REMEMBERING OUR DIGGERS: Christine Thomson, right, a grand-daughter of Bullah Vardy (pictured inset), at the Mawson Park Anzac Day ceremony with her daughter, Cheryl, and grandson, Harry Polglasse.AtPozieresin 1916, local soldier William ‘Bullah’ Vardy slumped in a muddy trench and scribbled in his pocket diary:‘‘Our men are making their attempt to take the German trenches. My God what a terrible bombardment. The sky is lit up for miles and the roar of the big guns would nearly deafen you. God pity the fallen tonight, it is terrible. This is a war of wars.’’
Going by the huge Anzac Day crowds on Monday, I’d say Bullah’s horrific experiences a century ago still resonate with us today.
There is no generation gap on April 25. Banners held high, school blazers on, I reckon students made up almost half the crowd at the Campbelltown service, and I’m sure it was similar at Camden and Wollondilly.
At Mawson Park I bumped into Harry Polglasse, the captain of John Therry Catholic High School at Rosemeadow. He’s also the great-great grandson of Bullah Vardy.
Harry was there with mum, Cheryl, and his nan, Christine Thomson (Vardy), who well remembers her grandfather, who died in 1971.But typical of many Diggers, Bullah wasn’t one to talk a lot about the horrors he had seen. “He never talked about the war,” Christine told me, “we only know things about Pa’s experiences from his diaries.”
Some of the people at the Anzac Day ceremonies held framed photographs of their Digger forebears, and wore their medals, as young and old mixed as one, remembering sacrifices of the past.
World War I has a special place in our national psyche because ofthe massive impact it had on our tiny nation: more than 60,000 killed and 150,000 wounded. That is staggering. In 1914, for example, less than 2000 men, women and children lived in the rural valley between Glenfield and Menangle Park. Yet 250 Campbelltonians served, 40 of them left in war graves.
If you want to get a picture of the impact, let’s translate it into the present population of Campbelltown: that would mean about 20,000 of our young men and women marching off and 4000 of them being killed. The maths are probably similar for Camden, and I can only imagine the wrench those sorts of figures had on the tiny villages of Wollondilly Shire.
As far Bullah Vardy, a bank teller from Allman Street in civilian life, he served with the 1st Field Artillery at Pozieres, which saw the heaviest artillery bombardment of the war. Few diggers emerged unaffected. ‘‘The shelling of Pozieres,’’ wrote war correspondent Charles Bean, ‘‘did not merely probe character and nerve; it laid them stark naked as no other experience ever did.’’
Here are just a few of Bullah’s 1916diary entries:
July 24:‘‘All our chaps have taken the village of Pozieres and dug themselves in. Four of us had to visit the front line, so here I am. By gum, it’s hot. Germans only a few hundred yards away. I have been in the front line all day.’’
July 25:‘‘Had a very rough night last night. I am running dispatches from the trenches to the battery with heavy shellfire. My officer wounded. Day before, three men from the battery wounded.’’
July 26:‘‘Last night was hell. Our boys again attacking and the casualties were heavy. Was buried by a big shell in my dugout. Men close by killed. While observing a number of bomb throwers through the glasses a sniper had shot at me and only missed by a few inches, but got poor chap behind me. Trenches full of dead and wounded.’’
Lest we forget them.
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Nancy Humphreys, KambrookThis story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.
LAUNCH CONCERT: Producer of music Valda Silvy and Western Sydney Opera Company founder and tenor, Lorenzo Rositano.The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre will be the backdrop for the launch concert of the new Western Sydney Opera Company next week.
The newly-formed company’s May 7 launch willfeature opera’s emerging artists performing operatic highlightsas well as songs from operetta and musical theatre.
The young cast will include Lorenzo Rositano,Paul Smith, Daniel Macey, Christopher Nazarian, Taryn Srhoj, Questra Mulqueeny and Allegra Giagu, accompanied by John Martin.
Rositano of Kingswood is founder and tenor of the new company, and said he was passionate about bringing the project to life.
