Voice Of The South Edition 11 - 29 August 2019 - 11 October 2019 by thevoiceofthesouth1

Denmark - Plantagenet edition

No.11 | 29 Aug - 11 Sept 2019

We acknowledge the Noongar peoples who are the traditional custodians of the country from which we report.

Mysterious fuel spill contained FOR a while last Friday afternoon the intersection of South Coast highway and Strickland street was the scene of an emergency response. Around midday local resident Jody Ovenden was crossing the highway to Morrisons’ when she noticed diesel fuel running down the footpath and road. “I was concerned, so I called the shire, who alerted the rangers and asked me to call 000,” she said. By the time police and the fire brigade arrived Jody noticed that the whole intersection and the footpath on the opposite corner were also covered with fuel. Police diverted traffic from the scene and the fire brigade worked to

contain the spill until Main Roads arrived. Jody noticed that some of the fuel was running into a stormwater drain, and that the owner of a nearby shop was pouring hot water and detergent on the spill, to help to break it down. This quick action may have contributed to dispersion of the diesel. Sand was spread over the spill and the drain encircled by a barrage to prevent more fuel entering. Fuel which did enter the stormwater system may end up in the river. Police believe that the diesel may have come from an unsealed drum on the back of a ute or truck. “We appreciated the patience of the motoring public while the

 Central Denmark in emergency lockdown. INSET TOP: Spilled diesel fuel runs into a stormwater drain. PHOTO BY JODY OVENDEN. INSET RIGHT: Stormwater drain contained by emergency services. PHOTO BY TRISH THORNETT

diversion and controls were in place,” Denmark police sergeant Matt Hartfield said afterwards. Main Roads WA

regional manager Andrew Duffield said later that he was very happy with how quickly the volunteers responded.

“Nonetheless, it is encumbent upon those transporting loads to make sure they are secure,” he said.

Council confesses bungled opening A SPECIAL REPORT by Karen Buck IN the face of a strong community backlash to its failed forced opening of the Irwin inlet sandbar on July 15, the Denmark Shire council has agreed to review its protocol for future openings. Council ignored urgent pleas from Peaceful Bay community members, commercial fishers and even one of its own councillors not to push ahead with the opening because of the inlet’s low water level. It also appears that by undertaking the

residents are furious and perplexed about council’s action, which they claim controversial bar breach has seriously risked the council ignored its long-term health of the own protocol, which estuary. outlines procedures Council’s Irwin Inlet for opening the bar, Sandbar Protocol sets including considering the opening levels at a relevant information from minimum of 0.44m and a stakeholders as to an maximum of 0.77m. This appropriate water level. year the bar was breached The bar has reopened at 0.59m. and closed at least twice Last year’s artificial since the initial breach opening at 0.77m was but the outflow has also called “ridiculously” been nothing more than low by critics, and the a trickle, according to inlet closed within weeks. locals, who believe it will This year’s fiasco, they close permanently within believe, doubles down on potential harm to weeks. the inlet, which needs Many Peaceful Bay

a good outflow and a strong exchange of water and marine life for some months, for optimal health. Commercial fishers say that there were fewer fish after last year’s “dismal” opening, and that low water levels over summer could bring algal blooms. Shire CEO Bill Parker said the bar was breached to protect Peaceful Bay road, as well as adjacent farmland, from possible water damage. Council hadn’t been vigilant in previous years around the impact of

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2  NEWS

No.11 | 29 Aug - 11 Sept 2019

DSHS kids in Canberra Delivered throughout Denmark and Plantagenet shires.  Advertise with us P: 0402 072 107 E: sales@voiceofthesouth.com.au  Editorial E: editor@voiceofthesouth.com.au  Enquiries Ph: 0402 072 107 E: sales@voiceofthesouth.com.au M: PO Box 932, Denmark WA 6333 Managing Director Beverley Ford Production Icon Illustrations Contributors Karen Buck, Donna Carman, Katy Rutter, Clare Harrison, Beverley Ford Distribution 4500 copies Published by Gnomedia Pty Ltd. ACN 630878401 Disclaimer: Views and opinions expressed in letters to the editor or in contributed articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.

Denmark -

Plantagenet

We acknowled

edition

June - 10 No.7 | 27

July 2019

traditional who are the gar peoples ge the Noon

we report. try from which of the coun custodians

Students find fungi fabulous

ry School Walpole Prima limelight the k of the entire THE artwor be thrust into at the students will an exhibition cohort of 40 holidays, with during the school or Gallery. spent the renowned Petrich kindy to year 6 have from ts cross-curricstuden -wide (9) The Kirkwood pating in a school ering everything (10) and Tristan past term partici ing and discov Hardiman explor m urst (10), Mae Probert. ular progra artwork Stella Haselh y. Photo: Anthony about fungi. between the l students of having her displa there is to know collaborative program g,” she said Primary Schoo their artwork on ed stuthe  Walpole having “It’s pretty excitinof a gallery. unity has involv One part of and the comm program ite fungus, were excited about walls of the entire y crowd. hung on the school, its P&C an artwork of their favour types favourite part the school holida use of charcoal and cing tion entitled ering all the She said her on show for dents produ for the exhibi en the alks and discov each, betwe framed of bushw torn one been on Stella was was going which have k, so she did on page 7 of . or peofor her artwor Continued suited the type of fungi. “Fabulous Fungi” is no packing-room prize Hasel- watercolour medium best And while there up for grabs, students Stella ood using whichever depicting. Kirkw award oom she was and Tristan ple’s choice Hardiman (10) to have their artwork mushr hurst (10), Mae was ‘pretty cool’ it agreed (9) all

 Our epic day in the snow – snowboarding and skiing at Perisher. Photo provided by DSHS

EARLIER this term 35 Year-9 students from Denmark Senior High school, accompanied by three staff, had the opportunity to explore Sydney, Canberra and the Snowy Mountains. Over six days the students experienced a range of curriculum-linked educational opportunities and an invaluable opportunity for personal growth. The pace was intense and unrelenting. We left Denmark at 2.30pm on Saturday and arrived, bleary eyed, at Sydney airport as dawn broke on Sunday. After a very civilised breakfast at Manly we admired the harbour bridge and the opera house before making our way to Bondi beach, where, despite the winter chill we soaked up some rays, and then returned to the coach and headed toward Canberra and some muchneeded slumber. At The Museum of Australian Democracy at old parliament house we were able to reenact excerpts from the parliamentary debate over the 1964 National Service Act – which unearthed

some conscientious objectors. At Parliament House we saw firsthand where the decisions that affect all Australians are thrashed out, and we left with considerable knowledge about the machinations underpinning our democratic nation. We toured the Australian Institute of Sport and admired the facilities that some of our finest athletes have trained in – including watching elite gymnasts work through some complicated warmups – and saw the level of technology used to analyse the biomechanics of swimming, in their stateof-the-art pool. The experience inspired a number of our junior athletes and made their goals feel attainable. After our exertions at the AIS we headed to the National Museum of Australia for a change of pace, and were awestruck by the fascinating exhibits about the history of our region. The Australian War Memorial was informative and moving, and we laid a wreath on behalf of the school, accompanied by Vietnam veteran Colonel

Y L N O F O 100% O R tice’ tee ‘on no it m m o c Club

ers of “Half the memb ed attend ered the 122 who actions consid were nal meeting n within the that special unconstitutio of dissatisfactio itated by ting to them to advise all d the remit were indica club was precip April of the failure made beyon extremely in members . e that they were management the resignation the constitution few manager, Graem what Paul Fyfe. meeting, the unhappy with of the April “Over the past been club president Buckland. days’ a doing. three has they’ve been Following the failure to give A move to install to years the club got to be ittee meeting, d. It’s the Things have notice of the resignation, ement moving forwar temporary comm until arent and voters to THE manag committee club ss with a done in a transp and allow proxy g. the management administer the l meeting now a busine way.” committee of , and there are held a meeting and accountable ry Club attend the meetin constitution its annual genera with ry at the Smith as obligations Denmark Count notice’ Denmark Count ent, One member appointed Mr a series of legal ed to on in October sunk oust the took action presid despite has been ‘put to requir Club acting meeting said president, and yment that we are members, the failed bid l of said. ittee. said the by disgruntled ining contro y with,” she ement comm in end the emplo Irene Stone, mainta to compl manag failed ly ement their committee s by manag operations general who narrow management comment the club, the “It was obviou of full-time The special sack the entire sent a to Buckland, most of the called their bid to did not wish committee was manager Mr actions that ittee at meeting was the role in committee circulation meeting. 11-person comm clear message. who took up management following the were on the l general released 80 issues ittee their specia of the which comm a recent The “At least May 2017. are not aware of a petition, said saying the sent a strong es as board 300-plus meeting. a statement Ms Harbron aired and it responsibiliti of the club’s n was e members’ ement they’re on . While the motio club is a privat ation that if the manag d to end message that members.” members signed Annette , in a ers said. er defeated 62-58 decisions club and inform held are notice,” they Some club memb committee wante yment Club memb all that moved emplo to the Voice “They know separate vote, and discussions not the somebody’s who spoke Harbron, who ing t the ing the and committee watch ers correc sack are the follow a to by ers n for memb made memb there was of the South the motio they’re should have not wish committee, public. closely what since April were ing the process that meeting did management ed. , fearing meeting doing. been follow rescinded, includ to be named said after the ers had of current s for speaking She said other appointment repercussion that some memb that Smith believed the ned out, but it is president Bob been concer being ation of decisions were and the termin of operations employment

