WEDNESDAY 11th MARCH -South West Local News

this morning on south west local news

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the warrnambool rsl enters volentary administration, still remaining open for now

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the folkie raps up for another year after 4 days of perfomances

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police operation over the long weekend records large tally of offenses

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and in sport

we cover the latest from the warrnambool moyne cricket results

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For everything making and breaking news in South West Victoria.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_05 0:00

This morning on Southwest Local News, the Warnable RSL enters voluntary administration still remaining open for now. The Fokey wraps up for another year after four days of performances. Police operation over the long weekend records a large tally of offences. And in sport we cover the latest from the Warnerville Moyne cricket results.

SPEAKER_00 0:28

Live from Silver Ball Studios in Warnerville. This is Southwest Local News with Jana Rogers.

SPEAKER_05 0:36

Good morning and welcome to Southwest Local News. The Warnable RSL sub-branch has entered voluntary administration. This has come about due to financial issues at the sub-branch related to the trading of the business. The administrator Warrels has confirmed that the sub-branch venue will trade through and continue normal operations for the foreseeable future whilst the financial position is being assessed. This afternoon, employees have been informed of this and will continue their current employment while the venue is in administration. The Wanable RSL sub-branch committee members will assist the administrator to work towards the best outcome for the sub-branch, its creditors, veterans, and members. The folkie wraps up and Courtney has the full story.

SPEAKER_09 1:24

For the Southwest, the Port Ferry Folk Festival marks the end of yet another successful festival season. Regional Arts Victoria's Stacey Barnes says the festival plays an important role in supporting the region's creative culture. She continues that while the international acts draws the crowds, giving young artists the opportunity to perform is just as important for the future of Australian music.

SPEAKER_07 2:07

So I've been able to check out a few young artists at the Village Green, in some of the tents here, and honestly been blown away. They've all been amazing.

SPEAKER_09 2:15

One of those emerging artists is Araminta, who won last year's foot-in-the-door folk competition at the Queen's Cliff Music Festival, a milestone that recognises the emotional depth of her songwriting.

SPEAKER_08 2:28

We just played 20 Minutes It and feeling very grateful and privileged to be here. Yeah, it was heaps of fun.

SPEAKER_09 2:34

Speaking at Port Ferry, Araminta says the festival has given her the opportunity to perform on a major stage and connect with new audiences.

SPEAKER_08 2:42

Amazing! This is our first festival ever, so yeah, it's surreal, surreal feeling. Can't wait for more.

SPEAKER_09 2:49

Beyond the music, the festival markets are also catching attention. Stallholder Miles says this is his first year at Port Ferry embracing the festival lifestyle while sharing his passions.

SPEAKER_06 3:12

But vibe-wise, it's pretty much on par with what we were expecting with the larger numbers and the whole folk scene, which we're starting to dip our toe in the water off.

SPEAKER_09 3:22

Neighbouring creatives from One Day Studios have also been running workshops across the weekend with the team celebrating the chance to inspire young people through creativity.

SPEAKER_10 3:31

It's been really good. We've seen a lot of very creative masks come out of it.

SPEAKER_02 3:35

So sort of an opportunity to reach out to uh regional young people and show them that there's sort of a pathway into doing this cool creative fun as well. Um and that, you know, it can lead into opportunities and careers, so it just puts us on the map a little bit and just gets us out into a community we may not always be able to reach. So it's just a wonderful opportunity.

SPEAKER_09 3:56

With strong crowds, sunny weather, and a positive rap for organizers, Port Ferry is already looking ahead.

SPEAKER_08 4:02

Like jam-packed. Every tent I've been to is packed and there's no seating. So yeah, everyone's really turned up here. It's a creative and supportive community.

