Haas the Launceston to New Norfolk favourite

CANBERRA'S Nathan Haas will start as the race favourite in this Sunday's tortuous 208km Launceston to New Norfolk Classic. Then, with only one day off, the 22-year-old will lead his seven team-mates in the Tour of Tasmania which starts in Hobart on Tuesday.

Despite the imposing terrain, the classic, which starts at 9am from the Country Club Casino in Prospect and takes in the 1000m Poatina climb around the 50km mark, may not present a difficult assignment for Haas. He’ll have the backing of two highly-acclaimed Genesys team-mates, last year’s New Norfolk winner and Scody Cup champion Patrick Shaw, and the rising star Steele Von Hoff who this year has won five stages of the Tour of Gippsland, another two in the Tour of Geelong, and a further five in the Tour of the Murray River.

The Launceston to New Norfolk is the start of an eight-day feast of cycling for Tasmania – a prospect that Haas relishes. “I am coming to Tasmania this year to win the tour. In my heart it’s the biggest race in Australia. I love how pure it is – the course is so brutal," Haas said. “I have done a reconnaissance on nearly every one of the 10 stages. The stage three from Hamilton to Bronte Park (78.6kms) is something else. It’s where the tour is going to be lost or won.”

Haas has earned tour favouritism courtesy of his decisive victories in the Tour of Gippsland in July and the Tour of Geelong last month. See him in New Norfolk this Sunday around 2pm in Circle St.

Valley girl on song

Bryony Dwyer

THE singing career of New Norfolk's Bryony Dwyer has been boosted by a major win at the recent Sydney Eisteddfod. The 25-year-old soprano is studying in New South Wales and has been awarded the $10,000 Emiel Doeland Memorial Scholarship.

A highlight of the Sydney Eisteddfod program, this scholarship is awarded annually to encourage an outstanding young opera singer (under 30). Speaking on behalf of the judging panel, maestro Richard Bonynge AO CBE congratulated Bryony on her excellent performance and said that he and his colleagues soprano Anne Marie McDonald and baritone John Pringle had unanimously selected her as winner.

Born in NSW and raised in the Derwent Valley, Bryony is now in her final year of an advanced diploma of opera at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Bryony also plays the clarinet and as an active member of the Royal Australian Navy Band, she has performed at many key events, including the Coronation of King George Tupou V in Tonga and Anzac Day services in Gallipoli.

Singing is her first love and although she has featured in leading roles a number of operatic productions, Bryony says her most exciting performance was in Denmark in 2004, when she sang with the Derwent Valley Concert Band at celebrations surrounding the wedding of Crown Prince Frederik and Mary Donaldson.

Bryony said the scholarship win was a wonderful encouragement. "Over 60 singers entered the event and happy make the final six, I was determined to do my best, but I never expected to, so when Richard Bonynge called my name, I thought I was dreaming. It was quite unreal," she said. With her ambitions firmly focussed on an operatic career, Bryony is now planning to try her luck abroad. Congratulations Bryony.

Political pair to visit

Cyclist aims to repeat Tassie double

WEARY from a roller-coaster ride in the 11-day Tour of China, Tasmanian cyclist Bernard Sulzberger arrived home last Friday with two events in his sights: this weekend's Launceston to New Norfolk Classic and next week's Tour of Tasmania. For the 28-year-old former national champion, these are his home-state races and he knows them well. He won both in 2009.

The 208km Launceston to New Norfolk Classic will start at 9am on Sunday at the Country Club Casino, heading south via Longford, Cressy, Poatina, Pumphouse Bay, Arthurs Lake, St Patricks Plains, Steppes, Bothwell, Hollow Tree, Gretna, Rosegarland, and Hayes. Special sections for riders aged Under 23 and women will terminate after 143kms at Bothwell where the local tourism association has a program of festive activities.

The race will finish in Circle St, New Norfolk, around 2pm. Spectators should be in place early to avoid missing the finish in the event of a fast race. As of yesterday there were 70 confirmed starters including a Russian squad and riders from New Zealand and the UK.

