March issue of the Stratford Town Crier 2019

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STRATFORD TOWN CRIER INC

March 2019

Volume 26—No 2 ABN 61 052 673 443 ISSN 1836-3830

Facebook: Stratford Town Crier

REG No: A0052373W

Email: stratfordtowncrier@gmail.com

Editor: Leanne Dugan

Co-Editor: Shakira Dugan

Online: https://issuu.com/stratfordtowncrier/docs

2.2 What’s On In Stratford

STRATFORD TOWN CRIER INC Stratford Town Crier INC

TOWN CRIER PRESIDENT’S SAY

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH VICTORIA

VICTORIA POLICE

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his month I would like to focus on two wonderful community events recently held in Stratford. Through these pages, if not by attending in person, readers would be familiar with the Stratford Singer Songwriters Storytellers sessions regularly held at the Courthouse Theatre. At these nights, original works are strongly encouraged. The organisers are rightly passionate about their art and these evenings are wonderful opportunities to showcase local and visitor talents and provide a safe and supportive atmosphere for budding performers. Recently, over a whole day and evening, the Singer Songwriters Storytellers group extended this concept, to present an inaugural Original Music Festival. This major event was months in the planning and is an absolute credit to the initiative, imagination, organisation and hours of voluntary work that went into the event. The weather was very unkind on the day, but despite this, the Festival was a resounding success and I for one hope it will be the first of many more to come. This is a marvellous event that could really put Stratford even more strongly on the performing arts calendar. Well done Singer Songwriters Storytellers organisers!

The other event which I was privileged to attend was the unveiling of the plaque at the Stratford Senior Citizens club, in memory of Stratford’s beloved citizen Joan McCloud. Again, this event was a credit to the organisers and a wonderful tribute to this lady who gave of herself so generously to so many aspects of Stratford community service that to try to list them here would take up this whole column! Suffice to say, Joan contributed greatly to many groups and events and assisted many individuals and is deeply regarded by all who knew her. The event was very well attended and the morning tea spread was vast and delectable! Well done to all who initiated and organised this tribute. Anyone can view the attractive and tasteful plaque in the garden at the front of the Senior Citizens building.

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etween 15/2 and 16/2 – a mobile phone was stolen from an unlocked room at a business.

Between Christmas and new year’s eve a trailer was stolen from a rural property.

Between 12/2 and 13/2 there was an attempted burglary at a locked shed on a rural property.

Now that school is back, I urge motorists to take care when driving and parking near school crossings. Also, with the new roundabout completed, please be aware that the speed limit through town is now 50kmh and the 80kmh zones on either side of town have been extended.

Richard Chrisp

Judy Donoghue

Walk or drive the Arts Trail Kayak at Weirs Crossing Visit the Historical Society Have a picnic at the Knob Reserve & checkout the Lookout

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STRATFORD ARTS TRAIL

Have a game of tennis at Llowalong Road Check out what’s in the main street Check what’s on at the Stratford Courthouse Theatre Play on the numerous playgrounds around town Go for a ride on the Rail Trail

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What To Do?

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eighbourhood Watch Stratford and District urges everyone to take precautions related to your motor vehicle.

Most car thieves are opportunists. A third of all thefts are ‘home thefts’ i.e. taken from the person’s driveway, carport or from the street outside their home.

Opportunists and professional car thieves have something in common. They can steal a car in seconds. Opportunist may see your car as a means of transport, a joyride or to use in committing another type of crime. Professional car thieves are motivated differently, stealing cars for profit. They are normally well organised and working within a team, after a specific car or car parts.

The longer it takes for any thief to gain access to a vehicle, the more likely they will be heard or become frustrated and move on. Tradies, not only lock your vehicle but make sure you lock your trailer.

So never leave your keys in the ignition, especially when paying for petrol. Close all windows and lock doors before leaving your vehicle unattended. Do not leave valuables within view. (Lock them in the boot.) Do not have your address on tags attached to your car keys.

Did you know that property stolen from vehicles is one of the most under reported crimes?

For Police assistance ring 000. For Crime Stoppers ring 1800 333 000, you don’t need to tell your name.

Maureen Paliew

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What’s On? THURSDAY 28 February, Stratford Junior Netball Registration @ 3.30pm Stratford Football Club Rooms MONDAY 11 March, RSL Ladies Committee @ 2.00pm RSL Club Rooms WEDNESDAY 13 March, Boisdale Football/Netball Registration @ 5.00pm Briagolong Rec Reserve SATURDAY 30 March, Judith Richardson Book Launch @ 11.30am RSL Hall SUNDAY 7 April, Stratford Cemetery Working Bee @ 1.00pm

Sratford Library

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Monday, Wednesday & Friday 10.00am - 1.30pm 3.00pm - 6.00pm

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Saturday: 10.00am - 12.00pm Closed Tuesday, Thursday & Sunday

STRATFORD MONTHLY RAINFALL FROM THE BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY DEC/17

JAN/18

FEB/18

MAR/18

APR/18

MAY/18

JUN/18

JUL/18

AUG/18

SEP/18

OCT/18

NOV/18

DEC/18

JAN/19

27.4

59.3

21.9

14.8

5.7

24.9

19.4

35

20.5

32.4

23.2

71.8

33

30

2018 = 361.9

2017 = 436.6

2016 = 592.9

2015 = 593.3

2014 = 647.2

2013 = 558.6

2012 = 693.0

3.3 Community News

STRATFORD TOWN CRIER INC Stratford Town Crier INC

BENDIGO BANK - COUNTRY WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION - STRATFORD MEN’S SHED STRATFORD RSL - STRATFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY -

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ENDIGO BANK

We welcome Danielle Brown our new Customer Service Officer to the Maffra Branch. Danielle is currently undergoing training and is also spending some time on the front counter.

Our next Cheque Presentation Night is on 20 March at Duart in Maffra. These nights are held quarterly. The closing date for applications for the May Presentation will be 15 April. If your club or community group has a good idea and needs funding, contact the Bank to discuss the possibility of sponsorship.

On Thursday 21 March Maffra and Heyfield Community

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OUNTRY WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION

Have you ever considered joining the CWA? Now is a great time to join Avon CWA. Get involved in a community minded volunteer organisation and make new friends.

Avon CWA meet on the third Monday each month at 1.00pm in the Stratford Community Centre in Dixon Street. Come along and check out the monthly flower competition and have a cuppa.

Membership is open to all women living in Victoria. We get involved

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TRATFORD MEN’S SHED

The members of the Stratford Men's Shed were very busy “Santa Helpers" during 2018 as they produced over 400 toys for the Sale Baptist Church Community Fun Day on 2 December 2018.

The Shed has 25 members with an average attendance of 12 at each of their Monday and Friday morning meetings. They are proud of their assistance to the aged community of Stratford enabling them to live a more comfortable life in their own homes. There is an experienced leadership team who guide the

Banks will be hosting a night centred on social media training for business and not for profit groups.

