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This newsletter has been superceded by a later edition and some information will be out of date. You may link to the latest Community Update from our home page menu.

In this Issue:

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS REPORT
News from Barry Switzer

NEWS
January and February Gippstar winners - Cross Cultural Training - Local sportswoman: fish out of water?

CLUB SUCCESS STORIES IN GIPPSLAND
Super day of cricket at Traralgon - North Melbourne Football Club Community Camp

CLUB RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT
Smartplay sports injury prevention fact sheets

GRANTS AND CLUB FINANCES
Country Action Grants Scheme - Victalent - Smart Water Funds - Indigenous Small Grants - Funding opportunities to look out for

GOOD SPORTS UPDATE
Club News - Liquor Licence Seminar - Responsible Servicing of Alcohol Training

SEMINARS AND TRAINING
Hockey coaches seminar - Volleyball level 1 referee course - Dual recognition coaching course - AUSTSWIM Teacher of Adults Course

SPECIAL EVENTS/PROGRAMS
Premier's Active Families Challenge - Dads, Lads and Lasses - GConnect - connecting disengaged rural young people - Traralgon Golf Pro-Am - All in basketball begins again in Gippsland - Inverloch Waterfest 2008 - Bowls for All at Korumburra

TENNIS REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER PROGRAM
Web site - Tennis News

FEEDBACK
Club tip for this month Fundraising: where to start? - Newsletter sharing

GIPPSPORT CONTACTS

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS REPORT

VOLUNTEERS - worth their weight in gold

In Australia we have an extensive community sport and active recreation network. Over 11 million people aged over 15 participate at least once per week in physical activity for exercise, recreation and sport. In Victoria we have a total of 1.1 million participants over the age of 15 and 1.77 million participants aged 5-14 years engaged in active sport and recreation pursuits.

For the most part the community sport and active recreation sector is made up of small, volunteer run, grass-roots clubs who struggle to make ends meet as daily running costs continue to increase.

A recent “Community Sports Counts” report indicated that 75% of all Victoria's sport and active recreation organizations are voluntary in nature, and around 80 to 90% of all activity is undertaken by volunteers. Australian Bureau of Statistics data indicates with 1.4 million volunteers engaged on an ongoing basis, the sport and active recreation sector utilizes the support of more volunteers than any other sector.

The administrative load on volunteers is overly burdensome and not sustainable. In addition to there being an unnecessary duplication of tasks across the sector, many of the compliance tasks small groups are faced with, while they may be relevant to large companies, are far in excess of what should reasonably be required of a small community focused organization. Government must work with the sector to support important infrastructure initiatives to rationalize appropriate administrative tasks and develop compliance regulations more appropriate to the business of the sector.

So the challenge is there for all of us who love our sport and recreation to look after and retain our volunteers. GippSport is looking forward to launching a THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS PROGRAM over the next few weeks. Hopefully your club will consider joining this program at no cost to you. We are confident it will play a part in recognizing those people who do such a great job and don't receive a lot of thanks for it.

- Barry Switzer, Executive Officer - GippSport

NEWS

January and February Gippstar winners

Four Gippstar winners have been announced for January and February with Gippsland's highest sports achievers coming from four very different sports.

The January Award winners were Jeremy Saunders (swimming, junior award) and Greg Siinmaa (BMX racing, senior), and for February it was Lisa Phillips (lawn bowls, junior) and Murray French (tennis, senior).

Jeremy Saunders had extremely successful results at the Victorian Championships with wins in the 17-18 age group's 100 and 200 metres breaststroke, and 200 metres individual medley.

Greg Siinmaa recently won two Victorian titles for BMX racing. Greg competes in the 45-49 age group, and won the 20 Class and Cruiser Class championships.

Jeremy Saunders

Lisa Phillips at 14, is one if the youngest recent Gippstar winners. Lisa has recently been selected to represent Victoria in junior lawn bowls test series against three other states. Lisa has been selected as her squad's number one player, contesting the singles matches.

