This long weekend’s Brighter Days Festival in Bright isn’t just bringing in a tonne of musical talent, such as Thirsty Merc, Joe Camilleri & The Black Sorrows and Eurogliders. Hundreds of motorcyclists are also expected to roll in for the car and bike show ‘n shine.
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ALPINE Shire Council will formally object to Mint Renewable’s planning proposal for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Dederang.
In front of a vocal crowd at last week’s monthly council meeting in Mt Beauty, a majority of councillors voted in support of formally submitting a letter of objection against the granting of a permit for the proposal to Victorian Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny, who is responsible for making the nal decision. Council o cers had recommended to councillors that they support the proposal on planning grounds, however Cr Dave Byrne moved an alternative motion, seconded by Cr Jean-Pierre Ronco and supported by councillors Noah Tanzen, Gareth Graham and Peter Smith, that council object to the proposal.
All ve councillors noted concerns
within the community about the proposal, with Cr Graham o ering that “it’s a good idea but in the wrong place...no deal”.
Council cited insu cient information, impact on signi cant landscape, loss of agricultural land, bush re risk, impact on waterways, impact on community and environment and economic bene ts.
Mayor Cr Sarah Nicholas, and Cr John Andersen voted against the motion.
Mayor Nicholas told those at the meeting that there were people who supported the proposal and she believed the “genuine concerns have in the most part being managed by the risk management plan that Mint Renewables have submitted as part of its application”.
Mint Renewables’ BESS Dederang ap-
plication before Minister Kilkenny seeks approval for the use and development of a utility installation with an indicative installed capacity of 400MWh on private land located approximately two kilometres northwest of Dederang township.
An area of approximately 9.5 hectares will be utilised, comprising four hectares for BESS and an onsite substation, and 5.5 hectares for access tracks, underground cabling and temporary construction areas.
In a statement issued by council last Friday, Mayor Nicholas said council carefully considered feedback from the community before making its decision.
“We understand the concerns raised by residents, particularly around the location, re risk and the potential impact on the surrounding area,” she said.
“Council is committed to supporting renewable energy and recognises the
vital role BESS plays in ensuring reliable energy storage, however in this instance, council did not feel this particular site was the right t.
“The potential risks and e ects on the local community were key factors in council’s decision.”
Mayor Nicholas con rmed council will be making a submission to Minister Kilkenny “to ensure that the concerns raised by residents, particularly regarding re risk and emergency management, are clearly represented”.
“It’s important that the voices of our community are heard and that safety remains a priority in any future decision-making,” she said.
“The next step is for the minister to review the application and consider submissions from all stakeholders, including council and the local community.”
INDI Independent fed-
eral MP Helen Haines has launched her policy for an ‘Electrify Everything Loan Scheme’ that would help homeowners lower the cost of running their home through home batteries, energy-e cient appliances and solar storage solutions.
She has also committed to help small business reduce their energy and tax bills through a proposed $30,000 energy incentive for small business and primary producers.
The loan scheme for households would reduce the upfront nancial burden on consumers through interestfree loans for home electri -
cation upgrades she said will drive down power bills.
“Energy bills are one of the biggest costs for both households and businesses – my plans would allow both households and small businesses to make the upfront investments they need to be more energy-e cient and save money,” Dr Haines said.
“One in three Australian households have already made the switch to roo op solar, which is helping cut their power bills and emissions.
“But they could save even more if they had easier access to home batteries and e cient electric appliances, allowing them to store the
excess energy they produce during the day to use at night, when prices are at their peak.”
While many Australians are eager to embrace electri cation, the high upfront cost of technologies like home batteries, Dr Haines said heat pumps and induction cooktops are preventing people from transitioning to energy e cient appliances and keeping many household energy bills higher for longer.
She said her loan scheme would help bridge the a ordability gap for key technologies while the market catches up.
“Items like home batteries
are too expensive for many Australians right now, but those who have invested in this technology have dramatically reduced their power bills,” Dr Haines said.
“I want a program that will support people to access to invest in electri cation technology while the market is catching up.”
Dr Haines’ policy proposes interest-free loans that would enable consumers to bundle multiple products into one loan for a simpler electri cation journey.
Common bundles may include a battery, induction cook top, heat pump and split-system air conditioning.
She is also proposing a Small Business and Primary Producer Energy Incentive that would enable all businesses to bene t from a $30,000 tax deduction for investment in assets or technology that improve energy e ciency.
Dr Haines said her policy would help small and medium enterprises invest in electri cation of their business or improvements to boost their energy e ciency.
It would be open to businesses with turnover up to $50 million, and to all primary producers, acknowledging the importance of supporting farmers to make investments.
“Whether upgrading refrigeration, transport, or energy storage, my policy will support businesses to lower their energy costs and increase their productivity,” she said.
Dr Haines said the incentive would also enable farmers to claim a bonus deduction for on-farm e ciency technologies relating to soil health, carbon sequestration and alternative fuels.
“Successful electri cation can put money back in people’s pockets and make everyday life more a ordable, while also supporting Australia’s transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future,” she said.
By PHOEBE MORGAN
A LOCAL paragliding instructor from Wandiligong, James Brewer, has been announced as the this year’s Australian Paragliding Champion after the recent national series held in Corryong and Bright in recent weeks.
The national championships are formed with scores tallied across both Corryong and Bright Opens.
“It was very special to come away with the national championship,” James said.
“I didn’t get in as much training, so I didn’t feel quite as prepared for this season, but I think that helped in a way: I was hungry for it and I didn’t feel burnt out.
“I won the national series, but in the Bright Open week, I finished third in that specific competition.”
News of the award was less exciting, as the final day of racing was cancelled due to the weather conditions.
James’ win broke the previous six-year winning
streak of Gareth Carter from New South Wales.
“Gareth has dominated since 2012 with 12 wins,” he said.
AMBULANCE Victoria’s (AV) state-of-the-art oversnow vehicles have received well-deserved recognition at this year’s 35th annual WorkSafe Awards.
The Can-Am Defender allterrain vehicle was one of three nalists in the Workplace Health and Safety Solution of the Year category. Speci cally designed for snow conditions, the vehicles are purpose-built to handle Victoria’s mountainous conditions by providing smoother and quicker transport for patients and paramedics in an emergency.
New Can-Am Defenders were stationed at Mount Buller, Mount Hotham and
“He finished equal second in this year’s national series and he is a very tough competitor and I have a lot of respect for his flying skill.
“I have looked up to him for many years and it was amazing to finally compete at his level.”
tandem flights at Bright Flight
James is a paragliding instructor and takes people on tandem flights at Bright Flight Paragliding school and during the winter he works as an engineer.
“Most years I get over to Europe and do a bunch of competitions over there to train and race,” James said.
“This win has now qualified me to enter the world championships in Brazil in September this year: I’m currently looking for sponsors.
“My advice for up and coming pilots; mentors and coaches are the secret to progressing.
“There is so much knowledge in the community that’s not in the books.”
Falls Creek last winter.
AV Hume area manager Rob Heaslip said a lot of planning went into the specialist response vehicles.
“The Can-Am Defender is a multi-factorial solution to many risks with alpine ambulance responses,” he said.
“These improvements ranged from paramedic and patient comfort and safety, enhanced functional operation in adverse environments and better patient clinical outcomes.
“A er years of rigorous testing, we’ve modi ed the design to make the vehicles lighter and easier to operate in Victoria’s unique alpine conditions.
“The entire project was a massive undertaking, and the result is testament to the collaboration between our operational Alpine sta , AV’s health and safety teams, our eet and equipment colleagues and vehicle engineers at Mader International.”
While originally created for the Victorian mountains, Mr Heaslip said the Can-Am is a multipurpose vehicle.
“The Can-Am signi cantly and positively impacts our response to Alpine communities, but is also adaptable to other terrain and environments, making it an extremely valuable tool,” he said.
“The vehicle carries all the
response equipment that is required on a general ambulance, while also substituting some larger items with more compact and lightweight solutions, when required.
“The Can-Am can be quickly retro- tted with wheels to replace the multi-terrain tracks and has already been trialled in di cult to access settings, such as the 2024 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix.
“Ultimately, these vehicles enable a higher level of clinical care, which translates to improved clinical outcomes.
“We are proud to have these innovative vehicles recognised as a nalist at the WorkSafe awards.”
By PHOEBE MORGAN
ALPINE Shire Council has proposed $60,000 be allocated in the dra 2025/26 annual council budget to support the annual Bright Rod Run.
The amount was part of a wider discussions at last week’s monthly council meeting around debrief results of last November’s Bright Rod Run, in order to prepare for this year’s event.
Councillors Gareth Graham and Deputy Mayor Peter Smith raised questions surrounding the proposed $60,000 allocated in the dra 2025/26 budget,
which was assigned to support tra c management, risk mitigation, facility and waste management costs in the Bright CBD.
Alpine Shire Mayor, Councillor Sarah Nicholas also had questions, including what would happen if council didn’t assist in the arrangement of the annual rod run event, organised by the Bright Rod and Kustom Club Inc.?
Council’s director of corporate and community, Nathalie Cooke said it “is a di cult position”.
“The reality is that 12,500 people descending into the surrounding area (in Bright) is quite significant for our
shire,” Ms Cooke said.
“It is considered the risk of council not managing the townships and having an unmanaged event is not a risk people like to take.
“The $60,000 goes towards trafc management, yes, but it also goes towards increased publicplaced bin pick-ups, keeping the toilets clean and having the local law sta being paid over the weekend and potentially other council sta as well.
“We would have to really consider how we would manage that from a council perspective, if we were to make that decision [not to arrange these elements].”
Council noted the outcomes of the Bright Rod Run 2024 postevent debrief and the meeting saw council o cers plan to adjust the management of the informal aspects of the 2025 event designated in the Bright CDB, as well as to improve tra c management, reduce risk and support emergency services access.
Councillors also approved the implementation of alcohol restrictions in Bright town centre and Pioneer Park from 10pm Thursday, 6 November 2025 to 7am Monday, 10 November 2025 under Clause 2.2.1 of the Alpine Shire Community Local Law 2019.
By STEVE KELLY
THE vehicle of a Wollert man crashed into a power pole at Eurobin on Saturday night a er he was trying to avoid a kangaroo on the road.
Emergency responders attended the scene that occurred on the Great Alpine Road at 11.44pm.
Acting Sergeant Matt Jones said the driver was taken to hospital with shock and he had sustained minor injuries.
There was also a power outage in the area as a result of the crash.
“It’s important for motorists to drive to conditions they are in due to the high number of native animals that are in certain areas,” Act Sgt Jones said.
By STEVE KELLY
A 25-year-old Wangaratta man’s Ford Falcon has been impounded a er he was allegedly recorded travelling on the Snow Road 70km/h over the speed limit. The alleged incident occurred at Markwood last Friday just a er 4pm. State Highway Patrol detected the motorist travelling at 170km/h in a 100km/h speed zone. His car was impounded for a period of 30 days at a cost of $1850.
The driver will be summonsed to the Wangaratta Magistrates’ Court at a later date where he faces a loss of licence for a minimum of 12 months.
A police spokesperson said road trauma is everyone’s responsibility and with speed being a major contribution, it will not be tolerated.
State Highway Patrol will be visible across Victoria’s rural roads as part of Operation Fahrenheit.
By PHOEBE MORGAN
MYRTLEFORD Landcare hosted a very successful Clean Up Australia Day event in Myrtleford on Sunday.
It was well attended, with members of the public joining Landcare members and an enthusiastic group of Joeys and Cub Scouts from the 1st Myrtleford Scout Group.
“We collected litter from along Happy Valley Creek between
Standish Street and Lewis Avenue including Jubilee Park,” president of Myrtleford and District Landcare and Sustainability Group Inc., Paul Reser said.
“In addition to the usual plastic and paper, recyclable cans and bottles were collected, along with an old tyre, scrap metal and even a bicycle frame.
“The Alpine Shire supported the event, taking charge of the trash collected.
“The morning ended with a
barbeque to thank all those who participated.”
Working bees were also completed at Mount Beauty and Bright on the weekend.
A council spokesperson said the dedicated volunteers at the two key locations rolled up their sleeves to make a huge di erence.
“In Mount Beauty, two passionate locals focused their e orts on the area around the pondage and along the Kiewa River Trail, help-
ing to keep these much-loved spaces clean,” the spokesperson said.
“Meanwhile, in Bright, a team of nine volunteers tackled Howitt Park and the banks of the Ovens River, collecting litter and preserving the natural beauty of the area.
“Every e ort counts and we appreciate the commitment of our community members who stepped up to protect our local environment.”
THE Titanium Caravans National Owners’ Rally arrives in Bright next week, to the delight of Aussie adventurers.
The rally attracts over 200 passionate attendees, ranging from
couples and families, who all converge to celebrate their love of o -road adventure and the caravan lifestyle.
The event is a showcase of the caravan community, local tour-
ism and the freedom of exploring Australia’s great outdoors.
The rally aims to highlight the growing trend of caravanning across the nation, by bringing the exciting spectacle to regional
towns like Bright and share the incredible stories of those who live life on the road.
The rally will be held next week, starting on Thursday, 13 March and running until Sunday, 16 March.
