Last Saturday night the Currie Football and Netball Club kicked up their heels at their club home at the King Island Club.

Surrounded by the honour board heroes, the wins, trophies and awards of the past, the Robins footballers, netballers and club supporters celebrated the CFC 2023 season.

The night highlighted the Juniors’ premiership and included slideshow reflections on the year that was and recognised this year’s on-ground, on-court and in-club performances.

The night’s highlights were the club’s recognition and presentations to the 2023 CFC award winners.

“Around 100 members attended a celebration of all three teams having another successful and fun year, both on and off the field,” CFC president Thomas Graham said.

“We celebrated the combined Currie and North juniors who won the grand final with 20 seconds to go.

“The Currie seniors made the grand final and the netball girls had a good fun year.

“Moving forward Currie Football and Netball Club is striving to build a fun family-friendly club where all members are included and supported.

“In the 2024 season, Currie will be striving to grow our participation in all three teams, to prosper and to have a season that is enjoyed by all.

For those unable to attend the dinner and presentations, the slide shows can be viewed on the CFC Facebook page and on YouTube, search King Island TV.

FOR Paul and Cynthia Daniel biodynamic farming is a passion.

Phoenix House, the Men’s Shed, residents and visitors went on tour last week visiting The Garden in Pegarah.

They learnt about soil health, biological pest control and the principles of biodynamic farming on a large scale, and the principles and techniques that can be equally applied in a backyard vegie patch.

Biodynamics is a holistic, ecological, and ethical approach to farming, gardening, food, and nutrition.

Biodynamics is rooted in the work of philosopher and scientist Rudolf Steiner, whose 1924 lectures to farmers opened a new way to integrate scientific understanding with a recognition of the spirit in nature.

It goes beyond traditional organic farming practices.

Biodynamics considers that a farm or garden is an integrated whole, living, interdependent organism.

Biodynamic practices continuously renew and replenish soil micro-organisms creating a resilient and healthy ecosystem enabling nutrient-rich produce on farms and gardens that can be applied anywhere food is grown, with thoughtful adaptation to scale, landscape, climate, and culture.

There is a focus on self-sufficiency and respect for the environment.

Planting, pruning and harvesting are often timed to align with lunar cycles, and for some,  astrological cycles, which proponents believe can enhance plant vitality and productivity.

Soil is considered the foundation of biodynamic gardening.

Emphasis is placed on building and maintaining healthy soil through the use of compost, cover cropping, and crop rotation.

Biodynamic practitioners create special compost preparations, known as “biodynamic compost,” that involve specific herbs and minerals to enrich the soil.

The compost preparations are used to enhance soil fertility and stimulate microbial activity.

Promoting biodiversity through crop variety and incorporating companion planting techniques can help reduce the risk of pests and diseases, improve overall plant health and increase natural disease resistance.

Biodynamic gardens often integrate animals like chickens, cows, and bees.

These animals contribute to nutrient recycling, pest control, and pollination, enhancing the overall sustainability of the garden.

 The aim is to grow which minimises external inputs.

Paul’s market garden and hot houses shifted after many years of operating in Currie to bigger land in Pegarah.

The vegetables – lettuce, tomatoes, capsicums, carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic and other in-season vegetables are found in the Currie supermarkets, at POKI markets and a selection at the CWA in Edward Street on a Friday morning.

It is finally here, the last Saturday in August and the 2023 King Island Football Association’s Grand Final day where the minor premiers Grassy Hawks will take on the Currie Robins.

All clubs, umpires and support staff wore black arm bands for the passing of Peter Youd this week. Peter was a long-time supporter of the Currie FC and football in general on King Island. He was president of the KIFA for 6 years from 2010 to 2015. A minute’s silence was held for him before the national anthem.

Grassy started hot to trot and were first to score through Jackson Taylor with some hot wheels on sprinting up the wing but ground grubs the kick into the goal post, a second attempt is also made by Grassy with a Brady Rhodes mark that he dribbles over the boundary for a throw-in.

Currie win the clearance to get their first serious look forward for a behind by Ben Doherty. In a forward press for Grassy, the ball meets a contest and dribbles over the boundary again.

Currie have indeed brought their high-pressure game into the final and neither team can get a clean hand to it, but the ball spends a lot of time the Grassy forward line early.

Rory Taylor is also making an impact early. Pressure from Clint Stretton onto Sam Reeves means his errant kicks is immediately turned over. In the Currie forward area, Dylan Keeley gets a look at the ball but has neither the time or space to make an impact. Jack Worral marks in defence, the turnovers are fierce and the only consistent thing happening so far in this game.

Sukma Bowling touches another on the line for Grassy, so far behinds have been the only score available. Dale Reed has the ball outside 40m and looks for a way in but all he’s met with is congestion. Brandon Blomfield gives Grassy something to aim at in the forward line but no possession is easy and J Taylor takes a well-fought mark just left of the goal from a body-on-body with Joel Williams, and the result is the same, just left of goal.

The pace of the game moves quickly and I fear if I stop typing for even a moment I will miss things, which I almost do when Tristan Forrest runs from the centre, breaks the drought with a big kick and a lucky bounce for the first goal of the match.

