the great southern star

Holiday bonanza

Celebrating 120 Years TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2010 $1.20

The Star celebrates the last edition for 2010 today with its biggest issue of the year, a bumper 104 page edition, including the 44 page South Coast Tourist News liftout inside.

The Star will not publish next Tuesday, De-cember 28. The rst issue for the New Year will be Wednesday, January 5, one day later due to the

public holiday on Monday, January 3.Our of ce will close today (Tuesday, Decem-

ber 21) at 5pm, re-opening on Thursday, Decem-ber 30 and Friday, December 31. Classi eds and late sport can be received on Tuesday morning, January 4 before noon.

The management and staff of The Star thank

you all for your support throughout 2010. It has been a big year culminating in our newspaper re-ceiving a state award for journalism for the second year running.

We wish all our readers, contributors and ad-vertisers a happy Christmas, and a safe and enjoy-able holiday period.

Seasons Greetings to readers

Inside todayInside today

All ready: Inverloch surf lifesavers Jake Lurati, Bec Morris and Candice Richardson are prepared for a big summer.

By Jane Ross and Tessa Hayward

TOURISM is worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy.

In South Gippsland Shire alone, the gure is $223 million a year.

And were right at the height of the

season, which runs from Melbourne Cup Day to the end of Easter.

Caravan and holiday parks are booked out from Christmas until the end of January.

But paramedics are alarmed by the apparent lack of extra ambulances for the peak season.

Ambulance Employees Association secretary Steve McGhie, said that there had

been no word about the usual increase.He said the only way extra ambu-

lances can be staffed is for paramedics to be called in on overtime and to date, that has not occurred.

Its a worry, he said.Ambulance Victoria was not avail-

able for comment before going to print.Tourism employs 1800 people in

South Gippsland Shire alone, includ-

ing extras put on during the peak season.

Well over a million people visit the shire every year and the councils tourism co-ordinator Christian Stefani, said tourists stay an average of three nights, spending $366 per visitor while they are here.

Continued on page 49.

THE STAR, Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Merry Christmas

Cecilia and the team thank all their customers for making 2010 an exciting year of Scandinavian flair!

peace happiness good health goodwill

Shops 2 & 4, IGA Ritchies Arcade, 158 Graham Street, Wonthaggi. Telephone: 03 5672 5553 www.nordicdesignshome.com.au

Santa Claus came to town!LEONGATHAS Carols in the Drome was a big hit on Saturday night, with Santa Claus, Christmas carollers and the South Gippsland Shire Brass Band all taking centre stage.

Retiring nativity director Marg Aes-

chlimann made the show one to remember. But she was ably backed by a rocking band, school children in full voice, the Adult Choir, the astounding Jen Monk and Elly Poletti and the smooth baritone stylings of Aaron Gale.

The reworks display made sure the night ended with a bang.

Christmas babes: Susan Jacobs with six-month-old Olivia and Tenneale Grayden with three-month-old Logan.

Happy girls: Amelia Dunn, Jessica Geary, Britney Thomas, Kelly Geary and Siobhan Beecroft shared some Christmas spirit.

Well made up: face paint artist Susan Morrow with SophieClarkson.

Band stander: South Gippsland Shire Brass Bands second cornetplayer Doug Appleton blew up astorm.

Rocking out: the South Gippsland Shire Brass Band, including Simon Jones, was a big hit.

Ready to rock: Leongatha Primary Schools Tom Evans and Tyson Chandler were ready to hit the stage as part of the school choir.

Santa Claus: the jolly old fellow made a special appearance, arriving with the CFA.

THE STAR, Tuesday, December 21, 2010 - PAGE 3

By Matt Dunn

CASH-STRAPPED schools are using the guarantee of parents tax returns to buy computers.

Principals say their schools are suffering from a massive shortfall in funding and have used the Federal Governments Education Tax Refund program which allows parents to claim on out of pocket expenses for computers and related items to make sure their schools have enough tech equipment to go around.

Korumburra Primary School principal Bill Jeffs has drafted a letter for parents of chil-dren entering Grade 4 next year, asking them to lease Acer Aspire netbooks. Buying the computers without parental help is beyond the schools modest means.

The children will own the $840 comput-ers at the end of Grade 6. They will be loaded with $900 worth of software, courtesy of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

Weve had a public meeting and the peo-ple who attended were heavily in favour of us having these netbook computers for the kids, Mr Jeffs said.

Parents can claim expenses back through the Education Tax Refund.

The maximum claim allowable is $780 for each eligible child in primary school (with a re-fund of $390) and $1558 for each eligible child in secondary school (with a refund of $779).

All weve done is said thats up to them to investigate, but we dont give advice about tax matters. Our understanding is you can claim a lot of this money back, but youll have to nd out from the tax department, Mr Jeffs said.

Leongatha Primary School has a similar scheme, but has incorporated the expense for computers into its voluntary contributions payments.

The parents payments have risen sharply in the past two years, but because they now

incorporate ICT (information communications technology) fees can also be claimed back, in part, under the Education Tax Refund.

Principal Rob Higgins said the previous state government had left his school woefully under-funded when it came to computer equipment.

The previous government would say, you got grants for costs related to computers. My computer grants were $6000 a year. That was for $120 computers. To turn those over and keep them state-of-the artthe mathematics just didnt add up, he said.

But that was the previous government. Were in a brave new world now.

A written statement from the school council said funds were resourced from all possible sources.

Next year we have restructured our parental contributions so that we can provide the maximum resources for the school while allowing the parents the opportunity to receive the optimum rebates to which they are entitled, the statement said.

Many of our families who receive Education Maintenance Allowance will only need to contribute $20 for the whole year. Those families who are eligible for the Federal Government Education Tax Offset will contribute $250 per annum but will receive half of this back in rebate.

Victorian Education Union president Mary Bluett was not surprised by the revelations.

Victoria remains the lowest funded state in the nation and there is a growing gap between what the government funds and what the com-munity expects of a 21st century education, she said.

Ms Bluett said there was a growing gap between the haves and the have-nots in the school community.

Those schools in communities that have the capacity to pay are able to set much higher voluntary contributions than those in poorer communities, she said.

Some principals dont set any voluntary fees because they know parents would struggle to pay and they would go without things be-cause they wanted to look after their schools.

The tax rebate stuff is welcome but the underlying issue is the level of funding for our government primary schools and secondary schools, and the need to signi cantly boost it.

The State Governments new Education Minister, Martin Dixon, declined to answer questions from The Star, including whether more funding would be provided to Victorian schools under the Coalition.

Schools under pressure

Tech savvy: Korumburra Primary School Grade 6 student Liiam Miller has been road testing one of the schools Acer As-pire netbooks.

By Isaac McCallum

A POSTER depicting a bikini clad woman on a surf shop win-dow in Leongatha was spray-painted with the word RESPECT over the weekend.

The vandal also paint-ed a pink T-shirt over the models chest.

Shop owner Mick Horell has received com-plaints about the poster in the past, but has generally found customers were not offended.

Ive had an anonymous letter complaining about the poster, and another guy came in and said I was sell-ing sex. Im not, Im sell-ing bathers, he said.

Everyone else that has come in has been ne with it. Im well within my legal rights to have that poster there.

Mr Horell is not set on blaming either of the two

Bikini poster vandalisedcomplainants just yet, but said someone has a prob-

lem with the poster. Its de nitely deliber-

Respect: Milie Surf Wear shop owner Mick Horell.

ate. Theyve written RE-SPECT. Obviously they think Im not respectful, but theres nothing wrong

with it, he said.Mr Horell will order a

replacement poster. Police are investigating.


By Brad Lester

PEOPLE across South Gippsland could subsidise the cost of sewer-ing Nyora unless smaller blocks are approved for the town.

Planning consultant and former mayor Nigel Hutchinson-Brooks said land north of the existing Nyora township should be subdivided into blocks of up to half an acre.

If not, other South Gippsland Wa-ter customers would subsidise the cost through higher service fees, Mr Hutchin-son-Brooks said.

That claim was con rmed by South Gippsland Water managing director, Steve Evans.

The expensive costs developers would face in providing sewerage to larger blocks would also render development unviable.

Low density zoning is proposed for the subject land, between the town boundary and south of Glovers Road, in the Nyora Structure Plan discussion pa-per released by South Gippsland Shire Council recently. That zoning requires minimum lots of one acre.

Nyora, together with Loch and Poo-wong, is due to be sewered at a total cost of $15 million.

If we have proper sized blocks, that

will help ease the cost of sewerage in the town for everyone else in the shire as they will be paying for it, Mr Hutchinson-Brooks told council last Wednesday.

Please dont put it into low density. It will not work.

Mr Hutchinson-Brooks is undertaking consulting work for the developer of the land and wants the land zoned Residential One.

To date, there has been no consider-ation of the economic viability of what is being proposed, he said.

The structure plan discussion paper states that if the land was to be zoned Residential One, excess residential land supply would result if all land became

available in the short term.Mr Evans said smaller blocks would

result in less fees.He said sewerage schemes are paid for

by $800 landowner contributions in the towns being sewered; a government grant; and the shortfall covered by South Gippsland Waters general revenue, which would ulti-mately be paid for by all customers.

