READERS' COMMENTS
Will your feet be the end of me?
July 16, 2021
Food for thought Julie and very well put. Development of this region seems to be going apace and it's obvious the little (almost unseen) creatures and plants will be the first casualties. Next step: control?
Hilary Stuchbery
Thank you, Julie, for this excellent reminder of the dangers involved in all development - including scenic walks in fragile environments. So many unknown, unseen lifeforms which are vital to the survival of the sweet furry critters or pretty birds which we do see and value. As you say, it is not all about us humans. Every life has a part to play in the whole and we ignore this at our peril. Thank you for speaking on behalf of all the species which have no voice.
Anne Heath Mennell
Agree 100% Julie. The Web of Life starts with the untold trillions of unseen bacteria, moulds and hundreds of 'other' critters in a handful of earth. Only for these life forms the earth would be covered by hundreds of metres of leaves, twigs, branches etc. Each rung up the ladder of life depends on the rungs underneath. Humans think we are so clever but we only exist because of this web of life. Remember there is no planet B for when we have finished wrecking planet Earth.
Yvonne McRae
Thank you Julie!
We need to protect our remnant bushland flora, fauna, fungi, lichens mosses and all the miraculous living ecosystems on the Bass Coast and Westernport
Margaret Lee
A top analysis of one of the biggest problems facing our community here and communities in many other places in the world today, Julie. Thank you.
Meryl Tobin
Well put Julie. Smiths Beach is currently looking at a new masterplan which includes a walking track from YCW carpark to Smiths. All part of a bigger walking track idea I think. I am keeping an eye on it as are others. This article gives me great food for thought which I will pass on. Thanks!
Christine Larsen
Bravo Julie! Thank you for putting into very appropriate words, written through professional and personal experiences, what many ‘Bass Coasters’ wish they they could do. Thankyou!
Mel Marks
King of the roads
July 16, 2021
That is a great bit of history Richard, brings back many memories, I wish I had the hair I have in the photo above.
As an apprentice I was sent out to wash Charlie Paterson's car, I was still washing it when Charlie and Jack Joyce came out and without a word to me hopped in and drove off just missing my toes as I was reaching over to clean the roof. Jack later apologized.
The early days were certainly filled with a lot of fun and excitement and some absolute characters who we worked with.
Dale Osmond
Hi. Dale. We had a lot of fun and a lot of excitement. The experience was great and rewarding. As for characters one guy said that Charles Dickens would have had a ball with them all. I learnt so much from the older engineers that had worked in the war effort. One English mechanic was a machine gunner in the First World war and boy could he tell a story.
Richard Kemp
A great tribute Richard. Lots of great memories. I think I have footage of the Falcon being dropped on some of Dads old home movies
Darren Smales
Hi. Darren. Thanks for the comments. I got on well with your dad and we worked as a good team. I would love to get hold of the Falcon drop film, it was spectacular. The chopper had been hired from Esso and the pilot was under instructions that if there was any trouble on the rigs he was to cut the cable and head back. Yes a lot of great memories.
Richard Kemp
Hello Richard, Great memories and a wonderful read. I'd like your agreement to send your article to the Holden Retirees Club for inclusion in their Holden archival material. Keep safe and well. Best regards ... Hugh
Hugh Videion
Hello Hugh. Long time no see. Well I do have a photo of you in my lounge. You are presenting my dad with his retirement. Hugh I would love for you to pass the article on to the Holden Retirees club.
The PG was a very big part of my life and set me up to run Nissans testing facility at the International PG at Anglesea and also when I worked for Millard Design building show cars and developing prototypes for Indonesia. It a petty that all my experience cannot used and passed on. Regards Richard.
Richard Kemp
Excellent article. My brother Les Milkins was a driver and mechanic at the proving ground. Les died a few weeks ago and 2 of my sisters, Janice and Coral, wrote in this week's Sentinel Times, a lot about Les' time with GMH.
Yvonne McRae
Hi Yvonne. I am so sorry to hear that Les has died, he was a nice bloke and I got on well with him. I am writing more about the PG so it is not lost when I depart. There is so much to tell. Cheers Richard.
Richard Kemp
The secret life of orchids
July 16, 2021
Brilliant article on our local flora and pollinators Dick. The interconnection is so precious it must be protected!
Marg Lee
Thank you for sharing your professional knowledge in such an accessible way, Dick. We can only hope that the power brokers and decision makers listen to the evidence which is available and think of what kind of future we want to live in. Not to mention all the other species we seem hell bent on destroying as fast as we can.
Anne Heath Mennell
Marg and Anne, thanks for your comments. While I am not one to chain myself to an offending bulldozer, I am sufficiently concerned about the rate of attrition of our precious remnant bushlands, that I am fully committed to forcing decision makers to take note and be accountable.
Dick Wettenhall
Hear, hear, Dick! Some are uncaring, some just naive, but we dare not take our foot off the pedal. The cost is too great.
Julie Thomas
Thank you for your excellent article, Dick. As you so rightly point out, our natural environment has taken millions of years to evolve. It is priceless. Yet it ‘only takes seconds for sand mining bulldozers and excavators to irreversibly destroy these remarkable ecosystems’.
Hopefully, your article will help those in our community who do not understand this. Instead they value being part of unsustainable development for short term economic advantage. They see things such as 'cheap sand' as more important than protecting biodiversity and having a planet worth living on, indeed one capable of sustaining life, including human life
Meryl Tobin
Thanks for positive comments Meryl and Hartley. The unsustainable dependence of the world's urban development and industrialisation on sand mining is on a par with the unsustainable dependence on native forest wood, coal and oil resources in previous eras. The environmental damage inflicted by the unrestrained use of these resources in the past has been devastating.
But, eventually, industry has developed more sustainable alternatives to these resources. Progress is also now being made with the development of economically viable alternatives to sand for building construction. While there will be a continued dependence on sand in the short term, governments need to provide incentives for industry to pursue these alternatives. In the meantime, governments should be required to restrict sand mining to environmentally less sensitive areas, even if the costs are greater... In fact, the profit margins in sand mining are so great that there is plenty of scope for absorbing additional production costs.
I remain hopeful that we can convince our governments to put the brakes on sand mining, at least in regions where precious remnant bush and wetlands will be irreversibly destroyed.
Dick Wettenhall
‘He draws with tears in his heart’
July 16, 2021
Hi Catherine, I am currently working on Counihan in a large project on expatriate Australian artists in Britain 1946-1956. Am looking forward to seeing the exhibition. I met & interviewed Robert Smith in relation to my biography on Bernard Smith, perhaps I could curate an exhibition from this collection. Trust you are thriving, very best. Sheridan
Sheridan Palmer
Thanks Catherine for this excellent article. Hopefully the people in the shire will get to see the value of the Bob Smith collection. Not only has he given us a cache of valuable art but also an amazing connection to Wonthaggi’s past through the eyes of an artist, Noel Counihan.
John Mutsaers
Absolutely John, and more ammunition for the case for a regional gallery in Wonthaggi. We had to pursue this collection, and we have to treat it with the respect it deserves!
Neil Rankine
Congratulations Catherine, your excellent article reads very well! Only two corrections. The exhibition that I showed in the Workingmens Club in 1959 was a traveling exhibition of original works from the National Gallery of Victoria - and I miscalculated - I am only 93, not 94!
Ken Scarlett
Hi Ken. Original works - you can't imagine that happening now, can you.
93 is good since we all have to wait a bit longer! Hope to meet you then.
Cheers, Catherine
Catherine Watson
Sounds of disharmony
July 16, 2021
Apparently the brass bell has also been stolen from the Kilcunda CFA.
Stephen
Ding Dong what a miserable thief.
Those bells were a symbol for Cowes residents and a tourist attraction singing out a welcome to all.
I join many people in hoping for the return of the bells and prosecution of this vandals attack on our community
Ian Samuel
Here to share
July 16, 2021
It's appalling that people are still slipping through safety nets in 2021, and can't feed themselves or their families. Thank heavens for places like the CDCC, FoodBank and their donors. I hope, one day, their services won't be needed and everyone will have safe shelter and sufficient food. It's the least we can do in a rich country like Australia.
Anne Heath Mennell
Tales of Catwoman
July 16, 2021
A great read, only put it down to eat and sleep, it only lasted 2 days, I,m waiting for volume 2.
Barrie Stewart
Parks are for everyone
July 2, 2021 –
Absolutely agree Leticia. THE most worrying proposal is to make the Cape-Inverloch Rd, one way. Inland right of ways should be first explored/developed.
The provision of toilets/facilities etc all along the route needs to be well thought out, otherwise the environmental impacts will be significant.
I can’t help but feel the stakeholders are not being listened to and we are going to be given a ‘lemon’ that will land us all in hot water for a long time to come!
Frank Flynn
I went to Wilsons Prom over the school holidays and at the Saddle Car Park for Mt Oberon, had a drop toilet. All the more upscale facilities are down at Tidal River so I think there's some ways here to tread sensitively.
Leticia Laing
Glad I’m not the only one who gets the sense this is an economical push to raise awareness to bring more money into the area. While tourism is probably the biggest earner here the shire has a huge RESPONSIBILITY to do it mindfully, sensitively to the environment, and to meet the needs of local residents who are nervous and not duly informed of all intentions going forward. Do it right bass coast shire! We are all watching!!
Special K
Hi Special K. This is a State Government project so council's role is to advocate on behalf of the community. The best way to influence the plans for this project is to contact our local State MP Jordan Crugnale about your concerns.
Although the Bass Coast Dinosaur Trail will incorporate parts of the Yallock-Bulluck Park, the park itself is funded by the State.
Leticia Laing
Given how thin is the strip of remnant vegetation hugging the coast on the coast side of the cape Paterson / Inverloch road, a walking and cycling path would be better sited on the inland side of the Cape/Inverloch road on an acquired strip of cleared farmland, as this land is often elevated with great views out on to Bass Strait. Siting the track construction/ alignment here would allow the path to avoid what is left of precious remnant vegetation. This would also create an opportunity to create an ecologically regenerative path project with significant revegetation works planting tens or hundreds of thousands of locally indigenous plants on previously cleared land alongside the path alignment to effectively widen and increase the native vegetation/ wildlife corridor here. Path users could access beaches by crossing the road at crossings similar to those on the Thirteenth Beach Road at Barwon Heads where surfers cross the road to access the beach. It would be a pity if this option hasn’t been properly considered.
Brendan Condon
Hi Brendan. I've advocated for this type of approach to the path between Inverloch and Cape Paterson. There's such a great opportunity here for land acquisition to allow for re-vegetation and increase of that wildlife corridor. It would definitely be a pity if this option wasn't considered.
Leticia Laing
Thank goodness you are representing us Letitia.
I have had no notifications of the progress of the trail planning despite indicating I was interested in being kept updated.
I would also have come to the launch, but once again no publicity!
Cape Patterson to Inverloch is a very sensitive area. It needs very careful planning and consultation if the best solution is to be found.
Margaret Pope
A community in action
July 16, 2021
Great song enjoyed learning it and of course singing with some of my friends.Great work Laura .
Daryl Hook
Do you hear the people sing?
July 2, 2021
A great way to go, Laura and Terry. Thank you for following up your excellent Coastal Connections project with your new one. Bass Coast needs all its residents and visitors to let local, state and federal governments know we value our precious environment and it is not to be sacrificed to unsustainable development such as mining and gas pipelines. When the Save Western Port Woodlands May 22 meeting at Corinella could attract around 150 people who then unanimously supported its motions to protect Bass Coast bush, it should tell the State Government something. Then, when a member could get 65 out of the 68 residents he doorknocked in the small coastal hamlet of Pioneer Bay to sign the SWPW petition, it should further demonstrate to governments the huge support from the community for efforts to protect and save the natural beauty, amenity and biodiversity of Bass Coast Shire.
Meryl Tobin
Go Laura,lovely song and a very important issue.
Daryl Hook
Winter recess – a time to gather our thoughts
July 2, 2021
Thank you Neil. Yes, it's certainly depressing how things just never seem to change in the area of environmental protection. I have been beating my head against that particular wall for over 50 years in this area, and have found that the best we can hope for is 1 1/2 steps forward and 1 step back, until it all rears its ugly head again. The government and business clearly have very different views of the values of Western Port to those of us who live here, and our visitors who also love the place for the values we see and love. How I wish WP could shake off Bolte's "Ruhr of Victoria" mantle and the illusion that the early European explorers had of WP being a deep water harbor suitable for many ships. That did happen in the 1980s for oil, steel and gas imports but only because of major dredging which changed the bay and from which it is only just barely recovering.
The history of bushland exploitation in Bass Coast is long and heartbreaking. As early as the 1820s wattle bark gatherers were decimating the wattles which were such an integral part of the lives of both the forests themselves and the local Aboriginal people who were gone by the mid 1860s. The little towns like Queensferry no one gives a second thought to now were once big towns shipping out timber stripped from the forests all around at the rate of 620,000 cubic feet per year by the 1860s. And that in the days before chainsaws! We have lost so much. When will the 'power holders', the policy makers, ever learn?
Christine Grayden
A useful analysis, Neil and some pertinent historical detail, Christine. As a longtime conservationist, I share the concerns of both of you and value your work, warnings and suggestions.
This issue of 'Bass Coast Post' and earlier ones with their many articles about the environment illustrate that there is a surge of interest in preserving our precious natural environment. Many thanks to Editor, Catherine Watson, for providing an excellent forum for discussion on important matters.
We, and the rest of the world for that matter, are on the surge of a tidal wave that politicians would be foolish to ignore. Bass Coast residents and visitors need to speak out and let their politicians know how important our natural environment is to them. At the very least, they should look at the Save Western Port Woodlands website and contact savewesternportwoodlands@gmail.com to express their support and ask to go on their mailing list (free). The more members, the louder the SWPW's voice in Spring St.
Meryl Tobin
Thanks Neil for your ongoing contributions and keeping the stoplight on the politicians. Thanks to Catherine for running the BC Post that gives the community a voice to air and discuss important issues. Our visitors and many living in the region simply accept and enjoy Westernport as an environmental asset that helps drive our economy and our lifestyle. Very few appreciate the thousands of volunteer hours that have prevented it being industrialised, exploited and degraded. We need to seek more permanent protections and that journey is commencing. It will be a long and difficult journey and community support and engagement will be a key component of achieving positive outcomes.
Jeff Nottle
Oh my goodness. What don't politicians and people in power not get? Why has our beautiful and fragile bay and its surrounding environment been treated as second rate. Not good enough! Thank you Neil and all the others who keep fighting to bring to attention why this special area deserves protection from those who fail to see the environmental benefits of such an unique and treasured place.
Meg Lee
The joy of the toy
July 2, 2021
Hi Mark. Tin toys were great but were discontinued because of danger to fingers.
Lost your number but the houses spoken about were both railways and mines.
Joan Woods
Living with creeks
July 2, 2021
Well said, Ed. How could covering a drain allow it to continue to fulfil its role for biodiversity such as providing habitat, food and drink for the wildlife dependent on it? When will all humans come to appreciate we have to work with Nature and not see the environment as something to be tamed and/or exploited?
Meryl Tobin
Have you seen what the Council is doing with the "creek" along the Station/Woolies/Big W rail trail in Wonthaggi? It looks fabulous and will look more like the waterway it once was when all the plants have taken hold.
Pamela Jacka
Ed you are a champion for the Ayr creek in Inverloch. .Landcare has arranged for the fencing of Pound Creek and Screw Creek. The native plants are thriving but many abuses still occur, like farm walls right across, blackberries, and other weeds. We need more Ed Thextons in our world.
Daryl Hook
A symphony of words
July 2, 2021
Well said Christine. I’m thrilled to be part of this beautiful book alongside the other writers and artists. I am so glad I sat down to write for the Bass Coast Prize for Non-fiction. Seeing my writing in print is just one of the many rewards. I enjoyed every stage of researching and writing At Screw Creek (although there were some challenging moments pulling it together). But with that comes the satisfaction of finishing the final piece. I just want to encourage everyone who has ever dreamed of writing to give it a go and enter the 2021 Bass Coast Prize for Non-fiction. As Catherine Watson has said before, knowing someone will read your piece and having a deadline helps spur you on. Thanks to Catherine Watson, Anne Heath Mennell and Geoff Ellis for producing this wonderful Anthology and to Phyllis Papps for making it all possible.
Linda Cuttriss
Special accolades to Christine Grayden and all the prize winners of the Bass Coast Prize for Non-fiction 2019, 2020.
Also I should mention that all the writers who submitted entries for 2019 and 2020 are encouraged to enter the BCPFNF 2021.
Phyllis Papps
Honey, we lost Inverloch
July 2, 2021
This was a very interesting topic, it is helpful to know what is going on. Thank you.
Valerie Heath Levey
Yes I’m a Nimby!
June 18, 2021
My goodness David, you've articulated the feelings of the vast majority of residents of Bass Coast. A friend told me recently that the term "nimby" is just thrown around to close down discussion. Those of us who moved to this lovely area came because of the natural treasures, serenity, space and relaxed lifestyle it offers. We do NOT want to drag the so-called "amenities" of city life down here with us and spoil all the reasons we came here in the first place. Count me in as a "nimby".
Carol Cox
Thank you David I could not agree more! You have expressed this beautifully.
Susan Fowler
When the Yallock-Bulluk trail was announced in 2018, I was pleased that more people would be able to share some of our fantastic walks. But I think we're beginning to see that the promise of a "bigger and better" trail is a poisoned chalice. This is partly selfish - fear of losing our blissful solitude - but also a realisation that thousands of people tramping through our fragile environments will destroy them. David, you might be a cranky old thing but you've nailed it.
Catherine Watson
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone,
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot..
Jodi Mitchell nailed it and so did you David.
Yvonne McRae
Beautifully written and I fully endorse your view on the life and times in which we now live. Some things/places just ARE: leave them alone. "Tearing around with one's ass on fire": how true - love it!
Liz Glynn
Thanks for your eloquent words. Nimbys have preserved a lot of nice things, think about the leafy suburbs of Hawthorn... Send development elsewhere say the wealthy, and it is promptly done. What about or area? First the desalination plant now this. Like you said, the trails have always been here to explore! ... Today I am particularly annoyed as I have been walking around the area and have noticed that a connection to the rail trail for cyclists has already been sign posted around the desal park to send people on bikes down the fragile 'tea tree grove' track between Powlett River and the Desal. I had not realised this was already a fail accompli, as I had raised my objections with the Consultation team about making this track a shared path. The bikes should stay on the Mouth of the Powlett Road and not churn up that lovely track and compete with the quietness of this beautiful path. So much for the consultation process: yet another " we pretend we care' exercise.?? I shall be writing to the Parks Vic Director of this project and express my disappointment!
Barbara Moje
David, the current track is a favorite walk for our walking club and we are always disappointed that the section between San Remo and Punchbowl Rd carpark is in private hands. Unless something is done about this, you may lose this section to private residential development. It would be better to retain it as open public space and the justification to do this would be the extension of the walking track through it.
Peter Bogg
Yes I agree Peter. Extending the track would be a great asset to the community.
Neralie Hoadley
Well said David! You have nailed the problem with mass commercial tourism all over the world. Everyone want to go and see the sights and the crowds ruin it.
It is unfortunately a big part of the economy as well as a big emitter of CO2, especially the flights. We need to slow down and beautiful places should be left as they are.
Jenny Skewes
Yes! Count me in too! In this context, what's wrong with nimbyism?
Folks who have chosen to live away from the convenience of the city, precisely for the peace and quiet that rural living affords, do NOT WANT to be chased down by hoards of cars and and commercial enterprises coming here from the city.
Visitors are welcome, but please, take us as we are. Not everyone thinks tourists are 'good' for the region. If progressive economics and development is your imperative, go back there. My own values are peace, space and enough to get by. Yes. In this context, I am a nimby.
Julie Thomas
I remember going to Notre Dame for the first time in the early 90s. In those days people used cameras to take photos and there were flashes everywhere tourists were inside buildings, despite signs saying to turn them off. A woman devoutly praying in a side chapel was the object of someone's intrusive picture taking. In the darkened hallows of Chartre Cathedral many believed that the flashes on their cameras would illuminate the magnificent and distant stained glass. That or they were too lazy to turn them off. Sadly it was not restricted to Paris or the great cathedrals of Europe as I saw the same in a mosque in Istanbul where tourists were graciously permitted to observe the worshippers at prayer and many saw it as an opportunity to take multiple photos or film without their permission. At a concert on Vienna people stood up with movie cameras filming the performance while blocking others view of the stage. At San Diego Zoo I had to stop someone filming the nocturnal lemur pointing a harsh laser like light at night directly into their delicate eyes. These days phones are used as cameras and the technology means flashes, even indoors or in poor light, are rarely needed but the desire to instantly upload everything to Facebook and Instagram has lead to people's need to document every minute of their "journey".
And yes, they can bugger off commercialising publicly funded walks on public land paid for and now used for free by the public.
James Glover
Thank you David. I share your world-view and, if you are 'cranky' as Catherine says, then so am I! I think we should reclaim the acronym,'nimby' and I will wear that with pride too. Along with 'greenie', 'tree-hugger', ' radical environmentalist' and others. I draw the line at 'latte-sipping' though, My tipple of choice is a hot cappuchino with extra chocolate on top. :-)
Anne Heath Mennell
Absolutely!
Loloma Kannava
I am a walker. I am excited that I will be able to walk on this new track. I’m surprised by the idea that by walking on a lovely path, I will be a threat to the community.
Neralie Hoadley
As a bushwalker I love the serenity as well as the beauty and I never listen to music on headphones, but prefer the wind and the birds.
I left the Mornington Peninsula after many years when it started to get too busy. I don't want to have to leave this beautiful place!
David you've got my vote.
Tim Herring
I've always been of the mind that special areas can be managed and protected using a variety of tools and yes, maybe even booking a hike could be one way.
Making the path accessible to a range of people, some who may not be able bodied isn't necessarily a bad thing - if it's done properly. Restricting access usually lends to only certain physically and monetarily privileged individuals gaining the opportunity to view these special places when it should be something everyone can see, appreciate and love. Take for example that $10m of the $19.6m budget of the park will be going into land acquisition. I fail to see how the acquisition of this private land for a nature trail is detrimental to the environment the YBMCP seeks to enhance.
There's also the argument that if people don't experience the beauty of this space it's really hard to gain an understanding of it to then protect it.
The Bass Coast Shire's tourism industry is second only to that of Uluru and to think otherwise is a misconception of our isolation. Annually the Bass Coast Shire's population swells to about 70,000 people in peak season.
These spaces need better management and creating a mostly connected nature trail is essentially enhancing these beautiful spaces. Often when these areas aren't managed they become neglected or subject to individuals forging their own way without consideration of the fragility of the environment.
Protecting these areas shouldn't be pitched in economic terms but you really can't quantify that feeling you get standing on the edge of the world, watching some breaching whales go by...
Leticia Laing
Nicely put Leticia!
Peter Ghys
Just one point should be clarified though, that our tourism status as 'second only to Uluru' refers specifically to the Penguin Parade attraction, not Bass coast in general.
Julie Thomas
Wow, you’re going to write a whole book on this soon! As per our previous discussion, I really think that you are overstating the issue. There will not the thousands of people walking the track at the same time. It isn’t a closed building of limited size like Notre Dame. And the idea of it is not as you put it because “ there is someone in the city who thinks that it would be a grand idea if the walk along the Bass Coast could be exploited for profit” but so that more people can appreciate the beautiful coast.
So proud NIMBY though you are, I’m afraid it still sounds rather selfish.
Peter Ghys
I’m afraid what you have written is incorrect. The Bass Coast Shire is the second most dependent shire on tourism after Uluru in Australia. Phillip Island is undoubtedly a major contributor to this factor it is not the sole factor.
Leticia Laing
No problem. I interpreted what you wrote differently. (And of course not the main point of this thread anyway.) Thanks Letitia :)
Julie Thomas
Time to draw a line in the sand
June 18, 2021
Well said Dick; it is simply astonishing to me that the Andrews Labor Government which purports to value the environment, and rests on assumed 'environmental credentials', can be doing what it is doing to the Grantville Lang Lang coastal forest - ripping it out for sand for Melbourne - and at the same time putting our beautiful Western Port foreshores and bay at risk. And doing it so sneakily... hiding this risk and vandalism of the forest from Grantville and Bass Coast residents. It is a disgrace.
Tim O'Brien
The sad irony is that most of this sand makes its way to Pakenham and Clyde for building new estates which are being built on the farmland that was made by draining the Great Swamp that water once flowed through before entering Westerport.
James Glover
Prior to reading this article I was concerned and opposed to the expansion of the sand mining. Now that I have read this informative and detailed article, I am appalled to think there is a remote chance that this sand mine will be allowed to expand. There will be nothing left for future generations and the expansion just cannot be approved. Thank you Professor Wettenhall for explaining so clearly the danger to the wetlands when sand mining is carried out.
Joy Button
What an extraordinary situation. From my window overlooking the bay to French Island at Jam Jerrup I have watched the sea grass grow back over the last 3 or 4 years to the point where it is now washing up onto the shoreline. Feeding birds, fish and insects. It is well established that the sea grass, once so plentiful it was harvested, mysteriously disappeared completely in the 1970s. The most likely culprit was a glass factory near Lang Lang which dumped its effluent into a drain which flowed into Westernport. With the closure of this factory it is no coincidence that the sea grass begun to return and once again the ecosystem of Westernport slowly returns to what was here originally. Benefiting bird watchers, fishers and those who care about nature.
And now this threatens to undo all that good work. Westernport is not an industrial drain. If anything we should be doing more to ensure that shipping on the western side is not polluting this fragile and unique environment.
It is great that Dick has presented the evidence in a rigorous and well researched way that cannot just be ignored as overzealous Greenies stopping all industry. It is now up to the rest of us to stop this madness by putting pressure on the government. Where do I sign up?
James Glover
Hi James, we have paper petitions circulating which will be presented to the Victorian Parliament (Lower House); we can shoot these to you if you contact www.savewesternportwoodlands.org via email - maybe you could collect signatures around Jam Jerrup. We also have an e-Petition on the Vic. Parliament website which goes to the Upper House, the Legislative Council.
Google "Vic Parliament e-Petitions", then click "view and/or sign current e-petitions" and you'll see our petition there (it's numbered 343).There's a link straight to the e-Petition under Dr Wettenhall's photo of the Grantville foreshore (above).
Tim O'Brien
Thanks Tim, found and signed.
James Glover
Dick. Thank you for your excellent expert advice on details that are beyond community knowledge and further support the objection to extending the Grantville sand mining proposal.
It is apparent that you have raised hidden issues that demand a thorough investigation by EPA prior to any final decision by the minister.
All industries must strive to eliminate release of toxic waste into the environment. Sand mining has a responsibility and must be made accountable by rigorous certification and independent inspection of residue containment.
This needs to be considered by the Minister and implemented as a condition of current or future operations.
Ian Samuel
If politicians will not listen to the Science and we want ourselves and our progeny to live in a livable world, we must demand our government representatives listen to the Science. Dick Wettenhall is the Professor here, and he presents the Science with knowledge, logic and commonsense. Those seeking to profit from non-sustainable 'development' do not want to know their proposals involve potentially devastating risks to the environment. If they do know, they ignore the risks, refuse to acknowledge them or get 'experts' in and cherry-pick to get the information they want.
Thank you, Dick Wettenhall. If the planet, including this precious area of it, is to be protected, we need experts speaking out as you have here.
Meryl Tobin
Thank you for this article! To me "sand mining" had, up to now a benign ring to it, as in "sand pit". In no way had I associated toxic sludge with such operations. It makes me even more concerned, also about the current operations of the existing sand mines. Who monitors these, and the containment of toxic substances? Is it a case of alarm bells ringing when the horse has bolted (the usual reaction after the environmental disaster comes to light) ? Even more reason to oppose this development vehemently. Please publish this article widely! Thank You!
Barbara Moje
Thank You, Professor Wettenhall for providing this evidence-based, detailed information. Nothing like this emerged from the Panel Hearings into the expansion of the Dandy Premix site. The plans have already been approved by all the relevant regulatory authorities. The priority now is to ensure the Minister and appropriate bodies have this information and to consider it in their decision-making. We cannot let this happen and must continue our efforts. Onward!
Anne Heath Mennell
When i was young, my parents had a holiday house at The Gurdies, and we often stayed there, my husband and my children. We loved the wild places around. I hope we can stop the Victorian Government wrecking it. You wonder what the Labor Party stands for, don't you. They need the Greens in power with them to push them in the right direction!
Dr Virginia Lowe
Move sand mining away from South Gippsland and the fragile Westernport Bay. We need areas of un-toxified land and sea in our growing community
John Sutton
Shelf life
June 18, 2021
OMG. what an interesting and well written article. Who knew!!! thank you for all the information. It's a cool underwater world.
Deborah
A wonderful tale and a magnificent set of pictures, Helen. Thank you for bringing this beautiful underwater reef world to people who don't get to snorkel or dive to see it. We can be inspired - now that we can see what we are protecting UNDER the water when we take care of our shoreline.
Julie Thomas
Thank you Julie. I don't know how successful the rehoming of sea life is, but every so often we find warreners, elephant snails, horse conchs and other critters washed up but alive. I believe we should drop them back into the water to give them another chance. After all they go through!
Helen Keellings
Absolutely, Helen. Many can hold on for quite a while, adapted to being stranded till the next high tide picks them up again. Definitely worth giving them a chance if they're too far up the beach. To me, a person who will do this is compassionate person in general. Bravo.
And the creatures deserve our help. It's their world, too, isn't it?
Julie Thomas
What a breath-taking glimpse into another world, and what a wonderful resource. Helen follows in the great traditions of citizen scientists.
Catherine Watson
I agree with the comments above, Helen, and thank you for sharing your words and wonderful images of a world completely new to me.
I'm reminded of the old conservationist adage - See, Care, Act. If people see something they are more likely to care about it and, if they care about it, they are more likely to take action to protect it. The underwater world is a complete mystery to all the people who can't dive, snorkel or even swim. Our offshore Bass Coast waters are unique in many ways and are so precious but those in power think nothing of drilling, desalination, over-fishing, pouring in effluent and other toxic waste and that's before we start on the issue of plastic waste.
Please, can you show us some more of this world on a regular basis? Who knew there was such a thing as a sea hare, never mind one which squirts purple ink!
Anne Heath Mennell
I'll try to send Catherine some pix more often, Anne, but it can take a long time until I have a store of good, interesting photos. The response here is very encouraging!
Not much happens over winter; the slime on the rocks is one of those seasonal things with which I need to deal. Black slime is deadly, like black ice. Dark reddish brow is somewhat navigable but dodgy. Green and fawn are good becausr they are bryzoans not slime.
I'm being unfair, lumping it all together as 'slime' - it's algae and deserves our respect!
Helen K
Great pictures, thank you.
Brian Carr
Good reminder, Helen, that all living things deserve our respect for their place in the web of life. We need to re-think the old hierarchy of humans on top, above the animals, with plants a distant third and fungi, lichen, yeasts, moulds, mycorrhiza, bacteria, algae etc. not considered or appreciated at all. Everything is connected to everything else and has vital roles to play which we mess with at our peril! I look forward to more of your images from the underwater world in the future.