This will be held at the Tinamba Hotel, there will be a keynote speaker and finger food will be available. This will be a great opportunity to learn how to better spread your message in the community.

At present we have a vacancy on the Board of the Maffra Community Bank and are looking for community minded persons who would be interested in volunteering a night a month to be part of our organization. If you are interested I can be contacted on 0488 759 065.

Rob Christie

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TRATFORD RSL

The Stratford RSL Sub Branch have recently held their AGM. After sixteen years as President, Dennis Carstairs decided to relinquish the office of President late last year.

So the wheels have now been put in motion and Stratford RSL has a new committee of management. Our new President is Gary Tobin, who grew up in Stratford and has now returned to live here after many years in banking and club management around Victoria.

The new Treasurer is Mal Nicholls who is well known in Stratford and has worked with Elders in wool sales state wide for many years also. Michael Hutchison will remain on as Secretary for this year in order to assist the new men in whatever way he can, as they get adjusted to their new roles.

This year marks the Eightieth Anniversary of the beginning of WW11. Who would have thought

in community activities.

We have craft days once a month on the second Saturday at 10.00am for adults and 1.00pm for Juniors. Come along and learn Japanese embroidery, soap making, candle wicking, paper tole, tie dying and so much more.

Meetings are not compulsory for members, just come along and TRATFORD participate in what you like.

HISTORICAL Check out our Facebook SOCIETY Page for more information or call Emma 0409 865 047 – Branch Our two large display Secretary. cabinets from the Royal Historical Society donated to us, are now at Cindy Chrisp the Museum. Thanks to Tim Lee for organising this and for getting them delivered to us.

We have recently had several groups of visitors to the Museum coming from Lakes Entrance and Bairnsdale and also the CWA. We enjoy making groups of visitors welcome to the Museum and we can supply tea, coffee and afternoon tea for a small cost. These visits can be made by appointment by phoning Marion Stothers on 0419 744 320 or Judy Richards on 0409 519 368. Judith Richardson management of the shed and will launch her book on the skilled craftsmen who set the Llowalong Soldier Settlement standard in the wood workshop. which includes stories of 31 Their plan for the future is to soldiers of 25 properties. The include metal work and leather launch will be held on Saturday 30 work sections in the shed.

March at the RSL Hall, Stratford at Johan Hanlon 11.30am. Books will be for sale.

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that only twenty years after the Great War, Europe could fall apart once more and that there would be the tragedies of a global conflict reoccurring.

The RSL in conjunction with the Stratford Cemetery Trust is trying to get funding to host a commemorative event in Stratford prior to Remembrance Day, where we acknowledge the 144 men buried in Stratford who went to the war, leaving family and friends.

We hope to gain information about these men and put together an A4 page “history” of their lives individually, before the end of the year. More importantly, we have absolutely no information on the women who served, because, once married their names obviously changed.

So Marg Robbins from our Cemetery Trust, and the RSL, will encourage you to start collecting and researching, so that we can put together a memorable and worthy tribute in November.

Michael Hutchison Tea, coffee and light refreshments will also be available.

Our book sales at the Historical Society have been going well through Facebook and visitors to the Museum. If you have not seen our display of books for sale, please feel free to have a look the next time you call in to the Museum. The Museum is open on the fourth Sunday of each month from 2.00 - 4.00pm. and each Tuesday from 10.00am - 3.00pm.

Visitors are always welcome.

Our next meeting will be held on Monday 25 March at 7.30pm at the Museum and we are arranging to have a Guest Speaker on that night.

Jane Spice

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4.4 Community News

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STRATFORD TENNIS ASSOCIATION - STRATFORD BOWLS CLUB - FOOTBALL/NETBALL REGISTRATIONS

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TRATFORD TENNIS CLUB

The summer season is coming to a close with finals beginning on 16 March.

Our section 7 junior side looks likely to make the finals as they are currently holding down 4th place.

Section 1 seniors are likely to just miss the finals but have had a great year knocking off a couple of the more fancied sides. Section 2 seniors started very well but have lacked the depth to capitalise on their great start.

Star of section 2 has been Jenny White who has turned the clock back 20 years and recaptured her booming forehand. Section 5 juniors also will just miss out on the

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TRATFORD BOWLS CLUB

When the Crackerjack movie was released in 2002, it created a new interest in social/barefoot bowls. This attracted clubs to start a whole new competition and Stratford Club embraced the new idea.

The Wednesday evening competition began during daylight savings hours under the leadership of President Ian Paine, then called “twilight bowls”. Teams were entered by local businesses and clubs, including IGA, Lions Club, Stratford Hotel, Brickies, Stratford Hardware. Initially teams were restricted to one

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TRATFORD JUNIOR NETBALL CLUB

Registration Day When: Thursday 28 February Where: Stratford Football club rooms Time: 3.30pm - 4.30pm Cost: $75 payable to SJNC $67 payable to Netball Victoria $12 payable to Sale Netball Association

finals but have had a great year. Wellington Gippsland Senior Preliminary Finals (Sunday 17 March) and Grand Finals (23 March). Certainly the first time all of the seniors finals will be played at Stratford.

We encourage everybody to come up and have a look at some great tennis and enjoy a sausage or two. Refreshments will be available on the day. A great social day is assured. Nick Bauer (Club tennis coach) is offering numerous tennis coaching programs at Stratford such as toddler tennis which is a program designed for 2-4 year olds. BIOfit is a fast paced fun 1 hour fitness class on a tennis court with music pumping. Open for anyone in

high school and adult male or female, Hot Hits is an introductory coaching program playing plenty of fun games in a 1 hour class with a number of coaches. Rookie, Little Legend and Private coaching is also available on a weekly basis. It is here that we closely focus on stroke production and technique.

If interested please contact Nic on 0409 692 852.

All year we offer night tennis on Wednesday night which is a great social evening for men and ladies. If you are interested in playing or just filling in please contact Mark Kennedy on 0408 130 061.

Stay in touch with the Stratford Tennis Club through our Facebook page.

Daryl Cooper

experienced bowler per team.

Over the past 17 years, many people have joined in and some of the original players are still on the green on Wednesdays – Doug Richardson, Wayne Marsden, Mick Dee, Andy Bye. Stratford Hardware has been the major sponsor and their team has also featured on the winners trophy many times, along with Brickies.

This season there have been a number of new teams entering the competition and 2 of them are in the top 4. Great to see the very young spectators in pushers and prams urging their parents on.

Pictured are the girls on the

green last Wednesday. Finals start next week – just in time to complete the season before it is too dark to see the kitty when the siren sounds at 7.30pm. A lot of hard work goes in behind the scenes and a big thank you is extended to Gordon Keddie and Andy Bye for their organisation, and to the other club members who cooked the barbeque and sold the drinks.

Two of the Saturday pennant teams finished the season in the top 4 but were eliminated in the semi finals.

The Midweek team is in the final 4, with finals to commence next week.

Margaret Robbins

First game will be 27 April, first weekend after school holidays.

