This weekend's local football

SFL LOCAL FIXTURE

At Boyer Oval, Saturday, June 1

10am - Colts: New Norfolk v Dodges Ferry (Round 9)

Noon - Reserves: New Norfolk v Brighton (Round 8)

2pm - Women: New Norfolk v University (Round 8)

Bye: Seniors (Round 8)

Thursday frost warning

Bureau of Meteorology

Tasmania

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

Issued at 2:27pm on Wednesday 29 May 2019.

Frosts with temperatures down to -2 degrees are forecast for Thursday morning in parts of the Central North, Midlands, East Coast and Upper Derwent Valley 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.

Distillery given tick of approval

Cr Martyn Evans addressing tonight's meeting.

THE rum distillery proposed for Willow Court has been given conditional approval at tonight's special meeting of the Derwent Valley Council.

After two councillors declared conflicts of interest and left the room, the remaining five councillors gave unanimous approval to the first stage of the New Norfolk Distillery project.

The council was one member short owing to Cr Paul Belcher being on leave, but there were still enough members present to hear the application after Crs Anne Salt and Rachel Power left the room. The matter was dealt with in four minutes, with Cr Marytn Evans moving the acceptance of the council planner's recommendation, seconded by Cr Jessica Cosgrove, and after a short discussion it was carried without dissent.

A spokesman for the developers said a public statement on the decision would be made tomorrow. In a staged development, the council-owned former hospital ward Alonnah House will be converted into a distillery, tasting bar and sales area. The $70,000 first stage will see a 300L still installed in the northern corner of the building.

The council was to have considered the application at its monthly meeting on May 16 but the absence of two councillors, and two declaring conflicts of interest in the proposal, saw that meeting temporarily without the numbers necessary to proceed. The council was subsequently granted a two-week extension by the developers, resulting in the application going before the special meeting tonight.

The area shaded in pink is proposed to be the
first stage of the distillery project.

Opening the discussion at tonight's meeting, Cr Martyn Evans said it had been an interesting journey to get the application to where it is. "Lots of discussion and lots of community consultation has taken place by the proponent," he said. "The planner has done a great deal of work and I commend them for that. I will be supporting this application."

Cr Julie Triffett said she was disappointed not to have been able to deal with the application at the last meeting. "It is a planning matter and I know it's hard to separate the emotion from the bricks and mortar [but] that's what we need to do. There were lots of responses to the [Development Application] which I thank the community for; I also thank the planner for the brilliant report she has put up.

"It doesn't matter what decision is made tonight. Some people will go away disappointed, sad and upset, but history will be the judge if we've made the decisions right tonight or not. If the D.A. is approved tonight we can have everything... we've got a two chef hat restaurant in Willow Court, we can have a world class rum distillery and the proposal that was put up by the distillery proponents I think included art installations and artifacts. So just imagine, we can have it all," Cr Triffett said.

Deputy mayor Jessica Cosgrove was next to speak, stating her full support for the application. "I also agree with both of my colleagues' comments, especially in relation to the fact that we are acting as a planning authority so we can't really get involved in too much emotive discussion around that, which pretty much leaves me with not a lot to say," she said.

"However I think it would be wonderful to have this area, after 20 - don't quote me - but 20-odd years, finally activated and I believe that it would help with increasing tourists in the area. To finally see some movement would be wonderful. I have taken note, too, of the overwhelming support from members of the public which did contribute to my decision this evening, and for those who are not 100% confident that this is the right move for our community I am also open to discussion and further consultation about what else can happen in that area and I believe that we can all work together to achieve the best result for the Derwent Valley," Cr Cosgrove said.

Cr Luke Browning said he too was fully supportive of the application, "It looks like a lot of work has gone into it, there's a lot of conditions, full support of the well thought out process," he said. "I'm just satisfied that a lot of work has gone in and that we can get a good outcome for everyone."

The meeting attracted a big audience in the public gallery.

Closing the discussion, Cr Evans thanked his colleagues for their comments and said they had obviously read the documents quite thoroughly.

Mayor Ben Shaw then put the matter to the vote and it was carried unanimously, followed by a round of applause from the public gallery.

Some of the conditions attached to the planning permit relate to proposed alterations to the heritage-listed building, including the need for an archaeologist to monitor any works requiring ground disturbance, refusal of the complete removal of a security window, and limits on proposed internal demolition work. The developers will also be required to prepare a site interpretation plan.

The 1960s building is one of the youngest on the site, which served as a hospital from 1827 until 2000. New Norfolk-based aged care provider Corumbene last week lodged a development application for a $5 million redevelopment of two other buildings at Willow Court, which is expected to go to next month’s council meeting.

In her report to tonight's council meeting, planning officer Linda Graham noted that during the period of public comment on the distillery project, 54 objections had been received and 31 letters of support.

Firefighters' fast-water training

Queensland emergency service workers training on the River
Derwent at Plenty.

FAST-FLOWING rapids on the River Derwent near New Norfolk were the venue for two weeks of training for emergency service workers from Queensland this month.

With assistance from Hydro Tasmania, a group of officers from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) spent a fortnight in Tasmania for fast-water training on the River Derwent.

The Motorised Swiftwater Rescue Craft Training is part of QFES’ rescue capability. Crews can be called on at a moment’s notice anywhere in Queensland and can be deployed interstate too if needed. They were used extensively during the Townsville floods in early February.

Hydro Tasmania supported the training by providing with a series of water releases from Lake Meadowbank of up to 100 cumecs, which is the equivalent of 100 tonnes of water every second, giving a serious boost to the water flow through the slalom course at the "Broken Bridge" rapids, at Plenty.

A rescue crew training on the Broken Bridge slalom course at
Plenty, near New Norfolk.

Swiftwater rescue instructor Matt Roser said the training program required access to rivers with a consistent flow, which was scarce in Queensland.

"Down here in Tasmania you've got beautiful river systems," he said. "With Hydro Tasmania, who have been hugely supportive to us, they can basically turn that water on for us when we need it," Gold Coast station officer Roser said.

The training covered skills from boat-handling and how to ferry passengers, to holding in position and rescuing casualties from flowing water.

Warning to sheep graziers

Bureau of Meteorology

Tasmania

Warning to Sheep Graziers
for the King Island, Furneaux Islands, North West Coast, Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts

Issued at 4:25 pm on Tuesday 28 May 2019.