The cyclists will return to New Norfolk on Wednesday for stage two of the Tour of Tasmania. The 61.4km stage will start at 11am, heading for Hamilton via Plenty, Bushy Park, Glenora, Fentonbury, Ellendale and Lake Meadowbank. The field is expected to arrive in Hamilton at 12.30pm, setting off again at 2pm in the direction of Bronte Park.

World-class cyclists on the way

Council candidate Simon Rolfe

READ Simon Rolfe's candidate statement at www.damianbester.com

Election candidates named

Derwent Valley Council 
Councillor  - nine candidates (five to be elected)
BINGLEY, Phil, of New Norfolk
BROMFIELD, Judy, of New Norfolk
COWLEY, Dane, of New Norfolk
EVANS, Martyn John, of Magra
LESTER, Chris, of Magra
McDIARMID, Mark, of Magra
NICHOLSON, Tony, of Lachlan
ROLFE, Simon, of New Norfolk
SHOOBRIDGE, Wayne, of New Norfolk

Mayor - two candidates
EVANS, Martyn John
NICHOLSON, Tony

Deputy Mayor - three candidates
BROMFIELD, Judy
LATHEY, Barry Keith
SHOOBRIDGE, Wayne

Bushfire planning feedback sought

RESIDENTS of three Derwent Valley districts are being asked for their comments on draft Community Protection Plans that have been developed by the Tasmania Fire Service as part of a State Government initiative to reduce the impact of bushfire on Tasmanian communities and to enhance resilience.

The plans are in the form of leaflets and maps which will help householders to develop personal bushfire survival plans, including knowledge of the local "nearby safer place". 

Among the southern Tasmanian community protection plans developed so far are:

• Molesworth district (including Molesworth, Malbina and Sorell Creek). Download draft document here.
• Collinsvale district (including Collinsvale, Collins Cap, Glenlusk, Fairy Glen and Springdale). Download draft document here.
• Maydena district (including Maydena, National Park, Westerway and Fentonbury). Download draft document here.

The Tasmania Fire Service invites comments on the draft documents and is especially interested in what the community thinks about:

1. The plan format – is it user-friendly?
2. The map - is it easy to read?
3. Check the places listed as "nearby safer place" options – what do you think about these?
4. Are there any parts of the plan that you think are confusing or incorrect?
5. What parts of the plan are of most use to you and why?

Comments will be accepted until 5pm on October 3, 2011 and may be submitted online using the "General Feedback" link at the bottom of the TFS home page at www.fire.tas.gov.au; by sending an email to planning@fire.tas.gov.au; by faxing to (03) 6234 6647; or by writing to Tasmania Fire Service, Reply Paid 1526, Hobart TAS 7001 (no stamp required). Read more here.

Adventurer visits NNPS

Students wearing their t-shirt prizes

ADVENTURE educator Andrew Hughes paid a visit to New Norfolk Primary School last week to thank Chris Cooke's class for their support of his recent Crusoe Project that saw him living alone on an island for a month.

Mr Hughes presented t-shirts to students Kyala Webb and Breanna Sullivan as prizes for their active participation in an online forum that enabled students to ask questions and provide information while Mr Hughes was on Delami Island in Papua New Guinea.

Andrew Hughes is the education officer with the Bookend Trust. More information about his projects can be found at www.expeditionclass.com

Three Eagles rubbed out

THREE New Norfolk footballers will have a longer wait for the start of the 2012 season after being suspended for striking offences in last week's grand final loss to Kingborough. Appearing at the football tribunal on Tuesday night were William Leitch Medallist Nathan Ross and fellow senior players Kurt Styles and Josh Kelly. The penalties will be served at the start of next season.

Ross received the heaviest penalty of six weeks, with two of those weeks suspended. Styles received three weeks with another week suspended, while Kelly's penalty was a one-week suspension with another week suspended.

