Dancingtweens

GIRLS and boys with a sense of rhythm will overwhelm Leon-gatha from this Friday to Sunday, for the second Great Southern Star Eisteddfod.

With more dancers and prizes than last years successful event, competition will be exceptional.

Already, 550 dancers from 11 schools from as far as East Gippsland and Melbourne have confi rmed they will attend, taking to the stage alongside local troupes.

The eisteddfod will be held at Leongathas Mesley Hall.President of the eisteddfod committee, Tanya Bolam, said: Weve got more

dancers than last year. It was tough but we actually had to knock people back.Lisa Pellin Dancers Hayley Norton, Chloe Adkins, Brooke Cross and

Ruby Adkins (front) are looking forward to the eisteddfod. See feature pages 38 and 39.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2011 $1.20

IGAs national honour - page 10

By Jacob de Kunder

KORUMBURRA must have a heavy vehicle bypass to protect pedestrians from trucks in the wake of last weeks potentially catastrophic accident, a shire councillor has claimed.

South Gippsland Shire Councillor Bob Newton has called for a bypass sooner rather than later to ensure the safety of people in the towns CBD.

The accident blocked Commercial Street for 12 hours, costing businesses lost trade. Up to $70,000 damage was caused to the Austral Hotel and the adjoining carpark.

Police continue to investigate the cause of the accident.

This incident is a sign to get these heavy vehicles out of the main street, Cr Newton said.

I just think its important that its got to be done in the very near future, its just got to be done.

Continued on page 3.

Crash chaosBurra accident renews bypass debate

Clean up: a recovery crew rights the diesel truck last Wednesday.

PAGE 2 - THE STAR, Tuesday, August 2, 2011

SOUTH Gippslanders continue to dance and shop to raise funds for a di-abetes screening program at the Royal Childrens Hospital.

The annual Royal Childrens Hospital Diabetic Ball lured 280 people to the Inverloch Community Hub on Saturday night.

The event raised more than $40,000 to support a complications screening program for children with type one diabetes at the hospital in Melbourne.

The Beauglehall family of Inverloch has organised the event with a dedicated band of volunteers for 15 years. Their daughter Carla Poletti was diagnosed with type one diabetes as a child.

Guests enjoyed a three course meal in the hall decorated to a Moulin Rouge theme and danced to local band The Stiletto Group, which has donated their services for every one of the 15 balls.

Professor George Wurther and Dr Michelle OConnor, from the hospital, spoke about the screening program and research that is only funded by proceeds from the ball.

The crowd was silent as they watched a video showing images of diabetic children, some of them self injecting.

Since the ball started, complications have gone from 30 per cent to two per cent, Kerrie Beauglehall said.

Type one diabetes does not go away when you leave the Royal Childrens Hospital. It is with you every second of your life.

The auction conducted by Scott Hughes of LJ Hooker Real Estate of Inverloch raised $20,000, with corporate boxes to the Geelong versus Collingwood match making $6500, and a Collingwood signed guernsey topping $1100.

Twenty-six people had the chance to try to unlock a box to win weekend away, sponsored by LJ Hooker Real Estate. Winner Ken Harris

of Leongatha has attended every ball.Badges were presented by Professor

Wurther in honour of volunteers services. Fifteen year badges were given to Kerrie, Ross, Brett and Laura Beauglehall; Carla Poletti; Heather and Trevor Dowson; Heather and Don Atkins; Sheila Forster; Greg Tabner; Maree Peel; Maureen and Gerard Joss; Phil and Tina Bowden; and Gaye and Graeme Murphy.

Darryl Thomas - catering for his last ball - received a 10 year service badge and badges marking fi ve years service went to: Lloyd Bennetts, Roz Hulls, Beryl Millman, Barbara Houston, Derek and Lorraine Banks, and Paul Poletti.

A highlight of the evening was a conga line dance led by Bill Phillips of Inverloch in his wheelchair. Bill, a much loved man about town, is recovering from a stroke.

People travelled from as a far as interstate for the event and among the crowd were 15 doctors from the Royal Childrens Hospital.

Making it happen: main ball organisers, the Beauglehall family of Inverloch: Kerrie Beauglehall, Carla Poletti, Brett Beauglehall, Laura Beauglehall and Ross Beauglehall.

Family occasion: at the Royal Childrens Hospital Diabetic Dance were Heather, Don and Meagan Atkins

Focusing on fi shing: the states peak fi shing body, VR Fish, held an open house session at Inverloch on Saturday, to fi nd out anglers views on how fi shing could be improved in Anderson Inlet. At the event were Murray MacDonald, Donald Tipping, Therese Bruce, Doug Walsh, Dick Brumley, Rebecca Jol, June Laycock, Paul Hardy-Smith, Trevor Buck, Ross Drury, Chris Collins and Max Fletcher.

Left: Fine night: Judyand Trevor Brewster.

Inverloch dances for a cause

THE STAR, Tuesday, August 2, 2011 - PAGE 3

By Simone Short

BASS Coast businesses may suffer when the number of de-salination plant workers begins to rapidly decrease from over 3000 to as low as 250 in Octo-ber this year.

An information forum regarding Wonthaggis future, held at Wonthaggi Workmens Club last Tuesday night, was a great success.

At least 190 business-people and residents attended to learn what is planned for the region once the desal plant is built.

Some people also believed the number of tourists visiting Bass Coast had decreased, but councils economic development manager Peter Francis, said tourist numbers had increased by seven per cent in the last year.

There has been no indication num-bers have dropped off, he said.

The building of a new information centre, which will encourage people to visit the desalination site, will hope-fully improve tourism in the area even further.

It was revealed at the forum how-ever, that 200 construction workers would remain on site for two years af-ter the plant is fi nished in mid 2012.

Bass Coast Shire Council CEO Allan Bawden was surprised to hear construction workers would remain, in addition to the 50 or so who would be employed on an ongoing basis.

Mr Bawden said news of the 200

Forum eyes futureWonthaggi ponders life beyond desal

Wonthaggis future: (from left) Wonthaggi Business Association vice-president Michael Giles, Karen Lee from Thiess Degremont, Bass Coast Shire Council mayor Cr Veronica Dowman, Westpac Wonthaggi manager Dean Herbert, Bass Coast Shire Council planning and environment director Hannah Duncan-Jones, CEO Allan Bawden and economic development manager Peter Francis.

came from Karen Lee, representing plant construction company Thiess Degremont, at last weeks forum on the future of Wonthaggi.

Thats an economic bonus, he said.

Mr Bawden said the current desal-ination plant workforce was around the same size as that in the rest of Wonthaggi.

That gives you an idea of the scale, he said.

He said the night focused on the present economic boom in Wonthaggi, while council made the point the town had been growing before the desal

project began.That has been consistent over the

past 10 years because of seachange. And that strong, underlying growth will continue, Mr Bawden said.

One indication of that has been the investment in new housing in the town. There has, said Mr Bawden, been a lot of that.

The fact that big national brands such as Bunnings are setting up in Won-thaggi are indications of the certainty.

Council land use planning has rein-forced the emergence of Wonthaggi as a regional service centre.

Commercial and industrial growth

is favoured for Wonthaggi. Coastal vil-lages will grow, but retain their village feel, he said.

The commercial and industrial land is on either side of Inverloch Road.

While the council has no statistics on the number of desalination con-struction workers who might want to fi nd other jobs and remain in Won-thaggi, Mr Bawden thinks some of them will.

He bases that on the councils own experience as an employer.

People come here, bring their families and want to stay. One of the reasons we wanted to encourage (de-

salination) workers to live here andbring their families was that theyd fallin love with the place and stay on, hesaid.

Bass Coast mayor Cr VeronicaDowman described the forum as veryproductive.

She said the forum showed an over-riding goodwill to look at the wayWonthaggi is expanding and progress-ing and how opportunities for growthcan be improved.

One of the strategies discussed wasto increase the town and the shirespercentage of global knowledgeworkers.

The lack of global knowledgeworkers in Bass Coast Shire was iden-tifi ed in a report commissioned by thecouncil. It was prepared by the Na-tional Institute of Economic and In-dustry Research and looks to the next20 years.

The report identifi es such work-ers that would help elevate the shiresstanding, including importers andexporters, information technologymanagers, sales and marketing man-agers, medical scientists, technicalsales representatives and computingprofessionals.

To do this, said the mayor, the areaneeds to provide the education, arts andcultural facilities that young familieswant. Hence the Bass Coast EducationPrecinct slated for McKenzie Street,Wonthaggi and a cultural precinct op-posite the shire offi ces in McBride Av-enue, Wonthaggi.

Continued from page 1.The need is there and

it should be incorporated in the overall development plan for Korumburra.

Last Wednesday, a B-double fuel tanker overturned at the top of Commercial Street, pouring 13,000 litres of diesel into drains and forcing the evacuation of nearby businesses.

Were very, very lucky it was a diesel tanker, Cr Newton said.

If it had been a gas tanker or a petrol tanker and some of the fl uid leaked down under the supermarket and if that had gone off, it wouldve been absolutely devastating if it had exploded. Weve got a school and supermarket and shops (in that area).

Austral Hotel owner and Korumburra Business Association president Doug White is in two minds about the concept of a bypass.

