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Stratf tford’s f Cal Coleman, pictured with wife Tegan and son Mason, raised more than $25,000 for the Black Dog Institute recently, walking from Stratf tford f to Briagolong. ST STORY T - PAGE 30 Photo: Zoe Askew
CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK FROM PAGE 13
GIPPY LEAGUE ALL STARS PAGE 32
Scaling down
ESSO Australia will soon enter the next stages of decommissioning its gas activities in the Bass Strait. The co-operator of the Gippsland Basin Joint Venture (GBJV) is expected to announce today that it will commence a commercial tender process, which will see experienced heavy lift contractors bid to execute decommissioning activities. As part of the bidding process, contractors will propose ways to complete the offshore removal, transportation and onshore recycling and disposal efforts, as requested by Esso. The move comes after ExxonMobil Australia - the parent company of Esso - issued a technical tender for the project in June 2022. “The technical tender, completed at the
end of last year, was a successful process which allowed us to assess a variety of ways in which the complex task of decommissioning offshore facilities could be undertaken,” ExxonMobil Australia chair, Dylan Pugh said. “We’re excited to now move onto this next phase of decommissioning, where we will commence the commercial tender process to better understand how activities could be completed safely, whilst meeting both regulator and community expectations. “After assessment, we will award contracts by early 2024. “We are committed to meeting stakeholder consultation requirements as we continue to progress work efforts across multiple work fronts.”
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Over the last five years, Esso has completed “almost $1 billion” worth of early decommissioning works in Bass Strait. Its activities include the plug and abandonment of 88 wells offshore using two platform-based rigs, as well as a multi-purpose support vessel and a semi-submersible rig - set to arrive later this year. Three subsea facilities - Seahorse, Blackback and Tarwhine - have now successfully been removed, according to Esso, while plug-and-abandonment activities have been completed on the Whiting, Kingfish B, Mackerel and Fortescue facilities.
VICTORIANS are being urged to protect themselves and their loved ones this winter by getting their influenza vaccination, ahead of an expected spike in flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases. Minister for Health MaryAnne Thomas visited the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Immunisation Clinic last week to encourage all Victorians to get vaccinated, with alarming data showing only one in 10 children were vaccinated against the flu as of late April. The new data also revealed that one-third of parents were not aware that flu can cause serious illness in otherwise healthy children. Flu is highly contagious, and while it can be mild in some people, it can also cause severe illness, hospitalisation, and death in otherwise healthy people. Following a resurgence in 2022, seasonal flu activity is expected to continue to rise in 2023 - and the last fortnight has seen an increase in notified flu cases, with cases in children aged from 5-14 increasing by 115 per cent - highlighting just how important vaccination is for children. Flu vaccination is recommended for anyone six months and older and is free under the National Immunisation Program for people considered to be at higher risk. This includes children aged six months to under five years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged six months of age and older, pregnant women, people aged 65 and over, and people with medical conditions that put them at increased risk of severe flu and its complications. All Victorians can receive their vaccination through a local provider - including your GP, pharmacy, local council immunisation clinic, Aboriginal Health Service or community health centre. Ms Thomas urged Victorians to stay healthy. “While flu can be mild in some people, in others it can cause a very serious illness - so protect yourself and your loved ones by rolling up your arm for your flu vaccination.”
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