Council knows nothing of Frescati fire

THE fire which destroyed an outbuilding behind the colonial cottage Frescati had not been reported to the Derwent Valley Council, general manager Stephen Mackey said. The council owns the 1840s villa, which forms part of the Willow Court historic site at New Norfolk. Members of the Friends of Frescati visited the site on Thursday to see what could be done to preserve a significant plant which was badly damaged in the fire earlier that week.

Cafe reopens with new passion

NUMBER 10 is the new name for the popular High St cafe formerly known as Passions. Bright green chairs out front last week signified the eagerly awaited re-opening of the cafe and the return of its original proprietors, Barry and Majella Powell. The coffeeshop was packed on Friday morning when the NNNewsblogger dropped in for a flat white. Number 10 is open until 4pm, Monday to Saturday.

Another Willow Court fire

FIRE has destroyed a shed that until recently was providing shelter to a homeless person on the Willow Court historic site at New Norfolk. The shed was only metres from the sadly derelict colonial villa known as Frescati.

The news has been broken tonight by the new Willow Court & Royal Derwent blog

The fire is believed to have occurred yesterday, June 8.

Record score for the Eagles

NEW Norfolk had three big wins over Triabunna at the weekend and may have set a new record score in the process. The Eagles' total of 276 points surpasses the 265 scored against Brighton at Boyer Oval on 26 April 26, 2009, which Wikipedia describes as the current record score.

The seniors inflicted a 247-point loss on the Kangaroos and the tally would have been higher, had 36 other scoring shots not been off-centre. Scores were New Norfolk 40.36 (276) to Triabunna 4.5 (29). Best for New Norfolk were B. Booth, B. Carver, R. Belcher, P. Ross, S. Bonnitcha and N. Ross, while the goals were scored by B. Booth 10, R. Belcher 6, S. Bonnitcha 5, N. Ross 5, B. Carver 5, R. Martin 4, T. Cleary 2, L. Joseph, J. Kelly, B. Lovell.

The margin was the same in the reserve match, with the Eagles seconds having their own 247-point win over Triabunna, which managed only one minor score for the day. New Norfolk 36.32 (248) d Triabunna 0.1 (1). Best for New Norfolk were M. Bearman, P. Jelkic, S. Rogers, C. Ransley, R. Tebb and T. Bligh. Goal-scorers were C. Ransley 8, M. Bearman 8, P. Jelkic 5, S. Rogers 3, R. Tebb 2, L. Harris 2, B. Hall 2, R. Garth, T. Bligh, T. Wright, L. Booth, J. Benson and C. Tomlin.

In the first match of the day, the Eagles colts defeated the Triabunna thirds by 109 points, New Norfolk 20.18 (138) to Triabunna 4.5 (29). Best for New Norfolk were D. Huxley, J. Wallner, B. Wakefield, K. Parker and J. Wickham, while the goals were scored by B. Coppleman 6, J. Walsh 3, J. Wallner 3, T. Youd 2, N. Lester 2, N. Coy, N. Wakefield, B. Wakefield and L. Menzie.

New chairman for councillor conduct panel

A NEW chairman and proxy chairman have been appointed to the Derwent Valley Council's code of conduct panel. All councils are required to have such a panel to hear and adjudicate on any complaints relating about elected members. The chairman of the Code of Conduct Panel must:

• Be a person of good standing in the community and is not or has not been a councillor or employee of that Council within the previous five years;
• Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of natural justice;
• Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the operations of local government;
• Have previous experience chairing boards, tribunals or committees.

General manager Stephen Mackey reported to a special meeting held on May 10 that a selection panel had interviewed two candidates and was of the view that both applicants adequately met each of the selection criteria and had an understanding of the role.

"Based on his experience with corporate boards the selection panel has recommended the appointment of Mr Kenneth Pomlett as chairperson of the Code of Conduct Panel," Mr Mackey said in a written report. "The Panel has recommended that Mr Vivian Cardwell be nominated as a proxy chairperson in the event that the appointed chairperson has a conflict of interest or is unavailable at the time a complaint is made."

