COVID-19 ADVICE

COVID-19 ADVICE: The following links provide official advice and information about the virus known as COVID-19.
Australia's state and federal governments are taking action to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Use the links above to source the latest advice about what you can do to protect yourself and others. Washing your hands for 20 seconds is one of the most effective forms of infection control. Do this after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing; after close physical contact with anyone who is unwell; after using the toilet; before and after eating; before, during and after preparing food; and after feeding or touching a pet.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Volunteering opportunity with the New Norfolk scouts

SCOUTING has been a popular activity in the Derwent Valley for more than 50 years. The New Norfolk Scout Group currently has three sections (Joeys, Cubs and Scouts) and is very active in the community. There are presently several vacancies for Joey and Cub leaders.

Volunteering as a Cub or Joey leader provides great opportunities to:

  • Encourage, mentor and empower young people to be their best
  • Contribute to the local community
  • Rediscover adventure yourself
  • Involve your whole family in new adventure together
  • Have fun
  • Challenge yourself
  • Get active
  • Learn new skills
  • Be appreciated
  • Meet people with similar values
  • Gain recognised leadership and management qualifications
  • Travel within Australia and overseas


Cub and Joey leaders come from all walks of life. They may be parents of scouts or might have once been a cub or scout themselves. Others have no scouting experience at all. No particular skills or qualifications are needed other than a commitment to helping with the provision of programs for their Cub Pack or Joey Mob.

Scouts Australia helps leaders by providing all necessary training and support. Leader training is provided through the Scouts Australia Institute of Training, which delivers nationally-recognised VET qualifications in leadership and management. Leaders generally need to commit to group meetings one night per week during school terms, a monthly leaders’ meeting and a few weekends a year for outdoor activities such as hiking and camping trips.

For more information contact Scout Leader Jo-anne Pursell on 0400 539 315 or Cub Leader Andy
McLean a call on 0448 399 088.

Monday, September 28, 2015

Lyell Highway roadworks

THREE sections of the Lyell Highway will be subject to maintenance work causing occasional delays this week.

  • Lyell Hwy, 4km north of the junction with Gordon River Rd: Resurfacing preparations. Reduced speed limit with frequent lane closures between 9am and 3.30pm on September 30.
  • Lyell Hwy, Rocks Rd (Granton/Bridgewater-New Norfolk): Verge spraying from 5am-2pm between September 28 and October 2. No changes from normal traffic conditions. 
  • Lyell Hwy, Wayatinah: Resurfacing preparations. Reduced speed limit with frequent lane closures between 7am and 5pm today (September 28).

Gordon River roadworks continue

ROADWORKS continue this week on Gordon River Rd near National Park. Pavement maintenance may result in occasional delays between 7am and 4pm until Friday this week. A reduced speed limit will apply.

How the game was won

SFL Grand Final Review
By Ben Harrison

Claremont 16.15 (111) d New Norfolk 6.11 (47)
CLAREMONT secured its first Southern Football League premiership by defeating competition powerhouse and long-term rival New Norfolk at KGV Oval on Saturday. New Norfolk had won the last three Grand Finals and other team had really challenged the Derwent Valley club since Kingborough won all three premierships in 2011.

In the end the difference in this game came down to a 12-minute period where the Magpies piled on nine goals before the long break to set up a 64-point victory that saw the 2015 cup head to Abbotsfield Park. Its first night in its new home would have seen some extensive celebrations as the Magpies also took out the Reserves and Colts premierships.

The Magpies have been the standout side all season after recruiting strongly to develop their playing list following grand final losses to the Eagles in 2013 and 2014. In the first quarter it appeared that pattern of dominance from Claremont would stay the same, but the Eagles stayed in the contest.

Following a fiery finish to the first quarter, some more spot-fires appeared and then just before the 15-minute mark of the second quarter an Eagle player cleaned up Magpie dynamo Chris Novy, who took no further part in the game.

Some push and shove went on for a few moments but after Novy left the ground the Magpie machine retaliated on the scoreboard as classy left footer Nathan Matthews scored the first two goals of the nine straight for Claremont to leave New Norfolk shell shocked.

Beyond a miracle the game was effectively out of reach for the Eagles and the rest of the game was fairly even on the scoreboard as both sides seemed to just play out the game till the final sire signaled the start of the Magpie celebrations.

Claremont’s best players were led by Matthews who was awarded the Gorringe-Martyn medal being judged best afield and he received great support from Ashley Bennett, Simon Ladic and Daniel Fewkes. Sean Salter led the scoring with three goals apiece and that tally was enough to ensure that Salter finished his season with 101 goals to his name in a terrific effort amongst nine Magpie goal kickers on the day.

New Norfolk again was best served by Rohan Heron at both ends of the ground along with co-captain Zeke Gardam, while Nathan Ross was active from time to time and finished with two goals.

In the reserves final Claremont was victorious over Brighton by 52 points where the Johnstone Medal for Best afiled went to Simon Spencer of Claremont and in the Colts game Claremont hung on from a fast finishing Huonville to win by only two points as the V.A. Geard Medal for best afield went to Cameron Wooley of the Huonville Lions.

End of an era in High St

The Glasser & Parker shop in High St.
THERE has been widespread regret at news that New Norfolk's last clothing shop is to close. Now trading as Glasser & Parker, the business at 41 High St was established by the late Ron Williams as a menswear shop in the early 1950s.

A prisoner-of-war during World War II, Mr Williams was in the process of remodelling the shop when he won the Tasmanian Lottery in 1954, sharing first prize with Merv Clark and fellow PoW Stan Marshall.

After outfitting several generations of men and boys, the business branched out into womens' clothing in 1999. In 2002 it was announced that the shop would closed, but this was averted when the business was taken over by Les Lees.

Ownership changed again several years later and for the last decade the shop has been a branch of the well-known Hobart firm Glasser & Parker. It has been announced that the owners of Glasser & Parker are to retire and all three stores will close by January. A closing-down sale is now taking place.

Derwent Valley Gifts & Souvenirs.
A closing down sale is also in progress at Derwent Valley Gifts & Souvenirs at 46 High St but it is understood that another business will take its place.


