Greg's View of Todays News - 02/15/2009

• Teens come forward to claim they fathered 13-year-old Alfie's daughter
  

  Two teenagers have come forward to claim paternity for the baby girl fathered by 13-year-old Alfie Patten, amid reports the child's mother Chantelle Steadman was sleeping with as many as eight boys.

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    • This is a disgraceful indictment on modern society.
      How on earth can these children ever hope to learn personal responsibility - let alone respect for themselves and others.
      Publicity of such an abberation is wrong. - post by gnaylor
    
    

• Pacific fruit-pickers head to Australia - ABC News

  The first of an estimated 2,000 unskilled seasonal workers from the Pacific arrive in Australia tomorrow to begin picking fruit.
  
  On Monday, 50 Tongans arrive in Sydney, en route to Robinvale on the Murray River in Victoria, to start work picking almonds on local farms.
  
  They are the first of an estimated 2,000 unskilled workers from Tonga, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu who will take part in the Federal Government's pilot unskilled seasonal workers program.

  With unemployment on the rise, some vineyards in the King Valley are moving away from foreign seasonal workers in favour of the locals. It is good to see them doing their bit for the Australian workforce.

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Italian honors for King Valley vigneron, Gino Corsini

Source: Wangaratta Chronicle - 22.10.08

A KING Valley vigneron has been honored with a prestigious award in his home country.

Gino Corsini, who operates La Cantina Winery, has won an award from Lucchesi nel mondo, an association of ex-patriots born in the province of Lucca in Tuscany, Italy.

The award recognises people who have excelled out of Lucca and only 15 people are honored each year.

Mr Corsini, who was one of two awardees from Australia, travelled to Lucca with his four children to receive his gold medal and certificate.

They were special guests at a dinner attended by over 700 people who gathered to welcome the medal recipients.

The official presentation was carried out at a luncheon the following day.

On the third day, the Corsini family walked with members of the Tuscan Club of Melbourne in a candle lit procession as part of the Santa Crosse festival.

The festival was broadcast live on local television.

Mathew Kiely injured in football match

Source: The Chronicle 25/07/08 ... archived 27/07/08

Shocking injury set to sideline Kiely for at least 18 months

Written by SCOTT ANDERSON.

KING Valley footballer Matt Kiely should be celebrating his 23rd birthday today.

Instead he will be resting at home, with the aid of painkillers, after suffering a shocking injury last weekend.

The Roos’ biggest win of the season was soured when the star midfielder was carried from the ground with a badly broken arm just minutes before his side recorded a stunning 33-point win over Milawa.

Kiely, who was named best on ground in the match, was injured when he landed heavily after being tackled in the dying stages of the final term.

At first it was thought he had dislocated his right shoulder, but after being taken to hospital in Wangaratta, x-rays revealed shocking damage to Kiely’s humerus and shoulder joint.

"I’m not sure exactly what happened, but it snapped the end off my shoulder - the ball at the top of my arm," he said.

"I think I half got slung to the ground, and I don’t know if I just landed badly or someone fell on top of me or what.

"I got taken into the rooms, but they knew it was really bad - I was in a fair bit of agony, and they rushed me to hospital as quick as they could.

"When they did the x-rays there was a lot of damage."

Surgeons operated on Kiely’s shoulder and arm on Saturday night, inserting a metal plate and pins to rejoin the fractured bone.

He was scheduled to leave hospital on Tuesday, until further x-rays revealed bone fragments and damage that had previously gone unseen.

The surgeons were called back in for a secondary operation, leaving him hospitalised until yesterday afternoon.

Kiely, who has a three-month-old daughter, now faces at least 18 months out of football, and a significant period of rehabilitation before he will be able to resume work as a fencer.

"They have to leave the plate and pins in there for about a year, then we’ll just have to wait and see after that.

"I won’t be able to play football next year, and whether or not I can play the following year just depends how well it all heals," he said.

Whitfield community wish list

njtvcPublished by The Chroniclel - 23/07/2008. Archived 23/07/08

A CHILDREN’S playground, community centre and riverside walkway top the wish list for residents of Whitfield.

A meeting of about 45 community members was held at the Swinburne Pavilion on Sunday to discuss the future direction of the King Valley town.

Out of the landmark gathering came a list of 10 priorities, with a volunteer assigned to pursue each one.

Wendy Wilson from the Whitfield Recreation Reserve Committee of Management said there was strong support to establish a children’s playground for public use.

"There is a playground at the school but some parents don’t feel comfortable using it outside of school hours," she said.

"It was also suggested that the recreation reserve would be a good place to put it for families who go to watch the football on the weekends."

An upgrade of the Swinburne Pavilion and development of a communitycentre were also backed by the group, and follows a $23,000 State Government grant for the project in February.

The reserve committee was awarded the funding to undertake a feasibility study into a new community complex to provide a meeting place for the local community, as well as child care, kindergarten and health care services.

Ms Wilson said the meeting felt there was a need for other options in the town, including a place to hold events such as a winery expo.

Other actions identified by the group included:

• walkway along the King River;

• drainage/stormwater infrastructure;

• youth activities; and

• a sealed road between Whitfield and Myrrhee.