Any players with uniforms from last year could you please bring them along. We will fit players with uniforms and have them all ready for our first training session.

Registration should only take about 10 mins so come anytime within the hour.

Naomi Spence

5.5 Community News

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STRATFORD CEMETERY - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, LAND, WATER AND PLANNING

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TRATFORD CEMETERY

The Forsyth family have been connected to the Stratford Cemetery from its earliest days. The first burial recorded at the Stratford Cemetery was Elizabeth Weir in 1865, an ancestor of the Forsyths. Malcolm Forsyth, our current Chairperson has been a Trust Member since 1980. Malcolm’s father was also a trust member, and his daughter Rachel was the Secretary for around 8 years. The following article from the Gippsland Times on 7 August 1919 reports on the death of his grandfather.

The death of Major James Forsyth, J.P, of Stratford, caused widespread regret throughout the district, where he was most popular and deservedly held in high esteem. He was an enthusiastic sportsman, and attended the Champion meeting of the North Gippsland Coursing Club on Saturday week, in which his dog took part. He was then not in good health, and became worse on the following day, and despite all that-medical skill could devise, he succumbed to an attack of pneumonia on Sunday last. Major Forsyth, who was a large hearted man, took a keen interest in the soldiers' welfare, and was one of the Government nominees on the Stratford Repatriation Board. As far back as 1891 he joined the Victorian Rangers, and on their disbandment he joined the Light Horse, and at the outbreak of the war had risen to the rank of captain. He was appointed an instructor at Seymour camp, and had charge of the Light Horse Reinforcements, with whom he was very

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EPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT LAND, WATER & PLANNING Autumn Firewood Collection Season starts soon in Gippsland The 2019 Autumn Firewood Collection Season opens in Gippsland on Friday 1 March and closes on Sunday 30 June.

Gippsland’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Beth Roberts said: “It’s important that people only collect firewood from designated firewood collection areas on public land and stay within collection limits.”

“Interactive maps showing where you can collect domestic firewood from will go live from March 1 when the season gets underway,” Dr Roberts said.

“Designated collection areas are put in place to protect sites of cultural and environmental significance.

“The felling of any trees for firewood is strictly prohibited. Authorised officers will be patrolling parks, forests and reserves to ensure people are doing the right thing while collecting their firewood.

“We’re reminding people to stay within collection limits, which are a maximum of two cubic metres per person per day and a maximum of 16 cubic metres per household per financial year.

“Some households rely on domestic firewood for winter energy, so it’s important to consider others

popular, and was promoted to the rank of major.

He had offered to enlist as lieutenant, but his services were retained in the State. The funeral took place on Tuesday, and notwithstanding the brief notice given, it was attended by over 50 vehicles and about a score of motor cars. With arms reversed a large number of returned soldiers marched in uniform to the Nuntin Cemetery, where Chaplain Captain Wilson Smith read the burial service. Three volleys were fired over the grave, the "Last Post" being sounded by Bugler Jones. James was aged 41 when he died and is interred in the Monumental area of the cemetery.

Friends of the Cemetery are reminded that they are welcome to call in any time and remove weeds from the garden or surroundings of the graves. A working bee will be held on Sunday 7 April between 1.00pm and 3.00pm.

Margaret Robbins, Secretary.

Soldiers marching with arms reversed.

when collecting firewood from state forests.

“Be sure to check local weather and forest conditions before heading out to make sure it’s safe before collecting firewood in your area.

“Some previously available firewood collection areas that have been affected by recent fires may be closed at the start of the season while rehabilitation and dangerous tree work is completed. Other sites may be part of the autumn planned burning program, so it’s a good idea to check where burns are happening as these areas may be closed at short notice.”

More information including rules, updates and interactive maps showing designated collection areas is available from www.ffm.vic.gov.au/firewood.

Under the Forest Act 1958, people who collect firewood outside designated firewood collection areas or a firewood collection season or take more than the maximum allowable amounts can face fines of up to $7,928, or a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment or both, if the matter proceeded to Court.

For any further information on firewood collection or to report illegal or suspicious behaviour in public land areas, please contact the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) on 136 186.

Rachel M Dawkins

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6.6 Community News

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STRATFORD CUB SCOUTS - STRATFORD PLAYGROUP STRATFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL - STRATFORD SINGER SONGWRITERS

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TRATFORD CUB SCOUTS

With term one starting for all the local schools, Scouts and Cubs are back too, and we have already been very busy.

Lots of the Scouting families came to lend a hand at the working bee to get things ready for the new term. The hall has started to undergo its repairs and upgrades, made possible by the generous grant from LVA for Scouts Victoria. We expect to be having further working bees throughout the year and would be thrilled if anyone would like to come help (many hands and all that). The Scouts have been planning what they hope to learn, do and achieve this term and have also been making sure their knot skills are in good shape for upcoming outdoor activities and camps.

The Cub pack has enjoyed a night at the Sale pool, with everyone working towards either their level 1 or level 2 Swimmer badges and have also had the opportunity to make bees wax wraps, using wax from local bees.

22 February was an important day on the Scouting calendar as it was the day that Scouting across the world celebrates Founder’s Day. This is Baden Powell‘s

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birthday (the founder of Scouting). In past years the 1st Stratford group has celebrated Founder’s Day in a variety of different ways, for example by holding a “Scouts’ Own” outside, visiting the Church of England in Stratford, and visiting the church at Perry Bridge with the service lead by the Uniting Church minister from Stratford.

This year we celebrated by visiting the Catholic Church in Stratford and taking part in a non denominational service so we could give thanks for the Founder, the movement and joy of scouting.

If you have any queries about joining Cubs or Scouts, or becoming an adult leader or helper, please contact Sharyn Treasure 0428 401 225 or Miriam Ripper 0405 196 931 for more details.

Miriam Ripper

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tratford Playgroup has had a great start to the year, with lots of new families coming along.

With the help of a translator, "Bubba", two, told me what she has been enjoying at playgroup so far: "I love painting at the easel. At the craft table Grandma helped me make a funny Valentine's Day heart puppet, and a pink pig. The toy pigs were rolling in mud at playgroup and I had a turn washing them in the water tub. I'm getting really clever at climbing on the playgroup playground and riding the little bikes. I love to make the Play-Doh into spaghetti. I pretend to take the dolly shopping and feed him toy food. He likes icecream."

All kids 0-5 and their carers are welcome to join the fun!

When: Tuesday mornings 10 – 12 during school terms.

Where: 15 Dixon Street, Stratford Bring: $2 per family, a piece of fruit to share and a hat to wear outside. First time free for new families.

See you there!

Kerry Muir

TRATFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL

This term our focus is on getting to know each other, building empathy and compassion, showing kindness and being a team.

We have a group of students called the MAD (Make A Difference) team working on the wheels project for a month. The group is aiming to make lunchtimes more fun for anyone who wishes to ride their bike or scooter safely for half of lunch time on one day of the week. Participants must wear helmets and follow all the safety rules.