The money has to come from some-where so it will come from the total rev-enue base, he said.

No matter what, we make up the difference for the project so if there are more people connecting in, we have more people sharing in the costs.

But Mr Evans said the savings were

not proportional to the number of extracustomers, as more people equated to moresewerage and ultimately greater treatmentcosts, such as a bigger basin.

Trish Fleming of the Nyora andDistrict Development Association toldcouncil the towns structure plan omitsthe need for a transport interchange, fu-ture emergency services, the expansionof Nyora Primary School, bigger sport-ing facilities, and the future of the NyoraSpeedway.

In addressing council last week, MrsFleming also called for a bigger BusinessOne zone around Mitchell Street and thevalue of retaining a paddock in the centreof town.

Shes cruising: Judy Johnstone was surrounded by grandchildren Nicolas, Brook and Chloe as she was farewelled from Saint Laurences Primary School, Leongatha, last week. She received owers and gifts that included a ducky ring and oaties, in reference to her plans to sail around Australia with her husband Lyle. More St Laurences coverage on page 23.

Subsidy risk smells foul


adornments.On Sunday, December

12 at about 12.30am, three boys were seen in the Pric-es garden vandalising and thieving the lights.

The boys were not caught, but the lights were returned the next day.

My husband takes great pride and pleasure in decorating our garden so that it is full of Christmas lights for everyone to en-joy, Mrs Price said.

Every year, the decora-tion display grows and much time is invested for the joy of families passing at night.

I painted a sign beg-

ging for our decorations back and by 11am Mon-day, they had been re-turned, Mrs Price said.

But the lights were re-turned damaged.

The thieves had not disconnected the lights properly and had pulled out the wiring.

I truly dont under-stand this. It is not only us that is upset but so are all the people who got great pleasure in driving by with their children to see Santa and his reindeer in our gar-den, she said.

Mrs Price asked the thieves: Where is your Christmas spirit?

Christmas cheer goneBy Tessa Hayward

GAVIN Price put hours of effort in to decorating his Le-

ongatha house and garden with Christ-mas lights, only for someone to break and steal the

Community help: Debbie and Gavin Price with some of the returned and damaged decorations, and the sign they painted, pleading for the decorations back.

A SOUTH Gippsland student was dux of a prestigious War-ragul school.

Arawata resident Amelia Harrison scored an ATAR of 99.5 at St Pauls An-glican Grammar School.

It was a well deserved result after a sometimes stressful year.

The 18-year-old hopes to take a gap year in 2011 then study medicine at Mo-nash University in 2012.

I just think it would be a really in-teresting and challenging career that I would really enjoy, Amelia said.

I didnt really know what I want-ed to do up until Year 10 after reading Never Say Die by brain surgeon Chris OBrien.

Her gap year will raise money for accommodation and hopefully include some travelling.

Amelia went to Leongatha Primary School and then St Pauls after winning a scholarship.

She did chemistry, French, literature, health and human development, maths methods and biology.

Amelia plans to spend the summer relaxing, with some work at Korum-burra IGA.

I didnt have a great time in Year 12. I thought it was pretty stressful. I was glad when it was over, she said.

I would say (to future Year 12s) give yourself some time to relax and take time out from study to hang out with your friends.

Top scorers our own

Schools over: Arawata resident Amelia Harrison, the dux of St Pauls in Warragul, is glad Year 12 is over.

By Jane Ross

THE festive season can be a dif cult time for those dealing with grief.

Its very sad that we cant support people far better than we do, says Bev Morphett, a social worker with Bass Coast Regional Health.

In todays fast society, you get a weeks comfort when someone close to you dies and thats it.

People forget where you are and whats happened.

Our society is no longer a village society and we dont support people appropriately.

Life and death are about having some sort of reality, but we dont like to confront our mortality.

Bev suggests that having a little candle lighting ceremony during Christmas celebrations helps those who are bereaved because it means the death is not ignored, but neither is it taking over the days festivities.

Bevs colleague Jill Ryan, said Christmas always brings loss to the fore because it is supposed to be a time of sharing.

All it needs is for people to rec-ognise its a normal part of grieving. Others want to jolly people up, but

they need to be allowed to verbalise their feelings and not feel pressured to be cheery.

Jill says grief is exacerbated at Christmas, but all it needs is for people to recognise that its normal.

Others want to jolly them up, but if those who are grieving are allowed to verbalise their feelings and not feel pres-sured to be cheery, they cope a lot better.

Jill believes that maintaining an ex-ercise regime is helpful.

When youre out walking and breathing in fresh air, you feel a lot bet-ter. Exercise is something you do have control over. I think when you smell nature and see birds making nests, its a reminder that life goes on.

Or, sit on the beach and watch oth-er people, listening to relaxation tapes or music can be very soothing. Treat-ing ourselves to a massage or hair ap-pointment can make us feel good about ourselves.

Jill said dealing with grief is a time to be true to yourself.

It takes a lot of strength to learn to say no to people, not to disappoint them. But you need to do what is in-herently right for you, not what others think is right.

She said there are those who cant deal with death and dying stuff and if youre grieving, you need to lter out

those who arent helpful.Bev said grief is a really dif cult

thing which affects us all differently. Some people are frightened of funer-als, others cannot sit with loved ones who are dying.

But, if you can do that, it leaves you more positive about yourself in the end. Its really important to the griev-ing process.

Funerals belong with the grieving process too, because they meet the need of those who are left.

I understand why people have private (funeral) servic-es, but they can be very lonely.Supporting those who are grieving is important.

Just be around, said Bev, have a cup of coffee. No words will make it easier. There will be grief and it has to be acknowledged. Its so important that people dont hold back.

Not showing your emotions is a pile of rubbish.

Native societies do proper griev-ing and can move on more easily.

She said caring for a sick relative can be exhausting.

Youre walking a tight rope all the time.

The important thing with grief, said Bev, is not to ignore it, because it al-ways comes back.

Celebrate but recognise grief too

GWEN Derrick, the founda-tion stone of Wonthaggi The-atre Group, has received a prestigious theatre award.

She was presented with the Edith Harry Award for outstanding contribution to musical theatre at the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria awards.

In 2009, the Wonthaggi Theatrical Group celebrated its 40th anniversary and Gwen has been involved in the administration of the group through all that time as well as working as a performer, director, costume manager, milliner, mentor and font of theatrical knowledge.

Gwen was delighted to be presented with her glass Bruce

brick and was most surprised.Chatting to friends at the after

party, Gwen had many stories of happy moments in the ups and downs of her theatrical life.

She is looking forward with much enthusiasm to her involvement in Wonthaggi Theatrical Groups next project, the Fred Ebb/John Kander musical, Cabaret.

Theatre stalwart honoured


80 blocks.Mr Lawrie said more

people are becoming aware of Venus Bay.

Whenever there is a write up on coastal prop-erties, Venus Bay will get a mention and thats been prominent in the last two to three years, he said.

Before that, one of the

reasons Venus Bay didnt take off is because it was unknown. There is a great-

er awareness of people in Melbourne about Venus Bay today.

By Chris Brown

COASTAL property prices are buoyant as the summer selling season begins.

Southcoast First Na-tional director Blair Hodg-es said strong growth in Inverloch had continued over the past 12 months.

Theres been the rental demand from the desal. Also, the younger desal workforce took advantage of the stimulus package (and bought) and we had quite a few young people from Western Australia come and buy property, he said.

Block prices in Inver-loch are now a minimum of $185,000 with an aver-age in the mid-$200,000s.

The higher price of land is pushing up the value of everything in the town.

For houses the average price is $450,000 plus.

Mr Hodges said the market was showing good growth because In-verloch was now a week-end destination.

Its on the map as a place to come and you see so many new faces in town, he said.

Along the coast has been pretty constant, be-cause its an hour-and-a-

half out of Melbourne.Unlike coastal towns

such as Cape Paterson or Venus Bay, Inverloch has its own commercial centre and social opportunities at hotels and restaurants.

In Venus Bay it seems the only way for prices is up as well.

Robb Lawrie at Alex Scott and Staff Venus Bay said his gures show the median price this year at Venus Bay is about $250,000, compared to $212,500 at the same time last year.

If I look at blocks this time last year they were selling between $79,000

and $85,000. Of the last dozen blocks, at least 10 of them have been over $100,000, he said.

I still think that Venus Bay is the cheapest coastal area within two hours of Melbourne, he said.

We get a lot of peo-ple who come in and say I want to buy a holiday house and it doesnt need to make a lot of money.

The Venus Bay agency was busy in December, which is traditionally a quiet period though there are fewer properties for sale this year than last.

Alex Scott and Staff has about 46 houses and

Coastal prices strong

By Matt Dunn

A RECENT week-long sale at Leongathas Memorial Hall has local traders seething, with accusations that valuable Christmas dollars were taken by a Melbourne company.