Anne Heath Mennell
They are absolutely fantastic Helen. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful and precious world. I do much the same thing in the bush hunting for tiny orchids, plants , mosses and fungi!! Our tiny and spectacular species need protecting at all costs given the assault on our land here on The Bass Coast
Margaret lee
A light bulb moment
June 18, 2021
Beautifully written article Etsuko!
Lois Dwyer
It was a pleasure meeting you Etsuko and other attendees at yesterday's Bass Coast Prize Launch, a wonderful event bringing together writers and artists. After the recent lockdowns, it was lovely to connect with new people, share different perspectives and ways forward...from 'isolation, connection and emergence'...a much needed collaborative event.
Vasy Petros
As always dear Etsuko you manage to put a positive spin on a challenging situation! Glad to hear you are both ok xxx
Andy
Wow, Etsuko, you really rose to the challenges. Thank you for sharing this positive take on a difficult situation.
The 'civilisation' we have built is not very resilient is it?
No power/light,/heat, no petrol, no ATMs, fouled water, no phone to call for help, no internet and uncertainty about what is happening. It doesn't take long for things to fall into chaos. Is there a Disaster Plan somewhere?
Anne Heath Mennell
I enjoyed reading your article and find myself having found ways to survive our time without electricity. We were lucky with the short outing and like you, I feel for the people who are still struggling without.
Verena
I loved your story and adaptive attitude Etsuko. Some of my family in the Dandenongs are still without power...... They are resilient too kids and camping turning adversity into fun when you can.
However I feel for all the vulnerable ones out there. I have my little battery operated and yes also a windup radio to tune in to updates. I purchased that a couple of years ago because of our high fire risk.
Margaret Lee
Dear Etsuko, it was a very special moment to meet you again at the Bass Coast Prize for Non-fiction launch for 2021 and the launch of the book. You are a great and sensitive writer of Non-fiction so please apply for the 2021 BCPFNF with closing date of 14th September 2021.
Phyllis Papps
Full and plenty
June 18, 2021
Thank you, John, for this wonderful depiction of your gloriously productive garden. You cheered me up no end and I look forward to hearing more in the future.
I was especially interested that you grow gooseberries. I grew up with them in England and loved them but you never see them in the shops here.
My brother loved blackcurrants but you couldn't buy them because, apparently, the entire crop would be bought by the people who made the Ribena drink. I'm not sure that was true but they were certainly hard to find.
Anne Heath Mennell
Thanks for your comment Anne. I should have been more specific regarding gooseberries. The type I grow is the cape gooseberry, also known as Peruvian groundcherry which produces a yellow fruit and may not be the one you had in England. These are also absent from the shops here, possibly because they may not travel very well. They grow like weeds and birds spread their seeds all over the yard.
John Coldebella
Don’t bank on it
June 18, 2021
Having worked in banking for many years I am surprised you were able to talk to a real human via the phone. Usually the customer service phone is kept in a sound proof box in a locked room that only rings if you have successfully navigated the 10 different key options and suggestion to use the website or app instead.
James Glover
And this is progress!
Fiona Rawson
Good to know I'm not alone, trying to deal with such situations. Sadly, I suspect many readers will have similar stories to tell. As you say, Fiona, this is supposed to be progress.
After the recent storm, many people discovered their gas appliances needed electricity to work. My latest Coonara wood burner now needs an electric fan for it to work effectively. The old one worked perfectly well without a fan. Progress? I don't think so!
Anne Heath Mennell
Stories of us
June 18, 2021
To all the wonderful writers and artists in the Bass Region.
I am very proud to have had the privilege of reading and viewing your superb writing, art work and photographs.
Accolades and orchids to all of you for being so brave to expose yourselves to public scrutiny, for producing such quality work AND for meeting deadlines.
Telling stories in whatever format is absolutely essential in helping us to understand life.
Phyllis Papps
‘Listen to the locals’
June 4, 2021
Coastal walk = coastal walk. Not inland from Wonthaggi to Inverloch - in fact I don't think any version should go through Wonthaggi. Agreed there needs to be a LOT more thought about infrastructure (parking, toilets etc) but there must be ways this can be managed. Getting visitors is a GOOD thing for the region. Opposition frankly smells of nimbyism...
Peter Ghys
I am a keen cyclist who regularly uses the coastal road between Inverloch and Cape Paterson. I wonder who, or what is the "Alliance" and what groups do they represent?
Brian Conroy
Hi Brian. As noted in the report, the Alliance consists of the following groups:
* Friends of Wonthaggi Heathland & Coastal Reserve
* Harmers Haven Residents and Ratepayers Group/Friends of Harmers Haven
* Cape Paterson Residents and Ratepayers Association
* Peregrines Club Incorporated (Walking Group)
* South Gippsland Conservation Society
They have a collective 850 members.
Catherine Watson, Editor
Thanks for that information Catherine.
Brian Conroy
Saving the planet, a paddock at a time
June 4, 2021
Well done, Anne and Bob.
Prophets who are coming into their own, finally.
You must be delighted that things seem to be changing for the better, albeit slowly.
The patch of earth that is Phillip Island must be very grateful for all your efforts over so many years.
Anne Heath Mennell
Bob, you are a legend! So good that all your years of hard work and dedication to carbon farming is finally reaching the mainstream. The great thing is that you documented your research, got experts in, formed partnerships, so the evidence is all there. Anne and Bob’s approach to farming seems to be if you look after the land it will look after you. No wonder their eggs taste so good!
Linda Cuttriss
I have been working and, more importantly, listening to Bob and Anne Davie for many years, and i say how fortunate we are to have modern day prophets who lead by example. The Federal Government seems frozen and unable to assist the farmers and businesses that wish to become emission neutral. Their internal fights are so vicious and unyielding to allow such policy development and implementation.
The organisations that Bob is working with in Gippsland are mainly progressive non-government organisations, with him interacting with Government agencies trying to convince them of the validity of his work in the carbon neutral space. Farmers have such a pivotal role in climate action. IM so glad Bob is taking his knowledge to others.
Kay Setches
Mining opposition gathers force
June 4, 2021
Excellent summary Catherine. Thank you.
I hope readers who have yet to sign the petition will go to the SWPW website (see above) and sign up. Better still, get your families, friends, workmates, neighbours and anyone else you can think of to do the same. This is a big battle and we are definitely the 'David' facing Goliath.
Anne Heath Mennell
I had no idea that behind those trees alongside the road was such devastation! Thank you all for standing up for what's left. I've certainly signed the petition.
Carolyn Goldberg
Mystery Road
June 4, 2021
Excellent idea; adding to the list of already wonderful walking tracks around Wonthaggi.
Liz Glynn
Such a great plan! So many interesting things to see, great view and tree are already walking tracks in that area..
Anne Bevis
A looped walk would be great, especially through such a varied environment
Anne Heath Mennell
Doona gymnastics
June 4, 2021
Thank you for the laughs, Miriam. They've been in short supply recently so very welcome. I've yet to discover an elegant or efficient way of doona covering and don't get me started on folding fitted sheets!
Anne Heath Mennell
$90m pool plan on the table
May 21, 2021
I agree with a two pool strategy, one pool to serve the Island community and surrounding costal areas and one to serve the Wonthaggi community and surrounding areas. In my opinion the Council needs to bring money to the table in support of a two pool strategy and seek support from the State and Federal Governments for the balance of funding.
Council could add a pool levy to everybody’s rate notice. You would be surprised how quickly the funds grow. The Pool Rate Levy would send a strong message to the State & Federal governments that we are serious about these infrastructure projects.
Frank W Schooneveldt
A grand swimming pool for Wonthaggi and Cowes sounds awesome.
Breaking it down it means a swimming pool for the Bunurong Ward, and a swimming pool for the Island Ward of Bass Coast Council. True San Remo and Newhaven are part of Westernport Ward but are ''neighbours' for the Island Ward.
Does this mean a hose and a sprinkler for the Waterline townships?
Is it unfair for a levy across all wards which will house the two swimming pools.
Bearing in mind the inadequate public transport and the lack of facilities in the Waterline townships, you cannot help but wonder if I wonder if Councillors have forgotten that the Waterline towns are part of Bass Coast Council.
Joy Button
Outrageously expensive how about community build, weekend project like Jehovahs Kingdom Hall.
Bernie Mccomb
Pools don't pay their way in dollar terms, but the health and community benefits are manifold. Wonthaggi pool was largely funded by the community (as was the Bilson St primary school pool), but in today's terms this would be done with a rates increase. No, I take that back, a pool levy added to the rates for long enough to get it done.
A commitment like this from our communities would almost certainly guarantee support from other levels of government.
Neil Rankine
I can’t think of a more important health issue than these public pools. I would prefer for the Phillip Island Pool to proceed initially as we dont have any public pool except at the Cowes primary school. I used to travel to Wonthaggi for water therapy and no matter how you dress up that pool it has reached its used by date. The temperature of the water is raised, one day a week (when I went) but not to the warmth required for many patients.
As a former minister of Home and Community Care Program, I became aware of the overall health results of warm water therapy, and it is truly amazing and if continued is long term.
We will have a state of the art Public hospital at Wonthaggi. a community hospital at Cowes alongside the Small Trauma Centre in Cowes, all overwhelmingly funded by the State Government.
Large pools have been built (by Various Governments) in other municipalies and the evidence gathered (Maroondah and Darebin has 2 large water facilities) from various therapies and activities across the whole Community.
I suspect that when the funding is broken down to visits of all types to the pool we will see the costs become miniscule.
In addition we have an aging population and water therapy is also for the well.
Of all services , a modern pool is the most democratic. It takes everyone, the severely disabled (if the equipment is provided) Very sick people, as it is for fun and learn to swim programs and swimming squads. The argument that we are surrounded by the sea for swimming, is not really an arguement as the users of this pool are ovcerwhelmingly people that wouldnt swim in the sea because of various valid reasons.
Kay Setches
I wonder if some local tenderers could do the job cheaper and a 50mtr pool for Phillip Island is far preferable. Goodness knows we've waited long enough
Lee Tierney
Council is willing to spend $90m for two pools advocating the health benefits for the community, yet is willing to plunge sections of the community and thousands of motorists and pedestrian in danger of serious health issues with the removal of dust suppressant seals for the measly saving of about $40k per km.
Council should be responsible and brave enough to declare that it cannot afford two pools and the yearly maintenance cost while the basic needs of the community are neglected. A single aquatic centre with a 50m pool should be located centrally, possibly at Kilcunda to avoid the squabble between Wonthaggi and Cowes.
Lou Pecora
I agree with Lou Pecora, one pool, 50mt, with full membership, gym, yoga, pilates steam room and sauna facilities and a positive healthy cafe. By far the most equitable locations would be Kilcunda, or better still the derelict land behind and adjacent to the Anderson's roundabout bus stop. This would have the advantage of increased access via public transport as many routes cross over there.
Karen Sandon
Why I am sorry
May 21, 2021
Anne, this article brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for writing it.
Fiona
Perfectly expressed Anne, like all non-indigenous peoples of this land I have benefited from this land. As a nation we need to grasp our true history with both hands, acknowledge the pain and suffering to out First Nation People and act on the Ularu Statement From The Heart. It is only then that this land can be a true nation.
Tricia O'Brien
Thank you, Anne. And, ditto, to the comments above.
Nicola Miller
Thanks Anne for sharing your story, a story that reverberates loudly and cruelly through the history of Bass Coast, Gippsland and beyond. I am always lost for words. It’s too overwhelming. So, thanks for being so brave by putting your feelings into words.
Linda Cuttriss
Kudos to Anne Davie for her many years of good work in reconciliation within Bass Coast, and to Patrice Mahoney for her challenge to whitefellas. So many of us feel shy about joining in reconciliation events, or that we may be intruding. Patrice invites us to walk with her and other indigenous people towards a new future.
Catherine Watson
Thank you Anne for your words and your many actions towards reconciliation.
I encourage all of us anglo-descendant white-fellas to notice our embarrassment and discomfort, and to realise it is a signal of yet another privilege that we have in this land; the privilege to have a choice about entering the reconciliation path. Walking alongside others can only make us all the richer as a community and as individuals. Grief and sadness at the past shows our humility. Working towards true equality must be more than an abstract 'we are all equal' . It must translate into practical changes such as our black kids getting jobs, growing up in their own families, staying linked to lifelong learning and education. Lets take a step toward ethical, genuine and congruent relationships across cultural and colour differences. Lets walk together across the bridge. Lets BE together. To paraphrase the aforementioned Paul Keating in the Redfern Speech: "If we can imagine injustice, surely we can imagine its opposite."
Karen Sandon
Thank you Anne,
It’s hard to face our own ignorance and neglect, but so important to tell the truth.
Neralie Hoadley
Eat your heart out, Daylesford
May 21, 2021 –
What a fantastic article Catherine, great read! I remember fondly when Wayne and Keith come to town; such great people and fantastic community members. Anyone that was at the flag raising and listened to the young student speak of her own fights with her own demons would of been so touched and as emotional as I was. My resolve has been strengthened to continue to make our Shire as inclusive as possible. Such amazing work done by so many, Sally and her incredible will, Geoff and his determination and now Leticia just to name a few that have helped guide me.
Brett Tessari
Brilliant article Catherine. You made me cry in a good way! As an outspoken ally all these steps are hugely important and you have captured them beautifully.
Shaz Green
Great writing Catherine and I accept the honorary title with pride.
Mayor Brett is the best ally and advocate any individual or group could have.
And the people of Bass Coast? - thank you!
Make good use of the new community flagpole. We have plenty of flags to fly at our new gathering place.
Geoff Ellis
Great work Catherine. Not only did Wayne and Keith have Tattslotto they were the catalyst for a surge in the culture of our town. With the vote for same-sex marriage my old aunt thought everyone should vote NO, when the fair-minded people of Australia said YES I told my aunt this did not mean it was compulsory, heterosexual couples could still marry. She had the grace to chuckle. Keep up the good work Brett and Geoff. Cheers, Yvonne
Yvonne McRae
Sounds like a real happy place to be. So well written, Catherine. Love to you
Lenice Hurndell
As a mature age gay woman, I'm conflicted by all this flag waving and general brouhaha. Frankly, the attention is too much too late as far as I’m concerned. It’s starting to sound condescending & patronising to me. And the "alphabet" tag! If you don't fit under one of the initials, there's a plus sign for you! Now we also have a day for you to celebrate your diversity and thank all those open-minded people who are there to fly the flag. Soon there won't be any days left where we can get on and live our everyday lives.
Someone said attitudes are changing with every funeral. That's not encouraging and at the rate change is happening, my funeral will happen first! In the last twelve months, I’ve had what could be called two homophobic situations. The first was the plumber’s mate who reacted in horror when I told them (the plumber & the mate) that I was gay. His reaction stunned me but I was more horrified when told he was eyeing me off as a possible partner! The second was when the bloke organising an election for a local group dropped in with an election form and said that he’d told a prospective new member that there were lesbians in the group and would they mind.
We live in a democratic, multi-cultural society and within that society are cultures who do not condone homosexuality. There are lots of attitudes that are unacceptable but that's how it is in a democratic, multi-cultural society. Education is the only way things will change. Waving flags and shouting at people will just push it underground. I have been part of the gay & lesbian community since the late 60s and have come across many different reactions & prejudices. Life goes on and with a bit of luck, you find a group of like-minded people, gay & straight and get on with life. Or, you build a vegie patch!
Pamela Jacka
Hello Pam, great comment and truly sorry you feel this way. What part did you actually play as an activist in the gay and lesbian community since the 1960s?
Also have you done anything to improve education so that many like-minded people and the rest of society can be more understanding and can help with changing attitudes?
Phyllis Papps
Hello Phyllis, I'm from Sydney and Oxford St and the "Poke Inn Hotel" were my stamping grounds. I was, of course, aware of Dawn but I was in awe and I wasn't aware of a "movement" that I could have joined. Too busy enjoying life at the time, to be honest.
By being myself and being open with all I meet and disclosing my sexuality is, hopefully, educating parts of society, bit by bit.
I'm retired and I'm more interested in my vegie patch now!
Pamela Jacka
the irony of it...
me in a photo labelled "Raising the flag..." when as an LGBTIQ Elder after 5 years of advocating on behalf of the LGBTIQ community wasn't invited to be a part of the whole ceremony and i didnt see the flag raised as i turned my back and walked away in protest as they raised the flag...
Sally Conning
The joy of gardens
May 21, 2021
Lovely photos and looking forward to another gardening column.
The garden is my happy place too and would love any tips that you have John to create such magnificent, healthy and happy sunflowers. Mine just fail badly.
Joy Button
Thanks for your comment Joy. Regarding sunflowers, all I can recommend is planting them early (September, October), compost, chook poo, and lots of finger crossing. I too have spectacular failures in between successes. The seed stock can also have a bearing on the results. I haven't grown any sunflowers for some years but last year, my niece had excellent results in North Melbourne using harvested seeds from my crops. My neighbour bought seeds from the shop which produced seed husks with no kernels. Not surprisingly, the birds which normally feed from the seeds showed no interest. Keep trying and good luck.
John Coldebella.
Lovely article about the love of gardens. You John were raised with a productive garden throughout your childhood and have continued along that garden path in adulthood.
I had no home garden experience for most of my first two decades. There was a fig tree in a rental property and that's where I began my love of figs - and how to climb trees - still climb my own fig tree these days.
Then my best girlfriend had a country property and was a garden whizz! So I learnt to grow from her example.
So it's never too late to start a food - and flower - garden, both of which I love and spend time in every day.
Sue Packham
Lovely to read about your garden, John, and your gardening experiences.
I look forward to reading more ...
Anne Heath Mennell
Power deal cuts costs and emissions
May 21, 2021
Sorry. this is not a factual story. where does red energy get power to back up the unreliable renewables? from coal or gas which we will need for many years to come. who is being conned here?
Dan Hopkins
Pumped hydro, Construction of Snowy 2.0 has commenced—this project will add 2,000 MW of generation to the National Electricity Market (NEM) renewables are not unreliable.
Brian Carr
What happens when the sun doesn't shine and the wind stops blowing? Am I missing something? Sure, we can have batteries to store the power generated by renewables but, unfortunately, there are a lot of us out their who can't afford to buy the 'starter kit'. Relying totally on renewables is a slightly scary concept for me.
Pamela Jacka
Renewables might be variable output but scary prospect is when old coal dinosaurs suddenly drop 500 MW out of grid, as happened with Loy Yang last year, out for months. And favourite time to fail is during heatwave peak demand, then auction price goes ballistic $15 per kWh. You don’t see it unless you know where to look but you certainly pay through the nose. Need to update grid for efficient long distance coverage and plenty distributed small scale pumped hydro very economic. Snowy 2 is foolishness.
Bernie McComb
Great news, thank you Bass Coast Council for taking this important step. Very positive news despite the negativity of some people, any move towards renewable's is a good move.
Sunny
When words fail
May 21, 2021
There are a few walls in Wonthaggi could do with a makeover.
Danny Drummond
An inspiring story. A powerful message. A glorious mural. Well done Jeannie for putting your heart and soul and Bass Coast Prize money into such a wonderful project.
Linda Cuttriss
Jeannie, this mural is absolutely superb and conveys so many vital messages.
Such as regarding preserving our environment, vegetation, our wild-life and the need to continue to fight the battle to protect it for our future and future generations.
Phyllis Papps
Brava, Jeannie! You are using your creativity so effectively to increase awareness of the environmental crises we are facing. I wish you success, especially in your local battle in Drouin.
Anne Heath Mennell
Time for action now: students
May 21, 2021
thanks Aidan for highlighting our towns recent School Strike 4 Climate.
I'm so proud of our young people taking a stand on climate change and it's likely effects on the planet.
The bigger the groundswell from the public the more our governments at all levels will take notice - and hopefully take action.
Keep up the good work!
Sue Packham
It warms my heart to see young people caring. Thank you and keep the pressure up!
Valerie Heath
What happened next
May 7, 2021 –
A fantastic result. Congratulations to all involved. This story tells me that we need to double our monthly contribution to the Salvation Army.
Frank W Schooneveldt
Thank you for highlighting this. I agree with Frank W Schooneveld. Let's give more to the Salvation Army! Churches working with various local community citizens are doing more than government funding. And they work on various ongoing projects behind the scenes quietly, without much attention or glory. Well done to all involved.
Natasha
Warms my heart. Many organisations working together to assist those with difficult circumstances in our local community. Well done to all.
Nola Smith
great reporting, Tom McNish!!
Annie Chisholm
Great to have a 'good news' story in this area. A wonderful example of community in action for the greater good. Thank you to all involved.
Anne Heath Mennell
Wow, this is such a positive story! Great that Bunnings wanted to be a part of the solution, and that the Salvation Army were so proactive.
Nalin
I was delighted to read this article and hear about the work of the Savlos to relocated the residents. Every time my husband and I passed the site we wondered where on earth did the people who lived their find homes and now I know. Thank you for your article Jessica. Good on the Salvos Open Door team.
Mary Mutsaers
Our day of days
May 7, 2021 –
Why even try to make objective commentary about War? Western Front allegedly consisted of 2Million soldiers, on each side, also 6Million
horses, a huge logistical problem to feed and water and supply ammunition and reinforcements and remove dead and injured. In between was relatively flat so trucks were hopelessly exposed to range of field and machine guns. Evidently they even tried a few cavalry charges. So trenches were dug, not small ones in movies but deep and wide enough for serious logistics with rail transport. Trucks might have been human powered earlier but later with Puffing Billy sized steam engines. But not for long because smoke obviously gave the target away. Many horses were big Clydesdale types, for haulage without smoke.
Between lines, from either side, field guns had blasted large craters to impede any advance by the other side. Formally it was “war of attrition”. Troops used names like abattoir or mincing machine, a seriously industrial scale killing machine.
Weather in 1917 was wet enough to make life particularly ugly. Rain filled craters with mud. Duck boards were placed but submerged. If a horse lost its footing, it would thrash for many excruciatingly noisy hours before submerging. Having to disregard attachment to loyal beasts, it was necessary to shoot them. If a soldier missed his footing, he suffered the same fate as a horse. Despite all laws, whether trapped in mud or injured, the right thing to do was to put them out of their misery and end the screaming.
In early days of RSL, there was strong body opposed to war. These days it looks like gambling, grog and gun promotion. Hollywood was always good at delusions of gallantry. We will never have accurate numbers of dead in WW1 but tens of millions before Spanish flu pandemic killed many more. Death toll for locals in Vietnam, eventually revealed by Robert Macnamara was 3.5 to 4Million, no doubt actually more.
When will they be satisfied with just one annual 11 Nov Memorial Day for War, putting ANZAC day into retirement?
Bernie Mccomb
Tim O’Brien, you have captured and expressed my sentiments exactly.
Thank you.
Margaret Thomas
Thank you for an informative article, Tim. As an European immigrant I always wondered why the accent on WWI when so many were murdered over such a long time in the second world disaster, including the six million. And yes, we need to have a truth telling after all our wars, including the one with our first nations people. On Anzac day I stop and commemorate all the murdered in all our wars and give gratitude to all those who helped defeat the nazis,
Felicia Di Stefano
After we had seen a performance of Alan Seymour's One Day Of The Year, I remember my mother saying that at last there can be a conversation about Anzac Day. She had lived through 2 world wars and experienced and witnessed the devastating impact on families.
I believe Anzac Day should be a day of Celebration of the glory of peace, given through the sacrifice of the many, with a commitment to safeguard that peace and value it every day.
Anne Davie
Melbourne’s big build threatens rare coastal forest
May 7, 2021 –
Excellent plan: neither the region nor the forest exist for the benefit of the damned city.
David Arnault
Absolutely! The days of entitlement at the expense of regional interests are over.
Craig Little
Dont know enough about sand mining, but perhaps the govt could better integrate with mineral sand extraction. A very valuable industry. 95% of mined mineral sands are not utilised. There is one very large site at Glenaladale, Gippsland. As opposed to Grantville it is double the distance to Melbourne. But perhaps a price worth paying to preserve our region's precious native forests and wildlife?
Pete Granger
Good video Tim Catherine and team and bloody scary map. See you at the Public meeting.
Michael Whelan
We have to win this fight but, to do so, we need all the help and support we can get from the local community and further afield. Please spread the word.
Anne Heath Mennell
Well said Anne, everyone in Bass Coast should take a moment to think, do I care about the loss of the last forest corridor in Bass Coast. If we do, then tell the government or support this group - Save Western Port Woodlands.
Neil Rankine
It seems the State government is trying to do both : attract more tourists from near and far to the area by developing coastal trails etc. but on the other hand it seems hellbent on supporting the expansion of sand mining to the detriment of the very environments which are in desperate need of preservation. I do feel scared at the sight of this map and am wondering: when is the colonial mindset of "exploit the land as if there is no tomorrow' going to end? Oh, I know: when the planet is baking and no comprehensive woodlands left to provide the antidote to the built-up environment.
Barb Moje
The moments that matter
May 7, 2021 –
Thank you for sharing these stories, John. It is a lovely tribute to your mum. I hope Mother's Day isn't too hard for you and the rest of us who no longer have our mothers. Enjoy the memories ...
Anne Heath Mennell
Love this John, what a great story I’d never heard! How lucky we were to have Nonna.
Anna Chamberlin
Thank you for the warm stories honoring your mother and thank you for the mother's day wish, John. I love the photos. Together they tell Annas story so well.
Felicia Di Stefano
Try again on trail: planning expert
May 7, 2021
The private land you speak of on the Northern side of the coast road is largely in a Rural Activity Zone. This zone allows for low scale tourism type activities and the path should eventually be able to be proceed through successive properties as a condition of development. The council should make the desire clear, so that developers have little option but to hand over a small slither of their land for such community benefit.
Neil Rankine
This sounds like the most sensible plan I’ve heard about the Cape Paterson - Inverlocj section to date. The thin strip of vegetation is too important for wildlife, but taking a thin slice from landowners and giving them rate concessions or other compensation seems like the only way to do it. And I don’t think bypassing via Wonthaggi is a good idea at all, what a wasted opportunity it would be to create a magical piece of infrastructure on this amazing coastline.
Nalin
Songs of praise
May 7, 2021
What a delightful tale, Liz. Maggies are such clever birds and very social, even with humans. TP is obviously earning his keep with his avian family! Thank you for sharing and I hope s/he continues to delight you for a long time to come.
Anne Heath Mennell
Liz, once again another brilliant and highly sensitive article, extremely observative about our dear 'friends' who live in our gardens. They are so priviledged that you care so much about them and observe their daily requirements and behaviour.
Phyllis Papps
Citizenship redux
May 7, 2021
Anne, it's a mystery. We're all a bit anxious so opinions are fluid but the general consensus seems to be we're Australian citizens if we look the same as everyone else and we stay home.
Gill Heal
Time to walk with nature
May 7, 2021 –
Thank you, Neil. Another informative, well-researched article which manages to be hopeful about these new initiatives. Very welcome in these times of doom and gloom.
I was fascinated by what you said about the Marine and Coastal Act, 2018. If what you say is true, surely this should be ammunition in the fight against the expansion of sand-mining in the Waterline area? Or is it just another example of rules, regs and legislation being full of loopholes or just ignored?
Anne Heath Mennell
Thank You. your article ticks the boxes for brilliant people to advance their future farming dreams through innovation and lateral thinking. We have an exciting and outstanding opportunity to address the issues associated with climate change and global warming as well as reinforcing our commitment to the future sustainability of this magnificent country Australia through the preservation and restoration of our unique flora and fauna.
Seize the day, contact your local mp and ask what other Government initiatives are planned to support the Marine and Coastal environment and Australia's desire to be a world leader in environmental sustainability.
Muddy Feet
All that can be desired
May 7, 2021 –
"... a coffee palace, a shipping port, a railway line and agricultural show grounds" ... I wonder if these facilities will return to Grantville before 2038, 150 years after this ad was printed
Brian O'Farrell
Coastal track a planning poser
April 22, 2021
I am wondering if / how many Aboriginal middens will be disturbed?
Libby lambert
Probably few in number compared with the desecration of sites caused by the building of the environmentally unfriendly Desalination Plant .A disgrace that was pushed under the political carpet.
Bruce Clifford Fergie
Goodness me. If it attracted 232,000 visitors per annum, it wouldn't remain a pristine landscape and peaceful experience for long. That's over six hundred people swarming through the bush every day of the year - rain, hail or shine!!
Julie Thomas
We walked and cycled sections of the Surf Coast Walk last weekend (west coast from Torquay to the Otways). It was fantastic and definitely hugs the coast. In was narrow in places and was still sufficient to enjoy it safely, whist minimising vegetation clearance. We could adopt a similar approach between Cape Paterson and Inverloch. A walking (only) path could be selectively/carefully cleared between significant trees/scrub to minimise clearing. The Surf Coast Walk has sections that are suitable for walking only, as opposed to cycling the whole route.
Georgina Matthews
For the next milestone …
April 22, 2021
Yes, I suspect a 'breather' will be short and the original euphoria has already faded. As readers will know from previous articles in the Post, here in the Waterline area we are already in a battle to prevent the extension of sand - mining below ground-water level which is likely to have impacts on creeks and water-flows into Western Port, as well as other detrimental effects on the local environment. Persistence, persistence, persistence and please, dear reader,add your voice to support our efforts.
Anne Heath Mennell
Well done all involved to stop AGL now lets stop the sand mining expansions. We need to protect our natural environment which locals and tourist come here to enjoy.
Sunny
Hi Neil, keep up the good work. I think the next milestone should be that the State Government Commission Infrastructure Victoria start preparing a Western Port Strategic Management Plan, and for example, state what has to be done and why, what environmental value it will be for the people of Victoria and how will it's outcome be measured.
Gunner
Thank goodness for public awareness of these issues. Who knows without articles like this raising awareness, what the government would try and slip by us!
Vanessa Shipway
Congratulations to all those involved in a great battle to prevent the proposed AGL potential disaster at Cribb Point. However, the war is likely not over and it makes good sense to support an appropriate Strategic Management Plan for Western port to protect its spectacular and sensitive marine ecosystem.
John Lippmann
We must ensure that all roads (so to speak) lead to Western Port Strategic Management Plan
Western Port and the surrounding coastline is unique and must have protection from all that threatens this delicate ecosystem.
Barb Oates
We fully support the call for a Strategic Management Plan for Western Port. With reoccurring threats from industry, the huge recreational fishing and boating communities who love the bay, legislative requirements to protect the Ramsar listed wetlands, the climate-change buffering potential of the bay's 'blue carbon' and an expanding population, among many other reasons, it is important for us to plan for the future.
Stephen Brend
The scarlet pimpernel of Wonthaggi
April 22, 2021 –
It strutted through our front and backyard before confronting the cat, and in typical vulpine behaviour, changed course.
Brian Carr
Ash let the two chooks out at 7.30 last Sunday, heard a commotion at 10 to 8 and found the chooks attacked (1 dead, 1 on its last legs)
Ash heard the fox getting away through nextdoor's garden. This is in Hagelthorn Street near Drysdale Street.