Sunday, September 27, 2015

National title for local driver

Kieran Glover, back, with his support crew earlier today.
AFTER a rough start yesterday, Sorell Creek driver Kieran Glover staged an impressive comeback to win the 2015 Formula Vee national championship at Sydney Motorsport Park at Eastern Creek this afternoon.

After qualifying third in the first race yesterday, Glover slipped to ninth place in the second race and repairs to the gearbox were carried out overnight. He finished in fourth place in the first race today and came in first in the final race of the day, claiming the national title.

Established in the US in 1960, Formula Vee is regarded as the entry-level category of Australian motorsport. Introduced here in 1965, this class of racing can see the drivers hitting 200km/h along the straights and lap times are only slightly behind those of much more powerful cars.

Glover is an engineering student at the University of Tasmania and is believed to be the first Tasmanian driver to win the Formula Vee national series.

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Eagles defeated in grand final

SFL Grand Final

Claremont 16.15 (111) d New Norfolk 6.11 (47)
Goals - Claremont: Salter 3, Westell 2, Bennett 2, County 2, Reeves 2, Matthews 2, Fewkes, Hobden, Kelly; New Norfolk: Ross 2, Heron 2, Clifford, Wardlaw.

Three quarter time scores: Claremont 15.10 (100) to New Norfolk 3.6 (24)
Half time scores: Claremont 13.8 (86) to New Norfolk 3.3 (21)
Quarter-time scores: Claremont 3.6 (24) to New Norfolk 2.3 (15)

Mercury match review here.

RESERVES GRAND FINAL: Claremont 10.17 (77) d Brighton 4.1 (25)

COLTS GRAND FINAL: Claremont 6.7 (43) d Huonville 6.5 (41)

Friday, September 25, 2015

SFL grand final preview

SFL Finals Week 4
Grand Final Preview by Ben Harrison

Claremont v New Norfolk, 2.30pm Saturday at KGV Oval 
THE 2015 SFL Grand Final is bound to be an absolute cracker as two tribes go to war to finally sort out who has their hands wrapped around this season’s SFL Premiership Cup come 5pm on Saturday.

The form guide suggests that New Norfolk - targeting a fourth premiership in succession and potentially sixth in seven seasons - is no match for the rampaging Claremont who have taken all before them this season.

However, on SFL Grand Final Day in September it’s a gallant tipster who would completely dismiss the Derwent Valley powerhouse. The Eagles will welcome back a host of stars for the grand final with the ageless Roger Belcher returning from a shoulder injury, Jarrod Horne getting over an illness and the “Weapon” Nathan Ross likely to come into the side after recovering from a hamstring. But the Eagles will definitely miss the on-field drive from playing coach Caden Wilson who will steer the ship for this grand final from the bench as he is out for the season with a broken leg.

One of the biggest tasks for the Eagles will be to negate the SFL leading goal kicker from Claremont in Sean Salter who currently sits on 95 goals and may well post his century on Saturday although it’s likely that Rohan Heron will have completely different view on that and the SFL’s number one defender will be looking to repel every Magpie attack he and his fellow backs can as it comes into the forward 50.

As good as Heron is, a lot will depend on who wins in the midfield and the Eagles will need to shut down the Magpies prime movers in 2015 William Leitch Medallist Nathan Brown and the silky skills of Scott Jones or the service and supply may just prove a little too much for the Eagles defenders to restrict.

The Grand Final sets up a tantalising contest as the reigning premier could reach the end of an era or will the big stage again prove to be too great of a test for the men from Abbotsfield Park.

Who wins? Well, the game should be in the balance till half time and then the week’s break may prove that Claremont could be a little fresher on the wide expanse of KGV and could run away to secure the flag by 26 points.

In the 2015 SFL U18 Colts League Grand Final, Claremont will take on Huonville at 9.30am and in the Reserves Grand Final Claremont will take on Brighton at noon. Gates will be open at KGV on Saturday from 8am.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

St Brigid's anniversary fair coming up

St Brigid's Catholic School
Commemoration Fair

Celebrating 90 Years of Catholic Education in the Derwent Valley

Friday, October 30, 2015 from 4pm

Lots of fun for the children, Zorb Balls, Laser Tag, jumping castle, old time games, spit roast, BBQ, hot chips, Devonshire tea, lucky dips, cake stalls, ice cream stall, cow lotto, 1920s photo booth.

The school's history room will be open to visitors.

The fair will be opened by the Governor of Tasmania, Professor Kate Warner.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Frost warning

Bureau of Meteorology
Tasmania

Frost Warning
for the Upper Derwent Valley, North West Coast, Central North, Midlands, East Coast and South East forecast districts


Issued at 10:05 pm on Tuesday 22 September 2015.

Severe frosts with temperatures down to -3 degrees which can cause significant crop damage are forecast for Wednesday morning in parts of the Central North, Midlands and Upper Derwent Valley forecast districts
Frosts with temperatures down to -2 degrees are forecast for Wednesday morning in parts of the North West Coast, East Coast and South East forecast districts

Please be aware
Temperatures at ground level can be many degrees lower than those recorded by standard weather stations, especially in calm conditions with clear skies.

No further warnings will be issued for this event.

Eagles into grand final

SFL Season 2015
Finals Week 3 reviewed by Ben Harrison 

Preliminary Final at KGV Oval

New Norfolk 11.12 (78) d Huonville 11.9 (75)
NEW Norfolk coach Caden Wilson seems still confident his hardened finals campaigners have the energy and motivation to fuel one last assault on the all-conquering Claremont in the 2015 SFL Grand Final. After hanging on for a brave win against a Huonville side that kept coming at the reigning premier all day on Sunday, New Norfolk has now earned the right to meet the Magpies for a chance to collect its sixth premiership in seven years.

It was the Eagles experience in key moments that really stood out across the day in the Preliminary Final and despite being undermanned with injuries to key playmakers Nathan Ross and Roger Belcher, the Eagles were able to hold off the motivated a Huonville outfit which were never out of the game.

