FREE FROM THE HOME OF YOUR LOCAL TRUSTED BRANDS EAST GIPPSLAND’S LARGEST CIRCULATING NEWSPAPER | EDITION 21 Next Edition: May 31 Replay Recovery SUPPORT OUR wildlife PAGE 6 with Jeff Steedman - PAGE 4 MINDTALK PAGE 19 TIME WITH BRETT Wine There’s a myotherapy clinic in town, and there are big plans ahead for the centre. See the full story on page 3. 0412 622 404 | 149 Macleod St, Bairnsdale eastgippslandmyotherapy.com.au EASE YOUR ACHES WITH REPLAY RECOVERY • Trigger point therapy • Dry Needling • Massage • Cupping • Hot & Cold therapies • Stretching • Kingston Taping • PNF stretching • Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilisation EN23330
2 East Gippsland News Weekend | May 2024 CONTACT OFFICE: Cnr Macleod & Bailey Streets, Bairnsdale, 3875 POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 465, Bairnsdale, 3875 TELEPHONE: (03) 5150 2300 AFTER HOURS: (03) 5152 5695 MOBILE: 0439 319 229 WEBSITE: www.egnweekend.com.au EMAIL: EDITORIAL editorial@jamesyeates.com.au ADVERTISING advertising@jamesyeates.com.au Printed and published by Robert Donald Yeates, 65 Macleod Street, Bairnsdale for James Yeates & Sons Pty. Ltd., at their offices, corner Macleod and Bailey Streets, Bairnsdale, Victoria, 3875. Responsibility for election comment is accepted by the Editor of the East Gippsland News Weekend, Robert Donald Yeates. COPYRIGHT James Yeates & Sons Pty Ltd being the publisher of the Weekend East Gippsland News (“the newspaper”) is the owner of the copyright in all advertisements (including artwork) prepared by the servants and/or agents of the newspaper on behalf of its advertisers. Neither the newspaper’s advertisers nor any person on their behalf are authorised to publish, reproduce or copy in any manner, any of the said advertisements (including artwork) without the prior written licence of the newspaper. RESPONSIBILITY Please check your ad on the first day and bring any errors to the attention of the Display or Classified Department immediately. The East Gippsland News Weekend makes every effort to avoid errors. We regret that we cannot be responsible for any errors beyond the first day if you fail to bring it to our attention. No allowances can be made for errors not materially affecting the effectiveness of the ad. Position cannot and will not be guaranteed. All claims for adjustment or credit must be made within seven days after billing date. We reserve the right to revise or restrict any ad we deem objectionable and to change the classification when necessary to conform to the policy of this newspaper. In the event an ad is omitted from publication, we assume no liability for such omission. IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS The Trade Practices Act 1974 provided that advertised prices for goods and services which attract GST should be GST inclusive. Prices should not be quoted as being ‘excluding GST’ or ‘plus GST’, or by the use of words or phrases conveying similar meaning. Readers are entitled to expect that the advertised prices are the actual prices at which they can purchase the particular goods and services. Neither East Gippsland Newspapers nor its associated publications will knowingly accept for publication any advertisement which may be in breach of the Trade Practices Act 1974 or any other relevant law. Audited Media Association of Australia FREE The East Gippsland News Weekend is a member of the Victorian Country Press Association Ltd. Lists of Victorian country non-daily newspapers are at: www.vcpa.com.au Our nurses, our future For International Nurses Day (IND), Gippsland Lakes Complete Health (GLCH) asked some of its nursing team what makes them proud to be nurses. The most common answer was having a positive impact on people’s health. “I am proud to call myself a nurse because I know that nursing is a profession trusted and valued by the community,” said Amanda Crombie, Dementia Clinical Nurse Consultant at GLCH. “I feel proud to honour that trust by always placing the wishes and goals of my patients front and centre of what I do every day. I also feel proud that I can go home at the end of every day, knowing I have made a positive difference in someone else’s life.” International Nurses Day is celebrated on May 12 each year to coincide with the birthday of Florence Nightingale. This year’s IND theme: ‘Our Nurses. Our Future. The economic power of care’ is a call to action to invest more in the profession. This year’s IND aims to reshape perceptions, demonstrating how strategic investment in nursing can bring considerable economic and societal benefits. Cheryl Bush, executive manager of clinical and nursing services at GLCH, said strategic investment in supporting our nursing workforce to work at top of scope has become even more critical in in rural areas, as we face an aging populations and medical workforce shortages. Ms Bush added that she hoped the theme could raise the profile of the breadth and value of nursing services to our community more broadly. GLCH employs around 45 nursing staff who deliver services from five locations across East Gippsland, in the community and people’s homes. Many of the nurses have completed post-graduate studies or specialised training to enable them to provide advanced nursing services, such as maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health, dementia, advance care planning, respiratory and diabetes services, palliative care, immunisation, drug and alcohol, assessment and triage, lymphoedema and wound care. We encourage everyone in the community to thank a nurse who has cared for you or a family member and let them know how much you appreciate their support and expertise. Gippsland Lakes Complete Health’s Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance nursing teams celebrate International Nurses Day. Entries close: Monday, May 27, 2024 Name of winner will be published in the May 31 edition of the East Gippsland News Weekend. *Conditions apply: Consult prize provider for details. Prize is subject to booking availability. Valid for 12 months. Excludes Public Holidays. Your contact details will only be used by East Gippsland Newspapers. They will not be passed on to a third party. I would like to receive promotional emails about upcoming competitions Name: .................................................................................................................................. Address:............................................................................................................................ ...................................................................................................................................................... Email:.................................................................................................................................... Phone:................................................................................................................................. FREE STRICTLY ONE ENTRY PER PERSON Fill out your entry form For your chance to win, simply complete this entry form and post to: EGN Weekend Competition - PO Box 465, Bairnsdale 3875 or drop in to one of our offices: Bairnsdale Advertiser: 65 Macleod Street, Bairnsdale Lakes Post: 505 Esplanade, Lakes Entrance Snowy River Mail: 122 Nicholson Street, Orbost Scan the QR code to enter online Bright Chalet 5755 1833 113 Delany Ave, Bright VIC Enjoy two nights accommodation includes breakfast at the Bright Chalet on the Great Alpine Road HOLIDAY GETAWAY FOR TWO! VALUED AT $400
3 May 2024 | East Gippsland News Weekend Former local resident, Aaron Carrison, has returned to East Gippsland after almost a decade studying and working in the myotherapy space. Aaron has recently opened his own myotherapy clinic called Replay Recovery, located at 149a Macleod Street, Bairnsdale. Myotherapy is a non-invasive manual therapy that helps treat pain caused by injuries or issues with muscles, soft tissue and nerves. Myotherapy is ideal in the treatment of chronic pain originating from musculoskeletal dysfunctions/ disorder (injuries that affect movement and mobility), the leading source of disability in Australia. Myotherapy is a specialised type of remedial massage and therapists generally focus on hands-on techniques to decrease muscular pain. Aaron worked with aerial performers as both a therapist and a strength/ conditioning coach. Most recently Aaron has worked in Fitzroy as both a myotherapist and a trainer with an emphasis on rehabilitation and return to sport. Aaron had the fortunate privilege to work in northen India with charity organisation Hands on Health - this provided some of the most challenging and rewarding moments. Outside of work Aaron's activities have included football, cricket, obstacle racing, crossfit, gymnastics, and also having completed international and domestic marathons and surfed around the world. Through these experiences Aaron applies his specialised knowledge in human functional movement and injury diagnosis, treatment and prevention. A clinical myotherapist can successfully treat a number of injuries or conditions that result from traumatic or overuse injuries. These include: - Headaches and Migraines - Neck pain - Back pain (upper and lower) - Nerve pain - Hip pain - Knee pain - Shoulder pain - Stress and tension - DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) - Frozen shoulder - Shin splints - Tennis and golfers elbow Myotherapists use a variety of treatments for of pain. These include: - Trigger point therapy - Dry needling - Massage - Cupping - Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) - Hot and cold therapies - Stretching - Kinesio taping - PNF stretching For more information, check out Replay Recovery's website or Facebook page. OFFICE HOURS Mon to Fri: 9am-5pm Ph: 5152 6533 Shop 2/70 Nicholson St, Bairnsdale www.cooperstravel.com 2024 & 2025 Gippsland Depatures are booking fast! EN20945 Ghan Northbound DEPARTING 1 - 10 OCTOBER 2024 10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS • Fully Escorted Gippsland Departure • Experienced Tour Escorts • Return Coach Transfers from Gippsland region • All Accommodation Gippsland Departures Japan Discovery 16 DAYS / 15 NIGHTS • 3 & 4 Star Accommodation • 2 nights in tradional guesthouse • Locally based national guide throughout • 15 Breakfasts, 4 lunches & 4 dinners DEPARTING 28 MARCH - 12 APRIL 2025 Flinders Ranges tour & Murray River cruise onboard the Proud Mary DEPARTING 26 AUGUST - 7 SEPTEMBER 2024 13 DAYS / 12 NIGHTS • Coopers Travel Tour Escort • All flights, taxes & transfers • Accommodation & meals as per itinerary FILLING FAST! Book your spot today. GET IN QUICK! Final spots remaining. ONE ROOM REMAINING!
4 East Gippsland News Weekend | May 2024 KENNY KOALA: It's great to catch up with Pam Kyle from graveltrack this week for a coffee and a chat. PAM KYLE: Thanks for having me Kenny. KK: Have you had coffee with a Koala before Pam? How do you like your coffee? PK: Never had coffee with a Koala, but have seen plenty and there are a Kenny and Kody Koala in one of the books I have written. Half strength cappuccino for me. KK: They may be relatives. No koalas on the family farm at Goon Nure? Do you have a preferred coffee venue? PK: They have ventured that far out Kenny. I tend to do what all good Bairnsdale residents should do and that's share the coffee love around the various venues. KK: How long has graveltrack been open Pam? PK: Three and a half years. KK: Did you open from scratch? PK: I had a market business for 25 years going to places like St Kilda Esplanade, Camberwell, Inverloch and other places in Melbourne. I did a fair in Tasmania that's held every two years and the sheep show in Bendigo, which is huge. KK: What do you sell? PK: I sell children and baby clothing and gifts, and the handmade products that I like make myself, including felt books, which are stories written by myself. KK: You would be full with winter stock at the moment? PK: Yes, plenty of coats. KK: How did you name the business? PK: That's a very long story. My dearest friend, my children's auntie, chose not to have children, she was a career woman. Every year we would catch up in Melbourne or Sydney for a getaway together. Shopping and money was no object to her. We were in Country Road 30 odd years ago and she saw a dress and said to me, you could make that for me. So I took up the challenge. On completion I sent it to her work in rural New South Wales, she was an accountant. She loved the dress and was particularly amused when she saw my insignia on the hem, "graveltrack" was born, as an off shoot from Country Road. Unfortunately she has passed away, but it's a fond memory of her and she loved that dress. KK: Why the conversion from markets? PK: I was sick of the markets, the early starts, the set up and pack up. I tried a pop up shop pre-Christmas, had some success and here we are today, still trading and loving it. Very happy at our current location at 32 Service Street, its in a busy part of town with plenty of foot traffic. KK: You don't do the markets