The MAD team is helping set up, monitoring safety and checking in each week with their class to see what can be done to make it even better. They are doing a great job.

This week the grade 5/6 class were excited to visit the Stratford PS Book café for a Book Tasting. The menu for the morning included samples of books which each group spent time “tasting”. The idea behind the session was to introduce students to new authors and books that they may not necessarily have been exposed to before.

Each student found

something that they were interested in reading further and some were annoyed that they had to put their books down at the end of the session. The Book Tasting was a fun way to inspire students to read and the 5/6 class are excited to have another tasting in the future with all different types of books and reading material.

We were pleased to meet with many of our school families at our annual information evening and family BBQ tea.

Families were able to work with teachers and hear about the classroom programs and then everyone relaxed and enjoyed the Summery evening dinner.

This year our Family and Friends group is going great guns with fundraising as part of the Maffra Mardi Gras fundraising activity. The group is supporting Kelly Gaudion to raise fund as the Mardi Gras entrant. Thanks to everyone who has supported our raffles, doughnut drive, cake stalls and all that is to come in our efforts to raise money for our kids.

Well done to all the swimmers who recently swam in our swimming sports and congratulations to Touchstone House for taking the honours this year.

Debra Nicholls

Our first time Original Music Festival was a success. A huge thank you to everyone involved, and who supported our event, there are way to many to mention here, you know who you are, thanks again. That’s what events like this are about, bringing together all sorts of people, with all sorts of talents, to put on a really good and successful event. We achieved our goal to raise enough money to sustain the Singer/ Songwriters nights into the future. The workshops were well attended and enjoyed by many. The outdoor open mic stage ran from 10.00am – 4.00pm, we had quite a few new performers, with some really cool music being played. The wind and rain didn’t dampen performers or audience enthusiasm. The Evening Concert was enjoyed to a full house, the last band of the night JaneSaw, had people up and dancing. What a great day and night was had.

Next Singer Songwriters night is on 29 March, doors open at 6.30pm with a 7.00pm start at The Stratford Courthouse Theatre, bar open. Free entry. Segue Arts Café open. Check out our Facebook page to see what we have been up to.

Anita Hensen

7.7 Community News

STRATFORD TOWN CRIER INC Stratford Town Crier INC

AIRLY PRIMARY SCHOOL - STRATFORD S.E.S - ST PATRICK’S PRIMARY SCHOOL

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IRLY PRIMARY SCHOOL

2019 has seen a smooth start to the school year at Airly Primary School. Enrolments are slightly up on last year. We welcome another new staff member: Emily Pritchett as Education Support.

We are focussing on our school values to begin the New Year: Respect, Attitude, Co-operation & Environment. All

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TRATFORD S.E.S.

Stratford and district was hit with a couple of wind storms recently, and members spent some time cutting up trees and branches which had fallen on local roads, and moving the debris.

The same night a house had part of it’s roof blown off. A crew worked until 4 am to cover the exposed ceiling with protective material.

Early in January members were involved in a search for two missing persons at a campground in the Monomak area.

There were also a couple of responses to road crashes. No serious injuries reported. Stratford S.E.S. is operated by volunteers.

And like all organisations that rely on members that give their time freely, are asking community minded people to join. Members are trained in many skills to make the Unit operate. This can be, 4 wheel driving, first aid, communications, chainsaw

classes are having explicit lessons about these and what behaviours look like if we are using the school values (wherever we are).

Collingwood Football Club players Rupert Wills and Josh Thomas visited our school. They talked to students about having a good mindset to ‘have a go’ and do your best at whatever you do, be it playing sport, learning spelling words or doing a Maths test. They spoke about receiving feedback operating and making temporary repairs to storm damaged buildings. It’s been a good start to the year and we have two new members, but we have two that have retired!

All S.E.S units that attend road crashes have to be assessed every three years. This they have to pass to be accredited. Stratford has now been given a date later this year and training is being stepped up to obtain this. Getting cars to use for training can sometimes be a problem. This year, those nice people from Bairnsdale Scrap Metal are helping us with vehicles.

David Smith

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daily from their coaches to improve their skills and that having the right attitude helped with accepting the feedback without criticism.

Raquel Harris from Wellington Shire is our new ResourceSmart facilitator. She visited recently to talk to students about recycling and was impressed by the number of containers students use instead of wrappers in their lunch boxes. Students planted seedlings in the vegie garden with

her and restored the worm farm.

Thanks to Wellington Shire, our Sale Rural Cluster Grade 4-6 students will be undertaking Bike Education sessions over the next month. Students will gather at Gippsland Regional Sports Complex to practise their riding skills and learn about bike safety.

Brenda Talbot

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T PATRICK’S PRIMARY SCHOOL

What an amazing start it has been to the 2019 school year! Staff and students have hit the ground running with a priority on the establishment of classroom routines and focus on establishing high expectations for the year ahead. The swimming program is almost complete for the year 1-6 students (our preps will swim later in the year) and I have been amazed by the level of improvement by the children.

The year six students are in the early stages of preparing for the Shakespeare performances and the festival will be here before we know it. I am excited about the year ahead and look forward to the many opportunities, challenges and successes that lay ahead.

Welcome to our Foundation (prep) students. It is always an exciting moment to watch the prep children walk in for their first day of school, and this year

was no different.

With a mix of excitement and nerves the children settled quickly and are becoming accustomed to the routines of school life. We are thrilled to welcome these children into our school and look forward to seeing them learn and grow over the future.

Welcome Miss Allison Bigham. St Patrick’s school has welcomed Miss Alli Bigham to the staff in 2019. Alli has taught previously in Sale and Warragul and joins us after spending a couple of years working and travelling overseas. We welcome Alli and wish her all the best for her time at St. Patrick’s.

Finally, I wish all students, staff and families a prosperous year ahead at St Patrick’s. I also wish the Town Crier, and those involved in its publication, another successful year.

Nicholas Hall Principal

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LOCAL BLOGS BY: ELLIE MACGREGOR ELLA-ROSE SPENCE - MAUREEN PALIEW

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T’S A GIRL’S LIFE - ELLA ROSE SPENCE Standing there glancing through the hospital room window seeing my mum as tears roll down her face, clenching her hand to Jess’ as she lays on the hospital bed still in time, I can feel the tightening of Camryn’s hand on my arm and her head resting on my shoulder. My grandfather pacing as he is ordering my father to get on the first plane back to, he explains the situation but I zone out not wanting to hear the story once again. As doctors and nurses are rushing calmly around after they have Jess in a stable condition, the sound of the machines attached to her become a faint noise in the background. I feel a tear roll down my face and the salt flavour hits my tongue, my hand raises to wipe the tears but I’m stopped as Camryn turns to hug me, her heart beating so fast I can feel it…

It was early in the morning and my mum had called out to me “Lucy, my dearest do you want breakfast or not?” That’s when I decided I have to get up some day, I flip the duvet on the other side, stretch myself out of bed, wrap myself in my dressing gown and use all my energy to drag myself to the kitchen. The table is neatly organised and laid out for some hot pancakes as mum placed the plate stacked of pancakes on the table, “Enjoy!” she overly exaggerated. My tummy full, my energy levels risen and my mood lifted with it, I tune in to the sound surrounding me and the first thing I hear is the cows. “Mum, I’m going to feed the cows, I’m gonna use the quad bike.” I shouted nicely to mum.

