Fish deaths, shellfish advisory

Gippsland Lakes fish deaths incident, 17 Feb 2016.

Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has received a report of about 20 dead black bream and one estuary perch near Seacombe boat ramp in McLennans Straight in the Gippsland Lakes. Fish are being collected for analysis with water sampling also scheduled to take place.

Initial indications are that the cause is likely to be the decomposition of a red algal bloom occuring in the lake system, which reduces dissolved oxygen levels. The fish deaths are not a result of the current Pseudo-nitzschia algal bloom affecting parts of the Gippsland Lakes. Test results from this incident are due by the end of the week.

EPA is working with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to examine the fish deaths and to identify the cause.

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Gippsland Lakes Pseudo-nitzchia algal bloom advisory cancelled

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has cancelled the precautionary advice issued on 7 February not to eat mussels, oysters and pipis collected from the Gippsland Lakes due to an algal bloom. DHHS Acting Chief Health Officer, Dr Roscoe Taylor said: “The results from testing of seafood have shown toxin levels well below food safety guideline values over two consecutive weeks of samples. Additionally, water sampling shows that the size of the bloom has significantly reduced in the Lakes. There is no longer any concern about toxin accumulation in bivalve species of shellfish from the Pseudo-nitzschia delicatissima algal bloom.”

The precautionary advice signs around the Lakes will be removed. Routine testing of algae levels in the Gippsland Lakes will continue on a weekly basis for at least the rest of the summer season.

People should not, however, consume fish found dead in the lakes. It's important to note that it is safe to eat any seafood and fish bought from local shops, served in cafes and restaurants or supplied by commercial fishers. 

Family bush dance

Progressive Garage Sale

Hurry and join the Progressive Garage Sale.

Less than 3weeks to go to join the Raymond Island Progressive Garage sale.


We will provide maps and materials for signs. We will put an ad in the local paper and signage at the Ferry Park. We will put signs up in Paynesville at the same time as we put up signs for the Mini Fair in the ferry park.


There will be a small charge of $10 per house hold to cover the advertising.

Easter Saturday 26th March start at 9.00. Join in and have a fun day with us.

Contact Paula Holmes on 51566337 or 0404096835

Coast Guard calls Mayday

Coast Guard Melbourne & Paynesville's Communications operations are on the brink of closure if Transport Safety Maritime's plan to outsource the monitoring function of Marine VHF and HF services goes ahead. 

This is despite our volunteers building communications systems to enable recreational boaties to adhere to Transport Safety Maritime's own regulations imposed on boaties in 2005. 

Coast Guard volunteers have provided recreational and small commercial vessels with a means of keeping in contact with coast radio stations for nearly 50 years. Logging On to a Coast Guard Coast Radio Station when heading out to sea, and logging off on return, is a good way of keeping track of a vessel's well being. As well as tracking local recreational vessels our station monitor vessels that transit across Bass Strait. 

We've put many proposals to Government seeking funding to put permanent paid staff in place to enhance this service, each time these proposals are rejected. Transport Safety Victoria (Maritime) now have plans to award a contract to a foreign overseas company based in Canberra to provide this monitoring service. 

With no local knowledge boaties might as well ring a help line in Manila! At a cost estimated at $1.8 million with recurrent operational and maintenance costs in excess of $400,000, funded by registration and licensing fees, boaties will get a very poor service. And to add salt to the wound, when a vessel is in distress, Canberra calls the Melbourne Water Police whom then tasks the Volunteers to go to their aid. Our Coast Communication Centers are the lifeline to our Skippers & crews and form a reliable conduit to the Water Police.
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[In response] the Victorian contingent of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Association (AVCGA) is planning strike action after rejecting a recommendation from the Marine Rescue Services Inquiry to direct all funding to Transport Safety Victoria (TSV). 

The Victorian Government Inquiry, frustratingly two years in the making, recommends that the minimal funding that Coast Guard receives should be absorbed and managed by TSV. AVCGA members do not want to be governed by TSV and feel this is not in the best interests of its members or the boating community. 

