Let’shearitforthegirls! AnnetteMurrellsand JenniferShannonenjoyed sconesattheInternational Women’sDayHighTea hostedbyTongala CommunityActivities CentreonMarch6. MorepicturesonPages4&5
GTSFarmSuppliesproudlytookhomeVIC/TASStore oftheYearattheAIRRAwards,whileteammember PaigewasnamedRunner-UpintheYoungGuns Program!Theirdedicationtoservice,innovation,and communitysupportcontinuestodrivetheirsuccess MoreonPage3
Itwasanightofcelebration forGTSFarmSupplies,as theteamproudlyclaimed thetitleofVIC/TASStoreof theYearfor2024atthe prestigiousAustralian IndependentRuralRetailers (AIRR)Awards
Addingtotheexcitement, teammemberPaige achievedRunner-Upinthe AIRRYoungGunsProgram,a recognitionofher dedicationandleadership intheruralretailindustry. TheAIRRYoungGuns Programisdesignedto mentoranddevelopthe nextgenerationofleadersin ruralretail.
Aspartoftheprogram, Paigeundertookstore improvementprojects inspiredbyindustrytraining sessionssheattended throughouttheyear Astandoutachievement wastheGTSOpenDayin September2024,where suppliersofferedexclusive specials,giveaways,and expertadvice
Thiseventsuccessfully strengthenedcommunity connectionsandwillnow becomeanannualtradition atGTSFarmSupplies Paige’srecognition highlightsnotonlyher commitmentandexpertise butalsothecollective effortsoftheGTSteam, whosepassionfor innovationandcustomer servicehashelpeddrivethe businessforward
TheVIC/TASStoreofthe Yearawardisatestament toGTSFarmSupplies' ongoingcommitmentto providingtop-quality
providing top-quality products, expertadvice, andexceptional service.
Overthepast year,thestore hasexpanded itsproduct range, introducing fertilisersales andbecoming asupplyoutlet forGreenham’s meats
PartneringwithAIRR’s extensivesuppliernetwork hasallowedGTStooffer competitivepricingwhile maintainingastronglocal focus
AkeyfactorinGTS’s successhasbeenits dedicatedteam,whose expertiseandcommitment tocustomersatisfaction continuetosetthemapart. Theirin-housefleetoftrucks hasalsoimproved efficiency,ensuringreliable stockavailabilityandtimely deliveries.
OwnersPaige,Jordan,and theentireGTSteamextend theirgratitudetotheir customers,suppliers,and thelocalcommunityfor theircontinuedsupport “We’reabsolutelythrilledto receivetheseawards,”said Jordan.
“It’sahugecredittoour hardworkingteamandthe peoplewhocontinueto backus Welovewhatwe doandlookforwardto growingevenmorewithour customersand community.”
TheTongala CommunityActivities Centrehosteda fantasticInternational Women’sDay morningteaatthe TownHallonMarch6 Withbeautiful cateringand decorations,theevent wasfilledwith laughter,friendship, andcelebration Guestsalsoenjoyed fungamesandprizes
FayeWild
18thAugust1954-24thFebruary2025
LoisMarshallandBerylWerner.
LeannePattisonandAmandaSam.
PassedawaypeacefullyMonday morning,24thFebruary2025. AdoredmotherofChris,Sherrynand Corey.ThebestNannyFayetoRubiand Ollie(pictured).LovingbigsisterofHelen, BarbandNeil Cherishedbysomany more
Privatecremation,withapublic celebrationoflifetobeheldatlater date,tobeadvised
Ourschoolcommunityissaddenedto hearofthepassingofFayeWild Fayewas apastteacher,parentandgrandparent ofourschoolandwaswellknowninthe communityforherartisticflair.Her passionforherartandhercareand compassionwithstudentsneverwent unnoticed Shewillbegreatlymissed TongalaPrimarySchool
Wewouldliketosendourdeepest condolencestoFayeWild’sfamily andfriends FayeworkedattheOp Shopformanyyearsandwasa treasuredfriendtoallwhoworked withher ThankyouFayeforallyour hardwork,wewillmissyou Margie&volunteers, TongalaOpShop
to Friday,
“HadagreattimeatarecentTongala PSassemblywhereIwasgiventhe chancetocongratulatetheschool's leadersontheirappointmentandhave aquickchatwiththewholestudent body
“Thisisabrilliantlittle–butrapidly growing–schoolandthekidsthereare averyswitchedonandsupportive group.
“Greatjobobviouslybeingdoneby principalRobHoganandhisdedicated staff.
“Anditwasalsogoodtoseesomany interestedparentsturnupforthe occasionasImadepresentationsto theschool'sthree2025captains–LucasPyke,BillyDollingandScarlett Radford.”
–PeterWalsh,MemberforMurrayPlains
StPatrick'sGrade3studentshavebeenexcitedto visitTongalaAgedCare Theresidentsarealways sohappytoseethechildrenanditisgreattosee themallgettingtoknoweachother.Whatagreat experienceforallinvolved!
MoreStPat’snewsonPages36-39
MynameisKoriak,Icome fromabeautifulcountry calledPapuaNewGuinea. Ilovecooking,goingout withfriendsandalso playingsoccer
IcompletedYear12, butdidnotgotoother universitiesorinstitutions becauseofmymarks. Iplaysoccertoearnmy living Iwasbornandraised inhighlandsofPapuaNew Guinea,butbecauseIwas goodatsoccer,Iwas scoutedtogoplaywitha teaminthecapitalof PapuaNewGuinea, whichisPortMoresby Itisveryhotanddrymostof theyear
Inthecapitalyouhavetoat leastworkordosomething toearnaliving.
Icomefromafamilyof seven Iamthelastbornin myfamily,fourboysand threegirls Iammarriedwith twobeautifuldaughters, oneissevenyearsandthe otherisfourmonthsold. Imadethedecisionto cometoAustraliabecause backhomethereare
lessjobs,opportunitiesand itisveryhardwhenyoudo nothaveajobandafamily tolookafter Iamprivileged andblessedtocomework heretosupportmyfamily Thethingthatsurprisedme inAustraliaishowfriendly andpeacefultheplaceis. Theyhavestrictlaws,which makesthecountrya peacefulandgreatplaceto live
Goingoverseasisnotnew tome,sinceIhave representedmyculture throughsoccerforthepast 14years.Ihavetravelledto manyplacesinthepacific, includingAustraliaandNew Zealand
Icomefromadisciplined familybecausemyfatheris aretiredpoliceofficer,He alwaystaughtustouse respect,lovingandbe humbleandmost importantlyispray andputGodineverything youdo.Iamthankfulfor whoIamnowbecauseof mylovingmumanddadfor bringingmeuptobewhoI amtoday
TheTongalaCommunityActivityCentre(TCAC)isavital hubforinternationalworkersatH.W.Greenham,manyof whomattendEnglishclassesseveraldaysaweek.These lessonshelpthemintegrateintothecommunityandwork towardpermanentresidencyinAustralia. However,alackoflaptopsisimpactingtheprogram.A donationappealhasbeenlaunchedtosupportstudentsin theirlearning.Ifyouoryourbusinesscandonatealaptop, pleasecontactTCACon(03)58591268.
ABOVE:PublicansKelvin andSueWalshwithTony ShawandLloydRosenow.
Apassionatecrewgatheredatthe OldTonnyPubonFebruary28fora specialnightwithCollingwood premiershipplayerandformer coach,TonyShaw Withhis trademarkwitandinsight,Tony sharedstoriesfromhisdecorated footballcareer,andhis experiencescoachingand commentating
Abigcrowd turnedout formonthly bingoatthe OldTonny Pubon March2, withplenty oflaughter, andfriendly competition fillingthe room.
MurrayRosslikestokeep busy,butthepastcoupleof monthshavebeenoffthe charts evenforhim Thelongtimecommunity volunteerandhighly respectedartisthashada whirlwindschedule Helaunchedanewbook (checkoutlastmonth’s editionofTonnyTimesfor thefullstoryifyoumissed it),heldanartshowaspart oftheCampaspeStudio ArtistsTrail,andevenfound timetobringjoytoresidents atKyabram’sWarramunda Village
Hisenergylevelsdefyhis82 years,andherecently sharedhispassionforart withadozenvillage residentsinaspecial masterclass manyof themnotmucholderthan theartisthimself. Australiancultureandway oflifehavebeencentral themesinhiswork,whether usingpaper,largeboards, canvas,oreventhesidesof buildings Murrayhasbeen commissionedforarange ofsubjectsandhasadeep passionforhelpingpeople ofallagesdiscoverart it’s nevertoolatetostart
Withmorethan50yearsof experience,hewasexcited toguideagroupof “aspiring”artists,justdays aftercompletinghisown exhibitionfortheCampaspe StudioArtistsTrail
Murray’sstudioislocated behindthehistoricTongala Pharmacy,withitsfrontage showcasingthevibrantand eclecticTongalaTown Square,atributetothe town’smuralsandartistic heritage
Hefirmlybelievesthat“artis intheeyeofthebeholder”, witheachpiececarryinga specialattraction some maybebetterexecuted,but eachisunique.
BeforeCOVID,Murray gatheredCampaspeShire artiststocreateTongala StreetArt,whichhasnow growntofeaturemorethan 50muralsthroughoutthe town.