Traders were disgusted. The council shouldnt do it. They want the town to support them and theyre letting outsiders come in and take away our business, said one angry local trader, who wished to remain anonymous.

Sale items included toys, plants and hardware items.

Leongatha Chamber of Com-merce president Darryl McGannon

said he was disappointed by the sale and many chamber members were angered.

I know some of the traders were dirty about it, but at the end of the day we cant do much about it, he said.

But you just hope that locals will support local businesses, not out-of-towners. I was disappointed they were, because they dont put anything back into the community.

From the chambers point of view, we were disappointed they were able to come into town. We feel strongly about supporting local businesses and putting the money back into our com-munity and not someone elses.

But Memorial Hall manager Graeme Heath said fair trading laws forbade him from disallowing opera-tors the chance to sell their wares at

the hall, regardless of where they came from.

I couldnt stop Mr Myer com-ing in for a week if he wanted to, he said.

Mr Heath spoke of a furniture sale in the hall going back ve or six years ago that caused angst among some local traders.

So council thought about it and got the council solicitor involved. He went through all the local and state legislation. Basically, wed be in bigger trouble if we didnt allow them to trade, he said.

The only way to stop people trading in the hall is to ban all com-mercial use. That would wipe out the bridal expo and all other sales.

The traders spent $3000 hiring the hall.

Hall sale angers traders


By Isaac McCallum

JUST as tourist numbers will grow over the next month, so too will the number of police of cers.

Cowes, San Remo, Inverloch and Fos-ter stations will be supplemented with more police and a station will be set up at Tidal River.

The numbers will be increased until the end of January in an attempt to com-bat the prospect of crime in the densely populated tourist areas.

Extra resources will be called in for New Years Eve celebrations at Cowes and Inverloch.

Inspector Glenn Weir of the Bass Coast and South Gippsland Police Ser-vice Area believes the extra numbers will be adequate.

Well be organising signi cant effort from the Operation Response team for New Years Eve but the numbers will be suf cient for the rest of the summer, he said.

Were primarily concerned with public order. People want to have a good time and they want to do it without being threatened with violence.

The Pyramid Rock festival will be on again at Phillip Island, with more than 12,000 people expected to ow on to the Island.

The police will be forced to run a traf- c operation to combat the masses of traf c leaving the festival on New Years Day.

Insp. Weir said the police are fully prepared and will be dedicated to carrying out the requirements of their roles while in South Gippsland and the Bass Coast.

Volunteers disgusted: vandals have wrecked the wall of a toilet block at the Korumburra Show-grounds, outraging the members of the Korumburra Agricultural and Pastoral Society.

The society is also concerned about the many pot-holes forming in the road around the reserve, caused by motorists and truck drivers taking shortcuts through the reserve, between the highway and Victoria Street. Driv-ers are urged to keep to main roads.

Surfed carA MAN was airlifted to hospital in Melbourne after a car sur ng incident at Sandy Point on Saturday night.

The police saw the Melbourne man, in his early 20s, riding on the boot of a car along the foreshore.

He fell off the car onto the sand and was treated for serious head injuries at Foster hospital before being own to Melbourne.

Police believe there were up to ve men aged in their early 20s involved.

The driver has been interviewed and released pending a summons to appear before a court.

The car has been impounded.

Serious condition A PASSENGER in a car that collided with a tree at Mirboo North has been taken to hospital in Melbourne in a serious condition.

The driver of the vehicle, who is being interviewed by police for drink driving, lost control and swerved before the car collided with the tree in Old Thorpdale Road.

Bike stolenA MONKEY bike worth $850 was stolen from a garage on Grand Ridge Road, Mirboo North between December 17 and 19.

The pint sized 70cc bike was red. Police have asked the public for help.

Gaming theftTHIEVES broke into a unit in McCartin Street, Leongatha and stole $250 worth of gaming equipment.

The theft occurred between December 11 and 13. The offenders forced the front door and broke glass photo frames on their way inside.

Bicycle probePOLICE are investigating the theft of a bike from a house in ONeill Street, Leongatha.

The bike was taken between Wednesday, December 8 and Monday, December13.

POLICE BRIEFSPOLICE BRIEFSPolice boost


By Matt Dunn

FISHERIES Victoria has been using undercover agents to patrol beaches around Venus Bay as the summer pipi sea-son hots up.

Despite the use of these secret operatives, Fisheries Victoria has been favouring a media campaign that highlights the positive aspects of the family recreational activity.

While publicly talking up the annual pipi twist as a sign of Vic-torias vibrant and growing mul-ticultural shing community, the government department has covert operatives keeping a close eye on those collecting the shell sh.

A two-month blitz that ended on Sunday, saw 285 random inspections by the of cers, which led to 24 in-fringement notices being issued, to-gether with a number of of cial and verbal warnings.

Eastern Fisheries operations manager Peter Courtney said patrols

of the area would continue.We need to ensure this resource

is being utilised both responsibly and sustainably, Mr Courtney said.

Fisheries Victoria has had a compliance presence at Venus Bay and surrounding areas since late Oc-tober of this year which has resulted in positive interaction with both lo-cals and visitors to the area.

Offences included exceeding the bag limit, using digging implements to take pipis and not having a current recreational shing licence.

Mr Courtney said a daily catch limit of two litres per day applies to collectors.

Of cers will continue to have a presence at Venus Bay throughout the rest of summer and we will not hesitate to prosecute people who out the regulations, he said.

Last week four men from Mel-bourne were convicted and ned $800 each when they appeared at the Korumburra Magistrates Court. A woman who failed to appear was also convicted and ned $800.

The group had travelled from St Albans in Melbourne last August and used hand held digging imple-ments to take pipis in the inter-tidal zone, Mr Courtney said.

When intercepted the group ran and hid in the dunes. Six bags were recovered with a total of 75.5 litres of pipis which were seized along with digging tools and other equip-ment including rucksacks.

Magistrate Raleigh said it was his belief that the pipis had been taken for sale.

The annual in ux of large groups from Melbourne has been a point of simmering tension between local residents many of whom attest be-lief in an organised, commercial op-eration and people who descend on the beaches.

Pipis are rumoured to sell for up to $18 a kilogram in Melbourne and are a favourite in many Asian dishes.

Anyone observing illegal sh-ing activity is encouraged to call the 24-hour reporting line 13-FISH (13-3474).

Undercover patrols

By Brad Lester

A HEALTH clinic dedicated to helping young people needs more funding to continue.

Demand for the Access Youth Clinic in Leongatha has risen since opening seven months ago, but more investment is needed to ensure the service can continue.

The clinic is part of Leongatha Healthcare, and offers bulk billed and con dential healthcare to the children and teenagers of South Gippsland, including psychology, and drug and alcohol counselling.

Clinic staff appealed to South Gippsland Shire Council for fund-ing at last Wednesdays public presentation.

But Cr Jennie Deane said health funding was a matter for the state and federal governments.

Dr Sinead De Gooyer said more money was vital to providing a ser-vice that is warranted.

Unless we are auspiced by a not-for-pro t organisation, its dif cult to get extra funding, she said.

The clinic sees more than 15 chil-dren a week, with 76 per cent female. Sixty per cent are aged 16-18, 14 per cent 19-21, 17 per cent 14-15 and six per cent 12-13. Three per cent were aged 22 or older.

While most patients were living at home, 15 per cent were living in share accommodation and two per

cent were homeless. The high cost of private rental properties in Leon-gatha was a concern for patients.

Mental health was a major reason for patients presenting.

Gippsland Southern Health Ser-vices health promotion of cer Julia Lomas said the service supported the clinic.

Nearly 14 per cent of the popula-tion in South Gippsland is aged be-tween 10 and 19, and almost 17 per

cent of children aged 16 and under live in a welfare dependent or low income family.

The clinics furniture has been acquired from St Vincent de Paul Society and the Leongatha Lions Club has helped with the cost of pre-scriptions. Kelvin Johns Retravision has supplied goods at cost price and donated a secondhand television.

The clinic is located on the rst oor of 3 Lyon Street, Leongatha.

Support please: the Youth Access Clinics Anna Close-Mewett, Dr Sinead De Gooyer and Gippsland Southern Health Services Julia Lomas.

Youth health rides on funding


SOUTH Gippsland FOCAS (Fo-cus on Care and Support) concluded the annual day of People with Dis-ability celebrations with a barbecue on Wednesday, December 8. Despite cloudy skies, the day went ahead at Guide Park in Wonthaggi. Around 40 members and supporters turned up for a delicious barbecue. Ham-pers and Christmas gifts were won after everyone received a free ticket in the raf e.

THERE are only four days until Christmas! Santa has prepared his sleigh and the reindeer are all set for the big round the world trip.

OUT of the 19 border collie pup-pies born in October, (11 were born on October 11), there are three pup-pies left to be sold. The family de-cided to keep two dogs and since advertising and word of mouth three weeks ago, they have sold 14 pup-

pies. Owner Maria Roberts said the dogs have their own personalities and are energetic.

