Camilla's Column -

Meet Gabrielle Boyd-From Warialda to Welshpool

Meet Gabrielle Boyd, a strong, competent and determined woman, who played a significant role towards incorporating gender equality into the Australian Rugby League and through love, ended up principal of the innovative Welshpool and District Primary School.

Gabbi was born and raised in the attractive, small town of Warialda; an aboriginal name translating to ‘Place of wild honey’. Warialda is situated in the North West Slopes region of New South Wales and has a population of approximately fifteen hundred people. To this day, Gabbi’s ageing parents remain in the family home, while their offspring have flown the coop in different directions. Visiting each other has sadly been impossible throughout the pandemic.

Finally I’ve seen the light

I cannot believe, having food shopped for a good thirty-five years, I was oblivious to the easy solution to one of my most frustrating annoyances in life! A friend kindly put me out of my misery last week. I’m almost too embarrassed to write of my former dilemma, but if there are others like me with their heads in the sand, I wish to pay my enlightenment forward. Believe me, your food shopping experience will forever revolutionise.

My problem lay with plastic, produce bags. Yes I know, plastic is not ideal, however I reuse these bags, often twice. Trying to pull them apart in an attempt to reveal their opening was an exasperating, time-consuming task that had me cursing profusely under my breath. Simply put, it drove me insane!

Nina is in town

A few weeks ago I received an email from BreastScreen Victoria stating I was due for my biannual routine check-up. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly these appointments come around! Feeling uninspired, but knowing it was in my best interests, I promptly booked wishing to have the procedure done and dusted. Three days prior to my appointment I received a reminder text insisting I not forget to bring a mask. I doubted I would, as face masks were permanent fixtures across the board. Victoria was in yet another lockdown.

An Inspiring, Enthusiastic Craft Group At Your Doorstep

Twice a month a group of thirty or so motivated, jovial, skilled women of all ages, some well into their eighties, meet in Korumburra to interact and showcase their creations. Each bringing with them a plate of delectables, they happily engage, share feedback and evolve their passions in a friendly, inviting atmosphere.

The South Gippsland Spinners & Fibre Arts Group Inc. is a community of crafters. Re-forming approximately four years ago (many members have a forty year association with the area), enthusiasts stem from all over South Gippsland to join the knowledgeable and talented gathering. Often individuals bring new skill sets to the table, while others simply wish to learn a craft, which they’ve always wanted to tackle.

The Bay Gourmet-Jupiter Boulevard, Venus Bay

Meet Bridget Assender, a young, passionate, proficient woman, who materialised her dream and established The Bay Gourmet in beautiful Venus Bay. Having recently celebrated its 3rd anniversary, the food and wine store is a popular eatery among the coastal shopping village. Its warm, inviting ambiance feels a little European, while the teasing, fresh aromas wafting from the kitchen are incredibly enticing.

Pipis Art Gallery Launch.

The Tarwin Lower & District Community Health Centre, offering modalities for health and wellbeing, is excited and proud to launch Pipis Art Gallery. Featuring intriguing, beautiful, artwork created by local artists, the grand opening takes place on Saturday February 27th from 5.30 – 7pm and Saturday 28th from 11am – 1.30pm. Light refreshments and nibbles will be available to enjoy.

Our Local Dog Whisperer

Christine Grant, a passionate, wise, caring woman, has treasured a unique connection with canines since early childhood. She adores the four-legged creatures and could not image her life without them. Born and raised in Leongatha, Christine worked as a disability support worker for many years.

In 2000, after her daughter had left home, an opportunity arose too good to refuse. Christine, her partner and two cherished Labradors headed north on a road trip to work on a small cattle property in New South Wales.

Our coastlines need our help.

On Tuesday the 19th of January, a group of passionate, local conservationists gathered at Anderson Inlet foreshore, off Doyles Road in Venus Bay, to learn the ins and outs of mangroves. Tarwin Landcare invited enthusiasts to attend a mangroves presentation delivered by Greg Parry from Western Port Seagrass Partnership. The presentation was followed by the planting of a small pilot trial of mangrove seeds, which had been collected from local mangroves.

Are We Playing With Fire Hosting The Australian Open?

It’s been one year since the corona virus hit our shores and made itself known in dreadful, fatal ways. We’ve experienced periods of prolonged isolation, loss of employment and many businesses sadly folding, not to mention loved ones lost. Our economy is consequently suffering in view of 2020 with rising unemployment and high government debt.