Hilary Stuchbery
I really enjoyed your story, John, regarding this wily young fox. Quite amazing how it is adapting to built up areas. I know they cause havoc and take the life of domestic animals, but they are an intelligent animal and part of nature's cycle. Thank you.
Joy Button
Having a coffee on the front porch around 6.30am last week and a little foxy head popped up above the gate, had a look and moved on. Near corner of Hunter and Dickson Street. Beautiful creature. Sorry to the chook owners.
Anne
Bass Coast spends up
April 22, 2021
Thank you for the update Catherine.
I am so glad to read that our Council is finally borrowing some money.
This is long overdue but is a step in the right direction.
Our council should be judged on its infrastructure spending rather than its operating budget, The focus needs to be on the infrastructure backlog in the Shire.
I would be more than comfortable for the Council to increase its debt to equity ratio to 40% and use these additional funds to fix the infrastructure backlog.
Frank W Schooneveldt
What about public housing, be nice if the council bought some houses for affordable accomodation, rent rises have been outrageous, I myself might be homeless in 6 months because I have to vacate the house which was sold to an investor you will do it up, possibly another airbnb? We need restrictions on how many airbnb's there are allowed because so many permanent rentals are getting taken over leaving no much options for long term residents to stay in the area.
Sunny
I just heard on the ABC news that rents in Wonthaggi have gone up 18% in the past year.
I agree that we all need to put pressure on our Council to provide affordable housing to those people who need it. Sunny you need to make a budget submission.
Frank W Schooneveldt
Wonthaggi set for makeover
April 23, 2021
I appreciate Cr Les Larke's desire for cutural change to encourage locals to walk to town. However, the lack of pedestrian crossings is very alarming. I consider myself agile but feel anxiety when it comes to trying to cross roads within out town centre. The matter is urgent as I frequently observe people taking risks. It's a bit of a joke when Foster has a crossing in its main street and we don't.
Lyn Bennett
Spot on Lyn. 15 years ago cars would stop and wave pedestrians across the road in Graham and Bilson Street. Today with Kamikaze drivers on these streets, crossing them is like venturing on a suicide mission. How the elderly and people with disability cope is beyond comprehension.
Ian James
United we stand
April 22, 2021
Thank you for your story Joy. This small space is now soulless! I am quite capable of Clicking and collecting books which I do but no longer can I stop and chat at the Mobile Library that was such a part of this place. I really feel for those who have no access.
My grandchildren came last week and I decided to try to find some interesting reads for them but know....... no one there to assist and very few books to choose from so I gave up and walked away
Margaret Lee
Thank you Margaret and this is a great opportunity for you to send a message to Council regarding the poor service that we have been left with.
Joy Button
So well said Joy. I am from Jam Jerrup and feel like the Bass coast Council is only interested in Inverloch, Wonthaggi, San Remo & Phillip Island and that the ~4500 residents of the waterlines towns don't count! I have even had council staff say to me "Oh you need to call Cardinia shire we don't look after that area!"
Aleta Groves
Totally agree Aleta. Jam Jerrup gets even less support than us at The Gurdies. We pay our rates, which are not cheap, and get nothing in return.
Michele
We are greatly indebted to Joy for persevering against impossible odds to bring BCSC to account for its profound and enduring failures on this issue. Its too convoluted to describe all the messy detail on this particular forum. Suffice to say BCSC has no interest in providing the unfashionable Waterline region a mobile or static library presence that on a PER-CAPITA basis equates to the two other BCSC ‘regions’, Inverloch/Pound Creek and Phillip Island.
To obtain a similar per-capita floor space to these other two Bass Coast regions, the Waterline Regional Library should be about 200 square metres, not the paltry 30 square metres BCSC delivered. As it stands, Waterline ratepayers simply cross subsidise the library services of these other regions rather than their own.There are possible solutions to the problem:
1. Have a vision, give a damn, and think regional. BCSC should commence treating the Waterline as a genuine region, not a spattering of dispersed, inconsequential small towns. Notwithstanding the region has its challenges, it is growing rapidly. So there is a need to commence planning the sort of region we prefer in 50 years. Rather than have to retrofit an unplanned mess. Developmentally, this probably necessitates trilateralising Grantville, Coronet Bay and Corinella, which will be a great challenge in itself.
2. BCSC should commit to providing the Waterline similar per capita library floor space as Phillip Island and Inverloch/Pound Creek. If not, it is just continuing to rob the Waterline region.
Peter Granger
I went to the Grantville Transaction centre the other day to pay my dog/cat registrations. When you walk in the door and wait to be served. the "library" really just looks like the staff tearoom. You can see the sink and cupboard, and the click and collect system. It it totally uninspiring and uninviting.
Michele
Vale Cam Walker
April 22, 2021
It was a great pleasure to have known Cam. We had great chats at Landcare events.
Bob Davie
I always admired Cam's endless enthusiasm and energy. He made a great role model.
Ash Stuchbery
The loneliness of the long-distance writer
April 22, 2021
So pleased to see that Ibis Writers is still going strong. Founding member Christine Edwards is now an established and published writer of young adult fiction.
Marian Quigley
The heart of our town
April 9, 2021
I absolutely agree with Frank Coldebella in regards to the piazza idea. It would be great to have less cars and more foot traffic. I also don't think the pubs should get to dictate what is best for our town.
Jacqui Paulson
I completely endorse Frank's views on the future use of McBride Avenue. The CBD is already often choked with vehicles looking for somewhere to park and surely we can create more parking options elsewhere.
Graeme Charles
Having pedestrian friendly wider paths & seating would be fantastic. Creating a community friendly space combining with Apex Park.
As for the Wonthaggi Club, I've never understood how they got away without creating their own parking spaces. Let them walk.
Peter Mckenzie
Go for it Frank. We may never have the wonderful public squares of Europe ........ But this is a good start.
Neville Drummond
Several years ago the BCSC trialled closure of the lower end of McBride Street to gauge public opinion. It was a cold, wet day, and not many were out and about. The trial was to run for a Saturday morning through to mid-afternoon, but was closed by midday due to representations from the Wonthaggi Club. Wonthaggi is destined to become degraded unless action is taken to make the CBD more 'liveable' ... and this means more pedestrian-friendly. A mall or public area would be a start, as would be plantings of strees (potted?) along the street fronts and, most importantly, a pedestrian crossing on Graham,Street between McBride Avenue and Billson Street. We have the potential for a lovely town at very low cost, but it will take courage to fight against vested self-interest. Good on you, Frank.
David Butcher
About 10 years ago the council in my home town in NZ proposed to close a block to traffic and make an outdoor dining area, “Eat Street”. I remember the dire predictions from traders and landlords. Today it is the busiest part of town with a waiting list of businesses wanting to rent there and the busyness spilling over into the surrounding streets.
Regarding the transformation of a pretty barren Wonthaggi CBD, the planners have consulted widely, listened to our views and used their imagination to offer an alternative. Let’s trust them on this and take the opportunity to transform our town centre into a place where visitors and locals alike will enjoy spending time. If it doesn’t work, we can always
undo it.
Catherine Watson
Totally agree, the 2/3 of a block of black windows that the Club now owns has just about killed this part of town. Surely by reinvigorating the area the Club could do nothing but benefit, as we all would.
Neil Rankine
Hear hear to Frank and all of the other positive comments here: now is our chance to make Wonthaggi really special, creating a vibrant, people-friendly centre in our town that will be great for locals, visitors and traders alike.
Robyn Arianrhod
Great idea. I'm all for it. And, of course Wonthaggi has high car use. There is no other option. May I suggest a shuttle bus (a 12-seater would cut it, I think), that could run a regular route continuously around town, picking up and dropping off pedestrians. Just a thought.
Aleida Jansen
Ample parking?? Where ? At the old Coles building? That is full of Councel workers cars! Or in Woolworths car park ? We have an aging population that is going to be force to walk for thier need in the bitter cold wind and rain that we have for nine months of the year!
Jack Dent
With all due respect, the area they are proposing the removal of car parking is mainly just overflow parking for businesses people wish to access on Graham Street. In order to better accommodate accessible parking for the elderly population, the council should be looking at having more disabled parking spots on Graham street, not just 1 or 2 outside the chemists, supermarkets and banks. Losing around 15 carparks on the least busy end of McBride Avenue isn't going to make a world of difference, but imagine if the council added 15 disabled carparks around the shopping precinct for our aging population.
Billie Emmett
I also fully agree on the need for better Commons spaces in the CBD, all-the-more w Wonthaggi’s growth projections, ie more greenery & pedestrian friendly, & I like Frank’s idea for moveable planters & seats reinforcing the town’s co-operative ethos. Let’s hope the clash b/w WClub & others doesn’t stall action yet longer - one way or other, please let’s have more greenery & spaces to help us love to visit and spend solid time in the centre of town.
Max Richter
Improving the lower McBride/Apex Park area would be an important way to begin counteracting some past bad planning, eg Bass Coast Plaza & its parking set-up & the old Coles sitting dormant on Watt St. We desperately need a more vibrant town centre; most of us zip in & out as there’s nowhere to congregate.
Tina Kalivas
I entirely agree that improving pedestrian and outdoor amenity will be of huge value to our town. It would be like our town square. .... somewhere to meet, like under the clocks at Flinders Street Station. I run the Wonthaggi Market at 17 korumburra Rd and we have very little parking. Before Medipharm was built many people parked on the vacant lot. When this land was developed we had so many people predicting that the loss of adjacent parking would result in loss of business. I can absolutely say now that it has made no difference at all to our business. My feeling and experience is that if a business is offering something that interests people.... Then they will come.
Antoinette Russo
Given the town’s growth predictions, a ‘gathering place’ in McBride Street can’t come soon enough. Small towns offer identity, places to connect and belong to. How long before it’s too late for Wonthaggi and there’s not a single street in which it would be natural to gather?
Wonthaggi must grow but it can grow kindly. Re-activating an honoured Wonthaggi tradition – meeting informally in the streets – is one of many important ways residents can come together. Whether we’re present as individuals or one of a tribe, street life offers us the same town benefits: freedom to come and go safely, a destination to walk to or through, the pleasure of affiliation.
Gill Heal
Hands off our bay
April 9, 2021
Congratulations Jeff to PICS for its untiring work to preserve Western Port. Hoping your new focus on a permanent protection plan for Western Port will be heeded by those intent on undermining its fragile and vulnerable environment.
Neil Daly
Thanks for publishing the "bay under threat" timeline, which shows just how constant the stress, cost and efforts to protect Western Port have been for more than fifty years. Missing from this timeline is the San Remo marina proposal that was subject to an EES in 1988. The intertidal and subtidal "San Remo Marine Community" at this site was subsequently listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act. It's described here: https://www.environment.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/32455/San_Remo_Marine_Community.pdf
Jane Jobe
Well done everyone, it seems like the fight is never over, but we are not going away either. Such a relief that the State Government rejected the proposal, but we need to be vigilant.
Lorrie Read
Wonderful wonderful results. Congratulations to all involved and especially leadership team. However your article reveals how sustained sophisticated and professional the effort to protect the environment has to be, and how little quality of life of people is valued in legal vs
commercial arguments.
Jeannie Haughton
Ecological losses “a balancing act”: QC
April 9, 2021
Looking at the map of the area the sand miners covert, it's clear, this IS the last woodland corridor in Bass Coast Shire!
Neil Rankine
This is horrifying. Compare the human impact of this area with that of the thousands of animal and plant species that require this specific habitat and have as much right to be there. There is no BALANCE here.
It's preposterous and incorrect to generalise about the qualifications of community members. There is no such thing as 'temporary' extinction of species in an area. Loss of genetic diversity by killing off small populations has the same permanent effect. It's just slower. 'The commmunity' is not the ignorant ones here Mr Gobbo.
Julie Thomas
Yes, the plundering of regional Victoria for the convenience of Melbourne with little regard to the community and environmental impacts, much less the 'collateral damage' on vulnerable species (in fact risking regional extinctions), looks set to continue. We simply have to win this battle...
Tim O’Brien
Whilst the proponents of the mining scheme have an arsenal of money which allows dominance of “certified” expert opinion and advice. Governed by greed a commercial arrangement is as biased as you can get.
A small hamlet is unable to muster a corresponding budget. Many are fighting many battles. The role of government is to provide a balance whereby long-term effects are the governing decision, not a short-term financial gain of one proponent. Government
History shows the greater good or greater need is not the appropriate defence where financial or personal gain is the leading attribute to one’s position.
The dominance of the professional opinion must, if their diplomas have credibility, show the devastation the open cut quarrying will have on the local community, environment and other landholders.
In Australia previous poor decisions have created lasting problems which have only started. A country rich in assets, as the national anthem describes, is not just there for plundering. This only highlights how such a well-qualified person such as a Q.C., governed by a pay packet, appears tongue tied to provide a direct defence of a poor defendant and it’s incorporated plunder packaged as a mining upgrade.
The state and Fed governments have a new moment whereby a person’s home is his castle and the eviction of ones morals is not to be at the expense of another’s, now or in the environments future.
Time to step up politicians.
Peter Abraham
Well said, Catherine, Tim, Anne, Neil and Julie.
Allowing DPQ’s proposed Amendment to pass, with conditions, will only slow down the gradual death of our beautiful shire and bay, not save it. All of us need to call a halt to further incremental destruction as David Attenborough urged in 'Extinction and Climate Change with David Attenborough' (https://iview.abc.net.au/show/extinction-with-david-attenborough).
Our shire is a microcosm, part of the macrocosm that is the planet Earth. To excuse lack of action to save our small area because of current laws and regulations will not save our shire nor our planet. If currently such laws and regulations allow sand miners to remove part of an important biolink, mine below the water table and risk polluting Western Port Bay only 300 metres away with virtual impunity, call on lawmakers and authorities to change the laws and regulations.
As David Attenborough said, "We can safeguard our planet's diversity but ... what happens next is up to every one of us.” David Attenborough urged us to look at our current lifestyles and said we have to educate our children on the way Nature works. We have to realise plants are an integral part of our existence. "[Future generations] will look back on our generation with absolute horror," he said. "We are walking a tragic road of extinction."
Meryl Tobin
Added to all of this is the huge financial burden involved if Shires were to plan pro active amendments to the Planning Scheme. Years of work and huge cost I’m always told. Yet the inadequate State and Commonwealth protections for environment mean there are scarce laws to back up legal challenges. Yes it is stacked against the environment.
Jeannie Haughton
How Labor’s women saved their party
April 9, 2021
Thank you Kay for your tireless work championing women.
Clare Le Serve
Kudos to Kay Setches. It will be good for the nation to see other parties follow Labor’s lead in affirmative action to ensure parity with men in politics. Many women have proven themselves over and over again in this sphere. They include Joan Child, Susan Ryan, Jean Melzer, Carmen Lawrence, Joan Kirner, Jenny Macklin, Julia Gillard, Penny Wong, Anna Bligh, Tanya Plibersek, Linda Burney, Kay Setches, and Kristina Keneally on the Left, and Margaret Guilfoyle, Julie Bishop, Amanda Vanstone, Sarah Henderson, Gladys Berejiklian, Julie Banks, Kelly O’Dwyer and Marise Payne on the Right. Australian Democrats include Janine Haines and Natasha Stott-Despoja; Greens Christine Milne, Sarah Hanson-Young and Lidia Thorpe, and independents Jacqui Lambie, Kerryn Phelps and Zali Steggall.
Overseas Corazon Aquino, Indira Gandhi, Theresa May, Angela Merkel, Condoleezza Rice, Madeleine Albright, Aung San Suu Kyi, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, Kamala Harris and Jacinda Ardern have contributed much to their countries.
Meryl Tobin
And the Better we all are for it, Thanks Kay.
Neil Rankine
You're a legend! Thanks Kay!
Marian Quigley
Kay’s story is a reminder that the road to equality is long and arduous. While the rallies and conferences (and these days the hashtags) give the illusion of social change, the real work is carried out in backrooms by small groups of people who dedicate hours, weeks, months and even years to achieve equality and who don’t give up despite the setbacks. When was the last time they made a feature film about a committee?
Catherine Watson
Thanks Catherine for this essential story; essential salute to the strategies, the women warriors and the enlightened men who fought for them. Political gender balance is the only way to genuinely approach the work of balanced policy and government.
Karen Sandon
Caution – slow ahead
April 9, 2021
Some pertinent arguments here, particularly the importance of separating cyclists (and the occasional runner/walker) from other road vehicles along narrow and heavily used Coghlan Road. Investing in a bike path may well prove good value, increasing safety without delaying industry, while also encouraging outdoor activity.
Miriam Strickland
Interesting how he said “Our experience is that a wildlife incident can happen at speeds as low as 40km/h. If we were serious about reducing road kill, a multi-pronged approach is required. Newhaven College has dynamic speed limits at school times, reducing the road speed from 80km/h to 40 km/h. Why can’t we slow speed limits when needed to reduce road kill, such as dawn and dusk?”
Deborah
I agree with most of Michael's article. I would support 60km on Harbison Road and the entrance to Newhaven College to be moved there. Win win. The school gets a safe pick up and drop off zone and business can get on with it, rather than having to crawl past there for most of the day.
Neroli
For ease of arithmetic, if Island is 20km long, at 80kmh travel time is 15mins, alternatively at 60kmh, travel time is 20mins. Newhaven to COWES is 14km so only 3.5mins saved travel time. Does it really matter? So isn’t it a fuss about nothing, striving to keep 80kmh?
Grandkids were down recently. Bike ride to boat ramp then Ventnor on dirt was Ok. Ride back along main road was not pleasant. Next day ride to Newhaven and back, no pleasure on tracks alongside 80kmh, unlikely to bother next time. For family cycling, need paths not alongside roads.
Bernie Mccomb
A touch of magic
April 9, 2021
I heard on the grapevine that there was no best in show to be included for consideration for the YAC Award. Surely that can't be right?
Liane Arno
Congratulations to Stephen Jansen and Karen Murphy Ellis. I would like to also compliment Josephine Allen, the judge. The judge's comments are thoughtful and pertinent, and add another dimension to an intriguing work. I know that artists value the feedback from the judge as do the other participants at an exhibition. Well done.
Miranda Sage
Well done, Steve! That's what retirement is all about ...........
Annie Chisholm
Fire in the belly
April 9, 2021
Ania - my heart goes out to you and all the other women with this dreadful condition. Congratulations in raising our awareness and I hope the connections you have facilitated will provide some support for those struggling on a daily basis.
I have to ask the eternal question - if this condition only affected men, would we be in this situation or would research have found some effective treatments or a cure by now?
Anne Heath Mennell
Congratulations on your successful meeting to all the women involved. Being together and talking always helps. Thank you for bringing this story to us Geoff. I feel myself so fortunate to have escaped this relentless illness. Good on you for making your suffering known. Since there does not seem to be a cure currently, the illness probably needs more research dollars to help overcome it.
Felicia Di Stefano
Tales of Tent Town
April 9, 2021
Thank you Catherine. Now I must search for the book.
Felicia Di Stefano
Wynne blocks Crib Point gas plan
March 30, 2021
Huge congratulations to everyone involved! Now to move towards making Western Port a national Reserve to keep industry out of it forever.
Christine Grayden
What brilliant news!!! Perhaps Richard Wynne is not the environmental Luddite many of us have feared. This perhaps may give us cause for hope over the butchering by sand miners of the bush corridor running through Grantville.
Tim O'Brien
Fantastic News. Congratulations to us all.
Elizabeth Mary Lambert
Great result. Congratulations to all involved
Ronnie Bauer
Laura Brearley
It’s been an incredible couple of hours with messages from people who are crying with relief and others cracking open the champagne.
Here are two ways of thinking about what has happened …
1) Pat McCabe, a Lakota woman talking about the idea that water is alive and that water is listening.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeeAMNxuqio
2) Here is the link to Richard Wynne's Assessment and Report. https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/environment-assessment/browse-projects/projects/crib-point.
Here’s an excerpt from his conclusion …‘My overall conclusion is that the project will result in unacceptable environmental effects. Those unacceptable effects would result from the operation of the FSRU. The FSRU’s marine discharge will cause an ongoing impact to the environment over the 20 year life of the project. The adverse direct and indirect effects of that discharge on environmental values, fundamental to the Ramsar status of Western Port, are not compatible with the level of protection required to be afforded to a wetland of recognised international significance. The project’s other environmental impacts are likely to be acceptable subject to my recommended mitigation and management measures outlined in Section 5 and Appendix B. That said, I am conscious that, for the purposes of the Environment Effects Act, the Crib Point Gas Import Jetty and the Crib Point Pakenham Gas Pipeline were presented in a single EES and are subject to a single assessment. Accordingly, and in the context of the interdependency of the gas import jetty works and the pipeline works, I can only conclude that if one part of the project has unacceptable environmental effects, the project in its entirety, has unacceptable environmental effects.’ P.56
It's a happy day. I hope you are able to go out in it and celebrate.
Happy days indeed. Hard to ignore 6000 people, especially when councils back their communities. Anything is possible, Tim.
Catherine Watson
Wow, wow, wow! Great to know the Govt is listening some times! Many thanks for sharing this superb news. Those who care about our environment need a lift, especially after what some of us are going through sitting day after day in Zoom meetings for the Panel Hearing considering the proposed expansion of the Dandy Premix Quarries’ site along Bass Highway 1.1 km north of Grantville and only 300 metres from Western Port Bay. May the Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne, continue to listen to those trying to protect our precious environment in perpetuity from exploitation for unsustainable development and short term gain.
Meryl Tobin
Given everything that has been thrown at Westernport: removal of mangroves in the 19th century, channeling of water that used to move slowly through Koo Wee Rup Swamp, straight to the bay, death of sea grass in the last 50 years, it is amazing it is as vibrant an area for migrating birds and other sea life as it is. But we need to protect this precious resource from further destruction and hopefully regeneration.
James Glover
Back in my working days when running our family business, if someone did the wrong thing we had a saying.
"Once is an accident" aka Hastings Container Terminal
"Twice is careless" aka the AGL gas plant proposal
"Three times is down right stupidity" aka Kawasiki proposal to ship Hydrogen out of Western Port
We can only hope the "powers that be" adhere to this mantra.
What is also striking is that the above 3 projects that would have/still would stuff Western Port have only been proposed within the last ten years.Never mind all the other stuff EG Esse/BHP etc from the past
Someone needs to tell these clowns who put up these projects to, just... leave... us... alone...
Plus instead of spending so much time and money putting them up, just go read the "fish school" or "seabird flock" of environment reports and studies, viz The Western Port Ramsar Plan, that in plain English says, "leave the b....y joint alone..
Kevin Chambers
That is fabulous news! Thanks to everyone fighting for our Westernport. Now we need to hang on to our remnant forest and stop further destruction from sandmining.
Margaret Lee
Whoopee! Great news. Thanks to everyone for all the hard work, with appreciation from us, the whales and all the little fishes.
Sandra Peeters
Great news. Well done those who objected.
Valerie Heath Levey
Yes, isn’t this a Marvellous win for People Power – and the difference some vehement committed mob voices can make to swell the dissent… what a relief!
Lee Tierney
Congratulations. It is an exceptional results and to the thousands of hours spent by the warriors getting the information out to the general public - THANK YOU
Barbara Oates
This decision restores faith in our ability to voice public opinions and arguments based on researched facts. The support of all Councils is a landmark that has influenced Govt decision making and must be congratulated.
Well done to all, and thank you Minister Wynne for listening to your constituents
ian Samuel
Well done it is such a relief to know my favourite place is saved. I know it has been a long and stressful process, thank you all.
Robyn Smith
Fabulous news! So heartening that it's still possible for a politician to make the right decision. A day to smile and say well done to the 6,000+ people who cared enough to make a submission. Hooray!!
Linda Cuttriss
What a relief! Well done to everyone who fought this battle so gallantly - just goes to show - you just never ever ever give up! Thank you Minister Wynne, thank you Bass Coast Council for listening and supporting your community.
Pamela Rothfield
THE BEST NEWS FOR LONG TIME !!!
Well done to us !!!
Natasha Williams
Great news. A leading Scientist in the area of gas power once told me that if a full tanker exploded off Cowes , the whole town and surrounding area would be flattened.
A safe outcome for everyone and the beautiful environment.
Congratulations to all concerned.
Julie Box.
Our home-grown university
March 23, 2021
Well written Bon, great speech yesterday. What a fantastic occasion for the whole of the region not just Bass Coast. People can study here rather than travel to the city, amazing opportunity. We all need to support this centre, it will open so many doors for all aged students, Game Changer
Brett Tessari
Hi Bonnie, Like you, I was the first in my family to go to uni - very many years ago.
There was no internet and I had to leave my small town in the UK. The only way I could do it financially was because I qualified for a grant (provided by the local government area!). As a girl, I was very lucky to be supported by my parents to leave home.
It is so exciting that local people will now find it easier to continue their education, gain qualifications and go on to fulfill their potential.
I am so grateful for my education, which opened up the world to me.
I wish you, and all the foundation and future students, all the very best in your studies.
Good luck to you all
Anne Heath Mennell
A strong team can tale any crazy vision and turn it into reality said John Carmack. Congratulations to the strong team who worked to make this dream a reality. May you grow to make this The Wonthaggi Regional University.
Felicia Di Stefano
This is a really fantastic and timely idea and I wish you every success.
John Whiteoak
This is a wonderful initiative, and well expressed Bonnie. Congratulations to all involved in getting it established.
Miriam Strickland
A labour of love
March 23, 2021
Well done Daryl & Margaret
Brian Enbom
Well done Daryl and Margaret, you have created a wonderful farm for your animals and nature in general. You have shown just what can be achieved with care, thought and planning. Daryl I always remember your enthusiasm at school and it obviously shows in what you have created at Pound Creek. Best of luck to you both with your next adventure.
Sandra Thorley
The more trees, native grasses and understory we plant the more native birds and animals we save from the 'clearing extinction'. Daryl, your and Margaret's farm has increased the local population of native flora and fauna and we are very grateful to you. Hopefully the new people on the farm will carry on the tradition. Best of luck with whatever you choose to do next.
Felicia Di Stefano
Daryl and Margaret you have been an inspiration for so many over decades. Thank you and go well. Bob and Anne
Anne Davie
What an inspiration and what an amazing legacy!
I'm so glad to hear that the trees are under covenant so will live on safely to nurture all the other life-forms which have found refuges in, on and under them.
I do hope you are not going to be far from Wonthaggi in this next adventure.
Anne Heath Mennell
From Burma to Wonthaggi
March 23, 2021
Thank-you for sharing your story.
Jenny Bramich
Great story Mue Hsay, thank you for sharing your story.
Iain Ritchie
good on you, Sylvia!!
annie Chisholm
Congratulations to you all. X
Sharon
Mining onslaught affects us all
March 23, 2021
How can we help ?
Brydie Standfield
Could we not recycle glass rather than this atrocity?
Em Pea
This is truly horrific!
Judy Green
Such an enormous structure being expanded so close to waterways and a town/area that is really starting to boom.. Safety and preservation of our beautiful people and country. should be TOP priority. Not money.
Angela Bromley
The sand mining operators should have to demonstrate successful rehabilitation of previously mined areas, rehab plans for active areas and responsible environmental practices before any consideration is given to them expanding existing operations.
Brian O'Farrell
Brian you should see the paltry efforts at rehabilitation at the Gurdies Site, now used for sand washing only
Margaret Lee
Human intervention and destruction into nature really needs to stop if humans actually want a future surviving on this planet.
Janet Metcalf
This is truly an abomination. And the destruction hides behind a thin line of trees. How do we show this desecration to the whole world? The next phase will be a record of the species lost due to this mass. Destruction and they are irreplaceable.
Lorrie Read
Truly horrendous. Had no idea this existed as am sure not many other people did either. Why are we always kept in the dark? Digging away, destroying habitat and poisoning the environment. Ministers wake up to yourselves and do your job.
Linden
I’ve been wondering whether this sand could be used..
https://watersource.awa.asn.au/environment/natural-environment/gold-rush-sand-slug-choking-murray-darling/
Mike Cleeland
The winds of change
March 25, 2021
I'm one of those submitting to and questioning at the Planning Panel set up by the government to advise the Minister on how he should decide the fate of a large chunk of the woodland corridor from Lang Lang to Grantville (our last woodland forest corridor). You have correctly stated that our Council has said what is proposed is unacceptable, we are not allowed to decide however, the Minister called it in. The state government have assured us that the Distinctive Areas and Landscape designation for Bass Coast will protect what's important here, however, at the Panel hearings the DAL as it's called cannot influence this area of sand recently added to a priority list of sand resource to build roads, bridges and overhead train lines for Melbourne. The Planning system is broken or our population policy is broken, maybe it's both.
Neil Rankine
The absolute neglect of Parks and Council and State government to preserve and promote the areas of the coal mining sites here is stunning. I am born and bred in Hicksborough and come from black coal mining here (both sides of my family) yet even though lives were lost and humans and animals worked under the most atrocious conditions I dont see the respect that they deserve...............Before we take off to be another suburb or the broader urban spread we need to rethink how it all began. PRESERVE WHAT IS LEFT, RESPECT AND EDUCATE
Rosemary Loughnan
Robyn You have your chance now to influence how Wonthaggi develops. Council deferred a decision on the Wonthaggi Activity Centre Plan at its last meeting it also sought further consultation. If I recall correctly the officers comments responded to just 39 submissions The attachments to the meeting agenda also include a report from Dr Elliot Fishman on active transport the discussion will be around how well the Activity Centre Plan picks up that work. The ball and the opportunity is in your court.
Michael Whelan
Great article Robyn and so timely. Gill’s latest, Looking for Wonthaggi, was one of her best and would love to see it again!
I am also concerned at the rapid advancement of development in recent years and understand we need population growth to gain infrastructure, particularly library services in the Waterline townships, which have actually been reduced in 2020.
Libraries and librarians are a vital and necessary tool to encourage and develop reading and writing skills for future generations. Mental health and well being is important at present in our current generation.
A lot to weigh up but can we stop the rapid development …. I don’t think so but I dare to dream.
Joy Button
Great article Robyn. I don’t think Wonthaggi’s unique history and amazing human story is as widely known and appreciated as it could be. Thanks to Gill Heal for bringing those human stories to life on stage. I also left the theatre with a tear in my eye and a hope that the spirit of Wonthaggi will not be lost in a sea of suburban sprawl. I wonder what it takes for a place to grow yet still retain its character.
Linda Cuttriss
Commitment from its citizens I think Linda, and a determination to let the planners and decision makers know that commitment.
Neil Rankine
Here be dragons – and cows
March 23, 2021
Thanks Mark for your delightful and informative piece about these fascinating creatures - and the stunning pictures. Most of all I love your message of not needing to know their purpose - the joy comes from knowing they exist.
Linda Cuttriss
Thanks for your kind words Linda, I was at my granddaughters first birthday party today, and am looking forward to one day explaining the pointless wonderfulness of a sea dragon or starfish to her. Provided that the industrialisation of our marine world is kept in check. AGL and sandminers come to mind here, along with those good corporate citizens at Aquasure.
