Over the fence - news and gossip

Commonwealth Games equipment on offer

Many hundreds of pieces of Commonwealth Games sporting equipment used during the Games are being gifted to the Victorian community. The equipment available includes swimming pool fittings, netball bibs, basketball backboards, bowls equipment, hurdles and mats.

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, would like to make all sporting and recreation groups in the Benalla Electorate aware that an expression of interest can be made directly to the Department of Victorian Communities (DVC) via email for the Commonwealth Games equipment.

Dr Sykes said, “I have been informed that equipment will be distributed through sporting associations such as those who participated in the Games including Athletics Victoria, Swimming Victoria and Basketball Victoria. Other sporting groups and associations will also be able to apply”.

“I encourage all groups to email James Morrissey, DVC with their expression of interest to acquire Commonwealth Games equipment as well as writing to their governing sporting association for support of their application.”

Contact Mr James Morrissey
Department of Victorian Communities
Email james.morrissey@dvc.vic.gov.au
Freecall 1300 366 356

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Collecting firewood

The summer is over and it is time to collect some firewood so I called into the Whitfield Parks Victoria/DSE/DPI Office to get information on obtaining a firewood permit.

They knew nothing. I was directed to the Whitfield General Store. They sold the permits but had no idea where the firewood collection area was. They made enquiries and eventually provided me with a faxed map of the area and a contact number at Beechworth. As the map was blotchy, I called the contact, Coleen Kindris, seeking an email or posted version. With no response - and a week later - I took an exploratory drive to try and find the firewood collection area.

As I entered the Black Range state forest, there was a sign pointing towards the firewood collection area. At the Gold Mine Ridge Track there was another. A few kilometres along this track and the going got tough. It became a four wheel drive track with steep inclines and ditches that a two wheel drive domestic car could not negotiate. If I had a four wheel drive that could negotiate that track, I certainly wouldn't be needing a firewood collection permit! It was time for a strategic withdrawal.

I phoned Colleen Kindris at Beechworth seeking further instruction. She advised that she had never been to the area and connected me through to Stephen Deed at Myrtleford, whom she had asked to email me that map a week ago. Having not received that map, I was not surprised to find that Stephen was not there so I left a message on his answering machine.

I will keep you informed on my progress ...

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Cyclist in hay bale is looking tired

The cyclist in the hay bale has been alongside the Whitfield Road outside the Gracebrook Cellar Door for about 18 months. It is quite famous in the area and has been a feature photo on The KIng Valley Portal website.

Sadly, the hay is rotting away and the bale has been tipped on it's end. With his gumboots now spaced about five fdeet apart, the poor cyclist must be feeling the pain. Let us hope he doesn't dissapear completely. (Click photo for enlargement)

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RABBIT CONTROL – TRY 1080 TREATED OATS

Landholders wishing to control rabbits should try using 1080 treated oats.

That’s the advice of Dr Bill Sykes, Nationals Member for Benalla, after he joined Strathbogie Range landholders at a rabbit control field day at Gooram near Euroa last week. The field day was organised by The Granite Creek Project Inc through Sarah Challis, Facilitator and Neil Devanny, Chairperson.

Dr Sykes said that he attended the field day to learn first hand about using 1080 treated oats following the furore amongst landholders when the Department of Primary Industry (DPI) withdrew 1080 treated carrots in association with cutting eight DPI pest and weed control staff in north east Victoria.

Dr Sykes said that 1080 treated oats had been used successfully in Western Australia and South Australia to control rabbits.
For best results the following practices need to be applied.

• There needs to be a coordinated area approach with 1080 treated oats being used in conjunction with the ripping of rabbit warrens.
  
• The 1080 treated oats need to be laid in a prepared furrow with the feeding of poisoned oats being preceded by 2-3 “free” feeds with normal oats.
  
• Good quality oats should be used.

Dr Sykes also encouraged landholders to use rabbit control contractors as they could do the job professionally giving the best chance of good results.

Whilst it’s getting a little late to put out 1080 treated oats this year, expert advice is that if rabbits are a problem it is still worth doing.

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IGA on track for April 12 sign off

It is looking increasingly likely that the draft intergovernmental agreement on cost shifting will be approved by federal, state and local government representatives in Canberra on April 12. A special meeting of the Local Government and Planning Ministerial Council has been called to consider - and possibly approve - a final draft. The draft document was developed in response to recommendations of David Hawker's Fair Share report on cost shifting. It has been with state and federal government agencies since late last year. The draft was considered by the ALGA Board last month. ALGA President, Cr Paul Bell, said ALGA had sought a document that counters cost shifting by improving the way the three spheres of government relate to each other. "In particular, we want a set of principles guiding the allocation of roles and responsibilities in relation to services and functions and how services are funded and delivered at the local level," he said. "Essentially, we want the IGA to secure fair treatment for local government, nothing more, nothing less."

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Bulldogs membership winners announced

Luke Saville from Euroa, Ian Davies from Benalla and Alan Cole from Winton have each won a free Western Bulldogs Membership for season 2006.

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, announced the winners today
and will present the memberships in the coming days.

The Western Bulldogs donated the two club memberships and Dr Sykes donated one membership to constituents as part of a goodwill gesture to commemorate the Chinese Year of the Dog and to encourage support for the Bulldogs.

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If you hear any news or gossip over the fence, you can tell the watchdog by clicking here to email the information through. Your name is required but can be withheld upon request. Readers articles and community group/club news will also be published so hit the keyboard and submit your story

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Optus reality beats April Fool's Day jokes

Sky Television knocked off air as satellite goes 'missing'
Updated 12:17am 31 March

Sky Television's [NZSX:SKT] satellite may be missing without hope of recovery. Subscribers around the country lost their signals Thursday evening from about 7pm in an outage that was intitially described as being due to weather conditions.

On the Sky website, the following message is currently displayed:

SKY’s satellite signal was lost at 6.50p.m. last night (NZ time Thursday 30 March), after a routine positioning procedure to the satellite by Optus. This effectively meant that the SKY transmission signal was lost to its customers (except UHF subscribers). Optus immediately acknowledged the problem and undertook restoration procedures. SKY’s satellite signal was re-established at 8.05a.m. today (NZ time) and the services are in the process of being restored. SKY apologises for loss of SKY satellite services resulting from an outage on the Optus B1 Satellite that provides SKY’s signal.

A Google search shows that it did indeed happen

Today, we are told in a Bill Sykes media release that Many people in North East Victoria using satellite television to receive the free-to-air service may be finding that the service is no longer working.

The service being provided by Optus has been affected by the use of unofficial smart cards provided by the installation company that are inserted into the set-top boxes to decode the satellite transmission.

Inside information advises that Optus have not been able to overcome the problem and have now switched off the service forcing the subscribers to purchase a legitinate card for around $100.

Bill Sykes said “If consumers are finding that they are affected by a change in their service, they should firstly check with whoever installed the service to discover whether legitimate hardware has been used. Secondly, they should contact the Office of Fair Trading on 1300 558 181, to determine whether any remedy may be available to consumers who have been supplied with illegitimate cards”.

What a joke - and just a day before April Fools Day

Tatong market celebrates its third birthday

March 29 2006
Benalla Ensign article - free registration required ...

The Tatong Village Market will celebrate its third birthday this Saturday.

Initially known as the Tatong Farmer's Market, the monthly event continues to attract shoppers and vendors alike from throughout the north-east and even the state.

Held in the grounds of the famous Tatong Tavern, organisers have promised this month's market will offer a showcase of autumn food, wine, produce and plants.

