Our band beats the best in Europe

The Derwent Valley Concert Band performing in Germany.

THE Derwent Valley Concert Band has won two sections of the World Association of Marching Show Bands European Championships in Germany at the weekend. With two European championships, two gold medals and a trophy under its belt, the band is now making its way to Denmark for the world championships.

"There was great excitement when the results were announced," band president and musical director Layton Hodgetts reported from Germany earlier today. "The DVCB has won the European Open Championship in the March and Standstill sections with a score of 87.35," Mr Hodgetts said.

The band was also awarded a gold medal with a score of 85.75 points in the "on stage" concert band performance, while individual awards of a gold medal went to drum major Chris Rice and a trophy was awarded to Lyall McDermott for best conductor.

Before arriving in Rastede, Germany, last Thursday, the band had performed in Italy and Spain since leaving Tasmania a fortnight ago. Now the band is heading for Copenhagen to compete in the World Championships.

Yesterday's football scores

SENIORS: Claremont 8.14 (62) d New Norfolk 5.6 (36)

RESERVES: Claremont 12.12 (84) d New Norfolk 4.3 (27)

COLTS: New Norfolk v Clarence results not available

New Norfolk v Claremont tomorrow

SFL Season 2015
Round 10 Preview

New Norfolk v Claremont at Abbotsfield Park

By BEN HARRISON
CLAREMONT stays at home tomorrow (Saturday) after its massive victory over Brighton and will meet a white-hot New Norfolk which has not missed a beat since the last time these two teams met in Round 1 when the Magpies travelled to Boyer and found a way to win by 13 points.

Nathan Brown is no doubt the barometer for Claremont and he comes off a six-goal return last weekend and the crowd would be hoping that reigning William Leitch medalist and Eagles coach Caden Wilson will go head to head with Magpie gun.

Rohan Heron on Sean Salter is worth the ticket price alone and this game presents five out of the top seven goal kickers in the competition and is potentially the Grand Final preview. Watch for Braden Barwick to continue his great form for the Magpies and the wily veteran Roger Belcher is still delivering for the Eagles.  

Form player to watch: Braden Barwick (Claremont)

Prediction: New Norfolk by 24 points.

Milestone: New Norfolk's Rohan Heron playing his 150th senior game.

Council rates up 4%

A RATES increase of 4% for the 2015/16 financial year was approved at a special meeting of the Derwent Valley Council last night. "Discussions around rates this year were were particularly hard," Mayor Martyn Evans said.

"Council has to balance the needs and aspirations of the community against the community’s ability to sustain a rate increase. This combined with changes to funding through the Financial Assistance Grants and other changes have had an impact on Council’s finances," Cr Evans said.

Major items funded in the budget include:

• Improvements to the amenities at the New Norfolk and Bushy Park Pools;
• Safety measures at Tynwald Park, New Norfolk
• Outdoor gym equipment at Gleeson Park, Lachlan
• Roadworks at the top end of Blair St, New Norfolk
• Installation of a footpath on Lachlan Rd, Lachlan (near the shop)
• Implementation of the council’s STEPS Plan. 

"The STEPS Plan will form the basis of Council’s strategies for improvements around the municipal area over the coming years. We have been working on this document, with input from focus groups and the public for the last 18 months, and are now at a stage where we will be starting to implement some of the recommendations," Cr Evans said.

"There are a number of smaller projects that council contributes to such as the CWA Water Awareness Program, partnership in the Tree2Sea Project and support for council’s Special Committees that work on specific projects," he said.

Cr Evans said the rates increase of 4% represented about $50 per year for most properties. "Council continues to look at innovative ways of resource sharing to ensure that rate increases are kept to a minimum. This year council has undertaken an arrangement with Brighton Council to accept refuse from their municipal area, the fee for this will offset the running and environmental costs associated with the Peppermint Hill Refuse area.  This will provide a long term saving to ratepayers in the Derwent Valley," Cr Evans said.

Crash blocks highway at Sorell Creek

POLICE are on the scene of a three car crash on Hobart Rd between the Molesworth turn off and New Norfolk. 

They say there appear to be no serious injuries. The road is currently blocked in both directions but police are working to open up one lane of traffic flowing.

7PM UPDATE: The road is now open and traffic  is flowing.

Mobile blackspots blitzed

MOBILE phone reception will be boosted in remote parts of the Derwent Valley and highlands though "mobile blackspot" program announced today. More than $12.6 million will be spent on 19 mobile phone base stations across the Lyons electorate.

The big spend effecting 50 unique locations and 15 different sections of roads and highways across the electorate would make a huge difference to the lives of people in the region, Federal Member for Lyons Eric Hutchinson said. "The Federal Government has contributed $5.2 million towards the total cost of the major communications upgrade in Lyons," he said.

Mr Hutchinson said the upgrades will mean that 65 of the 155 mobile black spots identified across the electorate will be addressed. "And the Federal Government has committed to a second round of incentive funding to encourage telecommunications operators to bid for contracts for other locations," he said.

The funding announced today will see new base stations established at the following locations:

• Bothwell (Vodafone)
• Brandum, Great Lake (Vodafone)
• Cramps Bay, Great Lake (Telstra)
• Hamilton (Vodafone)
• Highland Lakes Rd between Steppes and Bothwell (Vodafone)
• Lyell Highway, Wayatinah (Vodafone)
• Miena (Vodafone)
• Tarreleah (Vodafone)

Coverage will be provided to all or part of the following locations in Lyons either by handheld phones or via external antennas on motor vehicles: Hamilton, Bothwell, Hollow Tree, Brandum, Little Pine Lagoon, Miena, Cramps Bay, Tarraleah, Wayatinah, and Dee Lagoon.