Mark Robertson
I saw my first ornate cowfish this morning in a pool at Harmers. I would never have recognised it if I hadn't just read about it in the Post. Thanks to Mark for his invaluable natural history series.
Catherine Watson
Some have heard the call
March 23, 2021
What we'll have to watch, Neil, if such a plan comes to fruition, is the exemptions! Governments seem good at introducing them, and creating them at the drop of a hat.
Neil Rankine
Well done Neil but its obviously still needing more questions to Govt and along the lines of what Meryl Tobin is saying how can this information be sent in and with good evidence supporting it, to convince our leaders and government authorities to avoid their conflict with a financial argument as against environmental, which is important and at best sustainable in our world of climate change.
Keep it up and thanks George
George Varigos
Thank you for your continuing efforts Neil.
The recommendation about the AGL proposal could be made public anytime now due, making Clifford Hayes’ speech in the legislative Council extremely timely.
An appreciation of Westernport and its unique ecology has been a positive outcome of recent efforts to expose the threats that Westernport faces from inappropriate industry .
It was shocking to hear the Port of Hastings claiming at the recent EES hearing that there is no limit to the increase in shipping operations and industrial activity that they envisage in Westernport. Expert witnesses on behalf of the council, Drs Blount and Lincoln Smith detailed Westernport’s shorebirds and marine life, and described the compounding devastation of these ecosystems when cumulative impacts of poorly considered industrial activity are allowed to go unchecked.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H4F46YjqA_KOAi_p-DL_XciXHOwdlrnM/view?usp=drivesdk
Julia
A timely piece indeed, Neil. Currently the Victorian Government is considering Dandy Premix Quarries Pty Ltd's proposed amendment to expand its pit at its Grantville site. Situated on the Bass Highway only 1.1 km north of the Grantville shops, it is less than 500 metres from Western Port Bay, a Ramsar site.
The expansion involves the removal of remnant native vegetation from part of a priceless biolink stretching east of the highway from Nyora-Lang Lang to Grantville. Most of this biolink lies on top of sand. We have already seen what happens to mature forest when sand mines are allowed to be created and when they expand. For instance, have a look at what happened late last year to the ancient Grass Tree forest located on Crown Land held by a work authority by Sand Supplies Pty Ltd at their Grantville site.
DPQ is also requesting to go below the water table and that involves issues with Deep Creek which drains into Western Port Bay.
Spring St needs to hear what is at stake here, Neil, and what you propose is worthy of our politicians’ attention.
All who love Bass Coast and Western Port Bay should contact their politicians and urge they support such a plan – and without the exemptions to which Neil Rankine refers.
Meryl Tobin
Thank You, Neil, for all your efforts over the years. We can only keep plugging away in the hope that someone, somewhere, sometime will be listening.
As one of the people opposing the Grantville quarry expansion I was pinning my hopes on the DAL listing until I read the detail and realised that sand quarrying was exempted!!! It makes no sense and is a conflict between the environment and the supposed 'economy' which appears to have no resolution other than trashing the environment every time. The planning system is broken: opaque, complex, riddled with exemptions and stacked against local councils and communities. I despair.
Anne Heath Mennell
Destination nearby
March 12, 2021
Miriam, loved your article and enjoyed the photos. All that was missing is the directions. Coming from the south, where do we approach from?
Christine Hammond
thank you Miriam for enlightening me. You've whet my appetite, loving the Tarra Bulga tracts of rainforest as I do... shall definitely incorporate Mt Worth in the near future, as Warragul is an 8 weekly destination for me anyway. I hope your group exercise program is really blossoming for you. Regards. Lee
Lee Tierney
Thanks Miriam. Wonderful place but I found the path very slippery and fell once on the way round. Personally, I would only go there in the dry months and even then...
Mary Allitt
Great article, thank you for the inspiration to enjoy nature, going there soon.
https://www.visitbawbaw.com.au/discover/explore/natural-attractions/mount-worth-state-park/
Sunny
When I visited the Park last in 2019 I was amazed with how well kept the visitor area and tracks were. By comparison tidal River at the Prom was tired and run down. The difference I believe is due to Mt Worth's energetic and committed Friends Gp. The Prom is too large for its friends Gp to achieve as much.
Arnis Heislers
‘There was a storm in me’
March 11, 2021
Thank you Carolyn. These brave, compassionate people who fought and succeeded in improving lives need to be remembered. Sounds as if communism had its place in society as well.
Felicia Di Stefano
I read this story looking for a word I knew I wouldn't see. That word is Stalin.
As a "a true believer, a Communist through and through" in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, Agnes Doig was a spruiker for Stalin and his totalitarian regime, ignoring the murder of Ukrainian peasantry in the early 1930s (the Holodomor or Ukrainian genocide), having no problem with the massive purges in the mid-1930s which saw millions arrested, tortured, then (those not executed) packed into cattle cars and barges and sent to the Siberian slave labour camps; championed Stalin and Hitler's invasion and dismemberment of Poland in September 1939 and the Red Army's march into Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, Finland and Iran; supported the post-WWII imposition of Stalinist puppet dictatorships in Eastern Europe (such as the murderous Ceausescu and Hoxha) and the arrest, torture and deportation of millions from this region to the Siberian concentration camps; was untroubled by Khrushchev denunciation of Stalin and his crimes against the Party; and, overall, was comfortable with the thousands of artists, scientists, intellectuals and academics arrested, tortured, deported or killed during Stalin's dictatorship, along with millions of the working and peasant classes.
It is a pity her "strong sense of social justice that drove her to political activism" didn't extend past her local environment; that she thought totalitarianism was the answer.
“Walter and I talked mostly about politics,” said Agnes. “We used to discuss conditions and all the ways we would beat the boss.”
Maybe it would have been better if you had broadened the conversation to include, say, what Hitler and Stalin were jointly doing to Poland in 1939 instead of blinding accepting what the party told you to believe.
It is such a shame there wasn't a political party, advocating democracy, trade unionism, and freedom of speech and eschewing dictatorship, who also represented the working class you could have joined, something like an Australia-wide labour party, a party in which even a former coal miner, say, someone who we'll call Fisher, or train driver, say, a man named, um, let's go with Chifley, could rise through the ranks to the position of Prime Minister. But, unfortunately, no such party like this has ever existed in this country.
Geoff Guilfoyle
Geoff, A longwinded rebuttal to the life of a good woman.
I am sure at the time, News Ltd and the IPA were (not) highlighting the weaknesses of the Soviet Union.
History is always clearer with hindsight.
Our current federal governing politicians will also not look good with hindsight.
Ian Teese
The day my mother said ‘Enough!’
March 11, 2021
Such a beautifully written account of the devastation and impact of words and racist attitudes that sadly permeates still through our communities. Aunty your words were without anger, abuse or venom, and demonstrate the power and wisdom that you hold, thanks obviously to such a wonderful Mother. Thank you for sharing and caring enough to educate the wider community.
Jim Barritt
Congratulations and well said
Diversity is our strength division is not
Ian Samuel
Nothing We Liked Better
March 12, 2021
Dear Jillian. What a fantastic memoir and look forward to seeing the final and complete version published.
These are brief comments made by the judges (Catherine Watson, Geoff Ellis and Anne Heath-Mennell) for the Bass Coast Prize for Non-fiction 2021:
The story of a house and its inhabitants, anchored by two old trees: a pine and a pear. It weaves memoir, local history and natural history. A great feat of imagination and beautifully written. It was a pleasure meeting you and all the other prize winners. (despite COVID restrictions at the time)
Phyllis Papps
A world apart
March 11, 2021
A beautiful reflection Ellen, thank you!
Maddy Harford
No place like home
Feb 26, 2021 –
My heart bleeds for these poor people. All I can do to help is put a few non-perishable groceries in the Mitchell house box. The Salvation Army is one I donate to as they do have a heart. Australia the 'Lucky Country" has thousands in these dire straights and with the miserable Job Seeker (plus $25 a week - Come on!!!) how can anyone afford rents these days. I hope Geoff Ellis can tell us what the Bass Coast Shire is doing in a positive way to help people in desperate need. Yvonne
Yvonne McRae
Hi Yvonne - thanks for supporting the free food box !
Jessica Harrison
Yes, exactly Yvonne. Nationally we need to do more.
Wendy Davis
Like Yvonne, I was quite distressed to read the article and that homelessness exists in Bass Coast. Mitchell House is doing a fabulous job in having an access point for food for those having such a difficult time.
Is it possible for donations to be gathered from some of the townships in Bass Coast to help make life a little easier for people who are enduring such terrible hardship?
I am always grateful for the roof over my head, the food on my table and my bed and blanket at night.
How can I do more to help ........
Joy Button
Hi Joy, Thanks for your sympathetic words. If you would like to help more, I'd be happy to meet you, maybe at Mitchell House ?jessicaharrison1@bigpond.com
Jessica Harrison
Cape Connection
Feb 26, 2021 –
Congratulations Lauren, a wonderful piece of non-fiction that was awarded a High Commendation by the judges of The Bass Coast Prize for Non Fiction 2020 (Catherine Watson, Geoff Ellis and Anne Heath-Mennell).
This is just a brief exerpt of what the judges said: "Impressive memoir interweaving a personal journey of discovery with a 'coming home' to Bass Coast. Lovely use of language: “I pat the pockets of my vocabulary but can't turn out anything that seems appropriate. I began to frequent the beach for a daily lesson in change.”
The writing is fresh, with no cliches, struggling successfully to describe a very unusual situation and to answer important and novel questions...
Please keep on writing Lauren because you are a great writer,
Phyllis Papps
Wonderful writing, Lauren. I had read of your finding your biological family some years ago, but didn't recall your name. I have since been reading of the young activist who has emerged in Bass Coast as a spokesperson and warrior for nature. And now you have put them together in a beautiful piece that traces your search for a meaningful life in the expanded context of family (that you can never have enough of). As a self-indulgent aside, I went to University with a cousin of Ben's so I had a particular interest in your story.
Marg Lynn
Enthralling story thanks Lauren.
My family lived at Cape Woolamai when your grandfather Manning was growing up in Cowes. There is an interesting story that has come down through my family about the day the Clarks came to visit the Cleelands for Sunday lunch.
After the meal Manning and some other kids, including Dad and my uncle Jack, asked to be excused, and were allowed to leave the table to play outside.
Presently the adults also left the table for a stroll through the grounds.
Coming upon the vegetable garden, they were horrified to observe that numbers of tomato seedlings had been pulled out and left lying neatly on the ground.
After much consternation it was established that the culprit was none other than Manning. When pressed by my grandfather to explain his destructive actions, Manning simply replied
“I was examining their root systems”
Mike Cleeland
Beautifully written Lauren. Such wonderful discoveries for you! I love your descriptive and emotive style.
Jackie Moss
On centre stage
Feb 26, 2021 –
Neil, and Catherine thank you for writing and publishing this article.
In particular, thank you for bringing Auntie Tasma Walton's words to those of us who wouldn't otherwise have the space to hear them. I too dream of a day in the future that Traditional ceremony is reclaimed and those who are respectful, open and humble from any cultural background are able to take part and support contemporary leaders and elders in these essential inter-species rituals in appropriate ways. Thank you.
Karen Sandon
We need to preserve this beautiful area for the traditional owners and for future generations to enjoy. Let’s embrace this land with the care that the Bunwurrang people have and share in the connection to the land.
Vanessa Shipway
Coloured by COVID
Feb 26, 2021 –
Love these. Ken leaves me applying the same imagination that sat muse-like upon his shoulder. Susan may have done a bit of a J.M.W. Turner, her cloud-layering giving ethereal substance to filtered light, and creating a sense of wonder at nature’s infinite beauty. Thank you for your curator’s touch, Catherine.
John Gascoigne
A generous community
Feb 26, 2021 –
The concert was a beautiful and wonderful culmination Laura of your vision and commitment to the project and to the immense creativity, talent and generosity of spirit within our community. Congratulations to everyone involved and especially to videographer Terry Melvin for capturing so well all those beautiful and special places near where we live. It was such a pleasure to be part of it all.
Jan Bourne
I had such a connective, heartwarming day meeting wonderful people and loved capturing the days special emotions on the day.
Thanks Laura, and mention for Robin Lowe for making the call so l could be involved in this Coastal Connections Concert 1st event back at The Arts Centre . 🙏📷
Nici Cahill
The next chapter
Feb 26, 2021 –
Thank you to all that made this competition a repeat. It will be welcomed by all writers of this area and those who have once lived here either for short times or longer residencies. It is held in high esteem as is Phyllis who inaugurated it.
Joan Woods
My sincere thanks and congratulations to all the wonderful writers who entered the Bass Coast Prize for Non-fiction: 2019 (42 entries), 2020 (44 entries).
It takes a lot of courage, passion and creativity to 'put pen to paper' then submit the written piece in time for the deadline.
Accolades and orchids to all writers who submitted entries in the past and hopefully more writers will submit their written works for the Bass Coast Prize for Non-fiction 2021.
Phyllis Papps
Council pans Dandy Premix plan
February 17, 2021
There has to come a point in time when remnant vegetation and fauna habitat is considered for its importance. Once lost will never be recovered. Australia has an appalling reputation for species loss. Here is an opportunity to show that we do value our habitats ahead of ever ongoing expansion. There are alternative and proven technologies waiting to be exploited to replace sand and concrete that will not impact on our environment. Planners - open your minds to the future. It is not the exploitation of diminishing natural resources.
Dr Mary Cole
I absolutely support the position of the objectors, and particularly those comments of Dr Mary Cole. We owe it to future generations, and the native fauna and flora environment to start to develop alternative materials and strategies.
Andrew Troedel
Congratulations to the Councillors and the Community for standing up to fight to protect our precious last remaining coastal forest.
Lauren Burns
Good news! I truly hope those who continue planning for Victoria take note of our finely balance and diminishing ecosystems. Another council win has been Mitchell Shire stopping building a Basalt Quarry near Wallan
Margaret Lee
Congratulations to council and the wider community for adopting this position.
We are transient custodians of this planet and should plan and act accordingly.
Shane Ellis
Ditto to the comments above. Thanks to our Bass Coast Councillors for holding the line and standing up for our last patch of remnant coastal forest and the wildlife that depend on it! And thanks to Councillors for listening to your community. Now let’s hope the Planning Panel members and Planning Minister listen to Council’s arguments as well as to the State Government’s Climate Change Act (which claims to position Victoria as a leader in climate change action) AND to its recognition of Bass Coast as a Distinctive Area and Landscape.
Linda Cuttriss
Amen to all of the above comments and heartfelt thanks to all the Councillors who worked so hard as a team to get the alternative motion passed unanimously.
The Minister was always going to approve the application but at least now we have raised ways that he can approve it but with very strong conditions and ongoing monitoring of compliance so we are never in this position again.
Anne Heath Mennell
Looking for Wonthaggi
Feb 13, 2021
Thank you Gill for your productions over the years. They show how the power of people give a community a sense of place. I recall with joy being able to read some of my mother's words describing her visits to Cowes as a young girl, in Gilll's Over The Bridge in 2006.
Anne Davie
Dear Gill, another wonderful production over so many decades of: "your brilliant career and life."
Also we will never, ever, forget your writing abilities and skills. Accolades and orchids to you.
Phyllis Papps
I will always admire greatly your creative and fabulous writing skills, Gill, and to me you are an absolute legend with your ability to tell a great story. And an amazing and gracious lady to boot.
Thank you and looking forward to seeing your latest masterpiece, Looking for Wonthaggi.
Joy Button
Really looking forward to this production Gill - love the way you value history and create such wonderful theatrical experience's! Thank you for sharing your talents so generously. x
Jan Bourne
Have just booked for the 3rd show and looking forward to hearing your stories from the locals. Have loved attending the various “readings” you have organised Gill - at Dalyston Church and at Wonthaggi Library - some amazing readings from locals and celebs from the big smoke. Your efforts to provide entertainment (and education) are very much appreciated.
Imelda Daly
Dear Gill
I would love the opportunity to see your show but that is not possible. I always felt that Wonthaggi had a spirit that made people feel comfortable, accepted, no matter who or what you were or did. I think this has come from its original background of a sharing farming community and a wonderful group of hard working people who worked the mines, made richer by the many immigrants who worked and lived in the town and all being accepted and supporting each other. I hope Wonthaggi never loses this community spirit. I wish I had the ability to do what you are doing, in Bacchus Marsh. People move here and they immediately love the town because, I believe, of its community spirit and willingness to help each other and I think it is at a crossroads between what it is now and what it will become. It is only one suburb away now from being included in the city of Melbourne. I am sure time will change that. Keep up the good work!!
Margaret Murray
‘Councillors must hold their nerve’
February 13, 2021 –
Brilliant and balanced summation, Neil. I hope all readers will contact their councillors asap!
Anne Heath Mennell
I do hope that all residents in Bass Coast rally behind you Neil and contact Councillors regarding the lack of adherence to existing policies.
We do need to retain our precious green spaces and mindful of the effects involved.
Joy Button
Great summary article Neil. Very helpful to lay out the situation so we can all contact our local Councillors to express our outrage and demand they vote to reject this weak Officers report that ignores our policies and community concerns
Lauren Burns
Must we keep digging, dragging and extracting the treasures out of our Earth and leave it naked? We are already losing insects, birds, precious animals as we destroy their homes. Can humans stop, take stock and begin to replace the plundered vegetation; to invite the birds, insects and animals back?
Felicia Di Stefano
On the Shore of the Wide World
February 13, 2021 –
Fiona, that was another wonderful long- form article for the Bass Coast Prize for Non- Fiction 2020. Yours was superb. Please keep on writing !!!
Phyllis Papps
Thank-you, a great story..... I loved to read the Bass history.
Jenny Bramich
Great piece of writing Fiona (as always from you). You bring Bass alive. I recall visiting your parent’s farm the night before your sister’s wedding to drop something important off.
Edward Buckingham
Thank you for your wonderful story re the family history of your time living at Bass. As I drive towards Bass from San Remo and look down to the left I will try to visualise what the area would have looked like all those years ago. You certainly did bring Bass alive for us all.
Sandra Thorley
Thanks for reading and commenting, Sandra. I experienced that stunning view you describe between San Remo and Bass daily during my secondary schooling and I loved it then as I do now; it is never the same and even better since the Anderson bypass.
Fiona Power
Congratulations on writing a fine piece on not only your early life but a social history of an important but little known area in Bass Coast, Fiona. Few people would be aware that a thriving port and township once existed at Bass Landing.
Meryl Tobin
Thanks Meryl. You are right about Bass Landing. Some of the oral history was still circulating when I was a child and fortunately Bass Valley historians captured quite a bit. I understand some houses were moved to Wonthaggi.
Your comment means a great deal as I recall reading and responding to your contributions to education publications when I was a student, then being stunned to meet you and realise that authors were real people - who could live locally - and not just names.
Fiona Power
Thank you Fiona, a terrific piece about a very special place.
Chris Buckingham
Well done, Fiona, what’s next? I am sure you will continue to write!
Mikaela Power
Shame on YOU!
Feb 13 2021 –
YES. Shame indeed on everyone (including people with privileged positions of power in politics)
Being an elder of the LGBTIQI+ community- I need to re-iterate: it is NOT a shame to be an integral member of society and the community we all live in.
The Marriage Equality Act was passed in late 2019.
Shame on everyone who is still bigoted, biased, the religious fanatics and those who are racist, sexist, and have total disregard for equality irrespective of race, gender, sex, nationality etc.
SHAME. It's time to move on. You are no longer in the majority.
Phyllis Papps
Well done Harriet to highlight those who chose to abstain. Their salaries are paid by the tax payer... what a cop out
Nola Smith
From what I've read about this subject, one of the problems with the bill is that it will prevent parents from discussing the issue with their children if/when they come out as gay. Unfortunately, a lot of Labor bills, etc. go for the sledgehammer to crack a walnut option. Tone it down and let families make their own decisions. There are certain "conversions" that should be made illegal, so do the work to single them out.
Pamela Jacka
Thank you, Harriet for championing difference and minorities in our society. I agree with Alexander Solzhenitsyn that we are here to help each other. To abstain is to walk past the potential harm such a law can cause and walking past is as good as an approval of that harm.
Felicia Di Stefano
Yes! Thanks Harriet, for so many years of tireless leadership and implementing real change. Keep at it.
Geoff Ellis
Dog versus snake
Feb 13, 2021
A happy story Geoff and thanks for sharing. My dear border collie died in July mid lockdown and it has taken 7 months to consider a "replacement" a mini foxie more suited to my strength. May our dogs happily reign over our lives never aware of how much we worry about them when they are away from our protective laps.
James Glover
What a lovely story, thanks for sharing. And yes one lucky dog, who is living the life.
Sunny
Roy sounds like a handful and also a heartfull! Nice little story Geoff.
Tim Herring
I enjoyed reading your story and find Roy very lovable. He found the right home.
Verena
The best of company
February 13, 2021 –
I love reading your stories Etsuko. They transport me to another world, your world, which is always a thoughtful and meaningful place to hang out in. Thanks for sharing your wonderful words once again. They continue to inspire me.
Anne Tindall
Hi Etsuko, I love your expression of the importance of friendship. I do enjoy the same and specially those people, who are so accepting that one can discuss any subject. I remember the time when we had a plum tree in our garden in Ferntree Gully. Hans made wine and after a while we tasted it. Oh it was so potent, that after a couple of little glasses I felt like I could fly. Enough said, I enjoy your words. Verena
Oz Day blues
Jan 30, 2021
Thank you Marg, I totally agree!
Susan Fowler
The reasons 26 January is not a good day for us to celebrate our National Day are manifold and have little directly to do with indigenous people. It is certainly not "Invasion Day" – the First Fleet landed on in Australia on 18 January so that's when the "invasion" started. What happened on 26 January was that the British founded a penal colony at Sydney Cove. Most countries – including the USA and India and many others – celebrate their National Day on the day they stopped being a colony, We are the only country on the planet that celebrates on the day we started being a colony! This is pretty sick! What happened on 26 January was something the British did, not something Australians did, so what are Australians celebrating it for? Indeed there was no Australia then and until about forty years later. Why are we celebrating an event that took place before we even existed? A valid Australia Day must of course be inclusive of and recognise the long custodianship of our Indigenous people, but it must also be meaningful for other Australians too. A rabble of sad convicts huddling on an alien shore is not an event worth a National Celebration!
Ian Robinson
Well said Marg. Sadly the comments by John Cobbledick reflect that same old paternalistic diatribe more fitting for centuries of old. Why is it that some people ignore history that doesn’t interest them, discounting other peoples’ past and legacy, yet find it absolutely valid to reflect upon ANZAC day, Christmas, Easter and the myriad of other important historic events? There is so much that White Australian’s enjoy that has been built upon First Nation Peoples backs and land. Education nurtures understanding and empathy, I encourage Mr Cobbledick to dabble in the both heart wrenching history of the frontier wars and the incredible humanity that Aboriginal people continue to bring to the table despite the impacts of colonists and their ilk.
Jim Barritt
Out of respect for our First People and our shame the date of Australia Day must and will change
Anne Davie
Forget all the squabbling about which date to celebrate our nations rich heritage. I feel that we will only truly become on when there is an aboriginal auntie as our leader. They seem to display a far greater sense of reality than the old white blokes who historically and currently hold the power.
Mark Robertson
"It is time for Australians to decide that the Majority rules, so we can became a Democracy again."
Again? Though sometimes a great nation, Australia has never been a great democracy. Before 1788 it was a collection of nations, from 1788 to 1901 a collection of colonies and since 1901 a federalized Commonwealth with all that gerrymandering and control by special interests. Remember when Senator Harradine had the final say? Or Fred Nile in NSW and Bjelke Peterson in QLD?
Who actually wanted us to go to war in Iraq or Afghanistan?
Commonwealth refers to "public welfare, general good or advantage" and I see little evidence to disprove the old adage that "the rich get richer". As for the poor, does history have to repeat?
Geoff Ellis
Thank you, Marg Lynn for your excellent piece. As for John Cobbledick, I was looking for something in what you wrote that I could agree with, and I found it. It is, 'How can there be TOTAL EQUALITY if only one side gives and keeps giving and the other keeps taking?' Just think about it, John, Europeans took the land from the First People and pretended that they didn't exist, by calling it Terra Nullius, empty land. And the Aboriginal people are still having so much taken from them, including freedom. But so many First Nations people give and would give much more if only we would let them, for example, it is now being recognised the fire reduction burning is not effective because of the way it is carried out. When Aborginal people have been allowed to share their knowledge of the correct burning techniques, land and lives are saved.
Yes, John, there is no equality when people such as you want to take and expect others to give their heritage away.
Bron Dahlstrom
Go Marg! Lucid and persuasive.
Lynda Campbell
There is no date this criminal occupation can celebrate, not while it remains a continuing monumental crime scene, unresolved it demeans and diminishes everyone, everything we do a as a people, community, nation is tainted, no human rights recognition for the first peoples means no human rights recognition for all the people here. Stop the lies, genocide, ecocide.
"Lets make the date" one we can be all proud of.
Les Patterson
No Place Like Home
January 28, 2021
Karen, a beautifully written non-fiction piece that was Highly Commended by the judges of the Bass Coast Prize for Non-fiction 2020 (Catherine Watson, Geoff Ellis and Anne Heath-Mennell)
This is just a brief extract of their comments:
"An exploration of home. Can we ever know a place that we didn’t grow up in, or do we need the stories and traditions we grow up with? The author wrestles with a sense of alienation and the conundrum of knowing that to her children this IS home. She broadens it by including other people’s experiences, a friend who is a third generation Bass Coaster and a Bunurong elder who gives her some sage advice. Amusing at times and also thought-provoking."
Congratulations for entering the competition twice and for receiving Special Commendations twice. Next time- first Prize. !!!!
Phyllis Papps
Many thanks to Editor Watson for this great opportunity to reread a delightful consideration of "home'. A beautiful piece that grows. More please.
Geoff Ellis
Love, thank you Karen
Tricia Hogan
Karen, I love this. Such a beautiful essay about home, belonging and our complicated relationships with place. Thank you.
Julie Constable
Wonderful to re-read this, Karen. I am one of the 14.4% of Bass Coasters born overseas, like you, from the North of England. (I'm from Yorkshire - you?) I share so many of your thoughts and experiences but you have expressed them so lyrically, much better than I could. This is a heartfelt exploration and a wonderful read. Congratulations.
Anne Heath Mennell
Thank you for visiting!
Jan 30, 2021 –
As one of the Hoodie volunteers he has no sympathy from me. We have lost all the chicks so far this year. And I have been abused beyond belief for trying to do what I can to help their survival.
Susan Fowler
That point also highlights a message that isn't getting through to locals like this gentleman - the noisy, abundant birds on our lawns are NOT Hooded Plovers. They are now called Masked Lapwings. For many years, they were known as Spur-Winged Plovers, hence the confusion.
Hooded Plovers are tiny, shy and live on the beach. We need to keep publicising the difference. (Sorry, slightly off-topic, but important. )
Julie Thomas
Thank you Catherine for an absolutely priceless, well written and funny article. Made my day and feel so much better that others feel the same.
When we walk Bobby during these visiting times, and say good morning to fellow walkers and when they do not , Richard says .... City People.
Your article sums it all up. Thank you for making my day and creating a burst of sunshine on an overcast day. We all need to laugh at ourselves.
Joy Button
YES !! Glad they have gone. They might contribute to the economy, to tourism etc. etc. BUT they don't give anything back to the community, to the environment, AND to our special place. Totally destroyed by selfish people who don't even live here.
Another observation is: that many visitors become very aggressive if confronted regarding their disregard of Local Laws etc. etc.
For an elderly person (or any other person) I find this behaviour very upsetting.
Phyllis Papps
As a fellow kiwi i am just so proud of you that you managed a 12 point turn, well done😀
Lynne
Bass Coast is now officially a peri-urban area and Wonthaggi a designated regional growth centre. Council is embarking on a campaign to attract even more visitors and development and Wonthaggi's population is expected to double in the next few years. Without proper planning for improved roads and other infrastructure, the current 'holiday' congestion will last all year. I suspect we are living in the 'good old days' right now, so enjoy it while we can.
Anne Heath Mennell
The Bass Coast sound
Jan 30, 2021
Sounds wonderful and will be happy to attend. Keep up with song making.
Joan Woods
an a amazing project, so looking forward to the launch, it looks a very powerful acknowledgement of place
Nerida Melsmith
Picture this
Jan 30, 2021
Geoff, another wonderful, superb and descriptive article that is matched with fantastic photos. Love from all of us at Rhyll.
Phyllis Papps
When I first moved t Inverloch there were so many things to do and groups to join in the area that I joined too many. It was crazy, I was enjoying it, but I needed to rationalise. Camera club was one of the groups I gave up. Geoff's article is enticing. Maybe I need to return. Thank you Geoff
Bron Dahlstrom
Thanks Bron, The BCAS camera group is all about enjoying photography in interesting places, sharing the adventure and learning a bit along the way. Maybe you can suggest some places to visit ?
Geoff Ellis
Megabits empower the people
Jan 30, 2021
Great article. Thank you for the read.
Vanessa Shipway
Another brilliant article, Neil. Always informative, factually based and spot on with your comments. I'm keeping everything crossed for the decision to go the right way.and we can put down our pens, at least for a little while ...
Anne Heath Mennell
Our dearly departed
Jan 30, 2021
Wow - that's a lot of close-acquaintance deaths.
And it reminds me that I too could "eff off" any time, any place.
Sue P
My day in court
Jan 30, 2021
Surely a case of the penknife being mightier than the sword.......
Mark Robertson
A good story well told.
Dad
Remo revisited
Jan 30, 2021
Thanks to Catherine for publishing these "memoirs". All throughout I have neglected to mention that my four "water conveyances" (aka a rubber dinghy and 3 ever longer "tinnies" were named after my two lovely daughters Sara and Narelle. A continuation of a family tradition in that our plastics moulding business was Kevron.. (Keytags to the world!!)
Kevin Chambers
Thanks Kevin for another fascinating write up about my favourite place in Victoria which we visited all the time when we bought block on Cape Woolamai Estate. Unmade roads, dunny in a box with pan collection and our kids grew up loving every minute of their holidays there. 21 years ago we finally bought in San Remo for our planned retirement years and loved living there, you soon become part of the community and now our sons and grand children come whenever they can escape the city. It's their holiday home they tell me. Haven't offered to pay the rates yet!! For medical reasons we now spend some time in Melb but back to SR every time we are able to. To just sit in our lounge watching the world go bye as we enjoy the view across Weston Port Bay and the bridge lit up at night is not a bad way to enjoy life. Time goes so quickly if you live there enjoy it. I'm always amazed how few people walk on San Remo beach it's fabulous to walk it whether summer or winter yet we usually only share it with handful of dog walkers.
Chris Day
History draws a crowd
Jan 30, 2021
Congratulations to all at WDHS! What a huge year you have had with your extension, moving everything around and then kickstarting such a great talks program during the summer. I am only sorry I am not able to get there atm, but very much looking forward to doing so once I have the right gear. I am very curious to see how the bigger museum space is working for your wonderful collection.