Sheep graziers are warned that cold temperatures, showers and strong westerly winds are expected during Tuesday, shifting southwesterly on Wednesday. Areas likely to be affected include parts of the King Island, Upper Derwent Valley, South East and Furneaux Islands forecast districts. There is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.

The next warning will be issued by 11pm Tuesday.

Warning to sheep graziers

Bureau of Meteorology

Tasmania

Warning to Sheep Graziers
for the Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts

Issued at 9:35 am EST on Monday 27 May 2019.

Sheep graziers are warned that cold temperatures, showers and strong westerly winds are expected during Tuesday. Areas likely to be affected include parts of the Upper Derwent Valley and South East forecast districts. There is a risk of losses of lambs and sheep exposed to these conditions.

The next warning will be issued by 5pm Monday.

Special meeting for distillery application

Illustration of the front section of Alonnah House at Willow
Court, which is proposed for converting into a distillery.

A SPECIAL council meeting will be held tomorrow (Tuesday) to allow councillors a second opportunity to consider the development application for a distillery at Willow Court in New Norfolk.

Local business Crusader Homes proposes developing its New Norfolk Distillery project in the former Alonnah House/Ward A building adjacent to the Agrarian Kitchen Eatery at Willow Court. The council's planning officer has recommended that Stage 1 of the development be approved, subject to conditions.

The council was to consider the application at its monthly meeting on May 16 but the absence of two councillors, and another two declaring conflicts of interest in the proposal, saw the meeting temporarily without the numbers necessary to proceed. General manager Greg Winton told those present that the council would seek an extension of time from the developers, and the remainder of the meeting proceeded as usual.

The council was subsequently granted a two-week extension and the $70,000 project will be considered at a special council meeting at 5pm tomorrow, in the New Norfolk Courthouse in Circle St.

A plan showing the area of the building
(pink) proposed for Stage 1 of the
distillery project.

The council's planning officer has amended the conditions of the proposed permit, to allow the distillery's tasting bar to sell other products, including liquor produced elsewhere. Previously the planner had recommended that no rum other than that produced on site may be sold from the premises. No explanation for this change is given in the agenda documents.

Other conditions relate to proposed alterations to the heritage-listed building, including the need for an archaeologist to monitor any works requiring ground disturbance, refusal of the complete removal of a security window, and limits on proposed internal demolition work. The developers will also be required to prepare a site interpretation plan.

The agenda documents for tomorrow night's meeting are available from the council chambers in Circle St, New Norfolk, and can also be accessed on the council website.

Corumbene's leap of faith

Philp Lighton Architects' plan for the Corumbene Care
development at Willow Court. Click image to enlarge.

CORUMBENE'S $5 million project at Willow Court has been described as a "leap of faith" by the organisation's chief executive.

Speaking on ABC radio, Corumbene Care's Damien Jacobs said the organisation saw itself as a facilitator, not a developer.

In an interview the day after Corumbene's plans were made public last week, Mr Jacobs said Corumbene had been focused on aged care for more than 50 years but it was starting to notice gaps in service provision in the wider community.

"We're extending as a community organisation, so not just over-65 programs, it's more about health and wellbeing for the community, allied health and other services that we feel that we can fill the gaps," Mr Jacobs said.

"We're growing and we are looking at new sites and facilities as well, but we also see that there's gaps in the community, ageing infrastructure with a lot of health services in the area, so we think that ... rather than a developer, we're a facilitator in bringing those services together."

Mr Jacobs said Corumbene planned to offer a range of health and wellbeing services from the pair of two-storey red brick buildings - known as Derwent and Esperance houses - on The Avenue at Willow Court, adjacent to the Woolworths supermarket. "We are only looking at a portion of that building to start with, but then it would be a staged process looking at low cost accommodation, possibly child care. [We are] looking at some other state services that could be delivered on the site as well."

Corumbene Care proposes to convert Willow Court's Esperance,
left, and Derwent buildings into a health and wellbeing centre.

While most people are accustomed to the view of the back of the buildings from The Avenue, Mr Jacobs said they were "amazingly beautiful" from the front, as well as being structurally sound. It is proposed to remove a 1970s addition from the front of one of the buildings.

Noting that the buildings were not among those owned by the Derwent Valley Council, Mr Jacobs said the ownership situation was complicated. "It's been a rather convoluted legal process to secure the site. We're still working through that," Mr Jacobs told interviewer Leon Compton.

He said the site in question had been in private ownership but was now in liquidation. "There's a legal process behind that, that's extended and protracted the process for acquiring it," he said. "We've taken a long term strategy and a leap of faith I suppose in being able to acquire the site. So we've stumped up the funds to put in the development [application]. We would have acquired it probably [in the] middle of last year had not there been this extended legal process but we believe we're getting pretty close to the end of that now."

Mr Jacobs said the site will not be cheap to refurbish and will need government funding assistance. Derwent Valley mayor Ben Shaw said he shared Corumbene's confidence that government assistance would be forthcoming, despite a lack of support from the State Government to date. "I'm confident from what Damien and the board have told us that they will get the job done," Cr Shaw said.

The development application documents can be read in the public notices section of the Derwent Valley Council website.

This weekend's local footy scores

UPDATED

SENIORS (played Saturday at Claremont)
Claremont 3.2 (20) 3.5 (23) 5.9 (39) 7.12 (54)
New Norfolk 3.4 (22) 8.6 (54) 9.10 (64) 12.13 (85)
Claremont - Goal kickers: J. Crossin 3, N. Hobden, C. Thompson, L. Potter, M. Allison; Best Players: L. Green, M. Carr, C. Thompson, H. Crack, M. Allison, S. Ladic.
New Norfolk - Goals: M. Parker 5, J. Clifford 2, J. County 2, B. Chaplin, J. Bearman, J. Hills; Best Players: D. Coppleman, J. County, J. Hills, J. Wigg, M. Parker, B. Wardlaw.

RESERVES (played Saturday at Claremont)

Claremont 3.5 (23) 4.6 (30) 8.10 (58) 9.10 (64)

New Norfolk 3.2 (20) 5.6 (36) 7.7 (49) 12.7 (79)

Claremont - Goals: R. Martin 5, A. Bennett 3, S. Potter; Best: C. Bennett, A. Bennett, R. Martin, J. Simpson, S. Potter, M. Cowen.