By FAY MASON, Kiewa Valley Correspondent
Fay,
ALAN and Jeanette Webster told a lovely story of how they rebuilt a canoe that had been built by local Laurie Russell 60 years ago.
Laurie decided to build the canoe for his children after reading a book published in 1962 called ‘Teal Canoe.’
Taking three months to build, the family had the canoe for 30 years, then sold it to a family that had it refurbished, before it was finally sold to ia Dederang antique store.
This is where Alan and Jeanette saw the canoe, buying it and again rebuilding it, saying it was an easy job because the quality of the work that Laurie had put in all those years ago.
Alan and Jeanette took the canoe to show Laurie, now 95 years young.
He laughed when he saw it was the original colour and was delighted that it was still around.
“The story has come full circle and we are happy to be part of some Mount Beauty history “ Alan said.
Neighbourhood Centre with a morning tea starting at 10am.
INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day will be celebrated this Friday, 7 March at the Mount Beauty
The theme this year is “Accelerating the Gender Gap”. There will be guest speakers and the usual delicious morning tea, Book now at the Neighbourhood Centre.
ALPINE FM Brunch program today will feature the “Ask the Doctor” segment with Dr Laura Zagorski at 10.10am, followed by our Talking Heads with this week’s guest being Alpine Shire Mayor Sarah Nicholas.
Lots of variety on Alpine FM 96.5
THE Alpine Colour Fun Run is set to bring a splash of colour and excitement to Wandiligong next month, with Alpine Park and Wandi Bike Path to provide the perfect alternative venue a er logistical challenges meant Mount Beauty could no longer host the run as planned.
Alpine Shire Council, which is organising the event, said participants will enjoy a vibrant, all-abilities accessible run or walk along the Wandi Bike Path, with the option to complete multiple laps.
A er the run, Al’s Skate Co will keep the energy high with an inclusive skate session at Bright Skate Park from 11:30am.
A council spokesperson said the Kiewa Valley was the rst choice for 2025, as it was last held there in 2021, but a er exploring all options, parking and shared space requirements made it unfeasible to hold the event at the Mt Beauty Pondage this year.
“Other locations in Mount Beauty were considered, but none provided the accessibility, space and safety needed for the event,” the spokesperson said.
“With those constraints in mind, Wandiligong became
the next best option.
“While the event is now in Wandiligong this year, we still want to see our Kiewa Valley community members and everyone across Alpine Shire, there on the day.
“We plan to bring the event back to Mount Beauty in 2026 and will continue
working to nd the best way to make it happen.”
Wandiligong’s Alpine Park o ers plenty of open space, a safe, accessible route along the Wandi Bike Path, and a great event atmosphere.
Wandiligong also holds a special place in the event’s history, as the site of the
very rst Alpine Colour Fun Run in 2018.
The Alpine Colour Fun Run is for everyone, regardless of where they live throughout the Alpine Shire.
This project is jointly funded by the Victorian Government and Commonwealth Government under
the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
The event will take place on Saturday, 5 April at Alpine Park, White Star Road. Register for the event here: https://engage.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/community-hubs/recovery-hub/ colour-fun-run-2025.
MAJOR events over this long weekend will see a number traffic management changes at Falls Creek/Mt Beauty and Bright. The Peaks Challenge Falls Creek cycling event on Sunday will bring 2000 riders through the region, prompting these changes:
• Bogong High Plains Road (Falls Creek to Mount Beauty) will be closed from 5:30am to 9am; • Tawonga Gap Road (Tawonga to Germantown) will be closed from 6:30am to 10:30am; • Great Alpine Road (Harrietville to Hotham Heights) will be closed from 8am to 1:30pm; and • Bogong High Plains Road (Turnoff to Falls Creek) will be closed from 12pm to 8:30pm. These changes have been coordinated with Alpine Shire Council, VicRoads, and Victoria Police. Meanwhile, the Brighter Days Festival at Bright’s Pioneer Park this Friday to Sunday will also see changed traffic conditions. On, Friday, from 3pm – 11pm, Coronation Ave (between Mystic Lane & Hawthorn Lane) will be closed (detour via Churchill Avenue), as will Cobden St at Hawthorn Lane and Pioneer Lane (access via Cobden St). On Saturday and Sunday, from 8am to 11pm, Coronation Ave (between Mystic Lane & Hawthorn Lane) will be closed (detour via Churchill Avenue); Cobden St at Hawthorn Lane is closed; and Pioneer Lane is closed (access via Cobden St). Only local traffic and authorised vehicles will be permitted in closed roads.
Where do you live?
I live in Melbourne.
How often do you get to the area?
My partner and I are here every ski season, for about eight weeks, then in summer for about two weeks.
What do you do for a living?
I’m a semi-retired, part-time defence force officer.
What are your hobbies and interests?
Being active; either skiing, cycling outdoors or working out at the gym. When we’re here, I often go to the sports centre here in town, or walk along the Ovens River. In the past we’ve hired bikes from all three stores in Bright and gone on day trips to Myrtleford or Harrietville. The Rail Trail is outstanding. What do you think makes the area unique?
The Ovens River runs right through town and everything we need is close by.
When you travel to Mount Hotham or Falls Creek, the scenery changes as it becomes the entranceway to the ski fields.
It’s a very special, peaceful and therapeutic place. You have a sense of freedom here and it helps with relaxation and mindfulness. Wherever we go, there are outstanding facilities and staff: the BIG4 in Mountbatten Avenue, the upgraded sports centre, Sir Loins and Clean Bowled, I can go on. What would you change about the area?
The Telstra towers need to be doubled, especially during the peak seasons, since it seems Telstra can’t handle the increased demand from the traffic.
How long have you lived in the area?
I bought a house up here in 2012, I was working in the corporate world in Melbourne, I could work 10 days then have four days off, so I was coming up here for those four days. I moved here permanently in 2019. I am originally from the United States?
What do you like about living here?
The natural environment and the friendly community .
Would you like to see any additions or changes?
No it’s perfect as it is.
What do you do , your interests and hobbies?
After more than 30 years working in the corporate
world I am now into primary production, I have been working in a local vineyard, learning a lot about grapes and wine.
I love to travel and explore, I often just take off on the road camping in rest stops along the highway. I am about to go north to Alice Springs and Kakadu. I’m a keen photographer and enjoy capturing shots of Australia’s unique wildlife life. I am a member of TREK (towards renewable energy Kiewa) and I volunteer for worthy causes. Where would you take visitors to showcase the area?
Up to Mt Bogong, to the beautiful swimming holes, Big Rock and Red Bank Road.
Where do you live?
We are from Devon in England.
How often do you get to the area?
We visit Australia every four or five years to visit our son in Melbourne and stay about four months. We hire a camper and go on exploratory trips around the country; we’ve visited Adelaide and Perth and so on. This is our first visit to this area outside the snow season. We’ve been staying at Bright the last three days; it’s very nice.
What do you do for a living?
R: We’re retired: we’re now grey nomads. I used to work in the construction industry.
P: I was a therapist, specialising in raiki, reflexology and so on.
What are your hobbies and interests?
P: We like cycling and walking.
R: I like fishing. We have a
motorhome in England: we spend a lot of time touring the UK and Europe.
What do you think makes the area so unique?
R: The landscape is different from other places in the state; definitely more mountainous like the Alps. We spend a lot of time in France and Switzerland and the surrounding mountains are similar, but not quite so high, of course. What would you change about the area?
P: Everybody’s area is unique to itself. People settle in the area they prefer; if they want to be more modern, they go to the city, if they want a calmer time of it, they settle in the country.
R: Each little town or hamlet is different; we accept it all and wouldn’t change anything. Enjoy the region you’re in: that’s why you go there.
The mosaic design will take the form of a permanent patchwork in the Piazza, with squares dedicated to volunteer groups and organisations from Myrtleford and Surrounds
Groups are asked to create a simple design that they feel represents their group and what it does. The mosaic will be launched during Volunteer Week celebrations in May.
Please submit your tile design for the Crackpots mosaic tribute to volunteer groups now. The end of March is almost here
https://engage.alpineshire.vic.gov.au/community-hubs/recovery-hub/mosaics-myrtleford-volunteers
By STEVE KELLY
INDI Independent federal MP
Helen Haines has recently joined independent parliamentarians with the introduction of a Bill aimed at enhancing the protection of whistleblowers.
The Whistleblower Protection Authority Bill 2025 was tabled in the House of Representatives and also in the Senate.
The Bill establishes the Whistleblower Protection Authority: a new, independent statutory authority responsible for providing information, advice, assistance, guidance and support to whistleblowers and potential whistleblowers.
The Bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by
Andrew Wilkie (MHR, Clark), seconded by Dr Haines, and in the Senate on Tuesday by Senator David Pocock and Senator Jacqui Lambie.
Dr Haines said whistleblowers have played a huge role in Australia exposing serious wrongdoing by politicians, government agencies and corporations.
“So when they speak out about wrongdoing, we need to have their back,” she said.
“A Whistleblower Protection Authority remains the missing piece in Australia’s integrity landscape.”
Mr Wilkie said whistleblowers make Australia a better place.
“They should not be punished for telling the truth,
or for exposing misconduct or wrongdoing.
“But the government is failing to provide adequate support and protections, and instead is xated on punishing anyone who speaks out and deterring those who might.
“A Whistleblower Protection Authority will go some way to helping whistleblowers and potential whistleblowers navigate the legal landscape when revealing evidence of misconduct, as well as ensuring they are supported when making disclosures of wrongdoing.”
Mr Wilkie is himself a whistleblower, having resigned from what is now called the O ce of National Intelligence in 2003 over the fraudulent reasons for the invasion of Iraq.
AS part of its commitment to continuous improvement and quality healthcare delivery, Alpine Health is announcing important updates to its perioperative services following a comprehensive review of its surgical o erings across hospital campuses in Myrtleford, Bright and Mt Beauty in 2024.
Interim CEO of Alpine Health, Rhys Gloury said this strategic decision aims to ensure that the best possible
surgical care is provided to residents of the Alpine Shire.
E ective immediately, Mount Beauty will become the primary campus for delivering surgical care.
Mr Gloury said this shi will allow Alpine Health to focus its resources on enhancing clinical governance and improving perioperative services, ensuring patients receive the highest quality of care.
At the same time, the Bright and Myrtleford campuses will
be better equipped to focus on serving the urgent care needs of the community which can see high demand particularly during peak holiday and winter periods.
“The perioperative team at Alpine Health plays a crucial role in delivering pre- and post-operative care for patients who do not require an overnight stay in hospital,” Mr Gloury said.
“Some of the procedures we o er include endosco-
pies, such as colonoscopy and gastroscopy; local anaesthetic procedures, for example, removal of skin lesions and varicose veins and minor general procedures such as: hernia repair, carpal tunnel release, haemorrhoids, vasectomy and skin gra s.
“Additionally, our team supports patient’s post-surgery by proactively reaching out to ensure their recovery is progressing well and answering any post-operative questions.”
Mr Gloury said while Mount Beauty becomes the main hub for perioperative care, some local anaesthetic procedures will continue at Bright and Myrtleford campuses.
He said the Bright Hospital campus will also retain its essential role in o ering urgent care, acute hospital services, aged care and support through the Alpine Community Health Centre.
Myrtleford Hospital campus will also continue to of-
Since Trump’s election victory, Bitcoin has consistently made headlines—breaking records and surpassing the US$100,000 mark.
Many investors have, understandably, stayed on the sidelines, with bitcoin’s price ascension, volatility and lack of intrinsic value conjuring allusions to tulip mania and other speculative bubbles. However, the SEC ruling in the US earlier last year provided a crucial turning point for the cryptocurrency, establishing bitcoin as a legitimate asset, and paving the way for bitcoin ETFs in the US and locally on the ASX. Whether you’ve been skeptical or curious, it’s evident that bitcoin is here to stay, making it important to grasp the basics. Join us to understand blockchain technology, bitcoin’s evolution, and hear an in-depth discussion of bitcoin ETFs.
Discovering the next frontier in global growth Munro Partners Portfolio Manager and Partner, James Tsinidis, will present an insightful exploration of the global growth equities landscape in 2025, where transformative trends and unprecedented opportunities are reshaping the investment horizon. As the new Trump administration unfolds, with the potential to send shockwaves through political and economic landscapes, the world will be bracing for surprises and seismic shifts.
Amid the evolving backdrop, transformative global trends –such as the accelerating green energy transition, the rise of artificial intelligence, the digitalisation of industries and the resilience of emerging markets amid shifting geopolitical dynamics – are redefining the investment horizon.
James Tsinidis joined Munro Partners in November 2016 and is responsible for championing stock ideas and managing these positions within the portfolio. James is also the Climate Co-Lead for the Munro Climate Change Leaders Fund. James has previously worked as Portfolio Manager where he was based in both Melbourne and Edinburgh and was entirely focused on the US, European and Asian stock markets. Having worked previously with the other members of the Munro investment team, James is well versed evaluating investment ideas using Munro’s proprietary growth focused process.
fer urgent care, acute hospital services and dialysis services.
This update is part of Alpine Health’s ongoing commitment to providing the best possible care to the community.
Mr Gloury said Alpine Health is con dent this strategic change will enhance its ability to serve the Alpine Shire with the highest standards of clinical excellence and quality healthcare.