Roads and highway sections where coverage will now be provided include:

Highland Lakes Rd – between Bothwell and Great Lake
Hollow Tree Rd – between Lyell Highway and Hollow Tree
Hollow Tree Rd – between Hollow Tree and Halletts Hill
Lyell Highway – between Bronte and Derwent Bridge
Lyell Highway – between Tungatinah Power Station and Ouse
Marlborough Highway – between Miena and Bronte Park

Mr Hutchinson said the major spend in Lyons on mobile black spots was a tremendous help for the community and a boost for tourism. "We took this issue in our electorate very seriously and the feedback we had on the ground was that it was more important in many areas to our community than NBN connection," he said.

"I want to thank the councils in Lyons for their help on this and I want to thank Telstra and Vodafone for their support for regional and remote communities in my electorate. Working out how to tackle the mobile black spot issue in Lyons was a really comprehensive process and complicated matrix but was so important to the community.

"In remote and regional areas mobile communication is essential – it’s a safety issue. When you fall off your motor bike out in the back paddock and you’re injured, it’s your mobile phone that you reach for to try and get help, not your NBN. This Federal Government subsidy has allowed the commercial carriers to reach into regional areas that they would not have otherwise been justified in going - and so much of this electorate falls into that category," Mr Hutchinson said.

Eagles' big win at Huonville

SFL Season 2015 
Round 9 Review

By BEN HARRISON
A 10-goal opening quarter by New Norfolk set up its victory over the Huonville Lions on a very heavy track at the Huonville Oval on Saturday. After trailing by five goals at quarter time the Lions were playing catch up football all day and simply did not have the firepower to chase down the reigning premiers who are simply controlling all the games in which they play at the moment.

New Norfolk's Nic Clayton with five goals had a major impact on the game, whilst Rohan Heron, Jacob Daley and Roger Belcher continued their very consistent form.

Huonville turned the tables in the Reserves game by 18 points while in the Colts game on Sunday New Norfolk defeated Lauderdale by 63 points at Boyer Oval.

SENIORS
New Norfolk 10.0 (60) 14.1 (85) 16.2 (98) 17.9 (111)
Huonville 5.2 (32) 7.4 (46) 8.5 (53) 11.5 (71)
Goals - New Norfolk: N. Clayton 5, J. Horne 3, T. Rainbird 2, C. Wilson 2, Z. Gardam 2, R. Belcher, M. Horne, T. Triffett;  Huonville: B. Sullivan 3, J. Lange 2, J. Paul 2, J. Nichols 2, T. Lamprill, A. Tatnell-Cowen.
Best - New Norfolk: R. Heron, J. Daley, T. Rainbird, B. Lovell, R. Belcher, T. Triffett; Huonville: C. Johns  M. Paul, B. Sullivan, A. Johns, J. Schreck, J. Lovell.

RESERVES
Huonville 1.0 (6) 5.2 (32) 5.7 (37) 9.7 (61)
New Norfolk 2.2 (14) 3.4 (22) 4.5 (29) 6.7 (43)
Goals - Huonville: D. Garth 2, P. Garth 2, B. Stevenson, J. Stevenson, P. Kelly, J. Hickey, J. Lovell; New Norfolk: C. Curtain 2, J. Van-Lierop 2, B. Chaplin, B. Ransley.
Best - Huonville: P. Kelly, H. Watson, D. Garth, J. O'Neill, W. Watson, J. Lovell; New Norfolk: A. Minchin, S. Fenton, J. Adams, J. King, C. Curtain, T. Duggan.

COLTS
New Norfolk 5.1 (31) 8.6 (54) 11.12 (78) 12.18 (90)
Lauderdale    1.0 (6) 1.0 (6) 1.1 (70)        4.3 (27)
Goals - New Norfolk: J. Eiszele 2, N. Wakefield 2, K. Tomkinson 2, H. Bielleman 2, A. Long, N. Wakefield, J. Ransley, B. Pauly; Lauderdale: B. Anderton, T. Blowfiel, D. Denny, J. Lord.
Best - New Norfolk: J. Whitford-Marriott, H. Bielleman, R. Wakefield, K. Tomkinson, W. Lockley, B. Coles; Lauderdale: D. Johns, D. Knott, K. Tatnell, B. Anderton, T. Blowfield, S. Hill.

Brrr!

WITH top temperatures of just 9 degrees forecast for New Norfolk and Ouse today, Derwent Valley weather stations are still struggling to reach positive figures as of 10.30am, with Bushy Park presently -0.5 degrees, Maydena is -0.6 and Ouse is -2.4. Surprisingly, Butlers Gorge (5.8 degrees), Lake St Clair (4.6) and Liawenee (3.3) are all warmer at at 10.30am.

12.30PM UPDATE
Bushy Park 1.0 degrees
Ouse 0.8
Butlers Gorge 6.2
Liawenee 2.1

3PM UPDATE
Bushy Park 3.9 degrees
Ouse 2.9
Butlers Gorge7.0
Liawenee 2.6

Keep track of the temperatures here.

Take care on the roads

Icy Conditions – Southern Tasmania

Monday, 22 June 2015

Tasmania Police advise that the following roads are subject to severe ice and motorists should use extreme caution:

Arthur Highway

Channel Highway

Boyer Road

Gordon River Road

Grass Tree Hill

Huon Highway

Lyell Highway

Marlborough Road

Southern Outlet

Tasman Highway

Road weather warning

Bureau of Meteorology
Tasmania

Road Weather Alert for Tasmania
for North West Coast, Central North, North East, Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts

Issued at 11:03 pm EST on Sunday 21 June 2015.

Icy roads will make driving conditions dangerous during Monday in parts of the North West Coast, Central North, North East, Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts.

For information on any road closures, please contact your local council or the Police.

The next alert will be issued by 5am Monday.