Karen Buck

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Joe Johnson, who gave us a fascinating insight into the sombre reality of armed conflict. The highlight of the week for most students was the chance to develop new skills in the snow. The sun was shining, we had a good covering of powder, and 35 novices champing at the bit to try skiing and snowboarding provided a steep learning curve, but many students were equal to it. Our final day in Canberra was a day of science, starting with wrapping our heads around the myriad mental challenges

at Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre. Our last stop gave us significant food for thought as we contemplated at the Canberra Deep Space Communication complex how insignificant, in cosmic terms, we truly are. The trip was a roaring success thanks to Jodie Pollard, who coordinated the excursion, financial assistance from the federal government, and 35 exceptional young people who gave us reason to be very proud. - Robert Laud

Valé Tim Fischer FORMER Nationals federal leader and deputy prime minister Tim Fischer died on August 22 aged 73. He had suffered acute leukemia for ten years. Known as ‘The boy from Boree Creek’, Mr Fischer led the National party from 1990-1999, and was deputy prime minister in the Howard government from 1996 to 1999. “Tim’s legacy was established when he fought for reforms to Australia’s gun laws under John Howard,” Nationals WA president James Hayward said. “Despite facing strong backlash from rural areas Tim never buckled, and helped deliver safer gun laws for our nation.” As Trade minister he was dubbed Two-Minute Tim for his frenetic pace, opening up 60 new countries for trade with Australia in just three years. He is survived by his wife Judy and sons Harrison and Dominic.

PEACE OF MIND PROVIDERS FOR DENMARK & SURROUNDS We are delighted to announce that Bernadette Duell, our Senior Solicitor, will be in Denmark at the Chamber of Commerce office for regular appointments with new and existing clients from Denmark, Mount Barker, Walpole and surrounds.

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No.11 | 29 Aug - 11 Sept 2019

 NEWS 3

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New life for Noongar centre AN EXCITING collaboration being undertaken at Mount Barker promises positive long-term benefits for the local community. WA Police via the Mount Barker police station, Pardelup prison farm and Pivot Support Services have joined forces with the Mt Barker Aboriginal Progress Association to get the local Noongar centre back on its feet. The progress association has

possession of a building in Montem street but has struggled to get it to a standard that attracts the community to become involved. Officer in charge of the Mt Barker police station, Sgt David Johnson, previously developed and ran a similar facility at Kellerberrin, where it had a dramatic effect on social issues and crime in the town. “I can assist the Mt Barker community to develop a model here,”

Sgt Johnson said. Pardelup will be an instrumental player, providing labour and skills to breathe new life into the old building through tasks such as painting, tiling, gardening and other maintenance jobs. Great Southern TAFE will award credits to inmates enrolled in its courses for work they do on the centre, which will give them employability skills and qualifications upon release.

Local government elections loom NOMINATIONS for WA’s 2019 local government elections open next Thursday, September 5, and close at 4pm on September 12. Six council positions out of nine will become vacant in Denmark – five due to expiry of terms and one resulting from the resignation last month of deputy shire president Peter Caron. Plantagenet has four vacancies out of nine. Denmark’s elections will be held by postal vote. Eligible electors will receive a voting package about three weeks before polling day, October 19, and must return their completed votes before 6pm on polling day. Electoral rolls close on August 30. The Voice asked all the sitting councillors if they intended to renominate. All vacancies on both councils are for four-year terms. Denmark shire president Ceinwen Gearon (Town ward) is yet to decide. Cr Rob Whooley (Town) has not yet made a final decision but ‘probably not’ was his reply. “I have found a level of frustration with obtaining enough information to assist with decision-making,” he said. Cr Jan Lewis (Scotsdale/Shadforth) said, “I confirm that I

will be renominating for council. Together with CEO Bill Parker and the shire staff, we’ve made tremendous progress in the past three years tackling compliance issues, and I’m keen to continue working with councillors and officers to meet our governance obligations, as well as striving to achieve our community’s aspirations as defined in our Strategic Community Plan, Denmark 2027.” Cr Kingsley Gibson (Scotsdale/Shadforth) said, “I will be standing for re-election at the forthcoming council election. Over the past two years I have been proud to be part of a cohesive and focused council which has been diligent in dealing with our lack of an integrated planning and reporting framework. Now we largely know the state of our assets, our challenge is to honour the vision set out in the Strategic Community Plan while dealing with the realities of a maintenance and renewal backlog and the very real limits of what we as a community can afford.” Cr Janine Phillips (Kent/Nornalup) indicated that she would be re-standing but was unable provide a statement in time for our deadline as she is caring for an elderly and infirm family member.

Current councillors whose terms expire at the next election in 2021 are Ian Osborne (Town), Roger Seeney (Kent/Nornalup), and Mark Allen (Scotsdale/ Shadforth). Plantagenet shire president Chris Pavlovich said, “My wife says that I’m not restanding but I might just sneak in my nomination form. Sometimes it is better to ask for forgiveness than to seek permission.” He added, “There are a lot of exciting things about to happen in Plantagenet shire, and I don’t want to miss out.” Cr Ken Clements indicated that he will renominate. He said that over the past 15 years he had helped the shire to develop, and wanted to continue that development for the next four years. Cr Marie O’Dea said she is planning to renominate, on the proviso that one of her parents is not well and Cr O’Dea may need to travel to be with them, in which case she may not be able to stand. Cr Bevan Lang said “I am looking forward to re-nominating, because there is a lot to be done.” The Voice congratulates all councillors on their commitment to their communities, and wishes them well in the elections.

 L-R: Jared Rotoff, Pardelup section 95 officer; Ian Clarke, Great Southern police district superintendent; Frank Krakouer; Lester Yorkshire; Simo Skitt, section 95 officer; Jodi Miller, Pardelup superintendent; Sgt David Johnson; Joyce Ugle; David Patterson, Pardelup assistant superintendent; Quinton Colbung; Samantha Benavides and Renee Pearce, Pivot Support Services. Photo courtesy of Pivot Services

“We are excited to be involved with refurbishing the Noongar centre,” Pardelup superintendent Jodi Miller said. “It is an opportunity for our men to participate in constructive, meaningful community activities that promotes a reduction in crime. “This project will provide a safe and healing environment, and allow prisoners to

engage in reparation to the community through rehabilitation, education, training and learning new skills that may lead to employment pathways. “It will also help break down the community stigma associated with prisoners, as they prepare to reintegrate back into the broader community.” Pivot Support Services run programs within the prison system, delivering wellness programs, life skills and parenting

courses. The organisation will also be able to deliver a post-support outreach service. While focusing on the local Aboriginal community the Noongar centre will also be open to the wider community, through access to its programs. The building includes two purpose-built meeting spaces to suit other service delivery organisations.

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No.11 | 29 Aug - 11 Sept 2019

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 Amaroo Village coordinator Annette Harbron and homecare coordinator Lynette Sellen. PHOTO BY KAREN BUCK

Amaroo nursing home on target Karen Buck

The new facility will incorporate a dementiaspecific area, and there DENMARK’S Amaroo are plans for a new Village 40-bed nursing home facility is about clubhouse, day centre, to move a step closer administrative facilities to reality, with tenders and possibly more being called within retirement units. the next fortnight for At the moment remediation work on the Denmark has only one Hardy street site. nursing home, which Council chief executive usually operates at officer Bill Parker said capacity and does not the shire’s remediation have a dementia-specific consultant was in the area. process of finalising the This results in frail specification and tender and elderly people documentation. occasionally being forced “The tender won’t be to go to Albany or Mount going to statewide public Barker for nursing-home tender, but will go to care, which can mean council’s pre-qualified list distressing separation for of suppliers which have married couples. already been through a Amaroo homecare procurement process.” coordinator Lynette A former council Sellen said that she had works depot, the vacant just dealt with a client block on which the who needed to go into nursing home will be care in Albany, despite sited is contaminated the fact that her husband with old car bodies, and friends were all in hydrocarbons and Denmark. general debris. “It’s hard when people Village coordinator are separated in this way, Annette Harbron when they are forced into said that extensive care so far away from remediation work was their loved ones and required before the land friends,” Ms Sellen said. could be built on. “At the moment there “Announcement of the is no choice.” tender is terrific news, Amaroo’s homecare because the nursing program, which has been home is a much-needed operating for a year, facility,” Ms Harbron assists the elderly to live said. independently as long as “The facility has possible. been approved by the “Many people government, which don’t like asking for licences the number of help – they think it beds we can provide, means losing their but a number of other independence, and they processes need to be keep trying to do things followed after the they shouldn’t – then cleanup – realistically, something happens, like it will be two or three a fall, and suddenly they years until the facility is have no choice and do operational.”

lose their independence,“ Ms Sellen said. “By getting appropriate help at the right time people can stay independent much longer.” Amaroo homecare currently provides about 15 care packages throughout the shire, and Ms Sellen estimates that there are probably at least 100 more people who could use the package. There were different care packages, but waiting lists were long because delivering the service depended on the availability of federal government funding. It was essential that people applied before they were suddenly faced with an emergency. “People need to be assessed, after which the transition can be smooth,” Ms Sellen explained. “We’ve got a great team at the moment, and have the capacity to deliver more care packages. As the need increases so will our team.” Assistance can include showering, medication reminders, cleaning, personal care, running errands, taking people to appointments or for a drive to get out of the house for a while. “I’m about to take an elderly client to Perth for an operation,” Ms Sellen said. “She can’t fly, and she has no relatives, so if I wasn’t taking her she wouldn’t be able to have that operation.”