Mr Pomlett lives at Plenty where he operates the Swallow's Nest guesthouse. Mr Cardwell lives at Bushy Park and is a former proprietor of the Gretna Store. They replace the late Robert Walker as code of conduct chairman and have been appointed to serve until the next council election in 2011.

Councillor Damian Bester, who is at present the subject of a code of conduct complaint, excused himself from the meeting while this matter was being discussed. Similarly, Cr Bester absented himself from the selection committee's deliberations, despite being appointed to that panel.

New Norfolk students shine

FOURTEEN graduates of New Norfolk High School were among the successful students honoured at the recent Claremont College prize night for achievements in 2009. Multiple awards went to Tristram Parr, who was named Dux of the college and was described as an excellent role model for other students. While at Claremont College Tristram was always enthusiastic, hard working and reliable. He plans to study medicine at the University of Tasmania.

Sarah Blackwell - Senator Carol Brown Prize for leadership in sport
Sarah Blackwell - Certificate of Excellence for VET Sport and Recreation
Rhys Browning - ADF Scholarship for leadership and teamwork
Rhys Browning - IRIS Prize for information systems
Rhys Browning - Nyrstar Hobart Scholarship for science
Alex Clark - Certificate of Excellence for media production II
Jessica Cooper - Stefano Lubiana Prize for theatre performance
James Dare - Housing Industry Association Prize for the most improved student in VET construction
James Dare - Certificate of Excellence for Automotive B
Kalinie Gittus - Certificate of Excellence for catering

Sara Lowe - Claremont RSL Jack Kirwin Bursary for computer graphics
Tristram Parr - The Quill Consultancy Prize for computer science
Tristram Parr - Landsdell Glass Prize for Physics
Tristram Parr - Village Pharmacy Prize for Chemistry;
Tristram Parr - Claremont College School Association Scholarship (Dux of College 2009)
Bianca Powell - Certificate of Excellence for VET workplace skills
Peter Shepherd - Production Works Prize for advanced audio design
Blaze Travers - Lisa Singh MHA Prize for social justice

Katelyn Turner - Certificate of Excellence for basketball

Natalie Wigg - Certificateof Excellence for VET nursing

Steven Zache - Senator Catrina Bilyk Prize for conscientious effort

Tim on the buses

THE Tasmanian Greens have called on the State Government to increase investment in bus services for regional areas of Tasmania. Greens infrastructure spokesperson and Lyons MHA Tim Morris MHA said a lot more work and some investment was required to bring the standard of public transport in regional areas up to a level that will attract new and retain existing passengers, and debate is also required about the costs and benefits involved in establishing a transit centre for Hobart.

Mr Morris praised the Derwent Valley-based O’Driscoll service for its commitment to using high quality vehicles, as well as the new attitude that the company has brought to the provision of public transport around the region. “I regard the provision of improved bus transport as one of the key ways in which government can help ensure the viability of regional communities facing the ramifications of climate change and peak oil, so we must ensure that our public transport networks are supported and extended in regional areas around Tasmania,” Mr Morris said.

“Hobart is currently lacking a central transit centre in or near the CBD, and it is high time that a debate was held about the costs and benefits of establishing a new transit centre for central Hobart.The better the bus service, the more passengers it will attract, and investments in more comfortable and efficient vehicles, bike racks, wi-fi, and a single website for all bookings, are certain to attract a whole new generation of commuters to our regional bus networks.”

“If the government wants a good example of how to run a regional service they should look no further than the O’Driscoll service in the Derwent Valley. I was initially critical of the decision by Metro to sell the Derwent Valley service without any local consultation, but I am now totally impressed with the enthusiasm, attitude and service being provided to the Derwent Valley community by O’Driscolls.”

“The future viability of many regional communities will be under threat if the government cannot provide support for a regular, reliable public transport service, and the Greens are calling on this government to prioritise investment into improving and extending bus services in regional areas around Tasmania, now,” said Mr Morris.

O'Driscoll's is understood to have made a submission to the State Government for further improvements to its Derwent Valley service, including buses to Lachlan and Maydena.