Phillip, founder and director of Performance Property Group, will be presenting a Residential and Commercial update for 2025, he will review on a few of our 35 macro research regions, our view on market runways - time and growth potential left in certain markets.
Phillip’s career has been built on meeting the needs of a special group of people. Invariably they are medical professionals and business owners looking to access good quality advice on property investment as part of a long-term wealth creation Strategy.
He specialises in buying medical and business owners principal place of businesses and client’s private investment portfolios including their homes. He has been involved in more than $3b worth of transactions.
Phillip can provide investors with advice and support in areas with growth potential in the residential and commercial property markets nationally.
The event will also be live streamed and recorded via Zoom.
If you wish to attend or for more information, please contact us at belmore@belmores.com.au or 03 5744 1221 by Friday 21st March.
FIVE courageous Alpine Shire councillors decided to stand up for the community and last week voted in favour of an amended proposal to not support the Dederang BESS project.
I commend Cr Dave Byrne for listening to his community and amending the motion to ensure that our genuine concerns are sent to the Victorian Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny, and for bringing many of his colleagues along with him.
Minister Kilkenny may well decide to ignore this decision, and show her contempt for democracy, but she will have to answer to the people of the Alpine Shire.
Whilst the battle may have been won, the war is not over, and we must keep ghting.
Tim McCurdy, Nationals’ MP for Ovens Valley
By PHOEBE MORGAN
A FANTASTIC day was had by all at the Dederang Picnic Races on Saturday, 22 February, with a record number of more than 2500 people in attendance.
With gates open at 11am, attendees made the most of the beautiful sunny day, some getting in the spirit of the event and bringing a picnic to enjoy for the a ernoon as races began at 1pm.
The winner of the Dederang Cup was won by ‘Star Of Mattner’, trained by Tyson Barton, whose mother herself trained a Dederang Cup winner 27 years ago.
“There was a strong eld of entrants this year with some races very close,” president of the Dederang Picnic Race Club, Marcus Goonan said.
“Everyone had a great day, the weather held and we were blessed with a cracking day out.
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numbers watched as the cup recipient was decided in the fi h race of the day at Dederang.
STAR OF THE STABLE:
This year’s winning steed, ‘Star of Mattner’ with trainer Tyson Barton, John Smith and Jack Jones and jockey Rowen Cox.
“The only challenge was the Telstra service went down, but this enabled people to unplug from their devices and fully enjoy the day.
“We were really lucky, as it didn’t seem to shut down the ticketing or impact vendors on site too much.
“The cash-out and money services were still able to operate; it just made things a little bit slower.
“All of the feedback we’ve received has been really positive.
“We’re already looking forward to next year’s races, which are scheduled to be held on February 28.”
REGISTRATIONS for the the Black Dog Ride from Wangaratta to Myrtleford and Yackandandah are now open and motorcyclists are encouraged to enter.
The Black Dog Ride began in 2009 as a ride to raise awareness of depression and evolved into a national charity raising millions of dollars for
mental health programs.
About 133 participants and volunteers joined the local 2024 One Dayer ride and raised $5000 towards the total of $435,000 funds raised for the Black Dog Community Grants Program.
This year’s ride will begin at Wangaratta’s Apex Park at 10am on Sunday, 16 March.
People who want to register or donate can head to: One Dayer Registrations: https://www.blackdogride.org. au/view/ride-information/1-dayer-2025
Make a donation: https://www. blackdogride.org.au/view/donate
Local schools, clubs, community groups and individuals can also raise awareness of depression and suicide
prevention and support the work of Black Dog Ride by organising local fundraising activities and events, or simply make a donation.
For more information on Black Dog Ride and One Dayer ride, visit www.blackdogride.org.au or keep up to date on the Black Dog Ride Facebook page.
ALBA Health in Myrtleford will host a free ‘Healthy Hearts Community Talk’ on Thursday, 27 March, to reboot awareness of heart health in the area.
The evening will be hosted by local doctor, Justin Donaldson, who launched the Healthy Hearts Program (HHP) with his wife Greta, in August last year.
One of the guest speakers for the event is Dr Julian Yeoh, a cardiologist from the Austin Hospital in Melbourne, who returns to the North East every three months to consult on the HHP.
A er running the program for six months in town, over 100 patients have been screened, with several referred to, Dr Yeoh.
“We thought it would be popular, but we were quite taken aback by just how much demand we had,” Dr Donaldson said.
“It’s been a really positive response from the community.
“A er we introduced the program, 131 patients from the area have been screened and a few of them have needed angiograms.”
The HHP aims to screen adults in Myrtleford and surrounds WITHOUT any currently known heart issues and identify patients who are at a high risk of having a heart attack, or identify people with heart disease at an early stage.
“We also want to prevent heart problems as well and screen for other chronic diseases in general,” Dr Donaldson said.
“We’re able to support patients by managing those risk factors with the exercise and lifestyle programs on o er in town.
“It’s a two-pronged approach; so we can intervene early and a ect outcomes in the long-term and also to promote health and wellbeing through exercise and lifestyle support.”
The HHP is bulk-billed and o ers a free eight-week heart health exercise and education program in partnership with Flexout Health Albury-Wodonga & North East Victoria and High Country Nutrition and Dietetics.
“Hopefully we’ve been able to change the trajectory of these patients [in terms]
of their heart health,” Dr Julian Yeoh said.
“Justin, who’s been very good for the town, approached me because he was applying for some funding.
“He wanted to put his clinic in a position where he could really make a di erence in the community and he realised heart health was a big thing for his patients.
“He’s a doctor who refers me patients on an everyday basis; we’ve formed that relationship from GP to cardiologist.
“From that grant, he and I designed a program where he and his nurse would screen for those patients who were deemed ‘high-risk’ of developing heart disease, then refer those patients on to me.
“I’ve dedicated four clinics over a 12-month period whereby these patients get a bulk-billed electrocardiogram (ECG) and a bulk-billed consult with me, a er Justin has already gathered the data.”
Myrtleford resident, Leanne Montgomery said the program is so convenient for locals in town.
“To be able to have the ECG in the Alba
Health o ces was great,” she said.
“I didn’t have to go to Wangaratta or Melbourne and to me that was a big help.
“I would suggest to anybody, if there’s another program of this calibre going to start, or you’re thinking of going to see your GP, just to go and do it; you’re not missing out on anything.
“You might be quite ne and they’ll send you home and if you’re not; you could pick up on something life-changing.”
Attendees at the Healthy Hearts Community Talk will also hear from other local health professionals and an exercise physiologist.
The information session will be held at St Paul’s Church Hall, next to Bastoni, from 6pm to 8pm, with refreshments provided.
Bookings are essential: scan the QR code below to enter, or visit: https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/healthyhearts-community-talk-tickets1250817130709?a =oddtdtcreator
ALPINE Valleys Community Leadership has o cially launched its 2025 annual program.
This year’s 17 participants are drawn from across the North East and border region, and represent a diverse mix of industries, including business, community, government, rural industries, health, education and the environment.
Over the next 10 months, they will take part in an immersive leadership experience designed to deepen their understanding of regional dynamics, strengthen their leadership capacity, and expand their ability to support thriving and vibrant regional communities.
Alumni guest speakers Caz Sammon and Cr Allison Winters spoke about their experiences, re ecting on the challenges and opportunities they encountered, and how the program has shaped their approach to leadership.
AVCL patron John Brown ofcially launched the 2025 cohort and shared insights into the program’s origins and the legacy it continues to weave, while board chair Steve Belli emphasised the ripple e ect of leadership development.
“Time and again, we see the impact of this program extend far beyond the participants themselves,” he said.
ONGOING concerns of Dinner Plain residents were raised recently in Parliament by Nationals’ MP for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy, who demanded Victorian Treasurer Jaclyn Symes revoke the unfairly applied Vacant Residential Land Tax (VRLT).
Mr McCurdy said Dinner Plain has unjustly found itself without exemption from the VRLT unlike neighbouring regions and is subsequently at the mercy of the imposed land tax.
He said the amended Land Tax Act is, in this instance, a contradiction of both its application and intended purpose.
Mr McCurdy said the tax, designed to encourage owners of vacant residential homes to make them available for long term accommodation, is in direct conflict to the homeowners and businesses of Dinner Plain, as they experience seasonal demand for accommodation due to its geographical position and likeness to the criteria of Alpine Resorts Victoria (ARV).
“Dinner Plain, although outside the jurisdiction of Alpine Resorts Victoria, fulfills all the definitions of being an alpine resort and for the purposes of the Land Tax Act should be considered as such,” he said.
“Dinner Plain is unique in that it is the only alpine resort which has not been exempt from the VRLT.”
“The skills, con dence, and networks they develop ow back into workplaces, organisations, and communities, driving positive change across the region.’
based opportunities.
AVCL executive officer Madeline Hines said the program was now fully resourced through the investment of partners and supporters, a testament to the value placed on cultivating place-
“The strong support for participation in the program re ects a shared investment in local people,” she said.
“This not only bene ts the participants and the communities they serve, but also provides meaningful pathways for organisations to actively contribute to the betterment of our region.”
Organisations interested in supporting or partnering with AVCL to enable capacity building and leadership development initiatives are encouraged to get in touch at eo@avclp.org.au or 0417 348 547.
Mr McCurdy said he has requested this anomaly to be corrected to avoid any unfair treatment against Dinner Plain householders and businesses.
“It has a similar cyclical snow season to the other alpine resorts, lasting from June to early October, and runs the same snow season dates as the ARV resorts,” he said.
THE Falls Creek Alpine Village lit up last weekend with the third annual FEASTIVAL Falls Creek.
Guests were treated to perfect weather, incredible Australian music, plus gourmet food, beverages, art, comedy and wellness experiences.
The music kicked o at midday with attendees hanging out on the grass to the sweet sounds of Gaudion, Dylan Wright and Azure Ryder, before Eliza and the Delusionals and Slowly Slowly ramped up the vibe and got the crowd to their feet!
Budjerah and his band carried through the sunset and into the evening before The Cat Empire closed the night on a high note. It was more than just an afternoon of music: 10 alternative events and activities were hosted across the weekend including the Paint & Sip Workshop where guests started the day painting local wild owers with a Billy Button Bubbly in hand, followed by the Echoes of the High-Country Art Exhibition which showcased the alpine themed works of local artists Alison Percy, Charlie Brown, Annmarie Wiegerinck and Steve McCall.
There were wellness activities including yoga, pilates and even sauna sessions, while the kids were kept busy with circus activities, face painting, games and laser tag.
Friday Night’s Comedy night
long list of talented musicians.
hosted over 200 people in the iconic The Man Hotel; the perfect setting for an intimate evening with Aussie acts Lizzy Hoo, Sez, Dilruk Jayasinha and Sam Taunton bringing two hours of belly laughs leaving the crowd in tears.
“Bringing an event of this scale and its bene ts to our small community truly takes a village,” general manager of Falls Creek Alpine Resort, Dean De Santis said.
“The Falls Creek events and operations crews worked tirelessly
in the lead-up and the generous support from local stakeholders and vendors was crucial in catering, accommodating, and sponsoring the event.
“A special thank you to Kennedy’s Meats, Bright Brewery, Falls Creek Distillery and Billy Button Wines for their generous contributions.
“Local accommodation providers Elk, Howmans Gap, SnowSki Apartments and The Falls Creek Country Club for kindly help-
ing accommodate our artists and crew.
“Finally, a big thanks to Falls Creek Coach Service who put on a free shuttle service from Mount Beauty ensuring locals could get to and from the event safely.”
FEASTIVAL is proudly supported by the Falls Creek Recovery Program, which is jointly funded by the Victorian and Commonwealth governments in recognition of the Bogong High Plains Landslip event.
THE Myrtleford Summer Series is having another gig this Saturday evening in the town Piazza, arranged by the Myrtleford Chamber of Commerce. The live music community event will feature Bright band ‘Minnie and the Moonrakers’, running from 6pm to 9pm.
This four-piece rock n roll and rhythm and blues band will play music inspired by the raw, powerful recordings of the 40s and 50s, such as Howlin’ Wolf, Etta James and Gene Vincent.
Vocalist, Siobhan O’Brien aka ‘Minnie’, is a soulful singer whose voice has been described as gritty, powerful and untamed.
She is backed by her husband, Greg Duncan Powell whose chunky rhythms and edge of the seat guitar riffing sets the groundwork for an original musical gumbo.
In 2021, the couple had a vision to form a quartet that harnessed their musical aspirations.
Shortly thereafter, they met veteran performer, former army band master and upright bassist Stephen Hladio and ‘Minnie and The Moonrakers’ was born.
Now the band has brought its brand of je-ne-sais quoi to a host of festivals, events and venues across the country.
In 2024, they were invited by the Canberra Blues Society to open at the International Blues Festival and a memorable gig was supporting ‘19-Twenty’.
They recorded their first EP Volume One in early 2024 and have more recordings in the pipeline.
By PHOEBE MORGAN
THE Myrtleford and District Historical Society (MDHS) is in the final stages of creating a new display titled ‘Women of Myrtleford and District’, which will showcase the lives of local women from 1860 to 1960.
And there is an open invitation for the community to attend.