Murrayalsohasaspecial connectiontoWarramunda CEOandformerTongala local,JohnClark,whose father,HowardClark,played asignificantroleinMurray’s decisiontosettleinthe region
Bytheway,thesubjectof theartclass?Uluru
TheTongalaLionsClub collectsused prescriptionglasses, whichvolunteersclean, sort,andpreparefor visionscreenings Theseglassesarethen providedfreeofcharge tochildrenandadultsin need. One-hundredpercentof donationssupport charitablecauses. Dropoffyourglassesat TongalaPharmacy. Formore information,phone JudyJoneson0418 173087.
TenofTongala’s1961premiership-winningGoulburnValleyleagueteamatareunionin2023.Picturedare(from backleft)StuartFlorence,BarryCampbell,brothersBobandDonRawson,RonFlorence,NedWalsh;(front)Alf Harrison,AdrianCahillandIanMcGregor.UnabletoattendwasMaxJeavons,92.
Anotherlinktooneof TongalaFootballClub’sfour premiershipteamsfromits GoulburnValleyLeague dayshasbeenseveredwith therecentpassingofAdrian CahillinNathalia.
Cahillplayedonaback flankintheBlues’1961GVL premiershipside,coached byAllanMurphy,which defeatedShepparton1112 (78)to911(65)inthegrand finalatShepparton’sDeakin Reserve.
OnlyAlfHarrison,Spudand StewartFlorence,Ian McGregor,BarryCampbell, andBobRawsonstillsurvive
fromthatside.
FormerFootscrayplayer DonRawsonisalsostillalive andstillplayinggolfinhis nineties butmissedthe grandfinalduetoinjuryand neverplayedagain.
Cahill,just22yearsoldat thetime,playedthegame ofhislife,nullifying Shepparton’sstarforward BarryVagg,aKyabrambornfootballerwholater played115gameswith Melbourne,kicking132goals, andwaspartofthe Demons’1964premiership team Vaggwentontobe Melbourne’sleadinggoal-
kickerinboth1965and 1966
Cahillwasrenownedforhis verticalleapandwasone ofthefirstplayerspicked eachweek.
Atthetime,only19-yearoldfull-forward“Spud” Florencewasyounger kickingfivegoalsonhis birthdayinthatgrandfinal Cahillwasalsoa passionatecricketer, captainingaWyunasideto aB-gradepremiershipin theformerKDCA competitionintheearly 1970s Alargecrowdofmourners
attendedhisfuneralat KyabramCemetery CondolencestoGlen, Joanne,John,andGillian Alivestreamofthefuneral isavailableontheClive Coventrywebsite.
—Anothermemberofthe 1961premiershipside,Ned (EdwardAnthony)Walsh, alsopassedawayin February
Hisstorydiffersfromthatof grandfinalheroCahill,as hewasabsentfromthe teamphotoandnevertook thefieldinthegrandfinal, beingnamed19thman However,hedidreturnfor
The1961TongalaGoulburnValleyLeaguepremiershipline-up(frombackleft)R.Rawson,M.Croft,I.McGregor,A. Cahill,K.Davis,R.Hicks,B.Campbell,DRoberts;(centre)S.Florence,R.Florence,M.Jeavons,A.Murphy(captaincoach),A.Harrison,LBarmby;(front)J.Patrick,G.Vick,J.PhylandandHBoyd.Mascot:PeterCampbell.Absent:R. French,N.WalshandD.Rawson.
theteamreuniontwoyears ago
Ned,aschoolteacherin Tongalafromthemid1950s,wasastrongmarking,goal-kicking centrehalf-forwardwho playedforbothTongala andKyabrambefore sufferinganinjuryjust beforethegrandfinal As 19thman,hewasforced ontothebenchwithaleg injury,andneitherhenor 20thmanRossFrench madeitontothefield Nedandhiselderbrother Mattbothplayedfor Tongala,andlater,Ned
boughtadairyfarmin Merrigumwithhisyounger brotherLaurie,playinga seasonwithKyabram Matt marriedMarlenePola, daughterofformerTongala policemanJackPola Nedwasasoutstandingin theclassroomashewason thefootballfield His academicachievements included:
�� BachelorofCommerce (Economics&Commercial Law)–MelbourneUniversity �� DiplomaofAgricultural Science–Dookie AgriculturalCollege �� RealEstateManagement
&ValuationCertificate–RMIT
Hebeganhiscareerasa teacherin1954before transitioningintovaluation, wherehisearlyfarming andagriculturalexperience providedastrong foundationinruraland commercialvaluations From1965onwards,Ned heldvaluationroleswith theCommonwealthBank, LJHooker,RichardEllis Sallman&Seward,and DillonInksterRealEstate In 1977,heestablishedhis ownvaluationpractice beforereturningtosenior
roleswithfirmsincluding WJHarper,RichardEllis, BaillieuKnightFrank,and GrossWaddell,wherehe workeduntilretiringin2019 Nedwasafatherofsix Anthony,Xavier,Lucy,Ben, Jerome,andPeter anda grandfatherof15 Oneof hissons,Xavier,servedas CEOofCrownCasinofor eightyears Hisfuneralwasheldat CheltenhamMemorial Park.Forthoseinterested,a webcastoftheserviceis availablehere: https://tobin5streamcom/ webcast/134960
knowneedalittlehelp? FoodBankisopenwhen thecentreisopen.
Monday9am-3pm Tuesday9am-3pm Wednesday9am-3pm Thursday9am-3pm Friday9am–12pm
2pm-4pmWednesdaysstartingonMarch19
Thisisanopportunitytorelaxandhaveachat withpeoplewhoarewillingtolisten. Freerefreshmentsprovided.
Tongala Community ActivityCentre isafriendly, welcoming placewhere peoplecan cometogether tomeet,learn newskillsand havefun
Areyouinterestedinaparticularclassor activitythatwecouldrunatTCAC? Doyouhaveaspecialskillyouwouldliketo sharewithyourcommunity? Wouldyouliketovolunteeryourtimeand givebacktoyourcommunity,pleasevisitus andletusknow.
Comeandmeet RegionalHousing Support Workers Teresa andNat @10am March26 April7 Tongala Community Activities Centre, 94ManganSt,Tongala
Thecommunitycarisavailableto anyonelivingintheTongalaarea whoneedstransporttoattend medicalappointments WetransporttoKyabram,Echuca, BendigoandShepparton BOOKINGSINADVANCEPLEASE Asthisserviceisrunbyvolunteers Phone(03)58591268
Needaspaceforyournextmeeting? Wehavespacestosuitgroups, meetings,training,classesandmore PLEASEcallreceptionandmakea bookingon(03)58591268
94ManganStreetTongala 0358591268or0437469585 tcaccoordinator@tongala.vic.au
Howmanyofthepeopleinthispicturecanyouname?Ifyoucan,jointheconversationontheTonnyTimes Facebookpageoremailtongalatimes@tongala.vic.au
LyndsayMakin,bornin Rochester,wastheyoungestof fivechildrenofBillandDot Makin.TheMakinfamily movedtotheirCurrRddairy farmin1951whereheliveduntil 1972.HethenmovedtoSydney withhiswifeKay,thedaughter ofDaveandNanceBackway, dairyfarmersofMathesonRd. Theyhavetwochildrenand fourgrandchildrenandstill residesinSydney.
IjoinedTongalaMilkProducts(TMP) asa17-year-oldlaboratorycadetin 1963,underanagreementthatIwould attendtheInstituteofDairy TechnologyatWerribee IndoingsoIfollowedinthefootsteps ofotherlocalsincludingmybrother Daryl,DaveMorris,NeilTomlinsonand JohnLane.
AtthattimeTMPwaspartofaSwiss company,UrsinaFranc,withitsHead OfficeinBernSwitzerland,Technical CentreatKonolfingenandlocalHead OfficeatMacaulayRdNorth
Melbourne(justnearArdenSt,the gasometerandthehomeofthe Kangaroos)
ThemanagementwereallSwissand withnameslikeWernerBrodbeck, HansFuhrer,andRolydeCastella (fatherofRobertAustralia’sgreatest marathoner)atheadofficeandFritz Klopfstein,EddieStuckey(whoImet againin1999,whileinZurich),Rudolf Menzies,MaxTrachsler(whoIlater workedwithatAbbotsfordinSydney), RichardSpieler,HeinzEgglerand FrancisGremaud(whoImetin1997at Konolfingen)atTongalafactory. MilkwassuppliedbytheNorthern
Dairy(ND)incansandIstillrecall learninghowtorollamilkcanfrom theSperlingboys IrecallJack Sheppard,PhilKellett,LeonieMillerand GordonHansonasbeingpartofthe ND-whichwasultimatelytakenover byTMP.
SweetenedCondensedMilkwasthe majorproduct,withahugecontract forRangoonBurma(Myanmar), packedinwoodencrates manufacturedonsitebeforebeing shippedbyrailfromasidingatthe factory.
BearBrandEvaporatedMilkand ReducedCreamweretheothertwo bigproducts,however,TMPwasalso veryinnovative
Productssuchascannedflavoured milk(Istillrememberthead“punch popinastrawanddrink”),werethe firstUHTlonglifecannedmilk productsproducedforoutback Australia,DairyFrostSoftIcemix,and theMeadJohnsonproducts,Enfamil, Sustagen,Metrical(whichwas Australis’sfirstdietdrink)and
TheTongalaMilkProductsfactoryin1958.
