A LOT happened in Baw Baw last year.
Council issues dominated with the 2012 Baw Baw Shire Council elections, falling pine cones and several earthquakes shook the news and issues on the Gippsland rail line saw services suspended several times.
The Victorian Government budget cuts threatened local TAFE providers and superannuation funding issues caused the Warragul Outdoor Pool project to be put off not long after its adoption.
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The year was also The Warragul Citizen’s first full year publishing online. The paper published its first print edition in June 2011 and started regular coverage online some months later. These are the big stories from TWC’s first full year online:
Features:
Sustainability Network planting seeds of environmentalism in businessJune. With the carbon tax set to be introduced in July and increasing consumer interest in sustainable business practices, one group of energy-conserving locals is winning over businesses and customers with a local approach to sustainable shopping. |
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Councillor’s bright idea for a darker nightJune. ADVERTISEMENT We are taught from school empty rooms need no light, but have you compared that lesson to what we do with public lights when no one is about? Baw Baw Shire Councillor Tony Wolfe has – so much he has written a landmark report suggesting council switch some lights off. |
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Shake, rattle and roll: The science behind Gippsland’s latest earthquakesFriday, August 3rd, 2012 at 1:00 PM. The Warragul Citizen talked to Geoscience Australia seismologist Doctor Jonathan Bathgate to get the scientific background of what is happening below our feet. |
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Warragul: A town cut in twoAugust. THE BUSINESSES, THE council, the developer. It’s the western-style showdown dividing townspeople and driving newcomers and business away. |
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Tony Wolfe on leaving Council, the future and Baw Baw 2012September. Councillor Tony Wolfe might not have renominated for Warragul ward, but he’s not ruling out a return in the future. |
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Adam Tyson on seven years as Baw Baw’s youngest councillorOctober. ADVERTISEMENT BAW Baw’s youngest councillor and Mayor, Adam Tyson, is leaving politics after seven years. |
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In the deep end with Baw BawOctober. IT’S the 1940′s superannuation fund that is now sinking council plans for infrastructure development. |
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Night Rider – Does Warragul need a late-night bus?December. Waiting over an hour for a taxi? The solution to Warragul’s transport problems might be right on our doorstep. |
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News: January
Gippsland councils move for improved public transportTuesday, January 3rd, 2012 at 5:00 PM. The Gippsland Local Government Network (GLGN) has used its Victorian State Budget submission to push for improved public transport in the region. |
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Local firefighter injured at unit fire in Burke StreetWednesday, January 25th, 2012 at 6:35 PM. A firefighter has been injured and a housing unit in Warragul badly damaged after a possible electrical fault caused a fire last night. |
Max Roberts awarded Baw Baw Citizen of the Year 2012, James Hall Young Citizen of the YearTuesday, January 31st, 2012 at 3:28 AM. The Baw Baw Shire Citizen and Young Citizen of the year awards were announced and presented in a ceremony on Australia Day, along with the Community Event of the Year award and three Australia Day Medallions. |
February
Two West Gippsland broiler farms caught in malnourishment scandalMonday, February 6th, 2012 at 12:40 PM. Two West Gippsland broiler farms are under Department of Primary Industry (DPI) supervision following claims chickens at the farms were not being regularly fed. |
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Council slashes Drouin Pool hours to combat ‘antisocial behaviour’Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 at 2:46 AM. The Baw Baw Shire Council has slashed the opening hours of the Drouin Outdoor Pool and suggested possible permanent opening hours changes to combat antisocial behaviour at the facility. |
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VCAT upholds council decision to not extend Bonlac Factory site planning permitWednesday, February 8th, 2012 at 6:30 PM. The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has upheld a decision by the Baw Baw Shire Council to not extend a planning permit for a retail precinct on the Bonlac Butter Factory site in Warragul. |
Drouin South filmmaker Tim Cope receives major international awardsMonday, February 20th, 2012 at 4:57 AM. Drouin South filmmaker Tim Cope has received two major awards at the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival for his film On the Trail of Genghis Khan. |
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Longwarry Food Park fire damage bill less than first estimatedWednesday, February 22nd, 2012 at 12:25 PM. Damage from a fire at the Longwarry Food Park yesterday might cost less to repair than first estimated, but the factory might not be fully functional again for well over a week. |
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Family violence, vehicle theft, drug offences and road fatality stats up in Baw BawWednesday, February 29th, 2012 at 1:05 PM. Figures released by Victoria Police this month show increases in the number of reported family violence cases, motor vehicle thefts and drug offences in the Baw Baw Police Service Area (PSA).