Arrest over crime spree

A YOUTH has been remanded in custody after appearing in court in connection with an alleged crime spree in New Norfolk. The Mercury newspaper has the story here.

Ben bags Hodgman Medal

YOUNG New Norfolk footballer Ben Lovell has been named the Southern Football League's best first-year player for 2011. The award is named the Hodgman Medal and was presented by Premier Lara Giddings at the SFL grand final last Saturday. Congratulations Ben.

American organic expert to visit

Gary Zimmer

THE New Norfolk War Memorial Hall will be the venue for the only Tasmanian presentation by world renowned biological farming consultants Gary Zimmer and Joel Williams next month. The pair is touring the country with the Biological Farmers of Australia and will give presentations in regional locations in six states.

US author Gary Zimmer was recently featured in a two-part ABC Landline story and described as a world leading exponent and educator on biological farming. Talking on about the impact of biological farming methods, Zimmer said "We've seen 50% increases in yields on a lot of our crops in the United States and we… get it with a lot less input." Discussing what biological farming means, Zimmer said "To me it's focusing on the fact that the soil is alive, it's full of biology and it's a living system."

Fellow speaker Joel Williams specialises in managing soil microbial balance and plant and soil nutrition to optimise soil health and crop production in low input production systems. His presentations will combine both scientific and practical knowledge for enabling producers to manage their soil biology and implement sustainable farming practices.

With the current boom in biological farming, the roadshows are a great and inexpensive opportunity for all those working in the agricultural industries to learn more about biological production methods and hear world renowned experts share their knowledge.

The New Norfolk session will be held on October 10. Products and trade displays relevant to the organic industry will also be on show. More details can be found here.

Get in early, candidates urged

INTENDING candidates for next month's council elections have been urged not to leave their nominations to the last moment. Nominations close at noon on Monday (September 26) and Electoral Commissioner Julian Type urged candidates not to leave their nominations to the last moment as late nominations cannot be accepted. “Those planning to nominate on the last morning run the risk of missing out if they are delayed or
if there is a problem with their nomination,” Mr Type said yesterday.

In 2007, 128 of the 414 candidates (31%) lodged their nomination form on the last morning of the nomination period. "This creates a huge workload for electoral officials in checking the nominations and preparing election documentation for the announcement of the candidates and production of postal ballot packs," Mr Type said.

The names of all candidates will be announced at noon on Tuesday (September 27). The returning officer for each council will then conduct draws to determine the order of names on the first rotation of ballot papers. The draws will be conducted at the offices of the Australian Electoral Commission in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie. The election will be conducted by postal voting between October 11-25.

Ex-mayor's comeback bid

Read and comment on this story at http://www.damianbester.com/

Premiership hopes dashed

HOPES of a premiership "three-peat" were dashed yesterday afternoon when Kingborough won a surprise win over New Norfolk in the Southern Football League grand final at Glenorchy's KGV Oval. The minor premiers went down by 49 points as Kingborough made a clean sweep of its three matches on the day.

Scores - seniors
Kingborough 4.3 12.4 16.4 22.7 (139) New Norfolk 2.6 5.7 11.9 13.12 (90)
Goals - Kingborough: C. Elliott 5, N. Foale 4, T. Lamprill 3, J. Collis 3, R. Pascoe 2, G. King 2, B. Jones, M. Jenson, J. Philp; New Norfolk: M. Thompson 5, R. Belcher 2, S. Bonnitcha 2, B. Booth 2, J. Hall, B. Carver.
Best - Kingborough: J. Philp, G. King, R. Fielding, A. Crane, M. Schenk, N. Foale; New Norfolk: R. Belcher, B. Booth, B. Wardlaw, M. Smith, B. Carver, J. Dykes.

Reserves - Kingborough 18.9 (117) d New Norfolk 5.7 (37)
Goals - Kingborough: B. Adams 7, T. Bevan 2, O. Burke 2, C. Bielski 2, N. Crawford, S. Bowes, J. Sharp, S. Dineley, S. Morrison; New Norfolk: M. Cashion 4, C. Ransley.
Best - Kingborough: B. Adams, J. Booth, B. Livingston, D. Glover, N. Crawford, L. Fahey; New Norfolk: D. Triffett, T. Triffett, T. Bligh, M. Cashion, D. Walsh, S. Rogers.