Having studied at theSydney Conservatorium of Music, in London and in Italy, Rositano wants to give others in the west the opportunity to have quality operatic productions on their CV.
“I have had my chance and many opportunities, and that’s what I want to give back to locals,” hetold theGazette.
“I am completely immersed in the whole proposal, it’s my absolute passion.Since returning from Italy it’s something I have put my whole heart into.”
Rositano was inspired to start the company in Italy after seeing that even small theatres could put on magnificent opera productions.
“I thought, why are we not doing something like this around the corner from where I live?” he said.
Rositano produced and directed a production of La Boheme at The Joan in September of last year, assisted by funding from Penrith City Council for the new company.
Cast members hail from the Blue Mountains and western Sydney, and Rositano said the local productions would provide the springboard for many to travel overseas.
“When you do operas at the conservatorium you perform them as a student, but this is in a professional capacity,” he said.
It also brought opera closer to the people of Penrith.
“It’s giving people the opportunity to come and watch opera at their doorstep,” Rositano said.
Performing Arts Centre CEO Hania Radvan said the formation of Western Sydney Opera was “a great indicator of the vibrancy and artistic health of the region”.
“We are delighted to see independent artists such as Lorenzo Rositano and Western Sydney Opera reaching audiences and thriving,” she said.
The company will also stage a production of Donizetti’sThe Elixir of Loveat The Joan in September.
The launch concert begins at 7pm on Saturday, May 7. Adult tickets are $50, concession $45, and bookings can be made by calling 4723-7600.
For more information, log onto 梧桐夜网thejoan南京夜网419论坛.
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Both Coastal women’s games ended in hard-fought draws in warm conditions at Meercroft Park.
ATTACKING MOVES: City Marians’s Lisa Richardson was in strong form on the weekend
West Devonport played City Marians in the first match.
Play ebbed and flowed from end to end for much of the contest.
City, with their experienced defence didn’t allow West to hold the ball in attack.With Jacqui McKeown controlling the centre West struggle to get their team work flowing.
Sarah Hill and Stacy Lyons worked hard in defence for West.
Lyons stopping a number of sharp shots at goal for her side.This was until midway through the first half when City’s Fenella Pinner found the net.
City held the lead until late in the half when Jacqui Johnson picked up a deflection and bypassed the City defence.
Similar play continued throughout the second half.
Jacqui Johnson
City’s Lisa Richardson had some good runs into attack with good support from Zayna Jackson and Zoe Groves.
Megan Clark was the focalpoint for West, distributing the ball through to her young attack.
But solid defence by both sides denied any further score.
Devonport and Burnie Baptist played a similar match with play concentrated through the middle.
One of the highlights was the contest betweenBaptist’s Cathryn Parke and Devonport’s Mandy Smith.
The teams were evenly matched.
Kym Corcoran and Belinda Oakley keptthe pressure on Baptist’s defence of Holly Johnson and Charlotte Vandenberg.
Meanwhile,Kennedy Parke and Sophie Johnstone created some fast moves into attack.
But they were coming up against the wall of Devonport defence in Narelle Nillsen and Rachael Martin.
While numerous opportunities were created in attack,neither side were able to capitalise.
Shots went wide and penalty corners were notgoing to plan.
After a solid team effort from both sides the game ended in a nil all draw.
Next round, Burnie will host Marians at McKenna Park on Saturday, while South Burnie will be at the same venue against West Devonport.
Devonport will have the bye.
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ABOUT 9.55pm on Friday,April 22a 23-year-old female driver visiting from the USAwas stopped for abreath test on East St, Bega.
She returned a positive test,arrested andconveyed to Bega Police Station where she returned a low range breath analysis reading.
The womanwas issued a field court attendance notice and is due to appear at Bega Local Court on May 10.
AROUND 11am on Monday,April 25a Nissan Skyline was travelling south on the Tathra-Bermagui Rd inTanja.
The driver saw alarge rockin the middle of the lane andattempted to swerve to avoid the obstacle, buthis vehicle slide sideways into the embankment before rolling over onto its roof.
