Academy News up to 2004 |
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Sporting Stars to attend Academy Fundraiser, 2 November 2004
Legendary cricketer Sir Richard Hadlee and two times Olympian Tamsyn Lewis are the big name stars that will be attending the Gippsland Sports Academy’s Memorabilia auction dinner.
Sir Richard played (86) test matches for New Zealand cricket team over an 18 year period. He also held the test record for most wickets (431 wickets) until 1994 when it was broken, and is now held by Shane Warne. Tamsyn Lewis has been the Australian 800m champion since 1998 and has been competing on the world stage for Australia since qualifying for the Commonwealth games back in 1994. Lewis made the semi finals at the Olympics in Sydney 2000, and at 26 years of age Tamsyn still feels her best is yet to come.
The Gippsland Sports Academy’s memorabilia night is being held as a fundraising event for the academy, which relies heavily on local corporate sponsorship in Gippsland to support the programs provided. Currently the academy has eight sports (Athletics, Tennis, Golf, Swimming, Soccer, Badminton, Volleyball and Squash) and only five of the sports have program sponsorships.
Robbie Coyle, Executive officer of the Gippsland Sports Academy, said that the memorabilia night will be a great opportunity to bring such a high quality sporting event to the Gippsland community, as well as generating some much needed exposure for the academy. "The academy is not very well known all throughout Gippsland. Many of our athletes are from different shires, yet generally only the Latrobe City businesses seem to know the academy name and what we are about." Coyle said it was fantastic to be able to access the services of Sir Richard Hadlee and Tamsyn Lewis. More high profiled athletes will be attending the event including recent Olympians, paralympians and Australian Football League (AFL) stars. Collingwood superstar full forward Chris Tarrant was scheduled to come to the memorabilia evening, but was forced to pull out due to pre-season club commitments.
Sports Pro management have organised the sporting memorabilia for the night, including personally signed guernseys from AFL players as well as international soccer players. All items will be auctioned off on the night along with other donated goods from local businesses and state sporting associations. The night will also include a three course meal and the special guests on the night will also be available for signature signing and photo opportunities.
Tickets for the night are at $60 per person and bookings for the night must be made through the academy, on 5127 0223. The Gippsland Sports Academy extends its invitation to anybody interested in attending the evening.
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Inaugural Coaches Conference a great success, 11 August 2004
Last weekend the Gippsland Sports Academy conducted their inaugural Coaches Conference Day. The day was a great success and allowed the programs within the Academy to integrate and share knowledge with one another. We were fortunate enough to have the services of Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) Programs Manager Peter Spence along with the VIS Golf Program Head Coach Denis McDade.
Seven of the eight programs in the Academy were represented on the day with only personnel from athletics not being in attendance due to a competition they participated in. The focus of the day was to share knowledge with one another by initially providing an overview as to what each of the sports programs do. Representatives were asked to highlight any coaching techniques they utilise they could be applicable to the other sports programs.
The attendees then proceeded to discuss like issues that the programs were confronted by which included more regular communication between athletes and the coaching panels as well as identifying strategies to make parents inclusive.
Peter Spence, who has been with the VIS since 1990, then did a presentation on the evolution of Sporting Institutes. Discussion focussed on why Sporting Institutes were initially developed, which was due to Australia’s poor medal performances from the 1956 Melbourne Olympics through to the Montreal Olympics in 1976. Since 1976 Australia’s performances have improved dramatically which is a great result for the country and provides evidence that the elite sporting pathways and structures in Australia are working efficiently and effectively.
Denis McDade then presented on the VIS Golf Program and spoke about empowering athletes whilst providing guidance and assistance. He then discussed the network of one whereby the athlete is the major focus and the network includes coaches, psychologists, nutritionists, family and additional support staff.
Denis also mentioned the value of identifying and understanding your own individual strengths and weaknesses of both your skills and temperament, and working within the parameters of them to maximise performance.
Academy Executive Officer Robbie Coyle was delighted with the day "it was a positive day and well received by all involved. We are intending to make this type of event more regular as it is an opportunity to share knowledge and situations with one another. The other benefit is the fact that these coaches and programs realise that they are not stand alone and that they are involved with a progressive organisation with a number of programs."