Read more from the Mercury newspaper's coverage: pre-game and afterwards here and here.

Councillor Elliott bows out

Jim Elliott

RETIRING councillor Jim Elliott tonight announced an earlier-than-expected departure from the Derwent Valley Council due to illness. Cr Elliott said he would probably be in hospital at the time of next month's council meeting, which is likely to be the last before this year's council election.

Never one to pull his punches, Cr Elliott concluded his valedictory remarks at tonight's council meeting with some pointed questions for mayor Martyn Evans. He asked:

• When would a progress report be received from the council's regional development officer? The position had been filled for some months and it was time to hear about the progress made. (The staff member said she was not aware a report had been wanted, but was happy to provide one).
• When would the New Norfolk Business Alliance Special Committee provide its long-awaited report on its future plans? (The mayor said he was now chairing the Business Alliance and would pursue this).
• Would the mayor, general manager and staff find somewhere less public to take their cigarette breaks?
• Why had it taken the mayor two weeks to pass on an invitation to an important function this Saturday? (The mayor said he had been sick for a week).
• What was the mayor doing to help the Derwent Valley Chamber of Commerce, which was in recess and in danger of folding?
• What knowledge did the mayor have of the deputy mayor creating a situation that forced a small business to leave the town? (The deputy mayor said he had merely made inquiries about having first option on an office should it become available. He described a recent newspaper article as a beat-up).
• What were the major achievements of the mayor's two years in office, other than presiding over an increased number of closed council meetings despite promises of openness, and having his photo in the Derwent Valley Gazette almost every week? (The mayor said he would provide a written statement of his achievements).

Premierships myth busted

New Norfolk footballers, 1908

WITH the Eagles preparing for their third grand final appearance in as many seasons, I thought it would be a good time to set the record straight on how many senior premierships New Norfolk has won. In recent times it has been reported that New Norfolk has won only four premierships in 130-odd years. This couldn’t be further from the truth - in fact the Eagles have a record that any club would love to have when it comes to premierships. Twenty-three premierships from 38 grand final appearances, yes 23! It sure is a far cry from four or five.

Having now traced New Norfolk to playing football as far back as 1863, it seems the first premiership was won in 1891 in the Southern Country Championship, this was when the club was known as the Derwent Football club. They won again in 1892. The Derwent name was in use from the late 1880s to the late 1890s. With the name reverting to New Norfolk they again won the Southern Country Championship in 1904. During this time New Norfolk played for various shields and trophies, winning the Brown Trophy in 1906, the Ellis Dean in 1908 and 1909 and the Corumbene Trophy in 1910 and 1913.

World War I interrupted from 1914-18 and it seems New Norfolk went into recess. In 1920 New Norfolk defeated Molesworth to win the Derwent Valley Football Association Premiership. Then came the Cyril Nash Trophy in which New Norfolk defeated Scottsdale by three points at York Park in 1921 and Clarence in 1922.  The club’s next three premierships came in the Southern Tasmanian Country Football Association in 1928, 1930 and 1933.

In 1934 the club entered the Southern Tasmanian Districts Association and won the premiership in 1939. With World War II starting, roster football was on hold and New Norfolk played challenge matches against teams for various cups and trophies. In 1943 they won the Storr Cup and the Red Cross Cup. In 1945 New Norfolk was again playing roster games in the Southern Districts Football Association, winning the premiership over Clarence by 73 points.

The club entered the Tasmanian Football League in 1947, but didn’t taste success until 1968 when it defeated North Hobart by 29 points. The next premiership in the big time came in 1982, defeating arch rival Glenorchy by 11 points. The club played its last season in the TFL in 1999 and then joined the Southern Football League in 2000. After 23 long years the club tasted premiership glory in 2005, the drought was over. Then in 2009 and 2010 they won back-to-back premierships. If the club wins this year it will achieve the "three-peat" for the third time.