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March
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Warragul heritage listed tree could cause ‘lethal’ injuryFriday, March 2nd, 2012 at 2:40 PM. A heritage listed tree in Warragul has begun dropping 10kg pine cones which could cause a fatality should one hit a person. Ed: This story regained popularity in December after it was linked on Reddit.
Gone internutional: Giant Gippsland pine’s global fameSaturday, March 3rd, 2012 at 9:10 PM. It’s a story about a tree doing what a tree does, but Warragul’s bunya pine has gained global media coverage for its potentially lethal pine cones. |
‘Dangerous’ crossings not meeting expectationsMonday, March 12th, 2012 at 11:00 PM. Shop owners and pedestrians are warning Warragul’s zebra crossings are dangerous and the intended purpose of the crossings has not been achieved. |
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Baw Baw Shire adopts $13 million Warragul Leisure Centre redevelopment planThursday, March 15th, 2012 at 1:20 AM. The Baw Baw Shire council has committed $13.76 million to redevelop the Warragul Leisure Centre and build an outdoor pool at the site. |
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Local paramedic Joanne Miller awarded for exceptional workThursday, March 22nd, 2012 at 3:15 AM. Warragul resident and Gippsland paramedic Joanne Miller has been awarded for her exceptional efforts and determination to study to be a paramedic. |
Proposed Warragul outdoor pool narrowly survives challengeThursday, March 29th, 2012 at 2:35 AM. A MOTION to reverse the Baw Baw Shire Council’s decision to build a new outdoor pool in Warragul was narrowly defeated yesterday; however development will be delayed for new costings to be calculated. |
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Narrow escape for officers as car smashes through council buildingThursday, March 29th, 2012 at 9:52 PM. Council officers narrowly escaped injury today when a car ploughed through the Baw Baw Shire’s Economic Development office on Smith Street, Warragul. |
April
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Noojee Historical Society wins bid for Warragul’s J550 locomotiveThursday, April 12th, 2012 at 4:11 AM. The Baw Baw Shire Council has motioned to retain ownership of Warragul’s historic J550 locomotive and hand its management to the Noojee and District Historical Society. |
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Missing councillors see two motions postponedSaturday, April 14th, 2012 at 8:59 PM. Low councillor attendance at Wednesday’s Baw Baw Shire Council meeting has seen two motions postponed until next fortnight’s meeting when enough councillors will be available to vote. |
Gippsland public housing waiting list rises against trendTuesday, April 24th, 2012 at 2:30 AM. The Gippsland region has experienced an increase in applications for public housing, bucking the statewide downward trend. |
May
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Warragul Station parking and bus projects winners in state budgetTuesday, May 1st, 2012 at 11:47 PM. The Victorian Government will fund development of a new car park and bus interchange at the Warragul Station in its next budget, but has not clarified if any new rail services will be provided. |
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Witness appeal following Lionel Rose statue attackWednesday, May 9th, 2012 at 2:40 PM. Police are appealing for witnesses after vandals defaced late boxing champion Lionel Rose’s Queen Street Park statue. |
Incoming Baw Baw Shire director backs out at last minuteMonday, May 21st, 2012 at 3:40 PM. The man set to become Baw Baw Shire Council’s new Director of Community Assets has withdrawn his application, leaving the position to continue in limbo. |
June
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Baw Baw coal seam gas policy fearsFriday, June 1st, 2012 at 12:01 PM. The Baw Baw Shire Council has indicated it will develop a coal seam gas policy soon, but action has been slow while community concern grows. |