The driver was treated at the scene for a minor injury to his right eye and attended Bega Hospital for treatment.
AT5.34PMon April24a 40-year-old driver of a Holden Commodore was stopped onImlay St,Eden fora random breath test.
The driver was tested, returneda positive reading and was arrested before being takento the Eden Police Station.
He returned a mid range reading, his licence was suspended and a field court notice issued.
ON SUNDAY, April 24 about 9.50pm a 72-year-old female resident of Sunshine Bay was stopped by police in Canning Crescent, Sunshine Bay for a mobile RBT.
After a positive testshe was arrested and taken to Batemans Bay Police Station for a BAS test.
She was issued a field court attendance notice for Batemans Bay Local Court on June 6for mid range PCA and her licence suspended.
AT 10.25AMon Saturday,April 23 police were patrolling for a vehicle after a driving complaint in Moruya.
Police saw a white Holden Commodore sedan matching the vehicle’s description.
Checks revealed the vehicle was unregistered since September 2015 and the 31-year-old driver was suspended.
The driver was issued with infringement notices for registration offencesand a court attendance notice for Moruya Local Court on May 6for driving whilesuspended.
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Winner: Ben Wallis with the 2016 Frizzante made from grapes picked in March, bottled on April 1 and back in the cellar door by April 8 when four cases sold. Picture: Greg Ellis
A new style of wine introduced to the region as part of the 25th vintage celebrations at Coolangatta Estate two years ago is proving so popular the South Coast winery can’t make enough.
In The Loop episode 7 featuring a story on Coolangatta EstateCellar door manager Ben Wallis said the first two vintages ofFrizzante sold out and early signs show the third vintage is already heading the same way.
Wine region taking off: Ben Bishop in the cellar door at Coolangatta Estate. Picture: Greg Ellis.
The Bishop family at the Shoalhaven Heads vineyard had spokenabout making a Frizzantefrom Savagnin grapes for years.They did that with the25th anniversary vintage in 2014 but then changed to use Rosethe nextyear.It proved equallypopular when bottled by thewinemakers at Tyrrells 12 months ago. So vigneron GregBishop decided to make it again during the 2016 harvest in February.This time with Tannat and Chambourcin grape varieties.The grapes were trucked to the Hunter the day they were pickedin early March and returned in the bottle two weeks later.
“It was bottled on April 1 and returned to the cellar door here at Shoalhaven Heads on April 8 and we sold four cases on Saturday April9. Thatis how popular it is.The quantity is only slightly more than we had from the 2015 harvest which sold out. We are bound by that restriction being Estate Grown still,” Mr Wallis said.
Estate Grown means Coolangatta only makes wine from grapes from the vineyard.
Frizzante is a lower-alcohol style sweet wine with bubbles but not as many as a sparkling wine.
Coolangatta Estate and Cambewarra Estate both madeFrizzante wines in 2014 to introduce somethingdifferent to wine enthusiasts in the region.Cambewarra made it usingChambourcin grapes.
Mr Wallis said people hadassociated theCoolangattaname with the dry white styles before but the Frizzanteand the Tannat red wine variety itself, when it wasintroduced in recent years, have both beenbig hits.
Frizzante is anItalian wine style meaning slightly effervescent.Mr Wallis described it as having “a little residual sweetness with a spritz that takes a little of the edge off”.
“I think the translation [offrizzante] is along the lines of little bubble.With a carbonated wine you see those bubbles in the glass where with this one you feel it more on the palate. But without that spritz it would be a lot sweeter again. It comes in at 5 per cent alcohol and that is pretty much to do with the winemaking method. The sweetness has come as a result of having the wine not fermented right out. So you have higher sugar and that means the alcohol content is lower as well,” he said.
Mr Wallis believesthe first two Frizzantes sold outbecause people want to try news things.He said it showed you can try something different and have it work. The reason the Frizzante style can come back so quicklyafter harvest is that it does not have to go through all the same process.“The style of wine is made to enjoy before the next vintage. It is a celebration of theharvest. It is made to be drunk straight away”.