Prosobee-asoy-basedmilk substitute ThiswasaworldfirstforMJ andtheirfirstmilliondollarproductin Australia
WemadespecialisedArmyration packsofcondensedmilkintubeswith camouflagepaintandcanswith lacqueredliningsotheycouldbe storedintheground
CannedGoat’sMilkwasanother innovationwhichprovidedacow’s milksubstituteforthosewithlactose andsoybeanintolerance.
Barneshoneyproductswerealso addedaspartofTMP’sdiversification program
KenSutherlandwasthemasterhoney tasterandlaterbecameNestle’s mastercoffeetaster Ialsoremember PeterBellenger,whowaslaterto becomeRefereefortheAustralian TennisOpen.
Iworkedinthelaboratoryfortwo yearsunderFrankMariner,whichnot onlygavemeagoodgroundingbut enabledmetomakegreatfriendships withthelikesofEricDicketts,Rex
Tooley,BevJohnson,IrisSimpson, ShirleyHemphill,KayRogers,Graeme BrownandRichardAllan-tonamea few
Italsogavemetheopportunityto meetmany“newAustralians”like GeorgeMaslunka,HansHenning, AshgarAliKhan,FredVanDoorenand theFreystatsky’sandlearnfromlocal identitieslikeCliffPrimmer(who taughtmehowtoboileggsformy 6ambreakfastwithasteamhose), BlueySmith,DaveGreally,Geoff LaurensonandDenzilFord. Weran24/7,butIhatedthenightshift, especiallyhavingtoleavehomeat 11pmandridemybikefivemilesto startthemidnightto8amshift(boy wasIhappywhenIgotmyfirstcar) IrecallthenightwhenIcalled“Noisy” McDowell(theelectrician)tofixthe pilotsterilizerat2am. Whenhepromptlyputtheelectric plugbackin,Iwasveryembarrassed buthesimplysaid“sondoitagain anytimeyoulikeonaSundayasIjust gotpaidthreehoursatdoubletime
andahalfforfiveminuteswork” Thosewerehappydayswithmany multiplefamilymemberslikethe Keeches,Tooleys,Primmers,McLeods andOhlsensworkingtogetherinthe factory.
OurSocialClubeventswerealways wellattendedandIrememberaclub dinnerwheremanyhadprawnsfor theveryfirsttimeibntheirlives(some didn’trealisetheyshouldgotothe botherofpeelingthem).
Ialsovividlyrecallthebustripsto Melbournewithlunchatthenotorious GeorgeHotelinFitzroyStreetanda boozytourofCourageBrewery AfterthreeyearsstudyingatWerribee, workingbackatthefactoryduring semesterbreaks,Igraduatedin1970 andreturnedtoTongalaasassistant ProductionManager.
IhadsomegreatmentorslikeDave Morris,JohnO’Connor,AlfGemmill, GrahamandNeilTomlinsonhelping meonmyway
ContinuedonPages18&19
Oneofmymajortaskswasthe commissioningoftheNirospraydrier, producingfortifiedmilkpowderforthe AsianMarket
NestletookoverUrsinaFranc worldwidein1971sowebecamea smallpartofamuchlargerAustralian milkfamilyastheyhadfactoriesat Dennington,Maffra,Smithtownand Gympie
ImovedtoSydneyin1972,butstill visitedTongalaoftentosupervisethe productionofMeadJohnson products.In1980,Ichangeddirection atNestletoheadupanewFood IngredientDivisionandsolostdirect contactwithTongalauntil1993whenI becameGeneralManagerExport ThiswasaveryexcitingroleformeasI wasresponsibleformuchofTongala’s andDennington’smilkproduction throughtheexportofbulkmilk powderstoSEAsiaandworkingwith thelikesofKenBosse,GeoffMartin, StewartKeith,andPeterStreetwe grewtheexportpowderbusinessto some20,000tonnesperyear. Iwasexcitedtogetbacktomyroots asthefamilyfarmandmanyofmy farmingschoolfriendswereTongala suppliersandIveryproudofthejobI wasdoing
Overthenextfewyears,Iworked closelywithaseniorcolleaguein Switzerlandtoplanthefuturefor export,expandingtheproductionand packingfacilitiesatTongalaand Dennington
Thehighlightatthetimewasgaining theapprovalfora$40millionspray dryeratDennington,whichwastobe Nestle’sbiggestworldwide. ThevolumeofExportswasincreasing rapidly,andthefuturelookedgreat Whilevolumesweregrowing,profit wasdecliningandsotowardstheend on1997,Isensedachangewas happening.
IleftNestlein1998tosetupmyown consultancy,butstillmaintaincontact withmanyofmycolleaguesthrough theQuarterCenturyClub,ofwhichI’m stillanactivememberoftoday Itwaswithgreatsadness(andanger) whenin2004Iheardoftheplansto closepowderproductionatTongala
andsellDenningtontoFonterra Fonterra,theNZmonopolyDairy Company,firstacquired25percentof Bonlacin2001culminatinginafull takeoverin2005.
However,whenNestle`spent$17 millionupgradingtheliquidplantin 2011,thereappearedtobestillagood ifsomewhatdiminishedfuturefor Tongala
ThefirstknowledgeIhadofthe impendingclosurewasinlate2018, whichwasthendelayedbutsadlythe inevitablehappenedin2020.
Nestlehadfinallydisappearedfrom milkmanufacturingafterbeinga majorplayerintheAustralianDairy industryforover100years
DuringthisperiodNestlehadgone from21manufacturingsitesatits peak(fiveofthemdairy),tohaving onlysixcurrentlyoperating Therewasclearlyapolicyofa fundamentalswitchawayfrom Australianproduction,whichsadly wasmirroredbyanumberof multinationalsincludingArnotts (Campbells)andHeinz,whomoved manyoftheirproductionsites overseas
Sadly,shorttermprofitsbecame moreimportantthanlongterm relationshipswithloyallocalsuppliers andemployees.
Whatwentwrongwiththeonce thrivingdairyindustryinAustralia?
It’smypersonalbeliefthatthedecline startedwiththederegulationofthe industry
TraditionallyAustraliawasa powerhouseindairyexportsandin thelate1980stheAustraliandairy industrysuppliedaround16percent oftheworld’sdairyproducts Thishasfallentoaroundsixpercent today
InaspeechtoParliamentinApril1986, JohnKerin(whoIbelievewasoneof ourbestAgricultureMinisters)neatly summarisedtheagriculturaldilemma whenhesaid:“Worldpricesarethe problem”
TariffprotectionintheUSandthe EuropeanEconomicCommunitywas crushingAustralianproducers, however,thegovernment’sagenda wastopushonwithreform. Naivelytheythoughtwewouldlead therestoftheworldinreducing agriculturalprotection
OnJuly1,2000,thedairyindustrywas deregulatedbyJoeHockey,then MinisterforFinancialServicesand Regulation.
ThisfollowedthefindingsoftheHilmer Report,whichdiscernedtherewasno publicbenefitinretainingthefixed pricesupportfordairyondomestic consumption(badluckforthedairy farmers).
Thefreemarkethadarrivedanddairy farmersquicklybeganfeelingits
causticdownsideasdidexporting companies
Beforethisthefloorpricefordomestic consumptionunderpinnedtheexport marketwheremostexporterswere heavilysubsidised.
Milkpowderwasacommodity,traded in$USandthereforeexchangerates playedamajorroleinexportpricing (forexamplethe$AUDwas58cents $USDinMay2002,but88centsby June2004(a50percentincrease, makingcompetitivepricingextremely difficult).
DomesticallyAustralia’smajor supermarketsrealisedthatbycutting marginsonmilk,theycoulddestroy smallcompetitionandpullconsumers intotheirstoresusingmilkasa“loss leader”.
Theyhelpedtolowerthefarmgate pricebyawardingtendersto processorsfromoutsidearegionthey operatedin,orattheveryleasthaving themtenderinregionstheydidn’t processin
Thismeanttheexistinglocal processorshadtotenderlowerto retainacontract TheeraofOneDollar perlitremilkhadarrived!
Howludicrouswhenbottledwater soldforatleasttwicethatprice,yet needednocowsorfarmersor factoriestoproduce!
Keycompetitorcountriescontinued increasingsubsidisedproduction increasingtheirexportsintoAustralia ThisledtoAustralia’smajor supermarketsfurthereroding domesticproductionandpriceswith cheapimportedproducts
WebegantoseeSweetened condensedmilkfromSpainand EvaporatedmilkfromHollandselling belowthecostofAustralian production
TheAustraliandairymarkethasthe leastamountofgovernment interventionamongthemajordairyproducingWesternjurisdictions(UK, NZ,US,CanadaandtheEU) Canadaisaregulatedmarket whereastheothershavea deregulatedmarketwithsomelevelof intervention WiththeexceptionofNZ thesecountrieshaveswapped
regulationfornewandlarger subsidies
Now,bureaucraciesmanagea myriadofsubsidyprogramsunder whichconsumerspayfortheir productsonceattheretailleveland againthroughtheirtaxdollars. AcrossAustraliatheaveragedairy farmhasexperienceda71percent increaseintheirfarmgatepricesince 2000 Thiscomparestoa142percent increaseintheirproductioncostsover thesameperiod Fodderisbyfarthe largestandfastestgrowingexpense. Overtimeprocessorshavepushed farmerstowardsallyear-round productiontosupplymoreoftheir domesticthaninternationalmarkets Thisincreasedfarmers’production costsatatimewhentheywealready confrontedwithincreasingcosts arisingfrom“climatechange” decisionsonpowerandwater. Sincetheridiculous“waterbuyback” policy,dairyfarmersaretypically using60percentmorewaterthan theyown InVictoria,highreliabilitywatershares weresoldtoretiredebtaccumulated throughtheMillenniumdrought, makingthemsubsequently significantlyexposedtothe temporarywatermarket Foreigncorporationsownalmost125 percentofthenation’smostprecious resource irrigationwater.According
totheAustralianBureauofStatistics, "Fourteenpercentofthosetrades everyyeararefromcorporatesand individualswhodon'townland” Howdidweeverletthishappeninthe “Luckycountry”! Fastforwardto2024whenIwas pleasedtoreadthatTongalaNutrition hadpurchasedthesiteand commencedoperations Whileitisonamuchsmallerscale, especiallyintermsofemployment,as aproud“TonnyOldBoy”,Iamso pleasedthenameTongalawas chosentocontinuethelegacyofover 109yearssincetheTongalaCheese andButterFactoryopenedand76 yearssinceTongalaMilkProductswas openedin1949
TheauthorisaFellowoftheAustralian InstituteofFoodTechnology,apast PresidentoftheCouncilofAustralian FoodTechnologyAssociations,CoauthoredtheFederalGovtReviewinto TheExportControlAct,amemberof GovernmentFoodImportAdvisory Committeeforfiveyearsandis currentlythePrincipalofZaneline Consulting.