Murray French captained the Australian team at the Super Seniors World Tennis Tournament. Murray, 66, won bronze in the singles and gold in the doubles.

Gippstar Awards are awarded each month to a junior and senior Gippstar resident who has achieved great sporting success that month. More information, and details on making nominations, is available at www.sportgippsland.org.au/gippstar.php

Cross Cultural Training

2008 looks set to be a busy year with many clubs interested in taking up welcoming and inclusive training. The training is designed to encourage everyone to become involved in sport and recreation. Clubs have started to undertake parts of the training and have been keen to get out and get more people attracted to their club.

If your club would like to get involved or would like further information on the training, please contact GippSport on 5135 8335

Local sportswoman - fish out of water?

Local sportswoman Heather Hadley-Powell has recently excelled at the Australasian Masters Games held in Adelaide last October. Heather is currently residing in Traralgon and considers herself to have been extremely active before illness struck her in 2000 at the age of 38.

Heather considers herself to be a “fish out of water” due to the fact that she has been in a wheelchair for the past few years due to her illness, but continues to excel in water sports.

Heather's achievements at the Masters Games include receiving a total 11 medals (8 gold, 2 silver,1 bronze). Five of her wins were in swimming events two in sailing events and one gold medal in kayaking.

Congratulations Heather! - We hope that your story can continue to inspire local Gippslanders to participate in sport and active recreation across the region.

CLUB SUCCESS STORIES IN GIPPSLAND

Super day of cricket at Traralgon

Over three thousand people attended the cricket match between the Victorian Bushrangers and the South Australian Redbacks which was held at Traralgon on 27 January. The fine weather attracted a large family crowd and the Victorians were very pleased to pick up five valuable points in the Ford Ranger Cup.

The Chairman of Cricket Victoria Geoff Tamblyn was most complimentary in regard to the manner in which the event was organized. “The Traralgon and District Cricket Association (TDCA) did a superb job in promoting the game and particularly looking after such a large crowd on the day,” said Mr Tamblyn. He indicated that this proved that country regions have the capacity to organize events of this nature and the work of volunteers cannot be underestimated. He also acknowledged the strong partnership developed between the TDCA and Latrobe City who were major supporters of the event.

Former Australian player Tony Dodemaide who is now Chief Executive Officer of Cricket Victoria spent a lot of time talking with local sporting officials. “I am really pleased that we are able to bring games of this standard to country regions and it is a unique opportunity for young people to watch players of the quality of Brad Hodge, David Hussey and Matthew Elliott. It was also great to see Cameron White from Bairnsdale and Peter Siddle from Morwell made so welcome by the parochial crowd. The participation of Milo and “No Boundaries” cricketers during the innings break was another highlight,” said Mr Dodemaide.

The South Australian players were also great ambassadors and they trained on the oval used by the Gormandale Cricket Club on the Saturday morning. At this session they engaged a number of junior players and gave away shirts to interested youngsters. The manner in which they handled the crowd was exemplary.

A delighted TDCA President Steve Kay said that all proceeds from the game will be divided equally by all clubs who provided such excellent “hands on” assistance during the day. “This was a day for all TDCA people to remember - it was a real team effort,” according to Mr Kay.

North Melbourne Football Club Community Camp 2008

The North Melbourne Football Club visited the East Gippsland Region on the Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 February as part of the 2008 Community Camp. The Camp involved players of the North Melbourne Kangaroos visiting and meeting local community members through community events such as the Civic Reception, Gippsland Lakes Boat ride, Community BBQ and also through community organisations, local schools, Hospitals, Aged Care facilities and Sporting clubs within the East Gippsland Shire.

People with a disability also had the opportunity to attend a Super Clinic at Bairnsdale Football Netball Club on the Tuesday afternoon along with a number of local Primary School students. All participants were run through a variety of “stations” which included kicking, hand passing and tackling training drills.

Members from Noweyung and Sale Specialist School had a great time and many showed a genuine ability for the game. East Gippsland residents were thankful to The Victorian Country Football League, AFL and Bairnsdale Football Netball Club for giving them the opportunity to be involved in 2008.