New Norfolk’s goal-kicking radar was off target in the first quarter as it kicked 3.6, but it started the second quarter with the first three goals to ease out to a more comfortable break of 21 points. The Lions showed their resilience by kicking the next two goals through Kelly and coach Tim Lamprill to go to the main break within two goals and then opened the second half with the first two goals to take back the lead.

It was a battle that went from end to end for the rest of the quarter and once again the Eagles took the lead at the final change and after Brayden Chaplin and Blair Wardlaw kicked the first two goals of the final term it looked like the Eagles were safe clearing out to lead by 18 points. Huonville refused to drop out of the contest and when James Lange converted from close range and Darren Garth dribbled one through the margin was cut to three points with only minutes remaining.

The Lions threw all their might at the Eagles in the final seconds but the SFL reigning premier held tight to win by three points. In the Reserves Preliminary Final, Brighton held on to defeat New Norfolk, whHuonville comfortably accounted for Sorell by 42 points in the Colts game.

Monday, September 21, 2015

Gretna Cricket Club notices

Gretna Cricket Club Inc.
SENIOR TRAINING
Sunday, September 27, 10am
at Gretna War Memorial Oval
All past, present and intending players welcome
BBQ to follow
Inquiries: Wade Gleeson 0429 704 677

JUNIOR CRICKET REGISTRATION & TRAINING DAY
For Under 13s & Under 16s
Sunday, September 27, 1pm,
Gretna War Memorial Oval
Open to Boys & Girls
Inquiries: Wade Gleeson 0429 704 677

Road weather alert

Bureau of Meteorology
Tasmania

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

Issued at 4:01 pm on Monday 21 September 2015.

Snow covered roads above 400 metres will make driving conditions dangerous during Tuesday in parts of the 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 Monday.

Gordon River roadworks

MAINTENANCE works on Gordon River Rd near National Park may result in delays of up to 15 minutes between 7am and 4pm until Friday this week. A reduced speed limit will apply and there will be occasional lane closures.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

NNJFC best and fairest awards

Under 16s best and fairest winner Zach Triffett, left, with
runner-up Ryan Banks-Smith with Under 14s winner Jamie
Rainbird and runner-up Jayden Wilton.
A LARGE crowd attended the New Norfolk Junior Football Club's best and fairest count at the New Norfolk District Football Clubrooms earlier this month.  With three of the four counts having six or fewer votes separating the winners, the night had plenty of nerves and anticipation.

In the Under 16s it was a very close count from start to finish with Zac Triffett pipping runner-up Ryan Banks-Smith by three votes. Both players had done well in previous years with Zac winning the Under 14s in 2013, while Ryan was runner up in the Under 14s last year.

In the Under 14s it was also three votes that separated winner Jamie Rainbird with 38 votes from Jayden Wilton on 35 votes. For the Under 13s award, Jye Bearman held off Dylan Browning by just six votes. Dylan was also runner up in the Under 12s last season.

Under 12s best and fairest winner Zach Holdsworth, left, with
runner-up Billie Green, and Under 13s winner Jye Bearman and
runner-up Dylan Browning.
For the Under 12s, Zach Holdsworth had a good run polling 52 votes to win the best and fairest, while Billie Green polled 31 votes to be runner up.

At the end of the trophy presentations, life membership was awarded to Peter Archer. Peter, who was unable to attend, served as a coach and committee member during the 1990s and also held the position of public officer for 10 years. Life Members in attendance were Cathy Adams, David Banks and Chris Lovell. Congratulations also go to NNJFC committee member Vanessa Britten won the STJFL Club Volunteer Award.

Finally, well done to the Under 16s who defeated Lindisfarne in the STJFL preliminary final and played off against North Hobart in the grand final, which was won by North Hobart.

WADE GLEESON

NNJFC 2015 Best & Fairest winners & runners-up

Under 12s (Lyn Harris Medal)
Winner: Zach Holdsworth, 52 votes
Runner-up: Billie Green, 31 votes

Under 13s (Stephen & Tina Rhodes Medal)
Winner: Jye Bearman, 44 votes.
Runner-up: Dylan Browning, 38 votes.

Under 14s (Peter Birchall Medal)
Winner: Jamie Rainbird, 38 votes.
Runner-up: Jayden Wilton, 35 votes.

Under 16s (Geoff & Carol Horne Medal)
Winner: Zac Triffett, 37 votes.
Runner-up: Ryan Banks-Smith, 34 votes.

Grand final details

SFL Grand Final Day
Saturday, September 26, 2015
KGV Oval, Glenorchy

Seniors: Claremont v New Norfolk, 2.30pm
Reserves: Claremont v Brighton, noon
Colts: Claremont v Huonville, 9.30am

Admission:
Adults $10
Concession $5
Under 16: Free.

Eagles win through to grand final

IN a thrilling finish to a game that went back and forth all afternoon, New Norfolk has scored a narrow win over Huonville in the battle of the valleys to claim a spot in next week's SFL Grand Final.

The Eagles led at every change but the Lions rallied in between times to be in front on several occasions. At full time New Norfolk had hung on to win by three points.

New Norfolk 11.12 (78) to Huonville 11.9 (75).

New Norfolk will face Claremont in the Grand Final next weekend at KGV.

Preliminary final scores (senior game)

FIRST QUARTER: New Norfolk 3.6 (24) lead Huonville 3.0 (18)

HALF TIME: New Norfolk 6.6 (42) lead Huonville 5.4 (34)

THIRD QUARTER: New Norfolk 9.10 (64) lead Huonville 9.6 (60)


FINAL SCORE: New Norfolk 11.12 (78) defeated Huonville 11.9 (75)

Season over for the New Norfolk Reserves

THE fulll-time score in today's SFL Reserves Preliminary Final saw Brighton victorious by nine points over New Norfolk. Brighton now proceed to the SFL Reserves Grand Final against Claremont next Saturday at KGV.

Coming up at 1pm today at the KGV ground in Glenorchy is the 2015 SFL Senior Preliminary Final between reigning premier New Norfolk and Huonville.

