Michael Bisping fights Luke Rockhold at UFC 199. Photo: Hans GutknechtNobody saw that coming.

Nobody.

We’re not talking about the debut of the UFC 200 promotional video that featured a glimpse of former UFC heavyweight champion and current WWE superstar Brock Lesnar, confirming his return for one fight only against an opponent yet to be determined but rumoured to be Australian star Mark Hunt.

Nor the vicious reverse elbow from 45-year-old MMA legend Dan Henderson that shut out Cuban-Australian fighter Hector Lombard’s lights, a fight that may be Henderson’s last.

Not even the official announcement of Conor McGregor’s rematch with Nate Diaz at UFC 202 on August 20.

No, what nobody saw coming, what nobody thought possible, was that 37-year-old UFC veteran Michael Bisping would knock out champion Luke Rockhold in the first round to claim the UFC middleweight belt at UFC 199.

It was the fairytale finish to what is arguably the biggest, the best Cinderella story the UFC has ever had.

Over the span of his nearly 10-year, 25-fight UFC career, Bisping campaigned relentlessly for a title show, falling short in two title eliminators against Chael Sonnen and Henderson.

In recent times he had been written off, considered an also-ran. A gatekeeper. A very, very good gatekeeper, but a gatekeeper all the same.

So when Chris Weidman hurt his neck and Bisping was called up on two-weeks’ notice to fight champion Rockhold, it was almost like the Manchester fighter was being given a consolation prize.

If you take into consideration the beating Rockhold gave Bisping when they last met, headlining UFC Sydney in 2014, the idea of Bisping beating Rockhold seemed disturbingly far-fetched.

But anything can happen in a fight. It is the great equalizer. Nobody is unbeatable and eventually, everyone gets caught.

Roughly two and a half minutes into the fight, Rockhold leaned too far into a jab and Bisping uncorked his left hook, staggering the champion. One more big left hand and Rockhold was prone against the cage, lights out.

Even Bisping, supremely confident in his own ability, seemed shocked. Ten years and 25 fights into his UFC career without a title shot and suddenly, through injury and a perfectly timed hook, Bisping cemented his place in history. How long he can stay at the top of the hill remains to be seen, but Bisping is the middleweight champion, and nobody can take that away from him.

It stands comfortably, with Matt Serra knocking out Georges St-Pierre and Holly Holm blasting Ronda Rousey, as one of the greatest upsets in UFC history.

In the co-main event, Dominick Cruz confirmed he is the best bantamweight fighter in history, retaining his championship in a dominant five-round performance against Urijah Faber.

It was trademark Cruz, all footwork and angles. Every time Faber threw a punch, Cruz simply wasn’t there to be hit, and when Cruz connected, it was with power we hadn’t previously seen from the champion. He dropped Faber multiple times and while the Team Alpha Male fighter never quit, he simply had nothing for Cruz, who now has not been defeated since 2007. There is no question he is the best bantamweight fighter of all time.

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Success: Nova Employment chief executive Martin Wren with the bell that is rung when a job is found for a client. Picture: Ben ChenowethNova Employment is once again launching itscampaign to secure 100 jobs for 100 clients in 100 days.

The organisation is an employment service for people with disabilities including: intellectual; deafness; physical; and mental illnesses.

It may be an ambitious plan but it’sone that Nova Employment chief executive Martin Wren said he’s excited about.

“It’s a stretch goal, an enormous target and something difficult to achieve, but it’s also something to aspire to,” he said.

“The clients love it because they could be one of the 100.”

Mr Wren said while the campaign’s primary goal was to help secure work for it’s clients, it was also a challenge for the employees at the company.

“The staff really get behind it,” he said.

“Actually being able to help someone find a job is enormously fulfilling.

“It focuses our attention on the need to get work for as many people as possible.

“There’s a bell in the office that we ring every time someone gets a job.”