This incident does highlight the need for an alternative but I dont think a bypass would be good for the town, he said.

A lot of businesses rely on the traffi c passing through town and a bypass could see the closure of some small businesses.

However Mr White agreed the heavy vehicles were a hazard in Commercial Street.

Trucks in the main street are defi nitely an issue as well as the speed they travel not saying speed was the cause of this incident but restrictions need to be put in place, he said.

Trucks go down the street at speeds which they would surely not be able to stop at.

The Environmental Protection Agency continues to oversee the clean-up to ensure the Austral Hotel, main street, sewers, drains and local tributaries are protected.EPA contractors have been sucking the diesel out of the drainage system, while weirs were established in Coalition Creek and its tributaries it to protect waterways.

We will provide ongoing advice and support while the clean up continues, the EPAs Simon Frost said.

Drinking water in reservoirs was not con-taminated, said South Gippsland Waters manag-ing director Steve Evans.

There have been no effects on water quality or supply for our customers receiving water from reservoirs in the region, he said.

Korumburras IGA supermarket was evacu-ated by fi re-fi ghters for an hour-and-a-half. Around 20 staff and 12 customers were removed from the store as diesel ran down hill from the accident site towards the supermarket.

It was just a precau-tionary measure, IGA store manager Craig Marinus said.

We just needed to make sure that they didnt fi nd anything untoward. The staff followed the pro-cedures really well.

Burra accident renews bypass debateExpensive exercise

Wednesdays truck crash in Korumburra has resulted in large damage bills all round.

The Austral Hotel sustained the most damage, after the truck collided with a balcony pole, threatening the integrity of the entire balcony. One of the pubs carparks has also had to be excavated to remove spilt fuel.

Owner Doug White said it could have been much worse.

Its hard to say with the price, but its expected around $30,000 to $40,000 for the balcony and around $20,000 to $30,000 for the car park, so all up around $70,000, he said.

This is better than what we fi rst thought. We believe it could have been well over $100,000.

The balcony was assessed by builders and engineers, and was confi rmed to be at no risk of falling but Mr White wants it removed as soon as possible.

Upstairs will be out of order for two to three weeks while we get the balcony repaired but the broken parts will be pulled down safely as soon as we can, he said.

Id like to get the carpark open again as soon

as possible so we can open it up a bit and look like were doing business.

Mr White praised the work of the emergency crews.

Full credit goes to all the emergency services, who acted quickly and controlled the situation, he said.

Evans Petroleum manag-ing director Stuart Evans was not aware of the cost of the incident on Friday, but was able to put the amount of lost diesel at 13,000 litres.

I wouldnt even like to hazard a guess at the cost at this stage, he said.

The ISS First Response crew took care of the truck, so were unaware how that is at the moment.

Mr Evans was pleased

with his teams emergency response to the incident.

After initially presum-ing it would take all day, the team took around two hours to pump the fl uid from the truck.

Mr Evans said the driver of the truck escaped with a couple of cuts and bruises,

and was impressed with his employees actions immedi-ately following the incident.

We were really proud of our driver. Despite the crash he had the state of mind to alert people to help him con-tain the fl uid, he said.

There was a big hole

in the tank. It was leaking quickly.

Mr Evans was unsure of the cause of the incident, but ruled out driver recklessness.

I dont think speed was to blame, he said.

More reports and pho-tos on page 20.

PAGE 4 - THE STAR, Tuesday, August 2, 2011

By Matt Dunn

JOCK Greenaway lives in an old farm house in Hedley.

The weatherboard home, which was once his grandparents, is modest by modern standards.

My grandfather, John Hodgson, was here in 1874, I think. He was the fi rst man here in Hedley, Jock said.

It would do the old place a disservice to label it dilapidated, but the white ants have had quite a meal and it has developed a discernible lean.

At near to 97, neither is Jock as upright as in years past.

But just like his home, Hedleys living legend is warm and inviting. He sits in his front room, with a fi re burning and a hot pot of tea on the boil, ready to welcome guests and spin a yarn.

Tongue in cheek, he said: Ive just got to the stage where Ive become a nuisance to myself and a bloody nuisance to other people. Thats the way it is.

Its Jocks humour. He knows its not true. Daughter Sue Sedman, who sits next to her

father, smiles wryly. Dad was worried during a recent trip to

Darwin that people would come along and take things. I told him the only thing worth taking was him, she said.

This Saturday (August 6), Jock will celebrate his 97th birthday at the Hedley Hall. Bruce Atkins The Unlikely Suspects will play. There will be dancing and singing. A big turnout is expected.

Sue hopes it will reunite a community in which people no longer knew their neighbours. To this end, the family has invited anyone and everyone to come along.

She remembers a time when the whole community helped each other out.

We had big Christmas parties out here for quite a few years. The reason for this dance is to try and reconnect Hedley, hopefully. We used to be connected. The family dances happened once a month, she said.

Just with dads friends and family circle there should be a fair amount of people. Im hoping a lot of Hedley people come. We knew everyone. Now nobody knows their neighbours.

Sue remembered her childhood fondly. Her life with sisters Frances and Judy and brother Richie was charmed, she said.

Jock has been a good dad and her mother Nellie, long since passed, was a loving woman.

It was humble, but everyones life was. We didnt know we were poor. In hindsight, we were probably fi nancially poor, but we never knew it. We were rich with everything else, she said.

Jock has been in Hedley since before he was one. Born in Benalla, his family moved to the area in 1915.

Im the oldest here in Hedley of the original mob. Its nothing to boast about, just the same. I didnt really expect to be around this long. But Ive had relations that went over the hundred. So Im dragging up behind them, he said.

Jock is ready to party

Some of them went over the hundred. If youre good enough to get past 21 you dont know whats ahead of you. Youve just got to get past 21 fi rst.

Im the last of my schoolmates. The last of the originals. Being old is not worth boasting about, because any number of people live to over 90. I dont know what all the bloody fuss is about.

Jock said he travelled along and took life as it came.

Not very long ago a fella said to me, By golly you must be able to tell a lot of stories. I agreed. But I said, You dont know how much is truth and how much is fi ction. Ive got no one else to verify it, he said.

Jock confesses hes had a bloody good life and Hedley had been a great place to live.

The only drawback in his life was his reliance on a wheeled walking frame.

After a fall in recent times, in which he suffered a suspected broken rib, he has slowed somewhat. He was a keen bushwalker until very recently and it wasnt all that long ago that he was scaling mountains.

While he calls the walking frame a drawback, moments later Jock proclaims it the best thing theyve come up with for the sick, the suffering, the wounded and the dying. He is a man who values his freedom.

Theyre a marvellous bloody thing. Walking sticks are alright up to a point. But with the frame, if you get tired and you want to stop and tell some bloody story, you can sit down on it. With the walking stick you cant do that, he said with a chuckle.

Still standing: Jock said hed had a bloody good life and travelled along taking things as they came.

Ready to party: Jock Greenaway enjoys a good swig of tea from a Teachers Whiskybottle. The almost-97-year-old is readying himself for a big turnout this Saturday.

THE STAR, Tuesday, August 2, 2011 - PAGE 5

By Brad Lester

SOUTH Gippsland Shire Coun-cil has been accused of dividing communities by treating them unequally.

Cr David Lewis said council should not be giving more support to pools at Leongatha, Korumburra and Toora than other pools in the shire, under a draft paper surrounding the pools future.

The paper, Strategic Direction for Aquatic Facilities in South Gippsland, was authorised for public comment by council last Wednesday.

That paper proposes council continue to improve infrastructure at the Leongatha, Korumburra and Toora pools as they are the most highly used in the municipality.

But the paper recommends the other pools at Mirboo North, Poowong and Foster only receive maintenance funding and be considered for closure if usage drops by 20 per cent over two consecutive seasons or infrastructure needs replacing.

Operating the six pools costs council 25 per cent of its annual building budget. Council expects to pay $6.272 million on pools over the next fi ve years and attendances have been falling.

Cr Lewis said under the proposal, the management committees of the Mirboo North, Poowong and Foster pools would be forced to raise money for repairs or upgrades themselves.

Even if the people of Poowong, Mirboo North and Foster raise the contribution themselves, if there is no council contribution, governments would support grant applications, he said.

Cr Lewis said all communities should be treated equally and urged council to revise the paper to support upgrades of all pools if the upgrade resulted in increased usage and/or less costs to council.

His motion was lost, but Cr Kieran Kennedy supported him, saying Mirboo North, Poowong and Foster people had the right to feel they were being severely discriminated against.

Cr Jim Fawcett said likely pool upgrade costs left a huge unfunded liability in our long term budget.

We are asking for community comment and we should be quite clear that the strategy proposes to maintain all our pools and improve three, he said.

Council operates a higher number

of pools per person than many other Gippsland councils, with a pool for every 4700 people, compared to Wellington (one pool per 6700 people), Baw Baw (one pool per 6700 people), Latrobe City (one pool for 11,600 people) and Bass Coast (one pool per 28,000 people).

Cr Jeanette Harding said the committees of the Leongatha, Korumburra and Toora pools had earned the strong position they are now in.

I believe if the other towns worked a little harder they would be in the position that the other towns are in, she said.