WOORAYL Golf Club will celebrate its rst 50 years in April 2011. The club would like to hear from anyone who may have pho-tos, memorabilia or stories to tell. If you have any or know of anyone who could help, contact the club on 5662 4187.

THE LEONGATHA and Dis-trict Historical Society will be closed from December 17 until January 3.

The Mechanics Institute Mu-seum will be open throughout January for visitors to enjoy from noon to 4pm. To round off 2010, members gathered at the home of Pat and Jim Spinks for an end of year lunch. A delicious meal was

enjoyed by all thanks to the con-tributions of all the great member cooks.

On Australia Day, the society will hold a cemetery walk at the Leon-gatha Cemetery at 11.30am. Mem-bers of the public will be welcome to attend.

THE Anglican Church in Le-ongatha underwent some mainte-nance in the past couple of weeks. The guttering was replaced and some parts of the building were re-painted. Reverend Janet Wallis was happy with the new paint job. On-going preservation is always needed for old buildings.

LEONGATHA Gymnastics Club and Kinder Gym have calendars for sale with gymnasts posing as the let-ters in each month. This a great pres-ent for family. Phone Miranda on 0429 647 399 or Tegan on 0400 594 331.

Academic honour: Char-lotte Newcome of Wara-tah North graduated with honours from a Bachelor of Radiography and Medi-cal Imaging from Monash University, Clayton.

Charlotte attended St Laurences Primary School and Mary MacKillop Col-lege in Leongatha and is now working as a radiog-rapher in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales.

Watch me, kids: Meeniyan identity Fay Sinclair treated Grade 6 students at Tarwin Valley Primary School to Christmas cake decorating recently.

Each year, Fay volunteers her skills and time to show students how to decorate a traditional Christmas cake which is treasured by the students and their families.

A WHITE Cockatiel bird has been at the start of the rail trail in Leon-gatha. A couple found the bird there two days in a row, and have decided to rescue it and place it in a makeshift cage at home. If you know anything, or are the owner of this bird, please call 5662 4510.

ARE you a young person looking for a social outlet?

The Tarwin Junction Rovers could be for you.

Af liated with the scouting fraternity, the group offers social and adventure activi-ties for young people aged 18-26.

Rovers meet every Friday at the Leon-

gatha Scout Hall at 7.30pm and also takepart in other activities such as mud buggyracing, fundraising and interact with otherRovers and also scout groups throughout theregion.

They are also set to renovate a hall at theBell Park Scout Camp.

To nd out more, phone Trevor Wyhoonon 0429 421 126.

Good time guaranteedMaking money: Tarwin Junction Rovers Trevor Wyhoon, Ben Browning andMel Wolswinkel at the Farmers Market at Koonwarra.

Memorable night: Louise Dower and Maddie Dale enjoyed the Gippsland Associated Theatre awards in Leongatha recently.

THE members of the Leongatha Branch of Cake Decorating have been busy icing and decorating 32 cakes for those less fortunate at Christmas.

Volunteers have also made 80 individual plum puddings to give to residents at Woorayl Lodge and Koo-rooman House, Leongatha.

The club is a small, butproud, keen, versatile, youngand mature group of decora-tors. Members meet regularlyat members houses and withdifferent themes, go homewith masterpieces.

Anyone interested in join-ing should contact secretaryFay Sinclair 5664 4354.

We always say the morethe merrier and its good tocompare but better to share,she said.

Decorators give

Thinking of others: cake decorators, front, Astrid Cecil, Jacob Cecil, Amy Tudor, Jasmine Mackie and Judith Pettigrew. Back: Twila Cecil, Judy Ball, Fay Sinclair, Heather Bruce and Ethel Hanks.


Deputy Premier and Gippsland South MLA, Peter Ryan

I WOULD like to take the opportunity to wish the residents of Gippsland South a merry Christmas and happy and productive New Year.

This has been a year to remember for many reasons.

We had drought break-ing rain across much of Victoria, with Mel-bournes water storages rising above 50 per cent for the rst time since 2006, and of course there was a change of govern-ment in Victoria with the

Liberal Nationals Coali-tion winning both houses of Parliament.

After such an eventful year, the Christmas and the New Year period is a time where we can relax with our friends, our fam-ily and loved ones and

also re ect on the year that has been.

The festive season is also a time when we travel more on our roads, wheth-er that is to attend a Christ-mas party or getting away on that much deserved summer holiday.

I urge everyone who is planning to use our roads to take care and to be es-pecially aware of children on school holidays.

The Christmas sea-son gives us the oppor-tunity to appreciate what we have, our family and our friends, and also our community.

I wish all Gippsland South residents an enjoy-able and safe Christmas and New Year and look forward to a great 2011.

Leongatha 5662 3601Compass Arcade, 16 McCartin Street, LeongathaEmail: [email protected] Lic No. 30655

Sat., December 25 - Closed

Sun., December 26 - Closed

Mon., December 27 - Closed

Tues., December 28 - Closed

Sat., January 1, 2011 - Closed

Sun., January 2, 2011 - Closed

Mon., January 3, 2011 - Closed

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By Tessa Hayward

STUDENTS of GippsTAFE Le-ongatha will no longer have to go off campus for practical studies.

Their new facility will have every-thing they need.

GippsTAFE is moving from portable buildings to a state-of-the-art facility fur-ther down Nerrena Road.

The new $7.2 million facility was in the making for 10 years and now after 18 months of building, is ready for the 2011 intake of students.

General manager corporate services, Jim Vivian, said staff would move in early in the new year and the of cial opening should be held by March.

It is fantastic. It opens up a whole range of opportunities for students, he said.

GippsTAFE Leongatha now features: a high technology IT room that will

eventually be open 24/7 to allow students access to a computer whenever they need it;

a hairdressing area for students to practise cutting, colouring and styling hair;

a nursing facility to teach students how to tend to patients;

a restaurant called Wild ower with a big kitchen to help hospitality students with their studies; and

wireless internet to enable students

to access the internet wherever they are on site.

General manager of the Leongatha campus Stuart Cooper was overwhelmed by the new facility.

It is brilliant and we are very fortu-nate to have the building, he said.

It is designed to meet environmen-tal standards and GippsTAFE hopes to achieve the ve star green star rating.

We nd out in February but I am optimistic we will get it, architect Paul Morgan said.

He believed it was very important to focus on the environment.

I believe it will be the rst regional TAFE building in the state which will have a ve star green star if we succeed, he said.

In designing the building, Mr Morgan considered the surrounding elements and energy suf ciency.

It is an aerodynamic shape with wind scoops to help ventilation and to utilise air ows inside, he said.

The facility was built by Traralgon based company Kirway Constructions.

Builder James Fisher said it was a challenge to build, but fun.

The maximum workers we had on the job one day was 45 and most of them are from around this area, he said.

Mr Cooper is looking forward to wel-coming students to the new building when classes begin in February next year.

Modern look: GippsTAFE general manager corporate service Jim Vivian, architect Paul Morgan and Kirway Constructions James Fisher were satis ed with the nished building.

Christmas message

Deputy Premier, Peter Ryan.

TAFE to open at last

Pick freshALFIE, Maddi, Col-leen, Sulli and Harry Herbert picked fresh berries at the familys Herbert Hills Berry Farm, Leongatha.

People are welcome to pick young, silvan, logan and boysen berries at the farm at 5 Sawyer Street.

Its open all day on weekends and by appoint-ment Monday to Friday. For more information con-tact Dane or Colleen Her-bert on 5662 4801


Letters guidelinesALL letters should be kept to 400 words or less.The Star reserves the right to edit all letters for length and style. Writers details, including full name, address and phone number (not for publication), must be included.

VOXVOXPOP!

E D I T O R I A LIN RESPONSE to receiving the 2010 Yooralla Sis-ter Faith Award, we whole-heartedly thank Rever-end Dennis Simmons and the Leongatha Uniting Church council for opening their hearts and doors to this long standing program.

With their support on issues of integration, we established the U Music Cafe, a live music venue run by young adults with disability. These ne musicians have used the cafe to hone their performance and social skills.

Next year the U Music Cafe will be open to the community to access, enjoy and integrate. We invite original musicians to consider this performing space and be active in raising awareness on broad issues.

Our deep thanks goes to the parents of the U Music members for their boundless support and love which enables us all to grow.

We also take this time to thank and recognise the various community houses in South Gippsland and Bass Coast shires who have auspiced our programs over the past nine years.

As an independent volunteer service without funding, we have maintained our policy that children and local youth be given the opportunity to discover music without the stress of tuition fees impacting on the family home.

Thanks to the support of these good people many young people did discover music. The U Music Cafe hopes to see you all next year.

Dennis Kadmon and Anne-Marie Becu,Kongwak

Just to say thanks

Worthy winners: Dennis Kadmon and Anne-Marie Becu.

investigate the contents/issues in the 2009 survey report and develop strategies, plans and implement those changes in The South Gippsland Shire Council 2010 Policy.

This Local Government Community Satisfaction Survey reveals the strengths and weaknesses of this current shire council. The strengths identify recre-ational facilities 70/100, the cleaning up of public areas 71/100, customer services 70/100, health and community services 70/100 and local laws 63/100 as being the positives of this council. What about the negative stances on this council under its former mayor Cr Jim Fawcett?