New Norfolk - Goals: R. Graham 4, C. ransley 3, C. Neads 3, J. Walsh, A. Minchin; Best: L. Browning, M. Murray, R. Graham, A. Minchin, J. Walsh, M. Jones

COLTS (played Friday night at Lindisfarne)

Lindisfarne 5.3 (33) 10.6 (66) 12.9 (81) 19.13 (127)

New Norfolk 0.0 1.1 (7) 3.1 (19) 5.1 (31)

Lindisfarne - Goals: J. Paolini 4, J. Foster 3, C. Coles 3, T. Steele 2, S. Smith 2, C. Harris, D. Blazely, J. Gregory, J. Kent, A. McKay; Best: H. Bodnar, T. Currie, S. Smith, A. Sharp, D. Blazely, C. Harris.

New Norfolk - Goals: C. Triffett, R. Franklin, H. Davis, T. Lovell, B. Triffett; Best: C. Triffett, J. Miller, T. Rainbird, J. George, C. Keleher, J. Triffett.

WOMEN (played Sunday afternoon at Boyer Oval)
New Norfolk  0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Huonville 7.4 (46) 12.7 (79) 17.11 (113) 23.15 (153)
New Norfolk - Best: Best Players: J. Kenzig , N. Flakemore, J. Flakemore , C. Skeggs, T. Gebel, J. Skelly.
Huonville - Goals: Goal Kickers: H. Squires 10, M. Cowen 6, J. Howarth 3, S. Minty 2, N. Vincent, B. Polley; Best: J. Howarth, H. Squires, M. Cowen , B. Polley, A. Bellette-Stanway, R. Warburton.

Latest New Norfolk golf results

New Norfolk Golf Club results

Saturday 25/5/19 Tim Lowe/Gilbert Automotive Foursome Championships
Division 1 Gross: B. Rainbird-J. Rainbird 72, L. Post-G. Heron 75, W. Coleman-I. Holthouse 76. Nett: G. Bailey-G. Smith 83-15-68, T. Lowe-D. Hack 82-13 ½-68 ½, M. Williams-J. Kinloch 83-11½-71½.
Division 2 Gross: A. Watts-D. Post 89, G. Duggan-A. Leitch 97, L. Dittmann-K. Horne 98. Nett: G. Triffitt-R. Hoare 87-19 ½-67 ½, L. McKenzie-B. Hall 90-16-74, T. Banks-W. Hodge 98-22-76
Nearest-the-pins: 3rd G. Bailey, 6/15th T. Banks, 8/17th D. Hack, 11th G. Bailey. Superpin: T. Banks
Foursome Champions: B. Rainbird-J. Rainbird 72.

Saturday 25/5/19 Stableford
R. Dureau 33 c/b, J. Broadhead 33, K. Sturzaker 30.

Wednesday 22/5/19 Stroke:
18 hole: B. Rice 89-28-61, J. Broadhead 97-32-65 c/b, M. Smith 79-14-65, D. Post 83-16-67 c/b, G. Smith 82-15-67. Birdie draw: M. Smith
9 hole: B. Rice 44-14-30, M. Smith 38-7-31, G. Hack 38-6-32 c/b, J. Broadhead 48-16-32, G. Smith 40-7½-32½. Birdie draw: G. Smith

Anyone interested in joining the New Norfolk Golf Club as a playing member (there are clubs and buggies for hire), as a social member, or looking for a function venue, is welcome to contact the club for further information:
1 Howell Drive, New Norfolk, Tasmania. Phone: (03) 6261 2653
Email: newnorfolkgolfclub@bigpond.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NewNorfolkGolfClub/
The club is available for hire for weddings, private functions etc.  The venue cost is free for a function of more than 40.

The new name for the New Norfolk Esplanade is...

A foggy morning at the New Norfolk Esplanade earlier this month.

A PROPOSAL to rename the esplanade reserve at New Norfolk to "New Norfolk Esplanade" has been supported by the Derwent Valley Council.

A report from an unnamed council officer to last week's monthly council meeting said there was an issue with too many "esplanades" around the state.

The officer recommended that the council support the approval of the listed name of the reserve being altered from "Esplanade" to "New Norfolk Esplanade" and this was unanimously approved.

"The Nomenclature Board has notified council that there is an existing issue with the duplication of the name 'Esplanade' right across the state," the officer said in a written report. "There are currently 57 instances of Esplanade across the state which are direct duplications.

"These include multiple examples of Esplanade East, Esplanade West, Esplanade South and Esplanade North as well as East Esplanade and West Esplanade and instances of The Esplanade. The Esplanade naming duplication is not ideal, has the potential to cause confusion and is an ongoing risk to accurate and timely discovery of any Esplanade property address."

Referring to the consultation process for this proposed change, the officer said this had been done through a council workshop presentation and discussion.

The motion to support the name change was moved by Cr Julie Triffett and seconded by Cr Anne Salt. "I think it's pretty explanatory in the background that there are so many esplanades around Tasmania that they don't know where they all are, so this should help," Cr Triffett said.

Mayor Ben Shaw said there might be many esplanades but New Norfolk's was number one. Cr Martyn Evans said consideration should be given to including regional branding in the name, suggesting Derwent Valley Esplanade, but he was happy to support the motion. No other councillors spoke and when put to the vote the motion was carried unanimously.

The Nomenclature Board's boundaries for the New Norfolk
Esplanade (colour) overlaid on Heritage Tasmania's boundaries
for the same location.

There is a discrepancy between the Nomenclature Board's description of the local esplanade and that of Heritage Tasmania.

The Nomenclature Board's mapping shows the "Esplanade" as being between Burnett St and Alfred St, whereas the Tasmanian Heritage Register gives the "Derwent Esplanade" broader boundaries between Bridge St in the west and the start of the Derwent Cliffs scenic walk in the east.

Council loses senior staff

Mark Eady

TWO senior members of staff have parted company with the Derwent Valley Council in recent weeks.

A note in the agenda documents for last week's council meeting mentioned the departure of corporate and community services manager Mark Eady on April 18. It is reported he will take up the position of finance and corporate services director at the Yass Valley Council in New South Wales.

Mr Eady was effectively the second-in-charge of the council administration, standing in as acting general manager when necessary. He started at the council in August 2017 with previous experience at the City of Sydney Council and the NSW Independent Commission against Corruption.

The council has advertised the position of revenue officer following the departure of Spencer Cannell who had been appointed to that role last year. Mr Cannell won praise from councillors for his success rate in recovering overdue rates payments. 