Some of the produce expected includes olives and olive oil, fresh fruit and vegetables, free range eggs, homemade pasta, cherry wine, plants and herbs, organic bread, jams, honey, cakes, biscuits and more.

The market will begin at 8 am and end about 1 pm.

Jail threat for employing illegal workers

Each year, there are growing numbers of Asian contract seasonal workers in our vineyards and orchards - and each year we read of raids on illegal workers accross the Ovens, King and Goulburn Valleys.

With these new laws, employers will need to look a little closer at their contract arrangements and the possible exploitation of the contract workers by the labour supplier.



Associated article: Talks target labour
Goulburn Valley growers' goal to have their harvest labour supplemented by a guest worker scheme was examined by a Senate committee last Friday. ...

King Valley/Whitlands Wine regions debate

For 12 long years the Australian wine industry has been drawing and redrawing its regional boundaries. It's taken longer than expected, cost millions of dollars in legal wrangling and still has a way to go before it's finished.

And when it is finished, our GIs can't be undone, revised or challenged - ever.

That's why wine growers such as Jim Hardie, of Henderson-Hardie vineyards, are determined to ensure that thorough consideration has been given before a GI is granted.

Since 1997, he and a small group of grower/producers in the Whitlands area have fought for the right to have equal status with that of their larger neighbour, the King Valley. Whitlands wants to be a region and the King Valley wants it to be a subregion.

So far, King Valley has ruled the day with the GIC coming down on its side. But the Whitlands growers aren't giving up and the matter is now set to go before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in mid-April.

Click here to read full Age article

City Dwellers Better Off - Mission Australia

Additional investment and new initiatives are needed to improve the health, job opportunities and quality of life for the 36% of Australians living in rural and regional communities and to bring them in line with levels enjoyed by people living in metropolitan centres, according to a new report by Mission Australia, funded by the Macquarie Bank Foundation.

The report, Rural and Regional Australia: Change, Challenge and Capacity, calls on a whole of government approach – in co-operation with business and community organisations – to improving equality between rural/regional and metropolitan centres across a range of areas.

Mission Australia’s spokesperson, Anne Hampshire, said rural and regional Australia comprised a great diversity of communities that had shown incredible resilience to the dramatic economic and social changes of the past two decades – but some had still fallen behind metropolitan Australia in a number of ways.

"Our report uses the idea of 'capital' – economic, human, institutional, social and natural – and considers the resources required in each of these areas to develop functional, resilient communities," Ms Hampshire said.

"The statistics tell a diverse story of disadvantage across a range of areas, for example:

* 72% of students in metro areas complete Year 12, compared to 62% in regional centres.
* Income levels in non-metropolitan areas tend to be lower with 16.3% of non-metropolitan households having a weekly income of $300 or less (compared with 12.8% of metro households).
* Supported accommodation services are provided to victims of domestic violence at a rate of 2 per 1000 people in metro areas, compared to 11.8 in 'remote' areas and 17 in 'very remote' Australia.
* The rate of alcohol-related deaths among young people in non-metro areas is 1.7 times higher than the same group in the major cities.

Go to Mission Australia's website to read their media release in full.

The report is also available to download from Mission Australia's website.

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Attached is Hansard from 29 March 06 when Bill Sykes raised the issue of alcohol-related deaths among young people in Parliament. This is of considerable relevance to country Victoria.

Dr SYKES (Benalla) -- I wish to comment on the Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee's report on its inquiry into strategies to reduce harmful alcohol consumption. First of all I acknowledge the work of the staff: Sandy Cook, researcher Pete Johnson, Michelle Summerhill and Chantel Churchus. I particularly acknowledge the efforts of chair Johan Scheffer for keeping everyone on track and working well as a team.

As stated previously, for most Victorians alcohol consumption is a pleasurable and safe activity. However, misuse of alcohol is a significant cause of drug-related harm. Alcohol is second only to tobacco as Page 33 a preventable cause of death and hospitalisation in Australia.

The report is massive -- over 1400 pages -- so I would like to concentrate on one or two specific areas. Firstly, I note that there is a proposal in the report that there be a coordinated approach to the management of alcohol issues via a new office of alcohol policy and coordination.

Secondly, I would like to look at the issue of the continuing unacceptably high level of alcohol-related road injuries and deaths in young males aged 18 to 26. As a result of that, our committee has suggested that the government investigate increasing the introduction of zero blood-alcohol tolerance for young drivers up to the age of 26. There seems to be quite

broad community support for that, with some even suggesting that we go further and make it zero blood alcohol for all drivers, as there is already a zero blood-alcohol limit for bus drivers and drivers of heavy vehicles.

There are other proposals to address the drink-driving issue, such as including alcohol-related training in driver training and further consideration of ignition-locking devices.

Rural issues are a particular concern in that alcohol can be a major problem in rural communities. Some of the issues we have made recommendations on include the recruitment and retention of appropriately qualified and experienced staff, rural input into policy development and particular focus on alcohol problems in young people.

Following on from the rural considerations are considerations in relation to sporting clubs, with sporting clubs, particularly football and netball clubs, being an extremely important component of rural communities.

The committee acknowledged the wonderful efforts of the Australian Football League to reduce the harmful effects of alcohol -- the warnings and training of players and the code of conduct that imposes an obligation to consume alcohol only in moderation and in a responsible manner. The committee encourages other peak sporting bodies to follow the example of the AFL. At a country football and netball club level, where there is a high dependence on alcohol sales for income generation, the committee supports the wider operation of good sports programs and other programs that encourage country football and netball clubs and other country clubs to be more family-oriented and generate money with less dependence on alcohol sales.

We should never walk away from the fundamental principle that people should take responsibility for their own actions.

Whilst we have initiatives such as the responsible service of alcohol and Good Sports types of programs, people -- whether they are adults or young people -- must remember that they are responsible for their own actions.

If we look at the issues facing young people, we see that there are a number of factors that need to be considered in addressing the problems of under-age drinking: firstly, the role modelling of parents and siblings; secondly, peer group pressure; and thirdly, ensuring that advertising and

promotions do not specifically target young people and do not encourage binge-type drinking. We are talking about happy hour promotions and those sorts of things, where the temptation is to consume an excessive amount in a short time. We need to encourage young people to take responsibility for their own actions and to moderate their risk-taking behaviour, and we also need to try and address that bullet-proof mentality, which most of us had when we were young.

We also recommend that local liquor reports and lockouts be considered and broadened, because in various communities they are working.

In closing, the report is extensive and addresses a wide range of issues, and I recommend that all 1400 pages of it be read. I request that you, Speaker, ask for a test at the next sitting of this Parliament to ensure that everyone has read the 1400 pages.

The SPEAKER -- Order! I think that is outside my powers!

What town does Mr Turnbull want to close down

In the mid twentieth century, the balance between city and country life must have been pretty good.

With a population of 13,000,000, urban Australia was growing with a more than adequate water supply and the extension of the sewerage system to cover metropolitan areas.

At the same time, our farmers were prosperous growing the food for the city dwellers. They also had a more than adequate water supply and could freely irrigate to keep supply up to demand.

Half a century later, with a population of over 20,000,000, that balance has been lost. Urban areas now endure permanent water restrictions and Malcolm Turnbull has called upon governments to buy up irrigation water for environmental use (dreamland) and to meet the demands of the cities (reality).

Farmers, on the other hand, are struggling with controlled allocations of water and we have read of three or four farmers pooling their water allocations to make just one farm viable.

With the amount of cheap imported foods being consumed in Australia, the demand has been reduced for local produce decimating the agricultural output.

