• THE Loo-Errn walking track at Tidal River, developed to provide access for the disabled and elderly to a special part of Wilsons Promontory National Park, was officially opened by the Minister for Conservation, Forests and Lands, Joan Kirner.
• IT WAS revealed at the annual meeting of South Gippsland Hospital, Banksia Lodge and Toora Nursing Home that the hospital is no further advanced in obtaining the funding required for additional acute health services. Minister for Health David White has made it clear that any approval to proceed to building works is conditional on progress being made between the Woorayl and Korumburra Hospitals to effectively rationalise their acute health services.
• THE Shire of South Gippsland is preparing to develop a draft cultural policy. The shire sees cultural and artistic activities as an important part of the community’s lifestyle, and it recognises the valuable contributions being made by cultural and artistic groups in the shire.
• EMILY Thorburn won the Foster Consolidated School’s public speaking competition.
• ALTERATIONS to the former Toora Bush Nursing Hospital building were completed last week, to convert the building into space for an additional 16 beds for the Toora Nursing Home.
• GERARD Seuren of Rosebank Guernsey Stud at Fish Creek took four head of young cattle to the Royal Melbourne Show for a first, two thirds and a fourth. His yearling, Waikiki Mermaid Lad, was first in its class but had to compete against animals up to two years for the junior champion – it won reserve junior champion.
• FEDERAL Member for Gippsland and Shadow Minister for Local Government, Peter McGauran, took on the more senior portfolio of Science and Energy in the latest reshuffle by Opposition leader John Howard.
• FOSTER High School canteen was broken into by means of a small window being broken with a garden stake. Confectionary and chips valued at about $300 were stolen. A trail leading across the school oval and into the golf course indicated that local children were to blame.
• CHILDREN and adults took to their pedals on the Foster to Port Franklin bike-a-thon last Thursday. The day raised money for the Foster Pool Committee.
• LOCAL CWA officials Gwen Combridge of Yanakie and Sue Price of Fish Creek had a narrow escape from a runaway bull at the Royal Melbourne Show. They were walking through the showgrounds when a handler struck trouble controlling a bull. Mrs Combridge was knocked flying – by the handler, fortunately, rather than the bull – and suffered bruising in a fall.
• VOTERS throughout the State are required to go to the polls next Saturday, October 1, to elect representatives for both the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. Four candidates are competing for the Assembly seat currently held for the National Party by Mr Tom Wallace.
• EXCELLENT prices were paid for cows at the Koonwarra cattle sale this week. Best heavy cows sold from $420 to $578.50, best Jersey cows from $300 to $380, and light plain and secondary cows $149.50 to $271.50.
• STONY Creek Cricket Club will not be fielding any senior teams this coming season and will concentrate on their juniors to try to build the club up again.
• THE ‘dynamic duo’ Jim and Nancy Parry won the mixed foursomes championship at Welshpool Golf Club last Sunday, but only after surviving a countback. The team of Ann Collins and ‘Ginger Mick’ Platt tied with the Parrys on 74 nett.
• THE South Gippsland Racing Club has a new president to take it into the new season, following the annual meeting. Former vice-president Bill Fuller, a farmer at Dumbalk, took over from Alan Bell, who did not renominate for the position after two years at the helm of the progressive club.