 NEWS 5

voiceofthesouth.com.au

No.11 | 29 Aug - 11 Sept 2019

Bungled inlet opening From page 1...

rising water on Peaceful Bay road, he said, but since the recently completed asset condition report council now held serious concerns about possible failure of the road. The protocol requires council to consider both the flooding of the road and adjacent farmland when deciding on an artificial breach. “One reason that the road is failing is that it’s seasonally inundated, which impacts the pavement underneath the seal,” Mr Parker said. “The decision was made to intervene this year before water went over the road. “In hindsight it was the wrong decision, but only because a large swell arrived and caused the inlet to close again. I think you’ll find we learned from that.” Those advocating better-managed inlet openings point out that adjacent farmland on the floodplain should never have been released or allowed to be cleared. Some of the affected landholders also say that fresh water inundation does no permanent damage to their properties. As one local pragmatically commented, “it comes and it goes”. The group also disputes that inundation has caused any significant damage to the road, which, they say, should have been built much higher and with better drainage. They say that the road has been flooded on and off for 60 years and suffered no perceptible damage. Mr Parker conceded that over the years council had not had to spend a lot of money on repairs to the road, and that the road’s present condition was possibly due as much to its age as to any water issues. “If it does fail it will cost an absolute fortune to fix,” he said. Mr Parker insisted that both the health of the road and the inlet were of equal importance, and that council would consider redoing the lowlying section of road and

raising the road height. Opening the bar was not an exact science, and council was guided by the procedures set out in the protocol.

NM A 7/4 N 0 S OW RK O ou th OP FFI Co ast EN! CE Hi

and the likelihood of a negative environmental impact resulting from the bar opening’. Under the protocol the Department of Water

“Council had not

adhered to its own protocol for the July opening.“ “It can be very subjective, and is influenced by a number of factors,” he said. “We may get half a dozen calls from people saying it’s too low, don’t open it, and then we get the same number from the other side saying it’s too high, cut it now.” He was unable to confirm whether council had received any requests from Peaceful Bay locals asking for the bar to be opened in July but said he would check. No response had yet been received by The Voice on this undertaking. However, Mr Parker later conceded by email that council had not adhered to its own protocol for the July opening, which among other things requires it to ‘consult with the Department of Water as to the water quality

and Environmental Regulation (DWER) determines whether conditions are suitable for an opening, and then gives council the green light. In this instance – and in some previous openings, it appears – this had not occurred, according to DWER. Mr Parker’s statement said, “I confirm that the department was notified of the opening. In saying this, there was no exchange of information. “Given community feedback the shire has committed to reviewing the protocol. “We have many competing priorities and hopefully a review can find some common ground. The review will involve high levels of community input and will occur in October 2019.” See commentary on our Facebook page.

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6  NEWS

No.11 | 29 Aug - 11 Sept 2019

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ORDINARY ELECTION CALL FOR NOMINATIONS Shire of Denmark LOCAL GOVERNMENT ORDINARY ELECTION CALL FOR NOMINATIONS Shire of Plantagenet An Ordinary Postal Election will be held on Saturday, 19 October 2019 in the Shire of Plantagenet to fill the following vacancies:

District

4 Councillors

4 year terms

Nominations Open on Thursday, 5 September 2019 Nominations Close at 4:00 PM Thursday, 12 September 2019 Nominations must be lodged with the Returning Officer: • at any time during the above period by arrangement; or • between 2:00pm and 4:00 PM Thursday, 12 September 2019 (close of nominations) at the Shire of Plantagenet, Lowood Road, MOUNT BARKER. Nominations Requirements Candidates are required to lodge with the Returning Officer: • a completed nomination in the prescribed form, signed and witnessed. (This form is available from the Returning Officer, the Western Australian Electoral Commission or the Shire of Plantagenet; • a single A4 page profile containing not more than 150 words of information about the candidate; • a nomination deposit of $80 (cash, bank cheque or postal order); and • a recent passport-sized photograph (optional). The Commission has developed an online system called Nomination Builder to assist candidates to complete their nomination form which includes the candidate profile. This is the preferred method of completing the nomination form and profile for elections conducted by the Commission. Candidates complete their nomination details and profile, print the completed form which has a reference number allocated and lodge it with the Returning Officer. The nomination builder can be accessed at elections.wa.gov.au Where an agent lodges a nomination on a candidate’s behalf, it must be in the prescribed form with a written authorisation signed by the candidate. The documents may be hand delivered, posted or faxed to the Returning Officer and must be received by the close of nominations. Information Full details about eligibility and nomination procedures for prospective candidates can be obtained by contacting the Returning Officer on 0419 962 484 or the Western Australian Electoral Commission on 13 63 06. Julie Dupe RETURNING OFFICER

An Ordinary Postal Election will be held on Saturday, 19 October 2019 in the Shire of Denmark to fill the following vacancies:

Kent/Nornalup Ward Scotsdale/Shadforth Ward Town Ward

1 Councillor 2 Councillors 1 Councillor 2 Councillors

4 year term 4 year terms 2 year term 4 year terms

Nominations Open on Thursday, 5 September 2019 Nominations Close at 4:00 PM Thursday, 12 September 2019 Nominations must be lodged with the Returning Officer: • at any time during the above period by arrangement; or • between 2:00pm and 4:00 PM Thursday, 12 September 2019 (close of nominations) at the Shire of Denmark, 953 South Coast Highway, DENMARK. Nominations Requirements Candidates are required to lodge with the Returning Officer: • a completed nomination in the prescribed form, signed and witnessed. (This form is available from the Returning Officer, the Western Australian Electoral Commission or the Shire of Denmark; • a single A4 page profile containing not more than 150 words of information about the candidate; • a nomination deposit of $80 (cash, bank cheque or postal order); • a recent passport-sized photograph (optional); • every candidate must complete the online candidate induction module available at www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au The Commission has developed an online system called Nomination Builder to assist candidates to complete their nomination form which includes the candidate profile. This is the preferred method of completing the nomination form and profile for elections conducted by the Commission. Candidates complete their nomination details and profile, print the completed form which has a reference number allocated and lodge it with the Returning Officer. The nomination builder can be accessed at elections.wa.gov.au Where an agent lodges a nomination on a candidate’s behalf, it must be in the prescribed form with a written authorisation signed by the candidate. The documents may be hand delivered, posted or faxed to the Returning Officer and must be received by the close of nominations. Information Full details about eligibility and nomination procedures for prospective candidates can be obtained by contacting the Returning Officer on 0467 803 631 or the Western Australian Electoral Commission on 13 63 06. Heather Marr RETURNING OFFICER

Love Local Denmark

The Fundamentals of Business in Denmark - Part 2 Be Open and Build

However, in a climate where the State’s building industry has been hit with the collapse of more than 20 construction companies, we spoke to Rob Perisic, General Manager from Thornton’s Mitre 10, Denmark regarding his views on the future. “Thornton’s Mitre 10 is one of the local indicators within the construction sector of our community and with the growth of large state-based construction firms who import labour and materials to build in Denmark, we naturally feel the ripple effect. Our strategy has always been to build relationships with the local builders and their sub-contractors and over the years, we have seen that success comes from constantly working on your business model and being open. We believe the construction sector is dynamic and constantly evolving be it in material technology, legislation or consumer demand. Small businesses no longer have the luxury of doing what they have always done and expecting things to just turn around. We all need to be flexible and ready to adapt.

Denmark is blessed with an abundance of skilful & experienced tradespeople and the challenge for our building community is to ensure their business models can keep up with changing conditions.