Yesterday's footy scores

SENIORS: New Norfolk 17.9 (111) d Huonville 11.5 (71)

RESERVES: Huonville 9.7 691) d New Norfolk 6.7 (43)

COLTS: New Norfolk v Lauderdale playing today (Sunday) at 2pm at Boyer Oval

Road weather warning

Bureau of Meteorology
Tasmania

Road Weather Alert for Tasmania
for North West Coast, Central North, North East, Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts

Issued at 2:47pm on Saturday 20 June 2015.

Icy roads will make driving conditions dangerous during Saturday and Sunday in parts of the North West Coast, Central North, North East, Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts.

For information on any road closures, please contact your local council or the Police.

The next alert will be issued by 11pm Saturday.

Men's Shed officially opened

TODAY'S official opening of the Derwent Valley Men’s Shed was the culmination of more than three years’ hard work by the local community, Lyons Liberal MHA Guy Barnett said. "The Derwent Valley Men’s Shed has worked closely with the Derwent Valley Council and other local community groups since 2012 to establish the Shed as a space where local men can connect, share skills and participate in projects that contribute back to the community," he said.

Mr  Barnett said the Shed has been well supported by the wider Derwent Valley community through donations of equipment and building supplies needed to restore the Shed. "The Derwent Valley Men’s Shed completes woodwork and metalwork projects for the community and seeks mentoring opportunities and ways to support people with disabilities." he said.

Road weather warning

Bureau of Meteorology
Tasmania

Road Weather Alert for Tasmania
for North West Coast, Central North, North East, Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts

Issued at 3:50pm on Friday 19 June 2015.

Icy roads will make driving conditions dangerous during Saturday on susceptible roads in parts of the North West Coast, Central North, North East, Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts.

For information on any road closures, please contact your local council or the Police.

The next alert will be issued by 11pm Friday.

New Norfolk v Huonville tomorrow

SFL Season 2015
Round 9 Preview

New Norfolk v Huonville at Huonville

By BEN HARRISON
HUONVILLE will return home buoyed by another victory on the road against Brighton and have its biggest challenge for the season so far in taking on New Norfolk. Huonville accounted for Brighton in Round 8 in a hard fought contest and have now put together four solid wins in a row. However New Norfolk will be looking to make it eight in a row in this match and it’s hard to see the result going any other way.

Nic Clayton and Eagles coach Caden Wilson will be the main scorers for the Lions to lock down and the contest between Michael Paul of Huonville and Rohan Heron of New Norfolk would be simply worth the entry fees to watch.

Huonville is capable of causing an upset, but the question is can it maintain enough pressure against the all-conquering Eagles for four quarters – the Lions are improving , but not quite that much.

Form player to watch: Mark Horne (New Norfolk)

Prediction: New Norfolk by 35 points.

Men's Shed open day tomorrow

Click image to enlarge

Road weather alert overnight

Bureau of Meteorology
Tasmania

Road Weather Alert for Tasmania
for North West Coast, Central North, North East, Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts

Issued at 3:49pm on Thursday 18 June 2015.

Icy roads will make driving conditions dangerous during Friday morning in parts of the North West Coast, Central North, North East, Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts.

For information on any road closures, please contact your local council or the Police.

The next alert will be issued by 11pm Thursday.

High-tech glasshouse for cherry farm

Tim Reid receiving a certificate from Eric Hutchinson MHR.

RECENTLY announced Federal funding of $1.1 million will help to build a retractable-roof greenhouse at Reid Fruits in Plenty. The funding was announced by the Federal Member for Lyons, Eric Hutchinson MHR, who presented Reid Fruits managing director Tim Reid with a certificate of achievement for his firm's innovation and investment.

The company will build a $4.4 million non-traditional high elevation orchard at Plenty, including a retractable-roof greenhouse to mitigate weather risk which will extend the cherry season in Tasmania. Reid Fruits exports cherries to more than 20 countries across Europe, Asia and the Middle East and is one of the biggest cherry producers in Australia.

The Reid family’s involvement in the state’s fruit industry started in 1856 when James Reid settled in the Huon Valley and planted his first apple orchard. The family orchards have expanded with each generation with Reid Fruits turning its attention to cherries in 2000. Since expanding into the Derwent Valley in the 21st century, more than 80,000 cherry trees have been planted at Plenty along with 36,000 apple trees.

Mr Hutchinson said the Federal Government funding was all about giving financial support to Tasmanian businesses to help generate jobs.

New Norfolk wins Eagle derby

SFL Season 2015 

Round 8 Review

By BEN HARRISON
It was business as usual at Boyer Oval on Saturday as the Eagles of the Derwent Valley welcomed their Eastern Shore namesakes in a game that was always going to be an uphill battle for Sorell.

New Norfolk had 11 individual goalkickers with forward Nic Clayton and coach Caden Wilson carrying on their great form after representing the SFL the week before, booting five majors each. Sam Russell with two goals was the only Sorell player to kick multiple majors.

Along with Clayton and Wilson, New Norfolk were best served by Mark Horne and for Sorell Gabriel Morgan and Jeremy Chynoweth had good games.

New Norfolk defeated Sorell in the Reserves match by 129 points with Sorell only managing to register a solitary behind for the whole game. In the Colts game earlier in the day, North Hobart scored at 34-point victory over New Norfolk.

SENIORS
New Norfolk 7.4 (46) 10.9 (69)  15.13 (103) 20.15 (135)
Sorell         0.2 (2) 2.4 (16)  3.4 (22)         5.5 (35)
Goals - New Norfolk: C. Wilson 5, N. Clayton 5, B. Lovell 2, M. Horne, J. Taylor-Evans, L. Joseph, J. Clifford, B. Chaplin, Z. Gardam, R. Heron, J. Horne; Sorell: S. Russell 2, R. Mills, J. Monks, G. Morgan.
Best - New Norfolk: M. Horne, N. Clayton, C. Wilson, J. Wigg, R. Belcher, J. Clifford; Sorell: G. Morgan, J. Chynoweth, J. Johnstone, D. Keeley, S. Russell, J. Craik.