Ps:Asitismorethan53yearssinceI leftTongalaforSydney,mymemory hasfadedlittlesomustapologiseto anyoneIhaveleftoutfrommy memoriesatTMP
LyndsayMakin
37 Mangan St , Tongala VIC 3621
P: (03) 58 570 245
E: chtongala@kyhealth.org.au
Open Hours: Tue 9.30am - 2.30pm Wed & Thu 8.30am - 4.30pm
Caring. Accountable. Collaborative. Inclusive. Versatile.
Tongala Health
Tongala Health Services
Strength & Balance Programs (Men & Women)
Tongala Walking Group
Relaxation Sessions
Advanced Care Planning
Community Health Nurse
Podiatry (please enquire)
Dietitian
Social Worker
Diabetes Education
Physiotherapy
Telehealth consult service
MCH - Shire -Ph 1300 644 964
Lifeline (24 hours)
13 11 14
Beyond Blue
1300 224 636
Relationships Australia
1300 364 277
Wire (for Women)
Support & referral service
1300 134 130
Mens Line (24 hours)
1300 789 978
Kids Help Line
1800 551 800
Grief Line
Telephone & online counselling
1300 845 745
Suicide Call back Service
1300 659 467
24/7 Australia wide
Podiatrist will be visiting Tongala Health every fortnight on a Monday. To access this service you will require a
TheTongalaCFAhas proudlysupportedtheGood FridayAppealforover45 years,andthisyearisno exception
Eachyear,CFAvolunteers conductatown-widedoor knock,takingthefiretrucks tothefarthestreachesof towntoraisevitalfunds. Thestationwillalsobeopen onGoodFridayforthose whomayhavemissedtheir chancetodonateearlier Thankstoadedicatedand enthusiasticteamof volunteers,Tongala continuestopunchabove itsweight,withthetown contributingmorethan $180,000totheappealover theyears Thisyear,weareonce againfortunatetohavethe
supportofTongalaCERT, GirlGuides,andfamily members.Ourdonation targetistobeatlastyear’s recordof$9,48950
�� EasterHamperRaffle–ThankstoCadbury,two Easterhamperswillbe raffledoutsideIGAfor$1per ticketinthelead-upto GoodFriday.Therafflewill bedrawnatthestationon GoodFridayafternoon,with ticketsalsoavailablefrom anyCFAmember
�� EasyWaystoDonate–WewillhavetwoEFTPOS machinesavailable one atthestationandanother inoneofthefiretrucksfor easydonations
raffleandtoallthelocal businessesthatgenerously donatedprizes.
�� CollectionTins–Donationtinsareplaced throughouttown,including atGTS,IGA,TonnyHotel,The FalconHotel,thelocalservo, andTonnyTakeaway Every centcounts!
�� TheOldTonnyPubwill alsobeopenonGood Fridayfordonationsanda chancetowin!Dropinto showyoursupportwhile enjoyingthegreat atmosphere.
�� GoingawayforEaster?–Youcanstilldonate!Simply contactmeoranyCFA memberordropyour donationintoacollectiontin atoneofthelisted locations
Thankyouforyour continuedgenerosityin supportingtheRoyal Children’sHospitalGood FridayAppeal
–SueDuggan AreaManagerforTongala RoyalChildren’sHospital GoodFridayAppeal
�� Goods&VouchersRaffle –AhugethankyoutoSarah Lloydfororganisingthis
Renting storage with 20-feet shipping containers that are Grade B water tight, vermin proof and lockable. I have a full security fence surrounding the perimeter, lock-up gates with 12/7 access (light depending) with key lock box system entry and security cameras running 24/7
Caravan, Car and Boat storage inside the shed is $30 a week - but is FULL at present.
Caravan, Car and Boat storage outside is $20 a week with many spots available.
Container hire/storage is $30 a week. I am also doing 20-feet container storage outside the shed that a personally owned at $20 a week.
CONTACT: Mitchell Kelsey on (03) 5859 0939 (home), 0439 367 381 (mobile) or email mjkelsey@tpg.com.au
Ashislong-heldandwidely celebratedmonikerwill testify,Garry“Spanner” McConnellcanfixjustabout anythingwithanengine andhehasalwayslovedto gofast. Thatpassionhasbeen passedontothenext generation,asheandhis sonMarleyhavebecome starsoftheTinnyRacing circuitinSouthAustralia. Theduobeatcompetitors fromfivestatestoclaima nationaldinghyriverracing title,settinganall-time recordintheprocess MarleyandSpanner completedthe100km courseinonehour,31 minutes,and38seconds arecordforthe25horsepowerclass Theywereshockedtolearn theyhadbeatenthe second-placedboatbysix andahalfminutesandhad brokenthepreviousrecord by37seconds amark manythoughtwas untouchable
Thisvictoryfollowedtheir championshipwinin November,whentheirboat, LittleManRacing,was unbeatenacrossall disciplines. Formerskiracers,thepair successfullytransitionedto dinghyracinginSouth Australia Theyfinishedthird in2022,thenrunner-upin 2023,beforeclaimingthe 2024title.Theirtinnyisfitted withamodifiedpropeller, poweredbyatwo-stroke Yamahaengine,boltedtoa Stacer315aluminiumhull TheMcConnellsarrivedon Thursday,spendingthree
hourssurveyingthecourse Theywonbothheatson Friday,finishingunderlights asfireworkslitupthesky beforea2,000-strong crowd.
Afterqualifyingfirst,they spentSaturdaypreparing forthefinalshowdown Itwasn’tallsmoothsailing Theirthreeandahalfhours ofscrutineeringonSunday morningwerefrustratedby anearlyspeedissue Aboutfiveminutesin,their speedsuddenlydroppedby 10km/h,forcingSpannerto pumpfuelintotheprimer allwhilestillracing.
Afternavigatingthetwisting sectionknownasKylie’s CreeksandCarnage Corner,theydiscovered weedswrappedaroundthe prop.
Onceremoved,they returnedtofullspeed, passingseveralboatsinthe 30-horsepowerclass despitetwostopsdueto incidents.
Reflectingontheirsuccess, Spanneracknowledgedthe supportoftheirfellow competitors "Thiswouldn’thave happenedwithouttheirhelp andideas.We’dalsoliketo thanktheRiverlandDinghy Clubandvolunteersfor makingthesegreatraces happen,"hesaid
Wecanallagreeitwillbe lovelytohavesomecooler weatherarrivingsoon!
Oversummer,ourair conditioninghasbeena lifesaver thankstothe supportofTongala CommunityBank
TheTonnySeniorsrecently welcomedTongalaPrimary Grade3/4students,whoput theirgardeningskillstowork inourbackyard.
Withagenerousdonationof planters,pottingsoil,and plantsfromBunnings,the studentscreatedabeautiful spaceforalltoenjoy Abigthankyoutothe teachersforleading anotherfantasticschool project itwaswonderful toseethestudents’ enthusiasm!
Bunningscontinuestobea greatsupporterofourtown, andtheTonnySeniorshave beenbusyrunningseveral Bunningsbarbecuesin Echucaduringthepastfew months
Ahugethankyouto everyonewhosupported ourlatestfundraisingraffle andcongratulationsto ourBunningsgiftcard winners,NevillePankhurst
andPhilChalmers!
Wealsohadavaluablevisit fromAnneChurch(CERT), whoprovideda demonstrationonusingthe defibrillatorunit.
Hopefully,we’llneverneedit, butknowingwhattodoin anemergencyisso
important.Thankyou,Anne, foryourtimeandexpertise! It’sbeenabusymonthat14 CavellSt,andwewelcome anyonewhowouldliketo joinusonWednesdaysfor lunchand/orbingo.We’d lovetoseeyouthere!
Lastly,congratulationsto
thenewteambehindTonny Times!Thelatesteditionis fantastic,andweare incrediblyfortunatetostill havethisbeloved publicationbringingour communitytogether
—JoyChalmers TonnySeniors
Tongalahasalwaysbeenatown passionateaboutsport,withlawn bowls,football,netball,cricket,and tennisremainingstrongtoday. Inearlieryears,residentsalso enjoyedsoccer,golf,horseracing, trotting,thegunclub,tabletennis, andbasketball,tonameafew Overtime,newactivitiessuchas indoorcricket,badminton, gymnastics,andcommunitygroups likeScoutsandGirlGuidesbecame popular.