The Kangaroos players and support staff were a fantastic group of people and GippSport wishes them great success in 2008.

CLUB RESOURCES AND DEVELOPMENT

Smartplay sports injury prevention fact sheets

Every year about 1 in 17 Australians suffer a sports injury. This is despite the fact that up to 50 per cent of injuries are preventable.

However in order to prevent injuries you first need to know HOW to prevent them.

Smartplay has recently updated three sport-specific preventing injuries fact sheets. If you participate in Hockey, Squash or Tennis or know of someone who may find this information relevant to their chosen sport, download these new fact sheets by visiting www.smartplay.com.au . For hard copies contact Smartplay on phone 9674 8777 or email smartplay@vic.sma.org.au.

GRANTS AND CLUB FINANCES

Country Action Grants Scheme

The Country Action Grant Scheme aims to increase the capacity of community sport and recreation organisations in rural Victoria. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for three project types: Improving Organisations, Enhancing Skills and Including Everyone.

Apply by 11 April for projects commencing between July to December. Directly link to grant information, or go to www.grants.dvc.vic.gov.au and use the Grant Finder link to find details.

Victalent

The VicTalent Grant Scheme Provides financial assistance to grassroots sport and recreation organisations in regional and rural Victoria to support developing athletes, coaches, officials and teams who travel extensively to train and compete.

Applications for events and activities with travel intended between July and December this year are open until 11 April. The next round of funding will follow immediately afterwards.

Remember that the Country Action Grant Scheme and Victalent are separate, with separate guidelines and application forms. Therefore eligible clubs and organisations may apply for one grant of up to $5,000 under one of the CAGS, they may also apply for up to two $500 Victalent travel assistance grants.

Directly link to grant information, or go to www.grants.dvc.vic.gov.au and use the Grant Finder link to find the details.

Smart Water Funds

Purpose: To encourage individuals, community groups, businesses and industry in the development of innovative ideas that will make a difference to the way we use our water resources. The total pool of funds is $5,000,000.

Who can apply? The fund is open to everyone - individuals, community groups, business, research and development organisations and industry.

Further information: www.smartwater.com.au/mainf.asp

Contact details: The Fund Manager, Smart Water Fund. Email: advisory@smartwater.com.au or Free call 1800 882 432

Indigenous Small Grants

Provides an opportunity for Indigenous organisations working with indigenous people and communities to be offered small amounts of support funding. Funds are available for initiatives that enhance youth participation or create opportunities for the development of young people aged 12 - 25 years.

Funding range of grant: Maximum $5,000. Who can apply? Applications will be accepted from non profit organisations (including local government and schools). Apply by mail.

Application form is at www.youngaustralians.org

Funding opportunities to look out for

State Government grants in Victoria, visit: www.grants.dvc.vic.gov.au

Federal Government funding, visit: www.grantslink.gov.au

Victorian Department of Sport and Recreation grants, visit: www.sport.vic.gov.au and select "Grants and funding" from the side menu.

Consolidated grants information service is provided the Easy Grants newsletter. You or your club will need to subscribe to this newsletter at: www.ourcommunity.com.au

GOOD SPORTS UPDATE

Club News

New Registrations: Boisdale Briagolong Cricket Club, Nambrok Cricket Club, Neerim District Cricket Club, Sale Baseball Club, Sale City Football Netball Club, Southern Hyland Archers and Stradbroke Cricket Club.

Congratulations to the following clubs in moving to their next level:
Collegians Cricket Club - Level 1
Corinella Bowling Club - Level 2
Hallora Cricket Club - Level 1
Korumburra Bena Football Club - Level 2
Korumburra Bowling Club - Level 3
Korumburra Cricket Club - Level 2
Leongatha Squash Club - Level 3
Maffra Squash & Racquetball Club - Level 3
Meeniyan Bowling Club - Level 2
Meeniyan Dumbalk Football Club - Level 3
Morwell East Football Netball Club - Level 2
Nambrok Cricket Club - Level 1
Orbost Snowy Rovers Football Netball Club - Level 3
Poowong Football Netball Club - Level 3
Rosedale Bowling Club - Level 2
Sale City Cricket Club - Level 2
Wy Yung Cricket Club - Level 1

Newborough Bulldogs Cricket Club and Moe Golf Club have continued to be accredited at Level 3.