AVCGA is a national marine rescue organisation run entirely by volunteers. Funds raised for marine rescue and education services across Victoria are provided entirely by the 700 member’s tireless fundraising efforts. Partial funding is provided for vessels, vehicles and equipment, however there is no funding available to cover operational and compliance costs. The level of governance and duties required to comply with relevant laws and regulations have far exceeded the role and expectations of a normal volunteer member. To then combine this with the finances required for insurance and running costs again pushes the role of a volunteer service into full time jobs for its members. 

The Inquiry [recommends that] the Victorian Government provides TSV with the necessary increase in its annual budget to enable the creation of a team within the Marine Branch for the purposes of administering a volunteer Maring Search And Rescue accreditation and capability assessment scheme, [funded by]a sufficient portion of the annual revenue from vessel registration and licensing to Transport Safety Victoria for these purposes; or [by] establishing a levy on vessel registration and / or licensing to provide the additional funding. 

AVCGA [feels] we have the right to make a stand and be recognised by the State Government and Emergency Management Victoria as an official emergency service with appropriate funding... The recent inquiry statistics show that annually Coast Guard Victoria respond to approx. 40% of marine incidents in the state, with the Water Police at 42 % and smaller independent organisations responding to the remaining 18%. As volunteers, to be doing a similar amount of work as the Water Police shows that we simply cannot sustain ourselves with can rattles and BBQ’s. 

The initial strike action will affect calls out requests from boaters who need assistance or want to be towed into shore. The core work that Coast Guard performs is on public holidays and weekends. As a first step in this strike action, Coast Guard will revert back to this charter. This action will not impact responses to Mayday calls, CFA fire calls, requests from supporter members or attending events agreed to prior to the action. 

It’s about time this government took the AVCGA seriously. If the general public are stuck out at sea or a life is lost, they sit up and respect what we do as volunteers... Whether it’s a simple tow back to shore or a fatality, our experienced volunteers are always there to help and deal with the situation. Coast Guard volunteers have been looking after recreational fishermen and waterway users for over 50 years and want to continue to do so. We have achieved this with limited government funding and from the generosity of the community via hundreds of can rattles, raffles, BBQs and small business donations.

Richard Burgess 

Australian Volunteer Coastguard Association

State Council 

Phone: 0400798832 

Email: Richard.burgess@coastguard.com.au 

Shire’s innovative gardens

Some produce from East Gippsland Shire Council’s innovative garden bed displays is available at the Bairnsdale Customer Service Centre. The town’s Main Street Gardens have featured displays of edible plants for three to four years; this summer’s crop included five-colour silverbeet, sage, chives and basil. With the summer herbs and vegetables coming to the end of their season, some will be harvested and available free at the new Customer Service Centre at 24 Service Street. 

The Shire’s Parks and Gardens Supervisor, Dave Richardson, said the idea was to create a bit of ‘wow factor’. “The Parks and Gardens team wanted to create a discussion piece that would also encourage people to think about what they can grow at home,” Mr Richardson said. “It helps show people what can be grown in this climate and that you don’t need to use flowers to make your garden beds attractive and colourful.” 

It didn’t take long for the popular initiative to become a conversation point on a local Facebook page, with some suggestions on how the Shire could be distributing the produce. Janine Rout of Bruthen and Sharna Stone of Lakes Entrance were among the followers on the Facebook page that were impressed with Council’s efforts and they provided some suggestions on how the fare could be made accessible to the public. “I’ve noticed in past years when the Shire has done similar plantings, but the display was particularly impressive this year and really stood out,” Janine said. “I was interested in the community having access to something grown locally and I’m impressed that the Shire has now done something about it,” Sharna said. 

Following the suggestions on how the public can get access to the crop, the Shire’s parks and gardens staff have been harvesting the crop and taking it to the Shire’s Customer Service Centre at 24 Service Street (next to the Bairnsdale Library) where the public is encouraged to take what they need for their cooking (after first giving it a good wash). It’s anticipated that the harvesting will continue over the next few weeks before the crop starts going to seed. The Shire is already planning some future crops that will create further conversation points and will look at donating some of the produce to community kitchens.

Community members Janine Rout and Sharna Stone (centre) are among the many residents who have been impressed with the Shire’s vegetable and herb crops growing in Bairnsdale’s Main Street Gardens and being made available for community members to use in their cooking. Janine and Sharna are pictured with some of the members of the Shire’s Parks and Gardens crew Dylan Rowlands, Rick Lawrence, Travis Mays, Dave Richardson and Bentley Conn.