Thisdeepsportingtraditiondates backoveracentury InMarch1905, whenTongalawasjust18yearsold, thetownhosteditsGrandAnnual SportsMeetingonMarch17th Theeventfeaturedadiverse program,includinganOpenBicycle Handicap(1mile),boys’andgirls’ footraces(75yards),Throwingat
Wicket,anOldBuffers’Race(100 yardsforthoseover50),andevena CatchingtheGreasyPigcompetition! Theprizeswereequallyfascinating rangingfromcashawardsof2to4 pounds,toapairofpigeons,50lbof flour,andevenpigsdonatedbyMr RyanandMr Slattery!Local blacksmithMr JK Byrnealso contributedasteel-trussedswingas aprize.
Tocompletetheday,afternoontea wasservedonthegrounds,followed byaneveningdance,whereitwas saidthatawonderfultimewashad byall
Seeanimageofthe flyerfromthisevent aboveright.
TheTongalaCommunity OpportunityShop continuestomakea meaningfulimpactby supportinglocal organisationsthrough generousdonations Recentcontributions include:
✅ $500totheTongala CommunityActivities Centreforemergency relief; ✅ $500totheTongala NetballClubtowardsan electronicscoreboard; ✅ $1000totheTongala
Kindergartenfor playgroundupgrades; and ✅ Adonationtoprostate cancerresearch Everypurchasemadeat theTongalaCommunity OpShopdirectlysupports theseinitiatives.We welcomegood,clean, reusableitems your donationshelpus continuegivingbackto thecommunity TongalaCommunity CharityOpShop,66 ManganSt,Tongala
Tongalahasalwaysbeena townbuiltoncommunity spirit
Forgenerations,volunteers havebeenthedrivingforce behindtheeventsand organisationsthatbringus together,showcaseour town,andcreateastrong senseofbelonging
However,manyofthese effortscontinuetobe carriedbythesamesmall groupofdedicatedpeople. Withoutfreshsupport,some oftheeventsandclubswe lovemaystruggleto survive Ourtownishometo incredibleeventsthatput Tongalaonthemap.
TheEatsandBeatsFood& MusicFestivalbringspeople togetherforgreatfoodand liveentertainment The Town-WideGarageSale
turnsourstreetsintoa treasuretroveforbargain hunters TheChristmasHay BaleTrailfillsthetownwith creativityandfestivecheer. Buttheseeventsdon’trun themselves theyrelyon volunteerstoplan,setup, andkeepthemgoingyear afteryear
Beyondevents,our communityisstrengthened byclubsandorganisations thatmakearealdifference.
TheLionsClubsupports localcausesandprojects thatbenefitourtown
TheTennisClubprovidesa placeforpeopleofallages tostayactiveand connected.
TheSwimmingClub teachesvitalwatersafety skillsandgivesyoung swimmersachanceto developtheirabilities.
TheGirlGuideshelpbuild confidenceandleadership inyounggirls. Thesearejustafew manymoreneedsupport. Therealityis,volunteering doesn’thavetobeahuge commitment
IfeveryresidentofTongala gavejustonehourayear whethersettingupchairsat anevent,helpingwitha fundraiser,orofferingafew hourstoalocalclub the impactwouldbeenormous Tongalahasalwaysthrived oncommunityspirit.
Willyouhelpkeepitalive? CommunityGroup/ ClubsContactList
TheTongalaDevelopment Groupiscreatinga CommunityGroup/Clubs ContactList ago-toguide foranyonelookingtojoin, support,orconnectwith
localgroups Ifyouarepart ofacommunitygroupor club,we’dlovetoinclude you!
�� Tobeadded,emailusat: tongaladevelopmentgroup @gmailcomwith:
✅ GroupName
✅ ContactPerson&Role
✅ Emailand/orPhone Number
✅ GeneralMeetingTime(if applicable)
Oncecompleted,we’lllook ataddingthislisttoTonny TimesandtheTongala website,soeveryonecan easilyfindwaystoconnect andcontribute.
Let’sworktogethertokeep Tongala’scommunityspirit alive
–JasonKelley President,Tongala DevelopmentGroup
StJamesAnglicanChurch Services:EveryTuesdayat 7pm.
HollycommunionwithRev: SimonRobinson(from Mooroopna) AllWelcome. Forinformationonservice times,phoneDonSlade (Warden)on0428503844 orDianeManganon 0427590282
StPatrick’sCatholicChurch PhonetheParishOfficeon (03)58521026
EmbraceChurch 80ManganSt,Tongala Morningservice:10am Servicesarealsolivestreamed PhoneLynHopeon 0408821760
NorthernRiversUniting ChurchClusterTongala Service10am PhoneRayWakefieldon 0419933938 Servicesareavailableon ZoomeachSunday
Copydeadline: 7/04/25 Issuedate: 14/04/25
Email:tongalatimes@ tongala.vic.au
DIDWEMISSYOUR ADVERTTHISMONTH?
PleasecontactTCACon (03)58591268oremail tongalatimes@tongalavicau
DOYOUHAVEASTORYTO SHARE? Pleaseemail tongalatimes@tongala.vic.au
Tongalaisthefifth CampaspeShirerecreation reservetoreceivea GoulburnValleyWater hydrationstationthrough theChooseTapprogram. Itjoinsstationsat Rushworth,Girgarre,and twoKyabramsites, providinghigh-quality drinkingwaterforthe community.
GoulburnValleyWaterand CampaspeShire’sfive-year partnershiphasdelivered eightrefillstationsacross fivetowns Managing DirectorDr SteveCapewell saidtheChooseTap programpromotesthe health,environmental,and financialbenefitsoftap water,withnearly80 hydrationstationsnow installedacrosstheregion
“Wateriscalorie-free,costeffective,and through thesestations accessible toall,”DrCapewellsaid. CampaspeShireMayor DanielMackrellsaid hydrationstationswerea keycommunitypriority, benefitinglocalsportsclubs andprovidinganecofriendlyalternativeto
bottledwater
“Thisprojectwasmade possiblethroughour partnershipwithGoulburn ValleyWater,andwe appreciatetheirsupport,”Cr Mackrellsaid TongalaRecreationReserve hostsfootball,netball, cricket,andtennisclubs, alongwithcommunity
ASpecialEventtosharewithyourmum, partner,friendsorjusttospoilyourself!
Friday,May9
10:30am
KyvalleyHall
Afriendly,social morning Goodfun
Displays Raffles Luckydoorprizes Delicioushightea Doorsopen10am AllWelcome Bookings,essentialforcatering purposes,arearebeingtakennow PHONE:0417303408
tobookaseat,oratableforyourgroup
ProudlyPresentedby:KyvalleySwimmingClubInc &CampaspeShireCouncil
NextDancewillbeheldon Saturday,March22&Saturday, March29,from7.30pm–11:30pm Anyonelookingtotakeupdancing,asa newinterest,ismostwelcome,alongwith ourregulardancers Youarealsomost welcometocomealongforafriendlysocial evening,andsimplyenjoylisteningto populartunes,thatyouwillrecognisefrom overtheyears Itwillbeatopeveningout, withyourfriends,orachancetomeetnew ones!
GreatmusicfromKeithStockdaleand JimLancaster;delicioussupper,rafflesand luckydoorprizes AllWelcome Enquiries:PhoneBevon 58521853/0417360687 Hall:534ScobieRdKyvalley HALLISAIR-CONDITIONED
events Thenewhydration stationisoneoffourbeing installedthissummer, includingatShepparton’s DeakinReserveand CobramLawnTennisClub.
Forafulllistoflocations, visitChooseTap|Goulburn ValleyWater
Ithasbeengreattoseeour membersenjoyingthePool oversummer;young childrenlearnttoswimwith confidence,adultswho helpedalongtheir rehabilitationafterinjury/ surgeryarenowmoving morefreely, otherstellustheyfeelalot fitterorsimplyenjoyed coolingoffandhavinga socialchat! Wealsoappreciatethe localcommunitywho generouslysupportour fundraisers,and helpeduscelebrate AustraliaDayatKyvalley. KyvalleyPark&Poolisproudly operatedandmaintainedby KyvalleySwimmingClubInc Committee&Volunteers
Itwasaperfectnightforthisyear’sWelcomeBarbecue. Thankyoutoallofourfamilieswhojoinedusandaspecial thankyoutotheTongalaLionsClubforcookingthebarbecue.
OurGrade6studentshadafantastictimeatthe NationalYoungLeadersDayinMelbourneon March3 Theywereluckyenoughtogetaphoto withCatherineLaga’aiaorMoana
RESPECTFUL-RESILIENT-RESPONSIBLE Ourschoolvaluesareondisplay-Van,Blakeand Samtookituponthemselvestocleanuptheyard! Congratulationsandthankyouboysforyourefforts!
Abumperweekofswimmingwrapped upwithanincredibledisplayof Responsibility,Respect,andResilience atourFebruary28swimmingcarnival. Ahugethankyoutoourdedicated volunteers,theTongalaSwimming Pool,andDebbieTownsendfortheir ongoingsupportinkeepingthis much-lovedeventlocal
OnFebruary20ourStPatrick’scommunitycame togethertocelebrateourBeginningofYearMass,and whatabeautifulcelebrationitwas!Thechurchwas filledwithjoyfulsingingandprayer,settingthetonefor ayearofhopeandfaith.