Our strategy is to work more closely with our building community to become a supply and logistics partner rather than just a hardware store. With our industry relationships, buying power and dedicated staff we can provide a competitive advantage for our local trades and make building in Denmark as efficient as possible. Our hope for Denmark is it continues to thrive and attract people passionate about their community. If we all support local businesses as much as we can, the money stays local and helps to improve job opportunities and fuel growth of the town. Although construction is struggling nation-wide, with a renewed focus on getting the fundamentals right and adapting to market demands, we’re confident our local building sector will be in a stronger position going forward.” Thornton’s Mitre 10, Denmark are holding a trade breakfast on the 30th August, where the Denmark Chamber will be explaining how local sub-contractors can have a great online presence online. All are invited.

Linda Gibbs, Wayne Tardrew, David Stockdale and Rob Perisic

SPONSORS

Tradies’ business conditions are often seen as an important leading indicator in the national economy. In Denmark, the construction sector is a major employer with technicians and trade workers representing the third largest form of employment within our town.

Business Coach & Workshop Facilitator Specialising in: How to read your financial statements Improving productivity • Leadership and supervision Business communication • Customer service

No.11 | 29 Aug - 11 Sept 2019

 NEWS 7

voiceofthesouth.com.au

Plantagenet stalwarts awarded PLANTAGENET shire CEO Rob Stewart and councillor Brett Bell recently received awards at the WA Local Government Association 2019 State congress. Mr Stewart won a Distinguished Officer award and Cr Bell was awarded for long and loyal service. In acknowledging his award Mr Stewart said that his local government career started in New South Wales in 1972. Apart from some time studying and working in the private sector his local government career spans 43 years – 30 of those at CEO level. “I have had the good fortune to be surrounded by great councillors, diligent and well qualified staff, and a supportive  CEO Rob Stewart. community,” Mr Stewart said. Cr Bell’s award was accepted on his behalf by Plantagenet shire president Chris Pavlovich, as Cr Bell was overseas on a motorcycling holiday.

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 Claudia McGarry assists with the creation of slime. PHOTO BY DONNA CARMAN

National slime week celebrates science Donna Carman

when produced by animals is usually called mucus. WELL actually, it was It exists on our bodies National Science Week, wherever there is no skin, celebrated by the Mount and in our digestive tract Barker Community and airways. Resource Centre with a Corals produce a ‘slime’ event – but slime mucus for sun protection, is such an eyecatching while barnacles make a word! ‘superglue’ slime to hold ‘The Science of Slime’ on to rocks. featured guest speaker Slime is high in protein, Dr Harriet Paterson from Albany and a range and can be a protective covering produced by of hands-on activities larger life forms, or for created by centre staff. some microscopic plants Manager Martina and animals simply Meinen has a longa way of life, often standing tradition only becoming ‘slime’ of providing science when millions of them opportunities for the Mt get together as algal Barker community. “We like to do an event blooms and other mass each year, with something assemblages. Animal slime textures quirky to help people to engage with science,” she were described by Dr Paterson as ‘snottysaid. webby’, ‘opaque’ and Dr Paterson delivered ‘sticky-smeary’. clear scientific “Slug slime is inspiring information with research into surgical entertaining examples of glue that sticks to wet slimy creatures. surfaces,” she said. Slime is abundant in “The physical and nature, she said, and

chemical properties of a snail’s foot are being used to invent internal bandaids, to be used in place of stitches.” Hagfish are one of the slimiest animals around and are not only incredibly ugly but can expand their mucus hundreds of thousands of times – a phenomenon now being researched for plastic and fibre technologies. Many of those attending the event were junior primary age, and it was no small feat to hold their attention after school – though a generous afternoon tea likely nourished their attention span. Seemingly complex concepts were lapped up by even the youngest students, with their level of understanding demonstrated by the quality of their questions. “Science is all around us, and is for everyone,” Martina said.

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No.11 | 29 Aug - 11 Sept 2019

Letters Climate of denial WE hear continually from some individuals and certain sections of the media that the climate situation of our planet is just fine, and that there is nothing to worry about. I don’t know where these people get their ‘facts’ from – maybe chats at the pub, or some wannabe science-expert commentator rejecting out of hand what the vast majority of climate scientists are telling us. A much more pertinent question would be why thousands of recognised scientists across the world, including our own CSRIO, would say that there is a climate crisis, and demand action, if it was a hoax? Are we to believe that serious professional scientists are playing an extended April Fools day joke? Large sectors of the community are resistant to the facts, and use a range of baseless and dismissive arguments. For example, the cost of tackling the alleged

 Artist Beverley Ford and Model Fern Robinson. PHOTO BY RAY

Portrait of a motorbike-lover IN APRIL this year The Voice ran a competition asking readers to name our motorbike frog emblem. The winner was Fern Robinson of Denmark, who suggested the name Norton. Norton has taken up permanent residence in our pages, popping up to point out useful information and even having his own crossword, Norton’s Puzzle, to keep you on your mental toes. The prize for naming Norton was a portrait of the winner, painted by Denmark artist and The Voice managing director, Beverley Ford. The completed portrait was presented to Fern on August 22. “I am absolutely delighted,” Fern said. “It

is a beautiful keepsake for my family. “May Norton continue to inspire the wonderful voice of our community.” Beverley said “it was a pleasure to paint such an attractive model as Fern and she hopes it will bring pleasure for many years.”

 Beverley Ford’s portrait of Fern Robinson.

climate crisis would ruin the economy and destabilise our way of life, they say – as though the economy is more important than life itself. Australia on its own won’t save the planet, any more than the shire of Denmark or the handful of local residents who try to keep climate change at the forefront of conversations. Taking no action is not an option – time waits for no-one, and neither does the catastrophe ahead. Short-term thinking is what makes the man falling from the top of a skyscraper keep saying to himself “so far so good”. And we all know how that ends. We must start acting right here and right now. We must lead by example so that others can follow. I ask our shire council to please join hundreds of other councils around the world and declare a climate emergency. – Miguel Pez

What asset maintenance crisis? AT THE Ratepayers & Residents Association meeting on July 25, shire officers Bill Parker, David King and Cary Green gave their spin on the (then) proposed four percent rates increase. Mr King presented some fancy graphs that sought to justify a continuing four percent increase every year for the next few decades, so that council could meet performance benchmarks imposed by the Department of Local Government for maintaining shire-owned buildings and roads. He did not distinguish between buildings and roads but lumped all assets together. He did not show a breakdown of roads into those eligible for State funding and those to be funded by council, nor the type of road maintenance required, whether reconstruction, resurfacing or grading. Ditto shire buildings. There was nothing said or shown to justify the supposed ‘crisis’ except a promise that all the detail was in the new Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework (IPRF) report, which nobody has yet seen – including councillors. Ratepayers need answers to some serious questions. • Why is the asset register being held as ‘confidential’? • Are the department’s expectations for asset maintenance unrealistic for a small rural shire? We do not need every road to be bitumen sealed, if that is what the asset register has recorded. • What criteria and what process were applied to determine maintenance-cost shortfalls?

• Specifically, which assets will benefit from the recent rate increase? • How can ratepayers be assured that the rate increase will be used strictly for asset maintenance and not to fund extra staff or for other purposes? • Can the rate increase be set aside in a special fund so that council can be accountable to ratepayers for its expenditure only on asset maintenance? • If road maintenance is such a crisis, will council consider banning log trucks from using shire roads, and use only State-funded roads? • Why should ratepayers pay for the extensive damage log trucks do to roads that were never designed to carry such heavy loads, when the monetary benefit from harvesting plantations is to the plantation owners, who are not necessarily the local landowners? • Does council levy fees on those loggers to use shire roads? Both of our two local newspapers – The Voice in particular – seem to have blindly re-quoted the shire’s crisis mantra without question. Murray Thornton’s recent letter in the Bulletin raised relevant and valid concerns that await an answer promised by the shire CEO at the previous council meeting. So much for the accountability and transparency that was previously promised with such fervour by council and the shire executive. – Brian Humphries

PHOTO BY B FORD

Mount Barker

UPCOMING EVENTS • Consumer Protection Workshops - Thursday 12th September & 10th October @ 10.30am • Heart Foundation Walking Group - Tuesdays and Wednesdays @ 10am • Business Sundowner - Tuesday 24th September 5.30pm-7.30pm • Small Business Advice with Business Great Southern - 24th & 25th September • Be Connected Get Online Week Afternoon Tea - Monday 14th October 1.30pm-3.30pm 1 Lowood Rd, Mt Barker WA 6324 • PO Box 175, Mt Barker WA 6324 • P: 08 9851 2674 • F: 08 9851 2686 • E: admin@mtbarkercrc.com Please see our Facebook page for more details

No.11 | 29 Aug - 11 Sept 2019

Peaceful Bay peaceful again Karen Buck

hands, either within a family or as a result of a sale, a new 21-year lease begins which provides some security of tenure for the new leaseholder. “If there are only a few years left on a lease it can make the future of the property seem uncertain, and no-one wants to buy.” The more contentious issue of whether the leases should be offered to owners as freehold or strata titles has not appeared on any formal discussion agenda since the possibility was resoundingly voted down by Peaceful Bay residents in 2014, and Mr Parker did not believe the issue was likely to be raised in the near future and had not been raised during his time with council. The move to change to freehold was mooted by the council of the

day as a way of ensuring tenure for residents and to raise the estimated $26-million to install reticulated water and sewerage at the settlement. Leaseholders were not sold on the idea, with 76 percent saying that they wanted to stay with the current arrangements. They felt that the proposed cost of $200,000 per title was prohibitive, that leases would retain the uniqueness and character of the settlement, and that the proposal favoured council at leaseholders’ expense. “The leases come up for renewal in 2031, so council probably needs to make some decisions before long about what the future beyond 2031 should look like,” said Mr Parker.