Previous storiesBumper 2016 harvest
A century of gold awards for Coolangattasemillon
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A veteran’s thanks Letters to the editor should be no more than 300 words and can be emailed to [email protected]南京夜网419论坛
FROM one who marched on Anzac Day, could I express my sincere thanks to the young children who lined the way, clapping and waving.
You gave so much joy to this old Digger.
R.M PAPPS, Port LincolnDisgusted with Anzac wreath disposalI AMwriting to you from theUK, I have seen messages on Facebook about your Anzac Day parade regarding the florals tributes.
I cannot believe that people have so little respect destroying wreaths that were laid by different organisations to say thank you to those who gave theirlives for their country.
To put them in a rubbish bin when the parade was hardly finished is absolutely disgusting. My son was one of those who laid a wreath and has fished it out of the rubbish bin with half of the flowers missing.
The people of Port Lincoln should be made aware of what has happened so as hopefully next Anzac Day it is not repeated.
Just felt I had to say something.We have had fivevisits to your country and have always had a great time.
ANN PARTLOW, UK
Why were wreaths in a bin and not at memorial?I WOULD like to bring attention on my visit to the war memorial on the corner of Flinders Highway, Monday at 2pm.
After looking around, I was shocked, along with four ladies and a young child…we all asked the same question: ‘Why were five large fresh flower wreaths in the top of a large rubbish bin and not at the memorial until at least Tuesday?
DANNY MORPHETT, Port Lincoln
Grey does well in fundingINreference to an article in this paper on April 19, Nick Xenophon and his candidate assert for Grey has been short changed on road funding. They should check the record.
While the Supplementary Road Funding package is an expired program, the increased money in the Roads to Recoveryand Blackspotprograms means Grey is getting more funding for local roads than it ever has.
I have worked hard to ensure Grey gets its fair share and comparisons with similar electorates show we have received up to double that of some marginal (including Coalition) and independently held seats.
Additionally, major capital works programs in Grey have been allocated almost $100 million since the Coalition came to office.
Port Lincoln has done extremely well with Commonwealth support including; the majority of funding for the Port Lincoln Hospital, millions of dollars for Port Lincoln Airport, the London Street Bridge renewal and St Joseph’s boarding house which will encourage Eyre Peninsula parents to send their children to Port Lincoln instead of Adelaide, Tunarama $94.5K, upgrade to Civic Hall $207K and the list goes on.
Grey is an enormous electorate and people should be wary of Senator Xenophon who pops in occasionally with his bevy of Adelaide journalists, says he will solve the problem and moves on as quickly as his camera pack, leaving communities wondering when he will spring into action.
With the record of Independents helping Labor form government, I would be surprised if people will risk opening the flood gates on boat arrivals, returning to a government of appalling economic mismanagement and the malignant programs like the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal that was intent on driving truck owner operators out of business.
ROWAN RAMSAY, Federal Member for Grey
HAVE something to say? Letters to the editor may be emailed to the address above, or dropped into the Port Lincoln Times officeon a USB stick.
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FLYING: North Launceston captain Taylor Whitford during last year’s TSL grand final win. The 24-year-old has started season 2016 superbly. TAYLOR Whitford does not takeNorth Launceston ruckman Daniel Roozendaal for granted.
It is the Northern Bombers big man that skipper Whitford credits for his solid start to 2016.
Whitford, 24, was instrumental in leadinghis sideto a 35-point victory over highly-fancied contenders Burnie at the hostile West Park on Saturday.
His efforts earned himthree votes in the2016 TSL player of the year award –moving him into second place.
“DanielRoozendaal makes my game enjoyable and he has been fantastic in the past couple of weeks, he is the best big man in the competitionand when he is playing well it helps the midfield,”thePort Dalrymple teacher said.
“We’velost four or five leaders with Allan (O’Sign),Geoff (Mohr), Andrew (Cox-Goodyer),Ethan (Petterwood) leavingand it has been refreshinghaving young players like Tarryn Thomas, Ryan Choveaux and the likes come in –it’s been good.”
He said the win over the Dockerswas a fantastic result.