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Twenty jobs could go in Warragul GippsTAFE funding cutsFriday, June 1st, 2012 at 12:05 PM. Cuts to TAFE funding will see jobs lost and courses slashed at GippsTAFE Warragul, and could pull over $1 million from the local economy. |
Budget cuts could mean job losses for Catchment Management AuthorityTuesday, June 5th, 2012 at 3:38 AM. The West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority says jobs may be lost and services reduced due to funding cuts in the state budget. |
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Baw Baw Community Care and Strengthening Director quitsFriday, June 15th, 2012 at 7:08 PM. THE BAW BAW Shire Council is looking for a new Director of Community Care and Strengthening following the resignation of previous director Patti Wenn. |
Council condemns Victorian Government as GippsTAFE Warragul starts cutsTuesday, June 19th, 2012 at 4:10 AM. Four GippsTAFE Warragul staff have lost their jobs and an early school leavers program has been cut ahead of the Victorian Government’s TAFE funding changes. |
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Baw Baw budget vote deferred following fiery submissions hearingThursday, June 21st, 2012 at 5:09 PM. The Baw Baw Shire Council has chosen to delay voting on its draft budget until next month following a rowdy submission hearing last night. |
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Warragul population increase small compared to Drouin, Trafalgar, YarragonFriday, June 22nd, 2012 at 10:43 PM. Drouin, Trafalgar and Yarragon are growing faster than Warragul, according to Census data released yesterday. |
July
West Gippsland Healthcare Group dropped as Meals on Wheels providerMonday, July 2nd, 2012 at 7:07 PM. The West Gippsland Healthcare Group has been dropped as the Baw Baw Shire Council’s Meals on Wheels provider after forty years of service. |
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Sinkhole rips foundations from Gippsland rail line at DarnumTuesday, July 3rd, 2012 at 1:40 PM V/Line is working to repair a sinkhole at Darnum which partially closed the Gippsland railway line after heavy rain on the weekend. |
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VIDEO FEATURE: Jackson’s Track: Kurnai Aboriginal Community Exhibition (NAIDOC 2012)Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 at 6:13 PM. Join Kurnai elder Linda Mullett for a look at the stories behind the pictures in the Jackson’s Track photo exhibition, on now at the West Gippsland Arts Centre. |
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Welders cause fire and evacuation of Woolworths WarragulWednesday, July 18th, 2012 at 6:46 PM. Workers installing a new fire system at Woolworths Warragul caused the evacuation of the supermarket today after welding equipment started a blaze. |
4.3 magnitude earthquake second to rock Gippsland in five hoursFriday, July 20th, 2012 at 7:39 PM. UPDATE, 9.51pm: A 2.8 magnitude earthquake followed the second quake at 8.00pm. Geoscience Australia is reporting the epicentre of the third quake as south of Thorpdale. |
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More services possible after Steamrail Snow Train successFriday, July 27th, 2012 at 2:35 PM. Additional tourist steam train services with stops in Warragul and Yarragon are on the cards following the annual Gippsland Snow Train service on the weekend. |
August
New Baw Baw director appointedThursday, August 2nd, 2012 at 1:31 PM. FORMER BAW BAW Shire Manager of Governance and Compliance Liana Thompson has been appointed as the council’s new Director of Community Care and Strengthening. |
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Metro wants Gippsland to Melbourne train services terminatedThursday, August 2nd, 2012 at 3:01 PM. SUBURBAN RAIL OPERATOR Metro says it wants Gippsland V/Line services to and from Melbourne to terminate at Pakenham.