“Lucy just wait we’ll come with you.” Mum replied, at that stage I was rolling my eyes.

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OUNG EYES - ELLIE MACGREGOR Earth as we know it is forever changing.

Through both human and natural actions.

Whether this be through the creation of cities, deforestation or the eruption of a brand new island.

We, as human beings must learn to live with these changes and adapt to new ways of life. We all know that global warming is bad and that we are running out of fossil fuels, but what does this mean for us?

Deforestation results in the loss of an estimated 27 soccer fields per minute, 18.7 million acres of land per year. Mining and earth moving damages the earths topsoil and reduces its ability to sustain life.

Overgrazing, land clearing, industrialisation and intense crop growing all affect the quality of the land and its capacity to grow food. This is called land degradation. Currently, the world has the

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CHAT WITH MAUREEN

Lots happening at local Stratford Industrial Estate beginning with the opening of 3 new businesses. Firstly welcome to Metro RV Caravan Dealership 23 – 25 Princes Highway. This is a family owned and operated business commencing in Preston in 1991.Metro RV has the franchise for the Australian made Legend Caravan. I happily checked out the winner of 2017 Best Aussie caravan , the Legend Trackline Offroad, and unbeknown to my husband I very nearly ordered one. (I want one!) Aluminium frame, lighter, tougher and stronger.

So if you are considering the big R (retiring) soon, or just travelling around our beautiful country, Legend caravans size start at 13 feet up to 24 feet.

Chat with Mark, or give him a ring on 51 168 322, you will be more than surprised with the choice and design. Don’t forget also many lovely second hand vans for sale at the Princes Highway premises.

The second new business is HC Fitness, 22 Princes Highway. Personal trainers Heath Curtis and Carly Byrnes. With a large range of gym equipment for the unfit like myself, or for folk just needing a bit of toning up, strength, cardio vascular, boxing, everything is there. Age and fitness is no barrier as

Jess and I got on the big quad bike whilst Camryn jumped on the little quad bike, Mum walked beside us with the crate of hay. When we came to stop I could hear Camryn calling out my name, I went to see her leaving Jess on the bike…

The next sound is the revving of the quad bike, we all turned to see Jess pushing on the accelerator pedal, the only thing stopping her was the solid tree she was to hit. Mum screamed a she raced over to Jess, Camryn and I followed, Jess’ eyes rolled to the back of her head and her body went all floppy. Finally my adrenalin kicked in, I got on Camryn’s bike and nearly flipped the bike as I went around the gate. I ran so fast I couldn’t feel my feet, picking up my phone was struggle when my hands wouldn’t stop shaking, dialling triple zero as my heart was skipping beats. “You have dialled triple zero your call is being connected, what do you need, police, fire and rescue or ambulance,” the recorded message plays on the other end.

“Ambulance please, and quick,” I nervously spoke, “there’s been an accident, my five year old sister has driven a motorbike into a tree, 369 [deleted from transcript] street, [deleted].”

“Ok, we are sending an ambulance out now, can you tell me what kind of condition she is?” By then I was already back on the motorbike, this time I went around the gate a bit slower. In the distance you could see my mum holding Jess in her arms, carrying her to the top of the driveway, Camryn slowly jogging beside her to keep up…

To be continued Ella-Rose Spence

capacity to provide necessary sustenance to the global population. But as the population swells, an additional 6 million hectares of new farmland will be required each year. But due to land degradation, 12 million hectares of land are being lost every year.

If we continue our current practices, we only have 60 years left of growing crops before we run out.

This is a very real problem, and one that needs to be fixed before it is too late. We may imagine food shortages to be an unlikely possibility, but our fate is becoming all to real. There will be a point when we realise that it has gone too far, and there is nothing we can do to stop it. So why are we waiting? It is only going to make it harder to turn around. While now our doings may seem harmless, the time bomb is ticking, and it is only a matter of time before it goes off.

Ellie MacGregor Heath and Carly welcome all, promising special training sessions. You can choose a Casual Pass paying per visit or Weekly Passes to use as often as you wish. I was pleased to not have to sign any contracts. And for all you parents with young children a safe crèche area is set aside with free Wi Fi. Ring Heath on 0400 313 506 or Carly 0458 232 321 for more information.

The third business is M.A.D. Blasting – Mobile Abrasive Dustless Blasting. Matt Field is the owner of this business. Showing me lots of patience Matt explained the restoration work process.

Preparing the job, sand blasting to prep, and profile the surface for powder coating or spray painting.

From a child’s tiny tricycle to a 43 feet long stock crate or a semi-trailer chassis, nothing is impossible.

Ute trays, automobile parts, motorbike frames, boat trailers, Matt will bring anything rusty to a new life.

Matt has a 14 metre length sand blasting bay for your every job. Don’t forget he also has a mobile machine ready for marine, automotive or domestic work. Not just structural steel or metal, call Matt for concrete or brick cleaning, graffiti and mould removal. Pop in and visit his huge factory (part of the old Briagolong Engineering site) or give him a call on 0409 087 872.

Maureen Paliew

9.9 Church Articles

STRATFORD TOWN CRIER INC Stratford Town Crier INC

ROYAL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL - ST ANDREWS UNITING CHURCH - ANGLICAN CHURCH

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OYAL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL GOOD FRIDAY APPEAL

With Good Friday approaching, I am writing this note as a request for helpers on the week before or on Good Friday 19 April. The Fire Brigade will be collecting for us on the Tuesday prior to the day.

If you are able to help we can be

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T ANDREW’S UNITING CHURCH

Coming up to Lent We are approaching the season of Lent, which for Christians is a time for self-examination and reflection in preparation for Easter. Repentance involves reviewing where we have been wrong, making amends for past actions and committing ourselves to change for the better. Perhaps all of us are well-served by doing this, whether or not we are Christian.

Enjoyable Evening On Friday 8 February a crowd of enthusiastic dancers had a great time, despite the muggy evening, while others were competitive at table games. A delicious supper gave brief respite from the energetic exertion. Keep a look out for the next opportunity in a few months.

Shrove Tuesday Community Meal On Tuesday 5 March, you are invited to a pancake meal at St Andrew’s Uniting Church from 6.30 pm. Cost $10 per person, or $30 a family. Why not book a table and come with your family and friends? Proceeds go to Uniting Care who work for disadvantaged families.