If water is transferred from agriculture to meet the demands of the cities and the number of farmers continue to decline, more cheap imported foods will be required to meet the ever growing demands of the city populations. Will the trend continue until there is no agricultural output and all foods are imported?

It seems to me that to address this imbalance, governments should move more people to the country rather than transferring more water to the cities.

For the full story, click on Weekly Times Home

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Sophie Panopoulos Engaged!

Sophie set to tie knot

MEMBER for Indi Sophie Panopoulos will marry in June in Wangaratta. Ms Panopoulos, 36, is engaged to Greg Mirabella, a former soldier who continues to work in the defence industry.

The couple met last year at Puckapunyal and are planning to wed at Wangaratta’s Holy Trinity Cathedral. – Border Mail story...

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John Bergamin charged with murder

Reproduced from The Border Mail 25 March 2006

THE husband of missing Wangaratta woman Kath Bergamin was yesterday charged with her murder.

John Bergamin, 45, of Cheshunt, was arrested at 11.40am yesterday and taken by homicide squad detectives to the Myrtleford police station.

At 2.30pm he was walked into Myrtleford Court handcuffed and dressed in his dirty farm work clothes and a cap.

He was flanked by two uniformed police and three detectives from the homicide squad in Melbourne.

Mr Bergamin was charged with the murder of his wife and no application for bail was made by duty solicitor Paul Hickey.

No family members were in the court for Mr Bergamin’s brief appearance.

Despite the arrest, the body of Mrs Bergamin has not been found.

Mr Bergamin was remanded in custody and taken back to the Wangaratta police station.

Mrs Bergamin, 37, disappeared on August 18, 2002.

Police believe she was forcibly taken from her Brien Crescent home at Wangaratta.

Her disappearance was treated as suspicious immediately because she took no personal belongings and has not accessed her bank account or contacted family or friends since.

Since her disappearance, homicide squad detectives have searched a Cheshunt farm and bushland at Cheshunt South for her body.

Divers have also searched the King River near Docker but have not found her body.

Victoria Police were successful in an application for compulsory DNA testing on two people thought to be connected to her disappearance.

Homicide squad detective Sgt Shane Brundell was at Myrtleford yesterday for the court appearance.

He said no property had been seized during the arrest and said no searches had been planned to locate the body of Mrs Bergamin.

“This will not happen unless people come forward with information as a result of the arrest,” he said.

“Maybe someone will see that a threat to them has gone with this arrest and come forward.”

Police have been requested to prepare a brief of evidence by June 2.

The case was adjourned and Mr Bergamin was ordered to appear in Wangaratta court on August 3.

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Fate of sister 'will be solved'
BY MARK MULCAHY (Border Mail 27 Mar)

THE brother of missing Wangaratta woman Kath Bergamin is optimistic that police will eventually discover what happened to his sister. ... Border Mail story ...

What's on around Wangaratta

This summary is extracted from the RCoW E-Newsletter "Cultural Capers". If you would like to subscribe please email m.mcgann@wangaratta.vic.gov.au indicating your request. For event details, Click here to be transferred to the RCoW web page.

What's on around Wangaratta
- Commonwealth Games Community Celebration (Community Event) 26 March 2006
- Wine & Cheese Night with Taste + Place (Art Lecture and Exhibition) 24
February - 26 March 2006.
- The Games Groove (Dance Performance) 15 March 2006.
- Taste + Place (Art Exhibition) 24 February - 26 March 2006.
- It's All In My Head (Art Exhibition) 13 February - 31 March 2006.
- 2006 Wangaratta Theatre Season Subscription Packages (Live Theatre
Package) 2006.
- Beechworth Drum Circle (Music Activity) Thursday Evenings.
- The Gathering (Art Exhibition) 1 - 30 April 2006.
- David Jones (Music Workshop) 28 March 2006.
- Yackandandah Folk Music Festival (Live Music) 31 March - 2 April 2006.
- Harry Manx Live (Live International Music) 1 April 2006.
- Impact Youth Festival (Music, Arts and Recreation Festival) 1 April 2006.
- Hotel Sorrento (Live Professional Theatre) 8 April 2006.
- David Waters Sculpture Workshop (Art Workshop) 14 April 2006.
- Art Lecture with Clive Murray-White (Art Lecture) 15 April 2006.
- Public Art Forum (Forum + Discussion) 15 April 2006.
- North East Victoria Sculpture Event (Sculpture Festival) 13 - 17 April
2006.
- Grooves in the Park (Live Music) 15 & 16 April 2006.
- Veg Out & When Objects Dream (Art Workshops in the Park) 14 - 16 April
2006.
- Exhibition Coffee Morning (Floor Talk and Morning Tea) 28 April 2006.
- Dorothy the Dinosaur Dance Party (Live Children's Concert) 29 April 2006.
- Xavier Rudd Live (Live Music) 29 April 2006.
- Workshop on Bookbinding (Workshop) 29 & 30 April 2006.

Queensland Fruit Fly found at Edi

About a week ago, the Queensland Fruit Fly was found in the King Valley at Edi. The exact location is still unknown but a group of departmental personnel were seen studying a plum tree on the roadside outside the Knaggs property.

The King Valley region is awash with fruit trees growing wild along the roadways where the fruit fly could be breeding. Of course, just about every property in the areas has a private orchard and people are urged to check their fruit trees.

According to a Border Mail article, other outbreaks have occurred at Yackandandah and Mudgegonga with suspension zones put in place within a 15km to 80km radius of the outbreaks.

Primary Industries Department program leader of plant standards Bill Ashcroft said residents would get a leaflet detailing the program and baiting teams would visit residents’ backyards to bait host plants and kill the fruit flies.

“All home-grown fruit should be consumed on the property and should only leave the property if it has been cooked,” he said.

“Any unwanted home grown fruit should be placed in a plastic bag, sealed and left in the sun for at least three days to kill the fruit fly maggots and the bag put in the rubbish bins.”

“With the high-risk Easter period approaching we all need to be vigilant to prevent an outbreak of fruit fly and protect more than $23 million of annual citrus exports,” he said.

Background information on the Queensland Fruit Fly can be found on the DPI website here.

Over the fence - news and gossip

If you hear any news or gossip over the fence, you can tell the watchdog by clicking here to email the information through.
Your name is required but can be withheld upon request. Readers articles and community group/club news will also be published so hit the keyboard and submit your story

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DAYLIGHT SAVING EXTENDED DUE TO COMMONWEALTH GAMES

The Minister for Small Business, André Haermeyer, has reminded Victoria’s businesses and residents that daylight saving will be extended by one week to accommodate the end of the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

“Victoria will conclude daylight saving at 3am daylight saving time (2am standard time) on Sunday 2 April,” Mr Haermeyer said.

The Victorian Government has secured the cooperation of all other Australian jurisdictions observing daylight saving, with NSW, Tasmania, South Australia and the ACT making similar arrangements.

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DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY IDIOTS WASTING PUBLIC MONEY?

An elderly neighbour of mine shares his time between Ballarat and Edi Upper. Recently, he received a DPI notice to eradicate the blackberries on his Edi Upper property.

Through the local Landcare program, he contracted a local from Cheshunt to spray the blackberries on his property. Upon completion, he notified DPI and presented them with the receipt from the contractor.

That was not good enough for the DPI personnel at Geelong where the original notice was issued. Tomorrow, they are sending a deputation from Geelong to Edi Upper to check that the work has in fact been done.

What a waste of taxpayers money! These guys are abusing the system. With a five hour drive they will have to stay overnight as well - probably sample the local wines whilst they are here.