Cr Bob Newton said the Poowong pool serviced the burgeoning western end of the shire and must be retained.

We have to remember why the pools are there in the fi rst place. Our fathers and grandfathers worked tirelessly to get these pools for the benefi t of future generations, he said.

Cr Newton noted SG SPLASH at Leongatha required ratepayers to make-up a major funding shortfall and urged council to maintain all pools across the shire.

The Poowong and Mirboo North pools require signifi cant work, Cr Jennie Deane said, believing council would in the long term have to turn to state and federal governments for support.

Pools are very important for the health of our children and our families because there are not too many things that people can do around the shire relating to sport that are not competitive, she said.

Cr Jim Fawcett believed the draft paper allowed communities to demonstrate the need for pools and their fi nancial commitment.

Meetings with each of the pool committees as well as public meetings have been scheduled. This will enable the community to discuss their views regarding this important matter.

Public meetings: Tuesday, August 9, 7.30 pm, Poowong Hall; Thursday, August 11, 7.30 pm Korumburra Community Room (behind library); Tuesday, August 16, 7.30pm, Toora (venue to be confi rmed); Thursday, August 18, 7.30pm, Foster (venue to be confi rmed); Tuesday, August 23, 7.30pm, Mirboo North (venue to be confi rmed); Thursday, August 25, 7.30 pm, Leongatha (venue to be confi rmed).

For further information, contact councils recreational co-ordinator Ian Murphy on 5662 9231.

Shires in deep end over pools

By Jane Ross

BASS Coast Shire Council will press ahead with plans for a new $16 million swimming pool complex in Wonthaggi.

Councillors agreed at their meeting last week detailed design and costings should be undertaken.

They did so in the knowledge that the facility will lose $220,000 a year, $1.8m will be needed to provide a temporary structure while the new pool is being built, and a two per cent special rate charge may be required to help pay for it all.

As well, a petition bearing 46 signatures objected to both the pool and the use of ratepayer funds for the purpose.

A strong contingent of Phillip Is-land ratepayers sat in the gallery of the Wonthaggi Council Chamber listening to the debate. They included the vice president of the Phillip Island Pool committee Pam Cameron, who said during community question time that a Phillip Island pool should have priori-ty. Her committee has worked towards it for 10 years.

Council received 620 responses and 42 submissions to a draft Bass Coast Aquatic Centre Feasibility Study released earlier this year. Most said the Wonthaggi Pool needed more lanes

and warm water for older, younger and rehabilitation users.

Fifteen of the 42 submissions op-posed the complex, mostly on the grounds a pool was needed at Phillip Island.

The South Gippsland Bass Swim-ming Club pushed for a 50m pool, say-ing a 25m one wouldnt meet current demand.

Councils director of community and economic development Steve Piasente said Swimming Victoria had recommended a 10-lane 25m pool or an eight-lane 50m one, but a popula-tion of 60 to 70,000 would be needed to justify a 50m pool. Bass Coast has around 30,000 people.

The operating cost (for 50m) would be higher and it is unlikely we would attract any state funding.

Money from State and Federal governments would be necessary for any new pool.

Mr Piasente said the Wonthaggi aquatic complex was a 10-year proj-ect, with the pool construction alone costing between $8m and $10m.

Crs Phil Wright and John Duscher moved a motion to adopt the feasibil-ity study and go to detailed design stage, both saying the matter needed to proceed so that there could be a lot more community discussion.

The motion also includes setting up a working party with the Phillip

Island pool committee and supporting Bass Valley Primary School in its ef-forts to provide out-of-school-hours community use of its pool.

Cr Duscher said the next step will take time and will allow council to engage a lot better than it has done with the aquatic committee of Phillip Island.

Lots of questions need to be an-swered and a lot of work needs to be done.

Cr Ross Smith wanted to know who paid for the feasibility study. Mr Piasente said council did and it cost $50,000.

Cr Peter Paul said, The fi scal side will be there for a long, long time. The devil has to be in the detail. We dont have it and we must get that.

I endorse the procedural parts of this; there is a heap of work to be done here. Lets push it forward but a lot of things need to be ticked off.

I dont see a fi nancial plan to take this forward for both communities. I would like a lot of substantiation.

Cr Gareth Barlow said he had grave concerns.

I still need to be persuaded coun-cil needs to spend money on an aquatic facility.

There is already an allocation of $200,000 in the 2011/12 budget for this.

Wonthaggi Pool goes ahead-Phillip Island to miss out again?

MURRAY Goulburn will cop a $5000 per supplier farm hit because of the carbon tax. And dairy farms face $3500 to $4000 more a year in electricity costs. Federal Shadow Agriculture Minister John Cobb said this at MGs Leongatha Factory yesterday afternoon. He said the carbon tax would be disastrous for regional Australia and could bring down the Gillard Government. With him (second left) from left are MG Leongatha operations manager Craig Turner, McMillan MHR Russell Broadbent and MG director Bill Bodman.

Big hit

PAGE 6 - THE STAR, Tuesday, August 2, 2011

PATHWAYSACHIEVEMENT EXCELLENCE ENRICHMENT CREATIVITY LEADERSHIP

www.leonsec.vic.edu.auPH: 03 5662 4333

Excellence in education

LEONGATHASecondary College

Year 10 at 6.30pmYear 11 at 7.15pmYear 12 at 8.00pmA course information evening will be held at Leongatha Secondary Colleges new PerformingArts Centre (PAC) on Wednesday, August 17. All students wishing to enrol in Years 10, 11 or 12 should attend. Opportunities will be made to discuss courses and Pathways. Individual course counselling will take place on Wednesday, August 31, when selection forms are returned.

Wed 17th August2012 Senior Information Evening

McNeil, Val Jones, Lyn Gould and Meg Steenholdt.

During the afternoon and evening, stringed band Rubenesque played. Chris Gale, who set up the sound, contributed a couple of songs as well.

A sumptuous Christ-mas dinner was served in the evening, complete with plum pudding or pavlova. Men dressed in bow ties served at the tables.

One of the organisers of the event, Pat Jackson, de-scribed the day as a lot of fun with lovely food and a great atmosphere.

It was really great how all churches worked together to put on a won-derful day. We had women from all ages mixing well together.

Sweets As theme was HopeLEONGATHAs Com-bined Churches held a highly successful Sweet As conference at the Dakers Cen-tre in Leongatha on Saturday.

Some 160 women regis-

tered for the conference and were greeted on arrival with tables beautifully decorated in a Christmas in July theme.

The ladies started off with high tea in the after-noon and heard from four speakers through the after-noon and evening: Fiona

Catching up: from left, Jane Stone, Janet McRae, and Emma Nicol at the conference.

Well done: part of the organising team, from left, Pat Bowman, Sue Toohill, Suzanne Simpson and Pat Jackson.

FLOWER fans, get your en-tries ready.

The 55th Leongatha Daffodil and Floral Festival will be held from August 25 to 27, featuring the best fl owers from around South Gippsland and beyond.

The fl ower show in Leongatha Memorial Hall is a highlight of the festival, also displaying camellias, Australian plants and fl oral art.

Specialist judges from the Victorian Daffodil Society and

Camellias Victoria will attend.Around town, many community

groups will hold their own displays and activities, relating to embroidery, genealogy, woodwork and lapidary, to name a few.

Leongatha businesses are invited to take part in the shop window dressing competition.

Show co-ordinator Margaret Fox said the event is a superb Leongatha and South Gippsland tradition.

Its something that Leongatha

can be proud of because the show is something that people know Leongatha for, she said.

Mrs Fox thanked South Gippsland Shire Council gardeners for doing a superb job of preparing the regions gardens to ensure they look their best for the festival.

The Leongatha festival continues to be a week earlier than usual to not coincide with the Kyneton Daffodil Festival the only other daffodil festival in Victoria.

Festival countdown is on

Not long: Leongatha Daffodil and Floral Festival show co-ordinator Margaret Fox is looking forward toanother successful event.

SOUTH Gippsland Shire Council must take note of the latest Local Government Community Satisfaction Sur-vey, Cr David Lewis said.

Roads and footpaths were among the areas council needed to improve in this years survey of ratepayers, and Cr Lewis wondered whether council paid enough attention to it.

We get a satisfaction survey every year but I do not really know whether we take note of it, he said.

Cr Lewis said people wanted improvements to councils outdoor services and he again raised his concern for council employing extra indoor staff at the expense of outdoor services.

We have to change the priorities we have at the moment, he said.

I dont believe the amount of funding is going to be able to keep up with the normal South Gippsland weather and the effects on roads.

We need to have enough money to ensure that our roads are graded

and our drains are cleared.We are using people to provide

sustainability services and were not using people to provide footpaths. We need to take notice of what the surveys are fi nding.

Cr Jim Fawcett said Cr Lewis was trying to fi nd money from a magic pudding, and said council needed to focus on making savings through such measures as undertaking the aquatic strategy discussion paper, in a bid to reduce pool operating costs.

Survey must be heeded

THE STAR, Tuesday, August 2, 2011 - PAGE 7

Our work: Yooralla caterers prepared lunch for nearly 90 members of the Leongatha Senior Citizens Club on Friday. Admiring their handiwork were, from left Brodie James, Mitchell Price, Mycali James, Brendan Allen, Tamara Chumbley and Amber Betts, members of the 5a Yooralla Way Catering team.

