The gazette september 2014

September 2014Volume 5, No 7

Monthly Newsletter

THEGazette

(Back row) Hawthorn House volunteer Dianne Madden, Horticulture student Chloe Pinker, Debra Wych of Hawthorn House (front row) Lecturer Leah Goodrem and Conservation and Land management students Ross Remaj and Kyle Wood.

When Great Southern Institute of Technology students blend learning with community projects, both parties benefit.This was demonstrated recently with the

institute’s donation of more than 100 native plants to Albany dementia facility Hawthorn House to landscape the gardens at its new location.Hawthorn House Manager Lorraine

Benson said staff and clients were extremely appreciative of the plants, which had already given them great pleasure in the few weeks since the building opened.Lorraine said gardens were therapeutic

places for people with dementia.“We have a lot of farmers and people who

have tended gardens for many years, and it’s important they can continue to enjoy them,” Lorraine said.She said beyond the back garden were

paddocks with cattle and kangaroos, which enhanced the setting and were particularly appreciated by people from rural areas.The water-wise plants also fit in to the

facility’s environmental sustainability ethos, complementing the solar panels and rainwater tanks.

Continued on page 2

Community project grows goodwill

Great Southern Gazette – September 20142

To access this newsletter as a PDF by email or for a printed copy, phone 9892 8888.To download a PDF, visit the website www.gsit.wa.edu.au. The Gazette is on the Publications page under the ‘About Us’ tab.

Want to read The Gazette in another format?

From page 1Cultivated by students

of horticulture and conservation and land management at the institute’s Albany campus, the plants include bottlebrushes, kangaroo paws, woolly bushes and callistemons, all chosen for their low maintenance and tolerance to the coastal climate.Lecturer Leah Goodrem

said the students started propagating them about 12 months ago from seeds and cuttings in the institute’s nursery, which is accredited by the Nursery Industry Association of WA.“We provide stock for

revegetation programs by local community groups, and these are good opportunities for students to work on real-life projects to benefit others,” Leah said.Leah said soils were

tested for dieback and other diseases before plants were sent from the nursery.“Nurseries cannot supply

plants for revegetation unless they are accredited with the NIAWA,” Leah explained.Now spring is here, the

plants are growing and starting to flower, making a tranquil setting for the various seating areas

around Hawthorn House’s gardens, and a fitting backdrop to the impressive, homely new facility.The project was instigated

by the institute’s Human Resources Officer Dianne Madden, who is also an advocate and fundraiser for Hawthorn House.Lorraine paid tribute

to Dianne for her idea and enthusiasm, and to all community groups and individuals who helped Hawthorn House,

particularly with their move to the new Henry Street respite centre.“People have been

amazing,” Lorraine said.“We survive because we

have the community behind us – we have a very big appreciation for everyone who has helped us,” she added.“We’re very much a

community home and we are working for the benefit of people within the community.”

Community project grows goodwill

The back garden faces paddocks, where cattle and kangaroos provide a welcome diversion for clients.

www.gsinstitute.wa.edu.au

Great Southern Gazette – September 2014 3

For one Great Southern Institute of Technology student, training for a new vocation has brought life-changing rewards.Having fostered Aboriginal children in

Australia’s far-north, Dallas Durrant missed the nurturing role after moving to the south coast.Working in office administration was not

giving her the satisfaction she craved.“It wasn’t where my heart was, even

though I had an awesome boss,” Dallas said.Looking around for training to take her to

her true vocation in Aboriginal education, children’s services or youth work, she discovered the Certificate III in Mentoring (Wirdanyiny) delivered at Great Southern Institute of Technology for people aiming to work with Indigenous people in a mentoring role.“The course was everything I had been

looking for, and the lecturers were fantastic,” Dallas said.She described how lecturers Paula

