

2. Prepare your Pet Emergency Kit.

Preparing a pet emergency kit is an essential part of your planning process.

It will ensure that you have everything you need to be able to activate your plan quickly.

The kit should include important documentation, transportation and safety equipment, sanitation supplies, identification (microchip and registration) details, food and water, veterinary/medical supplies (including a pet first aid kit), blankets, bedding/nesting material, and toys.

3. Practice your Survival Plan.

Practising your emergency survival plan is a vital part of your preparation.

Practice will help you to refine your plan and help to prevent panic in the event of a real emergency.

with RSPCA - kb.rspca.org.au

Late evacuation can be dangerous.

To avoid unnecessary risks to you and your companion animals, if you know an evacuation order could occur in the near future, move your pets to a safe place as soon as possible.

It’s important to stay informed.

Being aware of your situation allows you to make informed decisions about your safety and the safety of your pets and family and greatly increases the likelihood of you evacuating safely.

For more information visit the RSPCA Knowledgebase at https://kb.rspca.org. au/knowledge-base/what-preparationsshould-i-make-for-my-pets-in-case-of-anemergency/.

This Day in History, 1882

BENALLA FIRE BRIGADE

THE Benalla Fire Brigade stepped out in their new uniforms - navy blue Garibaldi stylejacket trimmed with yellow and a cap to match.

The construction of a reticulated water supply in the town made possible the establishment of an effective fire brigade service.

GONE FISHING

Low flows make trout fishing hard, but natives still biting

THE dry weather continues and is starting to create a few concerns.

My first concern is to do with trout spawning.

In some rivers/creeks trout are currently unable to swim upstream to spawn due to low water flows.

This will limit the amount of natural recruitment that will occur in streams this year.

There will be successful trout spawning, but it will be quite limited compared to recent years.

Some waterways such as sections of the Rose River have completely stopped flowing and been reduced to a series of pools.

I fished for trout in two different tributaries of the Ovens River last week.

In both creeks the water

cess in Wangaratta this week, just fishing with bait in the Ovens River.

In two trips I have managed to catch a total of one Murray cod, two trout cod, three yellowbelly, one carp and two crayfish.

was very low and gin clear.

Despite seeing a small number of trout I was not able to catch any.

I could not even get them to follow my lures.

If you are planning on going trout fishing before the season closes next month my advice would be to stick to the larger rivers such as the Ovens, Upper King, Kiewa and Mitta Mitta.

I have had some fishing suc-

The crayfish were both caught on cheese that was intended for Murray cod. Both crayfish were returned to the water as the season is still closed. They were both a little bit undersized anyway.

This is a good sign for the new crayfishing season which opens on June 1. Of the above mentioned finned fish, the Murray cod was caught using cheese as bait, and everything else was caught on worms with sunset being the best time.

◆ HUNGRY: A small trout cod caught on worms in the Ovens River in Wangaratta one evening last week. Trout cod, sometimes called “Bluenose” are an endangered native fish and are totally protected which means they must always be released if caught.

with Rob Alexander WANGARATTA

Materials and products to choose to save money on bills

DOES this sound like you?

Spring and autumn are you favourite months because your house is perfectly comfortable.

You’re not so keen on winter because you’re living in an Oodie and constantly stoking the fire or running heaters to keep the chill at bay.

Perhaps you’re like my husband who bought an ‘I hate summer’ t-shirt to share with the world how he feels about living in a summer sauna and paying a fortune to run the airconditioner 24-7.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

According to Cold Hard Facts (2021), 25 per cent of electricity produced in Australia is used to heat and cool our homes.

Most homes were built before energy standards were created, meaning they rate poorly on energy performance and require significant mechanical heating and cooling inputs to be comfortable, making a typical home expensive to inhabit.

As energy bills are the third highest cause of household bill stress, second only to housing and grocery expenses, it makes sense that we understand how to improve the energy performance of our homes to reduce costs.

There are three overarching strategies to improving energy performance which I have described below in priority order: create a high-performance building envelope, electrify everything and offset.

And whilst this may sound like a lot, I want to paint the full picture for you, so you can make informed decisions when tackling renovation projects and buying new appliances.

1. Create a high-performance building envelope to reduce the need for mechanical heating and cooling inputs which typically accounts for 40 per cent home energy consumption.