RESERVES
New Norfolk 5.4 (34) 10.10 (70) 14.17- (101) 18.22 (130)
Sorell         0.0 (0)      0.1 (1)         0.1 (1)         0.1 (1)
Goals - New Norfolk: B. Chaplin 4, J. Gunther 3, D. Triffett 2, T. Triffett 2, J. Banks-Smith 2, B. Ransley 2, J. Van-Lierop 2, T. Duggan.
Best - New Norfolk: J. Gunther, B. Chaplin, J. Kelly, J. Banks-Smith, A. Minchin, N. Lester; Sorell: S. Pace, T. Banks, A. Jones, L. White, A. Mills, L. Batchelor.

COLTS
North Hobart 1.3 (9) 4.5 (29) 5.12 (42) 8.15 (63)
New Norfolk 1.1 (7) 3.3 (21)   3.5 (23)   4.5 (29)
Goals - North Hobart: Z. Lucas 2, D. Howlett 2, K. Howlett 2, J. Walker, A. Beswick; New Norfolk: H. Bielleman, A. Long, J. Whitford-Marriott, K. Tomkinson.
Best - North Hobart: D. Howlett, C. Gough, J. Walker, C. Dickens, Z. Lucas, J. Percy; New Norfolk: C. King, H. Bielleman, J. Whitford-Marriott, R. Wakefield, Z. Crosswell, B. Pauly.

Conspicuous service recognised

TWO Derwent Valley men were awarded Conspicuous Service Medals in the Queen's Birthday Honours last week. Long-serving Australian Defence Force members Mark Wilson and Jason Jarvis were recognised for their meritorious service to the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army respectively.

Warrant Officer Jason Jarvis is the son of Graeme and Jenny Jarvis and was honoured for his meritorious achievement as Drill Wing Sergeant Major at Royal Military College, Duntroon. His citation says Warrant Officer Class One Jarvis is an outstanding soldier who has displayed exceptional professionalism, leadership and organisational skills in making significant contributions to the Corps of Staff Cadets. He has greatly improved the quality of training to over 670 of Army's officer corps and contributed to the army's cultural change.


Lieutenant Commander Mark Wilson is the son of John and Margaret Wilson and was honoured for his meritorious achievement as a Military Liaison Officer serving on Operation ASLAN as part of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. Lieutenant Commander Wilson provided meritorious service as a Military Liaison Officer serving at the United Nations State Support Base at Bor in Jonglei State, particularly during the national security crisis in mid-December 2013. Following the evacuation of United Nations civilian staff from the Support Base and amid heavy fighting in and around Bor town, Lt Cdr Wilson displayed professionalism and dedication to duty in the management of hundreds of casualties, saving many lives. His compassion and generosity of spirit in managing the interment of those who were killed during the fighting earned the respect of United Nations commanders and leaders within the Bor town community.

Congratulations to Jason and Mark and their families.

Community market this Sunday

Derwent Valley Community Market

Sunday June 21, 2015, 10am-2pm

at the Derwent Valley Community House

The Avenue, Willow Court, New Norfolk

Held on the third Sunday of each month

Bookings – phone 0427 612 327 or 6261 3453

Council heading to Lachlan

LACHLAN will be the venue for the Derwent Valley Council's monthly meeting this Thursday night. The meeting will be held at the Lachlan Hall, starting with a community forum at 6.30pm. This is an opportunity for ratepayers and residents to discuss any issues of concern. The council meeting proper will start at 7pm and the agenda can be viewed at the council chambers in New Norfolk or on the council website. 

Yesterday's footy scores

SENIORS: New Norfolk 20.15 (135) d Sorell 5.5 (35)

RESERVES: New Norfolk 18.22 (130) d Sorell 0.1 (1)

COLTS: New Norfolk v North Hobart results not available

Tomorrow's footy preview

SFL Season 2015
Round 8 Preview

New Norfolk v Sorell at Boyer Oval

By BEN HARRISON
NEW Norfolk plays at home tomorrow and while most clubs have rejuvenated playing lists following the break for the representative game last weekend, the same can’t be said for New Norfolk which had a significant number of players take the field for the SFL in a tough game against the NWFL.

The New Norfok Eagles take on seventh placed Sorell Eagles who were upset at home by Hobart in the last round. Based on current form New Norfolk has been the form team of the competition and is consistent week in week out, whereas Sorell has been the exact opposite.

What can Sorell muster as a plan to challenge the mighty New Norfolk to mount some sort of challenge to the Derwent Valley machine? Stopping the key playmakers is not easy, particularly on the scoreboard as in the last round it wasn’t all Gardam, Wilson and Clayton as in weeks past. It was the old maestro of the midfield, Roger Belcher, who led the scoring piling on six goals in a performance that complimented coach Wilson’s new-age Eagles and must have made Brighton think "what did we do to deserve this?"

New Norfolk looks a class above Sorell and at least a 10 goal margin is expected in this one which could see its percentage soar into the possibly unthinkable 300 zone.

Form player to watch: Roger Belcher (New Norfolk).

Prediction: New Norfolk by 66 points.

National heritage assessment for Willow Court

THE Federal Government has today announced that the Willow Court Barracks Precinct and Frescati House at New Norfolk, will be assessed by the Australian Heritage Council for possible inclusion on the National Heritage List.

“I am delighted the Willow Court Barracks Precinct and Frescati House will be included on the Australian Heritage Council’s work plan,” Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt said. “The inclusion of the Precinct and Frescati House on the Australian Heritage Council’s work plan was the first step towards possible national heritage recognition of this important site of our early colonial history.