SPEAKER_09 4:10

With the festival set to return next year to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

SPEAKER_05 4:16

Warnable has had a disappointing long weekend on its roads with police dealing with a large number of offences. During the long weekend, Operation Arid police nabbed nine drivers under the influence, four drink drivers, and five drug drivers. Speeding was a major issue with 66 offences reported. Police recorded six mobile phone offences, 10 unregistered vehicles, two vehicle impoundments, two disqualified drivers, six unlicensed drivers, 15 disobeyments of signs, signals, and three seatbelt offences. The poor behaviour even crept to those on two wheels with two cycling offences recorded. Leaders of the Krangamite Shire Council have welcomed the concept of paying to see the Twelve Apostles, but only if the revenue collected stays local. She was transferred to Southwest Healthcare with minor injuries.

SPEAKER_04 6:06

Looks like she's come into park at Woolworth and has gone through and hit the laundrette. Police are still investigating, but it appears it could be a medical episode at this stage, but we're still investigating.

SPEAKER_05 7:45

The price of the fuel cannot be raised that day, but it can be lowered. Fuel retailers, caught not abiding by the laws, face significant fines. The laws have come in place to help ease any panic attached to possible oil shortages due to the military action in Iran. Mr. Canavan replaces David Little Proud, who stood down from the role on Tuesday. Federal member for Wan and Dantean welcomed Mr. Canavan's promotion. Mr. Tien said he was looking forward to working with the new nationals' leadership team. They bring an enormous amount of firepower to the coalition, Mr. Tien said. With this change, we are going from strength to strength. The Liberal and National Parties form a federal coalition and are currently in opposition. The coalition has not been without its dramas, with the nationals stepping away from the alliance in January before a quick reconciliation had them back on board in February. Accomplished wanable artist Sherry John Stone has added Fashion Designer to her list of talents.

SPEAKER_03 9:33

It was very surreal to be chosen to be part of the Beyond Black First Nations runway as part of the Melbourne Fashion Festival. The experience was awesome because I've actually because it was ran by Mob in Fashion, so First Nations people were curating the whole show, the whole event, and it, you know, it actually gave you the chance to have a rare behind-the-scenes experience. So I was able to go, you know, work out the back with the team. I was able to be hands-on with my garments, you know, do last-minute alterations and interact with the um with the models, but just before they went out and sort of do the finishing touches and things like that. So and just get to see the models and everyone, the event team doing you know what they're meant to be doing, and it was a bit crazy because I've never never ever experienced that before. So it was really cool. Uh potentially, yeah, yeah. We'll see what comes. Um it's certainly a great exposure because it was a it's a nationally um known fashion show, so you know, I guess the potential for global exposure from that actual runway is, you know, it's it's exciting. You just not don't know what might come from that down the track.

SPEAKER_05 11:03

Southwest residents are in safe hands if they have the misfortune to go into cardiac arrest. Victoria is the safest state when it comes to cardiac arrest survival rate at 44.4%. Worldwide, this rate is second only to Denmark at 50.2%. This data has been revealed in Ambulance Victoria's cardiac arrest registry. Ambulance Victoria has actively been training members of the public in cardiac arrest response, with more than 29,000 people taking part in the call, push, shock program. Greater access to defibulators also has helped the survival rate with 10,800 active and registered defibulators in Victoria, with more than 8,000 of those publicly accessible. Southwest Farmer and filmmaker Leela McDougal used a sellout gathering to push the virtues of resilience for rural women. McDougal rose to prominence for the film Just a Farmer, which she wrote and starred in. She was speaking at the Australian Blue Gun Plantation Annual Women in Wood and Fibre event as part of International Women's Day celebration. McDougal shared her insight on resilience, leadership, and backing yourself even when the path is uncertain. The dogs were too strong for Port Ferry in the elimination final, winning by 52 runs. Batting first on Saturday, the dogs made 207 from their 80 overs. In reply, Port Ferry lost its first wicket with just three on the board and were never able to recover, being bowled out for 155 in 50 overs. A top three finish has failed to be turned into finals glory for Russell's Creek. Creek finished third on the ladder and started favourite in their elimination final on the weekend against sixth placed Mortlake. Creek also had a home ground advantage with the game played at Jetty Flat. Creek batted first and were bowled out inside 77 overs for 163. In reply, Mortlake was in early trouble, staggering 4 to 33. But top order batsman Salmon Gonawala dug in, making an unbeaten 83 to guide Maltlake to victory with a score of 8 to 166. Gold Coast Suns coach Damian Hardwick said Yugal Hagen remains a big part of the team's plans.