Surely, local DPI personnel could follow this through. Besides, it will be interesting to find out how they can determine that the blackberries have been sprayed so soon after the event. Is it any wonder he calls them the Department of Primary Idiots.

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Permits to Burn

The Rural City of Wangaratta together with the CFA recognize the need for farmers to start preparation of land for Autumn sowing. As of Monday 20 March 2006 Permits to Burn can be issued, with light up time of 6.00pm. Permits will only be issued for agricultural purposes. Permits will carry stringent conditions due to the current weather trends. Council together with the CFA will be carrying out spot checks to ensure compliance with these conditions. Those wishing to apply for a permit to burn should first approach their local CFA Brigade Captain. For any other enquiries please contact the Rural City of Wangaratta's Municipal Fire Prevention Officers on 5722 0888

A reminder, this is not the end of the fire danger period. Fire restrictions still remain in force.

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Public transport in the King Valley just took a turn for the worse.

It has been reported to the Watchdog that the community bus, operated by Ovens & King Community Health, did not come to Whitfield as scheduled today. One of the regulars was not able to travel due to his health and that meant there were not the required three customers to operate the service. The other two were advised that they would have to go to Moyhu to catch the bus ... without public transport?

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DON'T PAY THE PROFITEERS PRICE FOR BANANAS

The price for bananas in Albury was $5.00 kg and $6.50 Kg in Mansfield just one day after the devastating storms in northern Queeensland.Not one red cent of those prices reaches the banana growers. It is disgraceful profiteering by the retailers as they have not had the opportunity to purchase new stocks since the stormS.

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Task force cracks down on illegal tobacco
ABC online - Wednesday, 22 March 2006.

A task force of Victorian police and taxation officers is back in action to stop crime linked to the flow of illegal tobacco from the Ovens and King valleys.

Heading the police operation is Detective Senior Sergeant Lindsay Cummins at Wangaratta. He says Operation Arrants will be watching for anyone who tries to run the gauntlet with illegal tobacco.

"The harvest commenced two to three weeks ago and tobacco is currently being conveyed through to the tobacco co-op ... over in Myrtleford, so we would expect much more movement in the future weeks," he said.

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Associated Border Mail article Blow Smoke Rings by Kristy Grant

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King Valley grapes will rot on the vines

This is very bad news for the King Valley. Every vineyard has its core of skilled local workers. Put them all together and the grape industry would be the valley's largest employer. Their livelihoods are also at risk.

The plight of the King Valley grapegrowers will echo throughout the district over the next few years. With grapes rotting on the vines, the grape transport industry will also suffer a downturn.

While the Mildura growers can't find seasonal workers to pick their fruit, the King Valley seasonal pickers are having a hard time finding work. With no prospects of work til mid-May when the pruning season begins, many local workers are already seeking alternate employment outside the grape industry. These skills will be lost to the King Valley industry.

More grapes are being machine harvested this year in the King Valley to save on expenses in this depressed market.

Vignerons face tough forecast
BY RICCARDA BURLEY Border Mail
KING Valley vignerons are feeling exploited and trapped, says wine region representative Wendy Batey. – important story...

Prescribed burnings above Cheshunt

Two weeks ago, DSE posted a map in the window of the Whitfield General Store showing the location of three major burnoffs up on the Wabonga Plateau to be carried out before winter.

They are the McMillans Burn of 2136 hectares, the Sandy Flat Burn of 699 hectares, and the Stockyard Burn of 820 hectares.

McMillans and Sandy Flat Burns follow the King River from Cheshunt South, below Power's Lookout, through the Lake William Hovell Reserve whilst the Stockyard Burn starts opposite Lake William Hovell and runs up to the foothills of Mt. Jasper (next to Mt. Typo).

These burns have not yet been scheduled. DSE is waiting until the grape harvest is complete and the weather cools off somewhat. They will probably occur sometime after Easter when the declared fire season is over.

These burns are long overdue. The Wabonga Plateau was spared in the 2003 high country fires and the fuel load gets heavier every year. The successful burning of these areas will help protect the Alpine National Park, and the people who live below it, over the next few years.

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Hazy days here soon

DSE plans to burn 36,000ha

BY CHLOE BUGELLY - Border Mail 20 March 2006
THE Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment will soon begin its autumn burning program. – full story...

Games Community Celebration is still on!!!

Don't Despair the Wangaratta's Commonwealth Games Community Celebration is still on!!!

Unfortunately due to inclement weather the event scheduled for last Wednesday was postponed but we have now re-scheduled the event for Sunday 26 March to coincide with the Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony. It will be a huge fun-filled family event with a fantastic range of activities to enjoy. So Pass the word around and make sure you don't miss the action!

COMMONWEALTH GAMES COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
Apex Park, Parfit Road, Wangaratta.
Sunday 26 March 2006 at 5.30pm.

After ten days of amazing sporting action it will be time to celebrate!

Australia is a great sporting nation and residents from the Rural City of Wangaratta will have an opportunity to celebrate the Commonwealth
Games Closing Ceremony with a huge community celebration. Our local
celebration features, music, dance performance, film, food, jumping
castles, "Life Be In It" Games, and art and after all that excitement
you can sit back and watch the Closing Ceremony broadcast live from
Melbourne on the big open air screen. Don't miss this chance to see the
world premiere of the Games Groove, Commonwealth Games Artwork created
by Yarrunga and Appin Park Primary Schools, Fire Sculptures and locally
produced, Tall Tales of Sport short film series. A great night out that
shouldn't be missed!! Our own Commonwealth Games Cultural Festival here
in Wangaratta. For further information contact the Rural City of
Wangaratta Events coordinator, Karen Mullavey on 5722 0737. A FREE
community event.

RCoW Council Meeting Agenda: March 2006

The Rural City of Wangaratta March Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, 21st March at the Council Chambers.

Following are the agenda items raised by the administrative beauracracy together with their recommendations for our elected Councillors to discuss and vote upon.

Agenda items of note are the additional costs to the Joined-Up Government Centre and the increase in permit parking fees in the CBD. It is also worth noting that various agenda items have multiple recommendations depending upon the outcome of Amendment C26 to the planning scheme.

It is recommended that you download the full discussion agenda paper and attachments (pdf) from the RCoW website by clicking the RCoW logo abobe.

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10.2.2.1 C0405/022 CONSTRUCTION OF JOINED-UP GOVERNMENT CENTRE
Recommendation:
That the contract with W Parnall Constructions Pty Ltd be amended to reflect a contract sum of $3,290,749.94.

10.2.2.2 PUBLIC HOLIDAY - MELBOURNE CUP: 7 NOVEMBER 2006
Recommendation
1. That Council give public notice that it proposes to declare a full day public holiday on Tuesday, 7 November 2006, in accordance with the Public Holidays Act 1993.
2. That public submissions on the proposal be invited by Council through the local media and that any submissions received be considered by Council or a Committee of Council.

10.2.3.1 DRAFT YOUTH STRATEGY
Recommendation:
That Council:
1. Endorse the Draft Youth Strategy
2. Display the document for public comment for a period of 28 days
3. Consider any written submissions received.