any more? PK: No, I have plenty of other things to do, always plenty of sewing and I have eight beautiful grandchildren. KK: You do all your own sewing? PK: Yes, I'm very fussy. KK: What do you do when you're not working? PK: Love to spend lots of time with the grandchildren and around the farm at home. My husband, Ian, and I run Ashley Park, a large sheep farm. I was an avid soft baller when I was younger, I love to watch cricket. KK: Everyone knows Ian Kyle, stock agent and president of the Bairnsdale Cricket Association. I have seen him do some of his best work from down at the trees near the cattle yards. Do you use your own wool? PK: No, all the wool is Australian though, but it does get processed in China. My books are very much about farm life and are all about the sheep. KK: Were you born in the region? PK: No, I was born in St Andrews, which is just out of Melbourne, my parents owned orchards. We moved here when I started high school, they purchased a beef farm between Fernbank and Lindenow. KK: Have you developed a great affection for the region? PK: Yes, it just has so much to offer. I love the beaches, they're not far away, I always took the kids to Water Point, swimming over the summers and even in the winter. I'm proud of the town and I guess that was why I opened the shop. KK: What does the town need? PK: More businesses, especially with the huge population. We need to encourage people to shop locally. Unfortunately shop rentals are too high, which is why you see so many empty shops. It's not affordable to open. Online shopping makes it too easy for people. We also need to find more things for youths and young adults to do, it's sad most nights the only thing open is the pokies. KK: What did you do after you left school? PK: I worked for Pallot Jewellers on and off between children for 27 years. KK: Bill would have been a good boss. PK: Yes, a lovely family, I also worked for his dad, a wonderful man. KK: So how did you meet the man everyone calls 'Gomer'? PK: Well Kenny, that's a story. My brother, who I travelled to work with everyday because I didn't have a licence, played cricket for Lindenow and they were playing cricket in a midweek twilight series at the Bairnsdale Oval and I had no choice but to go along to get a lift home. Ian was playing and someone dared him to ask me out and the rest is history. Ride the wave with Jeff Steedman MINDTALK Surfers know the physiological and psychological benefit of catching a wave. This effect is so powerful that they will enter freezing cold water, which could even contain Great White sharks in order to get it. Luckily, we have a version of catching and riding a wave which doesn't require you to have great balance, toned abs, strong shoulders and a lack of fear of our finned friends in the sea. You don't even have to change clothes or enter the water to get a buzz from this wave. The wave is something anyone can do at any time to simply and effectively acknowledge the good deeds of another. It is particularly effective when you are not in a position to verbally thank someone, such as when you are trying to enter a stream of traffic and some kind soul leaves a space and waves you in. Another example is when lanes are converging and a zip process is required to seamlessly integrate the two lines, a simple wave once you have been let in goes a long way to improve your day and the day of the receiver. So how does this work? Showing gratitude and acknowledging good deeds has an immediate effect for both giver and receiver, each gets a boost of the feel good hormones; oxytocin, dopamine and serotonin. These hormones are automatically released and even in small quantities will have a positive effect on our mood. It is an even better effect when both parties show appreciation for the others actions. The really exciting thing is that as many of us start doing this, it has a cumulative effect. Just as acting in a boorish manner can accumulate from situation to situation and person to person as we don't show appreciation because others didn't show it to us, so too can acts of gratitude develop into a tsunami sweeping through our community, and all it takes is for each of us to make the first move. I invite you to dive right in with me and catch the next wave. Imagine the benefits to our community if everyone who reads this column acknowledged good deeds with a word or a wave. Overnight our roads, streets and neighbourhoods would begin to feel warmer, more welcoming and connected, and all it takes is giving a wave to start it all off. East Gippsland Newspapers mascot, Kenny Koala, has been out and about in the community, enjoying a coffee with prominent local business people discussing their business, what it involves and what the regions requires in an ever-changing business environment. Coffee Kenny with KK: He would have been a strapping lad back then? PK: Yes and he was a very good cricketer. KK: Have you lived out at Goon Nure the whole time? PK: Yes. KK: Your son's one of the sporting stars of the region - a gun cricketer and kicked a bag full of goals for Buchan in one game last year. Does he get the ability from Gomer? PK: Cricket for sure, but the football comes from my father who was at St Kilda when he broke his ankle prior to the first round and then the second world war commenced. He enlisted and that was his football career done and dusted. KK: Where do the Kyles like to holiday? PK: Anywhere with a beach for me, though our holidays do usually involve a sheep show or sheep show judging. KK: Thanks for the chat Pam. PK: It’s been a pleasure Kenny. All your nance needs under one roof. Old fashioned face-to-face service from a local with over 45 years of experience in the nance industry. Robert Trewin Mortgage Broking Pty Ltd. Credit Representative Number - 391757. ACN 107465234 Credit Representative of National Mortgage Brokers Pty Ltd. ACN 093 874 376 Australian. Credit Licence 391209 We deal with the lender • Home loans • Renancing • Car loans • Commercial lending • Investment loans • First home buyers • Reverse mortgages • Equipment nance Ph: 5152 2800 | 63 Main Street, Bairnsdale | www.trewin.com.au Broker Business of the Year 1st XI 2018 - 2024 EN15210
