Garness returns, but still doubts over team
St Michaels have been buoyed by the return of fast bowler Dave Garness for the 2016-17 season.
Dave Garness, pictured bowling for St Michaels in 2014, will be back at the Wagga club for the upcoming season.
Garness has returned to the club following a year in Cootamundra with Ex-Servicemans.
He can’t wait to get back involved in a higher standard of cricket.
“I am pretty keen to get back over and started,”Garness said.“I missed the competitiveness of it.
“I enjoy the boys at St Micks and while I enjoyed playing in Coota it wasn’t as strong as Wagga.”
Garnessis looking to help the team go on step further after they were beaten by Lake Albert in last season’s grand final.
Coach Ryan Forsyth expects he will be a big boost for the team’s bowling ranks.
“He decided to stay in Cootamundra last year with some family commitments he hadbut he is really excited and keen to come back, make an impact,” Forsyth said.
Doubt remains over the availability of Angus Le Lievre, who is weighing up a move to Canberra, after making a big impact in the second half of last season.
Forsyth believes Garness would be an ideal replacement in the bowling ranks ifLe Lievre doesn’t play.
“The fact that we have Dave would almost replaceAngus in terms of his bowling,” Forsyth said.
“In terms of his batting we’d just have to find a couple of bats to fill the void.”
With the seasondelayed dueto the wet weather, there is plenty of uncertainty surrounding who will line up for last season’s grand finalists.
Chase Grintell has moved to South Wagga while Fraser Noack and Rhys Lloyd have both left with university commitments.
Another with uni commitments is Tom Byrnes, but he is expected to return.
“I am confident we will get him back,” Forsyth said.
“He is a junior and has really enjoyed his time here, particularly last year but first are foremost are his commitments in Sydney.
“He travels back for footy and it is a huge commitment for him.”
Despite uncertainty over the team,Forsyth is confident the Saints will once again be pushing their claims for the title.
With a number of changesthis year, Forsyth expects a fairly even competition.
“I reckon it will be a really even comp this year from what I’ve heard in terms of player movements,” he said.
“That is pretty exciting and the fact that the association has got together and revamped the draw, the Twenty20, which won’t be happening this year, the one-day final and the points system just makes it exciting.”
The club is yet to lock in a captain for the season, with James Elliott yet to commit to the role again.
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Racing NSW to the rescue
TOUGH TIMES: Wagga trainer Gary Colvin and his staff evacuate horses from his stables over the October long weekend as flood waters hit. Picture: Colvin RacingRACING NSW have come to the rescue of Southern District racing participants and delivered an emergency funding relief package as a form of compensation for washed out meetings.
Southern District experienced a month like no other when it went through September without a single meeting, with nine consecutive wash outs as constant rain wreaked havoc on the region.
Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’Landys AM announced on Tuesday an emergency funding relief package of up to $500,000 for trainers and owners in the Southern District Racing Association (SDRA).
This comes on top of additional race meetings that have been scheduled where possible.
V’Landys, who is on a working holiday in the United States, said Racing NSW wanted to help where they can.
“The funding relief is a response to the uncharacteristically high rate of abandoned race meetings in the Southern and Western regions in the past six weeks,” V’Landys said.
“The incredibly high rate of abandonments has affected trainers in particular, who have to pay their staff and continue running costs.
“Racing NSW is fully committed to our participants and this was the appropriate action to compensate the trainers and their owners.”
Racing NSW have identified horses that had accepted in cancelled meetings and will contact trainers in coming weeks to organise relief.
A $1000 payment will be made with $500 going to the owner, and $500 to the trainer.
There is also funding available on application for any significant storm damage caused to a trainer’s property or supplies by the rain, wind or flooding.
Wagga trainer Gary Colvin has been out his stables for the past week and will soon start the clean up after flood waters forced he and his team out.
He was pleased to hear about Racing NSW’s funding package.
“It’s bloody great,” Colvin said.
“It’s great to see them do that sort of stuff.
“It’s hard on the owners too, not just the trainers, because their horses aren’t running. We’ve been poking around for a couple of months without racing and they have got to pay the bills. We miss out on the cream because we’re missing out on percentages.
“Both parties have suffered pretty bad.”
Colvin said relief packages like these help give owners confidence in the racing industry.
“We’ve got to keep people involved in racing,” he said.
“Calling off these races, people start shaking their heads and it’s hard on everyone.”