Liquor Licence Seminar

A liquor licence club seminar will be held on Wednesday 19 March 2008 in Morwell from 7.00 to 9.00 pm. The seminar will cost $10.00 per person and clubs may send up to five people. To register contact Kim at GippSport on 51358335 or email

The aim of the Club Seminar Program is to raise the level of awareness of club committee members to their legal and moral responsibilities regarding the supply and consumption of liquor within the club.

This Seminar is also presented in lieu of the new entrant training “Licensees First Step” which is now a legal requirement for any person named as a Licensee or Nominee on a new or changing Liquor Licence .

The cost of attending this course at a TAFE College is approximately $100 per person.

Topics in the program include:

• Understanding your liquor licence
• Legal responsibilities (liquor law)
• Club rules
• Duty of care/server liability
• Underage issues

For example: Do you have a sign in register for non-members? Do you have a section on your liquor licence that covers people under 18 being on the licensed premises?

The benefits of attending include:

• Greater awareness of legal issues
• Potential legal problems avoided
• Getting the most out of your licence
• Increased confidence in handling licensing issues
• Networking with local Police & Council staff

Responsible Servicing of Alcohol Training

If you wish to hold an RSA at your club please contact us. We will arrange the trainer and advertise for participants to add to your club members. Cost is $25 per person for Good Sports clubs and $40 per person for non Good Sports clubs.

Contact Kim at GippSport on 51358335.

SEMINARS AND TRAINING

Hockey coaches seminar

Hockey Victoria is conducting a one-day coaches seminar to provide coaches the opportunity to learn and build on coaching skills from a variety of Victorian and interstate presenters.

It will be on Saturday 1 March at the State Netball Hockey Centre, Parkville. Cost is $50 (includes lunch and notes).  

For more information phone Annette Hatherley, Hockey Victoria on 03 8379 4288.

Volleyball - level one referee course

Completion of the course and associated exam provides a referee grading of “District Referee (formerly known as State B” (Level 1 NOAS). Four years registration under the National Officiating Accreditation Scheme which is only attained after successful completion of the practical component.

District Referee certificate and badge, relevant rule book and other reference material will be provided.

The course will be held at the Morwell Leisure Centre, McDonald St. Morwell on Saturday, March 2, from 9:30am - 3:30pm. Application forms are available from the Volleyball Victoria web site, or phone them on 9794 0009.

Dual recognition coaching course

Level 1 Junior Development Coach for Cricket Victoria & AFL Victoria. The course will be held at the Bairnsdale Football Netball Club, Saturday April 5 and Sunday April 6.

To obtain an Expression of Interest Form and for further information please contact Morgan Kate Cameron at GippSport on 5153 1745 or 0428 543403.

AUSTSWIM Teacher of Adults Course

New to Aquatic & Recreation Victoria's professional development program is the AUSTSWIM Teacher of Adults.  The course provides candidates with the essential competencies to teach the adult swimmer, from beginner to the more advanced.

The course consists of approximately 14 contact hours (theory and practical), plus practical observation, supervised teaching hours and assessment around teaching adults to swim, understanding of adult swimmers, health issues and injury prevention.

The course will be at Kemp Aquatics Maffra, 3 & 4 May. For more information, contact Aquatics & Recreation Victoria on (03) 8843 2000 or email info@aquarecvic.org.au

SPECIAL EVENTS/PROGRAMS

Premier's Active Families Challenge

The Premier's Active Families Challenge is a new program run by the Victorian Government to improve physical activity, health and well-being of Victorian families.