This International Women’s Day weekend, the exhibition will highlight the lives of 12 impressive women and what they have contributed to the town over the years.
The dozen chosen subjects lived across a number of different eras; from the goldmining and goldrush period to the Depression and postwar years.
The showcase even includes two living legends.
“Two of the ladies who are showcased as part of our display, still live here in town and are life members of the MDHS,” president, Kerry Murtagh said.
“Doreen McElroy and Georgina Nolan have been with us for over 25 years and this year, both of them are celebrating their 90th birthday.
“They have contributed a lot to the town just through their community work; the CFA, Red Cross and so on.
“Georgie was a great dancer, she won a lot of competitions.
“We have one of her ballgowns here, which we’re going to put in the display, from when she won the ‘Belle of Belles’ Wangaratta RSL Ball in September 1955.”
Looking back, the MDHS discovered nothing much has been done to honour the achievements
of the women in Myrtleford.
The display reveals pioneers in local business and community services, rumoured espionage agents in WWII, one of the first female medical students to attend Melbourne University and much more.
“It’s a lot of fun,” MDHS member, Dorothy Veldman said.
“Personally, I’m extremely excited about this because this display is a great opportunity for us as women, to research women of history in the local area.”
If this exhibition is a success, MDHS member Trish Bardoe said she hoped this could be displayed every International Women’s Day.
“We had over 100 women on the
list initially, but we’ve started with 12 this year,” she said.
“We’ve arranged a number of artifacts to be displayed among the showcase along with the information on each woman.
“Hopefully this display will help to up the profile of the history of women in Myrtleford.”
The display will be held at the
Uniting Church Hall, in Albert Street, open from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and 11am to 4pm on Sunday, March 8 and 9.
Entry is $5, which includes admission into the museum, if attendees wish to continue their day viewing other displays by the MDHS.
Continued page 16
At Dickens Real Estate and Bright Holidays, we are dedicated to accelerating women’s success. As a family-owned agency, we empower women across all levels from management to administration providing the resources, opportunities, and support to fast-track their growth. Our focus is on creating a truly inclusive environment where women can thrive, lead, and break barriers. In 2024, we were honored as finalists for Property Management Team of the Year and Receptionist of the Year at the Australasian Real Estate Awards. We are committed to accelerating women’s leadership and driving lasting change in real estate.
#AccelerateWomen #InspireInclusion Awa
BENDIGO Bank Community banks operate under a profit with purpose model, meaning up to 80 per cent of profits are returned directly to the community that has generated them.
We are a bank with the muscle of a business, but the heart of a charity, providing competitive banking products and services to our local customers, while investing in the community in which we operate.
Since we first opened our doors in 2006, we have reinvested more than $1 million into more than 500 community groups and projects stretching from Harrietville to Myrtleford.
Overseen by our local volunteer board of directors, this community investment is guided by our overarching commitment to sow into the growth of a resilient, thriving
and sustainable community in Bright and surrounds.
One of the focuses of this community strategy is aligning our funding with projects that value inclusivity and diversity within our community.
While the composition of our board changes over time, we currently have a greater number of female directors. Our diverse leadership is strengthened by the wealth of career experience and expertise individually held by each of our directors, ensuring our branch continues to operate at the highest level and best serve our customers and community. This is also mirrored by our fabulous team of branch staff, who provide our customers with an exceptional level of face-to-face service and tailored solutions to help them reach their financial goals.
Celebrating a Year in Law: Alanna McLees’ Journey with Halliday Solicitors It has almost been a year since Myrtleford local, Alanna McLees, was admitted as a lawyer, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Since stepping into this new role, Alanna has enjoyed the opportunity to explore new legal areas, growing both professionally and personally.
Halliday Solicitors boasts a team of seven dedicated professionals, six of whom are women.
Alanna values being part of such a supportive team and working alongside her colleagues, who have significantly contributed to her learning and development as a lawyer.
Alanna has a particular interest in Estate law at Halliday Solicitors. Her motivation to work in estate planning stems from a genuine passion for assisting people. The estate practice at Halliday Solicitors
offers Alanna the opportunity to help individuals and their families navigate critical life events and complex legal matters. This unique role allows her to develop long-lasting relationships with clients, understanding their personal values, financial goals, and family dynamics. Through her work, Alanna makes a significant impact by ensuring that clients’ assets are protected and distributed according to their wishes.
Estate law requires not only technical expertise but also empathy and strong communication skills, which Alanna believes are among her strengths.
Along with her colleagues, Alanna is committed to the community, providing assistance with wills and estate planning, estate administration, conveyancing, commercial, leases, and other legal needs.
Alanna hopes that her passion for the law will continue to benefit the local community for years to come.
March 8
From page 12
A Dozen District Dames:
Jessie Robinson was the founding owner of ‘J. Robinson’s General Store’.
Agnes Glass, with her husband, owned the ‘A & J Glass General Store’.
Marianne Cundy was one of the first teachers at the First Myrtleford State School, now the Old School Museum.
Laura Moore and her husband owned a bakery before his death; she then worked as a seamstress to support her four children.
Margaret Carthew, was a mother of three ANZAC sons, one in the 8th Lighthorse Regiment, 3rd Brigade, another at Gallipoli and another in the Western Front.
Agatha Sciuto was among the first of the Italian Migrants who settled in Myrtleford in the 1920s.
Alison Barton was a WWII telephonist in Sydney and became a Corporal.
Doctor Ivy Camille Beaumont was among the first rural women accepted into Melbourne University medical school and became Albury Base Hospital’s first female registered medical officer.
Iris Schlapp (ne’ Crossley) was a Princess Mary’s Royal Airforce Nursing Service nurse and the Matron at the Myrtleford Bush Nursing Hospital.
Margaret Sharp ran a pharmacy in Clyde Street, ‘Miss Sharp’s Chemist’ and would drive out in her black Chevrolet to deliver prescriptions throughout the area.
Georgina Nolan (ne’ Mitchell) was the Wangaratta RSL Ball’s ‘Belle of Belles’ in September 1955.
Doreen McIlroy was very active in community service in town through the CFA and Red Cross.
ELLEY Fraser, the owner and director of Four Peaks Real Estate, continues to be a familiar face in the real estate industry. With over 14 years of experience, Elley brings extensive knowledge of the local area, its people, and businesses. Four Peaks Real Estate has had an outstanding year.
The agency has maintained its reputation for exceptional service and strong communication, ensuring client satisfaction. Elley’s dedication
to her clients has resulted in numerous successful leases and a growing portfolio of managed properties.
She single-handedly manages all aspects of the property management department from start to finish, ensuring a high level of personalised service and attention to detail for every owner and renter.
The business has expanded its offerings to include some fantastic new blocks of land for sale in Myrtleford. These blocks are currently available for
pre-sale, with development work set to commence in the coming months.
Additionally, the business has also introduced enhanced marketing strategies and a fresh approach to property management.
Like many in the industry, Four Peaks Real Estate has faced challenges, including increased costs for owners due to higher property taxes, insurance, and maintenance expenses. These rising costs have contributed to higher rental prices.
Elley advises property owners to stay informed about market trends and to maintain open communication with their property manager.
Regular property maintenance and understanding landlord-renter laws are also crucial for successful property management.
Elley credits her success to the support of her family, friends, and the local community, who have been a constant source of inspiration and support.
IT’S been just over a year since Sushma and Rishi took over the Reclaim Winebar & Café and since then they have earned a reputation across the region as a unique dining experience for locals and tourists in Myrtleford.
The restaurant is open from Friday to Tuesday to offer visitors and locals another option for dining in or picking up a takeaway on days when many other hospitality businesses choose to close.
They are also open from 11am to 10pm, allowing people to get the coffee fix at any time of the day.
Reclaim also offers a range of signature drinks, aside from their coffees, including a variety of cocktails and bubble tea, and now they have their own lager on tap, courtesy of King River Brewing.
As for the food, they offer a wide
array of cuisines to suit everyone’s tastes.
They specialise in an assortment of Indian, Nepalese and classic café food with their momos (dumplings) and butter chicken being some of their most popular meals.
You have the choice in the restaurant of an indoor and outdoor seating area so you can take advantage of the autumn weather and also offer catering and bookings for private functions on their open days or even on the days they are normally closed.
They can also cater for outside events or meetings with the menu custom-made to suit the client.
For more information, visit their Facebook page.
PROUD OWNERS: Sushma Dahal Malla and Rishi Dahal welcome you to enjoy the best Reclaim has to offer.
Sunday 9th March 2025
ROAD CLOSURES & EVENT INFORMATION
On Sunday 9 March 2025, Peaks Challenge Falls Creek will return to the Alpine Region, with 2000 cyclists registered to ride 235km.
Across the course there will be changed traf c conditions including road closures in the following areas: Road Name Closure Type Location Details Road Closing Road Re-opening
Bogong High Plains Road Full Road Closure Falls Creek to Mount Beauty
Tawonga Gap Road Full Road Closure Tawonga to Germantown
Great Alpine Road Full Road Closure Harrietville to Hotham Heights
Bogong High Plains Road Full Road Closure Bogong High Plains Road turnoff to Falls Creek
Closed to all vehicles, except Emergency Services and of cial event vehicles 5:30am 9:00am
Closed to all vehicles, except Emergency Services and of cial event vehicles 6:30am 10:30am
Closed to all vehicles, except Emergency Services and of cial event vehicles 8:00am 1:30pm
Closed to all vehicles, except Emergency Services and of cial event vehicles 12:00pm 8:30pm
In addition to the above road closures, there will also be changed traf c conditions in the area including speed reductions and the presence of traf c controllers. If you need to travel through areas of changed traf c conditions, please remember to:
• Obey all road rules and follow Traf c Controller instructions
• Allow plenty of clearance when overtaking cyclists
• Be aware of oncoming traf c when overtaking cyclists
• Allow ample travel time as the average cyclists will ride between 20-35 km/h. For further information, please contact Bicycle Network on (03) 8376 8888 or visit www.bicyclenetwork.com.au. Alternatively, scan the QR code provided.
Kind Regards, Bicycle Network
By JORDAN DUURSMA
LOCATED in the heart of Myrtleford, Café Chulo serves modern Australian and Nepalese fusion style food.
Run by Nepalese husband and wife duo, Ram Chandra Poudel and Puja Bhandari Poudel, the café is family oriented and community focused.
With a busy breakfast and lunch crowd, the café has recently started opening for dinners on Friday and Saturday nights.
Owner Ram Chandra said they started opening for Nepalese dinner following suggestions from their regular customers.
“Our regular customers know we are Nepalese and many of them have visited Nepal and missed the cuisine,” he said.
“So, we thought we could bring a taste of Nepal to Myrtleford.
“No one else in the area is doing a similar thing so this is
filling a gap in the market for the community.
“I would encourage everyone to try our menu, it’s great for people who are familiar with Nepalese food or who have visited Nepal, as well as people who haven’t tried its before and are looking to experience something new.”
On top of their dinner specials, Café Chulo also offers a range of Australian and Nepalese breakfast and lunch meals, along with a daily curry, divine cakes and locally roasted coffee.
Family is a key aspect of Ram Chandra and Puja’s business model, with a sister and sisterin-law also being part of the team.
Café Chulo is open from Wednesday to Sunday for breakfast and lunch from 8:30am to 2:30pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 5pm to 8:30 for dinner.
For more information or to keep up to date, follow them on social media: @CafeChulo.
Come try our very own Reclaim Lager on tap! Open for Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Coffee, Cake, Ice-creams, Gelato, Bubble Tea Drinks including cocktails until 10pm Open Friday to Tuesday 11am -10pm (Kitchen closes at 8.30pm) Available for Private Functions and off-site catering. Specialising in Nepalese and Indian cuisines
WITH nearly 200 Rich Glen products crafted on-farm in Yarrawonga, it might seem like developing new products, whether in food, skincare, wellbeing, or home essentials, is a straightforward process, but the reality is far from simple.
Each new product starts with careful selection, as the Rich Glen team gathers to assess which ideas make the shortlist.
From there, the journey begins, whether developing fresh creations or refining existing ones with even better, more reliable ingredients.
Importantly, Rich Glen products contain no gums or preservatives, making the process even more meticulous.
A great deal happens behind the scenes before a product reaches the shelves, beautifully packaged and ready for customers to enjoy.
Ros and Daimien Vodusek, Rich Glen’s owners, work closely with both the production and skincare teams
to fine-tune every recipe.
Ros, Rich Glen’s creative director (and a qualified chef by trade), works closely with her master craftmanship team to source the delicate brew of ingredients they then prepare, cook, and repeatedly test to ensure perfection.
Small-batch products, like seasonal jams, are crafted on stovetops, just as you might at home, while larger batches, such as sweet chili sauce, are made in sizable cooking pots with numerous taste tests to get every batch just right.
Beyond flavour and texture, packaging plays a crucial role.
Every detail is considered, from sourcing Australianmade bottles, tubes, and biodegradable boxes to designing labels, branding, and product photography.
Marketing efforts ensure customers are eagerly awaiting each new release.
Once everything is finalised, the product must be squeezed into Rich Glen’s already-tight
factory production schedule, no small feat with nearly 200 products to manufacture for their three retail stores, online sales, and wholesale distribution.
