“THE STAR” Tuesday, June 27, 2017 - PAGE 21
Firies, gym raise $800 to fight mental illness RUBY CFA firefighters Michael Guest, Aaron Perks and Darren Hardacre are training to complete the Melbourne Firefighters Stair climb on September 2.
In it together: Ruby CFA’s Aaron Perks and Captain Koala recover from a training session at Voyage Fitness, Leongatha.
They will climb 28 flights of stairs wearing an extra 25kg of full structural firefighting gear and breathing apparatus. The charity event for firefighters aims to raise $500,000 to improve support services, fund research, remove stigmas and raise awareness of mental health issues like depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and suicide, especially for those within the emergency service and defence communities. “We have been training with the crew from Voyage Fitness Leongatha since March, and Mel Meade and her crew just wanted to help
out, so they organised a fundraising training season which was supported by their members,” brigade captain Michael Guest said. Fifty members participated in two spin and HIIT classes with a children’s Gecko class organised for the younger members. Captain Koala also made an appearance and trained with the younger members. “It was fantastic to see so many people down here supporting us, giving us a hand with our training and having a great time and to raise $800, what a great effort,” Mr Hardacre said. If you would like to donate please go to www.firefighterclimb.org.au donate to team CFA - Ruby or to Michael Guest, Aaron Perks or Darren Hardacre.
Two wheeled fun: from left, Ruby CFA members Darren Hardacre, Michael Guest and Aaron Perks with the spin class at Voyage Fitness in Leongatha, ahead of their stair climb fundraiser on September 2.
Hunt is on for top businesses THE search is on again to find businesses excelling in Bass Coast as part of Bass Coast Shire Council’s 2017 Business Awards. Entries into the awards are now open, and close on Monday, July 3, at 5pm – so there’s still time to enter. Mayor Cr Pamela Rothfield said businesses can enter the judged awards or get involved in the people’s choice awards. “We have so many fantastic businesses in Bass Coast, both big and small,” she said. “The Bass Coast Business Awards are the perfect opportunity to recognise and reflect on what your business does best, or a chance to nominate a business that you believe has gone above and beyond when it comes to great customer service.” There are six categories in the judged
awards: business excellence zero to five employees; business excellence six or more employees; marketing and promotion; new business; environment and sustainability; and good access is good business. There is also a people’s choice section of the awards, which means customers vote for the business in Bass Coast they believe provides the best products and services. People’s choice voting also closes on Monday, July 3. Winners will be announced at the awards presentation dinner on Friday, August 11, at Inverloch. You can find out more information on the 2017 Bass Coast Business Awards at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/businessawards or contact council’s business development office.
Mayor’s message Cr Ray Argento THIS week we’ve had a chance to have a look at the results of the community satisfaction survey undertaken by the State Government earlier this year. It is disappointing to see we have dropped a number of points in certain areas. Council will need to work hard to ensure we make the sort of changes that show the community we have learnt from these results. The surveys are conducted around February each year across all councils in Victoria. Although the newly elected council had only been in place for a few months at the time the survey was taken, we must nevertheless take responsibility for its outcome and results. Our council is resolute in endeavouring to turn these results around over our term. Our survey results showed the biggest increase was in the area of Overall Council Direction, which was up eight percent. Sealed Local Roads also fared well with an increase of six percent, however it must be noted that it was coming off a low base of 30 percent. It remains our lowest area, but there are a couple of issues to note. One is that people don’t always know whether they’re driving on a council road or a VicRoads road. The other is that our road network requires constant improvement and maintenance given our weather. These are not excuses though and we will
work to do better. Our area of best performance was Customer Service, although it did fall a little this year. Interestingly, 43 percent of the people who responded to this question had had no contact with council in the previous 12 months. This suggests to me that we require a much better way to capture this data, to better reflect the areas that may require greater attention. With council meeting this week to consider the plan for our four-year term, I think these survey results are a timely reminder that we have an opportunity ahead of us. Financially we are in good shape, and the organisation is well equipped to assist councillors achieve great things for the people of South Gippsland. Whilst there is always those who will talk down our region and shire and often always appear to have dark clouds above them, it is important to remember South Gippsland is the most blessed region in Australia. We have the most scenic vistas, low unemployment rates and highly efficient, clean, green farmers who are the envy of the world. Talking up our region and our capability is more important now than ever before with a number of large projects earmarked for our region resting on their acceptance in the community.
Truck thrills: from left, St Laurence’s Primary School students, Nimiya, Amber, Ryan, Ciara, John, Sid, Lincoln, Kayden, Baley, Diesel, Lukah, Annabel, Olivia, Zara, Mikayla and Finn learnt about how a fire brigade works when Ruby CFA’s Darren Hardacre visited on Thursday.
Children learn fire safety MEMBERS of the Ruby CFA Darren Hardacre, Michel Guest and JJ Edmondson visited students at St Laurence’s Primary School in Leongatha last Thursday. Ruby fire fighters demonstrated the use of fire extinguishers and special equipment. The brigade’s Darren Hardacre explained fire safety procedures and taught students how to ‘stop, drop and roll’. “I wish I could do this every day of my life,” student Sid said.
CFA fun: St Laurence’s Primary School students Amelia and Rachel borrowed the Ruby CFA members’ gear on Thursday.
Go, go, go: St Laurence’s Primary School students Lily, Amelia and Lacey practiced crawling underneath the Ruby CFA fire blanket on Thursday.