The council has recently appointed an operations manager to work with infrastructure and development services manager Richard Blackwell, and it has advertised the new position of contracts and projects officer.

This weekend's local football

SFL ROUND 7, LOCAL FIXTURE


New Norfolk v Lindisfarne
at Anzac Park, Lindisfarne
Friday, May 24
6.30pm: Colts

New Norfolk v Claremont
at Abbotsfield Park, Claremont
Saturday, May 25
Noon: Reserves
2pm: Seniors

New Norfolk v Huonville
at Boyer Oval, New Norfolk
Sunday, May 26
12.30pm: Women

Election promises stand: Nationals Senator

New Norfolk Cricket Club president Jamie Hill, right, with
Nationals candidate Deanna Hutchinson and Senator Steve
Martin at the funding announcement at Willow Court last month.

MORE than 100 Federal Election commitments made by the National Party throughout Tasmania will be fulfilled, Senator Steve Martin said this week.

Despite looking unlikely to retain his seat, Senator Martin said the various projects including those in New Norfolk would be funded by the returned Coalition Government.

"The re-election of the Liberal and Nationals Government is terrific news for regional Tasmania," he said. “What this means is that every one of the 100-plus projects worth over $150 million I secured and which Labor had threatened to cancel, will be delivered in full by the new government."

This includes $2.1 million for projects in New Norfolk, which are:

• $500,000 for improvements to site access, infrastructure and parking at Willow Court;
• $500,000 for Stage 2 of the New Norfolk Esplanade Revitalisation, including landscaping, lighting, a playground, further trails, pedestrian safety measures and the rehabilitation of the New Norfolk Pool surrounds;
• $500,000 for the redevelopment of Derwent Valley PCYC, including gyms spaces, change rooms, meeting rooms and the kitchen; and,
• $600,000 for the redevelopment of the Tynwald Park sports facility, including the development of a new pavilion including change rooms, toilets, a canteen and a community function space.

“The projects which range of upgraded and new sports facilities to new playgrounds and cultural assets are a game changer for regional Tasmania and will make our towns more attractive to locals, tourists and migrants,” Senator Martin said. “I am very proud of what my team has achieved for regional Tasmania. No other Tassie pollie comes close to this level of success across the state.”

Senator Martin said he was disappointed the Tasmanian Nationals had not seen success on polling day, but pleased the Nationals legacy would live on through better facilities right across regional Tasmania. “I want to thank my family, my staff, our great candidates Wendy Hilditch, Sally Milbourne, Carl Cooper and Deanna Hutchinson and all of our fantastic supporters for the hard work they all put in,” he said.

New Norfolk Cricket Club president Jamie Hill was with Senator Martin at last month's funding announcement, which he said was "huge" for the Derwent Valley. "It doesn't only benefit our cricket club but it benefits the junior soccer club and the junior football club as well," Mr Hill said at the time.

"With female sports coming along like they have been recently, currently we don't have facilities to allow for growth in that area. So for girls and women wanting to play cricket and football and soccer, that's going to mean a huge amount to us," he said.

Senators such as Mr Martin who look set to lose their seats following last weekend's election will remain in office until June 30. Regardless of the date of each Federal Election, outgoing senators retire on June 30 every three years and incoming senators begin their term on July 1.

Locals in southern representative sides

The Southern Football League representative side and coaches.
Click image to enlarge.

FOUR New Norfolk players were chosen for the Southern Football League representative side that played the Old Scholars Football Association team at North Hobart on Saturday.

Former New Norfolk coach Jon Murray once again stepped up to coach the SFL side, assisted by Phil Ling, while Marcus Parker, Blair Wardlaw, Jye County and Jye Bearman were selected to play. Also in the training squad were Daniel Coppleman and Jacob Wigg.

While the game was not a win for the SFL, New Norfolk's Parker scored three goals and Bearman added two majors of his own.

OSFA 6.1 (37) 8. 6 (54) 15.8 (98) 17.9 (111)
SFL 5.1 (31) 7.6 (48) 9.12 (66) 14.13 (97)
GOALS - Old Scholars: A. Gilmour 9, C. Wilson 3, J. Briggs 2, I. Callinan, L. Franks, C. Alcorso; SFL: M. Parker 3, T. Roberts 3, J. Bearman 2, L. Potter 2, T. Jaynes, M. Allison, B. Halton, M. Cassidy.
BEST - Old Scholars: A. Gilmour, B. Langford, L. Franks, C. Howard, C. Alcorso, B. Joseph; SFL: C. Johns, C. Rawson, J. Siggins , D. Blazely, J. Bullock, T. Jaynes.

Look up DAVE HARDING PHOTOGRAPHY on Facebook for photos from the day. Meanwhile, five New Norfolk players are in the initial training squad for SFL Women's match against the NTFAW ast Invermay Park, Launceston on June 8. Congratulations and good luck to Jemma Foley, Billie-Jo Keep, Corina Percey, Jasmine Skelly and Kimberley Slater. The squad is training at University Oval, Sandy Bay.

Round 7 of the SFL season will be played this Saturday, with New Norfolk meeting Claremont at Abbotsfield Park, Claremont.

The SFL side and coaches on match day.

Farrell elevated to upper house presidency

Craig Farrell in the chair at today's sitting of Tasmania's
 Legislative Council.

LOCAL Legislative Councillor Craig Farrell has been elected unopposed to the position of president of the Upper House of the Tasmanian parliament.

Mr Farrell, of New Norfolk, said he was extremely honoured to have been voted in as the president of the Legislative Council earlier today.

"I made the decision to nominate for this important role after careful consideration and based on advice. I intend to treat the role with the dignity that it requires and deserves.

"From the outset I want to make it clear that I will remain a member of the Labor Caucus. I will also reserve my right to vote on matters according to my Labor values at times when a casting vote is required and respect the critical role of the Legislative Council."

Craig Farrell and Governor Kate Warner, centre, with other
members of the Legislative Council at Government House.

A former Derwent Valley councillor and deputy mayor, Mr Farrell was elected to the Legislative Council division of Derwent in 2011 and upon taking his seat was immediately elevated to Deputy Leader of the Government in the Upper House, rising to leader the following year.

In 2014 he served a short term as Minister for Sustainable Transport and Minister for Corrections and Consumer Protection in Lara Giddings' Labor Government.