Government rejects Metro’s Gippsland line proposalFriday, August 3rd, 2012 at 12:47 AM. THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT will not approve a suggestion from Metro that Gippsland line trains terminate at Pakenham. |
Lanes lopped off ‘unnecessarily extensive’ Warragul Ring RoadFriday, August 3rd, 2012 at 11:34 AM. TWO LANES HAVE been removed from the planned four-lane Warragul Ring Road by the Baw Baw Shire Council. |
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Preselection challenger did not come forward: BroadbentFriday, August 3rd, 2012 at 1:10 PM. LIBERAL MP FOR the federal seat of McMillan, Russell Broadbent, says a rumoured preselection challenger ended up not standing against him. |
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Drought blamed for Warragul Railway Station damageTuesday, August 7th, 2012 at 9:40 PM. REPAIRS TO THE Warragul Railway Station following water damage last month are expected to be finished this week, with the drought being blamed for the weakness. |
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‘No firm decision’ on Wattleseed Training Restaurant’s futureWednesday, August 8th, 2012 at 4:07 PM. THE FUTURE OF GippsTAFE Warragul’s Wattleseed Training Restaurant remains in doubt despite the TAFE announcing its Morwell restaurant will remain open. |
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Baw Baw $3 million super liability ‘a huge issue’Friday, August 10th, 2012 at 3:59 PM. THE BAW BAW Shire Council is unsure how it will raise a required $3.63 million for its liability to a superannuation benefits fund by July next year. |
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Drouin Neighbourhood Watch thrown ‘lifeline’ in Warragul mergerSunday, August 12th, 2012 at 11:43 PM. DROUIN NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH will trial amalgamation with the Warragul branch after Drouin members failed to appoint a new committee. |
New Director of Community Assets appointedFriday, August 17th, 2012 at 4:06 PM. The Baw Baw Shire Council has appointed a new Director of Community Assets, a year after the position was vacated. |
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Reformed zones could ‘fragment’ towns: Baw BawFriday, August 17th, 2012 at 4:33 PM. PROPOSED reforms to Victoria’s planning zones have been condemned by Baw Baw Shire Councillors and officials, but the State Government is standing by its methods. |
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Gippsland line to remain closed for at least a monthWednesday, August 22nd, 2012 at 5:16 PM. THE GIPPSLAND line will remain closed between Moe, Traralgon and Bairnsdale for at least a month, with bus replacements and delays expected. |
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Baw Baw smoke free policy adopted, trial extendedThursday, August 23rd, 2012 at 1:20 PM. Baw Baw’s Smoke Free Outdoor Areas policy trial will continue after councillors voted unanimously for its extension last night. |
September
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Warragul area hit hardest by damaging winds in Gippsland; more to comeThursday, September 6th, 2012 at 1:48 PM. WARRAGUL SES is still receiving requests for assistance after damaging winds buffeted Victoria yesterday and today, and more wild weather is on the way. Optus apologises for service outages; blames damaging windsThursday, September 6th, 2012 at 6:54 PM. OPTUS has apologised to customers after damaging winds interrupted mobile and landline services in parts of Gippsland yesterday and today. |
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Queen Street closed: Milk factory roofing could fly off [VIDEO]Friday, September 7th, 2012 at 4:26 PM.A HIGH risk of wind ripping loose roofing and other debris from the former Petersville Milk Factory on Queen Street has seen the road closed until Monday.Click here to read. Businesses write off weekend after Queen Street closureFriday, September 7th, 2012 at 10:25 PM. BUSINESSES on the closed section of Queen Street say they will be unable to open or are expecting reduced business this weekend because of the closure. |
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Council conducts last meeting before caretaker periodThursday, September 13th, 2012 at 3:48 PM. THE LAST Baw Baw Shire Council General Meeting before the election caretaker period took place yesterday. |
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Wattleseed Training Restaurant to close this year: Cabinet leakFriday, September 14th, 2012 at 5:24 PM. LEAKED Baillieu Government cabinet documents reveal GippsTAFE Warragul’s Wattleseed Training Restaurant will close this year. |