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Gippsland Sports Academy Update, 17 April 2004
The Gippsland Sports Academy (GSA) is entering its seventh year as Gippsland’s premier elite sporting development program. GSA is one of only three Regional Sports Academies in Victoria with one also being prevalent in Bendigo and recently the establishment of the West Vic Academy of sport, which encapsulates Ballarat and Horsham. There are also three other working parties throughout the State with the objective for these prospective Academies to be functioning within approximately three years time.
The Academy is a Regional partner of the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) and they utilise a number of the VIS’s models and policies as templates to assist in developing their own programs. The mission of the GSA is to assist the talented young athletes in Gippsland reach their full potential in both their chosen sport and personal lives. This includes coordinating sports programs that incorporate utilising expert Coaches (a minimum Level 2 Accreditation), and delivering sports science consultants in the areas of Musculoskeletal screening (identification of postural deficiencies), Strength and Conditioning, Nutrition and Psychology. In order to compliment these services and to assist in personal development GSA deliver support services in the form of Athlete Career Education, Time management and goal setting and Media and Public relations.
As a result of this the athletes are trained to improve and peak in their performance at the appropriate times whilst also being better community citizens. This is all ready evident with a number of Academy athletes going on to further levels of competition, University and fulfilling guest speaking roles throughout the community.
This year the Academy has also increased the number of sports programs that they offer, from five the previous year to seven. Scholarships are now available in badminton, golf, soccer, volleyball, swimming, athletics and tennis. The Academy is likely to further increase the number of sports offerings with squash proposed to start in the middle of this year and Academy Executive Officer Mr. Coyle, recently conducting meetings with Gippsland Lawn Bowls and Cycling stakeholders. Mr. Coyle stated, "the Academy has grown remarkably recently with the introduction of athletics and tennis late last year combined with the interest shown by the other proposed sports. This is a credit to the Academy programs and evidence that what we are doing is right and is being suitably recognised by the Gippsland sporting community."
There are approximately 120 athletes in the Academy, although this figures varies all the time as some sports operate during a calendar year whilst others are seasonal in respect to the particular sport. Mr. Coyle has also recently met with all of the programs State Sporting Associations and local contributing Shires with the objective to keep these vital stakeholders abreast of Academy developments. The tennis program is the model for the other sports with Tennis Victoria coming on board as the Program Sponsor. This enables greater access to their coaching expertise and administrative assistance whilst ensuring better program alignment with the premier State Sporting body.
East Gippsland athletes fulfil a significant percentage of the entire Academy squads with seventeen athletes involved across five of the seven sports. The Volleyball program has the most representatives with Daniel Barnes, Chris Coates, Jessie John, Sarah O’Donahue, Amanda Saunders, Danielle Stott and Justine White all part of the squad that had their graduation on Sunday 14th March in Leongatha. The Volleyball program was an extremely successful program with nine of the thirty-three squad athletes selected for the Victorian teams that will compete in the National Championships in Perth in July.
The Chris Humphrey Office National Badminton Program has been running for eight months now with another two sessions remaining. This year the Academy secured Level 3 accredited former State Coach Alan Hall who is committed to the program for next year and travels all the way down from Geelong for each training session. The Badminton squad have competed in three tournaments this year and of the 12 squad athletes four are East Gippslanders with Bryce Yeates, Claire McKenzie, Mitchell McKenzie and Manu Poulose all improving their court skills during the program.
The 2004 Golf Program, with support from the Victorian Golf Foundation only recently had their induction day at the Yallourn Golf Club with Academy information disseminated, screening assessments, uniforms measured up and a basic technical assessment being completed by Head Coach Richard Cooney. Mr. Cooney is also the Victorian State Junior Coach. This year’s squad will have 14 athletes in it with Stephen Leyshan, Warwick Yeates and Laura Reid all from East Gippsland. In addition to the training and educational sessions the squad also envisage competing in a couple of tournaments at some put during the year.
2003 also saw the introduction of the Latrobe City Athletics Program, which is based at the Moe Athletics track. Qualification for the program was extremely difficult with applicants having to adhere to the National Championship Qualification standards. Hamishl Nelson and Josh Froud both achieved this feat in their respective athletics disciplines of multi events and high jump. Mark Ladbrook a former Gippsland lad and Olympic, World Championships and Commonwealth Games athlete was the Head Coach of the program, which will conduct their 2003 Graduation on the 4th April.