This can be achieved by sealing up the drafts with tape, installing polyester under-floor, wall and roof insulation, and replacing old doors and windows with double-glazed thermal break aluminium or solid timber framed units.

Ensure that glazing is shaded to prevent direct summer sun sizzling the interior and if replacing cladding or roofing, select lighter colours as dark colours absorb heat.

2. Electrify everything by converting to all electric appliances so that your energy usage can be powered by solar,

◆ RENNOVATIONS: There are materials you can use to save money on bills in your home.

a renewable resource.

Electric heat pump hot water services offer an energy efficient alternative to a traditional gas units and induction cooktops are a great replacement for traditional gas burner units.

Ducted split systems and heat exchangers provide costeffective solutions for mechanical heating and cooling.

3. Offset your reduced energy usage by installing rooftop solar panels.

We recommend future proofing your solar installation to take a battery, because when they become more affordable, which they will, you can live energy bill free.

For more advice or help with your building needs contact us on 0408 300 106 or email kim@chaulk.com.au.

◆ ENERGY UPGRADES: Kim Mickelburough

◆ INSULATED ROOMS: Kim Mickelburough creates rooms that are energy efficient and keep the heat inside with salvages brick.

with Kim Mickelburough CHAULK STUDIO RENNOVATIONS

Call goes out for more volunteers

■ From page 1

“The new mobile hub has been a great addition to the service we can provide to communities, particularly supporting those that find travelling to Wangaratta for these activities difficult due to mobility, access or affordability,” Ms Hall said.

“Having volunteers from these townships supporting the mobile hub when it’s visiting, be it in helping with set up, cooking a barbecue or even sharing a skill with the community, significantly helps us to continue these visits to outlying communities.

“It’s also a great way for new people to these towns to meet other people and become a part of their community.”

Volunteer opportunities include childcare, administration, tutoring and gardening.

Volunteers come to Pangerang Community Hub from varied backgrounds - people with skills and training, people looking to develop skills and

people with disability.

Some roles may require a specific skillset, but most roles do not.

“Volunteers not only support our activities but they make a real difference to the lives of many of our vulnerable community members,” Ms Hall said.

“Our volunteers will develop great skills, improve the lives of people they work with and get heaps of support and encouragement while doing so.

“We really value our volunteers and are working to further strengthen and expand our volunteer management so that we may be able to also assist other community groups in the region with attracting and supporting their volunteers.

“We would just love for people to give us a call or pop in for a chat.

“We have a great volunteer info booklet we can share and chat more about the needs of the organisation and the de-

FEATURE STORY

sires of the volunteer.

“I think one hesitation is often people not wanting to commit to regular work, or too many hours, but we can definitely work around individual needs and we really want people to know that even just the smallest amount is still a great help to us.

“We have lots of exciting things coming up and we’d love people to be a part of that.”

To learn more about Pangerang Community Hub visit https://pangerang.org.au/ or call 03 5721 3813. dition to the service we can provide to communities, particularly supporting those that find travelling to Wangaratta for these activities difficult due to mobility, access or affordability,” Ms Hall said.

“Having volunteers from these townships supporting the mobile

hub when it’s visiting, be it in helping with set up, cooking a barbecue or even sharing a skill with the community, significantly helps us to continue these visits to outlying communities.

“It’s also a great way for new people to these towns to meet other people and become a part of their community.”

Volunteer opportunities include childcare, administration, tutoring and gardening.

Volunteers come to Pangerang Community Hub from varied backgrounds - people with skills and training, people looking to develop skills and people with disability.

Some roles may require a specific skillset, but most roles do not.

“Volunteers not only support our activities but they make a real difference to the lives of many of our vulnerable community members,” Ms Hall said.

“Our volunteers will develop great skills, improve the lives of

people they work with and get heaps of support and encouragement while doing so.

“We really value our volunteers and are working to further strengthen and expand our volunteer management so that we may be able to also assist other community groups in the region with attracting and supporting their volunteers.

“We would just love for people to give us a call or pop in for a chat.

“I think one hesitation is often people not wanting to commit to regular work, or too many hours, but we can definitely work around individual needs and we really want people to know that even just the smallest amount is still a great help to us.

“We have lots of exciting things coming up and we’d love people to be a part of that.”

To learn more about Pangerang Community Hub visit https://pangerang.org.au/ or call 03 5721 3813.