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NGLICAN CHURCH

Roll up! Roll up! All the fun of the fair! Our 2nd annual Family Fun Day is happening on Saturday 2 March from 10.00am to 2.00pm – all welcome. Free children’s activities include pony rides, animal petting, fairy floss, lucky dips, jumping castles and face painting. Easter Bunny will put in an appearance distributing Easter eggs! This year there is a pet show starting with registration at 10.15 am and judged by one of our local vets.

Categories include: Best small pet, best small dog, best large dog, best dressed pet, the pet that looks most like its owner, the dog with the waggiest tail and the best trick performed (all pets would need to be under their owner’s control please). Other activities include: Devonshire teas, a barbecue and hamburger eating competition, stalls and raffles. Parish members are looking forward to a great community day out.

The Op Shop – Our Pancake Outreach from the Op Shop will be on Shrove Tuesday 5 March. Come along and enjoy some home

contacted on 0448 514 568 (Darryl) or 0400 682 294 (Val). It is getting harder to collect from all the houses as the town has grown so much and your support would be greatly appreciated.

Val Mildenhall Ecumenical World Day of Prayer Service The host country this year is Slovenia and the theme is “Come – Everything is Ready!” This ecumenical service is on Friday 1 March at 7.30pm at Holy Trinity Anglican Church. All are warmly invited.

Aged Care Ministry St Andrew’s leads worship on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Stretton Park and McDonald Wing, Maffra Hospital, ably led by volunteers who support the residents at each visit. John Brisbane will lead the next worship on Wednesday 27 March.

Wednesday Table Games Do you enjoy relaxing times sharing and laughing with others? Why not join us at our games nights each Wednesday at 7.30pm at St Andrew’s. A tasty supper rounds off the evening.

Worship Services We warmly invite you to join us on Sundays for worship and fellowship at 9.30am. All very welcome. Rev Barbara Strickland can be contacted on 5145 6927. cooked pancakes that morning. Our Easter raffle for a basket of Easter goodies will be underway in March.

The parish is looking forward to welcoming our Bishop Richard Treloar to lead a quiet day at Holy Trinity for the Anam Cara community on Saturday 16 March from 9.30am – 3.30pm. All welcome. Bring your own lunch and an optional donation. Time out for quiet and reflection can be a blessed option in our busy, demanding lives.

Another visitor to the parish will be Peter Down who will be speaking about the Hope-Restart Project in Bairnsdale on Sunday 17 March at Holy Trinity. Our Retiring Offertory for March is to support this important work.

Some parishioners have attended a Safe Ministry workshop on 22 February in order to comply with Safe Ministry Standards at all levels. This is necessary for all parishioners involved in any form of ministry to comply with. We are fortunate that Priest David Perryman is qualified to lead this training.

Gail Wager

March Parish Diaries

Thursdays - mainly music program, 9.30 am at Parish Hall during school term 1 Friday Morning Prayer - 9.00am, at Holy Trinity Friday 1 World Day of Prayer 7.30 pm at Holy Trinity Stratford theme Slovenia Saturday 2 Family Fun Fair at Holy Trinity premises, 10.00am – 2.00pm. All welcome.

Sunday 3 Harvest Festival at All Saints Briagolong Tuesday 5 Shrove Tuesday with Pancake Outreach from the Op Shop Wednesday 6 Ash Wednesday 7.30pm Service at Holy Trinity (Lent starts) Monday 11 Labour Day holiday Friday 15 Parish Dinner 6.30pm at Briagolong Saturday 16 Men’s Breakfast group 8.30 am Saturday 16 Anam Cara Quiet Day with Bishop Richard, 9.30am – 3.30pm at Holy Trinity (Cultural Diversity Week March 16 to 24) Sunday 17 Harvest Festival at St Mary’s Munro and at Holy Trinity Sunday 17 at 4.00pm Healing Service at Holy Trinity Sunday 31 Mothering Sunday

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Reference Page 2018

For more information phone: Sale Railway station 5144 2042 or V/Line 1800 800 007 6am to midnight, or visit V/Line.com.au.

Effective from 28 August 2018.

Leaving Stratford going to Melbourne Monday – Friday

5.15am(bus) 6.42am 1.19pm 3.50pm(bus) 6.52pm Saturday 7.04am 12.56pm 5.11pm Sunday 8.15 am 1.35pm(bus) 5.11pm

Arriving from Melbourne in Stratford Monday – Friday

10.32am 12.05pm(bus) 4.28pm 8.30pm(bus)

Saturday Sunday

10.34am 11.05am

3.06pm 2.20 pm(bus)

COPY FOR APRIL 2019 ISSUE Deadline for ARTICLES and ADVERTISING WEDNESDAY, 20 March 2019 by 5.00 pm Delivery starts 28 March 2019 Articles and adverts are to be submitted to: Leanne Dugan, Editor at: 1-3 Bolden Street, Stratford Phone: 0419 518 277 Email: stratfordtowncrier@gmail.com Facebook: Stratford Town Crier All articles must have a contact name and phone number.

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Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre

Freecall: 1800 015 188 Sexual Assault Crisis Line Freecall: 1800 806 292 Child Protection Crisis Line: 131 278 Gippsland Region—East Gippsland 5152 0052

STRATFORD TIP OPENING HOURS Tuesday 10.30am to 5.00pm Thursday 10.30am to 5.00pm Saturday 9.00am to 12.00pm Sunday 1.00pm to 5.00pm Closed Monday, Wednesday & Friday Note: Waste Disposal Charges will apply Township waste collection day is Tuesday & Recycle Bins every 2nd Tuesday

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Stratford S.E.S. Emergency Calls 000 David Smith - 5145 6783 or 0407 321 214 Storm or Flood - 132500

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Stratford to Sale

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LOCAL CLUBS & ORGANISATIONS Anglican Parish of Avon Parish Hall Bookings - Denise Vranek 5145 6355 or 0417 100 047 Australian Caravan Club (East Gippsland Branch) Dennis Carstairs 0428 252 759 Badminton Club Gladys Tatterson 5145 6255 Avon Indoor Recreation Centre Debra Nicholls 5145 6554 Avon Landcare Group Harry Hof 5145 6379 Beth Ripper 0427 456 094 Ben Cruachan Walking Club Beth Kilpatrick 5145 6595 Country Women’s Association Cindy Chrisp 0406 206 611 NCWV Central Gippsland Branch Jan Baxter 5145 6679 North Gippsland Legacy Jim Langskaill 5145 7021 Prospectors and Miners Association Graham Watt 5145 6701 AH Segue Community Arts Cafe 0413 647 557 Shakespeare Association Gavin Prior 5145 6845 / 0427 393148 Southern Tae-Kwon-Do Academy Gerry Laughton 5141 1429