Foenander and Simon London had helped her to overcome her initial reticence and

perceived obstacles to training.“Each problem I had, they had a solution

to,” she said.“I thought I couldn’t afford it, but they told

me how to put a payment plan in place. I said I couldn’t get to class as it was 50km away, so they organised a lift for me, and when I didn’t think I had time to do the course, they suggested I put to my boss that I could work casual instead of full time.”Paula and Simon’s encouragement did not

stop there, nor in the classroom once Dallas started her studies.Under Paula’s guidance, Dallas mentored

six teenaged Aboriginal girls at North Albany Senior High School as part of her course, an experience she found invaluable.“Everything you think you know in class is

different when you are in the field,” Dallas said.“I have learnt how rich the Aboriginal

culture is, and I have a genuine compassion, empathy, respect and understanding for the Aboriginal people,” she said.

Continued on page 7

Course leads to dream vocation

Dallas Durrant (centre) has found her niche at a Christian boarding school in Esperance. She is pictured on a school excursion with Crystal and Isha Forrest.


From the MD’s Desk

As we end Term 3 this Friday, I would like to thank you for your hard work and enthusiasm so far this year.When we come back for

Term 4, we’ll be on the downhill run to the end of the year, which will be a busy eight weeks.

Skills West ExpoOur institute was represented last week at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. We collaborated with the other six regional institutes to present the Training in the Regions stand at Skills West Expo.Jan Auld and Bev Baxter

organised the event on behalf of all the state training providers, and report good numbers of people attending and a few enquiries for courses at our institute.

Records managementThis section is coming along in leaps and bounds since Ches Leonard took the reins, ably assisted by Carolyn Heffernan. A lot of changes have taken place, and we will see a few more in the coming months.

Institute Consultative CommitteeWe received two nominations for two support staff positions on the Institute Consultative Committee, so Ches Leonard and Liz Bailey

were appointed.I encourage lecturing staff

to apply for a position on this committee, which allows staff to bring concerns to the attention of the executive.See more information on

this committee on page 12.

Health sciences blockWe are preparing for the official opening of the health sciences block on 31 October, by the Hon. Kim Hames, MLA, Minister for Training and Workforce Development, and the Hon. Terry Redman MLA, Minister for Regional Development.Staff who wish to attend,

and those bringing their students, should contact reception in L Block at the Albany campus, so we will know how many to cater for.I send a big thank you

to Facilities staff under the management of Neil Augustson for the excellent job they have done to bring the new building to opening, and for their assistance in moving furniture and equipment. My thanks also go to IT

Manager Justin Laing and his team for their significant efforts. It has been a mammoth

task, but the smoothness of the operation has been impressive, and shows what can be achieved when everyone works together.Health Sciences and

Community Services staff have made the big move and the vacant section of M Block and all of A Block are being renovated. Pictures of the new building

are on pages 14 and 15 of this edition.

Library Resource CentreA major review of the Library Resource Centre has resulted in a dynamic new plan which will create wonderful learning spaces for students of the future. Work will start on the library next year.

Reconciliation Action PlanShirley Hansen has worked hard on the RAP, which will be launched on 27 October outside the new M Block. Noongar Elder and

Reconciliation Australia board member Jim Morrison will launch the plan.The RAP has been

endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, and we may now show their logo on this document.

40th anniversaryLexy Grover and the Communications staff have been busy with preparations for the institute’s 40th anniversary and opening of the new building. Invitations have been sent to selected guests and industry contacts, a book has been produced and Director Organisational Effectiveness Chris Jones is organising the contents for a new time capsule to be sealed and placed in a wall cavity on the day.

Continued on page 5


From the MD’s Desk

From page 4Semester 1 2015Applications are open for Semester 1 next year, and Student Support Manager Jan Auld has reported good numbers of enquiries.

Regional campusesThe executive management team held its meeting in Katanning last month. This was a good opportunity for the executive to meet the campus staff and we learnt a lot and shared information during the day.In Mount Barker, enrolment patterns are

excellent across courses in senior first aid, Certificate III in Aged Care and Certificates II and III in Business and Children's Services.