◆ COMMUNITY SPIRIT: Kayla Schultz, Hannah Robinson, Lastari Duggan, Tennille Hall, Montana Lloyd, Charley Hall, Emma Gerrett are part of the team assisting vulnerable people in Wangaratta.

NorthEast JOBS

book your ad, call

Journalist

Career Opportunity

Full Time

North East Media, an award-winning publisher of community newspapers, has a full time position for a graded journalist based in our Myrtleford office in North East Victoria.

We are seeking a journalist with previous country newspaper experience to produce our weekly Myrtleford Times and Alpine Observer, servicing the picturesque Alpine Shire communities of Myrtleford, Bright and Mt Beauty.

The position requires a journalist with a strong work ethic and well-rounded skill set, who has a passion for community newspapers and a real desire to work with volunteer contributors.

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 ability to use social media and deliver high quality work under deadline pressure are also a must.

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

GREAT JOBS FOR GREAT PEOPLE

The following opportunities now exist for enthusiastic, safety focused people with suitable experience and

Please visit our website to find out more about current positions available across Mawsons business divisions.

Wangaratta Vic – Concrete Truck Driver – WANG002

Broken Hill NSW – Quarry Operator – BROQ002

Berrigan NSW – Weighbridge Clerk – FUZQ004

Jeff Zeuschner Group Editor North East Media jzeuschner@nemedia.com.au www.mawsons.com.au/careers/join-us

Health benefits of cruciferous vegetables

THE chilly autumn air is here, and with that comes slow cooked meals, hearty root vegetables and more cruciferous vegetables.

Cruciferous or brassica veggies belong to the cruciferae family, and it has over 4000 plant species.

Some of the cruciferous veggies we commonly consume include broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, bok choy, rocket, cress, cauliflower, horseradish and turnips.

And they are incredibly healthy foods and very versatile in the kitchen.

Some of the health benefits of brassica’s include reducing your risk of heart disease, cancer, inflammation and oxidative stress.

These are a high priority in preventative medicine that we use in clinic regularly.

The issue that is often sprouted by social media influences with consuming these veggies is that it can potentially lead to a reduction in iodine absorption, leading to thyroid issues.

Weird right, consuming a healthy food can lead to a disease state that affects your metabolism, bowel, nervous system etc.

Well, here is the fine print…this commonly happens when you’re already deficient in iodine, and when they are consumed in their raw state and in large amounts.

Other contributing factors include when the food is not chewed well/ broken down, uncooked, fermented or digested adequately.

So next time you are

YOUR HEALTH

watching the next influencer talking about a solitude food/nutrient or molecule to treat a certain disease, stop and think: is eating a whole bunch of celery a day healthy?

Is consuming handfuls of raw kale daily giving you the diverse amount of nutrients that your body

needs to function?

Is too much of a single food/veg/fruit a good thing for you?

I would argue, yes.

If you are stuck and need help with menu planning or further advice, we are qualified and here to help. Follow us on social media for more information.

Due diligence essential before buying a business

WHEN it comes to buying a business, the adage “look before you leap” has never been more pertinent.

Due diligence is the bedrock upon which successful business acquisitions are built, serving as a comprehensive appraisal of a business’s performance, legal standing, financial health and more.

This process helps potential buyers in Australia make informed decisions, ensuring that what you see is indeed what you get.

But it can also be a solid springboard into early and sustained success.

Understanding due diligence

Due diligence is a multifaceted process that involves scrutinising a range of elements related to the business in question.

This process helps identify potential red flags, assesses the business’s true value, and ensures that the investment aligns with your goals and risk tolerance.

What are the various kinds of due diligence, and why should I do due diligence at all?

There are many aspects to think about including legal, financial and operational considerations.

It’s important to understand the legal framework of a business, the contracts and agreements and ownership of intellectual property to ensure everything abides by the legal regulations.

It is also crucial to examine financial statements, assess the value of assets and understand the businesses liabilities.

You will also need to evaluate the best business model for sustainability, your team structure with employees, environmental compliance and consider industry specific risks.

Some other final considerations include negotiating deals for your business and creating a smooth post-purchase transition.

◆ DUE DILIGENCE: Due Diligence can help ensure your businesses success.

with Jonathan Green JONATHAN GREEN LEGAL

◆ HEALTHY VEGGIES: Cruciferous vegetables are great for your health.

with Belinda McPherson NORTH EAST NATURAL HEALTH