There appears to be further weakness-es in this council considering the types of councillors we have representing us that are unprofessional, dictatorial, despotic, undemocratic and utilise manipulative values and practices to achieve their ob-jectives. These actions and decisions in this council term speak for itself.

This council on August 25 disallowed the functions of town planning issues usually openly discussed and debated in the council meetings to be nally handed over to the planning of cers, and initiated the council meeting changes to the read-ing out of the questions by the local resi-dents and ratepayers.

Other low scores included the urgent need to greatly improve local roads and footpaths 50/100, shire council advocacy and community representation and com-munication 57/100, community engage-ments 57/100, road traf c and parking issues 58/100, waste management issues 62/100, nancial and economic develop-ment practices and protocols 52/100 and other speci c issues excluded from the survey reveals the inadequacy of this council and the lack of professionalism of its controlling councillors.

The response of Cr David Lewis is ac-curate in that he states: If council wanted to improve, we only just have to bloody well read it (survey results).Council needed to spend more money on roads, rubbish and footpaths and less on of ce staff and buying buildings in Leongatha, referring to councils $1.4 million pur-chase of the Carinos Complex recently.

Paul Richardson,C48/51 Community WatchdogSouth Gippsland Community

Watchdog

Volunteerseverywhere

I READ with interest Cr Fawcettspraises for the people who recent-ly did drainage works on the Le-ongatha Recreation Reserve andthey certainly deserved praise forall that voluntary work.

However Cr Fawcett, voluntary workwasnt invented by those people you areso proud of.

Voluntary work has been around for along time. In the past most of the sportinggrounds and venues were put in place bypeople who worked long and hard to putthem there. All this was done by volunteerswho were not helped with grants of money.

I can speak with some knowledge ofthe Koonwarra Recreation Reserve whichreceived a facelift in the 1960s. The slop-ing ground, which was the cricket oval,was levelled with a great deal of helpfrom the Shire of Woorayl.

But, hows this for voluntary work CrFawcett?

We built the rotunda, toilets, completewith plumbing and water pump systemfrom the river; tennis courts, cricket pitchand lots of tree planting, all with volun-tary labour.

It is one of the best reserves in theshire.

Its rather dif cult to recall anythingmuch that the present council has donethat we can be proud of. McIndoe Parkis perhaps one thing done well. Probablycost thousands of dollars of Spring Streetmoney, but a delightful place.

Incidentally, the Koonwarra hall wasbuilt with voluntary labour as was one ofthe classrooms at the school.

All praise to volunteers; CFA, SESand many others who get satisfaction forwork done for the bene t of others.

Don Cook,Koonwarra

Poor report cardTHE reputation of the South Gippsland Shire Council, its management and the councillors who contributed to the Local Government Community Satis-faction Survey.

The article in The Star on August 10, Re-port card released, states, South Gippsland Shire Council has been rated adequate to ex-cellent by the people in the municipality.

Why hadnt the councillors provided addi-tional supportive actions to the recommendation rather than vote that the survey results be noted?

Other supportive actions could have been included in the recommendations towards the 2009 Survey Report to review the ndings and adopt strategic practices as The South Gippsland Shire Council 2010 Policy.

Why didnt the councillors suggest fur-ther insertion clauses in the recommendation to improve and follow up on the results into the future? This recommendation should have stated that council of cers further review and

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What is going to be your New Years resolution?

Heather PolettiFish Creek

My New Years reso-lution is to not have a resolution. I never end up keeping them.

Peter HallInverloch

Im aiming to stay t and healthy by continuing to go to the gym.

Matthew HoltChurchill

Im planning to do TAFE teaching at a Gipp-sTAFE campus.

Heidi PertzelChurchill

Im hoping to start my Bachelor of Arts degree next year.

WITH only days to nish ones Christmas shop-ping, no doubt people will be ling through the doors of South Gippsland businesses.

While this time of year is a major trading period, there is a way retailers in Leongatha could gain more business every day of the year.

Central to a towns economic success is the accessibility of shops and when it comes to Bair Street, there are opportunities to improve.

Businesses at the southern end of the street, particularly on the eastern side, are at a disadvantage, as parallel parking, alongside essentially highway traf c, is an impediment to customers.

Potential customers must either vie for limited parking in Bair Street or park elsewhere, such as in the IGA supermarket carpark, and then cross four lanes of highway traf c, all while avoiding motorists attempting to park.

With four large new shops built on the site of the former Gleesons Holden dealership and new businesses opening on the eastern side of Bair Street, this commercial strip must be made safer and more enticing to bring more customers to town.

Ideally, once trucks and buses are taken out of Bair Street when the heavy vehicle alternate route is eventually built, Bair Street would be remodelled.

Instead of four lanes of traf c, this could be reduced to two (one in each direction), and the other lane and existing parallel parking transformed into angle parking.

This would not only provide for easier and safer access, but would also increase the number of parking spaces available.

If space permits, and it may well not, a pull-in lane could be created alongside the angle parking, similar to what exists in Yar-ram, to allow motorists to reverse out of parking bays safely.

The existing four lanes help with traf c ow. But given two lanes of traf c enter Bair Street from either end, suddenly giving motorists the opportunity to pass in a vicinity where drivers are turning and attempting to reverse park, and pedestrians are cross-ing the road, is surely increasing the risk of collision.

Leongathas other main thoroughfare, McCartin Street, is safer and more shopper-friendly. Surely Bair Street could be too.

Street deserves more attention

Most photos that appear in The Star

can be purchased by calling 5662 2294.


LAURIE Pincini is well known at Walk-erville and throughout both local shires to all those that love rec-reational shing and boating.

Laurie is a founding fa-ther of The Walkerville Blue Water Boating and Angling Club, which was formed in early 1995. Laurie is the im-mediate past president.

For 15 and a half years Laurie has fought tirelessly for the boat club and its members.

His energies have been directed at efforts to obtain a boat ramp that would lead to safer and easier launching and recovery of boats for all boat operators.

Laurie has given an enor-mous amount of his time in these 15 years and it has come at a cost of a lot of hard work and on many occasions cost from his own pocket.

He has given his time and effort unsel shly and generously for what he believed could be a better way for all recreational boaters and shermen.

If anyone was in trouble at Walkerville with boats or at sea, the person that was turned to was usually Lau-rie. He has always been willing to assist all others in any way he could.

About nine or 10 years ago, a boat had broken down in the lee of Shellback Island.

A distress call had gone out from the broken down boat in the early evening and the police boat, which was in Morwell at the time, was coming to attend.

When the police boat did arrive at Walkerville the

tide was far to low to launch the boat. Laurie had also been advised of the situation. Laurie launched his boat and about 9pm set off, on his own, to Shellback and towed them back. This is only one of many times when Laurie has gone to the aid of those in distress.

His vision has not been limited to just a boat ramp but also for facilities that would allow search and res-cue teams quick and ready access to Waratah Bay in an emergency.

He has also a great concern for the safety of all other beach users and has tried to see that boating operations could be carried out safely with the lowest risk or incon-venience to all others.

He had foreseen theneed to have boat launch-ing and retrieval facilitythat was segregated fromother beach activities.

The original boat rampplan produced in 1996,largely through his experi-ence and knowledge is ba-sically the same as the onewhich was endorsed by anoverwhelming 78 per centin submissions to the Fore-shore Committee CoastalErosion Study 2006.

Laurie has worked sohard for a facility whereit would be relativelyeasy and safe to launchand recover a boat: a fa-cility where one person,be they 15 or 90 or thosewith women and children,had a reasonable chance oflaunching and recoveringa boat, without being halfdrowned, wet, buffeted bywaves, uninjured and with-out loss or damage to theirboat, vehicle or trailer.

He wanted all those whowent out in boats to have a

safe and enjoyable experience. Lauries strived for a de-cent boat ramp which was for all boat operators.

A boat ramp has not come to fruition; this is not fromlack of any effort on Lauries part but the sel sh meanspirited agenda and duplicity of others.

Laurie, on behalf of the Walkerville Progress As-sociation I sincerely thank you for your time, effort anddedication in the pursuit of better facilities for all. Mayyou have many more long and happy times in WaratahBay.

Steve Graham,President, Walkerville Progress Association.

Good on you, Laurie

Willing helper: Laurie Pincini with a ne catch.

Seeking detailsAT SOUTH Gippsland Shire Councils Ordinary Meeting No 342, Cr Harding commented, Mr Peter Ryan MP has made some positive promises to the eastern ward if elected.

It appears Cr Harding and Peter Ryan are the only pair in possession of the details pertaining to the promises.

Now that the conditions have been honoured and Peter is Deputy Premier of Victoria, does he and Cr Harding intend to ll the rest of us in about what the promises actually were and the bene ts we can anticipate look-ing forward to?

And will the Deputy Premier keep his pledge and deliver on the secret promises?

Robert Field,Venus Bay.

