Sentinel-TimesTUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020 COVERING SOUTH GIPPSLAND AND BASS COAST Huge Island cash grab – See inside Locals’ delicious Kardella-based beef farmers Josh Butt and Jyoti Blencowe won their first major industry award last week, when they produce were named among the state’s top ‘paddock’ producers. SEVERAL South Gippsland Rob Monk shared in the glory practitioners in Melbourne through Melbourne-based spe- producers have been recog- in the dairy category, with milk alongside running the farm, the ciality butchers, Meatsmith, nised in the 2020 Delicious from his Fleckvieh herd form- husband and wife team were but Josh said the award may Awards, a celebration of new, ing the basis of a prizewin- encouraged to be included in provide the push they’ve need- innovative, and consistently ning fresh lactic curd cow’s the esteemed list of Delicious ed to explore local and online outstanding Australian ingre- milk cheese from the West award winners, despite their retail options. dients. Gippsland-based Butterfly Fac- unusual take on beef produc- “We’re still in the early stages With prizes for each state’s tory. tion, centred on fattening up and selling directly would be top producers across four cat- Kardella-based beef produc- retired dairy cattle, which has a big step up in the amount egories, Corner Inlet fisher- ers Josh Butt and Jyoti Blen- “been met with many a raised of time and work involved, so man and last year’s ‘Producer cowe took out a gong in the eyebrow”. we’re taking it slowly for now,” of the Year’ Bruce Collis was ‘Paddock’ category, their first “It’s good to know that in a he said. honoured in the ‘Sea’ category major award win since setting blind tasting, our beef stacks State winners in the Delicious for his seasonal wild catch of out on their farming adventure up with some of the best,” awards will now go through to Garfish, Southern Calamari, three years ago, on a 16-hect- Josh said. a national judging phase, with Greenback Flounder, and King are block formerly owned by Josh and Jyoti’s beef, sold major honours including Pro- George Whiting. Jyoti’s grandparents. under the label ‘Txuleta 1882,’ ducer of the Year and Best New Poowong East dairy farmer Both working as medical is currently only available Product announced in October. 34 Cuthbert St, Corinella $530,000 18 Hamelin Close, Corinella $649,000 153 Smythe St, Corinella $550,000 FULLY RENOVATED ON A HUGE BLOCK BIG BEACH HOUSE LIVING IN A GREAT LOCATION! PICTURESQUE HOME IN GREAT LOCATION 1505 Bass Highway, Grantville 5678 8433 www.alexscott.com.au HM6337-V4 Huge Island Tourist operators cash grab welcome June 1 reopening SMALL business owners on Phillip Island, some alleg- IN A major easing of Victoria’s coronavi- edly followed home from their rus lockdown, the Victorian Premier Daniel workplaces by the criminals Andrews has agreed to start reopening the involved, have been targeted in tourism sector from June 1. a huge cash grab over the past Cafes, gyms and the ski season will open few months. from June 22. Police have been left baffled. The news has been warmly welcomed by One of the business operators, General Manager of Destination Phillip Is- whose home was hit by the bur- land Regional Tourism Management Board, glars recently, claimed as many Kim Storey. as 18 houses of small business “It’s another step forward and we welcome operators had now been broken that but we will be stressing to our accom- into with the proceeds running modation members that they are completely into hundreds of thousands of across the guidelines, which I believe will be dollars. published on Monday,” Ms Storey said. “There were two more last “But yes, there’s quite a lot happening now week, bringing the number of Destination Phillip Island’s houses hit to 17 or 18,” said the which is good, and we want to see that, but Kim Storey. the main message now is looking at and ad- business operator who wished hering to the guidelines.” those required to conduct the ceremony. to remain nameless. Ms Storey said Destination Phillip Up to 20 will be allowed at other religious “They’re only interested in Island would be issuing a newsletter update ceremonies, in addition to those required cash. They bypass iPads and to members ASAP and would likely have a to perform the service. Libraries, youth jewellery and just go for the board meeting on Tuesday to consider next centres and other community facilities safes and they seem to know steps. will be able to open with no more than 20 where they are,” he said. Her response comes after Victoria took a people in a single area, plus those needed to “There’s no damage caused.” significant step back on the road to recov- operate the space. That means men’s sheds He said the criminals were ery with the Premier making mention of the and arts and crafts classes can resume. only targeting small business importance of