10.2.6.1 SUBDIVISION, PLANNING & BUILDING REPORTS
Recommendation:
That the report be noted.

10.2.6.2 RESIDENTIAL AGED CARE FACILITY, COLLEGE & PHILLIPSON STREETS, WANGARATTA
Recommendation A:
That application 05-272 be approved and that a Notice of Decision to Grant a Planning Permit be issued for the use and development of Lot 4 TP16795, corner College and Phillipson Streets, Wangaratta, for the purpose a 62 Bed Aged Care Facility (Residential Building), (subject to conditions)

Recommendation B:
In the event that Planning Permit No. 05-272 does not issue before Part 1 Amendment C26 is gazetted by the Minister for Planning, that Council agree to prepare and exhibit a Planning Scheme Amendment to rezone Lot 4 TP 16795, corner of College and Phillipson Street, Wangaratta, to enable use and development of the 62 bed Aged Care facility proposed by Planning Permit application No. 05-272, generally (subject to conditions)

Recommendation C:
That Council agree to investigate resident concerns and consider possible traffic calming measures in vicinity of the intersection of College and Phillipson Street as part of the forthcoming 2006 / 2007
Capital Works Budget. These investigations are to consider the impact of existing, current and proposed subdivisions occurring in the area, evaluate the necessity of traffic calming measure/s, estimate the cost of any proposed calming measure/s and include consultation with affected landowners.

10.2.6.3 WANGARATTA LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE BUSINESS PLAN REVIEW
Recommendation:
That Council endorses the 5-year Business Plan review of February 2006 developed by the Wangaratta Livestock Exchange Committee.

10.2.6.4 WANGARATTA CENTRAL ACTIVITIES AREA (CAA) – PARKING REVIEW
Recommendation
1. That the Wangaratta Central Activities Area Parking Review dated March 2006 be received.
2. That the Council adopted parking rates recommended in the Andrew O’Brien 2000 review of the Local Provisions of the Wangaratta Planning Scheme, subsequently adopted in clause 22.07 of the Wangaratta Planning Scheme in May 2002 and as part of Amendment C26 to the Wangaratta Planning Scheme be endorsed.
3. That consultation be undertaken firstly with representatives of Business Wangaratta and Wangaratta Unlimited about the conclusions of the John Piper Traffic Pty Ltd ‘Central Business Parking Wangaratta City Parking Assessment Report” dated February 2006, and subsequently via a questionnaire of workers and other users of public parking in the Central Activities Area of the Rural City of Wangaratta.
4. That Council commission a full turnover survey to

obtain a comprehensive appreciation of any need to adjust onstreet parking restrictions

quantify the demand for long-term (all day) parking.
5. That Council consider at a future meeting possible options to improve parking for workers/staff in the vicinity of the Central Activities Area as outlined in this Wangaratta Central Activities Area as outlined in the Wangaratta Central Activities Parking Review March 2006.
6. That Council improve the effectiveness of the current Permit Parking System by considering:

increasing undercover permit parking fees to match equivalent metered parking

increasing general permit parking fees to provide a differential in price with undercover permit parking

assessing current demand for permit parking and as a result of such assessment convert, as necessary surplus permit parking spaces to public parking.
7. That Council consider at its 2006/07 budget:

provision of funding resources to undertake a full turnover survey as described in recommendation 4

provision to improve directional signage for all day parking at Apex Park and other areas where identified

provision to improve night time security to access all day parking through improved street lighting at locations to be identified

provision to identify and undertake detailed investigations and costings of potential locations to extend all day parking within reasonable proximity of the Central Activities Area.

10.2.6.5 FRIENDS OF LACLUTA
Recommendation:
That Council by instrument of delegation form a special committee under the provisions of Section 86 of the Local Government Act 1989 to be known as the ‘Friends of Lacluta’ special committee and in accordance with the charter as attached to the report.

10.2.6.6 PROGRESS OF STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN AND SUSTAINABLE WATER USE PLAN
Recommendation
That Council refer future recommendations of the Sustainable Water Utilisation Plan to the 2006/07 budget process for consideration.

10.3.1.1 OXLEY PUBLIC HALL SPECIAL COMMITTEE
Recommendation:
1. That the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting, Annual Report and 2004/2005 Financial Statements of the Oxley Public Hall Special Committee be received and that the Committee be congratulated on its achievements over the past twelve (12) months.
2. That Council endorse the fees to be levied for the use of the Oxley Public Hall for 2006/2007 as recommended by the Committee.
3. That Council appoint the following persons as members of the Oxley Public Hall Special Committee for the period 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2007:
Mr Don Heath President;
Mr Lindsay Cummins Vice President;
Mrs Janet Heath Secretary;
Mr Simon Brown Treasurer;
Mr Graham Abotomey Committee Member;
Mrs Heather Cummins Committee Member;
Ms Sally Bagg Committee Member;
Mr Bill Bowers Committee Member;
Mr Geoff Blum Committee Member;
Mr Neil Brock Committee Member;
Mr Rob Brown Committee Member;
Mrs Barbara Goode Committee Member;
Mr Bruce Uebergang Committee Member;
Mrs Nellie Van der Heydon Committee Member.

Ovens & King Football League Fixture 2006

Over the fence - news and gossip

If you hear any news or gossip over the fence, you can tell the watchdog by clicking here to email the information through.
      Your name is required but can be withheld upon request. Readers articles and community group/club news will also be published so hit the keyboard and submit your story

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Nationals seek rego relief for emergency service volunteers
Bill Sykes, Member for Benalla and Nationals Spokesperson for Police & Emergency Services, comments on Peter Ryan’s media release ( see Watchdog Forum).
      “CFA & SES volunteers are well trained and highly committed to help communities in the event of fires, vehicle accidents, floods, windstorms, etc.
      “But CFA & SES volunteers are also out supporting community events and fundraising for many worthy causes such as the Good Friday Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal.
      “It is critical that we encourage more people to become volunteers so that the emergency services which save Victoria $480 million per year can continue to operate.
      “It is also important that the many other volunteers which are the back bone of country communities are recognised.

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Last week, I published a piece called Can the Routine Road Management Plan work? criticising the RCoW negligence of overhanging branches and scrub blocking out signage on rural roads.
      In Friday's Chronicle, the RCoW announced a Limb Removal on Rural Roadsides project. It read:
Limb removal will be undertaken on a number of rural roadsides in the municipality over the next few weeks. These works will include removal of limbs growing into the road safety zone and sucker growth on the side of roads and intersections. The limb removal will assist with the safe movement of traffic. Some disruptions to traffic may occur during these works. In some cases, timber suitable for firewood may be left in an appropriate location for residents to collect. Residents wanting to collect the firewood will require a firewood permit from the Department of Sustainabitity and Environment (DSE). For further information in relation to these works please contact Council's Sustainability Program Coordinator or Arborist on 5722 0888.
      It would be nice to think the Watchdog helped this situation but the reality is it happened too soon after the Watchdog publication came out. The RCoW needs congratulating for taking this project on board.

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Reward may be next in mystery
INVESTIGATORS from the Victorian police homicide squad missing person unit are considering making an application for a reward for information about the disappearance of Wangaratta woman Kath Bergamin. – full story...

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WHITFIELD ROAD ROCKS PARLIAMENT
A 10kg rock from the Wangaratta-Whitfield Road has been taken to Parliament by local MP’s Bill Sykes and Ken Jasper.
      The rock was given to Dr Sykes by King Valley resident, David Maples. The rock had been brought to the road surface by a truck and was then run over by a car causing serious damage to the car.
      Dr Sykes intends to present the rock to the Minister for Transport, Peter Batchelor, to highlight the seriousness of the problem on the road near King Valley.
      Let us hope that Mr Batchelor learns that there is only one solution – stop doing “bandaid” repairs and fully remake the road from the foundation up.
      A National Transport Commission report states that Australia's freight transport task is set to double between 2000 and 2020. ALGA President, Cr Paul Bell, said "The local road network must be protected and local government adequately resourced from user charges to cater for the increased freight traffic." ALGA is also pressing its case with the Commission on these issues.