Christine Grayden
July 16, 2021
Food for thought Julie and very well put. Development of this region seems to be going apace and it's obvious the little (almost unseen) creatures and plants will be the first casualties. Next step: control?
Hilary Stuchbery
Thank you, Julie, for this excellent reminder of the dangers involved in all development - including scenic walks in fragile environments. So many unknown, unseen lifeforms which are vital to the survival of the sweet furry critters or pretty birds which we do see and value. As you say, it is not all about us humans. Every life has a part to play in the whole and we ignore this at our peril. Thank you for speaking on behalf of all the species which have no voice.
Anne Heath Mennell
Agree 100% Julie. The Web of Life starts with the untold trillions of unseen bacteria, moulds and hundreds of 'other' critters in a handful of earth. Only for these life forms the earth would be covered by hundreds of metres of leaves, twigs, branches etc. Each rung up the ladder of life depends on the rungs underneath. Humans think we are so clever but we only exist because of this web of life. Remember there is no planet B for when we have finished wrecking planet Earth.
Yvonne McRae
Thank you Julie!
We need to protect our remnant bushland flora, fauna, fungi, lichens mosses and all the miraculous living ecosystems on the Bass Coast and Westernport
Margaret Lee
A top analysis of one of the biggest problems facing our community here and communities in many other places in the world today, Julie. Thank you.
Meryl Tobin
Well put Julie. Smiths Beach is currently looking at a new masterplan which includes a walking track from YCW carpark to Smiths. All part of a bigger walking track idea I think. I am keeping an eye on it as are others. This article gives me great food for thought which I will pass on. Thanks!
Christine Larsen
Bravo Julie! Thank you for putting into very appropriate words, written through professional and personal experiences, what many ‘Bass Coasters’ wish they they could do. Thankyou!
Mel Marks
King of the roads
July 16, 2021
That is a great bit of history Richard, brings back many memories, I wish I had the hair I have in the photo above.
As an apprentice I was sent out to wash Charlie Paterson's car, I was still washing it when Charlie and Jack Joyce came out and without a word to me hopped in and drove off just missing my toes as I was reaching over to clean the roof. Jack later apologized.
The early days were certainly filled with a lot of fun and excitement and some absolute characters who we worked with.
Dale Osmond
Hi. Dale. We had a lot of fun and a lot of excitement. The experience was great and rewarding. As for characters one guy said that Charles Dickens would have had a ball with them all. I learnt so much from the older engineers that had worked in the war effort. One English mechanic was a machine gunner in the First World war and boy could he tell a story.
Richard Kemp
A great tribute Richard. Lots of great memories. I think I have footage of the Falcon being dropped on some of Dads old home movies
Darren Smales
Hi. Darren. Thanks for the comments. I got on well with your dad and we worked as a good team. I would love to get hold of the Falcon drop film, it was spectacular. The chopper had been hired from Esso and the pilot was under instructions that if there was any trouble on the rigs he was to cut the cable and head back. Yes a lot of great memories.
Richard Kemp
Hello Richard, Great memories and a wonderful read. I'd like your agreement to send your article to the Holden Retirees Club for inclusion in their Holden archival material. Keep safe and well. Best regards ... Hugh
Hugh Videion
Hello Hugh. Long time no see. Well I do have a photo of you in my lounge. You are presenting my dad with his retirement. Hugh I would love for you to pass the article on to the Holden Retirees club.
The PG was a very big part of my life and set me up to run Nissans testing facility at the International PG at Anglesea and also when I worked for Millard Design building show cars and developing prototypes for Indonesia. It a petty that all my experience cannot used and passed on. Regards Richard.
Richard Kemp
Excellent article. My brother Les Milkins was a driver and mechanic at the proving ground. Les died a few weeks ago and 2 of my sisters, Janice and Coral, wrote in this week's Sentinel Times, a lot about Les' time with GMH.
Yvonne McRae
Hi Yvonne. I am so sorry to hear that Les has died, he was a nice bloke and I got on well with him. I am writing more about the PG so it is not lost when I depart. There is so much to tell. Cheers Richard.
Richard Kemp
The secret life of orchids
July 16, 2021
Brilliant article on our local flora and pollinators Dick. The interconnection is so precious it must be protected!
Marg Lee
Thank you for sharing your professional knowledge in such an accessible way, Dick. We can only hope that the power brokers and decision makers listen to the evidence which is available and think of what kind of future we want to live in. Not to mention all the other species we seem hell bent on destroying as fast as we can.
Anne Heath Mennell
Marg and Anne, thanks for your comments. While I am not one to chain myself to an offending bulldozer, I am sufficiently concerned about the rate of attrition of our precious remnant bushlands, that I am fully committed to forcing decision makers to take note and be accountable.
Dick Wettenhall
Hear, hear, Dick! Some are uncaring, some just naive, but we dare not take our foot off the pedal. The cost is too great.
Julie Thomas
Thank you for your excellent article, Dick. As you so rightly point out, our natural environment has taken millions of years to evolve. It is priceless. Yet it ‘only takes seconds for sand mining bulldozers and excavators to irreversibly destroy these remarkable ecosystems’.
Hopefully, your article will help those in our community who do not understand this. Instead they value being part of unsustainable development for short term economic advantage. They see things such as 'cheap sand' as more important than protecting biodiversity and having a planet worth living on, indeed one capable of sustaining life, including human life
Meryl Tobin
Thanks for positive comments Meryl and Hartley. The unsustainable dependence of the world's urban development and industrialisation on sand mining is on a par with the unsustainable dependence on native forest wood, coal and oil resources in previous eras. The environmental damage inflicted by the unrestrained use of these resources in the past has been devastating.
But, eventually, industry has developed more sustainable alternatives to these resources. Progress is also now being made with the development of economically viable alternatives to sand for building construction. While there will be a continued dependence on sand in the short term, governments need to provide incentives for industry to pursue these alternatives. In the meantime, governments should be required to restrict sand mining to environmentally less sensitive areas, even if the costs are greater... In fact, the profit margins in sand mining are so great that there is plenty of scope for absorbing additional production costs.
I remain hopeful that we can convince our governments to put the brakes on sand mining, at least in regions where precious remnant bush and wetlands will be irreversibly destroyed.
Dick Wettenhall
‘He draws with tears in his heart’
July 16, 2021
Hi Catherine, I am currently working on Counihan in a large project on expatriate Australian artists in Britain 1946-1956. Am looking forward to seeing the exhibition. I met & interviewed Robert Smith in relation to my biography on Bernard Smith, perhaps I could curate an exhibition from this collection. Trust you are thriving, very best. Sheridan
Sheridan Palmer
Thanks Catherine for this excellent article. Hopefully the people in the shire will get to see the value of the Bob Smith collection. Not only has he given us a cache of valuable art but also an amazing connection to Wonthaggi’s past through the eyes of an artist, Noel Counihan.
John Mutsaers
Absolutely John, and more ammunition for the case for a regional gallery in Wonthaggi. We had to pursue this collection, and we have to treat it with the respect it deserves!
Neil Rankine
Congratulations Catherine, your excellent article reads very well! Only two corrections. The exhibition that I showed in the Workingmens Club in 1959 was a traveling exhibition of original works from the National Gallery of Victoria - and I miscalculated - I am only 93, not 94!
Ken Scarlett
Hi Ken. Original works - you can't imagine that happening now, can you.
93 is good since we all have to wait a bit longer! Hope to meet you then.
Cheers, Catherine
Catherine Watson
Sounds of disharmony
July 16, 2021
Apparently the brass bell has also been stolen from the Kilcunda CFA.
Stephen
Ding Dong what a miserable thief.
Those bells were a symbol for Cowes residents and a tourist attraction singing out a welcome to all.
I join many people in hoping for the return of the bells and prosecution of this vandals attack on our community
Ian Samuel
Here to share
July 16, 2021
It's appalling that people are still slipping through safety nets in 2021, and can't feed themselves or their families. Thank heavens for places like the CDCC, FoodBank and their donors. I hope, one day, their services won't be needed and everyone will have safe shelter and sufficient food. It's the least we can do in a rich country like Australia.
Anne Heath Mennell
Tales of Catwoman
July 16, 2021
A great read, only put it down to eat and sleep, it only lasted 2 days, I,m waiting for volume 2.
Barrie Stewart
Parks are for everyone
July 2, 2021 –
Absolutely agree Leticia. THE most worrying proposal is to make the Cape-Inverloch Rd, one way. Inland right of ways should be first explored/developed.
The provision of toilets/facilities etc all along the route needs to be well thought out, otherwise the environmental impacts will be significant.
I can’t help but feel the stakeholders are not being listened to and we are going to be given a ‘lemon’ that will land us all in hot water for a long time to come!
Frank Flynn
I went to Wilsons Prom over the school holidays and at the Saddle Car Park for Mt Oberon, had a drop toilet. All the more upscale facilities are down at Tidal River so I think there's some ways here to tread sensitively.
Leticia Laing
Glad I’m not the only one who gets the sense this is an economical push to raise awareness to bring more money into the area. While tourism is probably the biggest earner here the shire has a huge RESPONSIBILITY to do it mindfully, sensitively to the environment, and to meet the needs of local residents who are nervous and not duly informed of all intentions going forward. Do it right bass coast shire! We are all watching!!
Special K
Hi Special K. This is a State Government project so council's role is to advocate on behalf of the community. The best way to influence the plans for this project is to contact our local State MP Jordan Crugnale about your concerns.
Although the Bass Coast Dinosaur Trail will incorporate parts of the Yallock-Bulluck Park, the park itself is funded by the State.
Leticia Laing
Given how thin is the strip of remnant vegetation hugging the coast on the coast side of the cape Paterson / Inverloch road, a walking and cycling path would be better sited on the inland side of the Cape/Inverloch road on an acquired strip of cleared farmland, as this land is often elevated with great views out on to Bass Strait. Siting the track construction/ alignment here would allow the path to avoid what is left of precious remnant vegetation. This would also create an opportunity to create an ecologically regenerative path project with significant revegetation works planting tens or hundreds of thousands of locally indigenous plants on previously cleared land alongside the path alignment to effectively widen and increase the native vegetation/ wildlife corridor here. Path users could access beaches by crossing the road at crossings similar to those on the Thirteenth Beach Road at Barwon Heads where surfers cross the road to access the beach. It would be a pity if this option hasn’t been properly considered.
Brendan Condon
Hi Brendan. I've advocated for this type of approach to the path between Inverloch and Cape Paterson. There's such a great opportunity here for land acquisition to allow for re-vegetation and increase of that wildlife corridor. It would definitely be a pity if this option wasn't considered.
Leticia Laing
Thank goodness you are representing us Letitia.
I have had no notifications of the progress of the trail planning despite indicating I was interested in being kept updated.
I would also have come to the launch, but once again no publicity!
Cape Patterson to Inverloch is a very sensitive area. It needs very careful planning and consultation if the best solution is to be found.
Margaret Pope
A community in action
July 16, 2021
Great song enjoyed learning it and of course singing with some of my friends.Great work Laura .
Daryl Hook
Do you hear the people sing?
July 2, 2021
A great way to go, Laura and Terry. Thank you for following up your excellent Coastal Connections project with your new one. Bass Coast needs all its residents and visitors to let local, state and federal governments know we value our precious environment and it is not to be sacrificed to unsustainable development such as mining and gas pipelines. When the Save Western Port Woodlands May 22 meeting at Corinella could attract around 150 people who then unanimously supported its motions to protect Bass Coast bush, it should tell the State Government something. Then, when a member could get 65 out of the 68 residents he doorknocked in the small coastal hamlet of Pioneer Bay to sign the SWPW petition, it should further demonstrate to governments the huge support from the community for efforts to protect and save the natural beauty, amenity and biodiversity of Bass Coast Shire.
Meryl Tobin
Go Laura,lovely song and a very important issue.
Daryl Hook
Winter recess – a time to gather our thoughts
July 2, 2021
Thank you Neil. Yes, it's certainly depressing how things just never seem to change in the area of environmental protection. I have been beating my head against that particular wall for over 50 years in this area, and have found that the best we can hope for is 1 1/2 steps forward and 1 step back, until it all rears its ugly head again. The government and business clearly have very different views of the values of Western Port to those of us who live here, and our visitors who also love the place for the values we see and love. How I wish WP could shake off Bolte's "Ruhr of Victoria" mantle and the illusion that the early European explorers had of WP being a deep water harbor suitable for many ships. That did happen in the 1980s for oil, steel and gas imports but only because of major dredging which changed the bay and from which it is only just barely recovering.
The history of bushland exploitation in Bass Coast is long and heartbreaking. As early as the 1820s wattle bark gatherers were decimating the wattles which were such an integral part of the lives of both the forests themselves and the local Aboriginal people who were gone by the mid 1860s. The little towns like Queensferry no one gives a second thought to now were once big towns shipping out timber stripped from the forests all around at the rate of 620,000 cubic feet per year by the 1860s. And that in the days before chainsaws! We have lost so much. When will the 'power holders', the policy makers, ever learn?
Christine Grayden
A useful analysis, Neil and some pertinent historical detail, Christine. As a longtime conservationist, I share the concerns of both of you and value your work, warnings and suggestions.
This issue of 'Bass Coast Post' and earlier ones with their many articles about the environment illustrate that there is a surge of interest in preserving our precious natural environment. Many thanks to Editor, Catherine Watson, for providing an excellent forum for discussion on important matters.
We, and the rest of the world for that matter, are on the surge of a tidal wave that politicians would be foolish to ignore. Bass Coast residents and visitors need to speak out and let their politicians know how important our natural environment is to them. At the very least, they should look at the Save Western Port Woodlands website and contact savewesternportwoodlands@gmail.com to express their support and ask to go on their mailing list (free). The more members, the louder the SWPW's voice in Spring St.
Meryl Tobin
Thanks Neil for your ongoing contributions and keeping the stoplight on the politicians. Thanks to Catherine for running the BC Post that gives the community a voice to air and discuss important issues. Our visitors and many living in the region simply accept and enjoy Westernport as an environmental asset that helps drive our economy and our lifestyle. Very few appreciate the thousands of volunteer hours that have prevented it being industrialised, exploited and degraded. We need to seek more permanent protections and that journey is commencing. It will be a long and difficult journey and community support and engagement will be a key component of achieving positive outcomes.
Jeff Nottle
Oh my goodness. What don't politicians and people in power not get? Why has our beautiful and fragile bay and its surrounding environment been treated as second rate. Not good enough! Thank you Neil and all the others who keep fighting to bring to attention why this special area deserves protection from those who fail to see the environmental benefits of such an unique and treasured place.
Meg Lee
The joy of the toy
July 2, 2021
Hi Mark. Tin toys were great but were discontinued because of danger to fingers.
Lost your number but the houses spoken about were both railways and mines.
Joan Woods
Living with creeks
July 2, 2021
Well said, Ed. How could covering a drain allow it to continue to fulfil its role for biodiversity such as providing habitat, food and drink for the wildlife dependent on it? When will all humans come to appreciate we have to work with Nature and not see the environment as something to be tamed and/or exploited?
Meryl Tobin
Have you seen what the Council is doing with the "creek" along the Station/Woolies/Big W rail trail in Wonthaggi? It looks fabulous and will look more like the waterway it once was when all the plants have taken hold.
Pamela Jacka
Ed you are a champion for the Ayr creek in Inverloch. .Landcare has arranged for the fencing of Pound Creek and Screw Creek. The native plants are thriving but many abuses still occur, like farm walls right across, blackberries, and other weeds. We need more Ed Thextons in our world.
Daryl Hook
A symphony of words
July 2, 2021
Well said Christine. I’m thrilled to be part of this beautiful book alongside the other writers and artists. I am so glad I sat down to write for the Bass Coast Prize for Non-fiction. Seeing my writing in print is just one of the many rewards. I enjoyed every stage of researching and writing At Screw Creek (although there were some challenging moments pulling it together). But with that comes the satisfaction of finishing the final piece. I just want to encourage everyone who has ever dreamed of writing to give it a go and enter the 2021 Bass Coast Prize for Non-fiction. As Catherine Watson has said before, knowing someone will read your piece and having a deadline helps spur you on. Thanks to Catherine Watson, Anne Heath Mennell and Geoff Ellis for producing this wonderful Anthology and to Phyllis Papps for making it all possible.
Linda Cuttriss
Special accolades to Christine Grayden and all the prize winners of the Bass Coast Prize for Non-fiction 2019, 2020.
Also I should mention that all the writers who submitted entries for 2019 and 2020 are encouraged to enter the BCPFNF 2021.
Phyllis Papps
Honey, we lost Inverloch
July 2, 2021
This was a very interesting topic, it is helpful to know what is going on. Thank you.
Valerie Heath Levey
Yes I’m a Nimby!
June 18, 2021
My goodness David, you've articulated the feelings of the vast majority of residents of Bass Coast. A friend told me recently that the term "nimby" is just thrown around to close down discussion. Those of us who moved to this lovely area came because of the natural treasures, serenity, space and relaxed lifestyle it offers. We do NOT want to drag the so-called "amenities" of city life down here with us and spoil all the reasons we came here in the first place. Count me in as a "nimby".
Carol Cox
Thank you David I could not agree more! You have expressed this beautifully.
Susan Fowler
When the Yallock-Bulluk trail was announced in 2018, I was pleased that more people would be able to share some of our fantastic walks. But I think we're beginning to see that the promise of a "bigger and better" trail is a poisoned chalice. This is partly selfish - fear of losing our blissful solitude - but also a realisation that thousands of people tramping through our fragile environments will destroy them. David, you might be a cranky old thing but you've nailed it.
Catherine Watson
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone,
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot..
Jodi Mitchell nailed it and so did you David.
Yvonne McRae
Beautifully written and I fully endorse your view on the life and times in which we now live. Some things/places just ARE: leave them alone. "Tearing around with one's ass on fire": how true - love it!
Liz Glynn
Thanks for your eloquent words. Nimbys have preserved a lot of nice things, think about the leafy suburbs of Hawthorn... Send development elsewhere say the wealthy, and it is promptly done. What about or area? First the desalination plant now this. Like you said, the trails have always been here to explore! ... Today I am particularly annoyed as I have been walking around the area and have noticed that a connection to the rail trail for cyclists has already been sign posted around the desal park to send people on bikes down the fragile 'tea tree grove' track between Powlett River and the Desal. I had not realised this was already a fail accompli, as I had raised my objections with the Consultation team about making this track a shared path. The bikes should stay on the Mouth of the Powlett Road and not churn up that lovely track and compete with the quietness of this beautiful path. So much for the consultation process: yet another " we pretend we care' exercise.?? I shall be writing to the Parks Vic Director of this project and express my disappointment!
Barbara Moje
David, the current track is a favorite walk for our walking club and we are always disappointed that the section between San Remo and Punchbowl Rd carpark is in private hands. Unless something is done about this, you may lose this section to private residential development. It would be better to retain it as open public space and the justification to do this would be the extension of the walking track through it.
Peter Bogg
Yes I agree Peter. Extending the track would be a great asset to the community.
Neralie Hoadley
Well said David! You have nailed the problem with mass commercial tourism all over the world. Everyone want to go and see the sights and the crowds ruin it.
It is unfortunately a big part of the economy as well as a big emitter of CO2, especially the flights. We need to slow down and beautiful places should be left as they are.
Jenny Skewes
Yes! Count me in too! In this context, what's wrong with nimbyism?
Folks who have chosen to live away from the convenience of the city, precisely for the peace and quiet that rural living affords, do NOT WANT to be chased down by hoards of cars and and commercial enterprises coming here from the city.
Visitors are welcome, but please, take us as we are. Not everyone thinks tourists are 'good' for the region. If progressive economics and development is your imperative, go back there. My own values are peace, space and enough to get by. Yes. In this context, I am a nimby.
Julie Thomas
I remember going to Notre Dame for the first time in the early 90s. In those days people used cameras to take photos and there were flashes everywhere tourists were inside buildings, despite signs saying to turn them off. A woman devoutly praying in a side chapel was the object of someone's intrusive picture taking. In the darkened hallows of Chartre Cathedral many believed that the flashes on their cameras would illuminate the magnificent and distant stained glass. That or they were too lazy to turn them off. Sadly it was not restricted to Paris or the great cathedrals of Europe as I saw the same in a mosque in Istanbul where tourists were graciously permitted to observe the worshippers at prayer and many saw it as an opportunity to take multiple photos or film without their permission. At a concert on Vienna people stood up with movie cameras filming the performance while blocking others view of the stage. At San Diego Zoo I had to stop someone filming the nocturnal lemur pointing a harsh laser like light at night directly into their delicate eyes. These days phones are used as cameras and the technology means flashes, even indoors or in poor light, are rarely needed but the desire to instantly upload everything to Facebook and Instagram has lead to people's need to document every minute of their "journey".
And yes, they can bugger off commercialising publicly funded walks on public land paid for and now used for free by the public.
James Glover
Thank you David. I share your world-view and, if you are 'cranky' as Catherine says, then so am I! I think we should reclaim the acronym,'nimby' and I will wear that with pride too. Along with 'greenie', 'tree-hugger', ' radical environmentalist' and others. I draw the line at 'latte-sipping' though, My tipple of choice is a hot cappuchino with extra chocolate on top. :-)
Anne Heath Mennell
Absolutely!
Loloma Kannava
I am a walker. I am excited that I will be able to walk on this new track. I’m surprised by the idea that by walking on a lovely path, I will be a threat to the community.
Neralie Hoadley
As a bushwalker I love the serenity as well as the beauty and I never listen to music on headphones, but prefer the wind and the birds.
I left the Mornington Peninsula after many years when it started to get too busy. I don't want to have to leave this beautiful place!
David you've got my vote.
Tim Herring
I've always been of the mind that special areas can be managed and protected using a variety of tools and yes, maybe even booking a hike could be one way.
Making the path accessible to a range of people, some who may not be able bodied isn't necessarily a bad thing - if it's done properly. Restricting access usually lends to only certain physically and monetarily privileged individuals gaining the opportunity to view these special places when it should be something everyone can see, appreciate and love. Take for example that $10m of the $19.6m budget of the park will be going into land acquisition. I fail to see how the acquisition of this private land for a nature trail is detrimental to the environment the YBMCP seeks to enhance.
There's also the argument that if people don't experience the beauty of this space it's really hard to gain an understanding of it to then protect it.
The Bass Coast Shire's tourism industry is second only to that of Uluru and to think otherwise is a misconception of our isolation. Annually the Bass Coast Shire's population swells to about 70,000 people in peak season.
These spaces need better management and creating a mostly connected nature trail is essentially enhancing these beautiful spaces. Often when these areas aren't managed they become neglected or subject to individuals forging their own way without consideration of the fragility of the environment.
Protecting these areas shouldn't be pitched in economic terms but you really can't quantify that feeling you get standing on the edge of the world, watching some breaching whales go by...
Leticia Laing
Nicely put Leticia!
Peter Ghys
Just one point should be clarified though, that our tourism status as 'second only to Uluru' refers specifically to the Penguin Parade attraction, not Bass coast in general.
Julie Thomas
Wow, you’re going to write a whole book on this soon! As per our previous discussion, I really think that you are overstating the issue. There will not the thousands of people walking the track at the same time. It isn’t a closed building of limited size like Notre Dame. And the idea of it is not as you put it because “ there is someone in the city who thinks that it would be a grand idea if the walk along the Bass Coast could be exploited for profit” but so that more people can appreciate the beautiful coast.
So proud NIMBY though you are, I’m afraid it still sounds rather selfish.
Peter Ghys
I’m afraid what you have written is incorrect. The Bass Coast Shire is the second most dependent shire on tourism after Uluru in Australia. Phillip Island is undoubtedly a major contributor to this factor it is not the sole factor.
Leticia Laing
No problem. I interpreted what you wrote differently. (And of course not the main point of this thread anyway.) Thanks Letitia :)
Julie Thomas
Time to draw a line in the sand
June 18, 2021
Well said Dick; it is simply astonishing to me that the Andrews Labor Government which purports to value the environment, and rests on assumed 'environmental credentials', can be doing what it is doing to the Grantville Lang Lang coastal forest - ripping it out for sand for Melbourne - and at the same time putting our beautiful Western Port foreshores and bay at risk. And doing it so sneakily... hiding this risk and vandalism of the forest from Grantville and Bass Coast residents. It is a disgrace.
Tim O'Brien
The sad irony is that most of this sand makes its way to Pakenham and Clyde for building new estates which are being built on the farmland that was made by draining the Great Swamp that water once flowed through before entering Westerport.
James Glover
Prior to reading this article I was concerned and opposed to the expansion of the sand mining. Now that I have read this informative and detailed article, I am appalled to think there is a remote chance that this sand mine will be allowed to expand. There will be nothing left for future generations and the expansion just cannot be approved. Thank you Professor Wettenhall for explaining so clearly the danger to the wetlands when sand mining is carried out.
Joy Button
What an extraordinary situation. From my window overlooking the bay to French Island at Jam Jerrup I have watched the sea grass grow back over the last 3 or 4 years to the point where it is now washing up onto the shoreline. Feeding birds, fish and insects. It is well established that the sea grass, once so plentiful it was harvested, mysteriously disappeared completely in the 1970s. The most likely culprit was a glass factory near Lang Lang which dumped its effluent into a drain which flowed into Westernport. With the closure of this factory it is no coincidence that the sea grass begun to return and once again the ecosystem of Westernport slowly returns to what was here originally. Benefiting bird watchers, fishers and those who care about nature.
And now this threatens to undo all that good work. Westernport is not an industrial drain. If anything we should be doing more to ensure that shipping on the western side is not polluting this fragile and unique environment.
It is great that Dick has presented the evidence in a rigorous and well researched way that cannot just be ignored as overzealous Greenies stopping all industry. It is now up to the rest of us to stop this madness by putting pressure on the government. Where do I sign up?
James Glover
Hi James, we have paper petitions circulating which will be presented to the Victorian Parliament (Lower House); we can shoot these to you if you contact www.savewesternportwoodlands.org via email - maybe you could collect signatures around Jam Jerrup. We also have an e-Petition on the Vic. Parliament website which goes to the Upper House, the Legislative Council.
Google "Vic Parliament e-Petitions", then click "view and/or sign current e-petitions" and you'll see our petition there (it's numbered 343).There's a link straight to the e-Petition under Dr Wettenhall's photo of the Grantville foreshore (above).
Tim O'Brien
Thanks Tim, found and signed.
James Glover
Dick. Thank you for your excellent expert advice on details that are beyond community knowledge and further support the objection to extending the Grantville sand mining proposal.
It is apparent that you have raised hidden issues that demand a thorough investigation by EPA prior to any final decision by the minister.
All industries must strive to eliminate release of toxic waste into the environment. Sand mining has a responsibility and must be made accountable by rigorous certification and independent inspection of residue containment.
This needs to be considered by the Minister and implemented as a condition of current or future operations.
Ian Samuel
If politicians will not listen to the Science and we want ourselves and our progeny to live in a livable world, we must demand our government representatives listen to the Science. Dick Wettenhall is the Professor here, and he presents the Science with knowledge, logic and commonsense. Those seeking to profit from non-sustainable 'development' do not want to know their proposals involve potentially devastating risks to the environment. If they do know, they ignore the risks, refuse to acknowledge them or get 'experts' in and cherry-pick to get the information they want.
Thank you, Dick Wettenhall. If the planet, including this precious area of it, is to be protected, we need experts speaking out as you have here.
Meryl Tobin
Thank you for this article! To me "sand mining" had, up to now a benign ring to it, as in "sand pit". In no way had I associated toxic sludge with such operations. It makes me even more concerned, also about the current operations of the existing sand mines. Who monitors these, and the containment of toxic substances? Is it a case of alarm bells ringing when the horse has bolted (the usual reaction after the environmental disaster comes to light) ? Even more reason to oppose this development vehemently. Please publish this article widely! Thank You!
Barbara Moje
Thank You, Professor Wettenhall for providing this evidence-based, detailed information. Nothing like this emerged from the Panel Hearings into the expansion of the Dandy Premix site. The plans have already been approved by all the relevant regulatory authorities. The priority now is to ensure the Minister and appropriate bodies have this information and to consider it in their decision-making. We cannot let this happen and must continue our efforts. Onward!
Anne Heath Mennell
When i was young, my parents had a holiday house at The Gurdies, and we often stayed there, my husband and my children. We loved the wild places around. I hope we can stop the Victorian Government wrecking it. You wonder what the Labor Party stands for, don't you. They need the Greens in power with them to push them in the right direction!
Dr Virginia Lowe
Move sand mining away from South Gippsland and the fragile Westernport Bay. We need areas of un-toxified land and sea in our growing community
John Sutton
Shelf life
June 18, 2021
OMG. what an interesting and well written article. Who knew!!! thank you for all the information. It's a cool underwater world.
Deborah
A wonderful tale and a magnificent set of pictures, Helen. Thank you for bringing this beautiful underwater reef world to people who don't get to snorkel or dive to see it. We can be inspired - now that we can see what we are protecting UNDER the water when we take care of our shoreline.
Julie Thomas
Thank you Julie. I don't know how successful the rehoming of sea life is, but every so often we find warreners, elephant snails, horse conchs and other critters washed up but alive. I believe we should drop them back into the water to give them another chance. After all they go through!
Helen Keellings
Absolutely, Helen. Many can hold on for quite a while, adapted to being stranded till the next high tide picks them up again. Definitely worth giving them a chance if they're too far up the beach. To me, a person who will do this is compassionate person in general. Bravo.
And the creatures deserve our help. It's their world, too, isn't it?
Julie Thomas
What a breath-taking glimpse into another world, and what a wonderful resource. Helen follows in the great traditions of citizen scientists.
Catherine Watson
I agree with the comments above, Helen, and thank you for sharing your words and wonderful images of a world completely new to me.
I'm reminded of the old conservationist adage - See, Care, Act. If people see something they are more likely to care about it and, if they care about it, they are more likely to take action to protect it. The underwater world is a complete mystery to all the people who can't dive, snorkel or even swim. Our offshore Bass Coast waters are unique in many ways and are so precious but those in power think nothing of drilling, desalination, over-fishing, pouring in effluent and other toxic waste and that's before we start on the issue of plastic waste.
Please, can you show us some more of this world on a regular basis? Who knew there was such a thing as a sea hare, never mind one which squirts purple ink!
Anne Heath Mennell
I'll try to send Catherine some pix more often, Anne, but it can take a long time until I have a store of good, interesting photos. The response here is very encouraging!
Not much happens over winter; the slime on the rocks is one of those seasonal things with which I need to deal. Black slime is deadly, like black ice. Dark reddish brow is somewhat navigable but dodgy. Green and fawn are good becausr they are bryzoans not slime.
I'm being unfair, lumping it all together as 'slime' - it's algae and deserves our respect!
Helen K
Great pictures, thank you.
Brian Carr
Good reminder, Helen, that all living things deserve our respect for their place in the web of life. We need to re-think the old hierarchy of humans on top, above the animals, with plants a distant third and fungi, lichen, yeasts, moulds, mycorrhiza, bacteria, algae etc. not considered or appreciated at all. Everything is connected to everything else and has vital roles to play which we mess with at our peril! I look forward to more of your images from the underwater world in the future.