5 May 2024 | East Gippsland News Weekend A feast Join Cafe Chez Joe in welcoming delicious Maffco Brewery and Distillery as well as musician Duncan Clark, in a free fun filled night in Metung on Saturday, June 1. Picture this: Maffco beer, live music, delicious Cafe Chez Joe cuisine, while sitting with your friends and family. You can book a free table today by contacting the Metung cafe. “Better get in fast because we are a quaint little shop, so tables are going to fill up quick,” Joe said. Café Chez Joe brings International fusion cuisine from around the globe to you. Joe and Kay have source only the best local produce from around East Gippsland and are serving it up for you seven days a week, breakfast, lunch, dinner and takeaway. Maffco Brewery and Distillery has a core range of favourites to a steady stream of seasonal brews.Jimmy Sandison, a local, began this journey through the planning stages and completed a huge amount of work. He now continues this journey as a head brewer. Jimmy gained his knowledge of brewing at home and has fostered this passion over the course of many years. About 10 years ago he was fortunate enough to be involved in project to upgrade the Pale Ale line at Coopers Brewery in Adelaide. This project, while leading to involvement in further commercial brewery design projects, also piqued his interest in brewing his own beer and was the catalyst to him exploring more adventurous beer styles he previously might have avoided prior. “Having been a local for most of my life, I often thought that a craft brewery in the area would be a great fit, it has therefore been exciting to play a part bringing the Maffco project to fruition,” Jimmy said. “After initially being contacted by Nicky (Reeves) and Lashay (Tricker) in late 2021 to assist with design and drafting components the project, it soon became apparent that I had more to offer than just engineering input and go on aid design, construction, and operation of the brewery. “Like many, my first brewing experience came in the form of a cheap home brew kit brewed on the kitchen stove. In all honestly, in the early days the finished product wasn’t fantastic, but it was enough motivation to make me want to explore beer making in more depth. “So far, the feedback from the community has been excellent, and I look forward to producing more great beer for Maffra and the wider area to enjoy.” You can enjoy both Maffco and Cafe Chez Joe in one evening in Metung on Saturday, June 1, all brought together with the delightful sounds of Duncan Clark. of taste and sound Scan the QR code or visit curtisaustralia.com You’ll find original design jewellery collections, unique Curtis handcrafted solid gold watches and beautiful pen ranges. EN20287
6 East Gippsland News Weekend | May 2024 Why wildlife needs support In hard times, a lot of issues get pushed to lower visibility and big issues take up everyone's mind space. Imagine having no public or private voice, no place to call home, predatory neighbours behind every tree, and fences, more and more fences enclosing your homeland. This is what Australian native wildlife faces on a daily basis. I am a Wildlife Rescuer and Wildlife Refuge Owner. My partner and I have dedicated our lives to caring for wildlife for the past 10 years. We do it on a voluntary basis and we fund it ourselves because wildlife is under threat. They face: - Large scale land development, which results in loss of habitat. - Motor vehicles travelling fast at night, resulting in lots of dead parents and orphaned joeys. - Forest and land clearing operations, resulting in loss of food resources and nesting hollows. - Free-ranging cats who have an enormous impact on all wildlife. Australia is blessed as the only country that has a significant population of marsupials, kangaroos, wallabies, possums, wombats and many more species. We are presumably glad to have them, but do not value them. It is not just the richness of our lives, that our wildlife brings to us, it is that wildlife contributes to the balance of nature. Yet, they are under pressure for survival, as are many birds, bats, insects, reptiles and fish. Without bats and native bees and other insects we would not have any pollination of gum trees, fruit trees and many crops. Our wildlife shelter is small and regional, and we rescue and care for orphaned or injured animals and birds. Marsupials are unique in that they spend their first six to eight months in their mother's pouch, while attached to a nipple. If the mother is killed or injured, the joey can remain alive in the pouch for up to a week (depending on weather conditions). One of the most important things to do if you hit any wildlife in a car, is to stop and check Vonnie with two wombat joeys Jasmine and Mia - babysitting for another shelter. Rednecked wallaby Daisy about 14 months old. In care with us from 400g after mother was killed by a vehicle. In care with us for 12 months until 10kg and released in open forest country near Toorloo Arm. Zen, a Swamp Wallaby about 1.5kg. In care for 12 months from 450g after mother killed by car. Released at our shelter at 8kg. Kangaroo joeys having their afternoon sleep - all tucked up nice and secure. the pouch to see if it holds a joey. A small kangaroo joey may be in care for over a year before it can be released back into the wild. Initially it will be fed special milk formula every three to four hours, and it will sleep in a humidicrib similar to a newborn human baby. Wildlife is intolerant to cow's milk, so rescued joeys must be delivered to an accredited wildlife carer or vet, who have these specific formula milks that a joey requires. We also rescue a lot of birds, possums and reptiles that have been savaged by domestic cats. Cats release a toxin in their bite which is usually fatal to a possum, so a cat attack is quite traumatic, requiring the bird or animal to be humanely euthanised by a vet. Other trauma for both carers and animals is when animals, particularly flying foxes get entangled in fruit tree netting or barbed wire - this is especially so for kangaroos who don't usually survive a traumatic leg injury from being hung up on wire fences. After spending a year or more caring for an injured or orphaned animal, we release them back into their natural habitat. The joy of this moment is what makes the memory of sleepless nights forgotten and is compounded, when the released animal makes a surprise visit back to you with a new joey in its pouch. And that is why we are Wildlife Carers. If you encounter injured or 'lost' wildlife, please ring Wildlife Victoria on 8400 7300 and they will contact nearest Wildlife Carer. Written by Vonnie Nicol. Native timber support available now Native timber harvesting has ended in Victoria but support is still available. Native timber businesses, workers and communities can continue to access a range of support including: • The Victorian Forestry Worker Support Program –including payments and training, 1:1 case management, employment services, health and wellbeing support. • Business support – including exit packages and funding to help diversify. • Community support – health and wellbeing services and community development planning and funding. For more information: • Forestry Transition hotline - 1800 318 182 • Victorian Forestry Worker Support Program - 1800 122 001 vic.gov.au/forestry (03) 5153 9700 294 Main Street, Bairnsdale Open 7 Days Monday-Friday: 9am - 5:30pm Saturday: 9 - 4 Sunday: 10 - 4 Optus dealer Local