The Taylor boys link up to put Grassy forward again but are met by Worral who turns it over and gives Currie another shot forward, while Currie’s pressure has been intense their forward entries have been few and far between, they do not have the luxury of missed opportunities today. Forrest, again, gets possession at centre half forward and wheels around a few to slot his and Grassy’s second of the match.

 Jack Noseda in defence plays in front for an easy turnover and Grassy goes forward again to their leading goal kicker Tyler Rhodes who gets involved, a shot on and his big kick is an accurate one. Mole(Joel Williams) is doing a power of work for Currie in the middle and is rewarded with a free, into Jak Youd, who slots it over to Keeler who will have Currie’s first set shot at goal of the match and he capitalises. Bowling wins a clearance and the contest follows the ball out on the wing. Currie gains possession and another opportunity that Dylan Keeler puts an end to. Grassy go in at quarter time it 14 points up.

Rory Taylor v Michael Laskey in the first ruck, an even contest is immediately held up in congestion. Doug Cox receives a free in the wing and get its forward for Currie until Rory Taylor is awarded a free deep in defence and as Grassy head up the canteen wing Currie is caught off guard, Jackson Taylor sprints out with a shot on with no one home for Currie but gets unlucky on the second bounce and goes through for a behind.

Grassy get a second chance shortly after when T Rhodes gets a free in close to goal and makes it happen. Jackson Taylor out of centre goes into Tyler Rhodes on the lead who goes bang bang with two goals in as many minutes. Grassy get another free up forward and Forrest will line up for another, and gets it. Grassy have blown out the scoreboard in this second quarter but Currie’s pressure has not ceased.

Mole kicks in from a behind and they move the ball back to their forward line which meets Noseda’s golden fist. Freddy Tatawaqa at full back puts a stop to any scoring ideas Currie has. Bowling gets some air and takes a contender for mark of the year but his kick is errant and finds Grassy’s seemingly impenetrable backline. Jakawenko gets a shot at 40 out and gives Currie something to cheer about shortly after ,Smith and Doherty put a nice little package together in Currie’s forward line but results in nothing.

Bradey Rhodes gets a controversial mark in the pocket and sprays his first one for the day, but the ball only gets as far as the centre where Blomfield tackles and gets the free, goes forward, finds Forrest who goals again. Frosi and Worral in a ruck contest and they both miss everything and flattens them both hard on the deck. Rory Taylor takes an intercept in the centre and runs on, kick is touched by Worral, but Reed runs in and picks it up on the line to chip it through for a certain Grassy goal.

Forrest from the centre, into Reed, back to Forrest who will go for goal and misses by an edge which has been a rarity for him as he has put together a stella performance so far today see him help Grassy to a 47 point lead at half time.

Worral and R Taylor go up in ruck and Bowling gives Currie the first look, until Reeves receives a free, but kicks it into Worral, there is s contest in the middle until Grassy find their way forward and over the line for a throw in that Jackson Taylor speeds out of and gets the first for Grassy in the second half.

With no wind there is a silence around the field since half time, the scoreline continues to blow apart. Jak Youd take a nice intercept mark at half forward and punts one home for a Currie goal. Forrest pirouettes out of trouble, to Wardlaw and push forward where Reed gets a nice low mark in front of the Grassy faithful in the pocket, he makes the most of his opportunity with a long bomb goal. Grassy spend some time up forward.

Arnie (Arnold Stellmaker) gets involved in the centre, Youd sells some candy into Doug who marks, plays on, and runs into open goal. Wardlaw and Stretton in a nice contest that Stretton wins this time getting the ball deeper into Currie’s forward line but is met by a roaming, unmanned Noseda for an easy turnover. Bellchambers unusually quite today finds a behind. Reed another goal for Grassy. Perhaps it is the intensity of the game or the chill that is descending but the game is slipping away from Currie. Play has deteriorated but the pressure remains, but some passes get sloppy, players are getting slower and the scoreline continues to widen.

Laskey runs down the wing and dodges two, but the ball gets caught in the centre, and ultimately back in Grassy’s forward line where Monson will get a shot on and scores and see Grassy increase their lead to 61 points at lemons.

The final quarter starts and Currie have unleashed Tommy Graham, and to Currie’s credit with the margin seemingly insurmountable they continue to go hard and put up a fight to the end. Although, Noseda does continues his free reign in the backline. Youd hits the point post so squarely the top might wobble off. Grassy exit the backline up the golf course side to Keeley in the centre but finds a Worral fist, contest, wich goes over Monson’s head and finds the boundary. Bellchambers, to Bolwing, to the centre, Noseda strolling through procures it and pops one into Forrest, T. Rhodes calls for it, but Tristan takes on the kick, misses to the centre that finds Monson who gets it into Keeley who goals it. There’s a lot of congestion in the centre and Tristan Forrest takes it out of Currie’s forward line, he’s been both back and forward today. Tyler Rhodes lines up from the pocket wing probably 20, 30 out. Three minutes to go. There is a ball up in Grassy’s forward line. Dyland Keeley comes out with it and has a pot shot for a goal. The ball goes back to centre and what you would think will be the last ball up of the game, Rory and Laskey contest the ruck but there is just more congestion. James Jakawenko takes possession but goes to ground. Grassy sneak in another goal, and as the ball is returned to centre the final siren sounds to the cheers of the Grassy faithful and they become premiers by 80 points for 2023 and see themselves enter the record books by winning 3 in a row for the first time in their history.