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Wet weathers adds fuel to fire
Central Victoria is likely to experience rapidly escalating fire behaviour in late summer fuelled by excessive growth, predicted thunderstorms and late heat waves.
Emergency Management Victoria is preparing for a shorter but more intense fire season, with fire agencies currently planning fuel control.
Ballarat’s wettest September on record has fuelled extreme growth in the area which is expected to dry out in mid-summer causing extreme concern for fire authorities.
The Bureau of Meteorology’smanager of climate prediction Dr Andrew Watkins toldThe Courierabove average bushfire potential was predicted for the whole of Victoria –particularly Central and Western Victoria.
“We’ve actually had very good rainfall into winter and early spring temperatures have been a bit warmer than normal causing good vegetation growth,” Dr Watkins said.
While cooler weather is expected to continue for a few months the excess growth will start to dry out mid summer.
“We have had more growth than usual,and as we head into summer the rainfall and cooler temperatures mean the fire season might start later than normal,” Dr Watkins said.
“Last year we had fires in October, we haven’t seen any so far but we can expect the season to start much closer to the start of summer.”
The Southern Australia Season Bushfire outlook, published before the major rainfall, says the areas above average rainfall coupled with an 80 per cent chance of above average temperatures indicates strong late spring drying is likely in forest areas including the Wombat Forest and Otway Range.
“When we get into mid to late summer the warm temperatures and less rainfall may mean that extra growth will start to dry out,” Dr Watkins said.
A spokeswoman for the state’s emergency services commissioner Craig Lapsley said the next outlook would be released in November.
“The Bushfire Natural Hazards CRC Seasonal Outlook has predicted an above average fire season for Victoria,” she said.
“Even with the recent and continuing rainfall an above average season is still a chance though the season is likely to be later and a little shorter.
“The areas of Victoria not under water will start to dry out as the weather warms, promoting growth and potential fire risk across the State. Traditionally, Victoria’s worst period for fire is in January and February. It is something the fire agencies are aware of and continuing to plan for.”
DELWP has been contacted for comment.
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‘I got it wrong’: Mike Baird on greyhound racing ban
The NSW greyhound industry will be given “one final chance” by the Baird government under a new regime being touted as “the strictest regulations that exist anywhere in the country”.
Premier Mike Baird declared “I got it wrong” while confirming he would back down on his original promise to close down the industry from July next year.
Instead, Mr Baird said the industry would need to sign up to mandatory life bans and increased jail terms for live baiting and registering greyhounds for their entire lives.
A new independent regulator will be headed by former Labor premierMorris Iemma. There will be more resources for enforcement and prosecution and animal welfare.
“I got it wrong, we got it wrong, the cabinet got it wrong and the government got it wrong,” Mr Baird said.
Mr Baird said he knew a lot of people will be disappointed by the back down but said “we are listening”.
Greyhound racing ban backdown confirmed after cabinet meetingThe Baird government has confirmed a backdown of its ban on greyhound racing in NSW following a sustained campaign of media and industry pressure.
The dramatic backflipcomes despite Premier Mike Baird’s repeatedclaims that the decisionwas final and a matter of principle andit was”locked in” that the industry would be shutdown on July 1, 2017.
Mr Baird announced the ban earlier thisyear following a special commission of inquiry report that found 68,000 greyhounds had been euthanised in the past 12 yearsbecause they could not, or were too slow, to race.
But he hasfaced immense pressure from the Opposition, media outlets and the industrysince the announcement, withexpectations of a large swing against the government at the November 12 Orange byelection. Read on
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‘I got it wrong’: Mike Baird on greyhound racing ban
The NSW greyhound industry will be given “one final chance” by the Baird government under a new regime being touted as “the strictest regulations that exist anywhere in the country”.
Premier Mike Baird declared “I got it wrong” while confirming he would back down on his original promise to close down the industry from July next year.
Instead, Mr Baird said the industry would need to sign up to mandatory life bans and increased jail terms for live baiting and registering greyhounds for their entire lives.
A new independent regulator will be headed by former Labor premierMorris Iemma. There will be more resources for enforcement and prosecution and animal welfare.
“I got it wrong, we got it wrong, the cabinet got it wrong and the government got it wrong,” Mr Baird said.
Mr Baird said he knew a lot of people will be disappointed by the back down but said “we are listening”.
Greyhound racing ban backdown confirmed after cabinet meetingThe Baird government has confirmed a backdown of its ban on greyhound racing in NSW following a sustained campaign of media and industry pressure.