The Environment and Primary IndustriesPortfolio Manager Neil Binning is on leave until early December, so Peter Young is acting PM for this period. I wish Peter all the best in this role.Neil, Skills Development Centre Portfolio

Manager Jan Davidson and I recently visited Muresk to look at primary industry and short course delivery from that institute.Research into the possibilities is continuing. For Neil, this was an opportunity to visit his old stomping ground.

Trades and Primary IndustriesNew pre-apprenticeship qualifications have

been developed for electrotechnology and plumbing.Lecturers Andrea Gallagher and Michael

Stone have been visiting trainees in Christmas Island. Michael has four building and construction trainees, and Andrea has four hospitality trainees across two qualifications. Both report all their trainees are

progressing well.

Professional developmentWe are working on a whole-of-staff PD for

early next year. In the meantime, if you identify a training

course which you believe would benefit you, discuss it with your manager for funding.Our institute is travelling well financially,

and we are on course to achieve profile – or even exceed it – by the end of the year, which is good news as we go into the break before the last term.If you are taking leave, enjoy your break,

and travel safely if you are going away.

Until next month,Happy Reading.Lidia

Need stationery?

Visit the GSIT bookshop first!


Regional training in Perth spotlightJan Auld and Bev Baxter organised a stand on behalf of all seven regional state training providers at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre last weekend. The stand – Training in the Regions – gave the institutes an opportunity to talk to expo visitors from all over Western Australia. Representatives from most participating institutes attended the three-day expo to expound the benefits of vocational education and training in regional centres. Jan Auld is pictured at the Training in the Regions stand.

Access All Areaswith Wendy Macliver

Here are a few simple things you can do to make your Word documents more accessible for everyone. • Use a 12 point sans-serif font such as

Arial.• Use Word styles with headings.

Headings will allow screen reader users to navigate through the page easily and will make the page more usable for everyone.

• Add alternative text for images, in the Description box. If an image is only decorative then write this in the description box.

• Use headers in tables and repeat the

header row.• Use high contrast colours.• Don’t use colour alone to convey

information.• Change the URL of hyperlinks to a

more meaningful description.Word 2010 has a built-in accessibility

checker. Select File > Info > Check for Issues > Check Accessibility.This tool makes it easy to identify

problems in your document and gives you tips on why this could be a problem and how to fix it. For more information, go to WebAIM –

Creating accessible Word documents.

Getting the Word out – creating accessible documents

http://webaim.org/techniques/word/#other

http://webaim.org/techniques/word/#other


Course leads to dream vocationFrom page 3The course spurred her on to take

Certificate III in Community Services and she is now about to start the Certificate IV.The mentoring course had unexpected

benefits for Dallas, who said she learnt skills to negotiate other relationships in her life.“I now have an awesome bond with my

family due to this course,” she said.“I have also been given the gift of

confidence to be able to talk to people by learning to ask open-ended questions.”But for Dallas, the best outcome has been

the job she now has as office administrator and hostel parent to 37 Aboriginal girls at Wongutha CAPS – a Christian boarding school in Esperance.“When I went for my interview, I was able

to speak from a knowledge base of the culture, history and health of the Aboriginal people,” Dallas said.“I was super excited when I got my dream

job in the field that I love!”She said the girls came from remote areas

in the Pilbara, Goldfields, Kimberley and

Central Desert regions.“They are encouraged to finish high school

and when they leave they have the skills to be job-ready for positions such as in the health service, as rangers or in business,” Dallas said.“We are equipping future generations for

life, to be a light in their community, through nurturing their emotional, physical and spiritual health,” she added.“We have a supportive role, we don’t

dictate.“We help them to negotiate, but they make

the decisions, and I can get them to open up by asking open-ended questions.”Delighted to be in her a job she is clearly

cut out for, Dallas said it would not have been possible if not for the course and the staff who ran it.Her happy situation prompted her to write

an email to the institute’s Managing Director Lidia Rozlapa.“Paula and Simon believed in me and

encouraged me,” Dallas wrote. “I am sure you have a lot of competent

staff members, but the jewels in the crown of Great Southern Institute of Technology are Paula and Simon.“Could you please pass on my sincere

thanks to both of them – this wasn't just a course, it was a life changer for me.”