Empty barkTHE letter from the Watchdog (Star December 14) reminds me of the time I had a watchdog.

Itd bark when the sun came up and bark when the sun went down, and in between times hed bark.

He was at his best during the night the Man on the Moon sent him into a frenzy.

No one ever knew why he barked but it was agreed he was a terri c watchdog.

Ask them in Casey what they thought of my watchdog. Ask them in Endeavour Hills, but please dont ask us about watchdogs in South Gippsland. We enjoy putting them down.

F.A. Murphy,Leongatha.


Making Victoria FireReady

For more information contact:1800 240 667 www.cfa.vic.gov.au

Victoria is a great place for a holiday, but its also one of the worlds most re prone areas. So before heading off on a holiday to

country or coastal areas, make sure you visit the CFA website for information on how to prepare before you leave and what

to do when youre in a high risk bush re area. You can also call the Victorian Bush re Information Line on 1800 240 667.

One site you shouldvisit these holidays.

www.cfa.vic.gov.au

By Tessa Hayward

WASTE management for the future is an important issue to the community.

A recent public consultation forum received feedback from the South Gippsland community on South Gippsland Shire Coun-cils 2010-11 Waste Management Strategy.

Waste and resource consultant from Meinhardt Infrastructure and Environment, David Garner said: The aim of this presentation is to get feedback and to go forward in the future.

Mr Garner announced the 2009-10 waste results.

There was an average of 282 kilograms of waste per person last year, he said.

People at the forum were able to have a say in what they would like to see happen.

On the issue of kerbside collec-tion, most people wanted to maintain the current system and include high-er population rural and coastal areas into the system.

When transfer stations were dis-cussed, the most popular option was to maintain the location of transfer stations, however upgrade them

against ResourceSmart Victoria best practice criteria.

This includes ensuring proper storage of materials and increasing the range of materials diverted from land ll.

Catherine McGlead of Fish Creek said it is dif cult disposing of waste as she has to travel to Foster or Walkerville transfer stations.

It is confusing knowing what times and days the transfer stations are open, she said.

Ms McGlead would be happy to take her rubbish out to the kerb to be picked up.

The idea of a tip shop was also suggested.

Some people were confused by the strategy.

It is tricky to select an option, Heather Gregg, president of the Poowong Community Consultative Committee, said.

I am speaking on behalf of Poo-wong. I am looking after the towns interest so I have to make the right decision, she said.

In response to the issue of public litter bins and public place recycling, people said they want recycling in-stalled in public places alongside public litter bins.

The option chosen for kerbside green waste collection service was

to provide a fortnightly kerbside green waste collection service to all areas that receive a kerbside collec-tion service currently, not including Venus or Waratah Bay.

The last issue to discuss was or-ganic waste treatment.

Some wanted an identi cation of a local composting enterprise that could process green waste.

Another popular option was to evaluate requirements for the coun-cil to operate or tender a South Gippsland based organic treatments facility.

Others wanted to promote and subsidise home composting for all households.

This includes compost bin sub-sidy provided in return for attending a lesson on the operation of a com-post bin.

The strategy aims to provide an array of actions that will en-able council to deliver a high level of waste management services to residents and businesses while also achieving environmental goals and nancial sustainability, councils waste management co-ordinator, Geoff McKinnon said.

Mr Garner hopes to have a draft strategy written up soon.

By Sharni Gray

LEONGATHA Pri-mary School had its end of year Grade 6 graduation dance on Monday, December 13 at Memorial Hall.

From the start of term four, we have been prac-tising the seven dances.

We danced the Boot Scootin Boogie, Nut Bush, St Bernard, Eve-ning Three Step, Pride of Erin, Tangoette and the Barn Dance.

Memorial Hall was decorated with artwork that we had made in the past term, including sil-houettes of ourselves and our graduation heads.

All the girls wore nice dresses and shoes. The boys wore tailored shirts and pants, and some wore ties. Every-one looked great!

It was interesting when we danced with

Future planning: waste and resource consultant Dave Garner (right) talked about the issues for discussion with Steve Finlay (left).

What to do with waste

School dance: Grade 6 Leongatha Primary School students Branson Ama-to, Jarrod Hoy, Kyle Cooper, Lisa Clark, Paige Matthews and Remi Ryan danced the night away.

Dance marks eras endthe parents because they didnt know the dances very well.

After we had nished dancing, we got in our lines on stage and sang our graduation song called Shine by Shannon Noll.

The Grade 6s were

then presented with their graduation certi cates.

We then formed a large circle and sang Firework by Katy Perry.

Our parents then joined us and took photos.

We were feeling very emotional because some

of our friends are going to Leongatha Secondary College, Mary MacKil-lop, Newhaven or other schools in the area.

The evening ended with supper and goodbyes.

It was the end of an-other great year.


Left: Wish list: Maggie Adcock told Santa what she wanted for Christmas during the Leongatha traders three hour sale last Thursday.

Right: Colourful clown: Miki Hill-iar received a bal-loon ower from Koko the clown and had her photo taken with him as he wandered the streets of Leon-gatha during the three hour sale last Thursday.

Left: Raising funds: SES vol-unteers put on a barbecue for the public, to raise funds for the Leongatha SES Unit light appeal. SES volunteer member Jacqui McDonnell had her photo taken with Santa.

By Tessa Hayward

THE Returned and Services League (RSL), Leongatha has provided Christ-mas hampers to war widows and veterans for a long time.

Sub-branch secretary Anne Davies said: I have been here for 17 years and the giving of the Christ-mas hampers started be-fore me.

We give hampers to war veterans and widows as that is what the RSL is here for.

The RSL was formed in 1916 by troops return-ing from World War One to preserve the spirit of mateship, to honour the memory of the fallen and to help each other.

The Leongatha RSL helps the war veterans and widows by giving them a little Christmas cheer to share with family or have

Spreading Christmas cheer

by themselves.We are giving out

about 135 hampers this year. The hampers include food and drink items that people might not necessar-ily buy for themselves, Ms Davies said.

The Leongatha RSL also provides aged care facilities with shortbread and drink as some veter-ans and widows are resid-ing there.

A lot of people are on their own, we want to do

what we can to help them, Ms Davies said.

All items are purchased from IGA by the Leon-gatha RSL and are packed and distributed before Christmas.

Sharing is caring: supervisor Ricky McNaughton with the Christmas ham-pers to be given out.

L E O N G A T H A RSL has donated a cheque to the Woorayl Lodge to assist with the costs of laying new vinyl in the dining room.

Woorayls Gary Van Sinderen was impressed with the support shown, but said that it comes as no surprise.

The RSL has been good to us over the years. Ten or 11 of our residents are veterans or widows of veterans, he said.

Woorayl Lodge has also been busy welcom-ing new manager, Jo White.

RSL cheques in

Thanks: Leongatha RSLs Peter Carruthers presents a cheque to Woorayl Lodges Keith Marshman, new manager Jo White and residents Hazel Mor-ley and Bertha Andrew.


By Jane Ross

ROSE Lodge in Won-thaggi has gained 30 new beds, bring-ing it to a 100 place facility.

The lodge provides low care to the elderly, but 11 of the new beds will be designated high care.

Staff are thrilled about that because residents will now be able to remain in the one place if their health deteriorates.

It also means couples will be able to stay togeth-er in the lodge even if one needs high care.

The new beds are ex-pected to cost up to $5 million and Rose Lodge will be calling on the community to help raise some of that. There is no capital assistance from government.

The new wing will be built onto and around the back of the 24-bed exten-sion that was opened last April.

It was constructed spe-ci cally to be able to ac-commodate another wing.

Manager Ella Duder and immediate past com-mittee president Len Jack-son, said they hope con-struction might start by the middle of next year.

The beds are badly needed. Rose Lodge has a waiting list of 40.

That comes as no sur-prise because the facility has a special atmosphere.

The rooms are homely, the passageways wide, the staff cheery and friendly and an extraordinary band of well over 100 volun-teers. There are two spa rooms and a therapy room where a quali ed masseur volunteers her time two days a week.

The grounds are de-lightful, with the front taken over by rose bushes of many a hue.

A smart coffee shop complete with espresso machine, is used by resi-dents during activity out-ings. It was the idea of CEO Trevor Godenzi, who has had to resign for health reasons.

He will be replaced by Beverley Walsh, who starts on February 1. She is from Melbourne, but has had a holiday house in the area and is moving down.

Ella said Rose Lodge has always been very well supported by the Wont-haggi community.

Last Friday was a case in point. Representatives of the Powlett Masonic Lodge visited to present a cheque for $3280.

30 new beds for Rose LodgeIve already spent it!

declared Ella.She bought a projec-

tor for staff training and a patient lifting machine, which came at the request of Ambulance Victoria.

The Masons were in-vited for morning tea,

served in capacious mugs with saucers and delicious sandwiches, jelly cakes, fruit cake and slices of White Christmas.

Its no surprise that none of the 70 residents ever complains about the food at Rose Lodge.

Extension: Rose Lodge manager Ella Duder (left) and new committee secretary Margaret Tobin, dis-cuss plans for a new 30-bed wing.