Western Bulldogs membership giveaway

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, has two “Community Year of the Dog Club Memberships” for the Western Bulldogs to give away.

“As this year is the Chinese Year of the Dog, the Western Bulldogs are hopeful this may be a good omen for them during the 2006 football season,” Dr Sykes said.

“As part of a goodwill gesture, the Western Bulldogs have provided two club memberships for me to give away so I am inviting residents of the Benalla Electorate to write to me and tell me why they would like a membership. The best two entries will be selected.”

Mr Sykes, a former Fitzroy player said that even though he was a Lion’s supporter, he commended this gesture by the Western Bulldogs and encouraged as many people as possible to write.

“I have a soft spot for the Western Bulldogs going back to Teddy Whitten’s days but also because in 2005 they played some fantastic football. ‘Old style Bulldog’s supporters’ are the ‘old style Fitzroy Lions supporters’ – they stick with the team through good times and bad; certainly the loyalty of ‘old Fitzroy Lions supporters’ was one of the most gratifying aspects of my VFL career and ‘true blue Doggie’s supporters’ have remained loyal through some very tough times. Let’s hope that they are rewarded this year with on-field success.

“Entries must be not more than 100 words and posted to 2/55 Carrier Street, Benalla, 3672. As the football season kicks off at the end of March, entries will close at 12 noon Friday 24th March, 2006. Winners will be notified by telephone and mail,” Dr Sykes said.

Dr Sykes concluded, “Sport is a great way to participate in a healthy lifestyle whether as a player or spectator and contributes to health and well being. I look forward to receiving many entries from Bulldogs supporters”.

Grapevine History - Edition 3 - January 1994

By the third edition of the Grapevine, the editorial panel was having difficulty getting content as well as advertising and had to put out an appeal to the community to keep it going.

Just as well they did as the newsletter is still going 13 years on. This was one of the very few occasions when the Grapevine had a coloured masthead.

You can click on the images to read this edition.



As you know, the Watchdog News would like to become the 21st century quality local news service that the hard copy Grapevine achieved at the end of the 20th century.

Community organisations are once again invited to publish their news on this site direct from your internet browser. If you are interested, click on the email link in the page header to gain publishing rights on the Watchdog news.

New complex to showcase the King Valley

Adam Pizzini, one of the most exciting young Chefs in the North East together with Dal Zotto Estate Wines, has launched an exciting new concept in dining in the King Valley wine region - Rinaldo's of The King Valley.

Right alongside Dal Zotto's new cellar door in the heart of Whitfield, Rinaldo's is a celebration of the wonderful bounty of flavours the King Valley has to offer. The best of the local produce will be sourced to compliment the finest wines from the King Valley region.

The authentic King Valley experience doesn't stop there - the restaurant is an exciting conversion of an original tobacco shed whilst the historic Whitfield Police station building now serves as Dal Zotto's relocated cellar door.

Drawing on his Italian heritage and experience working in both Sydney and Brisbane, Adam has developed seasonal lunch and dinner menus carefully matched to an extensive list of local wines. His hand-picked team of experienced and innovative chefs and waiting staff are committed to a unique dining experience.

Rinaldo's will also act as an art gallery of bold interpretive paintings. The current pieces were painted by renowned Benalla artist, Tony Flint. (Click photo to enlarge)

Of course the local folk who remember Adam's great cooking at the Mountainview Hotel a few years ago are sure to become regular patrons of Rinaldo's nestled in the foothills of the King Valley at Whitfield.

Guests can also enjoy special functions, events, and of course, traditional Italian hospitality. The restaurant can cater to 60 people inside and 30 in the outside garden section. Call (03) 57 298 000 and make a reservation

Dal Zotto Estate cellar door has undergone a dramatic transformation! Now located on the main road in Whitfield, the refurbished cellar door is a welcoming, contemporary space where you can taste superb wines while enjoying the exquisitely beautiful King Valley backdrop.

Visitors to the Dal Zotto cellar door have always attested to the warm Italian hospitality they are treated to, a quality instilled by Otto and Elena Dal Zotto into every aspect of their family business. That tradition will now continue in the new, more convenient location. Visitors can taste and purchase from Dal Zotto Estate's extensive range of award-winning wine assisted by friendly, knowledgeable staff.

Opening alongside Rinaldo's restaurant, this formidable combination will represent the new heart of the exciting King Valley wine region and is a must for both wine enthusiasts and valley residents alike.

Visit them both at 4861 Wangaratta-Whitfield Road, Whitfield. Telephone (03) 57 298 321 Fax (03) 57 298 490 or visit www.dalzottoestatewines.com.au

Hume Highway not the only career path?

Trade schools are back

Wangaratta will be first to get new tech colleges
BY BRAD WORRALL - Border Mail 9 Mar 06

WANGARATTA will be home to the first of a new breed of tech schools in Victoria. Education Minister Lynne Kosky said up to $8 million was to be made available...– full story...

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Only last week, the State Government announced an "INQUIRY INTO RETAINING YOUNG PEOPLE IN RURAL TOWNS AND COMMUNITIES" and here they have the answer if only they would recognise it.

The government fails to realise that rural families are raised with the expectation that the kids MUST leave home at the end of their secondary education to persue a formal qualification to enter the workforce.

To retain young people in rural areas, the government needs to guarantee every young person a local career opportunity.

This could be achieved by offering trade school qualifications in every regional town. For example, the kids in the King Valley area would have options at Wangaratta, Benalla, Mansfield and Myrtleford with each regional town offering different trade qualifications based on regional demand.

This would allow the young people to remain in their community throughout their career training. What they do upon graduation, is anyone's guesss.

It should start with woodwork, metalwork and home economics being taught in all high schools from year seven. Woodwork opens the young mind to the construction trades. Metalwork opens the mind to the mechanical engineering trades whilst home economics opens the mind to the humanity trades.

This in itself would enable our young people to set career goals long before they pass or fail year twelve.

Trade qualifications should not be the domain of TAFE or our universities. They should be run in our public secondary schools and adult education centres in conjunction with the regional industries.

This is not about academic achievement or the state-wide perception of skills shortages, it is about the very viability of the local regions where these young people are growing up.

Whilst those who chose to go to university would still have to move to the cities, those who do not would still have a guaranteed career path in their local region.

Moyhu Kindergarten Concerns

Moyhu Kindergarten Parents Association this week invited Rural City of Wangaratta (RCoW) Councillors and local politicians to visit their kindergarten and hear their concerns regarding funding.

This follows the recent decision by the (RCoW) to provide a one-off payment to the mobile kindergarten that services Whitfield which is also experiencing funding difficulties associated with low student numbers.

Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes and RCoW Councillor, Justin Scholz listened to parents concerns over a cuppa and then found time to join the students in the sand pit.

Dr Sykes said, “Moyhu Kindergarten’s funding problem highlights the ongoing pressure that our small communities experience in maintaining basic services and activities that larger communities take for granted. Kindergartens, schools, sporting clubs and other interest groups are all under financial pressure.

“In the case of Moyhu, with only eight students the current State government funding formula results in insufficient income and as a result parents and volunteers spend a lot of time raising money just to meet operational costs – this should not have to occur.”

Dr Sykes continued, “From my discussions with the parents, I’ve identified a couple of options for better funding. I will ask Sherryl Garbutt, the Minister responsible for kindergartens to apply a common sense interpretation to current policies – firstly by providing funding for students who commence kindergarten part-way through the year; at this stage, students who commence kindergarten after the Census in March do not attract funding if they have already been funded at another kindergarten in Victoria. Consideration should be given to funding being transferable if families move locations.