Ms Wilson said the meeting overall was a success, and provided community members with "some positive direction".

"People walked away feeling as though we have somewhere to go next and that there is a chance that we can achieve these things," she said.

A second community meeting is being organised for Sunday, August 10.

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Original article available here until 25/07/08
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Comment:
Go to King Valley Watchdog article Whitfeld’s hidden agenda for comments

Irrigator bills likely to soar

Published by Border Mail - 23/07/2008. Archived 23/07/08

IRRIGATORS in the Ovens and King valleys are facing a tenfold increase in what they pay for water.

The massive price rise will be partly used to offset the almost $20 million worth of work to be spent to shore up Lake Buffalo and Lake William Hovell dam walls from floods.

Discussions within Goulburn-Murray Water say the cost to supply a megalitre of water in the system could increase to $60 in the next five years.

Last summer water licence holders on the rivers paid between $5 and $6 a megalitre.

The authority’s strategy and stakeholder manager Garry Smith said that was well below the true cost of supplying its customers.

“It actually cost the water authority about $28 a megalitre to supply that water,” he said.

“If the price was to go to $60 or more, that would seem a substantial increase, but it is off an extremely low base, at the moment it is less than a cent a tonne delivered to the farm boundary.

“The price rise isn’t directly linked to the dam wall works but it was an opportunity to review our pricing.”

Goulburn-Murray Water plans to spend $8 million at Lake William Hovell and $11 million at Lake Buffalo.

Mr Smith said there was no present threat to those near the dam walls.

“The works are about the safety of the storage — particular issues include earthquake stability, some of the operational equipment but mainly flood capacity and embankment stability,” he said.

“It is also about a new understanding of extreme flood risks, well above what has been seen in those valleys.”

There would be no changes to pricing in this financial year.

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Original article available here
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Comment:
And so the price should rise tenfold. Last year, I heard of local vineyards buying in extra water at $1000 a megalitre. In these days of water shortage, it is immoral for the water authority to sell water below cost

Fire update meetings in RCoW

Fire Ready Victoria Community Meetings within the Municipality: WANGARATTA RURAL CITY COUNCIL
Township	Meeting	Day & Date	Time	Venue Details	Other Details	Enquiries
CARBOOR	Community Meeting (public)	Monday 11 Dec 2006	10.00AM-11.00AM	Carboor Public Hall - Carboor-Everton Rd, CARBOOR	Residents under threat should stay with their homes	1800 240 667
MYRRHEE	Community Meeting (public)	Monday 11 Dec 2006	2.00PM-3.00PM	Myrhee Hall - Myrrhee Hall rd, MYRRHEE	residents under threat should stay with their homes	1800 240 667
WANGARATTA SOUTH	Community Meeting (public)	Friday 15 Dec 2006	8.00PM-9.30PM	South Wangaratta Fire Station - Cnr Shanley St & Warby Range Rd, WANGARATTA SOUTH	Residents of Gravel Pit Rd, Omaru Rd and Taminick Gap Rd are encouraged to attend	03 5833 2400
WHITFIELD	Community Meeting (public)	Tuesday 12 Dec 2006	11.00AM-12.00PM	Whitfield RSL - RSL hall Rd, WHITFIELD	Residents under direct threat are advised not to attend	1800 240 667
*WHOROULY Cancelled	Community Meeting (public)	Tuesday 12 Dec 2006	10.00AM-11.00AM	Whourouly Recreation Reserve Centre - Church Street, WHOROULY	Residents under direct threat should stay with their homes	1800 240 667

Displaying records 1 to 5 out of 5

North East Alpine fires update - 8.40pm - 08/12/2006

Update on Ovens Valley, Mansfield and Wangaratta (King Valley) fire complexes. 08/12/2006

Current Fire Situation

Ovens Fire Complex (former Black Range Fire)

Several NSW Rural Fire Service strike teams are assisting in this fire area tonight. This fire is continuing to burn and has now joined to the former Rose River fire. Work crews have back burned along the south western perimeter to protect the area east of Whitfield and Cheshunt. There will be significant backburning in the Edi Upper Buffalo Road area tonight. CFA is continuing to monitor the area of the Hancocks pines towards Gentle Annie Gap.

The Rose River fire has now joined with the former Black Range fire and Upper Rose River fire across to the Abbeyard area. The Rose River road is closed and CFA is currently assisting residents in this area with asset protection.

King Valley Fire Complex (former West King fire)
This fire has now joined with the former Lake William Hovell and Typo fires and is causing concern on two fronts. It is currently being contained at the Mansfield Whitfield Road. This fire front is being jointly attacked by CFA and DSE crews. Residents in this area have been informed about a possible threat to properties.

Paradise Falls fire

At Paradise Falls asset protection works are underway to protect wooden bridges which provide the only access for vehicles into this area. On the north eastern front of this fire the Paradise Falls Road and Swinburns Lane communities are currently being threatened and some properties have been impacted however the expected north easterly this afternoon may improve the situation.

The high voltage power transmission lines between (Dederang and Melbourne) may have to be shut down due to fire and smoke activity. The power is still available to homes at this time as it has been redirected via other lines. Residents should be aware that loss of power to homes is a common occurrence in bushfires.