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Last chance Sunday

THIS weekend looks likely to be the last chance for skiing and snowboarding at Mt Mawson in the Mt Field National Park. The Southern Tasmanian Ski Association will operate the Mawson tow tomorrow (Sunday) for what is likely to be the last time this season, with the Mt Mawson blog reporting good skiing and boarding on the top half of the mountain.

Vale Ron Miles OAM

LARGER than life for most of his years, well-known New Norfolk sportsman and ex-serviceman Ron Miles has died this week, aged 95. A resident of Corumbene Nursing Home for the last few years, Ron passed away on September 17. He is survived by his wife June and their children Kym and Linda and their families. Ron's funeral service will be at the Millingtons Funeral Home, 151 Main Rd, Moonah, at 1pm this Wednesday, September 23.

Dubbed Tasmania's "Mr Boxing" in the 1970s, the name of Ronald Leslie Miles was synonymous with amateur boxing throughout the state for many decades. His sporting career of more than 60 years included his debut as a young competitive boxer in the mid 1930s, more than 40 years as a respected trainer, a referee for both boxing and wrestling, and time as a top promoter expounding the noble art of gloved fisticuffs to all who wished to learn. He also wrote prolifically for the Derwent Valley Gazette and also for The Advocate whilst living in the North-West for a time.

Writing in Volume 1 of The Derwent Valley from Federation to Millennium, Kym Miles noted that his father's interest was sparked as a youngster attending the New Norfolk State School in the early 1930s. He was fascinated with Alf Henson’s Travelling Boxing Troupe which attended the popular New Norfolk Regatta during the depression years of the late 1920s and early 1930s. Ron had his first venture into boxing in 1935 when, at 15 years of age, he started training at a Hobart gymnasium. Ron fought in several bouts with mixed success at various tournaments before joining the Royal Australian Navy in March 1939. He returned to New Norfolk in 1949 with his wife June and infant son Kym.

He played a major role in the establishment of the Australian Newsprint Mills Boxing Club in 1951. "The club took off and it seemed every boy in New Norfolk wanted to become a boxer. During 34 years of training boxers at New Norfolk, (he) helped to produce many top boxers and his list of champions reads like a Who’s Who of boxing – Johnny Latham, Peter Oldham, Tony Maddox, Barry Lucas, Keith King, Max McCallum, Terry and Ray Briers, Des and Terry Ackerley, Robert Hill, Roger Crosswell, Johnny Jackson, Max Hooper, Johnny Kava, and four-times Australian heavyweight champion Rex Kelly," Kym Miles wrote.

In 1954 Miles started the popular Derwent Valley Championships to cater for boxers throughout the Derwent Valley. The championships became so popular that they made New Norfolk the Tasmanian mecca for boxing for nearly 30 years. Miles also ran shows as fundraisers for various charities including the Miss Tasmania Quest, while tournaments in the 1950s helped to furnish the New Norfolk War Memorial Hall.

The New Norfolk District Football Club was another big interest. Ron held many positions with the club, including 25 years as team manager, assistant secretary and director, and was a team selector for five different coaches. He was awarded life membership in 1960, and was later awarded life membership of the New Norfolk Old Players and Officials Association.

Ron retired from the ANM workforce in 1980 after 31 years of service and moved to Burnie three years later, where he maintained his keen interest in boxing before returning home to New Norfolk in 1995 to enjoy a quiet life with his wife June.

When Ron Miles’ name appeared in the 1978 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for service to the sports of boxing, wrestling and Australian football, the then Warden of New Norfolk, Cr Clyde Fitzgerald, remarked: “Ron Miles is a great credit to his district, people like him who give up so much of their time and skill in helping youth are a precious commodity anywhere”. In 2000 Ron received a further honour in the form of the Australian Sports Medal acknowledging his service to Amateur Boxing and Australian Rules Football, as a boxer, boxing trainer, wrestler, referee and promoter.

Rest in peace, Ron Miles. Condolences to his family.

Friday, September 18, 2015

Preliminary final preview

SFL Season 2015 Finals
Week 3 previewed by Ben Harrison

New Norfolk v Huonville
The 2015 SFL preliminary final this Sunday is set up as a mouth watering contest to see who will win out and take the reward to accept the final challenge to stop the Claremont juggernaut which some seem to think may be unstoppable on their way to this season’s SFL Premiership.

Both these teams come into this game in completely contrasting form with Eagles struggling to impact the scoreboard with any frequency in their semi-final, whereas the Lions ended up with 36 scoring shots and nine individual goal-scorers in their corresponding game against Lindisfarne.

As the finals move to KGV in the penultimate week of the season the Eagles will look to their finals superstar Nathan Ross to be re-ignite their season after really being belted by Claremont in the 2nd Semi-Final by 76 points. On the other hand the Lions will relish the opportunity for a Sunday drive to bring their big supporter base out of the Huon Valley after a dramatic finals victory in the 1st Semi-Final following their barnstorming finish to get over Lindisfarne by a solitary point on the back of a 10-goal final quarter after trailing by 44 points at the final change.

The Lions have proven that they have the fitness to run out four quarters and they have plenty of scoring options available and the potential clash between Lions Coach and spearhead Tim “Billy” Lamprill and the league’s best defender in Rohan Heron should be worth the entry fee on its own. But the Lions midfield will need to not only hold Ross, but the classy Mark Horne and Josh Clifford and Huonville’s leader Jordan Lovell will be the prime mover from the stoppages that the Lions look to as the man to give their forwards enough service to challenge the reigning premier.

The game is sure to be a classic battle between these two teams striving to make a Grand Final as the reigning premier could be looking down the barrel at the end of an era as they go up against the emerging Huonville Lions who have really turned around their season after being winless at the bottom of the ladder after four rounds of the year.

So, who gets another crack at Claremont? Well, Huonville has been brave and impressive, but it’s an even braver person who says the Eagles are done with in September and they are likely to get their campaign back on track and set up another Grand Finals appearance.

Prediction: New Norfolk by 36 points

Community market this Sunday

Derwent Valley Community Market

Sunday, September 20, 2015

10am-2pm

at Derwent Valley Community House

The Avenue, Willow Court, New Norfolk

(Market held on the third Sunday of every month)

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Restaurant rises again

The Burnett Street Merchant
THE most talked-about eatery in New Norfolk has re-opened after a long break between courses.