“I was fortunate enough to visit Willow Court last year at the invitation of Eric Hutchinson. It’s a very impressive place and an important part of our history. Eric Hutchinson is a great local member and a very strong advocate for the ongoing protection and recognition of theWillow Court Barracks Precinct and Frescati House.”

Mr Hutchinson said Willow Court Barracks Precinct and Frescati House were components of the first mental health institution in Australia. “Regardless of what findings come from the assessment, this will provide a comprehensive reference document for the first time about the historic and social significance of this precinct,” he said.

“There are many people at New Norfolk who will welcome this decision because of their close, emotional ties to Willow Court which has been a significant part of the town’s history for more than 170 years.”

Mr Hutchinson said the Willow Court Barracks Precinct reflected the evolution of philosophies for treating the mentally ill over 170 years from the 19^th century asylum model to the more supportive and integrative health care approaches developed in the 20^th century. The Australian Heritage Council’s assessment is expected to be completed by June 2017.

Take care at Tarraleah

POLICE advise that as of 6.15pm a large tree is currently blocking one lane of the Lyell Highway at Tarraleah. Motorists are advised to use caution when driving in this area.

Remembering Dorothy Robinson OAM

The late Dorothy Robinson.

THE Queen's Birthday Honours List for 2015 has been described by some as being rather "top heavy" with politicians and councillors, but as always the list includes some quiet achievers who are deserving of the recognition accorded by the Order of Australia.

Dorothy Robinson was one of those quiet achievers. She gave great service to her home town of New Norfolk, primarily in the areas of local history, local government and the church, but also as a businesswoman in the greater Hobart area.

Dorothy was born in New Norfolk in 1929, which was the same year that her father built the town’s biggest general store. It was well built and still stands, although it was converted to a supermarket decades ago and has changed hands several times. Having grown up in the town centre, with the municipal offices in the circle at the top of the main street, in 1956 Dorothy decided to seek election to the then New Norfolk Council (now Derwent Valley Council).

Dorothy had become concerned about the recent problem of young men driving in an anti-social manner on the town’s Esplanade and her husband Bevan Robinson urged her to “stop complaining and do something about it”. “Doing something” meant seeking election in the local council’s Town Ward. Other women had sought election to the New Norfolk Council in the past, but none had yet succeeded. Dorothy stood against Councillor H.J. “Joe” Laskey, an icon in the district who had been in office for 17 years.

That election saw the highest voter turnout in years – and Dorothy emerged victorious. The story of the 27-year-old mother’s victory made it into the pages of the Mercury. Winning election was one thing – gaining acceptance was another. The New Norfolk Warden’s Dinner was an annual tradition, attended by everyone of importance from the state premier down. The dinner was a male-only affair and following Dorothy’s election an invitation was sent to her husband to attend in her place.

A kindergarten teacher prior to her marriage, Dorothy brought a new focus on family and children to the council table during her six years of municipal service. She had the honour of opening the forerunner of the present local swimming pool; helped to convert a boggy paddock into Ellis Dean Reserve; and worked for the establishment of a second kindergarten in the town. Her term in office came to an end when she moved house to establish a gladioli farm at Magra – still in the municipal area but outside the boundary of the Town Ward.

Dorothy’s new venture, the gladioli farm, was a great success and became a supplier to Coles. Sadly the venture was dealt a fatal blow when the farm was burnt out in Tasmania’s bushfire disaster of 1967. Ever onward, Dorothy took over an established garden shop in Hobart, followed by another in suburban Glenorchy. A third shop in the chain was then established at New Norfolk. Flowers for the shops were grown in the back yard of the family home in Glenorchy.

Dorothy and Bevan Robinson, the parents of seven children, ultimately retired to Ellendale where they celebrated 50 years of marriage. Dorothy returned to New Norfolk after being widowed, and embarked on a new era in her life. She joined the New Norfolk Historical Information Centre and started putting to good use her first-hand knowledge of so much of the town’s history.

She penned many articles for books published by the committee, and was a key contributor to both volumes of The Derwent Valley: From Federation to Millennium. A chapter from one of those books was the genesis of Dorothy’s greatest literary work – A Glimpse into the History of St Matthew’s Anglican Church - a book of more than 80 pages on the history of Tasmania’s oldest church, built at New Norfolk in 1823. Dorothy was a faithful parishioner of the same church since her baptism there at four months of age in 1929. This major work was undertaken while Dorothy was undergoing treatment for cancer, from which she did not recover.

Dorothy was also a member of the Retarded Children’s Welfare Association in New Norfolk, an original member of the Magra branch of the Country Women’s Association, and a past-president of the Derwent Valley Combined Probus Club.

Some years ago, Dorothy contacted the Derwent Valley Council with an idea for a memorial to some of the founding families of the New Norfolk district. The idea lay in wait until funding became available, and on Australia Day 2013 the Tribute Wall at Arthur Square, New Norfolk, was unveiled by the then Federal Member for Lyons. Among those present were daughters of Joe Laskey, the councillor unseated by Dorothy nearly 60 years before, to see their family name recorded on the wall built at Dorothy’s instigation.

Dorothy passed away last June, aged 85. Here's to you, Mrs Robinson.

SFL season catch-up

By BEN HARRISON
A THREE-WAY tussle is being battled out at the top of the SFL ladder with New Norfolk, Claremont and Lindisfarne all locked on six wins after the first seven rounds. The competition had a full round bye at weekend when the SFL’s best took on the NWFL in a representative match at North Hobart Oval on Saturday, resulting in a win to the visitors.