7 May 2024 | East Gippsland News Weekend Walking with our dogs When we train our dogs to walk with us it is usually on the left. Why? Historically dogs went to war in 600BC when swords, spears, javelins, bows and arrows were used, these generally were held in the right hand, dogs would have been in a bad position on the right. Gundogs are on the left so ejecting shells and cartridges don’t hit them. Guide dogs generally work on the left to leave the right hand free. When footpaths were rare, people walked facing traffic and the dog was away from the road. Nowadays it’s not so important which side we walk dogs on (left is required for competitions involving heeling skills). There are two types of walking, one is casual, a loose lead with the dog having a bit of a wander and sniff, a relaxed pleasurable experience. The other is the heel position, with the dog giving full focus and precise positioning, great for walking through crowds or keeping the dog focussed. How do we differentiate so the dog understands – our body posture, movement and hand position all help indicate to the dog what we expect. For a loose lead walk our body and gait is relaxed and hands can be down, for heeling our hand position should be precise and constant (precision from dog and owner), movements may be more rigid. Social walking should be the priority for all dog owners. The dog should be able to walk on a lead before it goes for a walk, taking the dog out before it knows the rules and allowing it to pull becomes a learned behaviour which is more difficult to stop. Visit Bairnsdale and District Dog Obedience Club inc for more information. Bairnsdale VIEW Club is hosting a May Market on Saturday May 18, 8.30am to 2pm, at the Lucknow Hall. The Smith Family is a children’s education charity that helps young Australians experiencing disadvantage, to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power To make reservations PH: 5152 4030 59 Main Street, Bairnsdale EN23686 of education. VIEW is a national women’s organisation and support network, bringing together women to enjoy social activities, develop skills, and make connections – all while supporting Australian children, with a belief that education is one of the most powerful agents for change. VIEW is also the largest community sponsor of students on The Smith Family’s ‘Learning for Life’ Program. With more than 14,000 members in 280 communities, VIEW Clubs support the educational outcome of more than 1730 students nationally. Bairnsdale VIEW Club currently sponsors 19 students on the program and are proud to provide better futures for young Australians. There will be an abundance of delights on offer. Delicious cakes and slices, hand crafted goods, plants, pre loved household goods and more. Enjoy a tasty sausage sizzle or warming coffee from the coffee van. Children will be entertained at the craft activity table. Bairnsdale VIEW Club members look forward to welcoming you to the market, to support this wonderful fundraiser. VIEW Club market Bairnsdale VIEW Club is hosting a May Market at Lucknow Hall on Saturday, May 18, from 8.30am to 2pm with funds raised to support the club’s 19 sponsor children.
8 East Gippsland News Weekend | May 2024 Nine-year bike ride marks first autumn event The Autumn Great East Rail Trail Ride took place from May 3 to May 6, marking its ninth year but the first time held in autumn. Participants and the Great East team thoroughly enjoyed the event being based in Nowa Nowa for three nights, providing a sense of comfort throughout the weekend. Upon arrival on Friday, everyone engaged in trivia and sang songs around the campfire, and the Nowa Nowa community prepared a delicious barbecue and salad for the group. On Saturday morning, riders were transported to Bairnsdale to start their journey on the East Gippsland Rail Trail. They rode from Bairnsdale to Nicholson River Winery for a morning tea overlooking the river, with some enjoying wine tasting and taking a few boxes of wine back to base camp. Continuing on to Bruthen after the morning tea, the riders reached the town around noon and headed to the Bruthen Inn for a refreshing drink and lunch. After lunch they visited Tambo Valley Honey where owners Ben and Stacey provided an informative talk and honey tasting. They were then bussed back to Nowa Nowa to meet a special guest, author and illustrator, Georgia Angus. The riders were thrilled to engage with Georgia, with many getting their books signed by her. For dinner, local resident and small business owner, Rinaldo from Gro Wilde prepared a special meal that was a favourite among many. After a busy first day, the group relaxed around the fire, enjoying music from Georgia and Stephen Angus. On Sunday morning, riders were bused back to Bruthen to begin their journey up the hill out of the Bruthen Valley to find Flat Bickie on the trail, serving coffee and Portuguese tarts for morning tea. A short distance further was the turn-off to the Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail. This addition to the event led them through majestic rainforests and ferns along the Mississippi Creek to the top of Kalimna. They then rode to Wyanga Park Winery, enjoying wine and a platter. They were then bussed back to Nowa Nowa for an afternoon of relaxation or engaged in a bike maintenance session around the fireplace. Dinner was once again hosted by the Nowa Nowa community at the Nowa Nowa Hall, where baked potatoes loaded with various toppings were a hit. The final day, Monday, saw the riders departing from Nowa Nowa, cycling further east to Orbost. Upon arriving in Orbost, the riders were excited to see work beginning on the Snowy Rail Bridge and looked forward to returning once it was complete. Lunch at Sailors Grave Brewing was provided by River Baker Cafe, where the riders also indulged in a tasting paddle and were given a tour of the brewery by Gab Moore. This