Originally a general store and later a second-hand shop and furniture store, the building at 21 Burnett St was a fire-damaged shell before being opened as Verandahs in the Valley in 2003.

Verandahs had two iterations, followed by a short period in 2010 when it traded as "Quince" under different management.

The original operators, John and Laurelle Grimley, have now opened a new venture in the building, calling it The Burnett Street Merchant. The name is a nod to a popular eatery in Perth, Western Australia.

The restaurant's Facebook page says "The Merchant" will be open from 5pm on Thursday and Friday, and from 6pm on Saturday. For bookings, call or text 0400 677 445. There is also a website with other details.

The building as it was a century ago. Click image to enlarge.

Monday, September 14, 2015

Eagles into preliminary final

SFL Season 2015
Finals Week 2 reviewed by Ben Harrison 

Second Semi Final at Abbotsfield Park
Claremont 18.15 (123) d New Norfolk 7.5 (47) 
THE Magpies continued their dominance of the Eagles in SFL season 2015 in the Second Semi-Final to progress directly to the Grand Final following a 76 point victory at Abbotsfield Park on Saturday. The Magpies will now have two weeks to prepare for their premiership opponent as they await the outcome of the Preliminary Final clash between New Norfolk and Huonville Lions at KGV this Sunday.

The Second Semi-Final did not prove to be the free flowing contest that was possibly expected in the first half as Claremont led by 16 points at quarter time and extended that lead to 32 points by half time where to that stage the Eagles had only managed two goals to half time. But from the long break the Eagles showed more results from their forward 50 entries and returned 4.2 for the third quarter, but so did the Magpies delivering the first of two six goal quarters in succession for the second half to put the result beyond doubt.

The Claremont big guns delivered on the scoreboard and headed a list of 11 different goal kickers as Nathan Brown finished with four goals and Sean Salter kicked three majors and will need two goals in the Grand Final to finish the season with a century of goals for the season. Tyron Rainbird and Bryan Chaplin both kicked two goals for New Norfolk in a unusually low return for the Eagles.

Daniel Fewkes was best on ground for Claremont with great support from Nathan Griffith and Simon Ladic whilst as usual Rohan Heron led the way in defence for the Eagles and he had good support from Mark Horne.

Claremont ensured that SFL Grand Final day is sure to be a massive one for their club as the reserves were victorious by 81 points over New Norfolk and so were the Colts as they defeated Huonville Lions by 64 points to both advance to their respective Grand Finals and join their senior teammates.

First Semi Final at Anzac Park
Huonville 18.18 (126) d Lindisfarne 18.17 (125) 
LINDISFARNE would have gone into its home final feeling confident of a positive result if it could get its free running game going and kick accurately. Following a 27-point lead at quarter-time kicking with the wind and extending the lead to 35 points at half time the Two Blues would have definitely felt they had control of the game, particularly as the Lions' usually accurate forward line was way off target having only scored five goals from 16 scoring shots.

The lead opened up even more in the third quarter as the Two Blues once again kicked with the strong wind and opened up a match winning lead of 44 points at the final break. Only those in the huddle would know what Huonville coach Tim Lamprill said to his players before the last quarter, but whatever were the words they worked. The strong wind became a Huonville hurricane as the Lions after kicking six goals in six minutes finished the quarter running down the Two Blues lead to secure the win by the smallest of margins, kicking 10 goals in the final quarter after having only managed eight in the previous three quarters.

Huonville coach Tim Lamprill led the scoring with six goals and Brad Sullivan also contributed four goals. Lindisfarne’s Brody Phillips finished the season with five goals in this great final and Matthew Howell again finished his work off well slotting through three majors. Huonville was best served by Michael Paul, Brendon Lorkin, Jordan Lovell and Coach Lamprill. Lindisfarne had Matt Phillips, Justin Myers and Adam Hutchinson led the way early on in the game for the Two Blues.

Lindisfarne will be disappointed to have gone out of the 2015 SFL finals series in straight sets after being the only team in 2015 to have the better of the all conquering Claremont Magpies during the season. On the other hand the Huonville Lions are now only one step away from a fairytale finish to their season after being on the bottom of the ladder after four rounds at the start of the season.

In the reserves Huonville went down to Brighton in a big loss by 98 points and they also lost their final against Claremont  in the Colts by 64 points to set up a Preliminary final clash against Sorell following their tight three point victory over Brighton.

Vegetation fire at Molesworth

THE Tasmania Fire Service is on the scene of a vegetation fire at Collins Cap Rd, Molesworth. The incident was reported at 12.22pm. The size of the fire has not yet been reported but a light tanker has responded and a medium tanker is on the way.

Today's temperatures in some parts of the Derwent Valley have already exceeded the forecast maximum of 25 degrees. At 1pm the temperature at Bushy Park was 27.2 degrees.

4PM UPDATE: This fire is now controlled and is being patrolled.

Click here for updates from the Tasmania Fire Service.

Sunday, September 13, 2015

State title for Derwent Valley Band

LESS than three months after winning two European championships, the Derwent Valley Concert Band has won the Open B Grade Concert Band category at the Tasmanian Bands League 2015 State Championships. This latest title was won at Glenorchy yesterday (Saturday).


Saturday, September 12, 2015

Sunday snow and sun

Today's snow cover at Mt Mawson.
Click image to enlarge.
DESPITE the warm temperatures forecast for tomorrow (Sunday), there is still a good covering of snow at Mt Mawson in the Mt Field National Park.

While it will be warm and sunny in the Derwent Valley, with an expected top temperature of 24 degrees, it will be a much cooler on the mountain, where a top of 16 degrees has been forecast.

Southern Tasmanian Ski Association volunteers are on the mountain and the Mawson Ski Tow is running. "There is still a great snow cover and classic Tassie spring skiing!" STSA Peter Davis said on the Mt Mawson blog.

Today's footy results

SFL Seniors
2nd Semi-Final: Claremont 18.15 (123) d New Norfolk 7.5 (47)
1st Semi-Final: Lindisfarne: 18.17 (125) d Huonville 18.18 (126)

NEXT WEEKEND: New Norfolk v Huonville in preliminary final at KGV.