Community: this photograph evokes the community atmosphere of Rose Lodge. From left are members of the Powlett Masonic Lodge, Bryce Jeffrey, Glen Richards and Rev Phillips, clinical care co-ordinator Helen Papadopou-los, personal carer Marg Hill and in the lifting aid is Chloe Hagigeorgiou.Chloe, 10, is holidaying with her grandparents John and Margaret Tobin, who has just become secretary of the Rose Lodge committee. A donation from the Masons paid for the lifting aid and projector.

Money: Powlett Lodge members Bryce Jeffrey (seated left) and Rev Phil-lips (standing left) with Rose Lodge committee president Bill Berry (seated) and his predecessor Len Jackson. The Masons presented Rose Lodge with a cheque for $3280.

By Tessa Hayward

FOR those who have not yet bought their loved ones a Christ-mas present, the Koonwarra Day Spa is the perfect place to buy a gift voucher for a spa treatment.

The Koonwarra Day Spa features great specials over the Christmas period.

The most popular treatment being purchased at the moment is the one hour hot stone massage for $95, owner Linda Dunlop said.

This treatment also comes with a free half hour hydro spa.

All our treatments can be for indi-viduals or for couples, she said.

Couple treatments are the spas spe-ciality.

The Koonwarra Day Spa will calm minds and soothe bodies with gentle, re-laxing treatments that will ease any stress or tension.

Ms Dunlop said the spa is set amongst peaceful bushland in the eco-friendly tourist village of Koonwarra.

Other specials on offer this Christmas

are a 75 minute summer pedicure for $75, which includes a free half an hour D-Tox spa and for $50, a half an hour aromatic cocoon which includes a free mini-facial.

If a person purchases all three special packages for $220, it becomes a half day pamper session and a free morning or af-ternoon tea is included, Ms Dunlop said.

All of the treatments on special also feature free treatments and refreshments.

Another promotion Ms Dunlop has announced is if a person spends over $500 they receive a $50 gift voucher.

Buy your mother, sisters and friends presents in the same place and receive a free gift voucher for yourself, she said.

The Koonwarra Day Spa features three therapists and offers friendly, profes-sional service and a full range of reason-ably priced day spa treatments.

We have sold a lot of gift vouchers and expect to be very busy after Christmas, so people should get in quick and make an early booking, Ms Dunlop said.

For more information contact the Koonwarra Day Spa on 5664 2332 or on their website www.koonwarraspa.com.au

By Tessa Hayward

POTTERY has been in Rob-ert Barrons life since he was born.

His mother was a potter and passed on the talent to her son.

Robert owns Gooseneck Pottery and has been operating the kiln there for the past 25 years.

I built the kiln myself. It was

based on one I saw while travelling overseas, he said.

Robert completed his pottery apprenticeship at Cornwall Bridge Pottery in Connecticut, USA, dur-ing his ve year journey across New Zealand, North America, England, Europe and South Korea.

He worked with many wood ring potters and frequented work-shops, art schools, galleries and museums.

Spa treatment: Emma Cope, Stacey Levey, Linda Dunlop and Judy Stock-dale of the Koonwarra Day Spa.

Last minute gift ideas

Glazing the potteryRobert is now doing a lot more

teaching and speaking at conferences about pottery.

I recently got back from a con-ference in Germany, he said.

The Gooseneck kiln is one of the largest wood- red kilns in Australia. It is red over a four to ve day pe-riod twice a year.

It is exhausting. Once it is n-ished all I want to do is sleep, Rob-ert said.

Roberts apprentice Jennifer Hal-li, from the USA, of cially started in April this year and has been a great help.

I am learning lots and really en-joying it, she said.

Robert and Jennifer worked for three to four months making the pottery.

They then had to stack it all into the kilns, which took weeks. They red for ve days. The wood melted into a glaze over the pottery.

It depends on where the pottery is placed to decide what it will come out like, Robert said.

Robert and Jennifer nished r-ing on Wednesday, November 24.

It was a really good ring. We are very happy with the results, Robert said.

They are now setting the pottery out on display in preparation for their exhibitions over summer.

The price ranges from $2 to $5,800, Robert said.

He makes a lot of domestic items although he is starting to produce much larger items as well.

Some of his pieces are in galler-ies overseas. Arizona University has a few.

Robert and Jennifer are excited about the exhibitions over summer and are hoping for good turnouts.

Gooseneck Potterys Christmas exhibition will be running on De-cember 11-12, 10am until 5pm.

Teamwork: Robert Barron and his apprentice Jennifer Halli with some of the pottery.


FAY Smallman has clocked up 50 years of continuous employ-ment at Gippsland Southern Health Service.

A surprise breakfast to mark the occasion was held last Tuesday and attended by many of Fays past and present colleagues, as well as her hus-band John Smallman and sister Wilma Norton.

Fay was presented with a gold watch and owers by health service di-rector of nursing, Neil Langstaff.

Health service CEO Gary Tem-pleton said her 50 years of service to the Leongatha Memorial Hospi-tal and the service was a remarkable achievement.

Not only has she spent her entire working life caring for people and their families in the South Gippsland community, she has continually updat-ed her nursing and management skills and is a highly-valued member of our team, he said.

Fay completed her nursing training at the Gippsland Base Hospital in Sale in the mid 1950s, followed by mid-wifery training at the Queen Victoria Hospital in Launceston, Tasmania.

She joined the Woorayl District Nursing Hospital (now known as the Leongatha Memorial Hospital) in No-vember 1960.

During her 50 year career, Fay has raised a family of three children, spent 15 years running the family dairy farm while husband John worked off-farm, as well as working night duty for the past 45 years.

GIPPSLAND Southern Health Service last week honoured 43 staff members who have accumulated 795 combined years of service.

Among them were Noel Owen, who was worked for the past 35 years in radiology, and Jill Davies and Grace Adamo who have given 30 years of service.

Jill started in pathology and has worked in a number of administrative roles across the service and is currently in the Leongatha general ward.

Grace has worked in aged care and is currently at Koorooman House.

Service recognition badges were presented to these three staff members as well as 11 staff who have worked at the service for 10 years; seven staff for 15 years; 13 staff for 20 years and nine staff for 25 years service.

Festive greetings, diary notesON behalf of council and staff, Id like to wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas.

Retailers are busy providing for the last minute rush so please support them by shopping locally.

Young people whove been away from the district for education or work are around town for the festive season.

Its a special time of the year for most people, but not all, so keep an eye out for those who might appreciate being included in the warmth of your family gathering (for many farmers the best Christmas present this year would be a spell of dry weather to get their hay in!)

Council of ces will be closed from Christmas Eve until Tuesday, January 4. Details of holiday arrangements for services (such as waste management, HACC) and emergency contact numbers are outlined in the Council Noticeboard ad in this paper.

There are lots of markets and activities on over the holidays, and a list of these can be downloaded from www.visitpromcountry.com.au . Coal Creek and the Visitor Information Centres (1800 630 704) at Foster and Korumburra will be open on all days except Christmas Day.

Be sure to make use of our public swimming pools too. These are facilities maintained with your rates dollars and as we nalise our Aquatic Strategy, well be watching with interest to see how much patronage these pools receive in ratio to their maintenance costs.

Please note Wednesday, January 19 in your diaries for the Australia Day Awards Ceremony in the Memorial Hall at 7.30pm.

Candidates have been nominated in the categories of South Gippsland Citizen, Young Citizen and Community Event of the Year. Its a terri c way to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of so many people in our community and wed enjoy your support to show our appreciation.

I attended the recent launch of the Loch Community Plan and was pleased to note that some of the prioritised projects have already been budgeted for by council, so its a quick start to realising some of their goals.

By becoming involved in your local plan you help ensure that it really does represent the wishes and needs of your community.

Have your re plan ready now: the long grass will quickly dry off and may present South Gippsland with problems we normally do not encounter. Please consider safety in all your holiday activities - on the roads, in the water, hiking and extreme heat, to name a few. No one ever expects to be a statistic, so lets lessen the odds. Be patient on the roads and at times when we might have to queue for service. Our visitors are supporting our economy so please make them welcome in our world and encourage them to return.

I join my fellow councillors and staff in wishing you all a wonderful 2011.

Warren RaabeMayor

JOY Johnson was awarded a life membership of the Probus Club of Leongatha at the clubs Christmas luncheon at the Dakers Centre last week.

President Leo Bleeser opened proceedings by announcing the honour for the clubs foundation member.

Joy has dedicated a great deal of her time and expertise to enhancing the friendship, fellowship and fun for all members.

She has kept the clubs membership records for all or most of the 21 years she has been a member, and during that time has been, and still is, an enthusiastic committee member.

Her wealth of knowledge and experience is always valued and appreciated.

Joy has also been busy in the wider community, involved in the Leongatha Agricultural and Pastoral Society show, a judge of cooking exhibits at the Royal Melbourne Show, and a long time member of the Leongatha Horticultural Society, just to name a few.