“It helps when you have 22 blokes playing their role and against Lauderdale last week you couldcount our best players on one hand,” Whitford said.
“There was a complete difference from last week to this week, which shows when you have the right mindset anything is possible.”
Whitford’s hard nut mateBrad Cox-Goodyer also received two votes.
Jack Gleeson got maximum votes in Clarence’s maiden win for 2016 over Devonport, while Aiden Grace (two votes) and former Adelaide forward Ian Callinan (one vote) were rewarded for effort.
At Windsor Park Lauderdale dominated Launceston withRyan Wiggins (five goals) claiming three votes,Rhys Sutton picked up two and Blues captain Sonny Whiting secured one for his four-goal performance.
Glenorchy starJaye Bowden extended his lead with top votes against Tigers to go with his eight-goal haul, which has rocketed him to sit alongside Devonport coach Mitch Thorp as the competition’shighest goalkicker.
SouthernMagpies Mitch Rainbird andBrayden Webb also jumped on the board.
Devonport’s Dylan Riley is tied with Burnie duo Zane Murphy and John Holland for third spot after five rounds.
LEADERBOARD
9 – Jaye Bowden (Glenorchy)6–Taylor Whitford (North Launceston)4 – Dylan Riley (Devonport)4–Zane Murphy (Burnie)4–John Holland (Burnie)This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.
Crucial: Beyond the Bell chair Karen Foster said early childhood education sets kids up for later years of schooling. Picture: Amy PatonChildren who fall behind before they reach primary school are not getting the help they need, a Victoria University report says.
Researcher MeganO’Connell said improving attitudes toearly childhood education could address issues such as low education attainment rates in the south-west.
“In Australia, (pre-primary school learning is)still not valued the same way as school education is, but it is a necessity and an essential element of preparing kids for life,” she said.
“Some families – and, indeed,some members of the community and some politicians –stillview it more as childcare or babysitting rather than something that sets kids up for life.”
The report foundone-in-four children in Australia starting schoolwerenot well-preparedand one-in-three didnot spend enough hours in early childhood education to help them.
Despite the introduction of a National Quality Standardfive years ago, one-third of assessed childhood services were not meeting it.
“You tend to find that the further away from (Melbourne)you go, the more socio-economic factors come into play and the less services there are available to families,”Ms O’Connellsaid.
South-westorganisationBeyond the Bellaims to lift education attainment rates in the region.
The organisation’s chairwoman,Karen Foster, said early childhood education wasa crucial area.
“We know that once a child has fallen behind the eight-ball, it’s very hard for them to make up ground. Apoor start in the early years can leave them playing catch up for life,” Ms Foster said.
Ms Foster pointed to south-west programs that targeted early childhood, including the Nurture Nest program in Moyne Shire and the Stepping Stones to School inGlenelg Shire.
A Grattan Institute report has examined NAPLAN results and foundlearning gaps between students from different socio-economic backgrounds increased significantly over time.
“This report goes parallel with the Grattan Institute report (which shows)disadvantage is widening over timebetween low and high socio-economic areas and our report shows essentially the same thing but for a much younger cohort,” Ms O’Connell said.
“If you get in early and address the situation before the kids go to school,it’s a lot more effective and a lot less costly.”
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A representative of the Australian army pays his respects at the Hill Top Anzac Day dawn service. Photo by Victoria LeeTHE three little words “Lest we forget” continued to ring true through this year’s Anzac Day services held across the Southern Highlands.
At the Bowral Dawn Service one woman, Elizabeth Wright, fondly remembered her father who fought at Somme and Hill 21 in World War I.
“He was gassed twice during the war and the second time he remembered someone putting their hand on his shoulder and saying ‘this poor bugger won’t make it’,” she said.
However, she said her father did make it.
“He was taken to hospital and that is where he met my mother,” she said.
“They had 10 children.
“My father died on August 31, 1945, at the age of 49. He managed to live until after V-Day.
“He knew about the Germans, but he was too sick to realise the Japanese had also capitulated.”