From concept to completion, the entire process can take four to five months.
Rich Glen’s next major release is the highly anticipated ‘Wild’ infused oil range, including the fan-favourite ‘Wild Garlic’, set to launch in late March 2025.
On farm, Daimien and his team wait with much anticipation for the coming harvest season to commence, most likely, in late March through till July.
Preparation of equipment and maintenance is underway and fingers are crossed for the production of yet another award winning crop.
Meanwhile, December marked the grand opening of Rich Glen’s Bright Provedore and Skincare store, centrally located on Gavan Street, just
across from the famous Bright Brewery.
The local community has already embraced the new store.
Ros said the the beautiful community of Bright has been so welcoming.
“From people just popping in to say ‘hello’, to bringing their visitors back with them or even dropping off a fresh bundle of homegrown goodies, it’s been incredible,” she said.
“We couldn’t be happier with our decision to make Bright part of our journey.”
If you’re looking for the perfect day trip, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Rich Glen Stores in Bright, Yarrawonga and Echuca.
Rich Glen is more than just a brand, it’s a celebration of family, community, and an unwavering commitment to quality.
Proudly Australian and made on-farm, this vibrant business continues to flourish, fuelled by passion, excellence, and the exciting journey ahead.
BE ENTERTAINED: There is no shortage of fantastic live music at this weekend’s Bright Days Festival in Bright.
A TASTE OF THE
Gapsted Estate’s cellar door and restaurant showcase their awardwinning wines with over 30 wines on tasting and cuisine made from fresh, local seasonal produce overlooking the striking Alpine Valleys.
THE Brighter Days Festival is set to electrify Bright this March long weekend with an unforgettable weekend of bikes, cars, and music: all in support of children’s charities.
The 14th annual three-day family friendly fundraiser will run from March, 7-9 at Pioneer Park, with a stellar music line up that is sure to rock your socks off, along with free kids activities, food trucks, retail stalls, car and bike show ‘n shine, kids amusements an ride, and much more.
Formed in 2012 to offer support to children’s charities, the fundraising event is run by a volunteer committee with the support of the local Bright and surrounding communities, the Alpine Shire Council and loyal sponsors.
During that time, the team is proud to have donated more than $4,409,580 to charities.
This year the annual festival is on track to surpass an incredible $5 million in total donations.
Vice president of the Brighter Days Foundation, Jason Reid, says this year’s event is shaping up to be the most exciting yet.
“We are incredibly proud of the Brighter Days Foundation’s commitment to supporting children’s charities and the
SHOW ‘N SHINE: The popular Bike & Car Show ‘n Shine returns on the Sunday morning, featuring an impressive display of classic cars and motorcycles, as well as new 4WD prize categories.
impact we’ve made over the past decade,” he said.
“The introduction of themed nights will bring a whole new level of energy, and we can’t wait to see everyone getting involved.
“This event is about more than raising funds - it’s about bringing the community together to support sick kids and their families.
“We are so grateful for the ongoing generosity of our community, and we look forward to celebrating this milestone together.”
The festival lineup features some of Australia’s most iconic live acts, including Casey Barnes, Thirsty Merc, Joe Camilleri & The Black Sorrows, Eurogliders, Absolutely 80’s, The Great Big Beer Band featuring
Reece Mastin, Taylor Henderson, Sussudio, The Piano Men, Newport Junction, Damn’d Sam and the Preachers, and resident festival band Screamin’ Eagles.
A standout feature is ‘Brightstars’, a Sunday afternoon event giving young musicians the chance to perform live on the big stage and showcase their talent.
This year’s festival introduces themed nights for the first time, creating an exciting new experience for attendees.
Friday: Country Night: a boot-stomping night of country music, complete with a bucking bull and best-dressed prizes.
Saturday: 80s Night: a retro party filled with neon colours, big hair, and iconic hits from the decade.
Sunday: Party Night: a high-energy celebration to close the weekend with a spectacular party atmosphere.
Alongside world-class music, the festival offers a variety of activities for all ages, including:
Silent Disco
Cotton Ball Run
Cooper Card Run
Cruise for a Cure
Pedal to Punka
The Amazing Chase
Babes Bling Bingo Charities supported by the festival are DEBRA Australia (Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association), Cooper Trewin Foundation and Cure EB Research Foundation.
For more information or ticket sales, visit https://www. brighterdays.org.au/.
Gapsted Estate tells a story that is honest and true to the region
OVERLOOKING the striking Alpine valleys, Gapsted Estate cellar door provides a sensory experience.
With 30 wines available on tasting, Gapsted Estate tells a story that is honest and true of the estate grown vines as well as that of select growers from within the region, bringing you the best of the Alpine Valleys.
Visitors can expect to taste emerging wine varieties such as tempranillo, sangiovese, pinot grigio and prosecco as well as their iconic saperavi.
These varieties thrive in the cool climate of Victoria’s Alpine region while allowing the expression of their authentic personality through joyful discovery.
A new autumn ‘Taste of Season’ menu which started on February 27, celebrates the changing of the season, focusing on fresh seasonal produce matched to Gapsted Estate wines.
Gapsted Estate is just minutes by car from Myrtleford, and a short drive from Bright, Wangaratta and Beechworth.
Gapsted Estate is also located along the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, making it the ideal location for bike riding enthusiasts bring a short 6km bike ride from Myrtleford.
The Gapsted Estate cellar door and restaurant are open Thursdays to Mondays, from 10am to 5pm.
Restaurant bookings are recommended and tables can be booked online.
Follow Gapsted Estate on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest updates.
THE 150-year history of the Towong Turf Club has been encapsulated in a new book by local author, Dixie Coutts, which is to be launched on the eve of this year’s Towong Cup. Towong Turf Club Tales tells the story of an institution that grew from races on the river ats before the turn of the 20th century to become a signi cant piece of the heritage of the Upper Murray.
The club’s major milestones from its inception in 1871 to become the ‘Flemington of the Bush’ are well documented in the book and various accounts of the early days of racing paint a picture of a tight-knit community that gathered for the biggest event in the Upper Murray - the annual Towong Cup meetinghowever, it was much more than that.
In his account of the history of the club, Tom Mitchell said those occasions were also “a social and business gathering, a day of relaxation, of con ict, of celebration, of intoxication and of love.”
Contributing to the club’s rich tapestry are the people and horses that brought all the colour and drama to the Towong track - plus the occasional act of skullduggery.
A multitude of Upper Murray families became synonymous with the Towong Turf Club including the Wheelers (who arrived in the district in 1846) and the Paton, Pierce, Whitehead, Waters, Daly, Masters, Blair, Stockwell, Schintler, Jarvis and McInnes families who have been associated with it over the past centuryand-a-half, and still have
descendants in the area.
The Upper Murray has also been a regular and proli c producer of topclass thoroughbreds who have met with success at the highest level and also made their mark in the breeding barn.
A pioneer in this regard was Charlie Wheeler, trainer of locally bred 1915 Melbourne Cup winner Patrobas, who was associated with many big racing successes.
He won the Oakleigh Plate and Newmarket Handicap with Queen of Scots, the Australian Cup and Melbourne Cup with The Parisian and as far back as 1885, he scored his rst metropolitan success with Abuse in the St Kilda Cup.
Another winner of Australia’s greatest race that hailed from the Upper Murray was Glenloth in 1892.
There have also been many horses from the district which have won high class races such as the Sydney Cup, Caul eld Cup and Victoria Derby.
There have also been a host of successful sires that have stood at stud in the Upper Murray such as the mighty Comet, whose progeny won approximately $1.5 million in stakes and included stars such as Cobbermine, Star Glow, Persian Tune and Kelly’s Eye.
Another was French Kingdom which stood at Steve Paton’s stud at Tooma and sired 60 starters for 43 individual winners of 154 races by 1975.
His notable progeny included multiple city winners such as French Poet and Any Day.
One of the most successful local studs was Khancoban
Station, which was owned by the Chisholm family, generations of whom were staunch supporters of the Towong Turf Club.
The stud was a proli c producer of quality racehorses by its sire roster of Comet, Shi mar and Top Of The Ladder.
In the 1970s and 1980s, station owner and entrepreneur Bruce Chisholm was at the forefront of gaining positive publicity for the turf club and his yearlings.
A 1970 report in the Corryong Courier read “and for those ladies who have a yen for glamour there will be a chance to appear on television…vice president Mr Bruce Chisholm has arranged for Albury’s Channel 4 to televise both
the race meeting and his yearling parade next day.”
However, the common and ultimate ambition among the local racing dynasties over the past 150 years has been to win the prestigious Towong Cup and several have been able to add the silverware to their trophy cabinets.
Chief among them has been the family of the author Dixie Coutts (nee Waters).
The Waters’ connection to the turf club stretches back to 1900 when four members of the clan were on the committee.
However, it wasn’t until 1959 that the Towong Cup was won by the Ron Waters trained Just Care which was bred by Ron’s brother-in-law, Don McMillan.
A decade later, Ron Waters and Corryong solicitor Ray Braham won back-to-back cups with Timor Light in 1968 and 1969.
It wasn’t until 2021 that the Rodger Waters trained Sizzleonthebridge added to the family’s cup record, the rst local win since Mal and Graeme Jarvis’s victory in 2005 with Grimhuntamug.
It was another family celebration when Euphemia saluted in 2024, part owned by Dixie Coutts and her sister Wendy Heal, who also bred the horse.
Towong Turf Club Tales also shines the light on some of the o -track shenanigans including family rivalries, claims of ‘we wuz robbed’ and a race-day raid.
▲ GRAND CHAMPION:
Dixie Coutts (nee Waters) has racing in her blood, celebrating when Euphemia (pictured) saluted in the 2024 Towong Cup; the horse part owned by Dixie and her sister Wendy Heal, who also bred the horse.
The racecourse was also used as a crowd backdrop in the Phar Lap movie because of its iconic grandstand, which is a story in itself.
The book has been a labour of love for Dixie Coutts and contributing author Honor Auchinleck (nee Mitchell) who are both steeped in local racing lore.
Dixie has racing and the Towong Turf Club in her blood.
She is descended from the Waters and Paton families, both of whom have been prominent in the turf club since before the turn of the 20th century.
Honor said having grown up with Towong Turf Club’s early history as part of her heritage, it was time to share some of her father’s stories.
“It has been a pleasure to be able to contribute in a small way and to see this wonderful book become a reality,” she said.
Towong Turf Club Tales promises to be an engrossing read that will strike a chord with anyone who has had any connection with the club or the pioneering families of the region.
Copies of the limitededition book (200 copies only, $70) will be available at the launch on Friday, March 7 at the Towong Racecourse at 6pm and from the merchandise stall at the Towong Cup meeting the following day, and copies may also be ordered by emailing dixie. towongturfclub@gmail.com.
Accountants
BRIGHT ACCOUNTING
Certified Practising Accountants – C.P.A. Accounting for small businesses and individuals.
4-1a Camp Street, Bright Phone: 5755 5105
E enquiries@brightaccounting.com.au
BELMORES CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
(formerly CRM Business Advisers) Certified Practising Accountants
Myrtleford, 1-7 Albert Street Phone: 5752 2288
Bright, 3 Ireland Street Phone: 5755 1327
www.belmores.com.au
PAYNTER & ASSOCIATES
Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors
25 Clyde Street Myrtleford Phone: 5751 1995
Email admin@paynterassoc.com.au www.paynterandassociates.com.au
Hearing Services
JO ROSS-JACKSON HEARING CENTRES
Now at 29 Clyde Street Myrtleford Plus Standish Street Surgery & Bright Allied Health For appointments call 5752 2817
Insurance Brokers
OVENS VALLEY INSURANCE BROKERS
Myrtleford, 47 Clyde Street Phone: 5752 1151
Bright, 104 Gavan St Phone: 5715 9705
Email: info@ovib.com.au
Solicitors
TONER & MAY LEGAL
BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS
86 Standish Street, Myrtleford. Phone: 03 5752 1493
2A Camp Street, Bright, Phone: 03 5750 1819
Email:
amanda@tonerandmaylegal.com.au or jess@tonerandmaylegal.com.au
THE 2019-20 Black Summer bush res had a devastating impact on one of Victoria’s endangered native species – the longfooted potoroo.
The res burnt 1.39 million hectares of forests and parks in Victoria, impacting nearly 80 per cent of the long-footed potoroo’s known habitat.
Five years on, a remote camera monitoring program has conrmed that the elusive marsupial is recovering.
Long-footed potoroos are only found in three places in the world, one of which is in the Barry Mountains in North East Victoria.
“There was a real concern about the ability of the potoroos to survive and recover from the res,’ DEECA natural environment programs o cer, Elizabeth Wemyss said.
In October 2020, the monitoring team took remote sensing cameras into some of the burnt areas to nd out if the potoroos had survived.
“We really didn’t know what we were going to nd,” Elizabeth said.
“There were fears that the population may have been com-
pletely devastated.”
To their relief and excitement, potoroos were detected at 35 of the 120 sites.
“I can’t describe how happy we were to nd potoroos existing in this landscape when we collected the cameras,” she said.
“It was such a relief.’
Monitoring has been repeated annually and in combination with a targeted fox control program, potoroo detections are increasing each year.