ARE YOU A LECTURER NEEDING SUPPORT?

Principal Lecturers are here to support you to deliver the best possible training experience for our students. We offer a range of workshop-based and ‘at-your-desk’ support including:• Help with validation and pre-audit preparation• Coaching and mentoring for new staff• Moodle support from beginner to advanced.

We are also able to set up individual and small-group sessions on any training or assessment-related topic.

Phone Ray on 9892 8831 or Ruth on 9892 8759


The annual Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry Awards are designed to reward the city’s highest-achieving business people. Through a rigorous process, business operators present a comprehensive review of their business to demonstrate excellence by detailing their planning processes and proving significant business acumen.Two award-winning local business operators with connections to this

institute talk about the importance of training to ensure their businesses run smoothly and profitably.Electrical contractor Cameron Bergsma discusses the value of apprentice

training through Great Southern Institute of Technology to benefit his business, and on pages 10 and 11, Albany builder Nigel Ryde talks about his own experience at the institute and his business growth in the ensuing years.

When Cameron Bergsma moved from Perth seven years ago, he was a qualified electrician with eight years of experience in the trade.He opened Jaguar Cabling, a company

providing a wide range of electrical, data, phone, TV and audio-visual services to industrial, commercial and domestic customers in the Great Southern region. Recognising the benefits of using

apprentices, Cameron started employing enthusiastic young people who were motivated to work in the industry while training for a qualification to take them to a good career.The rewards of this philosophy are clear,

and Cameron said employing apprentices

was crucial to his business growth, which was reflected in his recently winning two Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry Awards.“You mould apprentices to the way you

want them to work, and to the standards you expect,” he said.“It can take years to bring an experienced

tradesperson around to your way of working, but with an apprentice, you can teach them your own way from the beginning,” he added.Cameron said employing apprentices was

intrinsic to his business.“I have four at the moment, and one is

about to finish,” he explained.Continued on page 9

Business sparks interest in trainingAward-winning business operator Cameron Bergsma (right) with his team of apprentices.


Cameron’s awards

ACCI City of Albany Young Business Person of the Year AwardCameron Bergsma – Jaguar Cabling

ACCI GWN7 Award for Businesses with 5-10 employeesJaguar Cabling

From page 6“I keep them once they are trained to the

way we want, because after three or four years, they know how we operate,” he said.Cameron applauded the training his

apprentices received from Great Southern Institute of Technology, and the course gave apprentices a comprehensive range of skills.“The TAFE training is thorough, and the

lecturers are very passionate about the job,” Cameron said.“Their training is definitely vital to their

overall growth as tradespeople, and it’s important they get that background,” he added.“It’s good for them, it ensures apprentices

who come through the system cover everything they need to cover to become qualified tradesmen.”He also appreciated the open discussion

with lecturers and their welcoming of feedback, as well as their flexibility, such as when an apprentice working out of town was unable to attend the campus.“As an employer, I get good support from

TAFE and from the lecturers,” Cameron said.His dedication to the trade and sound

business principles impressed the ACCI Business Award judges, who named him Young Business Person of the Year as well as presenting Jaguar Cabling with the major award for Businesses with five to 10 employees.

Business sparks interest in training

Cameron Bergsma of Jaguar Cabling receives the ACCI City of Albany Young Business Person of the Year Award from Mayor Dennis Wellington. Photograph: Lee Griffith.