event is held twice a year, in autumn and spring. Organiser Michelle Webb values feedback and continuously enhances the event to ensure maximum enjoyment. Taking into account the positive feedback received for the base camp, she plans to incorporate these elements into the spring event as well. The spring event will span over four nights to foster relationships within the group. Michelle has scheduled the spring event from Thursday, October 3, to Monday, October 6, 2024. As part of Victoria’s Big Build, we’re upgrading the Gippsland Line to deliver more trains more often. We’re also adding two dedicated tracks in East Pakenham to allow V/Line trains to bypass metropolitan trains, making travel more reliable. Coaches replace trains in both directions Gippsland Line Early May to mid June Southern Cross to Bairnsdale Disruption extended on the Gippsland Line until mid June Check before you travel at bigbuild.vic.gov.au 2838 Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne
9 May 2024 | East Gippsland News Weekend An endless variety - Bull Botanicals expands - Lachlan Bull’s passion for plants is growing and growing. The young operator of Bull Botanicals first opened the doors to his small store opposite the popular Exchange House in August 2022 and earlier this year expanded, reopening a full nursery last month. “Expanding was always part of my plan,” Lachlan said. “It thrills me to curate and showcase a selection of plants that people might otherwise never see, the new outdoor area drastically increases the scope of that.” The site at 53 Princes Highway, Lucknow, had previously been a popular nursery for many years, however in recent times it had become a bare, vacant piece of land. Lachlan and his small team at Bull Botanicals have now brought it back to life with the nursery now bright and light with a wide variety of plants. “East Gippsland has a wide range of climates and soil types, allowing a fairly diverse range of plants to thrive here,” Lachlan said. “Generally native plants perform exceptionally well and do a superior job of attracting our local wildlife into the garden. “In short I believe plants are inherently beautiful, fascinating and intelligent creatures. I think if more people learned about and understood some of their inner workings they would be awestruck by their intricacies and complexity. “I believe appreciation follows education, which is sparked by fascination — something I hope to ignite in others through our operations. “There’s been a stark change following our recent expansion. Currently, our native plants are selling extremely well. Coming into the colder months, we will see a much larger range and it’s the perfect time to plant them.” Lachlan didn’t grow up with a love of plants, however grew to embrace them and its now a passion. “I certainly wasn’t born with a green thumb. I’ve killed plants in almost every way imaginable,” he said. “However, I think that’s the only way to learn and identify what has gone wrong, why it’s gone wrong, and how to fix it.” Lachlan loves indoor plants, having said that he isn’t a fan of all plants. “I despise yuccas, agapanthus and nandinas - utter horticultural abominations,” he said. “It’s a tough call, my interests are forever evolving, but right now I’m especially into indoor plants. Most of the really unique varieties we have come from the subtropics, though that’s likely to change as we continue to explore and expand our collection.” LACHLAN’S TOP GARDENING TIPS Start with the soil: “I’m a big proponent of the soil food web and its impact on plant health. Prioritise building and maintaining healthy soil to support your plants; a strong foundation makes all the difference.” Choose the right plants for the right place: “Select a variety that is appropriate for its intended location. You’re fighting a losing battle trying to grow a plant where it isn’t adapted. Light, temperature, wind, soil type, etc, are all important factors to consider.” Monitor your plants regularly: “Early detection of pests and diseases makes them much easier to manage. Some plants are more prone to specific problems, so knowing what to look out for can give you an upper hand in maintaining plant health.”
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11 May 2024 | East Gippsland News Weekend From the forest to the sea Traralgon to Sale 175km / 2hrs 35mins This edition’s Weekend Drive travels through postcard-worthy landscapes of Central Gippsland, from the iconic suspension bridge in Tarra Bulga National Park to the endless coastline of 90 Mile Beach. You can also squeeze in the regional hubs of Sale and Traralgon and take in Port Albert and Yarram. Traralgon to Yarram 94km / 1hr 40mins Starting in Traralgon, you’ll find a vibrant arts and culture scene, bursting with humming cafes, dining and pulsing nightlife. Once you’ve had your fill of heritage buildings, head for green parks such as the manicured Victory Park or the bushland retreat of the Traralgon Railway Reserve. From Traralgon you can drive the scenic route to Tarra Bulga, where the oasis of calm is unlike anywhere else. The cool temperate rainforest floor is covered in ferns and twisting creeks run through the lush valleys. The park is best explored on one of the many walks and a highlight is crossing the Corrigan Suspension Bridge, which offers great views over the fern gullies. Continue to Yarram, which was once a quaint country dairy town, now a thriving arts hub. There, you’ll find a myriad of murals throughout the town, all completed by talented Mongolian-born street artist, Heesco. The addition of the murals has put Yarram on the map as a premier street art destination. Yarram to Port Albert 12km / 11mins Next on the road trip is the seaside town of Port Albert, a short 10-minute drive from Yarram. The calm waters provide an amazing backdrop to a town filled with history. Visit the Port Albert Maritime Museum to check out how the town was founded and the history behind this picture-perfect town. Port Albert to Sale (via Woodside) 78km / 55mins Continue on your trek, leaving behind the history of Port Albert. Stop in at Woodside and let your toes feel the golden sands of 90 Mile Beach. With stunning vistas as far as the eye can see, Woodside Beach is the perfect spot to enjoy a day by the water or enjoy a meal and quiet drink at the Woodside Hotel. Continue south and you’ll end up at Sale, a town worthy of an overnight stay with its abundant green spaces, lakeside walks and humming cafes. Take a stroll around the Port of Sale, the Sale Botanic Gardens or marvel at 19th century technology at Sale’s Swing Bridge. Check out the bird life at the Sale Wetlands, catch the RAAF Roulettes practicing or see the Armed Forces Museum. Yarram Port Albert Tarra Bulga 90 Mile Beach Live your best city life and enjoy date night in style with the new Isuzu D-MAX. DISCOVER THE ISUZU D-MAX – VISIT US TODAY! PETER DULLARD ISUZU UTE 457 - 461 Princess Highway, Bairnsdale, VIC, 3875 peterdullardisuzuute.com.au LMCT 8223 EN23688