The Examiner reports that the elevation to the presidency will add $49,065 to Mr Farrell's base salary of $140,185. He is only the third Member for Derwent to hold the presidency since 1856.

"I deeply respect the role of president and I am gratified and thankful that my Upper House colleagues have placed their faith and trust in me," Mr Farrell said.

Movement at last on the "oval wards"

Corumbene Care proposes to convert Willow Court's Esperance,
left, and Derwent buildings into a health and wellbeing centre.

THE two remaining hospital wards on the eastern side of The Avenue at Willow Court are the subject of a development application advertised by the Derwent Valley Council yesterday.

Public comments have been invited on the proposal of Philp Lighton Architects on behalf of Corumbene Care to redevelop the Derwent and Esperance buildings. The development application documents can be read in the public notices section of the Derwent Valley Council website.

The two buildings are often referred to as the "oval wards" due to their location next to the former Royal Derwent Hospital recreation ground, which is now the site of the New Norfolk Woolworths supermarket. They are the site of a stalled residential development that was approved in 2012, with Corumbene chief executive Damien Jacobs today describing the ownership issues as "complicated".

The documents lodged with the council say that Corumbene proposes to convert the buildings into a $4.5 million health and wellbeing centre with shops, offices and a medical centre, along with future plans for a child care centre and residential dwellings.

Two adjacent buildings, named Franklin and Glenora, were demolished after suffering arson attacks in 2012 and 2018 respectively. Despite these losses, multiple original buildings remain on the western side of The Avenue, as well as Frescati House which is adjacent to the Corumbene development site. 

Latest New Norfolk golf results

Players enjoying an after-game drink in the clubhouse.

New Norfolk Golf Club results

Saturday 18/5/19 Windsor Trophy (stableford)

A Grade: P. Wilton 41, I. Holthouse 40, J. Wilton 39.

B Grade: G. Smith 39, R. Rainbird 38, G. Duggan 36.

C Grade: S. Gray, G. Reid 38, K. Clark 36.

NTP: 3^RD d. Jenkins, 6/15^th A. Lowe, 8/17^th F. Carmichael, 11^th K. Clark. Superpin: F. Carmichael.

Wednesday 15/5/19 Stableford
18 hole: M. Smith 38, C. Simpson 37, L. Dittmann 36 c/b, G. Hack 36 c/b, G. Smith 36. Birdie draw: M. Smith.
9 hole comp: L. Dittmann 20 c/b, M. Smith 20 c/b, B. Wilson 20, G. Hack 19 c/b, R. Collins 19. Birdie draw: G. Smith.

Saturday 11/5/19 4 Man Ambrose
Gross: W. Coleman- J. Hall- D. Stevenson, 60 c/b, J. Wilton-C. Youd- D. Hack-T. Lowe 60, B. Watt-G. Harrex-M. Tangata-B. Coy 63.
Nett: D. Armstrong-P. Wilton-J. Rainbird-B. Rainbird 59-4-55, J. Kinloch-M. Williams-D. Post 62-6 2/3-55 1/3, D. Claxton- L. McKenzie- B. Hall- T. Banks 66-10 5/8-55 3/8.
Nearest-the-pin: 3rd S. Gregson, 6/15th J. Kinloch, 11th A. Lowe, 8/17th G. Heron. Superpin: J. Kinloch.

Wednesday 8/5/19 Stroke
18 hole: D. Post 81-18-63 c/b, G. Smith 80-17-63, T. Banks 85-20-65, K. Metcalfe 78-12-66, G. Hack 79-12-67; Birdie hole: L. Dittman.
9 hole: B. Wilson 45-15½ -29½, G. Smith 39-8½-30½, D. Post 40-9-31, K. Metcalfe 38-6-32, L. McKenzie 39-5½-33½. Birdie hole: G. Smith.

Anyone interested in joining the New Norfolk Golf Club as a playing member (there are clubs and buggies for hire), as a social member, or looking for a function venue, is welcome to contact the club for further information:
1 Howell Drive, New Norfolk, Tasmania. Phone: (03) 6261 2653
Email: newnorfolkgolfclub@bigpond.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NewNorfolkGolfClub/
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Mayor's statement on distillery approval process

THIS is the unedited* text of Derwent Valley mayor Ben Shaw's Facebook post, published yesterday in relation to Thursday night's council meeting.

"So we had a council meeting last night.
For the main it all went as normal and pretty much to schedule.
We did have the very important and very topical DA of the first stage of the potential New Norfolk Rum Distillery.
It’s been reported today and lots of commentary around this DA not being voted on as a failing of this council.
Let’s get some facts and not sensationalise the issue.
We currently have 1 councillor, Cr Belcher on approved leave,
Last night we had another, Cr Browning who unfortunately was sick and called in a few hours before the meeting that he wasn’t attending.
Then when it got to the vote on the DA we had. 2 councillors, Cr Salt and Cr Power declare conflicts of interest in the Application. (Which should be done if there is any thought of conflict)
This then amounts to not having enough councillors to form an official quorum to vote.. these are the rules , not something made up it’s just the rules...
Working on this today the proponent has given council a few more weeks to decide on the DA and subsequently this would result in a special meeting to deal with this Application.
So if you have all the correct facts I think you can see it’s an Unfortunate circumstance that all interested parties would be disappointed in.
However any suggestions that this was a failing of our council is just wrong and scaremongering from people who have other reasons to bag council out.
Any questions regarding this please contact me anytime I’m more than happy to give you the facts.
Have a great weekend."

*This is the second version of the statement after the mayor's own editing of the first version.

Council gets a fortnight to decide on distillery

Part of the audience at Thursday's council meeting.

THE Derwent Valley Council has been granted a two week extension to deal with the development application for a rum distillery at Willow Court in New Norfolk.

The application was to have been decided on at last Thursday night's council meeting but there were insufficient councillors present to hear the matter.

New Norfolk Distillery director Tarrant Derksen yesterday said it was unfortunate that the council was unable to vote on the matter due to the lack of a quorum. With two councillors absent and two out of the room after declaring a conflict of interest, there were only four elected members at the table, one short of the required five.

General manager Greg Winton told the meeting that council officers would contact the developers to seek an extension of time. In a statement yesterday, Mr Derksen said the extension had been granted.

"To ensure transparency and full community confidence in our proposal, we have granted the council a two week extension to allow them to hold a special meeting to vote on the New Norfolk Distillery DA,” Mr Derksen said. “We look forward to council further considering our Development Application at the special meeting.”