Info sessions for older people

Classic Boat rally

Peter Medling writes...

Hi, as you may be aware,   I am the President of the Paynesville Classic boat rally on 5-6 March 2016. 

This has turned out to be a major event with over 180 boats entered our Web page is www.thepaynesvilleclassic.com.au and our Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/424446431070177/. 

On the Sunday we will also be holding separate events involving the Ferry. At 11.00 am on the Sunday a Yacht parade involving all the old yachts: Gaff rigs; Couta boats; H28s Dragons; and so on. Ian Lewis will be stopping the ferry in the middle of the Straits - a flare will be lit, and the Yachts will head off down the straits in a competitive parade. This should be quite a spectacle. 

There will also be fishing boat races and lots of other things. 

But the reason I am emailing you is there is also a expo come community type market happening in the car park area of the yacht club. This event will bring lots of people to the area and i am wondering if some one from Raymond Island could come over and promote the Island. The Koala walk or anything else that you would like to get the word out about. 

Let me know your thoughts, 

Regard Peter

m: 0407233020

New cell open at Landfill

After seven months of construction, the new $2.5 million landfill cell at the Bairnsdale Landfill began operation last week. 

Known as cell three, it is expected to have a lifespan of three to four years. Bairnsdale Landfill is fully compliant with best practice environmental management, as it is located in an area that poses minimal risk to the environment and meets siting, design and operational requirements. East Gippsland Shire Mayor Cr Marianne Pelz said the landfill being located within an easy drive of Bairnsdale and Paynesville meant it also meets community needs. “There are very stringent controls on landfills these days; it’s not simply a matter of finding vacant land and digging a hole. Landfill is heavily governed and regulated by the Environment Protection Agency and compliance is paramount at great cost to our business,” Cr Pelz said. Construction of the cell is a key action in Council’s Waste Facility and Disposal Strategy 2014. 

The new cell has five layers of lining: sub base, clay or geosynthetic clay layer, geomembrane and protection layer, drainage layer/leachate collection system, and geotextile. Chief Executive Officer Gary Gaffney said a significant portion of Council’s yearly expenditure was spent on waste management. “The increasing and ongoing costs include Victorian Government charges and levies. Currently, for every $100 Council receives as income, $17 is spent on waste management. This includes street litter and recycling bins, environmental compliance, split bins, cost of managing our waste facilities, landfill levies, and kerbside waste collection,” Mr Gaffney said. Once the site for Cell 3 was chosen, it had to undergo a rigorous environmental and planning assessment. “For the site to run by today’s standards, it must meet strict operational standards adhering to a wide range of requirements. These include environmental management, financial assurance, litter control, dust and air emission control, contingency planning, management of chemicals and fuel, and performance monitoring and reporting. It also needs to control noxious weeds and any species able to carry disease,” Mr Gaffney said. “Finally, the site must have best-practice rehabilitation and aftercare plans in place to minimise the potential of any detrimental impacts from the landfill once it is closed.

Input sought on rating strategy

East Gippsland Shire Council is hosting an information session in Lakes Entrance next week on its draft Rating Strategy for 2016-17. 

The session will cover what the strategy does and how the community can influence it. The public will be able to ask questions and provide feedback on the draft strategy as well as chat informally with Councillors and senior officers who work in the rates and valuations area. The strategy considers Council’s rating options under the Local Government Act 1989 and how Council’s decisions in applying these options will contribute towards delivering a fair and equitable rating structure for East Gippslanders. 

Mayor, Cr Marianne Pelz, said the Rating Strategy is an important document that, as part of the budget process, guides Council decisions around the equitable distribution of rates. “This is a great opportunity for ratepayers to get a better understanding of how and why Council applies differential rates and provide feedback that will help ensure our decisions around rating for the 2016-17 financial year are informed and fair,” Cr Pelz said. 

The information session is being held on Tuesday, February 23 from 7.00 pm at Council’s 55 Palmers Road, Lakes Entrance building. Doors open at 6.45 pm. 

The draft Rating Strategy 2016-17 can be viewed on Council’s website www.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au or at Council’s Customer Service and Outreach Centres. 

Library lovers day

Hobart bound

'Maggie May' at RI

Andrew Bould reports... 

