Omeo Benambra Football club’s wonder kick, Macy Hambrook, continues to get talked about and this time Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull said it was his parliamentary colleagues who got to hear of Macy’s record breaking milestone.

Updating Parliament recently on the achievements of a number of East Gipplsand locals, the Member for Gippsland East took the opportunity to praise the feats of Macy stating, “if Gippsland gave cricket Cameron White, then I am betting that one day Macy Hambrook may well do as well as Cameron for the AFL.”

Mr Bull went on to highlight Macy’s achievements as the local teenager from Omeo who notched up 101 goals this season from just eight games, making him the first player in Australia this season to achieve this milestone.

When asked how he felt about all the media attention, Macy said “he hadn’t really thought about it much and just loves playing footy and gets to practise a lot.”

“I would like to congratulate Macy and his fellow team mates, coaches and members of the Benambra Omeo Football Club and wish everyone continued success,” said Mr Bull.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, couldn’t help but sing the praises of the Nowa Nowa Men’s Singing Group in Parliament recently, having been entertained by the group at this year’s Rotary Club of Mitchell River change-over dinner.

Mr Bull said in Parliament, “I had the pleasure of attending the dinner where incoming president, Garry Dixon, presented a cheque for $500 to the Nowa Nowa Men’s Singing Group.”

“It is a singing group with a wonderful history. James Haig, who was born in Scotland and is of Maori descent, is a trained opera singer and was behind the group’s formation 14 years ago.

“Its members come from a variety of backgrounds and are fairly relaxed about rehearsals at group member Geoff Mahlook’s winery. They generously donate their performance fees to various charities.

There are many ways in which people can come together to support our local communities. However, James and his fellow members are not only entertaining us, but receiving louder applause for their generosity in giving to others,” Mr Bull said.

Mr Bull said he also acknowledged the important work Rotary Clubs provide to the local community.

The $500 cheque was donated to Peter MacCallum for the advancement of cancer research.

Now is the chance to nominate local people and groups who are making a positive difference to their environment for the 2011 Victorian Landcare Awards.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said the awards are an opportunity to recognise the invaluable environmental contribution volunteers make to rivers, farming land, wetlands, estuaries, coasts and urban environments. 

"It's important that we highlight the efforts of those in our community who work so hard to make our land better for the generations ahead," Mr Bull said.

“Landcare is alive and well across East Gippsland, with the East Gippsland Landcare Network supporting 22 groups in the Bairnsdale, High Country and surrounding areas. In total these groups encompass around 700 family memberships.

“These people often quietly go about their work and deserve to be recognised for the huge contributions they make to our region.

“Some of the most significant projects local Landcare has been involved with recently include the Red Gum Plains Recovery Project, which has been running for the past 10 years, integrated rabbit control work and Gippsland Minor Tributaries Restoration Site at Nicholson.

“Landcare groups also run a number of smaller projects, activity days and information sessions that are often staffed by volunteers and offer a fantastic service to the community.”

Mr Bull said that the awards would recognise volunteers who strive to support rivers, farming land, wetlands, estuaries, coasts and urban environments.

“We want to recognise volunteers and groups who are devoted to making sure Victoria’s natural environment is protected and restored,” Mr Bull said.

"There'll be a focus on creative initiatives including sustainable farming, bushfire recovery, awareness and partnership building," he added.

Victorians can nominate volunteers or groups for approximately 18 award categories, including seven special Victoria-specific categories:

• Heather Mitchell Memorial Fellowship – $5,000
• CitiPower and Powercor Landcare Network Award – $5,000
• Dr Sidney Plowman Travel and Study Award – $4,000
• DPI Sustainable Farming Award (regional) – $500 per CMA region; Rural Press Primary Producer Award (state)
• The Bushfire Recovery Award – $15,000
• Long Service to Landcare Award – $1,000
• Long Service to Landcare – Honour Roll

Landcare is a movement of individuals and groups focusing on managing the environment in their local area. Volunteers perform a range of tasks from planting trees, stopping soil erosion and assisting with primary production, to protecting Victoria’s native wildlife and controlling weeds and pests.