Round 7 Results:

New Norfolk 25.20 (170) d Brighton 8.4 (52)
New Norfolk’s 118-point demolition of fourth-placed Brighton at Boyer maintained the reigning premiers’ position as the top team in 2015, albeit by only on percentage over Claremont. New Norfolk has made a fortress out of Boyer in recent years and last Saturday was no different. Eagles rover Roger Belcher had a field day against Brighton, kicking six goals to steer his side to another cricket score victory margin. Zeke Gardam kicked four goals and reigning William Leitch Medallist and coach Caden Wilson kicked three goals from six shots, whilst Dylan Cassidy was Brighton’s best on the scoreboard with three majors.

In the reserves it was a tense draw in the end with New Norfolk 4.8 (32) and Brighton 3.14 (32).

New Norfolk 3.3 (21) 11.12 (78) 17.16 (118) 25.20 (170)
Brighton        2.0 (12)     2.0 (12)     5.2 (32)       8.4 (52)
Goals - New Norfolk: R. Belcher 6, Z. Gardam 4, C. Wilson 3, N. Clayton 2, B. Wardlaw 2, B. Booth 2, S. Bonnitcha 2, J. Wigg , J. Clifford , B. Chaplin , B. Lovell; Brighton: D. Cassidy 3, T. Millhouse 2, H. Williams, C. Daly, F. Churchill.
Best - New Norfolk: R. Belcher, M. Horne, C. Wilson, J. Daley, B. Chaplin, J. Wigg; Brighton: D. Cassidy, C. Daly, R. Bailey, A. Collis, T. Millhouse, T. Arnold.

RESERVES
New Norfolk 1.3 (9)    1.3 (9)    4.7 (31)   4.8 (32)
Brighton        0.3 (3) 1.12 (18) 2.12 (24) 3.14 (32)
Goals - New Norfolk: J. Gunther 2, D. Triffett, J. Murray; Brighton: A. Whitford, B. Howlett, D. Cragg.
Best - New Norfolk: J. Gunther, N. Lester, J. Papera, D. Triffett, S. Rogers, J. Duggan; Brighton: T. Boucher, S. Bennett, G. Wakefield, J. Smith, A. McCarthy, B. Steele,

COLTS
New Norfolk 4.2 (26) 5.5 (35) 8.8 (56) 10.8 (68)
Lauderdale    2.1 (13) 5.2 (32) 6.3 (39) 9.5 (59)
Goals - New Norfolk: A. Long 3, N. Wakefield 2, Z. Triffett 2, N. Wakefield, J. Whitford-Marriott, K. Tomkinson; Lauderdale: R. Hooker 3, J. Williams 2, K. Tatnell, T. Cooper, C. Laoumtzis, S. Clayton.
Best - New Norfolk: Z. Triffett, J. Whitford-Marriott, N. Wakefield, T. Eiszele, Z. Crosswell, T. Oates; Lauderdale: C. Laoumtzis, R. Hooker, S. Clayton, D. Knott, K. Byfield, K. Tatnell.

Claremont 10.15 (75) defeated the East Coast Bombers 4.5 (29)
The Magpies racked up their sixth win of the season with their 46-point victory over the East Coast Bombers at Abbotsfield Park. Goals were hard to come by at Abbotsfield Park, with only one player able to kick more than one for either side. Claremont had 10 individual goal kickers. Ruckman-forward Josh Grant kicked a wayward 1.5 in difficult conditions, while East Coast’s Mitchell Bond with two goals was the only player to kick multiple majors.

Claremont defeated the East Coast Bombers in the Reserves by 88 points and also won the SFL Colts in the variation game against Brighton by 51 points

Lindisfarne 9.13 (67) defeated Cygnet 8.15 (63)
Lindisfarne stayed in the race for top spot in a cliffhanger against bottom-placed Cygnet, winning by four points at Anzac Park. Lindisfarne was lucky to escape with a win over the Port, which stormed home with a 4.6 to 2.3 final term to fall just short. Cygnet’s Brayden Hayes booted a game-high our goals and teammate Joe Direen slotted two goals, while midfielder Kase Miller was outstanding for the home team with a best afield performance finishing with 1.1.

In the reserves Lindisfarne won by 24 points.

Huonville 12.14 (86) defeated Dodges Ferry 11.7 (73)
Huonville stayed in touch with the top five with 13-point win over Dodges Ferry at Huonville. The Lions are now only one game out of the five after a well-earned win over the Dodges Ferry Sharks which included a match winning haul by the Paul brothers – Micky kicking 4.5 and Justin 3.3 while their teammate Cameron Johns was best afield.

Huonville won the reserves match by 67 points and in the SFL Colts Huonville made it three wins for the day and again took the points with a 46-point margin.

Hobart 9.17 (71) defeated Sorell 8.10 (58)
Hobart scored its second win with a gutsy 13-point victory over Sorell at Pembroke Park. Sorell midfielder Josh Monks was best on ground while Tiger Sam Reeves got four goals for Hobart.

Hobart won the reserves game by 14 points and in the SFL Colts in the variation game against Lindisfarne, Sorell ran out victors convincingly by 109 points.

Overnight weather warnings

Road Weather Alert

for Central Plateau, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts

Issued at 3.56pm on Monday 8 June 2015.

Snow covered roads above 500 metres will make driving conditions dangerous during Tuesday in parts of the Central Plateau, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts.

For information on any road closures, please contact your local council or the Police.

The next alert will be issued by 11pm Monday.

Warning to Sheep Graziers

for the North West Coast, Midlands, Upper Derwent Valley, South East, Furneaux Islands, East Coast and North East forecast districts

Issued at 3.55pm on Monday 8 June 2015.

Sheep Graziers are warned that cold temperatures, showers and strong westerly winds are expected later on Monday and during Tuesday. Areas likely to be affected include the Upper Derwent Valley, South East and Furneaux Islands forecast districts and parts of the Midlands, North West Coast, East Coast and North East forecast districts. There is a high risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.