Stratford 1st Scouts & Cub Group Bev Richard 0419 261 825 Stratford & District Amateur Basketball Association Robyn 0417533302 / 5145 8248 Krystal 0427 288 680 / 5145 6425 Stratford & District Angling Club Mick Dee 5145 6803 Stratford & District Neighbourhood Watch Inc. Paul Wager 5145 6376 Stratford Bowls Club Bev Thatcher 5145 6380 Stratford Cemetery Trust Marg Robbins 5145 6829 Stratford Cricket Club Neil Tatterson 5145 6255 or 5145 6417 Stratford Community Market Casey 0407 046 499 Stratford Dog Agility Janet Leemon 0419 884 871 Stratford Fire Brigade David Baxter 0427 384 864 Stratford Fire Brigade Ladies Auxiliary Deidre Morris 5145 6460 Hiring Kathy Booth 5145 6497 Stratford Football Netball Club Geordie Cutler 0408 451 338 Stratford Historical Society Judy Richards 5145 6836 Marion Stothers 5145 6270

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Stratford Junior Football Club Kate Thatcher 0488 456 012 Stratford Junior Netball Club Rachel Nicholls 5145 6677 Stratford Kindergarten Nina Adams 5145 6446 Stratford Lions Club Bill Morley, Membership 0438 430 841 Medical Equipment, Laurel Davies 5145 6489 Or 0418 586 459 Stratford Men’s Shed John Benson 5145 6330 Col Counsell 5145 6913 Stratford Play Group Michelle Boyd 5145 6252 Stratford Pony Club Inc

Tammy Dyer 0438 554 247 Stratford Recreation Reserve Committee Neil Tatterson 5145 6225 Lindsay Schilg 5145 6959 Stratford Red Cross Alison Rule 5145 6561, Doris Robertson 5145 6547 Stratford RSL Dennis Carstairs 5145 6128 Stratford RSL Ladies Auxiliary Jan Baxter 5145 6679 Stratford Senior Citizens Pat Turner 5145 7107

Stratford Singers Rosemary Dunworth 5148 2101 Stratford Tennis Club Inc. Mark Kennedy 5145 6683 Stratford Uniting Church John Brisbane 5145 6034 Stratford Victoria Sister Cities Kevin Waddington 5145 6657 Stratforward Mary Hannett 0410 405 694 Trinity Treasures Op Shop Denise Vranek 5145 6355 Or 0417 100 047 Wellington Horse Riding Club Inc. Kellie Gartung 0438 456 694 To include your Organisation, contact the Town Crier

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11. Games & Community Arts Groups

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REGIONAL ARTS VICTORIA - STRATFORD UPON AVON SHAKESPEARE ASSOCIATION - PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION - CROSSWORD

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EGIONAL ARTS VICTORIA YO VJ! BY THE FURALS Gippsland Art Gallery | Thursday 21 March 2019 | 4.00pm to 5.30pm | Workshop for 8 to 15 year-olds Get funky and build your understanding of 3D projection mapping with a musical twist!

Children aged 8 to 15 years are invited to join us at the Gippsland Art Gallery on Thursday 21 March from 4.00pm to 5.30pm to participate in a hands-on workshop YO VJ! by the Furals, presented by Regional Arts Victoria.

Participants will get to observe a spectacular display of pre-prepared colour and light effect sequences projected in 3D onto a cubic sculpture, moving to the beat.

This workshop is inspired by projection mapping on buildings and music video artists and encourages participants to learn new coding

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AY & BRENDA WATHALL PHOTOGRAPHY Upcoming Photography Exhibition – Month of March 2019 Location of Exhibition: Segue Gallery, 66 Tyers Street, Stratford Victoria Please note: (A proportion of all sales made of our artwork will be given back to Segue Gallery).

Dates: 1 March 2019 – 31 March 2019 Times: 9.30am - 2.30pm (Monday - Sunday) Ray & Brenda Wathall Photography is a home based, husband and wife business located in Loch Sport.

We use photography as a means to document the world around us. We capture pictures that call attention to things that other people may have overlooked. This exploration of the overlooked helps us engage more deeply with where we are in space and time. Our goal is to make photographs that draw viewers into the now. A focus on details keeps us in the present; it stops us from fretting on the future or regretting the past. Our photographs are like a physical meditation.

Our experience has developed from experimentation with our equipment and we are driven by our passion of the beauty that surrounds us in Gippsland, and want to showcase

skills and put them to work in creating their own light and music extravaganza.

Learn how to make your own 3D projection light show to reflect the atmosphere of an original musical composition. You will use technology to compose and record a three minute piece by selecting and mixing tracks including drums, bass, percussion, vocal and melodic samples. For further information visit http:// www.rav.net.au/whats-on/education-andfamilies/yo-vj-by-the-furals.

Cost to participate is $5.00 per person.

Places for this workshop are strictly limited with prior booking and payment essential. For bookings contact the Gippsland Art Gallery T: 5142 3500 or email galleryenquiries@wellington.vic.gov.au.

Lesley Scott this to the community. Ray & Brenda Wathall Photography have won several awards for their images.

Our Choice of Subject.

Our exhibition focuses around beauty and emotional connections; beauty that is stark, absolute and effective. We are fuelled by an impetuous desire to partake in the stories that unfold around us. We enjoy finding photographs that capture moments that the naked eye mightn’t capture in its entirety. We photograph flora and fauna in their nature environment as well as the beauty of landscapes, attempting to illustrate evocative scenery because we want to preserve a moment in time.

We are inspired by the moments we lose to memory and how we immerse ourselves into the moment. Over time, we have learnt that our naked eye does not always capture the beauty that surrounds us and we are submerged in. It constantly surprises us how the camera lens can capture such definition, contrast and most importantly, the mood of the moment and this is what we like to give back to everyone.

Brenda Wathall

54. Weathermap line 56. Warm Mother's Day present?

57. Stimpy's cartoon sidekick 58. Anagram of trust come up here 62. Like some beliefs 63. It may cover a wet diamond 64. Beyond chubby 65. Parasite's place 66. Dance romantically 67. Electrician, at times DOWN 1. Filled to the gills 2. Sierra Nevada resort lake 3. Castle with many steps?

4. Persona ___ grata 5. Animal with a mane and a beard 6. Hunter's concealer 7. Put on the line 8. Life imitator 9. Type of salad 10. Some dots on a map 11. Caveman's cooking tools?

12. First name in famous models 13. What Simon does 18. Chow down with class 19. It may have a silver lining?

24. Metrist, sometimes 25. Come afterward 26. Concentric rings 28. Make obscure 30. Choir voice 31. Baffin and Green 32. Christiania today 33. Perched on 34. Skin artists 35. Deep, unnatural sleep 36. ''___ and Ivory'' 39. Selected passages 40. ''So what ___ is new?''

45. Men, vis-a-vis human beings 47. The latest fad 49. St. Anthony's cross 50. Like some oatmeal 51. More factual 52. To-the-point 53. Keyboard key 54. Reason to scratch one's head 55. ''Scram!''