The dramatic backflipcomes despite Premier Mike Baird’s repeatedclaims that the decisionwas final and a matter of principle andit was”locked in” that the industry would be shutdown on July 1, 2017.
Mr Baird announced the ban earlier thisyear following a special commission of inquiry report that found 68,000 greyhounds had been euthanised in the past 12 yearsbecause they could not, or were too slow, to race.
But he hasfaced immense pressure from the Opposition, media outlets and the industrysince the announcement, withexpectations of a large swing against the government at the November 12 Orange byelection. Read on
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McLean Care requests limited visits
McLean Care has advisedsome of their residents have recently been diagnosed as being infected with the Influenza virus in Beresford Coward Hostel.
McLean Care are asking if family of residents believe they have been have been in contact with people with influenza-like symptoms recently, to please not visit the residential facilities whilst we care for your loved ones, and continue our risk minimisation protocols.
“McLean Care has specific protocols in place, including annual influenza immunisation for both staff and residents, and stringent hygiene practices, but occasionally the virus, which is a particularly determined bug, still manages to reach us.” general manager of residential services Sarah Wade said.
“We certainly don’t want to alarm anyone, and wish to reassure families and the wider community that we are doing everything that we can to contain the spread of the virus, and comfort and care for our residents who are infected, and make them as comfortable as possible until their illness has passed.”
As most people are aware, Influenza is a highly infectious virus that spreads through droplets caused by sneezing or coughing, and symptoms develop rapidly, within 2-3 days. An infected person can be infectious for a few days, and may transmit the virus, one to two days before the onset of their own symptoms.
Influenza is a particular risk of serious illness to people 65 years of age and over, those of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent who are 50 years of age and over, residents in long term health care facilities such as residential aged care, and individuals who have complex health conditions.
McLean Care will contact the families of infected residents, and maintain open communication with them as to their health and wellbeing. If any family members of residents have any concerns, they are invited to contact McLean Care for further information and updates.
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NSW Senior State Cup locked in
Locked in: Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has secured hosting rights for the NSW Senior State Cup.Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has secured a further 12 months hosting rights for the NSW Senior State Cup touch football competition. 
The announcement comes amid future planning for sports fields across the Hastings after council was given 18 months to vacate Tuffins Lane –the home of the Senior State Cup.
A three year contract to host the NSW Senior State Cup was awarded to Port Macquarie in 2013 and NSW Touch Association General Manager Dean Russell said he was pleased to announce this arrangement will continue for a fourth year.
“We have an excellent and very long standing relationship with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council and we are look forward to more great football during the Senior State cup competition in December of this year and now in 2017 as well,”Mr Russell said.
Mayor Peter Besseling said the extension is a result of council’s commitment to supporting local and high level sports competition and the solid relationship that has been developed with NSW Touch.
“Council is grateful for the support of the Port Macquarie Touch Association which plays a big role in supporting this event and the NSW Junior State Cup which is under contract until 2018,” Cr Besseling said.
“Council is committed to continuing to work with the sporting community, event partners and the broader community to ensure our sporting facilities deliver short term, medium term and long term options to position Port Macquarie Hastings as a premier sporting destination.”
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Pampas chickpeas on track
ON TRACK: Wayne Melton says the wet weather has presented plenty of challenges for this year’s chickpea crop on Culverthorpe, Pampas.FARM manager Wayne Melton says ongoingwet weather has presented plenty of challenges forthis year’s chickpea crop on Culverthorpe, Pampas, but he is confident it will be a repeat of last year’s 3 tonne/hectare harvest.
Mr Melton said the PBA HatTrick variety chickpeas had been planted on irrigation hills at 1m centres and coped relatively well in persistent wet weather.
“The cropwill certainly be late because of the wet weather,” Mr Melton said.“We’ll probablyharvest inlate November but its looking pretty good considering what we have been through.Even in the best season, chickpeas can be hard to manage but we’re on track to repeat last year’s 3tharvest.”
The 40hacrop, which is currently in flower, was planted following last year’s cotton crop. It has been sprayed three times to combat wet weather related diseases.
PBA HatTrickis an ascochyta resistant desi chickpea that is described as being well suited to the current chickpea growing areas in southern Queensland andnorthern NSW.HatTrickis the first variety to combine moderate to high levels of resistance to the two key diseases ascochyta blight and phytophthora root rot. According to Pulse Australia, more than 95pcof thechickpea crop is exported.