Since the 1960s the Reserves have won nine premierships from 20 grand finals; the colts (Thirds) have won nine from 16 while the Under 17s (Fourths) have won six from 15 attempts. I would like to thank my good friend Adrian Collins for his help in compiling this history.

WADE GLEESON

New Norfolk footballers, 1892

New Norfolk footballers, 1910

New Norfolk footballers, early 1900s

Rocket pockets William Leitch

NATHAN Ross last night became the 15th New Norfolk footballer to win the William Leitch Medal. The medal has moved between competitions since it was introduced in 1930 but remains Tasmania's best-known best and fairest award.

At age 19, Ross has emphatically etched his name into the long and proud history of the New Norfolk District Football Club. The small forward/midfielder kicked 58 goals this season and gave four best-on-field performances.

At the Southern Football League awards night at Glenorchy on Monday, Ross won player of the year awards from WIN Television and the Huon Valley News in addition to the William Leitch Medal.

Mercury football reporter Brett Stubbs writes that Ross will be key contributor in New Norfolk's grand final battle with Kingborough this Saturday.  Read the Mercury newspaper's report here.

New Norfolk's William Leitch Medallists
1948 Jim Brown
1951 Rex Garwood
1952 Cliff Busch
1954 Bruce Roe
1955 Rex Garwood
1958 Rex Garwood
1961 Roger Browning
1962 Roger Browning
1972 Ricky Graham
1974 Tony Browning
1981 Robbie Dykes
1985 Graham Hunnibell
1990 Ricky Hanlon
1993 Rene Peters
2004 Brock Ackerley and Roger Belcher
2007 Brad Carver
2009 Roger Belcher
2011 Nathan Ross

Upgrade for major thoroughfares

UPGRADING of two of New Norfolk's major thoroughfares has started this week and will continue for several months. Derwent Valley Council works manager Stewart Taylor told a recent councillor workshop that it was hoped to have the Montagu St and Burnett St improvements completed by the end of November.

Work will be carried out between 7.15am and 4.15pm on weekdays, starting at the Montagu St/Burnett St junction and working up towards Pioneer Avenue. Traffic detours will be in place from time to time.

Three silver birch trees will be removed in Montagu St, with no word about their replacement.

Meningococcal update

PEOPLE of the Upper Derwent Valley need not fear an outbreak of meningococcal disease, Tasmania's public health authority said today. ABC News tonight reported that the local man who died on Saturday night had an uncommon strain of the bacteria.

"There is no suggestion that this is an outbreak and the people in the Upper Derwent Valley need not fear that will occur," public health director Dr Rosoe Taylor told the ABC. "We do have an isolated case here," he said. Family and friends of the man were given antibiotics on the weekend and will be offered vaccinations.

Anyone experiencing symptoms including vomiting, fever, headache, stiff neck, dislike of bright light, drowsiness, joint pain or seizures should see their doctor.

Read the ABC's report here.

Our world champion

Anthony Edwards

OLYMPIAN Anthony Edwards has returned home to the Derwent Valley with a new title: world champion. The Molesworth man struck gold in an awesome performance at the 2011 World Rowing Championships in Bled, Slovenia, earlier this month.

Edwards was a member of the Australian lightweight men’s four crew, along with fellow Tasmanian Sam Beltz and West Australians Todd Skipworth and Ben Cureton. The gold medal was Australia’s first in this category since 1981.

The victory was extra sweet for Edwards, 38, who during his career had picked up a combined total of seven Olympic and world championship silver and bronze medals, but never a gold. He described the gold medal as a dream come true.

“It’s absolutely the sweetest thing you could ever get,” he said. “I knew this would be my last go at a world championships but I knew we had the speed. “I had a look a stroke to go before the line and knew we had it. We had pure confidence in each other and knew that if we got it right anything could happen. We can now knuckle down before next year with our coach Brett [Crow] and plan our campaign for London.”