A major focus of the 100 Jobs in 100 Days campaign is also part of a continous push to break down barriers between people with disabilities and people without disabilities.

Mr Wren said the times had changed and “things were a lot easier than they were 30 years ago”.

Though some employees still were unaware of the benefits of employing someone with a disability.

“We want to focus on ability, not disability,” he said.

“We want people to look past what they see first up and look to what is behind that.

“I would encourage employers to take a look for yourselves.

“Once you do it will open your eyes up to an enormous talent pool.”

Mr Wren said the response from employers last year was extremely encouraging.

“We had a huge amount of goodwill from employees.This campaign is becoming very exciting,” he said.

Nova Employment is located at level 2/178-180 Queen Street, Campbellltown.

For further information about the campaign or to get involved visit novaemployment南京夜网419论坛 or call 4632 3300.

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A CFA volunteers’ rally was held in Melbourne on Sunday, attended by 3500 volunteers from all over Victoria.THE dispute between the Country Fire Authority and the United Firefighters Union continues, with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull attending a rally organised by Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria in Melbourne and the Equal Opportunity Commission slamming Fair Work Victoria’s recommendations.

Hundreds of firefighters attended the rally on Sunday, and Mr Turnbull promised legislation to protect emergency service volunteers.

However, many of the volunteers are still uncomfortable with being a “political football”, according to the CFA’s assistant chief officer for the south-eastern region, Trevor Owen.

“We should be apolitical; now we’re a bystander to a political debate,” he said.

“In a fashion, we’ve got a runaway train.”

Mr Owen said volunteers felt disenfranchised by the UFU’s agreement, claiming it could cause problems in the chain of command at incidents as well as senior leadership decisions, by undermining the CFA.

“It could impact anywhere our staff are deployed; it could be a long distance away,” he said.

“(The agreement) doesn’t respect that volunteers have skills as well.

“Many senior officers on the brigade have (commanded at incidents) for many years, and have the skills.”

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission also condemned the agreement, stating that women, parents, the disabled and the elderly could be discriminated against, as well as non-union members.

In a report on the CFA’s website, it noted that having to complete full time training to progress, as well as being “on-shift” full time, was discriminatory.

Having to be approved by the UFU to get part-time work was also seen as making the situation difficult for non-union members.

Premier Daniel Andrews has flown back early from a trip to the United States to continue talks with the union and the CFA, while Emergency Services minister Jane Garrett is reportedly considering leaving cabinet over the dispute.

The UFU is seeking more control over the organisation, as well as a pay increase and more power at emergencies.

One recommendation is having seven paid firefighters on the scene at incidents, and banning union members from taking orders from volunteers, except in major bushfires.

Mr Owen said while volunteers still felt discriminated against, the CFA was doing its best to respect both parties.

“We want good pay and conditions, but also to treat volunteers as equals,” he said.

A cabinet meeting will be held on Monday afternoon to debate the issue, which was after the Gippsland Times’ deadline.

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Harlequins player Sam Whitfield at Jubilee Park on May 28.In the men’s division one competitionat the mid-way point of the season, Harlequins have taken top spot on the ladder from aninjury-plagued CSU/Rivcoll.

Harlequins defeated CSU 2-1 at Jubilee Park on Saturday.

Thehard-fought one-goal win was the Harlequins’ fourth consecutive victory.

The Harlequins had apadded goalkeeper this week, allowingdefender Craig Watson the chance to showhis skills atthe other end of the ground.

Watson contributeda handy goal against the reigning premiers.

CSU were unable to adjust to the wet conditions, and the more experienced Harlequinsprevailed with Sam Whitfield and Tim Phillips taking control for the men in green.

CSU wasunable to convert from a penalty corner on full time as their forward line struggled throughout the game.

Meantime,Lake Albert continue to languish in last position, after losing to Royals by one goal in terribleconditions

TheRoyals defeated Lake Albert 3-2 onPaul Field which resembled a swimming pool.