To complete the Challenge, families will be encouraged to participate in 30 minutes of physical activity for at least 30 days between 9 March - 20 April 2008.  Participation in the Challenge is free.  Registered participants will be supported with information about healthy eating, ways to get active, events and incentives.

To participate families will need to collect the Challenge booklet in the Herald Sun on Tuesday 4 March 2008 and register online or by mail to be eligible for certificates, information and prizes.

Sport and recreation clubs are encouraged to register their details on the Go for your life web site www.goforyourlife.vic.gov.au as families will be encouraged to look for activities and things to do through the Community Directory.  This is a great time to promote your club and sport to attract new members.  You may wish to encourage your family members to get involved.

Dads, Lads and Lasses

Exercise classes for dads and their kids are set to rock Leongatha and Wonthaggi. Dads, Lads and Lasses, a circuit training program, aims to encourage all dads and their kids towards a healthier lifestyle.

Supported by Gippsland Southern Health Service and GippSport, the sessions will run throughout the first school term starting in Wonthaggi on February 13 and in Leongatha on February 15. Each session runs for around 45 minutes and includes warming up and down exercises, boxing drills and an opportunity to use various fitness equipment.

According to GippSport program coordinator Mark Lindsay, Dads, Lads and Lasses is all about giving dads an opportunity to not only become more physically active, but to spend quality time with their children “The program is for all fitness levels and with qualified instructors on hand, it's an easy, safe way to get active and have fun with your kids.”

“Classes are designed to have dad's workout with one or more of their children, allowing a healthy amount of encouragement and competition.”

Suitable ages for kids are 7-12 for the Leongatha classes and ages 7 and up for Wonthaggi. Introductory costs for each session are $10 per pair with additional children $4.

For further information or to book your place, contact Leongatha Body Trim on 5662 3058 or Wonthaggi New Level Body Therapy on 5672 3162.

GConnect - connecting disengaged rural young people

VicHealth provided funding to GippSport through an Active Participation Grant for the GConnect project. GippSport is partnering with Deakin University, Yarram Secondary College, Yarram and District Health Service and Gippsland Women's Health Service to achieve the following objectives:

1. To increase participation in physical activity of young women in Yarram and surrounding district.
2. To increase community understanding of the barriers and enablers to participation in physical activity and the role of sport and physical activity in assisting social inclusion and positive health and well being for rural adolescent females.
3. To increase the local sporting and recreational clubs capacity to be more welcoming and inclusive for adolescent females.
4. To increase connectedness of participants to each other, their school and community.

In the last six months, year eight and nine girls from the Yarram Secondary College have participated in a range of physical activities including power walking, yoga, step aerobics, and hip-hop dancing. They have also been provided with information about body image, relationships and sexuality.

This program has received funding for three years. Milestones have been set over this period to achieve the objectives of the program.

Traralgon Golf Pro-Am

The Traralgon Pro-Am is recognised as the most successful event of its kind in country Victoria and has seen many of Australia's biggest names in golf grace the fairways in the past. It will be held at the Traralgon Golf Course, Princes Hwy Traralgon, Thursday & Friday February 21 - 22.

For further information contact Jim Hagart on 5174 1709.

All in basketball begins again in Gippsland

After the success of All in Basketball Program in Sale and a very successful round robin event held at the Traralgon Sports Stadium - All in Basketball will go ahead in 2008.

All in Basketball is a basketball program designed for athletes with a disability of all ages. Cost for games in both Sale and Traralgon will be $5 per player at each session. All players will need to wear sports shorts and runners.

Traralgon All in Basketball - Traralgon Sports Stadium, Monday 25 February 11:00am till 1:30pm

Sale All in Basketball - OA Ruff Stadium, Palmerston St Sale, Thursday 28 February 12 noon - 2:30pm

Please contact Trevor Holmes for further information on 0407 948 879

Inverloch Waterfest 2008

The Waterfest will be held on Saturday 23 February at the Glade, Inverloch. Activities include face painting, jumping castle, music, sand castle making and skateboarding competition.