Read the Mercury newspaper's interview with Anthony Edwards here.

Carn the Eagles!

NEW Norfolk and Kingborough will face off in two grand final matches this weekend. The Southern Football League premiership will be contested at KGV Oval on Saturday, with New Norfolk lining up against Kingborough in the senior and reserves games. New Norfolk's senior side is in the running for its third consecutive grand final win.

The reserves have progressed to the grand final by defeating Brighton in the preliminary final last Saturday. Scores:

New Norfolk 11.11 (77) d Brighton 3.9 (27)
Goals - New Norfolk: C. Ransley 2, P. Jelkic 2, B. Chaplin 2, A. Papera, T. Triffett, J. Wallner, L. Menzie, N. Benson; Best - New Norfolk: T. Triffett, D. King, D. Triffett, N. Benson, D. Walsh, M. Hay.

Coming up in the New Norfolk News: Wade Gleeson reviews New Norfolk's grand final history and busts a major myth.

Health warning on meningococcal disease

HEALTH authorities are advising family and friends of preventative measures after a 21 year old man from the upper Derwent Valley died from meningococcal disease overnight at the Royal Hobart Hospital. The Director of Public Health, Dr Roscoe Taylor said tests had confirmed that a man admitted to hospital overnight had died from meningococcal infection invading his bloodstream..

“My sympathies, and those of the staff at the Royal Hobart Hospital, go out to the family and friends of this young man,” Dr Taylor said. The case appeared to be an isolated occurrence and close contacts of the man were being followed up and where appropriate would be offered information and preventative antibiotics.

Dr Taylor said the particular type of meningococcal infection had not as yet been established, and further tests were under way. “I advise all Tasmanians to remain vigilant for signs of the infection. Early symptoms can include headaches, neck stiffness, fever, drowsiness, nausea and skin rash. If anyone is concerned, they should see their doctor,” Dr Taylor said.

Further information on the infection is available here.

Phil nails his colours to the mast

Phil Bingley

NEW Norfolk's Phillip Bingley has signalled his candidacy for next month's council election, erecting billboards in prominent locations earlier this week. Mr Bingley contested the last council election in 2009 and was a Tasmanian Greens candidate at this year's Legislative Council by-election.

Nominations for the 2011 council elections open on Monday, close on September 26 and will be announced shortly afterwards.

There are five seats to be filled on the Derwent Valley Council, with councillors Martyn Evans, Craig Farrell MLC, Judy Bromfield, Jim Elliott and Narelle Hill reaching the end of their four-year-term. All are eligible to re-nominate.

The positions of mayor and deputy mayor are elected every two years and are also up for grabs.

All intending candidates are invited to send their details to the New Norfolk News. Profiles, policy statements and photographs are welcome. Email: newnorfolknews@gmail.com

Please note: Following the issuing of the writ for council election, comments relating to the election must include the given name, surname and locality of the writer. Anonymous comments cannot be published. 

Council elections coming up

TASMANIA'S biennial local government election process will begin with the publication of the Notice of  Election in daily newspapers this Saturday. Elections will be held for mayor and deputy mayor in each of Tasmania’s 29 municipal areas, as well as for about half the membership of each council.

Candidate nominations will close at noon on Monday, September 26, and voting by postal ballot will take place from October 11-25. An “Information for candidates” booklet can be requested from the Tasmanian Electoral Commission by calling 1800 801 701. Candidates are restricted to spending no more than $5000 on newspaper, radio and television advertising ($8000 if they are standing for both councillor and mayor or deputy mayor). This restriction took effect on August 11 and continues until the election.

Electors who have changed their postal or residential addresses should contact the Electoral Commission on 1800 801 701 so that their voting material can be sent to their correct address. Intending voters who are not on the electoral roll can call the same number, collect an enrolment form from any post office, or click here for more details. The rolls close at 6pm on September 15.