The last four weeks has seen the beginning of the inaugural Tennis Victoria Program with young Jessie Johnstone and David Waddell being the inductees from East Gippsland. The program developed for Tennis is one of a kind in Victoria with the structure and framework developed to be replicated in other Regional Academies of Sports and regions in Victoria. Jessie and David are part of an eight - person squad with a focus on competitive match play. The coaching panel comprises Mark Stevens, Graham Charlton and Andrew Peavey with Mr. Stevens.
The Academy would also like to recognise a new East Gippsland organisation that will be categorised as a contributing Program Squash sponsor in Mr. Ken Westfield Electrician business. The Academy offers a number of entitlements and benefits for being a sponsor and for further information please contact Executive Officer Robbie Coyle.
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Academy’s Annual Awards Presentation Evening, 9 March 2004
The Gippsland Sports Academy conducted their 2003 Annual Awards Evening on Friday the 27th of February. The Awards Evening was well attended with over 250 people at the Premier Function Centre. The attendees included the Athletes and their parents, the Board of Management, Sponsors, State Sporting Associations representatives and the Academy Staff.
The evening included a three - course meal as well as guest speakers Mrs. Lisa Alexander, Dr. Ralph Richards (VIS Regional Academies Manager) and Academy Honorary Patron Tim Forsyth. Mr. Greg Goris from Lakes Entrance who provided music during the evening with an Advance Australia Fair Rendition and also My Gippsland.
Mrs. Lisa Alexander, the current Coach of dual National Netball League Premiers Melbourne Phoenix , and a local Gippslander provider an overview of her career, the benefits of being an Academy athlete and also a country athlete. Dr. Ralph Richards then provided an update on the Regional Academies concept and progress within Victoria. Tim Forsyth, Honorary Academy Patron, who has been working for AFL Northern Territory for the last two years has recently returned to Victoria. Tim was suitably impressed with the growth and improvement of professionalism of the Academy and indicated that he was ready to increase his role in the Academy.
The major focus for the evening though is to recognise the outstanding achievements of the athletes throughout the year of the Academy programs. The following is a definition of each of the awards the nomination and achievements of each of the athletes from the six current programs in the Academy and the overall winners.
The ‘Phil Shelley Sports Development Award’ is for a person associated with one of the sports programs and basically goes beyond the call of duty to assist in developing the sport or program.
Volleyball Nominee: Howard Williams (Morwell). Howard has been the driving force and main organiser of the whole Volleyball program since its inception three years ago. The whole process of having Volleyball involved in the academy would not have been as successful, if Howard was not involved. Howard has worked tirelessly to see that all junior volleyballers in Gippsland are given every opportunity to reach their full potential in the sport. Howard was the overall winner of the Academy, which was decided upon given his contribution to the program as well as his assistance as a board member.
Soccer: Eric Linhart (Pakenham). Eric has been with the Academy Soccer Program for two years now but has had a significant impact on soccer in the region for a number of years. Eric is the squad’s goalkeeper—coach and utilises the most up to date coaching techniques possible. The result has been evidenced by the fact that the Academy has had the last four Victorian State side goalkeepers.
Athletics: Delwyn Hewitt (Traralgon / Melbourne). Delwyn has been exceptional in regards to her contribution this year the first year of the Athletics program. Delwyn is a local Gippsland girl but this year, due to her work commitments relocated to Melbourne. Delwyn is an active and enthusiastic athlete herself but this nomination is a tribute to her enthusiasm and administrative and planning skills in her role as the athletics Program Manager.
Badminton: Cliff Smith (Morwell). Cliff has always been available on trial days to help with the testing of each new athlete — helping to set up stations and recording at stations during the trial process. Then throughout the program helping the S & C personnel with any testing they have been required to complete. He kindly took on the position of First Aid Personnel for our program and is present at every Academy training session. He has agreed to be the sports trainer for next years program.