Nominations have been extended until 22 July 2011. State winners will become nominees in the biennial national Landcare awards 2012. For more information visit  www.landcarevic.net.au

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, recently had the pleasure of presenting the East Gippsland Family History Group with an $8,000 grant that will go towards Stage One of their “Digitising the Bairnsdale Advertiser” project.

“The grant recognises the contribution of community groups such as the East Gippsland Family History Group in preserving the rich and diverse history and amazing stories for all of the community and future generations to come,” Mr Bull said.

Tony Meade, president of the East Gippsland Family History Group, said “this funding will allow us to start scanning microfilm images of the Bairnsdale Advertiser newspaper dating back to 1879, and converting to CD and DVD format, making it easier for the general public to gain access to this material.”

Vice president, Peter Robinson, stated previously this information was not always available to the general public and by streamlining the processes involved the public will now be able to rediscover their family connections and past heritage right from the comfort of their homes.

Recreational fishers can now enjoy improved access to Mallacoota Inlet thanks to the reconstruction of the Mallacoota fisheries jetty, Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull said today.

Mr Bull and Minister responsible for recreational fishing, Peter Walsh looked over the facility in Mallacoota last week and saw its benefits first hand with visiting angler, John Baratta happy to show off two nice salmon he had just caught.

Mr Bull said the original jetty, which was closed to the public for many years had deteriorated over time and was deemed unsafe.

Using $81,181 provided through the Victorian Government’s Recreational Fishing Grants Program, the Futurefish Foundation co-ordinated the reconstruction with help from a local design engineer, local tradesmen and the East Gippsland Shire Council.

Mr Bull said the new platform provided safe and convenient access to deep water where dusky flathead, salmon, black bream, whiting and trevally thrive. It was great to be able to show the Minister the benefits first hand, particularly a visiting angler having success.

“It just goes to show what recreational fishing does for the economy of East Gippsland.

“The structure has been rebuilt to cater for fishers of all abilities and is now fitted with rod holders, bait boards and fish cleaning facilities,” Mr Bull said.

Futurefish Foundation Director, David Kramer said recreational fishing licence revenue has now funded four recreational fishing platforms along the two-kilometre Mallacoota Boardwalk.

“The rebuild of the Mallacoota fisheries jetty into a purpose-designed recreational fishing platform will complete a land-based fishing precinct of a magnitude never before seen in Victoria.”

The Recreational Fishing Grants Program and licence revenue have funded over 360 projects worth more than $13.7 million since 2001.

The Victorian Coalition Government is also implementing a new $16.2 million initiative over the next four years to boost opportunities for recreational fishing across regional Victoria.

For more information about how angling licence fees are being spent to improve fishing opportunities visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing/feesatwork

Local sporting clubs who are looking to make their facilities more environmentally sustainable should contact their local council to apply for a share in $2 million worth of Victorian Government funding, now available through the latest round of the ‘Sustainable Sports Ground Program’, Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull said.

“Having just come through a long dry spell, a number of local sporting and country clubs have been struggling to maintain their grounds and these grants will provide extra support to help clubs deal with the impacts of climate extremes,” Mr Bull said.

“With up to $100,000 available for each project, this program provides the cash boost needed for sports clubs to develop long term, sustainable, low water use community sporting facilities that are better equipped to deal with future climate challenges.

“From water recycling and storm water harvesting, to drought resistant turf and the installation of synthetic playing surfaces for sports such as lawn bowls and tennis, the Sustainable Sports Ground Program helps local sporting clubs continue to provide quality facilities, even at times of extended adverse weather conditions.

“By helping communities to improve the quality and water efficiency of their sporting facilities, it will encourage members of the community to more actively participate in sport throughout the year.

Mr Bull said, “the Victorian Government was proud to invest in the sustainability of local sporting facilities and I am keen to work with local clubs and council to ensure more people participate in sport in East Gippsland.”

Applications close Wednesday 10 August 2011. For more information about the Sustainable Sports Ground Program, visit www.grants.dpcd.vic.gov.au