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Moyne Shire councillor Jim Doukas has been in the media this week for all the wrong reasons - and its ratepayers who will ultimately pay the price.
First it was revealed he was refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and as a consequence, wouldn't be allowed to attend at any council facilities or even meetings - pretty simple stuff for a councillor elected to represent his local community.
Of course, it is Cr Doukas' choice not to get the jab, however that choice also comes with consequences.
Is it fair he is paid his annual stipend of more than $26,000 if he cannot attend meetings in person or represent the council at functions?
He attended the shire's monthly meeting on Tuesday night via Zoom. And then he refused to vote in the mayoral election, after his internet connection allegedly dropped out.
That left the shire with no mayor after a tied three-all vote between Crs Jordy Lockett and Damian Gleeson.
Cr Doukas later admitted he didn't vote because of an internal dispute. He claims he couldn't vote for either Lockett or Gleeson after a code of conduct violation was noted against himself. It is understood the allegation has since been dropped.
Shire staff would have spent considerable time trying to figure out the next steps - taking them away from their regular work.
A special meeting of council has been scheduled for next Tuesday, to hopefully elect a mayor - but Cr Doukas has already said he won't vote again for Lockett or Gleeson.
Ratepayers aren't getting bang for their buck with Cr Doukas and it's a bad look for the shire. No doubt council chief Bill Millard would also have sought legal advice - which will also hit the hip pocket of ratepayers.
Then on Friday it was revealed Cr Doukas went to Koroit's Remembrance Day service representing the council and laid a wreath, despite being advised by the shire he would have to be vaccinated to attend.
It raised the ire of at least two Koroit and district residents who contacted The Standard saying they were not impressed to see Cr Doukas there.
Again, not a good look for the shire when one councillor does what they want without considering the consequences.
In other news, Dennington's General Store will get new owners by the end of the year, and they have plans to expand the business to cater for people with a disability.
In September, there was a call to start a community co-op, much like what Wangoom did 17 years ago to save its general store - an idea that attracted strong community support.
Warrnambool's family carnival is set to return to the city's foreshore this summer, but not before it is hit with an almost 400 per cent increase in insurance costs.
It's a bitter blow to the Warrnambool regulars who have faced two years of COVID-19 restrictions that have decimated the events industry.
Residents and veterans gathered at the city's war memorial on Thursday to reflect on the totality of loss - not only those killed, but those left with lasting physical and psychological injury.
Uncle Allan McDonald was one of the first Indigenous soldiers to enlist in the First World War, surviving Gallipoli and seeing battle in Beersheba with the iconic Light Horsemen. After his death, he was buried in an unmarked grave in the city's cemetery, in a spot no-one knew about - until now.
It was fitting that on Remembrance Day, descendants of Uncle Allan gathered around a small space in Warrnambool cemetery - marked with nothing but flowers - to unveil a headstone in recognition of the south-west soldier.
Warrnambool's Avis Quarrell, who was in the Australian Women's Army Service, spoke at Mercy Place's Remembrance Day service. The 97-year-old said she has attended a commemoration service every year of her life.
The Cunningham name is synonymous with Warrnambool basketball. And now it's Malakye's turn to make his name in the sport.
The 17-year-old has just been accepted into BigTyme Sports Preparatory Academy in Rockwall, Texas, and will finish high school there.
The shooting-guard/small-forward said his dad Bobby - a former Seahawks star player and coach - was his basketball inspiration.
It comes after his older brother AJ went to college in Maine two years ago for basketball.
It's by no means everyone's cup of tea but a world first vertical cemetery in the south-west is continuing to grow in popularity as people seek out more environmentally friendly options.
Upright Burials in Derrinallum remains the only vertical cemetery in the world after it opened about 10 years ago.
Owned by farmers Tony and Lois Dupleix, Mr Dupleix said initially there was reluctance from a state and local government level to approve the cemetery because there was no precedence for it in the world.
Marc Leishman is tapping into the commercial nous of one of golf's most successful player-turned-businessmen in a bid to shore up his interests in retirement.
The Warrnambool golfer, who started beer brand Leishman Lager in 2019 just months after launching the Begin Again Foundation with wife Audrey, revealed he'd recently chatted business with Aussie legend Greg Norman.
A cafe, expanded retail outlet and events space will help a proposed new Warrnambool Art Gallery generate its own income.
A whole new gallery is on the cards for the facility that is "bursting at the seams", but a decision on whether to build a new facility at Cannon Hill or at the Civic Green is up in the air.
Moyne Shire Council has knocked back a proposed amendment to local laws that would have banned dogs and "toy vehicles" in central Port Fairy.
The proposal sparked unprecedented outcry, with council receiving almost 500 submissions, an all time record for the shire.
This week we have two subscriber-only giveaways.
As a valued subscriber of The Standard, we would like to offer you the chance to win one of four family passes (two adults. three children) to see the hilarious Real Pigeons Live.
Real Pigeons Live is an interactive, storytelling event where you can help author Andrew McDonald and illustrator Ben Wood, creators of the hilarious Real Pigeons series, solve a real live mystery.
To celebrate the launch of Real Pigeons Spy High, Andrew and Ben will bring a pigeon puzzle to life right before your eyes with live drawings, sound effects and all your favourite feathery heroes (and villains).
The show is on Saturday, November 20, 10.30am at the Lighthouse Theatre.
To enter complete the form below. The first four valid entries drawn will win.
The Port Fairy based Art Farm is opening S.L.A.M. Studios.
S.L.A.M Studios is a multi-purpose arts space featuring a fully equipped digital multi-track music production facility. The studios include three tracking rooms, house backline including drums, MIDI and VST libraries and it is staffed by industry professionals.
To celebrate the opening of S.L.A.M Studios The Standard is offering our valued subscribers the chance to win one of 10 passes to an exclusive intimate salon-style show Live At The Art Farm, featuring a number of local original artists from across the region.
The event is on Wednesday November 24, from 7pm at the Art Farm.
Light refreshments provided. To enter complete the form below and the first 10 valid entries drawn will win.
Until next week, stay safe and take care.
Rachael Houlihan, deputy editor.