“It has been such a wonderful feeling retrieving the cameras and realising that the potoroos not only survived the initial impacts of the bush res, but now ve years on are increasing in numbers and range,” Elizabeth said.
More than 300,000 images were taken during the 2024 monitoring period and analysed.
The remote sensing cameras are triggered by movement and heat.
The lure – a special concoction
of peanut butter, oats, golden syrup and tru e oil – is used to attract the potoroos to the cameras.
Data collected by the cameras is uploaded to the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas.
In 2024 more than 57 species were detected on the cameras including an increased detection of long-nosed bandicoots from one site in 2020 to 49 sites in 2024.
Project partners include the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Parks Victoria and Taungurung Land and Waters Council.
The project forms part of the Victorian Government’s $32 million Protecting Biodiversity Initiative.
Because of their small size and weight, long-footed potoroos face an increased risk from predators, particularly foxes and feral cats following the res.
To protect them, a targeted foxbaiting program was expanded in the Barry Mountains area following the Black Summer res.
Continuation of predator control programs will be an important part of the future protection of this special, rarely seen threatened species.
IT was an exciting start to the Falls Creek Mountain Bike Park as construction began on the highly anticipated UCI Spec downhill trail on Monday, 24 February.
The renowned trail-building company Dirt Art has been awarded the contract and World Cup racer Darcy Coutts will be leading the project.
Promote your service here!
Phone Jenny on 57313305 or email jking@nemedia.com.au
“We’re thrilled to welcome the highly experienced and passionate team from Dirt Art, led by Darcy Coutts to head this trail project,” Falls Creek general manager, Dean De Santis said.
“It’s going to be a huge milestone for our Mountain Bike Park and will attract riders from all over.”
Dirt Art is equally as excited to get to work on the new Falls Creek downhill trail.
“With a range of technical terrain on offer, our teams are looking forward to creating an exciting new gravity trail, which will add a new style of trail to Falls Creek’s already diverse trail network,” Dirt Art’s managing director, Simon French said.
This downhill trail is part of a larger project announced in 2021, aimed at expanding the mountain bike park by nearly 40 kilometres.
In 2022, 11 kilometres of single track were opened, including trails Skyline, Heavy Metal and Downtown.
The addition of a UCI-spec downhill trail fills a crucial gap and will enable Falls Creek to host major national and international events in the future.
The trail will run from the top of the summit of Falls Creek down to the bottom of the Gully, dropping roughly 270 metres elevation across 1.8 kilometres of trail.
All going to plan, the project is expected to be wrapped up before the snow falls this winter and will be ready for opening next summer.
The UCI trail is one of eight projects funded by the Alpine Business Support Package, which aims to boost visitation, create business and job opportunities and enhance ‘green season’ tourism in Falls Creek.
This initiative supports the broader goals of increasing the region’s appeal and economic vitality.
LOCATED just 15 minutes to Wangaratta and a short four minutes to Tarrawingee township, this property consists of 4.09ac (1.65HA) featuring a three-bedroom brick home, great shedding, and all with sealed access off Londrigan-Tarrawingee Road.
Internally the home consists of three bedrooms, upgraded kitchen, meals and living area and stylishly renovated bath-room and laundry.
The kitchen is fitted with an electric wall oven and induction electric cooktop, separately there is a dining and meals area.
Bedrooms all have BIRs and ceiling fans.
The bathroom has been recently renovated featuring stylish vanity, separate shower with frameless glass and separate bath.
The laundry has also been renovated with new cabinetry and separate toilet.
Heating and cooling are via split system unit in lounge area.
Externally this property boasts a load of extras.
The back pergola and established gardens in the front yard offer a perfect spot to entertain guests throughout the
summer months.
Shedding is impressive with a workshop/ machinery shed (6.6mX11m) fitted with light, power and concrete floor, along with separate caravan/boat shed (3.8Mx11M) fitted with 12 panel solar system.
Water for garden and paddock use is via the bore, with all household water coming from rainwater tanks.
All three paddocks have troughs for stock water along two horse shelters.
Allotments this size are a rarity in today’s market, so if you are currently looking for a lifestyle property then look no further.
Call Hugh Amery today on 0487 777 311..
Saturday 1 March 10am - 3pm
THIS is a perfect family home in the heart of the West End in a great location close to sporting facilities, shops and popular café. The home consists of three bedrooms with all three having built-in wardrobes, an open plan kitchen and dining area, separate lounge room and separate toilet and bathroom. Heating and cooling are via evaporative cooling and gas ducted heating to keep you comfortable all year round.
Externally there is an undercover outdoor entertainment area ideal for barbecues plus a secure rear yard perfect for pets and kids to play.
Car accommodation is well catered for with a single carport and single garage.
home is in great condition and in a popular West End Location, contact us now to arrange your inspection. (03) 5722 9444.
■ AN AGING ICON: The Vitara remains the third best-selling model in a five-model range of vehicles.
By
THE Suzuki Vitara occupies a special place in Australian o -road folklore.
It used to be able to go anywhere the big 4x4s like Patrol and Land Cruiser could go – it laughed in the face of danger.
But this all changed with the arrival of the fourth and current generation of Vitara that no longer sits on a ladder chassis and is no longer a real o -roader.
In fact, it shares a chassis with the S-Cross model which is about as soft as they come, with front or all-wheel drive variants.
Still, Vitara remains the third best-selling model in a five model range of vehicles.
STYLING
There’s three grades from which to choose: Vitara 1.6 2WD, priced from $29,990, Vitara Turbo 1.4 2WD from $36,490 and Vitara Turbo ALLGRIP, from $40,490 – all plus on-road costs.
As you can see, ALLGRIP adds a hefty $4000 premium to the price of the car.
Metallic paint is an extra $695 and two-tone with a di erent coloured roof is another $1295.
If you had struck while the iron was hot, you could have got 10 per cent o the driveway price before the end of January.
It doesn’t hurt to ask.
The entry grade is powered by a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated four cylinder petrol engine, while the turbo gets
a punchier, 1.4-litre turbocharged unit that produces 20 per cent more power and 40 per cent more torque.
The latter is the more significant of these numbers.
The cabin is decked out in a leather and suede combo trim stitched in an interesting tyre tread pattern, along with a leather-clad steering wheel and single zone climate control air.
Standard kit includes keyless entry and start, tilt and reach adjust steering wheel, 17-inch alloys, rear view camera, LED DRLs, auto LED headlights, auto wipers, adaptive cruise control and a panoramic sunroof.
Vitara is covered by a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty with capped-price servicing and roadside assistance for the first five years. Service is due every 12 months or 10,000km.
SAFETY
Vitara remains unrated by ANCAP, but comes with seven airbags including a driver’s knee bag plus a rearview camera.
The turbo adds Adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), Blind-spot monitoring, Lane departure warning, Rear cross-tra c alert and Weaving Alert.
Two Isofix and three tether style child seat anchor points are provided.
ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS
The 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine in the entry model produces 86kW at 6000 revs and 156Nm of
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Suzuki dealer for drive-away
torque from 4400 revs.
The turbocharged 1.4-litre engine in our test vehicle, however, produces 103kW of power at 5500 revs and 220Nm of torque from 15004000 revs.
Drive is through a sixspeed auto to all four wheels when required.
Vitara is starting to show its age.
Although it sits in the budget buy category, the cabin and instrumentation looks and feels dated.
But older drivers may well be drawn to the dated dash layout with its buttons and gauges, although they won’t find the cheap hard plastics attractive.
Rear legroom is okay thanks to scooped out seatbacks in front, but that’s not saying much.
It’s still pretty tight and lacks air outlets, or really anything for back seat passengers.
Cargo capacity with the rear set in use is 375 litres, with a hidden area under the floor which in turn hides a space saver spare.
Vitara is 4175mm long, with just 185mm of ground
clearance and this model weighs in at 1260kg.
It’s a no-brainer.
We’d take the turbo every time.
Fuel consumption is a claimed 6.2L/100km and it takes standard 91 RON unleaded.
Small engines aren’t necessarily bad, or even relatively low power output, depending on what they are being asked to push or pull.
The turbo addresses this problem.
It’s an easy, fun car to drive, but lacks refinement.
The six-speed auto sometimes feels like an old fourspeed the way it carries on, changing down and roaring dramatically to life if you punch the accelerator.
Also, and this has been well documented, reefing the transmission selector back for drive will see manual mode selected and the engine max out before you’ve figured out what is going on.
It becomes tiresome.
Suspension is Mac strut at the front with a basic, torsion beam rear setup, and it rides on 17 inch alloys with 215/55 profile rubber.
The car sits flat, feels taught and has a firm-ish ride,
and can be driven enthusiastically with confidence.
In fact, the suspension is excellent on backroads.
Steering is sharp and accurate and the brakes are confident.
But the Continental tyres are a bit of a disappointment as they lack grip.
The analogue clock between the air vents is a classy touch, but we’d swap it for a digital speedo.
You do however get some other totally irrelevant information cycling through the trip computer, including graphs for power and torque.
The infotainment system is well laid out and easy to use, but lacks digital radio and the navigation could do with speed camera warnings.
There’s one USB and one 12 volt socket in the lower centre console, with another 12 volt socket in the luggage area.
Rated at 6.2L/100km, with a 47-litre fuel tank, we were getting 7.0L/100km after 507km of mixed driving.
It takes 95 premium unleaded.
SUMMING UP
It’s not surprising to learn
Vitara is in runout. It’s even older than the Mitsubishi ASX and that’s saying something. Time has caught up with the Vitara which simply no longer o ers enough of anything for the price.
(Suzuki Vitara ALLGRIP 1.4-litre turbo petrol all-wheel drive five-door wagon)
ENGINE
Configuration: Four cylinders inline
Maximum power: 103kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum torque: 220Nm @ 1500-4000 rpm Fuel type: Petrol 95 RON Combined fuel cycle: (ADR 81/02) 6.2 L/100km
DRIVELINE: Six-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES: Length: 4175mm Width: 1775mm Height: 1610 mm
Wheelbase: 2500mm
Kerb weight: 1260kg Fuel Tank Capacity: 47 litres
ACROSS
3 What is the national legislative body of the USA (8)
7 Name the head of a Muslim State (6)
8 Which military staff officer assists the commanding officer (8)
9 What, in the USA is a five-cent piece (6)
10 To inoculate, is to do what (8)
11 Name a renowned movie dog (6)
14 What are beginnings known as (6)
17 What is a radio or TV broadcast of news reports (8)
18 Name groups of fish crowded fairly close together (6)
19 Who often plays the music in a church (8)
20 Name a volcanic mountain in eastern Turkey, Mount ... (6)
21 What is a beginning or a development (8)
DOWN
1 Name a tropical climbing orchid (7)
2 Who wrote Oliver Twist, Charles ... (7)
3 Name a cup for the wine of the eucharist (7)
6 What are sofas also known as (7)
11 Name the 16th President of the USA (7)
12 What are waste matters that pass through sewers called (7)
15 What is a metal urn for heating the water for making tea (7)
16 What is a picture, as of a scene (7)
Find the following words in the grid. They may be read in any direction, even diagonally. Some letters are used more than once.
1 CHARLATAN
(a) A mere talking pretender
(b) The edible leaf stalk of artichoke
(c) A dance characterised by spasmodic knee action
4 Name a French post-impressionist painter, Paul ... (7)
13 Which aromatic substance is burnt for its fragrant odour (7)
5 To be indirect, is to be what (7)
14 To remain too long, is to do what (7)
Letters have a number value
Some values are in the right hand cells. Create remaining values using clues in centre cells.
Letters A to Z have a number value. Some are shown in the right-hand cells. Create remaining values using clues in centre cells.
Solve the crossword. Each answer has four letters.
2 DEBENTURE
(a) A contention in words
(b) A complete break-up or collapse
(c) A written acknowledgement of a debt
Build it yourself using the clues and each of the twenty-four letters once only to form ten words: five across and five down. A key word (bold clue) builds on the letter set in the grid.
CLUES:
Bird: Jabiru ... (5)
Dark yellowish-brown (5)
Disease-transmitting organism (7)
Farm animal (3)
Means of access (7)
Movement of a dog’s tail (3)
Music: principal tonality (3)
Twist to remove fluid (5)
Unofficial vote: ... poll (5) Was seated (3)
The papers will be published on Thursday, March 13, 2025 due to the Labour Day public holiday.
Classifieds deadline is 3pm on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Ph: 5723 0101 ext 1
Email: classifieds@nemedia.com.au
Myrtleford and District Volleyball Association 2025 AGM, Expressions of Interest and Social Hit.
Wednesday, April 2, 6-7pm at The Myrtleford Indoor Sports Stadium. New and past players welcome.
A Public Meeting will be held at the Gapsted Hall on Friday, March 7 at 8pm to elect a new committee of management for the Gapsted Recreation Reserve.
Current committee’s term expires on April 11, 2025. All persons welcome to attend to elect minimum of 3, maximum 9 persons for new committee. Further information available from DELWP or Reserve Committee Secretary T Cousins 0432 184 324.
2007 NISSAN PATROL Ti, manual, mods, approx 190k on the clock, available early May, selling due to moving interstate, $30,000 ono, open to negotiation, (1YP8XF). Contact Jason 0434 590 566.