Joys skill in cake decorating was on show at the Probus Clubs 20th anniversary celebrations; she decorated the beautiful anniversary cake. She even made the stunning table decorations for the recent Christmas lunch.

The announcement was greeted with applause and congratulations from all. Well done Joy.

Members enjoyed an excellent two course meal, provided by the hard working Stony Creek ladies. A great way to wind up 2010.

Fay cares for 50 years

Looking back: Fay Smallman with Jan Curtis, Jill Briscoe, Sybil Smith, Wilma Norton and Marg Waldron. Jill works at the health service with Fay and the other women are former nurses.

Fay now works night shift and is responsible for the running of the gen-eral ward at Leongatha. She shows no sign of slowing down.

Fays career at Gippsland South-ern Health Service began when she returned from Launceston to learn her mother had put her name and her sister Wilmas name down on the

staf ng register. Miss Jean McRae, the rst matron

at Woorayl, contacted and advised Fay and Wilma they were on the roster and to report for duty immediately.

This all took place without any for-mal interviews or reference checks, or indeed without either Fay or Wilma agreeing to accept the offer of em-

ployment or discussing the work conditions.

Fay started in midwifery, an ex-tremely busy ward with 10 beds, four of which were on the balcony of the old hospital.

The average length of stay for new mothers was eight to 10 days, with ba-bies taken care of by the midwives in

the nursery and brought out for four-hourly feeds, then returned to the nurs-ery. Demand feeding was unheard ofin the 1960s.

Fay recalled the long hours mid-wives and doctors were required towork.

If you were rostered on the after-noon shift and there were patients dueto give birth, you were automaticallyon call overnight. There was only onecerti cate nursing sister on night dutywhich meant that you could work 24hours in one shift and if you had anearly shift the following day, youwere expected to present for work asusual.

Re ecting on the major changes innursing at Leongatha Hospital over thepast 50 years, Fay said patients stayedin the ward up to two days instead ofseven days, and the volume of paper-work now required takes up a greaterpart of each shift.

She also commented about the in-formality of todays workplace. WhenFay started nursing, matrons werecalled Miss and doctors were alwaysreferred to by their title, never their rst names. Now Fays colleagues ad-dress each other by their rst namesregardless of seniority and the healthservice has a male director of nursingfor the rst time in its 50 years.

Often doctors worked all night atthe hospital without rest.

One doctor, whom I wont name,was accustomed to walking into thekitchen and requesting at least fourslices of toast, topped with eggs andbacon after each delivery.

Praised for dedication

Loyal trio: long term employees at Gippsland Southern Health Service, Grace Adamo, Noel Owen and Jill Davies.

Probians surprise Joy

Outstanding dedication: Probus Club of Leongatha presi-dent, Leo Bleeser, and the clubs newest life member, Joy Johnson.

Mayors messageWarren Raabe

Mayor


By Tessa Hayward

LEAVING a school after 13 years of being principal is a daunting task.

However Robyn Halliwell is up for the challenge.

An opportunity arose in special education at the Catholic Education Of ce in Warragul which I decided to take, she said.

Ms Halliwell is very passion-ate about this area of education and wants to ensure all children are hav-ing inclusive curriculum at school.

She will be able to further her re-lationships with principals, teachers, parents and students to better help them.

Her new job involves working in a team and liaising with schools to implement national and state wide inclusive education initiatives.

It will be different working in a team, but it is a welcome change, she said.

Even though Ms Halliwell is leaving her position as principal at St Laurences Primary School in Le-

ongatha, she will be working with schools and families to set goals and strategies to help learning and be-havioural dif culties.

Ms Halliwell is currently do-ing her graduate diploma of psy-chological studies online at Deakin University.

I am doing this diploma as I am interested in the subject and it will also assist me in meeting the needs of children, she said.

All schools have kids with needs and she wants to help them meet those.

After graduating from Frank-ston Teachers College in 1978, her rst teaching job was at St Patricks Primary School at Mentone and then at St Marys Primary School, Hampton.

She became principal of St Marys Primary School, Yarram in 1989 and then moved to St Laurences as prin-cipal in 1997.

I have loved my 13 years at St Laurences. It has been a rewarding and enriching experience, Ms Hal-liwell said.

Catholic primary schools give a

fully rounded education with spiri-tual and school education learning, she believes.

The Christian values taught at school are needed in everyday liv-ing, she said, naturally drawn to teaching at Catholic schools because of her own faith.

Leaving St Laurences after 13 years will be hard for Ms Halliwell as so many memories are shared there.

I am really going to miss the small everyday things, she said.

A little boy ran up to her one day yelling: Theres a husband in the toilet! The husband was actually a huntsman.

Its the little things I am going to miss; the new buildings are great but the interaction with students and teachers was very rewarding, she said.

Ms Halliwell said she couldnt have asked for a better team to work with as they are a wonderful com-munity and she is very fortunate.

The kids are so joyous and gen-erous; I am sad to go but am looking forward to a change, she said.

Interaction: principal Robyn Halliwell is going to miss being with studentsMadison, Aidan, Tanya, John and Chelsea.

Goodbye St Laurences

SAINT Laurences Primary School, Le-ongatha, held an end of school Mass last Thursday.

Awards were presented and staff farewelled, in-cluding 13-year principal Robyn Halliwell and Judy Johnson, after 25 years in the of ce.

Robyn was presented with a beautiful painting by staff and students had compiled a giant Good-bye Robyn card with all their best wishes.

Award winners were: Mary MacKillop

Award: Caitlin Charles and Nicholas Brown;

Majellan Bursary: Phillipa Littlejohn and So-phie Thomas;

Sisters Of St Josephs Award: Janie Gordon;

RSL Sponsorship: Grade 6, Oliver Maclean; Grade 5, Sara Riseley; Grade 4, Belinda Den-brok; Grade 3, Nata-lie Coombes; Grade 2, Brooke Johnstone; Grade 1, Jesseme Jarvis; Prep, Liam Smart.

Farewell Mass success

Mary MacKillop award: deputy principal at Mary MacKillop College, SamWright, with award recipients Nicholas Brown and Caitlin Charles.

Special awards: Janie Gordon, Phillippa Littlejohn and Sophie Thomas re-ceived awards.

Class awards: back row from left, Oliver Maclean (Grade 6), Liam Smart(Grade Prep), Jesseme Jarvis (Grade 1). Front from left, Sara Riseley (Grade 4), Belinda Denbrok (Grade 3), Natalie Coombes (Grade 2), Brooke Johnstone (Grade 1).

STUDENTS from St Laurences, Leongatha and St Josephs Ko-rumburra primary schools rode to Inverloch last Tuesday as the culmination of their Bike Edu-cation Program.

Heading off from Leongatha, stu-dents, teachers and volunteer parents took the route via Outtrim for lunch before nishing the ride 39km later,

camping overnight at the Inverloch foreshore camping grounds.

The group enjoyed ideal conditions for the ride and almost balmy condi-tions for the overnight camp. An early start saw them all pack their tents, tidy the grounds and enjoy breakfast.

They completed the almost 80km return trip to Leongatha in good time just as the rst spits of rain started.

Outtrim stopover: getting ready to ride out after enjoying lunch are Nico-las, Josie and Lauren.

Cycling feat accomplished

THE Grade 6 students of Wonthaggi North Primary School graduated at a cer-emony last Thursday.

The event, held at the Wonthag-gi Union Community Arts Centre, was conducted by the 2010 student leaders and special awards were given by guest presenters, teachers and the principal team.

Family and friends were enter-tained with a dance, a recital of the poem The Man From Ironbark and student performances. A slideshow presentation of the year touched emotions throughout the centre.

All students were presented with a graduation certi cate, while several students received special awards for their outstanding con-tributions and academic results across various subjects and the school.

Emotions spill at graduation

Award winners: Aimee Tessari, female sports; Sophie Huther, sci-ence; Alanna Stein, music; Imogen Kaye-Helmot, special award; Jack Gow, social award; Logan Brann, mathematics; Jim Legione, male sports; and Kai Jamieson, achievement. Absent: Beth Reggardo, achievement; and Tiffany Johnstone-Purvis, English.


Meals roster

(Leongatha)Reformed Church La-dies, Mr and Mrs Hogan and St Peters Ladies Guild will be responsible for the delivery of meals on wheels, the week be-ginning December 27, 2010.Rotary, Leongatha Red Cross and S. Birch will be responsible for the delivery of meals on wheels, the week begin-ning January 3, 2011.

By Tessa Hayward

HASSETT Street kindergarten stu-dents are very excited about getting a visit from Santa the night before Christmas.

The Leongatha kindergarten has been making Christmas decorations since No-vember and now has a very festive looking room.

We enjoy getting the kids excited about Christmas, teacher Jodie McGannon said.

Students put on a Christmas concert for their families which involved singing and dancing.

The kids really enjoyed it, they had little costumes, sang Christmas carols and then danced with their family and friends, Mrs McGannon said.

The concert was held at St Laurences Primary Schools new performing arts and sport hub.

Students came out in graduation gowns and sang songs, and then

the great southern star

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