AspecialthankyoutoourGrade6leaders,wholedthe Masswithconfidenceandreadsobeautifully.Your leadershipisalreadyshiningbrightly! Thankyoutoeveryonewhoattendedandsharedinthis specialoccasion.Maywecontinuetowalktogetheras PilgrimsofHopethroughouttheyearahead.
BigweekinGrade2lastweek!OnMondaywelearntabout internetsafetyandmadeapledgetogethertobebrave,aware, cleverandkindwhenweareonourdevices.Welovedhavingthe Grade1svisitforourmathslesson!Wetaughtthemlotsofnew games!Toendtheweekwecelebratedalltheloveweshare!
AddiebroughtMarlawithhertoher “LunchwiththePrincipal”award.Addie receivedthisawardforturningher weekaroundandhavingagreatstart tothe2025schoolyear! CongratulationsAddie.
Whatafantasticeveningwehad,kickingofftheschoolyearwith ourWelcomeBarbecue!Itwasgreattoseesomanyhappy, smilingfacesenjoyingtheevent–andhonestly,whatwasn’t theretolove?Wehadfriends,asizzlingbarbecue,fungames, lotsofchattingandcatchingup,andevensomecheekyruns underthesprinklertohelpcooloff!Ahugethankyoutoeveryone whocamealongandmadeourschoolfeellikefamily.Eventslike theseremindusjusthowspecialStPatrick’sis!
George,Charli,andOlliearelovingbeingapartofthe sewinggroupthisterm.Theyhaveusedthesewing machine,addingsomeribbonsandmaterialtotheir squares.Wecan'twaittoseethefinishedproduct!
DuringourfirstMassweintroducedandblessed our2025SchoolLeadersandStudentAdvisory CouncilCouncilLeadersastheyembarkontheir leadershipjourneyfortheyearahead.Wealso presentedthemwiththeirleadershipbadges.
OurGrade6Leadersfor2025are:Xavier,Jack,Zeb, Colman,Hugh,Dusty,Colt,Toby,James(absent) andAmelia(absent).
OurStudentAdvisoryCouncilLeaders,whowere nominatedbytheirclass,for2025are: Foundation:Pippa&Finn
GradeF-1-2:Lily&Jack
Grade3:Charlie&Tom
Grade5-6:Colman&Jack
Grade2:Maddie&Lottie
Grade4:Charli&Maddi
Wearesoproudofthestudentswhoparticipatedin EchucaattheCampaspeSwimmingSports Their resilienceanddeterminationwasexceptionaland theydidourschoolproud! Weevenhadsomewho ibb 1stRyder50mFreestyle 1stBen50mBreaststroke 2ndMaddi50mFreestyl 3rdRyder50mBackstro 3rdHudson50mFreesty SpecialmentiontoEllaw participatedineverysin event-whatagreat demonstrationofoursc values! Welldoneeveryone,you usveryveryproud
Theexcitementwaspalpableforoursecondyearof SwimmingSports.Raceswerealternatedbetweenthe mediumand25mpool,allowingallstudentstowatch, cheer,andsupporttheirpeersthroughouttheday Greatswimmingeveryone!
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WarramundaCommunityCareclients,TaniaandJoe Martelloaregivenafirst-handpreviewofthenew digitalcareplatform-TheLookoutWay-byPersonal CareAssistantPeterMorrison.
Aleadingdigitalcare platformiscomingto WarramundaVillage, enhancingsupportfor morethan100Community Careclientsaheadofthe FederalGovernment’s SupportatHomeprogram, launchingJuly1. Warramundahaschosen TheLookoutWay,atopratedAustralianhomecare platform,foritsreal-time remotemonitoringand instantcarenoteanalysis, ensuringimprovedservice delivery.
CEOJohnClarksaidthe systemalignedwiththe SupportatHome program’sgoalofhelping olderAustraliansstayat homelongerwithsimpler, moretransparentcare. Withmobileaccess,The LookoutWayprovides schedules,travelroutes, andreal-timeupdatesto improvecoordination Clientsandauthorised lovedonescantrackwho isprovidingcare,visit schedules,andreceive
notifications Community CareDirectorLeahKonings confirmedthesystem wouldbetrialledbeforeits fullrolloutinAprilorMay Itallowsinstantcaregiver check-ins,digitalcarelogs, andsharednotes,ensuring seamlesscollaboration. Amajorbenefitisfinancial transparency,withclients abletoviewbillinghistory, accountbalances,and fundingdetailsinrealtime Familiescanalso submitservicechange requests,providefeedback, andshareunavailability viatheapp By2035,SupportatHome willassist14millionolder Australians,providing flexiblesupporttokeep themintheirhomeslonger. Warramundaisexcitedto leadthewaywithThe LookoutWay,settinganew benchmarkforcommunity care
Formoreinformation, phoneWarramunda’s HomeCareteamat 58522611.
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Carpentry, yard maintenance, renovations, landscaping, decks, patios, pergolas, rental maintenance, handy man jobs, painting, plaster patching
KyleFitzgeraldisreturning fromtheNorthernTerritory withplentyofconfidence aftermakingsignificant contributionstoNightcliff’s seasonintheDarwin competition’ssummer league.
Kyle,whohasbeenour seniorcaptain,playedina losingpreliminaryfinal teamwithNightcliffinthe PremierLeagueReserves competition,havingspent mostoftheseasoninthe topgradeasakey defender
HeandJackSinclair,who endedhisWanderers seasonindisappointing fashionwithaleginjury, werebothregularly mentionedamongtheir clubs’bestplayers
Kylehadastrongrunof formbetweenroundsfive and13,featuringinthe team’sbestplayersonfour occasions.
Heplayedasakey defenderforthefirsttime inhisfootballcareerthis seasonandhadhisbest gameagainstthe competition’sfifth-ranked team,StMary’s.
Inthatgame,hewas releasedintotheruckand recordedaseason-high24 hit-outsand16disposals Healsohadnineground ballgetsandeight clearances.
Aweekearlier,againsttop teamSouthernDistricts whereanotherformer Tongalagreat,GedAtkins, becamealivinglegend hewasagainamongthe bestagainstShannon Motlop’sladderleaders. Hetookfourintercept
marksandhadfive rebound50sforthegame
Fitzyplayedalongsidea coupleoffamiliarnames forTongalafootballfans, withCamIllettandRyan NyhuisbothintheNightcliff team
WhilethisisCam’slast seasonoffootballinthe NTFL,hewillreturntoplay withTongalathisseason andisexpectedtobe availablefortheopening fourrounds Ryanwascaptainofthe Tigersthisyearbutwill undergoshouldersurgery inthewinter.
Fitzyplayed15gamesin the topgrade,includingawin intheopeningweekofthe finalsagainstanother formerTongalaplayer, JackMonigatti JackSinclairhadagreat starttohisNTFLcareer,but thingstookaturnforthe worsewhenheinjuredhis legandnowlookssetto missachunkofgamesfor theBluesasaresult Hewasaballmagnetright upuntilhislastgamein earlyJanuaryandwas bestongroundfor Wanderersinadrawwith
PalmerstonMagpies He finishedtheseasonwith sevengoalsfromhis11 games,appearinginthe bestplayersfivetimes Wanderersfinishedthe home-and-awayseason thirdfromthebottom,with fourwinsand11defeats Jackwasbestongroundin thatRound12draw, collecting23disposals(21 kicks),kickingtwogoals, andcontributingatboth ends Hehadfourinside50sand threerebound50s,while alsolayingseventackles andtaking10marks.
KylewillstayinDarwinto watchtheNightcliff women’steamplayinthe grandfinalbeforeheading homethefollowingweek Hesaiditwasfrustratingto falloutoffavourwiththe PremierLeagueteambut believeshisexperiencein Darwinwillmakehima betterplayerforTongala. Heiscertainlylooking forwardtoplayingwith CamIllettagainatTongala afterbeingpartofhis tributeseasonthisyear Acaptainfor2025hasnot yetbeennamedbynew coachSteveHammond, whoiscelebratingthe returnofformerbest-andfairestwinnerJimCallum Callumisexpectedtoplay inthemidfield,andthe
BlueswillalsohaveBrock McLeanbackattheclub. Tongala’straditional seasonopeneragainst EchucaUnitedison Saturday,April5,atthe EchucaSouthOval The followingweek,theteam facesBarooga. Itcouldbeastrongstart fortheBlues,asUnitedand Baroogafinishedatthe bottomlastyear InRound3,Tongalafaces Nathalia,followedby Rumbalara,anotherteam thatfinishedinthebottom threein2024.
TheBluesdon’tmeeta finalistuntilRound5when theytakeonMoamaand won’tfacetheleague’s reigningpremier, Congupna,untilRound12.
OurfirstdigitaleditionofTonny Timeshasgainedaninternational audienceafterwemadethe Februaryeditionavailableonline forfree forthefirsttime Whileprintedcopiesarestill available,thedigitaleditionhas receivedanencouragingresponse fromourcommunityandbeyond. Intotal,theTonnyTimeslinkwas clickednearly1000times,meaning thatmanypeopleatleasttooka sneakpeek
Thelinkwaswidelysharedbyour supportivecommunity,sporting organisations,andindividualson Facebook.