FREE RANGE HENS ISA Brown Pullets, POL $35ea. Pick upWang to Bright Becky & Hugh (03) 5798 1868 freerangehens.com.au
With over 30 years’ experience and operating my own hairdressing salon, I am now open and trading again from 82 Standish Street, Myrtleford.
Please call Giovanna on 0490 102 631 or 5752 1314 for all appointments.
CHECK OUT OUR NORTH EAST JOBS in today's Regional Extra for more employment opportunities. Published every Wednesday in your Wangaratta Chronicle, Ovens and Murray Advertiser, Myrtleford Times and Alpine Observer
MAZDA 2023 CX3 auto hatch, reg CHC333, one owner, immaculate condition, service books, 11,875kms, RWC, $27,750. Phone Maxwell.K.Batey on 0419 547 308.
2013 Toyota Hilux, manual, 169,700km, next service 180,000km, Mongoose Multimedia player / reversing camera install 7/23, near new tyres, 12-months rego, Black Duck seat covers, new oor mats, ARB canopy & Bullbar, two Outback storage draws & boxes inside canopy, Hayman Reese ball and Pintle hook tow bars, never bush bashed, well maintained. Selling due to retirement.
1AS8UR $31,000 ONO. Phone 0403 926 144
AUDI A4 TDI for sale, local car, 2013 Model, 102,000kms only, pristine condition, 1,000 KLMs per tank on a long trip, rego (1AA8DW), $20,000 firm. Phone Jurgen 0438 500 888.
2024 TOYOTA RAV 4 HYBRID GLX AWD. As new condition, bought 31/5/2024. Colour Glacier White, travelled 4620km, Extras include full exterior paint protect, full interior fabric protect, windows ttedwithdarkestlegal tint, oormats front and back, slimline plates CYF719. $51000. Phone Anne, 0407 065 776.
TOYOTA Hilux 2013, 169,000km, 5spd manual, 4x4, full service history, no o road, no accidents, black duck seat covers from new, new tyres, reg (1AL4YU), RWC, $32,000. Phone Allan 0400 541 599.
MAZDA 6GT wagon, 2014, 2.2litre twin turbo diesel, 6 speed auto, leather interior, 129,000 km, Mazda serviced since new, rego expires October 2025 (1DZ 7ZL), excellent condition, $14,000. Ph 0438 556 959.
AUSTRALIAN o -road camper trailer, made in Australia, full annexe, hot water, many accessories, excellent condition $22,000. Ph 0427 002 860.
KING (nee Miller), Lyn (Lynette). 1/3/1941 – 1/3/2025
Passed away peacefully on her 84th birthday at the Myrtleford Lodge.
Adored wife of Jim (James) King. Cherished mother of Belinda (dec), Jamie and Jenny.
Beloved Ninny (grandmother) to Ebony and Luca.
Mother-in-law to Maurice and step Ninny to Jenna and Georgia.
Daughter to Ted and Eileen Miller.
Much loved sister of Allan (dec), Lance and Glenn (dec).
Dear sister-in-law to Rosie, Helen, Priscilla, Walter, Shirley, Patricia, Stephen, Edith, Cheryl, David and Judith. Favourite Aunty to all her nieces and nephews.
Finally united with your beautiful Belinda.
Always so loving, thoughtful and kind, what beautiful memories you leave behind. You may have le this world behind, But you will never leave our hearts and mind.
With tears we saw you su er, We watched you fade away, Our hearts were slowly breaking As you fought so hard to stay.
The grief and heartache we feel Bears witness to the depth of our love. You never failed to do your best, Your heart was true and tender. You simply lived for those you loved, And those you loved remember. Life is not measured by the years you live, But the love you gave and the things you did.
~ So ly within the shadows, There came a gentle call, With farewells le unspoken, You quietly le us all.
~ Now you are peacefully sleeping Away from all your pain, But the love in our hearts will always remain.
Words are few, thoughts are deep, Memories of you are ours to keep.
Special thanks to the wonderful team at Myrtleford Lodge for your care and support of Lyn for the past ten years.
KING (nee Miller), Lyn (Lynette).
1/3/1941 – 1/3/2025
The funeral for the late Lyn King will be held on Friday, March 14, 2025 at 3pm at St Pauls Anglican Church, Myrtleford and Myrtleford Lawn Cemetery. Then to the Myrtleford Golf Club for food and refreshments.
In loving memory of BONACCI, Antonio.
Whether you kept us in your thoughts, sent lovely owers, made a lovely meal or helped us in any way, please know that your love, phone calls and cards has brought us great comfort and will always be remembered. ~ Pina Bonacci and family.
ROYAL Enfield 350 Hunter 2022, great learner’s bike, 3400km long rego, still under warranty, 2U4PN. Ph 0411 519 496 or 5721 3727.
EARLY RISE: Sunrise on the summit of Mount Bogong as Conquestathon volunteers await the arrival of the first participants last Saturday.
LISTEN UP: Conquestathon race director, Warren Sanders, briefs participants prior to the start of the 2025 Mount Bogong Conquestathon.
By MARY HALL, Kangaroo Hoppet race secretary
EARLY morning on Saturday, March 1, some 295 people lined up at the start line at the base of Mount Bogong to take on the challenge of the 45th Mount Bogong Conquestathon.
The event involves a total trek of 21km beginning with a 1410 metres elevation gain in only 9kms up Staircase Spur to the summit of Mount Bogong, Victoria’s highest mountain (1986m).
Participants then descend Eskdale Spur to Camp Creek Gap and onto a 4WD track for the final 8km back to the start/finish area at Mountain Creek Campground.
While more than half of the participants came from the North East and Albury/Wodonga regions, the event attracted a significant number from Melbourne and across regional Victoria, with interstate entries from Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane and Darwin - and two participants from Maidstone (UK) and St Didier (France).
The Kiewa and Ovens valleys were well represented with 75 participants calling the valleys their home.
The event has two categories: competitive or non-competitive.
Participants chose to either take their time and walk it in the noncompetitive category or to compete and run in the competitive category.
Either way, participants were treated to a glorious sunny day to conquer Mount Bogong and feel like they were on top of the world.
Finishing rst in a time of 2:07:42 was Iain Best from Canberra.
He was rst over the summit and never relinquished his lead to second place nisher Hugo Lee from Thornbury, who nished in a time of 2:21:14.
Third overall and winner of the 50-59 male age group was Minter Barnard of Bright in a time of 2:27:41.
Not far behind Minter in fourth place overall was Mount Beauty local, Harri Silvester, in a time of 2:30:41.
Jas Vollmer from Alphington was
the rst female and tenth place overall, with a time of 2:36:34. It was a back-and-forth battle for second place female between Upper Kiewa Valley locals Nichole McKilliam of Falls Creek, and Mimi Bennet from Tawonga South. Nichole nished strongly to edge out Mimi, their times respectively were 2:47:49 and 2:48:54.
Other age group winners included Catherine McInerney from Wandiligong (over 60 women), Arno Van Der Schans from Cobden (over 60 men), Michelle Beattie from Kiewa (women 50 – 59), Eleanor Chlebna from Bright (Under 18 women), and Harris Mason from Wodonga (Under 18 men).
There were prizes for the largest team, sponsored by Howmans Gap Alpine Discovery Camp at Falls Creek, and the fastest team, sponsored by Altra Running.
The team with the most registered participants on the day was the Bridge Road Brewers Run Club of Beechworth.
They won two nights free accommodation at Howmans Gap Alpine Discovery Camp for the whole team.
They were also the team with the three fastest times, and they each won a pair of Altra trail running shoes.
The Mount Bogong Conquestathon is organised by the Kangaroo Hoppet and Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club Search and Rescue (BNSC SAR) with support from AGL, owner and operator of the Kiewa Hydro Electricity scheme.
Extra special thanks go to the event’s organising committee from BNSC SAR.
Without their hard work prior to and on the day, this event could not happen.
Year round this crew of amazing volunteers assist police to locate people that get lost in our alpine areas.
They are experienced bushwalkers, back country and cross country skiers and mountaineers who have had specialist search and rescue training.
Kudos to BNSC SAR and all the volunteers from the local community who help make the Mount Bogong Conquestathon a fun and safe event.
EVENT RESULTS
Open men: 1 BEST Iain (Campbell ACT); 2 LEE Hugo (Thornbury); 3 SILVESTER Harri (Mount Beauty).
Open Women: 1 VOLLMER Jas (Alphington); 2 MCKILLIAM Nichole (Falls Creek) 3 BENNETT Mimi (Tawonga South).
Over 60 Men: 1 VAN DER SCHANS Arno (Cobden); 2 EVANS Trevor (Gembrook); 3 FRIZZELL David (Wodonga).
Over 60 Women: 1 MCINERNEY Catherine (Wandiligong); 2 MEREDITH Cerina (Albury); 3 SALMON Lizette (Wodonga).
Men 50 – 59: 1 BARNARD Minter (Bright); 2 GODDEN Brett (Melbourne); 3 MCINERNEY Patrick (Coniston NSW).
Women 50 – 59: 1 BEATTIE Michelle (Kiewa); 2 HOLLAND Joanna (Camberwell); 3 NAWROCKI Fiona (Baranduda).
U18 men: 1 HARRIS Mason (Wodonga); 2 JONES Rowan (Kancoona); 3 WILSON Harper (Porepunkah).
U18 Women: 1 CHLEBNA Eleanor (Bright); 2 DAVIES Sierra (Mount Beauty); 3 NEIL Claudia (Mount Beauty).
THIS week, local golfers said goodbye to summer with some great results across the region.
MYRTLEFORD GOLF CLUB
SATURDAY, 1 March
Drummond Golf Albury Monthly Medal Stroke & Super 6 AMCR 71
A Grade Winner: Jason Gilbert (12) 82/70 c/b. A Grade Runner Up: Spider Hancock (12) 82/70.
B Grade Winner: Paul Miles (17) 84/67. B Grade Runner Up and Medal Winner: Warren Rowney (22) 90/68.
Super 6 Winner: Robert Wheeler (25) 21 nett. Super 6 Runner Up: Roger Humphris (21) 22 nett c/b.
Ball Winners: A Roseby 70, R Wheeler 70, A Rockliff 71, G Black 71, P Stewart 72, C Shewell 73, C Walker 73.
Foodworks NTPs - 1st: Gerard Black, 4th 2nd Shot: Roger Humphris, 8th: Alan Rockliff, 14th: Andrew Roseby, 16th: Andrew Corcoran. Raffle Winner: John Costello. Matthews Cleaning Award: George Browne (22) 114/92.
Thursday, 27 February
Wheelers Freight Stableford AMCR 73
A Grade Winner: Sandra Piazza (15) 33pts. A Grade Runner Up: Jan Roseby (14) 33pts c/b.
9 Hole Runner Up: Robyn Ternes
22pts.
Ball Winners: Suzette Kelly (39) 31pts, Frances Bentley (22) 30pts c/b.
Foodworks NTPs - 2nd/4th: Frances Bentley, 14th: Jan Roseby.
Wednesday, 26 February
Wheelers Freight Stableford AMCR 71
A Grade Winner: Craig Shewell (15) 42 pts. A Grade Runner Up: Ichlis Giovannoni (15) 40 pts.
Ball Winners: T Chapman 37, P Veldman 35, A Roseby 35.
Foodworks NTPs - 1st: Jim Martin, 4th 2nd Shot: Peter Stewart, 8th: Craig Shewell, 14th: Andrew Roseby, 16: Craig Shewell.
Tuesday, 25 February
Wheelers Freight Stableford AMCR 73
A Grade Winner: Ann Hazeldine (33) 37pts. A Grade Runner Up: Kerry Newton (16) 37pts c/b.
9 Hole Winner: Kaye McGuffie 14pts. 9 Hole Runner Up: Marg Fitridge 13pts c/b.
Ball Winners: Marg Curtis (16) 36pts, Faye McLees (23) 35pts c/b, Angela O’Shaughnessy (15) 35 c/b.
Foodworks NTPs - 2nd/4th: Robyn Ternes, 14th: Liz Orton, 16th: Kerry Newton.
BRIGHT COUNTRY GOLF CLUB
FAMOUS golf quote of the week, “Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect”. This is very appropriate for the 204 men and women who played at
Bright on Monday, 24 February. Playing in this month’s North-East Veteran’s Stableford competition at Bright, it was a bit like the theme of ‘Gilligan’s Island’.
All those golfers set off into the wilds of the Bright golf course, and only two played under their handicaps - one male and one lady returned to the clubrooms knowing they had conquered the field.
Winners - A Grade men: Phil Jessen (Bright) 34 points C/B, B Grade: Wayne Degering (Howlong) 38 points, C Grade: Terry Bolden (Bright), D Grade: Nick Moschis (Bright) 35 points.
Ladies - A Grade: Brenda Miller (Yarrawonga) 39 points, runner up: Donna Hancock (Yarrawonga) 35 points C/B.
NTPs men - 3rd: Wayne Degering (Howlong), 6th: Graham Ulbrick (Jubilee), 16th: Glen O’Connell (Bright).
Ladies - 3rd: Patrice Sherriff (Howlong) 6th: Glenda Dodson, 11th: Jan Moore (Wodonga), 16th: Sally Sykes (Benalla).