By Simone Short

RENTAL prices around the Bass Coast could change again after workers at the desalination plant begin to leave.

Director of Stockdale and Leggo in Wonthaggi Pat Barry, said rental prices went up by around 10 per cent in mid-2010 when the fi rst workers began to arrive.

He expects them to drop by the same amount once the workers leave and de-mand decreases.

Mr Barry said while the average rental price in Wonthaggi is around $280 per week, the majority of desal workers were paying around $458 per week.

The rents arent as high as people think they are because most landlords have stayed with their tenants, he said.

Despite 48 per cent of desal workers who relocated to the Bass Coast renting properties in Inverloch, Adam Leys from Stockdale and Leggo in Inverloch said he is unsure how the departure of many workers would affect the market.

The Inverloch rental market has defi -nitely been affected by the infl ux of de-salination plant workers and their families in recent times, he said.

The big unknown is how the market will respond once the desal

workers leave.Mr Leys said one of the key factors

that should stop rental prices from drop-ping too much is the fact many properties currently accommodating the workers are holiday houses converted to permanent rentals, due to the increased demand.

As these properties revert back to holiday accommodation, demand should remain high for the remaining permanent rentals, he said.

This should ensure that both holi-day and permanent rental returns remain strong for the foreseeable future.

And although rental prices in Wont-haggi may drop, Mr Barry said with 80 per cent of their landlords being people living in Melbourne, there is a great chance prices will steadily increase over the next few years.

Landlords have Melbourne expecta-tions when it comes to the style of prop-erty they provide to their tenants and the return that they should receive, he said.

Theyre providing high quality town house and family homes, and theyd like a fi ve per cent return if possible.

Mr Barry said Wonthaggi is no longer a Gippsland town, but attached at the hip to Melbourne.

Real estate is in competition with every other area and rents have to refl ect places like Cranbourne, Pakenham and Narre Warren, he said.

Landlords face rent uncertainty

beyond desal

By Brad Lester

RATES will rise by 5.25 per cent in South Gippsland Shire, after council adopted the 2011-12 budget last Wednesday.

The budget includes nearly $15 million for capital works and such projects as the Leongatha Industrial Land Strategy, Korumburra Childrens Hub feasibility, and regional equestrian facility feasibility study.

Council will spend $3.85 million on roads, $1.43 million on bridges, $550,000 on footpaths, and $3.32 million on buildings, including extending the Leongatha Childrens Centre and the Sandy Point Community Centre project.

The budget forecasts council will owe just $450,000 by June 30 next year.

Cr Jim Fawcett said the budget attempted to address planning issues and satisfy councils information technology needs, but noted unbudgeted road repairs caused by recent wet weather would add extra pressure.

Cr Mohya Davies said the debt levels were a far cry from the time

council borrowed $13 million, saying council has built up some strong fi nancial capacity.

She also backed the employment of extra staff this fi nancial year, in confl ict with Cr David Lewis who said council was employing 14.57 equivalent full-time staff.

Cr Lewis has said that we need more people out doing things. I realise there will be a signifi cant increase in additional staff costs but we have a number of exciting initiatives and projects on the table that require a signifi cant increase in equipment and staff to do this, Cr Davies said.

Cr Lewis continued his criticism of council employing extra staff, saying council should be spending more money on core services, which was affecting councils community satisfaction survey results.

He said councils staff costs were rising by 15 per cent this year. If council were a business, he said, it would go broke.

This is not a situation of making money out of nothing. Its a matter of reconsidering our priorities, he said.

Cr Lewis said savings made from reduced debt and interest payments averaging $2.5 million a year in

recent years was being directed into employing extra staff.

Weve got to get out of this, otherwise were not going to maintain the standard of roads that we have got, he said.

Cr Jennie Deane however said regardless of how much money council spent on roads, drivers had to drive safely to avoid accidents.

As for rates, Cr Davies said farmers are unfairly rated not just in South Gippsland, but across Victoria.

She said some people also paid more rates for their holiday houses in the shire than their home properties in Melbourne, but this was due to the rate base being spread over a smaller population in the shire.

Cr Bob Newton supported the budget with caution, believing councils fuel costs would go out of the roof and believes that under the proposed carbon tax, material costs would skyrocket.

I believe the cost of gravel and the fuel used to make the bitumen to make the roads will cost an absolute arm and a leg in the future, he said.

Looking into the future, its going to be an absolute expense for our ratepayers to cover.

Rates to rise by 5.25%

C O U N C I L L O R S clashed over the existence of cli-mate change at last Wednesdays South Gippsland Shire Council meeting.

Debate was prompted by a decision whether or not council should spend another $60,000 to support a project to investigate the effects of climate change on the region.

Council opted to sup-port the Gippsland Climate Change Adaption Project and authorise chief execu-tive offi cer Tim Tamlin to sign a memorandum of understanding regarding the project.

Cr Jennie Deane said climate change would af-fect the region.

The potential for our own land use planning is enormous, she said, add-ing the $800,000 project would give council good value for money for a $60,000 investment.

Cr Bob Newton said he was sceptical of some of the things they are call-ing climate change and believed such money was

creating bureaucratic jobs.

He said prolonged droughts had been occur-ring throughout the years.

Cr Kieran Kennedy believed council stood to benefi t from the coastal planning information the project would provide, but Cr David Lewis was not convinced.

Its just politically correct to support it....The climate is changing all the time, he said.

Cr Jeanette Harding said climate change had been occurring since the world began and said talk of rising sea levels was discouraging people from buying property in coastal communities.

Mayor Cr Warren Raabe said he was uncon-vinced the results would be used by the community and so was uncomfort-able spending unbudgeted money on the project.

Cr Jim Fawcett said council had made a com-mitment to other councils to make the project a real-ity. Cr Mohya Davies was also for it.

Councillors also re-

Climate change doubts raisedquested a report from council staff about how the proposed carbon tax and broader Climate Change Package proposed by the Federal Government would affect council. This report would be given to council two months after the package is passed by Federal Parliament, if it is.

THE Korumburra and Leongatha CFA crews were called to a minor diesel spill on Mon-day at Korumburras Caltex service station.

The teams arrived promptly and the Hazmat tanker from Leongatha was called to mop up the spill.

The spill had occurred as a truck took off from the service station and excess fuel spilt on to the ground.

The CFA crews acted promptly and had the scene cleaned up within half an hour and the service station was back in operation.

Leongatha CFA captain Andy Kay said that it was only a minor incident.

Minor diesel spill

PAGE 8 - THE STAR, Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Windows smashedTWO separate incidents of bro-

ken windows occurred over the weekend in Korumburra.

A shop window in Commercial Street was kicked and cracked ex-tensively late Saturday night. Police are confi dent that the window was kicked as there were shoe prints on the glass.

The other vandalism incident oc-curred on Sunday night as two bricks were thrown through windows of a shop front on Mine Road.

The incidents are not thought to be connected and anyone with informa-tion regarding either of the incidents is urged to contact the Korumburra police station or Crimestoppers.

House fi rePolice attended a fi re at a Mirboo

North address with the CFA on Sat-urday evening around 7pm.

The 120-year-old house was empty at the time of the fi re which was unable to be contained, and was burnt to the ground.

The cause of the fi re has not yet been determined and investigations

are continuing, but the blaze is not being treated as suspicious.

Stolen calvesTHREE poddy calves were stolen

from a pen on a farm in Korumburra South overnight on Sunday.

Police are investigating the rob-bery and are talking with several calf dealers and stock agents.

Would anyone with any informa-tion regarding stolen calves or suspi-cious behaviour please contact Le-ongatha police or Crimestoppers. Warning for under-agers

PEOPLE under the age of 18 in the Bass Coast area could be banned from licensed premises before theyre even legally allowed in, said Sergeant Joe Aiello.

If under-agers commit any liquor offences in the Bass Coast area, they are at risk of being banned from all licensed bars and clubs in the region when they turn 18, he said.

This strict new process should help minimise under-age binge drinking and public drunkenness from the re-gions youth.

Pat on the backLEONGATHA police are prais-

ing the work of McCartins Hotel in picking up on people using fake or false identifi cation.

On the weekend two people under the age of 18 were caught attempting to get in the premises using someone elses ID.

The police are reminding patrons that the fi ne for lending an under-age person your ID is almost $250 and is considered a similar offence to sup-plying a young person with alcohol.

The public is also warned that the hotel employs security that is look-ing out for these kinds of incidents.

Hoons car impoundedTHE Bass Coast Highway Pa-

trol impounded a car on Sunday night around midnight for hoon related offences.

The 25-year-old female driver was travelling at 138km/h in an 80 km/h zone along the Phillip Island Tourist Road.

The car has been seized for 30 days at a cost of $765 and the driver will re-ceive a summons over the incident.

POLICE BRIEFSPOLICE BRIEFS

AS TALK about the carbon tax contin-ues, one former local is leading the way in renewable energy technology.

Greg Allen is chief op-erating offi cer for Perth-based Carnegie Wave En-ergy, which is developing wave energy technology that will deliver a renew-able energy solution for the future.