Golf: Damian Irving (Mirboo North). Damian was a former Golf scholarship holder with the Academy and last year he put in effort and his expertise back into the program. Last year Damian began physiotherapy studies at University in Melbourne and attended a number of sessions in order to assist with physio treatment along with providing stretching exercises for the squad. Damian is now completing some work experience with Ramsay McMaster, the Academies preferred Physiotherapy consultant in Melbourne.
Swimming: Brian Ford (Traralgon). I nominate Brian Ford for this award. As Head Coach of the Traralgon Swimming Club, Brian is involved in the Academy as a Home team coach and has had input into the swimming program over the years of our involvement with the Academy. Brian is something of a legend around Gippsland and especially in the Traralgon Swimming Club. His dedication and enthusiasm for swimming and his commitment to his swimmers is outstanding.
The ‘David Drane Award’ is an encouragement award for an athlete that has shown tremendous improvement and dedication to their training.
Volleyball Nominee: Justine White (Bairnsdale). Justine has been able to reach some very important personal and individual goals, which were set out at the start of the program for her. This has been a great testament to both Justine and the academy processes. Justine has now developed to a stage where she can comfortably play the game at a senior level competing against both men and women, also representing her local association in senior volleyball.
Soccer: Chloe Poole (Traralgon). Chloe Poole (Goal Keeper). Has been selected to trial with the U/14 State Team in 2004. She is only 12 years of age and is the first female Goal - keeper to be selected in the soccer program. She has also received an award for recognition of outstanding achievement recently at the Vic Country Training Camp.
Athletics: Ashlea Lawry (Warragul). Ashlea Lawry (Warragul) also shined at the Victorian Country Championships winning 2 Gold (90m Hurdles, 200m Hurdles), 2 silver (100m and 200m events) and 1 Bronze medal in the Long Jump. She also combined with other Gippsland Athletic Club members, Hayley Brown, Lara Trevorrow and Justine Hughes to win Gold in the Under 16 4 x 100m Relay. Ashlea’s efforts this year have been first class and her
Badminton: Melanie Smith (Morwell). Morwell youngster Melanie Smith has recently been selected to represent Victoria in the June Bevan teams tournament in the Under 17 age group. This comes on the back of her strong performance at the State Championships in October where she teamed with another female athlete to take out first place in the Under 15 Girls double event
Golf: Allison Briffett (Traralgon). Traralgon athlete Allison Briffett commenced the year on a 23 handicap and in November her handicap has reduced to 12 with high expectations for a successful 2004 in higher - level tournaments. Allison was invited to the last two squad sessions in 2002 and was successful in receiving a scholarship last year. The reduction in her handicap is testament to her remarkable improvement.
Swimming: Brenton Ford (Traralgon) and also won the overall Academy David Drane Award. Brenton, a 16 year old swimmer with the Traralgon Club, is arguably one of the hardest working and competing athletes in this area — perhaps THE hardest working. Brenton has been swimming in a demanding program for at least the past 8 years.
Brenton trains 18+ hours a week without complaint and always at maximum effort. I am assured by his teammates that he never has a ‘slack’ or ‘off’ day. He is admired by his teammates and opponents alike and recognised as a exceptional athlete.
The final award is the ‘Tim Forsyth Award’ for excellence and outstanding achievements.
Volleyball Nominee: Danielle Stott (Lakes Entrance). Danielle has been a true example of what the academy can do for young athletes.
Danielle had never played the game of Volleyball 18 months ago. She came along to a training session to watch her sister train, and was invited to have a go.
Danielle has now played in the U15 State side, which competed in the National Championships in Echuca April 2003. Danielle was invited to attend the recent National Junior Volleyball Camp, where the current National Senior Women’s Head Coach and National Junior Women’s Head Coach conducted training. Danielle has been invited to the final selection camp for the National Youth Team and has an excellent chance to be considered to play Internationally in 2004.
Soccer: Michaila Hutchison (Morwell). Michaila plays with the Falcons 2000 Club in the Gippsland Soccer League. In 2003 she represented Gippsland at the State Championships where she was identified by the VSG and asked to train with the Under 14 Development group. She represented Victoria in the State team playing at the Friendship games during Easter 2003 in NSW. She later represented Gippsland at the 2003 Country Championships in the Under 14 squad. She also gained a position in the Under 14 boys’ squad to represent Gippsland in the Under 14 ‘A’ Division of the VSF competition in which the team were runners up. Earlier this year she attended the VSF talent identification camp for girls — the first camp ever and is continuing to train with the Victorian State Team.