Pizzini Fire and Loombah Fires
This fire remains contained within control lines.

Former Mt Typo and Lake William Hovell fires

These fires have now joined with the West King fire and the north easterly front is threatening properties along the Upper Rose River Road. Spot fires in the Pines near Typo Station are currently being attended by fire crews.

Powers Lookout
Assets being protected in this area include the vital communications towers.

Key Safety Messages

Residents in these areas are advised that embers may be landing around their property and they should take all measures to put them out as they arrive.

It is important that all residents protect themselves from radiant heat by wearing the right clothing. Residents should wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, sturdy boots and a broad rimmed hat. Synthetic material should not be worn.

As the fire front approaches it will become unsafe to be either on foot or in a car as the heat radiating from the fire will be intense. Residents should avoid being exposed to radiant heat at all costs, and should make use of structures like their home to shelter as the fire front passes.

After the fire front has passed, residents should immediately begin to patrol their house for embers or areas that are burning and extinguish them as best they can.

Wangaratta (King Valley) fire complex update - 7 Dec

Approximately 68,000 hectares burned

Eight going fires are threatening private property in the King Valley, Whitfield and Cheshunt areas. Residents in the areas surrounding this fire complex need to remain vigilant and are advised to activate their fire plans.

The Black Range, Mt Typo, Lake William Hovell East and Rose River fires have combined. Crews are continuing to assist residents in these areas with asset protection. Back burning operations to the east of the Cheshunt and Whitfield townships were undertaken Wednesday night. The West King sector of the fire has crossed McDonalds spur but has yet to cross the Mansfield Whitfield Road.

The Loombah fire is currently contained at approximately 200 ha and the Pizzini fire is currently contained at 500 hectares.

Residents in areas threatened by this fire can expect smoke and burning embers to reach their property, and are advised to patrol their houses to find and put out any burning embers that may be landing. Residents should wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, sturdy boots and a broad brimmed hat. Synthetic material should not be worn.

As the fire front approaches, it will become unsafe to be either on foot or in a car as the heat radiating from the fire will be intense. Residents should avoid being exposed to radiant heat at all costs, and should make use of structures like their homes to shelter as the fire front passes.

Road Closures

The following roads around the affected areas have been closed:

• All roads south of Moyhu.
• Whitfield Road and Kilfeera Road at Greta South.
• Myrtleford Whitfield Road between Nug Nug and Whitfield
• Mansfield Whitfield Road at Tolmie

CFA Urgent Threat - Mansfield - King Valley - Tolmie

Urgent Threat message - Mansfield Complex 12.20 pm

Urgent threat message for residents around Burns Bridge to Knockwood, fire moving towards containment lines - 06/12/2006

DSE and CFA advise residents along the Woods Point Road from Burns Bridge to Knockwood area that a fire is moving towards containment lines and they may be threatened by this fire over the next 24 hours. These residents are advised to activate their fire plans immediately.

A containment line is in place between the fire and private property. Asset protection is our highest priority and DSE and CFA will actively defend properties as much as possible as the fire approaches the containment line. No backburning will occur.

Residents in this area are advised that embers may be landing around their property soon and they should take all measures to put them out as they arrive.

It is important that all residents protect themselves from radiant heat by wearing the right clothing. Residents should wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, sturdy boats and a broad rimmed hat.Synthetic material should not be worn.

As the fire front approaches it will become unsafe to be either on foot or in a car as the heat radiating from the fire will be intense. Residents should avoid being exposed to radiant heat at all costs, and should make use of structures like their home to shelter as the fire front passes.

After the fire front has passed, residents should immediately begin to patrol their house for embers or areas that are burning and extinguish then as best they can.

Important incident information Urgent Threat Message - Wangaratta - King Valley 11.40am

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Wangaratta - King Valley - 06/12/2006 - 11.40am

Residents in the Edi Upper District along the Edi Blackrange Road are advised that there is fire activity approximately 1 km from the road.

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Tolmie and Gears Hill 11.40am - 06/12/2006

DSE and CFA advise residents of Tolmie and the Gears Hill area near Cambatong Road, Shane Lane and Faithfulls Raod that they should prepare for the possibility of ember attack, thick smoke and fire.

CFA - West King update - 6 Dec 06

CFA and DSE advise residents in the area Tolmie and Gears Hill near Cambatong Road, Shane Lane and Faithfulls Road that they should prepare for the possibility of ember attack, thick smoke and fire.

Residents in this area are advised that embers may be landing around their property soon and they should take all measures to put them out as they arrive.

It is important that all residents protect themselves from radiant heat by wearing the right clothing. Residents should wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, sturdy boots and a broad brimmed hat. Synthetic materials should not be worn.

As the fire front approaches it will become unsafe to be either on foot or in a car as the heat radiating from the fire will be intense. Residents should avoid being exposed to radiant heat at all costs, and should make use of structures like their home to shelter as the fire front passes.

After the fire front has passed, residents should immediately begin to patrol their house for embers or areas that are burning and extinguish them as best they can.

Call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line with any questions 1800 240 667