A DETERMINED push by Peaceful Bay leaseholders to have their current fixed leases transferred to a rolling system has met with some success. Denmark Shire CEO Bill Parker said that council had received numerous requests for the current leasing arrangements to be changed, and had begun informal discussions with leaseholders and that council may formally consider it in the near future as it may offer residents some security of tenure. Currently, the 21year leases on the 207 leasehold properties fall due on the same date in 2031, according to Peaceful Bay Progress Association President Hayden Jones. “If there are only a few years left on a lease it becomes a much less desirable option for people to take on, and that drives down property values,” Mr Jones said. “The overwhelming majority of Bay residents want council to put in place a rolling or staggered leasing system, similar to that which the Manjimup shire applies at Windy Harbour. “It means that  Quaint cottages on local lanes characterise the whenever a lease changes Peaceful Bay settlement. PHOTO BY KAREN BUCK

New businesses in town Clare Harrison

Cara hopes Bell & Luca will be a destination store for the region. Has Denmark turned “We have close the corner? Two new family and social ties businesses are opening to the area, and a huge in the Denmark CBD following of Denmark and our reporter Clare Harrison spoke with both customers. The official opening of them. of Bell & Luca Denmark Bell & Luca will be announced soon. A FASHION and Bio Diverse lifestyle store concept Solutions store, Bell & Luca was DIRECTOR opened four years ago by Kathryn Kinnear principal Cara Giuntoli, sees expansion of her in a tiny space on Middleton loop, Albany. Albany-based bushfire Within three years the and environmental consultancy Bio Diverse business had expanded Solutions (BDS) to into bigger premises and developed an online Denmark as an obvious move. presence. BDS conducts This September sees environmental yet another expansion assessments and – a new Denmark bushfire management shopfront at 23 South plans, flora and fauna Coast highway, with an initial focus on women’s assessments and, when required, relocation and fashion.

 NEWS 9

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management for new developments such as home building, schools, aged-care facilities and subdivisions. BDS is the lead consultant for implementing a $320,000 Shire of Denmark project to encourage better preparation and planning for natural disasters, and to make Denmark more fire resilient. A dedicated community space in town will display examples of a fire-wise garden and a location for workshops. Much of BDS’s work already takes place in Denmark, and Kathryn will employ local people to work full-time in a Denmark office from November, with support from the Albany office.

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St John Ambulance WA Denmark Sub Centre

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Thursday 19th September 6.30 pm • 10 Price Street Denmark

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Country Tools and Auto

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10  NEWS

voiceofthesouth.com.au

No.11 | 29 Aug - 11 Sept 2019

Ag college to show off its wares

 Ploughing at the college farm. Photos provided by Denmark Agricultural College

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE of AGRICULTURE

Denmark

OPEN DAY

Saturday 31 August 2019 10am - 3pm

872 South Coast Highway, De

nmark

T: 9848 0200 W: denmarkag.wa.edu.au F: facebook.com/DenmarkAgC ollege

 Students drenching cattle. To Riding Paddock

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Residential Office

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Staff

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Farm Workshop

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Teachers s om

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Trade Training Centre

Bus Tours

Sheep Yards

Grand Parade

Shearing

CR Aquaponics

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Gymnasium

South Coast Highway - To Denmark

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Aquaculture

Poultry

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Equine Arena

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The cows have free access to the automatic milking system at any time of day, and come up to milk themselves. Wine tasting and sales will be available from the college’s East River vineyard, and market stalls will sell horticultural produce. “Our students are in strong demand for traineeships, apprenticeships or jobs because of their broad skill and knowledge set, and work-readiness,” said college principal Kevin Osborne. The college provides an integrated program of on-the-job workplace training and general education for students in years 10-12. The open day runs from 10am to 3pm at the college on South Coast highway, and free onsite parking is available.

STUDENTS interested in a career in agriculture and related industries can learn all about them at this year’s annual Denmark College of Agriculture open day on Saturday August 31. Events will include presentations about course availability and employment opportunities, enrolment procedure, tours of the farm facilities, handson demonstrations, and an opportunity to speak with teachers and students. There will also be shearing and wool classing demonstrations, equine events, cattle parades, coursework displays in classrooms and other learning areas, and machinery and equipment exhibitions. For example, Denmark is the only college in Australia to install a robotic dairy of its kind.

Palm Court, Strickland St.

Trade Shed

Bees

Cattle Yards

Trades Emergency Evacuation Area

General Parking Area Farm Machinery

Jack Moore Drive

General Parking Area

Open Day 2019

 A mudmap of the college grounds.

Factoids

Need a break? Join us during Social September! Tuesdays 3, 10, 17 & 24. Catch up with friends, relax and chill out in this youth only space. Free snacks and refreshments provided. High School Aged Youth only. @4youthdenmark Like or follow @shireofdenmark @4youthdenmark

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 12 September from 5:30 - 7:30 pm The Arts House, West Cape Howe Winery 14923 Muir Highway, Mount Barker RSVP's are essential. www.wicc.org.au/whats-on or call Shaun 0401 291 457

An estimated ten tonnes of material fall out of Saturn’s rings and into the planet every second. At that rate the rings will cease to exist in about 100 million years.

The law made simple

Are testamentary trusts right for my family? MOST people have assets – a home, superannuation, life insurance, and maybe shares, a business or a farm. Have you thought about what happens to your assets when you pass away? Most people leave their assets to their spouse or their children in their Will. But how do you protect your spouse’s or your child’s inheritance if something were to happen after your death? For example, what if your child’s marriage breaks down or s/he is declared bankrupt? What if you are simply worried about your spouse’s or child’s ability to properly manage their inheritance, and your child has a disability or a substance-abuse problem? This is where testamentary trusts can be useful. A testamentary trust is a trust established under your Will, through which any asset belonging to you can be left to your beneficiaries via a testamentary trust on your death. There are many benefits of having these trusts established in your Will. Beneficiary’s inheritance can be protected from bankruptcy Assets that pass to a discretionary testamentary trust from an estate are held for the beneficiaries by the trustee of the trust. At law, the assets are not owned personally by a discretionary beneficiary and therefore do not form part of the beneficiary’s personal estate, so a creditor or other person claiming against the beneficiary cannot obtain the assets held in the testamentary trust. Beneficiary’s inheritance can be protected from family law claims The same trust may also provide

protection for a beneficiary who is experiencing family law difficulties. By providing for a beneficiary’s entitlement to be held in a discretionary testamentary trust, the primary beneficiary can isolate estate entitlements from personal assets. This may help protect his/her estate entitlements from family law property proceedings. Beneficiary’s inheritance can be protected for their benefit If one or more of your children is not capable of handling their inheritance by reason of age, mental health, disability, or simply because they have a propensity for spending, a discretionary testamentary trust controlled by a trusted friend or relative can help to protect their inheritance. Significant tax savings for beneficiaries These trusts can give a beneficiary the option to reduce their personal income tax by splitting income from the investment of their inheritance between a range of family members on lower tax rates. Dividends from shares, interest from cash and rent from investment properties will be taxable to your child if they received these assets absolutely. If these assets formed part of your child’s trust, then the dividend, interest and rent income can be given to your minor grandchildren instead – each grandchild can receive up to $20,000 income tax free every year (this can fund their education and maybe a holiday!). If asset protection and tax savings are important to you, contact South Coast Legal & Conveyancing on 9841 1189 to discuss setting up a testamentary trust in your Will.

All advice given herein is general in nature and does not constitute specific legal advice. Your circumstances may be different; for more tailored advice, please contact a solicitor.