The next warning will be issued by 11pm Monday.

Severe Weather Warning

for damaging winds
for people in the Upper Derwnt Valley, King Island, Furneaux Islands, North West Coast, Central North, North East, Western, Central Plateau, Midlands, East Coast and South East forecast districts

Issued at 5.39pm on Monday 8 June 2015.

For all of Tasmania this evening.

Weather Situation

A very strong northwesterly airstream is over Tasmania, ahead of a cold front that is currently near the west coast and will cross the state during this evening.

DAMAGING WINDS around 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of 110 km/h are forecast for all Tasmanian forecast districts, with gusts of 120 km/h possible about the south and east.

Maximum recorded wind gusts over the last six hours: 185 km/h Maatsuyker Island, 157 km/h Scotts Peak, 143 km/h Hartz Mountain, 106 km/h Hobart.

The State Emergency Service and Tasmania Police advise that people should:

• Supervise children closely
• Secure outdoor items including furniture and play equipment
• Check that family and neighbours are aware of warnings
• Manage pets and livestock
• Be prepared in case of power outages
• Beware of damaged trees and power lines and take care when driving
• Listen to the ABC radio or check www.ses.tas.gov.au for further advice

For flood and storm emergency assistance, contact the SES on 13 25 00

The next warning will be issued by 11pm Monday.

Marine Wind Warning Summary

Updated Marine Wind Warning Summary for Tasmania

Issued at 4.48pm on Monday 8 June 2015
for the period until midnight Tuesday 9 June 2015.

Wind Warnings for Monday 8 June

Gale Warning for the following areas: Derwent Estuary, Frederick Henry Bay and Norfolk Bay, Storm Bay, Channel, Far North West Coast, Central North Coast, Banks Strait and Franklin Sound, East of Flinders Island, Upper East Coast, Lower East Coast, South East Coast and Central West Coast
Small Craft Alert for the following areas: Central Plateau Lakes and South West Lakes

Wind Warnings for Tuesday 9 June

Strong Wind Warning for the following areas: Derwent Estuary, Frederick Henry Bay and Norfolk Bay, Storm Bay, Channel and Upper East Coast
Small Craft Alert for the following areas: Central Plateau Lakes and South West Lakes

The next marine wind warning summary will be issued by 5am Tuesday.

Check the latest Coastal Waters Forecast or Local Waters Forecast for information on wind, wave and weather conditions for these coastal zones.

Styx and Tyenna on flood watch

INITIAL FLOOD WATCH FOR

ALL SOUTHERN RIVER BASINS

Issued at 8:01 am EST on Monday 8 June 2015

By the Bureau of Meteorology, Hobart.

A flood watch is issued for all Southern river basins.
A series of fronts are crossing Tasmania this weekend bringing rain to most parts of the state. Rainfall totals of 15-40mm were reported about the west and south of the state since 9am Sunday.
A vigorous cold front will cross Tasmania during Monday, bringing additional rainfall totals in the range of 30 to 50 mm to the southern river basins. Isolated higher totals of up to 70mm are possible about elevated areas.
River and stream rises are occurring along the Huon, Styx and Tyenna river basins this morning, and are expected to continue during Monday into Tuesday.
Localised minor flooding of small creeks and low lying areas around the main rivers may occur in some locations during Monday.

Note: This Flood Watch is a "heads up" for possible future flooding and is NOT a Flood Warning.
Flood warnings will be issued for specific river basins if required.
FloodSafe advice is available at www.ses.tas.gov.au
Road closure information is available at www.police.tas.gov.au
For emergency assistance call the SES on telephone number 132 500.
For life threatening situations, call 000 immediately.

Weather Forecast:

Very high (90%) chance of showers. Snow falling above 700 metres in the evening.

Next Issue:

The next flood watch will be issued by 4PM Monday 8 June 2015.
For the latest rainfall and river level information see
www.bom.gov.au/tas/flood

Queen's Birthday honours

FOUR names with Derwent Valley connections appear on the Queen's Birthday honours list today.

The late Dorothy Robinson and former Derwent Valley mayor Tony Nicholson have both been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) while Brighton mayor Tony Foster has been elevated to Member of the Order of Australia and former state premier Paul Lennon has been admitted as an Officer of the Order of Australia.

• The late Mrs Dorothy Faye Robinson, late of New Norfolk, for service to the community of New Norfolk, awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). 
• Mr Antony David (Tony) Nicholson, of Lachlan, for service to local government and to the community of the Derwent Valley, awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). 
• Mr Stephen Anthony (Tony) Foster OAM, of Pontville and who grew up at Plenty, for significant service to local government through leadership roles, to professional governance associations, and to the community of Brighton, elevated to Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
• The Honourable Paul Anthony Lennon, of Broadmarsh, for distinguished service to the Parliament and community of Tasmania, to economic diversification and sustainability, to improved social welfare opportunities, to major infrastructure development, and to reconciliation, admitted as an Officer in the general division of the Order of Australia (AO). 

Weather warnings to start the week

Bureau of Meteorology
Tasmania

Severe Weather Warning
for damaging winds for people in the Upper Derwent Valley, Central Plateau, Midlands, King Island, Furneaux Islands, North West Coast, Central North, North East, Western, East Coast and South East forecast districts.

Issued at 10:04pm on Sunday 7 June 2015.

For all of Tasmania for Monday.

Weather situation: A very strong northwesterly airstream will develop ahead of a cold front, expected to cross Tasmania tomorrow (Monday) evening.

DAMAGING NORTHWESTERLY WINDS around 60 km/h with peak gusts of 100 km/h are forecast for all of Tasmania tomorrow, mainly during the afternoon. Gusts of 110 km/h are possible in parts of the east and south.