SFL Reserves
2nd Semi-Final: Claremont 16.8 (104) d New Norfolk 3.5 (23)
1st Semi-Final: Brighton 19.13 (127) d Huonville 4.5 (29)

Friday, September 11, 2015

SFL finals: Week 2 previewed

SFL Season 2015 Finals
Week 2 previewed by Ben Harrison

Second Semi-Final: Claremont v New Norfolk at Abbotsfield Park
WILL it be the might of the Magpies who have dominated the competition all season or will the reigning premier in the make its way into the biggest game of the season to try to pull off a fourth consecutive SFL premiership for the Eagles?

On paper Claremont will be fresher from the week’s break and look to have a really great balance of depth across all their lines. Two of the biggest jobs will be holding Magpie match winners Nathan Brown and SFL leading goal-kicker Sean Salter who has 95 goals this season, whilst Brown has kicked 53 for the year himself.

New Norfolk would normally look just as potent with Zeke Gardam and Caden Wilson having kicked more than 120 goals between them. But the Eagles enter the finals series without their key playmaker and reigning William Leitch medalist in coach Wilson who has suffered an injury to end his 2015 campaign. The goal-kicking weight will point heavily toward Gardam and Nic Clayton.

Most people would be leaning toward Claremont to win this clash at home, but it’s a gamble to write off the Eagles particularly if Claremont don’t pay enough attention to New Norfolk’s true finals “weapon” coming off a best afield against Lindisfarne in Nathan Ross.

Player to watch: Nathan Ross (New Norfolk)
Prediction: Claremont by 15 points.


First Semi-Final: Lindisfarne v Huonville at Anzac Park
IT’S all or nothing at all at Anzac Park in the First Semi-Final between two sides who should put on a fast, free-flowing game of football.  The Lions would be really confident following a really solid second half in their elimination final, whereas the Two Blues would be hoping to string together a whole game with the intensity of their first half last weekend against New Norfolk.

The Lindisfarne defence will have its work cut out for it trying to limit the scoring opportunities of Lamprill, Paul, Sullivan and Garth for the Lions, which is where the run and carry of the Two Blues on-ballers needs to be delivered for more than just a half this weekend.

Troy Cunliffe has had an outstanding year for Lindisfarne and he would need to be watched very closely as he also regularly gets the Two Blues scoreboard moving. If the forecast is right and the sun shines and the temperature reaches the 20s for the first time in many months this should turn into a high-scoring shootout to entertain the locals from Lindisfarne and those venturing up from the Huon Valley to support the Lions, who may continue their finals journey and just get the points.

Player to watch: Troy Cunliffe (Lindisfarne)
Prediction: Huonville by 9 points.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Change of venue for immunisations

THE Derwent Valley Council's free childhood immunisation service will relocate to the Derwent Valley Child and Family Centre in Blair St, New Norfolk, for three months. The sessions will continue to be held on the fourth Wednesday of each month between 2–2.30pm, with the next to be held on September 23. For more information contact Laura on 6261 8530.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Eagles into SFL semi-final

SFL Season 2015
Finals Week 1 reviewed by Ben Harrison

Qualifying Final: New Norfolk 14.10 (94) d Lindisfarne 8.11 (59) at Boyer
Lindisfarne set off to Boyer with the intent of playing fast-paced football against the reigning premier and by half time in the game on Saturday it appeared they were up for the challenge, taking the lead into the long break as New Norfolk struggled to combat the Two Blues' game plan.

The third quarter remained very tight and was almost goal for goal and set up a thrilling final quarter. However, it was all New Norfolk from late in the third quarter as they finished the game with seven goals in a row and proved that no matter who the Eagles take on their opposition can’t afford to let up before the final siren.

New Norfolk coach Caden Wilson spoke to the media after the game and said: “We knew that Lindisfarne was going to come out strongly. But we knew if we played four quality quarters we could overrun them.” On the other hand Lindisfarne coach Daniel Willing suggested it was experience that told in the end: “They had a lot more players who had been in that situation than us,” he said.

Jordan Banks-Smith kicked a game-high four goals for New Norfolk while Ben Lovell finished with three goals for the Eagles. The Two Blues' only multiple goalscorer was Troy Cunliffe who finished with three and was without question Lindisfarne’s best player. In a big final it was no surprise that best on ground for New Norfolk was Nathan Ross and he received great support from Mark Horne.

In the reserves New Norfolk defeated Brighton by 19 points

Elimination Final: Huonville 14.12 (96) d Brighton 10.8 (68) at Huonville
As expected Huonville held strong in their clash with Brighton to keep stay in the hunt in the SFL 2015 finals series with a 28 point victory over Brighton. However the Lions did not have everything their own way all day as Brighton raced out of the blocks and led by 19 points at quarter time and still held sway by 11 poins at the long break.

Huonville coach Tim Lamprill found the right words to re-energise his men at half time as the Lions produced a blistering premiership quarter to kick 8.6 and at the same time hold Brighton scoreless and just about put the game beyond doubt in a dominant performance to show that when Huonville are on song they can definitely match it with the best teams in the competition.

Tim Lamprill was the leading goalkicker for the Lions with four goals and Brad Sullivan and Michael Paul both chipped in with three goals each. Wade Burgess finished with three for the Robins whilst Ryan Bailey kicked two goals. Dale Thorp and Cameron Johns both had great games for the Lions whilst Trent Millhouse and Adam Collis tried really hard to keep Brighton in the game all day.

In the reserves Huonville defeated Lindisfarne by 40 points and made it three wins for the day with
victory over Sorell in the Colts by 26 points.

SFL Week 2 Finals Fixture

SENIORS
Claremont v New Norfolk, 2pm at Abbotsfield Park
Lindisfarne v Huonville, 2.30pm at Anzac Park

RESERVES
Claremont v New Norfolk, noon at Abbotsfield Park
Brighton v Huonville, 12.30pm at Anzac Park

COLTS
Claremont v Huonville, 9.30am at Abbotsfield Park
Sorell v Brighton, 10.30am at Anzac Park

Monday, September 7, 2015

Five fine footballers

Cody Coleman, left, Jye Bearman, Zac Triffett, Ryan Banks-Smith
and Josh Whitford-Marriott. Click image to enlarge.
FIVE members of the New Norfolk Junior Football Club were named the best and fairest players in their age groups at the Southern Tasmanian Junior Football League awards last week.