SPEAKER_01 14:08

I see this guy as a long-term prospect for our footy club. So we want to make sure we get him absolutely cherry ripe. So when he comes in, he's ready to go. Not necessarily for this week, the week after, in and out, all that sort of stuff. When he's ready to go, we're going to unleash him. He played a great game today. Can't wait to see him play. Can't wait to watch the tape. He'll be sending me highlights throughout the course of the night, I'm sure. But um it was a big step forward for it. We're really pleased for him.

SPEAKER_05 14:32

Southwest Export Hugh McCluggage has had a tough start to the 2026 AFL season. In his first game as captain of the Brisbane Lions, McCluggage injured his calf in the first quarter of his team's opening round loss to the Western Bulldogs. McCluggage is expected to miss this week's game against the Sydney Swans. Portland's Rowan Marshall also succumbed to injury in the opening round when he was knocked out during the game against Collingwood. The St. Kilda Ruckman will now miss this week's game against Melbourne due to concussion protocols. The Saints went down to the pies by 12 points. State champions are now within the Warnable Surf Life-Saving Club. The club hosted the Victorian Junior titles across the weekend and used the home beach advantage to excel in competition. The club won eight gold medals for the weekend in a combination of team and individual events. Under-Elevens competitor Lenny Chiller won four gold medals across Iron Man, the Surf Race, the Board Relay, and Aqua Cameron. Flynn Burley, Lockie Kerr, and Finn Fogerty won two gold medals each, while George Green, Penny Taylor, Harper Griffin, Ann Molly Ward, Arabella Campbell and Reese Beddows won one gold each. A player who has graced the courts of a tennis major has found glory at Warnable's famed grass courts. Belinda Woolcock was the winner of the Warnable Lawn Tennis Open over the long weekend. She defeated Arena Remilianson 6-3-4-6-10-6 in Monday's final. Woolcock played doubles at the main draw of the Australian Open on a number of occasions, making the second round in 2021. She also played mixed doubles in 2021 and she achieved a Women's Tennis Association singles ranking of 290 after honing her skills at the University of Florida. During her stay there, the Melbourne-based right-hander helped the Florida Gators win the NCAA National Championship. Woolcock is also an accomplished footballer, having played for the Casey Demons for four seasons in the VFLW and training with the AFLW clubs Melbourne and Richmond.

SPEAKER_09 16:44

Cloudy for most of Friday before clearing up just in time for Saturday. Now closer into the forecast. In Port Ferry tomorrow, expect a shower or two with a top of 18 degrees. Cloudy on Friday with a top of 19 with overnight temperatures of 13. Saturdays looking cloudy with a top of 21. Over in Mort Lake, 17 tomorrow with 1mm to 4, cloudy on Friday with a top of 21. A lovely 26 on Saturday, partly cloudy. In the Kolak and Camperdown region, tomorrow top of 18 degrees with 1mm to 4, with southwesterly winds of up to 30 kilometers. Cloudy with a top of 21 on Friday, light southeast winds for most of the day. Saturday, mostly sunny with a top of 26 degrees. Along the coast in Port Campbell, tomorrow, top of 17 degrees, a shower or two with 1mm to 4. No rain on Friday, cloudy with a top of 18 degrees. Mostly sunny on Saturday with a top of 20 degrees. Home to Warnerborough tomorrow, 18 degrees with 1mm to 4. Cloudy with light southerly winds on Friday, top of 19. Saturday, top of 22 degrees, partly cloudy with light southeasterly winds. That's all for this three-day forecast. Back to you, Sharna.

SPEAKER_05 18:06

Thank you very much, Courtney. That's it from your Southwest Local News team this morning, and thank you for tuning in. Remember, you can also watch this bulletin online at southwestlocalnews.com.au. Until Saturday morning with peace, have a great day.