Greg grew up in Leon-gatha with his family and went to Leongatha primary and secondary schools, be-fore moving to Melbourne to study mechanical engi-neering at RMIT.

After completing his degree, Greg moved to Western Australia to chase the mining, oil and gas

industries before fi nding himself working in renew-able energy.

He now is part of a team of around 25 mostly engineers who have been working on developing this project for the last 10 years and have recently launched the pilot unit in waters near Garden Island, off the West Australian coast.

Weve had that unit in for a while and weve got some initial results out of it, and were doing an in-spection on it soon, Greg said.

The next stage of the project is to deploy about fi ve units and thatll hap-pen over the course of 2012, thats the aim.

Wave technology is likely to be the way of

the future for renewable energy.

Its one of the emerg-ing renewable technolo-gies. Its quite prominent world-wide with four or fi ve different wave ener-gy technologies. Most of the activity is in Europe though, he said.

Were all at the early commercialisation stage of development though, where we try and improve the performance and then do demonstration projects with the technology.

The project is likely to be in line for some funding from the Federal Government as part of the carbon tax.

Theres around $13 billion of funding that the Australian Government has got for renewable

technologies and some of that is allocated to emerg-ing technologies, which we are one of, Greg said.

If we dont receive suffi cient funding through that, our northern hemi-sphere partner is Electric-ity de France (EDF). They are one of the largest power generators world-wide and theyve bought the rights to the technolo-gy for the northern hemi-sphere, so theres been a fair bit of travel between Europe and Australia recently.

The project is set to be up and running, with commercial operations to start in 2013, after which the team will continue to try and improve the effi ciency.

Gregs making waves

Clean energy: Greg Allen is part of a team which is leading the way in wave energy.

By Jane Ross

THE Leongatha campus of GippsTAFE may soon be able to provide a degree course.

This follows the launch in Bendigo re-cently of the State Governments $20 mil-lion Regional Partnerships Facilitation Fund championed by Peter Hall.

He is the Minister for Higher Education and Skills and long a supporter of ready access to higher education for regional students.

The money, which will be met through a $1 billion Regional Growth Fund an-nounced during last years election cam-paign, will be available in two $10 million rounds. Applications for the fi rst round will open soon.

GippsTAFE CEO Dr Peter Whitley said you bet your bottom dollar GippsTAFE would be applying.

We will certainly be looking at ways of accessing those dollars to provide the op-portunity for people to do degree level stud-ies, he said.

The money is absolutely terrifi c. Its about time us folk in regional areas got a piece of the pie.

It gives people a nice smooth pathway and access to resources of university.

GippsTAFE has partnerships with both Monash and Ballarat universities.

Well be looking to extend the range of courses they have, through our Leongatha campus, Dr Whitley said.

Well be looking at a health-related course, but not necessarily nursing.

Dr Whitley said there are a number of diplomas in community health and welfare, drug and alcohol services.

It would, he said, be a natural progres-sion for people working in those fi elds along the South Gippsland coast to pick up a few subjects in our degree.

We can exploit the top level technol-ogy available in our (Leongatha) campus building.

Chisholm Institutes Bass Coast campus may not be eligible for the money, as Chish-olm isnt a regional TAFE.

Nevertheless client co-ordinator Irene Wallis said, We will be looking at the de-tails with interest when they are released to determine the opportunities for Chisholm to access these funds to increase our students access to higher education at our sites on the Bass Coast, Phillip Island and Rosebud.

Uni degrees coming here

FISH Creek has had as much rain so far this year as it had for the whole of 2009.

Weather recorder Neville Buck-land said this Julys 18 days of rain brought the year-to-date tally to 970mm and thats the same fi gure he noted for the entirety of 2009.

Hes been saying for a couple of months now that this years rain in Fish Creek has been record breaking.

At the end of July last year, the fi gure was 602.5mm and the year be-fore, 465mm.

Leongatha had 101.1mm, with Kay Puru noting 40.7mm for the week ending July 24 and 36mm for the week ending July 10. The tally so far for 2011 is 667mm, up around 200mm on previous years.

Meeniyan has had 110.5mm over 18 days in July, taking the years total so far to 785.3mm.

In Ruby, Margery Robson said, were on target for 100mm per month average for the year.

She tipped 120mm out of her rain gauge over 18 days of rain for July,

making a cumulative 2011 total of 740.5mm.

It wasnt our wettest July; that was in 2003, but this year, we had twice as much as last year.

South Gippsland Water re-ports that all its storages are full to capacity.

Rainfall measured in the past week was 2mm at both Ruby Creek and Lance Creek, 7.2mm at Coalition Creek, 5mm at Deep Creek, 2.6mm at Little Bass and 3mm at Battery Creek.

Yes, it was wet!

THE STAR, Tuesday, August 2, 2011 - PAGE 9

WHEN it comes to fi nding out about the servicemen and women in your family histo-ry, it can be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

But with the help of the Leon-gatha Historical Society, tracking down your ancestors can be a whole lot easier.

During Family History Week, people can go along to the Leon-gatha Mechanics Institute and fi nd

out how to research military history, including how to get information from the national archives.

An exhibition highlighting local service men and women is also on display, including the honour roll of the Leongatha Secondary College, formerly known as the Leongatha High School.

Lyn Skillern from the historical society, has carefully put together photos and information about lo-cal men who went to war, many of

whom became airmen in World Wars One and Two.

Mrs Skillern said she had already had visitors reveal some fascinating stories about their families, including one whose ancestor fought in the Brit-ish Army in the time of Napoleon.

The exhibition will be on display at the Mechanics Institute on August 3, 4 and 5 from 12 until 4pm.

Thomas Maxwell Taylor is just one of the many local men included in the honour roll on display.

Finding lost soldiers

Highlighting local servicemen: Leongatha Historical Societys Lyn Skillern with the exhibition on display at the Mechanics Institute.

Thomas Maxwell Taylor (Max), 1921-1945Max was an Air Force Flying Offi cer in the 101st Squadron. The son of Thomas and Jane Taylor, Max was

born in Leongatha on August 6, 1921. He lived in Nerrena Road just past the Secondary College towards the Tarwin River. He attended Leongatha State School and Leongatha High School before becoming a bank offi cial at the State Savings Bank, Leongatha. He was a keen participant in various sporting activities, notably football and cricket and could run like the wind.

He was a member of the 22nd Militia Battalion from August 1939 and on June 20, 1941 he transferred to the Air Force. Max left Australia for the United Kingdom on August 7, 1942, arriving there on October 3. He con-tinued to train as a navigator and was placed in the 101st Squadron before going into action against the Germans over Europe.

On the night of April 16 and 17, 1943, Max was a member of a bomber crew on an operational fl ight over German occupied territory. The plane failed to return to base and Max lost his life. He is buried in the Durbach War Cemetery in Germany.

His brother, Walter James Taylor, also an ex-student of Leongatha High School served in the Air Force.

By Matt Dunn

THE Meeniyan agency of the Ben-digo Bank has closed - temporarily.

The ATM will stay. The Bendigo Bank is

hopeful of fi nding another business to re-open the agency.

Meeniyan Bendigo Bank steering committee chairman Lindsay Moore said he was obviously disappointed at the way things had ended.

But the closure was perhaps unavoidable, as the group, which has now disbanded, gave up on the idea of raising the $750,000 that needed to be pledged by the community for a community bank. After more than two years of trying and only $500,000 pledged the target seemed unobtainable.

We couldnt raise the suffi cient pledge total

from the community, even though we tried pretty hard. Its still a positive rather than a negative, as far as were concerned. We did instigate the arrival of the ATM in the town, he said.

Were quite confi dent that the agency, if it doesnt continue, will return. The Bendigo Bank is keen to continue its presence in the town. At the moment we havent got an appropriate, suitable site.

Things are happening, but theres nothing defi nite yet. Weve presented the opportunity for the community to get involved in a community bank. But were a very small community.

Mr Moore said the task of raising $750,000 was always going to be diffi cult in the small community.

Another factor has also come into play,

with the relocation of First National Prom Country Real Estate from Meeniyan to Leongatha.

The bank operates from the former premise of the real estate offi ce.

Prom Country Real Estate partner Kaz Hughes said the banks closure had come about through a lack of community support, not because the business had decided to move.

The Bendigo Bank agency was set up to support the community bank project. When the steering committee recently decided to disband the community bank project, it caused us to sit back and make some decisions because the agency has never paid its way, she said.

Ms Hughes was instrumental in the setting up of the agency, but said her business could no longer absorb the heavy fi nancial burden that came

Bank closure not fi nal

THERE are few mainstream programs targeting student dis-enchantment in years 5 to 8.

And South Gippsland Bass Coast Local Learning and Employment Net-work (LLEN) wants to change that.

Executive offi cer Wendy Major dis-cussed the matter with Education Minis-ter Martin Dixon when he visited Wont-haggi recently.

We want to put in programs that support schools, to assist young people to stay at school.

She said Mr Dixon showed an in-terest and acknowledged the LLEN idea fi tted in with current issues in dis-engagement.

But he couldnt offer much hope about funding.

Although, added Ms Major, the minister did say he might direct us to people in his department.

She said the idea of the new program is to break the cycle with students who fi nd school boring, to make education relevant to them. It would function out-side schools, but also reach into them.