The State Emergency Service and Tasmania Police advise that people should:

•     Supervise children closely
•     Secure outdoor items including furniture and play equipment
•     Check that family and neighbours are aware of warnings
•     Manage pets and livestock
•     Be prepared in case of power outages
•     Beware of damaged trees and power lines and take care when driving
•     Listen to the ABC radio or check www.ses.tas.gov.au for further advice
•     For flood and storm emergency assistance, contact the SES on 132 500

The next warning will be issued by 5am Monday.

Wind Warnings for Monday

Strong Wind Warning for the following areas: Derwent Estuary, Frederick Henry Bay and Norfolk Bay, Storm Bay and Channel

Small Craft Alert for the following areas: Central Plateau Lakes and South West Lakes

The next marine wind warning summary will be issued by 5am Monday.

Check the latest Coastal Waters Forecast or Local Waters Forecast for information on wind, wave and weather conditions for these coastal zones.

Take care at the end of the bridge

MOTORISTS are urged to take care at the Hamilton Rd end of the New Norfolk Bridge, which has been the scene of at least five car crashes since Wednesday.

A three-car pileup on Wednesday was followed by a single-vehicle accident when a car is believed to have crashed into a shop later that night.

Further reports have been received of another single-vehicle accident at the junction on Friday evening and two more earlier this evening.

Eagles dominate southern side

REPRESENTATIVE football returns to North Hobart Oval for the first time in many years tomorrow (Saturday) as the SFL takes on the NWFL in the battle for regional bragging rights starting at 3.30pm.

The experienced players in the SFL side will need to be right on their game from the first bounce as the NWFL team will be brimming with a list of high quality players.

The 2015 SFL side is dominated by the presence of players from reigning premier New Norfolk, which has nine players selected in the southern list of twenty-two. This includes Eagles playing coach Caden Wilson who has obviously brought a new attitude to playing representative footy to the Derwent Valley, whilst Brighton, Cygnet, Claremont, Hobart and East Coast all have two representatives, with Dodges Ferry, Sorell and Huonville all have one player each.

When speaking to the the Mercury this week, SFL coach Zane Nossiter said he was pleased there was a good spread across the majority of the clubs in the south. “We ended up picking who we thought were the best players at training,” Nossiter said. He was confident that the blend of youth and experience selected would have the team line up well and have every chance of winning against a strong NWFL unit.

New Norfolk defender Rohan Heron, an experienced SFL representative campaigner and key player in the SFL’s 2013 victory over the NTFA in Launceston, would remember how close in 2012 an undermanned SFL went to shaking the then NTFL at Ulverstone.

The main fixture will be preceded by two games showcasing some of Tasmania’s future football talent. At 11.30am a Tasmanian Football Council Under 23 representative side will play against the AFL Tasmanian Academy side, followed at 1.30pm by an Under 18 fixture between the SFL and the NWFL.

Player Name	Club	Height	Weight
Callen Daly	Brighton	168	70
Braden Hayes	Cygnet	178	82
Zeke Gardam	New Norfolk	192	88
Gavin Quirk	Cygnet	182	78
Shane Bradford	Hobart	180	78
Blair Wardlaw	New Norfolk	187	85
Josh Dykes	Hobart	194	96
Todd Kelly	Claremont	196	96
Nic Clayton	New Norfolk	189	94
Simon Spencer (Capt.)	Claremont	194	96
Trent  Arnold	Brighton	188	85
Josh Clifford	New Norfolk	170	70
Jack Johnstone	Sorell	180	92
Jamie Curran	Dodges Ferry	190	84
Rohan Heron	New Norfolk	190	85
Shayne Moles	New Norfolk	187	89
Mitchell Bond	East Coast	180	83
Caden Wilson (Vice Capt.)	New Norfolk	182	88
Luke  Joseph	New Norfolk	178	81
Simon Dudgeon	East Coast	180	76
Michael Paul	Huonville	190	94
Jarrod Horne	New Norfolk	182	84

Molesworth celebrates double-premiership season

Chris Slater and Tony Hall.

ABOUT 60 people including players, members and guests attended the Molesworth Cricket Club annual dinner and trophy night at the Star and Garter Hotel last month. It was a great celebration of a double-premiership season in which Molesworth I was victorious in 2nd Grade and Molesworth II won the 5th Grade premiership.

Molesworth I all-rounder Brad Coppleman stole the show, collecting a swag of trophies including the Danny Godfrey Memorial Trophy for the best player in 2nd Grade. Coppleman had a terrific season and also won many Southern Cricket Association awards. Two of the club's up and coming stars Josh Ransley and Jye County also took home a number of trophies.

Another highlight of the night was the presentation of life membership to club stalwarts Tony Hall and Chris Slater. Hall has given great service to the club for around 15 years as a committee member including the running of the canteen for many seasons and is currently vice president of club. Slater started playing with the club back in the 1998/99 season and has been vice-captain of both Molesworth I and II teams. Slater has also played in five grand finals in the past five years, winning premierships with Molesworth I in 2010/11 and most recently with Molesworth II.

Trophy winners

2nd grade - batting average: Brad Coppleman 51.67; batting aggregate: Brad Coppleman 775 runs; bowling average: Dean King 10.47; bowling aggregate: Brad Coppleman 25 wickets; fielding award: Nathan Eiszele; best in finals: Brad Coppleman.  

5th grade - batting average: Jye County 30.33; batting aggregate: Jacksyn Mann 299 runs; bowling average: Josh Ransley 7.95; bowling aggregate: Josh Ransley and Jye County 20 wickets; fielding award: Jack Evans; best in finals: Brad Ransley
Club awards - Danny Godfrey Memorial Trophy: Brad Coppleman (2nd grade) and Jye County (5th grade); Coaches Award: Aaron Triffitt; Best Under 21: Josh Ransley; Best Clubman: David Adams.