In a hotly-contested game, umpiressent players from both teams to the dugoutsas tensions flared.

Royals fullback Lachlan Kendall was solid in defence as he repelledthe ball many-a times from the Lake Albert forwards, whileveteran Paul Oakman and RhysMcManus stood out for Lake Albert.

Next week is a general bye.

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I’d like you to do me a favour.

Think of a sportsperson.

Now think of a politician.

Think of an entertainer.

And now, think of an equal rights activist.

Chances are, you’ve thought of four separate people.

Well, Muhammad Ali was all four wrapped up in one charismatic, intelligent and physically gifted package that transcended sport.

Muhammad Ali was a man of his time, but he was also a man his time needed.

The passing of Muhammad Ali will mean different things to different people, but we will all miss him for who he was and what he achieved.

After all, what he achieved inside the ring was incredible.

But what he achieved outside the ring was world changing.

God came for his champion. So long great one. @MuhammadAli#TheGreatest#RIPpic.twitter南京夜网/jhXyqOuabi

— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) June 4, 2016

Many, if not all of you, will know that Ali was born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr in Kentucky in 1942.

Just 18 years later, Clay would be the Olympic Gold Medallist in Boxing’s Light Heavyweight division.

Four years later in 1964, Clay would be jumping for joy, and in astonishment, after defeating World Heavyweight Champion, Sonny Liston.

If the world didn’t know about the brash, confident and obviously talented Clay after that fight, they knew all about him after Clay defended his new title against Liston in emphatic style a year later.

But Clay wasn’t known as Clay when the rematch came around.

Shortly after his first victory over Liston, Clay had become a member of the Nation of Islam and renounced his “slave name” Clay. Instead, he was known as Cassius X until he was given his “holy name.”

Muhammad Ali became part of our vernacular in March 1964.

After Liston, Ali defended his title against Floyd Patterson in November 1965.

The fight was awash with racial and religious overtones. Ali called Patterson an “Uncle Tom” for refusing to call him by his new name (Patterson continued to use the name Clay) and for his outspokenness against black Muslims.

As a result, Ali toyed with Patterson in the bout, eventually winning by technical knockout after 12 rounds.

It was around this time that things started to get very political for Ali.

In March 1966, Ali was scheduled to fight Ernie Terrell in Chicago. However, the Louisville Draft Board reclassified Ali’s status from 1-Y (Registrant available for military service, but qualified for military only in the event of war or national emergency) to 1-A (Available for military service).

This reclassification effectively put Ali in a position to be drafted straight into the Vietnam War.

Vietnam was widely considered a “White Man’s War” in the African American community, and Ali had no intention of going.

In a statement that was pure Muhammad Ali, off the cuff but full of fire, he blended the fight of African American Equal Rights campaigners and Vietnam War protestors with this:

“My conscience won’t let me go shoot my brother, or some darker people, or some poor hungry people in the mud for big powerful America. And shoot them for what? They never called me nigger, they never lynched me, they didn’t put no dogs on me, they didn’t rob me of my nationality, rape and kill my mother and father. … Shoot them for what? How can I shoot them poor people? Just take me to jail.”

ReadTopBetta Blog post HERE

Well, that’s exactly what the authorities tried to do.

On March 1967, Ali was stripped of his title and his boxing license was suspended for his refusal to join the United States Army and fight in Vietnam.

On 20 June 1967, Ali was convicted of draft evasion and sentenced to five years in prison with a $10,000 fine.

Ali was able to pay a bond and remain a free man while his appeal went through the court system.

But even though he was a free man, he could not fight in the boxing ring.

He was 25 years old.

He would not fight again until he was almost 29.

For an athlete, these are the peak years. The money years.

But he continued to fight; it just wasn’t in the boxing ring.

From the time he was exiled in 1967 to his eventual return, Ali spoke at colleges across America and in the public domain, criticising the Vietnam War and fighting for African American equal rights.