Plane travel takes off LOCAL travellers have been taking to the skies in ever-increasing numbers, due in part to demand for increased convenience and reduced ticket prices. Regional carrier Rex Airlines has reported that in the 2018-19 financial year it carried more than 61,000 passengers between Albany and Perth – an increase of 5.5 percent over the previous year. Nearly 30 percent of these were community fare scheme passengers. A Rex spokesperson said that this was a great result, as many WA regional air routes were in

 NEWS 11

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No.11 | 29 Aug - 11 Sept 2019

decline. The airline currently runs 23 return services on the Albany-Perth route each week, with between 10 percent and 25 percent of seats discounted under the company’s community fare scheme. In response to community feedback earlier this year Rex has also reduced the community fare advance purchase period from 60 days to 30. Unchanged is the company’s policy of allocating all seats unsold 24 hours prior to departure to the scheme. Between them this

means that budget flyers can grab a bargain either a month before or in the last 24 hours before they want to fly. Rex says it hopes that the amended scheme will offer greater flexibility and more opportunities for people seeking a relaxing getaway closer to home. Community fare tickets cost $130 one way. The discount community fare scheme was implemented on the Perth-Albany and PerthEsperance routes in mid2016, in partnership with the City of Albany and the Shire of Esperance.

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Help us make Denmark a more Dementia Friendly Community Are you a person living with dementia, a family member or carer? Are you an interested community member? We need your help to make Denmark a more Dementia Friendly Community. Come along to our community conversation and assist in the development of initiatives to raise community awareness and improve the lives of people living with dementia in our town. Where: When: Time:

Shire of Denmark Reception Room Friday 6 September 2019 10.30 am - 12.30 pm

RSVP by 4 September appreciated, light refreshments provided. For more information visit denmark.wa.gov.au or to RSVP please contact Community Development Officer, Claudia Simpson on 9848 0300 or email cdo@denmark.wa.gov.au Like or follow @shireofdenmark

12  MOTORING

voiceofthesouth.com.au

No.11 | 29 Aug - 11 Sept 2019

Great Southern highways Get on your e-bike! JESZ Fleming and his wife Madge, both in their 70s, live at the top of Mount Shadforth, four kilometres from Denmark’s CBD. Riding their bikes downhill into town was never an issue, but returning home was impossible – until recently. Since Jesz and Madge purchased electric bikes their homecomings have been transformed. Where once they transported their treadlies from town on the back of a ute, their e-bikes allow them to ride home without breaking a sweat. The couple also ride more frequently, and make the trip to town at least twice a week. “The ease with which the e-bikes climb Mount Shadforth is

amazing,” Jesz said. “E-bikes make cycling more accessible to older riders, less stressful on the body, and encourage more frequent use. “They also have fitness benefits, allowing users the freedom to ride where they may once have struggled. E-bikes are becoming more common, and with Denmark’s hilly terrain are a sensible choice. Jesz sees his bike as an enabling tool – where he was previously unable to ride, he relishes the freedom his e-bike has given him. With a four-hour charge time from empty, e-bikes are a smart new way to get around, being

both practical and economical, and saving time and energy. Like normal bikes, they have several gears. The beauty of the e-bike, however, is when the going gets tough – up hills and on undulating surfaces, e-bikes can be instantly switched on to provide the rider with a boost of power, exactly when it is needed. A simple integrated electric motor provides propulsion, giving the rider the ability to engage or disengage it at will. E-bikes’ popularity in Australia is slowly increasing, while European countries have taken to them with gusto – it is estimated that several million were sold in Europe last year alone.

 ABOVE: It was a real expedition for the Flemings to go for a ride with their old bikes. RIGHT: Madge Fleming picks up her new bike from the Albany store.

Jesz believes they are a great way for older people to continue cycling, and a much easier way to get around Denmark! The couple’s e-bikes were purchased from Impulse Cycles in Albany.

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 MOTORING 13

voiceofthesouth.com.au

No.11 | 29 Aug - 11 Sept 2019

9842 1387

79 Lockyer Ave Albany

Whether it’s to go further than you thought you could, keep up with the grandkids, commute easily to work, make hills easier, or simply for joy! Come test ride an E-Bike today and see what the fuss is about! Remember if we don’t have it, we’ll help you find it!

Campbell Road DL 12039

Gary Dibble and the team at Albany Motor Cycles are now the KTM 790 Adventure Dealer for the South Coast. The exciting new KTM790R is in stock for immediate delivery.

ALBANY MOTORCYCLES

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2015 NISSAN MICRA HATCH

2007 FORD TX TERRITORY

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2011 HOLDEN CDX CRUISE

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1GUS901 Family motoring with 7 seat convenience, auto trans, air, steer, factory alloys, tow bar etc! Good service history. 7 seater.

1GUS848 4 cy EFI sedan with auto trans, air, steer, cruise, leather trim. Just been RTA inspected and pit passed. Worth a look.

David Mclean 0418 936 133 • Ray (Hooky) Dawson 0417 968 463 • 29 Campbell Road, Albany • Sales 9841 8677 • Service 9842 2312

14  REAL ESTATE

voiceofthesouth.com.au

No.11 | 29 Aug - 11 Sept 2019

Property matters Opportunities abound on established rural hideaway LIVING in Denmark is the dream of many, and this property highlights the reasons why. Located less than five minutes’ drive from the town centre, with spectacular rural vistas, the property includes a stylish threebedroom earth brick home and successful two-bedroom farmstay business. Well positioned, on 15.3ha with a 30/70 split of pasture and native vegetation, opportunity is tangible. The spacious homestead boasts a recently renovated kitchen, bathroom and stunning views. Aptly named Kangaroo Valley Cottage adds an income stream as self-contained accommodation, and is cleverly situated to ensure privacy for both the property owner and guests. It’s the wise design and use of space which makes this property the Denmark dream – add the beach less than 10 minutes’ drive away and the picture is complete. Further enhancements include a 6m x 15m general purpose shed, small citrus grove, and

two dams, so the potential for a working hobby farm is huge. Denmark itself is a thriving regional town, well serviced and a perfect place for families to enjoy natural surrounds while having quality schooling options and a safe, nurturing community. With tourist numbers increasing, multiple and diverse food and wine options, pristine natural forests and a promising future, Denmark is a town which ticks all the boxes. Families will love the freedom of this property, the natural landscape and the potential for extra incomes. With feature stone walls and considered planning, the property focuses on Denmark’s assets. The spacious open-plan living and dining of the main house offer beautiful views over the property. If you have the Denmark dream, look no further. An idyllic lifestyle awaits. Please contact Kim on 0427 481 498 or Andrew on 0409 081 075 for further details.

39 Lantzke road, Denmark

$1,100,000

• Prestigious 4x2 plus study, panoramic inlet views • Luxurious modern open plan design • High quality fittings, feature floor to ceiling fireplace • Flexible entertaining areas, spacious lockup garage • Multi award winning, 6 star energy rating, set on 3,154 sqm

• Scenic lifestyle property, 38 acres just minutes from Denmark • Main homestead spacious earth brick & iron, renovated kitchen/bathroom • Open plan living, stone fireplace, 3 large bedrooms, sun room • 2nd dwelling 2-bedroom successful self-contained farm stay cottage • 15x6m GP shed, orchard, two dams, 70/30 pasture/native vegetation

Heather O’Donnell 0401 852 522

Kim Barrow 0427 481 498 & Andrew Barrow 0409 081 075

61 Beaufortia Gardens, Denmark

$768,000

Ray White Denmark | Unit 4, 59 Strickland Street, Denmark, WA 6333 | (08) 9848 1498 | denmark.wa@raywhite.com

 REAL ESTATE 15

voiceofthesouth.com.au

No.11 | 29 Aug - 11 Sept 2019

Garage Doors and Automated Motors Sales, Installation and Service

Joss, Brett and Will have sold and settled $10,074,500 in real estate so far this year within the shire of Denmark alone with more to come. We are proud to be your local real estate agency putting back into our local community. Our positive approach always has been that every property has its attributes regardless of the market forces. We back this up by committing our own funds in marketing your property to the highest level. We are grateful for the continued support of so many clients, customers and friends. Our full commitment to them and to the industry will always continue.

PHONE US TODAY

9841 7936

sales@albanygaragedoors.com.au 47c Albert Street, Albany

Country Property Brokers Pty Ltd Ph: 98482211 E: info@countrypropertybrokers.com.au 22 South Coast Highway, Denmark

www.countrypropertybrokers.com.au

Wellington & Reeves

Barry Panizza Shayne Russell Licensee/Director Sales/Rural Cons & Auctioneer 0418 945 487 0428 481 315 barry@albanyproperty.biz shayne@albanyproperty.biz

Main Office: 197 York Street, Albany Branch Office: 236 York Street, Albany Phone: 9841 1455

WINNING OPPORTUNITY

CREATE YOUR OWN RURAL LIVING

Lot 48 Williams Street, Narrikup

VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT  Fully furnished character home on approx. 5 acres  Sealed road, scheme & rain water, walk to the shop  Perfect for the family with horses, neat and tidy  School bus, roadside mail and rubbish collection Shayne 0428 481 315

1 4

4.917ac

$389,000

585 Redmond-Hay River Road, Redmond

VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT  Sealed road frontage, 20 min from Albany  Undulating to flat block, good pasture & water  Good fertiliser history available, power available  Exc cattle/sheep property, patches of natural bush Shayne 0428 481 315

albanyproperty.biz

50.034ha

$499,000

16  FEATURE

voiceofthesouth.com.au

No.11 | 29 Aug - 11 Sept 2019

Advertising feature

The history of Fathers Day SUNDAY is Fathers Day – the first Sunday of September, when we have the opportunity to celebrate and thank the fathers and fatherfigures in our lives. You may have a tradition of a special breakfast or lunch in your family, but how did the whole concept of Fathers’ Day come about? The history of a day for fathers, as reported across the internet, can be traced back to early Christian times, but the modern-day version started in the United States. Sonora Smart Dodd in Washington state wanted to do something to honour her father – her mother having died bearing the family’s sixth child and her father having to raise them by himself. The idea was taken up by Dodd’s church, and on June 19, 1910 all the churches in the Spokane Ministerial Alliance marked the first Fathers Day. By 1972 the third Sunday in June had been permanently authorised by the US government as a national holiday. So why in Australia do we celebrate Fathers Day in September? One of the first mentions of the event in this country appeared in the Newcastle Sun on September

 Sonora Smart Dodd and her father, William.