Recently, a large cruiser made its way into the Gippsland Lakes on a voyage from Queensland to Hobart, making a scheduled stop at Paynesville before heading off across Bass Strait. 

The cruiser, a USA made Carver 530, and at just under fifty four feet is a relatively large boat for the Lakes. ‘Maggie May’ was purchased at the Gold Coast in December last year by proud owners Ken and Becky Sherring and their family who live at Kingston in Tasmania. 

Ken grew up in Eltham and visited the Lakes holidaying at Lakes Entrance with the family over Christmas or Easter holidays. “We regularly fished the Lakes starting with cruises on the Bellbird and Blackbird” said Ken. His parents have lived at Swan Reach for over twenty years and his father Ken snr is well known for his active involvement in bird watching throughout East Gippsland. Becky grew up in Hobart and lived in Sydney and Melbourne before returning to Tasmania and is a Registered Nurse at a hospital in Tasmania. She has always had an interest in boating and “sailed when younger and has always been around boats including sailing in open waters on old sailing ships”.

After Ken and Becky’s marriage, they had two children which including children from their previous marriages now totals a staggering eleven children ranging in age from 6 to 28 years old! Having such a large family posed the question for Ken and Becky – do they want a holiday house or a boat for the family to enjoy? The boat option was the chosen one as you can take it anywhere. Ken said he was “every Sunday I would take Noah and Chloe to the local bike park and the reward was an ice cream or lolly, then we would have a look at the different boats in the marina”. Beck commented “We would go out for dinner and after dinner have a ‘romantic’ walk around the marinas admiring the boats!” 

Ken Sherring Snr, Beck and Ken Sherring

Ken said “for the past two years, I was always on the internet searching for the ‘boat of my dreams”. The boat was eventually sold and was also over the family’s budget. He found the Carver 530 on the web for sale at Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast. After making an offer, it was accepted and the Sherring family’s dream of owning a large cruiser, became reality. Ken was asked “what was the largest boat he had owned before this one?” and the answer was “a three man blow up boat!”. It might sound amusing but Ken’s determination to have a boat large enough for family cruising was the first part of his dream and the second was to gain experience and expertise in boat handling skills to enjoy the cruiser and make as many trips around Tasmania waters as possible.

Leaving Queensland on the 15th December, and to finalise the trip south to Hobart, Ken was offered a short-stay berth at a mooring on Raymond Island and the skipper managed to manoeuvre the large cruiser into the berth. Becky arrived at Raymond Island and was joined by children, Maddy, Pip and Sam. After a few days at Raymond Island and restocking supplies, with a new skipper, Robert Gage, the family set off for the boat’s new home at Prince of Wales Marina, Hobart. Rob has a fishing background including scallop fishing from Lakes Entrance and this will be his first trip to Hobart, one which he and the Sherrings were looking forward to taking.

Australia Day on RI

Andrew Bould reports...

With help from Steve Lazarus and Gerry Tomkins for his delivery of the freshly painted flag pole back to the school site, the Raymond Island School had a new flag flying full mast for Australia Day.

The flag pole and commemorative cairn were both part of the Bicentennial Celebrations in 1988 and to my knowledge, the flagpole has not been repainted since it was first erected. Steve Lazarus and I pulled the Oregon pole down a week before Australia Day and was in need of a complete stripping back and some holes and cracks filled before being repainted. The flagpole was taken back to the school site on Gerard Tomkin’s truck and erected complete with new fittings and a new flag.

Thank you to the support of Aussie Disposals, Bairnsdale and the Boat Shop, Paynesville for their support on the project.

The flag was flown at the School site on Australia Day and long time resident, Irene Bould (nee Haylock) was photographed beside the plaque that lists the family names of those who attended the Raymond Island School. Irene’s older Haylock siblings, sisters Edie and Dot and brothers Fred and Dan all attended the Island school. The school opened in 1902, closed in 1934 and the building sold and relocated to Devon Road, Paynesville in 1938. Attached are some images of the cairn being positioned and the first flag raising in 1988.

The flag was also flying at the Raymond Island Community Hall complemented by the new hall sign.

Steve Lazarus and Andrew Bould cleaning

Irene Bould at the School plaque

RI School

Old School at Devon Road

Invasions?