Athletics: Raff Laurins (Moe) and also one the Tim Forsyth Medal for the entire Academy. Laurins was able to win 4 gold medals in the Discus, Javelin, Shot Put and the hammer throw in spectacular fashion in the Vic Country Championships. Raff is also currently a VIS scholarship holder and just recently has qualified for the World Junior Championships. SA State Champs Under 20 Discuss and Open Shot won both events 58.20 Discuss (WJQ) and 15.70 Shot Putt. Competing at Telstra A Series National this evening and he will also compete at the State Championships this weekend at Olympic Park. Raff has recently qualified for the World Junior Championships, which will take place in July in Italy.
Badminton: Jessica Lyons (Cowwarr). Jess is about to start U/19 State Tournaments wit the goal of performing well enough to be selected in the first U/19 State Team. She will also be competing in 4 tournaments over the next couple of months. Jess is a super enthusiastic athlete who has been involved with the Academy for a number of years and her talent results have improved significantly this year.
Golf: Geoffrey Drakeford (Yarram). Geoffrey Drakeford travelled from Yarram to Sydney as part of the Victorian State Schools team and finisher third overall in the Australian Championships. The "mighty midget" has continued to improve throughout the year and at 12 years of age is now playing of a handicap of 10.
Swimming: Sam Ashby (Traralgon). I nominate Sam Ashby for the Tim Forsyth Award. Sam is a 15 year old who in the last 2 years has burst onto the National Swimming scene — and his current form suggests that he will certainly be someone to watch in the future. Sam won two silver and one bronze medal at last year’s National Age Championships — making him the most successful able-bodied swimmer ever to represent Gippsland. Sam’s National success was in breaststroke and the Individual Medley events.
The three winners of the respective awards where therefore Raff Laurins — Athletics (Tim Forsyth), Brenton Ford — Swimming (David Drane) and Howard Williams — Volleyball (Phil Shelley). Some of the 2003 Academy programs have finished and some have a few training sessions remaining. Over the next few months each of the programs Advisory Panels will meet and assess the 2003 program and plan for the 2004 programs.
For any additional information on the Academy please do not hesitate to contact Academy Executive Officer Robbie Coyle on 5127 0223 or look at the web site
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Regional Academy Operations and Activities Growth, 7 November 2003
The Gippsland Sports Academy (GSA) is currently in an exciting phase of substantial growth regarding both the organisations operations and activities. This year GSA has added the sports of athletics and tennis to the existing sports of badminton, volleyball, golf, swimming and soccer. The addition of the new sports brings with it an incremental increase in the number of athletes in GSA from approximately 110 athletes to approximately 150 athletes.
This period of growth looks likely to continue with Executive Officer Robbie Coyle having meetings with Squash Victoria, Cycle Sports Victoria and Bowls Australia in recent weeks. Mr. Coyle said "the recent growth of the organisation has been terrific and looks likely to continue, this results in creating further exposure and recognition not only for the Gippsland Sports Academy but also the Regional Academies concept in Victoria and the Victorian Institute of Sport".
GSA athletes are really utilising the offerings and the technical support they are receiving from the Academy. This is evidenced by a recently held and well - attended (55 athletes + 20 sports associated members) Academy Athletes Conference day which included Damian Brown (3 Olympic Weight Lifter) presenting the AOC ‘Live Clean Play Clean’ session, a Media relations session, a Nutrition session and finally a Psychology session.
GSA has recently moved their office facilities within the GippsTafe Yallourn campus, which has coincided with the appointment of Tim Blackwood as the Project Officer. Tim was formally a swimming scholarship holder within the Academy and is therefore in tune with GSA activities and culture as well as currently studying a Bachelor of Sports Administration / Coaching at the Deakin University Burwood campus.
The Board of Management has recently undergone structural change with the establishment of four sub committees being an Executive Committee, Finance and Accountability Committee, Programs Committee and a Sponsorship and Marketing Committee. In addition to this has been the appointment of the Latrobe City CEO Richard Hancock as a Board Member.