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Barista and bartender alert
A SCHOLARSHIP of$20,000 is up for grabs for a talented young Hunter Valleyhospitality professional or hospitality hopeful.
The Australian Hotels Association (AHA) NSWin conjunction with Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School (BMIHMS) is calling for nominations for the 2016 Tourism and Hospitality Scholarship.
The winner of the $20,000 award,targeted at recent school leavers living in regional NSW, will undertake a 2.5 year Bachelor of Business Degree at the BMIHMS.
The scholarship grant goes towards the costs of accommodation associated with the degree.
AHA NSW CEO John Whelan said the scholarship was a life-changing opportunity to kick-start a career in an important and dynamic industry.
“If you are just about to finish school, or have recently finished, and dream of working in hospitality throw your hat in the ring,” Mr Whelan said.
“Our industry is fortunate to be made up of many talented men and women who got their start in regional NSW.
“This scholarship is a way we can give back to regional communities and ensure we have the quality people to lead us in the future.”
Entries close on 28 October and are open to any young male or female living in regional NSW.
Applicants can be 17 when applying but must be over the age of 18 when the degree commences.
Hopefuls can nominate themselves, or be nominated by an employer or someone else who thinks they would be a worthy recipient.
They can already be working in a pub, or a student keen to get a foot in the hospitality door. For further information – or an application form – contact the AHA NSW scholarship co-ordinator on (02) 8218 1877 or email [email protected]南京夜网419论坛
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Reforms or extinction an easy decision
PARTY TIME: Greyhound breeders, owners, trainers and supporters celebrate NSW Premier Mike Baird’s decision on Tuesday. Photo: JUDE KEOGH
ORANGE’S greyhound owners, trainers and breeders pledged to preservetheir industry by adhering to stricter rules and regulations after NSW Premier Mike Baird repealed his controversial ban on racing.
Mr Baird on Tuesday scrapped his Government’splans to abolishracing in the state on July 1 next year, instead granting greyhound stakeholders what he termed ‘one last chance’ to regulate themselves and rub out all traces of animal cruelty.
The Premier’s conditions –to be refined by a Greyhound Industry Reform Panel chaired by former premier Morris Iemma –will likely include a reduction in the number of tracks, a bond on every dog bred, birth-to-death registering requirements and mandatory life bans and increased jail terms for those found guilty of live baiting.
David Pringle, who breeds 30 pups per year at his Clergate property, believes the reforms will cause only “a little suffering” for those whose livelihoods are tied to the state’s 34 tracks.
“The authorities have already been reforming greyhound racing for the past 18 months,” Mr Pringle said, noting breeding had been halved in that period.
“I’m sure everybody in the industry will work with what we’ve been given.”
The exception, according to Mr Pringle, was the mooted $1500 bond on all pups, which would financially cripple breeders and “shut down the industry” if instituted.
Colin Miller, who hasowned, trained and bred greyhoundsfor 40 years, said Tuesday’s decisionvindicated the industry’s three-month fight.
“They thought we were just going to roll over and take it but we showed them,” Mr Miller said.
“There was a lot at stake and we were always going to fight it.”
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Attendees quiz Eppalock candidates
RELATED:
Lockwood candidates speak at City of Greater Bendigo election forumCommunity groups survey Bendigo council candidatesBendigo residents hear from Whipstick ward candidatesAttendees made the most of anopportunity toquestioncandidates for the Eppalock ward of the City of Greater Bendigo.
More than 30 minutes of the two-hour forum at Strathdale Community Centre on Tuesday were devoted to questions from the audience.
Queriesranged from whether or notcandidates were part of a voting blocto their transparency in financial and policy decisions,andknowledge of rate capping.
The eight participating candidates raced through the questions set by the event organisers, which raised thetopics of climate change and the environment, integrated transport and cultural diversity and governance.
Yvonne Wrigglesworth,Rosemary Glaisher,Helen Leach,Susie Hawke,Mark Weragoda,Brenton Johnson,Margaret O’Rourke andGeoff Stephens took part in the forum.
George Flack and Colin Carrington did not attend.
The Eppalock forum was the third and final ofa series of pre-election events organised by the Bendigo Sustainability Group, Progress Bendigo and Bike Bendigo.
Lockwood candidates featured the night before, and Whipstick ward candidates spoke the week prior.