The importance of remembering the many men and women who suffered – and in many cases died – in battle, so that we today could live a life of freedom was not lost on the youngest members of the community.
Nine-year-old Torah Wooderson was quick to point out that she was at the Bowral Anzac Day service to “remember the soldiers who fought for our peace in Bowral”.
Hundreds of people attended both the Anzac Day dawn and main services in Berrima.
Dogs and children were the stars of the show at the Berrima Anzac Day main service.
Friends of Wingecarribee Animal Shelter (FOWAS) members, accompanied by their canines, laid a wreath to pay tribute to all of the animals that have lost their lives at war, both past and presented.
Students at Berrima Public School also played a large role in the main service.
Both dawn and main services in Mittagong attracted large crowds.
One father explained to his young son, “We are up before the chickens,” at the dawn service.
Flags were handed out at the main service, and rosemary was left outside Twisting Vintage for the dawn service.
Attendees enjoyed free homemade Anzac cookies at St Stephen’s Anglican Church after the main service.
The northern villages of the Highlands held morning services, with a busy service and breakfast at Hill Top followed by the 8am Colo Vale gathering.
Hundreds also took to the streets of Bundanoon to pay their respects, with all generations joining together in song and silence to remember the fallen.
Residents from Sutton Forest and Exeter braved the chilly morning to pay their respects at the Sutton Forest service.
Garry Barnsley OAM read a touching commemoration about members of his family that have fought in the armed forces as well as his nephew who is currently serving.
There was a good turnout for the Robertson/Kangaloon wreath laying service which was then followed by a commemorative service at Burrawang.
MC Greg Hoare said it was one of the biggest crowds he had seen.
Members of the Diggers Military Motorcycle Club were a big part of the celebrations, carrying the original Robertson-Burrawang-Kangaloon RSL flag in their ride.
The members were all men who have returned from active service with the Army, Navy and Air Force and have fought in places such as Iraq, Somalia and Afghanistan.
Some of the Diggers read the ODE and raised the Australian Flag during the ceremonies.
Miss Judith Green MBE, OAM was also part of the service.
In WWII she was Staff Captain Social Services, attached to the British Commonwealth Overseas Forces for two years in Japan.
Reverend Graham Thomas paid tribute to the soldiers who had made the ultimate sacrifice.
“They fought and died so that freedom can be a reality for us. They were prepared to make a great sacrifice and many lost their lives,” he said.
“I can’t imagine how difficult that would have been. (Anzac Day) is a day to honour them and to honour their memory.”
This year was also the 100 year anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles.
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STARS: Players and representatives of players of the Kapunda ‘Team of the Modern Era’ which was named on Saturday night.A fantastic honour at any level of football, from the national competition to the local club, a best “Team of the Modern Era” was named by the Kapunda Football Club on the club’s 150thanniversary dinner on Saturday Night.
The entire field oozed class from the outset, with the forwardline up of Dallas Keane, Geoff Schell and Danny Deptula sitting across the forward pockets and full forward position.
Deptula kicked 54 goals in 1999 and 87 in 2000 after finals, claiming the competition’s leading goal kicker award.
Schell recorded the same accomplishment twice as well, with 75 goals in 1986 and 76 in 1987 to win back-to-back awards, while Keane claimed the 2001 best and fairest.
The half forwardline featured two of the biggest names in Kapunda history with Terry Ryan, Nathan Brady and Sam Ryan, with the latter named as the vice-captain.
Across the midfield line was even more brilliance, with Jim Hayward, who was named captain of the side, five-time Bombers best and fairest Richard Anderson smack in the centre and Peter Vandeleur on the right wing.
Captain Hayward won best and fairests in 1967 and 1968 and the League best and fairest award in 1969, shared with Tanunda’s Dale John.
Anderson is a record-equalling five time best and fairest, after winning the awardin 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1996.
THE FIELD: The team sheet of the Bombers’ ‘Team of the Modern Era’ which was announced on the 150th anniversary night at the Trotting Track.