It was during this time that opposition to the Vietnam War began to grow across the country, and Ali’s original stance gained some real traction.

Ali was given a professional lifeline in August 1970 when the Atlanta Athletic Commission gave him a license to box in their city.

The comeback fight, against Jerry Quarry in October, finished quickly in Ali’s favour after only three rounds.

Come 1971, the Supreme Court had overturned his conviction and a victory in the Federal Court forced the New York State Boxing Commission to reinstate Ali’s boxing license.

The Champ was back.

But to many non-sport followers, the Champ was only beginning his fight against racial inequality and that was much more important.

It still is.

Muhammad Ali went on to become the Heavyweight Champion of the World three times. Three times when the title actually meant something and it was one of the most prized accomplishments in world sport.

His fights against Joe Frazier are legendary, as is the victory nobody thought he could accomplish, his KO of the monster that was George Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle. (“Ali Bomaye! Ali Bomaye!”)

But as for his legacy, that stretches much further than the canvas of the boxing ring.

As a matter of fact, the man himself said it perfectly:

“A black man who won the heavyweight title and who was humorous and who treated everyone right. As a man who never looked down on those who looked up to him and who helped as many of his people as he could–financially and also in their fight for freedom, justice and equality. As a man who wouldn’t hurt his people’s dignity by doing anything that would embarrass them.

And if all that’s asking too much, then I guess I’d settle for being remembered only as a great boxing champion who became a preacher and a champion of his people. And I wouldn’t even mind if folks forgot how pretty I was.”

Muhammad Ali was “The Greatest”.

And he was for many more reasons than what you’ve read and watched here.

But here is one moment that many will never forget. It will bring a smile to your face just as it did his…and if this is how you remember him, I don’t think he would mind that at all.

Rest In Peace.

This article first appeared on TopBetta HERE

A sectional perspective of the new Port of Sale cultural hub.A SIGNIFICANT milestone for the Port of Sale redevelopment project has been ticked off, with the advertising of the cultural hub construction tender.

Commercial building contractors are invited to tender for the construction project, which includes internal modification of the existing former civic centre to incorporate the new Sale Library, visitor information centre, café, Gippsland Art Gallery, council chambers, broad use community space and associated operational areas.

Wellington Shire mayor Darren McCubbin is delighted by local interest in the project.

“Council recently invited local businesses and suppliers to register their interest in the project,” he said.

“We’ve received over 60 responses to date.

“We will provide each organisation’s details to prospective tenderers to encourage the inclusion of local content in tender submissions.”

An artist’s impression of the new art gallery space in the Port of Sale cultural hub.

Cr McCubbin said interested local businesses and suppliers who had not yet taken the opportunity to register their interest still had time, and encouraged them to do so.

The ‘local business and suppliers register of interest form’ is on the council’s website, with registration closing on June 17.

Tenderers must register with council by submitting company details and downloading documents from the current tender section of council’s website.

Tenders must be lodged by 2pm on Friday, July 8, in the tender box at council’s Sale customer service centre.

Construction of the cultural hub is scheduled to begin in August, with completion expected late next year.

For more information about the project and to view 3D perspective images, go to council’s website 梧桐夜网wellington.vic.gov419论坛/theport.

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As I peered through the lenses of my craggy brows into the bright sunlight of a crisp Stocky morn, contentedly chewing the end of my Cuban and contemplating all things hockey, I realised once again how fortunate we are to have this sport in this region.

The tiny tackers running around in the spirit of Crazy Hat andHair Day was truly a heart-warming scene – check out the Barossa Valley Hockey Associationand the Barossa Herald’sonline galleries to have a Capt’n Cook!

From dudette’s hairstyles akin to something from Whoville, to little dudes striding forth in fedoras and helicopter hats, tocrazy afros and hair tints that would leave Pink a whiter shade of pale.

These little people got into the spirit of the day with a wild abandon that brings a salty tear to this old sea-dog’s eye, all in the name of promoting their chosen sport.