Mr Derksen said the proposed distillery and cellar door would provide a significant boost to the local economy, job creation and tourism in the Derwent Valley, including Tasmania’s first rum-focused distillery in over 150 years.

“The buildings located in the Willow Court precinct are in desperate need of revitalisation and we are working with local award-winning architect studio Room 11 to ensure the plant respects the significance of the site,” he said.

“It is our hope that the adaptive re-use of these buildings will ensure they are a beacon of light in the community and one that attracts more visitors and jobs, while showcasing all the region has to offer. The local community is really rallying around what we have proposed, and we are grateful for the support. It’s our wish for the New Norfolk Distillery to be a part of the fabric of the town like Willow Court was in the past and to be synonymous with New Norfolk and the Derwent Valley.

“The plans we have presented to council have been through a rigorous process with the Tasmanian Heritage Council, the Derwent Valley Council’s heritage adviser and our own heritage adviser all contributing and assessing the first stage of our proposal. We are very happy with the outcome and input from each party.”

Posting on Facebook yesterday, Derwent Valley mayor Ben Shaw said the council's inability to vote on the development application should not be construed as a failing of the council. He said the temporary lack of a quorum was an "unfortunate circumstance that all interested parties would be disappointed in. However any suggestions that this was a failing of our council is just wrong and scaremongering from people who have other reasons to bag council out."

Cr Shaw's Facebook post was shared by deputy mayor Jessica Cosgrove and Cr Rachel Power on their own councillor Facebook pages. After adding a comment to Cr Shaw's post, Cr Power was asked about her decision to exclude herself from voting on the distillery. Cr Power replied that she had sent a private message to the questioner. "I'm also happy to answer anyone else as to my process of thought behind my well considered actions. I would rather not post it here, as if comment is needed for media I will provide direct, rather than the current practice of Facebook journalism."

An hour later, Cr Power posted that comments on her Facebook page were her personal opinion unless otherwise stated and she permitted their sharing "in their entirety within Facebook" but "for all other use, quotes or comment for media please contact me via email for consent prior to use," citing what she described as the law of Creative Commons.

Willow Court distillery project hits a hurdle

Five councillors at the table at the start of last night's meeting.
Another councillor arrived after this photo was taken.

A LACK of councillors prevented consideration of a rum distillery project at last night's Derwent Valley Council meeting.

Meeting at Lachlan, the council found itself without the necessary numbers to decide on the distillery proposed for the Willow Court historic site.

Planning officer Linda Graham had recommended conditional approval of the first stage of the New Norfolk Distillery proposal, which would see a 300L still installed in a section of the former Alonnah House/Ward A, along with a sales area and tasting bar.

Part of the audience at the meeting.

But with Cr Luke Browning ill and Cr Paul Belcher on leave, and councillors Anne Salt and Rachel Power leaving the room after declaring conflicts of interest in the project, the council was temporarily without a quorum.

General manager Greg Winton said the council, acting as a planning authority, needed five councillors in the room to be able to consider the item.

He said council officers would now ask the developers, local firm Crusader Homes, for an extension of time to allow the matter to be deferred to next month's meeting. Without that consent, the Land Use Planning Act would deem the application to have been refused, he said.

The depleted public gallery after the
distillery agenda item was abandoned.

Mayor Ben Shaw apologised to the large crowd present, acknowledging that most of them were there to hear the distillery discussion.

The planner’s report noted that during the period of public comment, 54 objections had been received and 31 letters of support. The distillery is proposed to be established adjacent to the Agrarian Kitchen Eatery.

Frost warning

Bureau of Meteorology

Tasmania

Frost Warning
for the Upper Derwent Valley forecast district

Issued at 3:55pm on Thursday 16 May 2019.

Frosts with temperatures down to -1 degrees are forecast for Friday morning in parts of the Upper Derwent Valley forecast district.

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.

Councillor attendance questioned

Wayne Shoobridge.

A REQUEST for councillor attendance records to be published each month is yet to be formally considered, despite being raised during public question time at the last two meetings of the Derwent Valley Council.

The agenda documents for this Thursday night's council meeting state that the matter was discussed at a closed councillor workshop last month, but no outcome was recorded.

During question time at the March meeting, businessman and former councillor Wayne Shoobridge noted that the council had paid for elected members to attend Planning Authority Training on February 23 and asked how many had attended. It emerged that the council had paid for training for five people but two did not attend.

Mr Shoobridge followed-up by asking the general manager if he would publish in each month's agenda document a complete attendance record for each councillor in regard to committee meetings, workshops, council meetings, special meetings and training provided, whether they attended or not. "This is being done by other councils," he said.

General manager Greg Winton said he would have a discussion with councillors about the matter. "You may be aware that we've got some summaries that go in the annual report but the level of detail perhaps that you are after is not contained in the annual report," he said.

Mr Shoobridge said the reason for his request was twofold. "One, it would appear that some councillors are not attending things that they should be, and two, if you have a look at the agenda tonight and have a look at what councillors have given their report, there's a hell of a lot of councillors in there that didn't give one and I think the public are entitled to know what their councillors are doing."

Mr Winton said the monthly council agenda provided the opportunity for councillors to report on their activities but doing so was a decision for the individual councillors. "The broader question will be determined by the council. We can't obviously do that tonight but I'll have that conversation with the councillors, Mr Shoobridge."

Mr Shoobridge asked if the proposal would be put to the next meeting as a motion but the question went unanswered. He raised the matter again at the April council meeting and was told by mayor Ben Shaw that councillors would discuss it.

"We can certainly talk about it as a council group, maybe at a workshop, and if one of the councillors wants to put a motion or the general manager wants to put a motion... we do have councillor communications [in the agenda]..." Cr Shaw said, before he was interrupted by Mr Shoobridge saying the present set-up was not compulsory.

Cr Shaw: "So, we'll discuss it with the councillors and if they want to..."
Mr Shoobridge: "Well, [it's] not up to councillors, I think it should be compulsory."
Cr Shaw: "OK, that's fine, councillors can discuss it and then, uh, yep. Thank you. Cheers. And I'll ask the general manager to write back to you about (inaudible)."