Tuesday, 25 February all gender chicken run, Stableford.
A group of 20 players thought they were in with a chance to take home the chook, but only one player took home the chicken for dinner.
Ross Heydon won on a countback from Tyler Thomason, both players
finished the back nine competition with 21 points.
Ball winners: Shaun Paul 21 points, Mitch Banks 19 points C/B.
NTPs - 11th: Lauren Velicki, 16th: Jason Fillippi.
Wednesday, 26 February, ladies stroke.
A technical hitch the office meant the scores were delayed, but here are the results.
Winner: Carol Burgess 12 H/C nett 75, Dianne Anders 27 H/C nett 76.
Ball winners: Judith Voce nett 76, Bernie Fitzgerald, nett 77.
Thursday, 27 February, men’s Stableford competition.
A field of 33 men teed off and once again, one was still missing in action.
Of those who finished, there were seven who returned fine scores under their handicaps.
Winners: Ken Bailey 22 H/C 42 points, Crusty Carlisle 11 H/C 39 points C/B, Phil Bardsley-Smith 11 H/C 39 points C/B.
Ball winners: Matt Ellis 39 points, Bill (the Colt from Buffalo River) 38 points, Steve O’Rielly 37 points and Neil Gill 37 points.
NTPs - 3rd: Phil Bardsley Smith, 6th: Mark Stephenson, 11th: John Forbes (and birdie), 16th: Mark Frost.
The humble chicken winner was the one and only Dennis Pangrazio.
The unfortunate winner of the NAGA went to Bruno Spiller from the
wilds of Harrietville with an ordinary 25 points.
Saturday, 1 March, all gender stroke competition.
Being the first Saturday of the month can only mean one thing: Monthly Medal for the men and Stableford for the ladies.
The ladies’ contest was won by Carol Bailey playing off a 20 handicap, but not for much longer, with a wonderful 42 points.
Runners up were Lauren Velicki 35 points and Carol Burgess 33 points.
Out of the 49 men playing, only three played under their handicaps.
From the reports received, the tees were right back and the pin placements were what you could expect playing off the blue markers for the monthly medal.
Those results are as follows: Cameron Wood 34 H/C nett 63, Lachlan Thomason 31 H/C nett 66, Darren Wood 19 H/C nett 71, Jason Fillippi 12 H/C 72 nett, Conner Forde 22 H/C nett 73 C/B.
Ball winners: Cameron Wickes nett 73, Chris Oswin nett 74 C/B, Graham McElvenny nett 74 C/B, ‘Nifty’ Nev Blewitt net 74, Robert Taylor nett 74, Bill Stonnill 75 nett C/B. NTPs - 3rd: John Forbes, 6th: jackpot, 11th: Sam Niedra, 16th: Phil Bardsley-Smith.
The Bright Golf Guru quote of the
week, “Golf is a compromise between what your ego wants you to do, and what your nerves let you do,” - that’s why most of us don’t play golf for a living.
THE ladies split into two groups again on Wednesday, 26 February.
One group played the front nine which was won by Gill Harrowfield with 18 points from Lynda Barter with 17 points.
The other group played the 18 Holes which was won by Ruth Rynehart with 35 points from Jooyon Kang-Redmond with 33 points. NTP on the seventh, second shot, was Ruth Rynehart.
On Saturday, 1 March, the Ladies continued with their Monthly Stroke competition which was won by Jooyon Kang-Redmond with net 70 from Liz Harvey, net 75.
On Monday, 24 February, Luke Porritt from Thurgoona and Sam Bake from Albury Commercial Club joined the fun at Mount Beauty once again.
This time no one was able to come close to Sam as he had 43 points –shooting a total of 64 off the stick for the round.
This would possibly have been a course record, but the rules are the round must be off the blue tees and in stroke format.
Luke came in next with 36 points, and a score of 69 off the stick, on a countback from Brett Williams.
To add further excitement for the round, Sam had an Eagle on the par five 11th, and Luke managed one as well on the par five 14th.
The men played the front nine on Wednesday, 26 February which was won by David Drew with his 19 points from Don Mason on 18 points.
Balls went to Brett Williams and Keith Archibald with their 17 points apiece.
NTP on the seventh was Tony Campen, and the ninth was Mark Redmond.
Saturday, 1 March was Monthly Medal for the Men which was won by Stephen Short with a net 70 on a countback from Keith Archibald.
Roger Church and Rick Beisboer took home a ball each for their 72 net apiece.
Luke Porritt rounded out the podium with his 73 net.
NTP on the seventh was Andrew Greenfield, along with the Tatts Ticket from the Tawonga South Newsagency & Post Office.
The ninth was Keith Archibald, 17th was Ross Rynehart, while Dave Etherton took home the money on the 18th.
■ From back page
“Our junior development is going really well, our junior teams have got some talent – both under 12 teams were nearly in the grand nal, our under 16s had a few good wins and most of those kids are bottom age, and our under 14s have made nals.
“With Geeth’s [Alwis] leadership as coach, hopefully the development keeps going in the o -season, potentially having a training session every month in the winter.”
While they will not play nals, it by no means the Tigers’ nal match of the year against Wangaratta Magpies isn’t worthwhile.
“We might change the order up a little bit, maybe give a couple of the young fellas a bit more of a role as well, just to try some di erent things,” Bursill said.
“In saying that, ideally we’d want to nish the season with a win, so we’ll still be going all guns blazing.
“There’s a lot to play for, there are a couple of blokes who are up there in league awards – I think Geeth’s leading the batting by a lot and he’s right up there with the bowling as well, so hopefully he can get a couple of wickets and nish o his season which has absolutely incredible.”
The Tigers take on Wangaratta Magpies to round out their season over the next two Saturdays at Norm Minns Oval, with play commencing from 1pm.
THE seasons of Mount Beauty United Cricket Club’s three sides have all ended over the weekend.
In a disappointing Saturday for the club, its first and second grade sides were defeated in elimination finals, while their third eleven were unable to field a team in their final home and away game for the season.
By NATHAN DE VRIES
A GROUP of nine students from Marian College are making nal preparations to take on the best swimmers in the region at the Hume Secondary Swimming Championships next week.
The students quali ed a er a squad on 22 went to Wodonga on Monday, 24 February for the Ovens and Mitta Hume Swimming Carnival.
Quali ed swimmers for Hume Secondary Swimming (Regional Level)
Daisy Howell - Girls 17-20 years freestyle relay, Girls 17-20 years medley relay.
Milla Corcoran - Girls 12-15 years 200m individual medley, 14 years 50m freestyle, 15 years freestyle relay, 15-16 years medley relay.
Skylah McPherson – Girls
■ From back page
It was a similar story in the midweek B1 preliminary nal where Myrtleford played Yarrawonga.
200m freestyle, 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke, 50m butter y, 50m backstroke, Girls 17-20 medley relay, Girls 17-20 freestyle relay.
Jade Hazeldine - Girls 17-20 years freestyle relay, Girls 17-20 years medley relay.
Ella McMasters – Girls 50m butter y, 50m backstroke, 15 years freestyle relay, 15-16 years medley relay.
Gemma Corcoran – Girls 15 years 200m freestyle, 15 years 400m freestyle, 15 years freestyle relay, 1516 years medley relay.
Zahra Hazeldine – Girls 15 years 50m breaststroke, 15 years freestyle relay, 15-16 years medley relay.
Nina Fortaliza – Girls 16 years 50m breaststroke, 16 years 100m breaststroke, 16 years 50m Freestyle, 16 year 100m freestyle, Girls 17-20 Freestyle relay, Girls 17-20 Medley relay.
Taleah Elkington - Girls 15 years 50m breaststroke, backstroke, freestyle MultiClass.
A win at the Hume Secondary Swimming Championships paves the way to a state swim, with Marian College sports coordinator Genavieve Cusack strongly believing the local talent can go all the way.
“Marian has got some absolutely amazing athletes, and they work really hard to get where they are,” she said.
“I think every single one of those girls do squad swimming in Myrtleford, they’ve worked hard for years and it obviously pays o because every year they’re making it to the next level.
“We’re hoping these girls make it to state - most them have actually competed at state before and we’re hoping they can do it again.
“I feel strongly about these girls, I
think they’re some amazing athletes and I hope they’re able to reach the next level.”
The pathway swimming successes come a er the college hosted their annual swimming carnival back in early February.
Several of the swimmers broke records at the school carnival, with Skylah McPherson claiming the girls U17s freestyle 50m (30.45 seconds) and girls U17s butter y 25m (15.20 seconds) records, and Nina Fortaliza breaking the girls U16s breaststroke 50m record (39.47 seconds).
The carnival itself was won by Gomez with 1756 community points, with Nagle (1632 points) and Romero (1256 points) trailing behind.
Up against Kiewa for the second time in a week, Mount Beauty hit the road in the battle between first and sixth searching for an upset finals win, which was made a little more difficult with the absence of several first-choice players.
The early dismissals of Toby Derrick (4) and Todd Jeanes (0) would normally have given Kiewa the upper hand in the opening ten overs, but was offset by skipper Greg McLennan going ballistic at the other end, who scored at a strike rate of almost two runs per ball at different stages of the powerplay.
McLennan, who has led from the front with bat in hand all season, scored a quickfire 58 from only 50 balls to give his side a fighting chance of victory.
Nick Iaria hit four boundaries and one big six in his important knock of 41, and most of these runs were scored with his captain on their way to a third-wicket partnership of 45.
When McLennan was caught on the boundary in the last over before drinks with the team’s score on 95, a solid platform had been built, but as has been the case for much of the season, the Power’s middle order failed to capitalise on a positive start and limped to a total of 9/149.
Myrtleford maintained the lead for much of the game until a more experienced Yarrawonga side seemed to gather con dence and started to apply pressure.
Myrtleford capitulated and their season was over, losing 54/65. Best rink was Lindsay Hamilton, Geo Dyt, Phyllis Swindley and Norm Hallett winning narrowly 21/20. Les Brown’s team lost 18/25, and Colin Smith’s team went down 15/20.
ON THE WAY: Graeme Attwood sends down a shot in the grand final.
Mandi Chrystal
The Marian College swimming contingent heads to Wodonga for the Hume Secondary Swimming Championships on Friday, 14 March.
Everything had to go right for Mount Beauty to defend their moderate total, but the early breakthrough couldn’t be made.
Kiewa’s brutal opening pair John Spencer and Nat Sariman showed their class with a 99-run stand, and while another wicket was snared three runs later, the home team cruised to an eight-wicket victory with eleven overs and two balls remaining.
Kiewa will play off against Eskdale for a place in the decider, while Yackandandah and Bethanga will compete for the other grand final spot. Meanwhile, Mount Beauty’s second team (85) have also been eliminated from their finals series after a home defeat to Bethanga (1/88), who recorded a comprehensive nine-wicket win.
AFTER an incredible season, it’s all over for Myrtleford’s B1 bowls team in the biggest match of the year.
In the weekend B1 grand nal at the Wangaratta Bowls Club, Myrtleford faced o against Moyhu.
At the halfway mark all seemed lost for Myrtleford when they trailed by 19 points, but they rallied and mounted a comeback.
With only two of the 63 ends to play, onlookers were on the edge of their seats when the scores were level. Unfortunately for Myrtleford, they were unable to continue their resurgence and fell four points short of victory, losing 64/68.
Best for Myrtleford with the only winning rink was Graham Burrington with Graeme Attwood, Graeme Piazza and Glenys Pepyat 26/21.
Les Brown’s team went down 19/21 and Je rey Stagg’s team lost 19/26.
■ Continued page 37
IT’S ALL OVER: Les Brown and Myrtleford’s B1 bowlers fell at the final hurdle, defeated in the grand final by Moyhu.
rubber, Tigers’ finals hopes dashed
AFTER 13 rounds of highstakes cricket, for Ovens Valley United’s A grade squad, it all ends with a whimper over the next two Saturdays.
Barring an extremely one-sided result against Wangaratta Magpies over the next fortnight, and other results going overwhelmingly in their
BY NATHAN DE VRIES ndevries@ nemedia.com.au
favour, the Tigers will nish outside the top four.
After the bye in round 12, the Tigers currently sit sixth overall with 83.61 points, 9.27 points behind Yarrawonga Mulwala in
fourth – given the Lakers have the bye in the final round, they will receive the average winning points total, which should be enough to hold Ovens Valley United at bay even if the Tigers get up over the Magpies.
Skipper Dylan Bursill said it was disappointing not to play nals.
“A er Christmas we’ve been pretty dismal,” he said.
“In saying that, early on we lost three or four games that we were really in the box seat to win, which was disappointing.
“It could’ve been a di erent story if we’d won a couple of them early, get a bit of momentum.
“I don’t think it really
re ects our season, we’re only on four wins, but we really messed up those games.
“Hopefully next year we can stick together with the same group, we’ve got a couple of great kids coming along.”
Bursill said despite the lack of a senior flag this year, the club was in a very strong position, with
emerging talent, a strong culture, and great facilities.
“O - eld, we’re sitting so strong, we’ve got really good sponsorship and our committee’s really working hard,” he said.
“Our venues are all looking magni cent, we’ve got new mowers, so we’re good o - eld.
■ Continued page 36