The half backs saw Brian Menzel, Phil Schell and Alan Prior named, who had eight best and fairests between them, with Schell nabbing four and Menzel nabbing three.
In addition to his four club best and fairests, Schell was a back to back league best and fairest, winning the award in 1984 and 1985.
Vandeleur was a star in 1966, awardedthe Association’s best and fairest award, and a club best and fairest in 1971.
The full backs saw the appearance of a modern star, with Brad Valentine named along side Robert Jarman and Mick Browne.
The ruck and ruck rover line was star studded, and could execute brilliance at any level of football, with Jason McKenzie, who won two league best and fairests in 2001 and 2012, Brad Taylor, who won five Bombers best and fairests, from 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 before winning again in 2012 and Mick McCarthy, the current A Grade coach and two time best and fairest, winning it in 1997 and 2004, with the latter a premiership year.
2004 was the dream year for the current coach, as he also won the League’s best and fairest award in addition to his club best and fairest and the A Grade premiership, the first of two in a row.
The bench was capped off with Adam Turrell, Paul Higgins, Tony Holding and Trevor Leslie, who have won a total of five best and fairests, with the former the current Bombers’ club champion, having taken it out in 2014 and 2015, and his brother Andrew claiming the award in 2011.
Leslie, in addition to his 1976 and 1977medals, winning the Association’s best and fairest award in the senior colts in 1970.
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ALTHOUGHGippsland Power didn’t record itsfirst win of theTAC Cup football season, the team’s performance against the highly-rated Murray Bushrangers leftcoaches and supporters with a lot of positives to focus on for the rest of the year.
The final margin at Princes Park in Melbourne was 33 points, butthe Power was sight ofa stunning victory late in the game despite seemingly being headed to a big loss late in the second quarter.
Going into the match after a huge and morale-sapping loss against Geelongthe week before, it appeared likely, on paper, it was headed for even deeper trouble as the Bushrangershad defeated the Falcons earlier in the season. One positive for the Power was the return ofJosh Patulloand debutants Ethan East and Callum Porter making highly significant contributions to the side’s improved performance.
The message sent by coach Leigh Brown after the Falcons loss was based on greater commitment and competitiveness and, in the opening minutes of the term against Murray, it appeared thatmessage had been taken on board. The Powerwas applying intense and highly effective pressure on itsopponents all over the ground and through some good work by Sean Masterton, Anthony Young was able to kick the first goal of the match.
Midway through the quarter, the Bushrangerskicked their first goal, but, instead of getting back on track, the Power allowed its opponent to kick the sort of easy goals which had been its problem against the Falcons.
By the first break Gippsland trailed by 21points down, but, more importantly, had allowed the Bushrangersto seize the momentum with minimal opposition.
As ithad done at the beginningof the match, the Power took the early initiative but was off target before some strong work by Young and Trent Armour allowed Masterton to kick an important goal. Not to be outdone, the boys kept up the pressure and James Harrison and Jedd Serong went in hard to win the ball and then use it well to allow Ryan Hearn to kick the side’s second major in a row.
Just when it appearedthe lessons ofthe first term had been learned, the Bushrangersupped the ante and slammed on five goals. A combination of turnovers and being exposed on the resultant rebound had gifted the Bushrangerssome of the goals and things were looking grim just before half-time.
The boys made a big effort late in the quarter and Austin Hodge and Will Stephenson appliedpressure to allow Young to kick a vital goal. The Bushrangers’ lead was 30 points and once again the Powerhad provided its coach with plenty of issues to address.
It appearedthe boys hadn’t listened to coach Brown’ssubtle reminders early in the quarter when Murray was able to kick an easy goal. This seemed to inspire the Power to get real and great forward pressure by Young created a chance for Kade Renooy to bring back the status quo and he took full advantage of it.
Instead of building on this, the Power wasted gettable opportunities to kick goals and then watched forlornly as the Bushrangers capitalised on two defensive clangers.
It took some clever ruckwork by Keenan Hughes to set-up Nick Mulqueen to kick a critical goal and bring the margin at the finalchange back to 31 points. The huge positive for the boys from the quarter was howthey had limited the Bushrangers to two goals and had maintained this sort of pressure for the whole term instead of fading badly as they had done in the first two quarters.
At the beginning of the final term, intense pressure by Young and Callum Porter set-up Masterton to snap a clever goal and it appearedthe Power was back in the match.
Two more poor defensive decisions gifted the Bushrangerswith goals almost against the general run of play and once again they looked ready to blow the marginout.
Some remarkable poiseby Will Leslie and Renooy found Hodge, who restored balance for the team. This was followed by some amazing ball use and positive thinking Josh Patullo, Jai Rout, Masterton andLeslie to once again bring the margin to under five goals.
Almost, as if call, fate stepped in again and gifted the Bushrangers with a fickle bounce and goal, giving them a 14.17 (101) to 9.14 (68) victory.
The final margin was 33 points, but most involved with the Power saw only positives from the match. After an indifferentfirst half, the Powerhad applied more intense and effective pressure and had played the sort of footballBrownbelieved it wascapable of.
In his second match of the season, Deven Costigan stepped-up to the challenge of leading his younger teammates.Costiganblitzed talented opponents with some disciplined and hard-nosed defence, but also had the confidence and skill to win and effectively use may important possessions.
Following this example was Sale youngster Will Stephenson, who made a huge impact when on the ball and in attack with his fearlessness in the tightest contests. He applied many fierce tackles against bigger opponents as well as winning and unselfishly using contested possessions all over the ground.
Captain Will Leslie was another who set an example for his side.
Leslietook on and soundly defeated dangerous opponents when in defence as well as playing an equally inspiring role when on the ball. His use of his pace and long and direct kicking were key elements of his performance.
In his first TAC Cup game, Ethan East took on the challenge of a major role in defence and responded manfully as the match progressed.
Not to be outdone by his fellow debutant, Callum Porter won manycontested possessions, but his ability find the time and space to make gooduse of the ballwas exceptional.
The next challenge for GippslandPower will bethe Calder Cannons at Morwell onSaturday. The likely return of captain andAFL Academy member Ben Ainsworth will boost the Power.
This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.
HARVEST: Apple harvesting at Spreyton. The TFGA will be examining the answers to the question ‘what is farming’ to better educate consumers about the process. Picture: Brodie Weeding.WHAT is farming?That is the question that we at the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association have been asking ourselves for some time now.
While, in simple terms there would appear to be an obvious answer, we passionately believe there is more to it than that.Over the coming months the TFGA will be exploring in detail the answer to that question. You may ask why bother, everyone knows what farming is and what it means. We don’t think so.
It is clear that many people today do not have any real understanding of where their food comes from, worse still they have even less understanding of the systems and people that produce that food.We understand that there are pockets here in Tasmania that are not quite so blasé about that knowledge, but there is a good reason for that. For example,on the North-West Coast we are very fortunate to be surrounded by some of the best farm land on the planet. We grow a wide range of crops and those lucky enough to live here know from observation and personal and family knowledge what farming and the food production system looks like.
Most though do not have the opportunity to work and live on the Coast and are far more removed from farmers and the land more generally. For those who live in places like Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney the understanding of these things is far from complete.The inhabitants of these cities and beyond often see the supermarket as the only interaction required in relation to food. They often have little understanding of the importance of the food production system, or of those who produce it.
Once you understand you begin to place value on those who produce the food, place value on the regions that allow that production due to their natural attributes, and you then begin to value what it means to your ongoing life.So back to the fundamental question what is farming?There is no right answer because farming incorporates so many different elements. The answer can be as varied as there are crops in the ground. Those of us engaged in farming, either directly or indirectly, need to articulate a message to the rest of the community.
That message is, food is critically important, those who produce it are critically important, those who assist or supply those who produce it are critically important, and those who process it are critically important.
Finally, those regions that are literally our nation’s food baskets are also critically important and need to be recognised as such by all levels of government as we collectively work together to continue to supply high quality food to an ever increasing population.
This story Administrator ready to work first appeared on Nanjing Night Net.