While there are some programs for disenchanted students later in their schooling, Ms Major said reaching them earlier would be an advantage.

She agreed that was a tall order.But thats what LLENs are asked to

do. (School) retention rates are not good in this region.

And, she said, school retention rates in South Gippsland Shire are actually worse than those in Bass Coast.

In line with all of that, the Gippsland Youth Commitment will be re-launched later this month.

The commitment, dubbed every-ones responsibility has a number of signatories including Gippsland UnitingCare, Murray Goulburn Co-operative, Burra Foods, politicians Pe-ter Ryan, Russell Broadbent and Peter Hall, and South Gippsland Bass Coast LLEN.

Pledges include developing a commu-nity kitchen, providing science awards for young people, supporting youth en-gagement and trade training, promoting career and transition support.

Stay at school

with it. We decided that if

there was no community bank project, then we would not continue with the agency. That prompted us to make some decisions about our real estate business, she said.

There have been suggestions in the community that they feel as though the agency and the community bank project have abandoned them. But the point is that the steering committee decided to cease going for a community bank, because there was insuffi cient community support.

There needed to be more pledges and there needed to be more business on the books, and the steering committee was a long way from achieving either.

Bendigo Bank regional manager Rob Francis is hopeful of a solution.

The agency will continue to operate there. Weve just got to fi nd someone suitable. Were still supporting our customers in the town with a 24/7 ATM, he said.

Certainly its been a very positive environment in the town. Weve got a couple of people who have been talking with us and weve got some distinct possibilities. From that perspective its all positive.

Were still very committed to Meeniyan.

Mr Francis believes the disbandment of the steering committee would not necessarily be permanent.

The basis of what were trying to do is build the agency and reinvigorate the steering committee down the track. Its not a lost cause as far as I or the bank are concerned, he said.

THE South Gippsland Transport Users Association is investigating the possibility of an increase in bus services to the South Gippsland and Bass Coast regions.

There are currently eight bus services from Leongatha to Melbourne on week-days, but association member Max Semken believes this could be increased to 16 with-out any additional buses.

I believe we can utilise these services in a more effi cient manner, he said.

If the buses dropped passengers at the Pakenham train station, not only would commuters get to Melbourne more quickly, the buses could do twice the number of trips without extra cost.

With the Monash Freeway reaching its capacity 20 years ahead of schedule and petrol prices rising, using public transport is

becoming a more economical way of travel-ling.

Now, the cost of a one-way bus ticketfrom Leongatha to Southern Cross Stationin Melbourne is less than $12, signifi cantlyless than the cost of petrol for the same trip.

Mr Semken said having more servicesbetween South Gippsland and Pakenhamwould encourage people to live in townssuch as Leongatha, Korumburra and Won-thaggi and still commute to work closer toMelbourne.

Pakenham has 60 trains a day to thecity, fi ve days a week, he said.

The more services we have here willbring people to live in the area and work inMelbourne.

Mr Semken said more buses wouldalso give locals a better opportunity to visitMelbourne to attend AFL matches or goshopping.

More buses sought

COUNCIL will consider adopting the Structure Plan for the town-ships of Loch, Nyora, Poowong and Meeniyan at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Wednesday, August 24.

This meeting will be held at the Nyora Public Hall, 5 Henley Street, Nyora, commencing at 2pm.

These plans will guide the long term growth of the townships over the next 20 years and beyond.

People interested in the long-termplanning for the four townships canreview the Structure Plans before thecouncil meeting. The plans are availableon councils website or at Councils mainoffi ce reception.

If you wish to contribute to the StructurePlans you can make a presentation toCouncil. This can be done at one of thePublic Presentation to Council sessions.

It is important to book a presentation orspeaking time with Councils GovernanceDepartment by phoning 5662 9222.

Structure plan adoption

PAGE 10 - THE STAR, Tuesday, August 2, 2011

FAY Smallman, the nurse who won a merit award from the Royal College of Nursing, Aus-tralia continues to enjoy working at Leongatha Memorial Hospital as a night supervisor. She has not retired from her be-loved work.

LEONGATHA High School/Tech/Secondary College are celebrating their centenary reunion on April 28-29, 2012.

To receive information on the program for the cen-tenary, please register your name or that of family or friends by email at cen-teary@leonsec.vic.edu.au or by post to Private Bag 1, Leongatha 3953.

HAPPY birthday (71) to Daisy Paterson of Le-ongatha for Wednesday,

August 3. Best wishes from all family and friends. Have a great day Daisy.

FAREWELL to Colin and Margret Manley who are relocating to Merimbula from Inverloch.They were good supporters of the In-verloch Uniting Church, bridge and the Leongatha Golf Club. Good luck for the future.

LEONGATHA Lyric Theatres production of Jekyll and Hyde wrapped up on the weekend.

The show was an ab-solutely stellar produc-tion on every night it was performed.

A big congratulations goes to all the cast and crew for putting on such a high class show and with the Gippsland Amateur

Theatre Awards loom-ing, the show will surely pick up some awards.

CONGRATULATIONS to local dancers who com-peted in the national com-petition in Sydney on the weekend.

Jasmine Susic achieved second in her age group while Claudia Bolam achived fourth in her age group.

Well done to all in-volved, more in next weeks Star.

LEONGATHA Red Cross will be fundraising during August at IGA and Safeway supermar-kets. Volunteers will be selling raffl e tickects for fantastic Fathers Day prizes. Selling starts this Thursday at IGA.

TAMEKA Young recently graduated from Monash Gippsland after completing a Bachelor of Nursing.

Tameka grew up in Leongatha and attended Leon-gatha Primary School and Secondary College.

She is now working at the Alfred Hospital in Mel-bourne. Congratulations Tameka.

THE STAR wishes a big belated happy birthday to JanetMansfi eld, who turned 90 a couple of weeks ago. She is pictured here with her daughter Denise Swadling. Both Janet and Denise are active members of the Red Cross.

den of the Leongatha Courthouse recently.

The fi rst roses there were planted by the branch in 1978 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Country Womens Association of Victoria.

They planted a rose specially made for the occasion, named Countrywoman.

Many of those roses are still delighting passers-by with their blooms each year, but with the establishment of new garden beds since the South Gippsland Shire Brass Band took over the venue, there was room for

some more. The new roses are also

gold the CWA colours are green and gold.

Two of the members who planted the original roses, Margaret Hyde and Ivy McInnes, were there to help with the new planting.

Judy Hunt, on behalf of band president Daryl Hunt, thanked the CWA members for the roses. Memorial plaques in the garden remember band life members Frank Scott and Stan Elliott. Mrs Elinor Scott and her daughter Heather Scott were at the courthouse too.

CWA keeps tradition blooming

Digging deep: Margaret Hyde, Ivy McInnes, Joy Stanley, Samantha Wearne, Judy Hunt, Mary Cook, Elinor Scott, Olive Laurie and Evelyn Stephens add more roses to the garden at the Courthouse.

WOORAYL CWA Branch planted fi ve new roses in the gar-

THE lucky winner of Milie Surf Wear Globe skateboard competition was Rowan Treacy from Korumburra.

Rowan was stoked about receiving the skateboard.Milie Surf Wear owner Mick Horell said there were

heaps of entries for the popular draw, open to customers who spent over $100 in-store.

Smiling skater

Winner: Millie Surf Wear owner Mick Horell with competition winner Rowan Treacy.

MICHAELS Supa IGA Leongatha has won the highly coveted IGA National Retailer of the Year Award at ceremonies held on the Gold Coast recently.

Store owner Michael Lorenz from Michaels Supa IGA Leongatha accepted the awards in front of over 1000 IGA retailers from across the country, there to celebrate the high level of excellence achieved by IGAs retailers across Australia.

Michaels Supa IGA Leongatha was awarded the prestigious Supa IGA Retailer of the Year Award for

the signifi cant refurbishment of their fresh produce and grocery departments, which has dramatically improved the customer shopping experience.

The teams commitment to quality and price sets the store apart from its competitors, including their Locked Down Low Price program and 200 per cent fresh food guarantee. The store also has offered a genuine and long standing commitment to supporting the local community including schools, charities and key benefi ciaries of their Community Chest programs.

Store owner Michael

National award for IGALorenz commented: Receiving a Retailer of the Year Award is considered a great honour amongst our stores, with tough competition each year.

It is a great achievement to win this award and we are delighted to be recognised for all our efforts. We would like to thank all our dedicated

team for their hard work throughout the year and we look forward to continue upholding the high standards that we are so proud of.

There are over 1300 IGA stores nationwide, and while they share the same brand, each is independently owned and operated.

Proud: Store manager Chris OLeary (back left) and the department managers are delighted with the huge national award going to Michaels Supa IGA in Leongatha.

THE STAR, Tuesday, August 2, 2011 - PAGE 11

By Isaac McCallum

IN SEPTEMBER 2009, Le-ongatha South resident Deb Scott stood on the side of the Bass Highway, unhappy with the state of the roads, saying something must be done.

Two years on, nothing has changed and the road continues to be littered with potholes.

Two years ago I was worried the road wasnt coping, she said.

But now with all that desal traf-fi c, it certainly isnt.

