b'The Great Eastern Mail SEPTEMBER 23, 2022 17Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, with junior members of the Paynesville Bowls Club just prior to officially opening the new season for the club.$250k committed to new Bowl ClubI N officially opening the new Paynesville Bowls Club season on Sunday, Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim The heart of ourBull had some good news for the many club members in attendance.He announced a pre-election commitment of $250,000 for a new synthetic green at the club, an outcome members have been seeking for some time.communities A number of clubs in the region are installing synthetic greens for various reasons, but at the top of that list is the pressure on volunteer members to maintain grass greens and the ability to have more playing days in periods of wet weather.I was first approached about this by club members on grand final day last year at Lakes Entrance and then we had The battle to keep our libraries open in East Gippsland follow up meetings both in my office and at the Paynesville club, where the plans and costings were outlined in detail.Full credit to the club members who have advocated so L AKES Entrance Friends of thethe hours of staff who are your bestONLY Bairnsdale Library would bestrongly for this, and if elected to Government in November,Libraries presented to the Councilmarketing asset and reliable source ofgetting that better everyday customerit will be a pleasure to deliver this project, said Mr Bull.back in July, 1,274 signaturesinformation? experience for visitors and residentsPaynesville is a growing club in a growing community against library closures. The Shire2. Encouraging resilience afterby an earlier start on weekdays.and what was especially pleasing to see on Sunday was the accepted only 999 as some didnt haveisolation:Bairnsdale looks increasingly like theamount of juniors who are participating and many are already a full address and were void, sadly!At a time when prices are goingfavoured child as it already opensrepresenting the region, which is a feather in their cap.Paynesville Friends of the Librariesthrough the roof and there is suchSaturday morning. We would be happyBowls clubs, and all sporting clubs in our community for had lodged 800 petitions but only 200uncertainty about the future, we needto cut our hours from 8.30 to 9am ifthat matter, play an important role in bringing people together been accepted. Another 100 petitionsyour backing, not your censure. Covidour library had the same weekendfor social interaction, which we know brings many benefits, were lodged a few weeks later but wehas meant lockdowns, shutdownsopenings!so we need to make sure facilities are in place to meet future dont know how many went ahead, Juliaand curfews and has delivered toHas the Shire considered, in describingneeds, he said.Ditterich, President of Friends of theus isolation and a fear of socialthese cuts as a small shift in resources, Library, said.engagement. We have lost so much.when 4 of the 6 libraries will lose In August, volunteers attended theYou want, in this Review to supportsignificant hours, the effect on libraryLocal MP Darren Chester Lakes Entrance Action and Developmentstrong mental health, wellbeing andusers?48.5 hours is not small.said EOIs were now open for not-for-profit groups to Associations (LEDA) and mentioned inresilience. Studies have identified theSaturday morning is an important timeapply for the Community front of MP Darren Chester and Deputymajor and important role librariesfor people who work during the week.Impact Program.Mayor, Arthur Allen, that you cant makeplay in rural and remote communitiesIt is a time that they can visit with their Lakes Entrance a No.1 Tourist destinationnow - and will in the future, as theyfamily both to use the library as well without a Library!have the facilities and ability to keepas the information and facilities that Also back in August, Lakes Entrancecommunities connectedthey haveit, and the staff offer. This is the way to Friends of the Library organised aevolved to become a hub for digitalimprove mental health and contact Morning Tea for the community. I lovededucation and information, extendingwith the shire. It is as important as dropping in on my three week holidayfar beyond the traditional paperback.sporting facilities which service the to spend some quiet time in the libraryWouldnt an expansion of servicesyoung and the fit.doing the in house puzzle. I even got torather than a contraction, help6. Community consultation: chat with some of the locals, said Mariarestore hope and confidence in ourI have read the documents and reviews from Torquay. As requested, staff atcommunity? many times, where you compare theCommunity Lakes Entrance Library created a jigsaw3. The Library as a social andEast Gippsland Library and service puzzle tablewhich proved very populartechnology hub:centre with others. Did you compareImpact Program with all ages. We know technology is changing atit to Inverloch? On a recent visit there, Julia Ditterich, Friends of the Librarysuch a fast rate and a lot of us needwith a population of 5,437, a seaside President, spoke on the 20th July at thehelp in using and managing itovertown with an older population, verynow openShire meeting on behalf of all those30 per cent of Lakes and Paynesvillesimilar to Lakes Entrance, I found who feel strongly that East Gippslandidentify as over 65, and want thetheir library was open 6 days a libraries should not lose 48.5 hours atraditional services libraries haveweek including Saturday. And I amE XPRESSIONS of Interest (EOI) for the Community week in favour of a call centre and on-linealways provided, but also the choicealways left asking why there was noImpact Program are now open for local not for profit inquiries: to participate in programs and events,recommendation? After all this timegroups.1. To all 9 councillorsYour moststudy, read, relax and connect withand money spent, 6 recommendationsLocal MP Darren Chester said EOIs could be submitted powerful advocates:friends there. BUT, they have to bewere put forward. Only 1 for eachfor grants of between $200,000 - $500,000 for community I stand before you to tell you whatopen! Social isolation is only enhancedcentre effected, with no options andactivities and programs that would support drought I, and many others in this shire,if the lights are on, and staff are there tono alternatives. This is not communityresilience.believe are your most valuablesupport the librarys function. engagement or consultation but a faitThe Community Impact Program is part of the Helping assets concerning the libraries in4. Online without a line!accompli. This is why many peopleRegional Communities Prepare for Drought Initiative and the East Gippsland Shire. They areThe truth of the matter is that notfeel disempowered and angry. is available to not-for-profit groups in Gippsland to run the safe, welcoming, democratic placeseveryone has access to the technologyproject, Mr Chester said.where everybody belongs BUT it isneeded to consume digital mediaIn conclusion, I commend the ShireFunding can be used to strengthen community network not ONLY the books and technology,or the money to access it at home.on its increased presence on socialcapabilities and facilities that support drought preparedness but the PEOPLE who work there,Coverage here in the country is patchymedia. But I ask you to reflect on thoseand local community leadership activities.with their experience who representor non-existent for some. Calls dropespecially who dont have access to it orThe Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal and the and positively advocate for theout, the internet goes off line withoutchoose a more personal and engagingAustralian Rural Leadership Foundation are administering Shire. They revel in collaboration,warning. As an exampleTim Bullway to communicate with the Shire. the program and will work with local groups to establish the in problem solving and in fosteringhas assisted over 1,200 people throughPeople matter. Libraries matter! multi-year projects.community spirit. We trust them his office to access the electricityExpressions of Interest close September 26, 2022.they are uniquely placed to respond tosupplement. With every best wish, For more information or to apply visit: https://frrr.org.au/community needs at a grassroots level.5. Saturday mornings should beJulia Ditterich, President, funding/disaster-resilience-and-climate-solutions/impact-Why would the Shire want to contractavailable for everyone:Friends of the Library program/'