The forums builton asurvey,which asked candidates questions based on the council’senvironment, cultural diversity, land use and transport, and housing strategies and plans.
All 10of the Eppalock ward candidates submitted responses, of which Margaret O’Rourke’swas highest ranked.
Full responses are available on theBendigo Sustainability Group website.
The City of Greater Bendigo council election is on October 22.
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Dragon boaters enjoy day on Burrendong
Lachlan Dragons dragon boaters Warren Edwards, Claire Davis, Canadian coach Kamini Jain and Donna Edwards.Three of our Lachlan Dragons, Warren and Donna Edwards and Claire Davis, experienced a fantastic weekend at Burrendong Dam, where they were welcomed by Pinnacle Dragons of Orange, along with representatives from many other NSW clubs for two days of camping and coaching over the October long weekend. 
Dragon boating is one of those sports where many different teams can come together in a situation of real friendship and connection – and Burrendong was certainly conducive to such bonding.
Among the crews were members from Dubbo, Forbes, Orange, Bathurst, Lithgow, Sydney, Wagga Wagga and Wollongong.
Renowned Canadian coach, Kamini Jain, provided each of the 39 paddlers with individual tuition and guidance, with hints on how to correct any faults and improve their paddling techniques.
“We were a little concerned about the weather forecast when we headed out of Parkes in rain on Friday afternoon,” Donna admitted, “but we were on the water by nine o’clock on Saturday morning and, although the day was yet quite brisk, the waters were calm and Lake Burrendong, at 126 per cent capacity, looked magnificent.”
Under Kamini’s excellent coaching the paddlers could feel their techniques improving, and each paddler’s performance was filmed for individual evaluation and discussion.
“The afternoon paddle was smooth and surreal,” stated Warren,“It was the most peaceful and relaxing feeling, with us being the only ones on the Lake, apart from the birdlife and an occasional fish breaking the calm surface.”
After the paddling each day, the paddlers enjoyed the camaraderie of camping experiences in a welcoming and cosy atmosphere, with all meals provided, a roaring outdoor fire and the fun of camping games.
On Sunday morning, with daylight saving just ushered in, the keen paddlers were on the water by half past eight for further drills to enhance their newly acquired skills.
Although this mixed bunch of paddlers had at first seemed a bit of a motley crew, by Sunday they had come to resemble something close to two professional crews.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the skills passed onto us by Kamini,” said Warren, “The results, by Sunday, were spectacular and I really feel that Kamini was proud of her efforts and success.”
“It was a great weekend of learning from Kamini,” agreed Claire, “as well as from each other.
“And it was a real joy to feel part of this group as we watched each other’s skills develop.”
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In council this week…
NEW TERM: Council will sit to address its first full business agenda since the election of Ken Halstead as mayor and Ian Scandrett as deputy mayor, pictured with general manager Ann Prendergast. Photo: Victoria LeeCoal miningTWO notices of motion will address community concerns about coal mining in the Southern Highlands.
Councillors Garry Turland, Duncan Gair and Peter Nelson will put forward that council request the state government to buy back Hume Coal’s lease and implement a moratorium on further activities by prospective mining companies.
Councillor Larry Whipper has submitted a separate motion that council reconfirm its position as being a “coal mine free shire”. The motion also asks council to contact the minister for planning and amend the Wingecarribee Local Environmental Plan (LEP) to prohibit future mining activity and lobby the state government for “a prohibition on coal mining, coal extraction and coal exploration”.
Bowral hospitalCOUNCILLOR Gordon Markwart has called for a meeting with key health industry representatives to address the proposed privatisation of Bowral and District Hospital.
His notice of motion requests council seek assurances that staff numbers will not be reduced andservices will not suffer. He has suggested council hold a meeting with Minister for Health Jillian Skinner, Goulburn MP Pru Goward and Wollondilly MP Jai Rowell.
Council recordingTHE cost to buy a recording of a council meeting is expected to be confirmed at $5.
This follows a motion in the last term of council to reduce the fee from $50 as in the 2016/17 fees and charges schedule, to $5.
A report prepared by council staff recommends the price reduction be accepted.
Fitzroy InnA COUNCIL report recommends approval of changes to the Fitzroy Inn development in Mittagong.
The development application includes construction of six new buildings containing four hotel suites, car parking, driveways, drainage and landscaping.
A modification of consent has been requested for changes to thelocation of severalbuildings andthe driveway and car park.
As the development is compliant, councillors are recommended to approve it.
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