4, 1936 promoting a Fathers Day meeting at the Baptist tabernacle, with reference to hopes that the day would become as popular as Mothers Day. The idea had also surfaced a week earlier, on August 29, 1936 in Perth’s Daily News, with an advertorial suggesting that gifts be given on the day. But a 1964 article in the Western Herald claimed that the day was

first celebrated in 1935, with the first Sunday in September officially designated by the Commonwealth government that same year. No reason was officially given for the choice of date, but it is widely believed that the month was chosen for commercial benefit – September spaces Fathers Day almost perfectly between Mothers Day and Christmas, giving shoppers time to save for all three.

Fathers Day is not a public holiday in Australia because it falls on a Sunday, which is a day off for many workers, so many offices and stores are closed. However, some shopping precincts and stores, as well as restaurants, cafés and entertainment venues may be busy on Fathers Day, especially in areas where Sunday trading is allowed.

Country Tools and Auto

Grown up toys for the man in your life!

• Vintage model tractors • Spiderco knives • Leatherman multi tools • Ledlenzer lighting

DEN IA RAL MARK WESTERN AUST

53 Strickland Street Denmark 6333 • Ph: 9848 2174

21 South Coast Hwy Denmark | Phone 9848 2183

Treat Dad this Fathers’ Day with a good bit of steak!

Treat Dad to a Sri Lankan inspired lunch at Nornabar this Fathers’ Day

RES TAURANT AND BAR Open daily (except Monday) Dinner Friday & Saturday 6684 South Coast Hwy, Nornalup village

98 40 1407

www.nornabar.com “ Well worth the drive …”

Doesn’t your special man deserve some pampering this Fathers’ Day? A far infrared sauna plus a 40 minute Bamboo massage for a low $95 Call Stephanie on 0432 619 907 for an appointment or a voucher

Treat that special someone to lunch on Fathers Day Open Thursday to Sunday for lunch from 11.30am til 3pm • Bookings on 9840 9762 Located at Estate 807 Winery, 807 Scotsdale Rd, Denmark

Michael Cartwright Art @ Gallery 2 New technique by Michael Cartwright which captures the Timeless Landscape of the Outback Located @ Gallery 2, Palm Court, 69 Strickland St (next to Bankwest) – open daily 10am to 3pm Ph: 0413167451 • www.michaelcartwrightart.com.au

In gi sp fts ira fo tio rD n ad al !

Premium butchers shop located in Mt Barker specialising in smoked products, local beef, pork & chicken, award winning bacon, fresh in-house made sausages & much more! “You’ll always find a treat to eat at Plantagenet Meats” OPEN MON - FRI 8AM - 5.30PM • SAT 8AM - 12.30PM 35 Lowood Road, Mt Barker 9851 1095 • info@plantagenetmeats.com.au

• Surfwear • Streetwear • Hard core gear • Skate gear • Latest fashions

The Sacred Tree 9848 3360 ✦ 21 Strickland St, Denmark

Open 7 days Clairvoyant readings Clothing ✦ Jewellery Fossils ✦ Crystal bowls

Enjoy the atmosphere

julie@thesacredtree.com.au www.thesacredtree.com.au

 ENTERTAINMENT 17

voiceofthesouth.com.au

No.11 | 29 Aug - 11 Sept 2019

Entertainment

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KHENSUR RINPOCHE GESHE TASHI TSERING Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Tashi Tsering is a learned and highly respected Tibetan Buddhist teacher who was resident teacher at the Chenrezig Institute in Queensland for almost 20 years before being appointed Abbot of Gyume Tantric College in southern India by HH the Dalai Lama. He now teaches regularly at his School of Buddhist Science in Springhill, QLD. You can read more about Khensur Rinpoche at geshetashitsering.org.

Public Talk

Friday 30th of August 2019 Karma: The Invisible Force in our Life Karma means action and each one of us creates our own Karma through our intentions and our actions. These actions produce results in this and future lives. Karma not only affects ourselves but also our environment. RSL Hall, Strickland St (Cnr Bent St), Denmark 6 - 7.30PM Entry by donation

Got something to say? Got a good news story? Letter to the editor? Club report? Sporting news? Community message? Comment on current events? Point to make? Local revelation? Know someone who deserves recognition? Family member just back from the moon?

Voice

Use your

editor@voiceofthesouth.com.au

Teaching

Saturday 31st August & Sunday 1st September 2019 The Twelve Links of Dependent Origination The Twelve Links explain how our delusions and Karma bind us to Samsara - the endless cycle of death and rebirth. This cycle can be ended and peace attained through the wisdom of suchness. Artshouse, Strickland St (next to CRC) 10am - 4pm Suggested donation: $40 (BYO Lunch 2-hour break)

Teaching

Tuesday 3rd of September 2019 Eight Verses for Training the Mind These eight short verses can forever change the way you relate to people and the problems they create, and encourage you to pass on these beneficial practices to others. Artshouse, Strickland St (next to CRC) 10am - 4pm Entry by donation (BYO Lunch 2-hour break) Presented by Mahakaruna Buddhist Society Inc. Denmark 9 Scotsdale Road, Denmark WA 6333 T: 9848 3538 E: lozangchodzin@westnet.com.au www.buddhismdenmark.org.au

AUSTRALIA DAY 2020 Rotary Vocational and Community Citizen of the Year Awards – nominate now! The Australia Day Rotary Vocational and Shire of Plantagenet Australia Day WA Citizen of the Year Award nominations are now open. This is an opportunity for you to recognise the individuals and groups making outstanding contributions in the local community. Rotary Award Nominations: Lodge in writing to the Rotary Club, PO Box 5 Mount Barker 6324 by 24 November 2019. Citizen of the Year Awards: Lodge online at https://www. citizenshipawards.com.au/nominate/ by 31 October 2019. Please contact Nolene Wake at the Shire Office eo@sop. wa.gov.au 9892 1121 or Andrew Whiting Mount Barker Rotary Club, Andrew.whiting@education.wa.edu.au or 0408 060454 if you have any queries. Rob Stewart CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

18  TRADES & SERVICES

voiceofthesouth.com.au

No.11 | 29 Aug - 11 Sept 2019

Local suppliers

ADVERTISE WITH US PH 0402 072 107

Stephen Roberts M: 0410 575 744 Qualified Technician

Domestic & Commercial Carpet Cleaning Service Upholstery, Tile & Grout Cleaning, Also Servicing the Stripping & Sealing of Vinyl Flooring Plantagenet Now offering Window Cleaning Area www.anytimecarpet.com.au

All jobs catered for Driveways and house slabs Decorative concrete Free quotes and advice Deliveries to all areas Quarry materials also supplied

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To order or for more information, ask your local Hanson representative

CONCRETE/AGREGATES

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Call 0402 072 107 to advertise with us

YOUR LOCAL AUTHORISED REFERRAL AGENT VOS02.05.19

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VOS16.05.19

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Reliably servicing all areas of the Great Southern. brenden@denmarkliquidsalvage.com.au www.denmarkliquidsalvage.com.au PO Box 908, Denmark WA 6333

keep it local and advertise your business with us. call 0402 072 107

 SPORT 19

voiceofthesouth.com.au

No.11 | 29 Aug - 11 Sept 2019

Is this Macca’s final farewell? NOT only was last Saturday’s league football match the final game of the home-andaway season for DenmarkWalpole Magpies, it was also the swansong for David ‘Macca’ MacDonald, who has been a club stalwart and much-admired player for ten years. He is still coming back from a recent injury, and when asked prior to Saturday’s game how he was feeling, replied, “My back is still a bit sore but I am playing. This is my last game.” Dave joined the club in 2009 when he brought to Denmark a natural ability and football knowledge that made the players around him look and feel good. He was an integral member of the 2010 premiership side. “Macca played as he trained – hard,” said the captain-coach of that side, James McRae. “He was truly inspirational on the field and never left anything out there – a great role model for the other players.” Great Southern Football League president Joe Burton said that in 2010 Macca would have won the league’s

 David MacDonald (No 9) in position to move the ball out of the centre. PHOTO BY JEFF OVENDEN

fairest and best award, the Kleeman Medal, had he not been reported. According to Macca the incident was in a game against Railways, whose ruckman kicked Magpie Dave Richardson in the face when he was on the ground. Macca took exception and retaliated on behalf of his mate. “It was perhaps not the right thing to do, but the ruckman’s act was brutal,” Macca said. David grew up in Tatura,

a small country town near Shepparton in Victoria. He played junior football there but did not nominate for the AFL draft because he said he lacked confidence and did not see football as a career. “Footy is for fun,” he said. His first retirement from football was around 2013 – according to him – due to work and family commitments. He was coaxed out of retirement by good mate and league side co-coach, Simon

Discover Denmark

Denmark is a happy, healthy and eclectic community that embraces creativity, celebrates the natural environment and is invested in a strong local economy.