Mrs Scott noted that the road was initially built for local use, and has been made to cope with tourist traf-fi c as well as the desalination plant workers and equipment.

When we moved here in 1988 it was called Inlet Road. All it was used for was local people as well as the school bus, she said.

These potholes are downright dangerous. People speed along the highway and dont know where the next one will be.

They swerve out of the way if they do see them and thats just as bad.

Mrs Scott is a former board member of Destination Gippsland, Woorayl Shire councillor and La-trobe Valley state commissioner, so she knows the roads well.

She also knows the importance of the roads to the area.

If tourists are coming through we want them spending money, but theyre not going to come back if they bust a tyre driving from one town to another, she said.

The main aim for Mrs Scott is to see a formal meeting held between

Roads not improving

No change: Deb Scott hasnt seen roads improve after two years of advocating for works. VicRoads, councillors from both Bass Coast and South Gippsland Shire Councils, Ken Smith MLA, deputy premier Peter Ryan and of course, people from the community.

It is a big ask but she believes it is the best way to move past the situation.

We need a leader to step up and take control of this thing, she said.

Ive spoken with Ken Smith and he is right behind the idea of fi xing

the roads.Mrs Scott wants the group to be

run through the plan for the Bass Highway, whether its to be dupli-cated or fi xed.

I know VicRoads funds are stretched, so are councils, but we need to know they at least have a plan, she said.

We need to stop chasing our tails and work together on this issue.

Happy days: the open-ing of Fosters Prom Coast Centre for Chil-dren has been a boon for the region. Pictured at the centre on Monday were childcare workers Ashleigh Morris and Melissa Corry, with youngsters Zed, Harper, Jahkoa and Lara.

PAGE 12 - THE STAR, Tuesday, August 2, 2011

sonal challenges with hope sus-tained by their Christian faith.

We are greeted by a magnifi -cently decorated Dakers Centre. Christmas was there with tree and lights, beautiful music, fun and gifts, delicious food, and fellowship. Congratulations.

Thanks too to the workers. Another Sweet As success.

Nancy Embleton,Leongatha.

THANK you Steve Vagg and Cr David Lewis for questioning the need for 25 new jobs in our South Gippsland Shire.

The cost of $26 million (over 10 years) is a fair bit extra for we rate-payers to cough up.

Our shire leaders should be concentrating on essential works and not on feel good programs.

Steve Finlay,Leongatha.

I WAS disappointed to read that Cr Kieran Kennedy has queried the authenticity and bona fi des of a petition lodged by myself on behalf of the rate-payers of Venus Bay.

The petition was in sup-port of kerbside rubbish col-lection, which only Venus Bay and Walkerville do not have in the shire.

The comments by Cr Kenne-dy are unfounded and insulting. I have asked for an explanation from the councillor but yet to receive a response as to how he justifi es such a comment.

I believe the councillor could better use his time, which we pay for, investigating how the petition was actually lost by council staff after I personally lodged it on May 23.

The petition was only found after the corporate governance offi cer became involved at the

across the region.Local police will be joined

by the State Highway Patrol and other state-wide police units who will conduct a num-ber of large-scale blitzes across the area.

But I am also calling on the community to take action.

Im calling on parents to speak with their children about the importance of being 100 per cent vigilant every time they drive.

Im calling on passengers to speak up if they feel their

driver is travelling too fast,has been driving too long or isdistracted.

Im calling on our vulner-able road users, pedestrians,cyclists and motorbike riders totake extra care.

I know that together we canmake a difference and save lo-cal lives from being lost on lo-cal roads.

Eastern RegionCommander,

Assistant CommissionerWendy Steendam,

Victoria Police.

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 L

Memorable night

Councillor criticism

request of Phil Stone.Councillors should be rep-

resenting and supporting the needs and ideas of the rate-payers, not questioning their integrity.

David Liebelt,Venus Bay.

Jobs query

Do you think a heavy vehicle bypass in Korumburra would address the problems associated with having trucks in the main street?

It would be effective but wherever you put the bypass, someone will lose farmland. Someones always going to be unhappy, bypass or not.

Nick PatersonMoyarra

I dont really see the trucks in the main street as a problem usually, but we dont want them crashing into buildings and blocking the highway again.

Sam AndersonKorumburra

Something needs to be done to get the trucks out of the street, thats for sure, because if not well have a fatal accident, ei-ther around the top corners or at the traffi c lights.

Herb TreacyKorumburra

It will turn Korumburra into a ghost town if we have a bypass. A lot of businesses rely on the passing traffi c and without that they will close.

Kay RoweLoch

Tragic year so far

WHAT a night was the Sweet As event in Leongatha on Sat-urday.

Enjoyed by 160 women from Leongatha, surrounding

districts and beyond, the event was organised by the women of the Combined Churches of Le-ongathas brilliant committee.

The theme of the evening was Hope, with four inspiring speakers telling of their per-

THE fi rst part of 2011 has been a tragic one for the local area.

We have lost 15 lives on roads across the Bass Coast, Baw Baw and Latrobe areas.

Thats a 66 per cent increase from last year.

But its more than that. Its 15 families who have to deal with the fact their loved ones will never come home.

We cannot let this continue. Police are this week launch-

ing a three month blitz, Op-eration Eastern, targeting speed and dangerous and distracted driving to reduce road trauma

THE South Gippsland Shire is adopting a use it or lose it strat-egy when it comes to three of the six pools in the shire.

While the shire is focusing on infrastructure improvements to its high usage swimming pools in Leongatha, Korumburra and Toora the other pools at Foster, Mirboo North and Poowong are on notice.

As documented in the newly released Strategic Direction for Aquatic Facilities in South Gippsland paper recommendations outline the pools at Mirboo North, Poowong and Foster only receive maintenance funding and be considered for closure if usage drops by 20 per cent over two consecutive seasons or infrastructure needs replacing.

It must be said Leongatha, Korumburra and Toora pools are attracting good numbers but the other three pools are not getting the same community support.

There are some things worth fi ghting for and the communities of Foster, Poowong and Mirboo North need to take a look at this document and have a say.

Pools need the community support and if numbers are down people need to put their hand up and start showing their support.

This could mean forming a Friends of the Pool group, a membership drive and look at actively pursuing Government funding.

It isnt all done and dusted and the Shire is still planning to maintain all pools but there is only so much money in the budget and if the towns in question want to keep their pool a show of support needs to come from the community.

Many towns in South Gippsland do not have a pool and while you still have a pool in the town it is worth fi ghting for. Leongatha fought long and hard to get a pool established in the town, with great support and huge funding coming directly from the community and local businesses. Toora has always run great programs and is always pursuing Government funding for upgrades.

Now is the time for the community to prove it needs its pools. If you want to have your say and save your local pool get along to these important public meetings.

Meetings with each of the pool committees as well as public meetings have been scheduled to run throughout August and a copy of the document can also be posted by contacting Council reception on 5662 9200.

Written submissions will be received until 5pm, Friday, September 9.

Testing the watersA LARGE and controversial development of the old boys home at Newhaven remains unresolved.

The matter came before Bass Coast Shire Council last Wednesday evening and has been deferred.

Councillors considered an application to demolish part of the historic former orphanage and turn the rest into six apartments. Ten dwellings and a 21 lot subdivision make up the rest of the proposal.

Some of the people of Newhaven object to the development, especially its design that would take traffi c into Forrest Avenue, a favourite, yet narrow walking track.

The fi rst 25 minutes of the council meeting was taken up with questions from the public gallery about the development.

Detail took up 57 pages of the evenings agenda.Shire planning staff had recommended the development and

associated submissions be referrred to a panel to be appointed by the Minister for Planning Matthew Guy.

But Cr Gareth Barlow moved the application be deferred for a month. He said councillors needed to be fully briefed and that council staff should hear councillors concerns.

Cr Peter Paul seconded the motion.

Orphanage revamp uncertain

THE STAR, Tuesday, August 2, 2011 - PAGE 13

This week, youll get double Earn & Learn points for your school when you shop at Woolworths.

Registered schools can then redeem points against a choice of more than 7,000 educational resources, such as library books, classroom equipment, art & craft materials and much, much more.

Check to see if your school is registered by visiting woolworths.com.au/earnandlearn.

From Sunday 31st July until Sunday 7th August, 2011, earn two Earn & Learn points for every $10 spent in a single transaction, excluding cigarettes, alcohol and gift cards. EL010812NAT1/R

Double

Point

s

this w

eek!

Dalyston Football Netball Club debutantes: Back row: Beau Fisher, Tommy Swain, Jethro Cooney, Mitchell Sanders, Kurt Thomas, Max Francis, Sam Kuyper, Ruben Bull-Milne, CurtisHillbrick and Matthew Rogerson. Middle row: Joe Ray-Angarane, Phoebe Finlay, Jorde Chambers, Kirra Smith, Madeleine Wright, Chloe McRae, Ellie Miller, Amelia Robertson, JenniferDunlop and Alex Hamilton.Front row: Madeline Dunlop, Holly Parker, Kerri Ray, Debbie Dunlop, Paul Dunlop (president), instructors Eileen and Russell Harrison, Ruby Cantieni andAnna Pellizzer. Flower girl: Dallas Loughridge. Page boy: Jenson Garnham. Photo courtesy Foons Photographics.