Winner of the Jim Sartori Medal for the best player in the grand final went to Tristan Forrest from Grassy and was presented by Jim’s son Donald Sartori.

Rachael Cannon, Phoenix Community House, and the Men’s Shed are working together to help King Island’s Green Rosellas.

Last year Rachael erected nesting boxes to provide an alternative dwelling for the Green Rosellas visiting her garden when a natural hollow is not available.

The boxes attract rosellas and provide them with a home for 10-plus  years.

Recently Rachael posted on social media that her family has returned for a second season after a good season last year when all three fledglings successfully left the nest.

This year she has added two more boxes around her property, making it four boxes.

 “I’m excited to advise Phoenix House has reached out to me with the help of the Men’s (and ladies) Shed. They will be making five boxes for me to put up around the island for our Green Rosellas.

“Very generous given the cost of marine ply alone. Thank you, Phoenix House, Katey Griffiths, and Sally Haneveer.

“So, for anyone who has seen Green Rosellas around their place on a regular basis please reach out as it will be good to have an extra set of eyes looking out there.

“Every little bit helps these guys that are special to our island being a subspecies to the standard Green Rosella.”

Raymond (Stumpy) Hill is in nesting box overdrive and has set up a colony of boxes. “It passes the time,” he said.

The Office of the Economic Regulator (OTTER) confirmed last week that the report from their inquiry in relation to the pricing policy of TasPorts’ wholly owned subsidiary Bass Island Line (BIL) will be handed to the Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport by today.

In November 2022, Infrastructure and Transport Minister and Treasurer Michael Ferguson initiated a prescribed body inquiry under the Economic Regulator Act in relation to the pricing policy of TasPorts’ wholly owned subsidiary Bass Island Line (BIL).

“The Economic Regulator would be looking at the economic elements and the pricing components that go into prices charged to customers,” Mr Ferguson said.

Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest expressed her concerns in January and again in May about the Office of the Economic Regulator’s submission processes, the narrow terms of reference, which do not explicitly include fuel pricing, freight delays and the difficulty many King Islanders may have in presenting a written submission and urged OTTER to visit the island for oral submissions.

The Regulator visited in May; however, OTTER did not undertake an awareness campaign or any advertising to encourage community participation or provide transparency around engagement.

OTTER was criticised for having a “narrow enterprise definition of customer and freight user”.

Ms Forrest, said after the OTTER team visited the island there had not been any advertising or information to at least let people and businesses be aware of this visit.

“The expectation is that it’s understood by the regulator and the inquiry that everyone on King Island is a customer.

“Shipping and freight tasks and costs, pricing, and regularity impact everyone every day,” she said.

“It’s apparent that a highly targeted approach is being used, which misses the point of the total island reliance on shipping and freight.

“They need a full and complete understanding. Everyone on the island has skin in the game.”

OTTER was informed that island businesses, who consider themselves regular freight users and sizeable BIL customers were unaware of the OTTER team visit or found out about the visit by an email on their arrival sent by KIRDO.

“The Regulator has identified key stakeholders to consult with, namely major customers, intermediaries involved in the King Island freight task, and those who have been in touch with the Regulator’s office,” the regulator said.

“Interested parties were welcome to contact OTTER to make a submission.”

According to OTTER the Treasurer will receive their prescribed body inquiry report by August 31.

The Treasurer has been asked by the Courier for a response to the report and if the report will be published in due course.

TROUBLEMAKING drinkers have been warned if they engage in violent, criminal, or anti-social behaviour at a licensed premises they may find it hard to get a drink on King Island.

The King Island Liquor Accord has recently introduced the multi-venue barring policy covering all licensed venues that are members.

The Liquor Accord signatories at this time are The King Island Hotel, The King Island Club, The King Island Golf and Bowling Club, the Grassy Club and the King Island Brewhouse.

The “barred from one, barred from all” initiative will see patrons barred for between three months and life from all participating venues and businesses depending on the severity of the act.

The King Island Police fully support the King Island Liquor Accord and its members in their endeavours to promote safe and responsible drinking and reduce alcohol-related crime by introducing this policy. Brewhouse co-owner Corey Brazendale said the Liquor Accord was not  a new thing on the island.

“There was similar solidarity and a Liquor Accord with venues going back over the years,” he said.

“Licensees meet periodically and this is a way that they can be proactive, can support responsible alcohol sales and consumption, and safeguard individuals, the community, and the establishment,” he said. “We want to make our expectations around drinking clear to patrons and to the community.

“Licensees take their roles very seriously and we can administer these controls if needed ourselves.

“We generally don’t have any trouble and are very family-friendly, and we are supportive and part of the accord,” Mr Brazendale said.