Richard is fully supportive of the Regional Academies concept and the establishment of a marketing initiative by Latrobe City, LatrobeFirst will create a terrific forum for our athletes to do further public speaking and improve these valued athlete skills. LatrobeFirst has come on board as the program sponsor for swimming. Mr. Chris Buckingham stated, "LatrobeFirst is an innovative marketing campaign established to promote the great business, work and lifestyle opportunities available in Latrobe. Part of the LatrobeFirst campaign is engaging grassroots leaders to advocate on behalf of the region. As a part of the sponsorship deal athletes and coaching staff will act as ambassadors for the Latrobe Valley when they compete at local, State and National Competitions."
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Inaugural Athletes Conference Day, 4 October 2003
On the weekend the Gippsland Sports Academy conducted an Athletes Conference Day at the Yallourn GippsTAFE Auditorium. Approximately approximately 45 athletes and 20 Coaches and Advisory Panel members attended the Conference. There were four presenters for the day providing educational information for the young Academy athletes in order for them to utilise and implement to improve their performance in their chosen sports.
The day began with Damian Brown from the Australian Olympic Committee doing an interactive presentation on "Play Clean Play Safe" an anti doping presentation. Having Damian present was a major coup for the Academy as he is a three time Olympic Weightlifter.
Following Damian was Ian Needham from Needham Public Relations who presented on Media and Public relations. Ian is a local Gippsland person and as such is aware of requests that Academy athletes may be confronted with by locally and in the sport industry throughout their lives.
Lunch was then provided for the athletes by the Academy and provided an opportune time for all the athletes from the respective sports to talk and interact with one another. It is really the first time, barring the Annual Graduation Evenings that a majority of the Athletes have come together. Executive Officer Mr. Robbie Coyle said "it is terrific for the athletes to come together meet one another, identify other athletes in the Academy who may be from the same town and more specifically for them to realise they are involved in something bigger that just their sports and that is a Regional Academy of Sport."
Following lunch Alison Caiafa, a successful tri-athlete herself, then completed a presentation on eating for training and competition. Although this was a generic presentation and not sport specific it was still invaluable as it assists the athletes not only in their sporting life but also in life in general for if and when the athletes sporting days are over.
The final presenter for the busy and informative conference was Lisa Stevens who discussed the psychological aspects of preparing for and performing in competitive events. Again this was of major benefit for the Academy athletes as all compete regularly in competition and as the old adage stipulates the majority of sports are played above the neck i.e. 10% physical and 90% mental.
The Academy was delighted with the quality of presenters and the enthusiasm and interest from the athletes. The Academy is planning to have a similar event early in 2004 for the athletes that missed out on this Conference. Finally the Academy would also like to announce the appointment of Tim Blackwood as the Project Officer. Tim began with the Academy two weeks ago with his brief including compilation of the Academy newsletter, liaising with Head Coaches and Program Managers to organise consultants, organising Academy events and functions whilst assisting in the day to day operations of the organisation.
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School Holidays Skills Day, 25 September, 2003
Twelve athletes from the Gippsland Sports Academy devoted a day of their school holidays to participate in an athlete development activity at the Newborough campus of GippsTAFE recently. As part of the Academy’s program all athletes are provided with a range of educational programs as well as technical skill coaching and physical development. Athletes from the badminton, swimming and athletics programs spent the day learning about marketing themselves and gaining sponsorship, public speaking and interviews. Robbie Coyle the Academy Executive Officer explained that the Academy sought to provide a holistic program that developed the scholarship holders in all aspect of their lives.
The program was facilitated by Academy Board member Howard Williams who said that Ashley Delaney, Abbie Stockdale, Glenn Ferguson, Karley Cook, Stephen Marks, Sam Ashby (Swimming); Jessica Lyons, Melanie Smith (Badminton) and Hamish Nelson, Raff Laurins, Daniel McKay, Kathleen Goodwin (Athletics) worked hard during the day. In addition to considering key aspects of the topics each produced a draft sponsorship proposal and an outline of a short presentation that they rehearsed in small groups. "It is a sign of their commitment to bettering themselves that they travelled from as far away as Drouin and Bairnsdale." Williams said.
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