Amongthoseclickswere53from sevendifferentcountries: 28fromtheUnitedStates 13fromIreland 8fromNewZealand 3fromtheUK
1eachfromJapan,Mexico,and Fiji
Wealsodiscoveredreadersfrom fourotherAustralianstates:59in NewSouthWales,16inSouth Australia,12inQueensland,and8in WesternAustralia
Ifyouknowsomeoneoutside Australiawho’dlovetokeepupwith
what’shappeninginourtown, sharingthelinkisaneasywayto connectthem.Thedigitaleditionis free,simpletosend,andprintable forthosewhopreferatraditional read
Thankyoutothegroupswho contributedtoTonnyTimesandto everyonewhosharedthelink.
How’sthisforagoal-togoalline?DarylReidatfullback,MickLovisonat centrehalf-back,Laurie Caseyinthecentre,Des Campbellatcentrehalfforward,andChris Stuhldreierinthegoal square
Ifyouweren’taroundinthe eightiesandnineties,some ofthesenamesmightbe unfamiliar butthank goodnessforGoogle
Theyrepresentsomeofthe greatestfootballersfroma goldeneraofGoulburn Valleyfootball,ifnot countryVictorianfootball asawhole
Iknowit’sonlymakebelieve,butthat’sjusta glimpseofthecaliberof sportspeoplewho gatheredatKyabram ParklandGolfClubreently tocelebrateDes
Campbell’s75thbirthday Lovisonwasoneofthe toughestdefenderseverto playintheGoulburnValley League(andCampbell’s assistantcoachwhen Tongalabrokea22-year droughttowinthe1983GVL premiership) Reid captainedthose premiership-winning teams,whileCaseycould layclaimtocoiningthe term"ballmagnet."
Thenthere’sCampbell himself amatch-winning keyforwardinShepparton United’s1967premiership asa17-year-old and Stuhldreier,whobootedan extraordinary645goalsin fiveseasonswiththe KyabramBombers, includingtwoseasons underCampbellascoach Throwinacoupleofon-
ballerslikeman-mountain JohnCorteseandMorrison Medal-winningterrierPhil Harrison,andthatfantasy lineuplooksevenstronger Bothwerealsoatthe celebration,alongside championon-ballerRay Smithand300-gameGVL legendMickSouter,who wasunluckytobe displacedbyStuhldreier Icouldgoon,butthat’s probablyenough“fangirling.”
Thebirthdaygathering broughttogetherawho’s whoofGoulburnValley footballandcricket
spanning60yea tocelebratethe SheppartonYou (SYC)cricketerw excelledinsumm muchashedid Atjust17,Campbellmade 141notoutforSYC,batting atNo.5andsmashing17 boundariesandfivesixes inlessthantwohoursat thecrease oneofadozen centurieshemadeinthe competition. IntheGVL,hetwicefinished runner-upfortheMorrison Medal firsttoformer FootscrayandSouth MelbournedefenderJohn
sportingenvironment,soit wasfittingthatthe comedianchosenbyhis sons,BlakeandBrad,to entertainthecrowdalso hadasportingconnection TheSuburbanFootballer, TomSiegert AfterSiegerthadpokedfun atCampbell’sdislocated fingers,hisabilitytoavoid MelbourneFootballClub recruiters,andhistoe-to-
toeencounterwith Collingwood’sIncredible Hulk,ReneKink,itwasMick Lovison’sturntospeak. Lovisonrecalledhisfirsteverconversationwith Campbell,whichtook placewhileplayingforan opposingclub,andthe lastingimpressionitleft. Thefollowingyear,they bothendedupatTongala andwentontowintwoGVL premiershipstogether Campbellreflectedonthe privilegeofhaving assistantcoacheslike Lovison,CraigBlizzard,and ChrisStuhldreier,allof whomwerepresentatthe celebration Hespokeofhisprideinhis associationwith SheppartonUnited, Tongala,andKyabram, despitenotsecuringa premiershipatthelastof thethreeclubs Atestamenttohis popularityatKyabramwas thepresenceofabout10 membersoftheBombers’ 1992-93sidesattheevent. Campbell’sKyabram teamswon28consecutive home-and-awaygames butlostfouroftheirfive finalsovertwoyears HisownrecordinGVL
grandfinalswasflawless, winningallfourthathe playedin 1967,1974,1983, and1984.
Hefinishedhisplaying careerwith249GVLgames, 12representativematches, and50seniorgamesfor Melbourne,includinga reservespremiershipmedal in1970.
Healsofacedarampaging JeffThomsoninaVictoria Countryvs Queensland SheffieldShieldmatchat DeakinReserveintheearly 1980s,wherehemade74 runs.
Campbell’snephews, DarrenandShaneMarlow, providedacousticmusic throughouttheevening, withcelebrationsstretching frommid-afternoonwell intothenight. Severalguestsstillmaintain regularcontactwith Campbell,aspartofa monthlylunchgroupin Kyabram
Whatstartedasasmall gatheringoffivemateshas nowgrowntomorethan20 members,includingDave Williams,PeterWhite, JohnnyRyan,PeterRaglus, LaurieCasey,andGus Underwood,amongothers Happy75th,"Panther"!
Haydn Aldous turned 80 earlier this year and many long time residents will remember he and his siblings
If you have a special birthday coming up we would love to celebrate it in the pages of Tonny Times.
Ifyou’resomeonewhokeepsa birthdaybookfilledwithnames anddates,thenyou’rejustthe personwewanttohearfrom! AsanewadditiontotheTonny Times,we’reexcitedtointroducea monthlybirthdaycolumnto recognizethespecialdaysof peopleinourcommunity.
Tobeinvolved,simplysendin birthdaydetails includingnames anddates(andevenagesifyou’d like) sowecanacknowledge thesemilestones Ourgoalisto launchinMarch,celebrating everyonewithabirthdayinthe thirdmonthoftheyear. LookingbacktoJanuary,there
wereacoupleofsignificant milestones,withHaydnAldous celebratinghis80thbirthdayon January1andDesCampbell markinghis75thbirthday(asyou’ll readinthisissue)
Ifyouhaveanybirthdaydetailsto share,pleasesendthemto tongalatimes@tongala.vic.au
Tongala’scricketingfuture shinesonthebackofa strong2024-25season, markedbyoutstanding individualandteam performances.
Today’send-of-season reviewcelebratesthese achievementsand recognisesthefantastic effortsofourseniorand juniorcricketersacrossA,B, andDgradeteams,along withourUnder11,13,and15 squads.
AGradeSeasoninReview
CaptainAlexWilliamsset thetoneearly,recordingtop scoresof33and37inthe openingrounds Healso claimedeightwicketsinthe firstfourgames,withstrong supportfromHudsonKellett, LachyCaldwell,andJessie Johnstone
MattandDarinOhlsen showedflashesofbrilliance earlyintheseason, highlightedbyMatt’s unbeaten35(off28balls)in roundfive,wherehe partneredwithAdamNunn Adampostedthehighest scoreoftheopeninground, fallingjustoneshortofa half-centuryagainst EchucaSouth.
Roundsixwastheclosest theteamcametoanearly victory Afterwinningthe tossandrestricting Leitchville-Gunbowerto159, AlexandLachytooktwo wicketseach,settingupa thrillingfinish KeeganMiller,Jayden Tucker,andAdamNunn (topscoreof32)shonein thenarrowfour-runloss, withSteveTownsend’slate 17off12ballsalmost
steeringtheteamhome. Afterroundsevenwas abandonedandabyein roundeight,theteam'sfirst wincameinroundnine a seasonhighlight defeatingsecond-ranked Echuca.Adamstarredwith 4-31,whileAlextookthree wicketsasEchucawas restrictedto126 WicketkeeperMackenzie Cowleyalsoplayedakey role,takingfourcatches Intherunchase,Alex deliveredaseason-best battingperformance, finishing74notoutand carryinghisbatthrough313 overs His11boundaries, supportedbySteveand Matt,securedthevictory. Themomentumcontinued withback-to-backwins,as theteampostedaseasonhigh222againstNondies Keegan’s65,Adam’s40plus,Mackenzie’scareerbest41(off44balls),and anotherunbeatenknock fromMattsetthe foundation Defending5222,Mattledthebowling attackwiththreewickets, whileLachyandHugo MonnichVocontributed withtwoeach Hugo producinghisbestAgrade figuresof2-20 Lossesinrounds11and12to Bamawm-Lockington UnitedandRochestersaw strongcontributionsfrom Alex(sixwickets),Steve,the Ohlsens,andAdam(five wickets) Athirdwincamecourtesy ofaseason-bestbowling performancefromAdam, whotook5-23from11overs, supportedbyDarinOhlsen (3-7fromnineovers).
highestindividualscoreof theseason,grindingout87 from180deliveries, supportedbyMackenzie andMitchCornwall Jayden andMitchsharedan82-run ninth-wicketpartnership Mitchaddingapatientsix. Theseasonwrappedup withAlextakinganotherfour wickets,withDarinand Lachyclaimingtwoapiece Darintop-scoredwith43in thefinalroundloss BandDGradeHighlights Athrillingsemi-finallossto Leitchville-Gunbowerwas oneofBgrade’sstandout moments AfterLeitchville-Gunbower set165from40overs,Sid Janiledthebowlingwith threewickets,whileMitch Cornwalltooktwo.
At5-70,thingslookedgrim, butBraithNorthausenonce againdelivered.He smashed57from71balls, includingsevenboundaries, ina57-runpartnershipwith CallumTucker(27) When Callumfell,24runswerestill needed.