Maydena meeting

A SUCCESSFUL year's operations were reported at the annual general meeting of the Maydena Community Association last month. President and secretary Lynne Graham was returned to both positions. Treasurer Derek Whitwell and public officer Tim Parkes were also returned. Jacki Van Beukering was elected to the position of vice president. The association meets at the Maydena Online Access Centre at 6.30pm on the first Monday of the month.

School says thanks

SEVERAL councillors and staff had attended a recent morning tea at Glenora District High School, Derwent Valley mayor Martyn Evans told last month's council meeting. Councillor Evans said the event was in recognition of support received during the State Government's aborted school closure scheme. Certificates of appreciation were presented to Cr Evans, Cr Judy Bromfield, Cr James Graham, general manager Stephen Mackey and regional development officer Jess Dallas.

Eagles through to grand final

THE Eagles are through to this year's Southern Football League grand final after defeating Kingborough at Boyer Oval yesterday.

Scores - Seniors: New Norfolk 17.16 (118) d Kingborough 15.6 (96)
Goals - New Norfolk: M. Thompson 9, Z. Graham 2, J. Hall, K. Styles, J. Murray, M. Smith, S. Crane, N. Ross; Best - New Norfolk: M. Thompson, B. Chaplin, R. Belcher, R. Heron, B. Carver, J. Wessing.

Reserves - New Norfolk 12.7 (79) d Dodges Ferry 8.12 (60)
Goals - New Norfolk: T. Triffett 2, C. Ransley 2, N. Benson 2, S. Bonnitcha, D. King, J. Wallner, P. Jelkic, T. Allcock, N. Coy; Best - New Norfolk: S. Rogers, T. Triffett, T. Bligh, N. Coy, J. Dykes, T. Allcock.

Maydena pioneer farewelled

THERE was a large congregation at the funeral of Maydena pioneer Mona Cannan at St Matthew's Church in New Norfolk yesterday morning. Born at Westbury in 1926, Mrs Cannan lived a long life of community service and will be sorely missed in many parts of the Derwent Valley.

Mrs Cannan's association with the Derwent Valley began when she was appointed as a teacher at Westerway Primary School in 1946. She met and married Ross Cannan and the couple were among the first families to move into the new homes built when Maydena was established as a newsprint town. The couple had seven children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mr Cannan died about 10 years ago.

Mrs Cannan spent many years teaching at Maydena Primary School and delighted in its growth from two to five classrooms. She was a life member of the RSL Women's Auxiliary and was awarded the Gold Badge, a national RSL Award. In later years she helped establish the Waratah Day Club which organised many events and outings for senior citizens of the Maydena area. She was secretary of the Maydena Community Development Association during the critical years of the newsprint company's withdrawal from the town.

Mona's keen interest in local history led to her writing many articles for the Derwent Valley Gazette and ultimately the publishing of a book titled Winds of Change: Maydena and its School, as well as a contribution to The Derwent Valley: From Federation to Millennium.

In 2001 The Gazette and Norske Skog recognised Mona as a Community Leader of the Month. In the same year, students of Maydena Primary School created a cardboard cut-out of Mona which was entered in the national "Peoplescape" project as part of the Centenary of Federation. This life-size representation was one of 5000 from around Australia which were displayed at Parliament House in Canberra.

Yesterday's largely attended funeral was conducted by Celia Hooker, who recalled her own association with Mona over the years. Mona's final resting place is at the Tyenna cemetery.

Legacy badge day

TOMORROW'S Legacy collections in New Norfolk will be boosted by the presence of serving defence force personnel. As usual, there will be volunteer collectors at the Boyer gate tomorrow morning (Friday) as well as at Woolworths supermarket and in High St.

Legacy has a long history in the Derwent Valley and continues to honour the memory of deceased servicemen and women by caring for their widows and children.

Site works signal McDonald's start

PRELIMINARY work has started this week on the construction of a McDonald's Restaurant in New Norfolk. Workers have erected a fence around the building site at the corner of Burnett and George Sts, reducing the capacity of the Woolworths supermarket car park.