Kay Mooney writes...The January invasion of holiday makers is more or less over, and there is now space on the ferry and peace has returned to the island. But there are still plenty of interesting visitors to meet, today I talked Koalas with a Swiss family, and three young folk from the US and ? Tomorrow who knows.A Fruit bat has been spotted sleeping in a gum tree in Sixth Ave. Only one…but is this a loan, lost, bat blown across on the recent gale, or is it a forward scout for the Bairnsdale Bats, looking for a new roost? Are there any more? Keep your eyes open.

Mozzies have been in the news, but just lately they have been largely absent from our garden. Remember that they lay eggs in standing water or in wet rotting vegetation so it’s worth tipping out the plant saucers every few days, keep the gutters free of compost, and the street gutters and drains too, clear out the leaf build up from time to time. Does anyone know the name of the environmentally friendly Mozzie spray for gardens, I was told about one but forget its name.

Webmaster's note:

We've also noticed new visitors in the garden - the garden friendly, native Black Flower Wasps; and a locust that looks exactly like a dried eucalypt leaf!

Warning on shellfish and algae

WARNING ON SHELLFISH IN THE GIPPSLAND LAKES

Recreational fishers have been advised not to eat mussels and other shellfish from the Gippsland Lakes until further notice. This is due to the possible presence of a toxin produced by a particular algae present in the Lakes.

Signs are being placed around the Lakes advising visitors of this precautionary advice.

The Department of Health and Human Services says the likelihood of a serious risk to human health is low but this advice has been issued as a precaution - until further testing has shown the shellfish are safe. Further advice will be provided to the community as soon as these results are available, probably by the end of the week.

There are no restrictions on water activity in the Gippsland Lakes including swimming, fishing and boating.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning has advised DHHS that levels of the algae Pseudonitzschia delicatissima were detected as part of routine water sampling at Eagle Point, Paynesville and Metung.

Pseudonitzschia algae species are commonly found in coastal waters at low levels. Some, but not all, Pseudonitzschia species produces a toxin called domoic acid. Toxin producing strains to date have been uncommon in Australia, or have only produced toxins at low levels. This particular algae Pseudonitzschia delicatissima is less likely to produce toxin at high levels. If seafood eat this algae, the toxin can accumulate and cause illness in consumers. Mussels and other shellfish are more likely to accumulate this toxin as they are ‘filter feeders’. 

This advisory does not include fish as they are unlikely to accumulate toxins to any significant level.

If anyone has consumed mussels or other shellfish from the Gippsland Lakes and experiences symptoms which include gastroenteritis (usually within 24 hrs of consumption) nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, they should see their doctor. Those who experience neurological symptoms (usually within 48 hrs of consumption) such as headaches, confusion, short term memory loss, breathing difficulties and seizures should seek immediate medical attention.

Dr Roscoe Taylor

Victoria's Acting Chief Health Officer

7 February 2016

Activities at the Library

We trust you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year break and are ready for the next round of library events in store for February.

Wednesday 10 February – LEGO club 3.40pm-4.40pm

Friday 19 February – Movie Screening The Intern 2.30pm-4.45pm

Monday 22 February – Tech Savvy Seniors Introduction to iPads 10am-12.30pm

Monday 22 February – Tech Savvy Seniors Introduction to Tablets 1pm-3.30pm

If you would like further information on any of these events, please come and see us at the Paynesville Service Centre or book by calling 5153 9500.