Read Nigel Ryde’s story on pages 10 and 11


Nigel Ryde’s inspiring career journey might not have taken him to the heights he has reached if he had managed to enrol in his first choice of course 27 years ago.He wanted to become a motor

mechanic, but he applied too late.“My second choice was carpentry and

joinery, so I went for that, and as soon as I started, I loved it,” Nigel said.Nigel’s clear aptitude for this work

has brought him business success, demonstrated in his day-to-day operations and in the recent swag of awards he took home from the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry Business Awards dinner.In addition to being named Business

Person of the Year, Nigel picked up the Award for Businesses with 11 to 20 employees, the Industry Development Award, the Customer Service Business of the Year Award and the major award of Business of the Year on behalf of Ryde Building Company.Nigel acknowledges the importance to

the company of dedicated, well-trained staff. For tradespeople, this training starts with an apprenticeship, just as it did for him, allowing workers to develop their skills and become competent. Nigel attended Great Southern Institute

of Technology, which was then Great Southern Regional College of TAFE, while serving his apprenticeship with a Denmark builder.“While I was still at TAFE, I got

my builder’s registration through correspondence,” Nigel explained.At the age of 21 and living in Mount

Barker, he went out on his own as a carpentry subcontractor working on industrial warehouses.After being approached to quote on

building a home and having his quote accepted, Nigel opened his own building company in the town.

Continued on page 11

Second choice turns out a winner

Nigel’s awards

ACCI Telstra Country Wide Business Person of the Year AwardNigel Ryde

ACCI Lincolns Award for Businesses with 11-20 employeesRyde Building Company

ACCI Albany Port Authority Industry Development AwardRyde Building Company

ACCI Great Southern Weekender Customer Service Business of the Year AwardRyde Building Company

ACCI HHG Legal Group Business of the Year Award Ryde Building Company


From page 10Employing an apprentice straight away

allowed Nigel to take on further home building projects, and Ryde Building Company went from strength to strength. He moved to Albany in 2002.Such was the esteem in which he was

held, Nigel’s two breaks from the business – one for extended overseas travel and the other to battle a serious illness – did not hinder his progress when he again kick-started his business.Now, Nigel said, apprentices working on

his building projects were employed by the

sub-contractors.However, he has trained eight apprentices

over the years, and he is proud that they are all still working in the building industry.“All the apprentices I have trained have

received good training at TAFE,” Nigel said.“One thing I really like about the TAFE

system is they teach the traditional way, so you learn skills you think you might not use, but you do end up using them,” he said.“Once you have learned those skills, they

will help you.”Nigel’s ACCI awards are now on display

with dozens of construction industry awards he has earned over the years – all proof that a solid grounding in his early days formed the foundation of an illustrious and highly rewarding career.

Lisa Monaco presents Nigel Ryde with the HHG Legal Group Business of the Year Award. Photograph: Lee Griffith.

Second choice turns out a winner


Staff wishing to bring an issue concerned with their employment to the notice of the corporate executive may take it to a member of the Institute Consultative Committee.The committee meets every three months.It is chaired by the Human Resources

Manager and other standing members are the Director Corporate Services, one Portfolio Manager nominated by the Managing Director, and a representative nominated by the State School Teachers’ Union.In addition, there are two elected members

from support staff and one from lecturing staff.

Appointments are for two years.The current members are in the table

below.The committee discusses issues brought

to the table and may refer them, or make recommendations, to other boards and committees if necessary.Minutes are taken at the meetings and

posted on the intranet – type ‘consultative’ in the search field to see a list of the minutes and terms of reference.Agenda items must be presented on form

QFSP0004 Committee Recommendation and Notification, and must be handed to the Executive Officer at least a week before a scheduled meeting.

INSTITUTE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEEMembers by election and by position

Support Officer: Paula PattinsonStanding members

Position Name Term expiryManager Human Resources David Hansen (Chair)Director Corporate Services Ed Armstrong (Acting Chair)Portfolio Manager Nominated by MDSSTU nominated rep Dennis Blewitt

Proxy – Will Griffiths 26/07/2015Elected members (Biennial)Lecturing rep x 1 Ruth McLean

Proxy – Simon London31/08/201426/07/2015

Non-lecturing rep x 2 Ches LeonardLiz BaileyProxy – Paula Pattinson

11/09/201611/09/201626/07/2015

Ex officioManaging Director

Lidia Rozlapa

Institute Consultative Committee

Email [email protected]

Do you have an idea for an article in The Gazette?