Under15talentsHugo MonnichVoandRiver Townsendaddednineruns offthenexteightballs, leaving15requiredfromthe finalover. Fourrunscamefromthe firstfourballs,followedbya five-runno-balloffthe second-lastdelivery leavingsixtowinoffthefinal ball Rivermanagedthree,and theteamfinished agonizinglyshortat9-163.
Throughouttheseason,B gradepostedseveral highlights,includinga mammoth5-273(from40 overs)inroundthreeand7205againstMoamain roundnine.
Bowlingperformancesalso stoodout,withMoama dismissedforjust56and Girgarreskittledfor73 CallumTucker’s4-12and ZacMcKenzie’s3-8were amongthekeyefforts.
Withthebat,Travis Johnstone’sexplosive110 (from89balls,including19 boundaries)wasaseason highlight,whileSteve Townsendcontributed71 BraithNorthausenadded anotherhalf-century, sharinga134-runstandwith Travis DGradeSeasoninReview Aroundthreetotalof227 (from36overs)wasa season-bestforDgrade. SethChantlerthenledthe bowlingcharge,taking4-23 fromsixovers,withBaylee LetiziaandTimSimpson offeringstrongsupport CaptainAndrewReidsetthe
tonewithablistering56off just35balls(seven boundaries,threesixes)
AnthonyNewman(51off40, 10boundaries,onesix)and GlennChantler(49off38, sevenboundaries,two sixes)alsoexcelled.
Inround12,theteamposted 5-193againstFireBrigade beforedismissingthemfor just86in214overs Glenn’s53(eight boundaries,onesix)and Andrew’sunbeaten50 (identicalboundarycount) werestandoutefforts,while JordanReidfinished28not out
Seththenbetteredhis earlierefforts,claiming5-23 fromsixovers.
Anotherseasonhighlight cameinthewinagainst Echuca,whereTimSimpson smashed59notoutfrom63 balls(11boundaries) Late supportfromTerryKay helpedsealthewin. Terryalsoimpressedwith theball,alongsideGlenn andLukeBuchanan, cappingoffanimpressive seasonacrossthegrades
Herearesomeofthe highlightsfromaseasonin whichTongalafielded teamsintheGoulburn MurrayCricketMaster Blastersprogramand contestedtheUnder11,13, and15competitions. Under11
AnarrowlosstoRochester inroundonewasfollowed bybraveperformances againststrongMoama teamsoverthenextthree weeks.
Thefirstwinoftheseason cameinroundfivewhen theteamdefeatedEchuca White,followedbyanother victoryagainstBamawmLockingtonUnited. Theseasonconcludedwith determinedeffortsagainst StanhopeandRochester Intheroundfivewin,Jed Brennan’sunbeaten10was astandout,complemented byasolidbattingdisplay fromNateChantler.
TexTownsend,JettTucker, andJedalltooktwo wicketstohelpsecurethe victory
Aweeklater,Natewasin fineform,smashingfour boundariesfromjust10 ballsonhiswayto17runs. TaitOhlsenremained unbeatenonnine,while BenBrennanimpressedat thetopoftheorder
Theteam’sbowlingeffort wasjustasstrong,with Natetakingthreewickets, Taitclaimingtwo,and SpencerWilliamsadding onetosealanotherwin Under13
TheUnder13teamenjoyed astrongseason,winning fivegamesandfinishing thirdontheladder.
LucasandKanePykewere standouts,excellingwith thebat,ball,and wicketkeepinggloves Theywerewellsupported byKevinMaurizi,who frequentlyfinishedhis inningswith"retired"beside hisname andoftenwith morerunsthanballsfaced NoahVirivirilauhada fantasticseasonwiththe bat,regularlyfindingthe boundary,whileLuca Hastieshowedgreat improvementthroughout theyear
Hewasakeysupport playeralongsideCyril Cleveland,OliverCroft,and PhoenixGreenman. Under15
Back-to-backwinsagainst Leitchville-Gunbowerand NondiesCohunainrounds fourandfivewere highlightsoftheUnder15 season.
AgainstNondies,theteam posted9-201from39.1 overs,ledbyatopscoreof 43fromJordanReid,which includedfiveboundaries andtwosixes
BryceKaycontributedan unbeaten34,whileallroundstarHugoMonnich Voadded38andTyler Robinsonchippedinwith 27
Aweekearlier,Hugoand BayleeLetiziatooktwo wicketseach,whileJett KreymborgandCouper Williamsclaimedone apiecetorestrictthe oppositiontojust59runs HugoandTylerthen combinedtoguidethe teamtovictory,capping offastrongrunof performances.
TongalaFootballNetball Clubrecentlyhostedits inauguralAmazingRace event,withover70players participating.Theevent wasaresoundingsuccess, withparticipants enthusiasticallytakingon variouschallengeswhile demonstratingteamwork, encouragement,and determination.
CongratulationstotheRed Teamforsecuringthewin! Theoverwhelmingpositive responsehassetthestage forthistobecomean
annualtradition,andthe clublooksforwardtomore family-friendlyevents throughouttheseason Aspecialthankyougoesto AliciaWhiteandJac Elboroughfortheir exceptionaleffortsin organisingtheevent Appreciationisalso extendedtothevolunteers whocontributedtheirtime andefforttoensurethe smoothrunningofthe race Theirsupportwas invaluableinmakingthe dayasuccess
Tongala’sTinningfamilyhas onceagaintriumphedin theirowntournament,The TinningTriples,securing theirsecondtitleinthe event’sfive-yearhistory Geoff,Peter,andBernie combinedtotakevictory, finishingasoneofthree unbeatenteams. Itwasthefirsttimethis particulartriohadhoisted thetrophy,competinginthe tournamentalongside severalotherfamily members.
Atotalof32teams participatedintheevent, withnon-playingTinning familymembersIvan, Chooka,andElaine watchingfromthesidelines. Twoyearsago,BradTinning,
bowlingalongsideJaryd andBarryTinning,wonthe event Thisyear,Bradagain teamedupwithBarry,but theywerejoinedbyJohn Reidell.
Afterthreerounds,they wereontrackforanother victorybutsufferedalossin theirfinalgametoa Tallygaroopnaside
Thetournamentfolloweda scoringsystemwhere10 pointswereawardedfora matchwin,withan additionalpointgivenfor eachendwon
EventualwinnersPeter, Geoff,andBernieopened witha19-pointperformance againstRochester’sFrancis Keechbeforecollecting18 pointsagainstboth Kyabram’sPaulMcInnes andPicola’sBillyPayne TheTinningtriowrappedup theircampaignwithathird consecutive18-pointmatch againstJoanDovaston,
finishingwithascoreof73up fourpointsaheadof Tatura’sMarkBentley Theonlyotherunbeaten teamacrossallfour10-end gameswastheEchuca four,ledbyNormHodge. Stanhope’sGreg Fitzpatrick,bowlingwith PeterMyers,securedthree wins,asdidDickFours winnerSteveCunnington andRochester’sRoss Turner.
Tongala’sKelvinWalsh startedstrongwith18-and 20-pointwinsbutlosthis thirdmatchbefore bouncingbackwith17 pointsinthefinalround SteveHammondalso
finishedthedaywiththree victories Peter,Geoff,Bernie,Brad, Neil,Steptoe,andBarryall playedinthetournament, thoughDavidwasalate withdrawalafterbadly cuttinghisfingerthenight beforetheevent.
Theclubhasscheduleda MixedTriplesTournament forSaturday,March22, followedbytheOpenFours EventonSunday,April13. Inotherclubresults,Tanya Kessonclaimedvictoryin theNoviceSinglesevent, defeatingJennyReidinthe final.
Tongala’sBrennanfamilyis widelyrespectedforits sportingachievements,and thismonth,Damian Brennanbecamethelatest lifememberoftheTongala TennisClub onlythe15th inits86-yearhistory “Dangars,”asheisknown,is thebrotherofnetballstar Aliciaandaccomplished sportsmenLiam,Julian,and Kieran.Thefamilyisaswell knownforitscontributions tocommunityvolunteering anddairyfarmingasitisfor itssportingsuccess
Damian,theclub’scurrent president,washonoredin frontofhiswife,Sharyn,and alargegatheringof membersandjuniorplayers inthenewlyrenovated clubrooms Hisnamenow joinsotheresteemed Tongalafamilies,including Hastie,Gemmill,Tennant, andHumphreys.
Withcouncilsupport, Damianandthecommittee haveoverseena$250,000 upgradetotheclubrooms, includinganewroof,a verandah,andafreshcoat ofpaint ensuringthe facility’slongevity However, noneofhisorhissiblings’ childrencurrentlyplay tennis,makinghimtheonly Brennanstillactiveinthe sport.
Inacceptingtheaward,he expressedprideintheclub’s currentstrengthbut stressedtheneedtorebuild juniorranks
“WhenIwasajunior,wehad 10teams probably50-odd kids.Now,thereareonlytwo teams,”hesaid
Theclubhopesitsthriving HotShotsprogramwillhelp boostnumbers
Tongala’sjuniorscompete intheCampaspe competition,whileseniors playintheSheppartonbasedGoulburnMurray league Withtwoweeksleft
intheseason,Damian’s teamwon’tmakefinals,but aftermissingonlyacouple ofseasonsduetoinjury,he remainsaconstant
presenceattheclub Youcanbesurehe’llbe thereforthefirstpreseasonhit-uponcethe footballseasonwrapsup.