Gasfield Free Bairnsdale

A message from Gasfield Free Bairnsdale... Hi again, There are some important events coming up as follows: A) Ban Unconventional Gas Rally! Help us call for a ban on unconventional gas mining on the first sitting day of parliament for 2016. Please spread the word and let your family and friends in Melbourne know about it.  When: 11.30am Tuesday 9th Feb  Where: Steps of Victorian Parliament, Spring St, Melbourne Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1217183258296919/ ​B) Declaration of Forge Creek and Wy Yung Surveying has been completed with 97% of landholders who have property where there is an exploration mining licence for unconventional gas declaring these 2 districts gasfield free: When: Saturday 13th February from 12:30pm-2pm Where: Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club, The Esplanade, Paynesville It's a party! There will be a sausage sizzle and the bar will be open so come and help us celebrate the declaration of these two districts and our total of 11 districts 'gasfield free': Bengworden, Broadlands, East Bairnsdale, Eagle Point, Forge Creek, Goon Nure, Meerlieu, Newlands Arm, Nicholson, Perry Bridge and Wy Yung. This will total 72 communities that have been declared 'Gasfield Free' in Victoria so far.  ​If you can help spread the word about the declaration that would be great, so please forward this email to your family and friends!    C) Decision about the Future of Unconventional Gas Mining in Victoria By the end of February, the Victorian Government is expected to make its decision about the current moratorium. So what is the most important thing we can all do right now? Contact Premier Andrews and urge him for a ban. You can write/email or call him or even leave a comment on his Facebook page. You can write an open letter to the Premier and send it to the local newspaper or the Weekly Times or The Age. We need to make our voices heard loud & clear ASAP! Email: daniel.andrews@parliament.vic.gov.au Address: 1 Treasury Pl, Melbourne VIC 3002 Call: (03) 9651 500 Kind regards Debbie Carruthers Gasfield Free Bairnsdale Coordinator gasfieldfreebairnsdale@gmail.com 0448 809 798

New Lakes Committee

A refreshed Gippsland Lakes Coordinating Committee will focus on improving the health of the lakes through on ground management activities and community engagement.

Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Lisa Neville has announced the 10 new members of the Committee and a new management plan for the Gippsland Lakes. “The lakes are internationally recognised for their environmental values and hold significant social, cultural and recreational value for the many families and communities that visit every year.” the Minister said at the launch. “With dedicated funding, an improved management structure and access to local knowledge and expertise, I’m confident the Committee can further improve the health of the lakes – a vitally important asset to all Victorians.”

The Committee now includes five new community representatives with skills in aquatic science, waterway management or environmental science and conservation. It also includes five new members who represent Victorian public sector agencies with waterway management responsibilities.

Committee co-chairs, West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Chair, Angus Hume, and East Gippsland CMA Chair, Dr Peter Veenker, were announced last year. The new community members are Jenny Robertson, Glenys Watts, Associate Professor Perran Cook, Arthur Allen and Fiona Warry. The new public sector agency members are Andrew Marshall, Carolyn Crossley, Michael Timpano, Katherine Nelson and Michelle Dickson.

The Committee will oversee the expenditure of $2.5 million allocated in the 2015-16 Victorian Budget to improve the health of the lakes, guided by the existing regional waterway strategies for East and West Gippsland and the new Gippsland Lakes Ramsar Site Management Plan. The plan was developed by the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, in consultation with the community, and is the blueprint for managing the lakes over the next eight years.

For more information on the Gippsland Lakes see www.loveourlakes.net.au

Landcare's news online

Stop Press!

RI Landcare has launched an online update for 2016.

Now members can keep updated through Raymond Island Net at: Landcare News - check it for details of this year's first meeting!

Raymond Island Net 2016: take 2

I had lots of feedback last week, reminding us to include a live link to the web site in the email news update - now done! And, realising you may not have seen the last news items, check the blog archive on the right hand side. There you'll also see the summary of changes already made to the site to improve it this year - in the January 8 item 'Raymond Island Net 2016'.

In taking on the role of webmaster for Raymond Island Net, my aim is to have a growing pool of contributors - making the site a truly community based endeavour. This year, I'm looking for a two regular volunteers:

• An 'editor' for our weekly review section on Insider who can source and prepare 'tasters' of of books, movies or places to eat out. They're only short - around 150 words, depending on whether there's a picture or details (address etc.) to include.
• If there's interest, there's also room for a new section on Insider - Digital Tricks. If any one is technically minded and can provide short tips on using computers (PCs, tablets, smart phones), common programs (MS Office) and the internet (browsers, email, social media) - I think there are lots of readers who'd enjoy picking up new and easy tricks of the trade.

If you're interested in either role, please email me at RaymondIslandNet@gmail.com. Our weather watchers and quiz master each have 'backup' folk who keep us up to date when it's holiday time - so there's plenty of scope for a couple of people to share each column. 

Oh, and don't forget to enter our 'Where's Raymond' competition (details on Insider). It's open to Islanders and, once again, Captovation is offering a devonshire tea for the best postcard each month. 

Stuart Whiffen's offering!


Cheers,
Jane Ponting
Webmaster