HR NewsWith Paula Pattinson

A couple of points of clarification about lecturers’ working arrangements came out of the last Consultative Committee meeting. Firstly, lecturers are reminded that

although we called for, and appointed, lecturers to ASL status earlier this year, suitably qualified lecturers are able to apply for ASL appointments at any time during the year. In other words, you don’t have to wait until March each year before applying. If successful, the appointment is backdated to when the lecturer submitted their application.Secondly, we are provided funding for

lecturers on FHAs which assumes a 40 per cent uptake for each STP. Although our current percentage of lecturers on FHAs is around 46 per cent, the MD has provided an assurance that

those lecturers who can meet our FHA application guidelines and demonstrate genuine efficiencies will be considered, notwithstanding the funding issues. Information about FHAs is available on our intranet or from HR.Integrity mattersThe PSC conducted training sessions

for all managers and supervisors on 23 September, examining integrity issues in connection with recruitment, workplace behaviour and conflicts of interest. On the topic of conflicts of interest, are you aware that it is not appropriate for a public sector employee to receive personal reward points for work-related purchases made on your corporate card? If in doubt, ask your manager or the HR Manager.

– David Hansen

Positions Advertised• L2 Café Supervisor – selection process still underway, relief put in place.New staffA warm welcome is extended to the following new and recommencing staff:• Nathan Banasiewicz, Casual Lecturer, Electrical• Jane Davidson, Casual Lecturer, Fitness• Natalie Gibson, Casual Lecturer, Allied Health• John Toomey, Casual Lecturer, Fitness• Jeremy Hicks, Casual Lecturer, Literacy• Brett Cameron, Casual Ancillary, Aquaculture• Julia Treadwell, Casual Lecturer, Fitness• Josie MacDonald, Casual Lecturer, Try Tech• Janelle Scrimgeour, Casual Lecturer, Horticulture• Cheryle Willis, Casual Relief, CaféStaff exiting• Samuel Elliott, Desktop Support Officer, ceased 5 September• Mary Jane Gibbs, Customer Service Officer, ceased 5 September.Farewell and good luck to you both, we wish you every success with your new adventures.

HR matters for all staff


The big shift

After months of anticipation and several weeks of packing, staff of the Health Sciences and Community Services portfolio finally moved into their new block.The impressive facility was built at a cost of

$5.76 million, which was funded by Royalties for Regions.Comprising offices, classrooms and work

rooms, the building is a contemporary environment with state-of-the-art equipment and furnishing to take the portoflio into the future.The building will be officially opened by

the Hon. Kim Hames, Minister for Training and Workforce Development, and the Hon. Terry Redman, Minister for Regional Development, on 31 October.The building will also house a new time

capsule to be sealed by Minister Hames at the official opening, which will coincide with celebrations for the institute’s 40th anniversary.

Portfolio Manager Donna Blight at home in her new office.

Liz Bailey wheels in more gear.

Carol Wolfe fills the linen cupboard.


An outdoor seat (above) complements the impressive internal artwork (right).

Left and below left: The contemporary building sits amid landscaped gardens and lawns.

Bottom left: Lisa Hassell, Anne Parker and Lizzie Bigwood unpack.

Below: A rainwater tank is just one of the environmentally sustainable features of the new building.

Great Southern Gazette – September 201416WA Student Survey 2014: “Tell Us What You Think and Win!” Great CA$H prizes to be won!

1


When students of the Certificate III in Business put on a bake sale at the Albany campus, they knew sweet-toothed staff and students would be unable to resist the temptation.As part of their unit ‘Promote innovation

in a team environment’, the students presented a table groaning with chocolate, fruit, nuts, icing, cream, pastry and custard, all designed to raise funds for Albany Community Hospice.The array of sugar-filled goodies hit the

spot, and they recently handed over the total of $607.30 to hospice manager Michelle McClure.Thanking the students for their efforts,

Michelle said the fundraiser was indicative of the community support the hospice received.“For the students to be involved is great and

it fosters community spirit,” she said.