Our mental and emotional states were tested across the board. Travel plans were cancelled and mandatory masks became a normality. We perceived the feeling of disconnection through much of turbulent 2020 and learned to decipher what’s most valuable and important in life.

Tarwin Lower & District Community Health Centre – east meets west

This distinctive building in Tarwin Lower, situated on sizable, leased shire land, was opened in 1991 and has since taken on a prominent role within the town and its surrounds. A union of conventional western medicine, traditional eastern medicine and various alternative therapies have increasingly become available, embracing a holistic approach toward the well-being and spiritual needs of the community.

Calling all movie buffs to support precious South Gippsland history.

The Tarwin Lower Mechanics Institute Hall was built in 1890 and is believed to be the oldest building in the South Gippsland Shire. Nestled within the town overlooking the Tarwin River, the hall sits on crown land and is heritage listed by the shire. Unfortunately, however, the shire is not responsible for the historic building. Consequently, the town hall’s five-member volunteer committee applies for available state and federal grants to cover necessary, critical hall upgrades and maintenance. Grant applications are scarce and competitive; therefore, the committee is not always successful.

Bowls starting up again in Tarwin Lower

The inviting Tarwin Lower Bowls Club Inc. embraces community gatherings and family fun, while playing lawn bowls in a stunning, rural location. After pleasurable bowling experiences, mesmerising, ever-changing sunsets take centre stage to complete the day.

Lawn bowls is a low impact, therapeutic exercise promoting fitness, coordination, skill, confidence, and community connectedness. Bowls is played for the challenge of competition, for personal, outdoor enjoyment and for social interaction.

A New, Welcoming Chapter for The Riverview Hotel.

It’s official! The historic Riverview Hotel, overlooking the picturesque river in Tarwin Lower, is reopening its familiar doors any day now.

Local couples, Dean & Robyn Ellen, and Dene & Julie Shiels, have breathed fresh life into the iconic establishment with innovation and creativity. Without giving too much away, a stunning transformation has occurred, all the while retaining the rustic, cosy ambiance of the hotel with its spectacular, renowned fireplace.

Meaningful Connections.-Camilla Hullick

It’s this time of year when appreciation and gratitude always tug at my heart strings. Christmas carols tend to have that power over me. The invaluable moments I was fortunate to enjoy among an agitated 2020, warmly gather in my mind and dominate my emotions. One of these pleasurable, reoccurring experiences was, and continues to be, the way I typically started my days around bouts of lockdown.

Goodbye 2020

Well, Christmas is once again upon our doorsteps, which means a new year is also just around the corner; a new, fresh year! How welcoming that rings. As much as I’ve put on a brave face for many months and adapted to the enforced corona-induced restrictions to the best of my ability, I’m excited to finally turn a corner. Surely each combined, healing measure we achieve will soon surmount to a positive, revised normality across the board.

Will 2021 be kinder to us?

Volunteers: Our Local Heroes

Throughout South Gippsland there are countless, unassuming, proactive people to be found if we take the time to notice. These souls, who often prefer to remain anonymous, give up their precious hours to quietly achieve outcomes greatly benefitting their communities.

Welcome Back Melbourne.

You could feel the jubilation in the air as South Gippsland came alive on the weekend. Melburnians were finally freed from ‘the ring of steel’ and ventured down to our beautiful part of the world in droves.

An Enchanting Road Garden-Camilla Hullick

Since relocating to South Gippsland many years ago, I regularly drive down a particular stretch of road which, especially in spring, never fails to take my breath away. Country roadsides typically display wild, overgrown flora between distinctive property entrances. This is my perception as I travel from Tarwin Lower to Leongatha – until I turn into Whitelaws Track in Leongatha South.

How Are Local, Small Businesses Surviving?

To state the past eight months have been challenging for our rural, small businesses is an understatement. Many were forced to temporarily shut their doors, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, while some have sadly remained closed. Countless businesses are presently surviving by the skin of their teeth through creatively thinking outside of the square.

Our Praiseworthy Opportunity Shops Need Our Help.

Whether these wonderful retail outlets are named op shops, thrift stores or charity shops, they are each a wonderful type of social enterprise, managed by philanthropic organisations to raise funds for worthy causes.

These venues grant the public a purposeful option to donate pre-loved belongings, while to shoppers, these stores are a paradise of miscellaneous treasures to lose oneself in, sometimes for hours on end. One of these commendable, local businesses is the St. Vincent de Paul Society Opportunity Shop in Leongatha.