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Regular SES funding from Baw Baw to end in two yearsMonday, September 17th, 2012 at 9:29 PM. WARRAGUL and Erica SES units will lose regular funding from the Baw Baw Shire Council over the next two years. |
October
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No injuries reported after Trafalgar train and trailer smashSaturday, October 6th, 2012 at 6:17 PM. NO INJURIES have been reported after a train collided with a trailer stopped on a level crossing at Trafalgar last night. |
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No bull: Malcolm Turnbull talked to The Warragul Citizen [Video]Monday, October 15th, 2012 at 12:37 PM. First published in Issue 7 of The Warragul Citizen, 5 October 2012. SHADOW Minister for Communications and Broadband Malcolm Turnbull was in Drouin in August to officially activate the first high-speed internet connection at housing estate Jackson’s View. |
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Sexism and misogyny in Baw Baw election campaigns: CouncillorTuesday, October 16th, 2012 at 2:43 AM. NORTH ward councillor Mel Neil has accused a number of candidates in this year’s council elections of sexism, saying they are fighting for an all-male council. |
Skate park to be renamed in memory of Craig WattsTuesday, October 16th, 2012 at 4:54 AM. THE Neerim South Skate Park Precinct will be renamed in memory of Craig Watts. |
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More council windows smashed, previous offenders caughtWednesday, October 17th, 2012 at 4:00 PM. THE damage bill for smashed council windows is now close to $7000 after attacks on Baw Baw’s Smith Street offices and the West Gippsland Arts Centre over the weekend. |
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Warragul Arts Market returns with record attendanceSaturday, October 20th, 2012 at 5:09 PM. THE first Warragul Arts Market since March was held in Civic Park today, with organisers reporting record attendance at the new site. |
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Interviews: Taste Live Gippsland – Success, Expansion and HueySunday, October 21st, 2012 at 11:45 PM. LAST Sunday’s inaugural Taste Live Gippsland show did not go unnoticed – an estimated 5000 visitors passed through the Warragul Showgrounds gates to wine and dine at the event. |
Gippsland Secured Investments wins Baw Baw Business of the YearTuesday, October 23rd, 2012 at 3:15 PM. GIPPSLAND Secured Investments has taken out top billing at the annual SP AusNet Baw Baw Business Excellence Awards, being awarded Business of the Year for 2012. |
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Baw Baw provisional results declared: Three incumbents survive [Video interviews]Sunday, October 28th, 2012 at 10:22 PM. PROVISIONAL results for the 2012 Baw Baw Shire Council elections show all Warragul ward councillors replaced and just three of seven standing incumbents returned to office. |
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Vote declared: Baw Baw, this is your new council! [Video interviews]Monday, October 29th, 2012 at 3:50 PM. RESULTS for the Baw Baw Shire Council 2012 elections were officially declared in a ceremony at the Council Chambers this morning. |
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Bill Harrington to retire in 2016 [Video interview]Monday, October 29th, 2012 at 4:43 PM. MOUNT Worth Ward councillor-elect Bill Harrington will retire from council after 19 years at the 2016 Baw Baw Shire Council elections. |
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Video interview: Diane Blackwood talks after Baw Baw 2012 declarationWednesday, October 31st, 2012 at 12:58 PM. FORMER Warragul ward councillor and Baw Baw Shire mayor Diane Blackwood has spoken to The Warragul Citizen after losing her seat on the council on Sunday. |
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Two hospitalised after chemical dump in Warragul drainWednesday, October 31st, 2012 at 5:03 PM. TWO women working in a Queen Street shop have been hospitalised after inhaling fumes from cleaning solvent which was dumped in a nearby drain. |
November
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Murray Cook elected Baw Baw mayor, Deborah Brown deputy [Video interviews]Wednesday, November 7th, 2012 at 9:16 PM. NEWLY elected Mount Worth ward councillor Murray Cook has been appointed mayor of the Baw Baw Shire Council for 2012 in a special council meeting this afternoon. |
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Prayer reintroduced at Baw Baw Shire Council meetingsThursday, November 15th, 2012 at 4:44 PM. BAW Baw Shire’s new councillors have chosen to reintroduce the opening prayer at council meetings. |