Anne Heath Mennell
They are absolutely fantastic Helen. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful and precious world. I do much the same thing in the bush hunting for tiny orchids, plants , mosses and fungi!! Our tiny and spectacular species need protecting at all costs given the assault on our land here on The Bass Coast
Margaret lee
A light bulb moment
June 18, 2021
Beautifully written article Etsuko!
Lois Dwyer
It was a pleasure meeting you Etsuko and other attendees at yesterday's Bass Coast Prize Launch, a wonderful event bringing together writers and artists. After the recent lockdowns, it was lovely to connect with new people, share different perspectives and ways forward...from 'isolation, connection and emergence'...a much needed collaborative event.
Vasy Petros
As always dear Etsuko you manage to put a positive spin on a challenging situation! Glad to hear you are both ok xxx
Andy
Wow, Etsuko, you really rose to the challenges. Thank you for sharing this positive take on a difficult situation.
The 'civilisation' we have built is not very resilient is it?
No power/light,/heat, no petrol, no ATMs, fouled water, no phone to call for help, no internet and uncertainty about what is happening. It doesn't take long for things to fall into chaos. Is there a Disaster Plan somewhere?
Anne Heath Mennell
I enjoyed reading your article and find myself having found ways to survive our time without electricity. We were lucky with the short outing and like you, I feel for the people who are still struggling without.
Verena
I loved your story and adaptive attitude Etsuko. Some of my family in the Dandenongs are still without power...... They are resilient too kids and camping turning adversity into fun when you can.
However I feel for all the vulnerable ones out there. I have my little battery operated and yes also a windup radio to tune in to updates. I purchased that a couple of years ago because of our high fire risk.
Margaret Lee
Dear Etsuko, it was a very special moment to meet you again at the Bass Coast Prize for Non-fiction launch for 2021 and the launch of the book. You are a great and sensitive writer of Non-fiction so please apply for the 2021 BCPFNF with closing date of 14th September 2021.
Phyllis Papps
Full and plenty
June 18, 2021
Thank you, John, for this wonderful depiction of your gloriously productive garden. You cheered me up no end and I look forward to hearing more in the future.
I was especially interested that you grow gooseberries. I grew up with them in England and loved them but you never see them in the shops here.
My brother loved blackcurrants but you couldn't buy them because, apparently, the entire crop would be bought by the people who made the Ribena drink. I'm not sure that was true but they were certainly hard to find.
Anne Heath Mennell
Thanks for your comment Anne. I should have been more specific regarding gooseberries. The type I grow is the cape gooseberry, also known as Peruvian groundcherry which produces a yellow fruit and may not be the one you had in England. These are also absent from the shops here, possibly because they may not travel very well. They grow like weeds and birds spread their seeds all over the yard.
John Coldebella
Don’t bank on it
June 18, 2021
Having worked in banking for many years I am surprised you were able to talk to a real human via the phone. Usually the customer service phone is kept in a sound proof box in a locked room that only rings if you have successfully navigated the 10 different key options and suggestion to use the website or app instead.
James Glover
And this is progress!
Fiona Rawson
Good to know I'm not alone, trying to deal with such situations. Sadly, I suspect many readers will have similar stories to tell. As you say, Fiona, this is supposed to be progress.
After the recent storm, many people discovered their gas appliances needed electricity to work. My latest Coonara wood burner now needs an electric fan for it to work effectively. The old one worked perfectly well without a fan. Progress? I don't think so!
Anne Heath Mennell
Stories of us
June 18, 2021
To all the wonderful writers and artists in the Bass Region.
I am very proud to have had the privilege of reading and viewing your superb writing, art work and photographs.
Accolades and orchids to all of you for being so brave to expose yourselves to public scrutiny, for producing such quality work AND for meeting deadlines.
Telling stories in whatever format is absolutely essential in helping us to understand life.
Phyllis Papps
‘Listen to the locals’
June 4, 2021
Coastal walk = coastal walk. Not inland from Wonthaggi to Inverloch - in fact I don't think any version should go through Wonthaggi. Agreed there needs to be a LOT more thought about infrastructure (parking, toilets etc) but there must be ways this can be managed. Getting visitors is a GOOD thing for the region. Opposition frankly smells of nimbyism...
Peter Ghys
I am a keen cyclist who regularly uses the coastal road between Inverloch and Cape Paterson. I wonder who, or what is the "Alliance" and what groups do they represent?
Brian Conroy
Hi Brian. As noted in the report, the Alliance consists of the following groups:
* Friends of Wonthaggi Heathland & Coastal Reserve
* Harmers Haven Residents and Ratepayers Group/Friends of Harmers Haven
* Cape Paterson Residents and Ratepayers Association
* Peregrines Club Incorporated (Walking Group)
* South Gippsland Conservation Society
They have a collective 850 members.
Catherine Watson, Editor
Thanks for that information Catherine.
Brian Conroy
Saving the planet, a paddock at a time
June 4, 2021
Well done, Anne and Bob.
Prophets who are coming into their own, finally.
You must be delighted that things seem to be changing for the better, albeit slowly.
The patch of earth that is Phillip Island must be very grateful for all your efforts over so many years.
Anne Heath Mennell
Bob, you are a legend! So good that all your years of hard work and dedication to carbon farming is finally reaching the mainstream. The great thing is that you documented your research, got experts in, formed partnerships, so the evidence is all there. Anne and Bob’s approach to farming seems to be if you look after the land it will look after you. No wonder their eggs taste so good!
Linda Cuttriss
I have been working and, more importantly, listening to Bob and Anne Davie for many years, and i say how fortunate we are to have modern day prophets who lead by example. The Federal Government seems frozen and unable to assist the farmers and businesses that wish to become emission neutral. Their internal fights are so vicious and unyielding to allow such policy development and implementation.
The organisations that Bob is working with in Gippsland are mainly progressive non-government organisations, with him interacting with Government agencies trying to convince them of the validity of his work in the carbon neutral space. Farmers have such a pivotal role in climate action. IM so glad Bob is taking his knowledge to others.
Kay Setches
Mining opposition gathers force
June 4, 2021
Excellent summary Catherine. Thank you.
I hope readers who have yet to sign the petition will go to the SWPW website (see above) and sign up. Better still, get your families, friends, workmates, neighbours and anyone else you can think of to do the same. This is a big battle and we are definitely the 'David' facing Goliath.
Anne Heath Mennell
I had no idea that behind those trees alongside the road was such devastation! Thank you all for standing up for what's left. I've certainly signed the petition.
Carolyn Goldberg
Mystery Road
June 4, 2021
Excellent idea; adding to the list of already wonderful walking tracks around Wonthaggi.
Liz Glynn
Such a great plan! So many interesting things to see, great view and tree are already walking tracks in that area..
Anne Bevis
A looped walk would be great, especially through such a varied environment
Anne Heath Mennell
Doona gymnastics
June 4, 2021
Thank you for the laughs, Miriam. They've been in short supply recently so very welcome. I've yet to discover an elegant or efficient way of doona covering and don't get me started on folding fitted sheets!
Anne Heath Mennell
$90m pool plan on the table
May 21, 2021
I agree with a two pool strategy, one pool to serve the Island community and surrounding costal areas and one to serve the Wonthaggi community and surrounding areas. In my opinion the Council needs to bring money to the table in support of a two pool strategy and seek support from the State and Federal Governments for the balance of funding.
Council could add a pool levy to everybody’s rate notice. You would be surprised how quickly the funds grow. The Pool Rate Levy would send a strong message to the State & Federal governments that we are serious about these infrastructure projects.
Frank W Schooneveldt
A grand swimming pool for Wonthaggi and Cowes sounds awesome.
Breaking it down it means a swimming pool for the Bunurong Ward, and a swimming pool for the Island Ward of Bass Coast Council. True San Remo and Newhaven are part of Westernport Ward but are ''neighbours' for the Island Ward.
Does this mean a hose and a sprinkler for the Waterline townships?
Is it unfair for a levy across all wards which will house the two swimming pools.
Bearing in mind the inadequate public transport and the lack of facilities in the Waterline townships, you cannot help but wonder if I wonder if Councillors have forgotten that the Waterline towns are part of Bass Coast Council.
Joy Button
Outrageously expensive how about community build, weekend project like Jehovahs Kingdom Hall.
Bernie Mccomb
Pools don't pay their way in dollar terms, but the health and community benefits are manifold. Wonthaggi pool was largely funded by the community (as was the Bilson St primary school pool), but in today's terms this would be done with a rates increase. No, I take that back, a pool levy added to the rates for long enough to get it done.
A commitment like this from our communities would almost certainly guarantee support from other levels of government.
Neil Rankine
I can’t think of a more important health issue than these public pools. I would prefer for the Phillip Island Pool to proceed initially as we dont have any public pool except at the Cowes primary school. I used to travel to Wonthaggi for water therapy and no matter how you dress up that pool it has reached its used by date. The temperature of the water is raised, one day a week (when I went) but not to the warmth required for many patients.
As a former minister of Home and Community Care Program, I became aware of the overall health results of warm water therapy, and it is truly amazing and if continued is long term.
We will have a state of the art Public hospital at Wonthaggi. a community hospital at Cowes alongside the Small Trauma Centre in Cowes, all overwhelmingly funded by the State Government.
Large pools have been built (by Various Governments) in other municipalies and the evidence gathered (Maroondah and Darebin has 2 large water facilities) from various therapies and activities across the whole Community.
I suspect that when the funding is broken down to visits of all types to the pool we will see the costs become miniscule.
In addition we have an aging population and water therapy is also for the well.
Of all services , a modern pool is the most democratic. It takes everyone, the severely disabled (if the equipment is provided) Very sick people, as it is for fun and learn to swim programs and swimming squads. The argument that we are surrounded by the sea for swimming, is not really an arguement as the users of this pool are ovcerwhelmingly people that wouldnt swim in the sea because of various valid reasons.
Kay Setches
I wonder if some local tenderers could do the job cheaper and a 50mtr pool for Phillip Island is far preferable. Goodness knows we've waited long enough
Lee Tierney
Council is willing to spend $90m for two pools advocating the health benefits for the community, yet is willing to plunge sections of the community and thousands of motorists and pedestrian in danger of serious health issues with the removal of dust suppressant seals for the measly saving of about $40k per km.
Council should be responsible and brave enough to declare that it cannot afford two pools and the yearly maintenance cost while the basic needs of the community are neglected. A single aquatic centre with a 50m pool should be located centrally, possibly at Kilcunda to avoid the squabble between Wonthaggi and Cowes.
Lou Pecora
I agree with Lou Pecora, one pool, 50mt, with full membership, gym, yoga, pilates steam room and sauna facilities and a positive healthy cafe. By far the most equitable locations would be Kilcunda, or better still the derelict land behind and adjacent to the Anderson's roundabout bus stop. This would have the advantage of increased access via public transport as many routes cross over there.
Karen Sandon
Why I am sorry
May 21, 2021
Anne, this article brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for writing it.
Fiona
Perfectly expressed Anne, like all non-indigenous peoples of this land I have benefited from this land. As a nation we need to grasp our true history with both hands, acknowledge the pain and suffering to out First Nation People and act on the Ularu Statement From The Heart. It is only then that this land can be a true nation.
Tricia O'Brien
Thank you, Anne. And, ditto, to the comments above.
Nicola Miller
Thanks Anne for sharing your story, a story that reverberates loudly and cruelly through the history of Bass Coast, Gippsland and beyond. I am always lost for words. It’s too overwhelming. So, thanks for being so brave by putting your feelings into words.
Linda Cuttriss
Kudos to Anne Davie for her many years of good work in reconciliation within Bass Coast, and to Patrice Mahoney for her challenge to whitefellas. So many of us feel shy about joining in reconciliation events, or that we may be intruding. Patrice invites us to walk with her and other indigenous people towards a new future.
Catherine Watson
Thank you Anne for your words and your many actions towards reconciliation.
I encourage all of us anglo-descendant white-fellas to notice our embarrassment and discomfort, and to realise it is a signal of yet another privilege that we have in this land; the privilege to have a choice about entering the reconciliation path. Walking alongside others can only make us all the richer as a community and as individuals. Grief and sadness at the past shows our humility. Working towards true equality must be more than an abstract 'we are all equal' . It must translate into practical changes such as our black kids getting jobs, growing up in their own families, staying linked to lifelong learning and education. Lets take a step toward ethical, genuine and congruent relationships across cultural and colour differences. Lets walk together across the bridge. Lets BE together. To paraphrase the aforementioned Paul Keating in the Redfern Speech: "If we can imagine injustice, surely we can imagine its opposite."
Karen Sandon
Thank you Anne,
It’s hard to face our own ignorance and neglect, but so important to tell the truth.
Neralie Hoadley
Eat your heart out, Daylesford
May 21, 2021 –
What a fantastic article Catherine, great read! I remember fondly when Wayne and Keith come to town; such great people and fantastic community members. Anyone that was at the flag raising and listened to the young student speak of her own fights with her own demons would of been so touched and as emotional as I was. My resolve has been strengthened to continue to make our Shire as inclusive as possible. Such amazing work done by so many, Sally and her incredible will, Geoff and his determination and now Leticia just to name a few that have helped guide me.
Brett Tessari
Brilliant article Catherine. You made me cry in a good way! As an outspoken ally all these steps are hugely important and you have captured them beautifully.
Shaz Green
Great writing Catherine and I accept the honorary title with pride.
Mayor Brett is the best ally and advocate any individual or group could have.
And the people of Bass Coast? - thank you!
Make good use of the new community flagpole. We have plenty of flags to fly at our new gathering place.
Geoff Ellis
Great work Catherine. Not only did Wayne and Keith have Tattslotto they were the catalyst for a surge in the culture of our town. With the vote for same-sex marriage my old aunt thought everyone should vote NO, when the fair-minded people of Australia said YES I told my aunt this did not mean it was compulsory, heterosexual couples could still marry. She had the grace to chuckle. Keep up the good work Brett and Geoff. Cheers, Yvonne
Yvonne McRae
Sounds like a real happy place to be. So well written, Catherine. Love to you
Lenice Hurndell
As a mature age gay woman, I'm conflicted by all this flag waving and general brouhaha. Frankly, the attention is too much too late as far as I’m concerned. It’s starting to sound condescending & patronising to me. And the "alphabet" tag! If you don't fit under one of the initials, there's a plus sign for you! Now we also have a day for you to celebrate your diversity and thank all those open-minded people who are there to fly the flag. Soon there won't be any days left where we can get on and live our everyday lives.
Someone said attitudes are changing with every funeral. That's not encouraging and at the rate change is happening, my funeral will happen first! In the last twelve months, I’ve had what could be called two homophobic situations. The first was the plumber’s mate who reacted in horror when I told them (the plumber & the mate) that I was gay. His reaction stunned me but I was more horrified when told he was eyeing me off as a possible partner! The second was when the bloke organising an election for a local group dropped in with an election form and said that he’d told a prospective new member that there were lesbians in the group and would they mind.
We live in a democratic, multi-cultural society and within that society are cultures who do not condone homosexuality. There are lots of attitudes that are unacceptable but that's how it is in a democratic, multi-cultural society. Education is the only way things will change. Waving flags and shouting at people will just push it underground. I have been part of the gay & lesbian community since the late 60s and have come across many different reactions & prejudices. Life goes on and with a bit of luck, you find a group of like-minded people, gay & straight and get on with life. Or, you build a vegie patch!
Pamela Jacka
Hello Pam, great comment and truly sorry you feel this way. What part did you actually play as an activist in the gay and lesbian community since the 1960s?
Also have you done anything to improve education so that many like-minded people and the rest of society can be more understanding and can help with changing attitudes?
Phyllis Papps
Hello Phyllis, I'm from Sydney and Oxford St and the "Poke Inn Hotel" were my stamping grounds. I was, of course, aware of Dawn but I was in awe and I wasn't aware of a "movement" that I could have joined. Too busy enjoying life at the time, to be honest.
By being myself and being open with all I meet and disclosing my sexuality is, hopefully, educating parts of society, bit by bit.
I'm retired and I'm more interested in my vegie patch now!
Pamela Jacka
the irony of it...
me in a photo labelled "Raising the flag..." when as an LGBTIQ Elder after 5 years of advocating on behalf of the LGBTIQ community wasn't invited to be a part of the whole ceremony and i didnt see the flag raised as i turned my back and walked away in protest as they raised the flag...
Sally Conning
The joy of gardens
May 21, 2021
Lovely photos and looking forward to another gardening column.
The garden is my happy place too and would love any tips that you have John to create such magnificent, healthy and happy sunflowers. Mine just fail badly.
Joy Button
Thanks for your comment Joy. Regarding sunflowers, all I can recommend is planting them early (September, October), compost, chook poo, and lots of finger crossing. I too have spectacular failures in between successes. The seed stock can also have a bearing on the results. I haven't grown any sunflowers for some years but last year, my niece had excellent results in North Melbourne using harvested seeds from my crops. My neighbour bought seeds from the shop which produced seed husks with no kernels. Not surprisingly, the birds which normally feed from the seeds showed no interest. Keep trying and good luck.
John Coldebella.
Lovely article about the love of gardens. You John were raised with a productive garden throughout your childhood and have continued along that garden path in adulthood.
I had no home garden experience for most of my first two decades. There was a fig tree in a rental property and that's where I began my love of figs - and how to climb trees - still climb my own fig tree these days.
Then my best girlfriend had a country property and was a garden whizz! So I learnt to grow from her example.
So it's never too late to start a food - and flower - garden, both of which I love and spend time in every day.
Sue Packham
Lovely to read about your garden, John, and your gardening experiences.
I look forward to reading more ...
Anne Heath Mennell
Power deal cuts costs and emissions
May 21, 2021
Sorry. this is not a factual story. where does red energy get power to back up the unreliable renewables? from coal or gas which we will need for many years to come. who is being conned here?
Dan Hopkins
Pumped hydro, Construction of Snowy 2.0 has commenced—this project will add 2,000 MW of generation to the National Electricity Market (NEM) renewables are not unreliable.
Brian Carr
What happens when the sun doesn't shine and the wind stops blowing? Am I missing something? Sure, we can have batteries to store the power generated by renewables but, unfortunately, there are a lot of us out their who can't afford to buy the 'starter kit'. Relying totally on renewables is a slightly scary concept for me.
Pamela Jacka
Renewables might be variable output but scary prospect is when old coal dinosaurs suddenly drop 500 MW out of grid, as happened with Loy Yang last year, out for months. And favourite time to fail is during heatwave peak demand, then auction price goes ballistic $15 per kWh. You don’t see it unless you know where to look but you certainly pay through the nose. Need to update grid for efficient long distance coverage and plenty distributed small scale pumped hydro very economic. Snowy 2 is foolishness.
Bernie McComb
Great news, thank you Bass Coast Council for taking this important step. Very positive news despite the negativity of some people, any move towards renewable's is a good move.
Sunny
When words fail
May 21, 2021
There are a few walls in Wonthaggi could do with a makeover.
Danny Drummond
An inspiring story. A powerful message. A glorious mural. Well done Jeannie for putting your heart and soul and Bass Coast Prize money into such a wonderful project.
Linda Cuttriss
Jeannie, this mural is absolutely superb and conveys so many vital messages.
Such as regarding preserving our environment, vegetation, our wild-life and the need to continue to fight the battle to protect it for our future and future generations.
Phyllis Papps
Brava, Jeannie! You are using your creativity so effectively to increase awareness of the environmental crises we are facing. I wish you success, especially in your local battle in Drouin.
Anne Heath Mennell
Time for action now: students
May 21, 2021
thanks Aidan for highlighting our towns recent School Strike 4 Climate.
I'm so proud of our young people taking a stand on climate change and it's likely effects on the planet.
The bigger the groundswell from the public the more our governments at all levels will take notice - and hopefully take action.
Keep up the good work!
Sue Packham
It warms my heart to see young people caring. Thank you and keep the pressure up!
Valerie Heath
What happened next
May 7, 2021 –
A fantastic result. Congratulations to all involved. This story tells me that we need to double our monthly contribution to the Salvation Army.
Frank W Schooneveldt
Thank you for highlighting this. I agree with Frank W Schooneveld. Let's give more to the Salvation Army! Churches working with various local community citizens are doing more than government funding. And they work on various ongoing projects behind the scenes quietly, without much attention or glory. Well done to all involved.
Natasha
Warms my heart. Many organisations working together to assist those with difficult circumstances in our local community. Well done to all.
Nola Smith
great reporting, Tom McNish!!
Annie Chisholm
Great to have a 'good news' story in this area. A wonderful example of community in action for the greater good. Thank you to all involved.
Anne Heath Mennell
Wow, this is such a positive story! Great that Bunnings wanted to be a part of the solution, and that the Salvation Army were so proactive.
Nalin
I was delighted to read this article and hear about the work of the Savlos to relocated the residents. Every time my husband and I passed the site we wondered where on earth did the people who lived their find homes and now I know. Thank you for your article Jessica. Good on the Salvos Open Door team.
Mary Mutsaers
Our day of days
May 7, 2021 –
Why even try to make objective commentary about War? Western Front allegedly consisted of 2Million soldiers, on each side, also 6Million
horses, a huge logistical problem to feed and water and supply ammunition and reinforcements and remove dead and injured. In between was relatively flat so trucks were hopelessly exposed to range of field and machine guns. Evidently they even tried a few cavalry charges. So trenches were dug, not small ones in movies but deep and wide enough for serious logistics with rail transport. Trucks might have been human powered earlier but later with Puffing Billy sized steam engines. But not for long because smoke obviously gave the target away. Many horses were big Clydesdale types, for haulage without smoke.
Between lines, from either side, field guns had blasted large craters to impede any advance by the other side. Formally it was “war of attrition”. Troops used names like abattoir or mincing machine, a seriously industrial scale killing machine.
Weather in 1917 was wet enough to make life particularly ugly. Rain filled craters with mud. Duck boards were placed but submerged. If a horse lost its footing, it would thrash for many excruciatingly noisy hours before submerging. Having to disregard attachment to loyal beasts, it was necessary to shoot them. If a soldier missed his footing, he suffered the same fate as a horse. Despite all laws, whether trapped in mud or injured, the right thing to do was to put them out of their misery and end the screaming.
In early days of RSL, there was strong body opposed to war. These days it looks like gambling, grog and gun promotion. Hollywood was always good at delusions of gallantry. We will never have accurate numbers of dead in WW1 but tens of millions before Spanish flu pandemic killed many more. Death toll for locals in Vietnam, eventually revealed by Robert Macnamara was 3.5 to 4Million, no doubt actually more.
When will they be satisfied with just one annual 11 Nov Memorial Day for War, putting ANZAC day into retirement?
Bernie Mccomb
Tim O’Brien, you have captured and expressed my sentiments exactly.
Thank you.
Margaret Thomas
Thank you for an informative article, Tim. As an European immigrant I always wondered why the accent on WWI when so many were murdered over such a long time in the second world disaster, including the six million. And yes, we need to have a truth telling after all our wars, including the one with our first nations people. On Anzac day I stop and commemorate all the murdered in all our wars and give gratitude to all those who helped defeat the nazis,
Felicia Di Stefano
After we had seen a performance of Alan Seymour's One Day Of The Year, I remember my mother saying that at last there can be a conversation about Anzac Day. She had lived through 2 world wars and experienced and witnessed the devastating impact on families.
I believe Anzac Day should be a day of Celebration of the glory of peace, given through the sacrifice of the many, with a commitment to safeguard that peace and value it every day.
Anne Davie
Melbourne’s big build threatens rare coastal forest
May 7, 2021 –
Excellent plan: neither the region nor the forest exist for the benefit of the damned city.
David Arnault
Absolutely! The days of entitlement at the expense of regional interests are over.
Craig Little
Dont know enough about sand mining, but perhaps the govt could better integrate with mineral sand extraction. A very valuable industry. 95% of mined mineral sands are not utilised. There is one very large site at Glenaladale, Gippsland. As opposed to Grantville it is double the distance to Melbourne. But perhaps a price worth paying to preserve our region's precious native forests and wildlife?
Pete Granger
Good video Tim Catherine and team and bloody scary map. See you at the Public meeting.
Michael Whelan
We have to win this fight but, to do so, we need all the help and support we can get from the local community and further afield. Please spread the word.
Anne Heath Mennell
Well said Anne, everyone in Bass Coast should take a moment to think, do I care about the loss of the last forest corridor in Bass Coast. If we do, then tell the government or support this group - Save Western Port Woodlands.
Neil Rankine
It seems the State government is trying to do both : attract more tourists from near and far to the area by developing coastal trails etc. but on the other hand it seems hellbent on supporting the expansion of sand mining to the detriment of the very environments which are in desperate need of preservation. I do feel scared at the sight of this map and am wondering: when is the colonial mindset of "exploit the land as if there is no tomorrow' going to end? Oh, I know: when the planet is baking and no comprehensive woodlands left to provide the antidote to the built-up environment.
Barb Moje
The moments that matter
May 7, 2021 –
Thank you for sharing these stories, John. It is a lovely tribute to your mum. I hope Mother's Day isn't too hard for you and the rest of us who no longer have our mothers. Enjoy the memories ...
Anne Heath Mennell
Love this John, what a great story I’d never heard! How lucky we were to have Nonna.
Anna Chamberlin
Thank you for the warm stories honoring your mother and thank you for the mother's day wish, John. I love the photos. Together they tell Annas story so well.
Felicia Di Stefano
Try again on trail: planning expert
May 7, 2021
The private land you speak of on the Northern side of the coast road is largely in a Rural Activity Zone. This zone allows for low scale tourism type activities and the path should eventually be able to be proceed through successive properties as a condition of development. The council should make the desire clear, so that developers have little option but to hand over a small slither of their land for such community benefit.
Neil Rankine
This sounds like the most sensible plan I’ve heard about the Cape Paterson - Inverlocj section to date. The thin strip of vegetation is too important for wildlife, but taking a thin slice from landowners and giving them rate concessions or other compensation seems like the only way to do it. And I don’t think bypassing via Wonthaggi is a good idea at all, what a wasted opportunity it would be to create a magical piece of infrastructure on this amazing coastline.
Nalin
Songs of praise
May 7, 2021
What a delightful tale, Liz. Maggies are such clever birds and very social, even with humans. TP is obviously earning his keep with his avian family! Thank you for sharing and I hope s/he continues to delight you for a long time to come.
Anne Heath Mennell
Liz, once again another brilliant and highly sensitive article, extremely observative about our dear 'friends' who live in our gardens. They are so priviledged that you care so much about them and observe their daily requirements and behaviour.
Phyllis Papps
Citizenship redux
May 7, 2021
Anne, it's a mystery. We're all a bit anxious so opinions are fluid but the general consensus seems to be we're Australian citizens if we look the same as everyone else and we stay home.
Gill Heal
Time to walk with nature
May 7, 2021 –
Thank you, Neil. Another informative, well-researched article which manages to be hopeful about these new initiatives. Very welcome in these times of doom and gloom.
I was fascinated by what you said about the Marine and Coastal Act, 2018. If what you say is true, surely this should be ammunition in the fight against the expansion of sand-mining in the Waterline area? Or is it just another example of rules, regs and legislation being full of loopholes or just ignored?
Anne Heath Mennell
Thank You. your article ticks the boxes for brilliant people to advance their future farming dreams through innovation and lateral thinking. We have an exciting and outstanding opportunity to address the issues associated with climate change and global warming as well as reinforcing our commitment to the future sustainability of this magnificent country Australia through the preservation and restoration of our unique flora and fauna.
Seize the day, contact your local mp and ask what other Government initiatives are planned to support the Marine and Coastal environment and Australia's desire to be a world leader in environmental sustainability.
Muddy Feet
All that can be desired
May 7, 2021 –
"... a coffee palace, a shipping port, a railway line and agricultural show grounds" ... I wonder if these facilities will return to Grantville before 2038, 150 years after this ad was printed
Brian O'Farrell
Coastal track a planning poser
April 22, 2021
I am wondering if / how many Aboriginal middens will be disturbed?
Libby lambert
Probably few in number compared with the desecration of sites caused by the building of the environmentally unfriendly Desalination Plant .A disgrace that was pushed under the political carpet.
Bruce Clifford Fergie
Goodness me. If it attracted 232,000 visitors per annum, it wouldn't remain a pristine landscape and peaceful experience for long. That's over six hundred people swarming through the bush every day of the year - rain, hail or shine!!
Julie Thomas
We walked and cycled sections of the Surf Coast Walk last weekend (west coast from Torquay to the Otways). It was fantastic and definitely hugs the coast. In was narrow in places and was still sufficient to enjoy it safely, whist minimising vegetation clearance. We could adopt a similar approach between Cape Paterson and Inverloch. A walking (only) path could be selectively/carefully cleared between significant trees/scrub to minimise clearing. The Surf Coast Walk has sections that are suitable for walking only, as opposed to cycling the whole route.
Georgina Matthews
For the next milestone …
April 22, 2021
Yes, I suspect a 'breather' will be short and the original euphoria has already faded. As readers will know from previous articles in the Post, here in the Waterline area we are already in a battle to prevent the extension of sand - mining below ground-water level which is likely to have impacts on creeks and water-flows into Western Port, as well as other detrimental effects on the local environment. Persistence, persistence, persistence and please, dear reader,add your voice to support our efforts.
Anne Heath Mennell
Well done all involved to stop AGL now lets stop the sand mining expansions. We need to protect our natural environment which locals and tourist come here to enjoy.
Sunny
Hi Neil, keep up the good work. I think the next milestone should be that the State Government Commission Infrastructure Victoria start preparing a Western Port Strategic Management Plan, and for example, state what has to be done and why, what environmental value it will be for the people of Victoria and how will it's outcome be measured.
Gunner
Thank goodness for public awareness of these issues. Who knows without articles like this raising awareness, what the government would try and slip by us!
Vanessa Shipway
Congratulations to all those involved in a great battle to prevent the proposed AGL potential disaster at Cribb Point. However, the war is likely not over and it makes good sense to support an appropriate Strategic Management Plan for Western port to protect its spectacular and sensitive marine ecosystem.
John Lippmann
We must ensure that all roads (so to speak) lead to Western Port Strategic Management Plan
Western Port and the surrounding coastline is unique and must have protection from all that threatens this delicate ecosystem.
Barb Oates
We fully support the call for a Strategic Management Plan for Western Port. With reoccurring threats from industry, the huge recreational fishing and boating communities who love the bay, legislative requirements to protect the Ramsar listed wetlands, the climate-change buffering potential of the bay's 'blue carbon' and an expanding population, among many other reasons, it is important for us to plan for the future.
Stephen Brend
The scarlet pimpernel of Wonthaggi
April 22, 2021 –
It strutted through our front and backyard before confronting the cat, and in typical vulpine behaviour, changed course.
Brian Carr
Ash let the two chooks out at 7.30 last Sunday, heard a commotion at 10 to 8 and found the chooks attacked (1 dead, 1 on its last legs)
Ash heard the fox getting away through nextdoor's garden. This is in Hagelthorn Street near Drysdale Street.