THE Dalyston Football/Netball Club hosted a debutante ball at the Wonthaggi Workmens Club on Friday night, with a silver and blue colour scheme.

Dalyston debs dance the night away

PAGE 14 - THE STAR, Tuesday, August 2, 2011

THE STAR, Tuesday, August 2, 2011 - PAGE 15

STOP thinking about the cold win-ter weather and instead focus on your next extravagant holiday, by taking advantage of P&O Cruises lowest early bird fares to date for cruises next year and in 2013.

With lots of exciting itineraries and spe-cials, you can sail out from Sydney or New-castle and choose from two up to 16 nights of pure relaxation.

Enjoy a tropical retreat by cruising the Queensland coast or circumnavigating New Zealand or the Pacifi c islands.

There is also a range of specialty cruises for those who like to indulge in food and wine, comedy or lifestyle.

Other luxuries such as spa treatments and gourmet restaurants are also available while you cruise, making it the perfect re-treat.

Jill Carmody and the team at Jetset, Le-ongatha have all had the pleasure of visiting one of P&Os four cruise ships - the Pacifi c Sun, Pacifi c Dawn, Pacifi c Jewel and Pa-cifi c Pearl leaving no team more qualifi ed to book your ideal holiday.

The best value holiday youll ever have is a cruise, Jill said.

You only have to unpack once, but have the opportunity to visit a wide variety of destinations.

You can also choose to do as little or as much as you want, from opting to take part in organised excursions, exploring new and exciting places on your own, or simply choosing to kick back and relax on board the ship.

The cruises are ideal for families with P&Os own circus, Pacifi c Cirque on board the Pacifi c Jewel and Pearl.

However, with the ships only allowing a limited number of children on board, make sure to book in before you miss out.

Looking for a group getaway?Jetset can also organise cruises for sport-

ing clubs or just a group of friends wanting to get away.

A number of last minute specials for the end of 2011 are also available.

You have until September 30 to book in your cruise so what are you waiting for?

Book early for the best holiday youll have.

When did you last cruise?

Book in before its too late: Jill Carmody, Renee Cook, Caitlin Burge and Lisa OBrien can help you book your perfect P&O Cruise at Jetset in Leongatha.

THE SOUTH Gippsland Tourist Railway will be boost-ed by new regulations designed to improve longtime viability.

The local railway is one of 17 across the state that will be supported by the Tourist and Heritage Rail-ways Act 2010.

President of the South Gippsland Tourist Railway Glenn Raven said the act would offer much more organised help than in the past.

If this works it will be a huge help, Mr Raven said.

The Victorian Govern-ment is going to be taking more control of their as-sets.

Victorian Public Trans-

port Minister Terry Mulder announced the new regu-lations, which included a central register of assets used, controlled or man-aged by tourist and heritage rail operators.

Tourist and heritage railways make a vital con-tribution to Victorias so-cial, cultural, economic, tourism and community fabric, especially in region-al areas, Mr Mulder said.

This new regulatory framework is designed to give tourist and heritage railway operators the in-creased certainty and se-curity they need to survive, grow and prosper.

Mr Raven is looking forward to a more con-trolled format.

In the past most of the things we did were pretty

ad hoc, but now it appears things will be much more binding, he said.

The registrar will help source surplus stock, which will mean greater resources for the tourist railways.

Old tracks with excess sleepers and other equip-ment will be offered in-stead of destroyed.

Sleepers on the Pak-enham-Cranbourne line are being replaced with concrete ones, so they will be given away instead of being used for garden sup-plies, Mr Raven said.

This is all stuff that VicTrack has done before, but I think the control will be there a lot more.

In the past VicTrack have rung us up to see what of theirs we actually had; they just didnt know.

Assistance for railway

Mayors messageCr Warren Raabe

Mayor

MANY South Gippsland families have embraced the various student exchange programs over the years.

It was our turn to appreciate the opportunity when Cathy and I, along with our daughter Nyree visited our son Jarrah in Italy where he has been placed this year with a wonderful family. These programs showcase the full education experience, well beyond the classroom and exposing both the student and family members to new cultures, plus new levels of independence, family dynamics and an even greater appreciation for the outstanding lifestyle we have here in South Gippsland.

I do encourage families to explore these opportunities when they are presented to build on the great educational foundations provided by our local schools.

Our July council meeting was productive, with the annual budget and the Waste Management Strategy formally adopted, giving the go ahead on the many projects that council has scheduled for this fi nancial year. Thank you to all who contributed their ideas during the consultation period.

The draft aquatic strategy was also adopted for the consultation process. While no pool closures have been tabled,

the draft strategy does recommend that the focus be concentrated on the three high usage pools. The strategy can be viewed on the website and at our libraries and you have until September 9 to make formal comment on it. An online survey that will support the development of the Municipal Early Years Program review is available on www.southgippsland.vic.com.au

I invite you to capitalise on this simple method to provide feedback on what support you would like to see for your young children in their fi rst fi ve years.

With new regulations coming into play in 2013, council is addressing the various challenges these will present and your comment would be valued.

In catching up on local news in my recent absence, it seems the whole community has been impacted by the excessive rain, with many slippages on private property and local roadways and several signifi cant accidents.

Much of the repair work cannot be carried out until drier conditions prevail and the soil can be stabilised, so please drive according to the conditions and be patient in these testing situations to avoid any further tragedies.

Cr Warren Raabe, Mayor

PAGE 16 - THE STAR, Tuesday, August 2, 2011

This Census night, shed some light

online.Tuesday August 9

This coming Census night, August 9you have a choiceYou can either fi ll out the Census form delivered to your home, or you can complete the eCensus online at census.gov.au. If you decide to complete it online, an SMS will notify the Collectors not to come back to your home.

When you fi ll out your Census form, shed some light on who you are. What you say will light the way forward for health, education, transport, industry and the environment, making a brighter future for Australia. All information remains private and confi dential.

So shed some light on Census night with eCensusat census.gov.au

BUSINESS-PEOPLE in Gippsland were invited to attend a forum to network and discuss issues facing small business last Tuesday night.

Held at the RACV resort in Inverloch, the evening included speeches from Burra Foods CEO Grant Crothers and Parlia-mentary Secretary for Small Business, Russell Northe MP.

Mr Northe, also MP for Morwell, praised the committee in his speech.

Gippsland now has a voice, he said.But as well as having a voice, weve

got to be able to listen and Im sure we have that right team of people who can both listen to issues and speak out on be-half of the region.

There was also an opportunity for at-tendees to discuss their small business concerns with Mr Northe.

The issue of expanding developmenton good agricultural land was raised in aquestion and answer session.

Mr Northe agreed this was an issueand said work with Victorian PlanningMinister Matthew Guy is underway topreserve prime agricultural land from be-ing developed.

Another issue raised was the PrincesHighway closure in Morwell.

This was an introduction to the Com-mittee for Gippsland roundtable sessionthat will update the Gippsland RegionalPlan over the next few weeks.

These sessions will be held in Ko-rumburra, Bairnsdale, Warragul andTraralgon.

The Korumburra session will be heldat Coal Creek between 9.30am and 12pmon Monday, August 8. Call Mary Aldredon 5127 0737 to RSVP.

Gippsland business on the table

Committee going strong: from left, Committee for Gippsland chairman Harry Rijs, Jenny OSullivan, Amanda Alderson, Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business Russell Northe MP, Committee for Gippsland executive director Mary Aldred, Renae Littlejohn from the Southern Business Womens Net-work and Burra Foods CEO Grant Crothers.

RESIDENTS of Venus Bay and Walk-erville could receive kerbside rubbish collection, under South Gippsland Shire Councils Waste Management Strategy.

Council will survey residents to gauge their level of support. David Liebelt presented a petition with 248 signatures to council supporting the move, say-ing the collection service would improve the tidiness of the towns and result in less littering of beaches.

The strategy also proposes to reduce the amount of recyclables dumped in rubbish bins to fi ve per cent by 2015; possibly introduce a green waste col-lection service in Leongatha and Korumburra; and encourage home composting, among 41 actions.

Cr Mohya Davies said the fact council needed a strategy indicated how wasteful society was.

We ignore rubbish at our peril. The cost of rub-bish is going to increase in the future, she said.

Cr David Lewis wondered about the cost impli-cations of such a strategy.

Council has approved locality boundary changes under its locality review.

The changes approved resulted in: the creation of the locality of Wooreen, changes around Meeniyan, Dumbalk and Nerrena, and part of Yanakie becom-ing Fish Creek.

As well: part of Dumbalk became Stony Creek, Bena to Jeetho, Inverloch to Pound Creek, Ruby to Leongatha, Wild Dog Valley to Fairbank, Fairbank to Mount Eccles, Allambee Reserve to Hallston, Fish Creek to Foster, Leongatha South to Pound Creek, Pound Creek to Tarwin Lower, Hedley to Welshpool, Korumburra South to Leongatha South, Hallston to Berrys Creek, Loch to Jeetho, Mardan to Mirboo North.

Also: Strzelecki to Wild Dog Valley, Wild Dog Valley to Mount Eccles, Wild Dog Valley to Strzelecki, Foster North and Fish Creek to Foster, Meeniyan to Dumbalk, Poowong