Turning from the basic realisation that life truly is better in (a) a cape, or (b) a fez, we cast our gaze over some of the senior results from the weekend.

The AMU Parrotettes took on the Gawler Redlegs in the divvy onechicks, and in that clash even their snappy new uniforms couldn’t save them.

The Legs look the deal this year again, defending their trophy in very cool conditions in superb style.

Watch this team, as they

I’m not even really sure which one of the green and gold took the chocolates…are the definite team to beat.

The Nuri Once Were Warriors B Men had a derby clash on grass in the arvo and I hear it was a tame affair, unlike some of their more fiery clashes on turf of recent times.

Of course, Nuri won and everyone rejoiced.

My ram’s horn was getting a little heavy by that time, and I’m not even really sure which one of the green and gold took the chocolates.

Well, in signing off for this week, the young ‘uns have their Zone Championshipsthis weekend and most teams have a byeto ferry the dudettes and dudes to their respective games.

Good luck to all involved and represent your region well!

#Livelovehockey on National Hockey Week, as we are being encouraged to squeal aloud.

Love hockey? You bet we do!

Ladder leadersAt the end of round seven, AM United are sitting pretty at the top of the A Men ladder, while the Gawler ladies lead the A Women.Nuri Gold lead the B Men, while AMU remain the team to beat in the B Women comp.

Gawler’s ladies remain the team to beat in the BVHA A Women competition.

Tanunda are the trendsetters in the Under 18s, with a flawless record after four rounds.

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The home state flavour ofTasmanian football’s successfulforay into Friday night football extended to the forward lines of North Melbourne and Richmond.

TASSIE TWO: Jack Riewoldt is put under pressure by Ben Brown during Friday night football in Hobart, which Brown’s Roos won easily. Picture: Getty Images.

At one end was Ben Brown, originally from Devonport who at one time had called Glenorchy his football home, and Jack Riewoldt, the Clarence product whowas onhis home patch at Bellerive Oval.

While the Kangaroos took the four points, Riewoldt wonthe individual battle of the home-town forwards with 2.0 from 14 touches, six marks and three tackles for good measure with Robbie Tarrant his marker.

Brown finished with 1.1 from nine touches and six marks on Jake Batchelor, and he also won four hit-outs helping out in the ruck.

Tasmanian Football Hall of Fame memberGrant Birchall, also from Devonport, collected 22 disposals against Melbourne, but the wet weather impacted his high standard of disposal efficiency, which was down to 59 per cent.

Mitch Robinson continued his strong season for Brisbane in the loss to Carlton.

Robinson had 25 touches (15 contested), laid nine tackles andhad seven clearances.

Heis averaging 23touches, threemarks and sixtackles a game this year.

Glenorchy’s Ryan Harwood had 20 possessions and took six marks down back for Brisbane.

Launceston’s Jake Kolodjashnij again had the job on former teammate SteveJohnson in Geelong’s win over GWS.

Johnson kicked1.0 from 19 touches while Kolodjashnij had seven touches and laid three tackles.

His twin Kade had just 13 touches at 85 per cent disposal efficiency in theatrocious conditions inQueensland playing on James Rose in the loss to Sydney.

Jesse Lonergan had eight touches and kicked 1.0 in the first term, but hurt his knee in the third.

He finished with 13 touches and five tackles to go with that major.

Mackenzie Willis played in defence and had 11 touches, while Aaron Hall collected 19 possessions.

Burnie’s Lachie Weller impressed in Fremantle’s big win over Essendon, with a career-best 22 possession, four mark, five tackle and 1.0 game.

His brother Maverick had 15 touches and laid two tackles in a half-forward role in St Kilda’s big loss to Adelaide.

Glenorchy’s Jimmy Webster was a late inclusion, and finished with 10 possessions and laid two tackles.

Despite an injury scare early,Dodges Ferry’s Jeremy Howe again proved defence is his best home at Collingwood, with20 touches and 10 marks in the loss to Port Adelaide.