For further information on this great community event and registrations for the skateboarding competition please contact Nyree Davis 0413 925 411.

Bowls for All at Korumburra

Korumburra Bowling Club is again conductiing its annual Bowls for All day, now in its 14th year. The day is open to people with disabilities and there is wheelchair access. Cost is $5, which includes bowls, morning and afternoon teas, and lunch.

The day will be held on Sunday 9 March from 10am to 4pm, at the Korumburra Bowling Club, Charles St, Korumburra. Register by 4 March to Elke Timm, 0447 358 339, or by email to

TENNIS REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER PROGRAM

Web site

What would you like to see included on the Central Gippsland Tennis web site (www.tennis.gippsport.com.au)? We want it to be useful to you.

Please give us some feedback by ringing Dawn on 51423483 or sending an email to dawn.martin@wellington.vic.gov.au .

We are developing a Resources page that will provide some specific tennis information for clubs. Clubs will also have a direct link to the existing resources on the GippSport site at www.gippsport.com.au/clubdev.php

New additions to the Resources page are some tennis-specific grants.

Tennis News

Congratulations to the Central Gippsland Team for coming sixth overall at the Inter Regional Championships held at Warrnambool on 5 and 6 January 2008. The Region also received a trophy for the Most Improved Region. Well done.

The Latrobe City Council is developing a Tennis Strategy. Talk to your club committee to get an update. And congratulations to all the clubs in Latrobe City for attending the public meeting held on 30 January 2008. This is your sport and you need to make sure your ideas are received.

FEEDBACK

Club tip for this month

The recording of minutes is crucial to any organisation. This is because the minutes are supposed to accurately reflect what important decisions were made at the meeting. They are an official record designed to reduce the risk of disputes and confusion as to what actually took place. They also are expected to show that such decisions were made legitimately and in accordance with the non-for-profit's constitution.

At www.mycommunitypoint.com.au you will find the seven key steps for the taking of proper minutes (follow the link “how to take minutes”. Note that free registration is required).

Fundraising - Where to Start?

Fundraising activities rely on participation from volunteers and generous community donations. The activity you choose should generate enthusiasm and motivation from your members, more importantly it needs to be attractive enough for people to buy tickets or attend an event.

Here are some considerations to help you choose an activity:

• Fundraising committees - Form a fundraising committee for the club if there isn't one already. Allocate duties within the committee and agree to meet at regular intervals to decide on activities and monitor progress. Always take minutes and distribute. This keeps everyone informed and acts as a handy check list of things that need to be done before the next meeting.
• Amount to raise - Determine how much money you want to raise. This will help decide how big or small the fundraiser needs to be.
• Time frame - Work out when you need the funds by. How soon will affect the type of fundraiser you choose. If money is required in two weeks, a celebrity soccer match would be next to impossible while organising a raffle is a sensible option.
• Past successes - Review past fundraising activities. If it has been successful before then there's probably no reason to change the activity.
• Enthusiasm counts - Discuss what you would all enjoy selling or participate in. If you're enthusiastic about something, you'll be more motivated to sell and get people involved.
• Hidden talents - Find out the hidden talents and resources of club members, friends, relatives and associates. A child's mother may be an event organiser, another's uncle a sports personality or a next-door neighbour could own a catering company. Utilise what you can to cut down on costs.

It may be a brilliant idea but how much will it cost to do? Remember the fundraiser needs to make money to be successful.

This article is produced with thanks to NSW Sport and Recreation.

Newsletter sharing

GippSport would like to encourage clubs to share our newsletter with their members.

Please place the newsletter on a notice board or table so others can also share the information.

Additional copies are available from the GippSport web site (www.gippsport.com.au).

We also welcome any comments that you might have about about this edition and the information in it.

GippSport CONTACTS

This newsletter contains general information which should not be relied upon as a substitute for specific professional advice and only be used as a guide on issues. No responsibility can be accepted by GippSport or the authors for loss as a result of materials in this publication.