Hilary Stuchbery
I really enjoyed your story, John, regarding this wily young fox. Quite amazing how it is adapting to built up areas. I know they cause havoc and take the life of domestic animals, but they are an intelligent animal and part of nature's cycle. Thank you.
Joy Button
Having a coffee on the front porch around 6.30am last week and a little foxy head popped up above the gate, had a look and moved on. Near corner of Hunter and Dickson Street. Beautiful creature. Sorry to the chook owners.
Anne
Bass Coast spends up
April 22, 2021
Thank you for the update Catherine.
I am so glad to read that our Council is finally borrowing some money.
This is long overdue but is a step in the right direction.
Our council should be judged on its infrastructure spending rather than its operating budget, The focus needs to be on the infrastructure backlog in the Shire.
I would be more than comfortable for the Council to increase its debt to equity ratio to 40% and use these additional funds to fix the infrastructure backlog.
Frank W Schooneveldt
What about public housing, be nice if the council bought some houses for affordable accomodation, rent rises have been outrageous, I myself might be homeless in 6 months because I have to vacate the house which was sold to an investor you will do it up, possibly another airbnb? We need restrictions on how many airbnb's there are allowed because so many permanent rentals are getting taken over leaving no much options for long term residents to stay in the area.
Sunny
I just heard on the ABC news that rents in Wonthaggi have gone up 18% in the past year.
I agree that we all need to put pressure on our Council to provide affordable housing to those people who need it. Sunny you need to make a budget submission.
Frank W Schooneveldt
Wonthaggi set for makeover
April 23, 2021
I appreciate Cr Les Larke's desire for cutural change to encourage locals to walk to town. However, the lack of pedestrian crossings is very alarming. I consider myself agile but feel anxiety when it comes to trying to cross roads within out town centre. The matter is urgent as I frequently observe people taking risks. It's a bit of a joke when Foster has a crossing in its main street and we don't.
Lyn Bennett
Spot on Lyn. 15 years ago cars would stop and wave pedestrians across the road in Graham and Bilson Street. Today with Kamikaze drivers on these streets, crossing them is like venturing on a suicide mission. How the elderly and people with disability cope is beyond comprehension.
Ian James
United we stand
April 22, 2021
Thank you for your story Joy. This small space is now soulless! I am quite capable of Clicking and collecting books which I do but no longer can I stop and chat at the Mobile Library that was such a part of this place. I really feel for those who have no access.
My grandchildren came last week and I decided to try to find some interesting reads for them but know....... no one there to assist and very few books to choose from so I gave up and walked away
Margaret Lee
Thank you Margaret and this is a great opportunity for you to send a message to Council regarding the poor service that we have been left with.
Joy Button
So well said Joy. I am from Jam Jerrup and feel like the Bass coast Council is only interested in Inverloch, Wonthaggi, San Remo & Phillip Island and that the ~4500 residents of the waterlines towns don't count! I have even had council staff say to me "Oh you need to call Cardinia shire we don't look after that area!"
Aleta Groves
Totally agree Aleta. Jam Jerrup gets even less support than us at The Gurdies. We pay our rates, which are not cheap, and get nothing in return.
Michele
We are greatly indebted to Joy for persevering against impossible odds to bring BCSC to account for its profound and enduring failures on this issue. Its too convoluted to describe all the messy detail on this particular forum. Suffice to say BCSC has no interest in providing the unfashionable Waterline region a mobile or static library presence that on a PER-CAPITA basis equates to the two other BCSC ‘regions’, Inverloch/Pound Creek and Phillip Island.
To obtain a similar per-capita floor space to these other two Bass Coast regions, the Waterline Regional Library should be about 200 square metres, not the paltry 30 square metres BCSC delivered. As it stands, Waterline ratepayers simply cross subsidise the library services of these other regions rather than their own.There are possible solutions to the problem:
1. Have a vision, give a damn, and think regional. BCSC should commence treating the Waterline as a genuine region, not a spattering of dispersed, inconsequential small towns. Notwithstanding the region has its challenges, it is growing rapidly. So there is a need to commence planning the sort of region we prefer in 50 years. Rather than have to retrofit an unplanned mess. Developmentally, this probably necessitates trilateralising Grantville, Coronet Bay and Corinella, which will be a great challenge in itself.
2. BCSC should commit to providing the Waterline similar per capita library floor space as Phillip Island and Inverloch/Pound Creek. If not, it is just continuing to rob the Waterline region.
Peter Granger
I went to the Grantville Transaction centre the other day to pay my dog/cat registrations. When you walk in the door and wait to be served. the "library" really just looks like the staff tearoom. You can see the sink and cupboard, and the click and collect system. It it totally uninspiring and uninviting.
Michele
Vale Cam Walker
April 22, 2021
It was a great pleasure to have known Cam. We had great chats at Landcare events.
Bob Davie
I always admired Cam's endless enthusiasm and energy. He made a great role model.
Ash Stuchbery
The loneliness of the long-distance writer
April 22, 2021
So pleased to see that Ibis Writers is still going strong. Founding member Christine Edwards is now an established and published writer of young adult fiction.
Marian Quigley
The heart of our town
April 9, 2021
I absolutely agree with Frank Coldebella in regards to the piazza idea. It would be great to have less cars and more foot traffic. I also don't think the pubs should get to dictate what is best for our town.
Jacqui Paulson
I completely endorse Frank's views on the future use of McBride Avenue. The CBD is already often choked with vehicles looking for somewhere to park and surely we can create more parking options elsewhere.
Graeme Charles
Having pedestrian friendly wider paths & seating would be fantastic. Creating a community friendly space combining with Apex Park.
As for the Wonthaggi Club, I've never understood how they got away without creating their own parking spaces. Let them walk.
Peter Mckenzie
Go for it Frank. We may never have the wonderful public squares of Europe ........ But this is a good start.
Neville Drummond
Several years ago the BCSC trialled closure of the lower end of McBride Street to gauge public opinion. It was a cold, wet day, and not many were out and about. The trial was to run for a Saturday morning through to mid-afternoon, but was closed by midday due to representations from the Wonthaggi Club. Wonthaggi is destined to become degraded unless action is taken to make the CBD more 'liveable' ... and this means more pedestrian-friendly. A mall or public area would be a start, as would be plantings of strees (potted?) along the street fronts and, most importantly, a pedestrian crossing on Graham,Street between McBride Avenue and Billson Street. We have the potential for a lovely town at very low cost, but it will take courage to fight against vested self-interest. Good on you, Frank.
David Butcher
About 10 years ago the council in my home town in NZ proposed to close a block to traffic and make an outdoor dining area, “Eat Street”. I remember the dire predictions from traders and landlords. Today it is the busiest part of town with a waiting list of businesses wanting to rent there and the busyness spilling over into the surrounding streets.
Regarding the transformation of a pretty barren Wonthaggi CBD, the planners have consulted widely, listened to our views and used their imagination to offer an alternative. Let’s trust them on this and take the opportunity to transform our town centre into a place where visitors and locals alike will enjoy spending time. If it doesn’t work, we can always
undo it.
Catherine Watson
Totally agree, the 2/3 of a block of black windows that the Club now owns has just about killed this part of town. Surely by reinvigorating the area the Club could do nothing but benefit, as we all would.
Neil Rankine
Hear hear to Frank and all of the other positive comments here: now is our chance to make Wonthaggi really special, creating a vibrant, people-friendly centre in our town that will be great for locals, visitors and traders alike.
Robyn Arianrhod
Great idea. I'm all for it. And, of course Wonthaggi has high car use. There is no other option. May I suggest a shuttle bus (a 12-seater would cut it, I think), that could run a regular route continuously around town, picking up and dropping off pedestrians. Just a thought.
Aleida Jansen
Ample parking?? Where ? At the old Coles building? That is full of Councel workers cars! Or in Woolworths car park ? We have an aging population that is going to be force to walk for thier need in the bitter cold wind and rain that we have for nine months of the year!
Jack Dent
With all due respect, the area they are proposing the removal of car parking is mainly just overflow parking for businesses people wish to access on Graham Street. In order to better accommodate accessible parking for the elderly population, the council should be looking at having more disabled parking spots on Graham street, not just 1 or 2 outside the chemists, supermarkets and banks. Losing around 15 carparks on the least busy end of McBride Avenue isn't going to make a world of difference, but imagine if the council added 15 disabled carparks around the shopping precinct for our aging population.
Billie Emmett
I also fully agree on the need for better Commons spaces in the CBD, all-the-more w Wonthaggi’s growth projections, ie more greenery & pedestrian friendly, & I like Frank’s idea for moveable planters & seats reinforcing the town’s co-operative ethos. Let’s hope the clash b/w WClub & others doesn’t stall action yet longer - one way or other, please let’s have more greenery & spaces to help us love to visit and spend solid time in the centre of town.
Max Richter
Improving the lower McBride/Apex Park area would be an important way to begin counteracting some past bad planning, eg Bass Coast Plaza & its parking set-up & the old Coles sitting dormant on Watt St. We desperately need a more vibrant town centre; most of us zip in & out as there’s nowhere to congregate.
Tina Kalivas
I entirely agree that improving pedestrian and outdoor amenity will be of huge value to our town. It would be like our town square. .... somewhere to meet, like under the clocks at Flinders Street Station. I run the Wonthaggi Market at 17 korumburra Rd and we have very little parking. Before Medipharm was built many people parked on the vacant lot. When this land was developed we had so many people predicting that the loss of adjacent parking would result in loss of business. I can absolutely say now that it has made no difference at all to our business. My feeling and experience is that if a business is offering something that interests people.... Then they will come.
Antoinette Russo
Given the town’s growth predictions, a ‘gathering place’ in McBride Street can’t come soon enough. Small towns offer identity, places to connect and belong to. How long before it’s too late for Wonthaggi and there’s not a single street in which it would be natural to gather?
Wonthaggi must grow but it can grow kindly. Re-activating an honoured Wonthaggi tradition – meeting informally in the streets – is one of many important ways residents can come together. Whether we’re present as individuals or one of a tribe, street life offers us the same town benefits: freedom to come and go safely, a destination to walk to or through, the pleasure of affiliation.
Gill Heal
Hands off our bay
April 9, 2021
Congratulations Jeff to PICS for its untiring work to preserve Western Port. Hoping your new focus on a permanent protection plan for Western Port will be heeded by those intent on undermining its fragile and vulnerable environment.
Neil Daly
Thanks for publishing the "bay under threat" timeline, which shows just how constant the stress, cost and efforts to protect Western Port have been for more than fifty years. Missing from this timeline is the San Remo marina proposal that was subject to an EES in 1988. The intertidal and subtidal "San Remo Marine Community" at this site was subsequently listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act. It's described here: https://www.environment.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/32455/San_Remo_Marine_Community.pdf
Jane Jobe
Well done everyone, it seems like the fight is never over, but we are not going away either. Such a relief that the State Government rejected the proposal, but we need to be vigilant.
Lorrie Read
Wonderful wonderful results. Congratulations to all involved and especially leadership team. However your article reveals how sustained sophisticated and professional the effort to protect the environment has to be, and how little quality of life of people is valued in legal vs
commercial arguments.
Jeannie Haughton
Ecological losses “a balancing act”: QC
April 9, 2021
Looking at the map of the area the sand miners covert, it's clear, this IS the last woodland corridor in Bass Coast Shire!
Neil Rankine
This is horrifying. Compare the human impact of this area with that of the thousands of animal and plant species that require this specific habitat and have as much right to be there. There is no BALANCE here.
It's preposterous and incorrect to generalise about the qualifications of community members. There is no such thing as 'temporary' extinction of species in an area. Loss of genetic diversity by killing off small populations has the same permanent effect. It's just slower. 'The commmunity' is not the ignorant ones here Mr Gobbo.
Julie Thomas
Yes, the plundering of regional Victoria for the convenience of Melbourne with little regard to the community and environmental impacts, much less the 'collateral damage' on vulnerable species (in fact risking regional extinctions), looks set to continue. We simply have to win this battle...
Tim O’Brien
Whilst the proponents of the mining scheme have an arsenal of money which allows dominance of “certified” expert opinion and advice. Governed by greed a commercial arrangement is as biased as you can get.
A small hamlet is unable to muster a corresponding budget. Many are fighting many battles. The role of government is to provide a balance whereby long-term effects are the governing decision, not a short-term financial gain of one proponent. Government
History shows the greater good or greater need is not the appropriate defence where financial or personal gain is the leading attribute to one’s position.
The dominance of the professional opinion must, if their diplomas have credibility, show the devastation the open cut quarrying will have on the local community, environment and other landholders.
In Australia previous poor decisions have created lasting problems which have only started. A country rich in assets, as the national anthem describes, is not just there for plundering. This only highlights how such a well-qualified person such as a Q.C., governed by a pay packet, appears tongue tied to provide a direct defence of a poor defendant and it’s incorporated plunder packaged as a mining upgrade.
The state and Fed governments have a new moment whereby a person’s home is his castle and the eviction of ones morals is not to be at the expense of another’s, now or in the environments future.
Time to step up politicians.
Peter Abraham
Well said, Catherine, Tim, Anne, Neil and Julie.
Allowing DPQ’s proposed Amendment to pass, with conditions, will only slow down the gradual death of our beautiful shire and bay, not save it. All of us need to call a halt to further incremental destruction as David Attenborough urged in 'Extinction and Climate Change with David Attenborough' (https://iview.abc.net.au/show/extinction-with-david-attenborough).
Our shire is a microcosm, part of the macrocosm that is the planet Earth. To excuse lack of action to save our small area because of current laws and regulations will not save our shire nor our planet. If currently such laws and regulations allow sand miners to remove part of an important biolink, mine below the water table and risk polluting Western Port Bay only 300 metres away with virtual impunity, call on lawmakers and authorities to change the laws and regulations.
As David Attenborough said, "We can safeguard our planet's diversity but ... what happens next is up to every one of us.” David Attenborough urged us to look at our current lifestyles and said we have to educate our children on the way Nature works. We have to realise plants are an integral part of our existence. "[Future generations] will look back on our generation with absolute horror," he said. "We are walking a tragic road of extinction."
Meryl Tobin
Added to all of this is the huge financial burden involved if Shires were to plan pro active amendments to the Planning Scheme. Years of work and huge cost I’m always told. Yet the inadequate State and Commonwealth protections for environment mean there are scarce laws to back up legal challenges. Yes it is stacked against the environment.
Jeannie Haughton
How Labor’s women saved their party
April 9, 2021
Thank you Kay for your tireless work championing women.
Clare Le Serve
Kudos to Kay Setches. It will be good for the nation to see other parties follow Labor’s lead in affirmative action to ensure parity with men in politics. Many women have proven themselves over and over again in this sphere. They include Joan Child, Susan Ryan, Jean Melzer, Carmen Lawrence, Joan Kirner, Jenny Macklin, Julia Gillard, Penny Wong, Anna Bligh, Tanya Plibersek, Linda Burney, Kay Setches, and Kristina Keneally on the Left, and Margaret Guilfoyle, Julie Bishop, Amanda Vanstone, Sarah Henderson, Gladys Berejiklian, Julie Banks, Kelly O’Dwyer and Marise Payne on the Right. Australian Democrats include Janine Haines and Natasha Stott-Despoja; Greens Christine Milne, Sarah Hanson-Young and Lidia Thorpe, and independents Jacqui Lambie, Kerryn Phelps and Zali Steggall.
Overseas Corazon Aquino, Indira Gandhi, Theresa May, Angela Merkel, Condoleezza Rice, Madeleine Albright, Aung San Suu Kyi, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, Kamala Harris and Jacinda Ardern have contributed much to their countries.
Meryl Tobin
And the Better we all are for it, Thanks Kay.
Neil Rankine
You're a legend! Thanks Kay!
Marian Quigley
Kay’s story is a reminder that the road to equality is long and arduous. While the rallies and conferences (and these days the hashtags) give the illusion of social change, the real work is carried out in backrooms by small groups of people who dedicate hours, weeks, months and even years to achieve equality and who don’t give up despite the setbacks. When was the last time they made a feature film about a committee?
Catherine Watson
Thanks Catherine for this essential story; essential salute to the strategies, the women warriors and the enlightened men who fought for them. Political gender balance is the only way to genuinely approach the work of balanced policy and government.
Karen Sandon
Caution – slow ahead
April 9, 2021
Some pertinent arguments here, particularly the importance of separating cyclists (and the occasional runner/walker) from other road vehicles along narrow and heavily used Coghlan Road. Investing in a bike path may well prove good value, increasing safety without delaying industry, while also encouraging outdoor activity.
Miriam Strickland
Interesting how he said “Our experience is that a wildlife incident can happen at speeds as low as 40km/h. If we were serious about reducing road kill, a multi-pronged approach is required. Newhaven College has dynamic speed limits at school times, reducing the road speed from 80km/h to 40 km/h. Why can’t we slow speed limits when needed to reduce road kill, such as dawn and dusk?”
Deborah
I agree with most of Michael's article. I would support 60km on Harbison Road and the entrance to Newhaven College to be moved there. Win win. The school gets a safe pick up and drop off zone and business can get on with it, rather than having to crawl past there for most of the day.
Neroli
For ease of arithmetic, if Island is 20km long, at 80kmh travel time is 15mins, alternatively at 60kmh, travel time is 20mins. Newhaven to COWES is 14km so only 3.5mins saved travel time. Does it really matter? So isn’t it a fuss about nothing, striving to keep 80kmh?
Grandkids were down recently. Bike ride to boat ramp then Ventnor on dirt was Ok. Ride back along main road was not pleasant. Next day ride to Newhaven and back, no pleasure on tracks alongside 80kmh, unlikely to bother next time. For family cycling, need paths not alongside roads.
Bernie Mccomb
A touch of magic
April 9, 2021
I heard on the grapevine that there was no best in show to be included for consideration for the YAC Award. Surely that can't be right?
Liane Arno
Congratulations to Stephen Jansen and Karen Murphy Ellis. I would like to also compliment Josephine Allen, the judge. The judge's comments are thoughtful and pertinent, and add another dimension to an intriguing work. I know that artists value the feedback from the judge as do the other participants at an exhibition. Well done.
Miranda Sage
Well done, Steve! That's what retirement is all about ...........
Annie Chisholm
Fire in the belly
April 9, 2021
Ania - my heart goes out to you and all the other women with this dreadful condition. Congratulations in raising our awareness and I hope the connections you have facilitated will provide some support for those struggling on a daily basis.
I have to ask the eternal question - if this condition only affected men, would we be in this situation or would research have found some effective treatments or a cure by now?
Anne Heath Mennell
Congratulations on your successful meeting to all the women involved. Being together and talking always helps. Thank you for bringing this story to us Geoff. I feel myself so fortunate to have escaped this relentless illness. Good on you for making your suffering known. Since there does not seem to be a cure currently, the illness probably needs more research dollars to help overcome it.
Felicia Di Stefano
Tales of Tent Town
April 9, 2021
Thank you Catherine. Now I must search for the book.
Felicia Di Stefano
Wynne blocks Crib Point gas plan
March 30, 2021
Huge congratulations to everyone involved! Now to move towards making Western Port a national Reserve to keep industry out of it forever.
Christine Grayden
What brilliant news!!! Perhaps Richard Wynne is not the environmental Luddite many of us have feared. This perhaps may give us cause for hope over the butchering by sand miners of the bush corridor running through Grantville.
Tim O'Brien
Fantastic News. Congratulations to us all.
Elizabeth Mary Lambert
Great result. Congratulations to all involved
Ronnie Bauer
Laura Brearley
It’s been an incredible couple of hours with messages from people who are crying with relief and others cracking open the champagne.
Here are two ways of thinking about what has happened …
1) Pat McCabe, a Lakota woman talking about the idea that water is alive and that water is listening.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeeAMNxuqio
2) Here is the link to Richard Wynne's Assessment and Report. https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/environment-assessment/browse-projects/projects/crib-point.
Here’s an excerpt from his conclusion …‘My overall conclusion is that the project will result in unacceptable environmental effects. Those unacceptable effects would result from the operation of the FSRU. The FSRU’s marine discharge will cause an ongoing impact to the environment over the 20 year life of the project. The adverse direct and indirect effects of that discharge on environmental values, fundamental to the Ramsar status of Western Port, are not compatible with the level of protection required to be afforded to a wetland of recognised international significance. The project’s other environmental impacts are likely to be acceptable subject to my recommended mitigation and management measures outlined in Section 5 and Appendix B. That said, I am conscious that, for the purposes of the Environment Effects Act, the Crib Point Gas Import Jetty and the Crib Point Pakenham Gas Pipeline were presented in a single EES and are subject to a single assessment. Accordingly, and in the context of the interdependency of the gas import jetty works and the pipeline works, I can only conclude that if one part of the project has unacceptable environmental effects, the project in its entirety, has unacceptable environmental effects.’ P.56
It's a happy day. I hope you are able to go out in it and celebrate.
Happy days indeed. Hard to ignore 6000 people, especially when councils back their communities. Anything is possible, Tim.
Catherine Watson
Wow, wow, wow! Great to know the Govt is listening some times! Many thanks for sharing this superb news. Those who care about our environment need a lift, especially after what some of us are going through sitting day after day in Zoom meetings for the Panel Hearing considering the proposed expansion of the Dandy Premix Quarries’ site along Bass Highway 1.1 km north of Grantville and only 300 metres from Western Port Bay. May the Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne, continue to listen to those trying to protect our precious environment in perpetuity from exploitation for unsustainable development and short term gain.
Meryl Tobin
Given everything that has been thrown at Westernport: removal of mangroves in the 19th century, channeling of water that used to move slowly through Koo Wee Rup Swamp, straight to the bay, death of sea grass in the last 50 years, it is amazing it is as vibrant an area for migrating birds and other sea life as it is. But we need to protect this precious resource from further destruction and hopefully regeneration.
James Glover
Back in my working days when running our family business, if someone did the wrong thing we had a saying.
"Once is an accident" aka Hastings Container Terminal
"Twice is careless" aka the AGL gas plant proposal
"Three times is down right stupidity" aka Kawasiki proposal to ship Hydrogen out of Western Port
We can only hope the "powers that be" adhere to this mantra.
What is also striking is that the above 3 projects that would have/still would stuff Western Port have only been proposed within the last ten years.Never mind all the other stuff EG Esse/BHP etc from the past
Someone needs to tell these clowns who put up these projects to, just... leave... us... alone...
Plus instead of spending so much time and money putting them up, just go read the "fish school" or "seabird flock" of environment reports and studies, viz The Western Port Ramsar Plan, that in plain English says, "leave the b....y joint alone..
Kevin Chambers
That is fabulous news! Thanks to everyone fighting for our Westernport. Now we need to hang on to our remnant forest and stop further destruction from sandmining.
Margaret Lee
Whoopee! Great news. Thanks to everyone for all the hard work, with appreciation from us, the whales and all the little fishes.
Sandra Peeters
Great news. Well done those who objected.
Valerie Heath Levey
Yes, isn’t this a Marvellous win for People Power – and the difference some vehement committed mob voices can make to swell the dissent… what a relief!
Lee Tierney
Congratulations. It is an exceptional results and to the thousands of hours spent by the warriors getting the information out to the general public - THANK YOU
Barbara Oates
This decision restores faith in our ability to voice public opinions and arguments based on researched facts. The support of all Councils is a landmark that has influenced Govt decision making and must be congratulated.
Well done to all, and thank you Minister Wynne for listening to your constituents
ian Samuel
Well done it is such a relief to know my favourite place is saved. I know it has been a long and stressful process, thank you all.
Robyn Smith
Fabulous news! So heartening that it's still possible for a politician to make the right decision. A day to smile and say well done to the 6,000+ people who cared enough to make a submission. Hooray!!
Linda Cuttriss
What a relief! Well done to everyone who fought this battle so gallantly - just goes to show - you just never ever ever give up! Thank you Minister Wynne, thank you Bass Coast Council for listening and supporting your community.
Pamela Rothfield
THE BEST NEWS FOR LONG TIME !!!
Well done to us !!!
Natasha Williams
Great news. A leading Scientist in the area of gas power once told me that if a full tanker exploded off Cowes , the whole town and surrounding area would be flattened.
A safe outcome for everyone and the beautiful environment.
Congratulations to all concerned.
Julie Box.
Our home-grown university
March 23, 2021
Well written Bon, great speech yesterday. What a fantastic occasion for the whole of the region not just Bass Coast. People can study here rather than travel to the city, amazing opportunity. We all need to support this centre, it will open so many doors for all aged students, Game Changer
Brett Tessari
Hi Bonnie, Like you, I was the first in my family to go to uni - very many years ago.
There was no internet and I had to leave my small town in the UK. The only way I could do it financially was because I qualified for a grant (provided by the local government area!). As a girl, I was very lucky to be supported by my parents to leave home.
It is so exciting that local people will now find it easier to continue their education, gain qualifications and go on to fulfill their potential.
I am so grateful for my education, which opened up the world to me.
I wish you, and all the foundation and future students, all the very best in your studies.
Good luck to you all
Anne Heath Mennell
A strong team can tale any crazy vision and turn it into reality said John Carmack. Congratulations to the strong team who worked to make this dream a reality. May you grow to make this The Wonthaggi Regional University.
Felicia Di Stefano
This is a really fantastic and timely idea and I wish you every success.
John Whiteoak
This is a wonderful initiative, and well expressed Bonnie. Congratulations to all involved in getting it established.
Miriam Strickland
A labour of love
March 23, 2021
Well done Daryl & Margaret
Brian Enbom
Well done Daryl and Margaret, you have created a wonderful farm for your animals and nature in general. You have shown just what can be achieved with care, thought and planning. Daryl I always remember your enthusiasm at school and it obviously shows in what you have created at Pound Creek. Best of luck to you both with your next adventure.
Sandra Thorley
The more trees, native grasses and understory we plant the more native birds and animals we save from the 'clearing extinction'. Daryl, your and Margaret's farm has increased the local population of native flora and fauna and we are very grateful to you. Hopefully the new people on the farm will carry on the tradition. Best of luck with whatever you choose to do next.
Felicia Di Stefano
Daryl and Margaret you have been an inspiration for so many over decades. Thank you and go well. Bob and Anne
Anne Davie
What an inspiration and what an amazing legacy!
I'm so glad to hear that the trees are under covenant so will live on safely to nurture all the other life-forms which have found refuges in, on and under them.
I do hope you are not going to be far from Wonthaggi in this next adventure.
Anne Heath Mennell
From Burma to Wonthaggi
March 23, 2021
Thank-you for sharing your story.
Jenny Bramich
Great story Mue Hsay, thank you for sharing your story.
Iain Ritchie
good on you, Sylvia!!
annie Chisholm
Congratulations to you all. X
Sharon
Mining onslaught affects us all
March 23, 2021
How can we help ?
Brydie Standfield
Could we not recycle glass rather than this atrocity?
Em Pea
This is truly horrific!
Judy Green
Such an enormous structure being expanded so close to waterways and a town/area that is really starting to boom.. Safety and preservation of our beautiful people and country. should be TOP priority. Not money.
Angela Bromley
The sand mining operators should have to demonstrate successful rehabilitation of previously mined areas, rehab plans for active areas and responsible environmental practices before any consideration is given to them expanding existing operations.
Brian O'Farrell
Brian you should see the paltry efforts at rehabilitation at the Gurdies Site, now used for sand washing only
Margaret Lee
Human intervention and destruction into nature really needs to stop if humans actually want a future surviving on this planet.
Janet Metcalf
This is truly an abomination. And the destruction hides behind a thin line of trees. How do we show this desecration to the whole world? The next phase will be a record of the species lost due to this mass. Destruction and they are irreplaceable.
Lorrie Read
Truly horrendous. Had no idea this existed as am sure not many other people did either. Why are we always kept in the dark? Digging away, destroying habitat and poisoning the environment. Ministers wake up to yourselves and do your job.
Linden
I’ve been wondering whether this sand could be used..
https://watersource.awa.asn.au/environment/natural-environment/gold-rush-sand-slug-choking-murray-darling/
Mike Cleeland
The winds of change
March 25, 2021
I'm one of those submitting to and questioning at the Planning Panel set up by the government to advise the Minister on how he should decide the fate of a large chunk of the woodland corridor from Lang Lang to Grantville (our last woodland forest corridor). You have correctly stated that our Council has said what is proposed is unacceptable, we are not allowed to decide however, the Minister called it in. The state government have assured us that the Distinctive Areas and Landscape designation for Bass Coast will protect what's important here, however, at the Panel hearings the DAL as it's called cannot influence this area of sand recently added to a priority list of sand resource to build roads, bridges and overhead train lines for Melbourne. The Planning system is broken or our population policy is broken, maybe it's both.
Neil Rankine
The absolute neglect of Parks and Council and State government to preserve and promote the areas of the coal mining sites here is stunning. I am born and bred in Hicksborough and come from black coal mining here (both sides of my family) yet even though lives were lost and humans and animals worked under the most atrocious conditions I dont see the respect that they deserve...............Before we take off to be another suburb or the broader urban spread we need to rethink how it all began. PRESERVE WHAT IS LEFT, RESPECT AND EDUCATE
Rosemary Loughnan
Robyn You have your chance now to influence how Wonthaggi develops. Council deferred a decision on the Wonthaggi Activity Centre Plan at its last meeting it also sought further consultation. If I recall correctly the officers comments responded to just 39 submissions The attachments to the meeting agenda also include a report from Dr Elliot Fishman on active transport the discussion will be around how well the Activity Centre Plan picks up that work. The ball and the opportunity is in your court.
Michael Whelan
Great article Robyn and so timely. Gill’s latest, Looking for Wonthaggi, was one of her best and would love to see it again!
I am also concerned at the rapid advancement of development in recent years and understand we need population growth to gain infrastructure, particularly library services in the Waterline townships, which have actually been reduced in 2020.
Libraries and librarians are a vital and necessary tool to encourage and develop reading and writing skills for future generations. Mental health and well being is important at present in our current generation.
A lot to weigh up but can we stop the rapid development …. I don’t think so but I dare to dream.
Joy Button
Great article Robyn. I don’t think Wonthaggi’s unique history and amazing human story is as widely known and appreciated as it could be. Thanks to Gill Heal for bringing those human stories to life on stage. I also left the theatre with a tear in my eye and a hope that the spirit of Wonthaggi will not be lost in a sea of suburban sprawl. I wonder what it takes for a place to grow yet still retain its character.
Linda Cuttriss
Commitment from its citizens I think Linda, and a determination to let the planners and decision makers know that commitment.
Neil Rankine
Here be dragons – and cows
March 23, 2021
Thanks Mark for your delightful and informative piece about these fascinating creatures - and the stunning pictures. Most of all I love your message of not needing to know their purpose - the joy comes from knowing they exist.
Linda Cuttriss
Thanks for your kind words Linda, I was at my granddaughters first birthday party today, and am looking forward to one day explaining the pointless wonderfulness of a sea dragon or starfish to her. Provided that the industrialisation of our marine world is kept in check. AGL and sandminers come to mind here, along with those good corporate citizens at Aquasure.