Congratulations to the following:

Jye Bearman, Under 13B Association B&F Winner
Cody Coleman, Under 14B Association B&F winner
Zac Triffett and Ryan Banks-Smith, Under 16 Association B&F joint winners
Josh Whitford-Marriott, Under 18 Association B&F winner.

Visit the NNJFC Facebook page for more.

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Queen's honours for two locals

Ken O'Brien, centre, with his late sister's
medal, surrounded by three of her children.
THE Derwent Valley's first female local government councillor was honoured by Tasmania's first female governor late last week.

On Friday evening Her Excellency Professor Kate Warner presented a posthumous Medal of the Order of Australia for Dorothy Robinson. The award was accepted by the late Mrs Robinson's eldest son, Greg Robinson. Mrs Robinson's brother, Ken O'Brien OAM, was among the invited guests.

A common thread connecting the Governor and Mrs Robinson is that both were long-term residents New Norfolk. Mrs Robinson passed away in 2014, about 12 months before being named in the Queen's Birthday Honours List this year.

Sandra and Tony Nicholson at the Order
of Australia dinner on Friday night.
Former Derwent Valley mayor Tony Nicholson was also awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia this year and received his medal at the same investiture on Friday. Mr Nicholson was accompanied by his wife Sandra and elder son Richard.

Afterwards, the Order of Australia’s Tasmanian Division held a post-investiture presentation dinner at the Royal Yacht Club in Sandy Bay.

The Queen’s Birthday 2015 Honours List recognised 717 Australians across a wide range of professions and industries, and from all states and territories. A total of 519 General Division appointments and awards were announced.  A further 198 Australians were recognised through meritorious and military awards.

Anyone can nominate any Australian for an award in the Order of Australia.  If you know someone worthy, nominate them at www.gg.gov.au.

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Today's footy results

SFL Seniors 
Qualifying Final: New Norfolk 14.10 (94) d Lindisfarne 8.11 (59)
Elimination Final: Huonville 14.12 (96) d Brighton: 10.8 (68)

SFL Reserves
Qualifying Final: New Norfolk 7.13 (55) d Brighton 5.7 (37)
Elimination Final: Huonville 9.14 (68) d  Lindisfarne 4.4 (28)

GAMES NEXT WEEK
1st Semi-Final: Lindisfarne v Huonville at Anzac Park
2nd Semi-Final: Claremont v New Norfolk at Abbotsfield Park


National market for frozen fruits of the valley

Richard Clark at the raspberry farm
in New Norfolk yesterday.
THE Clark family of Westerway will be the first growers in Australia to adopt new technology which will allow them to supply locally-grown frozen berries to customers on a large scale. The Clark's Westerway Raspberry Farm was yesterday announced by Coles managing director John Durkan and Premier of Tasmania Will Hodgman as the first small business in the state to receive a Coles Nurture Fund grant.

The $260,000 grant will enable the Clark family to purchase and install new technology in the form of an Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) freezer tunnel which is not currently in use in Australia for berries. The freezer will be located at Westerway. The business is based at New Norfolk and Westerway and already grows raspberry vartieties as ingredients for jams, desserts and sauces but has not been able to supply large-scale frozen berries in retail packs until now.

Mr Durkan said he was delighted Coles customers would soon be able to buy locally-grown frozen raspberries. “We were really impressed with Westerway’s vision to innovate and take on a long-standing challenge in the industry to supply frozen berries,” Mr Durkan said. “The Clarks supply some of the ingredients for great Australian products we see on our shelves but we would like to work with them directly for the first time to bring Australian frozen raspberries to consumers and help us to reduce imports.”

“We have already removed imports from our Coles Brand frozen vegetable range thanks to Tasmanian growers who supply Simplot. Now with the help of the Clark family, we hope to support another fantastic Tasmanian-grown offer for Australian consumers,” Mr Durkan said.

Richard Clark said he was excited to soon be able to supply Tasmanian-grown frozen berries on a large scale for the first time. “Our family grows beautiful raspberries here in Tasmania on our farm in the Derwent Valley. We are excited, with the help of Coles and the Coles Nurture Fund, to soon be able to freeze these berries at the peak of their summer freshness to supply Australian customers all year round,” Mr Clark said.

Coles managing director John Durkan, left, with Richard Clark,
Sandra Clark, Tom Clark and Sarah Gatenby-Clark.
Premier Will Hodgman said the partnership between Coles and the Westerway Raspberry Farm was a ground-breaking first that would put Tasmanian-grown berries in supermarket freezers around the nation. "This is a massive vote of confidence in Tasmania’s agricultural sector, which will create jobs and boost sales," Mr Hodgman said.

With the support of Coles, the Westerway Raspberry Farm will install the only berry freezer tunnel in use in Australia. It will use liquid nitrogen to individually snap-freeze each berry. "As a result, Australians will now be able to choose fresh frozen Tasmanian raspberries, blackcurrants, blackberries, blueberries and mixed berries, rather than imported frozen berries," Mr Hodgman said. "Tasmanian growers already produce all of the vegetables used in Coles’ frozen vegetable line and it’s fantastic to see that Tasmania will once again be feeding the nation, this time with frozen berries."

The premier said five full-time jobs would be created and possibly more as the Clarks look to new markets for their premium products.