Since the present council was elected last October, only councillors Luke Browning and Julie Triffett have had perfect attendance at open council meetings. Councillors Ben Shaw and Paul Belcher have missed two each, while Crs Martyn Evans, Rachel Power and Anne Salt have missed one each. Additionally, Cr Salt was absent from November's ceremonial swearing-in, and Cr Evans did not attend the annual general meeting in December.

Under the present system of reporting, councillors who have attended official functions or meetings on behalf of the council in their official role as a councillor in any given month, may provide the details for inclusion in the next council agenda. This system is voluntary and the first meeting of the new council received only two councillor reports, dropping to one for the second meeting. Three councillors reported in January, two each in February, March and April, while the May meeting this Thursday will receive three.

Individual tallies for councillor reports submitted to the first six meetings since the October 2018 election are as follows (lack of a report does not suggest that a councillor has been inactive, merely that they have not submitted their "councillor communication"):

• Cr Ben Shaw (mayor): 0
• Cr Jessica Cosgrove (deputy mayor): 1
• Cr Paul Belcher: 0
• Cr Luke Browning: 0
• Cr Martyn Evans: 0
• Cr Rachel Power: 1
• Cr Anne Salt: 5
• Cr Julie Triffett: 5

Local production returns this weekend

Click image to enlarge. Tickets at the door and Eventbrite.

Council to meet at Lachlan

THE Derwent Valley Council will travel to Lachlan for its monthly meeting this Thursday evening. This will start with a public forum at 5.30pm, followed by the council meeting at 6pm. The venue will be the Lachlan Community Hall.

Items for debate include the conditional approval of the first stage of the New Norfolk Distillery proposal and a dolomite quarry near Maydena. The council will also hold a closed meeting to discuss several items including the Derwent Valley community brand and identity.

The agenda documents for the open section of the meeting can be viewed at the council chambers in New Norfolk or on the council website.

Frascati House open next Sunday

Click image to enlarge.

SFL Round 6: New Norfolk match results

NEW NORFOLK v DODGES FERRY
BOYER OVAL, NEW NORFOLK

SENIORS
New Norfolk 3.5 (23) 3.6 (24) 6.8 (44) 10.9 (69)
Dodges Ferry 3.0 (18) 9.3 (57) 9.6 (60) 12.9 (81)

New Norfolk - Goal Kickers: M. Parker 3, J. Clifford, D. Coppleman, J. County, Z. Slater, R. Franklin, C. Morgan, T. Eiszele; Best Players: B. Wardlaw, Z. Slater, J. Wigg, D. Coppleman, J. Daley, J. Banks-Smith.
Dodges Ferry - Goals: C. Hooker 5, E. Stanley 2, A. Kenny, T. Kelly, R. Hooker, A. Addicoat, S. Kennedy; Best: J. Murphy, D. Hunt, C. Hooker, J. Taylor-Evans, R. Hooker, J. Young.

RESERVES
New Norfolk 2.1 (13) 2.1 (13) 4.1 (25) 4.2 (26)
Dodges Ferry 1.3 (9) 4.5 (29) 6.6 (42) 7.8 (50)
New Norfolk - Goals: B. Ransley 2, R. Graham, A. Burgess; Best: T. Bligh, M. Jones, J. Walsh, D. Morgan, B. Ransley, M. Murray.
Dodges Ferry - Goals: P. Allison 3, T. Howells 2, L. Edwards 2; Best: G. Morgan, B. Morrisby, Z. Priest, K. Frerk, M. Zurbo, H. Davis.

COLTS
New Norfolk 0.6 (6) 3.7 (25) 3.11 (29) 4.12 (36)
Dodges Ferry 0.3 (3) 2.3 (15) 4.5 (29) 7.9 (51)
New Norfolk - Goals: T. Rainbird 3, J. Miller; Best: C. Keleher, T. Scanlon, H. Davis, T. Rainbird, J. Triffett, J. George.
Dodges Ferry - Goals: J. Arnold, N. Lennox, I. Enslow, S. Hallam, A. Omond, J. Reynolds; Best: D. Edwards, C. Apted, S. Hallam, S. Donaldson, S. Fazackerley, W. Mills.

Gretna Cricket Club celebrates the seaoon

Gretna Cricket Club life members, back from left: Peter Rainbird,
Ben Rainbird, Mathew Burns, Michael Browning and Joey Hack.
Front: Paul Jarvis, Micky Rainbird, Wade Gleeson.

THE New Norfolk Golf Club was the new venue for Gretna Cricket Club's annual dinner and trophy presentations night recently. The evening was a successful one with some 70 players, members, sponsors and trophy donors in attendance.

After an outstanding season with Gretna I, Craig Cunningham took home four awards. This summer saw him take 38 wickets at an average of just 9.26 with best figures of 7/19. The all rounder also made 319 runs with a top score of 56.

For Gretna II, Jake Campbell went home with three trophies  including the award for the best player voted by his team mates. Campbell led the way with the ball taking 14 wickets at an average of 20.71.

Zac Crosswell took home the best Under 21 trophy for the third time in the past four seasons, while Mathew Burns was presented with a trophy for his outstanding achievement on playing 400 games.

The following players reached various milestones during the season - club games played: Ross Langford 100, Rhys Browning 150, Aaron Maddox 150, Adam Browning 150, Jackson Ackerly 200, Ben Rainbird 350, Mathew Burns 400; games played for Gretna I: Zac Crosswell 50, Craig Cunningham 200, Corey Ransley 200; games played for Gretna II: Jordan Hastie 100.

Well done to Gretna I captain Ben Rainbird whose side was runner-up in second grade and to Gretna II Jordan Hastie for his work with his young team in fourth grade. Thanks also to Colin Cunningham for his coaching throughout the season.

Life members in attendance were: Peter Rainbird, Joey Hack, Michael Browning, Paul Jarvis, Micky Rainbird, Mathew Burns and Ben Rainbird. Among the special guests were Derwent Valley mayor Ben Shaw and wife Jackie and the MLC for Derwent, Craig Farrell and his wife Lee.

At the conclusion of the trophy presentations, life membership was bestowed on Wade Gleeson who has been involved with the club since the 2001/02 season. During that time he has been secretary for 10 years, junior development officer for seven years and is currently the sponsorship officer. He has also had a keen interest with the club’s history and statistics. Gleeson is the club's 20th life member.

Due to the St Mary’s Parish Hall at Gretna being sold, the presentation night needed a new venue and the New Norfolk Golf Club fitted the bill perfectly. The old hall was a very big part of the Gretna Cricket Club 's culture for many decades. The club thanks the golf club for its hospitality and also thanks Chloe Gleeson for her efforts in decorating the venue in the club colours of green and gold, helping to set the scene for a great night.