A second request will be to adjust the current funding formula so that every new student attracts funding rather than the situation where kindergartens get paid for each new student up to 10 but then no extra funding is provided for additional students until numbers reach 15. This means some kindergartens may be teaching 3-4 students without funding – that is not fair and makes it really tough on small kindergartens”.

Dr Sykes concluded, “The Nationals believe the kindergarten management needs a substantial overhaul. We welcome recent Government commitment to give kindergarten teachers pay parity with primary school teachers but more needs to be done. We strongly believe that kindergartens should be the responsibility of the Minister for Education (not Community Services as at present) and that kindergartens should be clearly aligned with primary schools to get savings in administration costs and greater continuity of parent committees. This is already working well in some situations.

“Again, we need Government recognition of the particular issues impacting on small rural communities and then to apply common sense solutions in consultation with the communities”.

Cultural Capers - Edition 62 - Summary

This summary is extracted from the RCoW E-Newsletter "Cultural Capers". If you would like to subscribe please email m.mcgann@wangaratta.vic.gov.au indicating your request. For event details, Click here to be transferred to the RCoW web page.

What's on around Wangaratta
- Commonwealth Games Community Celebration (Community Event) 15 March 2006
- The Games Groove (Dance Performance) 15 March 2006.
- Taste + Place (Art Exhibition) 24 February - 26 March 2006.
- It's All In My Head (Art Exhibition) 13 February - 31 March 2006.
- Murray Music Club with the Smokin Guns (Live Music and Open Mic) 12 March
2006.
- Fun & Games - The Chronicles of Sport (Photographic Exhibition) 14 - 26
March 2006.
- 2006 Wangaratta Theatre Season Subscription Packages (Live Theatre
Package) 2006.
- Beechworth Drum Circle (Music Activity) Thursday Evenings.
- The Four Kinsmen (Live Music and Comedy Entertainment) 10 March 2006.
- Arts Rutherglen Trivia Night (Fundraiser) 16 March 2006.
- Landscape Drawing Workshop with Eve Crocker (Art Class) 18 March 2006.
- Harmony Day (Multicultural Celebration) 21 March 2006.
- Wine & Cheese Night (Wine Food and Art Event) 23 March 2006.
- David Jones (Music Workshop) 28 March 2006.
- Yackandandah Folk Music Festival (Live Music) 31 March - 2 April 2006.
- Impact Youth Festival (Music, Arts and Recreation Festival) 1 April 2006
- David Waters Sculpture Workshop (Art Workshop) 14 April 2006.
- North East Victoria Sculpture Event (Sculpture Festival) 13 - 17 April
2006.
- Workshop on Bookbinding (Workshop) 29 & 30 April 2006.

Can the Routine Road Management Plan work?

The Routine Road Management Plan has now been finalised and adopted by council. It is to be made available on the RCoW website.

"The Routine Road Management Plan defines the targets for the road inspection program, the defect intervention levels and the maintenance target levels of service for Council’s road infrastructure assets.

The Road Management Plan and supporting documents, that includes the Routine Road Maintenance Plan, provides Council with the protection from liability offered by the Road Management Act 2004 by setting standards for inspection, maintenance and construction of Council managed roads. The standards nominated are on the basis of being both reasonable and affordable.

This document details a number of targets for service delivery, with emphasis on safety and maintenance.

It is anticipated that under normal circumstances, the proposed inspection and maintenance regimes will deliver a well maintained road infrastructure network and that the vast majority of maintenance issues are found and rectified before the designated defect intervention levels are reached.

The Routine Road Management Plan addresses the most common road and road infrastructure activities. Other activities do not have designated defect intervention levels, and would be treated on a case by case basis through requests and inspections."

Now, let us look at the reality of unsealed (gravel) roads throughout the municipality.

The major area of concern to roadusers is the safety of roadside vegetation and trees. The plan allows for, "The cyclic maintenance of trees and shrubs within the road reserves (outside of urban areas) to maintain vehicle clearance limits of 4.9m vertically and sight distances at intersections and curves."

The plan does not look at the risk of falling trees and dead branches at all leaving a gaping hole in their emphasis on safety and liability to road users.

The stated level of service is to:

Provide safe clearance for large vehicles.

Provide sufficient unobstructed view to ensure vision and safe entry to intersections.

Provide unobstructed view of regulatory and cautionary signs.

Fire Access Roads within Limited Access roads will be maintained to the standard necessary for the passage of a high clearance Country Fire Authority (CFA) fire truck during the ‘Declared Fire Danger Period’.
This photo shows the cautionary sign at the southern end of Cook's Gap Road almost totally hidden behind trees and scrub.

You will have to click on the image to enlarge it if you cannot find the black and white arrow sign in the undergrowth.

It has certainly not been noticed on the prescribed inspections. Now that it has been made public, the plan demands that it be made visible within five days.

It is one thing for the RCoW to have a defined plan. It is another thing to overcome the long standing problem of the field staff implementing that plan.

Whitfield Park becomes a tourist attraction

Whitfield Park is looking good these days. With its gardens in full bloom, the unique bush rotunda with free electric barbeques, picnic table settings and public toilets, is it any wonder tourists are stopping there throughout every day.

The most recent upgrade has been the updated "King Valley Indulgence" sign with its central map of the King Valley. This time around, they have spelled Myrrhee correctly.

The back of the sign now carries Parks Victoria maps and details of the Alpine National Park replacing the faded signage outside the Parks office.

That leaves the Parks Victoria Sign shelter going begging. Someone should approach them to turn it into one of those photo boards where you poke your head through a hole to become part of a painting. I'm sure we could find an interesting theme ... Ned Kelly or Craig's Hut maybe.

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

Loophole provides public liability relief

In a Media Release from the Minister for Victorian Communities, dated Monday, January 9, 2006 and titled 'MORE SIZZLE FOR YOUR STREET PARTY OR FUNDRAISER', John Thwaites has provided the loophole to save community groups thousands of dollars annually in public liability insurance.

The State Government is backing a $500,000 program with grants to local councils that will help neighbours and community groups hold street parties, community sausage sizzles and local fundraisers.

The program is modelled on the Streetlife program developed by the City of Port Phillip to encourage residents to keep in contact. Councils accepting the grant will need to ensure that events have adequate insurance cover as a requirement of the funding agreement.

Mr. Thwaites said the City of Port Phillip addressed the public liability insurance issue through a partnership with a local not-for-profit organisation.

“The resident hiring the equipment registers as a volunteer and is then covered through the Victorian Government policy covering not-for-profit organisations like Neighbourhood Houses and pre-schools where mums and dads do voluntary work.” ... and therein lies the loophole.

That means that if one local not-for-profit organisation in an area uses the Victorian Government public liability policy, the other community groups can hold events by forming a partnership with the N.F.P organisation utilising that policy.

This provides a massive incentive for small communities to re-invent the long forgotten 'Progress Association' as a not-for-profit organisation to provide a public liability insurance umbrella for the rest of the community. It would be made up of volunteer members of all the local community groups and clubs that are prepared to share the cost of the Victorian Government public liability policy.

It could become the best community building tool we have seen and that would certainly be in line with the state government's Go For Your Life campaign encouraging all Victorians to engage more with their communities.

Over the Fence - news and gossip

If you hear any news or gossip over the fence, you can tell the watchdog by clicking here to email the information through.
      Your name is required but can be withheld upon request. Readers articles and community group/club news will also be published so hit the keyboard and submit your story

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City’s chief ‘back home’
by Brad Morall (Border Mail)
WANGARATTA council has poached the head of Alpine council for its chief executive vacancy. Doug Sharp will return to a municipality where he had previously... – full story...