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Baw Baw director Tim Frederico leaves after three yearsFriday, November 16th, 2012 at 5:28 PM. DIRECTOR for Compliance and Corporate Services Tim Frederico is leaving the Baw Baw Shire Council today after three years in Baw Baw directorship positions. |
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Yarragon Primary’s new campus: Already a success storyFriday, November 23rd, 2012 at 8:40 PM. AFTER decades of waiting Yarragon Primary School has moved into its new campus, and after one week its principal is already heralding the move as a success. |
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Warragul Fire Brigade handed new truck at open day [Multimedia]Sunday, November 25th, 2012 at 5:53 PM. A new truck, kids in plastic helmets and fire hose demonstrations? Could only be CFA Sunday! |
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Council securing Drouin pool ahead of free swimsMonday, November 26th, 2012 at 4:46 PM. THE Baw Baw Shire is implementing new programs and technologies at the Drouin Outdoor Pool to avoid the antisocial behaviour which saw opening hours slashed in February. |
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Councillor: ‘Opinionated’ airfield objectors have ‘little knowledge’ of projectWednesday, November 28th, 2012 at 3:15 AM. DROUIN ward councillor Terry Williamson has hit out at objectors to a proposed airfield on his farm, saying they have “little knowledge on the subject.” |
Drink driving truck driver caught near Drouin overpassWednesday, November 28th, 2012 at 10:23 AM. A 55-year-old Junction Village truck driver will face court after recording a breath test of 0.195 near Drouin yesterday. |
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Court hears Drouin man intentionally hit by carThursday, November 29th, 2012 at 11:12 PM. THORPDALE man Phillip Erbs has been charged with intentionally cause serious injury after hitting a Drouin man with his car this afternoon. |
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Warragul SES volunteers awardedFriday, November 30th, 2012 at 1:05 PM. THREE Warragul SES Unit volunteers have been recognised for up to 25 years of service to the organisation. |
December
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Jindi Cheese sold to French companyTuesday, December 4th, 2012 at 9:47 AM. JINDI Cheese has been sold to French cheese company Lactalis after a strategic review by present owner Menora Foods saw the manufacturer cut from their portfolio. |
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Baw Baw raises over $9,000 for men’s health in MovemberTuesday, December 4th, 2012 at 11:54 AM. BAW Baw Shire residents raised over $9,000 for men’s health through Movember last month, with the Warragul area alone raising at least $5,741. |
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Warragul has ‘very poor’ bus serviceFriday, December 7th, 2012 at 3:48 PM. WARRAGUL Bus Lines General Manager Philip Radford has criticised Baw Baw’s bus timetables. |
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Queen’s Award for three Warragul ScoutsWednesday, December 12th, 2012 at 1:25 PM. THREE Warragul Scouts have received certificates signed by the Queen in a ceremony at Government House. |
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Disarming Warragul: Residents turf illegal weapons during amnestyWednesday, December 12th, 2012 at 2:53 PM. WARRAGUL area achieved the fourth highest surrendered weapon count in Victoria during a two-month amnesty. |
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Warragul and Trafalgar VCE students among state’s top achieversTuesday, December 18th, 2012 at 8:51 AM. VCE RESULTS released yesterday show at least five students enrolled at Warragul and Trafalgar schools have achieved an ATAR score of 99 or above. |
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Jindi Cheese linked to national listeria clusterWednesday, December 19th, 2012 at 1:52 PM. JINDI Cheese has recalled some soft cheeses after they were linked to an eight-case listeria cluster which prompted a national investigation. |
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Councillor flags fewer public meetingsThursday, December 27th, 2012 at 5:03 PM. WARRAGUL ward Councillor Joe Gauci has suggested Baw Baw Shire councillors should meet publicly less often, arguing the present schedule reduces community interaction. |
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Car stolen from Longwarry servo torched after discoveryMonday, December 31st, 2012 at 4:26 PM. A CAR stolen from a Longwarry service station was torched two days after its discovery by police. |