56. Spouse of Zeus 59. Like new recruits 60. Whale mom 61. Japanese sash

Answers pg 10

ACROSS 1. Jellyfish attack 6. Writer Stoker 10. Distinctive theories 14. Brother of Moses 15. One-time foreign coin 16. Socrates' walkway 17. Anagram of no untidy clothes 20. One billion years 21. It looks good on paper 22. Where some fans circulate 23. Pool area 26. Khania's island 27. Part of a New Year's Eve countdown 28. Fan's rebuke 29. Cotton product 32. ''Bellefleur'' author 35. River of Paris 37. Cordon bleu's phrase 38. Anagram of built to stay free 41. Nephew of Abraham 42. Major leaguers, 1969-2004 43. Butter alternatives 44. Gets off the fence 46. Gear tooth 47. M.D.s' co-workers 48. Word with limits or space 50. Clothing for a newborn

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TRATFORD SHAKESPEARE ASSOCIATION WOMEN AND SHAKESPEARE Women are important in Shakespeare's plays. Even though their roles were often taken by boys. In some of his dramas women are either victims or "movers of destruction."

Desdemona is clearly a victim in "Othello." But in "Macbeth" for example, Lady Macbeth is crucial in Macbeth's decision to murder the King, Duncan. It is interesting that her actions lead to her madness and death. In "King Lear," a very complex play, two of Lear's daughters are scheming go getters and the youngest daughter is the victim of their machinations.

In "Romeo and Juliet," the young heroine is destroyed by family selfishness or what we might well call cruel tribal loyalty. In "Hamlet" Ophelia becomes the victim of Hamlet's desperate need for revenge against his mother and uncle. Like Lady Macbeth, she is reduced to madness and suicide.

So, however we in the audience react to the female characters, they are certainly important. With this in mind, what do we make of "The Taming Of The Shrew," our community play for this year? The title certainly suggests that the heroine is in for a difficult time.

Written between 1590 and 1592, the play really has two plots. The first, and the one that dominates the action, concerns the courtship between Petruchio and Katherina, the headstrong shrew, who clearly does not want to be "tamed." The second revolves around the competition between suitors for the hand of the fair Bianca, portrayed as the ideal woman.

There have been a number of adaptations of Shakespeare's play. Probably the most famous film adaptation is the version where Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton are pitted against one another. Surely a couple well suited to the portrayal of conflict between the sexes. This film was produced in 1967. Cole Porter's musical, "Kiss Me, Kate" is also based on the play and the modern film, 10 Things I Hate About You, " has a connection with the Bard's original play. Is Kate tamed? Well, the only way to determine that is to come and make up your own mind. Certainly, the play has always remained quite controversial.

Bill Cotter

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STRATFORD TOWN CRIER INC

12. Stratford Theatre & Arts

Stratford Town Crier INC

SEGUE COMMUNITY ARTS HUB - SHAKESPEARE ON THE RIVER FESTIVAL GIPPSLAND MOUNTAIN TRAILS

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EGUE COMMUNITY ARTS HUB

We have been really busy at Segue, organising a new program which will be commencing soon. Some of the classes are yoga, ukulele, acting and drawing. If you are interested, call in and see what is on offer.

You can even put your name down for one or more of the classes. We are hopeful that in the not too distant future, barista and cooking classes will be on the program. If there is something you would like to learn, we’d love to hear about that as well!

But most of all Hub 68 is about to become part of our neighbourhood house, so stay tuned for further information.

Have you checked out our sustainability room? Come in for a cuppa and ask about our eco friendly detergents, recycling options, and organic veggies.

Segue offers a unique and highly visible mid town highway location for a garage sale. The space is at the front of Segue at 66 Tyers Street. It is available Saturday or Sunday from 10.00am to 1.00pm for only $30. It’s great value for a household, family, or

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friends who could share the space.

This unique opportunity will assist you to start your decluttering while enabling you to sell your preloved goods. Contact Beth on 0427 456 094 to see if your preferred dates are available.

As we expand our program and services, we will need more help. There are lots of volunteer vacancies available. Do you want to get some work experience or do you need to comply with Centrelink requirements? If so, then please come and talk to us to see how we can assist you.

Sandra Meredith

IPPSLAND MOUNTAIN TRAILS

GMT is a partnership between Richard de Groot and Russell Mathews. We both share a passion in Mountain Trail after first experiencing the discipline at Avalon Park in 2017. After building some obstacles for our own practice time we decided to make the obstacles available for like minded horse people in the East Gippsland area of Victoria. We are providing casual riding, lessons, clinics and a training course for you and your horse.

Here in VIC our closest IMTCA courses are Urban Trails (managed by Tracey Malia) in Nar Nar Goon and Avalon Park (managed by Rob Campbell) in Pakenham with both approx 2+ hours west of us. We all offer a unique experience for you and your horse working over our obstacles. There are several great trainers and clinicians available in Mountain Trails either via private or group lessons/clinics.

Tracey and Rob also offer ‘MT challenges’ which provides events with a fantastic group of like minded people engaging in great competition.

We have several more in planning and expect to add to the course over the upcoming months. It is not just about the aspect of going over/through/ between/ around an obstacles; it is more about the attitude of you and your horse.

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HAKESPEARE ON THE RIVER FESTIVAL FEARCROW COMPETITION Stratford is getting into the swing of SHAKESFEARE with its annual Shakespeare on the River festival going dark, with a theme where the Bard’s villains will come out to play in Ghost Tours, street performances, live theatre and the evilness of the night in a DEAD MANS BANQUET. It’s not for the faint hearted but certainly fun for the kids as we are encouraging people of Gippsland to dress up their gardens with a ShakesFEARECROW. The more macabre the better, dead kings, raging knights and just plain old scarecrows. Simply build your own fearecrow and take a photo of it in your garden, tag #shakesfearecrow and #shakesfeare2019 on social media and go into the draw to win a

full 2019 festival pack including Double Passes to 3 live performances and two festival T shirts. The aptly named “Straw” kids, Mitch and Sammie helped create the festivals signature fearecrow “GAPE”. Gape will be at the festival twilight Fear, a free event held from 3.00pm - 8.00pm on Saturday 4 May, feel free to bring your own fearecrows along to join him for “the gathering of feare” and enjoy fun, music, theatre and feasting in a family friendly environment. For more information on the SHAKESFEARE festival and its events visit www.stratfordshakespeare.com.au

Gavin Roberts

The sport of mountain trail can be enjoyed by riders/ handlers of varied experience, riding in any discipline, and on any breed of horse.

You will need to have appropriate gear for you and your horse depending on your style. Riders/handlers under 18 will be required to wear a helmet. We recommend that your horse wears protective boots when on the course given the nature of the obstacles themselves. All attendees are required to sign a waiver (or parents/guardians of youth under 18 years).

If you want to know more about GMT and the sport of Mountain Trail there is some great videos available on Facebook and the web and soon on our own GMT Facebook page as well.

Please also check out Mark’s page at IMTCA in America as there are some great information available. You will also find the IMTCA rule book which gives excellent information about what we are all about.

So now the question for you – What do you want to do with your horse? Do you want a great partnership built on trust whereby your horse is confident to try something new? Then maybe Mountain Trail is what you are looking for. If so then please keep watching our Facebook page for upcoming events.

Russell Mathews

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