12 East Gippsland News Weekend | May 2024 DAMIEN DONOHUE: It is great to catch up this week with the dedicated chief executive officer of the Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House, Leanne Jennings, to learn more about her journey at one of the busiest hubs in town. Great to catch up Leanne. LEANNE JENNINGS: It’s a pleasure Damien. DD: Tell us about Leanne Jennings growing up. LJ: I attended 754 Primary School then ventured off to the Bairnsdale High School which was where the Neighbourhood House was now. After a year we all transitioned up to the new Bairnsdale Secondary College. DD: What do you remember about school? LJ: There was lots of bullying. I remember cooking and kicking the football around. I was pretty good at sport, so I was always out there on the footy field, even though I didn’t come from a sporting background. DD: Are you from a farming background? LJ: Very much, I rode a horse with my father around the farm checking on the livestock. DD: Did you compete in horse events? LJ: I showed Australian Stock horses, campdrafted and team penned with some luck. I won a few gold buckles. I would love to ride more but I’m time poor. DD: Are you from interested in farming? LJ: Yes, I run my farm, run 220 head of quality beef cattle, which I took over after the passing of my father. I have spent the last nine years determined to prove myself as a female in the agricultural sector, especially in East Gippsland, where I don’t think we get much respect. I’m happy where I’ve got to and am at presently. DD: How many years have you been in your role at the Neighbourhood House? LJ: 28 years. DD: How has the Neighbourhood House evolved in that time? LJ: It’s been an amazing transition. Going from virtually nobody walking in the first two weeks, which was very boring for a workaholic, to being unbelievably busy like it is now. We are getting about 600 people through the door a week, addressing some issues in the East Gippsland Shire. DD: So how did the Neighbourhood Houses begin? LJ: They evolved in the 1980s around women, particularly who lacked education and child care, which were important in communities lives. Neighbourhood Houses created those opportunities for women. We’ve moved on from there, we now address more issues in our neighbourhood, so it’s more like a community centre these days. It’s very reliant on, obviously, the coordinator, but also the community and what they want. DD: Has it always been in the same venue? LJ: Certainly not, it started before my time over in East Bairnsdale in a public housing house, but there was issues with parking and the size of the building. They built a house over in Dalmahoy Street, which now has the same issues. So we’re looking at a rebuild, we’ve got a $6.6 million project on the table the moment that I’ve been working on for the past three and a half years. I hope to get it completed before I retire. The Dahlsen family have been nice donating $500,000 which is a huge contribution from a family with a rich Bairnsdale history. DD: What does Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House provide for the community? LJ: The main delivery is social connection for people, there’s a lot of vulnerable people out there, lonely people. It doesn’t matter what type income you have, you can be very lonely. It can happen for a variety of reasons. DD: What attracts people to the Neighbourhood House? LJ: We have our regular and special events. At the moment our meals are pretty popular, $7 meal, all you can can eat. They get a good supply of food on those days we offer a meal. But we have other social stuff like a community garden where people can come and interact, even though they may have a garden at home, they still get to interact with other people. DD: Is there a night time feed? LJ: Yes, Friday nights are huge. DD: All dietary needs covered? LJ: For sure, we do vegan and gluten free. DD: So how does the house survive - people often ask? LJ: We get a one-off grant from the Victorian State Government, the Neighbourhood House Coordination Program and through the work of many dedicated volunteers. There’s also many other grant opportunities that we are constantly applying for to support with all the peripheral stuff that we need. Community support is also important, donations are vital and much appreciated. DD: I can’t imagine there’s a lot of profit in a $7 meal. LJ: No, it’s not. We have just over 100 volunteers, which helps us raise money through our opportunity shop. DD: Do you get much support from the East Gippsland Shire Council? LJ: We would certainly appreciate some more, we are delivering a lot of their policy and not getting support that we believe that we should have from our council. It’s a common theme with most Neighbourhood Houses across the state, we’re not isolated. We are delivering a lot of their wellbeing and social
13 May 2024 | East Gippsland News Weekend issues, creating much needed social integration with limited support. DD: You provide meals to the rural bush nurses? LJ: Yes, that initiative came out of the 2019/2020 bushfires where we did a huge bushfire response across East Gippsland where we utilised our fleet of vehicles to go into communities. The meals were well received among the elderly folk and we have continued to distribute through bush nurses. DD: We see on a regular basis there’s people sitting down, having lunch and socialising. Have we had any marriages? LJ: Relationships have evolved for sure. DD: What about homelessness in Bairnsdale, do you see much of it in your role? LJ: It’s a huge issue, people come up with some really brilliant ideas but it’s bigger than the ideas. It’s a really hard issue. We provide access to toilets, showers and food, a little area where they can cook. It’s a sad issue, we need to treat these people with dignity which isn’t always happening. Mental health is a huge issue, which is something I’m particularly passionate about. I run rural mental health workshops across remote communities, but the issue is much bigger than that. DD: So there’s a toilet block which they can come and utilise? LJ: Yes, I’m thankful for the work of Rotary and Bernie Farquar to establish that facility. I was always negative but it was a great project and its benefits are amazing. When the power went out recently in some sectors in the town, the facility was used by many, which was a great result. DD: There’s no place for people to sleep though? LJ: No, they’re not allowed to sleep in there. Some days you come to work early and find people sleeping on the steps. A place needs to be found for these people to sleep in a safe environment, but if that is done it must be managed correctly. DD: Family violence is another huge issue in the region? LJ: Family violence is huge Australia wide and as the recent statistics show it’s huge in East Gippsland. It’s alarming and sad, probably not talked about in our community enough, too easily swept under the carpet. We always look to provide support where we can but unfortunately we can’t do housing, which is a huge requirement in a lot of these cases, getting the victims into a safe secure environment, but there is a lack of housing throughout the state, not just around here. We can supply endless amounts of support, clothing and food - but it’s the housing support that is lacking. DD: It’s a terrible situation, the stories are horrendous. Let’s finish with some quick questions. Favourite football team? LJ: Hate football. Carlton. DD: Favourite food? LJ: Something Indian. Travelled there extensively, love the food. DD: Speciality dish. LJ: Chick Pei and potato curry or a roast. I love cooking and am passionate about cooking. I’m passionate about food. DD: Does pineapple belong on a pizza? LJ: For sure. DD: Pizza of choice? LJ: Something exotic. DD: What’s your favourite movie? LJ: I don’t watch movies, I fall asleep because I’m always tired because I work too hard. I did like Saving Private Ryan. DD: TV Show? LJ: McLeod’s Daughters, I also like the Midwife show that is on ABC on a Sunday night at 7.30pm. DD: Who would play Leanne Jennings in a movie? LJ: Someone from McLeod’s Daughters. DD: If you could have a drink with three people from any point in time - celebrities, friends, etc - who would they be and why? LJ: I’d like to catch up more with friends, really more than famous people. I think we spend too much time on social media these days and not enough time chatting in person. DD: It’s been a pleasure Leanne.
14 East Gippsland News Weekend | May 2024 DEECA and BTAC unblock McMillans Walking Track After the Ben Cruachan Walking Club completed an end-to-end walk of the 210km McMillans Walking Track last December, members submitted a track condition report to the various land managers whose land the track traverses. Other than the urgent need to spray for blackberries at various locations, the report identified two sections of the track that needed urgent clearing and marking; the one kilometre section from Black River to the CS5 Track which was indistinct, over grown and difficult to follow and several sections of the 3.8km track from Champion Spur Track to Stander Creek which had many large logs across the track at the upper end and a section of very dense regrowth further down. The DEECA Macalister District administered from Heyfield is the land manager for the Black River section and DEECA Coulburn District administered from Mansfield is the land manager for the Stander Creek section. Champion Spur Track is the divider between the districts. It is pleasing to report that not only have DEECA applied resources to these sections but have also addressed a number of other areas along McMillans Walking Track. After DEECA had done much of the heavy work a party of six BTAC volunteers went in and polished off the last remaining work to clear and improve the track marking of the 9.5km section between the Black River and Stander Creek. The hardest task for the volunteers over ANZAC weekend was to get their equipment back up the 600m climb from where they finished work back to their camp site on Champion Spur Track. The volunteers met up at Fiddlers Green on ANZAC day and then travelled in convoy along the challenging Champion Spur Track taking over an hour to complete 15km. 4WD skills and patience were put to the test. They established their camping spot at the junction of Champion Spur Track and CS5 Track. Friday morning they headed down CS5 (CS3 on some maps) Track and expected to start clearing logs and vegetation on a short dozed track off CS5 only to find that the first and worst section of logs had already been cleared. After 200 metres the dozed track and the clearing work stoped. From here work started in earnest to clear the indistinct walking pad along a rocky ridge and then down a shaly face to the Black River. At the Black River, a small camping area just downstream of the river crossing was tidied up and track markers were installed on the way back up to camp. On Saturday they headed down the track to Stander Creek and admired all the good work done by the DEECA crew of clearing the large logs near the top and clearing through the dense over growth further down. The volunteers cleared from where the DEECA crew finished down to Stander Creek. They didn't take a chainsaw for this section but managed to throw off most logs. The few that were left are easy step overs. They also did a bit of tidy up work in the dense section that the DEECA crew had done the hard work on. Some additional track markers were installed. As for the previous evening a camp fire kept the volunteers warm as they prepared their meals and socialised. Sunday morning, though cool, was yet another fine day. The volunteers packed up camp and headed home getting more 4WD experience as they exited Champion Spur Track. Over the weekend they worked some 108 on the job hours to clear approximately 2.5km of the track. The volunteers spent some 70 hours travelling to and from the activity. Thanks to the efforts of DEECA Macalister, DEECA Coulburn and the BTAC volunteers the whole 9.5km stretch of McMillans Walking Track from Black River to Stander Creek is now easy walking as far as following the track and the track being log free and clear of vegetation. One still has to do a hard steep climb which ever direction one walks it. Taking a break along McMillans Walking Track. Calculate yours at taxcuts.gov.au Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra Tax cuts for every taxpayer Estimate yours with the tax cut calculator.
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