Sam De Bonde and Rebecca Wildman hand a cheque for $607.30 to Albany Community Hospice Manager Michelle McClure.

Project brings sweet taste of success

Certificate III in Business students set up their bake sale table in the café foyer.


Safety First

With Rick Muller

Just as in any workplace, offices need to have hazards identified and risk assessments carried out in order to implement control measures to reduce the likelihood of a workplace incident.Here are 10 of the most common

office hazards – do they exist in your workplace?Look for:• Poor or inadequate lighting• Ergonomic hazards• Extremes of temperature• Manual handling hazards • Slip, trip and fall hazards • Electrical hazards (eg appliances or

power sockets)• Contagious illnesses spread by sick

workers

• Fire hazards• Chemical hazards (eg cleaning products) • Stress hazards. What should you do when you have

identified a hazard in your office?Using a hazard report form, you can

quickly identify, risk assess and control the hazard. To do this, you need to determine the

likelihood of the risks causing serious injury and, based on the assessment, put control measures in place to reduce or eliminate the risks. After implementing control measures, it’s

essential that you monitor and review them to ensure they remain effective.All hazard report forms need to be

forwarded to your manager.

Spot the hazard, reduce the risk


This column courtesy of Great Southern Population Health. For more information, phone 9842 7500 (Albany) or 9821 6287 (Katanning).

Between meals it’s very tempting to reach for an unhealthy snack like a biscuit that is high in sugar and fat but there are tasty options that are better for you.Here is a simple recipe

for delicious banana and blueberry bread which you can slice and freeze for a quick, healthy snack.Ingredients• olive or canola oil spray • 4 ripe bananas, peeled • 1/4 cup sugar • 1/2 cup low-fat milk • 2 eggs • 1 cup self-raising flour • 1 cup wholemeal self-

raising flour • 1 tsp ground cinnamon • 1 cup frozen blueberries

Method1. Preheat oven to 220C

(200C fan forced). Spray a 20 x 10cm loaf tin with oil; line base and sides with non-stick baking paper.2. Reserve one whole

banana for presentation and mash remaining 3 bananas in a large bowl (1½ cups mashed).3. Add sugar, milk and

eggs and mix with a fork until well combined.4. Sift flours and cinnamon

on top of banana mixture, returning husks from the sieve to the bowl. Mix

ingredients together until just combined, taking care not to over-mix, then gently fold through blueberries.5. Spoon mixture into

prepared loaf tin and smooth the surface. Slice remaining banana thinly and overlap slices through the centre of the loaf.6. Bake for 35-40 minutes

then cover with foil and bake for a further 20 minutes. Centre of loaf will remain moist but not wet when tested with a skewer. Allow to cool in tin for 5 minutes then turn onto a wire rack.7. Cut into 1cm slices

and toast before serving, if desired.Variations• Replace blueberries with

raspberries or dried fruit such as figs, cranberries, currants, sultanas, apricots or chopped dates. • Substitute a grated

apple or pear for one of the mashed bananas to vary the flavour.

LiveLighter® State of Western Australia 2014. Reproduced with permission. For more recipes visit

livelighter.com.au.

Snack right when hunger strikes


Group develops sustainability areaJim Vonk and the under-18 Rural Operations crew have established a citrus area of the R Block sustainability area.The first stage

for the group was to landscape and retain the area. A range of popular

citrus has been planted in keeping with the philosophy of creating an area full of things to harvest and eat. Olive trees have

also been planted with a view to being espaliered along the fence to provide wind protection for the citrus.Future projects for

the group include erection of a small hot house that will have one of the aquaculture systems integrated to develop a delivery resource for Jay Rowles’s aquaponics courses.

– Peter Young

The Rural Operations crew at work.

SeedsOF SUSTAINABILITY

Jim and Braden (note the low-growing rosemary plants).

Documents

The gazette september 2014