Appreciation was also expressed for the support of sponsors State-Wide Earthworks, Banjos Bakery Cafe New Norfolk, Gretna Green Hotel, the Bush Inn Hotel, DC Plant Hire, Derwent Valley Glass, P&S Painting, R.E. Clark and Son Butcher, and Gilbert Automotive.

Also deserving of recognition are club president Peter Rainbird, secretary Rhys Browning and treasurer Todd Jarvis. Lastly, our writer did not know what was more entertaining during the night:  Jason “Dasha” Daniels wearing the varnish off the dance floor, or the trip home with him in the back of Corey Ransley's Hilux. See you all next season.

TROPHY WINNERS
GRETNA I
Batting average: Aaron Maddox 40.80; Aggregate: Rhys Browning 332 runs; Bowling average: Craig Cunningham, 9.26; Aggregate: Craig Cunningham 38 wickets; Most catches: Corey Ransley 10; Geoff Jarvis Memorial Trophy (best all-rounder): Craig Cunningham, 101.60 points; Players award: Craig Cunningham, 21 votes; Runners up: Corey Ransley and Mathew Burns 12 votes each; Best in finals: Ben Rainbird 25.9 points.

GRETNA II
Batting average: Ross Langford 22.71; Aggregate: Jordan Hastie 204 runs; Bowling average: Jake Campbell 20.71; Aggregate: Jake Campbell 14 wickets; Most catches: Josh Whitford 7; Best all-rounder: Josh Whitford 42 points; Players award: Jake Campbell 13 votes; Runner up: Jordan Hastie 9 votes.

CLUB
Cecil Gray Memorial Trophy (best under 21): Zac Crosswell 47 points; 400 Games: Mathew Burns; Captains Trophy: Zac Webb; Best Clubman: Jamie Duggan; Duck Trophy: Zac Webb and Steven Medhurst 6 each; Life membership: Wade Gleeson.

The Gloaming roams New Norfolk

SCENES for a new crime drama series are presently being filmed in New Norfolk, with a production base established at the football clubrooms in Back River Rd. Eight-part crime drama series The Gloaming is described as the largest screen production undertaken in the state.

The State Government is contributing $1 million to the series, which is the latest creation of Tasmanian producer and writer Vicki Madden, of The Kettering Incident fame. The show, which began filming in the last week of March, will be shot entirely in Tasmania, with more than $7.5 million being spent on local goods and services, including accommodation, catering and transport.

Largely based in Hobart, the production will showcase the capital city, with locations such as Mt Wellington and the River Derwent forming the backdrop of the series. Yesterday's filming in New Norfolk included a unit on location at the river's edge at Fitzgerald Park.

The Gloaming is being produced for streaming service Stan and is expected to air later this year. International distribution will be handled by Disney's ABC Studios.

The cast includes Emma Booth (Underbelly, Glitch), Ewen Leslie (The Cry, Top of the Lake) and Aaron Pedersen (Mystery Road, Jack Irish). In the story, a reunited Victorian detective and a Tasmanian police officer must overcome the shared grief of their personal history to pursue a killer whose ritualistic crimes re-open the wounds of the past.

This latest series comes on top of other screen productions filmed in part in the Derwent Valley including three seasons of Rosehaven, The Kettering Incident, the 2011 motion picture The Hunter and Van Diemens Land (2009).

This weekend's local football

SFL ROUND 6, LOCAL FIXTURE

New Norfolk v Dodges Ferry
at Boyer Oval, New Norfolk
Saturday, May 11
10am: Colts
Noon: Reserves
2pm: Seniors

New Norfolk v North Hobart
at New Town Oval
Sunday, May 12
11.45am: Women

Local candidate in Senate election

Ray Williams

LOCAL businessman Ray Williams has been named as the lead candidate for the Citizens Electoral Council (CEC) in this month's half-senate election.

Mr Williams said he had followed the CEC for 20 years and believed its policies had much to offer the country, especially its proposals to break-up the big four banks. He said his own background in banking and small business gave him a good understanding of where the big banks had gone wrong in the last 30 years.

"Working for the National Australia Bank for 22 years from 1966 to 1988, I began as a junior and worked my way up to manager, taking postings to many different branches. Banks were regulated then - they served the community and risky activities were banned," he said.

"When I left, banking had been deregulated and the speculation floodgates were opened. The just-concluded banking royal commission has shown that the last 30 years have been, within the banking industry, nothing more than a degeneration into the criminality of self-interest, greed and conflict of interests."

After leaving the bank at age 39, Mr Williams and his wife Lesley established their family business in New Norfolk, which now trades as Williams Mitre 10. "Our sons and a dedicated workforce have helped to build a successful business," he said.

"I have held several institutional positions in the past including former director of Mitre 10 Australia, former Derwent Valley councillor, former president of the Derwent Valley Chamber of Commerce and Hobart Sporting Car Club. I am currently the President of Derwent Valley Field and Game, and was previously the State President of the Tasmanian Field and Game Inc. for three years.

"Outside of my business and political activities, I am very enthusiastic about motor sports, hunting and fishing. My political ambition is to serve the people of Tasmania, and get all the CEC’s policies enacted into the laws of this country, especially the Bill for Bank Separation."

Mr Williams described the Citizens Electoral Council (CEC) as an independent political party leading the fight for Australia to return to the banking and economic development policies that would grow a productive economy as well as secure the future wellbeing of all Australians.

"The City of London and Wall Street multinational bankers and corporations and their Australian lackeys have directed, and profited from, the disastrous deregulation and privatisation policies that have destroyed many of our productive industries, looted the economy, and allowed the banks to gouge us for mega-profits," he said.

"The CEC is inspired by the policies of old Labor, and its leaders such as John Curtin and Ben Chifley who believed in the 'common good' or raising the living standards of all people through nation-building infrastructure, education, free health care, and scientific and cultural progress.

"The CEC for over 30 years has advocated for peace in the world through economic development and co-operation between sovereign nations. The CEC defends and promotes the right to human progress for all people regardless of their nationality, religion or beliefs."

Mr Williams is believed to be the only Derwent Valley candidate in this month's Federal Election. Any others are welcome to send a profile and photo to newnorfolknews@gmail.com.