Businesses with less than $25 million in annual revenue and 50 or fewer full-time employees can apply for the next round of funding from the Coles Nurture Fund as from September 25. More information is available at www.coles.com.au/nurturefund

Today's footy finals fixture

SFL Week 1 Finals Fixture

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

At Boyer Oval, New Norfolk
Qualifying Final - Seniors: New Norfolk v Lindisfarne, 2pm
Qualifying Final - Reserves: Brighton v New Norfolk, 11.30am
Elimination Final - Colts: Dodges Ferry v Brighton, 9.30am

At Huonville
Elimination Final - Seniors: Huonville v Brighton, 2.30pm
Elimination Final - Reserves: Huonville v Lindisfarne, 10.30am
Qualifying Final - Colts: Sorell v Huonville, 12.30pm


TOMORROW - SUNDAY
STJFL Under 16 Preliminary Final: Lindisfarne v New Norfolk at KGV at 4.30pm

Friday, September 4, 2015

First week of footy finals previewed

SFL Season 2015
Finals Week 1
Previewed by Ben Harrison

Qualifying Final: New Norfolk v Lindisfarne  at Boyer
New Norfolk will enter somewhat uncharted waters by playing in the first week of the SFL finals series tomorrow (Saturday) when they host Lindisfarne at Boyer. Both teams would be very keen to secure a win and take up the challenge of meeting Claremont the week after for a place in the SFL Grand Final on September 26 at KGV.

Lindisfarne seems to have a list of contributors right across the board and in recent weeks have been finishing well on the scoreboard and showing better form since their last visit to Boyer where the Eagles put on a dominant display to win big. However, winning finals at Boyer is not an unknown to the Two Blues who did just that in the 2012 semi-final, but this time it will take a contribution from every player to challenge the Eagles powerhouse.

It appears that the Eagles will have to challenge for the 2015 SFL title without the reigning William Leitch Medalist and playing coach Caden Wilson who has suffered what looks like a season ending injury. Even so the likes of Gardam and Clayton will take a lot of stopping up forward and the wily finals experience of Roger Belcher may prove invaluable once again in this game.

Player to watch: Nic Clayton (New Norfolk)

Prediction: New Norfolk by 35 points.

Elimination Final: Huonville v Brighton at Huonville
A cut-throat clash is set to take place at Huonville in the elimination final in front of what is expected to be a big crowd between two sides which only met two weeks ago at the same venue with the result
comprehensively in favour of the Huonville Lions.

The Lions return from Boyer after a disappointing performance and the Robins had to dust off the feathers for finals action after initially looking like they would miss the September action as they take losing form into this game. It seems likely that if the Huonville midfield can get enough first use of the football it should be one-way traffic for the Lions as their forward line options are numerous.

It will take another big effort from the Arnolds and Callen Daly if Brighton are to remain competitive and make it to week two of the finals. Other than a poor performance last weekend at Boyer, Huonville has been in really good form and should keep that up to prove to have a little too much class for the Robins and give themselves another crack at staying in the competition for 2015.

Player to watch: James Lange (Huonville)

Prediction: Huonville by 20 points.

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Friday frost warning

Bureau of Meteorology
Tasmania

Frost Warning
for the Upper Derwent Valley, North West Coast, Midlands and East Coast forecast districts

Issued at 9:28pm on Thursday 3 September 2015.


Please be aware 
Temperatures at ground level can be many degrees lower than those recorded by standard weather stations, especially in calm conditions with clear skies.

Frosts with temperatures down to -1 degree are forecast for Friday morning in parts of the North West Coast, Midlands, East Coast and Upper Derwent Valley forecast districts


No further warnings will be issued for this event.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Save the date: Mini-Field of Women

Click image to enlarge.

Claremont wins minor 2015 SFL premiership

SFL Season 2015
Round 18 reviewed by Ben Harrison

New Norfolk 15.14 (104) d Huonville 3.11 (29) 
At quarter time in this game where second played fourth it looked like a fairly even contest. However, as the game progressed the slow starting Eagle machine got moving and the Lions simply had no answers and their previously super-accurate forwards could not find their goal kicking radar.

After quarter time New Norfolk had kicked 13 goals to Huonville’s two and should they meet again this season Huonville coach Tim Lamprill will have to find some new ways to win the contested ball and also apply some scoreboard pressure … but that opportunity is still only a possibility.

Zeke Gardam and Nic Clayton both kicked four goals each for the Eagles and both players were clearly the Eagles’ prime movers for the day. For the Lions there were no multiple goal kickers and classy veteran James Lange tried hard all day to keep his team in the hunt to no avail.

New Norfolk won the reserves by 55 points.

Claremont 22.19 (151) d Brighton 11.6 (72) 
It's not very often that both clubs are delighted with the result after a game of footy, but that was the outcome at Pontville in the final round of SFL season 2015 after Brighton went down to Claremont. Claremont needed the win to officially secure the SFL minor premiership, while Brighton had set their sights on an unlikely win or hope for results elsewhere to go its way to play finals.

At the final siren it was celebrations for Claremont as a 79 point win delivered its first minor premiership since 1997, but as the results from other grounds arrived and it emerged that Hobart had shocked East Coast for the second time this season by three points the Robins joined in the celebrations.

Claremont won the reserves by 59 points.

New Norfolk 15.14 (104) d Huonville 3.11 (29) 
At quarter time in this game where second played fourth it looked like a fairly even contest. However, as the game progressed the slow starting Eagle machine got moving and the Huonville Lions simply had no answers and their previously super accurate forwards could not find their goal kicking radar. New Norfolk won the reserves by 55 points.

Cygnet 13.7 (85) d Sorell 6.7 (43) 
The celebrations at Cygnet have been few and far between this season, but they surely would have been “up and about” on Saturday following their dual victories over Sorell in their final fixture for the season at home in the Port. Cygnet won the reserves by 38 points.

Lindisfarne 17.16 (118) d Dodges Ferry 7.13 (55) 
Dodges Ferry fans must have felt a sense of deja vu in their final match of the season as in the same
fashion as last week they raced out of the blocks to lead by five goals against Lindisfarne at Shark Park. Then once again they simply went missing and for the next three quarters Lindisfarne kicked 17
goals. Lindisfarne won the reserves by 68 points.

Hobart 6.5 (41) d Brighton 4.14 (38)  
They say in football poor kicking really costs you and that was definitely the case for the East Coast
Bombers, who after sitting on top of the ladder after four rounds of the season will now miss the finals after going down to Hobart by three points at Lauderdale on Saturday. East Coast won the reserves by 34 points.