The Position:

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY OFFICER (ICT) Status: Part-time (0.60 FTE) Salary Package: Up to $80,000 (pro-rata) depending on experience, up to 14.5% Superannuation, plus additional benefits.

Barker. It was a very popular decision. “It was really great to have Macca back playing this year,” Magpies captain and co-coach of the league side Ryan Gearth said. “He is a very positive influence on the whole team.” Club president Kim Barrow said he hoped that Macca would stay involved in a non-playing capacity, as his experience was valuable for the growth of the club.

Black Spot road funding announced BLACK Spot grants of more than $400,000 has been allocated to road improvement in the Great Southern. The 2019-20 State budget includes $2-billion to upgrade and build regional roads, premier Mark McGowan said last week when announcing the grants. Works to be done under the region’s grant include upgrading Ficifolia road at Peaceful Bay, and road improvements in the City of Albany. Since it was introduced in 2000 the Black Spot program has delivered almost a half a billion dollars’-worth of safety initiatives to WA road users. The program is jointly funded by the State and local governments. Denmark shire CEO Bill Parker said that council’s 2019/20 budget included $39,000 for pavement reconstruction and sealing of the Ficifolia and Peaceful Bay roads intersection. “The Shire received $26,000 in Black Spot funding, with the remaining $13,000 to come from council,” he said.

Discover Denmark

Denmark is a happy, healthy and eclectic community that embraces creativity, celebrates the natural environment and is invested in a strong local economy.

The Position: MACHINE OPERATOR/GENERAL HAND Status: Full-time Salary Package: $58,448.00 p.a., plus up to 14.5% Superannuation. A nine day fortnight, plus additional benefits.

Opportunity: The Shire of Denmark is a high performing local government in the Great Southern. We are a regional leader in eight key areas including customer service and sense of belonging, with 96% of staff rating the Shire of Denmark as a positive place to work. There has never been a better time to join our team. We’re looking for someone who; • Can embrace change, innovation and new technology. • Can coordinate the Shire’s information systems, applications and technical support functions. • Has appropriate industry qualification in Information Technology or equivalent knowledge through training, application or experience. • Has experience in a networked IP environment. • Can deliver an effective, responsive and customer service orientated IT support experience. • Has developed experience in IT documentation and improvement processes. • Is able to multi-task and prioritise workloads and has strong time management skills. • Will look for opportunities to innovate. • Is solution focused and has a ‘can do’ attitude. • Wants to be a part of a strong team culture. • Will champion the Shire’s vision, values and mission statement.

Opportunity: The Shire of Denmark is a high performing local government in the Great Southern. We are a regional leader in eight key areas including customer service and sense of belonging, with 96% of staff rating the Shire of Denmark as a positive place to work. There has never been a better time to join our team. We’re looking for someone who; • Can maintain and improve our performance in footpaths, trails, cycleways and our road network. • Has a passion for and experience in civil works. • Can efficiently operate a range of plant and machinery. • Can work autonomously with minimum supervision. • Has a strong focus on occupational health and safety in the workplace. • Can deliver customer service with confidence and has excellent interpersonal and communication skills. • Wants to be a part of a strong team culture and demonstrate the ability to be flexible and multitask within the team. • Can accept responsibility, be solution focused, with a ‘can-do’ attitude. • Wants to be a part of a strong team culture. • Look for opportunities to innovate. • Can embrace change in the workplace. • Champion the Shire’s vision, values and mission statement.

If this sounds like you, we would love to work with you, so please apply. A Performance Profile and other relevant details are available from http://www.denmark.wa.gov.au/our-council/employment-opportunities or by contacting Lee Sounness, Manager Corporate Services or Mrs Marcia Chamberlain, Human Resources Coordinator on (08) 9848 0305. Please submit your CV and a short cover letter which highlights how you could add value to our organisation in this role, by email to enquiries@denmark.wa.gov.au, on-line on our website, or by mail to P.O. Box 183, Denmark WA 6333, to be received no later than 4.00pm on Friday 6th September 2019.

If this sounds like you, we would love to work with you, so please apply. A Performance Profile and other relevant details are available from http://www.denmark.wa.gov.au/our-council/employment-opportunities or by contacting Barry Moore, Manager, Works and Services or Mrs Marcia Chamberlain, Human Resources Coordinator on (08) 9848 0305. Please submit your CV and a short cover letter which highlights how you could add value to our organisation in this role, via email to enquiries@denmark.wa.gov.au, on-line on our website, or P.O. Box 183, Denmark WA 6333, to be received no later than 4.00pm on Friday 6th September 2019.

Bill Parker, Chief Executive Officer PO Box 183, Denmark WA 6333 Telephone: (08) 9848 0300 Email: enquiries@denmark.wa.gov.au Web: www.denmark.wa.gov.au

20  SPORT

Bulls devour Sharks to clinch a finals berth THE final round of the home-andaway season of the Great Southern Football League was played across the region last weekend. Mount Barker Bulls finished the season in third place, and will participate in the finals. Their game against Albany Sharks resulted in a win for the Bulls, 23 goals 14 behinds (152pts) to Sharks 7:6 (49). Mt Barker’s opponent in the first semi final will be last year’s premiers, North Albany. The game will begin at 2.30pm this Saturday, at Sounness Park. The finals will be played over three weeks, culminating in the grand final on September 15, at Royals’ home ground, Centennial Stadium in Albany. Denmark-Walpole were scheduled to host the grand final this year, but due to uncertainty surrounding the McLean Park surface the club believed that it was only fair to the Royals, that a definitive decision needed to be made in time for suitable preparations to take place. Denmark-Walpole Magpies did not finish the season as they would have hoped, with heavy losses suffered by all grades at the hands of Railways, who finished in second place overall. The Magpies will not make the finals this year.

voiceofthesouth.com.au

No.11 | 29 Aug - 11 Sept 2019

Soccer threesome qualify for comp Katy Rutter THREE young Denmark soccer players will compete in the Singa Cup, to be played in Singapore from November 1-9. Lumeah Masih (10), Gilligan Neunuebel (12) and Cooper Gleeson (15) were selected for the squad after playing at Country Week and attending a one-week country camp in Perth. A team of 14 will go to Singapore, comprising players from around the state. All will continue to train with their own teams, as well as attending specific Country Week training in Albany. They then train with the other cup squad members for a week before the competition, in order to combine as a team. In Singapore they will come up against some elite teams from other countries, which will test their skills and improve their overall experience in soccer. Even though she is only ten, Lumeah will play in the Under-14 girls’ team. She played at Country Week last year – the first time that she was old enough.

 Cooper Gleeson will play in the U15s. Cooper is in the back row, far right. INSET: Lumeah Masih will play in the U14s representative team. PHOTO BY ANGELA MASIH

Lumeah started playing soccer aged five, inspired by her two older brothers and Samantha Kerr, and already plays up an age group in the Albany competition. She likes playing on the wing, and can be relied on to take corners, free kicks and penalties. Gilligan is playing in the U12 team and has also played since he was five years old. His two big sisters are also very talented soccer players, and he says that he is always motivated to try to be better than them.

Gilli likes playing in the centre or on the right of defence, and is pleased that Football West gives country kids the opportunity to do camps and extra training, as it gives them a chance to play professionally when they’re older. Cooper is playing in the U16 team and was about seven when he started playing soccer. Cooper has two younger sisters who are chasing his heels trying to be even better than he is. He plays in centre midfield and is very calm and

composed in tough matches. He also played at Country Week last year, and is looking forward to seeing the culture in Singapore. Cooper enjoys interacting with his friends and team mates, and this is what motivates him most when it comes to soccer. The trio will host a Rollerdisco fundraiser at the recreation centre on September 6, from 6-8pm. There is a $5 entry fee, and be sure to bring lots of coins for a sausage sizzle and cake stall, which will raise money to help these three get to Singapore.