the tourism sector to regional From 11.59pm on May 31, entertainment owners who they suspected took Victoria, especially those areas also affected and cultural venues will be able to open cash home at night and on week- by the bushfires. their doors. A limit of up to 20 patrons per ends for safe keeping. In announcing the changes, the Premier space will apply. Swimming pools will also He estimated the haul to date also stressed social distancing and strict open with limits of 20 people. had reached $400,000. hygiene arrangements must remain to stop Community sporting activities will also A number of home busi- the virus spread. be permitted with up to 20 people in un- ness operators have also been divided spaces, provided the sport is out- robbed. What are the changes? doors, non-competition, non-contact, and “They’ve got detectives working From Tuesday, May 26, in line with the re- people are able to play 1.5m apart. Beauty on it but so far without result.” turn to face-to-face learning in school; out- and personal care services like nail salons, Area Commander for Bass door playgrounds, skateparks and outdoor spas, tattoo parlours will be able to open Coast and South Gippsland In- communal gym equipment will reopen. with up to 20 customers per space. spector Paul Bruders confirmed From 11.59pm on May 31, you’ll be able Auctions and open for inspections will yesterday that the incidents were to have a total of 20 people in your home. also be subject to the 20-person limit – plus “very high on the priority list” for Outdoor gatherings can also increase to 20. those required to conduct the activity. Non- the detectives involved. Overnight stays can resume at private resi- food and drink market stalls will also be “Unfortunately, we have been dences, as well as overnight stays in accom- able to open from 11.59pm on May 31. unable to make an arrest at this modation. Up to 50 people will be permitted in res- stage, but the investigation is on- This will also apply to campgrounds and taurants, cafes, galleries, museums and for going,” Inspector Bruders said. caravan parks – but not with communal fa- the first time, cinemas and theatres, from Those with information are cilities like kitchens or bathrooms. June 22. The ski season will open slightly urged to contact Wonthaggi Po- Up to 20 people will be allowed at weddings later on June 22. lice on 56714100 or call Crime – plus the celebrant and couple – and up to There are no active cases of COVID-19 in Stoppers 1800 333 000 where 50 people allowed at a funeral, in addition to South Gippsland or Bass Coast. anonymous reports can be made. We specialise in www.wonthaggiremovals.com waste services RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL Skip Bin Hook bins Farm rubbish services Commercial Cost effective furniture removals & storage solutions Residential one off 120/240 lt WE SELL MOVING BOXES Locally owned & Wonthaggi Removals & Storage operated 5672 3773 HM6312 HM6316 www.wheelawaste.com.au P: 5672 2056 PAGE 2 - THE SOUTH GIPPSLAND SENTINEL-TIMES, TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2020 ‘Get on with it!’ BASS Coast Shire councillors are calling on the state government to treat coastal erosion issues at Inverloch with greater urgency and speed up investiga- tion of long-term solutions. At last week’s ordinary council meet- ing, Bunurong Ward Cr Julian Brown received unanimous support for a mo- tion urging the acceleration of the state government’s Local Coastal Hazard Assessment, announced as part of a pilot Regional and Strategic Partner- ship (RaSP) in October last year. The assessment will play a key part in long-term strategic coastal resilience planning for Inverloch and surrounds. It was to be completed over a two-year period, however, councillors agreed the community couldn’t afford to wait that Glen and Heather Davidson of Grey Goose @ Smiths BnB and apartment long and were now asking for it to be have warmly welcomed the announcement by Premier Daniel Andrews that finalised within three months. bookings are now open for overnight stays from June 1, 2020 onwards. “With certain issues, sometimes there’s a time for doing studies and do- ing consultation, and other times, deci- sive action is needed, and I think this is Island puts out one of those occasions,” Cr Brown said. “The situation is quickly developing at the Inverloch Surf Beach and my con- cern is that the study is simply going to take too long.” ‘welcome’ mat Several other councillors voiced sup- port for the motion, adding that it was not only Inverloch’s famously imperiled Surf Life Saving Club and Bunurong again for visitors Road in need of state government re- sources but the shire’s entire coastline, YOU don’t get rated as with Jam Jerrup, Kilcunda and parts 5.0 out of 5 on Trip Advi- of Phillip Island including Silverleaves sor and ranked at the very and Cowes East facing similar threats.