Since Nathan Buckley decided to use Howe as the extra man in defence, hehas averaged 22touches and 10marks a game.

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COUNCILLORS have received an update from Simon Lee, the West Coast economic development, tourism andevents co-ordinator, on the many projects he is working on. Following the adoption of the West Coast Community Plan 2025, the council took a proactive approach with economic development within the West Coast to drive job growth and sustainability.

Through appointing Mr Lee, the council is now in a position to support and facilitate the attraction of new investment via business, events, visitors and new residents; and also the development of existing businesses, expansion of industries andWest Coastexperiences.

An Economic Development Advisory Committee will be established soon, made up of leading West Coast industry stakeholders, to discuss, research, develop, recommend and assist the council to drive forward economic development initiatives with Mr Leeacting as the secretariat.

THANK YOU to those who took the time to complete a submission for the council’s 2016-2017 budget. We received fifteen submissions, which we are working through as we deliberate projects and items for inclusion in the budget. The final budget will be set and announced in late June.

IT WAS PLEASING to see the West Coast Community Plan 2025 highlighted as an outstanding document during a meeting with the Director of the Tasmanian Catholic Education Office last week. An essential component of ensuring the strategies outlined in the Plan are achieved is for stakeholders outside of Council to see value in this vision which was created by the West Coast community. The council looks forward to building more partnerships based on the 2025 document.

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Be amazed by the intricacy of felt making at a localexhibition at the Old Fire Station, Kiama over the June Long Weekend.

More than 20 local artists will showcase theirskills at the Illawarra Feltmakers Exhibitionon June 8-13by creating an art form that symbolises this years theme, ‘reflections.’

Secretary Melinda Binkins said the exhibition will be unique with a number of original artworks.

“All the members try and come up with something that is a reflection to them, whichcan be interpreted in a number of ways,” she said.“Everyone finds the challengeimportant, but what it means is you are going to get a diverse range of items from clothing to sculptures.”

Members will travel from as far as Newcastle to participate in the 5thannual exhibition to demonstrate the artistry of felt making.

Ms Binkins said a number of demonstrations will occur throughout the display.

“We will be showing people what you can do with wool as a lot of people don’t understand that felt is made from it,” she said.“Many people haven’t seen an exhibition in felt makingso this will show them the benefits of the felt intricacy, which was the first fabric created by man.”

Despite the rainfall over the past week, Illawarra Feltmakers treasurer Eleanor Bash is optimistic it won’t cloud the exhibition.

“Hopefully the rain will hold off but if it doesn’t, that’s ok because we have the warmth at the exhibition!” she said.“People will be pleasantly surprised if it’s a cold day to come in and see the brightness of colours and the array of things that have been done.”

The exhibition is set to be filled with an array of colours in the shape of handbags,hats,dresses, jackets andgloves.As itis a malleable material, Ms Bash said it can be moulded into anything.

“We take it from the raw fleece and by a combination of friction, water and soap turn it into a 3D object,” she said.“On the whole it is made usingone piece, which canshaped to create a number of things. Some have even done lamp shades.

“This generally surprises people who tend to think ‘felting – how boring’ but it’s as far from that as you could imagine.”

For people interested in taking up the art form, Ms Bash said they will be able to learn.“Anybody whois interested in knowing what the technique is behind felting can expect someone to be there lending a hand during the exhibition.’’

For members of the Illawarra Feltmakers, the benefits are countless.

“Feltingis quite therapeutic,” said Ms Bash.

“In the process there is quite a bit of repetitive work and I use it as an opportunityto listen to classical music,so I find itrestful.

FELT TIME: The Illawarra Feltmakers treasurer Eleanor Brash, president Anita Larkin and librarian Barbara Wyles with some felt hats, clothing and accessories. Illawarra Feltmakers’ annual show runs from June 8-13 in Kiama.

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