Mark Robertson
I saw my first ornate cowfish this morning in a pool at Harmers. I would never have recognised it if I hadn't just read about it in the Post. Thanks to Mark for his invaluable natural history series.
Catherine Watson
Some have heard the call
March 23, 2021
What we'll have to watch, Neil, if such a plan comes to fruition, is the exemptions! Governments seem good at introducing them, and creating them at the drop of a hat.
Neil Rankine
Well done Neil but its obviously still needing more questions to Govt and along the lines of what Meryl Tobin is saying how can this information be sent in and with good evidence supporting it, to convince our leaders and government authorities to avoid their conflict with a financial argument as against environmental, which is important and at best sustainable in our world of climate change.
Keep it up and thanks George
George Varigos
Thank you for your continuing efforts Neil.
The recommendation about the AGL proposal could be made public anytime now due, making Clifford Hayes’ speech in the legislative Council extremely timely.
An appreciation of Westernport and its unique ecology has been a positive outcome of recent efforts to expose the threats that Westernport faces from inappropriate industry .
It was shocking to hear the Port of Hastings claiming at the recent EES hearing that there is no limit to the increase in shipping operations and industrial activity that they envisage in Westernport. Expert witnesses on behalf of the council, Drs Blount and Lincoln Smith detailed Westernport’s shorebirds and marine life, and described the compounding devastation of these ecosystems when cumulative impacts of poorly considered industrial activity are allowed to go unchecked.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H4F46YjqA_KOAi_p-DL_XciXHOwdlrnM/view?usp=drivesdk
Julia
A timely piece indeed, Neil. Currently the Victorian Government is considering Dandy Premix Quarries Pty Ltd's proposed amendment to expand its pit at its Grantville site. Situated on the Bass Highway only 1.1 km north of the Grantville shops, it is less than 500 metres from Western Port Bay, a Ramsar site.
The expansion involves the removal of remnant native vegetation from part of a priceless biolink stretching east of the highway from Nyora-Lang Lang to Grantville. Most of this biolink lies on top of sand. We have already seen what happens to mature forest when sand mines are allowed to be created and when they expand. For instance, have a look at what happened late last year to the ancient Grass Tree forest located on Crown Land held by a work authority by Sand Supplies Pty Ltd at their Grantville site.
DPQ is also requesting to go below the water table and that involves issues with Deep Creek which drains into Western Port Bay.
Spring St needs to hear what is at stake here, Neil, and what you propose is worthy of our politicians’ attention.
All who love Bass Coast and Western Port Bay should contact their politicians and urge they support such a plan – and without the exemptions to which Neil Rankine refers.
Meryl Tobin
Thank You, Neil, for all your efforts over the years. We can only keep plugging away in the hope that someone, somewhere, sometime will be listening.
As one of the people opposing the Grantville quarry expansion I was pinning my hopes on the DAL listing until I read the detail and realised that sand quarrying was exempted!!! It makes no sense and is a conflict between the environment and the supposed 'economy' which appears to have no resolution other than trashing the environment every time. The planning system is broken: opaque, complex, riddled with exemptions and stacked against local councils and communities. I despair.
Anne Heath Mennell
Destination nearby
March 12, 2021
Miriam, loved your article and enjoyed the photos. All that was missing is the directions. Coming from the south, where do we approach from?
Christine Hammond
thank you Miriam for enlightening me. You've whet my appetite, loving the Tarra Bulga tracts of rainforest as I do... shall definitely incorporate Mt Worth in the near future, as Warragul is an 8 weekly destination for me anyway. I hope your group exercise program is really blossoming for you. Regards. Lee
Lee Tierney
Thanks Miriam. Wonderful place but I found the path very slippery and fell once on the way round. Personally, I would only go there in the dry months and even then...
Mary Allitt
Great article, thank you for the inspiration to enjoy nature, going there soon.
https://www.visitbawbaw.com.au/discover/explore/natural-attractions/mount-worth-state-park/
Sunny
When I visited the Park last in 2019 I was amazed with how well kept the visitor area and tracks were. By comparison tidal River at the Prom was tired and run down. The difference I believe is due to Mt Worth's energetic and committed Friends Gp. The Prom is too large for its friends Gp to achieve as much.
Arnis Heislers
‘There was a storm in me’
March 11, 2021
Thank you Carolyn. These brave, compassionate people who fought and succeeded in improving lives need to be remembered. Sounds as if communism had its place in society as well.
Felicia Di Stefano
I read this story looking for a word I knew I wouldn't see. That word is Stalin.
As a "a true believer, a Communist through and through" in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, Agnes Doig was a spruiker for Stalin and his totalitarian regime, ignoring the murder of Ukrainian peasantry in the early 1930s (the Holodomor or Ukrainian genocide), having no problem with the massive purges in the mid-1930s which saw millions arrested, tortured, then (those not executed) packed into cattle cars and barges and sent to the Siberian slave labour camps; championed Stalin and Hitler's invasion and dismemberment of Poland in September 1939 and the Red Army's march into Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, Finland and Iran; supported the post-WWII imposition of Stalinist puppet dictatorships in Eastern Europe (such as the murderous Ceausescu and Hoxha) and the arrest, torture and deportation of millions from this region to the Siberian concentration camps; was untroubled by Khrushchev denunciation of Stalin and his crimes against the Party; and, overall, was comfortable with the thousands of artists, scientists, intellectuals and academics arrested, tortured, deported or killed during Stalin's dictatorship, along with millions of the working and peasant classes.
It is a pity her "strong sense of social justice that drove her to political activism" didn't extend past her local environment; that she thought totalitarianism was the answer.
“Walter and I talked mostly about politics,” said Agnes. “We used to discuss conditions and all the ways we would beat the boss.”
Maybe it would have been better if you had broadened the conversation to include, say, what Hitler and Stalin were jointly doing to Poland in 1939 instead of blinding accepting what the party told you to believe.
It is such a shame there wasn't a political party, advocating democracy, trade unionism, and freedom of speech and eschewing dictatorship, who also represented the working class you could have joined, something like an Australia-wide labour party, a party in which even a former coal miner, say, someone who we'll call Fisher, or train driver, say, a man named, um, let's go with Chifley, could rise through the ranks to the position of Prime Minister. But, unfortunately, no such party like this has ever existed in this country.
Geoff Guilfoyle
Geoff, A longwinded rebuttal to the life of a good woman.
I am sure at the time, News Ltd and the IPA were (not) highlighting the weaknesses of the Soviet Union.
History is always clearer with hindsight.
Our current federal governing politicians will also not look good with hindsight.
Ian Teese
The day my mother said ‘Enough!’
March 11, 2021
Such a beautifully written account of the devastation and impact of words and racist attitudes that sadly permeates still through our communities. Aunty your words were without anger, abuse or venom, and demonstrate the power and wisdom that you hold, thanks obviously to such a wonderful Mother. Thank you for sharing and caring enough to educate the wider community.
Jim Barritt
Congratulations and well said
Diversity is our strength division is not
Ian Samuel
Nothing We Liked Better
March 12, 2021
Dear Jillian. What a fantastic memoir and look forward to seeing the final and complete version published.
These are brief comments made by the judges (Catherine Watson, Geoff Ellis and Anne Heath-Mennell) for the Bass Coast Prize for Non-fiction 2021:
The story of a house and its inhabitants, anchored by two old trees: a pine and a pear. It weaves memoir, local history and natural history. A great feat of imagination and beautifully written. It was a pleasure meeting you and all the other prize winners. (despite COVID restrictions at the time)
Phyllis Papps
A world apart
March 11, 2021
A beautiful reflection Ellen, thank you!
Maddy Harford
No place like home
Feb 26, 2021 –
My heart bleeds for these poor people. All I can do to help is put a few non-perishable groceries in the Mitchell house box. The Salvation Army is one I donate to as they do have a heart. Australia the 'Lucky Country" has thousands in these dire straights and with the miserable Job Seeker (plus $25 a week - Come on!!!) how can anyone afford rents these days. I hope Geoff Ellis can tell us what the Bass Coast Shire is doing in a positive way to help people in desperate need. Yvonne
Yvonne McRae
Hi Yvonne - thanks for supporting the free food box !
Jessica Harrison
Yes, exactly Yvonne. Nationally we need to do more.
Wendy Davis
Like Yvonne, I was quite distressed to read the article and that homelessness exists in Bass Coast. Mitchell House is doing a fabulous job in having an access point for food for those having such a difficult time.
Is it possible for donations to be gathered from some of the townships in Bass Coast to help make life a little easier for people who are enduring such terrible hardship?
I am always grateful for the roof over my head, the food on my table and my bed and blanket at night.
How can I do more to help ........
Joy Button
Hi Joy, Thanks for your sympathetic words. If you would like to help more, I'd be happy to meet you, maybe at Mitchell House ?jessicaharrison1@bigpond.com
Jessica Harrison
Cape Connection
Feb 26, 2021 –
Congratulations Lauren, a wonderful piece of non-fiction that was awarded a High Commendation by the judges of The Bass Coast Prize for Non Fiction 2020 (Catherine Watson, Geoff Ellis and Anne Heath-Mennell).
This is just a brief exerpt of what the judges said: "Impressive memoir interweaving a personal journey of discovery with a 'coming home' to Bass Coast. Lovely use of language: “I pat the pockets of my vocabulary but can't turn out anything that seems appropriate. I began to frequent the beach for a daily lesson in change.”
The writing is fresh, with no cliches, struggling successfully to describe a very unusual situation and to answer important and novel questions...
Please keep on writing Lauren because you are a great writer,
Phyllis Papps
Wonderful writing, Lauren. I had read of your finding your biological family some years ago, but didn't recall your name. I have since been reading of the young activist who has emerged in Bass Coast as a spokesperson and warrior for nature. And now you have put them together in a beautiful piece that traces your search for a meaningful life in the expanded context of family (that you can never have enough of). As a self-indulgent aside, I went to University with a cousin of Ben's so I had a particular interest in your story.
Marg Lynn
Enthralling story thanks Lauren.
My family lived at Cape Woolamai when your grandfather Manning was growing up in Cowes. There is an interesting story that has come down through my family about the day the Clarks came to visit the Cleelands for Sunday lunch.
After the meal Manning and some other kids, including Dad and my uncle Jack, asked to be excused, and were allowed to leave the table to play outside.
Presently the adults also left the table for a stroll through the grounds.
Coming upon the vegetable garden, they were horrified to observe that numbers of tomato seedlings had been pulled out and left lying neatly on the ground.
After much consternation it was established that the culprit was none other than Manning. When pressed by my grandfather to explain his destructive actions, Manning simply replied
“I was examining their root systems”
Mike Cleeland
Beautifully written Lauren. Such wonderful discoveries for you! I love your descriptive and emotive style.
Jackie Moss
On centre stage
Feb 26, 2021 –
Neil, and Catherine thank you for writing and publishing this article.
In particular, thank you for bringing Auntie Tasma Walton's words to those of us who wouldn't otherwise have the space to hear them. I too dream of a day in the future that Traditional ceremony is reclaimed and those who are respectful, open and humble from any cultural background are able to take part and support contemporary leaders and elders in these essential inter-species rituals in appropriate ways. Thank you.
Karen Sandon
We need to preserve this beautiful area for the traditional owners and for future generations to enjoy. Let’s embrace this land with the care that the Bunwurrang people have and share in the connection to the land.
Vanessa Shipway
Coloured by COVID
Feb 26, 2021 –
Love these. Ken leaves me applying the same imagination that sat muse-like upon his shoulder. Susan may have done a bit of a J.M.W. Turner, her cloud-layering giving ethereal substance to filtered light, and creating a sense of wonder at nature’s infinite beauty. Thank you for your curator’s touch, Catherine.
John Gascoigne
A generous community
Feb 26, 2021 –
The concert was a beautiful and wonderful culmination Laura of your vision and commitment to the project and to the immense creativity, talent and generosity of spirit within our community. Congratulations to everyone involved and especially to videographer Terry Melvin for capturing so well all those beautiful and special places near where we live. It was such a pleasure to be part of it all.
Jan Bourne
I had such a connective, heartwarming day meeting wonderful people and loved capturing the days special emotions on the day.
Thanks Laura, and mention for Robin Lowe for making the call so l could be involved in this Coastal Connections Concert 1st event back at The Arts Centre . 🙏📷
Nici Cahill
The next chapter
Feb 26, 2021 –
Thank you to all that made this competition a repeat. It will be welcomed by all writers of this area and those who have once lived here either for short times or longer residencies. It is held in high esteem as is Phyllis who inaugurated it.
Joan Woods
My sincere thanks and congratulations to all the wonderful writers who entered the Bass Coast Prize for Non-fiction: 2019 (42 entries), 2020 (44 entries).
It takes a lot of courage, passion and creativity to 'put pen to paper' then submit the written piece in time for the deadline.
Accolades and orchids to all writers who submitted entries in the past and hopefully more writers will submit their written works for the Bass Coast Prize for Non-fiction 2021.
Phyllis Papps
Council pans Dandy Premix plan
February 17, 2021
There has to come a point in time when remnant vegetation and fauna habitat is considered for its importance. Once lost will never be recovered. Australia has an appalling reputation for species loss. Here is an opportunity to show that we do value our habitats ahead of ever ongoing expansion. There are alternative and proven technologies waiting to be exploited to replace sand and concrete that will not impact on our environment. Planners - open your minds to the future. It is not the exploitation of diminishing natural resources.
Dr Mary Cole
I absolutely support the position of the objectors, and particularly those comments of Dr Mary Cole. We owe it to future generations, and the native fauna and flora environment to start to develop alternative materials and strategies.
Andrew Troedel
Congratulations to the Councillors and the Community for standing up to fight to protect our precious last remaining coastal forest.
Lauren Burns
Good news! I truly hope those who continue planning for Victoria take note of our finely balance and diminishing ecosystems. Another council win has been Mitchell Shire stopping building a Basalt Quarry near Wallan
Margaret Lee
Congratulations to council and the wider community for adopting this position.
We are transient custodians of this planet and should plan and act accordingly.
Shane Ellis
Ditto to the comments above. Thanks to our Bass Coast Councillors for holding the line and standing up for our last patch of remnant coastal forest and the wildlife that depend on it! And thanks to Councillors for listening to your community. Now let’s hope the Planning Panel members and Planning Minister listen to Council’s arguments as well as to the State Government’s Climate Change Act (which claims to position Victoria as a leader in climate change action) AND to its recognition of Bass Coast as a Distinctive Area and Landscape.
Linda Cuttriss
Amen to all of the above comments and heartfelt thanks to all the Councillors who worked so hard as a team to get the alternative motion passed unanimously.
The Minister was always going to approve the application but at least now we have raised ways that he can approve it but with very strong conditions and ongoing monitoring of compliance so we are never in this position again.
Anne Heath Mennell
Looking for Wonthaggi
Feb 13, 2021
Thank you Gill for your productions over the years. They show how the power of people give a community a sense of place. I recall with joy being able to read some of my mother's words describing her visits to Cowes as a young girl, in Gilll's Over The Bridge in 2006.
Anne Davie
Dear Gill, another wonderful production over so many decades of: "your brilliant career and life."
Also we will never, ever, forget your writing abilities and skills. Accolades and orchids to you.
Phyllis Papps
I will always admire greatly your creative and fabulous writing skills, Gill, and to me you are an absolute legend with your ability to tell a great story. And an amazing and gracious lady to boot.
Thank you and looking forward to seeing your latest masterpiece, Looking for Wonthaggi.
Joy Button
Really looking forward to this production Gill - love the way you value history and create such wonderful theatrical experience's! Thank you for sharing your talents so generously. x
Jan Bourne
Have just booked for the 3rd show and looking forward to hearing your stories from the locals. Have loved attending the various “readings” you have organised Gill - at Dalyston Church and at Wonthaggi Library - some amazing readings from locals and celebs from the big smoke. Your efforts to provide entertainment (and education) are very much appreciated.
Imelda Daly
Dear Gill
I would love the opportunity to see your show but that is not possible. I always felt that Wonthaggi had a spirit that made people feel comfortable, accepted, no matter who or what you were or did. I think this has come from its original background of a sharing farming community and a wonderful group of hard working people who worked the mines, made richer by the many immigrants who worked and lived in the town and all being accepted and supporting each other. I hope Wonthaggi never loses this community spirit. I wish I had the ability to do what you are doing, in Bacchus Marsh. People move here and they immediately love the town because, I believe, of its community spirit and willingness to help each other and I think it is at a crossroads between what it is now and what it will become. It is only one suburb away now from being included in the city of Melbourne. I am sure time will change that. Keep up the good work!!
Margaret Murray
‘Councillors must hold their nerve’
February 13, 2021 –
Brilliant and balanced summation, Neil. I hope all readers will contact their councillors asap!
Anne Heath Mennell
I do hope that all residents in Bass Coast rally behind you Neil and contact Councillors regarding the lack of adherence to existing policies.
We do need to retain our precious green spaces and mindful of the effects involved.
Joy Button
Great summary article Neil. Very helpful to lay out the situation so we can all contact our local Councillors to express our outrage and demand they vote to reject this weak Officers report that ignores our policies and community concerns
Lauren Burns
Must we keep digging, dragging and extracting the treasures out of our Earth and leave it naked? We are already losing insects, birds, precious animals as we destroy their homes. Can humans stop, take stock and begin to replace the plundered vegetation; to invite the birds, insects and animals back?
Felicia Di Stefano
On the Shore of the Wide World
February 13, 2021 –
Fiona, that was another wonderful long- form article for the Bass Coast Prize for Non- Fiction 2020. Yours was superb. Please keep on writing !!!
Phyllis Papps
Thank-you, a great story..... I loved to read the Bass history.
Jenny Bramich
Great piece of writing Fiona (as always from you). You bring Bass alive. I recall visiting your parent’s farm the night before your sister’s wedding to drop something important off.
Edward Buckingham
Thank you for your wonderful story re the family history of your time living at Bass. As I drive towards Bass from San Remo and look down to the left I will try to visualise what the area would have looked like all those years ago. You certainly did bring Bass alive for us all.
Sandra Thorley
Thanks for reading and commenting, Sandra. I experienced that stunning view you describe between San Remo and Bass daily during my secondary schooling and I loved it then as I do now; it is never the same and even better since the Anderson bypass.
Fiona Power
Congratulations on writing a fine piece on not only your early life but a social history of an important but little known area in Bass Coast, Fiona. Few people would be aware that a thriving port and township once existed at Bass Landing.
Meryl Tobin
Thanks Meryl. You are right about Bass Landing. Some of the oral history was still circulating when I was a child and fortunately Bass Valley historians captured quite a bit. I understand some houses were moved to Wonthaggi.
Your comment means a great deal as I recall reading and responding to your contributions to education publications when I was a student, then being stunned to meet you and realise that authors were real people - who could live locally - and not just names.
Fiona Power
Thank you Fiona, a terrific piece about a very special place.
Chris Buckingham
Well done, Fiona, what’s next? I am sure you will continue to write!
Mikaela Power
Shame on YOU!
Feb 13 2021 –
YES. Shame indeed on everyone (including people with privileged positions of power in politics)
Being an elder of the LGBTIQI+ community- I need to re-iterate: it is NOT a shame to be an integral member of society and the community we all live in.
The Marriage Equality Act was passed in late 2019.
Shame on everyone who is still bigoted, biased, the religious fanatics and those who are racist, sexist, and have total disregard for equality irrespective of race, gender, sex, nationality etc.
SHAME. It's time to move on. You are no longer in the majority.
Phyllis Papps
Well done Harriet to highlight those who chose to abstain. Their salaries are paid by the tax payer... what a cop out
Nola Smith
From what I've read about this subject, one of the problems with the bill is that it will prevent parents from discussing the issue with their children if/when they come out as gay. Unfortunately, a lot of Labor bills, etc. go for the sledgehammer to crack a walnut option. Tone it down and let families make their own decisions. There are certain "conversions" that should be made illegal, so do the work to single them out.
Pamela Jacka
Thank you, Harriet for championing difference and minorities in our society. I agree with Alexander Solzhenitsyn that we are here to help each other. To abstain is to walk past the potential harm such a law can cause and walking past is as good as an approval of that harm.
Felicia Di Stefano
Yes! Thanks Harriet, for so many years of tireless leadership and implementing real change. Keep at it.
Geoff Ellis
Dog versus snake
Feb 13, 2021
A happy story Geoff and thanks for sharing. My dear border collie died in July mid lockdown and it has taken 7 months to consider a "replacement" a mini foxie more suited to my strength. May our dogs happily reign over our lives never aware of how much we worry about them when they are away from our protective laps.
James Glover
What a lovely story, thanks for sharing. And yes one lucky dog, who is living the life.
Sunny
Roy sounds like a handful and also a heartfull! Nice little story Geoff.
Tim Herring
I enjoyed reading your story and find Roy very lovable. He found the right home.
Verena
The best of company
February 13, 2021 –
I love reading your stories Etsuko. They transport me to another world, your world, which is always a thoughtful and meaningful place to hang out in. Thanks for sharing your wonderful words once again. They continue to inspire me.
Anne Tindall
Hi Etsuko, I love your expression of the importance of friendship. I do enjoy the same and specially those people, who are so accepting that one can discuss any subject. I remember the time when we had a plum tree in our garden in Ferntree Gully. Hans made wine and after a while we tasted it. Oh it was so potent, that after a couple of little glasses I felt like I could fly. Enough said, I enjoy your words. Verena
Oz Day blues
Jan 30, 2021
Thank you Marg, I totally agree!
Susan Fowler
The reasons 26 January is not a good day for us to celebrate our National Day are manifold and have little directly to do with indigenous people. It is certainly not "Invasion Day" – the First Fleet landed on in Australia on 18 January so that's when the "invasion" started. What happened on 26 January was that the British founded a penal colony at Sydney Cove. Most countries – including the USA and India and many others – celebrate their National Day on the day they stopped being a colony, We are the only country on the planet that celebrates on the day we started being a colony! This is pretty sick! What happened on 26 January was something the British did, not something Australians did, so what are Australians celebrating it for? Indeed there was no Australia then and until about forty years later. Why are we celebrating an event that took place before we even existed? A valid Australia Day must of course be inclusive of and recognise the long custodianship of our Indigenous people, but it must also be meaningful for other Australians too. A rabble of sad convicts huddling on an alien shore is not an event worth a National Celebration!
Ian Robinson
Well said Marg. Sadly the comments by John Cobbledick reflect that same old paternalistic diatribe more fitting for centuries of old. Why is it that some people ignore history that doesn’t interest them, discounting other peoples’ past and legacy, yet find it absolutely valid to reflect upon ANZAC day, Christmas, Easter and the myriad of other important historic events? There is so much that White Australian’s enjoy that has been built upon First Nation Peoples backs and land. Education nurtures understanding and empathy, I encourage Mr Cobbledick to dabble in the both heart wrenching history of the frontier wars and the incredible humanity that Aboriginal people continue to bring to the table despite the impacts of colonists and their ilk.
Jim Barritt
Out of respect for our First People and our shame the date of Australia Day must and will change
Anne Davie
Forget all the squabbling about which date to celebrate our nations rich heritage. I feel that we will only truly become on when there is an aboriginal auntie as our leader. They seem to display a far greater sense of reality than the old white blokes who historically and currently hold the power.
Mark Robertson
"It is time for Australians to decide that the Majority rules, so we can became a Democracy again."
Again? Though sometimes a great nation, Australia has never been a great democracy. Before 1788 it was a collection of nations, from 1788 to 1901 a collection of colonies and since 1901 a federalized Commonwealth with all that gerrymandering and control by special interests. Remember when Senator Harradine had the final say? Or Fred Nile in NSW and Bjelke Peterson in QLD?
Who actually wanted us to go to war in Iraq or Afghanistan?
Commonwealth refers to "public welfare, general good or advantage" and I see little evidence to disprove the old adage that "the rich get richer". As for the poor, does history have to repeat?
Geoff Ellis
Thank you, Marg Lynn for your excellent piece. As for John Cobbledick, I was looking for something in what you wrote that I could agree with, and I found it. It is, 'How can there be TOTAL EQUALITY if only one side gives and keeps giving and the other keeps taking?' Just think about it, John, Europeans took the land from the First People and pretended that they didn't exist, by calling it Terra Nullius, empty land. And the Aboriginal people are still having so much taken from them, including freedom. But so many First Nations people give and would give much more if only we would let them, for example, it is now being recognised the fire reduction burning is not effective because of the way it is carried out. When Aborginal people have been allowed to share their knowledge of the correct burning techniques, land and lives are saved.
Yes, John, there is no equality when people such as you want to take and expect others to give their heritage away.
Bron Dahlstrom
Go Marg! Lucid and persuasive.
Lynda Campbell
There is no date this criminal occupation can celebrate, not while it remains a continuing monumental crime scene, unresolved it demeans and diminishes everyone, everything we do a as a people, community, nation is tainted, no human rights recognition for the first peoples means no human rights recognition for all the people here. Stop the lies, genocide, ecocide.
"Lets make the date" one we can be all proud of.
Les Patterson
No Place Like Home
January 28, 2021
Karen, a beautifully written non-fiction piece that was Highly Commended by the judges of the Bass Coast Prize for Non-fiction 2020 (Catherine Watson, Geoff Ellis and Anne Heath-Mennell)
This is just a brief extract of their comments:
"An exploration of home. Can we ever know a place that we didn’t grow up in, or do we need the stories and traditions we grow up with? The author wrestles with a sense of alienation and the conundrum of knowing that to her children this IS home. She broadens it by including other people’s experiences, a friend who is a third generation Bass Coaster and a Bunurong elder who gives her some sage advice. Amusing at times and also thought-provoking."
Congratulations for entering the competition twice and for receiving Special Commendations twice. Next time- first Prize. !!!!
Phyllis Papps
Many thanks to Editor Watson for this great opportunity to reread a delightful consideration of "home'. A beautiful piece that grows. More please.
Geoff Ellis
Love, thank you Karen
Tricia Hogan
Karen, I love this. Such a beautiful essay about home, belonging and our complicated relationships with place. Thank you.
Julie Constable
Wonderful to re-read this, Karen. I am one of the 14.4% of Bass Coasters born overseas, like you, from the North of England. (I'm from Yorkshire - you?) I share so many of your thoughts and experiences but you have expressed them so lyrically, much better than I could. This is a heartfelt exploration and a wonderful read. Congratulations.
Anne Heath Mennell
Thank you for visiting!
Jan 30, 2021 –
As one of the Hoodie volunteers he has no sympathy from me. We have lost all the chicks so far this year. And I have been abused beyond belief for trying to do what I can to help their survival.
Susan Fowler
That point also highlights a message that isn't getting through to locals like this gentleman - the noisy, abundant birds on our lawns are NOT Hooded Plovers. They are now called Masked Lapwings. For many years, they were known as Spur-Winged Plovers, hence the confusion.
Hooded Plovers are tiny, shy and live on the beach. We need to keep publicising the difference. (Sorry, slightly off-topic, but important. )
Julie Thomas
Thank you Catherine for an absolutely priceless, well written and funny article. Made my day and feel so much better that others feel the same.
When we walk Bobby during these visiting times, and say good morning to fellow walkers and when they do not , Richard says .... City People.
Your article sums it all up. Thank you for making my day and creating a burst of sunshine on an overcast day. We all need to laugh at ourselves.
Joy Button
YES !! Glad they have gone. They might contribute to the economy, to tourism etc. etc. BUT they don't give anything back to the community, to the environment, AND to our special place. Totally destroyed by selfish people who don't even live here.
Another observation is: that many visitors become very aggressive if confronted regarding their disregard of Local Laws etc. etc.
For an elderly person (or any other person) I find this behaviour very upsetting.
Phyllis Papps
As a fellow kiwi i am just so proud of you that you managed a 12 point turn, well done😀
Lynne
Bass Coast is now officially a peri-urban area and Wonthaggi a designated regional growth centre. Council is embarking on a campaign to attract even more visitors and development and Wonthaggi's population is expected to double in the next few years. Without proper planning for improved roads and other infrastructure, the current 'holiday' congestion will last all year. I suspect we are living in the 'good old days' right now, so enjoy it while we can.
Anne Heath Mennell
The Bass Coast sound
Jan 30, 2021
Sounds wonderful and will be happy to attend. Keep up with song making.
Joan Woods
an a amazing project, so looking forward to the launch, it looks a very powerful acknowledgement of place
Nerida Melsmith
Picture this
Jan 30, 2021
Geoff, another wonderful, superb and descriptive article that is matched with fantastic photos. Love from all of us at Rhyll.
Phyllis Papps
When I first moved t Inverloch there were so many things to do and groups to join in the area that I joined too many. It was crazy, I was enjoying it, but I needed to rationalise. Camera club was one of the groups I gave up. Geoff's article is enticing. Maybe I need to return. Thank you Geoff
Bron Dahlstrom
Thanks Bron, The BCAS camera group is all about enjoying photography in interesting places, sharing the adventure and learning a bit along the way. Maybe you can suggest some places to visit ?
Geoff Ellis
Megabits empower the people
Jan 30, 2021
Great article. Thank you for the read.
Vanessa Shipway
Another brilliant article, Neil. Always informative, factually based and spot on with your comments. I'm keeping everything crossed for the decision to go the right way.and we can put down our pens, at least for a little while ...
Anne Heath Mennell
Our dearly departed
Jan 30, 2021
Wow - that's a lot of close-acquaintance deaths.
And it reminds me that I too could "eff off" any time, any place.
Sue P
My day in court
Jan 30, 2021
Surely a case of the penknife being mightier than the sword.......
Mark Robertson
A good story well told.
Dad
Remo revisited
Jan 30, 2021
Thanks to Catherine for publishing these "memoirs". All throughout I have neglected to mention that my four "water conveyances" (aka a rubber dinghy and 3 ever longer "tinnies" were named after my two lovely daughters Sara and Narelle. A continuation of a family tradition in that our plastics moulding business was Kevron.. (Keytags to the world!!)
Kevin Chambers
Thanks Kevin for another fascinating write up about my favourite place in Victoria which we visited all the time when we bought block on Cape Woolamai Estate. Unmade roads, dunny in a box with pan collection and our kids grew up loving every minute of their holidays there. 21 years ago we finally bought in San Remo for our planned retirement years and loved living there, you soon become part of the community and now our sons and grand children come whenever they can escape the city. It's their holiday home they tell me. Haven't offered to pay the rates yet!! For medical reasons we now spend some time in Melb but back to SR every time we are able to. To just sit in our lounge watching the world go bye as we enjoy the view across Weston Port Bay and the bridge lit up at night is not a bad way to enjoy life. Time goes so quickly if you live there enjoy it. I'm always amazed how few people walk on San Remo beach it's fabulous to walk it whether summer or winter yet we usually only share it with handful of dog walkers.
Chris Day
History draws a crowd
Jan 30, 2021
Congratulations to all at WDHS! What a huge year you have had with your extension, moving everything around and then kickstarting such a great talks program during the summer. I am only sorry I am not able to get there atm, but very much looking forward to doing so once I have the right gear. I am very curious to see how the bigger museum space is working for your wonderful collection.
Christine Grayden