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The joy of giving: The King Valley Football and Netball Club is planning to build a new netball court with the help of funding from the RCoW. It will be located alongside the pavillion on a piece of land donated by Neil Sheppard.
      When the new title came through, incorporating the original Reserve plus the additional land, it was found to be in the joint names of Council and Neil Sheppard. So, instead of gifting some land to the community, Neil suddenly owned half the football ground.
      It has all been sorted out now with the Council having the title changed once more to transfer the land into the name of Council as sole proprietor.

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Rural medical school opens
by John Conroy (Border Mail)
THE region’s medical services got a shot in the arm yesterday when the Wangaratta campus of the University of Melbourne’s Rural Clinical School was unveiled. – full story...

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Watchdog Prediction: When GMH laid off workers in SA last year in preparation for the release of the 2006 model, the CEO said that the new vehicle was the biggest departure from the norm since the 1940's. What could that be? My prediction is that the new model holden will be a flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) designed to run on petrol or ethanol/petrol mixtures anywhere up to 85% ethanol.

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Accident waiting to happen by Jeff Zeuschner The Chronicle 28 Feb.
A DRIVER was lucky to escape serious injury after he lost control of his vehicle on a deteriorated section of the Wangaratta/Whitfield Road, careered into two large hay bales and came to rest in a drain.
      Residents, while thankful the local probationary driver escaped with only whiplash, say the Friday morning accident vindicates their concerns over the dangerous state of the road and they’re bracing themselves for a fatality.
      King Valley Vignerons president, David Maples, whose property the vehicle came to rest in, is one of several local residents who earlier this month in The Chronicle, warned of an impending accident.

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Lennie lures local lunkers: Lennie Maples is well known for the cod lures he hand makes. It is not generally known that he 'swims' every lure in the river before offering it for sale. It is even less known that Lennie has been successfully taking murray cod in the King River on his lures as far up as Cheshunt. In years long gone, cod have reportedly been taken below the wall of Lake William Hovell - but at Cheshunt in 2006 is an exciting prospect for the future of fishing in the King River

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Bikers brekky at Whitfield:
The Mansfield to Whitfield road has certainly been a boon to tourism in the King Valley.
      Every weekend, you will see scenes like this (click photo) in the Whitfield township. The sign on the store says 'Motorcycle Friendly' and they are taking notice. If they are not having brekky at the Whitfield store, you will find them filling up with petrol at the service station.

Kathy hangs up her helmet

After a racing accident earlier this year that destroyed her car, local Speedway driver Kathy Patton has sadly resigned to the fact that its time to finish her speedway ventures. On Easter Sunday, Kathy had put in a good days racing and was well and truly in the lead on the last race for the day, unfortunately due to lack of visibility on a dusty track, she misjudged where the corner was. Kathy was sent airborne and after rolling mid-air the car landed on its roof, destroying the car body and its roll cage. Due to the cost and time of re-building another car Kathy has decided other financial priorities take precedence and to put speedway driving on hold for the time being.

Kathy has enjoyed three very successful speedway seasons. Her first year on the track finishing 3rd, in the local competition and 2nd place in her second year, also Kathy traveled down to Alexander for the Ladies Zone Titles, finishing in 9th position. Kathy recalls many memorable races and was quite fortunate to enjoy the thrill and excitement of crossing the finishing line first and getting the checkered flag on a few occasions. Though she admits that winning wasn’t always the greatest thrill, “sometimes it was just as much fun to start rear of field and work my way to the front, even if I didn’t win”. Although Kathy will miss racing and was keen to continue for a few more years, she is happy that she had some good races in the Standard Saloons B grade open, including first place and other trophies in the top three positions.

Kathy would like to thank everyone who has supported her over the years, especially her sponsors who not only provided sponsorship but made it possible for Kathy to get her car on the race track. Thank you to Marlo and Gino from Gino’s Automotive, Chris and Emma from Shanley Signs, Russell of Camel Engineering and Wangaratta Paint Centre.

Sykes to re-contest Benalla for the Nationals

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, will re-contest the seat of Benalla in November this year after successfully nominating for pre-selection.

Dr Sykes said, “Put simply, it is a case of unfinished business.”

“We regularly help people sort out problems with State Government Departments – it is generally a matter of improving communication and often we suggest a common sense solution which is adopted.

“At a community level, successes include helping prevent the Toxic Dump at Violet Town, helping solve the Railway Crossing problems at Avenel and helping get air conditioning in more schools.

“However, there is much still to be done, such as achieving a fair deal from the decommissioning of Lake Mokoan; ensuring adequate funding for Neighbourhood Houses throughout the Electorate and of course striving for funding for roads such as the Whitfield Road and Creighton’s Creek Road.

Leader of The Nationals, Peter Ryan, said he was pleased that Dr Sykes had been pre-selected to contest the seat of Benalla.

“Bill Sykes has become an outspoken advocate for the Benalla region and he is one of the most effective Members of Parliament in Victoria,” Mr Ryan said.

“We have a State Government that is collecting $100 million a day in taxes, fees and fines and we’re not seeing enough of that money invested in key infrastructure in country areas. Too much money is being wasted on expensive advertising campaigns while local roads, school and hospitals miss out."

“I will be continuing to work with Bill Sykes to lobby the government to direct more of taxpayers’ money at important projects in regional areas, instead of focusing all of its attention on Melbourne.”

In addition to securing funds for infrastructure and services, Dr Sykes nominated better management of public land, reducing red tape, supporting business growth and providing opportunities for young people as key priorities for the next five years.

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And on those $100 million a day taxes, Bill has thrown out a challenge to you all in a letter to the editor of the Watchdog:

I wish to highlight to readers that the Bracks Government has an income of $100 million per day; nearly double what it was when it first came to power.
      That’s a lot of our money and in simple terms, equates to a little more than $400 million per year to each of the State’s 88 electorates, if it is distributed evenly.
      However, when you have annual subsidies to the Melbourne Public Transport system of over $1,000 million and the ‘Not So Very Fast’ Rail project has cost over $1,000 million, it doesn’t take long to realise that country electorates are not getting their fair share.
      It gets worse. Mr Bracks is spending $400,000 per day of our money telling us how good a job he is doing, and along the way, claiming credit for successes which have been achieved in spite of his Government, rather than because of it.
      I invite readers to nominate projects which they think would better achieve Mr Bracks’ often quoted claim of making Victoria a better place to work and raise a family.
      Suggestions can be forwarded to my office by fax 03 5762 4478 or email: bill.sykes@parliament.vic.gov.au or post 2/55 Carrier Street, Benalla.

Yours sincerely
Bill Sykes, MLA

Celebrate Harmony Day 2006 in Wangaratta

YOU are invited to celebrate
Harmony Day 2006 in Wangaratta
FOOD, MUSIC & WORKSHOPS DISCOVER, LEARN & CELEBRATE DIVERSITY
(Click on image to read promotional flyer)

A quarter of Victoria's population was born overseas and 43% of Australians have at least one parent who was born overseas. Victorians come from 200 countries, speak over 180 languages and follow 116 religious faiths (based on 2001 ABS Census data).

Harmony Day celebrates this wonderful diversity. It is part of the Australian Government's Living in Harmony Initiative - a community based education program that began in 1999. In 2003 over 2700 organisations took part and there were over 660 events across the country. Now it is Australia's largest national multicultural event.

Since its inception in 1999 Harmony Day has grown into Australia 's biggest annual multicultural event. Harmony Day is held during the month of March, focusing on the 21st, which is also the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination