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Sale fighters knocked it out of the ring in last month’s exhibition, amateur and professional boxing event, Fight Night. On June 25, boxers of all levels, beginners through to pros, from Sale and across the state competed at Sale Memorial Hall. In a huge night of boxing, almost 20 fights took place. Headlining the event was the former Welterweight World Number 1, Caeser Amonsot, who faced Thailand professional boxer, Surachet Tongmala. Local boxer Jhon Cortejos was the featuring event and a crowd favourite, stepping into the ring, taking on Dunlatip Samansulong in his first professional title fight. The crowd went wild as the referee raised Cortejos’ hand above his head in victory. Cortejos defeated Samansulong by TKO in the second round. Hayden Daymond was another Sale local to take out a title win. Daymond was victorious against his opponent in the Victorian Amateur Lightweight Championship fight, winning by TKO in the fourth round. They say three is a lucky number, right? Right! Andrew Pritchette was one of the three Sale boxers to secure a title fight win. Pritchette defeated his opponent by unanimous decision in the Victorian Amateur Heavyweight Championship fight. Cortejos said it was a great night. “There was a good turnout for Fight Night last month,” he said. “There were lots of fights across the event, with fighters coming from across the state and Sale won three title fights. “It really was a great night for Sale boxing.”

Paradise Beach runner Les Williams continued to prove age is just a number after the 67-year-old returned to Australia from Scotland following a noteworthy performance in the 2022 Highland Games. The Highland Games are one of the most, if not the most, popular events in Scotland, with a deep cultural history dating back hundreds of years. The annual games consist of a wide variety of events from track and field, tug-of-war, and tossing the caber to Highland dancing and bagpiping, which take place from Cowal to Tomintoul and all points in between, running from May through September. Scotland’s Highland Games attract hundreds of thousands of competitors and spectators from across the country and around the globe each year. Williams was one of the thousands who travelled to compete. In taking part in the Highland Games, he finally fulfilled one of his life-long running dreams, as the Scottish event returned from a COVID-induced hiatus. But before Williams could cross the seas, he made a quick stop in Perth for the 2022 Australian Masters Games. “Because of COVID, all my event dates have been changed around,” Willams said. “The Australian Masters Games, which is on every four years, was meant to be on earlier in the year, but because of COVID, it was moved to two weeks after Easter. “So I went to Perth, and my next aim (after the Australian Masters Games) was to represent Australia at the World Masters Games in Finland like I did in 2016, where I came sixth in the world in the 800 metres. “But the opportunity finally came up, which all my life I have wanted, to run in the Highland Games.” Running in the 65-69 year group at the 2022 Australian Masters Games, Williams placed second in the 800 metres, first in the 8000m, and first in the mile. After arriving in Scotland, the land of lush green forests, towering mountains and vast lakes, Williams wasted no time heading straight to his first Highland Games event in Blackford. It wasn’t the running that took Williams’ breath away at the Blackford Games, but the enormous crowd. “The crowds, I couldn’t believe it,” he exclaimed. “IT WAS THE 150TH BLACKFORD GAMES, AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN 25,000-35,000 PEOPLE THERE WATCHING US RUN.” “At one event, the crowd was so big they brought the police and army in!” Despite having run professionally from the age of 16, taking him across the country and around the world, and in his later years participating in events like the Sale Park Run, Williams was taken aback by the unfamiliar conditions of the Scottish tracks. “I was running on grounds I wouldn’t normally run on, up hills and down gullies,” Williams said expressively. “The tracks were rocky as there were cow pats everywhere, definitely not what I am used to.” Williams held his own in the open age group races at the Highland Games, placing sixth in the 1600m and fourth in the 800m. Next stop: Helensburgh and Lomond Highland Games. In a deja vu turn of events, Williams ran sixth in the 1600m and fourth in the 800m at Helensburgh. “As soon as I finished at Helensburgh, I jumped in the car and drove two hours to get to Markinch Highland Games, which ran the following day,” William said. “Everyone I ran with in the first event at Blackmore was going to the Markinch Games, and the crowds were just impossible; if you wanted to get food, you’d be lining up and waiting for hours. It was insane.” Williams ran fifth in the 800m and seventh in the 400m. “After Markinch, I went to Strathmore for the Strathmore Highland Games the next weekend,” he said. “When I got to Strathmore, I began to run even better.” Williams ran fourth in the 800m and third in the mile. “I should have won the mile,” Williams exclaimed. “The young Scottish girl who beat me for second, Angela, is one of the best female 800m runners in Scotland.” Taking the opportunity to compete in the Border Games, Williams decided to ‘swing past’ the Border Games before returning home to Australia for a well-earned rest. “The tracks were amazing,” Williams said. “There were lots of guys I know who have come to run in Australia over the years there, huge trophies!” Williams ran fourth in the 800m at the Border Games, making for a neat ending to his Highland Games adventure.

Sale’s littlest soccer players braved the cold on Saturday, with Sale United Under 11 and 13 White and Green teams taking the field in Round 7 of the Latrobe Valley Soccer League. Despite that, for many on the field, shirts were hanging by knees, and socks slipped at almost every step; young players showcased their talents to such an extent suggesting Sale United may be harbouring the best of Gippsland’s next generation of football players. The Under 11s were first to kick off at Baldwin Reserve, with Sale’s White and Green teams facing Churchill’s Rams. Smiles and laughter echoed across the grounds as the youngsters enjoyed their Saturday morning soccer and, of course, the oranges at halftime. The Under 11 games are non-competitive, meaning no scores are recorded, emphasising community and connection through physical activity while supporting the development of hand-eye coordination, dexterity, balance and teamwork. Sale United Under 13s White and Green teams took the field next, with shirts slightly better fitting than their younger clubmates. The Under 13 Greens were up against Traralgon City Blacks. The youngsters from Traralgon put their best foot forward, but it just wasn’t enough to beat the Sale United. Kai Giuliani was first to score in the game’s fourth minute. Jack McGrath, who is just one goal behind the competition’s top goal scorer with a total of 10, scored the game’s next goal at 18 minutes, furthering Sale’s lead 2-0. Before the break, Sale’s Kai Giuliani scored his second goal of the match, seeing Sale take a 3-0 lead. Indio Haran scored Sale United’s fourth goal at 41 minutes, followed by a second goal from McGrath at 48 minutes to extend the Green’s lead 5-1. McGrath earned himself a hat-trick at 51 minutes. With one minute left on the clock, Xavier Plant scored the final goal for Sale, making for a 7-1 victory. On the opposite side of the grounds, Sale United White was up against Churchill United Soccer Club. Scoring her first goal of the season, Vida Yanez put Sale in the lead 15 minutes into the game. After an equaliser from Churchill, Josh Buswell was quick to put Sale back in the lead, 2-1. Buswell was required to put the Swans back in the lead again, and did so with another goal. After the break, Sale United White and Churchill United returned to the field, both teams clawing for a win. With three minutes left on the clock, Churchill led 5-3 until Sale’s Jonathan Sulyman made a break, sights locked on goals. Sulyman scored his first goal of the season, closing the away team’s lead 4-5. It was a close and high-scoring game, but as the whistle blew, Churchill escaped with the victory. Are you or your children interested in playing soccer? Sale United welcomes all players at all skill levels and boasts a friendly, supportive environment to learn, grow, socialise and stay active. https://www.facebook.com/saleunited For more information about becoming a part of the Sale United community, find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/saleunited

Sale United headed to Newborough to take on Monash Soccer Club last Sunday. The Round 16 match in the Latrobe Valley Soccer League was a long-awaited one for Sale’s Second Division team after consecutive weeks of byes. Sale headed into the game determined but unfortunately fell well short, losing 4-1. The Swans’ only goal came from Mauricio Yanez. The Reserves also lost, going down 3-0. The result put an end to a six-game winning streak for Sale United in the reserves. Sale United’s senior team then took the field, and came out hard and fast against Monash, desperate to make amends for their 2-0 loss against East Gippsland in the previous game. A flawless back-and-forth between Isaak Jondahl and Marrien Van Den Heuvel gave Sale United a golden opportunity in the 21st minute. Van Den Heuvel played the ball to Jondahl at the top of the box, and the young Swan belted the ball toward the goal, too good for Monash goalkeeper Jamie Kent, setting Sale to a 1-0 lead. The heat was turned up, and both teams pressed desperately as the seconds peeled away and the end of the first half approached. The Swans scored again in the 38th minute through Sakhon ‘Ot’ Khamchom. Following the break, Monash hit back, as Sale’s defensive line lost concentration and their legs, and eventually won 3-2. Swans coach Anouk Meereboer said it was a classic case of ‘a game of two halves’. “Seniors had their best first half of the season,” she said. “Unfortunately, they weren’t able to put away a few extra goals and make it easier for themselves in the second half.” It wasn’t all bad news for the Swans, with the women securing yet another victory, ascertaining their status as Sale United’s golden team. The Swanettes responded after a rude awakening left them down 1-0. Firing up, the girls were off, and Isabel Hearsey equalised the game’s score 60 seconds after Monash had scored. Less than a minute later, Sammi Kent scored for Sale United taking them to a 2-1 lead in the ninth minute of the game. At 15 minutes, Kent pressed forward toward the goal and kicked her second of the match. After the break, Swanette Shannon Hunt furthered Sale’s lead 4-1, in the 58th minute. In the game’s 75th minute, Hearsey knocked in her second goal, extending the lead even further, 5-1. A deflection across the goal line from Monash granted Sale a corner in the 90th minute, which playing-coach Madelaine Breakspear nailed into the left corner of the goal. Post-game, Breakspear said it was a tough choice to pick a best-on-field. “Best-on-ground was tricky as so many of my young girls stepped up, but best-on-ground goes to Sammi Kent,” Breakspear said. “Sammi had a blinder of a game, scoring two goals, and the opposition could not stop her. Heading into the final games of the season before taking on Fortuna in the Knockout Cup game, Breakspear will focus on building her team’s confidence and focus further. “Our girls are becoming more confident, but that’s still an area I’m working really hard with them on improving,” she said. “Their confidence and belief in their ability will be a big focus over the next few weeks, as we build towards the Knockout Cup game against Fortuna.”

Catholic College Sale student Acacia Sutton is among the country’s best young footballers, representing Victoria at the National Under 15 AFL Championships in Albury this week. School Sport Australia’s 2022 National Under 15 AFL Championships commenced last Saturday, with more than 300 of Australia’s most talented Under 15 footballers walking the field for the opening ceremony at Lavington Sports Ground. Acacia is one of Gippsland’s three female representatives in the championships, joined by Addison Howe and Ella Stoddart from Traralgon. On Sunday morning, (July 24) for day one of the championships, the boys from New South Wales and South Australia were the first to play in the five-day-long event, in which a whopping 30 games of Australian Rules Football will be played by the end of the championships tomorrow. The first opponent for the Victorian girls was Queensland. State teams consist of 25 players, which requires a rotation of three players to sit out each game. Acacia supported her team from the bench in the first round, getting her rotation out of the way as soon as possible. The girls lost 4.3 (27) to 9.6 (60). These nationals are the first such event for Acacia; an exciting achievement for the young footballer following her hard work through the Football Acadamy Program at Catholic College. Catholic College Sale Sports Academy supports students as they develop essential skills to physically and mentally prepare them for sport at an elite level, and assists students in progressing their sporting talents through various local and state representation pathways. With her older and younger brother both avid footballers and her dad a football player in his youth, who transitioned to umpiring following an injury, it seems Acacia was born to play Australian Rules Football. “I was only a little kid when I started playing,” she said. When Acacia isn’t gallivanting across the country showcasing her talents, she plays Youth Girls Football for Sale City Football-Netball Club. Acacia has been named best-on-ground in five out of the 11 games for Sale City in the Female Football Gippsland competition this year, with a total goal score of 53. The second game for the Vic girls, the first for Acacia at the championships, was on Monday against New South Wales. “It is pretty exciting,” Acacia told the Gippsland Times heading into the match. “IT HAS BEEN A REALLY GOOD EXPERIENCE SO FAR. “I am looking forward to playing against tougher competition and getting to know all the girls on the team.” With one day left to go in the championships, Acacia has already set her sights on her next goal, the 2023 Victoria Country football team, another stepping stone towards AFL Women’s. “I really want to go professional,” Acacia said. “I really hope I make it.” On day two of the nationals the Vic girls beat NSW 5.9 (39) to 3.3 (21). Players participated in a Cultural Immersion Day on Tuesday, heading to the Buraja Cultural Centre, before Round 3 was played on Wednesday. The Under 15 girls from Victoria faced ACT in Round 3, thrashing Australia’s capital team 16.19 (115) to 0.0 (0). In the second final game of the nationals, the Victorian girls were the first game of the day, taking on their Western Australia opponents. Today, the teams enjoy a rest, before facing their final opponents in the last round. The Under 15 Victorian Girls take on South Australia tomorrow. Maffra footballer and former Port Adelaide player Danny Butcher is head of the football academy at Catholic College Sale, and works closely alongside young stars like Acacia. “My advice to Acacia is to trust her talent and back herself as she is often her own worst critic,” Butcher said. “She is passionate, driven, committed and very professional for someone her age. “THE CATHOLIC COLLEGE SALE COMMUNITY IS VERY PROUD OF HER AND HER ACHIEVEMENTS!” Acacia is just one of the extremely talented footballers progressing through the academy at Catholic College. So far this year, the 2022 football academy cohort has seen Max Stobie and Asher Eastham play in the Under 16 Boys Victoria Country Football Championships, Ashley Centra and Jemma Birss in the Under 16 Girls Victoria Country Football Championships, as well as Acacia in the Under 15 Girls Victoria Country Football Championships. Max Stobie, Asher Eastham, Kaden McCulloch and Ashton Wright were named players in this year’s Under 16 Boys Gippsland Power team, alongside Ashley Centra and Jemma Birss, who were selected for the Under 16 Girls Gippsland Power side. Bella Daly, Lilly-May Dillow, Chloe Rees, Grace Dillow, Acacia Sutton, Isabelle Elson and Harry Tatterson were the Catholic College Sale football academy players selected for the 2022 V/Line Cup Gippsland Team.

On Saturday, July 9, Tori Dessent took to the court for her 100th A Grade netball game with Sale Football-Netball Club, becoming the first player in the club’s history to do so. Originally a basketballer, Dessent started playing netball for the Magpies at the age of 16. “As I grew up, a lot of my friends started playing netball, so I started playing netball because that’s what my friends were doing,” she said. “In Year 11, I was just filling in for games here and there; then in Year 12, I started playing more consistently.” Showing true dedication to netball and Sale FNC, Dessent would drive home from Melbourne to play every weekend between 2017 and 2021. Few people would show such consistent dedication, but Dessent’s love for the game and the Sale FNC community fuelled her energy. “I really enjoy the game,” Dessent said. “I also really like the whole club community with country footy/netball, so that has been a huge driving factor keeping me coming back to play. “Plus, my family is down in Sale, so coming back to play has been a good connection for the family as well.” Tori is not the only Dessent involved with Sale FNC. Brothers Jordan and Brad Dessent are two prominent Sale players, and her father, Justin Dessent, was the previous club president. Of the 100 games, one was an A Grade grand final, which ended up being a premiership in 2013. As well as playing, Dessent has also contributed to the Magpies through coaching, and her service saw her inducted as a life member of Sale FNC in 2019. These days, she is returning home when she can, filling in on the odd occasion. “The club is so accommodating,” Dessent said. “They always welcome me back, which is really just amazing.”

Could you say that you have done something exactly 100 times? Abbey Kinnish can, after playing her 100th game of senior netball for Sale City Football-Netball Club against Yarram last Saturday. “It’s taken me five and a half years, but we finally got there,” Kinnish said. Introduced to netball at a young age, it wasn’t until Kinnish finished university that she began ‘football league’ netball with Sale City in 2016. “I have always loved and played netball,” Kinnish said. “But due to work commitments in my teenage years, I couldn’t play netball on the weekends.” Growing up, Kinnish’s parents were players and active members of Sale City FNC, so upon her return home from university, there was no other option for this eager netball player. “Both my parents played at Sale City when I was growing up,” Kinnish said. “I just love the atmosphere at Sale City; everyone is very welcoming, whatever your skill level or experience. “The girls are so friendly, the coaches, the managers, everyone behind the scenes are amazing. “It is a great club to be a part of.” In her position as a defender, Kinnish has played a crucial role in Sale City’s three consecutive D Grade premierships in 2016, 2017 and 2018. In her first year back in D Grade following a two-year stint in C Grade, Kinnish is hopeful the D Grade Bulldogs will take out yet another premiership in the North Gippsland Football Netball League. Currently, the Sale City D Grade netball team is undefeated. “We will definitely make the finals,” Kinnish said. “We are undefeated and are first on the ladder, and I really do hope we win another premiership this year and make it five-in-a-row for Sale City D Grade netball.” With her love for the game of netball as strong as ever, Kinnish is now setting her sights on 200 games for Sale City. “I hope to get to 200 games,” she said. “Who knows? I guess we will find out in another five years, but I really hope so.”

And cue Cosi … Next weekend, Saturday August 20, KCC Theatre will make its long-awaited performance debut at Stratford Courthouse Theatre, performing a production of Louis Nowra’s darkly funny play, Cosi. Hilarious, heartfelt, chaotic, provoking, mayhem; Cosi promises a performance you won’t want to miss. KCC Theatre was founded in 2017 by former Sale College English and theatre teacher Richard Kemp and Sale College integration aide Connor Hodges. Initially, KCC Theatre worked solely in association with Sale College, creating productions with the school’s most talented performing arts students. In 2022, following Mr Kemp’s transition from Sale College to Gippsland Grammar, KCC Theatre established its independence, an exciting progression and long-term goal for the company. “Now that I no longer work at Sale College, it provided us with an opportunity to ramp up and do something individual, as we have always planned to,” Mr Kemp said. “So we sat down and spoke about what are the two shows we want to do over the next 12 to 18 months, and we settled on Cosi as a comedy.” Kemp and Hodges are among the nine performers within the 14-man company, who are all champing at the bit for opening night for their very first independent show. And gee whiz, have they got a show for you. Cosi is set in a Melbourne psychiatric facility in 1971, during the time when the country was protesting against the war in Vietnam. Cosi is based closely on Nowra’s own life experiences, and features a character called Lewis, a highly-fictionalised version of himself, played by Hodges. “Lewis is fresh out of university and has got a paid job to produce a show with the patients at this psychiatric facility,” Mr Kemp said. “HE IS VERY NERVOUS, HAS NO IDEA WHAT TO DO, THE ENTIRE SITUATION FREAKS HIM OUT, THE VIETNAM WAR IS RAGING, AND HIS FRIENDS ARE GOING TO PROTEST MARCHES IN WHICH HE IS SUPPOSED TO BE INVOLVED. MEANWHILE, LEWIS IS STUCK WITH ALL THESE MENTAL PEOPLE INSIDE THIS INSTITUTION, TRYING TO REHEARSE A PLAY.” Cosi is a multifaceted tragicomedy with a refreshing madcap poignancy taking the audience on a rollercoaster ride up until the final end. “The patients will put on a performance, a performance of the opera, Cosi Fan Tutte, but that Lewis doesn’t know yet,” Mr Kemp said. Just like the prospects of psych patients performing a Mozart opera, Cosi will prove a night to remember. Doors open at 7pm with locally crafted beer, cider and wines served at the Wits End bar. Tickets are on sale for $25 at http://www.stratfordcourthouse.com.au/#/cosi-jaug20/ For more information about KCC Theatre and their upcoming shows, head to their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/salecollegeschoolproduction

Wurruk resident Adrian Dixon clinically died during a heart stress test in 2017, only to be revived by none other than the recently retired Sale doctor, Dr Rob Ziffer. After reading about Dr Ziffer’s retirement, Mr Dixon felt an overwhelming sense of determination to share his story and emphasise to the community the importance of checking your heart health and maintaining routine health checks. In late January 2017, Adrian and his wife Julie Dixon were walking a cliff trail at Aireys Inlet on a family holiday when the couple noticed something wasn’t right. Mr Dixon could not walk more than 20 metres without needing to stop and catch his breath. A concerned wife, Mrs Dixon, turned to her brother-in-law, Dr Donald McColl, looking for answers. “I said ‘why is he out of breath all the time’,” Mrs Dixon explained. “He keeps stopping; he has stopped twice in just a short distance.” Dr McColl advised Mr Dixon to get a stress test as soon as possible, so the moment the couple returned to Sale, they were on the phone organising an appointment. Mr Dixon proceeded to Sale Hospital on February 16, 2017, for a cardiovascular stress test. “I was booked in at the Sale Hospital to have this stress test, and Dr Ziffer was the cardiologist doing the test,” Mr Dixon began. “During the stress test, I completely conked out. “I was on a bicycle, and they put an IV in my arm, they stuck ECG monitors to my chest and all that was connected to Dr Ziffer’s computer. “So, I am on the bicycle, going as hard as I can, and I said to Dr Ziffer, ‘I am feeling a little bit dizzy’. “Because it’s a stress test, he said to go a little bit harder. “I was looking at the numbers on the bicycle that tell you how fast you are going and trying to push even harder. “Then it all started to drop. “The next thing I know, I am laying on my back, on the floor, looking up at the ceiling, and all these nurses were standing over me. “They explained what had happened to me and that Dr Ziffer had got me back again after compressions on my chest; they’d put adrenaline into me. “If Dr Ziffer hadn’t been there, if I hadn’t been at Aireys Inlet and got the advice to get a stress test, if I hadn’t been there at that particular time, doing that stress test right then, I would be in heaven,” Mr Dixon exclaimed. “What happened was, the aortic valve at the bottom of my heart was completely clogged up, and while I was under the stress test, no blood was getting out. “My heart stopped. “And Dr Ziffer brought me back into the land of the living.” Mr Dixon was rushed to Melbourne for an aortic valve replacement and double bypass through open-heart surgery, returning home to Wurrik three days later. That wasn’t the end of Mr Dixon’s troubles. Two years later, in 2019, Mr Dixon was rushed back to Melbourne for a second open-heart surgery to have an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) put in following a ventricular tachycardia diagnosis. In Australia, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for men and the second-highest for women, killing one Australian every 12 minutes and costing the economy $5 billion each year. Our hearts are what give us life, and we only have one. After a terrifying wake-up call, Mr Dixon now dedicates his time to sharing his story and experience with his church and community, forewarning the risks of putting your heart health and general health on the back burner. “It is always advertised, if you get a sore neck, sore throat, dryness of the mouth, shortness of breath, sore arms and shoulders, a sore back – which it was for me – sore chest, tightness of the chest, go and get it checked out,” Mr Dixon said. “I keep saying the timing was perfect. I had the right people at the right time in, and was in the right place. “Don’t delay; the moment you have any symptoms, get it checked out as soon as possible.” For information, publications, guidelines and professional support regarding cardiovascular conditions and illnesses, go to the Heart Foundation website or see your GP.

The death of two-year-old greyhound Gnarley Big Head on Friday, July 22, at Traralgon racetrack, has rendered calls for a halt to racing from greyhound welfare advocates pending a safety review at the newly upgraded $6 million track. Gnarley Big Head was running his first race at 6pm in Race 1 on Friday, July 22. As racers reached the 200-metre mark, Gnarley Big Head collided with another dog and fell. Fast Track Stewards Report from the race reports the greyhound sustained a fractured ankle from the collision, which led to his euthanisation by the on-track veterinarian. So far this year, the Traralgon racetrack has recorded 204 injuries, far more than any other track in the state, and a total of three deaths, making it the second deadliest track in Victoria behind Geelong, with seven deaths. Despite the $6 million Traralgon racetrack update and the installation of a unique J-curve designed by the University of Technology Sydney, warranting the track as being “state of the art, with the highest of safety and animal welfare standards”, Gnarley Big Head is the second greyhound to die at the Traralgon racetrack’s 200-metre mark. As Bull Montana entered the turn, the greyhound broke down, fracturing his right hook. Bull Montana died at the Traralgon racetrack on March 2, 2022. Starship Venus died at the Traralgon racetrack on February 11 after suffering a broken leg as he entered the home turn. Following the incident on Friday, July 22, greyhound welfare advocates are calling for racing to be halted at Traralgon, and for an independent review to be conducted into safety of the track. Coalition for the Protection of Greyhounds Director Kylie Field said Greyhound Racing Victoria should not allow greyhound racing to proceed at Traralgon. “Greyhound Racing Victoria shouldn’t risk more greyhound lives on an experimental track that is killing and injuring dogs,” Ms Field said. “Greyhounds are colliding, hitting the rail, and falling more (at Traralgon) than at other Victorian tracks. “Traralgon has been a costly PR exercise. “MILLIONS OF DOLLARS HAVE BEEN WASTED IN THE VAIN HOPE THAT A CURVED RACETRACK COULD BE MADE SAFE. “Everyone knows that curved tracks are unsafe. In its original research in 2017, even the University of Technology Sydney recommended that straight tracks offered the safest form of greyhound racing. “Racing at Traralgon should be halted until they can guarantee no more greyhounds will suffer.” Animal advocates are furious that the state government contributed $3 million to the Traralgon racetrack upgrades, which have since only brought problems. Greyhound welfare advocates are not only calling for a stop to racing, but for the state government to stop funding the greyhound racing industry. The Veterinary Institute for Animal Ethics president, Dr Rosemary Elliott, said the Traralgon track was embarrassing, and a complete disaster. “Traralgon has been a $6 million failed experiment,” Dr Elliott said. “Why is our government, and why are taxpayers propping up a system that will always injure and kill dogs? “And why does a ‘state of the art’ track continue to have dogs running against each other at high speed around a curve? “This is not rocket science. “THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT HAS COMMITTED MILLIONS OF TAXPAYERS’ DOLLARS TO THE GREYHOUND RACING INDUSTRY, AND IT HAS TO STOP. “It’s an industry plagued by a rehoming crisis, unnecessary euthanasia, over-racing, a lack of reporting and transparency, and no whole-of-life tracking.” Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club responded quickly to the incident on July 22. “Track safety, and the welfare of our greyhounds, is an absolute priority,” Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club general manager Olivia Alcock said. “We take the safety of our dogs extremely seriously, and everyone feels the loss of any animal keenly. “The club is always looking to improve and verify track safety for all racing greyhounds, ensuring the optimal camber of the turn, which is graded prior to every race day to make sure the section remains in prime condition.” So far this year, 25 greyhounds have died on Victorian tracks, and 5753 have been injured.

Gippsland Women’s Health (GWH) is hitting the road for a special Regional Roadshow in celebration of 30 years of work in the Gippsland community. The Gippsland Women’s Health six-week Regional Roadshow begins Monday, September 12 in East Gippsland, concluding in Latrobe Valley on Friday, October 21, as they travel across the region, hosting discussion events to understand how they can help create a safe, healthy Gippsland. The leading organisation for gender equity, women’s health, prevention of violence against women, and family violence system leadership in Gippsland, GWH has been improving women’s health, wellbeing and freedom of choice since 1992. Despite any assumptions based on its name, Gippsland Women’s Health is not a first-hand health service, but rather an organisation that advocates for Gippsland Women and focuses on providing information, education and programs to reduce barriers associated with women’s health and wellbeing. While planning for their 30-year celebration, GWH recognised a lack of community awareness of the services and support the organisation provides, which GWH spokesperson Sam Foat said led to the conception of the Gippsland Women’s Health Regional Roadshow. “2022 is our 30th anniversary,” Ms Foat said. “Originally, we were looking at a major event to acknowledge the 30 years, but we realised that we need to be getting out into the community a lot more to firstly re-establish our presence in the region and remind people what it is we actually do. “ALSO TO CONNECT WITH WOMEN AND TO RECONNECT WITH LOCAL WOMEN AND TO REMIND THEM THAT THEY HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE WORK THAT WE DO. “Whilst we have the priorities and a lot of statistics and data and research that goes into forming the work that we do, we realised we need to actually be speaking with local women and understand what it is they need to improve their safety, their wellbeing and their overall health.” Today’s medicine is substantially better for Australian women than in any other era. However, despite medical advancements, there remains an undeniable gender gap in medicine, causing suffering for thousands of women. Figures from the Australia Talks National Survey 2021 revealed that women were twice as likely to feel dismissed by their doctor than men, and that 46 per cent of women are less likely to have confidence in Australia’s health system, compared to 51 per cent of men It takes, on average, six years for Australian women living with the pain-wrenching and often debilitating condition endometriosis before receiving a diagnosis. Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing inflammation, pain, fatigue and, in some cases, infertility. The chronic disease affects one in nine Australian females and has no cure. It wasn’t until 2018 that the federal government recognised the severity of endometriosis, affecting thousands of Australian women, and implemented the National Action Plan for Endometriosis to further awareness and education, improve clinical management and care and further research. While the knowledge and awareness surrounding endometriosis has improved since the 2018 National Action Plan, lack of awareness remains a concern. Ms Foat said Gippsland Women’s Health has a significant emphasis on improving health literacy within the Gippsland community. “Topics like endometriosis falls under our sexual and reproductive health focus priority,” she said. “ANOTHER BIG PART OF OUR WORK IS IMPROVING HEALTH LITERACY. “Understanding what endometriosis is or any other health concerns and issues women experience that aren’t actually at the forefront. “This is where our equity work is really important because a lot of these issues are so widespread and so common, yet our health care system, medicine and treatment just aren’t there because women’s health hasn’t been prioritised in the past. “This play’s a huge role in our work for advocating for better health care, for better access and better treatment, and also getting that understanding out there to women who might not know what these conditions are.” Women’s health often suffers because they don’t have the knowledge, security or access they need. Gippsland Women’s Health is dedicated to providing Gippsland Women with the support, knowledge and pathways required to make the most of health care services available. In addition to educating and advocating for women’s health, GWH is the leading agency in the prevention of violence against women in the Gippsland region, playing an integral role in addressing family violence, coordinating and supporting the integration of family violence services. To follow Gippsland Women’s Health on their Regional Roadshow, or for information on a discussion event coming near you, head to https://www.gwhealth.asn.au/ or find Gippsland Women’s Health on Facebook.

East Gippsland United denied the Sale United a second nine-point party for the season in Round 15 of the Latrobe Valley Soccer League. Sale United’s Swanettes took to their home ground hard and fast, determined to redeem themselves after their loss in Round 14.